Flotation device
OwnerAdrian Keith Fletcherinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flotation device 10 for veering out a lifeline 11 from a moving vessel has parallel keels 13 projecting from opposite sides of its base 14 so that the device will continue to veer laterally of the vessel whichever way up it lies in the water. The point of attachment 12 of the lifeline is on the bisector A of an outwardly-opening angle between keels 13 and 15 on opposite sides of the base 14 and lies at the intersection of lines B and C which are perpendicular to the keels 13 and intersect their planes at points D and E a quarter of the length of the respective keel 13 and 15 from its leading end. In other embodiments there is only one keel on each side of the base, or the base is virtually dispensed with, the point of attachment lying in a corner between upper and lower keels.
Claims10
A flotation device for veering out a lifeline comprising:
- at least one first keel member angularly related to at least one second, oppositely projecting keel member;
- the device being adapted to float with only one of said first and second keel members in the water;
- the other of said first and second keel members upstanding above the water surface;
- and
- a point of attachment for the lifeline in an outwardly-opening angle between and in the region of leading ends of said keel members, such that when in relatively moving water the device will tend to veer in the same direction whichever of said keel members is in the water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.