US 12,296,927 B2
Mooring/tensioning apparatus
Richard Taylor, Dundee (GB); and David Smith, Dundee (GB)
Assigned to FLINTSTONE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, Dundee (GB)
Filed by FLINTSTONE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, Dundee (GB)
Filed on Jul. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/815,399.
Application 17/815,399 is a continuation of application No. 17/427,425, previously published as PCT/GB2020/050305, filed on Feb. 11, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 1902103 (GB), filed on Feb. 15, 2019; and application No. 1912851 (GB), filed on Sep. 6, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0363346 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. B63B 21/20 (2006.01); B63B 21/04 (2006.01); B63B 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC B63B 21/20 (2013.01) [B63B 21/04 (2013.01); B63B 21/18 (2013.01); B63B 2021/203 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus or device for mooring a structure and/or tensioning a mooring line, the apparatus or device comprising:
a body and a guide portion rotatably connected to the body for guiding at least a portion of a first mooring line along a mooring line path;
wherein the body defines an open channel for guiding and/or seating the first mooring line, and
a lock arrangement or means provided on an opposite side of the mooring line path from the guide portion;
wherein the body comprises a connection portion for connecting the apparatus to a second mooring line, and the guide portion is disposed between the connection portion and the open channel, and the open channel is configured to allow the first mooring line to freely pivot relative to the body between a surface of the open channel and the guide portion;
wherein the apparatus is configured such that, when in use mooring a structure, a tension in the mooring line is taken by the lock arrangement or means and not by a portion of the mooring line around the guide portion.