A mounting bracket (10) for mounting items (I) on a metal post (P) located on a boat dock (D). A support member (12) allows a user to position the bracket where an item is to be mounted on a post with a pair of clamps (14a, 14b) then being used to affix the item to the bracket. The support member has a set (13) of teeth (T) formed at each end (12e) which bite into, but do penetrate through, the post. When the clamps are attached to the support member, tightening down of the clamps causes the teeth to bite into the post to hold the mounting bracket securely in place, but this does not result in holes being made in the side of the post which might later result in corrosion.

The present invention relates to systems for securing connectors of risers in petroleum production units. In this scenario, the present invention provides an autonomous system for securing a riser support, said system comprising (i) a riser support (32) connected at its bottom end to a submerged riser (34) and at its upper end to a tensioning element (30), (ii) a supporting ledge (20) comprising a through-hole (22) through which the tensioning element (30) and at least part of the riser support (32) pass, (iii) a securing device (40) located on the supporting ledge (20), said securing device (40) sliding relative to the supporting ledge (20) and driven by an actuator (48), wherein the securing device (40) slides between an unlocked position and a locked position on the through-hole (22), wherein, in the locked position, the securing device (40) can engage with locking in a connector (38) of the riser support (32) after the connector (38) has passed through the through-hole (22) of the supporting ledge (20). The present invention further provides an autonomous method for securing a riser support associated with the system described above.

A hand-held rope tie is operable to releasably hold one or more portions of a rope. Pivotally connected arm members accommodate and hold the rope portions with a selected clamping pressure. The rope tie is adjustable to tightly grip and clamp onto the rope without slippage of the rope through the arms when desired.

A pressure activated time-delayed release device and method. The device includes a body having a drive chamber and a compression chamber disposed therein, a drive piston disposed within the drive chamber of the body, and a compression piston disposed within the compression chamber of the body. A throttle mechanism is disposed between the drive piston and the compression piston. The throttle mechanism controls a release of viscous fluid from the drive chamber into the compression chamber. The drive piston and compression piston are connected so as to cause the compression piston to move substantially simultaneously with the drive piston to compress a compressible element disposed within the compression chamber. The device moves from an un-actuated state to an actuated state when the device is exposed to a predetermined water pressure for a predetermined period of time.

A pressure activated time-delayed release device and method. The device includes a body having a drive chamber and a compression chamber disposed therein, a drive piston disposed within the drive chamber of the body, and a compression piston disposed within the compression chamber of the body. A throttle mechanism is disposed between the drive piston and the compression piston. The throttle mechanism controls a release of viscous fluid from the drive chamber into the compression chamber. The drive piston and compression piston are connected so as to cause the compression piston to move substantially simultaneously with the drive piston to compress a compressible element disposed within the compression chamber. The device moves from an un-actuated state to an actuated state when the device is exposed to a predetermined water pressure for a predetermined period of time.

A watercraft securement device including a boat attachment line configured for connection to a watercraft and a dock attachment line configured for connection to an anchoring structure. A tensioning apparatus is connected to the boat attachment line and the dock attachment line. The tensioning apparatus is configured to adjust the length of one of the boat attachment line or the dock attachment line. The tensioning apparatus further includes a pulley for engaging the adjustable length and a ratcheting mechanism. The ratcheting mechanism operates to permit rotation of the pulley in only one direction when engaged, and to permit free rotation of the pulley when released. The ratcheting mechanism maintains tension as the adjustable length is pulled through the pulley.

A watercraft securement device including a boat attachment line configured for connection to a watercraft and a dock attachment line configured for connection to an anchoring structure. A tensioning apparatus is connected to the boat attachment line and the dock attachment line. The tensioning apparatus is configured to adjust the length of one of the boat attachment line or the dock attachment line. The tensioning apparatus further includes a pulley for engaging the adjustable length and a ratcheting mechanism. The ratcheting mechanism operates to permit rotation of the pulley in only one direction when engaged, and to permit free rotation of the pulley when released. The ratcheting mechanism maintains tension as the adjustable length is pulled through the pulley.

An attachment system for securing an object, such as a seismic node or other external device, to a rope or cable includes a latch block and a latch member movably connected to the latch block for selective engagement with a coupling feature on the rope or cable. The latch block may be attached to or integrated with the object and can include opposing side members defining a channel extending through the latch block, the channel sized for selective receipt of the rope or cable therein. The latch member may selectively engage the coupling feature as the rope or cable is received in sliding engagement within the channel.

A mooring connector assembly (3) has a body (10) arranged to be pivotally mounted to a structure (1), such as a tethered buoy, to be moored for movement about a pivot axis. At least a part of the body extends below the pivot axis when so mounted and oriented for use. A line stopper (17) is mounted to the part of the body which extends below the pivot axis in use and is operative to retain a mooring line (2) relative to the body. The body is configured to receive a tensioner (20) for tensioning a mooring line (2) retained by the stopper such that the tensioner urges the line at a point which is below the pivot axis when the body is oriented for use. The body may be an elongate tube (10) pivotally connected to a structure to be moored (1) at one end and fitting with a chain stopper (17) at the opposite end. The tube is configured to receive a chain tensioner (20) between the chain stopper (17) and pivot axis.

A mooring connector assembly (3) has a body (10) arranged to be pivotally mounted to a structure (1), such as a tethered buoy, to be moored for movement about a pivot axis. At least a part of the body extends below the pivot axis when so mounted and oriented for use. A line stopper (17) is mounted to the part of the body which extends below the pivot axis in use and is operative to retain a mooring line (2) relative to the body. The body is configured to receive a tensioner (20) for tensioning a mooring line (2) retained by the stopper such that the tensioner urges the line at a point which is below the pivot axis when the body is oriented for use. The body may be an elongate tube (10) pivotally connected to a structure to be moored (1) at one end and fitting with a chain stopper (17) at the opposite end. The tube is configured to receive a chain tensioner (20) between the chain stopper (17) and pivot axis.