US4429654A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helical seam structural vessel, method and apparatus of forming same
Assignee: UNIVERSAL SPIRALWELD ENTERPRISES Inc BLOOMFIELD NJ A CORP OF NJ
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Filing: 1981-07-10
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Granted: 1984-02-07
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Expires: 2001-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A structural vessel includes helically curved inner and outer spaced strips of material each having a plurality of helical turns, with contiguous edges of each two successive turns of the inner and outer strips being seamed together, and a helically curved structural beam disposed between the strips and secured thereto along their turns. A floatable work housing is provided for vessel fabrication, the housing having a sealed opening through which the completed portion of the vessel progressively extends and is floated on a body of water to avoid a need for external supports and bearings.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Smith, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:22
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21C; B21C37/00; B21C37/06; B21C37/12; B21C37/123; B21C37/15; B21C37/154; B23; B23K; B23K11/00; B23K11/08; B23K11/082; B23K11/084; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/28; B63B35/285; B63B73/00; F; F16; F16L; F16L9/00; F16L9/16; F16L9/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49828; Y10T29/49879
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A structural vessel, comprising an inner tubular liner and an outer tubular shell surrounding said liner in spaced relation, said liner and said shell comprising helically curved strips of material, continuous and helically curved spacer means between said liner and said shell, said spacer means spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said liner and spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said shell, and means seaming together said liner edges and seaming together said shell edges, said spacer means being secured to said strips via said seaming means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A structural vessel, comprising an inner tubular liner and an outer tubular shell surrounding said liner in spaced relation, said liner and said shell comprising helically curved strips of material, continuous and helically curved spacer means between said liner and said shell, said spacer means spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said liner and spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said shell, and means seaming together said liner edges and seaming together said shell edges, said spacer means being secured to said strips via said seaming means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vessel according to claim 1, wherein said spacer means comprise beam sections having flanges extending along said liner edges and said shell edges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vessel according to claim 2, wherein said strips overlie one another such that said shell edges are aligned with said liner edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vessel according to claim 3, wherein said beam sections are joined together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vessel according to claim 3, wherein said beam sections have webs of toothed formation defining projections joined together at the tips thereof.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of forming a structural vessel, comprising the steps of: helically winding one strip of material to form an inner tubular liner; helically winding another strip of material and surrounding said liner in spaced relation to form an outer tubular shell; disposing continuous, helically curved, separate spacer means between said liner and said shell, said spacer means spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said liner and spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said shell; securing said liner edges together and to said spacer means; and securing said shell edges together and to said spacer means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of forming a structural vessel, comprising the steps of: helically winding one strip of material to form an inner tubular liner; helically winding another strip of material and surrounding said liner in spaced relation to form an outer tubular shell; disposing continuous, helically curved, separate spacer means between said liner and said shell, said spacer means spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said liner and spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said shell; securing said liner edges together and to said spacer means; and securing said shell edges together and to said spacer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said winding steps include maintaining said shell edges aligned with said liner edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein said spacer means comprise beam sections having flanges extending along said liner edges and said shell edges, and joining said sections together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method according to claim 24, wherein said spacer means comprise beam sections having flanges, one of said sections being first secured at one of said edges of said one strip before being wound to form said liner, then securing the other of said contiguous edges at said successive turns of said liner to said one edge and to said one section, then joining the other of said sections to said one section, and thereafter carrying out the step of securing said shell edges together and to said other section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 6, including the further steps of maintaining a constant curvature of said one strip and said another strip during said winding steps for producing a circular cylindrical vessel, cutting through said vessel along a single line parallel to the central axis thereof, spreading apart opposed sections of said vessel formed after cutting, and joining together said spread apart sections.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 10, including the further step of forming said sections into opposed spiral shapes during said spreading step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said spread apart sections are joined together by flat decking material for forming a ship's hull construction from said vessel.
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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) | 1987-02-06 | 1987-08-08 | 1988-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-06 | 1991-08-08 | 1992-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-06 | 1995-08-08 | 1996-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |