AU2015201482A1 - A mooring buoy - Google Patents

Abstract

A mooring buoy for mooring a vessel in a body of water is disclosed. The mooring buoy includes a floating body having a lower body portion, an upper body portion and an intermediate body portion disposed between the upper body portion and the lower body portion and an upright member projecting away from the upper body portion. The upright member terminates in in a securing region for removably securing a free end of a mooring line above the surface of the body of water and the lower body portion is adapted to be securable to a fixed end of the mooring line. 10-- -8 ------------- --- 6I Figure_

Description

1 A MOORING BUOY PRIORITY DOCUMENTS [0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2014900975 titled "A Mooring Buoy" and filed on 20 March 2014, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present disclosure relates to buoys used for mooring marine vessels in a body of water. BACKGROUND [0003] Mooring buoys are used to tether marine vessels such as boats in a body of water (eg the sea) and provide a useful alternative to boats dropping their anchor which can damage the underlying seabed. A mooring buoy is anchored or otherwise attached to the seabed. The buoy floats on the surface of the water and marks the location of the mooring. Typically, a mooring or pennant line comes up through the middle of the buoy from underneath and lays back in the water. When a vessel approaches the buoy, a person is required to pick up the mooring line and attach it to the vessel. The person uses a hook to try and snag the mooring line in the water and typically will have to lean over the vessel to get close enough to pick the rope up. [0004] This method of picking up a mooring line to secure the vessel to the buoy carries inherent risk especially in rough weather as a person may fall overboard. If the rope is waterlogged, it may have sunk below the water line making the rope even harder to pick up. Furthermore, the rope may be covered with algae or shell fish (eg mussels) which may rub against the vessel and cause damage on board the vessel. Also, as the rope pulls from the top of the buoy, in operation the buoy will lean over which exerts additional pressure on the body of the buoy. [0005] An object of the present invention is to ameliorate one or more of the above described difficulties or at least provide a useful alternative to arrangements of the type discussed above. [0006] Other advantages will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a number of illustrative embodiments are disclosed.

2 SUMMARY [0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a mooring buoy for mooring a vessel in a body of water, including: a floating body having a lower body portion, an upper body portion and an intermediate body portion disposed between the upper body portion and the lower body portion; and an upright member projecting away from the upper body portion, the upright member terminating in a securing region for removably securing a free end of a mooring line above the surface of the body of water; wherein, the lower body portion is adapted to be securable to a fixed end of the mooring line. [0008] In one form, the securing region includes a hook element for receiving the free end of the mooring line in the form of a loop. [0009] In one form, the securing region includes a pair of hook elements symmetrically disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the floating body. [0010] In one form, each hook element is horn-shaped. [0011] In one form, the upright member includes an elongate shaft connected to a base flange, the base flange mounted to the upper body portion of the floating body. [0012] In one form, the upper body portion terminates in a stub flange and the base flange of the upright member is bolted onto the stub flange. [0013] In one form, the intermediate body portion is cylindrical. [0014] In one form, a non-marking rib radially extends around the periphery of the intermediate body portion. [0015] In one form, a bottom of the lower body portion includes an attachment lug to which the fixed end of the mooring line is secured. [0016] In one form, the lower body portion includes a conical surface tapering inwardly towards the bottom of the lower body portion. [0017] In one form, the conical surface has a linear taper.

3 [0018] In one form, the upper body portion includes a conical surface tapering inwardly towards a top of the upper body portion. [0019] In one form, the conical surface has a non-linear curvature. [0020] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of mooring a vessel in a body of water, including the steps of: a) manoeuvring the vessel alongside a mooring buoy, the mooring buoy including: a floating body having a lower body portion, an upper body portion and an intermediate body portion disposed between the upper body portion and the lower body portion; and an upright member projecting away from the upper body portion, the upright member terminating in a securing region to which a free end of a mooring line is removably secured above the surface of the body of water, the other end of the mooring line fixed to the lower body portion of the buoy; b) removing the free end of the mooring line from the securing region; and c) tethering the free end of the mooring line to the vessel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0021] Illustrative embodiments will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0022] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a marine vessel approaching a mooring buoy according to an embodiment showing a mooring line in a stowed configuration; [0023] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the marine vessel of Figure 1 tethered to the mooring buoy showing the mooring line in an in-use configuration; [0024] Figure 3 is an isometric view of a mooring buoy according to a first illustrative embodiment; [0025] Figure 4 is a front view of the mooring buoy shown in Figure 3; [0026] Figure 5 is a side view of the mooring buoy shown in Figure 3; [0027] Figure 6 is a plan view of the mooring buoy shown in Figure 3; [0028] Figure 7 is a detailed view of the bolted flange connection between the body of the mooring buoy and the upright member; 4 [0029] Figure 8a is a isometric view of a mooring buoy according to a second illustrative embodiment; [0030] Figure 8b is a front view of the mooring buoy shown in Figure 8a; and [0031] Figure 8c is a side view of the mooring buoy shown in Figure 8a. [0032] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0033] Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic view of a marine vessel 2 approaching a mooring buoy 10 according to an embodiment. The mooring buoy 10 is attached to the bottom of the body of water (eg to the seabed) by an anchor, U-bolt or other conventional means (not shown). An anchor or down line 6 is connected between the base of the buoy 10 and the anchor or U-bolt. The down line 6 would typically be a rope or chain. The mooring or pennant line 4 is connected at one end to the base of the buoy 10. The other end of the mooring line 4 is looped over or removably secured to a holder or securing region in the form of a pair of hook elements at the top of the buoy 10. Figure 1 illustrates the mooring line 4 looped up and over one of the hook element of the buoy 10 in a stowage configuration. [0034] In the stowage configuration, the mooring line 4 is held above the water line 8 which prevents the line from becoming water logged (and sinking) or covered with algae or shell fish (eg mussels) as commonly occurs in prior art buoy designs where the mooring line is simply left in the water. Another advantage of this buoy is the height of the hook element is such that as the vessel approaches, the hook is at a convenient height such that a person on board the vessel can easily reach out and unhook or remove the end of the mooring line in order to tether the vessel to the buoy. [0035] Figure 2 provides a schematic view of the vessel 2 moored to the buoy 10 showing the mooring line 4 attached to the vessel 2 in an in-use configuration. The end of the mooring line 4 that was looped over the hook element of the buoy in the stowage configuration has now been connected to a cleat or similar structure on the deck of the vessel 2. The mooring line 4 is now connected between the vessel 2 and the base of the buoy 10. As the mooring line 4 is connected to the base of the buoy 10 (as opposed to the top of the buoy) the buoy is able to maintain a substantially upright orientation in the water and pressure acting on the body of the buoy 10 is reduced. [0036] Referring now to Figures 3 to 5, a first embodiment of the mooring buoy 10 is described in further detail. The buoy 10 is a two-part construction comprising a floating body 100 and an upright member 20 extending from the body 100. In use, the upright member 20 projects away from the water 5 and would be disposed above the water level. The upright member is bolted onto the body 100 as will be described in further detail later in the specification. The body 100 comprises an upper body portion 110, an intermediate or central body portion 120 and a lower body portion 130. The body 100 is preferably moulded in a rotational moulding process and made from plastic (eg polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)). The intermediate body portion 120 of the body 100 is cylindrical. The lower body portion 130 of the body 100 has a conical surface that tapers inwardly towards the bottom of the buoy 10. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3-5, the lower body portion 130 has a linear or straight taper. The upper body portion 110 also has a conical surface, however as shown in Figures 3-5, the surface has a non linear curvature (ie the surface is formed by rotating a non-linear curve about the central axis 15 of the buoy 10. [0037] The buoy 10 further includes a non-marking PVC rib or ring 124 disposed around the outer periphery of the intermediate body portion 120. The non-marking rib 124 is located on radial projection 122 (shown in dashed lines) which is integrally moulded with intermediate body portion 120. The non marking rib 124 is the outermost portion of the buoy 10 and in use, acts as a bumper that is contactable with the side of the vessel. The non-marking rib 124 functions to protect the side of the vessel from unwanted damage and markings. [0038] At the bottom of the buoy 10 is an attachment lug 132 that is integrally moulded with the lower body portion 130. The attachment lug 132 has a through hole 133 that is lined by a galvanised steel sleeve 134 which in a further embodiment may be removable for replacement purposes. A shackle (not shown) may be connected to the attachment lug 132 which can be used to then attach the down line 6 and mooring line 4 to the buoy 10. [0039] The upright member 20 will now be described in further detail. The upright member 20 comprises a flange base 21 connectable to the upper body portion 110. An elongate shaft 24 projects away from the flange base 21. A plurality of supporting ribs 22 are disposed between the shaft 24 and flange base 21 and act to strengthen the base of the upright member 20. At the distal end of the upright member 20 is the securing region which in this embodiment is formed as a pair of hook elements 26 which resemble a pair of horns. The hook elements 26 flare out from opposing sides of the shaft 24 before converging back in towards the central axis 15 of the buoy 10 as shown most clearly in Figure 4. The hook elements 26 have a generally arcuate profile with the free ends pointing in a generally upward direction. In the water, the free end of the mooring or pennant line 4 loops over one of the hook elements 26 to thereby ensure the free portion of the mooring line 4 remains out of the water and at a height above the water convenient for a person on board a vessel to easily grab hold of the line.

6 [0040] An advantage of having the upright member 20 separate from the body 100 of the buoy 10 is that the buoy 10 then has a modular configuration. The upright member 20 may be selectively removed and connected to a buoy of different structure (such as the buoy shown in Figures 8a-8c). While the upright member 20 shown in the accompanying representations has a pair of hook elements 26, it shall be appreciated that only one hook element is strictly necessary in order to support or hold the free end of the mooring or pennant line 4 above the surface of the water in a stowage configuration. However, two (or more hook elements) may allow greater flexibility in removing and attaching the mooring line 4. In other embodiments, the securing region could be a ring or similar closed geometry and the free end of the mooring line 4 may include a clasp or clipping arrangement that removably attaches or secures to the securing region. [0041] Figures 6 and 7 provide further detail of the connection between the upright member 20 and the body 100 of the buoy 10. The base flange 21 of the upright member 20 is axially aligned with a stub flange 111 located at the top of the upper body portion 110. The flanges 21, 111 are bolted together by stainless steel bolts 5 as shown for example in the plan view of Figure 6. In the embodiment shown, there is a single bolt 5 through each quadrant of the mating flanges 21, 111. [0042] Referring now to Figures 8a-8c, there is shown a mooring buoy 10' according to a further embodiment. The mooring buoy 10' shows how the buoy 10 can be modified to vary the volume and overall height of the buoy. For example, the buoy 10' has a volume of 296 L and overall height of 2206 mm in comparison to buoy 10 which has a volume of 440 L and overall height of 2242 mm. [0043] In other embodiments, the overall height of the buoy may be in the range of, including but not limited to, 1000 mm - 1200 mm, 1200 mm - 1400 mm, 1400 mm - 1600 mm, 1600 mm - 1800 mm, 1800 mm - 2000 mm, 2000 mm - 2200 mm, 2200 mm - 2400 mm, 2400 mm - 2600 mm, 2600 mm 2800 mm, 2800 mm - 3000 mm, 3000 mm - 3200 mm, 3200 mm - 3400 mm, 3400 mm - 3600 mm, 3600 mm - 3800 mm or 3800 mm - 4000 mm. [0044] In yet other embodiments, the volume of the buoy may be in the range of, including but not limited to, 200 L - 250 L, 250 L - 300 L, 300 L - 350 L, 350 L - 400 L, 400 L - 450 L, 450 L - 500 L, 500 L - 550 L, 550 L - 600 L, 600 L - 650 L or 650 L - 700 L. [0045] The buoy 10' comprises a floating body 100 attached to an upright member 20 that projects away from the body 100 along the central axis 15 of the buoy 10'. The body 100 comprises an upper body portion 110, an intermediate or central body portion 120' and a lower body portion 130. The body 100 is preferably moulded in a rotational moulding process and made from plastic (eg polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)). The intermediate body portion 120' of the body 100 is cylindrical. The lower body portion 130 of the body 100 has a conical surface that tapers inwardly towards the bottom of the buoy 7 10'. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8a-8c, the lower body portion 130 has a linear or straight taper. The upper body portion 110 also has a conical surface, however as shown in Figures 8a-8c, the surface has a non-linear curvature (ie the surface is formed by rotating a non-linear curve about the central axis 15 of the buoy 10'. [0046] The height of the intermediate body portion 120' of the buoy 10' is less than the height of the intermediate body portion 120 of the buoy 10. For example, the height of the intermediate body portion 120' is approximately 82 mm compared to the height of the intermediate body portion 120 of the buoy 10 which is approximately 319 mm. The maximum diameter of both buoys 10 and 10' is approximately 881 mm. [0047] In other embodiments, the maximum diameter of the buoy may be in the range of, including but not limited to, 400 mm - 450 mm, 450 mm - 500 mm, 500 mm - 550 mm, 550 mm - 600 mm, 600 mm 650 mm, 650 mm - 700 mm, 700 mm - 750 mm, 750 mm - 800 mm, 800 mm - 850 mm, 850 mm 900 mm, 900 mm - 950 mm, 950 mm - 1000 mm, 1000 mm - 1050 mm, 1050 mm - 1100 mm, 1100 mm - 1150 mm or 1150 mm - 1200 mm. [0048] The remaining structural elements of buoy 10' are the same as buoy 10 including the attachment lug 132, non-marking rib 124 and upright member 20 with hook elements 26. As buoy 10' is shorter than buoy 10, in use, hook elements 26 will be lower for buoy 10' than for buoy 10. Accordingly, buoy 10' would be more suitable for a smaller marine vessel where a person on board is closer to the water line when mooring the vessel. As would be appreciated, the exact dimensions of the buoy may be varied according to the expected mooring conditions and the size of the vessel being moored. [0049] The mooring buoy of the above described embodiments provides an improved and safer method of mooring marine vessels in a body of water. As a vessel approaches the mooring buoy, a person on board the vessel reaches out and unhooks the free end of the mooring line that in this embodiment is looped around a hook element on an upright member of the buoy. This action is preferably performed by hand or by using a pole or similar device with means for unhooking the mooring line. The free end of the mooring line is then secured to the vessel by conventional means. During the mooring, the only part of the buoy that may come into contact with the vessel is the non-marking rib which serves to protect the vessel from damage and markings. Once the vessel is moored to the buoy, loads are transferred through the down line (and not through the buoy directly) as the other end of the mooring line is connected to the bottom of the buoy (via the attachment lug). As a result, the buoy is able to remain substantially upright in use and loads acting on the body of the buoy are minimised. [0050] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood 8 to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. [0051] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. [0052] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. A mooring buoy for mooring a vessel in a body of water, including: a floating body having a lower body portion, an upper body portion and an intermediate body portion disposed between the upper body portion and the lower body portion; and an upright member projecting away from the upper body portion, the upright member terminating in in a securing region for removably securing a free end of a mooring line above the surface of the body of water; wherein, the lower body portion is adapted to be securable to a fixed end of the mooring line.

