US3633370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sea cage
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-30
•
Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A pair of hemispherically shaped transparent shells is carried on a hinged annular bracket forming a water-flow resistant envelope for providing an underwater sanctuary for a diver. Suspending divers in contemporary, protective ''''jail-cell''''-like cages from a surface craft subjects them to violet buffeting as the cage is jerked and dropped through the water as it follows the supporting ship''s heaving and pitching motions. The hemispherical shells prevent such buffeting by enclosing a diver in a relatively static ''''slug'''' of water and simultaneously protecting him from all marine predators from sharks to piranhas. Mounting a pivotable hinge, diametrically opposed to a pair of separable handle elements, allows splitting of the Sea Cage its entire girth to permit an unimpeded entrance and exit from the cage.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry E Mckinley
- 👤 William E Evans
- 👤 Clarence S Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:34
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/34; B63C11/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for providing sanctuary from marine predators comprising: connecting means mechanically cooperating to form a hinged joint and vertically disposed to allow only horizontal pivotal motion; means defining a rigid, split shell joined by said connecting means being configured and sized to form a water-flowresistant, protective envelope at least the size of a man; and means for imparting a horizontal pivotal opening and closing of said split shell about said hinged joint having portions mounted on said split shell in an opposing relationship at a position diametrically opposite said hinged joint and oriented to ensure a horizontal bidirectional displacement of said split shell, upon exerting a diverging force on said portions, said shell is horizontally pivotally opened permitting an unrestricted entry and upon exerting a converging force on said portions, said shell is horizontally pivotally closed ensuring rapid safety from marine predators and immunity from water-flow buffeting.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for providing sanctuary from marine predators comprising: connecting means mechanically cooperating to form a hinged joint and vertically disposed to allow only horizontal pivotal motion; means defining a rigid, split shell joined by said connecting means being configured and sized to form a water-flowresistant, protective envelope at least the size of a man; and means for imparting a horizontal pivotal opening and closing of said split shell about said hinged joint having portions mounted on said split shell in an opposing relationship at a position diametrically opposite said hinged joint and oriented to ensure a horizontal bidirectional displacement of said split shell, upon exerting a diverging force on said portions, said shell is horizontally pivotally opened permitting an unrestricted entry and upon exerting a converging force on said portions, said shell is horizontally pivotally closed ensuring rapid safety from marine predators and immunity from water-flow buffeting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said rigid split is a pair of transparent hemispherically shaped shells joined at opposing peripheral extremes by said connecting means and mounting said portions diametrically opposed from the connecting means facilitating said horizontal pivotal opening and closing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further including: means carried between split halves of said split shell allowing a limited transfer of water therethrough for reducing the force required to open and close said split shell.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for providing sanctuary from marine predators comprising: connecting means mechanically cooperating to form a hinged joint; means defining a rigid, split shell joined by said connecting means being configured and sized to form a water-flow-resistant, protective envelope at least the size of a man; an annular bracket having a first element secured to one-half of said split shell and a second element secured to the other half of said split shell with both elements connected to said hinged joint, said annular bracket is configured with a sufficient longitudinal span to ensure a limited transfer of water therethrough for reducing the force required to open and close said split shell; and means for imparting a pivotal opening and closing of said split shell about said connecting means having portions mounted on said split shell in an opposing relationship and adapted to impart by directional displacement of said split shell, upon exerting a diverging force on said portion, said shell is pivotally opened permitting an unrestricted entry and upon exerting a converging force on said portions, said shell is pivotally closed ensuring rapid safety from marine predators and immunity from water-flow buffeting.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for providing sanctuary from marine predators comprising: connecting means mechanically cooperating to form a hinged joint; means defining a rigid, split shell joined by said connecting means being configured and sized to form a water-flow-resistant, protective envelope at least the size of a man; an annular bracket having a first element secured to one-half of said split shell and a second element secured to the other half of said split shell with both elements connected to said hinged joint, said annular bracket is configured with a sufficient longitudinal span to ensure a limited transfer of water therethrough for reducing the force required to open and close said split shell; and means for imparting a pivotal opening and closing of said split shell about said connecting means having portions mounted on said split shell in an opposing relationship and adapted to impart by directional displacement of said split shell, upon exerting a diverging force on said portion, said shell is pivotally opened permitting an unrestricted entry and upon exerting a converging force on said portions, said shell is pivotally closed ensuring rapid safety from marine predators and immunity from water-flow buffeting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 further including: means for suspending said split shell at a predetermined level in the water strategically joined to said annular bracket to call for a minimal effort when horizontally opening and closing said split shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 further including: a frame assembly affixed to the underside of said first element shaped to orient said annular bracket in a vertical relationship to permit only a horizontal pivotal motion by said second element when opening and closing said split shell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 in which said rigid split shell is a pair of hemispherically shaped shells joined at opposing peripheral extremes by said connecting means and mounting said portions diametrically opposed from the connecting means facilitating said pivotal opening and closing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which said hemispherically shaped shells are transparent to enable omnidirectional visibility.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 in which the suspending means is three supporting lines secured to said hinge joint, and to each of said hemispherically shaped shells to produce a gentle closing force due to the tensile force exerted by the angularly separated said supporting lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3351035A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |