GB2087316A

GB2087316A - Fender arrangements

Info

Publication number: GB2087316A
Application number: GB8134284A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BURLEIGH MARINE INTERNATIONAL
Current assignee: BURLEIGH MARINE INTERNATIONAL
Priority date: 1980-11-14
Filing date: 1981-11-13
Publication date: 1982-05-26
Also published as: GB2087316B

Abstract

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Description

SPECIFICATION Fender arrangements This invention relates to fender arrangements and provides a fender arrangement for maintaining a vessel in spaced relation from a dock or quay.

According to this invention there is provided a fender arrangement comprising a buoyancy tank, a rigid chassis suspended from the buoyancy tank and carrying a first set of three or more wheels equipped with pneumatic tyres and arranged for vertical rolling engagement with a vertical surface, the contact points between these wheels and said surface being non-colinear whereby the chassis can roll up and down said surface, and the chassis carrying at least one wheel equipped with a pneumatic tyre and mounted for rotation about about a vertical axis at the opposite side of the chassis to the wheels of the first set for rolling engagement with respect to a second surface facing the first said surface.

In a preferred arrangement the chassis is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane at right angles to the first said surface, and the points of contact of wheels of the first set with the first said surface define a rectangle and are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said vertical plane. Preferably said one wheel is so disposed that its point of contact with the second surface lies in said plane.

Preferably also, the chassis carries at least one further wheel equipped with a pneumatic tyre and mounted vertically below said one wheel for rotation coaxially with said one wheel.

The frame may conveniently provide a cradle or other supporting means for ballast weights whereby the operating depth of the fender is adjustable.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a floating fender arrangement according to the invention, buoyancy tanks of the fender being omitted for purpose of clarity, and Figures 2 and 3 are respectively views in the direction of the arrows 2 and 3 in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings a fender arrangement is shown which serves to space the hull 11 of a ship from a dock wall 12. The fender arrangement comprises a chassis 14 which is suspended below the water surface from a main buoyancy tank 13 and which carries a first set of two pairs of wheels 15 engaging the dock wall and a second set of two wheels 16 engaging the hull, all of the wheels being equipped with air-filled pneumatictyres. The chassis is triangular viewed in plan and generaly rectangular viewed from either side, and is disposed with its base adjacent the dock wall. The two sides of the chassis are each composed of four horizontal members 17 interconnected by vertical members 19, 20.

The vertical members 20 are interconnected adja centtheir upper and lower ends by two beams 18, and each end of each of the beams carries a horizontal axle for one of the wheels 15. The upper four horizontal members 17 provide at the apes of the triangle a vertical axle mounting for one of the wheels 16, and the lower four members 17 similarly provide an axle mounting for the other wheel 16. The foot ends of the vertical members 19 project below the level of the lowest members 17 to enable the chassis to stand on the members 19 and the lower pair of wheels 15 if necessary. The two sides of the chassis are further interconnected by horizontal bracing members 17a. The entire fender is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane 21 containing the common axis of wheels 16 and extending at right angles to the dock wall.All of the members 17, 19,20 of the chassis are tubular and the members are welded together in an air-tight manner.

The two top members 17 of the chassis have welded to them parallel rails 22 to which the main buoyancy tank 13 is bolted, and these rails have a series of holes drilled in them along their length enabling the position of the buoyancy tank to be adjusted in a direction towards and away from the dock wall for major correction of trim. A reserve buoyancy tank 23 is bolted to the upper end of a vertical tubular buoyancy member 24 the lower end of which is bolted to the top of the main buoyancy tank, the tubular member being braced by webs 25.

The interiors of the buoyancy tanks 13,23 and buoyancy member 24 are isolated from each other.

The chassis has two suspension points (not shown) for ballast weights at each side of the vertical plane of symmetry to enable further adjustment to be made in the trim of the fender. Further ballast weights (not shown) are removably secured on the top of the reserve buoyancy tank. In use, the fender arrangement is lowered into the water and is moored in engagement with the dock wall by buoyant ropes connected between anchorage points on the chassis, for example at locations on the upper frame members 17 adjacent the bracing members 17a, and mooring points on the dockwall at locations spaced away from the chassis along the dock wall. Major alterations of trim are achieved by shifting the position of the buoyancy tanks along the rails 22 and final adjustements are made by altering the ballast weights on the bottom of the chassis.

Operating depth is adjusted by means of the ballast weights on the reserve buoyancy tank 23 and is set so that the main buoyancy tank is completely submerged, but so that the reserve tank 24 is above the water level.

Vertical movements of the hull are accommodated by rolling movement of the chassis on the wheels 15, and horizontal movements of the hull are accommodated by rotation of wheels 16.

In a modified construction not illustrated a vertical telescopic connection is provided between the chassis and the buoyancy tank 13 to enable the depth of the chassis below the water level to be adjusted, since in correct use of the fender the buoyancy tank will normally be just submerged, as shown in Figure 3. The telescoping connection is such as to allow the tank 13 and chassis to be secured, as by bolts, in the desired position of adjustment.

A telescoping connection may be provided between the buoyancy tank 13 and the reserve tank 23 if desired.

Claims

1. Afender arrangement comprising a buoyancy tank, a rigid chassis suspended from the buoyancy tank and carrying a first set of three or more wheels equipped with pneumatic tyres and arranged for vertical rolling engagement with a vertical surface, the contact points between these wheels and said surface being non-colinear whereby the chassis can roll up and down said surface, and the chassis carrying at least one wheel equipped with a pneuma tictyre and mounted for rotation about a vertical axis at the opposite side of the chassis to the wheels of the first set for rolling engagement with respect to the second surface facing the first said surface.

2. A fender arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chassis is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane at right angles to the first said surface, and the points of contact of wheels of the first set with the first said surface define a rectangie and are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said vertical plane.

3. A fender arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said one wheel is so disposed that its point of contact with the second surface lies in said plane.

4. A fender arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the chassis carries at least one further wheel equipped with a pneumatic tyre and mounted vertically below said one wheel for rotation coaxiallywith said one wheel.

5. A fender arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein, viewed in plan, the chassis is generally triangular and said one wheel is disposed at the apex of the triangle.

6. Afender arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the chassis carries a reserve buoyancy tank above the first said buoyancy tank.

7. Afender arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein said reserve buoyancy tank is mounted through a vertical tubular member on the first said buoyancy tank, the interior of the tubular member being isolated from each of the buoyancy tanks.

8. Afender arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein there is provided a vertically adjustable telescoping connection between the buoyancy tank and the chassis, and means for securing the chassis and tank in selected relative positions of the adjustment.

9. A fender arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.