Marine safety device attachment with automatic release capability
First Claim
1. A float-free link, comprising:
- a unitary integral first linkage means for allowing a first fastener to be attached thereto;
breakaway means unitarily and integrally formed with the first linkage means for controlled breaking of the float-free link between a minimum and a maximum force and at a specific location on the float-free link, the breakaway means configured so that breaking of the breakaway means releases the first fastener from the first linkage means; and
threading means unitarily and integrally formed with the first linkage means for allowing a second fastener to be threaded through a portion of an outer perimeter of the first linkage means so that the second fastener is not released by the breaking of the breakaway means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for fastening emergency equipment to a vessel includes a hydrostatic release mechanism, a tether, and a float-free link. The tether is attached to the hydrostatic release mechanism and provides an attachment point for lashing the emergency equipment to the vessel. The tether may also be threaded through openings in the curved partially tubular body of the float-free link. A breakable bridge is integrally coupled to the body of the float-free link to form a closed loop. The breakable bridge is designed to be the break point when the emergency equipment needs to be freed from a vessel that has sunk below a predetermined depth. When the vessel sinks below the predetermined depth, the hydrostatic release mechanism severs the tether thus freeing the emergency equipment from one point of attachment to the vessel. The bridge is designed to break when the strain on the fastening line, e.g., the painter line, is between a predetermined minimum force and maximum force.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A float-free link, comprising:
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a unitary integral first linkage means for allowing a first fastener to be attached thereto; breakaway means unitarily and integrally formed with the first linkage means for controlled breaking of the float-free link between a minimum and a maximum force and at a specific location on the float-free link, the breakaway means configured so that breaking of the breakaway means releases the first fastener from the first linkage means; and threading means unitarily and integrally formed with the first linkage means for allowing a second fastener to be threaded through a portion of an outer perimeter of the first linkage means so that the second fastener is not released by the breaking of the breakaway means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A hydrostatically-releasable device for fastening an emergency device to a vessel comprising:
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a tether configured to mechanically couple the emergency device to the vessel; a hydrostatic release mechanism attached to the tether, the hydrostatic release mechanism configured to sever the tether when the hydrostatic release mechanism is submerged below a predetermined depth; a first external fastener mechanically coupled to the vessel; a second external fastener mechanically coupled to the emergency device; and an integrally formed float-free link having a curved link body having at least one aperture configured to mechanically couple the float-free link to the first external fastener, and a channel extending around at least a portion of the at least one aperture, said channel configured to receive a portion of the tether threaded therethrough; and a breakaway bridge integrally formed with the curved link body to form a closed loop, wherein the breakaway bridge is designed to break between a minimum and a maximum force resulting from strain exerted by the second external fastener once the tether has been severed by the hydrostatic release mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A hydrostatically-releasable device for fastening an emergency device to a vessel comprising:
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a tether configured to mechanically couple the emergency device to the vessel; a hydrostatic release mechanism attached to the tether, the hydrostatic release mechanism configured to sever the tether when the hydrostatic release mechanism is submerged below a predetermined depth; and a first external fastener mechanically coupled to the vessel; a second external fastener mechanically coupled to the emergency device; and an integrally formed float-free link having a unitary integral linkage means for mechanically coupling the first and second external fasteners thereto; breakaway means unitarily and integrally formed with the linkage means for controlled breaking of the float-free link at a specific location on the float-free link and between a minimum force and a maximum force resulting from strain caused by the second external fastener once the tether has been severed by the hydrostatic release mechanism; threading means unitarily and integrally formed with the linkage means for threading the tether through a portion of an outer perimeter of the linkage means so that the tether is not released by the breaking of the breakaway means.
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Specification