Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for moving a hose into position for connection to an underwater pipe, comprising a saddle having a hose receiving portion positioned in an underwater location and near the end of said underwater pipe, means for pulling a hose down in the water, said pulling means being in a preselected position with respect to said saddle, and means for moving said saddle to bring said saddle in approximate parallel relation to said hose, said saddle moving means pivoting said saddle about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis transverse to the axis of said underwater pipe and being positioned to move said hose into axial alignment with said underwater pipe.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for moving a hose into position for connection to an underwater pipe, comprising a saddle having a hose receiving portion positioned in an underwater location and near the end of said underwater pipe, means for pulling a hose down in the water, said pulling means being in a preselected position with respect to said saddle, and means for moving said saddle to bring said saddle in approximate parallel relation to said hose, said saddle moving means pivoting said saddle about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis transverse to the axis of said underwater pipe and being positioned to move said hose into axial alignment with said underwater pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for moving the aligned hose into sufficiently close proximity for connection to said underwater pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, said pulling means includes, a winch, a line connected to said winch whereby said winch pulls on said line, and means for exerting the pull on the line by the winch into a force for pulling a hose down into said saddle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, said pull exerting means includes at least one sheave positioned below said saddle and between said saddle and the connecting end of the underwater pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 including, means for supporting said winch at the surface of the water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including, control means for said saddle moving means and said pulling means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein, said control means are mounted in close relationship to said underwater pipe.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
67 words
The method of handling a hose underwater including the steps of, pulling a hose down in the water, orienting a saddle having a hose receiving portion about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis to bring said hose receiving portion into a position substantially parallel to said hose, seating said hose in said saddle, and orienting said saddle to position said hose in a preselect position.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
67 words
The method of handling a hose underwater including the steps of, pulling a hose down in the water, orienting a saddle having a hose receiving portion about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis to bring said hose receiving portion into a position substantially parallel to said hose, seating said hose in said saddle, and orienting said saddle to position said hose in a preselect position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 8 including the step of, clamping said hose in the hose receiving portion of said saddle after said sealing step.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of moving a hose into position for connection to an underwater pipe including the steps of, pulling a hose down in the water, orienting a saddle having a hose receiving portion about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis to bring said hose receiving portion into a position substantially parallel to said hose, seating said hose in said saddle, and orienting said saddle to position said hose in axial alignment with the underwater pipe, and moving said hose sufficiently close to the end of said pipe for completing the connection of said hose to said pipe.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of moving a hose into position for connection to an underwater pipe including the steps of, pulling a hose down in the water, orienting a saddle having a hose receiving portion about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis to bring said hose receiving portion into a position substantially parallel to said hose, seating said hose in said saddle, and orienting said saddle to position said hose in axial alignment with the underwater pipe, and moving said hose sufficiently close to the end of said pipe for completing the connection of said hose to said pipe.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for handling a hose underwater, comprising a saddle positioned in an underwater location and having a hose receiving portion, a pivotal clamp and diverging sides to guide a hose into said hose receiving portion, means for pulling a hose down in the water, means for moving said saddle to bring said saddle into substantially parallel relation to said hose, said pulling means being in a preselected position with respect to said saddle to position said hose in position for clamping in said saddle, and control means for said saddle moving means and said pulling means mounted at said underwater location.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for handling a hose underwater, comprising a saddle positioned in an underwater location and having a hose receiving portion, a pivotal clamp and diverging sides to guide a hose into said hose receiving portion, means for pulling a hose down in the water, means for moving said saddle to bring said saddle into substantially parallel relation to said hose, said pulling means being in a preselected position with respect to said saddle to position said hose in position for clamping in said saddle, and control means for said saddle moving means and said pulling means mounted at said underwater location.