Active rigging device
AssigneeSonsub, Inc.
InventorsWilliam R. Bath, Frank Sayle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An active rigging system, using multiple lines to support a load, places a constant tension on at least one of the lines. The constant tension allows a resistance to slack in the line, which in turn allows the line to maintain support of the lines' respective share of the load. This configuration allows a reduction of stress in the load and an enablement of support of loads having an unequal weight distribution. Additionally, the invention includes a method for relieving stress from a load, supported by multiple lines generally susceptible to slack. The method includes placing a constant tension on at least one of the lines to allow that line to resist slack. The resistance to slack involves utilizing a tension force and an adjustment of the line via a pulley.
Claims46
An active rigging system, arranged and designed for supporting a load, comprising:
- a plurality of lines, arranged and designed to support the load, and
- a tensioning force system that maintains constant tension in at least one of said plurality of lines when the plurality of lines is supporting the load,
- wherein said tensioning force system comprises a tensioning line, a tensioning force, and a guide frame, wherein the guide frame comprises a counterweight that is movable within frame walls of the guide frame while providing tension on at least the tensioning line, wherein at least one of said plurality of lines is attached to the guide frame.
An active rigging system, arranged and designed for supporting a load, wherein the load is generally subjected to a force of gravity, and wherein said active rigging system utilizes a plurality of component forces to support the load comprising:
- a plurality of lines, which utilize said plurality of component forces to support the load,
- a first end and a second end on each of said plurality of lines wherein
- forces are applied on said first and second end of each of said plurality of lines causing at least a relative tension on each of said plurality of lines,
- the force applied to said second end of each of said plurality of lines is said force of gravity acting on the load, and
- the force applied to said first end of at least one of said plurality of lines is a tensioning force, which is independent of said plurality of component forces, wherein said tensioning force is used with a guide frame and allows the load to be supported, wherein the guide frame comprises a counterweight that is movable within frame walls of the guide frame while providing tension on at least the tensioning line, wherein at least one of said plurality of lines is attached to the guide frame.
An active rigging system, arranged and designed to support a load, wherein the load at times is acted upon by at least one environmental force, comprising:
- a plurality of lines, wherein
- each of said plurality of lines support a portion of the load,
- said at least one environmental force upon acting on the load has the capacity to interrupt said support in each of said plurality of lines,
- at least one of said plurality of lines is arranged and designed to maintain support on said portion of the load supported by said at least one of said plurality of lines when said environmental force acts upon the load;
- and
- a tensioning force system, wherein
- said tensioning force system includes a tensioning line, a tensioning force, and a guide frame,
- wherein the guide frame comprises a counterweight that is movable within frame walls of the guide frame while providing tension on at least the tensioning line, wherein at least one of said plurality of lines is attached to the guide frame.
An active rigging system, arranged and designed for supporting a load, comprising:
- a plurality of lines, arranged and designed to support the load;
- and
- means for maintaining constant tension in one of said plurality of lines by a tensioning force system that includes a guide frame,
- wherein the guide frame comprises a counterweight that provides tension on at least one of the plurality of lines,
- wherein at least one of said plurality of lines is attached to the guide frame.
An active rigging system, arranged and designed for supporting a load, comprising:
- a force distributor,
- a plurality of lines, wherein at least one of said plurality of lines is attached to said force distributor;
- a tensioning force that maintains constant tension in at least one of said plurality of lines when the plurality of lines is supporting the load, and
- a guide frame that is attached to the load by at least one of said plurality of lines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.