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US 3,938,461 AGranted
Flexible connection for articulating vessels
OwnerJohn E. Marrinerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coupling apparatus interposed between two vessels to connect such vessels in an articulated manner. The vessels may be components of a barge train. The coupling apparatus permits the barges to be individually removed from such train. The apparatus includes one or more resilient posts removably interposed between the vessels. The resiliency of the posts permits the posts to flex and bend for accommodating simultaneous relative movement in roll, pitch, yaw, surge and heave between the vessels resulting from wave action.
Claims6
Force-transfer coupling apparatus interposed between two closely adjoining vessels, comprising:
- post means having a generally elongated body formed of resilient material, said post means normally extending horizontally and longitudinally in a cantilever fashion relative to said vessels;
- horizontally and longitudinally extending attachment means on the facing bow and stern portions of said vessels that receive the ends of said post means, the body of resilient material bridging the gap between said vessels;
- means operatively associated with said attachment means securing said post means therewithin;
- with said resilient material being free to undergo bending, compression and tension in transferring compressive and tensive forces between said vessels;
- and
- means operatively associated with one of said attachment means to adjust the vertical position thereof relative to its respective vessel thereby affording draft compensation between said vessels.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.