US3706206A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lightweight readily portable underwater habitation and method of assembly and emplacement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-27
•
Granted: 1972-12-19
•
Expires: 1991-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight readily portable underwater habitation features a rigid base frame for anchorage to natural ballast and a largely transparent flexible thin-walled inflatable body portion forming the main enclosure of the habitation. The inflatable body portion is two layered, including a transparent film and an overlay of reinforcing mesh which relieves stresses on the film and imparts the requisite strength to the flexible body portion. The habitation may embody a basic module or plural interconnected modules.
Inventors
- 👤 James F Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:01
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An underwater habitation unit comprising a substantially rigid base including flooring adapted to be moored to the bottom of a body of water, a flexible thin-walled inflatable enclosure body secured to the base and enclosing the top of the base and extending above the base when inflated to provide a substantially dry enclosure space above said base and flooring, and an exterior shaping, reinforcing and stress-relieving flexible mesh covering having viewing spaces formed by the flexible mesh for the enclosure body secured to the base and collapsible with the enclosure body onto the base when deflated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An underwater habitation unit comprising a substantially rigid base including flooring adapted to be moored to the bottom of a body of water, a flexible thin-walled inflatable enclosure body secured to the base and enclosing the top of the base and extending above the base when inflated to provide a substantially dry enclosure space above said base and flooring, and an exterior shaping, reinforcing and stress-relieving flexible mesh covering having viewing spaces formed by the flexible mesh for the enclosure body secured to the base and collapsible with the enclosure body onto the base when deflated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 1, and a shaping ring separate from the base and attached to the enclosure body and flexible mesh covering near the top of the enclosure body to impart a desired shape to the enclosure body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure of claim 2, and individually adjustable tension cables interconnecting said shaping ring and base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The structure of claim 1, and said base comprising a substantially rigid frame having a bottom ring member and a top floor support member, flooring mounted on said top floor support member and including an entrance and exit port, and cable means to moor said frame to the bottom of the body of water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure of claim 4, and said cable means including means attachable to natural underwater ballast.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure of claim 4, and said cable means including anchor elements adapted to penetrate the bottom surface beneath a body of water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 1, and said enclosuRe body and reinforcing covering including side wall and roof portions which are substantially transparent to provide a clear view of the underwater environment in all directions above the base and floor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure of claim 7, and a substantially rigid shaping ring separate from the rigid base and secured to the flexible enclosure body substantially at the juncture of the side wall and roof portions to impart to the side wall portion a substantially cylindrical shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 1, and adjustable tensioning and shaping means for the enclosure body secured to the base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
An underwater habitation comprising a plurality of underwater habitation modules each having a rigid base including a floor with an access port and means for anchoring the rigid base underwater, a flexible inflatable at least partially transparent enclosure body on each module and extending above the base of the module when inflated to form a dry living area, the dry living area including the top of the base, and interconnecting passage means for the individual modules including an access opening, whereby passage is permitted between all the interconnected modules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
An underwater habitation comprising a plurality of underwater habitation modules each having a rigid base including a floor with an access port and means for anchoring the rigid base underwater, a flexible inflatable at least partially transparent enclosure body on each module and extending above the base of the module when inflated to form a dry living area, the dry living area including the top of the base, and interconnecting passage means for the individual modules including an access opening, whereby passage is permitted between all the interconnected modules.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 10, and said interconnecting passage means comprising tunnels having connections with the bases of said modules and including flexible inflatable walls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
112 words
An underwater welding or construction unit comprising a substantially rigid base, means to anchor said base underwater at a desired location, and an inflatable flexible enclosure body on the base and forming a dry enclosure space above the base when inflated, and including the top of the base, the base having an access opening, the enclosure body having spaced openings to receive members to be welded or repaired within the dry enclosure space, seals for said members attached to the enclosure body adjacent the openings thereof, and an exterior shaping, reinforcing and stress-relieving flexible mesh covering having viewing spaces formed by the flexible mesh for the enclosure body secured to the base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
112 words
An underwater welding or construction unit comprising a substantially rigid base, means to anchor said base underwater at a desired location, and an inflatable flexible enclosure body on the base and forming a dry enclosure space above the base when inflated, and including the top of the base, the base having an access opening, the enclosure body having spaced openings to receive members to be welded or repaired within the dry enclosure space, seals for said members attached to the enclosure body adjacent the openings thereof, and an exterior shaping, reinforcing and stress-relieving flexible mesh covering having viewing spaces formed by the flexible mesh for the enclosure body secured to the base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure of claim 12, and said seals comprising flexible sleeve members on the enclosure body and having fluid-tight closures enabling the sleeve members to snugly receive the members to be welded or repaired.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
An underwater habitation comprising a plurality of underwater habitation modules, each module having an access port and interconnecting passage means comprising tunnels having connections with the access ports of said habitation modules, said tunnels having flexible inflatable transparent walls, said transparent walls having an exterior shaping reinforcing and stress-relieving flexible mesh covering having viewing spaces formed by the flexible mesh for the tunnel whereby passage is permitted between all the interconnected modules.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
An underwater habitation comprising a plurality of underwater habitation modules, each module having an access port and interconnecting passage means comprising tunnels having connections with the access ports of said habitation modules, said tunnels having flexible inflatable transparent walls, said transparent walls having an exterior shaping reinforcing and stress-relieving flexible mesh covering having viewing spaces formed by the flexible mesh for the tunnel whereby passage is permitted between all the interconnected modules.
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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) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |