Patent US4124181A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4124181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helicopter external load pickup system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-10-25
•
Granted: 1978-11-07
•
Expires: 1997-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A system for recovery of cargo floating at sea with a helicopter or ship. A hook is rigidly secured to a float attached to a hoist line. The hook is dragged through the water until it contacts and connects with a buoyant line attached to the cargo. The cargo may then be pulled aboard the helicopter or ship by winching in the hoist line.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman G. Kolwey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:22
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D1/00; B64D1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for recovery by a vehicle of objects floating at sea, comprising: a hook; a slot disposed at the closed end of said hook; a float secured to said hook, said float being comprised of styrofoam secured between two bolt connected plates, one of which is welded to said hook; a hoist line suspended from said vehicle and attached to said hook near its open end opposite said slot; and a buoyant line attached to said object floating at sea, said line having stops along its length; whereby when said float, hook, and slot are towed by said hoist line from said vehicle along the surface of the sea at said buoyant line, said slot may securely engage one of said stops along said buoyant line enabling recovery of said object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for recovery by a vehicle of objects floating at sea, comprising: a hook; a slot disposed at the closed end of said hook; a float secured to said hook, said float being comprised of styrofoam secured between two bolt connected plates, one of which is welded to said hook; a hoist line suspended from said vehicle and attached to said hook near its open end opposite said slot; and a buoyant line attached to said object floating at sea, said line having stops along its length; whereby when said float, hook, and slot are towed by said hoist line from said vehicle along the surface of the sea at said buoyant line, said slot may securely engage one of said stops along said buoyant line enabling recovery of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a plate surrounding said slot for providing reinforcement for said slot and for guiding said hook, slot, and float as they are towed through the water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook and said slot are formed from a metal rod bent to shape, and further including an attachment ring formed by said bent rod at its forward end opposite said slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stops comprise of knots in said buoyant line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a helicopter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US142638A
Cited
US184792A
Cited
US1758744A
Cited
US1999777A
Cited
US2310697A
Cited
US2449417A
Cited
US2594120A
Cited
US3022763A
Cited
US3036315A
Cited
FR1450926A
Cited
US3360811A
Cited
US3444569A
Cited
US3799097A
Cited
US3863590A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-06 | 1982-05-08 | 1982-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-06 | 1986-05-08 | 1986-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-06 | 1990-05-08 | 1990-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |