Marine Hose Boom Safety Stop Device

Abstract

A marine hose boom safety stop device is provided and is designed to mechanically intercept and secure a descending tank barge hose boom, thereby reducing the risk of injury to personnel and preventing structural damage in scenarios of winch failure or operator error. The device comprises a base plate which includes a plurality of distributed openings for mechanical attachment to the deck via marine-rated fasteners. A vibration-dampening layer may be integrated into the base plate and is composed of elastomeric materials to absorb kinetic energy from impact events. Extending perpendicularly from the base plate is a vertical shaft assembly. A pivot point of the shaft assembly allows multidirectional articulation of a cradle assembly to adjust to varying boom trajectories once secured to the same. Upon deployment, the device acts as a passive fail-safe, engaging automatically with the descending boom to arrest its motion and redirect energy through the structural components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A marine hose boom safety stop device comprising:
 a base plate;   a shaft assembly extending from the base plate;   a pivot point disposed on the vertical shaft assembly; and   a cradle assembly coupled to the pivot point, wherein the cradle assembly is comprised of a first receiving plate and a second receiving plate and wherein the first receiving plate attaches to the second receiving plate via a fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate is comprised of an opening. 
     
     
         3 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft assembly is comprised of a telescopic shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 1 , wherein the first receiving plate is comprised of a first contoured profile area. 
     
     
         5 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 1 , wherein the second receiving plate is comprised of a second contoured profile area. 
     
     
         6 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate is comprised of a vibration-dampening layer. 
     
     
         7 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 3  further comprised of a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft assembly is comprised of a piston assembly. 
     
     
         9 . A marine hose boom safety stop device comprising:
 a base plate;   a shaft assembly extending from the base plate;   a pivot point disposed on the vertical shaft assembly; and   a cradle assembly coupled to the pivot point, wherein the cradle assembly is comprised of a first receiving plate having a first liner and a second receiving plate having a second liner and wherein the first receiving plate attaches to the second receiving plate via a fastening mechanism.   
     
     
         10 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 9 , wherein the first liner and the second liner are comprised of a foam or a rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 9 , wherein the pivot point is comprised of a universal joint, a ball-and-socket joint, or a dual-axis gimbal assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 9 , wherein the fastening mechanism is comprised of a quick-release latch system, a threaded fastener, a spring-loaded pin, or a clamp. 
     
     
         13 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 9 , wherein the base plate is comprised of an opening. 
     
     
         14 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 9 , wherein the shaft assembly is comprised of a telescopic shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 9 , wherein the first receiving plate is comprised of a first contoured profile area. 
     
     
         16 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 9 , wherein the second receiving plate is comprised of a second contoured profile area. 
     
     
         17 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 9 , wherein the base plate is comprised of a vibration-dampening layer. 
     
     
         18 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 14  further comprised of a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The marine hose boom safety stop device of  claim 9 , wherein the shaft assembly is comprised of a piston assembly. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a marine hose boom safety stop device, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing a marine hose boom safety stop device comprised of a base plate having a vertical shaft assembly with a pivot point, and a cradle assembly comprising a first receiving plate and a second receiving plate;   affixing the base plate to a surface by placing a first fastener through an opening of the base plate;   placing a hose boom between the first receiving plate and the second receiving plate; and   engaging a fastening mechanism to secure the first receiving plate and the second receiving plate around the hose boom.