US4395966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Boat hull scrubber
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-07-30
•
Granted: 1983-08-02
•
Expires: 2001-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A device for scrubbing algae and other marine growth from boat hulls comprising a one-piece belt of fibrous fluorocarbon abrasive material and a plurality of floats mounted along the belt undersurface. A number of the floats are of oval cross section and are mounted to pivot at right angles to the belt longitudinal dimension. As the belt is drawn in the direction of its length back and forth beneath a hull, the floats urge the belt into frictional scrubbing contact with the hull surface. The pivotal floats operate synergistically to combine buoyant forces and water drag forces to provide enhanced scrubbing contact with surface irregularities such as stabilization chimes.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent L. Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:42
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B59/00; B63B59/06; B63B59/08; B63B2059/087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A device for scrubbing marine growth and the like from the submerged surface of boat hulls, especially fiberglass boat hulls of a type having surface irregularities extending lengthwise of the hull, said device comprising an elongated scrubbing belt having upper and lower faces and longitudinally spaced ends, and being constructed of abrasive material, at least the upper of said faces being flat and forming a scrubbing surface, float means constructed of buoyant material extending along and permanently secured to said lower face, and means projecting from said longitudinal ends of said belt and adapted to be grasped by an operator including a closed rope loop extending along opposite longitudinal edges of said belt through at least some of said float means and having loop ends projecting from said opposite longitudinal ends of said belt for manually drawing said belt in the direction of its length back and forth laterally beneath a boat hull with said upper face in engagement with the submerged hull surface, such that buoyant forces exerted by said float means on said belt urge said belt into scrubbing engagement with the submerged hull surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A device for scrubbing marine growth and the like from the submerged surface of boat hulls, especially fiberglass boat hulls of a type having surface irregularities extending lengthwise of the hull, said device comprising an elongated scrubbing belt having upper and lower faces and longitudinally spaced ends, and being constructed of abrasive material, at least the upper of said faces being flat and forming a scrubbing surface, float means constructed of buoyant material extending along and permanently secured to said lower face, and means projecting from said longitudinal ends of said belt and adapted to be grasped by an operator including a closed rope loop extending along opposite longitudinal edges of said belt through at least some of said float means and having loop ends projecting from said opposite longitudinal ends of said belt for manually drawing said belt in the direction of its length back and forth laterally beneath a boat hull with said upper face in engagement with the submerged hull surface, such that buoyant forces exerted by said float means on said belt urge said belt into scrubbing engagement with the submerged hull surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said float means comprises a plurality of floats disposed in a spaced array along said lower face longitudinally of said belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device set forth in claim 2 wherein said floats comprise discrete bodies of buoyant material extending across the width of said belt, and wherein at least some of said floats are fixedly secured to said belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device set forth in claim 2 wherein at least some of said floats are of oval cross section and are mounted to pivot with respect to said belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or wherein said belt is constructed from a continuous length of fibrous fluorocarbon abrasive material.
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) | 1986-08-01 | 1987-01-31 | 1987-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-01 | 1991-01-31 | 1991-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-01 | 1995-01-31 | 1995-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |