US4014057A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chain-like rescue devices particularly for small boats
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-06-13
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Granted: 1977-03-29
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Expires: 1995-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A rescue device particularly adapted for use with small boats. The device includes a plurality of bodies each formed with an aperture large enough to facilitate either manual grasping of the body or for receiving a foot of an individual to be rescued, the several bodies being interconnected in a given sequence by connecting units which form with the bodies a chain-like structure by means of which an individual can with his hands and feet climb upwardly along the structure back to a vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Kalervo Kuojarvi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:57
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B27/00; B63B27/14; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
In a rescue device for a vessel such as a small boat, a plurality of bodies each formed with an aperture large enough to facilitate manual grasping of the bodies by an individual to be rescued or to receive a foot of the individual to be rescued, and connecting means connecting said bodies in a given sequential arrangement one to the next and forming with said bodies a chain-like structure by means of which an individual can with his hands and feet climb upwardly along the structure back to the vessel, each body having opposed upper and lower end regions when the chain-like structure hangs freely, and each of said end regions of each body being formed with openings passing therethrough, respectively, and said connecting means including a plurality of units each including a rod of substantially U-shaped configuration having a pair of opposed legs terminating in a pair of free end regions, respectively, and a substantially straight rod extending across said legs at said free end regions thereof and connected thereto, and the U-shaped rod of one of said units of said connecting means extending through one of said openings of each body while the substantially straight rod of one of said units extends through the other of said openings of each body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a rescue device for a vessel such as a small boat, a plurality of bodies each formed with an aperture large enough to facilitate manual grasping of the bodies by an individual to be rescued or to receive a foot of the individual to be rescued, and connecting means connecting said bodies in a given sequential arrangement one to the next and forming with said bodies a chain-like structure by means of which an individual can with his hands and feet climb upwardly along the structure back to the vessel, each body having opposed upper and lower end regions when the chain-like structure hangs freely, and each of said end regions of each body being formed with openings passing therethrough, respectively, and said connecting means including a plurality of units each including a rod of substantially U-shaped configuration having a pair of opposed legs terminating in a pair of free end regions, respectively, and a substantially straight rod extending across said legs at said free end regions thereof and connected thereto, and the U-shaped rod of one of said units of said connecting means extending through one of said openings of each body while the substantially straight rod of one of said units extends through the other of said openings of each body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein each body is made of a self-sustaining material, such as metal or plastic, and has a portion surrounding said aperture thereof and situated in a vertical plane when the chain-like structure hangs freely, and each body having at a lower region of its aperture a substantially rigid projection fixed to said body and projecting substantially horizontally therefrom beyond the remainder of said body when the chain-like structure hangs freely, so that each projection forms a convenient foothold for the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein each body is in the form of a ring of triangular configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein in each body is of a circular configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein the aperture of each body has a straight horizontal lower region, when the chain-like structure hangs freely, for facilitating receiving of a foot of an individual.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a rescue device for a vessel such as a small boat, a plurality of bodies each formed with an aperture large enough to facilitate manual grasping of the bodies by an individual to be rescued or to receive a foot of the individual to be rescued, and connecting means connecting said bodies in a given sequential arrangement one to the next and forming with said bodies a chain-like structure by means of which an individual can with his hands and feet climb upwardly along the structure back to the vessel an enclosure made of a sheet material which can be ruptured enclosing said chain-like structure with the latter gathered together into a relatively small size within said enclosure, mounting means operatively connected with said enclosure for mounting the latter on the vessel, and an elongated flexible ribbon fixed to and extending from said enclosure to hang therefrom down to an elevation where said ribbon can readily be grasped by an individual in the water, and said ribbon being connected with said enclosure for rupturing the same when the ribbon is pulled so that upon rupture of the enclosure the chain-like structure will fall therefrom to be accessible to an individual in the water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a rescue device for a vessel such as a small boat, a plurality of bodies each formed with an aperture large enough to facilitate manual grasping of the bodies by an individual to be rescued or to receive a foot of the individual to be rescued, and connecting means connecting said bodies in a given sequential arrangement one to the next and forming with said bodies a chain-like structure by means of which an individual can with his hands and feet climb upwardly along the structure back to the vessel an enclosure made of a sheet material which can be ruptured enclosing said chain-like structure with the latter gathered together into a relatively small size within said enclosure, mounting means operatively connected with said enclosure for mounting the latter on the vessel, and an elongated flexible ribbon fixed to and extending from said enclosure to hang therefrom down to an elevation where said ribbon can readily be grasped by an individual in the water, and said ribbon being connected with said enclosure for rupturing the same when the ribbon is pulled so that upon rupture of the enclosure the chain-like structure will fall therefrom to be accessible to an individual in the water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 6 and wherein said ribbon has a fluorescent color rendering it readily visible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 6 and wherein said ribbon is long enough to trail on the surface of the water and carries distant from the enclosure a float for floating on the surface of the water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1484070A
Cited
GB311103A
Cited
US3018494A
Cited
US3216030A
Cited
US3754291A
Cited
US3754758A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-28 | 1980-09-27 | 1981-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-28 | 1984-09-27 | 1985-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-28 | 1988-09-27 | 1989-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |