Field of the Invention

The invention is such a mooring apparatus that allows rope-free mooring for watercrafts in a fast and safe way. By installing the invention as a mooring apparatus, the harbor can become economically utilized; furthermore, its operation can be supported by an up-to-date harbor IT system.

Background of the Invention

In harbors all over the world, the most widespread mooring method is backing up with the stern to the embankment and fixing it perpendicularly to that with the help of three ropes. Two ropes are fixed between the two outer rear of the stern and the embankment; and one rope is fixed between the bow and an underwater weight or anchor. This mooring method is illustrated by FIG. 1.

Mooring is dangerous. The watercraft and the mooring personnel are prone to the effects of the boat's movement and weather conditions. Due to these factors, mooring with ropes leads to frequent accidents where the people or the boat gets injured. The rope also often wounds against the propeller, which leads to its malfunctioning and hinders its further usage.

In order to be able to moor, watercrafts have to stop before reaching their final destination. The suitable distance cannot be estimated by inexperienced boaters and they may crash both the harbor and the boat itself.

If the boat is not docked to its designated place due to an imprecise mooring maneuver, it may cause problems for the next mooring boat, which, if the two boats crash, may result in the damage of both boats.

Ropes for fixing the boat between its bow and an underwater weight or anchor take up an extremely large amount of space from the navigable water in the harbor. The water in front of the boat is not navigable in the length of the docked boat; furthermore, this area is an accident hazard. This area, multiplied by the number of docked boats in the harbor is a highly significant area altogether and leads to the unfavorable utilization of the harbor area.

l In order to eliminate the disadvantages of traditional mooring with rope, several solutions have been developed. The best known ones are the following.

The greatest disadvantage of ship-based apparatus is that due to the necessarily installed rack and provided range of motion, the size of these equipment is either too big or too heavy, or both. Their attachment to the dock requires parts to be stored ashore. They cannot adjust to the real movement of the boat; therefore, they can only be used in closed harbors that are not overloaded.

Patent Nr. US 7,021 ,231 describes a harbor equipment with full navigation system that applies extendable arms. Their attachment to the harbor is secured by parts fixed on the harbor. One of the greatest disadvantages of this system is that the arms have to be installed on the boat during the building process and this factor is neither welcomed by the designers, nor the producers. The other problem is the requirement of precise attachment to the elements fixed on the dock, which is difficult to achieve without leading the boat to its designated place.

Post-installment of the unique equipment suitable for mooring on ships already in use is not possible due to technical, security and warranty reasons.

There are so-called double-rods solutions for mooring watercrafts with the most important disadvantage that they cannot be applied on their own, since the boat, due to different forces, moves away from the dock in unwanted directions. In order to avoid that, further elements, such as rods or ropes have to be placed in an X shape. Such a solution is outlined in patent application Nr US 2010/0206210. Further disadvantage is that their application requires assistance. Without human contribution, double-rods solutions are not applicable.

Other exisiting mooring methods and solutions in practice bear the common characteristic that mooring is not possible without human assistance.

All the known solutions fail to fully meet the requirements of our age regarding apt mooring. Therefore, while developing my invention, my aim was to replace the traditional rope solution with such an easily applicable apparatus that utilizes up-to-date technical solutions, eliminates the problems of the known solutions. Furthermore, it establishes a harbor system that meets the requirements, is up-to-date, and also upgradable. Accidents deriving from inexperienced and inattentive human behavior can be avoided by not taking part in it directly. Therefore, safe and comfortable mooring was one of my main goals.

My further aims were to reduce overloading in harbors by better utilization of the water surface, and to develop an opportunity for establishing an integrated harbor IT system.

I recognized that the best solution for mooring would be provided by such an armed mooring apparatus that, similarly to a trap, catches the watercraft and holds it after navigating it to its place.

Most of the watercraft boaters are neither very experienced, nor professional marine experts; therefore, the only task for them should be to navigate the watercraft to the right mooring space. It is of high importance, especially, if someone sets sail alone, weather conditions are not suitable and does not have assistance for mooring.

Summary of the Invention

An apparatus for mooring and fixing a watercraft to dock, having diverter arms on two sides of the watercraft's hull, and an automatically catching and fixing means that catches and locks a mooring element secured to the watercraft. The application of the mooring apparatus provides a rope-free, simple and easy-to-perform mooring method and disembarking for boaters. The built in control unit can be programmed and has a communication module that can be accessed through the internet and connected to the harbor IT system.

There are numerous advantages of the invented mooring apparatus. There is no need for assistance during mooring; it can be performed by the boater alone. The process of mooring can be controlled from the cabin even under unfavorable weather conditions.

By applying the up-to-date integrated IT systems, new functions become available. For instance, permitting embarkment of the harbor from afar, checking mooring data, and so on.

Such a harbor IT system can be established that communicates with every watercraft's control panel and that is capable of processing their data, providing information and giving instructions.

The capacity of th harbor increases by about 150 percent, which increases safety and generates economic advantages in harbor mangement. Brief description of the drawings

FIG 1 - Traditional rope-based mooring method as Prior Art

FIG 2 - Mooring apparatus with cantilevered diverter arms

FIG 3 - Column-shaped catching and fixing means

FIG 4 - Tilting of the watercraft in the column-shaped catching and fixing means

Fig 5 - Mooring apparatus with floating diverter arms

FIG 6 - Embarking on the water surface between the floating diverter arms

FIG 7 - Funnel-shaped catching and fixing means

FIG 8 - Approaching the funnel-shaped catching and fixing means

FIG 9 - Fixing the watercraft with the rod-shaped mooring element

FIG 10 - Mooring method scheme

FIG 11 - Scheme of the increased harbor water area

FIG 12 - Harbor IT system scheme

Detailed description of the Invention

The invention is explained in details with the help of drawings.

On FIG 1, the traditional, rope-based method can be seen - its disadvantages are detailed in the previously. I have developed my invention to eliminate the problems of this solution and with the main aim to develop an up-to-date, IT-compatible mooring apparatus.

On FIG 2, a possible establishment of the mooring apparatus (4) is demonstrated. Mooring and fixing of the watercraft (2) to the dock (6) are performed by cantilevered diverter arms (10), and the column-shaped catching and fixing means (40) found at the end of the arms. There are hook-like catching elements (30) fixed both to the watercraft's two rear cleats, which are caught and fixed by the column-shaped catching and fixing means (40) during the reverse movement of the watercraft.

The structure of the cantilevered diverter arms (10) is strong enough to keep the watercraft (2) in its position; moreover, due to their flexibility, they play an important role in reducing forces resulting from the movement of the watercraft (2). Therefore, the cantilevered diverter arms (10) are made of steel, fibre-reinforced plastic or composite.

The cantilevered diverter arms (10) can be made as one piece, built from smaller pieces or telescopic inserts. The opening and closing of the telescopic part are performed mechanically. Such a control panel (50) operates the mooring apparatus (4) that can be programmed and has a communication module, as well. The mooring apparatus (4) can be equipped with different beacons, cameras, distance sensors and other similar equipments and they can be programmed in the control panel (50).

The structure and operation of the column-shaped catching and fixing means can be seen on FIG 3. For catching and fixing the hook-like catching element (30) fixed to the watercraft, there are two fixed cylindrical columns (42) surrounded by a cylindrical locking means (44). The cylindrical locking means (44) is able to turn around the axis of the cylindrical column (42), which is executed by a power unit, called the housing of sensors and driver means (46). The power unit can be, for instance, an electric engine, a machine operated by compressed air or other.

Furthermore, there is a sensor installed in the housing of sensors and driver means (46), which is there to detect the catching of hook-like ctaching element (30) by the cylindrical column (42) and send a signal to the control panel (50) about this action. The power unit turns and fixes the cylindrical locking means (44), which is always commanded by the control panel (50).

The users of the mooring apparatus (4), such as the owners, harbormaster or other assigned users, can, for instance, open the column-shaped catching means (40), or keep it closed through the control panel (50). An example could be when the harbormaster forbids disembarking due to an approaching storm. In such a case, the harbormaster can send a central command to the control panels (50) of the mooring apparatus (4) that are installed in the harbor IT system.

The above detailed solution is advantageous for fixed docks (6), where the degree of water- level fluctuation allows vertical movement of the watercraft with the help of the flexible cantilevered diverter arms (10) and the column-shaped catching and fixing means (40).

FIG 4 shows how the column-shaped catching and fixing means (40) adjusts to the tilting of the watercraft (2) during waving. It can move on the cylindrical column (42) and the hooklike catching element (30) within the extent of the tilting, while the cylindrical locking means (44) is locked. FIG 5 shows another way of installing the mooring apparatus (4), expediently on floating docks (6). In this solution, such floating diverter arms (20) are applied that are hollow and float on the water surface. Navigation and holding the watercraft (2) in position are secured at four points by the swivel fixing elements (22) at the end of the floating diverter arms (20) and the adjustable fixing elements (24) that are found along the swivel fixing elements (22).

The mooring apparatus (4) is fixed to the floating dock (6). Both the distance between the floating diverter arms (20) and the adjustable fixing elements (24) are adjusted to the size of the watercraft (2). Apt settings result in fixing the watercraft (2) at four points to the mooring apparatus. The surface of the fixing elements (22, 24) are sufficiently soft, therefore, they do not damage the outer casing of the watercraft (2). The watercraft (2) is fixed int he mooring apparatus (4) by the column-shaped catching and fixing element (40). The installed entry section means (26) serves both convenience and safety purposes.

FIG 6 shows the watercraft's embarking into the mooring apparatus

FIG 7 shows an advantageus solution in the case of floating mooring apparatus (4) when the mooring element attached to the watercraft is a funnel-shaped catching and fixing means (70).

As it is shown on FIG 8, a rod-shaped mooring element (72) streches out from the watercraft (2), which attaches to the funner-shaped locking means (70) during reverse movement. The built-in sensor sends a signal to the control panel (50) when the endpoint of the rod-shaped mooring element (72) is reached, then the application of a locking means is commanded by the control panel. The structure of such elements are well-known in engineering practice.

FIG 9 shows the locked apparatus. Opening is commanded through the control panel (50), then the watercraft (2) can freely disembark.

FIG 10 shows the four phases of mooring.

Phase A: ideally, during embarking, the movement of the watercraft (2) is such that the dock's (6) embankment is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the watercraft (2). However, in reality, it is rarely the case. Due to inapt navigation, wind or other external circumstances, the watercraft does not approach the harbor in a perpendicular angle.

Phase B: the diverter arms (10, 20) navigate the watercraft (2) in the right direction, towards the mooring apparatus (4) and its arms, even if the watercraft does not approach the dock with a perpendicular axis. The mooring apparatus (4) touches the side of the watercraft (2), which is not perpendicular to the dock and forces it to turn in the right direction. On the contact surfaces, for example, the cylindrical columns (42) or in another case, the swivel fixing element (22) turns when it touches the hull and secures damage-free mooring for the watecraft (2).

Phase C: the watercraft (2) is embarking.

Phase D: the mooring element on the watercraft (2), after being attached to the catching and fixing means fixes the watercraft (2) in the right position.

Therefore, the invention is a mooring method for mooring a watercraft (2) by the application of the mooring apparatus (4) by taking the following steps:

- the watercraft (2) with its stern, with an approximately perpendicular longitudinal axis to the dock, approaches the mooring apparatus (4) in the direction of the watersurface between the arms

- the hull touches at least one of the diverter arms (10, 20), where it necessary turn around the touching point until it reaches the right position between the arms, and it approaches the dock by moving on between the arms

- the mooring element (30, 72) on the watercraft reaches the catching and fixing means (40, 70) that catches the mooring element (30, 72)

- the act of catching is signalled by the sensor to the control panel (50) that orders the driver means to lock the locking element, and the fixing of the mooring element (30, 72) is completed

- the control panel's (50) communication element sends information regarding the fixing of the mooring element for the previously appointed IT device

- during disembarkment, one of the authorized users commands the control panel (50) from an appointed IT device to open the mooring element or elements. After that, the watercraft (2) is free to disembark between the diveter arms.

The group of watercrafts (2) included in the invention are sailboats, motor yachts and other pleasure crafts. However, I woud like to emphasize that the solutions provided by my invention can advantageously be applied for developing a mooring system for other watercrafts, for instance, for military watercrafts, or bigger cruise ships. Reference to the watercrafts is an example and does not limit the application of the invention or its claims.

FIG 11 shows the more favorable opportunity for the exploitation of harbors. Figure A shows the traditional mooring method with ropes, figure B shows the scheme of the application of the invention's mooring apparatus (4). If, for example, 100 watercrafts can be docked in a harbor by applying the traditional mooring method, then 140 watercrafts (2) can be docked by applying the invetion's solution in the same area. Navigable water area is increased by 150%, which provides greater freedom for maneuvers and safer navigation. Furthermore, the increased capacity of the harbor provides benefit for the harbor operator.

FIG 12 shows the main elements of the IT system (80). The control panel (50) of the mooring apparatus (4) can be applied with up-to-date electronic, IT systems. By their application, data and information related to the mooring apparatus (4) can be stored, accessed and applied for a variety of purposes.

The control panel (50) is able to communicate with the OBU system found on the watercraft (2). Data found on that can be accessed online or through the radio, by the owner's computer, cell phone and the harbor's central information system. With its application, important information related to the mooring of the watercraft (2), the date of last embarking, etc. can be provided for the harbormaster.

The harbor IT system (80) based on my invention is a remarkable innovation in the fields of maintanence, safety and optimizing economic efficiency.

LIST OF REFERENCES - Watercraft

- Mooring apparatus

- Dock

- Cantilevered diverter arm

- Floating diverter arm

- Swivel fixing element

- Adjustable fixing element

- Entry section means

- Hook-like catching element

- Column-shaped catching and fixing means

2 - Cylindrical column

- Cylindrical locking means

6 - Housing of sensors and driver means

8 - Holding column

0 - Control panel

0 - Funnel-shaped catching and fixing means

2 - Rod-shaped mooring element

0 - IT system