IES20050266A2 - A mooring assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A mooring assembly (1) for a vessel (2) in a tidal waterway (3) is described in which the vessel (2) will rise and fall within the waterway (3) in the same way that a pontoon (5) to which the vessel (2) is moored also rises and falls with the waterway (3). During tidal movement of the waterway (3) the mooring assembly (1) adjusts the length of a mooring rope (11) having its proximal end (14) fixed to the pontoon (5) and its distal end fixed to a water bouy (13) so that the mooring rope (11) will remain reasonably taut ensuring that the vessel (2) will float substantially horizontally in the waterway (3) and the bow of the vessel (2) will nto be pulled down. <Figure 1>

Description

OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 The present invention relates to a mooring assembly for a vessel in a waterway, and more particularly, though not solely, to a mooring assembly for mooring a vessel in a waterway subject to changes in water depth, such as a tidal waterway.

Background Art Vessels in a marina in a non-tidal waterway are often moored by securing the bow or stern by a rope connected to the shore, with the opposite end of the vessel being secured by a rope connected to an anchor on the water bed. Such an orthogonal mooring arrangement ensures that each vessel moored will only occupy a berth in the marina which has a width approximately equal to the width of the beam of the vessel together with clearance on either side of the vessel to ensure vessels can move into and out of the berth without colliding with other adjacent moored vessels.

Conversely, marinas for use in tidally affected waterways typically utilise a floating 2 0 pontoon design. In such marina’s each floating pontoon is geneally secured to a fixed support so*that each vessel moored to the pontoon may rise and fall with the water during changes in water depth due to tidal movements of the water.

However, the orthogonal mooring arrangement used in non-tidal waterways is not suitable for mooring vessels in tidal waterways as the length of the rope connected to an anchor on the waterbed would require frequent adjustment to ensure that a constant tension is maintained on the mooring line as the pontoon rises and falls with changes in the water depth. It is therefore not desirable to secure the bow, or any other part of the vessel, to a weight or anchor fixed on the water bed.

For this reason, a vessel moored to a floating pontoon in a tidal waterway is normally secured broadside onto the pontoon, so that the pontoon and the vessel may rise and fall together with changes in vessel to a pontoon lengthways demands considerably more pontoon space per ΙΕΟ 5 02 β - 2 vessel than orthogonal, or ‘stem-to’, or ‘bow-to’ mooring as used in non-tidal waterways. In every instance, such broadside or lengthways mooring requires considerably more pontoon space per berth, than is required when securing a vessel orthogonally to the pontoon. In most instances, such broadsde mooring requires of the order of between two to four times more pontoon space per berth, with the actual space requirements being largely dependent on the length of the vessel. To reduce the amount of pontoon space taken up by the broadside-on mooring of vessels to a main pontoon ‘finger’ pontoons have been developed. Such ‘finger’ pontoons project orthogonally from a main pontoon so that each vessel will be moored broadside along a finger and therefore orthogonally with respect to a main pontoon. Such broadside-on mooring vessels therefore results in much larger marinas having to be constructed and therefore greater costs being involved in such construction, which are inevitably passed on to marina users.

It is therefore an object of the present in\ention to provide a mooring assembly which goes someway toward overcoming at least the above disadvantages, and/or which will provide the public and/or industry with a useful choice.

For the purposes of this specification a ‘tidal’ waterway includes wateiways which are subject to tides but also waterways subject to changes in depth relative to the water bed as a result of damming, flooding, rainfall or other natural or unnatural occurrences. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may also be effectively be used in non-tidal waterways, that is, waterways having a substantially constant depth relative to the water bed. Accordingly, reference throughout this specification to the present invention being used in tidal waterways only should in no way be seen as limiting.

Additionally, the term ‘mooring rope’ includes any length of material capable of connecting a vessel, or part of a vessel, to a structure, such as a pontoon or anchor. For example, the term mooring rope should be taken to include mooring chains and the like.

Furthermore, the term ‘vessel’ as used in this specification should be interpretedTo comprise not only pleasure crafts such as yachts, sailing boats, power boats and £05 02 β6 - 3 dinghy’s, but also commercial vessels, barges, pontoons, sub-pontoons or other structures which are desired to be secured to, or associated with a main pontoon. Accordingly, the present invention may also be adapted to secure a secondary, or sub-pontoon to a main pontoon in a waterway.

The term ‘guide’ in the context of terms such as ‘mooring rope distal anchorage guide’, ‘mooring rope proximal anchorage guide’ and ‘mooring rope pontoon guide’ as used in the specification may be defined to include any sub-apparatus or structure capable of slidably engaging or receiving a mooring rope. For example, such a guide(s) may be provided by a pulley, a stationary or turning axle, an edge, an eye or a ring which may adapted to encompass and slidably receive a mooring rope.

It is acknowledged that the term ‘comprise’, under varying jurisdictions may be provided with either an exclusive or inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted explicitly, the term comprise shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it may be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other norvspecified components. Accordingly, the term 'comprise’ is to be attributed with as broad an interpretation as possible within any given jurisdiction and this rationale should also be used when the terms ‘comprised’ and/or ‘comprising’ are used.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

Statements of Invention According to the invention, there is provided a mooring assembly for a vessel in a waterway above a water bed of the type comprising a floating pontoon secured relative to the water bed characterised in that there is provided a water buoy; a distal anchorage on the water bed remote of the pontoon IEfl5 02 ββ comprising a mooring rope distal anchorage guide; a mooring rope pontoon guide fixed relative to the water bed and above the pontoon; and a mooring rope which is fixed at its distal end to the water buoyand is led through the mooring rope distal anchorage guide then through the mooring rope pontoon guide and is fixed at its proximal end to the pontoon.

During tidal movement of the waterway the mooring assembly adjusts the length of the mooring rope between the water buoy and the distal anchorage so that the mooring rope will remain reasonably taut ensuring that the vessel will rise and fail within the waterway in the same way that the pontoon rises and falls with the waterway. This ensures that the vessel will float substantially horizontally in the waterway in the sense that the bow will not be pulled down.

This arrangement will enable a vessel to be moored in an orthogonal, or “sternto” or “bow-to” mooring position with either the stern or bow secued to the pontoon and the opposing end of the vessel secured to a mooring rope which is connected to the mooring buoy. Accordingly, each vessel moored will occupy a portion of the pontoon approximately equal to its width, which will in turn maximise the rumber of vessels able to be moored to a marina of fixed length thus overcoming one of the major problems of mooring vessels to pontoons in tidal waterways.

Furthermore, such an arrangement will enable a number of vessels to be moored broadside to a pontoon if they were secured together side-by-side in a rafted configuration with the outermost vessel being connected to the mooring buoy.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a proximal anchorage located adjacent the pontoon and having a mooring rope proximal anchorage guide, the mooring rope being lead along the water bed and through the proximal anchorage guide prior to being led through the pontoon guide. ____________________________________________________ ΙΕΟ 5 02 ββ A proximal anchorage located adjacent the pontoon will facilitate the mooring rope being led along the water bed and beneath the vessel or vessels being moored to the proximal anchorage guide. Such a proximal anchorage will ensure that, in use, the mooring rope will not make contact with or interfere with other vessels moored to the marina. Furthermore, in embodiments in which more than one vessel is being secured, and therefore more than one mooring rope is being used, the provision of a proximal anchorage having a mooring rope proximal anchorage guide will minimise the likelihood that the mooring ropes will become tangled with one another or neighbouring vessels moored to the pontoon.

In one embodiment of the invention the pontoon is secured to a support.

Preferably the mooring rope pontoon guide and the mooring rope proximal anchorage is fixed to the support.

Securing both the mooring rope pontoon guide and the mooring rope proximal anchorage to the support will serve to furtherminimise the imposition of the mooring rope or ropes across the waterway and/or the pontoon, thereby reducing the likelihood that the mooring rope itself will make contact with or interfere with other vessels being moored and/or personnel attempting to gain access to a moored vessel.

In one embodiment, there is provided a tube having an open distal end forming the mooring rope distal anchorage guide and an open proximal end forming the mooring rope proximal anchorage guide.

Configuring the mooring rope distal anchorage guide and the mooring rope proximal anchorage guide from a tube through which the mooring rope passes from the distal anchorage to the proximal anchorage will further minimise the imposition of mooring rope(s) to neighbouring vessels. Such a provision will also protect the mooring rope from potential damage that may be caused by vandalism (such as by being cut) and/or atmospheric elements. It will also protect the rope from snagging with debris dropped into the water or natural structures on the waterbed._________________________ <05 02 66 Preferably the distal anchorage guide is movable along the water bed.

The position of the distal anchorage guide effectively fixes the position of the water buoy relative to the pontoon. The ability to alter the position of the distal anchorage guide, and therefore the position of the water buoy relative to the pontoon, will enable the ‘swing’ of the moored vessel to be controlled. Accordingly, by maintaining the mooring rope between the anchorage and the vessel close to the vertical orientation the relative ‘swing’ of the vessel on the surface of the waterway will be minimised. Furthermore, the ability to alter the position of the distal anchorage guide will enable vessels of various length to be moored.

In one embodiment there is provided a second mooring rope which is fixed at its distal end to a second water buoy and is led through the dstai anchorage guide then through the pontoon guide and is fixed at its proximal end to the pontoon.

The provision of such a second mooring rope in conjunction with a further water buoy will facilitate the stable and secure mooring of vessels for which a single mooring rope is not adequate, such as for a larger vessel. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the present invention may readily be modified to include two, three or more mooring ropes as required or as desired to moor a vessel depending onthe specific dimensions or tonnage of that vessel concerned.

Brief Description of the Drawings Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1: shows a diagrammatic view of a mooring assembly configured in o accordance with an embodiment of the present invention: Figs 2 and 3: respectively show diagrammatic views of the mooring assembly ___________________________shownin _Fig_ Hollowing tidal movement of a waterway;---------------------------------£05 02 86 Fig 4: shows a plan view of a number of the mooring assemblies shown in Fig 1; Fig 5: 5 shows a plan view similar to Fig 4 of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Fig 6: shows a plan view similar to Fig 4 of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 10 Fig 7: shows a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 1 of an alternative construction of mooring assembly; Fig 8: shows a diagrammatic view of another mooring assembly according to the invention; 15 Fig9: shows a plan view of a number of the mooring assemblies shown in Fig 8; Fig 10: 20 shows a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 1 of another mooring assembly of the present invention; Fig.11: shows a plan view of a number of the mooring assembles shown in Fig 10; 25 Fig 12: is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 1 of a still further mooring assembly of the present invention; Fia 13: shows a plan view of a number of the mooring assemblies shown in Figure 12; 30 Fig_14: shows a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 1 of a mooring assembly configured in accordance with Fig. 7, mooring a sub-pontoon; Fid 15: shows a plan view of the mooring assembly shown in Fig 14, and IE05 02 ββ Figs 16-17: show plan views of an alternative construction of mooring assembly.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring initially to Figs. 1 to 4, there is shown a mooring assembly 1 for a vessel 2 in a waterway 3 above a water bed 4. The mooring assembly 1 comprises a floating pontoon 5 which can float up and down with the tide relative to a support generally indicated by reference numeral 30 formed by a pile or upright 6 with changes in the depth of the waterway 3. Also provided is a distal anchorage generally indicated by reference numeral 7 comprising a distal anchorage weight 8 incorporating a mooring rope distal anchorage guide 9 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘distal anchorage guide’). Also shown is a mooring rope pontoon guide 10 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘pontoon guide’), which in the instance shown is fked to the top of the upright 6 proud of the pontoon 5. The pontoon guide 10 is arranged so as to always be above the pontoon 5, even if the pontoon 5 rises in the tide.

The mooring assembly 1 further comprises a mooring rope 11 which is fixed at its distal end 12 to a water buoy 13 and is led through the distal anchorage guide 9 then through the pontoon guide 10 and is fixed at its proximal end 14 to the pontoon 5.

The vessel 2 is secured to the mooring assembly 1 via a bow mooring rope 15, which is in turn secured to the water buoy 13, and a stern mooring rope 16 which is secured to the pontoon 5.

Fig 4 shows a plan view of the mooring assembly shown in Fig 1 for a number of vessels. Parts are identified by the same reference numerals and distingushable by lower case letter. Thus, for example, six mooring assemblies 1(a) to 1(f) and six mooring ropes 11(a) to 11(f) are illustrated. Each mooring rope 1*(a)-11(f) is fixed at respective distal ends 12(a)-12(f) to separate water buoys 13(a)-13(f) and is led through separate distal anchorage guides 9(a)-9(f) through a common pontoon guide 10 to be fixed by^their respectjye proximal ends 14(a)-14(f) to the pontoon 5.--------It should be appreciated that each distal anchorage guide 9(a)-9(f) is provided by IE 0 5 02 68 respective distal anchorage weights 8(a)-8(f). Such an arrangement provides a plurality of distal anchorage guides with which to moor a plurality of vessels. Because of the way in which the mooring ropes 11(a) to 11(f) areled back through a common pontoon guide 10, it will be appreciated that thepontoon guide 10 will have to be situated high above the maximum water level In use, and referring specifically to Figs 1 to 3, the operation of the mooring assembly 1 as the water level rises and falls will now be described.

It should be initially appreciated that the amount of the respective rise or the fall in the depth of the waterway 3 as result of tidal movement will be equal to the distance moved by the pontoon 5 up and down the upright 6.

Referring to Fig 2, as the tide falls from the high tide position shown in Fig. 1, the floating pontoon 5 will slide down the upright 6 thus pulling the rope 11 down and taking up the slack on the mooring rope 11 resulting from the fall in the depth of the waterway 3. Such a pull on the mooring rope 11 will cause it to slide in the direction generally indicated by arrow A through the distal anchorage guide 9 and through the pontoon guide 10.

Accordingly, the length of the mooring rope 11 that slides in the direction of arrow 17 will be substantially equal to the required reduction in the length of mooring rope 11 needed between the distal anchorage guide 9 and the water buoy 13 to ensure the mooring rope 7 is maintained taut during the falling tide, which will in tun ensure constant tension in the bow mooring rope 15 as the vessel 2 falls in the tide as the pontoon falls. This will ensure that the vessel 2 will float substantially horizontally on the waterway 3.

Conversely, and referring now to Fig 3, as the tide rses the floating pontoon 4 will move up relative to the upright 6 which slackens the mooring rope 11. This will cause the mooring rope 11 to move in the direction generally indicated by arrowB through the distal anchorage guide 9 and through the pontoon guide 10, allowing the vessel to rise._________________ ______________________________________________________________ IE 0 5 02 6 6 The length of the mooring rope 11 led in the direction of arrow 18 will be equal to the required increase in the length of mooring rope 11 needed between the distal anchorage guide 9 and the water buoy 13 to ensure the mooring rope 11 is maintained taut during the rising tide. This will ensure the vessel 2 will rise with the waterway 3 in the same way the pontoon 5 rises with the waterway 3 which will in turn ensure that the vessel 2 will remain substantially horzontal on the waterway 3.

Fig 5 shows a plan view of a modification of the mooring assembly shown in Fig 1 in an alternative embodiment, again identified by the same reference numeral 1 with parts similar to those described already identified by the same reference numerals. In the instance shown, the distal anchorage 7 comprises two spaced apart weights 8(a) and 8(b) between which a distal anchorage rope 19 is led. A plurality of distal anchorage guides 9(a)-9(f) are positioned along the distal anchorage rope 19 and are adapted to receive mooring ropes 11(a)-11(f) respectively Fig 6 shows a plan view of a modification of the mooring assembly shown in Fig 1 in an alternative embodiment, again identified by the reference numeral 1 with parts similar to those described already identified by the same reference numerals. In the instance shown, the distal anchorage 7 comprises a beam 20 along which a plurality of distal anchorage guides 9(a)-9(f) are disposed. Such an arrangement will also facilitate the mooring of a plurality of vessels.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention, again identified by the reference numeral 1 with parts similar to those described already identified by the same reference numerals. The mocing assembly 1 further comprises a proximal anchorage generally indicated by the reference numeral 21 fast against the upright 6 and having a mooring rope proximal anchorage guide 22 (hereinafter referred to as a ‘proximal anchorage guide’) adapted to sldably receive the mooring rope 11. Such a provision will enable the mooring rope 11 to be led from the distal anchorage guide 9 and substantially along the water bed 4 and through the proximal anchorage guide 22 prior to being led through the pontoon guide 10.

Referring to Fig 8, there is illustrated an alternative construction of mooring ΝΕΟ 5 02 ββ assembly, again indicated by the reference numeral 1, substantially similar in operation to the assembly of Fig 7. Again, similar parts are identified by the same reference numerals. In the instance shown, the proximal anchorage21 comprises a proximal anchorage weight 24 located on the water bed 4. The proximal anchorage weight 24 incorporates a mooring rope proximal anchorage guide 22 for slidably receiving the mooring rope 11.

Fig 9 show a plan view of a number of the mooring assemblies shown in Fig 8.

Again, distinguishing letters (a) to (f) are used for individual mooring assemblies and their parts. In the instance shown, each mooring rope 11(a)-11(f) is fixed at its respective distal end 12(a )-12(f) to separate water buoys 13(a)-13(f) and is fed through separate mooring rope distal anchorage guides S(a)-9(f) and substantially along the water bed 4 and through separate proximal anchorage guides 25(a)-22(f) prior to being led through separate pontoon guides 1 C(a)-10(f) and being fixed at respective proximal ends to the pontoon 5. This embodiment avoids any constraints on the height of the pontoon guide 10, beyond that it is at all times above the proximal ends of the mooring ropes 11(a)-11(f).

It should be appreciated that distal anchorages 7(a)-7(f) comprises respective distal anchorage weights 8(a)-8(f) and that each proximal anchorage 22(a)-22(f) comprises respective proximal anchorage weights 23(a)-23(f).

However, the mooring arrangements shown in Figs 4 to 6 above may also be adapted for use with the present invention for arrangements incorporating a proximal anchorage. Accordingly, in further alternative embodiments the proximal anchorage may comprise spaced apart proximal anchorage weights between which a proximal anchorage mooring rope is led, or a beam along which a plurality of proximal anchorage guides are disposed.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, there is illustrated a still further embodiment of the invention, again indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, with similar parts again identified by the same reference numerals and letters (a) to (f) as required. In the instance, shown, there js provided_a_jibe.25 located onIhe. water, bed.4 and----------having an open distal end 26 forming the distal anchorage guide 9 and an open <050266 proximal end 27 forming the proximal anchorage guide 22.

Such a provision will enable the mooring rope 11 to be led from its distal end 12 fixed to the mooring buoy 13 through the open distal end 26 of the tube 25, and along the tube 25 to the open proximal end 27 prior to being led through the pontoon guide 10 and being fixed at its proximal end to the pontoon 5.

Referring to Fig. 11, it will be noted that each mooring rope 1 Xa)-11 (f) is fixed at its distal end 12(a)-12(f) to separate water buoys 13(a )-13(f) and is led through separate tubes 25(a)-25(f) prior to being led through a common pontoon guide 10 and being fixed by their respective proximal ends to the pontoon 5.

It should however be appreciated that the mooring assembly arrangement depicted may be adapted so that each tube 25(a)-25(f) may be oriented substantially orthogonal to the pontoon 5 so that each mooring rope 11(a)-11(f) may be led from respective open proximal ends 22(a)-22(f) of the tubes 25(a)-25(f) through separate pontoon guides (not shown) prior to being fixed to the pontoon 5.

Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention, using the same numeral identification system as heretofore. In the instance shown, there is provided a track 28 located on the water bed 4 along which the distal anchorage guide 9 is slidable. The proximal anchorage guide 22 has a substantially fixed position. The ability to slide the distal anchorage guide 9 along the track 28 will enable the position of the water buoy 13 to be adjusted.

Referring to Fig 13, each mooring rope 11(a)-11(f) is fixed at its respective distal end 12(a)-12(f) to separate water buoys 13(a)-13(f) and is led along separate tracks 28(a)-28(f) prior to being led through separate pontoon guides 1C(a)-10(f) prior to being fixed to the pontoon 5.

However, this mooring assembly arrangement may be readily adapted so that each mooring rope 11 (a)-11(f) is led along separate tracks 28(a)-28(f) and then over a common pontoon guide (not shown), In such an alternative arrangement the tracks 28(a)-28(f) may be orientated in an angled or fanned configuration with respect to a £056266 common pontoon guide.

Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, here is illustrated how the mooring assembly 1, again using the same numeral identification system of Figs. 8 and 9, and indeed any other mooring assembly of the invention may be used to secure a sub-pontoon 29 to the pontoon 5. In the instance shown, the proximal end 35 of the sub-pontoon 29 is secured to the pontoon 5, and the distal end 36 of the sub-pontoon 29 is secured to the distal end 12 of the mooring rope 11. The mooring rope 11 is led through the distal anchorage guide 9 and substantially along the water bed 4 to the proximal anchorage guide 22 prior to being led through the pontoon guide 10 and being fixed at its proximal end 14 to tie pontoon 5.

Referring to Figs 16 and 17, there is illustrated a modification of the mooring assemblies shown in Fig 1 and Fig 8 respectively. In the instance shown in Fig 16 there is provided another mooring rope 31 which is fixed at its distal end 32 to a another water buoy 33 and is led through another distal anchorage 37 comprising a mooring rope distal anchorage guide 38 fixed to distal anchorage weight 39 then through the pontoon guide 10 and is fixed at its proximal end (not shown) to the pontoon 5. In the instance shown in Fig 17, another mooring rope 31 is led along 0 the water bed and through the mooring rope proximal anchorage guide 22 prior to being led through the pontoon guide 10 and being fixed at its proximal end (not shown) to the pontoon 5.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that additions and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A mooring assembly (1) for a vessel (2) in a tidal waterway (3) above a water bed (4) of the type comprising a floating pontoon (5) slidably mounted to a support (30) fixed relative to the water bed (4) characterised in that there is provided: a water buoy (13); a distal anchorage (7) located on the water bed (4) remote of the pontoon (5), the distal anchorage (7) comprising a distal anchorage weight (8) to which a mooring rope distal anchorage guide (9) is fixed; a proximal anchorage (21) located adjacent the pontoon (5) and having a mooring rope proximal anchorage guide (22); a mooring rope pontoon guide (10) Fixed to the support (30) above the pontoon (5); and a mooring rope (11) which is fixed at its distal end (12) to the water buoy (13) and is led through the mooring rope distal anchorage guide (9) along the water bed (4) and through the mooring rope proximal anchorage guide (22) then through the mooring rope pontoon guide (10) and is fixed at its proximal end (14) to the pontoon (5).

2. A mooring assembly (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the support (30) is an upright (6) fixed to the water bed (4) and the pontoon (5) is moveable up and down the upright (6).

3. A mooring assembly (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the proximal anchorage guide (22) is Fixed to the support (30). £n 5 02 6β - 15

4. A mooring assembly (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the proximal anchorage guide (22) is fixed to a proximal anchorage weight (23) located on the water bed (4).

5. 5. A mooring assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.