Triangular Rigid Mooring Device with Hinged Dock Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mooring systems for watercraft face issues such as rope, lashing, and tether failures, inadequate lateral restraint, tripping hazards, and difficulty in use by novice operators, especially in adverse conditions like wind and rolling water, leading to craft damage and theft.
Innovation Solution
A steel-based, triangular mooring system with hinged connection points at the dock and a solid steel connection at the craft, featuring a self-closing latch and optional locking mechanism, which pivots vertically for secure and easy operation, eliminating the need for ropes and other soft components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mooring systems use ropes, lashings, and tethers with soft components, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to rot, breaking, cutting, and displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from organic/soft materials (ropes, lashings) to rigid metal components (aluminum or steel arms). This transformation eliminates the degradation issues of soft components while maintaining operational capability through the self-closing latch mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines rigid metal arms with a self-closing latch mechanism to create a composite mooring system that integrates the strength of metal with the automatic securing function of the latch, achieving both reliability and ease of operation.
2Strength
If hard components are used for lateral restraint, then strength is improved, but reliability deteriorates in adverse conditions for forward and backward movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic arms that can pivot and adjust to accommodate wave action and water level changes, allowing the rigid structure to adapt to adverse conditions while maintaining strength for lateral restraint and reliability for forward-backward movement prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameter from static hard components to dynamic adjustable arms that can move with water conditions, maintaining both strength and reliability in adverse environments.
3Reliability
If mooring devices are mounted on the dockage, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to tripping hazards and obstruction to pedestrian traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic arms that pivot from a horizontal operational position to a vertical stored position, allowing the dockage to remain clear of obstructions when not in use while maintaining reliable mooring capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the mooring device from a two-dimensional horizontal obstruction to a three-dimensional vertical configuration when stored, clearing the walkway area while maintaining the same number of connection points for reliable mooring.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual knot tying and rope handling are used, then adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a self-closing latch mechanism that automatically secures the mooring line when the arm is positioned, eliminating the need for manual knot tying and significantly reducing the time required for mooring operations while maintaining adaptability to different line types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical system of knot tying with an automated latch mechanism that performs the securing function mechanically, improving productivity while maintaining the adaptability to handle various mooring scenarios.
5Strength
If rigid steel connection is used at the craft, then strength is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mooring device into separate modular components (arms, hinges, latches) that can be manufactured independently and assembled, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the strength of rigid steel connections at the craft interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hinged connections that allow for simple assembly and disassembly, reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining rigid steel construction for strength where required at the craft connection point.
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
Provides secure, easy, and quick mooring with minimal effort, preventing forward and backward movement of the craft, reducing damage risks, and offering theft protection, while maintaining a clear walkway and avoiding tripping hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The self closing spring loaded latch instantly opens upon contact grasping the u-bolt, cleat, bow eye or other tie down device on the watercraft
Implementation Method 2
After release gravity pivots the devices down to a vertical position against the dock where they remain hanging until needed
Data Source
AI summary
A rigid mooring system that instantly secures pontoons, float planes, boats, and other forms of craft to a variety of dockage types and consists of two identical, yet separately positioned devices which together moor a craft safely away from the dockage. Barrel plate hinges permanently secure the two devices to the dockage allowing both the devices and the attached craft vertical motion but prohibit parallel or lateral movement. Each device has two reinforced arms coming together to form a right triangle shaped rigid body with one arm projecting further, bending into a curved attaching end.