US3703736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anchoring device for buoyant life saving equipment
Assignee: STAR LIFELINE Ltd
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Filing: 1970-06-18
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1990-06-18
Abstract
Abstract This invention is concerned with life saving equipment. The instant characteristics of many vessels has led to loss of life. In accordance with the invention a buoy is provided with mooring means for securing buoyant life saving equipment to the buoy. The buoy is mounted on a vessel and is secured to it by a securing line which is wound on a cable drum permitting the line to pay out and the buoy to surface when the vessel sinks. The vessel provides an anchor for the buoy and hence the life saving equipment to prevent its dispersal.
Inventors
- 👤 William York Higgs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:52
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/08; B63C9/20; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An anchoring device for life rafts or life boats comprising a buoy, mooring means on said buoy of adequate strength to secure said life raft or life boat to said buoy, a securing line connected to said buoy, a cable drum for said securing line interiorly located in a substantially sealed body, a brake to provide for the contrOlled paying out of the securing line, means defining an opening to permit said securing line to pass from the cable drum to the exterior of said body, said buoy being releasable from said vessel when said vessel sinks, said cable drum permitting the buoy to surface upon its release while maintaining an anchoring connection between the buoy and the vessel, buoyant ropes secured to said buoy and means for releasing said ropes automatically when the buoy separates from the vessel to permit the buoyant ropes to stream out on the water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An anchoring device for life rafts or life boats comprising a buoy, mooring means on said buoy of adequate strength to secure said life raft or life boat to said buoy, a securing line connected to said buoy, a cable drum for said securing line interiorly located in a substantially sealed body, a brake to provide for the contrOlled paying out of the securing line, means defining an opening to permit said securing line to pass from the cable drum to the exterior of said body, said buoy being releasable from said vessel when said vessel sinks, said cable drum permitting the buoy to surface upon its release while maintaining an anchoring connection between the buoy and the vessel, buoyant ropes secured to said buoy and means for releasing said ropes automatically when the buoy separates from the vessel to permit the buoyant ropes to stream out on the water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An anchoring device as in claim 1 in which the buoyant ropes have floats attached to their outer ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An anchoring device as in claim 1 including a hold down means connected between said buoy and the vessel on which the buoy is mounted and a hydrostatic release adapted to disconnect said hold down means when the buoy has been submerged to a predetermined depth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An anchoring device as in claim 1 including a light on the buoy and means for automatically switching on said light upon the separation of the buoy from the vessel on which it is mounted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An anchoring device as in claim 1 including an automatic signalling device and means for energizing said automatic signalling device automatically upon the separation of the buoy from the vessel upon which it is normally mounted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An anchoring device as in claim 1 including a radar reflector mounted on the buoy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An anchoring device as in claim 1 in which there is a belled ferrule at the upper end of said conduit in which there is a recess in the bottom of said buoy and in which the belled ferrule projects into said recess to minimize water entering the conduit pipe and minimize cable wear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An anchoring device as in claim 1 in which said mooring means is a continuous rail.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An anchoring device as in claim 1 in which the securing line is approximately 3,000 feet in length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An anchoring device as in claim 1 in which said buoy is mounted on a rack having upwardly diverging slanting sides to avoid the buoy jamming if the sinking ship lists.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
150 words
An anchoring device for life rafts or life boats comprising a buoy, mooring means on said buoy of adequate strength to secure said life raft or life boat to said buoy, a securing line connected to said buoy, a cable drum for said securing line interiorly located in a substantially sealed body, a brake to provide for the controlled paying out of the securing line, means defining an opening to permit said securing line to pass from the cable drum to the exterior of said body, said buoy being realeasable from said vessel when said vessel sinks, said cable drum permitting the buoy to surface upon its release while maintaining an anchoring connection between the buoy and the vessel, an oil container and means to cause oil automatically to be released from said oil container upon the separation of said buoy from the vessel on which it is normally mounted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
150 words
An anchoring device for life rafts or life boats comprising a buoy, mooring means on said buoy of adequate strength to secure said life raft or life boat to said buoy, a securing line connected to said buoy, a cable drum for said securing line interiorly located in a substantially sealed body, a brake to provide for the controlled paying out of the securing line, means defining an opening to permit said securing line to pass from the cable drum to the exterior of said body, said buoy being realeasable from said vessel when said vessel sinks, said cable drum permitting the buoy to surface upon its release while maintaining an anchoring connection between the buoy and the vessel, an oil container and means to cause oil automatically to be released from said oil container upon the separation of said buoy from the vessel on which it is normally mounted.
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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) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |