Connector for connecting flotation devices or other structures
AssigneeDavid H. Rytand
InventorsAllen Danskine, David H. Rytand
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Connectors having redundant fasteners for interconnecting adjacent structures are disclosed. Some connectors have first and second bearing bodies and a member disposed between the bearing bodies. A first fastener is held in tension and extends through the bearing bodies and the member. The tension in the first fastener urges the bearing bodies against each other in compression. A second fastener held in loose engagement relative to the bearing bodies and the member extends through the bearing bodies. On release of the tension in the first fastener, such as by failure of the first fastener, the second fastener is placed in tension.
Claims27
A connector for interconnecting first and second flotation devices, the connector comprising:
- first and second bearing bodies coupled to the first and second flotation devices, respectively;
- a member disposed between the bearing bodies;
- a first fastener held in tension and extending through the bearing bodies and the member;
- and
- a second fastener held in loose engagement relative to the bearing bodies and the member, the second fastener extending through the bearing bodies and the member, wherein upon failure of the first fastener, the first and the second flotation devices separate sufficiently to place the second fastener in tension.
A floating dock assembly comprising:
- a first dock section;
- a second dock section;
- and
- at least one connector for connecting the first and the second dock sections to each other, the connector comprising first and second bolts spanning a joint between the dock sections, the first bolt being placed in tension to apply a compressive load between the dock sections, and the second bolt being held in loose engagement with the dock sections so as not to apply a load to the dock sections, wherein failure of the first bolt causes the second bolt to be placed in tension and apply a compressive load between the dock sections.
A method comprising:
- disposing a member between opposing first and second bearing bodies;
- compressing the member between the bearing bodies with a first fastener;
- and
- loosely engaging the bearing bodies with a second fastener, wherein a first load on the first fastener maintains the member in compression and wherein the second fastener is placed under a second load on release of the first load.
A flotation assembly comprising:
- a first flotation device having a first bearing plate;
- a second flotation device having a second bearing plate;
- an elastomeric shear bushing disposed between the first and second bearing plates;
- a first bolt extending through the first and the second plates and the bushing and held in tension such that the bushing is held between the first and second plates;
- and
- a second bolt extending through the first and second plates and the bushing and held in loose engagement such that, on failure of the first bolt, the second bolt is placed in tension.
A flotation assembly comprising:
- a first flotation device defining a first pair of recesses on opposing sides of a first end thereof;
- a second flotation device defining a second pair of recesses on opposing sides of a second end thereof, wherein the first and the second ends oppose each other, and each of the first pair of recesses opposes a corresponding one of the second pair of recesses;
- at least four connector housings, wherein each connector housing is disposed in a corresponding recess to form at least two pairs of opposing connector housings;
- a member corresponding to and disposed between each pair of opposing connector housings;
- a primary bolt joining one of the pairs of opposing connector housings and holding the corresponding member between the one of the pairs of opposing connector housings;
- and
- a redundant bolt held in loose engagement such that, on failure of the first bolt, the second bolt is placed in tension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.