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:
Sep. 03, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 27, 2000
Perry Smith, Odenton, MD (US);
Mark van Emmerik, Millersville, MD (US);
Jeff Ledda, Prince Frederick, MD (US);
Steve Wright, Tampa, FL (US);
Bruce D. Caldwell, Jenner, CA (US);
Oceaneering International, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for manipulating an object located proximate an underwater floor is disclosed, in a preferred embodiment comprising a foundation implantable in the underwater floor; a lifting frame extending between the foundation; and a multiplicity of slings mounted adjacent to each other and attached to the lifting frame such that each of the slings is suspended in a cradle-like configuration from the lifting frame. Each of the slings further comprises a top surface facing away from the underwater floor and a padding material mounted proximate the top surface of each sling. The foundation may further comprise suction piles. A monitoring system comprising instrumentation may also be used to aid in guiding the load transfer of the object from the floor to the lifting frame. A method of lifting is described comprising lowering and securing the foundation into the underwater floor proximate the object to be retrieved, positioning the lifting frame proximate the object to be retrieved, installation of containment material, securing lifting frame ends onto the foundation, securing each end of each sling onto the lifting frame as well as positioning each sling under the object to be retrieved, tensioning each sling, and then raising the object by raising the lifting frame.