Patent ID: 7493868

Claim:
A system for connecting first and second floating bodies, the system comprising: a truss assembly associated with the first floating body, the truss assembly having a plurality of telescoping truss portions and a longitudinal axis, a first truss portion of the plurality of telescoping truss portions being slidably connected to a second truss portion of the plurality of telescoping truss portions for motion in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the second truss portion being connected at a proximal end thereof to the first floating structure via an adjustment assembly, the adjustment assembly being configured to allow the truss assembly to rotate about three mutually perpendicular axes with respect to the first floating body; and a receptacle assembly connected to the second floating body; wherein the first truss portion further has a coupling disposed at a distal end thereof and the receptacle assembly further comprises a receptacle for receiving the coupling to connect the first and second floating bodies together; and wherein the truss assembly has an extended position with a first length and a retracted position with a second length, the truss assembly being configurable in the extended position for engaging the receptacle assembly connected to the second floating body, the truss assembly further being configurable to the retracted position for locking the first and second floating bodies together to prevent substantial relative movement therebetween; wherein the coupling of the first truss portion comprises a plurality of coupling elements and the receptacle assembly comprises a plurality of corresponding recesses configured to receive the coupling elements.