US3698197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Submerged pier for moving a submarine under water
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-22
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Granted: 1972-10-17
•
Expires: 1991-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A pier positioned on the ocean floor having a circular track disposed around a working area, such as oil well heads, wherein the track is contoured to allow a descending submarine to engage the track at its upper edge and then, by losing buoyancy, pivot downward about the track to a horizontal position to engage the track under its lower edge. The submarine has drive wheels which engage the track to cause the submarine to move along the track to service the different well heads.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E Bodey
- 👤 Robert G Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:46
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H15/00; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/34; B63C11/36; B63C11/42; B63G; B63G8/00; B63G8/001; E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
In combination: a pier rigidly disposed; a track fixed to said pier and disposed substantially horizontal, said track having substantial vertical thickness; and a self-propelled vehicle having: first means for changing buoyancy relative to the fluid in which said vehicle is submerged, second means for changing the attitude of said vehicle, a support structure disposed at the front end end of said vehicle and having one leg disposed substantially vertically and another leg disposed substantially horizontally from the upper end of said one leg, first hook means on the outward end of said other leg adapted to hook over the upper edge of said track, second hook means on the lower end of said one leg adapted to hook under the lower edge of said track, and power means on said support structure disposed to engage said track to move said vehicle along the track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
In combination: a pier rigidly disposed; a track fixed to said pier and disposed substantially horizontal, said track having substantial vertical thickness; and a self-propelled vehicle having: first means for changing buoyancy relative to the fluid in which said vehicle is submerged, second means for changing the attitude of said vehicle, a support structure disposed at the front end end of said vehicle and having one leg disposed substantially vertically and another leg disposed substantially horizontally from the upper end of said one leg, first hook means on the outward end of said other leg adapted to hook over the upper edge of said track, second hook means on the lower end of said one leg adapted to hook under the lower edge of said track, and power means on said support structure disposed to engage said track to move said vehicle along the track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein: said first hook means includes two spaced wheels disposed to rotate about substantially vertical axes and to engage the track on the far side from said vehicle, said second hook means includes a wheel disposed to rotate also about a vertical axis and engages said track on the side near of said vehicle so that said vehicle is disposed substantially horizontally, and said power means is disposed to rotate at least one of said wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein: said track has a rack gear disposed on its near side, said wheel on said second hook means is a pinion gear for engaging said rack gear, and said power means rotates said pinion gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
In the combination of claim 3 wherein: said support structures further includes snubber means for absorbing any shock loads developed when engaging said track, said rack gear is disposed near the lower edge of said track, and said pinion gear has a flange that extends under the track.
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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) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |