Back to results
US 7,461,610 B1Granted
Towline guide clip
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsKurt M. Czepizak, Norman Toplosky, Donald E. Cressman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention as disclosed is a towline guide clip, an apparatus that can hold a towline in place as it is dragged behind a large host marine vessel attempting to recover a small marine vessel. The towline guide clip is designed to gradually release the towline when a small marine vessel grabs hold of the line. The additional dragging force of the small marine vessel pulls the towline out of the towline guide clip so that the towline can then be reeled in by a winch.
Claims4
A towline guide clip comprising:
- a first fastening appendage having a protruding section with a plurality of bolt holes and a cylindrical aperture;
- a second fastening appendage identical to said first fasting appendage joined to said first fastening appendage by a first shoulder bolt that fits through said plurality of bolt holes and acts as a pin to hinge both fastening appendages, wherein said first fastening appendage and said second fastening appendage form a tear drop shaped aperture when joined in a closed position;
- a first compression spring located in the cylindrical aperture of the first fastening appendage;
- a second compression spring located in the cylindrical aperture of the second fastening appendage;
- and
- a second shoulder bolt that passes through each cylindrical aperture of said first and second fastening appendage, wherein said bolt secures said first and second compressions springs to said first and second fastening appendages through the use of a plurality of washers and nuts, thereby creating a compression force that keeps the first and second fastening appendages in a closed position.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.