Flexible connection for articulating vessels

Claim 2

Force-transfer coupling apparatus interposed between two closely adjoining vessels, comprising: post means having a generally elongated body formed of an unconfined resilient material and a cap member formed of a rigid material secured to each end of said post means, said post means normally extending horizontally and longitudinally in a cantilever fashion relative to said vessels; horizontally and longitudinally extending socket means on the facing bow and stern portions of said vessels that receive the caps of said post means, the body of resilient material bridging the gap between said vessels; and with said resilient material being free to undergo bending, compression and tension in transferring compressive and tensive forces between said vessels while said vessels undergo simultaneous relative movement in pitch, heave, roll, yaw and sway.

Claim 3

Force-transfer coupling apparatus interposed between two closely adjoining vessels, comprising: post means having a generally elongated body formed of an unconfined resilient material, said post means extending horizontally and longitudinally in a cantilever fashion relative to said vessels; a cap formed of a rigid material secured to each end of said post means, said cap having an end knob of generally hemispherical configuration; horizontally and longitudinally extending socket means on the facing bow and stern portions of said vessels that receive the opposite ends of said post means, said socket means including a barrel having a bore formed with a flared entry to facilitate guiding of said end knob into said barrel, the body of resilient material bridging the gap between said vessels; and with said resilient material being free to undergo bending, compression and tension in transferring compressive and tensive forces between said vessels while said vessels undergo Simultaneous relative movement in pitch, heave, roll, yaw and sway.

Claim 4

Force-transfer coupling apparatus interposed between two closely adjoining vessels, comprising: post means having a generally elongated body formed of an unconfined resilient material, said post means extending horizontally and longitudinally in a cantilever fashion relative to said vessels; a cap formed of a rigid material secured to each end of said post means, said cap having an end knob of generally hemispherical configuration; horizontally and longitudinally extending socket means on the facing bow and stern portions of said vessels that receive the opposite ends of said post means, said socket means including a barrel having a bore formed with a flared entry to facilitate guiding of said end knob into said barrel, the body of resilient material bridging the gap between said vessels; and with said resilient material being free to undergo bending, compression and tension in transferring compressive and tensive forces between said vessels while said vessels undergo Simultaneous relative movement in pitch, heave, roll, yaw and sway.

Claim 5

Force-transfer coupling apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said apparatus further includes lock means operatively associated with said socket means and selectively engageable with said cap to removably retain said post means within said socket means.

Claim 6

Force-transfer coupling apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cap is provided with an external groove and said lock means includes a latch bar moveable radially into and out of said barrel so as to be selectively engageable with said groove.