US4364734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable marine craft having improved towing characteristics
Assignee: Dunlop Ltd
•
Filing: 1981-04-08
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Granted: 1982-12-21
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Expires: 2001-04-08
Abstract
Abstract One or more vanes of a rigid or flexible material are attached to the underside of a liferaft or other towable marine craft. The vane or vanes are suspended from the craft at an angle of 90° or less relative to the direction of towing.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey J. S. Haughton
- 👤 Malcolm Bimpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:46
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B7/00; B63B7/06; B63B7/08; B63B39/00; B63B39/06; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/02; B63C9/04; B63C2009/042; B63C2009/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A towable, inflatable, floatable, marine craft having a generally flat underside and means to prevent nose diving which results in irregular undulating motion of said craft when said craft is being towed, said means comprising at least one vane attached to and extending downwardly from the underside of said craft, with its point of attachment being spaced back from the front edge of the underside, and suspended therefrom to form a pocket between the underside and the upper surface of the vane so that, when said craft is being towed, the upper surface of said at least one vane makes an angle of 90° or less with the underside of said craft, relative to the direction of towing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A towable, inflatable, floatable, marine craft having a generally flat underside and means to prevent nose diving which results in irregular undulating motion of said craft when said craft is being towed, said means comprising at least one vane attached to and extending downwardly from the underside of said craft, with its point of attachment being spaced back from the front edge of the underside, and suspended therefrom to form a pocket between the underside and the upper surface of the vane so that, when said craft is being towed, the upper surface of said at least one vane makes an angle of 90° or less with the underside of said craft, relative to the direction of towing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an inflatable, floatable marine craft made of flexible sheet material and having a generally flat underside, an improvement comprising a means to prevent nose diving which results in irregular undulating motion of said craft when said craft is being towed, said means comprising: at least one vane, attached by one of its edges to the generally flat underside of said craft and suspended and extending downwardly to make an angle of 90° or less with said underside, the angle being relative to the direction of towing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an inflatable, floatable marine craft made of flexible sheet material and having a generally flat underside, an improvement comprising a means to prevent nose diving which results in irregular undulating motion of said craft when said craft is being towed, said means comprising: at least one vane, attached by one of its edges to the generally flat underside of said craft and suspended and extending downwardly to make an angle of 90° or less with said underside, the angle being relative to the direction of towing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The craft of claim 1 in which said at least one vane includes at least one towing attachment device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The craft of claim 1 in which said at least one vane comprises a continuous imperforate web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The craft of claim 1 in which said at least one vane is perforate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The craft of claim 1 in which said at least one vane is made from flexible materials.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The craft of claim 1 in which said at least one vane is made from rigid materials.
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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) | 1985-12-20 | 1986-06-21 | 1986-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-20 | 1990-06-21 | 1990-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-20 | 1994-06-21 | 1994-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |