CONSTRUCTIVE ASSEMBLY FOR PONTONS COMPRISING SEPARATE ASSEMBLY PARTS

Abstract: A constructive assembly is provided comprising separate assembly parts with side-projections (1, 2) and corresponding side-recesses (3, 4). Moreover the assembly parts comprise cooperating recesses (5) at their top for accommodating coupling elements for holding together assembled assembly parts.

Description: The invention relates to a floating pontoon-like assembly comprising separate assembly parts. A first known floating-pontoon-like assembly of this type is disclosed in DE-A-1.531.582. Assembling the separate elements of this known assembly is carried out by shifting these elements towards each other whereby side-projections of a first element are received within corresponding side-recesses of a second element. Thereafter coupling pins are positioned in holes that extend through the walls of some of the side-recesses and through the side-projections received within said side-recesses. Another known pontoon-like assembly is shown in NL-A-71.05025, wherein the side-projections are by a tilting motion of one of the elements received in the side-recesses of another element. Further coupling pins are used that cooperate with additional projections that are received in corresponding recesses. The projections and corresponding recesses engage each other all with a very wide fit. It is an object of the invention to provide a floating pontoon-like assembly comprising separate assembly parts wherein joining the separate assembly parts can be carried out in a quick and easy way. For achieving this according to the present invention a floating pontoon-like assembly is provided as set forth in claim 1. Assembling the separate assembly parts into a floating pontoon-like assembly according to the invention is therefore extremely simple, because only the side-projections of the one assembly part have to be applied in the corresponding side recesses of the adjoining assembly part by a tilting motion of one of the assembly parts, whereafter the coupling elements are properly placed into the recesses that are defined by each pair of joining recesses of two adjacent assembly parts. Once applied the assembly parts cannot move vertically relative to each other due to the fit between projections and recesses whereas the coupling elements that hold the assembly part laterally together maintain their position due to the gravity force so that the application of an additional locking means is superfluous. Further there is no need for extra tools in applying the coupling elements. According to a preferred embodiment of the pontoon-like assembly according to the invention each side-projection has a lower section extending outwardly and inclining downwardly whereas each side-recess correspondingly has a lower section extending inwardly and inclining downwardly. As a result the adjoining assembly parts at their lower sides too are secured against a relative transversal displacement. Such a displacement now only can be carried out if the assembly parts at the same time are tilted relative to each other, but this normally is prevented by the gravitational force. It is advantageous if each assembly part comprises at least two side-projections regularly spaced on said first side and at least two side-recesses regularly spaced on said second side as well as at least two locking recesses regularly spaced on said top face margins. This feature makes it possible that assembly parts can be off-set longitudinally relative to each other whereby a pontoon-like assembly can be provided wherein not only series of side by side positioned assembly parts but also series of respective longitudinally aligned assembly parts can be provided. An effective operation of the coupling elements can be provided if according to a handy embodiment of the pontoon-like assembly according to the invention each locking recess is narrower at its outer end than it is at its inner end. For example it is possible that each recess is T-shaped. Thus two adjoining recesses of adjacent assembly parts define a I-shaped recess in which an I-shaped coupling element can be accommodated. The flange portions of the I-shaped coupling elements hereby prevent effectively that the assembly parts move apart transversally. Further it is very advantageous if the first side has four corners that each are provided with a coupling part and wherein the assembly part has outer dimensions which are defined by said coupling parts and by the second side, said second side further comprising holes for receiving coupling parts when assembling a first and a second assembly part. These coupling parts accomplish that the side-projections do not form the outer-limits of said side and do therefore not provide an obstruction when stacking separate assembly parts one on top of the other. In view of standarisation it is preferred if the outer-dimensions of the assembly part correspond with standard container dimensions, such as a container height of 6, 6 3/8, 8 or 8½ feet. Like this the separate assembly parts can be transported by each conveyor system fit for containers or can be stored in each room fit for containers, wherein the coupling parts can be attached to standard connecting parts of the conveyor system or the like. For the assembly parts have a floating capacity and a positive metacenter height it is extremely simple to join assembly parts to a floating and a very stable pontoon-like assembly. This assembly then constitutes as it were a pontoon having an extremely wide range of application possibilities. As example can be mentioned a pontoon for forming a floating crane. Further the invention relates to an assembly part for application in a floating pontoon-like assembly according to the invention. Hereafter the invention will be explained further by means of the drawing, in which an embodiment of the pontoon-like assembly according to the invention is illustrated. Fig. 1 shows a part of a floating pontoon-like assembly according to the invention before joining to separate assembly parts; Fig. 2 shows a section according to line II-II in fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a section according to line III-III in fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a top plan view of a number of assembly parts assembled to a pontoon-like assembly, and Fig. 5 shows the way in which two floating assembly parts are assembled. The assembly parts shown in fig. 1 at one side are provided with side-projections 1, 2 and comprise at the opposite side side-recesses 3, 4. At the upperside of each assembly part recesses 5 are provided having a T-shape. As appears clearly from fig. 1 the recesses 5 are provided at both longitudinally extending upper side-edges, wherein of each recess 5 the leg of the T extends perpendicularly to the respective upper side-edge. The side-projections 1, 2, the side-recesses 3, 4 as well as the recesses 5 are regularly divided along the sides and upperside, respectively, of the assembly part. The lower side of each projection 1, 2 extends inclined for assembling adjacent assembly parts (as will appear later). At the corners of the side of the assembly part comprising the side-projections 1, 2 coupling parts 6 are provided offering the assembly parts standard container dimensions. These coupling parts can, if desired, be releasably mounted to the assembly part, as will be explained further later on with respect to fig. 4. At the opposite side of the assembly part holes 7 are provided for accommodating the coupling parts 6 of an adjacent assembly part if these assembly parts are joined. Instead of the embodiment shown it is possible too that these holes 7 are located at the corners of the opposite side. Finally fig. 1 shows a coupling element 8, that in a way to be described hereafter holds together the assembly parts after that these have been assembled to a constructive assembly. During assembling both assembly parts shown in fig. 1 the side objection 1 is accommodated into the side recess 4 whereas two of the coupling parts 6 of the right-handed assembly part fill up for one half the holes 7 of the left-handed assembly part. Next coupling elements 8, of which only one is illustrated in figure 1, are applied into the adjoining corresponding recesses 5 of the adjacent assembly parts, whereafter these coupling elements bridge the joint between the adjacent assembly parts and hold these together. For the recesses 5 taper towards their ends, namely having a T-shaped form, a coupling element accommodated herein will be I-shaped and will effectively hold together the assembly parts without special locking devices. Correspondingly it is possible to connect a further assembly part to the left-handed assembly part as seen in fig. 1 behind the right-handed assembly part, wherein the side projection 2 of this not shown further assembly part is applied into the side recess 3 of the left-handed assembly part. Like this the constructive assembly can be expanded unlimited, wherein at the left side of the in fig. 1 shown left-handed assembly part as well as at the right side of the in fig. 1 shown right-handed assembly part as well as in the elongation of these assembly parts further assembly parts can be positioned and be held together by means of coupling elements 8. As appears clearly from fig. 2 and 3, showing cross sections according to the lines II-II and III-III in fig. 1, the lower side 9 of the side projections 1, 2 extends outwardly and inclined downwardly. Correspondingly the lower side 10 of the side recesses 3, 4 extends inwardly and inclined downwardly. As a result in the assembled situation the assembly parts can only be moved apart sidewardly if at the same time a displacement in the boundary plane between both assembly parts is carried out. Such a displacement however is prevented by the gravitational force. The way in which a side projection having an inclined lower side is applied into a side recess having an inclined lower side will later be illustrated with respect to fig. 5. As appears further from fig. 3 the lower hole 7 comprises an inclinded extending upper side, which during applying the side projections into the side recesses is necessary for applying the corresponding coupling part 6 into this hole 7. The constructive assembly shown in fig. 4 firstly comprises five assembly parts 11 corresponding with the assembly parts shown in fig. 1. Further the constructive assembly comprises two assembly parts 12 that each as it were constitute one half of a separate assembly part shown in fig. 1. It is visible clearly in which way the recesses 5 cooperate with the coupling elements 8 and in which way the coupling parts 6 are applied into the holes 7 (it is emphasized that in fig. 4 only one coupling element 8 is represented fully; the remaining coupling elements are only schematically indicated). It appears that each hole 7 is fit for receiving two coupling parts 6 of aligned assembly parts. Like this the coupling parts 6 of the lengthy assembly parts 11 always can be accommodated in the present holes 7. The assembly parts 12 however can only at one end, namely as seen in fig. 4 the inwardly directed end, be provided with coupling parts 6, for at the other end no recess 7 is provided in the assembly parts 11 adjoining the assembly parts 12. Herefore at these outer ends of the assembly parts 12 releasable coupling parts 6 are applied that, preceding the assembly of the constructive assembly, can be removed at those locations where this is necessary. If the constructive assembly has to be dismantled and the assembly parts 12 have to be transported as containers the coupling parts can be applied again at the said ends whereafter the outer dimensions of these assembly parts 12 again correspond with standard container dimensions. In fig. 5 two assembly parts 13, 14 are shown that float in water. If the assembly part 14 is slightly tilted in the way shown, as is possibly by applying a downwardly directed force onto the right-handed side of this assembly part, it is possible to accommodate the side projection 15 of this assembly part 14 in the side recess 16 of the assembly part 14 (with respect hereto the inclined shape of the lower side of the projection 15 is advantageous too). This is carried out while at the same time rotating the assembly part 14 as seen in fig. 5 anti-clockwise and displacing it into the direction of the assembly part 13. For easing this assembling it is possible that the side recess 16 and the side projection 15 are slightly bended at their upper side or that a wide fit is provided. Further for the assembly it is advantageous if the assembly part 14 comprises below the side projection 15 a slightly inclined inwardly extending lower side edge. Simultaneously with applying the side projection 15 into the side recess 16 the coupling part 17 is applied into the hole 18 and the coupling part 19 is applied into the hole 20. After that the coupling elements not shown in fig. 5 are accommodated in the recesses not represented too. The force that has to be exerted onto the assembly part 14 for bringing it into the inclined position of fig. 5 can be applied by a person standing on top of the assembly part 14 at the right-handed side edge. Moreover it is possible that from a vessel such a force is exerted by means of a lever. The coupling elements 8 that are provided for holding together the assembly parts have such a weight that they are positively secured in the recesses 5 by means of the gravitational force. During joining the assembly parts initially light coupling elements can be applied that can be replaced by heavier coupling elements when a sufficient number of assembly parts have been joined for forming a stable floating constructive assembly. Besides of the shown and described floating embodiment of the constructive assembly it is possible too that the constructive assembly is applied as a self-supported construction that is supported at its ends.

Claims: Floating pontoon-like assembly comprising separate assembly parts, wherein each assembly part at a first side thereof is provided with at least one side-projection (1, 2) and at a second side opposite to said first side is provided with at least one side-recess (3, 4), wherein each assembly part has a positive metacenter height and each side-projection (1, 2) and each side-recess (3, 4) being shaped such that a side-projection (1, 2) of a first assembly part can be releasably gripped into a side-recess (3, 4) of a second assembly part next to said first assembly part when at least one of said first and second assembly parts is temporarily tilted, whereas each assembly part further comprises a top face having margins in at least some of which locking recesses (5) are formed, such that when assembling said first and second assembly parts locking recesses (5) of the first assembly part are aligned with and adjoin corresponding locking recesses (5) of the second assembly part, whereby into each set of aligned and adjoining locking recesses (5) a releasable coupling element (8) is positionable for holding together said first and second assembly parts, the shape of the corresponding side-projections and side-recesses further being such that, in the engaged position, they do not allow any relative vertical displacement between the two adjacent assembly parts unless with a simultaneous horizontal displacement, said horizontal displacement however being prevented by the coupling elements positioned in the locking recesses. Constructive assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower side of each side projection extends outwardly and inclined downwardly whereas the lower side of each side recess extends inwardly and inclined downwardly. Constructive assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each assembly part comprises at least two regularly divided side-projections and side-recesses and at each upper side-edge at least two regularly divided recesses. Constructive assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that two side-projections and two side-recesses are provided, whereas at each upper side-edge four recesses are provided. Constructive assembly according to claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the recesses are tapering towards their ends. Constructive assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the recesses are T-shaped, wherein the leg of the T extends perpendicularly to the respective upper side-edge, whereas each coupling element is I-shaped. Constructive assembly according to one of the claims 1 - 6, characterized in that each assembly part comprises, at the corners of the side having the side-projection or projections, coupling parts defining the outer-dimensions of the assembly part, whereas the opposite side comprises holes for receiving such coupling parts of adjoining assembly parts. Constructive assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the coupling parts are releasable. Constructive assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the outer-dimensions of the assembly part correspond with standard container dimensions. Constructive assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each assembly part has a floating capacity and a positive metacenter height. Assembly part for application in a constructive assembly according to one of the preceding claims.

Inventors: ZWAGERMAN, JAN
Applicants: ZWAGERMAN, JAN
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B63B35
IPC codes: B63B35, B65D21