Submersible and retrievable buoy
AssigneeFiomarine Investments Pty. Ltd.
InventorJohn Michael Fiotakis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Buoy (3) incorporates a release mechanism (5) that permits buoy (3) to be submersed and subsequently automatically released to ascend to the surface. Mechanism (5) includes cap (16) which hermetically seals a space (8) within which release unit (101) is located. Cap (16) is unitarily formed to include two jaws (28, 29) which are moveable relative to one another to release a pin (20). Movement of jaws (28, 29) is via release unit (101) acting to bias at least one jaw (28) away from the other jaw (29). Release unit (101) may be operated by a remotely transmitted signal, or initiated directly by a timer or a controller where specific circumstances dictate such a release (for example, the internal power source is near deplection). Buoy (3) can be attached to any submerged structure such as crab pot (7).
Claims51
A releasable retaining apparatus comprising:
- (i) a body having at least two jaws, the jaws being configured to releasably retain a member;
- (ii) displacing means separated from said member by a hermetic seal formed on said body to confine said displacing means substantially within said body, said displacing means being operable to move at least one of said jaws to release or retain said member;
- wherein at least one jaw forms at least a part of said hermetic seal.
A submersible and retrievable buoy comprising:
- (i) a spool-shaped body about which can be wound a length of line, said line having a first end, a medial portion and second end affixed to said body;
- (ii) a hermetic seal defining a hermetically sealed space associated with said body and within which is located an actuator;
- (iii) a member releasable from said body and to which said medial portion of said line can be attached;
- and
- (iv) a clamping mechanism having a moveable clamping part, said mechanism operable by said actuator to release and or retain said member,
- wherein said moveable clamping part of said mechanism comprises at least a part of said hermetic seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.