Patent US2857013A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3978810A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3978810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Mooring buoy
Assignee: Weser AG
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Filing: 1975-06-27
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Granted: 1976-09-07
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Expires: 1995-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A buoy having a generally hollow float body and a control arrangement thereon for flooding regions in said body sufficiently to overcome the buoyancy of the buoy by the weight of the buoy. The buoy can be sunk at a predetermined speed, for example upon or during the approach of a ship which would otherwise collide with the buoy. An arrangement is also provided for subsequently reestablishing the full buoyancy of the buoy, and for thereby raising the buoy to the water level.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm Lucht
- 👤 Gunter Ecke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:20
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
In an arrangement for anchoring watercraft floating on a body of water, a combination comprising anchor means disposable at the bottom of the body of water; variable buoyancy buoy means including a generally hollow float body provided with a recess; means for connecting said buoy means to said anchoring means; means for varying the buoyancy of said buoy means; means for actuating said varying means so as to submerge and surface said buoy means by varying the buoyancy thereof; mooring means including a mounting portion mounted in said recess of said float body for pivoting with respect to the latter about a substantially horizontal axis and a rapid-release slip hook on said mounting portion and operative for anchoring the watercraft thereto when said buoy means is surfaced and for releasing the watercraft during the submerging of said buoy means; an auxiliary float on said body, flexible conduit means connecting the auxiliary float with said body; means for normally holding said auxiliary float to said body; and pressure responsive means for automatically releasing the auxiliary float when said body has sunk to a predetermined depth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
In an arrangement for anchoring watercraft floating on a body of water, a combination comprising anchor means disposable at the bottom of the body of water; variable buoyancy buoy means including a generally hollow float body provided with a recess; means for connecting said buoy means to said anchoring means; means for varying the buoyancy of said buoy means; means for actuating said varying means so as to submerge and surface said buoy means by varying the buoyancy thereof; mooring means including a mounting portion mounted in said recess of said float body for pivoting with respect to the latter about a substantially horizontal axis and a rapid-release slip hook on said mounting portion and operative for anchoring the watercraft thereto when said buoy means is surfaced and for releasing the watercraft during the submerging of said buoy means; an auxiliary float on said body, flexible conduit means connecting the auxiliary float with said body; means for normally holding said auxiliary float to said body; and pressure responsive means for automatically releasing the auxiliary float when said body has sunk to a predetermined depth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said flexible conduit means comprises air hose means, connected with the hollow interior of said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, also including radio means for receiving signals and for controlling said varying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary float carriers at least part of the radio means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said varying means includes flood valve means for flooding regions of said hollow float body and actuated by said actuating means so as to admit a sufficient quantity of water into said regions for submerging said float body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said flood valve means is movable between an open and a closed position, and wherein said flexible conduit means comprises control conduit means for controlling the position of said flood valve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said varying means further comprises means for expelling water from regions of said hollow float body and actuated by said actuating means so as to expel a sufficient quantity of water from said regions for surfacing said float body.
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) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |