US4098212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tanker loading terminal
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1977-02-17
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1997-02-17
Abstract
Abstract An offshore mooring system for tankers having a fixed vertical column anchored to the ocean floor that is provided with a rotating arm having one end connected to the column by a centralizing structure formed by a weight-actuated gravity spring system.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelmus Kemper
- 👤 Gerard Kruisman
- 👤 Hendrikus S. Rutten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:35
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A mooring system, in particular for (un)loading a tanker, comprising a structure secured to the water bottom and extending vertically to a point above the water line, an annular element rotatably mounted on said structure substantially at the water line thereof, an annular member concentrically mounted outwardly of and operatively connected to the annular element, a floating mooring arm operatively secured to the annular member, a gravity-actuated spring system connecting the annular member to the annular element, said gravity-actuated spring system comprising a set of weights, each weight being suspended between the annular member and the annular element by means of elongated suspension means, a plurality of elastic means carried on said annular member, each of said elongated suspension means being operatively connected between the annular element and an elastic means on the annular member, each of said elastic means being provided with a lever arm operatively connected thereto, and horizontal pin means engaging one end of said lever arm and mounted on said annular member, the other end of said lever arm being connected to the end of said elongated suspension means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A mooring system, in particular for (un)loading a tanker, comprising a structure secured to the water bottom and extending vertically to a point above the water line, an annular element rotatably mounted on said structure substantially at the water line thereof, an annular member concentrically mounted outwardly of and operatively connected to the annular element, a floating mooring arm operatively secured to the annular member, a gravity-actuated spring system connecting the annular member to the annular element, said gravity-actuated spring system comprising a set of weights, each weight being suspended between the annular member and the annular element by means of elongated suspension means, a plurality of elastic means carried on said annular member, each of said elongated suspension means being operatively connected between the annular element and an elastic means on the annular member, each of said elastic means being provided with a lever arm operatively connected thereto, and horizontal pin means engaging one end of said lever arm and mounted on said annular member, the other end of said lever arm being connected to the end of said elongated suspension means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mooring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic element is made of rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mooring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular member is buoyant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mooring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating mooring arm is a tanker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mooring system as claimed in claim 1, including a frame for securing said floating mooring arm to the annular member, and hinge means having horizontal axes, said hinge means being connected to the frame and the floating mooring arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mooring system as claimed in claim 1, including buoyant means on said annular element, said element being slidable in a vertical direction relative to the structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
A mooring system, in particular for (un)loading a tanker, comprising a structure secured to the bottom of a body of water and extending vertically to a point above the water line, first annular means rotatably mounted on said structure substantially at the water line thereof, second annular means concentrically mounted outwardly of and operatively connected to the first annular means, a floating mooring arm operatively secured to the second annular means and extending horizontally therefrom, a gravity-actuated spring system connecting and extending between said first and second annular means, said gravity-actuated spring system comprising a set of weights, each weight being suspended between the first and second annular means by elongated suspension means, and a plurality of elastic means selectively carried on one of said annular means, one end of each of said elongated suspension means being connected to one of said elastic means on one of said annular means and the other end of said suspension means being connected to the other of said annular means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
A mooring system, in particular for (un)loading a tanker, comprising a structure secured to the bottom of a body of water and extending vertically to a point above the water line, first annular means rotatably mounted on said structure substantially at the water line thereof, second annular means concentrically mounted outwardly of and operatively connected to the first annular means, a floating mooring arm operatively secured to the second annular means and extending horizontally therefrom, a gravity-actuated spring system connecting and extending between said first and second annular means, said gravity-actuated spring system comprising a set of weights, each weight being suspended between the first and second annular means by elongated suspension means, and a plurality of elastic means selectively carried on one of said annular means, one end of each of said elongated suspension means being connected to one of said elastic means on one of said annular means and the other end of said suspension means being connected to the other of said annular means.
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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) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |