Marine lifting apparatus
AssigneeVersabar, Inc.
InventorJon Khachaturian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to he positioned in between the barges and under the frames.
Claims30
1-10. (canceled)
A method of salvaging an underwater object from a seabed area comprising the steps of:
- a) providing first and second spaced apart hulls;
- b) spanning between the hulls with a first arch;
- c) spanning between the hulls with a second arch;
- d) spacing the arches apart by connecting the hulls together in a configuration that spaces the hulls apart;
- e) connecting the first arch to the first hull with a universal joint;
- f) connecting the second arch to the second hull with a hinged connection that is not a universal joint;
- g) connecting the second arch to the second hull with a universal joint;
- h) connecting the first arch to the first hull with a hinged connection that is not a universal joint;
- i) extending each arch upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the arches and in between the hulls;
- and
- j) lifting the object to be salvaged from the seabed area with rigging fitted to the arches.
21-32. (canceled)
A method of raising a submerged object from a seabed area in a marine locale comprising the steps of:
- a) transporting a floating support structure to the marine locale that includes spaced apart deck areas with an open space therebetween;
- b) connecting a pair of arches to the floating support structure with connections that include multiple universal joints and multiple hinges that are not universal joints;
- c) lifting the submerged object from the seabed area with rigging that is supported by the combination of floating support structure and arches;
- and
- d) wherein the object lifted in step “c” is lifted to the open space of step “a”.
45-58. (canceled)
61-62. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.