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EP 0 861 772 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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17.12.2003 Bulletin 2003/51 |
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Date of filing: 18.02.1998 |
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Method for assembling floating bodies and assembly of floating bodies thus assembled
Verfahren zum Verbinden von Schwimkörpern und Gesamtheit von so verbundenen Schwimmkörpern
Méthode pour l'assemblage de corps flottants et ensemble de corps flottants assemblés
par cette méthode
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Designated Contracting States: |
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BE DE FR GB IT |
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Designated Extension States: |
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RO |
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Priority: |
21.02.1997 NL 1005335
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Date of publication of application: |
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02.09.1998 Bulletin 1998/36 |
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Proprietor: Scheepswerf Made B.V. |
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4921 XH Made (NL) |
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Inventors: |
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- Den Reijer, Anthonius Johannes Maria
4921 DD Made (NL)
- Muis, Hendrik Michael
4921 VX Made (NL)
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Representative: Bartelds, Erik |
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Arnold & Siedsma,
Advocaten en Octrooigemachtigden,
Sweelinckplein 1 2517 GK Den Haag 2517 GK Den Haag (NL) |
(56) |
References cited: :
EP-A- 0 065 921 WO-A-87/02961 FR-A- 2 335 717 US-A- 2 328 693 US-A- 4 714 042
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EP-A- 0 385 903 FR-A- 2 198 450 FR-A- 2 349 493 US-A- 4 604 962
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The invention relates to a method for releasable assembly of at least two floating
bodies, by bringing together the floating bodies, and arranging in vertical direction
at least one member connecting the floating bodies and subsequently tensioning the
connection formed by the member arranged in vertical direction by urging apart the
floating bodies. An example of such a connection method is described in US-A-4,604,962.
[0002] In the known method floating bodies are mutually connected to form for instance a
dock or the like. Use is herein made of square floating bodies which are provided
on each of their four corner points with protruding, apertured lugs, which are arranged
at different heights. In the prior art method, the corners of four of such floating
bodies are brought together, in such way that the lugs are superposed and the apertures
in the lugs are aligned, after which a bolt is inserted through these apertures. A
nut is connected to the lowermost lug and secured against rotation, so that the bolt
may be fastened in the nut by turning it. The bolt has a head which is cone shaped,
and each floating body has correspondingly shaped recesses at the corners, whereby
the cone shaped head forces the floating bodies apart when the bolt is tensioned and
the head is moved downwards toward the nut.
[0003] This known method has the drawback that the nut and bolt are used both for forming
the initial connection and for subsequently tensioning the connection. This combination
of functions to be served by the single bolt and nut neccessitates a structure including
protruding lugs, which severely affect the transportability of the floating bodies.
Especially when the floating bodies are shaped and dimensioned as ISO containers having
standard dimensions and standard pick-up points for fastening the floating bodies
during transport by road or ship, the presence of protrusions means that these floating
bodies cannot be handled in the way of standard containers.
[0004] The invention has for its object to provide a method of the above described type,
wherein said drawbacks do not occur. This is achieved according to the invention in
that the floating bodies are urged apart by arranging at least one separate pressure
member therebetween. Because use is made of a separate pressure member, the configuration
of the connecting member may be freely chosen, and the floating bodies do not have
to have any protruding parts.
[0005] In order to enable simple tensioning of the connection at the location where the
floating bodies will be used, the or each pressure member is preferably placed in
vertical direction between the floating bodies and, after placing thereof, is rotated
on a vertical axis to a position in which it may be tensioned, urging apart the floating
bodies.
[0006] The invention further relates to an assembly of floating bodies formed by applying
the above described method. According to the invention, such an assembly, which may
comprise at least two floating bodies, at least one member connecting the floating
bodies and connected thereto in vertical direction, and means for tensioning the connection
formed by the or each connecting member is characterized in that the tensioning means
comprise at least one separate pressure member arranged between the floating bodies.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the assembly, the pressure member is at least partly
wedge-shaped. By urging this pressure member with force between the floating bodies
the connection is tensioned in simple manner.
[0008] The pressure member herein advantageously has at least two wedges movable relative
to each other, which are preferably mutually connected by for instance a draw bolt.
By tightening the draw bolt the wedges between the floating bodies can thus be pulled
toward each other and the floating bodies thus pushed apart. Each floating body can
herein have at least one recess receiving the pressure member, if desired provided
with inclining surfaces co-acting with the wedges. The floating bodies can thus still
be assembled in close-fitting manner despite the presence of the pressure members.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention each floating body has at least
one vertically directed opening for receiving the connecting member. The or each connecting
member, which can comprise a bridge piece and at least two pins protruding therefrom,
can thus be arranged in simple manner from the top in the openings of the floating
bodies for connecting.
[0010] In a structurally simple embodiment at least one of the pins is releasably connected
to the bridge piece. In a further simplified embodiment the bridge piece is provided
with at least one vertically directed opening which is to be placed in register with
the receiving opening of one of the floating bodies and which receives the releasable
pin. The bridge piece can thus first be placed in register with the opening in the
floating body, whereafter the pin is inserted in simple manner through the openings
thus placed in line. A very simple embodiment is characterized in that the bridge
piece has a plurality of symmetrically arranged openings in which identical pins are
placed. Two or four openings can thus be arranged in the bridge piece depending on
the number of floating bodies for mutual connection.
[0011] Finally, the invention further relates to the different individual parts of the assembly,
in particular the pressure member and the floating body.
[0012] The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of an embodiment, wherein reference
is made to the annexed drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention formed from
a number of floating bodies; and
Fig. 2 is a perspective detail view of the assembly according to the arrow II in Fig.
1.
[0013] An assembly 1 of floating bodies 2 is constructed in the water 3 by bringing together
floating bodies 2 (arrow VI), mutually connecting them at their corners using connecting
members 4, 14 and subsequently tensioning the thus formed connections by pressing
floating bodies 2 slightly apart again. Arranged between floating bodies 2 for this
purpose are pressure members 5 which are embodied in partly wedge-shaped form. Both
connecting members 4, 14 and pressure members 5 are herein arranged in vertical direction
between floating bodies 2 (arrows V2 and V3), whereby assembly can be carried out
in simple manner at the location of use. After being placed in vertical direction
the pressure members 5 are rotated a quarter-turn (arrow R) prior to being tensioned.
[0014] Each connecting member 4, 14 consists of a bridge piece 11, 21 and a number of pins
12 protruding therefrom and releasably connected to bridge piece 11, 21. The number
of pins 12 corresponds herein with the number of floating bodies 2 connected by connecting
member 4, 14. For receiving pins 12 each bridge piece 11, 21 is provided with a corresponding
number of openings 13. Openings 13 can be placed in register with openings 17 arranged
in floating bodies 2. In order to also fix floating bodies 2 on the underside, additional
bridge pieces 11, 21 can be arranged there. The openings 17 in the upper side of the
floating bodies connect for this purpose onto tubes 15 which extend over the whole
height of floating bodies 2. In order to connect floating bodies 2 the bridge pieces
11, 21 are placed into recesses 16 on the top and bottom of one of the floating bodies
2 and placed with their openings 13 in register with openings 17 therein. A first
pin 12 is then placed successively through the top opening 17 of floating body 2,
opening 13 of upper bridge piece 11, 21, tube 15, opening 13 of lower bridge piece
11, 21 and the bottom opening 17, whereby bridge pieces 11, 21 are fixed to one of
the floating bodies 2. Another floating body 2 is subsequently navigated against this
floating body 2, wherein the protruding parts of bridge pieces 11, 21 are placed in
recesses 16 and fixed by means of a subsequent pin 12, whereby a connection is formed
between floating bodies 2. This connection is not yet rigid and still displays some
clearance, whereby further connecting members 4 can also be arranged in simple manner.
[0015] In order to remove the clearance in connections 4, use is made of pressure members
5 which are urged between floating bodies 2. Each pressure member 5 comprises two
wedge-shaped parts 8 which are connected by a draw bolt 9, whereby they can be moved
toward each other. Draw bolt 9 is tightened by rotating a nut 10 thereon. Each pressure
member 5 is received in recesses 6 in the mutually connected floating bodies 2 so
that these latter rest in close-fitting manner against each other with their side
surfaces 22 despite the presence of pressure bodies 5. As stated, pressure member
5 is herein first lowered in vertical direction into recess 6 and then rotated a quarter-turn
so that the inclining surfaces 20 of the wedge-shaped parts 8 are located opposite
inclining surfaces 7 of recesses 6. Nut 10 is then rotated on draw bolt 9, whereby
the wedge-shaped parts 8 are moved toward each other and the inclining surfaces 7,
and therewith floating bodies 2, are pressed apart. Pins 12 are herein clamped in
openings 17 and 13, whereby the connections are tensioned.
[0016] In order to release floating bodies 2 from each other the pressure members 5 are
relieved and removed, whereafter pins 12 can be lifted with their heads 19 from openings
17 and 13 and bridge pieces 11, 21 can be taken out of recesses 16.
[0017] The system according to the invention thus enables the assembly of relatively compact
floating bodies 2 in simple manner and making use of inexpensive means in order to
form a relatively large surface, for instance a work platform. Floating bodies 2 can
herein be dimensioned such that they can be transported by road.
[0018] Although the system is described above with reference to an embodiment wherein the
connecting members for vertical arrangement are applied in combination with the pressure
members for tensioning the connection, it will be apparent to the skilled person that
the connecting members could also be applied without tensioning means, for instance
in situations where some movement of the floating bodies relative to each other is
permissible or in situations where the connections are tensioned in natural manner
by a load placed on the floating bodies, whereby the floating bodies are pressed against
each other at the top or bottom and the assembly thus takes on a concave or convex,
rigid form.
[0019] In addition, it will be apparent that the tensioning means according to the invention,
while retaining all the advantages associated therewith, could also be applied in
combination with other types of connecting member. The scope of the invention is not
therefore limited in any way to the shown embodiment but is defined solely by the
annexed claims.
1. Method for releasable assembly of at least two floating bodies (2), by bringing together
the floating bodies (2), and arranging in vertical direction at least one member (4;14)
connecting the floating bodies (2) and subsequently tensioning the connection formed
by the member (4;14) arranged in vertical direction by urging apart the floating bodies
(2), characterized in that the floating bodies (2) are urged apart by arranging at least one separate pressure
member (5) therebetween.
2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the or each pressure member (5) is placed in vertical direction between the floating
bodies (2).
3. Method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the or each pressure member (5), after placing thereof, is rotated on a vertical
axis to a position in which it may be tensioned, urging apart the floating bodies
(2).
4. Assembly (1) of floating bodies (2), comprising at least two floating bodies (2),
at least one member (4;14) connecting the floating bodies (2) and connected thereto
in vertical direction, and means for tensioning the connection formed by the or each
connecting member (4;14), characterized in that the tensioning means comprise at least one separate pressure member (5) arranged
between the floating bodies (2).
5. Assembly (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the pressure member (5) is at least partly wedge-shaped.
6. Assembly (1) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the pressure member (5) has at least two wedges (8) movable relative to each other.
7. Assembly (1) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the wedges (8) are mutually connected by a draw bolt (9).
8. Assembly (1) as claimed in any of the claims 4-7, characterized in that each floating body (2) has at least one recess (6) receiving the pressure member
(5).
9. Assembly (1) as claimed in any of the claims 4-8, characterized in that each floating body (2) has at least one vertically directed opening (17) for receiving
the connecting member (4;14).
10. Assembly (1) as claimed in claim,9, characterized in that the or each connecting member (4;14) comprises a bridge piece (11;21) and at least
two pins (12) protruding therefrom.
11. Assembly (1) as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the pins (12) is releasably connected to the bridge piece (11;21).
12. Assembly (1) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the bridge piece (11;21) is provided with at least one vertically directed opening
(13) which is to be placed in register with the receiving opening (17) of one of the
floating bodies (2) and which receives the releasable pin (12).
13. Assembly (1) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the bridge piece (11;21) has a plurality of symmetrically arranged openings (13)
in which identical pins (12) are placed.
14. Floating body (2) for use in an assembly (1) as claimed in any of the claims 4-13,
comprising at least one vertically directed opening (17) for receiving a connecting
member (4;14) and at least one recess (6) for receiving a pressure member (5).
1. Verfahren zum lösbaren Zusammenbauen von mindestens zwei Schwimmkörpern (2), durch
Zusammenbringen der Schwimmkörper (2) und Anordnen mindestens eines Elements (4; 14)
in vertikaler Richtung, das die Schwimmkörper (2) verbindet, und nachfolgendes Spannen
der von dem Element (4; 14) ausgebildeten, in vertikaler Richtung angeordneten Kupplung
durch Auseinanderdrücken der Schwimmkörper (2), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schwimmkörper (2) auseinandergedrückt werden durch Anordnen mindestens eines
gesonderten Druckelements (5) zwischen denselben.
2. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das oder jedes Druckelement (5) in vertikaler Richtung zwischen die Schwimmkörper
(2) eingesetzt wird.
3. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das oder jedes Druckelement (5) nach dessen Einsetzen um eine vertikale Achse in
eine Position gedreht wird, in welcher es gespannt werden kann, so dass die Schwimmkörper
(2) auseinandergedrückt werden.
4. Anordnung (1) von Schwimmkörpern (2), die mindestens zwei Schwimmkörper (2), mindestens
ein Element (4; 14), von dem die Schwimmkörper (2) aneinandergekuppelt werden und
das in vertikaler Richtung daran gekuppelt ist, und Mittel zum Spannen der von dem
oder jedem Kupplungselement (4; 14) ausgebildeten Kupplung aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Spannmittel mindestens ein zwischen den Schwimmkörpern (2) angeordnetes gesondertes
Druckelement (5) aufweisen.
5. Anordnung (1) gemäß Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Druckelement (5) mindestens teilweise keilförmig ist.
6. Anordnung (1) gemäß Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Druckelement (5) mindestens zwei relativ zueinander bewegbare Keile (8) aufweist.
7. Anordnung (1) gemäß Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Keile (8) mittels eines Zugbolzens (9) miteinander verbunden sind.
8. Anordnung (1) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 4 - 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jeder Schwimmkörper (2) mindestens eine Ausnehmung (6) aufweist, die das Druckelement
(5) aufnimmt.
9. Anordnung (1) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 4 - 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jeder Schwimmkörper (2) eine vertikal ausgerichtete Öffnung (17) zum Aufnehmen des
Kupplungselements (4; 14) aufweist.
10. Anordnung (1) gemäß Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das oder jedes Kupplungselement (4; 14) ein Überbrückungsstück (11; 21) und mindestens
zwei davon abstehende Bolzen (12) aufweist.
11. Anordnung (1) gemäß Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens einer der Bolzen (12) lösbar an das Überbrückungsstück (11; 21) gekuppelt
ist.
12. Anordnung (1) gemäß Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Überbrückungsstück (11; 21) mit mindestens einer vertikal ausgerichteten Öffnung
(13) versehen ist, welche auf die Aufnahmeöffnung (17) eines der Schwimmkörper (2)
ausrichtbar ist und welche den lösbaren Bolzen (12) aufnimmt.
13. Anordnung (1) gemäß Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Überbrückungsstück (11; 21) eine Mehrzahl symmetrisch angeordneter Öffnungen
(13) hat, in welchen gleiche Bolzen (12) platziert sind.
14. Schwimmkörper (2) zur Verwendung in einer Anordnung (1) gemäß einem der Ansprüche
4 - 13, mit mindestens einer vertikal ausgerichteten Öffnung (17) zum Aufnehmen eines
Kupplungselements (4;14) und mit mindestens einer Ausnehmung (6) zum Aufnehmen eines
Druckelements (5).
1. Procédé d'assemblage, de manière détachable, d'au moins deux corps flottants (2),
en rapprochant l'un de l'autre les corps flottants (2) et en disposant, dans le sens
vertical, au moins un élément (4 ; 14) pour relier les corps flottants (2), et en
tendant ensuite la connexion formée par l'élément (4 ; 14) disposé dans le sens vertical,
en poussant les corps flottants (2) à s'écarter l'un de l'autre, caractérisé en ce que les corps flottants (2) sont poussés à s'écarter l'un de l'autre, en disposant entre
eux au moins un élément séparé de pression (5).
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élément ou chaque élément de pression (5) est placé dans le sens vertical entre
les corps flottants (2).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que, après sa mise en place, l'élément ou chaque élément de pression (5) est amené à
tourner autour d'un axe vertical pour prendre une position dans laquelle il peut être
tendu, pour ainsi pousser les corps flottants (2) à s'écarter l'un de l'autre.
4. Ensemble (1) de corps flottants (2), comprenant au moins deux corps flottants (2),
au moins un élément (4 ; 14) reliant les corps flottants (2) et reliés à ceux-ci dans
le sens vertical, et des moyens pour tendre la connexion formée par l'élément ou par
chaque élément de liaison (4 ; 14), caractérisé en ce que les moyens tensionneurs comprennent au moins un élément séparé de pression (5), disposé
entre les corps flottants (2).
5. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de pression (5) est au moins en partie en forme de coin.
6. Ensemble ( 1) selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de pression (5) présente au moins deux coins (8) mobiles l'un par rapport
à l'autre.
7. Ensemble ( 1) selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les coins (8) sont mutuellement reliés par un boulon de traction (9).
8. Ensemble ( 1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 7, caractérisé en ce que chaque corps flottant (2) comporte au moins un évidement (6) destiné à recevoir l'élément
de pression (5).
9. Ensemble ( 1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 8, caractérisé en ce que chaque corps flottant (2) comporte au moins une ouverture (17), orientée dans le
sens vertical et destinée à recevoir l'élément de liaison (4 ; 14).
10. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que l'élément ou chaque élément de liaison (4 ; 14) comprend une pièce de pontage (11
; 21) et au moins deux broches (12) faisant saillie à partir de celle-ci.
11. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins l'une des broches (12) est reliée, de manière libérable, à la pièce de pontage
( 11 ; 21 ) .
12. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que la pièce de pontage (11 ; 21) est pourvue d'au moins une ouverture (13), orientée
dans le sens vertical et prévue pour être mise en alignement avec l'ouverture réceptrice
( 17) de l'un des corps flottants (2), et qui reçoit la broche (12) libérable.
13. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que la pièce de pontage (11 ; 21) présente une pluralité d'ouvertures ( 13) disposées
de manière symétrique et dans lesquelles sont placées des broches (12) identiques.
14. Corps flottant (2) destiné à être utilisé dans un ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque
des revendications 4 à 13, et comprenant au moins une ouverture ( 17), orientée dans
le sens vertical et prévue pour recevoir un élément de liaison (4 ; 14), et au moins
un évidement (6) servant à recevoir un élément de pression (5).