US3870010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mooring system for floating structures
Assignee: Dravo Corp
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Filing: 1973-09-04
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A mooring system is disclosed for securing floating structures to the bottom of a body of water. A base unit having a tapered recess or protrusion in the top surface is fixed to the bottom. A mooring unit sized and shaped to fit the tapered recess or protrusion in the base unit is movably attached to the floating structure so as to allow relative vertical movement between the mooring unit and the floating structure. The mooring unit is secured to the base unit so that the floating structure is horizontally restrained but can move vertically in response to waves or tidal action.
Inventors
- 👤 Everald V Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:18
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/50; E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/06; E02B3/062; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A mooring system for securing floating structures to the bottom of a body of water subject to waves or tidal action, comprising: a base unit having a cavity therein and a tapered recess in the top surface thereof; means for fixing the base unit to the bottom including ballast, sleeves formed in the base unit, and piling driven through the sleeves into the bottom; a mooring unit with a shaft therein, located so as to provide access to the cavity in the base unit, and a lower surface having a tapered protrusion sized and shaped to fit the tapered recess in the base unit, said mooring unit being movably attached to the floating structure so as to allow relative vertical movement between the mooring unit and the floating structure; means for securing the mooring unit to the base unit, whereby the floating structure is horizontally restrained, but can move vertically in response to waves or tidal action, which securing means includes tubes disposed within the base unit and the mooring unit, with post-tensioning strands passing through the tubes, and anchorages within the base unit cavity and above the mooring unit, whereby the post-tensioning strands are secured by the anchorages of the base unit and the mooring unit; and means for sealing the second matable portion to the first matable portion so as to allow dry access through the shaft and cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
A mooring system for securing floating structures to the bottom of a body of water subject to waves or tidal action, comprising: a base unit having a cavity therein and a tapered recess in the top surface thereof; means for fixing the base unit to the bottom including ballast, sleeves formed in the base unit, and piling driven through the sleeves into the bottom; a mooring unit with a shaft therein, located so as to provide access to the cavity in the base unit, and a lower surface having a tapered protrusion sized and shaped to fit the tapered recess in the base unit, said mooring unit being movably attached to the floating structure so as to allow relative vertical movement between the mooring unit and the floating structure; means for securing the mooring unit to the base unit, whereby the floating structure is horizontally restrained, but can move vertically in response to waves or tidal action, which securing means includes tubes disposed within the base unit and the mooring unit, with post-tensioning strands passing through the tubes, and anchorages within the base unit cavity and above the mooring unit, whereby the post-tensioning strands are secured by the anchorages of the base unit and the mooring unit; and means for sealing the second matable portion to the first matable portion so as to allow dry access through the shaft and cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
231 words
A mooring system for securing floating structures to the bottom of a body of water subject to waves or tidal action, comprising: a base unit having a cavity therein and a tapered recess in the top surface thereof; means for fixing the base unit to the bottom including ballast, sleeves formed in the base unit, and piling driven through the sleeves into the bottom; a mooring unit with a shaft therein, located so as to provide access to the cavity in the base unit, and a lower surface having a tapered protrusion sized and shaped to fit the tapered recess in the base unit, said mooring unit being movably attached to the floating structure so as to allow relative vertical movement between the mooring unit and the floating structure; means for securing the mooring unit to the base unit, whereby the floating structure is horizontally restrained, but can move vertically in response to waves or tidal action, which securing means includes tubes disposed within the base unit and the mooring unit, with post-tensioning strands passing through the tubes, and anchorages within the base unit cavity and above the mooring unit, whereby the post-tensioning strands are secured by the anchorages of the base unit and the mooring unit; and means for sealing the second matable portion to the first matable portion so as to allow dry access through the shaft and cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
231 words
A mooring system for securing floating structures to the bottom of a body of water subject to waves or tidal action, comprising: a base unit having a cavity therein and a tapered recess in the top surface thereof; means for fixing the base unit to the bottom including ballast, sleeves formed in the base unit, and piling driven through the sleeves into the bottom; a mooring unit with a shaft therein, located so as to provide access to the cavity in the base unit, and a lower surface having a tapered protrusion sized and shaped to fit the tapered recess in the base unit, said mooring unit being movably attached to the floating structure so as to allow relative vertical movement between the mooring unit and the floating structure; means for securing the mooring unit to the base unit, whereby the floating structure is horizontally restrained, but can move vertically in response to waves or tidal action, which securing means includes tubes disposed within the base unit and the mooring unit, with post-tensioning strands passing through the tubes, and anchorages within the base unit cavity and above the mooring unit, whereby the post-tensioning strands are secured by the anchorages of the base unit and the mooring unit; and means for sealing the second matable portion to the first matable portion so as to allow dry access through the shaft and cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mooring system as defined in claim 1 including a removable cofferdam attached to the base unit to allow for dewatered installation of the pilings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mooring system of claim 1 including energy absorbing fenders disposed at the locus of movable attachment of the mooring unit and the floating structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
193 words
A mooring system for securing floating structures to the bottom of a body of water subject to waves or tidal action, comprising: a base unit having a tapered recess in the top surface thereof; ballast in the base unit to render the base unit non-buoyant; piling fixing the base unit to the bottom; a mooring unit having a lower surface sized and shaped to fit the tapered recess in the base unit, said mooring unit being movably attached to the floating structure so as to allow relative vertical movement between the mooring unit and the floating structure; energy absorbing fenders disposed at the locus of movable attachment of the mooring unit and the floating structure; means for securing the mooring unit to the base unit, whereby the floating structure is horizontally restrained, but can move vertically in response to waves or tidal action; and the securing means comprises tubes disposed within the base unit and the mooring unit, with post-tensioning strands passing through the tubes, and anchorages within the base unit and above the mooring unit, whereby the post-tensioning strands are secured by the anchorages of the base unit and the mooring unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
193 words
A mooring system for securing floating structures to the bottom of a body of water subject to waves or tidal action, comprising: a base unit having a tapered recess in the top surface thereof; ballast in the base unit to render the base unit non-buoyant; piling fixing the base unit to the bottom; a mooring unit having a lower surface sized and shaped to fit the tapered recess in the base unit, said mooring unit being movably attached to the floating structure so as to allow relative vertical movement between the mooring unit and the floating structure; energy absorbing fenders disposed at the locus of movable attachment of the mooring unit and the floating structure; means for securing the mooring unit to the base unit, whereby the floating structure is horizontally restrained, but can move vertically in response to waves or tidal action; and the securing means comprises tubes disposed within the base unit and the mooring unit, with post-tensioning strands passing through the tubes, and anchorages within the base unit and above the mooring unit, whereby the post-tensioning strands are secured by the anchorages of the base unit and the mooring unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |