Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Buoy – Marker buoy
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-30
2001-07-17
Sotelo, Jesus D. (Department: 3617)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Buoy
Marker buoy
C441S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261142
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to aquatic buoys and in particular, to buoys that can be submersed and subsequently retrieved, and also to release systems that can be used in hermetically sealed environments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Aquatic buoys are commonly used in a wide spectrum of marine applications to indicate the location of a particular entity. In addition to use on the water surface, buoys have application in the marking of underwater activities, the objective being to remove surface obstruction and intrusion, in addition to enhancing, the security of assets (eg: scientific, industrial, commercial, military) located underwater.
Where underwater use is desired, it is necessary that the buoy be provided with means that permits reliable release to, and retrieval at, the water surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a releasable retaining apparatus comprising:
a body having at least two jaws, the jaws being configured to releasably retain a member;
displacing means separated from said member by a hermetic seal formed on said body to confine said displacing means substantially within said body, said displacing means being operable to move at least one of said jaws to release and/or retain the member, wherein said at least one jaw forms at least a part of said hermetic seal.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a submersible and retrievable buoy comprising:
a spool-shaped body about which can be wound a length of line, one end of which can be affixed to the body;
a hermetically sealed space associated with the body and within which is located an actuator;
a member releasable from the body and to which a medial portion of the line can be attached; and
a clamping mechanism operable by said actuator to release and/or retain the member, wherein at least a moveable clamping part of said mechanism comprises at least part of a hermetic seal of said space.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a submersible/retrievable buoy system for use in a body of water, said system comprising:
a transmitting device configured to transmit a signal including information,
a buoy in accordance with the second aspect, said buoy further comprising a means for receiving said signal and causing operation of said actuator in accordance with said information, and
a payload to which an other end of said line is affixed.
Numerous other aspects of the present invention are also disclosed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3848226 (1974-11-01), Perez
patent: 4136415 (1979-01-01), Blockburger
patent: 4262379 (1981-04-01), Jankiewicz
patent: 10911/95 (1995-05-01), None
patent: 20074/95 (1995-12-01), None
Fiomarine Investments PTY Ltd.
Sotelo Jesus D.
Woodcock Washburn Kurtz Mackiewicz & Norris LLP
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