Protective apparatus for marine structures
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detachable attachment to a portion of a marine structure, the marine structure being selected from the group consisting of a fixed or floating dock, a pier, a piling, a wharf, and an offshore oil and gas structure, the apparatus comprisinga cushion body forming a mounting surface and a watercraft-engaging surface substantially opposing the mounting surface, the cushion body comprising a channel-forming flap through which an elongated retention member extends;
- at least one rigid support member, the rigid support member defined by or configured for contact with the mounting surface of the cushion body and disposed, during use, between the cushion body and the portion of the marine structure, the rigid support member comprising an elongated groove; and
attachment means for detachably attaching the cushion body to the portion of the marine structure,whereinthe cushion body, when attached to the portion of the marine structure, is sized and configured to prevent destructive contact between the marine structure and a watercraft when the watercraft-engaging surface is contacted by the watercraft; and
the elongated groove is configured to receive and retain the elongated flap and elongated retention member, thereby securing the cushion body to the rigid support member.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for inhibiting damage from impact between a marine structure and an adjacent watercraft, and a related method, are described. The apparatus includes a cushion body forming a mounting surface and a watercraft-engaging surface substantially opposing the mounting surface, at least one rigid support member, the rigid support member defined by or configured for contact with the mounting surface of the cushion body and disposed, during use, between the cushion body and the portion of the marine structure, and attachment means for detachably attaching the cushion body to the portion of the marine structure. The cushion body, when attached to the portion of the marine structure, is sized and configured to prevent destructive contact between the marine structure and a watercraft when the watercraft-engaging surface is contacted by the watercraft.
48 Citations
9 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for detachable attachment to a portion of a marine structure, the marine structure being selected from the group consisting of a fixed or floating dock, a pier, a piling, a wharf, and an offshore oil and gas structure, the apparatus comprising
a cushion body forming a mounting surface and a watercraft-engaging surface substantially opposing the mounting surface, the cushion body comprising a channel-forming flap through which an elongated retention member extends; -
at least one rigid support member, the rigid support member defined by or configured for contact with the mounting surface of the cushion body and disposed, during use, between the cushion body and the portion of the marine structure, the rigid support member comprising an elongated groove; and attachment means for detachably attaching the cushion body to the portion of the marine structure, wherein the cushion body, when attached to the portion of the marine structure, is sized and configured to prevent destructive contact between the marine structure and a watercraft when the watercraft-engaging surface is contacted by the watercraft; and the elongated groove is configured to receive and retain the elongated flap and elongated retention member, thereby securing the cushion body to the rigid support member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification