WO1998057843A9

WO1998057843A9 - Device for attachment of a load carrying rope or hawser to mooring means

Info

Publication number: WO1998057843A9
Application number: PCT/NO1998/000190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eldar Lien
Original assignee: Selantic As; Eldar Lien
Priority date: 1997-06-19
Filing date: 1998-06-19
Publication date: 1999-04-08
Also published as: WO1998057843A1; NO972855L; AU8466698A; NO972855D0

Abstract

A device for attaching in a simple and reliable manner a load-bearing line or hawser (5) to a securing device, consisting of a pipe section (1) mounted on the securing device, an attachment body (2) which is movably secured in the pipe section (1) and which is linked to a connector (3) for the line or hawser. In its upper area the connector (3) has an element (4) which is releasable by simple means for attachement of, e.g., a hawser loop (5).

Description

DEVICE FOR ATTACHMENT OF A LOAD CARRYING ROPE OR HAWSER TO MOORING MEANS

The invention concerns a device for attaching a load-bearing line or hawser to a securing device. A number of different attachment devices are known for lines and hawsers. The most commonly used attachment device is a bollard, which may be designed in many different forms. Such bollards provide a good contact surface for hawsers while at the same time it is a simple matter to attach them to the bollard. Bollards are often combined with a guide device such as, e.g., a boat chock in order to prevent the hawser from chafing against the ship's side.

However, it is not always practical to use bollard systems for attaching hawsers. This applies, for example, when attaching load-bearing lines to ships, to fixed anchors on the seabed or where an object has to be kept in a certain position.

Problems may arise in securing the line particularly in cases where the angle of the line can change relatively frequently and where at the same time a variation in line angle must be prevented from causing wear on the line. Special problems also arise when hawsers or lines which extend in the vertical direction have to be secured.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for securing load-bearing lines or hawsers in which the above-mentioned problems are solved and whereby a simple and reliable securing of the hawser can be achieved.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device whereby securing of a hawser can be performed with a remotely-operated vessel, a so-called ROV, which should be capable of taking up the line or hawser in a simple manner and attaching it to the securing device's attachment point.

These objects are achieved by means of a device which is characterized by the features presented in the patent claims.

In the device according to the invention a basic part is employed in the form of a pipe section which is mounted on the mooring device. The actual attachment body is movably secured in the pipe section and is connected to a connector for the line or hawser. The connector is thereby designed in a simple manner with an attachment element for the hawser, especially an eye on the hawser. In its upper area the connector is a releasable element for introduction of the hawser.

When the hawser has to be attached to the device the connector will be lying loose in the device, thus enabling the releasable elements to be opened for locating the hawser eye or loop. When the hawser is tightened the connector will be raised, the attachment body will move in the pipe section until it achieves attachment and the hawser may then be tightened.

In an advantageous further implementation of the invention the connector is composed of a load-bearing, through-going shaft, on which is mounted a transverse pipe member or shaft, at least one end of which is equipped with a locking device.

In order to prevent the connector from penetrating into the pipe section in an unloaded position, two tilted guides are advantageously provided, projecting from the load-bearing shaft and forming a support for the locking device, with the result that the hawser finds its natural place in the connector while at the same time the guides ensure that the connector assumes a desired position on the pipe section in the parked position.

The actual attachment body is advantageously designed as an attachment yoke, adapted to fit the pipe concerned. The yoke comprises a central termination eye for a shackle, together with two side arms, on to which, after installation in the pipe, there are welded screwed-on attachment plates to ensure that the attachment yoke can move freely up and down in the guide groove in the pipe without becoming wedged or sliding back.

As a connection between the attachment body and the connector an articulation is advantageously employed, possibly in combination with a chain for providing the desired freedom of movement.

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of the drawing which illustrates an embodiment, in which: fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention,

fig. 2 illustrates the device in fig. 1 with the pipe section removed and the parts separated from one another, fig. 3 illustrates the device according to the invention used for two hawsers. The drawings illustrate the invention in a purely schematic fashion and the individual parts may, of course, be in a different form to that which is illustrated. Thus the device's pipe section may also be co-ordinated with other elements on a securing device, or it may be an independent unit which is mounted on the securing device.

In fig. 1 of the drawing there is illustrated a pipe section 1, which may also be the top of an anchor pile. As illustrated in fig. 2 an attachment body 2 is provided inside the pipe section and after being installed inside the pipe section 1 with the ends sticking out, is equipped with securing means 7 at the ends, thus preventing the attachment body or yoke 2 from sliding out of the lateral slots 8 in the pipe section. In this manner the yoke can move up and down in two diametrically arranged lateral slots 8.

To this attachment body 2 there is coupled a connector which is generally designated 3, two shackles 9 being employed for this purpose, as illustrated in fig. 2. Chain segments or fibre straps may also be used instead for this purpose.

The actual connector 3 consists of an axial part, at the lower end of which the shackle 9 is mounted and at the upper end of which there is mounted a crossbar 4, preferably with rounded shapes. This crossbar forms the attachment point for the eye 5 of a hawser or the like. In the area between the crossbar 4 and the end of the axial part there are mounted two tilted wings 6, the purpose of which is to prevent the connector from penetrating too deeply into the pipe section 1 , while simultaneously forming a part of the locking device for the hawser securing device. Between these tilted parts 6 and the crossbar 4 there are provided special locking devices, e.g. as illustrated in the form of a sleeve with a lead-through pin which can be secured in holes in the part 6. In this fashion the space between the parts 6 and 4 can be opened for introducing the loop, whereupon the attachment parts 10 are lowered, locking the hawser in a fixed position.

Fig. 3 illustrates the use of the device with two hawsers, one on each side of the axial centre part of the connector 3.

The device which is illustrated in fig. 1 can be used to absorb vertical forces with a varying angle without the occurrence of any movement and thereby wear around the attachment of the fibre hawsers. If the pressure on the line is relieved, the attachment yoke 2 will sink down into the pile due to the force of gravity and the connector will find its resting position on top of the pile. The function of the tilted guide plates 6 is to keep the fibre hawsers in position during the installation while simultaneously acting as support plates when the anchor is in the parked position. The locking devices 10 are designed in such a manner that they can easily be operated with remotely controlled devices, e.g. a ROV.

As illustrated in fig. 3 two hawsers may be coupled to the connector, one on each side. The hawsers will abut against each other, but since the whole connector has complete freedom of movement, they will not chafe against each other. This is particularly important during long term anchoring.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A device for attaching a load-bearing line or hawser (5) to a securing device, characterized in that it comprises a pipe section (1), mounted on the securing device, an attachment body (2), which is movably secured in the pipe section (1) and connected to a connector (3) for the line or hawser, the connector (3) having in its upper area at least one releasable element (10) for attaching, e.g., a hawser loop (5).

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector (3) consists of a load-bearing through- going shaft, on which is mounted a transverse pipe/shaft, for securing the line or hawser, preferably a fibre line or hawser, with a locking device at least at one end.

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that two tilted guides project from the load-bearing shaft, forming a support for the locking device, thus enabling the hawser to find its natural place in the connector (3) while at the same time the tilted guides ensure that the connector (3) assumes a desired position on the pipe section in the parked position.

4. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment body (2) is an attachment yoke which is adapted to fit the pipe concerned, that the yoke comprises a central termination eye for a shackle, together with two side arms, on to which, after installation in the pipe, there are welded screwed-on attachment plates, to ensure that the attachment yoke can move freely up and down in guides in the pipe without becoming wedged or sliding back.

5. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pipe section (1) is designed with two vertical, diametrically located, cut-out grooves, adapted to the attachment yoke (2), that these grooves have a length which is given by the vertical distance which is required in order that the links between the connector (3) and the yoke (2) should have the necessary freedom of movement when the load-bearing line is taut, while at the same time a top plate is inserted which is adapted to the connector (3), so that it has a stable, parked position when the anchor line is unloaded.

6. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that as a connection between the attachment body (2) and the connector (3) there is provided an articulation in the form of at least two shackles, possibly in combination with a chain wire or fibre strap for providing the desired freedom of movement.