Abstract A marine vessel in which oppositely disposed ends are connected by a bottom and a crate structure therebetween. The ends and bottom define floatation spaces, and, in combination with the crate structure, define side opening cargo spaces in the interstices between longitudinal and transverse elements. And in detachable combination with the vessel, a plurality of floatable cargo modules that are complementary in size and shape, either singly or in combination, to the respective cargo spaces, to serve as lighters, then as individual holds, and as interstice closures when fastened in place in the crate structure. Propulsion machinery can be mounted in the after of the oppositely disposed ends either permanently or as a detachable propulsion module as described in my push-tow U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,628. Remotely controlled flood valves and evacuation pumps are mounted in the flotation spaces for controlling the draft of the vessel for loading and unloading the cargo modules in and out of the side opening cargo spaces by floating.
Inventors
👤 E Garcia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-27 22:20
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B25/00; B63B25/002; B63B25/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In combination, a marine vessel having an amidship of open crate structure comprising upper and lower longitudinal and upper transverse members rigidly defining one level of open-ended transverse compartments that extend transversely throughout said vessel for use as open sided cargo spaces that extend above and below the vessel''s waterline, and floatable watertight cargo modules adapted to fill said cargo spaces and close said compartments to thereby load the vessel, and means for raising and lowering the vessel to ground said cargo modules in said cargo spaces, and jacks depending from said upper transverse members for engaging said cargo modules in compression in said cargo spaces to lock and release said cargo modules between said jacks and said lower longitudinal member in said cargo spaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In combination, a marine vessel having an amidship of open crate structure comprising upper and lower longitudinal and upper transverse members rigidly defining one level of open-ended transverse compartments that extend transversely throughout said vessel for use as open sided cargo spaces that extend above and below the vessel''s waterline, and floatable watertight cargo modules adapted to fill said cargo spaces and close said compartments to thereby load the vessel, and means for raising and lowering the vessel to ground said cargo modules in said cargo spaces, and jacks depending from said upper transverse members for engaging said cargo modules in compression in said cargo spaces to lock and release said cargo modules between said jacks and said lower longitudinal member in said cargo spaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
In combination as described in claim 1 wherein outboard members of said cargo modules fair the bottom and outboard sides, above and below said vessel''s waterline, of the amidship crate structure of the marine vessel.