US20190344866A1

US20190344866A1 - Swing dock

Info

Publication number: US20190344866A1
Application number: US16/407,180
Authority: US
Inventors: Torgeir Warren ROOKE
Original assignee: Torro Ltd
Current assignee: Torro Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-10
Filing date: 2019-05-09
Publication date: 2019-11-14
Also published as: HK1247515A2; AU2019203249A1

Abstract

One example embodiment is a swing dock. The swing dock includes a floating platform, a plurality of mounting means and a fastening means. The floating platform includes a frontal end and a tailing end which is positioned behind the frontal end. The width of frontal end is shorter than the width of the tailing end. The plurality of mounting means are provided on the floating platform to allow a marine craft to be secured adjacent to one mooring side of the swing dock. The fastening means is provided at a leading side of the floating platform which is adjacent to the frontal end. The fastening means allows the platform to be secured to a securing structure when in use such that the marine craft and the swing dock can swing in unison under windy conditions to minimize wind force.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for mooring.

BACKGROUND

Typically, marine crafts are moored in marinas or on swing moorings. Conventionally, swing moorings are known as simple or single-point moorings. A swing mooring includes a single anchor at the bottom of a waterway with a mooring chain connecting to a marine buoy on the water surface. The marine buoy allows a marine craft to be attached. A marine craft attached to the marine buoy swings in a circle to face the prevailing wind or tide direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the light of the foregoing background, a mooring and method or mooring are provided.
One example embodiment is a swing dock. The swing dock includes a floating platform with a boarding surface, a plurality of mounting means and a fastening means. The boarding surface includes a length-wise dimension and a width-wise dimension. The length-wise dimension includes a frontal end and a trailing end positioned behind the frontal end. The ends of the width-wise dimension delineate edges of the boarding surface. The width of the frontal end is shorter than the width of the trailing end. The plurality of mounting means are provided on the floating platform, and positioned so that at least one of the edges allow a marine craft to be secured adjacent to one mooring side of the swing dock. The fastening means is provided at a leading side of the floating platform adjacent to the frontal end to allow the platform to be secured to a securing structure when in use such that the marine craft and the swing dock can swing in unison under windy conditions to minimize the wind force.
The above example embodiment has benefits and advantages over conventional technology. For example, the example embodiment enables mooring of two marine crafts abreast within the same circular swing area, where conventional method only allows one single marine craft to be moored. As such, the number of marine crafts accommodated in a given water area increases.
Another advantage of the example embodiment is that the wind force to the moored marine craft is minimized because the swing dock together with one or two moored marine crafts form a shape of an arrow head that would point toward the wind to minimize windage, thereby minimizing exposure of the moored marine craft from wind and waves.
Yet another advantage of the example embodiment is that when two marine crafts are secured at each mooring side of the swing dock, the trailing end provides an essential separation that prevents any part of the two marine crafts bumping into each other, even under tossing conditions. The separation also allows easy boarding and alighting from the moored marine craft, thereby the safety of the sailors and passengers is improved.
Other example embodiments are discussed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a swing dock in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a swing dock in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a swing dock in accordance with an example embodiment with two marine crafts moored, one at each mooring side.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a swing dock in accordance with an example embodiment with two marine crafts moored, one at each mooring side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein and in the claims, “comprising” means including the following elements but not excluding others.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a swing dock 100 in accordance with an example embodiment. The swing dock 100 includes a floating platform 110 with a boarding surface 120, a plurality of mounting means 160, and a fastening means 170. The boarding surface 120 includes a length-wise dimension 130 and a width-wise dimension 132. The length-wise dimension 130 includes a frontal end 140 and a trailing end 142 positioned behind the frontal end 140. The width of the frontal end 140 is shorter than the width of the trailing end 142. The ends of the width-wise dimension 132 delineates the edges 150, 152 of boarding surface 120. The plurality of mounting means 160 are mounted on both edges 150 and 152 of the floating platform 110 to allow a marine craft to be secured adjacent to one of the mooring sides 144 of the swing dock 100 and allow two marine craft to be secured to the swing dock 100, one marine craft of each mooring side 144 of the swing dock 100. The fastening means 170 is mounted at a leading side 147 of the floating platform 110 adjacent to the frontal end 140 to allow the platform 110 to be secured to a securing structure when in use such that the marine craft and the swing dock 100 can swing in unison thereby minimizing exposure of the moored marine craft from wind and waves.
By way of example, the plurality of mounting means 160 are provided on the floating platform 110. By way of example, the mounting means 160 are protrusions or holes of the boarding surface 120. Each mounting means 160 can secure a fastening end of a mooring line that connects to a marine craft.
By way of example, the trailing end 142 is not necessarily be at the hindmost part of the floating platform 110. By way of example, the trailing end 142 have an extension such that the trailing end 142 is between the frontal end 140 and the extension.
By way of example, the plurality of mounting means 160 are positioned along the two opposing edges 150, 152 to allow one marine craft to be secured adjacent to one mooring side 144 of the swing dock 100.
By way of example, the fastening means 170 is provided at a leading side 147 of the floating platform 110 adjacent to the frontal end 140. By way of example, the fastening means 170 is a protrusion or a hole of the floating platform 110. The fastening means 170 can secure a fastening end of a mooring chain that connects to a mooring buoy or a mooring block or a sinker which is at the center of the circle for swing moorings.
By way of example, the floating platform 110 is a composite component that allows the swing dock 100 to float on water.
By way of example, the floating platform 110 includes a block with a cavity and a floating component positioned inside the body. The floating component allows the swing dock 100 to float on water. By way of example, the block is made of concrete and the floating component is made of polymer.
By way of example, the boarding surface 120 of the floating platform 110 is around 40 cm above the water when in use.
By way of example, the length-wise dimension 130 is a transverse direction and the width-wise dimension 132 is a longitudinal direction, wherein the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
By way of example, the length-wise dimension 130 of the swing dock 100 is around 5 to 20 meters to suit size of moored craft.
By way of example, the width of the trailing end 142 is wide enough to allow two marine crafts moored at each mooring side 144 of the swing dock 100 to be secured without any part of the marine crafts bumping into each other even under tossing conditions.
By way of example, the boarding surface 120 provides enough space for docking box storage.
By way of example, the boarding surface 120 provides enough space for people boarding on and alighting from a moored marine craft.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a swing dock 200 in accordance with another example embodiment. The swing dock 200 includes a floating platform 210, a plurality of mounting means 260, a fastening means 270, a light emitting element 280, a mooring chain 272 and mooring blocks 274.
By way of example, the fastening means 270 is a pad eye which is connected with the mooring chain 272 by a swivel. The mooring chain 272 further attached to the mooring blocks 274 which located at the bottom of a waterway and resists movement with sheer weight. The floating platform 210 floats on the surface and allows one or two marine crafts to be attached with it. The mooring blocks 274 and floating platform 210 allow the moored marine crafts swing in a circle to face the prevailing wind or tide direction thereby minimizing exposure of the moored marine craft from wind and waves.
By way of example, the light emitting element 280 is mounted on the surface of the floating platform 210 by a pole to provide illumination so that other vessels are aware of the floating platform in instances when no marine craft are moored.
By way of example, the light emitting element 280 is mounted on the surface of the floating platform 210 by a pole to provide illumination for the people, especially when boarding on or alighting from the moored marine crafts, thereby enhancing safety for the people.
FIG. 3 shows a swing dock 310 in accordance with an example embodiment but with two marine crafts moored at each mooring side to show how the dock of this example can be used. Two marine crafts 390 and 392 are moored at each side of a swing dock 310. The swing dock 310 is connected with a mooring block sinker 374 at the bottom of a waterway. The swing dock 310 and two moored marine crafts 390 and 392 form as a shape of an arrow head. The shape of arrow ensures the marine crafts 390, 392 together with the swing dock 310 have minimum windage when face toward the wind and the tide, and swing around the mooring block sinker 374. This minimizes the exposure of the swing dock 310 and the marine crafts 390 and 392, from wind and waves.
The example embodiment creates positive pressure of the marine craft to moor and allows two marine crafts with dissimilar windage to face into the wind. The positive pressure forces the marine crafts 390 and 392 to move towards the swing dock 310 in windy weather, which will certainly reduce the tension on the mooring lines, so that the service life of the mooring lines is extended. The circle 330 shows the estimated swing path of the swing dock 310 and moored marine crafts 390 and 392 in waterway. Conventionally, a single marine craft is attached to a mooring buoy by the mooring chain. The single marine swings around the mooring buoy as a circle and occupy the same space within the circle 330. The example embodiment increases the number of marine crafts accommodated in a given water area.
By way of example, the ratio of the shortest width of the frontal end (A) and the longest width (B) of the trailing end is around 2:3.
By way of example, when one marine craft 390 is moored at the swing dock 310, the minimal frontal area of the swing dock exposed to the wind and waves would mean the marine craft 390 would face toward the wind so that the wind force to the moored marine craft 390 is minimized.
FIG. 4 shows a top view of a swing dock 410 in accordance with an example embodiment with two marine crafts moored at each mooring side. Two marine crafts 490 and 492 are moored at each mooring side 414 of a swing dock 410. A plurality of mounting means 460 are provided on both edges of swing dock 410 to allow the marine craft 490 and 492 to be secured adjacent to the mooring sides 414 respectively by a plurality of mooring lines 462. By way of example, the mounting means 460 include a plurality of cleats mounted on the floating platform, wherein the plurality of the cleats are positioned at the frontal end and the trailing end that allow connection to the marine craft such that lengths of the marine crafts are accommodated at the mooring sides 414 of the swing dock 410. By way of example, the mounting means 460 include a plurality of mooring lines, each mooring line 462 includes two fastening ends that allow a fixation of one of the cleats at one fastening end 478 and a fixation of the marine craft at another fastening end 476.
By way of example, the plurality of mooring lines 462 are attached to the bow, and stern of the marine craft to provide a secure connection between the swing dock and the marine craft in variable conditions of wind and weather.
By way of example, the swing dock 410 further includes cleats 464, 466 mounted in the hindmost part of the swing dock 410 to secure a dinghy that allows boarding and alighting of people. The landing position for the dinghy is more stable at the hindmost part of the swing dock than the leading side of the swing dock under windy weather, thus the safety of people is improved.
By way of example, the swing dock 410 is wider aft to allow boarding and alighting of people from a water taxi or a sampan or a dinghy on to the swing dock directly rather than from the vessel. Under windy weather, the safety of people is improved.
By way of example, the swing dock 410 further includes a plurality of fenders 452. The plurality of fenders 452 are mounted on the floating platform of the swing dock 410 to provide a soft contact between the swing dock and the marine craft. By way of example, the fenders 452 is made of rubber or other soft materials.
The methods in accordance with example embodiments are provided as examples, and examples from one method should not be construed to limit examples from another method. Further, methods discussed within different figures can be added to or exchanged with methods in other figures. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing example embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit example embodiments. For example, the ratio of the width of the frontal end and trailing end is not needed to be fixed and 2:3, there are other possible ratio which could meet the requirement for separating the mooring marine crafts from bumping into each other. For example, the material of the block and floating component of the swing dock is not limited to concrete and polymer respectively, and could be other materials which could provide similar functions.
As used herein, a “leading side” is an adjacent side of the swing dock of the example embodiment that connects to a mooring block or sinker which is at the center of the circle for swing moorings.
A used herein, a “mooring side” is an adjacent side of the swing dock of the example embodiment that allows a marine craft to be moored abreast such that a length of the marine craft is approximately parallel to the length-wise dimension of the swing dock of the example embodiment.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A swing dock comprising:

a floating platform with a boarding surface, the boarding surface comprising a length-wise dimension and a width-wise dimension, the length-wise dimension comprising a frontal end and a trailing end positioned behind the frontal end, ends of the width-wise dimension delineating edges of the boarding surface, a width of the frontal end is shorter than a width of the trailing end;

a plurality of mounting means provided on the floating platform positioned at at least one of the edges to allow a marine craft to be secured adjacent to one mooring side of the swing dock; and

a fastening means provided at a leading side of the floating platform adjacent to the frontal end to allow the platform to be secured to a securing structure when in use such that the marine craft and the swing dock can swing in unison under windy conditions to minimize wind and wave force.

2. The swing dock of claim 1,

wherein mounting means are provided on both edges of the floating platform to allow two marine crafts to be secured to the swing dock, one of each mooring side of the swing dock.

3. The swing dock of claim 1,

wherein the width trailing end is wide enough to provide stability of the swing dock and to allow two marine crafts moored at each mooring side of the swing dock to be secured without any part of the marine crafts bumping into each other even under tossing conditions.

4. The swing dock of claim 1, wherein, the mounting means further comprising:

a plurality of cleats mounted on the floating platform;

a plurality of mooring lines, each mooring line comprises two fastening ends that allow a fixation of one of the cleats at one fastening end and a fixation of the marine craft at another fastening end;

wherein the plurality of the cleats are positioned at the frontal end and the trailing end that allow connection to the marine craft such that a length of the marine craft is accommodated at the mooring side of the swing dock.

5. The swing dock of claim 1, wherein the floating platform comprises a composite that allows the swing dock to float on water.

6. The swing dock of claim 1, wherein the floating platform comprises a block with a cavity and a floating component positioned inside the cavity, wherein the floating component allows the swing dock to float on water, the block is made of concrete and the floating component is made of polymer.

7. The swing dock of claim 1, wherein the floating platform comprises a plurality of fenders mounted on the floating platform to provide a soft contact between the swing dock and the marine craft.