US3726247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mooring system
Assignee: SONAT OFFSHORE DRILLING Inc
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Filing: 1970-06-08
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1990-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A resilient mooring system for maintaining a vessel in a substantially fixed lateral position in a body of water wherein the system includes a float member for disposition on the surface of the body of water a distance away from the vessel, a first mooring line adapted to be coupled to the vessel and to the float member, a sinker member attached substantially midway between the ends of the first mooring line, and a second mooring line coupled to the float member and to an anchor member adapted to be secured to the floor beneath the body of water.
Inventors
- 👤 J Dalzell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:53
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A resilient mooring system for maintaining a vessel in a substantially fixed lateral position in a body of water, said system comprising: at least one float member for disposition on the surface of said body of water a distance away from said vessel; at least one first mooring line having a first end adapted to be coupled to said vessel and a second end coupled to said float member; at least one sinker member attached to and substantially midway between said ends of said first mooring line for normally causing a substantially catenary curve therein; at least one second mooring line having a first end coupled to said float member and having a second end; and at least one anchor means attached to said last-mentioned second end for securing to the floor beneath said body of water and for coacting with said float member, said sinker member and said first and second mooring lines to provide for gradually increasing tensions in said mooring lines during lateral or horizontal surge excursion of said vessel whereby said tensions in said mooring lines become only substantially as great as necessary to hold said vessel in said position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A resilient mooring system for maintaining a vessel in a substantially fixed lateral position in a body of water, said system comprising: at least one float member for disposition on the surface of said body of water a distance away from said vessel; at least one first mooring line having a first end adapted to be coupled to said vessel and a second end coupled to said float member; at least one sinker member attached to and substantially midway between said ends of said first mooring line for normally causing a substantially catenary curve therein; at least one second mooring line having a first end coupled to said float member and having a second end; and at least one anchor means attached to said last-mentioned second end for securing to the floor beneath said body of water and for coacting with said float member, said sinker member and said first and second mooring lines to provide for gradually increasing tensions in said mooring lines during lateral or horizontal surge excursion of said vessel whereby said tensions in said mooring lines become only substantially as great as necessary to hold said vessel in said position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A resilient mooring system as in claim 1 including a plurality of said float members, said first mooring lines, said sinker member, said second mooring lines and said anchor means for holding said vessel in said position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A resilient mooring system as in claim 1 in combination with said vessel wherein said first end of said first mooring line is coupled to said vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A resilient mooring system as in claim 2 wherein each float member resides at the surface of the body of water and wherein each sinker member is submerged in the body of water at a location above and out of contact with the submerged floor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a resilient mooring system for maintaining a buoyant vessel in a substantially fixed lateral position in a body of water and above a submerged bottom, said system including a plurality of first mooring lines each having one of its ends secured to the vessel and extending outwardly from the vessel to its other end secured to a buoyant float member, and a plurality of second mooring lines each extending outwardly and downwardly from one of said float members to an anchor secured in the submerged bottom, the improvement comprising a sinker member carried intermediate the ends of each of said first mooring lines, each sinker member maintaining its respective line in a continuous curve extending from the vessel to the float member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a resilient mooring system for maintaining a buoyant vessel in a substantially fixed lateral position in a body of water and above a submerged bottom, said system including a plurality of first mooring lines each having one of its ends secured to the vessel and extending outwardly from the vessel to its other end secured to a buoyant float member, and a plurality of second mooring lines each extending outwardly and downwardly from one of said float members to an anchor secured in the submerged bottom, the improvement comprising a sinker member carried intermediate the ends of each of said first mooring lines, each sinker member maintaining its respective line in a continuous curve extending from the vessel to the float member.
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) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |