US3613628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method of joining tug and barge in ocean push-towing
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-12-18
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A tug and barge push-tow combination joined rigidly in tandem; the forward part of the tug being held between an after bottom ramp of the barge and barge structure overhanging horizontal structure of the tug and between which wedges are forced; and the after part of the tug being held by barge and tug male and female structure that are respectively wedge shaped in three dimensions and cooperatively interfit with reinforced rubber pads therebetween that are compressed within their elastic limits but beyond a possibility of relative movement during forward motion of the combination.
Inventors
- 👤 Emilio C Garcia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:31
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/66; B63B35/665; B63B35/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
An improved apparatus for joining a tug to a barge for ocean push-towing, said barge having an indented stern and a bottom ramp, said apparatus comprising: a longitudinal notch defined on each side of said tug at the stern quarters between the waterline and the top deck; a plurality of rubber pads mounted in three structural sides defining said notches; inward projections extending, longitudinally opposed, on the interior sides of said indented stern, complementary in position and shape to said notches defined in said tug''s stern quarters and adapted to fit therein to compress said plurality of rubber pads within their respective elastic limits but beyond disengagement therewith; a second pair of inward projections disposed respectively on each side of said barge''s indented stern to overhang forward quarters of said tug, said overhanging projections being beveled respectively downwardly and outwardly; powered transverse wedges mounted on said tug''s deck at the forward quarters and adapted to engage between said deck and said beveled projections of the barge thereby wedging the forward quarters of the tug between the bottom ramp and the beveled projections of the barge; and complementary pulling and pushing means mounted on the tug bow and the barge stern for pulling the tug up the bottom ramp of the barge to engage said after projections in said stern quarter notches and compress said rubber pads, and to push said tug down said ramp to disengage said complementary notches and projections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
An improved apparatus for joining a tug to a barge for ocean push-towing, said barge having an indented stern and a bottom ramp, said apparatus comprising: a longitudinal notch defined on each side of said tug at the stern quarters between the waterline and the top deck; a plurality of rubber pads mounted in three structural sides defining said notches; inward projections extending, longitudinally opposed, on the interior sides of said indented stern, complementary in position and shape to said notches defined in said tug''s stern quarters and adapted to fit therein to compress said plurality of rubber pads within their respective elastic limits but beyond disengagement therewith; a second pair of inward projections disposed respectively on each side of said barge''s indented stern to overhang forward quarters of said tug, said overhanging projections being beveled respectively downwardly and outwardly; powered transverse wedges mounted on said tug''s deck at the forward quarters and adapted to engage between said deck and said beveled projections of the barge thereby wedging the forward quarters of the tug between the bottom ramp and the beveled projections of the barge; and complementary pulling and pushing means mounted on the tug bow and the barge stern for pulling the tug up the bottom ramp of the barge to engage said after projections in said stern quarter notches and compress said rubber pads, and to push said tug down said ramp to disengage said complementary notches and projections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
164 words
Improved method for joining a tug and a barge having an indented stern and a bottom ramp in ocean push-towing comprising the following steps: ballasting the tug to conform to the loaded condition of the barge; running the tug into the indented stern of the barge and partially up the bottom ramp under said tug''s own power to engage after projections of barge in the openings of the stern quarter notches of the tug; pulling the tug completely up the ramp and fully engaging after complementary projections and notches to compress the rubber pads mounted in said notches with said projections within the elastic limits of said pads but beyond disengagement; driving transverse wedges between the tug''s forward quarter decks and beveled overhanging forward projections of the barge to wedge the tug forward in the barge between the forward projections and the bottom ramp, thereby securing the tug in the barge against relative movement therebetween in any of the three axes of possible movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
Improved method for joining a tug and a barge having an indented stern and a bottom ramp in ocean push-towing comprising the following steps: ballasting the tug to conform to the loaded condition of the barge; running the tug into the indented stern of the barge and partially up the bottom ramp under said tug''s own power to engage after projections of barge in the openings of the stern quarter notches of the tug; pulling the tug completely up the ramp and fully engaging after complementary projections and notches to compress the rubber pads mounted in said notches with said projections within the elastic limits of said pads but beyond disengagement; driving transverse wedges between the tug''s forward quarter decks and beveled overhanging forward projections of the barge to wedge the tug forward in the barge between the forward projections and the bottom ramp, thereby securing the tug in the barge against relative movement therebetween in any of the three axes of possible movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
An improved apparatus for joining a tug to a barge as described in claim 1 wherein said complementary pulling and pushing means comprises: a bollard mounted on the barge adjacent the stern indentation, said bollard having a flat after face and a forward face with a depressed lower part; a hydraulic ram pivotally mounted on the bow of the tug and having its operative end shaped flat on its forward face for engaging the flat afterface of the bollard for pushing, and having a complementary shaped afterface adapted to engage in the depressed lower part of the forward face of said bollard for pulling; and an auxiliary ram mounted vertically in a deck of the tug for pivoting said hydraulic ram around its pivotal mounting to engage and disengage with said bollard.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved apparatus for joining a tug to a barge as described in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal notches are wedge-shaped in three dimensions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved apparatus for joining a tug to a barge as described in claim 1 wherein said rubber pads are reinforced with metal backing and side pieces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |