Patent Description:
In general, there are proposed various techniques of covering surfaces (bumper surfaces) of bumper portions of fenders with other materials or other members thereby protecting the fenders themselves or preventing ships going alongside quays from fouling.

In <CIT>, for example, there is disclosed a color fender for a quay integrally constructed by putting a bumper plate made of a colorable material on a solid fender of rubber from an upper portion of a bumper surface of a main body for bringing a fishing port into a bright image and improving safety from dusk till night in aboardage of a ship and at the time of working.

In <CIT>, there is disclosed a fender characterized in that a bumper member consisting of a plurality of layers having different colors respectively is fixed to the outer surface of a rubber fender. Colors of exposed portions of the bumper member so change by abrasion that the life of the bumper member can be easily recognized.

In <CIT>, further, there is disclosed a fender provided on a surface of a head portion of a rubber fender coming into contact with a ship with a synthetic resin layer having a smaller coefficient of friction than rubber. This fender prevents deterioration resulting from abrasion and buckling the head portion by avoiding contact between portions made of rubber and a ship.

In <CIT>, further, there is disclosed a fender cover having a structure, for preventing deterioration of the fender, including a cover made of rubber or synthetic resin covering a surface of a fender formed by an elastic body such as rubber having a hollow buffer portion, a tabular fixing plate having fixing portions, arranged on upper and lower opening portions of the buffer portion, having through-holes on plate surfaces for detachably fixing the cover on upper and lower portions thereof and fixing shafts inserted into the buffer portion and passed through the through-holes for fixing the fixing plate.

In the conventional color fender for a quay such as the aforementioned Patent Document <NUM>, it is necessary to work the fender body into a prescribed shape, in order to fit the fender body and the bumper plate with each other. Therefore, labor for the working is caused while the same has been not easily applicable to an existing fender.

The conventional fender such as the aforementioned Patent Document <NUM> is fixed with fixing members such as bolts from the side of the bumper member for integrating the rubber fender and the bumper member with each other. Therefore, it has been time-consuming for attaching/detaching the bumper member. Further, it is necessary to embed a steel plate or a synthetic resin plate provided with internal threads in the rubber fender, and the same has not been applicable to an existing fender.

In the conventional fender such as the aforementioned Patent Document <NUM>, further, the synthetic resin layer cannot be separated since the same is integrally formed with the rubber fender portion through a vulcanizing step, and it has been necessary to exchange the fender itself when the synthetic resin layer is broken.

In the conventional fender cover such as the aforementioned Patent Document <NUM>, further, the fender cover is constituted of a plurality of members, and hence it has been time-consuming for attaching/detaching the same. Further, the cover and the fixing plate constituting the fender cover must be produced in response to the form of the fender, and hence general-purpose properties of the fender cover have been low.

<CIT> describes a net-like protective block arranged on an outer peripheral surface of a fender formed of a polymer material, a rubber material, or a mixture thereof, and extruded in a substantially square plate shape. At least one connection hole is present for passing a string-like member such as a rope in the vicinity of a side edge facing the protective block.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the aforementioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fender structure reducing the exchange frequency for a fender body by protecting the fender body with no labor and easily applicable also to an existing fender.

In order to attain the aforementioned object, a fender structure according to a first aspect of the present invention is a fender structure according to claim <NUM> comprising a fender body (<NUM>), made of an elastic material, fixed on a quay (<NUM>) or the like, including a bumper portion (<NUM>) for buffering an impact at the time of aboardage of a ship (<NUM>); and a bumper portion covering body (<NUM>), made of an elastic material, separably mounted on the fender body, covering a whole of a surface (<NUM>) of the bumper portion of the fender body;characterized in that the bumper portion covering body includes a cover body portion (<NUM>) covering a whole of the bumper surface and a sheetlike support portion (<NUM>) integrally provided on the cover body portion and having a forward end portion detachably fixed to the quay or the like,wherein the bumper portion covering body has a recess portion in the back of the surface so that a part of the bumper portion on the side of the surface can be stored therein.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, only the bumper portion covering body should be exchanged when the bumper portion covering body is broken.

The fender structure according to a second aspect of the present invention is such that, in the structure of the invention according to the first aspect, at least a part of the bumper portion covering body is relatively movable in a direction deviating with respect to a bumper surface of the bumper portion.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, the bumper portion covering body relatively moves in the direction deviating with respect to the bumper surface when large external force exceeding a certain degree acts on the fender structure.

The fender structure according to a third aspect of the present disclosure not forming part of the invention is such that, in the structure of the invention according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the fender body has a hollow portion opened on both ends, the bumper portion covering body further includes a fixing member for fixing the fender body and the bumper portion covering body to each other, the fixing member consists of a cordlike member provided on one side of the bumper portion covering body and a cordlike member fixture provided on another side of the bumper portion covering body for fixing the cordlike member, and the cordlike member is arranged on the back side of the bumper portion through the hollow portion and fixed by the cordlike member fixture.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, the fender body and the bumper portion covering body are hardly unpreparedly separated from each other, while attachment/detachment of the bumper portion covering body is simplified.

The fender structure according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is such that, in the structure of the invention according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the bumper portion covering body includes a cover body portion covering at least a part of the bumper surface and a support portion integrally provided on the cover body portion and detachably fixed to the quay or the like.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, the bumper portion covering body can be so mounted on the fender body that the cover body portion covers at least a part of the bumper surface by fixing the support portion to the quay.

The fender structure according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is such that, in the structure of the invention according to any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, a plurality of projecting bodies are provided on a surface of the bumper portion covering body in contact with the bumper portion of the fender body.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, frictional force caused between the fender body and the bumper portion covering body increases.

The fender structure according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is such that, in the structure of the invention according to any of first aspect to the fifth aspect, the fender body includes at least one concave- or convex-shaped first engaging portion on the bumper portion, while the bumper portion covering body includes at least one convex- or concave-shaped second engaging portion on a flat surface in contact with the bumper portion of the fender body, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are arranged to engage with each other.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, movement of the bumper portion covering body with respect to force applied in a direction parallel to the flat surface in contact with the bumper portion of the fender body is suppressed.

The fender structure according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is such that, in the structure of the invention according to the sixth aspect, force in a direction parallel to the flat surface in contact with the bumper portion of the fender body is so applied to the bumper portion covering body as to generate first force causing shear fracture in the fender body through the first engaging portion and second force causing shear fracture in the bumper portion covering body through the second engaging portion, and the magnitude of the first force is set to be greater than the magnitude of the second force.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, the bumper portion covering body is first broken when the force in the parallel direction increases.

The fender structure according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is such that, in the structure of the invention according to any of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, the bumper portion covering body covers the whole surface of the bumper portion of the fender body, and further includes a protective member covering at least a part, closer to the bumper portion, of the corresponding side surface portion of the fender body on at least one of end portions in the horizontal direction.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, at least a part of the side surface portion of the fender body on the side of the bumper portion is protected with the protective member.

The fender structure according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is such that, in the structure of the invention according to any of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, the bumper portion covering body covers the whole surface of the bumper portion of the fender body , and further includes a protective member covering at least a part, closer to the bumper portion, of at least one side surface portion in the longitudinal direction of the fender body.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, at least a part of at least one side portion of the fender body in the longitudinal direction on the side of the bumper portion is protected with the protective member.

The fender structure according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is such that, in the structure of the invention according to any of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, the bumper portion covering body is constituted of a plurality of cover units.

When constructing the fender structure in this manner, the size of the constructed bumper portion covering body can be varied with the number of used cover units.

As hereinabove described, the fender structure according to the first aspect of the present invention is such that only the bumper portion covering body can be exchanged when the bumper portion covering body is broken, whereby the fender structure can be used for a long period of time, while the exchange frequency for the entire fender structure is reduced.

The fender structure according to the second aspect of the present invention is such that the bumper portion covering body relatively moves in the direction deviating with respect to the bumper surface when large external force, such as force of a magnitude capable of causing shear fracture in the fender body, for example, acts on the fender structure, whereby it is possible to avoid damage of the fender body, in addition to the effect of the invention according to the first aspect.

The fender structure according to the third aspect of the present invention is such that the fender body and the bumper portion covering body are hardly unpreparedly separated from each other while attachment/detachment of the bumper portion covering body is simplified, whereby reliability at the time of use of the fender body improves and usability ameliorates, in addition to the effect of the invention according to the first aspect or the second aspect.

The fender structure according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is such that the bumper portion covering body can be mounted on the fender body also when the fender body has no hollow portion, in addition to the effect of the invention according to the first aspect or the second aspect.

The fender structure according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is such that frictional force caused between the fender body and the bumper portion covering body increases, whereby the fender body and the bumper portion covering body hardly deviate from each other at the time of aboardage of the ship, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

The fender structure according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is such that the bumper portion covering body is inhibited from movement with respect to force applied to a direction parallel to the flat surface in contact with the bumper portion of the fender body, whereby the fitting state of the fender body and the bumper portion covering body stabilizes, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

The fender structure according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is such that the bumper portion covering body is first broken when the force in the parallel direction increases, whereby only the bumper portion covering body may be exchanged, in addition to the effect of the invention according to the sixth aspect.

The fender structure according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is such that at least a part of the side surface portions of the fender body corresponding to at least one of the horizontal end portions is protected with the protective member, whereby apprehension for breakage of the side surface portions of the fender body resulting from aboardage of the ship can be reduced, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any of the first aspect to the seventh aspect.

The fender structure according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is such that at least a part of at least one of the longitudinal side surface portions in the side surface portions of the fender body on the side of the bumper portion is protected with the protective member, whereby apprehension for breakage of the side surface portions of the fender body resulting from aboardage of the ship can be reduced, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any of the first aspect to the seventh aspect.

The fender structure according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is such that it becomes possible to properly cover the bumper surface with the bumper portion covering body also with respect to a fender body having a different length by properly selecting the number of use of the cover units in response to the size of the fender body, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any of the first aspect to the ninth aspect.

<FIG> is a schematic elevational view of a fender structure according to a first embodiment not forming part of the present invention, <FIG> is a schematic right-side elevational view of the fender structure shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic plan view of the fender structure shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic sectional view as viewed from a line IV-IV shown in <FIG>.

The fender structure according to the present invention can be so set that the longitudinal direction is along either one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

Referring to these figures, a fender structure <NUM> consists of a fender body <NUM> made of an elastic material such as rubber and including a bumper portion <NUM> for buffering an impact at the time of aboardage of an unshown ship and quay mounting portions 19a and 19b for mounting the fender structure <NUM> on an unshown quay and a bumper portion covering body <NUM> made of the same elastic material, such as rubber, as the fender structure <NUM>. This bumper portion covering body <NUM> is so detachably mounted as to cover the whole of a surface <NUM> (a bumper surface) of the bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM>. Detailed structures etc. of the fender structure <NUM> and the bumper portion covering body <NUM> are described later. The fender structure <NUM> is fixed by anchor bolts (not shown) by employing bolt mounting holes 20a to 20d etc. while arranging the quay mounting portions 19a and 19b on the quay. In other words, the fender structure <NUM> can be fixed to the quay by embedding the anchor bolts in the quay, inserting the anchor bolts into the bolt mounting holes 20a to 20d of the fender body <NUM>, screwing nuts (not shown) on the same and tightening the nuts.

When the unshown ship goes alongside the fender structure <NUM>, the bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> absorbs the impact thereof, while the ship hardly directly comes into contact with the fender body <NUM> since the surface <NUM> of the bumper portion <NUM> is covered with the bumper portion covering body <NUM>. Thus, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> coming into direct contact with the ship with higher frequency than the fender body <NUM> is generally broken in advance. At this time, only the broken bumper portion covering body <NUM> can be exchanged since the bumper portion covering body <NUM> is detachably mounted on the fender body <NUM> as described above. Therefore, the fender body <NUM> can be used over a long period of time, and the exchange frequency for the entire fender structure <NUM> is reduced.

The specific structure of the fender body <NUM> is now described.

<FIG> is a schematic front elevational view of the fender body of the fender structure shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic right-side elevational view of the fender body shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic plan view of the fender body shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic sectional view as viewed from a line VIII-VIII shown in <FIG>.

Referring to these figures, the fender body <NUM> has a substantially V shape in plan view extending in the longitudinal direction, and has a hollow portion <NUM> opened on both end portions 27a and 27b in the longitudinal direction.

Four first engaging portions 55a to 55d formed by concaved dents are provided on both end portions 28a and 28b of the bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> in the short-side direction. The respective ones of the first engaging portions 55a to 55d are so arranged as to engage with second engaging portions, described later, provided on the bumper portion covering body.

The reasons for forming the members as the aforementioned respective ones are described later.

The specific structure of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> is now described.

<FIG> is a schematic front elevational view of the bumper portion covering body of the fender structure shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic rear elevational view of the bumper portion covering body shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic right-side elevational view of the bumper portion covering body shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic plan view of a state removing protective members of the bumper portion covering body shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic bottom plan view of the state removing the protective members of the bumper portion covering body shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic sectional view as viewed from a line XIV-XIV shown in <FIG>.

Referring to these figures, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> has a substantially rectangular shape in front elevational view and a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan view. A back surface <NUM> of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> coming into contact with the bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> is scooped out in response to the peripheral edge of the bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In other words, a recess portion <NUM> is formed in the back surface <NUM>, so that a part of the bumper portion <NUM> on the side of the surface <NUM> can be stored in the recess portion <NUM>.

A plurality of semispherical projecting bodies <NUM> made of rubber or the like are provided on the back surface <NUM> (the inner surface of the recess portion <NUM>) of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> at regular intervals.

Further, four convex second engaging portions 56a to 56d corresponding to the shapes of the first engaging portions 55a to 55d shown in <FIG> are provided on both end portions 48a and 48b (the inner side surface of the recess portion <NUM> along the longitudinal direction) in the short-side direction on the side of the back surface <NUM> of the bumper portion covering body <NUM>. The respective ones of the second engaging portions 56a to 56d engage with the first engaging portions 55a to 55d provided on the fender body <NUM> shown in <FIG>, as described above.

When the fender structure <NUM> is set while setting the longitudinal direction along the horizontal direction, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> further includes substantially semicylindrical protective members 61a and 61b on both end portions 47a and 47b in the longitudinal direction (the horizontal direction), as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The protective members 61a and 61b cover parts of corresponding side surface portions 17a and 17b of the fender body <NUM> on the side of the bumper portion <NUM>.

Further, fixing members <NUM> for fixing the bumper portion covering body <NUM> to the fender body <NUM> are mounted on both end portions 49a and 49b of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> in the longitudinal direction on the side of the back surface <NUM> respectively. The fixing members <NUM> consist of bands <NUM> formed by flat cordlike members made of rubber or the like and buckles <NUM> serving as cordlike member fixtures fixing the bands <NUM>. Base end portions of the bands <NUM> are mounted on the bottom surface side of the bumper portion covering body <NUM>, while the buckles <NUM> are mounted on the upper surface side.

When fixing the bumper portion covering body <NUM> to the fender body <NUM> with the fixing members <NUM>, referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, the forward end portions of the bands <NUM> are inserted into the hollow portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> from openings on the bottom surface side toward an opening on the upper surface side, and passed through the buckles <NUM> to be fixed. At this time, the bands <NUM> are tightened to be along a back surface <NUM> on the side of the bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM>. Then, the bands <NUM> are arranged along the back surface on the side of the bumper portion <NUM> through the hollow portion <NUM>.

Thus, the fender body <NUM> and the bumper portion covering body <NUM> are hardly unpreparedly separated from each other, whereby reliability of the fender structure <NUM> at the time of use improves. At the time of removing the bumper portion covering body <NUM>, further, the bands <NUM> may simply be removed from the buckles <NUM>, whereby attachment/detachment of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> is simplified and the fender structure <NUM> improves in convenience.

Actions of the fender body and the projecting bodies etc. provided on the bumper portion covering body of the fender structure are now described.

<FIG> shows schematic diagrams showing actions of the projecting bodies of the fender structure shown in <FIG>, while (<NUM>) is a diagram showing a state before the ship goes alongside the fender structure, and (<NUM>) is a diagram showing a state where the ship further moves in the horizontal direction while going alongside the fender structure.

Referring to (<NUM>) in <FIG>, the fender structure <NUM> is so set on a quay <NUM> that the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the water surface. In a case where a ship <NUM> does not go alongside the quay, the surface <NUM> of the bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> and the forward ends of the projecting bodies <NUM> formed on the back surface <NUM> of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> are in contact with each other.

Referring to (<NUM>) in <FIG>, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> is pressed against the surface <NUM> of the bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> when the ship <NUM> goes alongside the fender structure <NUM>. At this time, the surface <NUM> of the bumper portion <NUM> is deformed in response to the surface shapes of the projecting bodies <NUM> of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> since the fender body <NUM> is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and the surface areas of portions where the bumper portion covering body <NUM> and the fender body <NUM> are in contact with each other increase. Therefore, frictional force caused between the fender body <NUM> and the bumper portion covering body <NUM> increases. Then, horizontal force F<NUM> shown by arrow may be applied at the time of aboardage of the ship <NUM> in response to the movement thereof, while the fender body <NUM> and the bumper portion covering body <NUM> hardly deviate from each other at this time.

<FIG> shows schematic diagrams schematically showing actions of the engaging portions of the fender structure shown in <FIG>, while (<NUM>) shows how shearing force acts on the engaging portions, and (<NUM>) shows a case where force of a parallel direction generates shearing force exceeding second shearing force caused in the bumper portion covering body. In <FIG>, the shapes of each first engaging portion <NUM> and each second engaging portion <NUM> are simplified while formed positions are changed to central portions, in order to facilitate understanding.

Referring to (<NUM>) in <FIG>, the fender structure <NUM> is so set on the quay <NUM> that the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the water surface. The fender body <NUM> includes the first engaging portion <NUM> which is a concave recess on the surface <NUM> of the bumper portion <NUM>. The bumper portion covering body <NUM> includes the second engaging portion <NUM> having a convex shape corresponding to the recess of the first engaging portion <NUM> on the back surface <NUM> which is a flat surface in contact with the bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM>. The first engaging portion <NUM> and the second engaging portion <NUM> are arranged to engage with each other.

When, in a case where external force acts on the fender body <NUM>, a component in this external force in a direction parallel to the bumper surface <NUM>, i.e., force F<NUM> shown by arrow is applied to the bumper portion covering body <NUM>, it follows that shearing force is applied to each of an area A<NUM> of the fender body <NUM> shown by a two-dot chain line and an area A<NUM> of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> shown by a one-dot chain line. It can be said that the magnitude of the shearing force varies with the magnitude of the force F<NUM>. When shearing stress caused in the fender body <NUM> and the bumper portion covering body <NUM> exceeds shear strength of these in response to the shearing force applied to the area A<NUM> and the area A<NUM>, it follows that the fender body <NUM> or the bumper portion covering body <NUM> causes shear fracture. The fender body <NUM> and the bumper portion covering body <NUM> according to this embodiment are made of the same material, whereby shear strength S<NUM> of the fender body <NUM> and shear strength S<NUM> of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> can be regarded as identical to each other.

The fender structure <NUM> is so set that first force P<NUM> causing shear fracture in the fender body <NUM> through the first engaging portion <NUM> at the time when the force F<NUM> is applied is greater than second force P<NUM> causing shear fracture in the bumper portion covering body <NUM> through the second engaging portion <NUM>. This setting is enabled by making the square measure of the area A<NUM> sufficiently great as compared with the square measure of the area A<NUM>.

In a case where the force F<NUM> is applied to the bumper portion covering body <NUM> with a magnitude, not causing shear fracture in the bumper portion covering body <NUM>, less than the second force P<NUM>, the second engaging portion <NUM> and the first engaging portion <NUM> remain in the state engaging with each other and movement of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> with respect to the force F<NUM> is suppressed, whereby the fitting state of the fender body <NUM> and the bumper portion covering body <NUM> stabilizes.

When the force F<NUM> increases up to F<NUM> referring to (<NUM>) in <FIG>, shearing force acting on the area A<NUM> and the area A<NUM> also increases in response thereto. Then, shearing stress exceeding the shear strength S<NUM> and S<NUM> may be caused in the fender body <NUM> and the bumper portion covering body <NUM>. At this time, the first force P<NUM> is in the relation greater than the second force P<NUM> as described above, whereby the bumper portion covering body <NUM> causes shear fracture in the area A<NUM> in advance of the fender body <NUM> when the force F<NUM> exceeds the second force P<NUM>, so that the fender body <NUM> is hard to break. Thus, only the broken bumper portion covering body <NUM> may simply be exchanged.

Contrarily, it is assumed that the second force P<NUM> is set greater than the first force P<NUM>. When the force F<NUM> increases up to F<NUM> in this case, shearing stress exceeding the shear strength S<NUM> of the fender body <NUM> may be caused. At this time, the fender body <NUM> is broken in the area A<NUM> in advance of the bumper body <NUM> due to the relation that the first force P<NUM> is greater than the second force P<NUM>, and it follows that the fender body <NUM> is broken.

<FIG> shows schematic diagrams showing actions of the protective members of the fender structure shown in <FIG>, while (<NUM>) is a diagram showing a state before the ship goes alongside the fender structure, and (<NUM>) is a diagram showing a state where the ship goes alongside the fender structure while deviating toward one side thereof.

Referring to (<NUM>) in <FIG>, the fender structure <NUM> is so set on the quay <NUM> that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the water surface. When the ship <NUM> goes alongside the fender structure <NUM> in this state, there is a case where the ship <NUM> comes into contact with only a part of the fender structure <NUM> depending on the aboardage state thereof such that force is not uniformly applied to the whole of the fender structure <NUM> but applied to only the part thereof.

More specifically, when, referring to (<NUM>) in <FIG>, force is applied to the side of one horizontal end portion 47a in the bumper portion covering body <NUM>, the side of one end portion 47a is largely deformed with respect to the side of another end portion 47b in the fender structure <NUM>. Supposing that there is no protective member 61a, it is apprehended that the ship <NUM> directly comes into contact with the side surface portion 17a of the fender body <NUM>, as shown by a one-dot chain line. When there is the protective member 61a on the contrary, it follows that the ship <NUM> comes into contact with the protective member 61a in advance, as shown by a solid line. Thus, the side surface portion 17a of the fender body <NUM> is protected by the protective member 61a, whereby such an apprehension that the side surface portion 17a of the fender body <NUM> is broken due to the aboardage of the ship <NUM> can be reduced.

While the bumper portion covering body has covered the whole of the surface of the bumper portion of the fender body in the aforementioned embodiment, the same may simply cover at least a part of the surface of the bumper portion.

While such a structure has been employed in the aforementioned embodiment that a plurality of projecting bodies are provided on the back surface of the bumper portion covering body, the projecting bodies may not be present.

While the plurality of projecting bodies provided on the back surface of the bumper portion covering body have been semispherical in the aforementioned embodiment, the same may have other shapes.

Further, while such a structure has been employed in the aforementioned embodiment that the first engaging portions are provided on the bumper portion of the fender body and the second engaging portions are provided on the flat surface of the bumper portion covering body coming into contact with the bumper portion of the fender body, the first engaging portions and the second engaging portions may not be provided.

Further, while such a structure has been employed in the aforementioned embodiment that four first engaging portions of the concave shapes are provided on the bumper portion of the fender body and four second engaging portions of the convex shapes are provided on the flat surface of the bumper portion covering body coming into contact with the bumper portion of the fender body, the present invention is not restricted to this. At least one first engaging portion and at least one second engaging portion may simply be provided on positions corresponding to each other. Further, the first engaging portions may be formed in convex shapes, and the second engaging portions may be formed in concave shapes. When, also in these cases, the first force causing shear fracture in the fender body through the first engaging portions is set greater than the second force causing shear fracture in the bumper portion covering body through the second engaging portions at a time when force in a direction parallel to the flat surface coming into contact with the bumper portion of the fender body is applied to the bumper portion covering body, the bumper portion covering body is first broken similarly to the aforementioned embodiment, also when the force in the parallel direction increases. Thus, the apprehension of breakage of the fender body is reduced, such that only the bumper portion covering body may simply be exchanged.

While such a structure has been employed in the aforementioned embodiment that the protective members are provided on both longitudinal end portions of the bumper portion covering body, the same may be provided on at least one of the end portions in the longitudinal direction. Further, the protective members may not be provided.

While the protective members have covered the side surface portions of the fender body and parts on the side of the bumper portion in the aforementioned embodiment, the same may cover the whole surfaces of the side surface portions of the fender body.

While the aforementioned embodiment has included cordlike members (bands) of the fixing members and cordlike member fixtures (buckles), the fixing members may not be present.

While the cordlike members and the cordlike member fixtures of the fixing members have consisted of the bands and the buckles in the aforementioned embodiment, the present invention is not restricted to this. When the cordlike members are arranged on the back surface on the side of the bumper portion through the hollow portion of the fender body and fixed by the cordlike member fixtures, other members such as wires and hooks etc. may be employed, for example. Further, the cordlike members may be coated with rubber or resin, or may be covered with cylindrical bodies made of rubber or resin.

Further, while the positions where the cordlike members and the cordlike member fixtures of the fixing members are fixed have been around one opening of the hollow portion of the fender body in the aforementioned embodiment, the fixed positions are not restricted thereto. For example, the present invention may have such a structure that the cordlike members and the cordlike member fixtures are fixed on another position such as around the center of the hollow portion, for example.

Further, while the fender body has had the hollow portion in the aforementioned embodiment, the hollow portion may not be present.

Further, while the fender body has been substantially V-shaped in plan view in the aforementioned embodiment, the present invention can be similarly applied also to a fender of another shape such as a truncated-conical shape, for example.

Further, while the bumper portion covering body has been rectangular in front elevational view and substantially trapezoidal in plan view in the aforementioned embodiment, the same may have another shape.

While the materials for the fender body and the bumper portion covering body have been made of rubber, the present invention is not restricted to this.

While such a structure has been employed in the aforementioned embodiment that the bumper portion covering body is made of the material identical to that for the fender body, the same may be replaced with another material, or the present invention may have such a structure that a different material is added to the surface of the bumper portion covering body in a layer-like manner. For example, the surface of the bumper portion covering body may be covered with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. In this case, the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene has a lower coefficient of friction as compared with the rubber material and the ship easily slides on the surface of the bumper portion covering body at the time of aboardage, whereby the apprehension of damaging the ship is reduced.

Further, while the aforementioned embodiment has presupposed a new fender body, the present invention can be similarly applied also to an existing fender body.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the bumper portion covering body may be set to relatively move in a direction deviating with respect to the bumper surface of the fender body when receiving external force, regardless of the presence or absence of the projecting bodies and the first and second engaging portions. For example, the present invention may be so structured that the bumper portion covering body relatively moves in the deviating direction when, in a case of receiving external force, a component of the external force in a direction parallel to the bumper surface exceeds a magnitude causing shear fracture in the fender body. Thus, when excessive external force acts, the bumper portion covering body so relatively moves as to relax influence by the external force and damage of the fender body can be avoided.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a state mounting a fender structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention on a quay, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the fender structure shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a sectional view of the fender structure shown in <FIG> as viewed from a line XX-XX.

This embodiment makes it possible to mount a bumper portion covering body <NUM> also in a case where a fender body <NUM> has no hollow portion. In a fender structure <NUM> according to this embodiment, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> includes a cover body portion <NUM> covering at least a part of a surface (a bumper surface) <NUM> of a bumper portion <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> and support portions <NUM> integrally provided on the cover body portion <NUM> and detachably fixed to a quay <NUM> or the like. Thus, it is possible to mount the bumper portion covering body <NUM> on the fender body <NUM> so that the cover body portion <NUM> covers at least a part of the bumper surface <NUM> by fixing the support portions <NUM> to the quay <NUM> or the like.

In this embodiment, further, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> is constituted of a plurality of first to fifth cover units 42a to 42e. The first to fifth cover units 42a to 42e are formed in substantially identical forms, and hence detailed description of these is represented by description as to the first cover unit 42a.

The first cover unit 42a includes a cover body portion <NUM> superposed on the bumper surface <NUM> and a pair of support portions <NUM> integrally provided on both side portions of the cover body portion <NUM> along the longitudinal direction of the fender body <NUM>.

The cover body portion <NUM> is formed to have a trapezoidal section opened on a back surface side to be capable of storing a part on the side of the bumper surface <NUM>. In a case where the fender body <NUM> is so fixed that the longitudinal direction is along the vertical direction, a protective portion <NUM> covering a part of a side surface portion <NUM> on an upper end side of the fender body <NUM> is provided on the cover body portion <NUM> as to the first cover unit 42a positioned on the uppermost portion. This protective portion <NUM> is omitted in the second to fifth cover units 42b to 42e.

The support portions <NUM> have sheetlike forms extending from the cover body portion <NUM> toward the side of the quay <NUM>, and opening holes <NUM> for receiving anchor bolts <NUM> described later are provided on forward end-side regions thereof. In this embodiment, two opening holes <NUM> are formed as to one support portion <NUM>. In this embodiment, further, presser members 60a to 60e arranged on the support portions <NUM> for ensuring the state fixed to the quay <NUM> are employed for the respective ones of the support portions <NUM> of the first to fifth cover units 42a to 42e. Opening holes <NUM> for receiving the anchor bolts <NUM> are formed also in the respective presser members 60a to 60e.

In order to construct the fender structure <NUM>, the fender body <NUM> is fixed to the quay <NUM> with anchor bolts <NUM> and nuts <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, whereafter the first to fifth cover units 42a to 42e are successively fixed to the quay <NUM>, to cover the fender body <NUM>. Therefore, the anchor bolts <NUM> are previously embedded in the quay <NUM> in the vicinity of the fender body <NUM>, in response to the positions of the respective opening holes <NUM> formed in the support portions <NUM> of the first to fifth cover units 42a to 42e. Then, the cover body portion <NUM> of the first cover unit 42a positioned on the uppermost portion is first superposed on the bumper portion <NUM>, while the support portions <NUM> are arranged on the surface of the quay <NUM> by inserting the anchor bolts <NUM> into the opening holes <NUM> thereof. Then, the presser members 60a are arranged on the support portions <NUM> by inserting the anchor bolts <NUM> into the opening holes <NUM> thereof. Thereafter the nuts <NUM> are fastened to the anchor bolts <NUM> through washers <NUM>, and so tightened as to fix the first cover unit 42a.

Then, the second cover unit 42b is fixed to the quay <NUM> in a process similar to the above, to be adjacent to the first cover unit 42a. Then, the third to fifth cover units 42c to 42e are also successively fixed to the quay <NUM> in similar processes to be adjacent to each other respectively, whereby the bumper portion covering body <NUM> covering the whole of the bumper surface <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> is constituted.

Thus, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> according to this embodiment can be so mounted on the fender body <NUM> that the cover body portion <NUM> covers at least a part of the bumper surface <NUM> by fixing the support portions <NUM> to the quay <NUM>, whereby the same can be applied also to the fender body <NUM> having no hollow portion.

Further, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> is constituted of the plurality of cover units 42a to 42e, whereby the size of the constituted bumper portion covering body <NUM> can be varied with the number of use of the cover units. In other words, it becomes possible to properly cover the bumper surface <NUM> also when the fender body <NUM> has a different length, by using a proper number of cover units responsive to the size of the fender body <NUM>. More specifically, while the five cover units 42a to 42e have been used with respect to the fender body <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the number of use of the cover units may be reduced to not more than four with respect to a fender body <NUM> shorter than the same, and it is possible to cope with a case of a contrarily longer fender body by using at least six cover units.

While the bumper portion covering body <NUM> can also be so provided that relative movement is difficult with respect to the fender body <NUM>, the same may be so constituted as to be capable of relatively moving in a direction deviating with respect to the bumper surface <NUM> of the fender body <NUM> when receiving external force. For example, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> can be so constituted that the cover body portion <NUM> is relatively movable in a direction parallel to the bumper surface <NUM> in a case where the bumper portion covering body <NUM> receives external force, by fixing the support portions <NUM> to the quay <NUM> in a state slightly relaxed with bending. At this time, it is conceivable to set the condition for relative movement of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> when a component of the acting external force in a direction parallel to the bumper surface <NUM> exceeds a magnitude causing shear fracture in the fender body <NUM>, for example. Thus, when excessive external force acts on the fender body, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> so bodily moves in the deviating direction as to be capable of buffering the external force and avoiding damage of the fender body <NUM>.

It is also possible to constitute the bumper portion covering body <NUM> not to easily relatively move also when receiving external force, by straining the support portions <NUM> and fixing the same to the quay <NUM> in an unbent state.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a state mounting a fender structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention on a quay. A fender structure <NUM> shown in <FIG> is prepared by manufacturing a bumper portion covering body <NUM> in response to the length of a fender body <NUM> as a single member. Presser members <NUM> employed when fixing the bumper portion covering body <NUM> to a quay <NUM> are also prepared as long size members responsive to the length of the fender body <NUM>. In the fender structure <NUM> according to this embodiment, the number of components is reduced as compared with the aforementioned embodiment employing the cover units, whereby the number of working steps at the time of setting is reduced, and constructiveness can be improved. A fender body <NUM> of a different length may be coped with by preparing a bumper portion covering body <NUM> having a different length.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a fender structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the fender structure shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a horizontal sectional view of the fender structure shown in <FIG>.

As shown in these <FIG>, this embodiment is implemented by mounting a bumper portion covering body <NUM> with respect to a fender body <NUM> having a truncated conical form for constituting a fender structure <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a fender body <NUM> according to this embodiment has a circular bumper surface <NUM> on a forward end side, and has a mounting portion <NUM> formed in a flange-like manner over the entire periphery on a base end side. In response to such a form of the fender body <NUM>, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> is constituted of a shallow truncated-conical cover body portion <NUM> and a plurality of support portions <NUM> so provided as to protrude from a peripheral portion thereof. Opening holes <NUM> for receiving anchor bolts described later are formed on forward end sides of the respective support portions <NUM>.

Mounting of the aforementioned bumper portion covering body <NUM> is performed in a process similar to those of the second and third embodiments. In other words, after fixing the fender body <NUM> to a quay <NUM> with anchor bolts <NUM> and nuts <NUM>, anchor bolts <NUM> are previously embedded in the quay <NUM> in the vicinity of the fender body <NUM> in response to the positions of the respective opening holes <NUM> formed in the support portions <NUM> of the bumper portion covering body <NUM>. Then, the cover body portion <NUM> of the bumper portion covering body <NUM> is superposed on the bumper surface <NUM>, and the support portions <NUM> are arranged on the surface of the quay <NUM> by inserting the anchor bolts <NUM> into the opening holes <NUM> thereof. Then, the bumper portion covering body <NUM> can be fixed to the quay <NUM> to cover the fender body <NUM>, by fastening nuts <NUM> to the anchor bolts <NUM> through washers <NUM> and tightening the same.

While the bumper portion covering body has covered the whole of the bumper surface of the fender body in each of the aforementioned second to fourth embodiments, the same may simply cover at least a part of the bumper surface.

Also in each of the aforementioned third and fourth embodiments, the bumper portion covering body may be so prepared as to relatively move in a direction deviating with respect to the bumper surface of the fender body when the fender structure receives external force. For example, the bumper portion covering body can be so constituted as to relatively move in the direction deviating with respect to the fender body when, in a case of receiving external force, a component of this external force in a direction parallel to the bumper surface exceeds a magnitude causing shear fracture in the fender body.

Further, a plurality of projecting bodies may be provided on the back surface of the bumper portion covering body in each of the aforementioned second to fourth embodiments. In this case, the projecting bodies may be semispherical ones, or may have other shapes.

Further, each of the aforementioned second to fourth embodiments may have a structure of providing first engaging portions on the bumper portion of the fender body and providing second engaging portions on the bumper portion covering body. In this case, the first engaging portions and the second engaging portions may be formed in concaved and convex manners respectively. While the numbers of the first engaging portions and the second engaging portions may be four and four respectively, for example, at least one first engaging portion and one second engaging portion may simply be provided. The first engaging portions and the second engaging portions may be so set that the second engaging portions of the bumper portion covering body are shear-fractured before causing shear fracture in the fender body when force in a direction parallel to the bumper surface is applied to the bumper portion covering body. Thus, apprehension for breakage of the fender body is reduced.

Further, protective members may be provided on both longitudinal end portions of the bumper portion covering body or at least one of the longitudinal end portions in each of the aforementioned second and third embodiments. In this case, the protective members may be prepared in structures of covering parts of side surface portions of the fender body on the side of the bumper portion or the whole surfaces of the side surface portions.

Further, abrasion resistance may be improved by thickly forming the protective portion provided on at least one of the longitudinal end portions of the bumper portion covering body in each of the aforementioned second and third embodiments. In this case, the protective portion may be brought into a form similar to that of the protective member in the first embodiment.

Further, while the bumper portion covering body has had a substantially rectangular shape in front elevational view and a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan view in each of the aforementioned second and third embodiments, the same may have another shape.

Further, while the fender body and the bumper portion covering body have been made of rubber in each of the aforementioned second to fourth embodiments, the present invention is not restricted to this. In addition, the fender body and the bumper portion covering body may be made of the same material or different materials.

Further, each of the aforementioned second to fourth embodiments may have a structure of adding a different material to the surface of the bumper portion covering body in a layered manner. For example, the surface of the bumper portion covering body may be coated with an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene layer. The ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene has a lower coefficient of friction as compared with a rubber material so that a ship easily slides on the surface of the bumper portion covering body at the time of aboardage, whereby the apprehension of damaging the ship is reduced when coating the surface with the same.

Further, each of the aforementioned second to fourth embodiments may presuppose a new fender body, the same can be similarly applied also to an existing fender body.

Further, the fender body may have a hollow portion, and may be V-shaped in section in each of the aforementioned second and third embodiments. In this case, the fender body may further include fixing members consisting of cordlike members and cordlike member fixtures. The fixing members may be constituted of wires and hooks etc., for example, in addition to those consisting of bands and buckles. The cordlike members may be cylindrical bodies coated with rubber or resin, or may be covered with cylindrical bodies made of rubber or resin. The positions where the cordlike members and the cordlike member fixtures of the fixing members are fixed may be around one opening of the hollow portion of the fender body, or other positions such as around the center of the hollow portion.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A fender structure (<NUM>) comprising:
a fender body (<NUM>), made of an elastic material, fixed on a quay (<NUM>) or the like, including a bumper portion (<NUM>) for buffering an impact at the time of aboardage of a ship (<NUM>); and
a bumper portion covering body (<NUM>), made of an elastic material, separably mounted on the fender body, covering a whole of a surface (<NUM>) of the bumper portion of the fender body;
characterized in that the bumper portion covering body includes a cover body portion (<NUM>) covering a whole of the bumper surface and a sheetlike support portion (<NUM>) integrally provided on the cover body portion and having a forward end portion detachably fixed to the quay or the like,
wherein the bumper portion covering body has a recess portion (<NUM>) in the back (<NUM>) of the surface so that a part of the bumper portion on the side of the surface (<NUM>) can be stored therein.