Abstract:
A pneumatic fender and a mouth piece metal for a pneumatic fender with an open/close valve fixed at a position in which a through hole formed in a dividing wall constituting a receiving chamber, where the valve is closed by closed position fixing members. A safety valve is isolated from a cavity of a fender bladder by a receiving chamber, the safety valve being able to be detached and attached while the pneumatic fender is in use. A confirmation test of a valve opening pressure of the safety valve is performed by opening a receiving chamber open/close valve and raising an internal pressure of a cavity of the receiving chamber to a pressure threshold via a receiving chamber communication passage. The open/close valve is fixed at a position in which the through hole is open by open position fixing member.
Abstract:
A locking device for securing and positioning an object when it is strung on a line by a through-hole of the object. The locking device comprises an elongated shaft defining a partial cavity formed therein. The elongated shaft or a deepest portion of the partial cavity or both is tapered relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The partial cavity extends along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the deepest portion of the partial cavity and the exterior surface of the elongated shaft forms a tapering angle. The locking device is inserted into through-hole of the object such that the rope or line fits into the partial cavity. Pressure may be applied to put the locking device into the through-hole such that there is no movement between the object and the line; thus securely positioning the object on the line. The locking device may be used to securely position a through-hole type boat fender on a line.
Abstract:
Provided is a pneumatic fender that suppresses damage to a flexible hollow body and an energy-absorbing body and exhibits improved ship sway reduction effects. A pneumatic fender is provided with an orifice that allows for communication between an interior space of a flexible hollow body and the interior space of the casing, and a safety valve that opens and allows for communication between the internal space of the flexible hollow body and the internal space of the casing by opening when the internal pressure of the flexible hollow body reaches a predetermined pressure.
Abstract:
An attachment flange for buoys and marine fenders. The attachment flange includes an opening therethrough that includes a substantially continuously curved interior surface which engages a line to increase the surface contact area between the opening of the attachment flange and the line. The opening of the attachment flange further includes rounded edges which reduce the abrasion and localized stress applied to the line. The curved surface with the rounded edges enables the attachment flange to receive less concentrated forces applied thereto, which may extend the life of the attachment flange or may reduce the required reinforcement needed for a given application. The features disclosed herein also reduce the abrasion and concentration of force applied to the line coupled to the attachment flange which helps to prevent line wear and failure.
Abstract:
A protective cover for a mooring buoy utilizes a plurality of interconnected buoyant chambers, connected in series and separated by flexible spacers. A plurality of ballast filled chambers are located adjacent to and extend beneath the buoyant chambers. The ends of the cover are configured to be connected by snaps or equivalent attachment devices, to form a circular enclosure. A guide ring is connected to one of the buoyant chambers to allow the cover to be slid from the moored vessel, along mooring lines, and then over the buoy, such that the buoyant chambers remain at the waterline. The deployed cover thus provides protection from impact with the hull of the vessel by the buoy. A retrieval line is provided to withdraw the cover from the buoy and return it to the vessel when the vessel is departing the mooring. Included as well is the method of deploying the protective cover from a moored vessel onto a buoy.
Abstract:
A pneumatic fender management system that establishes a correspondence between a pneumatic fender in which an identification tag recording first identification information is embedded and a pressure sensor detecting a pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic fender and transmitting a detected value. The pressure sensor includes a sensor part detecting a pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic fender, a transmission part transmitting a signal from the senor part; a reader part reading the information in the identification tag, and a control part having a memory part recording second identification information. The control part compares the first identification information read by the reader part with the second identification information in the memory part, and if the compared information is identical, causes the transmission part to transmit the pneumatic pressure information detected by the sensor part, and if the compared information is different, stops the sensor part and/or the transmission part.
Abstract:
An inflatable fender for a boat comprises an enclosure (2) mounted on the boat hull (5) and connectible to a fluid supply, an inflatable flexible member (4) mounted within the enclosure and capable of extending therefrom when inflated by fluid supplied to the enclosure, and separate retraction means (8) associated with the enclosure and operable to withdraw the inflatable member into the enclosure when deflated.
Abstract:
A portable fender for protecting a watercraft hull from damage. The fender(s) length corresponds to the length of the watercraft likely to make contact with a dock, pier and/or pilings. An inflatable, waterproof bladder resides in a protective cover. The bladder's valve permits rapid inflation and deflation. The cover has diametrically opposed straps running its length. These straps are anchored to the cover in such a manner that loops are created at regular intervals. Mooring straps are passed through the loops and around the fender. The fender is secured between the watercraft and the dock/pier/pilings by attaching mooring straps to any convenient point on the watercraft, dock, pier, pilings or other suitable mooring point. Lengthening or shortening each individual mooring strap allows the fender to be placed in a position that will provide optimum protection. The fender is easily deflated for stowage. The watercraft does not have to be modified in any manner to use the fender.
Abstract:
A watercraft storage apparatus for protecting the hull of a watercraft both above and below the waterline without the need to lift or raise the watercraft out of a body of water. Inflatable side portion 11 protects the watercraft's hull above the waterline. A water-impervious lower sheet section 12 protects the watercraft's hull below the waterline. An aft section provides a drive-in ramp section 13 or a drop-down gate section 19 to provide ingress and egress of the watercraft from the storage apparatus.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a bumper device for boats, which is extremely simple to use. The device comprises inflatable bodies, which are associated with the peripheral walls of the boat, and means for inflation-deflation of the inflatable bodies. The means for inflation-deflation can be activated by command, for transition of the inflatable bodies from a condition of rest, in which they are deflated, to a condition of work, in which they are inflated, and project from the peripheral walls of the boat, in order to protect the peripheral walls during mooring manoeuvres.