A CANAL DOCKING SYSTEM

Abstract

A docking system has vertical rails and brackets for securing to a lock wall. A floating structure has a series of aluminium tubes each extending through multiple resilient buoyant element. Carriages on the tubes engage the rails, the carriages allowing the floating structure to rise and fall on the vertical rails according to water level. Bollards extend inwardly to the dock wall at spaces of several meters. A boat such as a leisure barge can enter a lock without need to tie to the dock, the floating structure protecting the barge as it rises with rising water level. It therefore allows safer and simpler passage of craft through locks, especially leisure craft manned by inexperienced people.

Description

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to docking of boats, especially in locks on canals or other water passageways.

At present, it is often very difficult for in experienced people to manage progression of a boat through a lock, and this can be a deterrent use of canals for leisure.

The present invention addresses this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We describe a docking system comprising:

• • a plurality of vertical rails for securing to a lock or dock wall, and
  • a floating structure comprising at least one buoyant element and carriages engaging the rails, the carriages allowing the floating structure to rise and fall on the vertical rails according to water level,
  • wherein the floating structure comprises a frame linked to the buoyant elements and at least one buoyant element is of resilient material.

In some preferred examples, the floating structure comprises a series of inter-linked resilient floating elements. In some preferred examples, each floating element comprises a through-hole and the floating structure comprises a frame comprising a tube or rod which extends through the through-holes. In some preferred examples, the floating structure frame comprises a series of tubes or rods inter-connected by flanges.

In some preferred examples, at least one rail comprises an outer flange and the carriages engage behind the flange. In some preferred examples, at least one carriage comprises a pair of wheels mounted by bearings to a plate.

In some preferred examples, at least one rail is of I-beam shape with an inner flange and an outer flange and at least one carriage engages an inner surface of the outer flange. In some preferred examples, said carriage engages an outer surface of the inner flange and an inner surface of the outer flange. In some preferred examples, the floating structure is linked with the carriages by connectors such as shackles.

In some preferred examples, the floating structure is linked with the carriages by connectors which are linked to a frame of the floating structure. In some preferred examples, connectors are linked to flanges of a tube of said frame. In some preferred examples, the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend upwardly from the floating structure.

In some preferred examples, the bollards include bollards which extend inwardly towards a dock wall to, in use, help maintain a small gap between the floating structure and a dock or lock wall. In some preferred examples, said bollards each comprises an arm which is bent to extend inwardly.

In some preferred examples, at least one bollard comprises an end cap at the end of a tube and the cap extends radially from tube outer surface akin to a flange. In some preferred examples, the system comprises at least one short bollard and at least one longer bollard. In some preferred examples, the short bollard is connected to an arm the long bollard.

Preferably, at least one carriage supports a bollard. In some preferred examples, said carriage comprises a pair of plates extending outwardly and supporting a lower end of a bollard between said plates.

In some preferred examples, there is no floater outwardly of a carriage, only between the carriages, whereby parts of the floaters occupy a space between juxtaposed rails in plan view.

In some preferred examples, the system further comprises at least one proximity sensor for detecting a body located normally from an end of the floating structure for a minimum time threshold.

Additional Statements

We describe a docking system comprising a plurality of vertical rails for securing to a lock or dock wall, and a floating structure comprising at least one buoyant element and carriages engaging the rails, the carriages allowing the floating structure to rise and fall on the vertical rails according to water level.

Preferably, the floating structure comprises a frame linked to the buoyant elements, and preferably at least one buoyant element is of resilient material. Preferably, the floating structure comprises a series of inter-linked resilient floating elements. Preferably, each floating element comprises a through-hole and the floating structure comprises a frame comprising a tube or rod which extends through the through-holes. Preferably, the floating structure frame comprises a series of tubes or rods inter-connected by flanges.

Preferably, at least one rail comprises an outer flange, and the carriages engage behind the flange. Preferably, at least one carriage comprises a pair of wheels mounted by bearings to a plate. Preferably, the floating structure is linked with the carriages by connectors such as shackles.

Preferably, the floating structure is linked with the carriages by connectors which are linked to a frame of the floating structure.

Preferably, the connectors are linked to flanges of a tube of said frame. Preferably, the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend from the floating structure. Preferably, the bollards include bollards which extend inwardly to, in use, help maintain a small gap between the floating structure and a dock wall. Preferably, at least some bollards are arranged to extend outwardly to provide longitudinal engagement with boats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are side and end views of a boat in a lock incorporating a system of the invention when the water level is low, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are corresponding views when the water level is high;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged and plan view of the lock and docking system;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing vertical rails of the docking system;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of juxtaposed buoyant elements within a length of a link tube;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a pair of juxtaposed buoyant elements of the system at the ends of link tubes showing flanges and washers connecting the tubes,

FIG. 9 is an end view showing connection of the floating section to the rails;

FIG. 10 is an end view of a bollard of the system;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a carriage for engaging the vertical rails;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further docking system of the invention;

FIGS. 13 to 16 inclusive are views showing features of a carriage of the system of FIG. 12 for engaging a vertical rail, namely:

FIG. 13, a vertical plan sectional view showing the flanges and a bollard of the carriage,

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the carriage without the bollard,

FIG. 15 is a plan sectional view through both the carriage and the rail with which it is engaged, and

FIG. 16 is a front view of the carriage without the bollard; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative system, in this case particularly suited for larger boats in addition to smaller boats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a docking system 1 is installed in a lock L. It comprises vertical rail or slide structures 2 each comprising brackets 4 securing I-beam rails 5 to a vertical dock wall. An elongate floating structure 3 is mounted to rise and fall with water level in the lock and is retained by the vertical slide structures 2 alongside the dock wall. The length of the vertical slide structures 2 is determined by the height of the lock wall and the depth of the water, in one example 5 meters. Longer slide structures will be fitted with the appropriate number of backing plates or brackets 4, as will shorter ones, as determined by the water depth and the height of the lock wall.

The vertical rail structures 2 are configured to be extremely sturdy, but neat and will not impact on the historic or visual aspect of the canals. The rails 5 in one example have dimensions of 200 mm deep (dimension normal to the lock wall)×133 mm wide×25 mm plate thickness and 5000 mm long.

The floating structure 3 engages the vertical rail structures 2 by way of carriages 50, described in more detail below. The rails 5 have an I-shaped cross section, with a web 7 and an outer flange 6 which engages the carriages and an inner flange 8 which engages the dock wall. The top of the rail 5 is covered by a cap 9. The carriages 50 engage the inner surfaces of the outer flanges 6. The vertical slide structure 2 material and the carriages are of stainless-steel material. This will ensure lack of corrosion and the smooth and continuous operating features of the structure.

Should it, for any reason, be necessary to remove permanently a rail structure, all that will be visible after removal will be the thickness of the bolt marks in the lock wall which will have been cut off by a grinder.

The floating structure 3 is connected by the carriages 50 to the rails 5 so that they travel up and down with the changing water level. It comprises a series of resilient floating elements or “floaters” 10, which are plastics coated polyethylene, each 800 mm in length, 500 mm OD and 220 ID. These elements are hollow. An aluminium tube 11 runs through the centres of the floaters 10. The tube 11 has a diameter of 200 mm, a wall thickness of 2.5 mm, and a length of 6 m. Each aluminium tube 11 holds (extends through) seven floaters 10. The shell of the floaters 10 is made of a high-density, hard-wearing polyethylene material and filled with high-strength polyurethane foam. It has high impact resistance and resistance to water turbulence. The plastics shell is 7 mm thick and is corrosive resistant. As polythene does not absorb water, if the plastics outer shell is damaged the floaters will remain afloat.

The lock docking system 1 is very compact in the direction across the lock, so as not to reduce the available width of the locks available to vessels traversing the canal systems. It can also eliminate the use of boat fenders. This will counteract any concerns about the width of the structure narrowing the space available in the canal lock.

The ends of the aluminium tubes 11 are fitted with aluminium welded flanges 12 each with a rubber washer. Each tube 11 is connected to the next length by the bolted flanges 12, as shown in FIG. 8. So, over a length of 18 m, as illustrated in the drawings, three tubes 11 with 21 floaters 10 are used. The closeness of the floaters 10 ensures that boats don't get snagged in any gaps. However, enough of a gap is left in between the tubes 11 to install bollards if and where necessary.

Referring to FIG. 9, the tubes 11 are connected by their flanges 12 to the carriages 50 by way of a shackle 30. This allows flexibility with a limited degree of movement allowed by the shackle 30. It is envisaged that the tubes 11 may be connected to the carriage by any other suitable connector of the type known in the art, for example a short chain. It is preferred that the connector allows a certain degree of relative movement between the carriage and the floating section, thereby minimising risk of distortion of the tube or other damage.

It is also advantageous that the connection of the floating section to the vertical rails 5 is from the tube 11 which extends centrally through the floaters. This allows the floaters to be very close to the dock wall and so the system takes up minimal space in a dock.

Referring particularly to FIG. 10 at the beginning and the end of the floating section 3 (and in some examples, in between), an aluminium bollard 20 is added between floaters 10 at the point of the carriage 50 and vertical slide structure 2. The bollard is convenient for tying a boat to the floating structure 3 and to prevent craft from inadvertently bow nosing the vertical structure 2 and the lock wall. The bollard 20 comprises an angled arm 22, and a flange 21 for preventing a securing line or rope from the boat from slipping off the top of the bollard 20. An aluminium collar or C-clamp 23 is connected to the carriage by a shackle 30 and is at the base of the arm 22 and fits over flanges/washers 12 and is bolted, securing the bollard 20 to the tube 11. The aluminium bollards 20 are 1000 mm in height and 100 mm in diameter and tilt at an angle towards the lock wall. More bollards 20 may be fitted to the internal sections of the floating system if needed. In most circumstances the four bollards 20 on the 18 m floating section 3 are adequate, sufficient and strong enough to hold craft of various sizes while the lock fills or drains.

It is envisaged that different bollards may be connected to the floating section 3, including for the purposes of:

• • Preventing direct contact between the floaters and the dock wall thereby reducing or eliminating impacts between the floating section and the vertical structures
  • To act as guides for the bow and stern of a boat.

Referring to FIG. 11, this is a diagrammatic view showing one half of the carriage in a vertical section. Each carriage 50 comprises a pair of plates 51 each supporting by bearings two vertically spaced apart rollers 52. A threaded rod 54 fastens both sides of the carriage 51 together as it runs up and down the vertical rails 5 and there is a ring 53 that connects the carriage 51 to the flat portion of the C-clamp 23 and sits over flange 12.

The carriage 50 can be attached by the fixtures 53 and 54 to a tube 11 at any desired location. The bolt 54 fastens both sides of the carriage 50 together as it runs up and down the vertical rail (2, 5). The ring 53 connects the carriage 50 to the tube 11 by way of the shackle 30.

The C-shaped component 23 of the bollard 20 is connected to a flange 12 and is bolted. The bollards 20 tilt towards the wall at their upper ends and have the aluminium disc 21 fitted to the top is to prevent the securing ropes from boats slipping up the bollards and popping off.

The freeboard differs on most boats, so a boat with a lot of freeboard will sit higher in the water than those with less. It could in theory mean that the securing lines could be nearly vertical, so angling them towards the wall, and a cap/disc on the top of the bollard reduces the possibility of ropes slipping off. This is a very simple and effective mechanism for the floating section 3 to engage the vertical rails 5.

Embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 16

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 16 a docking system 100 operates on the same principles as the system 1. A floating structure 103 is retained alongside the dock wall by sliding structures 102 and rises and falls with the varying water level, while providing bollards just above water level for convenient tying of boats. Each sliding structure 102 comprises a rail 105 of I-beam configuration in vertical plan, secured to the wall by flanges 104. The rail 105 has a vertical web 107 extending normal to the dock wall in use and an outer flange 106. There is at least one tube 111, and for clarity the floaters are not shown in these drawings. The floaters are the same as the floaters of the system 1.

In this case the carriages, indicated by the numeral 150, each comprises a pair of spaced apart and parallel plates 151 having holes 157 for securing to flanges 112 of the tubes 111. A socket 131 is retained between the plates 151 for supporting a bollard 120, each bollard 120 having a cranked bar and a disc at it stop end. The socket 131 may be rotated to some extent if the plates 151 are loosened, and they are re-tightened after the adjustment.

At its inner end each carriage 150 has two pairs of wheels 152 mounted on bearings to rotate about axes parallel to the lock wall. The outer pair engage the inner surface of the outer rail flange 106, and the inner pair engage the outer surface of the inner flange 108. In other examples there are only wheels to engage behind the outer flange. The carriage 150 also has a bolt 154 extending across the plates 151 at a location distally of the wheels, the purpose being to help retain the carriage in position, helping as a guide to prevent it from moving too far inwardly towards the wall.

FIG. 13 shows that at an end of the system there is a short tube 113 which is mounted to extend inwardly towards the wall and terminating in a disc-shaped cover or end cap 190. A sensor may be attached to the cover 190 to detect proximity of items laterally in a direction normal to (away from) the wall. This sensor may be linked to a digital controller which may be programmed to generate an alert if a boat is located too close to one end of the lock. This helps to prevent accidents whereby a boat does not move far enough into the lock and may, for example, have its stern supported by a concrete sill while the other end falls and takes in water. There may be such a sensor at each end of the floating structure.

Embodiment of FIG. 17

FIG. 17 shows a docking system 200, and like parts are given the same reference numerals. In this case there are two bollards, a high bollard 280 with a vertical arm 281 and an end cap or flange 282, and a short bollard 220 extending sway from and then parallel to the arm 281. In this case the short bollard 220 is attached to the arm 281 of the long bollard, thereby allowing only one connection to the tubes and carriages of the floating structure. It is envisaged that in other embodiments the short and long bollards may be individually mounted on the floating structure.

It will be appreciated that the provision of such bollards conveniently allows use by both large and smaller boats with convenient tying to whichever is applicable. Where there are longer bollards the overall dimensions of the components of the system may be larger. For example, the long bollards may have a length of 3 m to 6 m and a diameter in the range of 10 cm to 30 cm. By comparison, the short bollards may have a length in the range of 1 m to 2 m and a diameter of 10 cm to 15 cm. The floaters have in one example a length of 1.8 m and an external diameter of 1.4 m and an internal diameter of 0.6 m. Of course, the dimensions are chosen to suit the dimensions of the lock and the expected sizes of the boats using it.

Advantages

The docking system makes the traversing of canal locks an exciting experience rather than a stress point and makes canal locks more efficient and very safe. The docking system is arranged to secure boats, yachts, barges and hire pleasure motor craft in canal locks both as they fill with water and as they empty out. The system eliminates the need to secure craft with bow and stern lines to bollards shore side. This is an important safety feature, especially for novice sailors as throwing or passing a line to a shore person requires knowledge and skill. It can be particularly difficult for novices if the locks are deep and the lock walls high. The system makes securing vessels in locks very safe and simple, thereby reducing the possibilities of accidents, speeding up the securing of boats and consequently speeding up the throughput of vessels.

The bollard angled arm and flange advantageously prevent a securing line or rope from slipping off the top of the bollard 20.

The system is environmentally friendly and carbon neutral as it relies on the power of water rising and falling for its effectiveness. It does not rely on any motorized parts. Also, the system is robust without being over-engineered in both the vertical and the horizontal sections.

In preferred embodiments, advantageously there is no floater outwardly of a carriage, only between the carriages, whereby parts of the floaters occupy a space between juxtaposed rails in plan view. This is best viewed in FIG. 5, in which it is clear that the floaters 10 extend inwardly towards the dock wall between the rails 5, thereby minimising the extent to which the floating structure extends into the lock or harbour.

Also, the system 1 provides items for a person who falls into water to grip onto, particularly the floating section 3. This enhances safety.

Components of embodiments can be employed in other embodiments in a manner as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. More bollards or indeed less can be fitted depending on the length of the loch. A ladder, not shown, can be fitted between the vertical structures.

The tube going through the floaters has the advantage of the apparatus being very compact, however in other examples the tube may be alongside the floaters. This may be advantageous to wider docks.

It is envisaged that the floaters may be directly connected to each other by simple mechanisms such as chains or ropes, with the floaters on the outside, furthest from the wall. This is unlikely to be as robust as the arrangement illustrated but may work in certain circumstances. Also, while the invention is described as being used in a canal lock, it may be used in other docks such as sea or lake harbour docks. However, it is primarily of advantage in canal docks.

Claims

1. A docking system comprising: a plurality of vertical rails for securing to a lock or dock wall, anda floating structure comprising at least one buoyant element and carriages engaging the rails, the carriages allowing the floating structure to rise and fall on the vertical rails according to water level,wherein the floating structure comprises a frame linked to the buoyant elements and at least one buoyant element is of resilient material.

2. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a series of inter-linked resilient floating elements.

3. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a series of inter-linked resilient floating elements; and wherein each floating element comprises a through-hole and the floating structure comprises a frame comprising a tube or rod which extends through the through-holes.

4. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a series of inter-linked resilient floating elements; and wherein each floating element comprises a through-hole and the floating structure comprises a frame comprising a tube or rod which extends through the through-holes; and wherein the floating structure frame comprises a series of tubes or rods inter-connected by flanges.

5. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rail comprises an outer flange and the carriages engage behind the flange.

6. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rail comprises an outer flange and the carriages engage behind the flange; and wherein at least one carriage comprises a pair of wheels mounted by bearings to a plate.

7. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rail comprises an outer flange and the carriages engage behind the flange; and wherein at least one rail is of I-beam shape with an inner flange and an outer flange and at least one carriage engages an inner surface of the outer flange.

8. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rail comprises an outer flange and the carriages engage behind the flange; and wherein at least one rail is of I-beam shape with an inner flange and an outer flange, and at least one carriage engages an inner surface of the outer flange; and wherein said carriage engages an outer surface of the inner flange and an inner surface of the outer flange.

9. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure is linked with the carriages by connectors such as shackles.

10. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure is linked with the carriages by connectors which are linked to a frame of the floating structure.

11. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure is linked with the carriages by connectors which are linked to a frame of the floating structure; and wherein connectors are linked to flanges of a tube of said frame.

12. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend upwardly from the floating structure.

13. The docking system as claimed in claim 112, wherein the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend upwardly from the floating structure; and wherein the bollards include bollards which extend inwardly towards a dock wall to, in use, help maintain a small gap between the floating structure and a dock or lock wall.

14. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend upwardly from the floating structure; and wherein the bollards include bollards which extend inwardly towards a dock wall to, in use, help maintain a small gap between the floating structure and a dock or lock wall; and wherein said bollards each comprises an arm which is bent to extend inwardly.

15. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend upwardly from the floating structure; and wherein at least one bollard comprises an end cap at the end of a tube and the cap extends radially from tube outer surface akin to a flange.

16. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend upwardly from the floating structure; and wherein the system further comprises at least one short bollard and at least one longer bollard.

17. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend upwardly from the floating structure; and wherein the system further comprises at least one short bollard and at least one longer bollard; and wherein the short bollard is connected to an arm the long bollard.

18. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend upwardly from the floating structure; and wherein at least one carriage supports a bollard.

19. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating structure comprises a plurality of bollards which extend upwardly from the floating structure; and wherein at least one carriage supports a bollard; and wherein said carriage comprises a pair of plates extending outwardly and supporting a lower end of a bollard between said plates.

20. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is no floater outwardly of a carriage, only between the carriages, whereby parts of the floaters occupy a space between juxtaposed rails in plan view.

21. The docking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises at least one proximity sensor for detecting a body located normally from an end of the floating structure for a minimum time threshold.