US3853082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical retriever
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1973-05-03
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for attaching a hoisting cable to a sunken vessel is configured to be pulled-down onto a cone-shaped line anchor. The device is pulled down onto the line anchor when the hoisting cable and marker-buoy line are drawn in opposite directions by a pair of surface ships. Having the ships draw the hoisting cable and the marker buoy line in opposite directions prevents the cable and line from becoming entangled to allow connection to the sunken vessel and to reduce the hazard of inadvertently separating the more fragile marker-buoy line.
Inventors
- 👤 E Rosenberg
- 👤 S Moran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:45
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C7/00; B63C7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus guided by a marker buoy line joined to a line anchor on a sunken vessel and a first surface craft for securing a hoisting cable coupled to a second surface craft to the sunken vessel when the first and second surface craft move in diverging directions comprising: a body member shaped with a longitudinal channel for receiving the marker buoy line and having a connector portion formed to engage the line anchor when a sufficient downward force is created as the first and second surface craft move in diverging directions; a first member disposed on one side of said body member coupling the hoisting cable thereto; and a second member journaled in the opposite side of said body member configured to orient the marker buoy line in a direction diverging from the hoisting cable and being further configured to ensure the exertion of said sufficient downward force as the hoisting cable and marker buoy line are pulled in opposite directions by the first and second surface craft to further ensure the securing of the hoisting cable to the sunken vessel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus guided by a marker buoy line joined to a line anchor on a sunken vessel and a first surface craft for securing a hoisting cable coupled to a second surface craft to the sunken vessel when the first and second surface craft move in diverging directions comprising: a body member shaped with a longitudinal channel for receiving the marker buoy line and having a connector portion formed to engage the line anchor when a sufficient downward force is created as the first and second surface craft move in diverging directions; a first member disposed on one side of said body member coupling the hoisting cable thereto; and a second member journaled in the opposite side of said body member configured to orient the marker buoy line in a direction diverging from the hoisting cable and being further configured to ensure the exertion of said sufficient downward force as the hoisting cable and marker buoy line are pulled in opposite directions by the first and second surface craft to further ensure the securing of the hoisting cable to the sunken vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said connector portion includes a pair of flared sections configured to accommodate the line anchor and a pair of spring-biased jaws orthogonally disposed with respect to said flared sections for engaging the line anchor when said sufficient downward force is exerted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 further including: a guide member journaled in said opposite side of said body member and outwardly reaching therefrom and provided with a passageway receiving the marker buoy line to further orient iT in a direction diverging from the hoisting cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which said guide member includes a low-friction sleeve carried in said passageway to permit free travel of the marker buoy line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 in which said first member is a shackle-swivel combination coupling the hoisting cable to said body member and said second member is a sheave provided with a rim sized to accommodate the marker buoy line and orient it from said longitudinal channel as the hoisting cable and marker buoy line are pulled in opposite directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 in which said body member is a pair of spaced-apart elongate plates carrying the spring-biased jaws and the sheave between them.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 in which said flared sections and said spring-biased jaws define a cone-shaped cavity having dimensions larger than said line anchor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2273497A
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US2347690A
Cited
US2363353A
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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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |