US3108563A

US3108563A - Boat mooring attachment

Info

Publication number: US3108563A
Application number: US43447A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter I Wurdack
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-07-18
Filing date: 1960-07-18
Publication date: 1963-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 1980-10-29

Description

Oct. 29, 1963 W. l. WURDACK BOAT MOORING ATTACHMENT Filed July 18. 1960 United States Patent O "ice 3,I%S,563 lrii'l MQRING ATTACK-WENT Waiter I. Wurdack, l Cedarcrest, St. Louis 32, Mo. Filed luly i8, 196%, Ser. No. 43,447 3 (Elaitns. (Si. 114-230) This invention relates to improvements in boat mooring attachments, and, in particular, is concerned with a boat mooring attachment whereby a boat may be moored by a rigid boom to pilings or floating dock to prevent the Aboat from knocking against the pilings or dock.

In the past boats have been conventionally moored to wharves and pilings by tying them to pilings or other fixtures upon a wharf or pier land Iattaching fenders, or the like, to prevent damage when the boat rides against the pier. In such cases the boat, which is normally subjected to moving water either by currents, tides, 0r `propeller wash from other vessels, moves relatively against the pilings or dock and wear and damage to the boat often results. Attempts to prevent such damage have been largely unsuccesstul.

`By means of the instant invention a rigid boom mooring attachment is provided. One end of the boom may be clamped to a support on a pier while the other end may be rele-asably connected to a mooring bracket permanently secured to the boat. A swivel and clamp attachment providing a universal connection at the end of the boom, adapted to be connected to the boat mooring bracket, provides for ready release. It is a further feature of this invention that the boom is pivotally connected to a piling clamp by a counter-weight. The counterweight makes it possible for the hoorn to move :automatically to a vertical position in alignment with the piling once it is unlockedrrom `a boat mooring bracket. 'Ilhis insures that the boom is not left in the horizontal position Where it may be a source of inconvenience to passers-by and other boats.

By the provision of two -suchiboat mooring attachments the bow and the stern of the boat can be readily secured to a wharf or pier. The rigidity provided in the boom prevents lthe boat from riding against the pier and in effeet spaces the boat at a set distance to prevent damage. Through the swivel and universal attachment :a slight degrec of movement is provided so that the hoorn can be readily secured to the boat and also a very slight degree of movement of the boat forward and backward can be obtained. Further, by the natural ilex-ibility and the boat mooring boom compensation may be provided to take into effect the turbulence `and wash provided by passing vessels or currents and the like in the water. It will also be observed that through the pivotal attachment of the boat mooring boom to the pier clamp, rises and falls in the level of the water makes it possible for the boat to ride upwardly and downwardly with respect to the wharf and pier in complete freedom.

Further objects of this invention will appear in the detailed description which follows and will be otherwise apparent to those skilled in the art.

For the purpose of illustration of this invention, there is shown in .the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment. It is to be understood that these drawings are for the purpose of example only and that the invention is not limited thereto.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial view showing a boat Asecured to a pier by the boat mooring attachment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarge-d top plan view of the piling clamp;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view in fron-t elevation of the *boat mooring boom showing the end that is pivote'd to the pier clamp;

ddhi Patented Get. 29, ISS

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in iront elevation showing the attachment of the boat mooring boom to the .pier clamp;

FIGURE 5 is a view in front elevation of the boat mooring end of the boom showing the universal connection and clamping device;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the boat mooring end of the boom with the universal connection and clamping device;

FIGURE 7 is a view in front elevation or a bracket provided on the boat for receiving the boat mooring boom;

FIGURE 8 is a view in side elevation of the bracket;

FIGURE 9 is a -view of a pin used to secure the boom to the boat mooring bracket;

FIGURE l0 is a top plan view showing the securing of the end of the boa-t mooring boom to the mooring bracket mounted upon the boat; and

FIGURE 11 is a view in section taken on the line 1i- 11 of FIGURE l0.

The boat mooring attachment of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral Ztl in FIGURE l. As shown in FIGURE l, it connects a boat Z2 to a piling 24 that forms the end of a pier 26. Further, as shown in FIGURE l, two such boat mooring attachments 2t) are employed, Ione being at the bow lof the boat and the other being at the stern to connect the boat to separate pilings.

The main components olf the boat mooring attachment 26 comprise a boom '23, a co-iunterweight boom 30; a clamp 32 for a piling or other vertical supp-ort, and a boom securing bracket 34, mounted upon `the boat. The clamp 32 is best shown in FIGURES 2 and 4. As shown therein it is comprised of two hemispherical rings 36 and 33 adapted to be `drafwn together Aby bolts 4l), One of the cla-mp rings, namely clamp ring 3S, is further provided with a radial stu-b shaft 42 threaded at end 44 so as to receive a securing nut 46 as 'shown in FIGURE 4 to secure the boom housing to the clamp.

The boom 2S is Imade of tubular steel, aluminum, or other rigid :material of construction which is strong yet has some degree of flexibility. It may be either straight as shown, or bent, and is connected to the clamp 32 by means of a housing 48 best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The housing `4% is provided with la sleeve Sti` which receives the boom. This sleeve is further provided with means for receiving the hoorn in such -a manner that the two may be relatively positioned with respect to one another to increase or shorten the eiiective boom length as w'ell as to provide 4for relative notation.

Thus, on either side of the sleeve 5() ladjustable collars 5l are provided. These collars are provided with a setscrew 52 that may be adjusted in binding relation in an axial slot 53 in the boom member 23. 'I'he collars may be adjusted accordingly, :to lincrease or decrease the eilective length of the boom. Also, relative rotation of the boom member within the sleeve 5t) to provide for a more convenient securing of the end of the boom to the boat bracket 34 is accomplished.

The housing 48 is further provided with :a sleeve 54 located perpendicularly to the axis of sleeve S9. Sleeve 54 is of a size to ft closely upon the stub shaft 42 of the pier clamp so that the entire housing may be rotated about said shaft. An additional sleeve 55 is further provided upon the housing 48. This sleeve is of a smaller diameter than the sleeve 5i) and receives a counterweight mechanism. The entire housing 4S may be made of a single casting, or can be forged where desired.

The counterweight 30 is best shown in FIGURES l, 3, and 4. As there shown, it is comprised of a counterweight shaft 56 provided with counteriveights 53 at one end. The other end is threaded at 60 and is provided with securing nut 62 for connection with the sleeve 55 of the boom housing.

The boom 28 is further provided at the end opposite that which is connected to the pier with a mooring clamp generally indicated yby the reference numeral 64, which is adapted to be connected to the mooring bracket 34. The clamp 64 is formed of two

half rings

66 and 68, which are adapted to be locked together by a pin 70 as shown at FIGURE 9. The clamp ring 66 is pivoted to a bifurcated swivel 72 that is connected to the end of the boom to provide a universal connection. The pivoting takes place about a pivot pin 74 positioned upon the swivel.

The mooring bracket 34 is best shown in FIGURES 7, 8, and l1. As there shown, it comprises a strong base 76 adapted to be secured to the boat deck and two

upstanding supports

78 and 80, which support a bracket shaft 82. The Ishaft 82 receives the clamp 64 yon the end of the boom in the manner shown in FIGURES 10 and 1l.

Use

The boat mooring boom of this invention is very simply used and requires no complicated technique or skill. In the set-up of the device the piling clamp 32 is rst connected to the piling 24. Thus, the clamp, as shown in FIGURE 2, is secured to a piling by drawing tight the bolts 40 after iirst positioning the clamp in the manner shown in FIGURE l with the studs located to the front of one piling and to the rear `for the other piling. After the clamp has been secured, the housing 48 is slipped upon it in the position shown in FIGURES l and 4 and a securing nut 46 is then attached. This completes the securing of the boom to the piling.

It will be noted that when the boom is not in use it will be rotated automatically by the counterweight in a counterclockwise direction for the front boom shown in FGURE 1. The boom will automatically assume a vertical position with the counterweight 30 being located at the bottom and the boom 28 stretching upward vertically above the piling. This positions the boom out of the way of passersby or `other boats and prevents damage.

The boat to be moored is provided with the mooring brackets 34, one being located on the bow as shown in FIGURE 1, and the other being located in the stern portion of the boat as will be readily understood. The bracket is secured to the deck with the shaft 82 being parallel to the axis of the -boat from front -torear. The brackets 34 positioned upon the bow rand the stern will be located in such a manner that the ends of the bloom 28 upon the two pilings can be drawn down in approximate juxta-position. This can also be accomplished by properly positioning the clamps 32 upon the piling and it will be understood that the clamps can be rotated about the piling where desired to provide for the proper fit.

Once the brackets have been attached to the Vessel and the boom is connected -to the piling, the securing of the boat is very simple. The end of the boom 28 adjacent the mooring attachment is drawn downwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 1 with the clamp 64 being open. Thus, the clamp is opened to the position shown by broken lines in FIGURE 5. After this has been done, the boat, which of course rides very easily in water, is positioned by the opeartor in such a manner that the open clamp 64 can be fitted around the shaft 82 of the mooring bracket by proper positioning and rotation of the boom. Once this has been accomplished, the clamp is closed `and the pin 70 is inserted in the clamp to lock it about the mooring bracket in the manner shown in FIGURES 10 and 11. It will be noted that the swivel 72 Afurther provides for a slight degree of movement of the end of the clamp to easily position it upon the mooring bracket. This movement is further enhanced by the relative rotation that is possible of the boom within the sleeve 50.

Both booms are adapted to be secured to the mooring brackets 54 in identical fashion. Once this clamping engagement has been effected in the manner previously described, the boat is firmly secured and moored. Water level variations are readily compensated for by the rising and lowering of the boat in accordance with such variations and the boom may pivot with the housing 48 about the piling clamp to accommodate such variations. However, -the boat will be Securely positioned at all -times during such 'movement and will be spaced from the end of the pier to prevent banging against the pier and will thereby prevent possible damage.

When the boat is desired to be released from the mooring boom the ldisengaging operation is extremely simple. All that need to be done is to pull out the pin 70 from the boat mooring bracket and the boom clamp. Once the clamp pin has been disengaged, 4the clamp will be opened and the boom 21) will, upon release by the operator, automatically return to the vertical position because of the action of the counterweight 30. Both bow and stern boom are, of course, released in identical fashion.

It will be `apparent that there has been provided a very simply constructed and simply operated boat mooring boom. The mooring boom 4with its piling clamp and Imooring attachment are very effective in the desired operation to provide a `simple mooring device which prevents the boat from riding against a wharf, pier, or the like. The convenience of use has been amply demonstr-ated and it will be apparent that the mooring boom can be advantageously employed with convenience and safety.

Various changes and modifications may be :made within this invention as will be yobvious to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the Scope and teaching of this invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A boat mooring boom comprising a rigid elongated boom member, means for pivotally securing a rst end of the boom to `a shore installation, said means comprising la supporting shaft extending horizontally and parallel to the boat to be moored and Aa housing rotatably supported upon Isaid shaft and having means connecting the first end of the boom perpendicularly to the supporting shaft, said iirst end being provided with a counterweight shaft extending oppositely to said boom member and fixed thereto and counterweight means fixed on the end of said counterweight shaft and rotatable with said counterweight shaft for automatically rotating the boom to a vertical position when not in use and means for releasably securing `a second end of the boom to a boat, said last named means being pivotally connected to the end of the yboom in tixed relation thereto by a universal connecting member including a locking ring member adapted to lock loosely yaround a bracket shaft provided upon the boat.

2. A boat moo-ring boom comprising a rigid elongated boom member, mean-s for pivotally securing a first end of the boom to a vertical piling, said means comprising ya piling clamp, said clamp having a supporting shaft extending horizontally from said piling clamp and a boom housing rotatably supported upon said shaft and having means connecting the -lirst end of the boom perpendicularly to the supporting shaft, said iirst end being provided with ya counterweight shaft extending oppositely to said boom member and iixed thereto and counterweight means xed on the end of said counterweight shaft and rotatable with said counterweight shaft for automatically rotating the boom to `a vertical position when not in use, land means for releasably securing a second end of the boom in iixed relation to a boat.

3. A boat mooring boom comprising a rigid elongated boom member, means for pivotally securing a first end of the boom to a vertical piling, said means comprising annabee a piling clamp, Isaid clamp having a supporting shaft extending horizontally Ifrom said piling `clamp and a boom housing rotatably supported upon said shaft and having means connecting the rst end `of the Iboom perpendiculanly to the supporting shaft, said rst end being provided with a -eounterweight shaft extending oppositely to said :boom member and iixed thereto and countervveight means fixed on the end `of said `oountervveight shaft `and rotatable with said counterweight shaft for automatically rotating the boom to a vertical position when not in use, and means for releasabiy securing a ysecond end of the boom to a boat, said last named means being pivotally connected to the end of the boom in xed relation by a universal vconnecting member in- `eluding a locking ring member yadapted to lock 'loosely around a ybracket shaft provided upon the boat.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

1. A BOAT MOORING BOOM COMPRISING A RIGID ELONGATED BOOM MEMBER, MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SECURING A FIRST END OF THE BOOM TO A SHORE INSTALLATION, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A SUPPORTING SHAFT EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY AND PARALLEL TO THE BOAT TO BE MOORED AND A HOUSING ROTATABLY SUPPORTED UPON SAID SHAFT AND HAVING MEANS CONNECTING THE FIRST END OF THE BOOM PERPENDICULARLY TO THE SUPPORTING SHAFT, SAID FIRST END BEING PROVIDED WITH A COUNTERWEIGHT SHAFT EXTENDING OPPOSITELY TO SAID BOOM MEMBER AND FIXED THERETO AND COUNTERWEIGHT MEANS FIXED ON THE END OF SAID COUNTERWEIGHT SHAFT AND ROTATABLE WITH SAID COUNTERWEIGHT SHAFT FOR AUTOMATICALLY ROTATING THE BOOM TO A VERTICAL POSITION WHEN NOT IN USE AND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING A SECOND END OF THE BOOM TO A BOAT, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE END OF THE BOOM IN FIXED RELATION THERETO BY A UNIVERSAL CONNECTING MEMBER INCLUDING A LOCKING RING MEMBER ADAPTED TO LOCK LOOSELY AROUND A BRACKET SHAFT PROVIDED UPON THE BOAT.