US3699689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater shock-absorbing and deceleration device
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-02-26
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A device for cushioning the landing impact shock of a heavy underwater object during installation on the ocean bottom. It employs a set of telescoping leg assemblies each having an air entrapping cylinder and a dash-pot like piston moveable therein. Shock absorption is achieved through air pockets formed at the top of each piston.
Inventors
- 👤 Harvey H Haynes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:39
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An underwater shock and deceleration device for cushioning a heavy underwater structure during installation on the ocean bottom comprising: a hollow cylinder with an aperture in the bottom end thereof; a separate chambered body positioned adjacent the top of said hollow cylinder and interconnected thereto, said body serving as an air reservoir; dash-pot means positioned in said cylinder, said means including: a piston slidably received in the cylinder and having a peripheral V-shaped notch; a rib vertically located on the interior surface of the cylinder and extending from the top of the cylinder to the bottom thereof, said rib being received in said V-shaped notch of the piston and of maximum width at the top and of minimum width at the bottom; a rod atTached to the underside of the piston and extending out of the bottom of said cylinder, said rod adapted to move the piston upwards upon initial contact with the ocean floor; thus as the piston moves upward, the effective area of the notch is decreased which increases the resistance to movement of the piston, said chambered body providing an additional cushioning effect.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An underwater shock and deceleration device for cushioning a heavy underwater structure during installation on the ocean bottom comprising: a hollow cylinder with an aperture in the bottom end thereof; a separate chambered body positioned adjacent the top of said hollow cylinder and interconnected thereto, said body serving as an air reservoir; dash-pot means positioned in said cylinder, said means including: a piston slidably received in the cylinder and having a peripheral V-shaped notch; a rib vertically located on the interior surface of the cylinder and extending from the top of the cylinder to the bottom thereof, said rib being received in said V-shaped notch of the piston and of maximum width at the top and of minimum width at the bottom; a rod atTached to the underside of the piston and extending out of the bottom of said cylinder, said rod adapted to move the piston upwards upon initial contact with the ocean floor; thus as the piston moves upward, the effective area of the notch is decreased which increases the resistance to movement of the piston, said chambered body providing an additional cushioning effect.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
139 words
An underwater shock and deceleration device for cushioning a heavy underwater structure during installation on the ocean bottom comprising: a hollow elongate cylinder having an aperture in the bottom end thereof, a rib vertically extending along the interior wall of said cylinder, said rib being of maximum width at the top of the cylinder and of minimum width at the bottom thereof, a piston slidably received in said cylinder and having a notch in the periphery, said rib being received in the notch, a rod attached to the underside of said piston and extending out of said cylinder through a port in the bottom thereof, thus at impact the rod and piston are forced upwards into the cylinder with a minimum of resistance but as the width of the rib increases, resistance to movement of the piston also increases.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
An underwater shock and deceleration device for cushioning a heavy underwater structure during installation on the ocean bottom comprising: a hollow elongate cylinder having an aperture in the bottom end thereof, a rib vertically extending along the interior wall of said cylinder, said rib being of maximum width at the top of the cylinder and of minimum width at the bottom thereof, a piston slidably received in said cylinder and having a notch in the periphery, said rib being received in the notch, a rod attached to the underside of said piston and extending out of said cylinder through a port in the bottom thereof, thus at impact the rod and piston are forced upwards into the cylinder with a minimum of resistance but as the width of the rib increases, resistance to movement of the piston also increases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 2 wherein a chambered body is interconnected to the top of the cylinder to facilitate the cushioning action.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 3 wherein a multitude of chambered bodies are interconnected to provide a cushioning effect from all devices employed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2 wherein a foot is pivotally attached to the lower end of said rod.
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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |