GB2080228A

GB2080228A - Mooring means for a pontoon

Info

Publication number: GB2080228A
Application number: GB8119641A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Navire Cargo Gear International AB
Current assignee: Navire Cargo Gear International AB
Priority date: 1980-07-14
Filing date: 1981-06-25
Publication date: 1982-02-03
Also published as: BR8104475A; NO155504C; NZ197706A; FR2486484B3; CA1163148A; GB2080228B; JPS5741285A; NO155504B; PH18883A; JPS6411519B2; AU7253981A; NO802116L; AU539321B2; FR2486484A1

Abstract

A mooring means for retaining a pontoon (10) at a quay (11), independently of occasional variations in the water level, comprises at least two pillars (15) at the side of the pontoon to be turned towards the quay. A trolley (16) is adapted to run vertically on each pillar, the trolley being provided with an arm (17), which extends over the quay (11) and is attachable to a bollard (18) on the quay, the arm comprising a strong, articulated link (36) and a rigid bracket (27) projecting from the trolley and the bracket being provided with a sliding piece (34), which cooperates with a portion (35) of the link, adjacent to the bollard (18). Each link (36) may be stayed sidewardly/outwardly by means of a wire, which has a resilient device and is attached to a further bollard. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mooring means for a pontoon When loading and unloading Ro-Ro-ships in ports, where ther are considerable variations in tide water levels, it will be difficult to drive vehicles directly from the quay into the ship, an vice versa, by way of a ramp fitted to the ship. Similar difficulties, although to a lesser degree, will be encountered by the variations in the loaded depth of the ship, as the loading and unloading, respectively, proceeds.

It has been proposed to moor a pontoon, or a barge along the quay, to serve as an intermediary between the ship and the quay, and as the transfer then will occur in two stages it is easier to cope with differences in level between the ship's deck and the quay.

It is, however, necessary to moor the pontoon in such a manner that it can follow changes in the water level without moving noticeably from its position at the quay.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a mooring arrangement, which permits an exact positioning in relation to the quay, while simultaneously providing a fully satisfactory adjustability to variations in tide water level.

A mooring means according to the invention for retaining a pontoon along a quay, independently of occasional variations in the water level comprises at least two pillars projecting above the deck of the pontoon, at the side thereof adjacent to the quay, and a vertically displaceable trolley, carried by each pillar and provided with an arm extending horizontally towards the quay and having means for attachment to a bollard on the quay.

Each arm is preferably formed as a link comprising components joined by pivots having alternate horizontal and vertical axes.

A rigid bracket is preferably provided, projecting from the top side of the trolley and having at its outer end a sliding piece for engagement with the quay or with a portion of the arm between the bollard and the pivot adjacent thereto.

The pillars are preferably fitted in the recesses in the side wall of the pontoon, which are sunk below the level of the deck of the pontoon, and are formed in such a manner that the trolley associated with the pillar can be substantially fully received within the recess.

Each arm is preferably stayed sidewardly with respect to the associated pillar by means of an elastically biased wire.

The invention will below be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a pontoon provided with mooring means according to the invention, Figure 2 shows the mooring means more in detail, Figure 3 shows, on a larger scale, the trolley with the arm and its bracket fitted to a bollard, and Figure 4 shows the same view as in Figure 3, as seen from above.

Figure 1 very schematically shows a pontoon 10 moored at a quay 11 for serving as an intermediary link between the latter and a ship (not shown), which is expected to be tied along the quay so a ramp at the stem orthe stern of the ship can be folded down to rest upon the deck of the pontoon, at the left hand end as shown in the drawing.

The pontoon is provided with a ramp 12, which is hinged to the deck of the pontoon and is carried by two posts 13, provided with counterweights 14.

Suitable means (not shown) are provided to alter the inclination of the ramp 12 in response to changes in the water level. This ramp will form the second stage in the runway between the ship and the quay.

The means for mooring the pontoon 10 comprises two spaced apart pillars 15 located at the side of the pontoon to be turned towards the quay. Each pillar 15 carries a trolley 16 and an arm 17, projecting therefrom. Each arm is, in use, rigidly connected to a bollard 18 at the quay, and is further stayed sidewardly by means of a wire 19, which by a resilient device 20 is attached to a further bollard 21.

The arm 17 will be supported by the quay and will retain the trolley 16 at the level thereof, independently of how the pontoon rises or sinks, following changes in the water level. The pillars 15 will, in other words, slide in relation to the trolleys which are stationary at the quay, and the arms have sufficient transverse rigidity to prevent the pontoon from moving along the quay. The design of the trolley and the arm will be evident from Figures 2-4.

As is best seen in Figure 4, each pillar 15 includes two parallel, tubular beams 1 15a, having rectangular cross-section, which at their upper ends are interconnected by a cross-piece 15b, while their lower ends are mounted at the pontoon. Each pillar is fitted in a recess 22 in the side wall of the pontoon, extending a considerable distance below the deck 23 of the pontoon. Each recess has sufficient width to accommodate a trolley 16.

A trolley 16 comprises a frame 24 upon which two pairs of wheels 25 are mounted for running along one side face of each pillar beam 1 15a. Within the frame there are two further pairs of wheels 26, the axes of which are arranged perpendicularly with respect of those of the first mentioned wheels 25, and which are adapted to run along the transverse sides of the pillar beams 15a.

The trolley will in this manner be efficiently guided in relation to the pillar, and there is no risk of the trolley being jammed.

The arm 17 comprises an articulated link 36 and a rigid bracket 27. One end of the link is rigidly connected to the trolley 16, and comprises components which are interconnected by a horizontal pivot 28 and a vertical pivot 29. The opposite end of the link 36 is adapted to be attached to the bollard 18 by means of a bolted clamp 30, and also comprises components which are interconnected by a horizontal pivot 31 and a vertical pivot 32. The two horizontal pivots 28 and 31 are located adjacent to the ends of the link. This connection between the trolley and the quay is thus not fully rigid, but permits smaller.

occasional changes in the position.

The bracket 27 is, however, completely rigid and is attached to the upper face ofthetrolley 16, from which it cantileverwise extends above the link 36 almost to the bollard 18. A strut 33 extends downwardly from the outer end of the bracket and carries a sliding piece 34, which rests upon an enlarged portion 35 of the end of the arm link, adjacent to the bollard. The bracket may, alternatively, be supported directly by the bollard, or by some other part of the quay.

The strength of the mooring means rests with the link 36, and the bracket 27 will rapidly even out possible changes in positions at the pivots 28,31.

Figure 2 shows the pontoon and the mooring means at a rather low water level, but it is evident that the arrangement will work even if the level should sink to a still lower level. Broken lines denote the position of the trolley and the arm at a high water level. As mentioned above the recess 22 in the side wall of the pontoon is sufficiently wide to accommodate the main part of the trolley. At a very high water level the deck 23 of the pontoon may rise above the plane of the quay.

Each arm is, as mentioned above, stayed sidewardly by means of a wire 19, which is attached to a bollard 21, which may be located a distance away from the adjacent end of the pontoon. One end of the wire 19 is attached to the arm 17 close by the pillar 15, and inside of pivot 28. The resilient device 20 contains a packet of springs and may include means, which permits a tightening of the wire during the mounting thereof, and the two, oppositely directed wires 19, which are attached close to the pillars 15, will efficiently retain the pontoon in the intended position.

The embodiment above described and shown in the drawings is one example only, the details may be varied in many ways. The ramp of the pontoon may be designed and arranged in many ways, for instance so that it extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal sides of the pontoon. That may influence the positioning of the pillars 15, and it is evident that with long pontoons, it may be favourable to use more than two pillars 15.

Claims

1. A mooring means for retaining a pontoon along a quay, independently of occasional variations in the water level, comprising at least two pillars projecting above the deck of the pontoon, at the side thereof adjacent to the quay, and a vertically dis placeable trolley, carried by each pillar and provided with an arm extending horizontally towards the quay and having means for attachment to a bollard on the quay.

2. A mooring means according to Claim 1, wherein each arm is formed as a link comprising components joined by pivots having alternate hori zontal and vertical axes.

3. A mooring means according to Claim 2, wherein one group of pivots with one horizontal and one vertical axis is provided close by the trolley and close by the bollard on the quay, respectively.

4. A mooring means according to either of Claims 2 or3, wherein a rigid bracket projects from the top side of the trolley, and has at its outer end, a sliding piece for engagement with the quay or with a portion of the arm between the bollard and the pivot adjacent thereto.

5. A mooring means according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pillars are fitted in recesses in the sidewall of the pontoon, which are sunk below the level of the deck of the pontoon, and are formed in such a manner that the trolley associated with the pillar can be substantially fully received within the recess.

6. A mooring means according to either of the preceding claims, wherein each pillar is composed oftwo parallel, spaced apart beams, having rectangular cross-section, and each trolley is provided with two pairs of wheels adapted to run along the longitudinal sides of each beam, as well as with two pairs of wheels adapted to run between the beams, co-operating with their juxtaposed transverse sides.

7. A mooring means according to either of the preceding claims, wherein each arm is stayed sidewardly with respect to the associated pillar by means of an elastically biased wire.

8. A mooring means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.