Afloat structure for launching and recovering vessels
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorBryon A Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An afloat structure configured to launch and recover a vehicle includes a ramp having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, a transverse member coupled between a left side and a right side of the ramp at the second end, a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal members extending from the transverse member between the left side and the right side of the ramp, and a plurality of spaced apart arcuate members, each arcuate member coupled to each of the plurality of spaced apart longitudinal members. The longitudinal members and the arcuate members form a guide structure configured to guide the vehicle away or toward the second end of the ramp. A kit may include all of the components of the structure packaged into one or more containers.
Claims16
A structure configured to launch and recover a vehicle, said structure comprising:
- a ramp having a first end and a second end distal from said first end with said ramp having a first side and a second side between said first end and said second end;
- a transverse member coupled between said first side and said second side of said ramp at said second end of said ramp;
- a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal members extending from said transverse member between said first side and said second side of said ramp outward from said ramp;
- and
- a plurality of spaced apart arcuate members, each said arcuate member coupled traverse to each of said plurality of spaced apart longitudinal members;
- wherein said plurality of spaced apart longitudinal members and said plurality of spaced apart arcuate members form a guide structure configured to guide the vehicle in regard to said second end of said ramp.
A kit, comprising:
- a ramp having a first end and a second end distal from said first end with said ramp having a first side and a second side between said first end and said second end;
- a transverse member configured to be coupled between said first side and said second side of said ramp at said second end;
- a plurality of longitudinal members configured to extend from said transverse member between said first side and said second side of said ramp;
- a plurality of arcuate members, each arcuate member configured to be coupled to each of said plurality of longitudinal members;
- wherein said longitudinal members and said arcuate members are configurable to form a guide structure to guide a vehicle at said second end of said ramp;
- and
- at least one container configured to store said ramp and at least one transverse member, said longitudinal members and said arcuate members, wherein said ramp is foldable within said container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.