Patent US3791480A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3791480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stress relief insert for flexible towed array
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-10-13
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A stress relief insert of a generally cylindrical shape having a small inner diameter at one end and tapering out to a larger inner diameter at the other end. The insert is made of a flexible material and is positioned between one end of a flexible boot and a rigid end piece in a flexible towed array. The end having the smallest inner diameter is in contact with the rigid end piece of the towed array and the other end of the insert is in contact with the flexible boot over a length of the inner wall of the boot.
Inventors
- 👤 W Clearwaters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/16; G01V1/20; G01V1/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
In a flexible towed array section comprising a flexible boot, an end piece coupled to said flexible boot at one end and a coupling piece at the other end thereof, and a reinforcing member coupled to said coupling piece, an improvement comprising: a generally cylindrical flexible rubber insert having an inner diameter at a first end smaller than an inner diameter at a second end thereof and having longitudinal dimension greater than the inner diameters at either end thereof, said rubber insert being coupled to said end piece at the first end of said rubber insert and in contact with said flexible boot at the second end of said rubber insert.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a flexible towed array section comprising a flexible boot, an end piece coupled to said flexible boot at one end and a coupling piece at the other end thereof, and a reinforcing member coupled to said coupling piece, an improvement comprising: a generally cylindrical flexible rubber insert having an inner diameter at a first end smaller than an inner diameter at a second end thereof and having longitudinal dimension greater than the inner diameters at either end thereof, said rubber insert being coupled to said end piece at the first end of said rubber insert and in contact with said flexible boot at the second end of said rubber insert.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
A flexible towed array section comprising: a flexible boot; an end piece having a first end and a second end, the first end of said end piece being coupled to said flexible boot; a coupling piece having a first end and a second end and coupled to the second end of said end piece proximate the first end of said coupling piece; a reinforcing member adapted to couple to said coupling piece proximate the second end of Said coupling piece; and a generally cylindrical flexible rubber insert having a smaller inner diameter at a first end than the inner diameter at a second end, said insert being coupled to said end piece at the first end thereof, and being in contact with said flexible boot along the length of said flexible boot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
A flexible towed array section comprising: a flexible boot; an end piece having a first end and a second end, the first end of said end piece being coupled to said flexible boot; a coupling piece having a first end and a second end and coupled to the second end of said end piece proximate the first end of said coupling piece; a reinforcing member adapted to couple to said coupling piece proximate the second end of Said coupling piece; and a generally cylindrical flexible rubber insert having a smaller inner diameter at a first end than the inner diameter at a second end, said insert being coupled to said end piece at the first end thereof, and being in contact with said flexible boot along the length of said flexible boot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flexible towed array section of claim 2 wherein said rubber insert has longitudinal dimension greater than the inner diameter at either end of said rubber insert.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The flexible towed array section of claim 3 wherein said rubber insert is in contact with said flexible boot for a substantial part of the length of said rubber insert.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
193 words
A flexible towed array section comprising: a flexible boot; a pair of end pieces, each of said end pieces having a first and second end, with the first end of each end piece coupled to opposite ends of said flexible boot; a pair of coupling pieces, each of said coupling pieces having a first end and a second end, each of said first ends of said coupling pieces connected to the second end of each of said end pieces; a pair of bolts having eyelets with each of said bolts being connected to each of said second ends of said coupling pieces; a reinforcing member connecting said eyelets of said pair of bolts; and a pair of generally cylindrical flexible rubber inserts, each of said flexible rubber inserts having a smaller inner diameter at a first end than the inner diameter at the second end and having a longitudinal dimension greater than the inner diameter at either end of said rubber inserts, said inserts being coupled to said end pieces at said first ends of said end pieces and being in contact with said flexible boot along the remaining portion of said inserts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
193 words
A flexible towed array section comprising: a flexible boot; a pair of end pieces, each of said end pieces having a first and second end, with the first end of each end piece coupled to opposite ends of said flexible boot; a pair of coupling pieces, each of said coupling pieces having a first end and a second end, each of said first ends of said coupling pieces connected to the second end of each of said end pieces; a pair of bolts having eyelets with each of said bolts being connected to each of said second ends of said coupling pieces; a reinforcing member connecting said eyelets of said pair of bolts; and a pair of generally cylindrical flexible rubber inserts, each of said flexible rubber inserts having a smaller inner diameter at a first end than the inner diameter at the second end and having a longitudinal dimension greater than the inner diameter at either end of said rubber inserts, said inserts being coupled to said end pieces at said first ends of said end pieces and being in contact with said flexible boot along the remaining portion of said inserts.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |