US3675610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mooring structure in combination with a fender
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-18
•
Granted: 1972-07-11
•
Expires: 1991-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A mooring structure in combination with a fender, the mooring structure comprising a fixed element supporting a rotatable head having first and second relatively rotatable parts, a weight structure supported by a plurality of pairs of ropes, the ropes of each pair being respectively connected to the first and second parts so that relative rotation of the parts lifts the weight structure by increasing the angle between the ropes of each pair to provide an increasing restoring force, movement of the fender causing such relative rotation of the parts and adjustment means for adjusting the effective lengths of the ropes to adjust the device to form a ''soft'' fender or a ''hard'' fender.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Kohring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:19
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021; B63B22/023; E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/20; E02B3/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A mooring structure comprising a fixed element, a rotatable head mounted on the fixed element and having first and second parts rotatable relative to one another from a rest position about a vertical axis, a weight structure supported by a plurality of pairs of ropes, the ropes of each pair being respectively connected to the first and second parts so that relative rotation of the parts from the rest position lifts the weight structure by increasing the angle between the ropes of each pair to provide an increasing restoring force tending to move the parts back to the rest position, a fender coupled to the mooring structure such that movement of the fender at least towards the mooring structure causes relative rotation of the head parts and adjustment means for adjusting the effective lengths of the pairs of ropes, whereby the restoring force per angular movement of the head parts is adjusted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A mooring structure comprising a fixed element, a rotatable head mounted on the fixed element and having first and second parts rotatable relative to one another from a rest position about a vertical axis, a weight structure supported by a plurality of pairs of ropes, the ropes of each pair being respectively connected to the first and second parts so that relative rotation of the parts from the rest position lifts the weight structure by increasing the angle between the ropes of each pair to provide an increasing restoring force tending to move the parts back to the rest position, a fender coupled to the mooring structure such that movement of the fender at least towards the mooring structure causes relative rotation of the head parts and adjustment means for adjusting the effective lengths of the pairs of ropes, whereby the restoring force per angular movement of the head parts is adjusted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A mooring structure according to claim 1 in which the adjustment means includes guide members, one associated with each pair of ropes and each arranged to maintain the ropes of its pair in a substantially common radial plane at and below the level of the guide members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A structure according to claim 1 in which the adjustment means includes guide members in the form of axle boxes, one associated with each pair of ropes, each axle box having a pair of pulleys engaging respective ones of its pair of ropes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A structure according to claim 3 in which for each axle box the edges of the pulleys engaged by the ropes lie in a substantially common radial plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A structure according to claim 2 in which the ropes of each pair are anchored at their lower ends to the weight structure in a substantially common radial plane and pass through guide members before having their upper ends respectively connected to the first and second head parts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure according to claim 2 in which the adjustment means includes means for raising the guide members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A structure according to claim 6 in which the means for raising the guide members includes a support line for each guide member, all the support lines being connected to a drum and means for rotating the drum to wind up the support lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A structure according to claim 2 in which in their lowest positions the guide members rest on the weight structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A structure according to claim 2 including an overhead frame supported on the weight strUcture and connected to the fender by a parallel linkage such that the fender will move horizontally and the overhead frame will rise and fall with the weight structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A structure according to claim 9 in which the adjustment means includes means for raising and lowering the guide members, said means being mounted on the overhead frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3404654A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |