Apparatus for fixing floating bodies

• US 8,109,222 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2008
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dual Docker GmbH
• Original Assignee: Michael Fuhrmann
• Inventors: Fuhrmann, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US12/452,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20100206210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 114/230.15, 114/230.18, 114/230.19
• US Class Current: 114/230.15
• 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 moorrings (4) by 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 moorrings 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. An apparatus for fixing a floating body to a landing body with at least two holding booms which are fixed to respective mooring means by means of fittings functioning as coupling elements, in each case at one end on the floating body and at the other end on the landing body, wherein at least one of the holding booms is fixed, at least at one end, to the respective mooring means by the fitting functioning as a coupling element so as to be rotationally fixed or rotationally resilient about an at least approximately vertical axis with an adjustable and fixable angular offset;

wherein the fittings functioning as coupling elements act on the holding booms so as to be adjustable so as to pivot freely about at least approximately horizontal and mutually parallel axes; and

wherein at least one fitting per holding boom is adjustable between a coupling position and a rest position so as to be able to pivot about a respective one of the at least approximately horizontal and mutually parallel axes counter to a force of a spring.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding booms are embodied telescopically and have in the direction of displacement springs absorbing tensile and compressive forces.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a displacement damper pertains to the holding booms.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding booms are embodied so as to be longitudinally adjustable.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fitting functioning as a coupling element has a receptacle engaging in a form-fitting manner into a corresponding mating piece.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the receptacle is mounted in the fitting or the mating piece is mounted in relation to the associated mooring means so as to be rotationally resilient about the at least approximately vertical axis.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a torsional vibration damper pertains to the torsion spring.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fittings are fixed to the respective mooring means via intermediate pieces acting, on the one hand, on the fittings and, on the other hand, on the mooring means.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the intermediate piece is embodied in a crosswise manner.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the intermediate piece provided on one side of the holding boom is a ball coupling.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rope is provided that functions as a cord and acts at one end on the fitting and at the other end in the holding boom.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the spring is provided in the holding boom and the holding boom is adjustable so as to be able to pivot between the coupling position and the rest position by way of the rope while prestressing the spring.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding booms are stayed in the manner of a latticework using ropes, for which purpose corresponding eyes are provided on the holding booms.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein spring lines are arranged next to the holding booms.