Tidal Mooring Slide Block with Compression Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tidal mooring devices face issues such as vulnerability to foreign particles and noise due to the slide block's exposure to water when unoccupied, and potential structural weaknesses from repetitive impacts during tidal movements.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features an elongate vertical shaft with a slide block that slides between the top and bottom ends, a top and bottom mounting bracket with integral hooks, and a compression spring to absorb impacts, ensuring the slide block remains out of the water when unoccupied and reducing noise and structural stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the slide block is exposed to water when unoccupied, then the device can accommodate tidal movements, but the slide block accumulates foreign particles, barnacles and scum

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetidal movement accommodationVSAvoidforeign particle accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a slide block retainer member that automatically positions the slide block in a raised, out-of-water position when no watercraft is present. This preliminary positioning action prevents accumulation of foreign particles, barnacles and scum before they can occur, while still allowing full tidal movement accommodation when a watercraft is moored

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If the slide block is allowed to slam against the bottom mounting bracket during sudden downward tidal movement, then the device provides structural support, but it causes repetitive loud noises and weakens the connection point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidrepetitive noise and connection weakening

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a compression spring positioned between the slide block and the bottom mounting bracket. This spring acts as a cushioning element that absorbs the impact energy during sudden downward tidal movements, preventing the slide block from slamming against the bracket. The cushioning effect eliminates repetitive loud noises and prevents weakening of the connection point while maintaining structural support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If the hook is a separate component welded or brazed to the top mounting bracket, then the device can be manufactured separately, but undue force on the mooring line causes the hook to break off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate component manufacturingVSAvoidhook attachment strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the mooring line hook directly into the top mounting bracket as an integral component rather than a separate welded or brazed part. This merging of the hook and bracket into a single piece eliminates the weak connection point created by welding or brazing, allowing the structure to withstand undue force on the mooring line while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through forming operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If the vertical slide shaft is joined to the mounting bracket via weld, then the structure is simplified, but undue force on the slide block causes breakage or cracking of the weld

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplificationVSAvoidweld connection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent forms the vertical slide shaft and mounting bracket as a single integral structure through forming operations rather than joining them via welding. This merging eliminates the weld connection that is susceptible to breakage or cracking under undue force, while maintaining structural simplicity and reducing manufacturing complexity by eliminating separate joining processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution maintains tension in mooring lines with minimal slack, reduces noise and structural damage from tidal impacts, and keeps the slide block clean and functional, effectively securing watercraft against tidal action.

Implementation Method 1

a compression spring mounted on the elongate vertical shaft and seated upon the bottom mounting bracket. The compression spring is configured to absorb the impact of the slide block

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12319386B2Apparatus for securing watercraft against tidal action

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 MARTOCCHIO CARMEN

AI summary

An apparatus for securing watercraft against tidal action, wind and weather has an elongate vertical shaft having a top end and a bottom end and a slide block slidably attached to the elongate vertical shaft. The slide block slides between the top end and the bottom end and has a pair of slots therein and an opening positioned between the slots. The slots and opening are configured to allow a mooring line to be secured to the slide block. A top mounting bracket and bottom mounting bracket are attached to the top end and bottom end, respectively, of the elongate vertical shaft. The top and bottom mounting brackets are configured for attachment to mooring structures. The top mounting bracket includes an integral mooring line hook. A compression spring is mounted on the elongate vertical shaft and seated upon the bottom mounting bracket and absorbs the impact of the slide block.