Patent US3636716A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3636716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Swivel joint connection
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1970-03-30
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1990-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A swivel joint for use in a buoyant articulated offshore platform. Two U-shaped interlocking links, each having a contact surface formed on the intermediate section connecting the two parallel extending sides, are oriented at 90* to each other. A plate is positioned between the two contact surfaces and the surfaces of the U-shaped links bear against a contact surface on each side of the plate when tensile forces are applied in opposite directions to the links. At least one of each of the contact surfaces bearing against each other is curved. The disposition of the curved bearing surfaces permits one of the links to rock against the intermediate plate in one plane whereas the other link can rock in a plane at 90* to the one plane. This arrangement permits the outer end of one link to swing in any direction with respect to the outer end of the mating link.
Inventors
- 👤 Leopold J Castellanos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:40
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/44; B63B35/4406; E; E21; E21B; E21B15/00; E21B15/003; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32622
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
An offshore platform comprising a buoyant tower having a platform mounted thereon and buoyancy means connected thereto; a base member arranged on the sea floor and a swivel joint connecting said base member to the bottom of said buoyant tower; said swivel joint coMprising: a first U-shaped link having two spaced-apart parallel sides and an intermediate plate section connected thereto provided with a contact surface; a second U-shaped link having two spaced-apart parallel sides and an intermediate plate section connected thereto provided with a contact surface; said first and second links being interlocked and oriented at 90* to each other; and a contact plate member arranged between said links and in contact with said contact surfaces, at least one of each of said surfaces in contact being curved, the relative curvature of the contact surfaces on one side of the contact plate member permitting a rocking motion of said first link in one plane and the relative curvature of the contact surfaces on the other side of the contact plate member permitting a rocking motion of said second link in a plane at 90* to said one plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
An offshore platform comprising a buoyant tower having a platform mounted thereon and buoyancy means connected thereto; a base member arranged on the sea floor and a swivel joint connecting said base member to the bottom of said buoyant tower; said swivel joint coMprising: a first U-shaped link having two spaced-apart parallel sides and an intermediate plate section connected thereto provided with a contact surface; a second U-shaped link having two spaced-apart parallel sides and an intermediate plate section connected thereto provided with a contact surface; said first and second links being interlocked and oriented at 90* to each other; and a contact plate member arranged between said links and in contact with said contact surfaces, at least one of each of said surfaces in contact being curved, the relative curvature of the contact surfaces on one side of the contact plate member permitting a rocking motion of said first link in one plane and the relative curvature of the contact surfaces on the other side of the contact plate member permitting a rocking motion of said second link in a plane at 90* to said one plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A swivel joint as recited in claim 1 in which the contact surfaces of said contact plate member are flat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A swivel joint as recited in claim 1 in which at least one contact surface of said contact plate member is curved.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A swivel joint as recited in claim 1 in which the contact surface of the intermediate plate section of at least one of said U-shaped links is flat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A swivel joint as recited in claim 1 in which the contact surface of the intermediate plate section of at least one of said U-shaped links is curved.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |