US3667239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anchor for buoyant marine structures
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1970-04-30
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-04-30
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a buoyant marine platform for positioning in a deep water offshore location. The platform includes buoyancy control means whereby to regulate the attitude of the unit at the water''s surface as well as when submerged. The platform lower end is provided with an anchoring member adapted to seat, and be partially imbedded into a sloping or contoured ocean floor. Said anchor member comprises separate, yet cooperating components which permit adjustment of the anchor''s disposition while at the ocean floor, to operably engage and fixedly position the buoyant platform.
Inventors
- 👤 George E Mott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:53
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
The combination with a marine platform adapted to be buoyantly positioned at an offshore body of water, and including a submerged lower portion having a detachable connector means of; a mooring anchor depending from said platform lower portion and comprising an upstanding coupling adapted to operably engage said detachable connector means, and a weighted retainer initially operably engaging said coupling member to stabilize the disposition of said coupling in an upright alignment when submerged to the floor of said body of water and means for introducing a solidifiable material to said retainer whereby to solidify intermediate said coupling and retainer respectively to form said members into a unified anchor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
The combination with a marine platform adapted to be buoyantly positioned at an offshore body of water, and including a submerged lower portion having a detachable connector means of; a mooring anchor depending from said platform lower portion and comprising an upstanding coupling adapted to operably engage said detachable connector means, and a weighted retainer initially operably engaging said coupling member to stabilize the disposition of said coupling in an upright alignment when submerged to the floor of said body of water and means for introducing a solidifiable material to said retainer whereby to solidify intermediate said coupling and retainer respectively to form said members into a unified anchor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
In the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said retainer includes; buoyancy means, controllable to regulate the buoyant condition of said mooring anchor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said retainer includes; a base member having opposed upper and lower faces, at least one buoyant tank connected to said base to controllably alter the buoyant force acting thereon whereby to control the attitude of said anchor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
In the combination as defined in claim 3 wherein; said at least one buoyancy tank is disposed peripherally of said base member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the combination as defined in claim 3 wherein; said base member includes means forming a cavity therein, said coupling being initially slidably received in said means forming said cavity to permit adjustment of the connector to an upstanding disposition prior to introduction of said solidifiable material to said base member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
In the combination as defined in claim 3 wherein, said base member includes; means forming a cavity therein, and an opening communicating said means forming said cavity with said upper retainer surfaces, said connector including a body contained in said cavity, and a post depending from the body in registry with said opening and extending upwardly from said anchor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the combination as defined in claim 6 wherein; said means forming said cavity and said body are provided with similarly contoured surfaces adjacently disposeD to define a sliding relationship therebetween prior to introduction of said solidifiable material to the retainer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
A mooring anchor for a marine structure having a submerged portion extending toward the ocean floor including connector means at the structure''s lower end, which mooring includes; a coupling member having an upstanding connector adapted to operably engage said structure connector means, and a retainer slidably engaging said coupling member to maintain the same at an ocean floor characterized by an uneven contour, and means for introducing a solidifiable material to said retainer, whereby to fixedly position said upstanding connector with respect to said retainer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
A mooring anchor for a marine structure having a submerged portion extending toward the ocean floor including connector means at the structure''s lower end, which mooring includes; a coupling member having an upstanding connector adapted to operably engage said structure connector means, and a retainer slidably engaging said coupling member to maintain the same at an ocean floor characterized by an uneven contour, and means for introducing a solidifiable material to said retainer, whereby to fixedly position said upstanding connector with respect to said retainer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
Method for installing a floatable marine structure in an offshore body of water characterized by an uneven floor, said structure including; a buoyant platform having a multi-component anchor comprising operably connected coupling and base members, positioned at the lower end thereof, which method includes the steps of; controllably submerging said structure into said body of water to position said multi-component anchor at said ocean floor, exerting an upward tension on said coupling member of said anchor to dispose said member in a substantially upright disposition independently of the attitude of said base member, and introducing a fluidized hardenable material to said anchor for contacting the respective base and upright members whereby to harden and unify said members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
Method for installing a floatable marine structure in an offshore body of water characterized by an uneven floor, said structure including; a buoyant platform having a multi-component anchor comprising operably connected coupling and base members, positioned at the lower end thereof, which method includes the steps of; controllably submerging said structure into said body of water to position said multi-component anchor at said ocean floor, exerting an upward tension on said coupling member of said anchor to dispose said member in a substantially upright disposition independently of the attitude of said base member, and introducing a fluidized hardenable material to said anchor for contacting the respective base and upright members whereby to harden and unify said members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the combination as defined in claim 9 including the steps of; maintaining said upward tension on said upright member and permitting said hardenable material to solidify.
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) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |