Existing mooring system assemblies comprise mooring hooks with complicated securing mechanisms that can be released remotely. The mooring system assemblies are used to secure large vessels, such as tankers, against sea berths.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mooring pillar assembly comprising a pivotable pillar, locking means and pillar return means, the locking means having a securing condition wherein the pillar is held at a first location and a releasing condition wherein the pillar is pivotable from the first location to a second location, the arrangement being such that in use the pillar return means is operable to automatically move the unloaded pillar in a direction towards the first location.

Preferably the pillar return means comprises a counterweight operable to automatically move the unloaded pivotable pillar from the second location to the first location.

Preferably, the counterweight comprises a mass attached to the pillar by a flexible web.

Alternatively, the counterweight preferably comprises a cantilever member that extends radially from a lower pivot region of the pillar, the arrangement being such that when the pillar is at the second location the

turning force of the cantilever member is greater than and opposite to the turning force of the pillar.

The mass of the counterweight is preferably greater than the mass of the pillar.

In a further alternative, the pillar return means comprises spring means operable to automatically move the unloaded pivotable pillar from the second location to the first location.

Preferably the mooring pillar assembly comprises a support structure that partially contains the pivotable pillar.

The support structure preferably comprises an inverted channel section formed with an access slot through which extends a portion of the pillar.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the locking means preferably abuts a portion of the pillar when the locking means is in the securing condition.

Preferably, the locking means comprises a rotatable camshaft operable to abut the portion of the pillar when the locking means is in the securing condition and be spaced from the portion of the pillar when the locking means is in the releasing condition.

Alternatively, the locking means comprises a slidable wedge operable to abut the portion of the pillar when the locking means is in the securing condition and be spaced from the portion of the pillar when the locking means is in the releasing condition.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the locking means preferably abuts a portion of the cantilever member when the locking means is in the securing condition.

The pivotable pillar preferably comprises a pillar portion extending substantially tangentially from a tubular portion the arrangement being such that in use the tubular portion and the pillar portion are pivotable about a shaft.

Preferably the mooring pillar assembly comprises a plurality of pivotable pillars, a plurality of locking means and a plurality of return means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the quick release and return of a mooring pillar comprising a pivotable pillar, a locking member and pillar return means, the method comprising firstly preventing the rotation of the pillar by placing the locking member in the path of a portion of the pillar such that a mooring line is retainable by the pillar, secondly removing the locking member from the path of the portion of the pillar such that the pillar rotates to release the mooring line, thirdly automatically rotating the pillar back towards the original position by the pillar return means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a mooring pillar assembly comprising a pivotable pillar and locking means comprising a locking wedge, the locking wedge having a securing condition wherein the locking wedge abuts a portion of the pivotable pillar so holding said pillar at a first location and the locking wedge having a releasing condition wherein said pillar is pivotable from the first location to a second location, the arrangement being such that in use a linear movement of the locking wedge allows a rotational movement of the pivotable pillar from the first location.

Preferably the pivotable pillar comprises return means operable to move the pillar from the second location to the first location when the pivotable pillar is not loaded by mooring lines.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a mooring pillar assembly comprising a pivotable pillar and locking means comprising a camming member, the camming member having a securing condition wherein a cam surface of the camming member abuts a portion of the pivotable pillar so holding said pillar at a first location and the camming member having a releasing condition wherein said pillar is pivotable from the first location to a second location, the arrangement being such that in use a rotation of the camming member about a longitudinal central axis allows a rotational movement of the pivotable pillar from the first location.

Preferably the pivotable pillar comprises return means operable to move the pillar from the second location to the first location when the pivotable pillar is not loaded by mooring lines.

The longitudinal central axis of the camming member is preferably disposed upwardly at an angle from the horizontal.

The invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein.

The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mooring pillar assembly showing two of the pillars in a secured position and two of the pillars in a released position; Figure 2a shows a pillar unit mounted on a shaft; Figure 2b shows an alternative pillar unit mounted within a shaft; Figure 3 is a side view of the mooring pillar assembly shown in Figure 1 and shows a returning mechanism; Figure 4 is a side view of the mooring pillar shown in Figure 1 and shows a locking mechanism; Figure 5 is a second embodiment of the present invention and shows a perspective view of a mooring pillar assembly showing three pillars in a secured position; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a pillar of the mooring pillar assembly shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the mooring pillar assembly shown in Figure 5 and shows a locking mechanism ; Figure 8 is a further embodiment of the present invention and shows a perspective view of a mooring pillar assembly showing four pillars in a secured position; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pillar of the mooring pillar assembly shown in Figure 8 mounted on a shaft;

Figure 10 is a side view of the mooring pillar assembly shown in Figure 8 and shows a locking mechanism; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a pillar of the mooring pillar assembly shown in Figure 8; Figure 12 is a plan view of the locking mechanism shown in Figure 10; Figure 13 is a plan view of a tanker moored alongside a sea berth; Figure 14 is a side view of an alternative mooring pillar assembly comprising a sliding wedge locking means; Figure 15 is a side view of a mooring pillar assembly comprising an alternative locking means including a rotatable cam release member; and Figure 16 is a view along the axis of the cam release member shown in Figure 15.

With reference to the Figures 1 to 4, a mooring pillar assembly 1 comprises an inverted channel section 2 formed from steel plate and supporting four mooring pillars 4,6,8,10. Figure 1 shows the pillars 4 and 10 in a first locked position and pillars 6 and 8 in a second released position. Looped over pillar 4 is a mooring line 11.

The channel section 2 has an inverted V-shaped cross-section comprising two angled side portions 12,13 that converge towards an uppermost apex portion 14. The apex portion is formed with four access slots 16,18, 20,22. From the respective lengths of lowermost edges of the sides 12,

13 there extends horizontally towards one another a pair of mounting flanges 24,26. In an alternative arrangement the flanges 24,26 extend outwardly in respective directions away from each other. The flanges 24,26 are formed with a series of holes 28 through which bolts (not shown) are placed to secure the assembly to the ground or a supporting structure. The channel section 2 is open at both ends to allow human access. The height of the channel section 2 is sufficient for a person to gain access lying down and to provide space within which the person can work.

With reference to Figure 2a, the pillar 10 is a T-shaped section of steel tube of heavy wall thickness comprising a horizontal circular tube portion 30 and a conical section 32 extending tangentially from the side of the tube portion 30. The pillar 10 is mounted on and pivotable about a steel shaft 34 that extends through the tube portion 30. The other pillars 4,6 and 8 have the same construction as pillar 10.

Each pillar 4,6,8,10 is mounted on respective shafts 34 that are supported within the channel section 2. A pair of triangular bracket plates 35 (see Figure 1) supports each shaft 34. The brackets 35 are located at each end of the shaft 34 and the brackets 35 transversely extend from the inner surface of the side 13 to the inner surface of the side 12 and vertically up to the inner surface of the apex 14. Each pillar 4,6,8,10 is free to rotate about the respective shafts 34 when locking means of the assembly 1 is in the non-operative condition. The horizontal shafts 34 of the respective pillars 4,6,8,10 may be supported by suitable bearings. Alternatively, the pillars 4,6,8,10 are supported on one common shaft.

Figure 2b shows an alternative pillar 36. In this arrangement the pillar 36 comprises a horizontal solid shaft 38 having a circular cross-section,

from which extends tangentially a portion 40 having a similar circular cross-section. A conical portion 42 extends at an angle from the uppermost region of the portion 40. The shaft 38 extends through a tube 44 having a circular cross-section.

With reference to Figure 3, the pillar 10 comprises a counterweight 50 attached to the radially outermost surface of the circular tube portion 30 by a flexible web 52. The counterweight 50 tends to move the pillar 10 in a clockwise direction 54 about the axis 56. Each of the pillars 4, 6,8, has a counterweight assembly that is the same as pillar 10.

With reference to Figure 4, there is shown a locking means 60 for the pillar 10 of the assembly 1 comprising a rotatable camshaft 62 attached to a mounting bracket 64. The bracket 64 extends from the inner surface of the side 12. The camshaft 62 is formed with a curved portion 65 and a flattened portion 66. The curved portion 65 is adapted to abut a lug 68 that extends radially outwardly from the tube portion 30. When the locking means is in the operative condition the lug 68 abuts the circular portion 65 and the rotation of the pillar in an anti-clockwise direction 70 about the axis 56 is prevented. The locking means is converted from an operative condition to a non-operative condition by the rotation of the shaft 62 until the flattened portion 66 is presented to the lug 68 at which point the lug 68 is no longer in contact with the shaft 62 and the pillar can rotate in the direction 70. A shaft handle (not shown) extending to a safe position can be manually operated to rotate the camshaft 62.

Alternatively, the camshaft 62 can be rotated by a remotely controlled powered mechanism. Each of the other pillars 4,6,8 has a locking means as described herein above.

In use, when the pillars 4, 6,8,10 do not have any mooring lines attached they automatically return to the upright position due to the

counterweight 52 (see pillar 10 in Figure 1). Once in the upright position the locking means 60 is rotated to the locked position such that the pillar is fixed in the upright position. Then a mooring line 11 can be placed over the pillar (see pillar 4 in Figure 1). The pillar will remain in the upright position until the locking means 60 is rotated to the unlocked position at which point the force of the mooring line 11 on the pillar will rotate the pillar to the laying down position (see pillars 6 and 8 in Figure 1) such that the mooring line is released. Once the mooring line has slipped off the pillar the pillar will automatically return to the upright position once again under the influence of the counterweight.

With reference to Figure 14, there is shown an alternative locking means 67 comprising a wedge block 69 capable of being slid back and forth on a track 71 that is fixed to the inner surface of the wall 12. The wedge block 69 is formed with a tapered portion 73 the sloped surface of which abuts the lug 68 (as shown in Figure 14). The wedge block 69 is slid along the track 71 by a suitable wormgear assembly (not shown). This provides means by which the release of the pillar 10 is controlled remotely. As the wedge block 69 is moved in a direction 75 the lug 68 slides across the sloped surface of the wedge block 69 so allowing the pillar 10 to rotate slightly in direction 70. This slight rotation of the pillar 10 releases some of the tension in a mooring line looped on the pillar 10. There is clearly an advantage in removing the tension in the mooring line before the line is released from the pillar. Once the wedge block 69 has been completely removed from the lug 68 the pillar 10 is free to rotate in direction 70 so releasing the mooring line.

With reference to Figures 15 and 16, there is shown an alternative locking means 150 comprising a elongate member 152 formed with a cam surface 154 at the upper distal end thereof. This embodiment includes

features that are substantially the same as those herein before described and similar reference numerals are used for the similar features and no further description shall be given. The lowermost end of the member 152 is mounted on a pivot 156. The pivot 156 is fixed to the inner surface of the wall 12 by a bracket 158. A rectangular access slot 160 extends through the wall 12. The member 152 is formed with a hole 162 that is adapted to receive one end of an operating handle 164. The handle 164 extends through the access slot 160 and into the hole 162.

In the locked condition the cam surface 154 is in contact with the lug 68 and the pillar 10 is prevented from rotating about the axis 56. The pillar 10 is released by using the handle 164 to rotate the member 152 in a rotational direction 169 about the longitudinal central axis 170. As the member 152 is rotated about 170 the lug 68 slides over the sloped surface of the cam surface 154 so allowing the pillar 10 to rotate slightly in direction 70. This slight rotation of the pillar 10 releases some of the tension in a mooring line looped on the pillar 10. There is clearly an advantage in removing the tension in the mooring line before the line is released from the pillar. Continued rotation of the member 152 using the handle 164 places the assembly in a released condition where the cam surface 154 is no longer in contact with the lug 68 and the pillar 10 can rotate in the direction 70 to an end position 10a where a mooring line may slip from the pillar 10. The end position 10a is about twenty degrees from the horizontal. Once the mooring line has slipped off the pillar 10, the pillar 10 will automatically return to the original position once again under the influence of the counterweight provided by the lug 68 and if necessary a further suspended counterweight similar to the counterweight 50 shown in Figure 3. The handle 164 is then used to return the member 152 to the locked condition with the cam surface 154 in contact with the lug 68.

With reference to the Figures 5 to 7, there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention in which a mooring pillar assembly 70 comprises an inverted channel section 72 formed from steel plate and housing three pivotable mooring pillars 74,76,78. The channel section 72 comprises two angled side portions 80,82 that converge towards an uppermost horizontal section 84. From the respective lengths of lowermost edges of the sides 80, 82 there extends horizontally towards each other a pair of mounting flanges 86, 88. The flanges 86,88 are formed with a series of holes 89 through which bolts or rivets 90 are placed to secure the assembly to the ground or a supporting structure.

Three slots 92,93,94 are formed in the uppermost region of the side 80 and extend across the adjacent edge of the horizontal section 84.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the pillar 78 is shown in more detail.

The pillar 78 comprises an upper conical portion 96, an intermediate pivot hole portion 98 and a lower counterweight portion 100. The pillar 78 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 102 within the inverted channel section 72. The pillars 74 and 76 are of the same construction as the pillar 78.

A locking lever 104 extends from the inner surface of the side 80 under the pillar 78 along the width of the channel section 72 and out through the side 82. The locking lever 104 comprises a lobe 106 that extends upwards from the upper horizontal surface of the lever 104. The lobe 106 abuts the lower part of the counterweight portion 100 and prevents the pillar 78 from rotating. In use the pillar 78 will hold a mooring line.

When the lever 104 is lowered the lobe 106 is removed from the counterweight portion 100 and the pillar 78 is able to rotate so releasing the mooring line. Once the mooring line has been released the counterweight portion 100 acts to return the pillar 78 to the original locked position.

Figures 9 to 12 show a further embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment includes features that are substantially the same as those herein before described and similar reference numerals are used for the similar features and no further description shall be given. A mooring pillar assembly 110 comprises an inverted channel section 112 formed from steel plate and housing four pivotable mooring pillars 114,74,76, 78. The channel section 112 comprises one angled side portions 80 that converges towards an uppermost horizontal section 84 and a substantially vertical side 116. At the respective lengths of lowermost edges of the sides 80,116 there extends horizontally away from each other a pair of mounting flanges 118,119. Four slots 120,121,122,123 are formed in the horizontal section 84 through which extend respective portions of the pillars 114, 74,76,78. Attached to the lower edge of the side 116 and contained substantially within the channel section 112 is an actuator 124.

The actuator comprises a member 126 that is operable to engage the counterweight portion 100. The actuator 124 provides means by which the pillars 114,74,76,78 can be released remotely. The actuator 124 may, for example, be a hydraulic actuator.

With reference to Figure 13 there is shown a typical tanker mooring station. The vessel 130 is normally about ten times the length of the actual jetty 132. The mooring station comprises a number of mooring facilities 134. The mooring facilities 134 may comprise any number of pillar assemblies 136 according to the present invention. The vessel 130 is held against rubber fenders 138 by mooring wires 140 and synthetic ropes 142 looped over the various mooring pillars.