A key press facilitates securing a shackle assembly used for connecting chains, buoys, and other devices used for watercraft applications. The shackle assembly includes a shackle, a bolt, and a split key. The shackle has two shackle legs with openings. The bolt includes a shaft with a distal end having a slot. The split key has two split key legs extending from an enlarged rounded end. The key press includes a receptacle and a wedge head having an apex. The shaft of the bolt is passed through the shackle leg openings and then the split key legs are passed through the slot. The distal end of the bolt is the placed into the receptacle. The wedge head is lowered until the apex is placed between the split key legs which are then bent away from each other so as to secure the shackle assembly.

The invention relates to a securing pin (16) which, in order to secure two chain connector shackles (12, 14) of a chain connector (10) against becoming disengaged, can be inserted into an opening (28) formed by the two chain connector shackles (12, 14), comprising a base body (30) with a through-hole (32), at least one spring ring (34), at least two balls (36), and a securing member (38) inserted into the through-hole (32), wherein an annular groove (54) in which the spring ring is inserted (34) is provided in a lateral surface (59) of the base body (30), wherein the annular groove (54) is provided with two bore holes (66) which are aligned with the through-hole (32) and in which the balls (36) rest, and wherein the spring ring (34) has at least one leg (64) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the base body (30) and which bends out of shape if the securing pin (16) is inserted into the opening (28) incorrectly. The invention further relates to a chain connector (10) for connecting two chains formed from links and to a method for connecting two chains by means of a chain connector (10) and for securing the chain connector shackles (12, 14) of the chain connector (10) against becoming disengaged by means of a securing pin (16).

Some embodiments provide release apparatuses comprising: a body having first and second mating sections each connected to separate tethers; locking shoes each movable between a first position configured to lock the first and second mating sections together and a second position configured to allow the first and second mating sections to disconnect; an actuator configured to move the locking shoes between the first and second positions; wherein each of the locking shoes comprises a locking surface configured to contact an engagement surface of the second mating section and maintain a position of the first mating section with the second mating section; wherein portions of the locking surface comprise toric geometries that are not in contact with the engagement surface when the locking shoes are in the first position and do not come into contact with the engagement surface the locking shoes transition to the second position.

Some embodiments provide release apparatuses comprising: a body having first and second mating sections each connected to separate tethers; locking shoes each movable between a first position configured to lock the first and second mating sections together and a second position configured to allow the first and second mating sections to disconnect; an actuator configured to move the locking shoes between the first and second positions; wherein each of the locking shoes comprises a locking surface configured to contact an engagement surface of the second mating section and maintain a position of the first mating section with the second mating section; wherein portions of the locking surface comprise toric geometries that are not in contact with the engagement surface when the locking shoes are in the first position and do not come into contact with the engagement surface the locking shoes transition to the second position.

A method of forming a chain having a plurality of links that are formed from separate link members is provided that includes press fitting one link member into another link member. The method may further comprise cooling or heating one link member before completing the pressing operation.

A method of forming a chain having a plurality of links that are formed from separate link members is provided that includes press fitting one link member into another link member. The method may further comprise cooling or heating one link member before completing the pressing operation.

A connecting link pin retaining device has main frame with a lead screw threadably engaged with the main frame. The main frame has opposing upper and lower sections, and is sized and shaped to fit around a connecting link, typically used in connecting sections of mooring lines in subsea mooring applications. The retaining device is positioned around a connecting link, subsea, by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and the main frame engages the connecting link and positions the lead screw in alignment with the connecting link pin of the connecting link. The lead screw is then rotated by an operating arm of the ROV, advancing the end of the lead screw against the connecting link pin and retaining it in place.

A connecting link pin retaining device has main frame with a lead screw threadably engaged with the main frame. The main frame has opposing upper and lower sections, and is sized and shaped to fit around a connecting link, typically used in connecting sections of mooring lines in subsea mooring applications. The retaining device is positioned around a connecting link, subsea, by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and the main frame engages the connecting link and positions the lead screw in alignment with the connecting link pin of the connecting link. The lead screw is then rotated by an operating arm of the ROV, advancing the end of the lead screw against the connecting link pin and retaining it in place.

A block lock for connecting two chain ends, wherein, in the locked state, the block lock has two oppositely located block-lock halves which extend in the longitudinal direction, interengage in a form-fitting manner via a respective stub and stub socket and lock to form at least one accommodating opening, preferably two accommodating openings, for accommodating a chain link. The block-lock halves interengage in a comb-like manner at their ends.

A block lock for connecting two chain ends, wherein, in the locked state, the block lock has two oppositely located block-lock halves which extend in the longitudinal direction, interengage in a form-fitting manner via a respective stub and stub socket and lock to form at least one accommodating opening, preferably two accommodating openings, for accommodating a chain link. The block-lock halves interengage in a comb-like manner at their ends.