Marine safety device attachment with automatic release capability

US7971422B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Pneumatics Corp. · US

Inventors

• Taila Shnayder · Hanover, US
• Mark S. Raskin · New York, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 25, 2010
• Grant date: Jul 5, 2011
• Expiry date: Jun 25, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T24/1374
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

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.