GB1043659A - Improvements in or relating to couplings between marine vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

1,043,659. Couplings between pushed marine vessels. L. R. GLOSTER. July 9, 1965. No. 29325/65. Headings B7S and B7V. A thrust coupling closely connecting a tugboat 1, Fig. 1 (not shown), with a tow forward of the tugboat in the form of a barge 2 comprises a frame compression member tapered aft from its broad base 3 mounted by pivots 9 on the tow 2, and a second compression member in the form of a strut 10 spaced from the frame member so that the coupling straddles the bow portion of the tugboat 1. The widely separated pivots 9 limit movement between the frame and the tow to swinging about a lateral axis. Aft pivot means 12 and 13 are universal joints and pivot 11 at the tow end of strut 10 permits swing about a lateral axis and a vertical axis. Each of the vessels connected by the coupling can heave and pitch freely relative to the other vessel and can have more or less free relative movement but they cannot yaw or sway relative to one another. The tug may have a printed or a square bow and the tow may have a square or a rounded stern. A string of coupled barges may also constitute the tow for the tugboat. Disengagement mechanism can be fitted in the coupling and the coupling can be raised and supported in the tow or in the tug.