The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 03, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 15, 1997
David S Vickers, Lynn Haven, FL (US);
Ray W Dyke, Orkney, GB;
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
An inflated roll-stabilizing keel system has a first trough-shaped bladder nd a second trough-shaped bladder attached to the underside of a forward portion of the first trough-shaped bladder. Holes pass through from the first trough-shaped bladder to the second trough-shaped bladder to allow inflation to flow therein. A plurality of shaped bladders are attached successively along and to the first trough-shaped bladder immediately aft of the second trough-shaped bladder. Each shaped bladder has a rectangular base portion attached to the underside of the first trough-shaped bladder. Each shaped bladder tapers downward from its base portion to an open apex. An inflation hole passes through from the first trough-shaped bladder to each of the shaped bladders to allow inflation air to flow therein. Once inflated, adjacent shaped bladders contact one another between the base portion and open apex in an area of contact. Each shaped bladder forms a substantially rectangular shape between its fore and aft areas of contact.