Bagging icebergs
OwnerRichard D. Fuerleinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible, waterproof bag is used to contain a iceberg. The bag has an opening that can be closed and an edge around the opening. At least one float is attached to the edge of the bag and a drain is located away from the edge. One end of a conduit is attached to the drain and the other end of the conduit is attached to a buoy. A portion of the edge is sunk with a weight and is pulled under the iceberg. The sunken portion is re-floated by releasing the weight, which results in the edge surrounding the iceberg. The opening of the bag is closed over the iceberg.
Claims20
Apparatus for enclosing an iceberg floating in water comprising
- (A) a flexible, waterproof bag of a size sufficient to contain said iceberg, said bag having an opening that can be closed, an edge around said opening, at least one float attached to said edge, and a drain located from said edge;
- (B) a conduit, one end of which is attached to said drain;
- (C) a ship having a tow line, one end of which is removably attachable to said edge;
- and
- (D) a weight at said one end of said tow line, sufficient to sink a portion of said edge, but not all of said edge.
Apparatus for enclosing an iceberg floating in saltwater comprising
- (A) a flexible, waterproof bag large enough to enclose said iceberg having
- (1) an opening that can be closed;
- (2) an edge around said opening;
- (3) a drain opposing said edge;
- and
- (4) a first elongated float attached to a leading portion of said edge and a second longer elongated float attached to an opposing portion of said edge;
- (B) a conduit, one end of which is attached to said drain and the other end of which is attached to a buoy;
- (C) a valve at said other end of said conduit;
- (D) a ship having a tow line, one end of which is removably attachable to said first elongated float;
- and
- (E) a weight at said one end of said tow line, sufficient to sink said first elongated float, but insufficient to sink both said first elongated float and said second elongated float.
Apparatus for enclosing an iceberg floating in seawater comprising
- (A) a ship having thereon a water pump;
- (B) a flexible, waterproof bag of a size sufficient to enclose said iceberg and having
- (1) an opening that can be closed;
- (2) an edge around said opening;
- (3) means for closing said opening;
- (4) a drain opposite said opening;
- (5) a short elongated float attached to a leading portion of said edge;
- and
- (6) a long elongated float attached to an opposing portion of said edge;
- (C) a remotely-releasable clamp attachable to said short elongated float;
- (D) a tow line, a first end of which is attached to said ship and a second end of which is attached to said clamp;
- (E) a weight attached to said second end of said tow line, sufficient to sink said short elongated float, but insufficient to sink both said short elongated float and said long elongated float;
- (F) a conduit, a first end of which is attached to said drain and a second end of which is attached to said buoy;
- and
- (G) a valve within said conduit at said second end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.