US3918113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface tracker for an underwater vehicle
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1975-01-24
•
Granted: 1975-11-11
•
Expires: 1995-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A surface tracker for an underwater vehicle which includes a float and a reel mounted to the float. The reel is loaded with a line, the free end of which can be attached to the underwater vehicle. A spring is connected to the reel for biasing the reel in a direction to wind the line on the reel. With such an arrangement, the free end of the line can be attached to the underwater vehicle and the float will trail the vehicle even though the vehicle ascends or descends in the water.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard R Talkington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:06
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/48; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/18; B63C7/00; B63C7/26; B63B2205/00; B63B2205/02; B63B2205/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A surface tracker for an underwater vehicle comprising: a float; a reel mounted to the float; said reel being loaded with a line, the free end of which can be attached to the underwater vehicle; spring means connected to the reel for biasing the reel in a direction to wind the line on the reel, said float being an elongated board which is adapted to lie flat in the water with a top side and a bottom side, said reel being mounted on top of the board with the central axis of the reel extending athwart the board; said board having an aperture in the proximity of said reel; said line extending from the reel and through the aperture; and means mounted to the bottom of the board and extending therebelow for receiving the line and guiding its payout and retrieval, whereby upon attaching the free end of the line to the underwater vehicle the float will trail the vehicle even though the vehicle ascends or descends in the water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A surface tracker for an underwater vehicle comprising: a float; a reel mounted to the float; said reel being loaded with a line, the free end of which can be attached to the underwater vehicle; spring means connected to the reel for biasing the reel in a direction to wind the line on the reel, said float being an elongated board which is adapted to lie flat in the water with a top side and a bottom side, said reel being mounted on top of the board with the central axis of the reel extending athwart the board; said board having an aperture in the proximity of said reel; said line extending from the reel and through the aperture; and means mounted to the bottom of the board and extending therebelow for receiving the line and guiding its payout and retrieval, whereby upon attaching the free end of the line to the underwater vehicle the float will trail the vehicle even though the vehicle ascends or descends in the water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A surface tracker as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring means includes: a cylindrical casing mounted coaxially on one side of said reel; and a coil spring disposed in the cylindrical casing, one end of the coil spring being connected to the reel shaft and the other end being connected to said cylindrical casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A surface tracker as claimed in claim 1 including: a fin mounted on the bottom of the board; and a pole and marker flag mounted on the top of the board and extending upwardly therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A surface tracekr as claimed in claim 3 including: a cylindrical casing mounted coaxially on one side of said reel; and a coil spring disposed in the cylindrical casing, one end of the coil spring being connected to the reel shaft and the other end being connected to said cylindrical casing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |