Watercraft Mooring Guard Vertical Guide Traveler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Watercraft hulls and gunwales suffer damage from rubbing against mooring structures due to wave action and tidal changes, despite the use of portable bumpers, which also wear down gel-coat and graphics.
Innovation Solution
A watercraft mooring guard system comprising a rigid vertical guide member and a traveler member slidable along it, positioned outwardly from the dock, to absorb the movement of the watercraft, preventing direct contact and scuffing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If portable bumpers are used to protect the watercraft from impact damage, then impact protection is improved, but rubbing damage to the gel-coat and graphics worsens due to wave action and tidal changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dock bumper as an intermediary element attached to the dock structure rather than the watercraft. This mediator absorbs the rubbing contact during vertical watercraft movement, preventing direct contact between the watercraft hull/gunwale and the protective bumper material. The dock bumper serves as a sacrificial intermediate component that protects the watercraft surfaces while maintaining impact protection functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the watercraft is secured tightly to the dock, then mooring stability is improved, but rubbing damage worsens due to restricted movement during tidal changes and waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic mooring system where the dock bumper can move vertically along the dock structure. This dynamic arrangement allows the watercraft to maintain stable mooring connection while the bumper dynamically adjusts its position to accommodate vertical movement from waves and tides. The system transitions from a static restrictive arrangement to a dynamic adaptive one that prevents rubbing damage.
3Strength
If a rigid fixed guard is attached to the dock, then structural support is improved, but rubbing damage worsens because the fixed structure cannot accommodate watercraft movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid fixed guard concept into a dynamic system where the protective bumper element can move vertically along guide members. The guide members provide rigid structural support and positioning, while the bumper itself remains mobile to accommodate watercraft movement. This separates the structural support function (rigid guide members) from the protective contact function (mobile bumper).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the mooring guard system into separate functional components: rigid guide members that provide structural support and positioning, and a separate movable bumper element that provides protection. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function - the guide members maintain structural integrity while the bumper element accommodates movement to prevent rubbing damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft hull and gunwale mooring guard for attachment to a mooring structure to prevent abrasion damage to the contact surfaces of a moored watercraft. The mooring guard includes a stationary vertical guide rod that is attached at one end to a mooring structure at an spaced horizontal distance therefrom and extends vertically upward above the mooring structure. A traveler member is slidable attached to the guide rod which when movement of the water causes the watercraft to move up and down, the traveler in contact with the watercraft will correspondingly move up and down and thus prevent hull and gunwale abrasion, scuffing and damage to the watercraft.