GB2423508A

GB2423508A - Mooring system with mooring points attached to a buoyant member

Info

Publication number: GB2423508A
Application number: GB0603641A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Burley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-25
Filing date: 2006-02-23
Publication date: 2006-08-30
Also published as: GB0503889D0; GB0603641D0

Abstract

A mooring for a vessel on a body of water, the mooring comprises at least one mooring point 32 connected to a buoyant member 24. The buoyant member is movably connected to a fixed member 12 such that movement of the buoyant member caused by fluctuations in the water level during use causes a corresponding movement of the one or more mooring points relative to the fixed member. The mooring points are therefore maintained at a constant height above the water's level.

Description

Mooring System The present invention relates to the securing of vessels to

a mooring fixture in relation to a body of water such that the degree of movement available to the vessel is substantially constrained.

Water vessels are conventionally moored to points on land or else to a fixture extending therefrom using one or more lines.

Depending on the length of time a vessel is intended to remain moored in a particular location, one or a number of lines may be fixed between the vessel and the mooring points SC) that those on board are free to leave the vessel or else perform other tasks without having to worry about the disposition of the vessel. In the case of a boat, a single line may be attached between the bow of the boat and a mooring point to allow the boat to swing with the motion of the water underneath the boat, or else two or more lines may be attached between points on the bow and stern of a boat and a mooring in order to more securely hold the boat in position.

however it is commonly accepted that any change in the height of the water relative to the mooring can cause problems when a line has been fixed between a vessel and a mooring point since the vessel will need to move relative to the mooring point, requiring the mooring line to be lengthened or shortened accordingly. Thus once a vessel is moored, the mooring lines require constant attention by taking in or letting out lengths of line in accordance with the changing level of the water. Failure to do so can result in the vessel swinging loose on its moorings or else, in the event of a falling water level, the line may become tightened as it starts to bear the weight of the vessel, putting undue strain in the lines and mooring points.

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S S S I $ IS *. I e.. ** . In addition a mooring point must be fixed such that it is accessible at the highest water level and so a problem arises when the water level falls below this level since the mooring point is often out of reach of a person onboard. Thus, in order to fix a vessel to a mooring, it is common practice to attach one end of a line to the boat, for example via a cleat, and to throw the remainder of the line ashore so that someone on the shore can attach the other end of the line to the mooring point. This process takes time and, in the event that someone is not available to take the line, a vessel is often required to hold its position using its motor or else paddles, which is particularly unfavourable in fast flowing or otherwise disturbed conditions.

In the case of smaller man-powered vessels such as canoes, the throwing of a mooring line in a generally upward direction is particularly difficult and potentially hazardous.

These problems have been well documented and a number of solutions proposed for tidal applications, such as the use of floating structures in the form of pontoons, which are attached at one or more points to land by hinged or rolling mechanisms to allow movement of the pontoon relative to the land in accordance with the water level. One or a number of vessels can be moored to the pontoon without the need to tend the mooring lines.

I-lowevcr there are numerous instances where the use of pontoons are impractical since a vessel must be moored directly adjacent the land, such as for example, within locks where space is limited, or else at quaysides. In addition pontoons arc costly to manufacture and for these reasons it still remains common practice to moor a vessel to points on land and to manually take in and let out mooring lines.

* . * ** - . * S S S I S * * . S S * . p S. S S a.. I * * * * 5 e I S*S S.' 0 The present invention aims to overcome the above problems and to provide a system which allows vessels to be securely moored for any amount of time and irrespective of changing water levels without the need to tend to the mooring lines.

According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided mooring for a vessel on a body of water, said mooring comprising at least one mooring point connected to a buoyant member, said buoyant member movably connected to a fixed member, wherein movement of the buoyant member caused by fluctuations in the water level during use causes a corresponding movement of the one or more mooring points relative to the fixed member.

Typically the fixed member is arranged to be attached to a structure adjacent the body of water. In one embodiment the fixed member is arranged to extend from a body of water. The buoyant member may be fixedly attached to the one or more buoyant members and is preferably a float.

Preferably the one or more mooring points are disposed a predetermined distance above the buoyant member and may be held in relation thereto by an arm. Typically the spacing between the mooring points and the buoyant member remains fixed regardless of any change in the water level. Accordingly the mooring points are held above the water line and remain substantially dry. Typically the fixed member takes the form of a housing for the mooring points and at least part of the housing may extend above the highest water level.

The present invention is particularly advantageous since mooring points can be provided which are disposed in relation to a floating body and which are therefore maintained at a height above the surface of the water so that they are easily a * S * *aS * S S I I I * I * a. a S. S I a. * a

I, I III SI I accessible to a floating vessel. Furthermore once a vessel is moored there will be substantially no relative motion between the vessel and the mooring points by virtue of the floating relationship and so the need to manually adjust the mooring due to changes in water level is eliminated.

Typically the movement of the mooring points relative to the fixed member is constrained and preferably the mooring points are mounted on a sliding member. Preferably the sliding member can slide along a guide which is attached to the fixed member in a generally vertical orientation such that the mooring points can move up or down in accordance with a corresponding rise or fall in water level.

The guide may take the form of a runner or rail or else a pair of rails with the sliding member disposed therebetween and in one preferred embodiment the guide is a tubular member with an aperture extending along one of its sides. According to this embodiment the sliding member may take the form of one or more simple blocks enclosed by the tubular member and with the one or more mounting points extending from the sliding blocks through the aperture. The sliding blocks may be attached to or else integral with the arm such that the mooring points are disposed within the tube a predetermined height above the float.

The provision of a slider bearing type arrangement is particularly beneficial since the number of moving parts are minimised and thus the effects of corrosion on the system are reduced. Furthermore the system is self cleaning in that the water level will rise and fall in relation to the guide, causing water to flow in and out of the aperture, clearing out any floating debris. The provision of a tubular guide is advantageous since it allows for a clearance between the slider and the inside of the runner to ensure minimal frictional forces, * * * I *s* * I * * * * I S * I * * * S S * *I S S 5 55 S I S S I * S. 5* 5 *** S. * whilst isolating the slider from the surroundings such that debris is unlikely to come between the slider and runner so as to jam the bearing.

According to one embodiment a panel is disposed between the sliding member and the mooring points. This has the advantage of inhibiting access to the slider and runner during normal usc, thus preventing any mooring lines becoming snagged in the runner. In addition, the panel may move with the mooring points so as to prevent access to the guide in the vicinity of the moving parts.

Each mooring point may take the form of any of a hook or eye or cleat or any other suitable part which allows a mooring line to pass therethrough or be attachable thereon so that a vessel can be temporarily or else permanently moored. The mooring points may be removably attached to a sliding member or else may be integral with the slider.

In one preferred embodiment a number of mooring points are provided at heights suitable to be reached by different types of vessels. Typically a number of different vessels may use a single mooring point.

Typically the buoyant member is a solid material with a density less than water or else is a hollow body filled with a gas. The buoyant member may be constrained by the guide, by runners or within the tube or else may be open to the surroundings. Any, or any combination of the sliding member, the panel and/or the arm may also be of a lower density than water so that in the event that they become submerged, an additional buoyancy force is provided to assist the float.

* S * S 155 * I S S S S * * * S I S * I S S S. * * * I. S S S S * *5 S. S S. * Typically the fixed member has a surface adjacent a body of water or else extending from the surface of the water.

Preferably the guide is provided with a stop member which may be located at an upper end of the guide. The stop may be removably attached to the guide or else appropriately positioned and selectively movable relative thereto. The guide or runner may be attached to the fixed member by fixing means such as a flange or else may be integral with the fixed member. The mooring points and the buoyant member may be mounted within a recess within the fixed member.

Preferably the fixed member substantially encloses the moving parts of the mooring system and has an opening to allow access to the mooring points. In one embodiment the fixed member comprises one or more resilient members extending beyond the outer surface of the fixed member in the proximity of the mooring points so as to prevent contact between the vessel and the mooring points or else between the vessel and the fixed member itself.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a mooring apparatus for a vessel, said apparatus including a floating member having at least one mooring point mounted thereon, said floating member provided for guided movement in relation to a fixed member in response to changes in the level of water by which the floating member and vessel are supported.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mooring for a floating vessel comprising one or more mooring points fixedly connected to a float and movably connected to a fixed member, wherein the fixed member is arranged to extend from a body of water and the float is * * S * * S S I S S * * * S S S S 5 * S 5 S * 55 5 * S S S * 55 S **e *. * arranged to be buoyant in the body of water such that movement of the float caused by fluctuations in the water level during use causes a corresponding movement of the one or more mooring points relative to the fixed member.

The term vessel is used in relation to the present invention to refer to any buoyant water craft, including, but not limited to, motor boats, such as cabin cruisers, narrow boats or yachts, or else unpowered craft such as canoes, punts, skiffs, dinghies or the like.

Particular embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail below in relation to the following drawings, in which: Figures 1A and lB show respective front elevation and plan views of a mooring system according to the present invention; and, Figures 2A and 2B show part cut away views of the arrangement of figure 1; Whilst the following description proceeds in relation to a mooring system provided in the face of a lock wall, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be applied to any situation where a mooring point is subject to a rising or falling water level, such as for example that caused by tides, rainfall, or else by dams. In addition the present invention provides for a mooring system which is substantially modular in design and can be installed into existing structures, such as cluaysides, using suitable attachment means. Alternatively, the fixed member of the invention may be fixed to the ground either below or adjacent the body of water.

* S S *SS * S S S S S * * * S S S * S S S 5 * S ** S * S S S * S. 5 SSS 55 5 Turning now to figures 1A and 1B, there is provided a mooring system 10 comprising a fixed member in the form of housing 12 attached to the substantially vertical face of a lock wall 14. The housing 12 is fixed within a correspondingly shaped recess in the lock wall 14 such that a portion of the housing extends beyond the face of the lock wall 14 so as to provide exposed resilient members in the form of rubbing strakes 16, which a vessel can rub against when moored without damage to either the vessel or the mooring system 10.

The housing 12 and rubbing strakes 16 are made of hardwood or other suitable material and protrude vertically above the lockside ground level so as to provide access to the mooring system from above.

An elongate guide member 1 8 is disposed vertically within the housing and is attached to an inside surface of the housing by brackets 20. The guide member 18 is generally tube shaped and defines an inner recess within which slider blocks 22 and a buoyant member in the form of float 24 are aligned in a generally vertical arrangement. A removable stop 19 takes the form of a bolt and is provided in the upper end of the guide member 18 to prevent the slider blocks exiting the guide during normal use. The guide 18 is metal and may be provided with an anticorrosive surface.

The arrangement of the slider blocks 22 and float 24 arc more clearly visible in figures 2A and 2B and each of the slider blocks 22 and the float 24 are separated by an arm 26, which takes the form of a connecting rod.

The tubular guide member 18 has a linear aperture extending along the length of a front face, through which a narrow portion of each slider block extends. The narrow portion forms a neck * S * , *** * a * * * * * * * * S S * * S S ** * * * 55 a * * * S * ** *S S ** S. S 28 which is attached to a panel 30 on the outer side of the front face of the guide 18, which maintains the slider blocks 22 relative to the aperture. The panel 30 is preferably transparent and can be made of Perspex. It will be appreciated that two spaced runners could be provided with a recess behind for reception of the slider blocks instead of the tubular guide member 18 shown. In addition, other slider arrangements are available such as a single guide rail with slider rings or else other appropriately shaped sliding members for constraining the motion of the sliders.

The panel 30 is wider than the aperture and acts as a safety cover/panel by preventing access to the slider blocks 22 from the front of the mooring system. Mooring points 32 are provided on the front side of the panel 30 and take the form of eyes, through which a mooring line (not shown) can be passed.

The eyes 32 may be rigidly or else rotably mounted to the panel or slider blocks. Furthermore different types of fastenings may be provided at mooring points 32 for smaller craft, such as clip fastenings or the like.

During use, the slider blocks 22 and mooring points 32 are maintained above the surface of the water 34 by connecting rods 26. The slider blocks and mooring points 32 may be provided at heights suitable for different types of vessel, such as a lower mooring point within easy reach of a person within a canoe, and a higher mooring point which can be easily accessed from a motor boat. In figure 1A the water level is shown at its highest point such that it is only a short distance below the lockside paving level.

A vessel may approach the mooring system and a free end of one or more mooring lines are passed through the eyes of the mooring point 32 at the most appropriate height and tied off or * S * S.5.

* S S * * * S * S S * * S * S * * . 5 8S * S S S * S ** *S S *** S. * else secured to the vessel via a cleat to hold the vessel relative to the lockwall 14. A number of mooring systems can be provided along the length of the lock wall to allow a number of vessels to be moored, or else to allow a longer vessel to be more securely moored at a number of points.

The mooring system maintains a constant height relationship with the vessel during any rise or fall in the water level 34 within the lock by virtue of the float 24 and thus the mooring lines are not required to be taken in or let out due to changes in the water level.

Once the water level in the lock has reached a height equal to the water level outside the lock, the moored vessels are unfastened by passing the free end of the mooring line back through the mooring point such that the vessels are free to leave the lock.

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Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A mooring for a vessel on a body of water, said

mooring comprising at least one mooring point connected to a buoyant member, said buoyant member movably connected to a fixed member, wherein movement of the buoyant member caused by fluctuations in the water level during use causes a corresponding movement of the one or more mooring points relative to the fixed member.
2. A mooring according to claim 1, wherein the mooring point is spaced a predetermined distance above the buoyant member.
3. A mooring according to either claim I or claim 2, wherein the mooring point is connected to the buoyant member by an arm.
4. A mooring according to claim 3, wherein the arm extends substantially vertically from the buoyant member and one or more mooring points are connected to the arm at a predetermined height above the buoyant member.
5. A mooring according to either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein two or more mooring points are connected to the arm, the mooring points being provided at spaced points along the arm.
6. A mooring according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixed member comprises a guide which constrains the relative motion of the mooring points.
7. A mooring according to claim 6, wherein the one or more mooring points are movably connected to the guide by a slider.

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S * * * S S S * * S SS S S * IS * * S * S * ** ** a *5 S 8. A mooring according to either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the guide comprises an elongate aperture within the fixed member.
9. A mooring according to claim 8, wherein the mooring point extends outwardly from the aperture and are movable along the aperture.
10. A mooring according to claim 9, wherein the mooring point additionally has a portion extending inwardly of the tubular member through the aperture, thus retaining the mooring point relative to the aperture.
11. A mooring according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein a panel is provided between the mooring point and the guide.
12. A mooring according to claim 11, wherein the panel is movable with the mooring point.
13. A mooring according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixed member comprises a tubular member with an elongate aperture extending at least part way along the length of the tubular member.
14. A mooring according to claim 13, wherein the buoyant member is contained within the tubular member.
15. A mooring according to any preceding claim, wherein the motion of the float is constrained by the fixed member.
1 6. A mooring according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixed member is arranged to be attached to a structure adjacent the body of water.

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17. A mooring according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixed member comprises a housing for the one or more mooring points and the buoyant member.
18. A mooring according to any preceding claim, wherein the buoyant member is a float.
19. A mooring according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixed member is provided with one or more stops arranged to prevent motion of the mooring point beyond the stop.
20. A mooring according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixed member is provided with one or more resilient members extending therefrom adjacent the mooring point.
21. A mooring apparatus for a vessel, said apparatus including a floating member having at least one mooring point mounted thereon, said floating member provided for guided movement in relation to a fixed member in response to changes in the level of water by which the floating member and vessel are supported.
22 A mooring for a floating vessel comprising one or more mooring points fixedly connected to a float and movably connected to a fixed member, wherein the fixed member is arranged to extend from a body of water and the float is arranged to be buoyant in the body of water such that movement of the float caused by fluctuations in the water level during use causes a corresponding movement of the one or more mooring points relative to the fixed member.
23. A mooring substantially as hereinbefore described in relation to the accompanying drawings.

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