Patent Application
20200398952
The present invention relates to a shock protecting device for a ship hull. These devices are also known as marine fender, shore protection system or fender.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a fender able to be suspended to the ship's rail. However, the invention is not limited to this type of fender. The fender according to the invention can also be used for protecting docks or for protecting sea access platforms. Sea access platforms are provided on many types of boats or ships.
Several types of fender used for shock protection are already known. Particularly, molded rubber one block fenders are known. This type of fender is very robust and can be used for a long time. However, this type of fender is heavy and difficult to grasp. Moreover, it is very cumbersome, and it takes a large in the space in the ship's hold when not used.
Inflatable fenders particularly PVC (polyvinyl chloride) inflatable fenders are also known. This type of fender is lighter than molded rubber fenders and further takes less place when deflated. However, this type of fender is breakable and difficult to repair. PVC can de damaged due to friction or scratching or even during shock with the docks. Salt and UV rays also damage PVC.
Textile type fenders comprising an inflatable member are also known. One example of this type of fender is described in the French patent application FR 3004417 filed in the name of the inventor of the present application. These fenders are improved fenders compared to inflatable fenders. They are resistant to friction, UV rays and can be easily repaired.
However, this type of fender has a drawback like inflatable fenders and molded rubber fenders. This drawback is due to the cylindrical or spherical shape of the fender. Due to the spherical or cylindrical shape of the fender, the contact surface between the fender and the ship's hull is limited compared to the fender circumference. It is thus necessary to use large and huge fenders in order to distribute the pressure on the hull. It is thus necessary to use fenders having a large circumference.
Huge fenders have several drawbacks. Particularly, it is necessary to use a large amount of materials to produce them. Further, they are very cumbersome and take a large space on the hull sides whereas space between pontoons are often limited compared to the ship dimensions.
The present invention relates to an improved textile type fender comprising an inflatable member.
The present invention relates to a fender comprising a textile envelop surrounding an inflatable chamber, a valve for inflating/deflating said chamber. According to the invention, said textile envelop comprises a central part for receiving said valve and two longitudinal side parts, said side parts being linked together on at least one portion of their length by a junction zone.
A first purpose of the invention is to solve at least one of the drawbacks of the priori art.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a fender having a particular shape, thus improving the ratio: fender contact surface with the hull/fender thickness.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a fender which protect a longer hull length compared to known fenders.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a fender that can be used for protecting pontoons or sea access platforms.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a fender that can be easily deflated and stocked or put aside.
Still another purpose of the invention is to provide a fender having an improved resistance when compressed and thus providing good shock absorption.
The present invention and its advantages will be understood based on the following description of two particular embodiments of the invention.
The present invention relates to a fender 1 usable for a ship's hull. This fender 1 can also be directly attached to the ship or to the dock, pontoon or similar platform where the ship is stowed.
The fender 1 comprises a textile envelop 2. The textile envelop receives an inflatable chamber 3. For inflating/deflating the inflatable chamber 3, it comprises a valve 4.
According to a first embodiment shown in
Advantageously, the central part 5 comprises a neck. The valve 4 is provided on the neck or integrated to the neck. The junction between the neck of the fender and the remaining part of the fender is a barrier preventing mechanical transmission of traction between said neck and the remaining part of the fender. Accordingly, the textile cannot be removed. The structure of this neck is described in FR 3004417 the content of which is incorporated in the present application by reference.
The two side parts 6 are longitudinal as above-mentioned. Accordingly, these side parts are longer than the other dimensions of the fender. The textile envelop 2 has preferably a spherical section or an oblong section in its two side parts 6.
As shown in the figures, the side parts 6 are linked together by a junction zone or junction portion 7. The junction 7 extends along the length of the side parts 6 or along only one portion of their length.
Preferably, the junction 7 is a knitted textile attached to the textile envelop 2 by stitching. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. It is also possible according to the invention to knit the textile envelop and the junction zone 7 in a single piece by modifying the meshing when knitting the textile envelop 2 or the junction zone 7.
In the embodiments shown in the enclosed figures, the junction zone 7 is a slat textile strap 8. This strap extends essentially along the length of the side parts 6.
However, the junction zone 7 can also be made of one or several pieces of strap attached between the side parts 6 at their ends 9a and 9b.
When inflating the inflatable chamber 3, the side parts expands and spread apart until the junction 7 is stretched.
In the enclosed figures, the junction zone has a constant width. However, the junction zone can have a decreasing or increasing width. For instance, the junction zone can have a width that increases between its two ends 9a and 9b, according to its length. In such an embodiment, the junction zone creates an angle between the side parts 6. This is particularly interesting because the resulting fender enables to protect a larger surface of the hull. For example, the side parts can form together an angle of 0° to 60° (0° and 60° included).
According to
In
For example, it is possible to attach the fender 1 to pontoons or other platforms when they are equipped with slits.
The fender 1 has a wider contact surface with the hull compared with to known spherical inflatable fender or rubber molded fenders. In the same time, the fender 1 is smaller and less thick than known spherical fenders. Moreover, the contact surface is wider and more homogeneously distributed on the hull. This enables to highly decrease the maximal charge par surface unit applied on the hull.
On the basis of
These additional junction zones 12 have the same features and functionalities as the junction part 7. They can be made of slat textile straps having a constant or increasing width and extending on one part or all the length of the side parts 6. The connection between these additional junction zones 12 with the fender is advantageously the same as described in reference to the junction 7 with regard to side parts 6.
In
Accordingly, the fender provides a large contact surface with the ship's hull despite the fact it is relatively small and particularly has a small thickness compared to spherical fender. Consequently, the maximal charge per surface unit is decreased owing to the fender according to the present invention.
Moreover, the fender 1 enables to protect a huge length of the hull only with one fender
In order to enable a homogeneous inflating of the inflatable chamber 4 inside the textile envelop 2, the inflatable chamber 4 is made of a plastic polymer material like a polyurethane like material, for instance. This polymer material can have a coefficient of elasticity of more than 300%.
The inflatable chamber 4 is advantageously obtained by welding a sheet of plastic polymer. The shape and the size of the inflatable chamber 4 depending on the size and geometry of the textile envelop 2.
according to one advantageous aspect of the invention, the inflatable chamber 4 has rounded welds 13 corresponding to the regions where the inflatable chamber has an important radius of curvature. These rounded welds 13 enables to easily introduced and position the inflatable chamber 4 into the textile envelop 2. Further, they limit compressive stress on the weld in the above-mentioned regions. These regions are, for example, the inside passage 14 between the longitudinal portions and the additional inside passage 15 between the additional longitudinal portions.
Advantageously, the rounded weld is a weld bead forming a circular arc and having a width comprised between 1 and 3 cm.
When the fender is heated, by the sun, for example, the inflatable chamber can further inflate due to the expansion of the air located inside the inflatable chamber 4. To avoid problems due this phenomenon, the textile envelop 2 is preferably made of a material having a coefficient of elasticity between 5 and 15%. This feature prevents form providing an overpressure valve.
