Abstract:
An connection apparatus is provided for connecting a ram of a pusher vessel with a receiver installed in a stem notch of a barge, the connection head for mounting on the ram having a generally pentagonal shape and the receiver having two opposed side walls with one side wall being flat and the other side wall having projecting teeth.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of marine equipment, more specifically the present invention relates to the art of connecting tugboats or pusher boats with barges or other non-powered vessels which are equipped with a notch in the stem of the barge for receiving a tug or pusher boat therein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for connecting tug boats or pusher boats to barges for transporting cargo on oceans, rivers, lakes and harbors. Barges, typically having no drive mechanism, rely upon tugboats or pusher boats to move the barge from one location to another. The connections between tugboats and barges have taken numerous forms over the years. The majority of forms involve interconnection between the tugboat and the barge by use of cables. Alternatively, the use of extendable ram devices on the tug which interconnect with receivers on the barge have been used to achieve a more stable connection. 
     An example of this extendable ram and receiver configuration is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein a tugboat or pusher boat  14  is connected to a barge  10 . This connection is achieved by the bow of tug  14  entering a generally U-shaped or V-shaped notch  12  on barge  10 . Once tug or pusher boat  14  is within notch  12 , rams  16  are extended from tug  14  into receivers  18  of the barge. The rams typically have a hydraulic drive or screw drive mechanism and generate sufficient force to securely hold tug  14  within notch  12  of barge  10 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, tug  14  is shown joined to barge  10  with rams  16  aligned and extended into receiver  18 . It will be appreciated that in FIG. 1 that receiver  18  of barge  10  extends vertically throughout nearly the entire height of barge  10 . The reason for this full height receiver is that as barge  10  is loaded or unloaded, its position with respect to waterline  20  will change. Therefore, tug  14  must be able to join with barge  10  at any position along the vertical height of barge  10 . This is accomplished by having receiver  18  extend vertically along the entire height of the barge to account for changes in draft of the barge resulting from changes in the waterline  20  position with respect to the barge as a result of loading and unloading of the barge. 
     In the prior art, an early form of connecting a tugboat with a barge is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,512,495 to Fletcher in which a hydraulically extendable pin is mounted on the port and starboard sides of the bow of the tug, and the cylindrical pin of the tug is inserted into a circular receiver or housing mounted on the barge. An alternative form of coupler and receiver is found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,844,245 and 3,935,831 to Yamaguchi. In the Yamaguchi device the hydraulic ram mounted on the tug boat is equipped with a generally diamond shaped head or connector in which the top and bottom points of the diamond are truncated or rounded off. The left and right side points of the diamond headed connector of Yamaguchi fit into a receiver mounted on the barge which is equipped with projecting teeth that present indents therebetween. The indents are sized to receive the left and right side diamond head points of tug of mounted ram of Yamaguchi. Yet another alternative form of connecting tug boats with barges is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,507 to Kuhlman, et al. In the Kuhlman patent, the barge receiver portion is a vertical receiver or channel having spaced apart projecting teeth on either side of the receiver or channel. Into the receiver of the barge is fitted a connector, sometimes referred to as the ram head or helmet, which is mounted on the ram of the tug. The tug ram connector is equipped with three projecting teeth on the left and right side of the connector which intermesh with the teeth on the sides of the channel or receiver on the barge. 
     While each of these prior-art designs serves to connect a tug boat with a barge, each requires a substantial degree of alignment between the head of the tug ram and the receiver of the barge for an effective, secure connection to be made between the two devices. In the Yamaguchi design, the two opposed diamond points of the ram head must be aligned with the indented spaces between the projecting teeth of the receiver. In the Kuhlman design, the three projecting teeth on either side of the ram head must be aligned with the teeth and depressions of the barge receiver for successful connection. In either of these designs, a certain degree of realignment of the ram head is required of the tug boat operator to successfully complete the connection between the tug and the barge. 
     In the connection utilized in the Fletcher patent—a cylinder fitted into a circular receiver—a degree of undesirable play between the ram and receiver of Fletcher results since the size of the ram is less than the diameter of the receiving hole or void, there is play between the Fletcher ram and receiving void. Further, the Fletcher ram does not outwardly compress against a solid wall of the barge. Rather, the cylindrical ram is simply inserted into the hole. In Fletcher there is not a snug, lateral connection between the tug and the barge as is provided by the compressive fit of both Yamaguchi and Kuhlman. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention achieves two principal advantages over the prior art: (1) a lesser degree of pre-connection alignment is required between the connector or ram head and the barge receiver of the present invention due to the pentagonal configuration of the connector and corresponding configuration of the receiver; and (2) the secure compressive fit between the port and starboard rams of the tug and the port and starboard receivers of the barge is achieved by the inwardly angled connector and receiver design which continues the compressive fit functions of Kuhlman and Yamaguchi while simplifying the equipment needed to achieve re-alignment of the connector prior to its engagement with the receiver. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These advantages and more are achieved by the connector or ram head and receiver of the present invention which comprise a ram connector that is mateable with the receiver of the barge, the ram connector having a generally pentagonal shape as viewed from the side elevation of the ram connector as it is presented to the receiver. The receiver of the present invention is adapted to mate with the generally pentagonal ram connector by having a configuration which comprises opposed side walls that are spaced apart to receive the generally pentagonal shaped ram connector therein. One of the side walls has a generally flat surface, and the opposed side wall has vertically spaced apart teeth or projections. In the space between two adjacent projections is received one of the edges or corners of the pentagonally shaped ram connector of the tug. The flat face of the pentagonally shaped connector which is opposite the connector edge that is captured between the projecting teeth is fitted against a flat receiver sidewall that is opposite the receiver sidewall having the teeth or projections thereon. 
     The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations of invention may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a tug interconnected with a barge; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a tug interconnected with a barge by insertion of the tug within the notch of the barge and showing the orientation of the rams on a tug within the receivers of the barge; 
     FIG. 3 is a front and right side perspective view of a portion of the receiver. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3  and showing the projecting teeth and troughs therebetween; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a ram mounted in a fragmentary cross-section of the hull of a tug and showing the connector of the ram extending on the outer side of the hull; 
     FIG. 6 is a front and right side perspective view of a fragmentary portion of the tug hull showing the exterior of the tug hull with the connector head of the ram extending therefrom; 
     FIG. 7 is a front and right side perspective view of the ram mounted in the tug hull and with the head of the ram connected into the receiver of the barge with a portion of the flat sidewall of the receiver removed; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG.  10  and showing the connector mounted on the ram; 
     FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the connector and showing in phantom lines the securing collar in place at the rear of the connector; and 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the connector and showing the ram mounting ball in phantom lines. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present inventions are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     The present invention includes a receiver portion for mounting on a barge and a connector portion for mounting on the ram of a tug. These two individual components are designed to cooperate to connect the tug with the barge. Referring now to FIG. 3, receiver  18  is mounted on either side of notch  12  (FIG. 2) of barge  10  (FIG. 2) in similar fashion to the mounting of the prior art receivers on barges. Receiver  18  is comprised of a first sidewall  30  and a second sidewall  32  which are connected by a rear wall  34 . First sidewall  30  is further comprised of a plurality of peaks or projecting teeth  36  which are spaced apart by intervening valleys or troughs  38 . Opposing sidewall  32  is a generally flat surface which does not contain the projecting teeth  36  or troughs  38  of sidewall  30 . The two opposed sidewalls are interconnected by rear wall  34 . Rear wall  34  can be integrally formed with opposed sidewalls  30 ,  32 , or rear wall  34  can be an existing portion of barge  10 . The angle formed by second sidewall  32  and rear wall  34 , angle A, is approximately 112 degrees. The angle formed by rear wall  34  and first sidewall  30 , angle B, is approximately 116 degrees. This angle of opening in receiver  18  is designed to accept a generally pentagonally shaped connector  50  (FIG.  6 ). 
     Still referring to FIG. 3, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that receiver  18  is best configured as a single piece with rear wall  34 , sidewalls  30  and  32  formed as an integral unit. Typically, receiver  18  will be formed as a steel casting or steel fabrication which is subsequently integrated with barge  10  (FIG.  2 ). When formed as a single unit receiver  18  is better able to withstand the forces placed against it by the connector  50  (FIG.  6 ). 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, teeth or projections  36  and spaces or troughs  38  of receiver  18  will be discussed. First sidewall  30  of receiver  18  is equipped with projecting teeth  36  which are spaced apart by intervening troughs  38 . The angle between teeth  36 , angle C, is approximately 108 degrees and is designed to allow capture within the adjacent trough  38  of two teeth  36  an edge  52  of connector  50 . Edge  52  being formed by the junction of two faces  54  of pentagonal connector  50 (FIG.  9 ). As the angle formed between any two faces  54  of pentagonally-shaped connector  50  is approximately 108 degrees, angle C (FIG. 4) of receiver  18  has been sized to receive that angle. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, connector  50  is mounted on that portion of ram  16  which extends from the outer side of tug hull wall  56 . The bulk of ram  16  is contained within the interior hull of the tug or pusher boat and extends through tug hull sidewall  56  to present ram  16  with connector  50  mounted thereon to the environment. It will be appreciated, as fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,507 which is incorporated herein by reference, that energizing motor  60  transmits rotational power through gear box  62  to rotate an internal screw drive within ram  16 . In one direction the screw drive extends connector  50  away from tug hull  56  and, in the reverse direction, the screw drive retracts connector  50  toward tug hull  56 . It is through the extension and retraction of connector  50  that the connection and disconnection between barge  10  and tug boat  14  is accomplished. Specifically, and now referring to FIG. 7, connector  50  is shown extended into receiver  18  of barge  10  to securely hold tug  14  within notch  12  of barge  10 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 9, connector  50  which is designed to mate with receiver  18  of FIG. 3 will be discussed. FIG. 9 shows an elevation view of connector  50 . Connector  50  is generally in the shape of a pentagon as viewed from the barge-mounted receiver. Each face  54  of pentagonal connector  50  extends outwardly from the front, flat face  58  of connector  50  at an angle of approximately 112 degrees. This angle of faces  54  of connector  50  provides an outwardly angled connector which fits closely within receiver  18 . The pentagonal shape of connector  50  allows any of faces  54  to closely fit against side  32  of receiver  18 , side  32  having a flat face. Each of edges  52  of connector  50  form an angle which is receivable within any of troughs  38  of receiver  18 . Still referring to FIG. 9, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and by examination of line Z drawn through connector  50 , that each and every edge  52  is opposite the center of a face  54  of connector  50 . The result of this geometry is that as connector  50  is extended by ram  16  towards receiver  18  of barge  10 , an edge  52  and the opposing face  54  will begin to contact side  30  and side  32  respectively of receiver  18 . As an edge  52  begins to enter receiver  18 , edge  52  will first contact either a projecting surface close to one of projection  36  or a first contact will be made between a face  54  and sidewall  32  when edge  52  is more proximate to one of troughs  38 . In this manner, the presentation of an edge  52  to one side of receiver  18 , and a flat surface of face  54  to the other side of receiver  18  provides a generally self-orienting connector  50  which, in most situations, avoids the need for operator reorientation of the connector as has been the case with the prior art devices. In most instances, if connector  50  becomes positioned so face  54  is generally parallel to side wall  30 , connector  50  is free to move vertically until the face  54  is approximately centered on edge  36  allowing the connector  50  to rotate resulting in edge  52  entering trough  38  for a correct self-oriented connection. 
     Referring now FIG. 8, connector  50  is shown in cross-sectional view as seated on the end of ram  16 . Edge  52  and opposed face  54  form an angle of approximately 48 degrees with respect to each other. This angle of  48  degrees approximately matches the opening angle between first sidewall  30  and second sidewall  32  of receiver  18 . Again referring to FIG. 7, connector  50  is shown inserted into receiver  18  of barge  10 . One of the projections  36  of sidewall  30  is shown in phantom lines in position underneath edge  52  of connector  50 . Edge  32  of receiver  18  is shown in position to engage face  54  of connector  50  which is opposite the particular edge  52  of connector  50  which is engaged with projection  36 . 
     In operation, receivers  30  are mounted into the sidewalls of a notch  12  in a barge  10  (FIG.  2 ). Generally, flat wall  32  of both receivers  18  which are mounted on barge  10  will be similarly positioned, that is both flat walls  32  will be forward or both will be aft. A tug  14  having ram  16  mounted therein is equipped with connectors  50  on the support ball  64  of ram  16  (FIG.  8 ). Support ball  64  is a steel ball and connector  50  is secured thereto by the attachment of two securing plates  66  using threaded voids  62  (FIG.  8 ). The two securing plates form a collar, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 9, which retains connector  50  on support ball  64 . Support ball  64  acts as a swivel for connector  50  and allows connector  50  to move to allow connector  50  and receiver  18  to self-allign and to account for discontinuities in the construction of either receiver  18  or the connector  50 . Again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, A tug  14  which is outfitted with connectors  50  on ram  16  approaches notch  12  of a barge  10  and aligns itself within notch  12 . Once in the notch, the tug operator activates motor  60  of ram  16  (FIG.  7 ), and ram  16  extends outwardly to engage connector  50  within receiver  18  of barge  10  (FIG.  7 ). Again, as is shown in FIG. 7, an edge  52  of connector  50  is captured within two vertically adjacent teeth of receiver  18  and a face  54  which is opposite the captured edge  52  abuts against flat sidewall  32  of receiver  18 . Referring again to FIG. 6, the orientation of connector  50  as it is captured within receiver  18  of FIG. 7 can be seen with the barge and receiver removed. As previously explained, edge  52  is directly opposite a face  54  as indicated by line M in FIG.  6 . The alignment of connector  50  shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the alignment of FIG. 50 shown in FIG.  7  and should assist those skilled in the art in appreciating the relative contact between flat face  54  and flat sidewall  32  on one side of connector  50 , and the capture of an edge  52  between two projecting teeth  36  of sidewall  30  of receiver  18 . 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 
     Certain changes may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not meant in a limiting sense. Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the inventive tugboat and barge connector and receiver combination is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.