US3557742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cargo vessels
Assignee: Vickers Ltd
•
Filing: 1968-11-20
•
Granted: 1971-01-26
•
Expires: 1988-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A vessel made up of interlockable sections, the aftermost one being a propulsion unit housing machinery, crew accommodation, the bridge and other offices and being independently navigable. A cargo-carrying section can be removably attached to the forward end of the propulsion unit and when attached mating surfaces of tapered shoulders and recesses are locked in wedged together positions. Power operated devices are provided for drawing the propulsion unit and the cargo-carrying section together and locking them in position. The forward end of the cargo-carrying section can be shaped similarly to the forward end of the propulsion unit so that further similar cargo-carrying sections can be attached end-to-end forward of the propulsion unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Reuben Murphy Gainsley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:15
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/66; B63B35/665
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A cargo vessel comprising in combination a cargo-carrying hull and a propulsion unit engageable with the after end of the hull, the forward end of the propulsion unit having a central forwardly projecting wedge portion and the after end of the hull having a corresponding tapered recess to receive said wedge portion, the wedging action being both lateral and vertical, and means for locking the hull and propulsion unit together when said portion is wedged in said recess, wherein the improvement comprises an after end hull structure having a rearwardly extending wedging portion on each side of said recess, the sides of the propulsion unit having corresponding tapered recesses to receive said wedging portions, the principal tapering of said portions and recesses being towards the horizontal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A cargo vessel comprising in combination a cargo-carrying hull and a propulsion unit engageable with the after end of the hull, the forward end of the propulsion unit having a central forwardly projecting wedge portion and the after end of the hull having a corresponding tapered recess to receive said wedge portion, the wedging action being both lateral and vertical, and means for locking the hull and propulsion unit together when said portion is wedged in said recess, wherein the improvement comprises an after end hull structure having a rearwardly extending wedging portion on each side of said recess, the sides of the propulsion unit having corresponding tapered recesses to receive said wedging portions, the principal tapering of said portions and recesses being towards the horizontal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mating surfaces of the propulsion unit and the cargo carrying hull have nonresilient ribs providing access channels therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ribs include baulks of greenheart timber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central wedge portion has two planar parts, of which the forward higher part is more nearly horizontal than the more rearward, lower part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are cooperating means at the extremities of corresponding wedge portions and recesses for drawing and mechanically locking the hull and propulsion unit together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein said drawing and locking means includes a pin with a slot near its free end secured to and projecting from the associated extremity, the bottom of the corresponding recess having an aperture for receiving the pin, a wedge arranged beyond the aperture, means for forcing the wedge into said slot when the propulsion unit is mated with the hull, the wedging action of said wedge being adapted to draw said unit and said hull tightly together, and means for locking the wedge in position in the slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking means includes hydraulically operated cam means for cooperating with said wedge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 6, wherein hydraulic means are provided for acting on the end of said pin to assist separating the hull and propulsion unit when the drawing and locking means are disengaged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein said drawiNg and locking means include a pin movably mounted in the associated extremity to project a controlled amount, the bottom of the corresponding recess having an aperture for receiving said pin and means for holding the free end of said pin, means for moving the pin outwardly to project through the associated aperture when the propulsion unit is mated with the hull and inwardly to withdraw the pin and hence draw the propulsion unit and the hull tightly together when the end of the pin is held.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pin is provided with a screw threaded portion and the means for moving the pin includes a nut mounted on said screw threaded portion, means for rotating the nut, and stops for preventing axial movement of the nut.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the holding means includes a cotter pin engageable in a slot near the end of the movable pin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
105 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein said drawing and locking means include a shaft movably mounted in the associated extremity to project a controlled amount, there being a screw-threaded portion on the free end of said shaft, the bottom of the corresponding recess having a screw-threaded aperture for receiving said screw-threaded portion, there being means for holding said shaft in an axially stationary position projecting from said extremity, and means for rotating the shaft in this position, when the propulsion unit is mated with the hull and with the screw-threaded portions engaged to draw the propulsion unit and the hull tightly together.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 12, wherein an axially movable and lockable bearing provides said holding means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 12, wherein said holding means comprises a collar lockable on said shaft and a fixed bearing rotatably mounting said collar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rotating means includes a gear mounted on splines on said shaft to permit axial movement of the latter with respect to the gear.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forward end of the hull is formed in the same manner as the forward end of the propulsion unit, whereby further similar hulls can be interlocked end-to-end forward of the propulsion unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cargo vessel as claimed in claim 16, wherein there is a plurality of interlockable hulls, the foremost one being formed with a conventional bow.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-25 | 1974-07-27 | 1975-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-25 | 1978-07-27 | 1979-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-25 | 1982-07-27 | 1983-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |