US3848417A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-righting floating booms
Assignee: SLICKBAR PRODUCTS CORP A CORP OF CT
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Filing: 1973-05-17
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1993-05-17
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 inter-woven 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
2026-11-05 10:58
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; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A tension-transmitting connector for the end of the flat vertically arrayed fin of an elongated floating material containment boom, for joining said end thereof to a tensionapplying towing or anchoring rig or to the juxtaposed end of a similar boom, comprising: A. a vertically elongated towed flange secured to said flat fin end and having a distal portion exposed for engagement with a substantially identical, mirror image towing flange; B. means forming a raked, tension-carrying joint interlocking said towed flange to said towing flange including: 1. a raked distal jaw protruding proximally from said towed flange in a first lateral direction, 2. a corresponding opposite raked distal jaw protruding from said towing flange in the opposite lateral direction, 3. a proximal raked groove immediately adjacent to each jaw with one wall formed by said adjacent jaw and positioned to receive the interengaging jaw, 4. and locking means secured to the distal portions of said flanges for releasably securing said oppositely protruding raked distal jaws in barbed scarph interengagement and positioned to block lateral separation of each jaw from its interengaging groove and cooperate with said groove to block overlapping sliding movement of said flanges, whereby tension loads are readily transmitted from one elongated boom segment to the next and to terminal towing rigs while the containment integrity of the booms is not significantly reduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A tension-transmitting connector for the end of the flat vertically arrayed fin of an elongated floating material containment boom, for joining said end thereof to a tensionapplying towing or anchoring rig or to the juxtaposed end of a similar boom, comprising: A. a vertically elongated towed flange secured to said flat fin end and having a distal portion exposed for engagement with a substantially identical, mirror image towing flange; B. means forming a raked, tension-carrying joint interlocking said towed flange to said towing flange including: 1. a raked distal jaw protruding proximally from said towed flange in a first lateral direction, 2. a corresponding opposite raked distal jaw protruding from said towing flange in the opposite lateral direction, 3. a proximal raked groove immediately adjacent to each jaw with one wall formed by said adjacent jaw and positioned to receive the interengaging jaw, 4. and locking means secured to the distal portions of said flanges for releasably securing said oppositely protruding raked distal jaws in barbed scarph interengagement and positioned to block lateral separation of each jaw from its interengaging groove and cooperate with said groove to block overlapping sliding movement of said flanges, whereby tension loads are readily transmitted from one elongated boom segment to the next and to terminal towing rigs while the containment integrity of the booms is not significantly reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
a corresponding opposite raked distal jaw protruding from said towing flange in the opposite lateral direction,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
a corresponding opposite raked distal jaw protruding from said towing flange in the opposite lateral direction,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The end connector defined in claim 1, wherein said floating material containment boom incorporates non-slack tension-carrying reinforcing means extending longitudinally along its length, and wherein said connector is connected to said reinforcing means in tension-transmitting relationship, allowing tension loads to be transmitted through said connector to the tension-applying towing or anchoring rig and to adjacent similar booms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The end connector defined in claim 2, wherein the surfaces of said jaws juxtaposed in barbed scarph interengagement are positioned on the line of action of tensile loads applied by said tension-carrying reinforcing means, minimizing bending deformation of said connector under load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
a proximal raked groove immediately adjacent to each jaw with one wall formed by said adjacent jaw and positioned to receive the interengaging jaw,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
a proximal raked groove immediately adjacent to each jaw with one wall formed by said adjacent jaw and positioned to receive the interengaging jaw,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means extends through the distal portions of said flanges, maintaining said jaws in barbed scarph interengagement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
and locking means secured to the distal portions of said flanges for releasably securing said oppositely protruding raked distal jaws in barbed scarph interengagement and positioned to block lateral separation of each jaw from its interengaging groove and cooperate with said groove to block overlapping sliding movement of said flanges, whereby tension loads are readily transmitted from one elongated boom segment to the next and to terminal towing rigs while the containment integrity of the booms is not significantly reduced.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
and locking means secured to the distal portions of said flanges for releasably securing said oppositely protruding raked distal jaws in barbed scarph interengagement and positioned to block lateral separation of each jaw from its interengaging groove and cooperate with said groove to block overlapping sliding movement of said flanges, whereby tension loads are readily transmitted from one elongated boom segment to the next and to terminal towing rigs while the containment integrity of the booms is not significantly reduced.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US378874A
Cited
FR1305469A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |