Ships – Fenders
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-23
2001-05-08
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Ships
Fenders
C114S267000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227134
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an elastomeric fender, for example a marine fender.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Marine fenders are designed to protect boats, piers, pontoons etc. from any damage caused by impact or rubbing between them. Whilst a series of discrete rigid plastic air-filled fenders are sometimes used, extended pontoons etc. are usually continuously ‘lined’ with an elongate elastic strip, and the most widely used material for this is natural or synthetic rubber. However, rubber strips are not only considered ‘unsightly’ (possibly especially to leisure boat owners), but they can also mark a boat hull even upon light impact. Such marks can again be unsightly, as well as being difficult and expensive to remove. Actual damage to the boat is even possible on heavy impact. Much of this is because the rubber material of such strips is relatively hard and has low compressibility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate linear elastomeric fender comprising an outer sheath surrounding a core, wherein the core comprises a plurality of tubes, and the outer sheath has a higher compressibility than the core.
The fender of the present invention thus has a relatively soft (i.e. tendency to deform easily under pressure) outer sheath and a harder core. The outer sheath therefore initially absorbs the kinetic energy of the impact and deforms therewith before any remaining impact energy need be absorbed by the harder core. A gradual slowing of the impacting object is therefore achieved.
The outer sheath may be made from any suitable material which allows the outer sheath to have a relatively high compressibility. Such materials include low density plastics including foams, e.g. insulating foam. The outer sheath preferably also has a low impact reaction such that there is slow and hopefully minimal rebound upon impact.
The tubes of the core may also be made from any suitable material, preferably a plastic of relatively higher density than the outer sheath, e.g. polyethylene or PVC tubing. The outer sheath preferably has a higher compressibility than the material used for the tubes (as well as higher than the overall core).
The tubes are preferably hollow, and one or more may also be wholly or substantially filled with a fluid (as well as air). The fluid may be a liquid such as water, and preferably decreases the compressibility of the tubes. If desired or necessary, the ends of the tubes are sealed to retain the fluid therein. The tubes preferably having a sufficiently low compressibility to prevent complete transverse deformation (except under exceptional circumstances), so as to retain a physical barrier between the boat and pontoon etc. upon any reasonable load.
The tubes need not all be of the same external or internal diameter. The tubes are preferably arranged in a set geometric pattern within the outer sheath. Also preferably, the geometric pattern of the tubes is elastically deformable, which deformation also requires energy, i.e. the absorption of some of the impact energy. The tubes may be bound or connected together within the outer sheath, e.g. wrapped in elastic tape, to assist the ability of their geometry to deform and reform elastically.
By being elongate, the fender of the present invention is also able to absorb and dissipate some of the impact energy transversely from the point of impact throughout the fender, such that any rebound energy for reaction against the impacting object is reduced.
The outer sheath, core and/or tubes may be of any size, shape or design. One natural shape is circular. The thicknesses of the outer sheath and core may be of any relative ratio.
The fender is preferably flexible along its length, possibly because the outer sheath and core are made from flexible materials. Flexibility can facilitate installation of the fender. The fender can be in discrete lengths, or continuous, possibly continuous wholly or substantially along the length of the surface it is protecting. By being continuous and flexible, the fender can be coiled for ease of transportation and storage, and then cut to suit the particular use and/or locality. A continuous fender is also easier to fix or fasten to the surface to be protected.
The fender may have a protective covering or coating therearound. The covering or coating could be aesthetically coloured or designed, abrasion resistant and/or waterproof. The fender may also have end caps to protect and/or seal its ends.
The fender may be used in any location requiring or desiring an elastomeric fender which can provide gradual absorption of energy and slow or minimal rebound. Such locations include industrial and transport environments, hospitals, car parks, fun fairs, etc., as well as marine environments, especially marinas.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate linear elastomeric fender comprising a plurality of concentric layers wherein each layer from the outside to the inner penuttimate layer has a higher compressibility than its inner neighbour.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3455269 (1969-07-01), Dean
patent: 3690710 (1972-09-01), Curran
patent: 3964422 (1976-06-01), Boyd
patent: 4273065 (1981-06-01), Lindsay et al.
patent: 4320913 (1982-03-01), Kuroda
patent: 4351257 (1982-09-01), Brown, Jr.
patent: 5269248 (1993-12-01), Lee
Avila Stephen
Greigg Edwin E.
Greigg Ronald E.
Olson Lars A.
Valpar Industrial Limited
LandOfFree
Elastomeric fender does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Elastomeric fender, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Elastomeric fender will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2520037