US3690108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stable offshore structures
Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
•
Filing: 1970-06-15
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1990-06-15
Abstract
Abstract Stable offshore structures especially suitable for use adjacent undersea storage facilities are provided having a horizontally extending buoyant member pivotally interconnected by universal joint means with stable sub-surface anchoring means by vertically extending support means.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Tam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:33
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A stable offshore structure comprising: a horizontally extending buoyant member; a stable anchoring means at the sea floor; means for supporting said horizontally extending buoyant member above the water''s surface, said supporting means comprising at least three rigid vertically extending, variably ballastable, buoyant supporting members each having first and second ends; and, universal joint means for pivotally interconnecting each of said first ends of said support members to the horizontally extending member and each of said second ends of said support members to said anchoring means whereby said horizontally extending member is maintained in a substantially horizontal position during angular rotation of said support members from vertical position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A stable offshore structure comprising: a horizontally extending buoyant member; a stable anchoring means at the sea floor; means for supporting said horizontally extending buoyant member above the water''s surface, said supporting means comprising at least three rigid vertically extending, variably ballastable, buoyant supporting members each having first and second ends; and, universal joint means for pivotally interconnecting each of said first ends of said support members to the horizontally extending member and each of said second ends of said support members to said anchoring means whereby said horizontally extending member is maintained in a substantially horizontal position during angular rotation of said support members from vertical position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said horizontally extending member is variably ballastable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said horizontally extending member has the form of a tubular frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tubular frame is parallelogram-shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tubular frame is triangle-shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 further including means for mooring a vessel adjacent said horizontally extending member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
A stable offshore structure comprising: a horizontally extending, platform shaped, buoyant member; a stable anchoring means at the sea floor; means for supporting said horizontally extending member above the water''s surface, said supporting means comprising at least one rigid vertically extending, variably ballastable buoyant support member, having first and second ends, and, universal joint means for pivotally interconnecting said first end of said support member to said horizontally extending member at a point above the center of gravity thereof, and said second end of said support member to said anchoring means, whereby said horizontally extending member is maintained in substantially horizontal position during angular rotation of said support member from vertical position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
A stable offshore structure comprising: a horizontally extending, platform shaped, buoyant member; a stable anchoring means at the sea floor; means for supporting said horizontally extending member above the water''s surface, said supporting means comprising at least one rigid vertically extending, variably ballastable buoyant support member, having first and second ends, and, universal joint means for pivotally interconnecting said first end of said support member to said horizontally extending member at a point above the center of gravity thereof, and said second end of said support member to said anchoring means, whereby said horizontally extending member is maintained in substantially horizontal position during angular rotation of said support member from vertical position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A structure according to claim 7 wherein said horizontally extending member is variably ballastable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
A breast mooring system for mooring vessels adjacent an undersea storage facility including an undersea storage chamber having a ringwall contiguous thereto, said mooring system comprising: a horizontally extending buoyant tubular frame member, disposed above and substantially superimposed over said storage facility; means for mooring a vessel adjacent said frame member; means for supporting said frame member above the water''s surface, said supporting means comprising at least three rigid vertically extending, variably ballastable buoyant support members, each having first and second ends; universal joint means for pivotally interconnecting each of said first ends of said support members to said frame member and each of said second ends to said ringwall, whereby said frame member is maintained in substantially horizontal position above said storage facility during angular rotation of said first ends of said support members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
135 words
A breast mooring system for mooring vessels adjacent an undersea storage facility including an undersea storage chamber having a ringwall contiguous thereto, said mooring system comprising: a horizontally extending buoyant tubular frame member, disposed above and substantially superimposed over said storage facility; means for mooring a vessel adjacent said frame member; means for supporting said frame member above the water''s surface, said supporting means comprising at least three rigid vertically extending, variably ballastable buoyant support members, each having first and second ends; universal joint means for pivotally interconnecting each of said first ends of said support members to said frame member and each of said second ends to said ringwall, whereby said frame member is maintained in substantially horizontal position above said storage facility during angular rotation of said first ends of said support members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A breast mooring system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said horizontally extending member is variably ballastable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |