FR2946952A1 - Anchoring device for allowing mooring of e.g. ship on water level, has connection unit provided with pile with lower end integrated to anchoring unit by articulation, and plates slidably mounted along pile - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a set of plates (10) prolonged by a foot bridge (14) on both sides, where the plates are distributed in a uniform star way. An anchoring unit (20) is cooperated with receiving units (21) provided at the bottom of a water level. A connection unit connects a star to the anchoring unit, where the connection unit includes a pile (17). The pile has a lower end (19) integrated to the anchoring unit by an articulation, and the plates are slidably mounted along the pile. A float (22) is assembled along the pile, and a central platform (13) is integrated to the pile by pivot connections.

Description

1. Field of the Invention The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of mooring equipment capable of allowing mooring of vessels, for example sailboats, motorboats, scooters. sea, paddle boats ... on a body of water. 2. Prior art and disadvantages of the prior art An explosion of the yachting market has been observed for a few decades. Thus, the number of pleasure boat owners has increased sharply. However, the number of places in the ports is limited because the storage density of boats, for a given area, is reduced. Many boaters do not have room at a pontoon to moor their boat. Waiting lists to be granted a place in a port are also very long and the allocation period can be several years. In France, the construction of new ports is governed by the legal provisions relating to the littoral law. Thus, in practice, it is difficult to work on the construction of new port spaces to meet the demand of recreational boaters. In an attempt to meet demand, coastal communities have increased the number of anchorages. The anchorages conventionally comprise a chain whose lower end is secured to a dead body, such as a concrete block, resting at the bottom of the body of water. The upper end of this chain is secured to a buoy. These anchorages also include means for mooring a ship at the level of the buoy. Each mooring allows the docking of a boat. A plurality of wetting may thus be arranged, spaced from each other, in certain areas of the ports or in sheltered spaces along the coast, to allow the parking of boats.

Such anchorages are particularly interesting insofar as they make it possible to increase the number of boat parking spaces easily and at a lower cost, without durably deteriorating the visual appearance of the ribs. However, each boat must be able to turn around its anchorage according to the winds and currents. It is therefore necessary to space the anchorages sufficiently far enough to prevent vessels in close proximity to one another from colliding. This wetting technique therefore has the particular disadvantage of providing a relatively limited boat storage density for a given surface of a body of water. In addition, the chains used in these anchorages tend to scrape the bottoms of the bodies of water in which they are implemented. These moorings can thus generate, locally, a degradation of the seabed. In the end, many boat owners do not have a place to a pontoon or an anchorage to moor their boat. Faced with the problem of parking boats, there has been an increase in so-called wild moorings: many boaters, if not having a place in a port to a pontoon or a place to a dead body, have tended to anchor their boat near the coast.

Such a practice has the effect of locally degrade the seabed by scraping anchors. In addition, a local increase in the level of pollution due to the rejection of recreational boaters is also observed around wild anchorages. In an attempt to provide a solution to the lack of parking spaces for ships, so-called multiple moorings have been developed. A wetting of this type is described in the French patent application FR-A-2 464 334. Such multiple wetting comprises a plurality of bridges arranged in a loop. The loop is connected by means of chains to dead bodies resting on the bottom of a body of water. A ship can be moored on either side of each bridge. The implementation of multiple wetting allows to significantly increase the storage density of vessels for a given surface of a body of water. In other words, it contributes to increasing, for a given area, the quantity of ships likely to be moored. The implementation of this type of anchorage, however, provides no solution to the problem of degradation of the bottom of the body of water in which they are installed, nor to that of localized pollution around moorings. 3. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is notably to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art. More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a wetting technique which leads to increase the storage density of vessels, that is to say the ratio between the number of vessels stored and the area of a body of water occupied by these vessels. Another object of the invention is to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, such a technique that is flexible. In particular, an object of the invention is to provide wetting which is easily removable. The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a technique whose implementation does not exert a negative impact on the environment, or at least a limited impact compared to the techniques of the invention. prior art.

In particular, an object of the invention is to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a technique which leads to preserve the bottoms of the water bodies in which it is implemented. The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a technique that leads to limit the level of localized pollution around moorings.

The invention also aims to propose, in at least one embodiment of the invention, such a technique that is particularly simple and easy to implement and reversible. 4. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are attained by means of a wetting device comprising: a plurality of trays extended by at least one gateway on both sides; another of which can be moored at least one vessel, said trays being evenly distributed in a star; - Anchoring means for cooperating with reception means provided at the bottom of a body of water; means for connecting said star to said anchoring means. According to the invention, said connecting means comprise a pile, said pile having a lower end secured to said anchoring means by a hinge, said plates being slidably mounted along said pile. Thus, the invention is based on an entirely innovative approach which consists in providing that in a wetting, the trays extended by bridges to which ships are moored are slidably mounted along a pile through which the anchoring is stowed at the bottom of a body of water. Thus, the technique according to the invention proposes to replace the chains currently used in the techniques of the prior art by a pile articulated at the bottom of the water. This implementation makes it possible to preserve the bottoms of the body of water insofar as the pile does not come into contact with or scrape these funds. The technique according to the invention thus makes it possible to preserve the bottoms and to reduce, in a significant manner, the impact on the environment of the implementation of anchorages. In addition, this implementation also limits the oscillation of the ships around the anchorage to which they are moored. The distance separating moorings placed in the vicinity of each other can thus be reduced, compared to the techniques of the prior art, without the vessels being in danger of colliding with each other. The technique according to the invention thus also leads to increasing the storage density of vessels for a given surface of a body of water. It is thus possible to significantly increase the number of ship parking spaces for a given surface of a body of water. The anchoring means are preferably reversible. Moorings according to the invention therefore constitute removable equipment, not permanently fixed to the bottom of the water, and intended to allow mooring of ships. These moorings can for example be set up in the summer, that is to say during periods of high attendance during which the number of boats on the water is important, and removed in winters. Their implementation therefore has a very limited impact on the aesthetics of water bodies in that they can be dismantled part of the year. Preferably, a device according to the invention preferably comprises at least one float mounted along said pile. The implementation of such a float tends to simply and effectively bring the pile vertically and limit its oscillation accordingly. This helps to further increase the parking density. A device according to the invention advantageously comprises a central platform slidably mounted and rotatable along the longitudinal axis of said pile, each of said plates having an end connected to said central platform by means of a pivot connection. This implementation makes it possible to ensure that the trays can move relative to the pile and remain substantially parallel to the surface of the water when the body of water is agitated under the effect of the wind and / or the swell. . In this case, said central platform is preferably secured to said pile by means of a first and a second pivot links, the axis of said first pivot connection being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said pile, and the axes of said first and second pivot links being orthogonal to each other. This implementation makes it possible to ensure that the trays can move relative to the pile and remain substantially parallel to the surface of the water when the body of water is agitated under the effect of wind and / or swell and that the pile pivots relative to the receiving means provided at the bottom of the water. Advantageously, the axes of said first and second pivot links are each concurrent with the longitudinal axis of the pile. Preferably, the axes of said first and second pivot links and the longitudinal axis of said pile are concurrent at one point.

This makes it possible to improve the compactness and the dynamic equilibrium of the device according to the invention. This allows the trays to be able to move in all directions and to limit the efforts collected by the wetting device when the water body is agitated under the effect of wind and / or swell.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, each of said trays is extended by two bridges on either side of which can be moored at least one ship. A wetting device according to the invention therefore allows the docking of a large number of vessels. In particular, such a wetting device will preferably allow the parking of at least sixteen vessels of ten meters long over an area of approximately 1500 square meters, while the storage of such a quantity of ships requires, according to the prior art, a surface about five times larger. According to an advantageous characteristic, a device according to the invention comprises lighting means, said lighting means being provided at the end of each of said gateways and / or at the top of said pile. The surroundings of a wetting device according to the invention are well reported, which enhances the safety of the device. In this case, a device according to the invention preferably comprises autonomous means for producing electrical energy for supplying said lighting means. These energy production means can be of the solar and / or wind type. A device according to the invention can thus be easily implanted without the need to provide a conventional power supply by submerged wiring. According to an advantageous characteristic, a device according to the invention comprises means for collecting waste. These harvesting means may include bins for the recovery of dirty water, gray water, black water, as well as garbage cans for waste macros. This implementation contributes to limiting the localized pollution around the anchorages and consequently reducing the impact on the environment of their implementation. According to another advantageous characteristic, a device according to the invention comprises self-propelling means.

A wetting device according to the invention can thus be easily moved from one area to another of a body of water without requiring the use of a tugboat. Installation and removal of a wetting device according to the invention are thus greatly facilitated. 5. List of Figures Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which: - Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a wetting device according to the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a view from above of the wetting device illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a mechanism with double articulation equipping the central platform. 6. Description of an Embodiment of the Invention 6.1 Recall of the Principle of the Invention The general principle of the invention consists in providing that in a wetting, the trays extended by bridges to which ships are moored are mounted sliding along a pile through which the wetting is stowed at the bottom of a body of water. Thus, the technique according to the invention proposes to replace the chains currently used in the techniques of the prior art by a pile. This implementation makes it possible to preserve the funds of the body of water insofar as the pile does not come into contact or scrape these funds.

The technique according to the invention thus makes it possible to preserve the bottoms and to reduce, in a significant manner, the impact on the environment of the implementation of anchorages. In addition, this implementation also limits the oscillation of the ships around the anchorage to which they are moored. The distance separating moorings placed in the vicinity of each other can thus be reduced, compared to the techniques of the prior art, without the vessels being in danger of colliding with each other. The technique according to the invention thus makes it possible to increase the storage density of vessels for a given surface of a body of water. It is thus possible to significantly increase the number of ship parking spaces for a given surface of a body of water. 6.2 Example of a Wetting Device According to the Invention With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a removable wetting device according to the invention is presented.

Such a wetting device comprises four trays 10. The trays 10 have a substantially trapezoidal shape. Their structure consists of a frame made of aluminum alloy. The upper surface of the trays 10 is covered with a wooden decking 11.

Floats 12 are secured to the underside of the trays 10. These floats 12 are constituted by a tank made of polyethylene which is filled with polystyrene. The floats 12 ensure the floatation of the trays 10. Each tray 10 has a front end 100. The front end 100 of each tray 10 is connected to a central platform 13 by means of a pivot connection. In this case, each end 100 is connected to the central platform 13 by means of a hinge. The plates 10 are evenly distributed in a star around the central platform 13. Each plate 10 has a rear end 101.

Bridges 14 extend on each side of the rear end 101 of each plate 10. Their structure consists of a frame made of aluminum alloy. The upper surface of the bridges 14 is covered with a wooden deck 15. These bridges 14 have, in this embodiment, a length of 6 meters.

The wooden decks 11, 15 implemented on the walkways 14 and on the trays 10 are provided to withstand the passage of people. The trays 10 and the bridges 14 thus constitute pontoons. Floats 16 are secured to the underside of the end of each gangway 14. These floats 16 are constituted by a tank made of polyethylene which is filled with polystyrene. The floats 16 ensure the flotation of the gangways 14. The central platform 13 is secured at its center to a pile 17. The central platform 13 can rotate about the three axes of the space with respect to the pile 17. In addition, the central platform 13 is slidably mounted along the pile 17. It is for that connected to the pile 17 by means of a double articulation mechanism. Such a mechanism is illustrated in an exploded view in FIG. 3. As shown in this FIG. 3, a double-articulation mechanism comprises an outer cage 31. Fixing tabs 32 are secured to the periphery of the outer cage 31 for allow to secure the double articulation mechanism. at the central platform 13. The outer cage 31 has two bearings 33 on two of its opposite sides. These bearings 33 are designed to cooperate with pins 34 on which rings 35 are mounted. The pins 34 are integral with two opposite sides of an intermediate cage 36. The intermediate cage 36 can thus pivot with respect to the outer cage 31 according to The axis of the bearings 33. The intermediate cage 36 has two bearings 37 on its two other opposite sides. These bearings 37 are designed to cooperate with shafts 38 on which rings 39 are mounted. The shafts 38 are integral with two opposite sides of an inner cage 40. The inner cage 40 can thus pivot with respect to the intermediate cage 36 according to the axis of the bearings 37. Eight guide rollers 41 are mounted inside the inner cage 40 in two superposed rows. They are secured to the inner cage 40 by means of pivot connections so that they can pivot about their axis relative to the inner cage 40. The space between the guide rollers 41 is provided to receive the pile 17. From alternatively, the rollers could be replaced by fixed elements whose material has a low coefficient of friction. The axes 38 and the bearings 37 define a first pivot connection whose axis is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pile 17. The pins 34 and the bearings 33 define a second pivot connection. The axes of the first and second pivot links are orthogonal to each other. In this embodiment, the axes of the first and second pivot links and the longitudinal axis of the pile 17 are concurrent at one point. In a variant, it may be provided that the axis of the first pivot connection and the axis of the second pivot connection are respectively concurrent with the longitudinal axis of the pile 17, that is to say that they intersect the axis longitudinal of the pile 17 at different points. The pile 17 comprises an upper pile element 171 and a lower pile element 172. The upper pile element 171 and the lower pile element 172 are secured to each other by means of a flange 18 and bolts.

The lower pile element 172 has a lower end 19. The lower end 19 is secured to anchoring means which comprise in this embodiment a swivel 20. The pile 17 thus constitutes a connecting means of the star by anchoring 20. Its length is chosen so that it comes out of a few meters of water. In this embodiment, it has a length equal to 15 meters and an outside diameter equal to 400 millimeters. It is in the form of a galvanized steel tube. The anchoring means 20 are able to cooperate with receiving means provided at the bottom of a body of water. These receiving means comprise a dead body consisting of a concrete block 21 designed to rest on the bottom of a body of water. The concrete block 21 weighs 25 tons. In a variant, the concrete block 21 may be replaced by a beaten foot, that is to say by a fastening element, such as an eyelet, secured permanently to the bottom of the body of water.

The lower pile element 172 is articulated to the dead body. The ball joint by which the central platform 13 is connected to the pile 17 is designed such that the pile can pivot relative to the vertical from said anchoring means of a solid angle Q whose value is, in this mode of achievement, about equal to 45 steradians.

A float 22 is slidably mounted along the lower pile element 172. The flange 18 also provides the stop function for the float 22. In this embodiment, the float 22 has a volume of about 6.5 meters cubes. The end of each gateway 14 is equipped with a lamp 23. The beam of lamps 23 is oriented downwards, that is to say toward the surface of the body of water. The top of the pile 17 is also provided with a flashing light 24. The lamps 23 and the flashing light are supplied with electrical energy by means of an on-board power generation device (not shown). This production device comprises solar panels 25 secured to the top of the pile 17. In a variant, it may comprise at least one wind turbine. According to another variant, the implementation of wind and solar panels can be combined. The trays 10 and the gangways 14 are equipped with means for docking ships such as fairleads, rings or mooring cocks. A railing 26 is secured to the platform 13 to prevent access to the double articulation mechanism. 6.3 Installation on site A wetting device according to the invention is intended to be installed in a body of water such as an open or closed sea, a bay, a lake, a river ... Such a device is particularly adapted to the plan water without tidal range or with low tidal range. The installation is obtained in the following way. The float 22 is mounted on the lower pile element 172. The lower pile element 172 is secured to the dead body 21. The assembly is then launched and towed to a selected location of a body of water. The central platform 13 is then mounted on the upper pile element 171. The assembly is deposited on the lower pile element 171 by means of a crane. The lower and upper pile members are then secured to one another. Finally, the trays 10 and the bridges 14 are secured to the central platform 13. Several wetting devices according to the invention can be arranged next to each other. They are preferably installed on site at the beginning of the 25 peak periods (from the spring), then are disassembled out of season. 6.4 Mooring Figure 2 shows a top view of a wetting device according to the invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, a ship 30 can be moored on either side of each gangway 14. A device of this type thus allows the mooring of 16 vessels. It can be any type of pleasure craft such as sailboats, motorboats, pedal boats, dinghies ... 6.5 Variants In a variant, a wetting device according to the invention may comprise means for collecting waste. These collection means comprise bins for the collection of type waste. They may also include holding tanks for the collection of sewage generated by boaters on their boats. According to another variant, a wetting device according to the invention may comprise self-propelling means. These means of self-propulsion may for example include one or more electric motors powered by the autonomous power generation system. It may otherwise be a conventional heat engine. 6.6 Advantages A device according to the invention provides several advantages. In particular, it makes it possible to limit the impact of mooring on the environment. Indeed, the implementation of a pile avoids the scraping funds. In addition, the implementation of waste collection means helps to limit localized pollution around moorings. It still allows, for a given surface of a body of water, to increase the storage capacity of ships. In particular, in this embodiment, a device according to the invention allows the mooring of 16 boats of about 10 meters long over an area of about 1500 square meters. Storing an equivalent number of vessels using a technique according to the prior art requires an area of about 6,000 square meters.

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. Wetting device comprising: - a plurality of trays (10) extended by at least one bridge (14) on either side of which at least one vessel (30) can be moored, said trays (10) being distributed in a manner uniform star; - anchoring means (20) for cooperating with receiving means (21) provided at the bottom of a body of water; connecting means (17) for said star to said anchoring means (20); characterized in that said connecting means (17) comprise a pile (17), said pile (17) having a lower end secured to said anchoring means (21) by a hinge, said plates (10) being slidably mounted along said pile (17). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one float (22) mounted along said pile (17). 3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a central platform (13) slidably mounted and rotatable along the longitudinal axis of said pile (17), each of said plates (10). ) having an end (100) connected to said central platform (13) by means of a pivot connection. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said central platform (13) is secured to said pile (17) by means of a first and a second pivot links, the axis of said first pivot connection being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said pile (17), and the axes of said first and second pivot links being orthogonal to each other. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the axes of said first and second pivot links are each concurrent with the longitudinal axis of the pile (17). 6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the axes of said first and second pivot links and the longitudinal axis of said pile (17) are concurrent at one point. 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of said trays (10) is extended by two bridges (14) on either side of which can be moored at least one vessel (30) . 8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises lighting means (23), said lighting means being provided at the end of each of said bridges (14) and / or at the top of said pile (17). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises autonomous means for producing electrical energy to power said lighting means (23). 10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises means for collecting waste. 11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises self-propulsion means.