US3756031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-righting floating booms
Assignee: SLICKBAR PRODUCTS CORP A CORP OF CT
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Filing: 1971-07-21
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A unique self-righting and quickly deployable floating boom capable of enduring strong winds and waves comprises a series of polymer floats each incorporating a horizontally extending shelf securely attached at spaced intervals to an integral composite fin of vinyl sheet reinforced by woven polyester fibers incorporating an interwoven core of two characteristically different fibers that provide the vinyl sheet with different vertical and horizontal flexing capabilities. An extension shelf formed on each of the polymer floats provides the boom with additional buoyancy while also serving as a barrier effectively containing oil and other floating materials despite wind, choppy water and strong waves. Furthermore, the extension shelves incorporate fore and aft lifting surfaces which tend to induce ''''planing'''' and counteract the forces which tend to draw the floating boom beneath the water surface during fast end-wise deployment. The dual fiber core of the vinyl sheet is manufactured with relatively thin horizontal fibers interwoven with relatively stiff, thick vertical fibers to allow the vinyl sheet to flex easily about vertical flexing axes while strongly resisting horizontal flexing about horizontal flexing axes.
Inventors
- 👤 M Smith
- 👤 A Anusauckas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 03:47
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/08; E02B15/0814; E02B15/0821; E02B15/085; E02B15/0857; E02B15/0885; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A flexible, high strength floating boom suitable for deployment and oil containment in rough waters comprising: A. a continuous elongated flexible barrier fin having upper and lower edges extending over the length of the boom; and B. a plurality of unitary buoyant floats mounted at spaced intervals along said fin, a. each having a cross-section comprising a vertically elongated substantially rectangular portion having a substantially uniform width and b. an integral laterally extending wide outrigger shelf portion 1. protruding from at least one side of the vertically elongated portion, 2. having a width and depth equal to at least the width of the vertically elongated portion, and 3. positioned above a lower end of the vertically elongated portion, with the major part of The displacement required for buoyant flotation of the boom being provided by the lower end of said vertically elongated portion below said shelf.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A flexible, high strength floating boom suitable for deployment and oil containment in rough waters comprising: A. a continuous elongated flexible barrier fin having upper and lower edges extending over the length of the boom; and B. a plurality of unitary buoyant floats mounted at spaced intervals along said fin, a. each having a cross-section comprising a vertically elongated substantially rectangular portion having a substantially uniform width and b. an integral laterally extending wide outrigger shelf portion 1. protruding from at least one side of the vertically elongated portion, 2. having a width and depth equal to at least the width of the vertically elongated portion, and 3. positioned above a lower end of the vertically elongated portion, with the major part of The displacement required for buoyant flotation of the boom being provided by the lower end of said vertically elongated portion below said shelf.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
having a width and depth equal to at least the width of the vertically elongated portion, and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
having a width and depth equal to at least the width of the vertically elongated portion, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein the outrigger shelf of each buoyant float is further defined as protruding from the lower half of the vertically elongated portion substantially perpendicular thereto, laterally extending substantially parallel to the waterline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein the extension shelf of each buoyant float further comprises raked side end portions, and slanting bottom end ramp planing surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
positioned above a lower end of the vertically elongated portion, with the major part of The displacement required for buoyant flotation of the boom being provided by the lower end of said vertically elongated portion below said shelf.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
positioned above a lower end of the vertically elongated portion, with the major part of The displacement required for buoyant flotation of the boom being provided by the lower end of said vertically elongated portion below said shelf.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein each buoyant float further comprises a substantially flat fin-engaging surface for mounting to a first side of the fin in juxtaposed facing relationship with the fin-engaging surface of a second buoyant float positioned on the opposite side of the fin, forming an integral buoyant flotation body having a cruciform cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The barrier boom defined in claim 4, wherein the float further includes fin-securing inserts having an embedded anchoring portion molded within the float and a fin-securing portion along an edge portion of the float, substantially aligned with the fin-engaging surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein the floats are mounted to the fin at spaced substantially equal intervals ranging between about 28 and 34 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein the floats comprise an overall height of about 16 inches, thereby providing an oil containing fin barrier extending between about 10 inches and 12 inches above the water surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The barrier boom defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ballast weights mounted along the lower edge of the fin imparting additional weight thereto, and lowering the center of gravity of the barrier boom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The barrier boom as defined in claim 1, wherein said fin further comprises a central core incorporating a woven dual fiber network wherein the fibers disposed along one direction of the network are substantially thicker and less pliable than the fibers disposed along the other direction of the network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The barrier boom defined in claim 9, wherein the network core is surroundingly enveloped by heat sealed vinyl layers, thereby forming a unitary fin structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
The barrier boom defined in claim 9, wherein the thicker, less pliable fibers of the fual fiber network are positioned substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower edges of the fin, and the thinner, more pliable fibers are disposed substantially parallel to the upper and lower edges of the fin, thereby providing easy bending about vertical axes and substantial resistance to bending about horizontal axes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3499290A
Cited
US3648463A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |