# US 10,864,967 B2 · Device for attaching a coupling device to a free-floating object > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,967 B2 - Document ID: US10864967B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/331,406 - Filed: 2017-09-11 - Published: 2019-07-04 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-14 - Assignees: Technische UniversitäT Berlin - Applicants: Technische Universität Berlin - Inventors: Sebastian Ritz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864967B2 ## CPC - B63B 21/20: Adaptations of chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like, or of parts thereof - B63B 21/04: Fastening or guiding equipment for chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like {(means for fastening cables or ropes in general F16G11/00)} - B63B 27/36: {Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment} for floating cargo {(deployment or recovery of underwater vehicles using lifts of hoists B63B27/16)} - B66C 1/427: {by hydraulic or pneumatic motors} - B66C 1/62: comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled - B66C 13/02: Devices for facilitating retrieval of floating objects, e.g. for recovering crafts from water (handling live-boats B63B; salvaging, or hauling-out on slipways, waterborne vessels B63C; winding mechanism controls B66D1/52) - B66C 13/46: Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements - B66C 23/52: Floating cranes (floating dredgers E02F) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) ## Abstract A device is proposed for attaching a coupling device to a free-floating object, for example free-floating articles or free-floating persons. The device has: at least one first connection end, which can be connected to a load-receiving end of a lifting device; a coupling device for attachment to a free-floating object; a load-receiving connection between the first connection end and the coupling device; and a guiding device, which is separate from the load-receiving connection, connects the first connection end to the coupling device and is designed to guide the coupling device relative to the first connection end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for attaching a coupler to an object floating on a body of water, comprising: a top plate having upper- and under-sides and having on its upper side a connecting receptacle suitable for attaching a primary cable of a winch in a frame, a bottom plate having upper- and under-sides and having attached on its underside the coupler, a length of secondary cable or chain connected to the under-side of the top plate and the upper-side of the bottom plate, a guiding device comprising at least one vertical linear actuator connected to the under-side of the top plate and the upper-side of the bottom plate, wherein the at least one vertical linear actuator is capable of linear expansion and contraction to increase and/or decrease the dimension between the top and bottom plates, the maximum expansion of the at least one vertical linear actuator being greater than the maximum length of the secondary cable or chain, and the at least one vertical linear actuator being separate from the secondary cable or chain. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1 wherein the length of the secondary cable or chain is adjustable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one recording device and a computer, wherein the recording device, computer and guiding device are electronically connected, the recording device obtains optical images of the object and coupler, converts the optical images to electronic signals indicating the position and location of the object and the coupler and sends the electronic signals to the computer, and the computer is loaded with software to: a) receive the electronic signals from the recording device, b) use the electronic signals to evaluate the positions of the coupler and the object, c) forecast movements of the object and d) operate the guiding device to position the coupler at the position of the object. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A device according to claim 3 wherein the recording device comprises optical sensors. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A device according to claim 4 comprising at least three optical sensors positioned to triangulate the positions of the coupler and the object. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one vertical linear actuator is selected from the group consisting of one or more of a pneumatic arm, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic arm, a hydraulic cylinder, a linear motor, a stepped motor and combinations thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1 wherein the guiding device further comprises at least one horizontal linear actuator having first and second ends, the first end being attachable to the frame and the second end being attached to the bottom plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A device according to claim 7 comprising at least two horizontal linear actuators. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A device according to claim 8 wherein the linear actuators are selected from the group consisting of one or more of a pneumatic arm, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic arm, a hydraulic cylinder, a linear motor, a stepped motor and combinations thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A device according to claim 9 wherein the linear actuators include telescoping pipes as supports. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A device according to claim 10 wherein at least one linear actuator and telescoping pipe are formed into an articulated mechanical pneumatic or hydraulic arm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1 wherein the coupler includes a securing mechanism for preventing unintentional detachment of the coupler from the object after attachment of the coupler to the object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1 wherein the coupler comprises a hook, a carabiner, a loop, a ring, circular or cylinder coupling, a mushroom head lock, a ring, a loop, a gripper or a net. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, further comprising the frame with the winch and primary cable and the connecting receptacle of the device is attached to the primary cable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A device according to claim 14 wherein the frame with winch and primary cable are a crane with the primary cable. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A device according to claim 14 wherein the frame with winch and primary cable are mounted in a watercraft. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A device according to claim 15 wherein the frame with winch and primary cable are the crane mounted in a watercraft.