US3686811A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spaced multi-wall construction unit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-09
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1990-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A construction unit for constructing large pressure vessels such as offshore platforms and other pressure vessels which are subjected to high internal and/or external pressures wherein the construction unit comprises a multi-wall structure having a plurality of laterally spaced walls joined together at their upper and lower ends, respectively, and at their opposite sides to form an enclosure, and having a plurality of tensioning means for prestressing the construction unit prior to filling the enclosure with aggregate, concrete, grout or other suitable substantially incompressible material. The invention also includes the method of erecting off-shore vessels constructed of the spaced multi-wall construction units.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W Hayes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:18
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/0008; E02B17/0017; E02B17/0021; E02B2017/0056; E02B2017/0073; E02B2017/0082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A spaced multi-wall construction unit for constructing vessels or structures subjected to high internal or external pressures comprising: a. a plurality of laterally spaced walls positioned side by side; b. an upper transversely extending member connecting the adjacent upper edges of said laterally spaced walls, a lower transversely extending member connecting the adjacent lower edges of said laterally spaced walls and a pair of transversely extending side members connecting the adjacent side edges, respectively, of said walls to form an enclosure; and c. first tension means connecting said upper and lower transverse members and second tension means connecting said pair of transversely extending side members to tension said multi-wall construction unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A spaced multi-wall construction unit for constructing vessels or structures subjected to high internal or external pressures comprising: a. a plurality of laterally spaced walls positioned side by side; b. an upper transversely extending member connecting the adjacent upper edges of said laterally spaced walls, a lower transversely extending member connecting the adjacent lower edges of said laterally spaced walls and a pair of transversely extending side members connecting the adjacent side edges, respectively, of said walls to form an enclosure; and c. first tension means connecting said upper and lower transverse members and second tension means connecting said pair of transversely extending side members to tension said multi-wall construction unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a substantially incompressible material disposed in the space between said laterally spaced walls to form a rigid construction unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of radially extending tension bars connecting said laterally spaced walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said radially extending tension means includes means extending radially from one of said walls to another of said walls to prevent buckling thereof including a longitudinally extending shaft extending throUgh said walls, a tubular stiffener surrounding said shaft and means for adjusting the length of said shaft for securing said walls to said buckle resistant means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tension means are adjustable to permit the desired amount of tension to be imposed on said construction units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
A spaced multi-wall construction for constructing vessels or structures subjected to high internal or external pressure comprising: a. a plurality of laterally spaced walls positioned side by side; b. an upper transversely extending member connecting the adjacent upper edges of said laterally spaced walls, a lower transversely extending member connecting the adjacent lower edges of said laterally spaced walls and a pair of transversely extending side members connecting the adjacent side edges, respectively of said walls to form an enclosure; and c. first tension means connecting said upper and lower transverse members and second tension means connecting said pair of transversely extending side members to tension said multi-wall construction unit with longitudinally extending braces secured to one wall and extending diagonally in one direction with longitudinally extending braces secured to the other wall and extending diagonally in another direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
A spaced multi-wall construction for constructing vessels or structures subjected to high internal or external pressure comprising: a. a plurality of laterally spaced walls positioned side by side; b. an upper transversely extending member connecting the adjacent upper edges of said laterally spaced walls, a lower transversely extending member connecting the adjacent lower edges of said laterally spaced walls and a pair of transversely extending side members connecting the adjacent side edges, respectively of said walls to form an enclosure; and c. first tension means connecting said upper and lower transverse members and second tension means connecting said pair of transversely extending side members to tension said multi-wall construction unit with longitudinally extending braces secured to one wall and extending diagonally in one direction with longitudinally extending braces secured to the other wall and extending diagonally in another direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said longitudinally extending braces comprise angle straps having a pair of divergent legs, one of said legs being secured to one of said walls and the other leg projecting laterally toward the other wall.
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) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |