Dynamic boat fendering system

Claim 2

A fender comprising: a pair of opposite arms, with each arm comprising a lower member and an upper member; the upper end of the lower member and the lower end of the upper member being pivotally joined together by a juncture outwardly positioned in a horizontal direction beyond the lower ends of the lower members and the upper ends of the upper members; the upper ends of the upper members being pivotally joined together; the lower end of each lower member being pivotally joined to a stationary location on a body attached to a sea floor; a bumper joined at about sea level to each arm; a restraining means which limits outward pivotal movement of each lower member and permits inward movement of the lower member when horizontal pressure is applied to the bumper; a weight suspended at least partially below sea level from at least one of the upper members when the lower members are at maximum outwardly eXtended position and with inward progressive positioning of at least one of the lower members by pressure applied to the bumper associated therewith the weight is vertically progressively positioned higher with respect to sea level thereby increasing its apparent weight and increasing the pressure applied to the said bumper.

Claim 3

A dynamic fender for mooring ships comprising: an arm comprising an elongated lower member and an elongated upper member; said elongated lower member pivotally joined at its lower end to a stationary location on a body attached to a sea floor the upper end of the lower member and the lower end of the upper member being pivotally joined together by a juncture outwardly positioned in a horizontal direction beyond the lower end of the lower member and the upper end of the upper member; a bumper joined at about sea level to said arm; a restraining means which limits outward pivotal movement of the juncture of the two members and of the bumper and which permits inward movement of the juncture when horizontal pressure is applied, as by a ship, to the bumper; the upper end of the elongated upper member being attached to a weight means movable substantially vertical in guide means to continually apply a compressive force to the elongated upper member; and said weight means including a weight which is at least partially below sea level when the lower member is at a maximum outwardly extended position and with inward progressive positioning of the lower member the weight is vertically progressively positioned higher with respect to the sea level thereby increasing its apparent weight and increasing the pressure applied to the said bumper.

Claim 4

A dynamic fender for mooring ships comprising: an arm comprising an elongated lower member and an elongated upper member; said elongated lower member pivotally joined at its lower end to a stationary location on a body attached to a sea floor the upper end of the lower member and the lower end of the upper member being pivotally joined together by a juncture outwardly positioned in a horizontal direction beyond the lower end of the lower member and the upper end of the upper member; a bumper joined at about sea level to said arm; a restraining means which limits outward pivotal movement of the juncture of the two members and of the bumper and which permits inward movement of the juncture when horizontal pressure is applied, as by a ship, to the bumper; the upper end of the elongated upper member being attached to a weight means movable substantially vertical in guide means to continually apply a compressive force to the elongated upper member; and said weight means including a weight which is at least partially below sea level when the lower member is at a maximum outwardly extended position and with inward progressive positioning of the lower member the weight is vertically progressively positioned higher with respect to the sea level thereby increasing its apparent weight and increasing the pressure applied to the said bumper.

Claim 5

A fender comprising: a pair of arms, with each arm comprising a lower member and an upper member; the upper end of the lower member and the lower end of the upper member being pivotally joined together by a juncture outwardly positioned in a horizontal direction beyond the lower ends of the lower members and the upper ends of the upper members; the upper ends of the upper members being pivotally joined together; the lower ends of the lower members being pivotally joined in spaced apart relationship from each other to a body attached to a sea floor; said body having a vertical tubular column extending above sea level; a bumper joined at about sea level to each arm; and a restraining means which limits outward pivotal movement of each lower member and which permits inward movement of the lower member when horizontal pressure is applied to the bumper; a weight suspended from at least one of the upper members inside of the tubular column at least partially beneath sea water therein and at least partially below sea level when the lower members are at maximum outwardly extended position and with inward progressive positioning of at least one of the lower members the weight is vertically progressively positioned higher with respect to sea level thereby increasing its apparent weight and increasing the pressure applied to the said bumper.

Claim 6

A fender comprising: a pair of arms, with each arm comprising a lower member and an upper member; the upper end of the lower member and the lower end of the upper member being pivotally joined together by a juncture outwardly positioned in a horizontal direction beyond the lower ends of the lower members and the upper ends of the upper members; the upper ends of the upper members being pivotally joined together; the lower ends of the lower members being pivotally joined in spaced apart relationship from each other to a body attached to a sea floor; said body having a vertical tubular column extending above sea level; a bumper joined at about sea level to each arm; and a restraining means which limits outward pivotal movement of each lower member and which permits inward movement of the lower member when horizontal pressure is applied to the bumper; a weight suspended from at least one of the upper members inside of the tubular column at least partially beneath sea water therein and at least partially below sea level when the lower members are at maximum outwardly extended position and with inward progressive positioning of at least one of the lower members the weight is vertically progressively positioned higher with respect to sea level thereby increasing its apparent weight and increasing the pressure applied to the said bumper.