Boat hull anti-fouling shroud
US4282822A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1980 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B59/045
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A selectively floatable protective shroud is disclosed for protecting a boat hull from fouling by marine organisms. The assembly consists of an inflatable, elongated toroidal bladder with an inner opening larger than the circumference of the hull of the boat at its water line. The bladder has an inflation nozzle which is connected to a gas pump, for controllably inflating the bladder. A continuous, flexible, water impervious shroud has a circumferential edge mounted about the circumference of the toroidal bladder for protecting the boat hull, when deployed about the boat. By controllably inflating the bladder, the shroud is selectively brought from a submerged position beneath the boat to a deployed position enveloping the hull of the boat so as to protect the hull from fouling by marine organisms. A water pump is disclosed being connected to a water drain nozzle mounted on the flexible shroud, for controllably pumping out sea water from the region between the flexible shroud and the boat hull. Various embodiments for guide members are disclosed which are mounted to the sea bed floor and are connected to the bladder for guiding the shroud from the submerged position to the deployed…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.