Patent US2461526A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3850132A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering unit for marine craft
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-01-02
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A marine unit mounted either forward or aft of a barge for steering or for steering and propelling same, including a spherical hull section being rotatable about the central vertical axis of a stationary deck section. After being rotated a predetermined amount, the marine unit is capable of shifting the barge in a lateral direction for purposes of steering it along a desired path. Shifting of the barge is effected by a pair of propulsion devices spaced on opposite sides of the central vertical axis.
Inventors
- 👤 W Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:54
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/66; B63B35/665; B63H; B63H25/00; B63H25/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A marine unit capable of being mounted either forward or aft of a barge for steering purposes, comprising a hull having a horizontal bottom wall section and a side wall section of circular horizontal cross-section varying in diameter between the smallest diameter at said bottom wall section to the largest at the top of said side wall section, a flat deck extending over the entirety of said hull, means mounting said hull to the underside of said deck for rotation of said hull about its central vertical axis relative to said deck, means on said deck for connecting it to the barge thereby rendering it stationary relative to said hull, propulsioN devices for movement of fluid therethrough between the forward and aft ends thereof and being mounted within said hull for rotation therewith on opposite sides of said vertical axis, and means for actuating each of said propulsion devices independently of one another, whereby actuation of both said propulsion devices together serves to propel the unit and barge forwardly while actuation of one of said propulsion devices serves to rotate said hull with respect to said deck for steering of the barge by said propulsion devices in a prescribed direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A marine unit capable of being mounted either forward or aft of a barge for steering purposes, comprising a hull having a horizontal bottom wall section and a side wall section of circular horizontal cross-section varying in diameter between the smallest diameter at said bottom wall section to the largest at the top of said side wall section, a flat deck extending over the entirety of said hull, means mounting said hull to the underside of said deck for rotation of said hull about its central vertical axis relative to said deck, means on said deck for connecting it to the barge thereby rendering it stationary relative to said hull, propulsioN devices for movement of fluid therethrough between the forward and aft ends thereof and being mounted within said hull for rotation therewith on opposite sides of said vertical axis, and means for actuating each of said propulsion devices independently of one another, whereby actuation of both said propulsion devices together serves to propel the unit and barge forwardly while actuation of one of said propulsion devices serves to rotate said hull with respect to said deck for steering of the barge by said propulsion devices in a prescribed direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The unit according to claim 1 wherein said side wall section is defined by a part spherical section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The unit according to claim 1 being mountable to the barge by means of spaced vertically disposed elongated connectors provided on said deck fore and aft thereof for accommodating various draft elevations of the barge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The unit according to claim 1 wherein each said propulsion device comprises a tubular fluid pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The unit according to claim 1 wherein said interconnecting means includes a ring member secured along the upper portion of said side wall section, and a plurality of rotatable spool members mounted on said deck for cooperation with said ring member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The unit according to claim 5 wherein braking means are provided on said deck for cooperation with said ring member whereby said hull may be braked after a predetermined degree of rotation during actuation of said one propulsion device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The unit according to claim 1 wherein a gear ring is secured along the upper portion of said side wall section and rotatable gear wheels are provided on said deck in operable engagement with said gear ring for rotational movement of said hull about said central axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The unit according to claim 1 further comprising a stairwell unit mounted on said deck along said vertical axis and extending toward said hull to rest on said bottom wall section thereof for gaining access to the interior of said hull from said deck.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |