FR3090568A1 - Docking defense for ships, in particular equipped with a sea access platform. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a docking defense for ships, in particular equipped with a platform for access to the sea, comprising a fender and a sock allowing the reception of said fender, characterized in that the defense comprises means of securing between the sock and an attachment element secured to the hull of the ship, said securing means comprising at least one rail cooperating with a slide, the rail and the slide being arranged one on the sock and the another on the attachment element.

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Berthing defense for ships, in particular equipped with an access platform to the sea.

Technical area

The invention lies in the technical field of the protection of hulls of ships equipped with a sea access platform and in particular in the protection of access platforms against other berthing shocks ships.

This application is not, however, limiting and the invention may also find other applications in the protection of a ship stowed to another ship or to a docking dock, at the access platform or at other levels of the hull.

Prior art

We know to date many types of docking defense for the protection of ship hulls, however these defenses are adapted to be positioned on high or fixed hull elements and for example along the length of the ship to protect the ship at dock.

These different types of defense are not suitable for ship architectures offering access platforms, fixed or mobile, to the sea.

The access platforms to the sea are generally located at the stern or on the ship's sides. When they are mobile, there is a mobile area of the hull which moves, generally by pivoting, between a position of navigation or protection against the waves and a deployment position in which the mobile part constitutes at least part of the platform. access.

Access platforms to the sea are often used for the docking of secondary ships, generally smaller than the main ship and for example connecting ships with the port or even in particular ski jets or jet skis. .

Access platforms to the sea can also lead into the ship in ship garages. Platforms are therefore commonly exposed to the risk of shocks during docking, transhipment or storage of secondary vessels in the main vessel.

Fixed platforms have a long and thin docking edge, practically at the level of the water surface, and the available defenses do not have compatible geometries or fastening systems.

Furthermore, the platforms (fixed or mobile) are in permanent contact with the waves and the defenses must be able to remain stable relative to the edge of the platform.

Mobile platforms are even more complex to equip with defenses because their docking edge is inaccessible in the navigation position when they constitute a lower part of the hull or when they form part of the rail or guard body. These mobile platforms cannot therefore be equipped with fixed defenses.

Currently, the access platforms to the sea are not protected and there are many deteriorations of platforms which cause significant repair costs and immobilization times of the ship as well as sealing problems on the platforms. , especially on damaged mobile platforms.

The present invention aims to provide a docking defense adapted to the protection of sea access platforms, fixed or mobile, said defense can however also protect other parts of the hull of the ship.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a docking defense for ships, in particular equipped with a platform for access to the sea, comprising a fender and a sock allowing the reception of said fender, characterized in that the defense comprises securing means between the sock and an attachment element secured to the hull of the ship, said securing means comprising at least one rail cooperating with a slide, the rail and the slide being arranged one on the sock and the other on the attachment element.

Benefits

A first object of the present invention is to solve all or part of the technical problems associated with the above-mentioned prior art. Another object of the present invention is to provide a docking defense allowing good protection of the ship's hull.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stable docking defense in the waves.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a docking defense facilitating the docking of secondary ships

Another object of the present invention is to provide a docking defense that can be positioned and easily removed from the access platform to the sea, or from the hull of the ship.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a docking defense occupying a small storage space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a docking defense adaptable to the geometry of the platform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a docking defense that can be fitted as an aftermarket to ships having unprotected platforms.

Definition

The expression "access platform to the sea" defines, within the meaning of the present invention, an area, substantially at the level of the waterline of the ship, and allowing access to the sea for users and / or for boats. This platform, which is part of the ship's hull, may be fixed or mobile and be positioned on the sides or at the stern of the ship.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be better understood on reading a detailed exemplary embodiment with reference to the appended figures, provided by way of non-limiting example, among which:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic exemplary embodiment, in perspective, of a defense, according to the invention, arranged at the level of a rear platform of a partially represented ship,

2 shows in schematic view and from above a first part of said defense,

FIG. 3 shows in diagrammatic view, the cooperation between the first and second parts of the defense according to a first embodiment during the installation of the defense,

FIG. 4 represents the example of embodiment of the defense of FIG. 3, said defense being this time operational,

Figure 5 shows in schematic view, the cooperation between the first and second parts of the device according to a second embodiment.

Description of the embodiments

The present invention aims to protect a docking defense for a ship, in particular equipped with an access platform to the sea.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a docking defense 1. This defense 1 is fitted to a platform 2 for access to the sea of a main ship 3, in particular with a view to protecting the platform 2 when docking a secondary ship 4.

The general shape of this defense 1 is cylindrical, however depending on the geometry of the platform edge 2 to be protected, other forms of defense 1 are also conceivable. One can in particular provide a defense 1 of perpendicular shape for the protection of a corner of the platform 2, this perpendicular shape can be obtained from several fenders 5 arranged perpendicularly between them.

The docking defense 1 further comprises a fender 5 and a sock 6 allowing the reception of said fender 5.

In the examples of the accompanying figures the sock 6 receives a single fender 5, this being a function of the geometry to be protected, provision may be made for a form of sock 6 allowing the reception of several fenders 5. The sock 6 will thus be able to receive several fenders 5 placed along the same axis or forming an angle between them. In an alternative embodiment, the sock 6 can receive at least two fenders 5 substantially perpendicular to each other ensuring the protection of an angle of the hull of the platform 2.

The docking defense 1 comprises, according to the invention, securing means 7 between the sock 6 and a fastening element 8 secured to the hull of the ship 3.

The securing means 7 comprise at least one rail 9 cooperating with a slide 10, the rail 9 and the slide 10 being arranged one on the sock 6 and the other on the fastening element 8.

In the examples of the accompanying figures the sock 6 supports the slide 10 and the fastening element 8 comprises one or more rails 9 in support or integrated into the hull of the ship.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown the first part of the fender 1 comprising the fender assembly 5 and sock 6. In the example of Figure 2, the fender 5 is inflated in the sock 2 which is not yet attached to the hull of the ship. However, in practice, to facilitate the installation of the fender 1, we will first fix the sock 6 on the fastening element 8 secured to the platform 2, then we will inflate, in a second step, the fender 5 inserted in sock 6.

Advantageously, the slide 10 is placed in a fold of the sock 6. This slide 10 is formed by a rod 11 surrounded by the fold 12 of the sock 6. The rod 11 is a rod having a significant strength for avoid tearing out of the rail 9 during the stresses exerted on the defense 1 in particular by the waves. However, the rod 11 also has a certain flexibility to facilitate the introduction of the slide 10 into its rail 9.

Advantageously the rod 11 of the slide 10 is fixed in the sock 6. However, in an alternative embodiment, the rod 11 of the slide 10 is removable to facilitate storage of the sock 6. In this variant, the fold 12 has an opening at one end allowing the rod 11 to be released when the fender 1 is removed, the flexible sock 6 can therefore be folded up and occupy a minimum storage space.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, we see the cooperation between the fastening element 8 and the sock 6.

In Figure 3, the fender 5 is deflated, or partially deflated, which facilitates the handling of the sock / fender assembly and the introduction of the slide 10 in the rail 9.

In Figure 4, the slide 10 is introduced to the expected level in the rail 9, and for example to its end or an intermediate position and then the fender (s) 5 are inflated to make the defense 1 operational.

The fastening element 8 may or may not be integrated into the hull of the ship.

In Figures 3 and 4, there are provided fastening elements 8, not integrated, consisting of parts attached to the platform 2 of the ship and secured to the latter by any means known to those skilled in the art and in particular by riveting or bolting. This solution will be particularly suitable for ships 2 already produced and having to be equipped with one or more defense 1 in accordance with the invention,

In Figure 5 is shown an alternative embodiment with one or more fastening elements 8 integrated into the platform 2 of the ship 3, this variant has advantages in terms of aesthetics but also also of rigidity and positioning of the rail 9 of the attachment element 8 relative to the platform 2.

As particularly visible in Figures 2 to 5, the sock 6 further comprises a hinge 13 separating the slide 10 and the fender 5. This hinge 13 allows a pivot of the sock 6 / fender 5 assembly by relative to the assembly formed by the slide 10 cooperating with the rail 9.

In the example of Figure 2, the hinge 13 is made directly from the fabric of the sock 6. For this purpose, part of the fold 12 is used for the formation of the slide 10 to form a strip 14 constituting the hinge 13. This being other types of hinge 13 are also conceivable.

This hinge 13 is particularly advantageous because it allows a clearance between the fender 5 and the platform 2 which allows a good placement of the fender 5 against the fastening element 8 depending on the water level.

The hinge 13 further facilitates the inflation of the fender 5, and also facilitates the introduction of the slide 10 in the rail 9.

In the preferred embodiment, the hinge 13 comprises a strip 14 of width between 5 and 50cm and preferably of the order of 10 cm.

Advantageously, the defense 1 includes locking means 15 in translation of the slide 10 in the rail 9 to prevent separation between the sock 6 and the fastening element 8.

According to a first embodiment, the translational locking means 15 comprise a pin capable of passing through an orifice made in the rail 9 and in the slide 10, when the slide 10 is positioned, it suffices to introduce the pin to prevent translation between the slide 10 and the rail 9.

According to an alternative embodiment, the locking means 15 comprise a specific profile of the fastening element 8 allowing a support of the fender 5 inflated against the latter generating a pressure of the slide against the rail, this pressure preventing translation between the slide and the rail.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the sock 6 further comprises lashing means 16 for maintaining a second ship against the docking defense 1. For this purpose it is expected that the lashing means 16 has a set of straps attached to the sock 6.

The structure of the defense 1 thus effectively protects the access platforms to the sea. This defense 1 is easily installable, the installation essentially comprising only three steps, the placement of the slide 10 of the sock 6 on the rail 9, placing the fender 5 in the sock 6 and then swelling the latter. The first two steps can be reversed.

Removal is also easy and involves carrying out the installation steps in reverse order. The positioning of the fender 1 is optimum relative to the platform 2 since it is linked to the rail 9 which is fixed relative to the platform 2. Finally, the fender 1, taking into account its positioning and its attachment to the platform 2 on the one hand and at the hinge 13, has great stability even in the case of waves of medium amplitudes.

Of course, other characteristics of the invention could also have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Docking fender for ships, in particular equipped with a sea access platform (2), comprising a fender (5) and a sock (6) allowing the reception of said fender (5) characterized in that that the defense includes securing means (7) between the sock (6) and a fastening element (8) secured to the hull of the ship, said securing means (7) comprising at least one rail (9 ) cooperating with a slide (10), the rail (9) and the slide (10) being arranged one on the sock (6) and the other on the fastening element (8). [Claim 2] Docking defense according to claim 1 wherein the sock (6) supports the slide (10), the fastening element (8) comprising one or more rails (9) in support or integrated into the hull of the ship. [Claim 3] Docking fender according to claim 2 wherein the sock comprises a hinge (13) separating the slide (10) and the fender (5) allowing a pivot of the sock / fender assembly relative to the assembly formed by the slide cooperating with the rail. [Claim 4] Docking fender according to any one of the preceding claims comprising locking means (15) in translation of the slide (10) in the rail (9) making it possible to prevent separation between the sock (6) and the element attachment (8). [Claim 5] Docking fender according to claim 4, in which the locking means (15) comprise a specific profile of the fastening element (8) allowing the fender (5) to be inflated against the latter, generating pressure from the slide against the rail, this pressure preventing translation between the slide (10) and the rail (9). [Claim 6] Docking fender according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 5 in which the slide (10) is placed in a fold (12) of the sock (6), part of the fold (12) forming a strip (14) constituting the hinge (13). [Claim 7] Docking defense according to any one of claims 2 to 6 in which the slide (10) is removable making it possible to facilitate the storage of the sock. [Claim 8] Docking defense according to any one of claims 2 to 7 in which the sock (6) allows the reception of several knockdowns (5). [Claim 9] Docking defense according to claim 8 wherein the sock (6) can receive at least two fenders (5) substantially perpendicular to each other ensuring the protection of an angle of the platform (2). [Claim 10] Docking defense according to any one of claims 2 to 8 in which the sock (6) comprises lashing means (16) making it possible to maintain a second ship against the defense