US1871475A

US1871475A - Floating wharf

Info

Publication number: US1871475A
Application number: US553659A
Authority: US
Inventors: Smith Augustus
Original assignee: BERGEN POINT IRON WORKS
Current assignee: BERGEN POINT IRON WORKS
Priority date: 1931-07-28
Filing date: 1931-07-28
Publication date: 1932-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 1949-08-16

Description

Aug. 16, 1932.

r A. $MlTH FLOATING WHARF Filed July 28, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR AUGUSTUS SMITH 771's atiorne s 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. SMITH FLOATING WHARF Filed July 28, 1951 Aug. 16, 1932.

INVENTOR AUGUSTUS SMITH I y his atiorneys A. SMITH FLOATING WHARF Aug.- 16- 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 28. 1931 arreusrus SMITH, or Bosnian, NEW JERSEY,

Patented Aug. 16, 1932 uture ASSIGNOR To BERGEN rorur IRON WORKS, 0F BAYONNE, NEW" JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW" JERSEY FLOATING WHARF Application filed July 28, 1931. Serial No. 553,659.

7 This invention relates to floating structures supported by pontoons and is an improvement on the construction described and claimed in my Patent 1,723,213 patentedAugust 6, 1929.

Devices of this type are. useful as houseboats, floats, boat houses, docks, marine gas and oil stations and for a variety of other purposes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a floating wharf which is particularly adapted for use as a marine filling station or boat house.

Another object is to provide a floating wharf particularly adapted for the above uses and which will be free from the warping or twisting action to which ordinary rafts are subjected by reason of irregular wave motion of the water.

Another objectis toprovide a floating wharf which may be constructed at minimum expense commensurate with good quality and sturdiness of construction.

Other objects will be apparent as my invention is described in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a. diagrammatic plan view of my invention before the roof and decks are .and the apparatus for securing it to the superstructure of the wharf.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3 showing the connection between the pontoons and superstructure.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view showing the connection of the left pontoon to the superstructure.

My invention employs the geometrical principle that a line and a point determine a plane. Since it is desirable thatthe platform or foundation of any floating structure which is to be used for the purposes for which I intend my construction, be as nearly as possible in asingle plane at all times, I support my construction upon buoyant devices such as two pontoons which contact with the superstructure along a line and at a point respectively. Thus there is established a supporting plane which, though subject to tilt ing by waves, frees the superstructure of the warping and twisting action that ordinary rafts and floats encounter. Each pontoon can pitch and toss independently of the other, and each can tilt the wharfas the plane determined by the line and point is tipped due to the wave motion. It should be understood that a system of pontoons or other buoyant devices, may be substituted for the two pontoons which are used in the preferred construction hereinafter more particularly described.

Referring tothe drawings, the superstructure of the floating wharf is supported on two parallel

cylindrical pontoons

10 and 12 which are connected to certain I-beams 14: a, Z), c, of a number of such beams (designated generically by numeral 14L) which are parallel to one another and arranged transverse to the pontoons in a plane above them. These beams 14 are arranged in two parailel rows and are connected to the superstructure ofi'the wharf on opposite parallel sides thereof.

'The novel means about to" be described,

which I employ to connect the pontoons with same radius of curvature as the pontoons, and

a pair of arm's 18 formed integrally with and projectingup from thesaddle. *These arms have coaxial bores :cast or drilled through themparallel to the beams 14; A pair of angle irons 20 are securedto the bottom of the beams 14 a, b, 0' with theirflegsprojecting downwardly in parallelrelation and spaced apart the same distance as the arms 18 so that the legs lie against the arms 18. Holes registering with bores in the arms 18 are formed in the legs and a bolt or connecting pin 22 is passed therethrough thus holding the saddle to the beam. The saddle 16 strength to it if desired. 1

The pontoon 12 is secured by the aforesaid saddle connections 16 to two of the I-beams 14a, 14?) on the right hand side of the superstructure.

Thesaddles, as shown in Fig. 3, are preferably spaced equally from each other .and from the ends of the pontoon, though they may be spaced otherwise. Although I prefer to secure the pontoon 12 at only two points as shown, it will be obvious that this pontoon may be secured to the superstructure at any number of points in the line established by said two points, for the reason that, following out the principle of my invention, this pontoon should support and be connected to the superstructure by a number of connections all of which are in a straight line. V

The left pontoon 1-0 has only one saddle connecting it at its middle with the I-beam 140 at the center of the left side of wharf. With only this one connection of the pontoon and superstructure the tendency of the pentoon lO to oscillate about a vertical axis would impose too much strain on the saddle. Hence, I provide four guy rods 30two of which each have their outer ends bolted to a lug, angle iron or like construction. 32, se cured to the top of the pontoon 10 between the saddle and one end of the-pontoon while the other two are similarly connected: to the pontoon at a point between the saddle and the other end of the pontoon.

The other ends of the guy rods are connected to the I-beams. 140, by means of two pairs of spaced angle irons 32 secured to the under side of beam 140, apair being located at each end of'the beam 140. A pin or bolt 34 passes through the downwardly extended arms of each pair; 32 and through the guide rods connected therewith and this pin. 34 is coaxial with pin 22. I

The guide rods whose outer ends are con.- nected at one end of the pontoon 1-0. have their inner ends connected respectively between differentpairs of angle irons, i. e., to

opposite ends ofthe Lbeam 140. In like mau ner the guy rods connected at the other end of the pontoon, have their inner ends connected to differentends of the I -beam' 14c.

Turn. buckles 36 are incorporated in each guy rod so that a firm tie between the-pontoon and beam 14' may be had; It willbe observed that with the guy rods under tension depending on thelength of the wharf desired.

Each truss, as shown in Fig. 2, may consist of a pair of spaced

vertical members

40, 42 at each side, the; inner members 42 being shorter than the outer members 40. A non.-

zontal member 44 connects the inner members 42 at their tops while a pairofinclined jointed members 46, serving as roof beams, connect the outer vertical members 40..

Members

40, 42, 44and 46 are suitably connected by cross braces 48 the number and position of which may be'varied to. suitv the particular requirements of use of the wharf.

In case the wharffisto be used as a marine filling station one or more platforms within the wharf may be constructed. 7 For this purpose certain or allof the trusses-may be pro,-

vided with verticalmembers 50- suspended from the horizontal member 44 and cooperatiing with the vertical members 42, to. support the platform 52 which rests on

horizontal angle bars

54, 56,. connecting the

vertical members

42, 50 respectively. Obviously the height and, extentof this platform may be varied depending on the size and position of the oiltanks 60-wl ich may be fie ted. beneath the wharf. On the other hand,the platform may be modified or replaced by some. other construction depending on the use to. which the-wharf isputl I The series of trusses A-E are connected to one another by paralleLchannel beams 62,

64 secured respectively to the tops and hottoms of theverticalmembers 40. Diagonal braces. 66 connecting the topand bottom of neighboring vertical members 40 may be provided.v Any suitable roof68 be laid, on

the top. truss members lda- I v The centers of the I-heams 14 are connected to the bottoms of vertical members 40. and one end of each I-beam i'sconnected to the bottom vertical member 42 in the same truss as the member-40,to which the middle of that articular I-beam is connected. deck 70' may be laid on. the: I-beams14 and conventional guards 72, maybe secured. thereto to protect the wharf when boats come along side. I

Tn order to make the superstructure more rigid and: to keep thewc orners of the. wharf from sagging in case ofunegiial. loading, diagonal trusses "F (seeFig. '1) are provided in the upperpart of the'superstructure .these trusses being constructed so as to act as levers supported from the central truss C as a fulcrum. The superstructure may be left open at both ends-or it may be closediat one end leaving the other free for ingress and egress of boats, or oil or gas tanks or other floating craft. It will be observed that when the superstructure is constructed asdescribed the

members

40, 62, 64, 66 (see Figs. 3 and 4) form vertical side trusses over the pontoons and act to transmit the weight from the wharf to the pontoons, the right truss transmitting the wei ht along a line including the-two points of connection with pontoon 12, and the left truss transmitting the weight through the single connecting point to pontoon 10. The vertical members 40, of course, are common to the side trusses and trusses AE.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a floating wharf which may be constructed without excessive cost or diihculty and which is not subject to the Warping and twisting stresses of ordinary floating structures.

Many modifications within the scope of my invention will occur to those skilled in the art therefore I do not limit myself to the specific construction shown.

I claim 1. A floating wharf comprising a rigid superstructure, buoyant devices supporting said superstructure, certain of said devices being connected, as a unit, to said superstructure along a straight line on one side, and certain of said devices being connected, as a unit, to said superstructure at a point on the other side thereof, and being rockable vertically.

2. A floating wharf comprising a rigid superstructure open at least one end to permit ing said superstructure Certain of said devices being connected, as a unit, to said superstructure along a straight line on one side, and certain of said devices being connected, as a unit, to said superstructure at a point on the other side thereof and being rockable vertically.

3. A floating wharf comprising a rigid superstructure open at opposite ends to permit ingress and egress, buoyant devices supporting said superstructure certain of said devices being connected, as a unit, to said superstructure along a straight line on one side, and certain of said devices being connected, as a unit to said superstructure at a point on the other side thereof and being rockable vertically. V

4. A floating wharf comprising a rigid superstructure, a pair of parallel pontoons, one of said pontoons supporting said superstructure along a straight line at one side of the superstructure, the other pontoon supporting said superstructure at a point on the other side thereof, said second pontoon being vertically rockable about said point.

ingress and egress, buoyant devices support 5. A floating wharf comprising a rigid superstructure open at least at one end to per mit ingress, and egress, a pair of parallel pontoons, one of said pontoons supporting said superstructure along a straight line at one side of the superstructure, the other pontoon supporting said superstructure at a point on the other side thereof, said second pontoon being vertically rockable about said point.

6. A floating wharf comprising a rigid superstructure open at opposite ends to permit ingress and egress, a pair of parallel pontoons, one of said pontoons supporting said superstucture along a straight line at one side of the superstructure, the other pontoon supporting said superstructure at a point on the other side thereof, said second pontoon being vertically rockable about said point,

- and being rockable vertically.

7. A floating wharf comprising a super? structure, a plurality of pontoonssupporting said superstructure on a plane defined by a line and a point which are the loci of the connections between said pontoons and superstructure, said superstructure comprising a plurality of parallel trusses having their ends joined and cross-braced to form a rigid whole, said trusses being spaced above the water level whereby a passage through the wharf is provided.

8. In a floating wharf, a superstructure comprising a plurality of parallel trusses, side trusses connecting said parallel trusses, buoyant devices supporting said superstruc ture by connections with said side trusses, certain of said buoyant devices being connected with one of said side trusses along a line, and certain of said buoyant devices being connected with another of said side trusses at that point, whereby said superstructure is supr plane defined by said line and porting said superstructure by connections with said side trusses, certain of said buoyant devices being connected with one of said side trusses along a line, and certain of said buoyant devices being connected with another of said side trusses at a point, whereby said superstructure is supported upon a plane definedby said line and point.

10. In a floating wharf, a superstructure comprising a plurality of parallel trusses, side trusses connecting said parallel trusses, said side and parallel trusses having vertical members in common, buoyant devices supporting said superstructure by connectionswith said side trusses,.certain of said buoyant devices being'connected with one of said side trusses along a line, certain of said b-uoyant devices being connected with another of said side trusses at a point, whereby saidsuper structure is supported upon a plane defined by said line and point. c

11. A floating wharf having a superstructure comprising a plurality of. parallel trusses, means securing said trusses together at their ends, diagonal trusses acting as levers and" supported from a central truss of said parallel diagonal trusses acting as levers and supported from a central truss of said parallel trusses as a fulcrum, and buoyant means supporting: said superstructure upon a tiltable plane, said parallel and diagonal trusses having horizontal members spaced sufiiciently above the water level to provide passage for ingress and egress to and from the wharf.

14:. A floating wharf having a superstructure comprising a plurality of parallel trusses, side'trusses connecting .said parallel trumes, said trusses having vertical members incommon, diagonal trusses joining and sup porting the corners of the wharf, and buoyant means supporting said superstructure upon a tiltable plane.

15. A floating wharf having a superstructure comprising a plurality of parallel trusses, side trusses connectingsaid parallel trusses, said trusses having vertical members in common,-diagonal trusses j oiningand supporting the corners of the wharf, and buoyant devices supporting said superstructure upon a plane, said plane being defined by connections of certainof said buoyant means with one of said side trusses, located in a straight line, and by a point connection between certain of said buoyantmeans with another of said side trusses.

16. A floating structure, a cylindrical ponjtoon for supporting said structure, connections between said structure and pontoon comprising a saddle having an arcuate seat, said saddle being detachably secured to'said pontoon whereby said pontoon maybe rotated while in supporting position, and a pivot pin connecting'said saddle with said structure, e

17 A- fioatingstructure, a cylindrical poncomprising a saddle having arcuate seat, said saddle being detachably secured to said pontoon whereby said pontoon may be r tated while in supporting position, and a pivot pin connecting said saddle with said structure and a plurality of guide rods connected with said pontoon and pivotally connected with said structure, said pivotal connection being coaxial withsaid pivot-pin.

18. A floating structure, a cylindrical pontoon for supporting said structure, connections between said pontoon and structure comprising a saddle having an: arcuate seat whose radius of curvature is thesame as that of the pontoon ,a pair of arms extending from said saddle, a pair of legs depending from said structure and a pivot pin passing through said arms and legs for securing said saddle to said structure, and guyrods-to'relieve the pivot pin. 7

19. A floating structure,-a cylindrical pontoon for supporting said structure, connections between said pontoon and structure comprising a saddle having an 'arcuate seat whose radius of curvature is the same as that of the-pontoon, a pairof arms extending from said saddle, a pair of legs depending from said structure and a pivot pin passing through said arms and legs for securing said saddle to said structure, s'aidsaddle being detachably secured to said pontoon whereby said pontoon may be rotated While in supporting position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. v

AUGUSTUS SMITH.

toon for supporting said structure, connec tions between said structure and pontoon