US3134354A - Combination seam and air blankets for ships - Google Patents

Description

May 26, 1964 R. D. SMlTH COMBINATION SEAM AND AIR BLANKETS FOR SHIPS Filed June 24, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. F054??? .2 521722? May 26, 1964 Filed June 24, 1963 R. D. SMITH COMBINATION SEAM AND AIR BLANKETS FOR SHIPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent l 3,134,354 COMBINATION SEAM AND AIR BLANKETS FOR SHIPS Robert D. Smith, 2742 E. Tremont Ave., Bronx 61, N.Y. Filed June 24, 1963, Ser. No. 289,851 1 Claim. (61. 114-68) This invention relates generally to ship emergency flotation equipment. More specifically it relates to flotation equipment for ships as described in applicants patent application, Serial No. 231,140, now Patent No. 3,118,- 412.

In the above cited application, means have been shown for maintaining a vessel afloat in case the hull has suffered damage, these means including a plurality of adjacent inflatable air blankets or air boats on the outer sides and bottom of the hull. In the above construction should the vessel sustain a hole in the hull at a position between adjacent air blankets, water will pass therebetween and pour into the hole which is undesirable. Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide means whereby the space between the air blankets is sealed to prevent the passage of water therethrough.

Another object is to provide a seam blanket for sealing oil? the space between air blankets which can be manually secured into operative position.

Still another object is to provide several unfoldable inflatable air blankets within the hull of a ship each of which in time of emergency is extended under the ceiling of each deck.

Other objects are to provide a combination seam and air blanket for ships which is relatively simple in design, rugged in construction and eflicient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic plan view representing an assembled flotation device for a ship.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view through 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a ship incorporating the invention, shown partly in crosssection.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective cross sectional view of two adjacent air and seam blankets, and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partly in cross section of a modified form of air blankets and seam blankets.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the numeral 10 represents a seam and air blanket according to the present invention as shown in FIGURES 1 to 5 wherein there is a vertically depending main body portion 11 of generally rectangular cross section having a front wall 12, rear wall 13 opposite side walls 14, top wall 15, bottom wall 16 which enclose a central area divided into a plurality of compartments 17 by means of partitions 18.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the device conforms to the outer contour of Ihull 19. An engine 20 on the upper deck 21 drives an air compressor 22 from which a plurality of flexible tubes 23 extend; one of which leads to each of the compartments 17. Valves 24 are provided to control selectively the inflation or deflation of any compartment.

The side walls of adjacent air blankets abut each other, however, in order to prevent passage of water there between toward the hull, a seam blanket portion 25 is provided at one corner of the main body, which is adjacent the hull. This portion overlaps a portion of the rear side of the adjacent air blanket.

In operative use, the air blanket is inflated causing the 3,134,354 Patented May 26, 1964 seam blanket portion between the hull and main body of the adjacent air blanket to press against the rear wall of the adjacent air blanket thus sealing off any passage of water between the air blankets.

'Ilhe seam blanket portion may be divided into front and rear compartments 26 and 27 by means of a partition 28 each of which is inflated by separate tubes. See FIGURE 3.

The air blankets are located all around the hull except at the rear to avoid the propellers, thus safeguarding practically all vulnerable places. A specially shaped air blanket 10A of angular configuration is located around the bow 29 of ship 30. While the drawings illustrate air blankets which extend from the gunwa-le to the keel, it is understood that this invention is applicable to air blankets or air boats which extend completely around the underside of the hull from starboard gunwale to port gunwale, as described in applicants application for patent, Serial No. 267,111.

In FIGURE 6, a modified construction of (air and seam blanket 31 is shown wherein the air blanket 32 is a separate structure from seam blanket 33, the two being enjoined by a stitch 34 near one vertical corner of the seam blanket.

In FIGURE 6 mechanism is shown whereby the air blankets are drawn from along topside down to the keel. This mechanism includes a plurality of endless chains 35 which move around gears '36 located at topsides and near the keel. The chains are located in vertically extending compartments 37 having openings 38 on the outer side 39 of the hull. A slidable door 40 operated by chains 41 serves to close opening 38 when the air blanket is not in use thus preserving the smooth outer contour of the hull. Hooks 42 on the chain engage tabs 43 on the air blankets thus drawing the blankets down.

It is to be noted that the searn blanket encloses the chains 3'5 between itself and the air blanket; the opposite vertical corner of the seam blanket having books 44 which are manually attached to rings 45 on the air blanket.

In a construction wherein the air blanket or air boat extends completely around the underside of the hull from port to starboard and wherein each adjacent air boat is drawn down from opposite starboard or port sides, the seam blanket is hooked to the chain 35 instead of to tabs upon the adjacent air boat. Also adjacent sides of endiess chains serving adjacent air boats must move in the same direction as shown by arrows in FIGURE 6.

The internal air blankets 46 shown in FIGURE 3 rest in collapsed inoperative position on rails 47 below deck ceilings 48'. In time of emergency valves 49 are opened causing air from compressor to pass through pipe 50 to inflate the air blanket as shown. Thus, an out-of-the-way internal air blanket proved additional buoyancy in case of internal 'hull flooding.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood such changes will be in the spirit and scope as defined in the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

In a ship, the combination of a hull, flotation means along the outer side of said hull said flotation means comprising a plurality of vertically extending inflatable air blankets, means for drawing said air blankets from topside of said hull downward to the underside of said hull, each said air blanket being of generally rectangular transverse configuration having a front wall, rear wall, opposite side walls, top and bottom walls enclosing a central area divided into a plurality of compartments by means of partitions, said side Walls being in general abutment with side walls of adjacent air blankets and means to prevent movement of sea water between said side walls of adjacent air blankets, said means to prevent movement of sea water between said side walls of adjacent air blankets comprising a seam blanket aflixed to each one of said air blankets, said seam blanket extending between said air blanket and said hull, said seam blanket being of generally rectangular transverse configuration, having a front wall, rear Wall, opposite side walls, and top and bottom Walls enclosing a central inflatable area, said front wall of said seam blanket extending partly adjacent the rear wall of said air blan ket to which said seam blanket is affixed and the other part of said front Wall of said seam blanket being removably adjacent the rear wall of an adjacent air blanket, said seam blanket in inflated position pressing against said rear walls of :said air blankets References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,170,420 Crowley Feb. *1, 1916 1,224,678 Sons May 1, 1917 1,283,345 Sova Oct. 29, 1918 2,105,014 Segel Jan. 11, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,036 Great Britain 1895 19,974 Great Britain 1912 825,820 Germany Dec. 20, 1951

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