Patent ID: 7399142
Filing Date: 2008-07-15
Classification: E02B

Abstract:
1. A guide assembly for a leg of a jack-up unit, the leg having a plurality of leg chords each carrying rack teeth along a vertical face thereof, the guide assembly comprising: an edge guide means for contacting a vertical edge of the rack teeth, said edge guide means comprising a means for absorbing compressible loads acting on the rack teeth, a longitudinally elongate edge guide plate extending in a generally parallel relationship to a respective leg chord, said edge guide plate comprising a contact surface, and said means for absorbing compressible loads comprising a compressible resilient member secured to a non-contact surface of the edge guide plate, and wherein the rack teeth react against the contact surface during vertical movement of the legs, said edge guide means further comprising an attachment plate engaging said compressible resilient member along a length thereof opposite said edge guide plate; a face guide means secured transversely to the edge guide means for reducing the build-up of horizontal moment acting on the leg and comprising a face guide plate engaging a first vertical edge of each of said edge guide plate, said compressible member and said attachment plate; and a means for limiting lateral movement of said edge guide plate, said compressible member and said attachment member, wherein said means for limiting lateral movement comprises a stop member engaging a second vertical edge of said edge guide plate, said compressible member and said attachment member.