US3833075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expendable core nose and core catcher retainer
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1973-10-12
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Granted: 1974-09-03
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Expires: 1993-10-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved corer for taking a core sample of marine sediment is dropped onto and embedded in the ocean floor. During penetration, a core sample fills an elongate barrel member. As the corer is withdrawn, a tapered corer nose remains in the sediment while the elongate barrel member is pulled free. Simultaneously, a cylindrically shaped array of flexible fingers are drawn together by an elastic band to retain the core sample inside the barrel member. Since the flexible fingers are held outside of the path of the core sample as it enters the barrel member, there is no disturbance or commingling of the different layers of the core sample when it is being taken. A one-way valve and the flexible fingers cooperate to retain the intact core sample while it is being lifted to the surface to provide an undisturbed specimen for later study by marine geologists and oceanographers.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bachman
- 👤 Mara L O
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:05
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B25/00; E21B25/08; E21B25/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for retaining a core sample comprising: means for containing the core sample therein; means coupled to the containing means for driving it a sufficient length of penetration to allow the admission of the core sample; means releaseably held on the inside of a first end of the containing means for ensuring the admission of the core sample during penetration, the ensuring means is adapted to be pulled from the containing means during withdrawal of the containing means; means interposed between the containing means and the ensuring means for remaining in an open position to alloW the unimpeded admission of the core sample during penetration and a closed position to retain the core sample in the containing means during withdrawal after the ensuring means has been pulled from the containing means; and means disposed adjacent the remaining means for urging the remaining means to the closed position to ensure the retention of the core sample in the containing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for retaining a core sample comprising: means for containing the core sample therein; means coupled to the containing means for driving it a sufficient length of penetration to allow the admission of the core sample; means releaseably held on the inside of a first end of the containing means for ensuring the admission of the core sample during penetration, the ensuring means is adapted to be pulled from the containing means during withdrawal of the containing means; means interposed between the containing means and the ensuring means for remaining in an open position to alloW the unimpeded admission of the core sample during penetration and a closed position to retain the core sample in the containing means during withdrawal after the ensuring means has been pulled from the containing means; and means disposed adjacent the remaining means for urging the remaining means to the closed position to ensure the retention of the core sample in the containing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further including: means coupled to the opposite second end of the containing means for allowing the evacuation of the containing means during penetration and the retention of the core sample during withdrawal of the containing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 further includinng: means connected to the containing means for permitting the penetration and withdrawal of the containing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which the ensuring means is a hollow conical frustum joined to a rigid sleeve, an annular rim of and exposed surface of the conical frustum are shaped to provide sufficient drag to be pulled from the containing means during withdrawal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 in which the remaining means is a cylindrically shaped array of flexible fingers arranged in a juxtaposed relationship, said rigid sleeve is disposed and formed to position the flexible fingers out of the path of the core sample during the admission of the core sample to avoid disturbing the core sample.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 in which the urging means is an elastic band disposed and sized to bend the flexible fingers together to the closed position after the rigid sleeve has been pulled out of the containing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 in which the containing means is an elongate barrel member having at least one lateral hole at the first end and the array flexible fingers are formed with at least one keeper tab inserted in the lateral hole to couple the array of flexible fingers to the elongate metal barrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which the allowing means is a butterfly valve mounted across an opening in the elongate barrel member at the opposite second end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which there is disposed a tubular liner inside of the elongate barrel member to expedite the removal of the core sample from the elongate barrel member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which the inner diameter of the hollow conical frustum and rigid sleeve and the inner diameter of the elongate barrel member are selected to control internal friction during penetration and the outer diameter of the annular rim of the hollow conical frustum and the outer diameter of the elongate barrel member are selected to control external friction during penetration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-02 | 1978-03-04 | 1978-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-02 | 1982-03-04 | 1982-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-02 | 1986-03-04 | 1986-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |