US3631679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus to confine and recover oil spillage at sea
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-07-24
•
Granted: 1972-01-04
•
Expires: 1989-07-24
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus is a floating loop barrier which can be looped to surround a large water area covered with oil. The loop can be reduced so that the originally thin oil film which cannot escape, will gain more height so that it can be pumped out, separated from the water. The barrier is reduced by having one end passed through an eye at the other end and pulled by a boat. The barrier comprises a flexible steel cable or rope core surrounded by inflated sleeve sections attached in tandem. The barrier can be reeled onto a ship and the inflated sections separated from the rope. The sleeves are deflated and stored on the ship while the rope is wound on a drum for storage on the ship.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Fisch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:41
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/08; E02B15/085; E02B15/0857; E02B15/0864; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A floating barrier comprising a flexible pull cable, and a flattened tubular inflatable hose wrapped in flattened condition around said cable with the cable being disposed outside of the interior of said tubular hose, and means to attach the longitudinal ends of the flattened wrapped hose to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A floating barrier comprising a flexible pull cable, and a flattened tubular inflatable hose wrapped in flattened condition around said cable with the cable being disposed outside of the interior of said tubular hose, and means to attach the longitudinal ends of the flattened wrapped hose to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 1, said cable comprising a steel rope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1, and weighted rings on said cable and interposed between the cable and said wrapped around flattened hose.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1, said hose comprising inflatable tubular sections, and means to attach said sections together in tandem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A floating barrier comprising a flexible pull cable, and an inflatable hose detachably attached longitudinally of said cable, a float, means to attach one end of said barrier to said float, said float having an eye and a portion of said barrier passing through said eye.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A floating barrier comprising a flexible pull cable, and an inflatable hose detachably attached longitudinally of said cable, a float, means to attach one end of said barrier to said float, said float having an eye and a portion of said barrier passing through said eye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 5, a ship, means to anchor said float to said ship, and a boat to which the other end of said barrier is attached so that said boat can pull said barrier through said eye.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 12, each section having a pair of longitudinal flaps provided with slider actuated fasteners which can be fastened together in position surrounding said cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 7, and weighted rings on said cable and disposed inside of said sections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 8, said cable comprising a steel rope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A barrier floatable on the sea and comprising a flexible cable of material heavier than water and means to float said cable, surrounding said cable longitudinally thereof and comprising a member floatable on the water and extending above and below said cable and capable of floating said cable, said barrier comprising a noose which can be reduced in diameter by pulling one end of the barrier through an eye at the other end of the barrier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
A barrier floatable on the sea and comprising a flexible cable of material heavier than water and means to float said cable, surrounding said cable longitudinally thereof and comprising a member floatable on the water and extending above and below said cable and capable of floating said cable, said barrier comprising a noose which can be reduced in diameter by pulling one end of the barrier through an eye at the other end of the barrier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 10, said floating means comprising means removable from said cable for separate storage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 10, said floating means comprising a sealed, flexible inflatable sleeve means on the cable, removable therefrom for separate storage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 12, said sleeve means comprising a plurality of separate, sealed sleeve sections and means to detachably attach said sections to each other in tandem.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 13, said cable comprising a steel rope, and weighted rings on said rope, said sleeve sections surrounding said weighted rings.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |