WO2004076274A1

WO2004076274A1 - Anchoring and mooring devices for boats

Info

Publication number: WO2004076274A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aldo Bruno Merlo; Salvatore Giambrone
Original assignee: NAVY BLOCK Ltd
Current assignee: NAVY BLOCK Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-28
Filing date: 2003-02-28
Publication date: 2004-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2005-08-28
Also published as: AU2003220818A1

Abstract

A mooring system for a boat comprises an anchoring device (200) comprising an elongate element (210) connectable to a mooring cable or chain (L) of the boat (S) and capable of being coupled to a mooring device positioned outside the boat. The mooring device comprises receiving means (43, 24a, 31b), for receiving the anchoring device (200); quick-acting coupling means (52, 53) for releasable engaging the elongate element (210) is inserted into the receiving means (43, 24a, 31b); and stop means (60) associated with the quick-acting coupling means (52, 53), capable of being brought selectively into a release condition, in which the coupling means (52, 53) are disengageable from the elongate element (210), allowing the elongate element (210) to be inserted into the receiving means (43, 24a, 31b) and extracted therefrom, and a stop condition, in which the disengagement of the coupling means (52, 53) from the elongate element is prevented in the condition in which the elongate element (210) is inserted into the receiving means (43, 24a, 31b). The elongate element (210) has formations (212) which can be engaged by the coupling means (52, 53) of the mooring device.

Description

ANCHORING AND MOORING DEVICES FOR BOATS

The present invention relates to an anchoring device and a mooring device for boats, and to a mooring system comprising these devices .

Various mooring systems for boats are known. For example, mooring can be carried out by means of one or more anchors which grip the sea bed. Alternatively, the boat can be moored by tying it to a buoy with cables or chains, or to a sinker, the mooring chain being recovered from the sea bed and secured to a bitt. These systems are relatively difficult to use, and require a rather large number of cables or chains.

Additionally, Italian patent application no. PA99A000008 discloses a mechanical system for anchoring boats to docks, in anchorages, or to tugs. This system comprises a lower section, movable on a rail positioned, for example, on a dock, and an upper section provided with a hydraulic piston. This piston is provided at one end with a bar having a rounded end, on the sides of which a notch is formed, this notch being capable of engaging in a corresponding formation on a structure of a vessel. This system is suitable for large boats and requires a complex control unit for its movement.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mooring system for boats which is simple to construct and use, and which is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized vessels, for example recreational boats (yachts) .

According to a first aspect of the invention, therefore, a mooring device for a boat having the characteristics specified in Claim 1 is proposed.

Particular embodiments of the mooring device are specified in dependent Claims 2 to 8. According to a second aspect of the invention, an anchoring device for a boat having the characteristics specified in Claim 9 is proposed.

Particular embodiments of the mooring device are specified in dependent Claims 10 to 13.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a mooring system for a boat having the characteristics specified in Claim 14 is proposed.

Particular embodiments of the mooring system are specified in dependent Claims 15 and 16.

Advantageously, the number of lines immersed in the water is significantly reduced according to the invention, by comparison with conventional mooring systems using anchors which grip the sea bed. This is particularly desirable where there is a large number of moored boats, and the lines, which frequently become entangled in propellers, impede mooring manoeuvres .

Furthermore, the system according to the invention is remarkably versatile, since it can be installed in any area of a harbour, being suitable for docks and buoys, and can also be used in the vicinity of marine reserves, since it avoids the use of conventional anchors which break up the sea bed.

A preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of a mooring device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the mooring device of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded sectional view, taken through the line III-III, of the device of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 2, taken through the line IV-IV of the latter figure;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by the arrow V of Fig. 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the mooring device according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an anchoring device according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the device of Fig. 6;

Figure 9 is a block diagram which illustrates the operation of the second embodiment of the mooring device according to the invention; and

Figures 10 and 11 are views which illustrate two operating conditions of the mooring system according to the invention.

A first embodiment of a mooring device according to the invention, mounted on a float F of a buoy B, is shown in Figures 1 to 4.

The float F comprises a lower element 10, formed by a portion of substantially truncated conical shape 11, positioned in such a way that its end with the larger cross section 11a faces upwards and its end with the smaller cross section lib faces downwards. The truncated conical portion 11 is connected to a toroidal portion 12 by a plurality of spokes 12a (of which there are four in the illustrated example) , extending radially from the upper end 11a of this truncated conical portion 11. Sealed compartments 13 are formed inside the toroidal portion 12, and inside the truncated conical portion 11, in the upper end 11a of the latter. These sealed compartments 13 are filled with polyurethane foam. Conversely, the truncated conical portion 11 is substantially ballasted at its lower end lib.

A substantially cylindrical cavity 14, whose function is described below, is formed inside the truncated conical portion ll of the lower element 10 and coaxially with it. This cavity 14 is open at the top and at the bottom, in the upper end 11a and the lower end lib, respectively, of the truncated conical portion 11. The cavity 14 comprises an upper portion 14a and a lower portion 14b, the upper portion 14a having a greater cross section such that a shoulder surface 14c is formed between the upper portion 14a and the lower portion 14b.

The float F also comprises an upper element 20, formed by a portion of substantially truncated conical shape 21, positioned in such a way that its end with the larger cross section 21a faces downwards and its end with the smaller cross section 21b faces upwards. Sealed compartments 23 are formed inside this truncated conical portion 21. These sealed compartments 23 are also filled with polyurethane foam.

A substantially cylindrical cavity 24, whose function is described below, is formed inside the truncated conical portion 21 of the upper element 20 and coaxially with it. This cavity 24 is open at the top and at the bottom, in the upper end 21b and the lower end 21a, respectively, of the truncated conical portion 21. The cavity 24 comprises an upper portion 24a and a lower portion 24b, the lower portion 24b having a greater cross section such that a shoulder surface 24c is formed between the upper portion 24a and the lower portion 24b.

With particular reference to Figs. 3 to 5, the present embodiment of the mooring device of the mooring apparatus according to the invention comprises an axial element 30 which, in the assembled state of the buoy B, is positioned within the cavities 14 and 24 of the truncated conical portions 11 and 21 of the float F. This axial element 30 has a substantially cylindrical and elongate shape, and comprises a head portion 31 and a shank portion 32, both preferably made from AISI 316 stainless steel. The head portion 31 of the axial element 30 is provided at its top with a cylindrical projection 31a formed in one piece and coaxially with it, and has a through hole 31b formed coaxially in the body of the head portion 31 and in the cylindrical projection 31a. The lower end of the through hole 31b is threaded to enable a corresponding threaded end 32a of the shank portion 32 to be screwed in. The shank portion 32, having a substantially solid body, has at its other end an eye bolt 32b for connecting to a chain (not shown) for connection to a sinker (not shown) , by means of which the buoy B is anchored to the sea bed.

Clearly, the connection between the head portion 31 and the shank portion 32 of the axial element 30 can be made by alternative means, for example by embedding or welding, or the axial element itself can be made in one piece.

In the assembled state of the buoy B (shown in Fig. 4) , the head portion 31 of the axial element 30 is contained inside the upper portion 14a of the cavity 14 of the lower element 10 of the float F, with the cylindrical projection 31a inserted into the lower portion 24b of the cavity 24 of the upper element 20 of the float F, and retained between the shoulder surfaces 14c and 24. The shank portion 32 of the axial element 30 is contained in the lower portion 14b of the cavity 14 of the lower element 10 of the float F, with the formation 32b emerging from the lower end lib of this element 10.

A superstructure 40 is mounted on or formed as an integral part of the upper end 21b of the upper element 20 of the float F. This superstructure 40 comprises a plurality of cylindrical wall portions 41 (of which there are three in the illustrated example) extending from the truncated conical portion 21 and positioned along the edge of the aforesaid end 21b in such a way that they are spaced apart at equal intervals. Through slots 42, for decreasing the wind resistance of the superstructure 40, are made in the wall portions 41. These slots 42 can also form housings for the fitting of signal lights (not shown) if required. The radially inner surfaces of the wall portions 41 are connected to the lateral surface of the upper portion 24a of the cavity 24 of the upper element 20 of the float G in such a way as to form an entry guide 43 for this cavity 24, the function of which is explained below.

With particular reference to Fig. 5, a plurality of radial blind holes 51 (of which there are preferably four) are formed in the head portion 31 of the axial element 30, these holes extending from corresponding apertures 51a formed on the lateral surface of the axial hole 31b and terminating in corresponding blind ends 51b, and being angularly arranged in such a way that they are spaced at equal intervals. Ball elements 52, whose diameters are slightly smaller than those of the blind holes 51, are housed inside these holes 51. A spring 53 is interposed between each ball element 52 and the blind end 51b of the corresponding blind hole 51, in such a way that in their rest position the springs 53 push against the ball elements 52, causing them to project partially into the cavity 24. A restriction of the aperture 51a, not visible in Fig. 4, prevents the ball element 52 from moving out of the corresponding hole 51. As a result of this structure, the ball elements 52 have a degree of radial freedom inside the holes 51, and their movement towards the blind ends 51b of the corresponding holes 51 is opposed by the pressure of the corresponding springs 53.

According to the invention, means 60 for stopping the travel of at least one of the ball elements 52 in the blind holes 51 are also fitted on the float F of the buoy B. These stop means 60 comprise a locking mechanism 61, shown schematically in the drawings, for example one of the type used for the secure closing of doors, hatches and the like. For this purpose, the locking mechanism 61 comprises a moving catch element 62, located in such a way that it can move selectively between a stop position, in which this element 62 projects partially into one of the blind holes 51 in such a way as to prevent the movement of the corresponding ball element 52, and a release position, in which this catch element 62 does not interfere with the travel of the ball element 52. In the example shown, the catch element 62 can move in an axial direction (indicated by the arrow S in Fig. 5) perpendicular to the direction of a blind hole 51. Clearly, the movement of the catch element 62 can take place in different directions from that shown, or can be rotary, according to the various possible configurations normally used in locks. The locking mechanism 61 also comprises an actuating element 63 which can move in a rotary way (indicated by the arrow T of Figs. 1, 4 and 5) to cause the movement of the catch element 62. A transmission bar 64 is connected to the actuating element 63 in such a way as to permit the manual actuation of the actuating element 63. In the example shown, in which the locking mechanism 61 is fitted in the body of the head portion 31 of the axial element 30, the transmission bar 64 is housed in a passage 65 formed inside the upper element 20 of the float F and of the superstructure 40, and is positioned along one of the wall portions 41. The transmission bar 64 is provided with a knob 64a at its free end.

A second embodiment of a mooring device according to the invention, suitable for fixing to docks and/or landing stages, is shown schematically in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the mooring device 101 comprises a casing H, which houses a receiving element which is substantially identical to the head portion 31 of the axial element 30 described above with reference to the first embodiment, and consequently •the characteristics identical to those contained therein are indicated here by the same numerical references and are not described further. In particular, the blind holes 51, the ball elements 52, the springs 53 and the locking mechanism 61 are present in the receiving element 31 of the mooring device 101. The casing H of the mooring device 101 is mounted on the structure of a dock or landing stage P by conventional mechanical means, for example by means of brackets S.

In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving element 31 of the mooring device 101 is positioned in such a way that its through hole 31b is orientated vertically, in other words perpendicularly to the plane of the dock P. Clearly, the receiving element 31 can have any orientation, and in particular can be positioned in such a way that the through hole extends parallel to the surface of the water. This is preferable when the mooring device is mounted at a point which is elevated with respect to the taffrail of the boat .

The casing H also houses an actuating device 110, for operating the actuating element 63 of the locking mechanism 61 in order to cause the selective locking of the ball elements 52. With reference to Fig. 9, the actuating device 110 comprises a control unit 111 and an actuator 112. A transmitter device 120 which can be actuated by an operator is capable of remotely controlling the control unit 111 by transmitting to a receiving circuit (not shown) of the control unit 111 an electromagnetic pulse which is subsequently decoded by this control unit 111. The control unit 111 also comprises a relay Ilia for operating the actuator 112. The actuator 112 can make the actuating element 63 of the locking mechanism 61 rotate in the direction of the arrow T, thus causing the axial movement of the catch element 62, and consequently the locking or release of the ball element 52.

The mooring system according to the invention also comprises an anchoring device 200, illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, for insertion into the mooring device described above. This device 200, which is substantially bar-shaped, comprises a head portion 210 of cylindrical section, having a diameter matching the diameter of the hole 31b of the head portion 31 of the axial element 30 of the receiving device. The head portion 210 of the anchoring device 200 has a free end which terminates in a spherical head 211, connected to the head portion 210 by a groove 212 matching the size of any one of the ball elements 54 housed in the head portion 31 of the axial element 30 of the receiving device. The anchoring device 200 also comprises a tail portion 220, of tubular shape, connected at one end to the head portion 210, and connected at the other end to a plug 221 by means of a thread 222. The plug 221 has a through hole 221a coaxial with the inner cavity of the tubular tail portion 220 of the anchoring device 200, to allow the end of a mooring line or chain L (shown in Figs. 10 and 11) of the boat to be introduced into the hole, and it has formations 221b on the walls of this hole 221a for fixing the end of the line to the anchoring device 200. The free end of the plug 221 has a wide-pitch thread 221c for fitting a tubular spacer element D made from flexible material, for example polyurethane (shown in Figs. 7, 10 and 11) . The tubular element D allows the line L to pass through it, and at its free end it has a crescent-shaped bumper M which reproduces the curvature of the hull H at the position of the hawseholes SH for the mooring lines L of the boat S.

Preferably, a slot 223 is formed in the lateral wall of the tail portion 220 of the anchoring device 200. An L-shaped element 230 is fitted in this slot 223 in such a way that it can slide axially along it. The L-shaped element 230 has at one end a circular groove 231 whose diameter matches the width of the slot 212. The position of this groove 231 prevents the L-shaped element 230 from becoming uncoupled from the slot 212, while allowing it to rotate. The other end 232 of the L-shaped element has a ring-shaped formation for the fixing of an auxiliary line (not shown) if required, for connecting an anchor of conventional type.

The operation of the mooring system according to the invention will now be described.

During the docking manoeuvre, an operator manually introduces one or more anchoring devices 200 into corresponding mooring devices located on buoys B and/or on docks P, as shown in Fig. 10. In this stage of the operation, the flexible spacer element D connected to the anchoring device 200 acts as an extension which facilitates the handling of the anchoring device 200 and its introduction into the cavity 24 of the receiving device, until the connecting groove 212 of the head portion 210 of the anchoring device 200 is coupled to the ball elements 52.

As the anchoring device 200 moves through the cavity 24, the ball elements 52 are retracted by the passage of its head portion 210, and are returned to the rest position, in engagement with the groove 212, by the opposing action of the springs 53. On completion of docking, the extraction of the anchoring device 200 is prevented by the manual rotation of the transmission bars 64 of the mooring devices located on the buoys B, and by the actuation, by means of the transmitter device 120, of the actuating device 110 of the mooring devices located on the docks P, one of the ball elements 52 being thus locked in its position in engagement with the groove 212. In what is known as a "three point" mooring configuration, in which the boat is positioned "stern-to" , in other words perpendicularly to the dock, it is held by three cables or chains, two of which, located at the stern, are connected to receiving devices located on the dock, while the remaining one, located at the bow, is connected to a receiving device located on a buoy. On completion of mooring, the flexible spacer elements D can be uncoupled from the mooring devices 200 fixed to the receiving devices on the dock by slightly rotating the former with respect to the latter at the positions of the wide-pitch threads 221c, after which the bumpers M can be positioned next to the hawseholes SH, as shown in Fig. 11. In this way, the flexible spacer elements D located on the starboard and port sides of the boat S (for the sake of simplicity, only one of these is shown in Fig. 11) are used to prevent the boat from approaching the dock P, while also maintaining its alignment with respect to the dock.

During the unmooring manoeuvre, the operator actuates the transmitter 120 in such a way as to cause the reverse rotation of the actuating elements 63 of the fixed receiving devices, thus releasing the ball elements 52 and allowing the anchoring devices 200 to be extracted manually and recovered. The departure manoeuvre is completed by manually releasing the ball elements 52 by means of the transmission bar 64 in the floating receiving device located on the buoy B, and finally by recovering the corresponding bow anchoring device 200 inserted into it.

Claims

1. A mooring device for a boat, characterized in that it comprises : receiving means (43, 24a, 31b) for receiving an anchoring device (200) comprising an elongate element (210) connected to a mooring cable or chain (L) of the boat (S) ; quick-acting coupling means (52, 53) for releasably engaging the elongate element (210) in the condition in which the said elongate element (210) is inserted into the said receiving means (43, 24a, 31b); and stop means (60) associated with the said quick-acting coupling means (52, 53) and capable of being brought selectively into a release state, in which the said coupling means (52, 53) can be disengaged from the said elongate element (210) , permitting the insertion of the said elongate element (210) into the receiving means (43, 24a, 31b) and its extraction therefrom, and a locking state, in which the disengagement of the said coupling means (52, 53) from the said elongate element (210) is prevented in the condition in which the said elongate element (210) is inserted into the said receiving means (43, 24a, 31b) .

2. A device according to Claim 1, comprising a body (31) of the device, in which the said receiving means (43, 24a, 31b) are made in the form of an elongate cavity (31b) open to the outside, the said quick-acting coupling means (52, 53) being positioned on the walls of the said cavity (31b) .

3. A device according to Claim 2 , in which the said coupling means (52, 53) comprise a plurality of ball elements (52) positioned in corresponding housings (51) formed in the lateral walls of the said cavity (31b) , spring means (53) being provided in the said housings (51) for applying pressure to the said ball elements (52) in such a way that, in the rest position of the spring elements (53) , the ball elements (52) project into the said cavity (31b) .

4. A device according to Claim 3 , in which the said stop means (60) comprise locking means (61) positioned in the body

(31) of the device, the said locking means (61) comprising a movable catch element (62) capable of assuming selectively, in the said stop position, a position in which the said catch element (62) projects into the said housings (61) in such a way that it prevents the movement of the said ball elements (52) , and an actuating element (63) for operating the said locking means (61) for moving the said catch element (62) .

5. A device according to one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the said body (31) of the device is mounted centrally in a float (F) of a buoy (B) , the said float (F) comprising a substantially tubular superstructure (40) positioned in such a way as to form an entry guide (43) for the said cavity (31b) .

6. A device according to one of Claims 2 to , in which the said body (31) of the device is housed in a casing (H) , which can be fixed to a dock or landing stage (P) .

7. A device according to Claim 5 or 6, additionally comprising a transmission bar (64) , connected to the actuating element (63) of the locking means (61) , to enable the said locking means (61) to be operated manually.

8. A device according to Claim 5 or 6, comprising a control unit (111) , connected to the actuating element (63) of the locking means (61) by means of an actuator (112) , and capable of receiving from a transmitter (120) a signal for the remote control of the said locking means (61) .

9. Anchoring device for a boat, characterized in that it comprises an elongate element (210) connectable to a mooring cable or chain (L) of the boat, which can be coupled to a mooring device positioned outside the boat and provided with receiving means (43, 24a, 31b) for the insertion of the said elongate element (210) , the said elongate element (210) having formations (212) which can be engaged by coupling means (52, 53) of the said mooring device.

10. A device according to Claim 9, in which the said elongate element (210) comprises a substantially cylindrical head portion (211) , in which the said formations are created in the form of a circumferentially positioned groove (212) .

11. A device according to Claim 10, comprising a tubular intermediate portion (220) connected to the said elongate element (210) and provided with a groove (223) , in which is slidably mounted an element (230) provided with a ring-shaped end (232) for connection to an auxiliary mooring cable.

12. A device according to Claim 11, comprising a plug portion (221) of substantially tubular shape, which can be mounted on the said intermediate portion and which is provided internally on its walls (221a) with formations

(221b) for the insertion of an end of the mooring cable or chain (L) .

13. A device according to Claim 12, additionally comprising a tubular element (D) of flexible material which can be mounted on the said plug portion (221) in such a way that the said cable or chain (L) can pass through it, the said tubular element (D) being capable of being uncoupled from the said plug portion (221) of the elongate element (210) in the condition in which the latter is inserted into the mooring device .

14. A mooring system for a boat, characterized in that it comprises an anchoring device (200) comprising an elongate element (210) connectable to a mooring cable or chain (L) of the boat (S) and a mooring device, positioned outside the boat and capable of being coupled to the said anchoring device (200) , provided with: receiving means (43, 24a, 31b) for receiving the said elongate element (210) ; quick-acting coupling means (52, 53) for releasably engaging the elongate element (210) in the condition in which the said elongate element (210) is inserted into the said receiving means (43, 24a, 31b); and stop means (60) associated with the said quick-acting coupling means (52, 53) and capable of being brought selectively into a release state, in which the said coupling means (52, 53) can be disengaged from the said elongate element (210) , permitting the insertion of the said elongate element (210) into the receiving means (43, 24a, 31b) and its extraction therefrom, and a locking state, in which the disengagement of the said coupling means (52, 53) from the said elongate element (210) is prevented in the condition in which the said elongate element (210) is inserted into the said receiving means (43, 24a, 31b), the said elongate element (210) having formations (212) which can be engaged by the said coupling means (52, 53) of the said mooring device.

15. A mooring system according to Claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a mooring device according to one of Claims 2 to 8.

16. A system according to Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it comprises an anchoring device (200) according to one of Claims 10 to 13.