Hook assembly for retrieving the chain bridle component of broken marine vessel towing lines

• US 4,242,978 A
• Filed: 07/17/1978
• Issued: 01/06/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sause Bros Ocean Towing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Orville A. Fuller
• Inventors: Fuller, Orville A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kazenske, Edward R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sotelo, Jesus D.
• Application Number:
  US05/925,457
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 114/221 R, 114/221 A, 114/242, 114/253, 114/293, 114/294, 114/267, 114/243-252, 405/154, 294/66 R, 294/82 R
• US Class Current: 114/253
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/00 Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring of buoys B63B22/04; dynamic anchoring B63H25/00 ; equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. for landing purposes, E02B
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/56 Towing or pushing equipment tugs B63B35/66; towing arrangements for water sports use B63B34/60

Abstract

A hook assembly for retrieving the chain bridle component of a broken marine barge towing line. The assembly comprises a sinking hook dimensioned to receive the bridle, a float connected to the hook for maintaining it a predetermined distance below the surface of the water, and a hook towing line connected to the hook for deploying it into position for intercepting and engaging the bridle. Hook positioning means locates the hook in bridle-engaging position.

Claims

1. A hook assembly for retrieving marine vessel towing lines comprising a cable component and associated chain bridle component, the hook assembly comprising:

(a) hook means dimensioned to receive and engage the chain bridle component of the towing line,

(b) float means connected to the hook means for maintaining the same a predetermined distance below the surface of the water, the float means comprising a float towing line, a float connected to one end of the float towing line, a bridle connected to the other end of the float towing line, and bridle connecting means connecting the bridle to opposite sides of the hook means, and

(c) a hook towing line connected to the hook means for deploying the same into position for intercepting and engaging the chain.

2. A hook assembly for retrieving marine vessel towing lines comprising a cable component and associated chain bridle component, the hook assembly comprising:

(a) hook means dimensioned to receive and engage the chain bridle component of the towing line, the hook means comprising a hook having an insertion slot dimensioned to receive and engage a link of chain bridle, spring pressed chain-detent means positioned across the mouth of the insertion slot, the detent means comprising a detent having a camming surface and a manipulating tab, a pivot pin pivotally mounting the detent on the hook means, leaf spring means bearing on the camming surface for maintaining the detent in a normally closed position, and leaf spring mounting means mounting the leaf spring means on the hook means a spaced distance from the detent,

(b) float means connected to the hook means for maintaining the same a predetermined distance below the surface of the water, and

(c) a hook towing line connected to the hook means for deploying the same into position for intercepting and engaging the chain bridle component of the vessel towing line.

3. The hook assembly of claim 2 wherein the leaf spring mounting means comprises bolt-operated wedge block means.

4. A hook assembly for retrieving the chain bridle component of a broken marine vessel towing line, the hook assembly comprising:

(a) a hook member having an insertion slot dimensioned to receive flatwise therein a link of the chain bridle component of the towing line,

(b) a float member,

(c) a float tow line interconnecting the hook and float members and dimensioned to maintain the hook member a distance below the surface of the water predetermined to intercept the vertically depending chain bridle, the float tow line including a pair of bridle lines connected to the hook member for orienting the insertion slot of the hook member in chain link receiving position, and

(d) a hook towing line connected at one end to the hook member and arranged for connection at its opposite end to a towing vessel for moving the hook member for intercepting and engaging the chain bridle component of the vessel towing line.