US3841501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ship loading and unloading equipment
Assignee: IHC Holland NV
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Filing: 1972-11-17
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1992-11-17
Abstract
Abstract Loading and unloading equipment for vessels carrying bulk materials, comprises a buoyant body having bulk material handling apparatus thereon. The body has an upright portion that carries the material handling and a horizontal portion that is movable laterally relative to the vessel to be loaded or unloaded. The buoyancy of the body is regulable to permit insertion of the horizontal portion laterally beneath the vessel when the body has relatively low buoyancy, after which the buoyancy of the body is increased to engage the horizontal portion beneath the vessel. The horizontal and upright portions have antifriction roller means so that the body can move lengthwise of the vessel. Another horizontal portion, for servicing a second vessel, can be disposed on the side of the upright portion opposite the first horizontal portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Heijst W Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:53
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021; B63B27/00; B65; B65G; B65G67/00; B65G2814/00; B65G2814/03; B65G2814/0397
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for transferring bulk materials to or from vessels, comprising an at least partially L-shaped buoyant body of variable buoyancy having an upright portion and a horizontally extending portion adapted to engage respectively with one side and the bottom of a said vessel, and material-handling means mounted on said upright portion to transfer bulk materials relative to the vessel, said body terminating laterally outwardly away from said upright portion in said horizontally extending portion and being open on the side opposite said upright portion whereby said body can move into material transfer position relative to said vessel by movement of said body laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of said vessel with said horizontally extending portion moving laterally of said vessel beneath said vessel and said upright portion moving laterally of said vessel into engagement with said one side of said vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for transferring bulk materials to or from vessels, comprising an at least partially L-shaped buoyant body of variable buoyancy having an upright portion and a horizontally extending portion adapted to engage respectively with one side and the bottom of a said vessel, and material-handling means mounted on said upright portion to transfer bulk materials relative to the vessel, said body terminating laterally outwardly away from said upright portion in said horizontally extending portion and being open on the side opposite said upright portion whereby said body can move into material transfer position relative to said vessel by movement of said body laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of said vessel with said horizontally extending portion moving laterally of said vessel beneath said vessel and said upright portion moving laterally of said vessel into engagement with said one side of said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and roller means on said body for facilitating movement of said body lengthwise of a said vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and means at the end of said horizontal portion remote from said upright portion for securing said end to the opposite side of a said vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and a further horizontal portion extending laterally away from said upright portion on the side of said upright portion opposite the first-mentioned horizontal portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, and vertically adjustable means on said further horizontal portion for supporting a further vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and anchor means for said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and liquid ejecting nozzles on said body for moving said body relative to said vessel.
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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |