US4881851A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connecting element for offshore drilling rig
Assignee: River Don Castings Ltd
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Filing: 1988-08-05
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2008-08-05
Abstract
Abstract For rapid assembly of the deck of a drilling platform on a pipe scaffold, a connecting element made of two interlocking parts is described. The first part is in the form of a closing head integrated by casting into the end of a vertically standing pipe of the pipe scaffold, a ring-shaped horizontal support surface and a lifting bitt extending upward. The second part is in the form of a bell-shaped cover which envelops the lifting bitt. The cover on its upper surface is welded to the drilling platform, and at its underside includes a supporting surface which bears upon the supporting surface of the first part.
Inventors
- 👤 Franz Gantke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:54
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/0004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A connecting element disposed between a pipe scaffolding and a drilling platform of an offshore drilling rig, comprising first and second interconnected parts, said first part comprising a closing head for attachment to an upper portion of said pipe scaffolding, said closing head having a supporting surface, and lifting bitt extending upwardly from said closing head, said second part comprising a hollow cover for attachment to a lower portion of said drilling platform, said cover including a hollow chamber for enveloping said lifting bitt, said cover being supported by said supporting surface and being interconnected to said closing head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A connecting element disposed between a pipe scaffolding and a drilling platform of an offshore drilling rig, comprising first and second interconnected parts, said first part comprising a closing head for attachment to an upper portion of said pipe scaffolding, said closing head having a supporting surface, and lifting bitt extending upwardly from said closing head, said second part comprising a hollow cover for attachment to a lower portion of said drilling platform, said cover including a hollow chamber for enveloping said lifting bitt, said cover being supported by said supporting surface and being interconnected to said closing head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connecting element of claim 1 wherein said cover is interconnected to said supporting surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connecting element of claim 2 wherein said lifting bitt includes a base, and said supporting surface is ring-shaped and surrounds said base of said lifting bitt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The connecting element of claim 1 wherein said cover is bell-shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The connecting element of claim 1 wherein said cover is hemispherically-shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The connecting element of claim 1 wherein said cover is cylindrically-shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connecting element of claim 1 wherein said cover includes connecting means for attachment to said drilling platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connecting element of claim 7 wherein said connecting means comprises ribs on an outside surface of said cover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connecting element of claim 8 wherein said cover is made from cast steel, said ribs being integrally cast with said cover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connecting element of claim 1 wherein said lifting bitt and said closing head are made integrally from cast steel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The connecting element of claim 1 further comprising cable guiding elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connecting element of claim 11 wherein said cable guiding elements extend obliquely upwardly relative to said supporting surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The connecting element of claim 1 wherein said lifting bitt is in the form of a truncated cone, a lower outer diameter of said lifting bitt being substantially equal to a lower inside diameter of said cover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3150748A
Cited
FR2416306A2
Cited
US4329088A
Cited
JPS5721614A
Cited
US4629365A
Cited
US4607982A
Cited
US4662788A
Cited
US4655641A
Cited
US4761097A
Cited
US4723875A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-20 | 1993-05-22 | 1993-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-05-22 | 1997-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-20 | 2001-05-22 | 2001-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |