APPARATUS FOR FIXING FLOATING BODIES

• US 20100206210A1
• Filed: 07/30/2008
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dual Docker GmbH
• Original Assignee: Michael Fuhrmann
• Inventors: Fuhrmann, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,109,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/230.180
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/00 Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring of buoys B63B22/04; dynamic anchoring B63H25/00 ; equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. for landing purposes, E02B

Abstract

An apparatus is described for fixing floating bodies (1), in particular boats, to a landing body (2) with at least two holding booms (5) which are fixed to respective mooring means (4) by means of fittings (3) functioning as coupling elements, in each case at one end on the floating body (1) and at the other end on the landing body (2). In order to create advantageous conditions, it is proposed that at least one of the holding booms (5) be fixed, at least at one end, to the respective mooring means by the fitting (3) functioning as a coupling element so as to be rotationally fixed or rotationally resilient about an at least approximately vertical axis (7) with an adjustable and fixable angular offset (α).

Claims

1. Apparatus for fixing floating bodies (1), in particular boats, to a landing body (2) with at least two holding booms (5) which are fixed to respective mooring means (4) by means of fittings (3) functioning as coupling elements, in each case at one end on the floating body (1) and at the other end on the landing body (2), wherein at least one of the holding booms (5) is fixed, at least at one end, to the respective mooring means by the fitting (3) functioning as a coupling element so as to be rotationally fixed or rotationally resilient about an at least approximately vertical axis (7) with an adjustable and fixable angular offset (α

).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fittings (3) functioning as coupling elements act on the holding booms (5) so as to be adjustable so as to pivot freely about at least approximately horizontal and mutually parallel axes (8).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding booms (5) are embodied telescopically and have in the direction of displacement springs (9) absorbing tensile and compressive forces.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a displacement damper pertains to the holding booms (5).

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding booms (5) are embodied so as to be longitudinally adjustable.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fitting (3) functioning as a coupling element has a receptacle (10) engaging in a form-fitting manner into a corresponding mating piece.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the receptacle is mounted in the fitting (3) or the mating piece is mounted in relation to the associated mooring means (4) so as to be rotationally resilient about the at least approximately vertical axis (7).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a torsional vibration damper pertains to the torsion spring (11).

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fittings (3) are fixed to the respective mooring means (4) via intermediate pieces (16) acting, on the one hand, on the fittings (3) and, on the other hand, on the mooring means (4).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate piece (16) is embodied in a crosswise manner.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate piece (16) provided on one side of the holding boom is a ball coupling.

12. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one fitting (3) per holding boom (5) is adjustable between a coupling position (FIG. 9) and a rest position (FIG. 8) so as to be able to pivot about the at least approximately horizontal axis (8) counter to the force of a spring (23), for which purpose a rope (24) is provided that functions as a cord and acts at one end on the fitting (3) and at the other end in the holding boom (5).

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the holding boom (5) is adjustable so as to be able to pivot between the coupling position (FIG. 9) and the rest position (FIG. 8) by way of the rope (24) while prestressing a spring (23) provided in the holding boom (5), preferably a rubbery-elastic plastics material block.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding booms 5 are stayed in the manner of a latticework using ropes 20, for which purpose corresponding eyes 21 are provided on the holding booms 5.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein spring lines 22 are arranged next to the holding booms 5.