2. The mooring buoy of claim 1, wherein the securing region includes a hook element for receiving the free end of the mooring line in the form of a loop.

3. The mooring buoy of claim 1, wherein the securing region includes a pair of hook elements symmetrically disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the floating body.

4. The mooring buoy of claim 2 or 3, wherein each hook element is horn-shaped.

5. The mooring buoy of any of the preceding claims, wherein the upright member includes an elongate shaft connected to a base flange, the base flange mounted to the upper body portion of the floating body.

6. The mooring buoy of claim 5, wherein the upper body portion terminates in a stub flange and the base flange of the upright member is bolted onto the stub flange.

7. The mooring buoy of any of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate body portion is cylindrical.

8. The mooring buoy of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a non-marking rib radially extends around the periphery of the intermediate body portion.

9. The mooring buoy of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a bottom of the lower body portion includes an attachment lug to which the fixed end of the mooring line is secured.

10. The mooring buoy of any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower body portion includes a conical surface tapering inwardly towards the bottom of the lower body portion.

11. The mooring buoy of claim 10, wherein the conical surface has a linear taper. 10

12. The mooring buoy of any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper body portion includes a conical surface tapering inwardly towards a top of the upper body portion.

13. The mooring buoy of claim 12, wherein the conical surface has a non-linear curvature.

14. A method of mooring a vessel in a body of water, including the steps of: a) manoeuvring the vessel alongside a mooring buoy, the mooring buoy including: a floating body having a lower body portion, an upper body portion and an intermediate body portion disposed between the upper body portion and the lower body portion; and an upright member projecting away from the upper body portion, the upright member terminating in a securing region to which a free end of a mooring line is removably secured above the surface of the body of water, the other end of the mooring line fixed to the lower body portion of the buoy; b) removing the free end of the mooring line from the securing region by hand; and c) tethering the free end of the mooring line to the vessel.