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US 8,317,429 B2Granted
Connector for connecting flotation devices or other structures
AssigneeDavid 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.
Claims25
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, the first and second bearing bodies being disposed in respective recesses in the first and second flotation devices;
- a member disposed between the bearing bodies, the member comprising a unitary elastomeric shear bushing extending partially into the recess in the first flotation device and into the recess in the second flotation device, the shear bushing having first and second openings;
- a first fastener held in tension and extending through the bearing bodies and the first opening of the shear bushing, wherein the first fastener applies a compressive load between the flotation devices that holds the shear bushing in compression;
- and
- a second fastener held in loose engagement relative to the bearing bodies and the shear bushing, the second fastener extending through the bearing bodies and the second opening of the shear bushing, wherein upon failure of the first fastener, the first and the second flotation devices separate sufficiently to place the second fastener in tension.
2 more elements
A floating dock assembly comprising:
- a first dock section;
- a second dock section;
- at least one connector assembly for connecting the first and the second dock sections to each other, the at least one connector assembly 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;
- and
- an elastomeric member disposed between the dock sections and held in compression by the compressive load between the dock sections, the elastomeric member extending partially into a recess in the first dock section and into a recess in the second dock section.
2 more elements
A method of connecting first and second dock sections, the method comprising:
- disposing a member between opposing first and second bearing bodies, the first bearing body disposed in a recess of the first dock section and the second bearing body disposed in a recess of the second dock section, the member extending partially into the recess of the first dock section and into the recess of the second dock section;
- 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.
1 more element
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, the shear bushing extending partially into a recess in the first flotation device and into a recess in the second flotation device;
- a first bolt extending through the first and the second plates and the bushing and held in tension such that the first and second plates apply compressive forces against opposing surfaces of the bushing and such that the bushing is held in compression 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.
3 more elements
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 bearing body disposed within and secured to an inner surface of each connector housing;
- wherein each pair of opposing connector housings houses a first bolt and a second bolt, the first bolt extending through the corresponding bearing bodies and placed in tension to apply a compressive load between the flotation devices, and the second bolt extending through the corresponding bearing bodies but held in loose engagement such that, on failure of the first bolt, the second bolt is placed in tension;
- and
- an elastomeric member corresponding to and disposed between each pair of opposing connector housings, the elastomeric member extending partially into the opposing connector housings, the first and second bolts of each pair of opposing connector housings extending through the corresponding elastomeric member, and the corresponding bearing bodies of each pair of opposing connector housings applying compressive forces against opposing surfaces of the elastomeric member such that the elastomeric member is held in compression between the bearing bodies.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.