US3680321A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mobile offshore platform
Assignee: IHC Holland NV
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Filing: 1970-12-03
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A mobile offshore platform has at least five columns mounted eccentrically in rotatable frames on the platform. Each column has a foot at its lower end in which the column is rotatably disposed. The platform can walk on the sea floor by lowering three feet, raising the remaining feet, rotating the frames of the lowered feet whereupon the platform advances with an arcuate movement while the column rotates in its emplaced foot, then lowering the raised feet, and so on.
Inventors
- 👤 Cornelis Bordes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:59
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/02; E02B17/021; E02B17/022; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/02; E02F9/04; E02F9/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A mobile offshore platform comprising a pontoon and at least five vertical columns, means mounting the columns for vertical movement parallel to their length relative to the pontoon, means for rotating at least three of the columns relative to the pontoon about vertical axes eccentric to the columns, said at least three of the columns having lower portions rotatable relative to upper portions of the columns about upright axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A mobile offshore platform comprising a pontoon and at least five vertical columns, means mounting the columns for vertical movement parallel to their length relative to the pontoon, means for rotating at least three of the columns relative to the pontoon about vertical axes eccentric to the columns, said at least three of the columns having lower portions rotatable relative to upper portions of the columns about upright axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A mobile offshore platform as claimed in claim 1, each column being mounted in a frame which is connected to the pontoon, each said frame being rotatable about its vertical axis relative to the pontoon, the column being fixed in the frame against horizontal movement of the column relative to the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A mobile offshore platform as claimed in claim 1, said last-named lower portion comprising a foot carried by the lower end of at least some of said columns and rotatable relative to the column.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mobile offshore platform as claimed in claim 1, there being six said columns arranged off center of said platform.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of moving over a body of water a floating platform which is comprised by a buoyant pontoon and at least five vertical columns, comprising supporting the pontoon on the columns above the level at which the pontoon is buoyant in the body of water, raising a plurality of said columns relative to the pontoon out of supporting relationship with the pontoon while maintaining the pontoon supported above said level on at least three columns, rotating said raised columns about a vertical axis eccentric to the raised columns to advance the raised columns horizontally, lowering the horizontally advanced plurality of columns again into supporting relationship to the pontoon, and while said plurality of columns are raised, rotating said at least three supporting columns about their vertical axes while swinging the pontoon about said axes to advance the pontoon horizontally.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of moving over a body of water a floating platform which is comprised by a buoyant pontoon and at least five vertical columns, comprising supporting the pontoon on the columns above the level at which the pontoon is buoyant in the body of water, raising a plurality of said columns relative to the pontoon out of supporting relationship with the pontoon while maintaining the pontoon supported above said level on at least three columns, rotating said raised columns about a vertical axis eccentric to the raised columns to advance the raised columns horizontally, lowering the horizontally advanced plurality of columns again into supporting relationship to the pontoon, and while said plurality of columns are raised, rotating said at least three supporting columns about their vertical axes while swinging the pontoon about said axes to advance the pontoon horizontally.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, said horizontal advance of said pontoon being performed by rotating said pontoon and said at least three columns relative to each other about a plurality of upright axes eccentric to said at least three columns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3230721A
Cited
US3590587A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |