US3736607A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Life raft stabilizer
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-11-30
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1991-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An improved life raft stabilizer for reducing rocking and substantially precluding capsizing. The stabilizer may be removably attached to the raft and is defined by flexible side walls which extend a considerable depth downwardly to one another in the water. The side walls, in conjunction with the floor of the raft, form a ballast enclosure. A weight is disposed in the bottom of the enclosure and water port means are provided in the walls thereof. Placement of the stabilizer in the water allows the weighted bottom to sink, producing submerged deployment thereof and permitting water to enter the enclosure through the port means, thus forming a ballast for the raft.
Inventors
- 👤 M Radnofsky
- 👤 J Barnett
- 👤 F Harrison
- 👤 R Marak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:50
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B39/00; B63B7/00; B63B7/06; B63B7/08; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/02; B63C9/04; B63C2009/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A stabilizer means adapted to be affixed to a floating body suspended in a fluid for reducing rocking and generally enhancing the stability thereof comprising: flexible wall means removably attachable to the floating body and configured so as to extend downwardly from the body a substantial distance and to one another to form a ballast enclosure, port means in said flexible wall means, and a weight means affixed to the bottom of said ballast enclosure for producing gravitational deployment thereof, thereby causing fluid to flow into the enclosure through the port means and thus form a stabilizing ballast for the body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A stabilizer means adapted to be affixed to a floating body suspended in a fluid for reducing rocking and generally enhancing the stability thereof comprising: flexible wall means removably attachable to the floating body and configured so as to extend downwardly from the body a substantial distance and to one another to form a ballast enclosure, port means in said flexible wall means, and a weight means affixed to the bottom of said ballast enclosure for producing gravitational deployment thereof, thereby causing fluid to flow into the enclosure through the port means and thus form a stabilizing ballast for the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stabilizer means of claim 1 wherein the flexible wall means are in the general configuration of a keel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The stabilizer means of claim 2 wherein the wall means of the stabilizer means is characterized by fluid control openings that may each be selectively opened so as to allow escape of the fluid in the ballast enclosure, or closed so as to maintain the fluid therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a raft of the type generally used on open water and which is subject to capsizing therein, the improvement consisting of a stabilizer means removably attached to the raft for substantially precluding capsizing and reducing rocking of the raft, said stabilizer means comprising: flexible wall means extending downwardly from the sides of the raft to one another so as to form a ballast enclosure, port means in said flexible wall means, and a weight means affixed to the bottom of said ballast enclosure for producing submerged deployment thereof, thereby causing water to enter the enclosure through the port means and thus form a ballast which stabilizes the raft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a raft of the type generally used on open water and which is subject to capsizing therein, the improvement consisting of a stabilizer means removably attached to the raft for substantially precluding capsizing and reducing rocking of the raft, said stabilizer means comprising: flexible wall means extending downwardly from the sides of the raft to one another so as to form a ballast enclosure, port means in said flexible wall means, and a weight means affixed to the bottom of said ballast enclosure for producing submerged deployment thereof, thereby causing water to enter the enclosure through the port means and thus form a ballast which stabilizes the raft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination raft-stabilizer means of claim 4 wherein the flexible wall means extending downwardly into the water are in the general configuration of a keel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination raft-stabilizer means of claim 5 wherein the wall means of the stabilizer means is characterized by water control openings that may each be selectively opened so as to allow escape of the water in the ballast enclosure, or closed so as to maintain the water therein.
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) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |