4,255,069

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which  compatibly  receive  the  free end  of alignment  of

rods 54。

Vertical actuation of  the  frame  52 is achieved  by  at least one hydraulic motor 62 comprising a typical piston and cylinder combination  wherein one end of the motor   5 is operably  connected  to  the  deck  via  a connecting bar

64。The other end of the motor 62 is connected to the frame such that vertical raising and lowering of the somewhat  heavy  locking  mechanism   may  be  facilely

and  reliably achieved。 10

The frame 52 serves to carry a locking  member '70 such as a chock having teeth 72 operable  for engage- ment with the teeth of the  rack  42。  The exact spacing and  depth  of the teeth  are selected  such that  upon   full

engagement of the chock as depicted  in FIG。 5 the lands   15

of the chock and rack teeth do not engage  with  the tips of the teeth and the sloping side surfaces thereof mutu- ally interfere to provide a firm supporting connection。 Actuation of the chock toward and  away  from  the rack 42 is achieved by a second hydraulic motor assem- bly 74 which is mounted at one end 76 upon  an outer most portion of the frame 52 and at the  inner  end 78 upon a baci: surface of the chock 70。 As depicted in FIGS。 5 anal 6 it  will be seen  that  actuation  of the  sec-

ond  motor  74  serves  to  drive  the  chocl‹  70  into  firm 25

engagement  with  the  rack 42。

The vertical position of the frame 52 is advanta- geoosly assured throughout  the  operating  life  of the lock by the provision of a plurality of mechanical   secur-

ing or holding members 80, note particularly FIG。 5。  30 The securing members 80 are threaded through holding ams 82  fixedly  connected  to  the  deck。  These mechani-

cal  securing  or  locking  members  C0  include  an upper end portion 114 containing wrench flats or the 1il:e de- signed to cooperate with an appropriate accuating tool。 35 Upon  locking  of the frame 52 in  vertical  position   with

the lock screws fiO hydraulic pressure on the motor 64 iriay be relieved  as desired。

The chock 70 is horizontally secured in operative position by the provision of a securing or locking wedge assembly。 In this regard a wedge 92 having a sloping surface 94 is vertically actuated by a hydraulic motor assembly IS。 The motor f6 is connected to the frame 52 through channel irons 98。 A back portion of the  chock

tained in a pressurized posture as desired。 Horizontal engagement of the chock 70 with the racl: '12 is secured by downward actuation of the wedge 92 which bears against a sloping surface of the cliock and provides a resultant horizontal force which will  prevent  the chock 78 from  becoming  disengaged  from  the  rack 42。

SUMMARY OF MAJOR  ADVANTAGES  OF THE

INVENTION

After reading and understanding the foregoing de- scription of the invention, in conjunction with the drawings, it will be appreciated that several advantages of the subject jack-up platform locking apparatus are obtained。

Without attempting to set forth all of these desirable features of the instant locking assembly, at least some of the major advantages of the invention include the provi- sion of a lock which will secure the jack-up leg chords with respect to the deck through bracing junctions  and will react bending moments occasioned upon  the  legs and deci: from environmental sources without damag- ing  the  leg chords。