Patents by Inventor Eric H. Rines

Eric H. Rines has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10861270
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for presence based automatic operation of a marine barrier gate for protecting a secured area. Embodiments include a system having RFID sensors outside and inside the secured area, and proximal the gate. A controller verifies that a user is authorized to enter the secured area when one or more of the RFID sensors communicate with a user identification unit carried by the user; opens the gate or causes the gate to remain open when the user's authorization to enter the secured area is verified; tracks a location of the user identification unit using the RFID sensors while the gate is open and the user is transiting the gate; and closes the gate when the RFID sensors are no longer in communication with the user identification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Halo Maritime Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric H. Rines, Judson DeCew, Eric G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10619320
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatic operation and status indication of a marine barrier gate. Embodiments include a system having a buoyant barrier gate that is movable between a closed position and an open position. An actuator moves the gate between the open and closed positions, and a sensor is operably connected to the actuator to generate data relating to a position of the barrier gate between the open and closed positions. A processor receives the data from the sensor and processes the data to move the gate between the open and closed positions, and detect the position of the gate. A human-machine interface is operably connected to the processor for communicating the detected position of the barrier gate to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: HALO MARITIME DEFENSE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric H. Rines, Judson DeCew, Brendan Gray, Eric G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10502533
    Abstract: A marine barrier system is provided with two elongate buoyant members, a net support member between and above the two buoyant members, an elongate load bearing member spaced from and between the buoyant members, and a lower ballast member between the two buoyant members and below the buoyant members. Stanchions extend between the members to support them and maintain the spacing between them. An impact net is attached to the net support member and the load bearing member. When a moving vessel impacts the impact net, the net deflects to transfer a force of the impact to the net support member, the stanchions, the load bearing member and the buoyant members, which engage the water to transfer the impact force to the water and arrest the motion of the vessel. The ballast member provides a force to restore the barrier to an upright position when the barrier rotates from vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: HALO MARITIME DEFENSE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Osienski, Judson DeCew, Tom Sherwin, Eric H. Rines, Sean Gribbin
  • Publication number: 20190236868
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for presence based automatic operation of a marine barrier gate for protecting a secured area. Embodiments include a system having RFID sensors outside and inside the secured area, and proximal the gate. A controller verifies that a user is authorized to enter the secured area when one or more of the RFID sensors communicate with a user identification unit carried by the user; opens the gate or causes the gate to remain open when the user's authorization to enter the secured area is verified; tracks a location of the user identification unit using the RFID sensors while the gate is open and the user is transiting the gate; and closes the gate when the RFID sensors are no longer in communication with the user identification unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Eric H. Rines, Judson DeCew, Eric G. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190226170
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatic operation and status indication of a marine barrier gate. Embodiments include a system having a buoyant barrier gate that is movable between a closed position and an open position. An actuator moves the gate between the open and closed positions, and a sensor is operably connected to the actuator to generate data relating to a position of the barrier gate between the open and closed positions. A processor receives the data from the sensor and processes the data to move the gate between the open and closed positions, and detect the position of the gate. A human-machine interface is operably connected to the processor for communicating the detected position of the barrier gate to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Eric H. Rines, Judson DeCew, Brendan Gray, Eric G. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190145743
    Abstract: A marine barrier system is provided with two elongate buoyant members, a net support member between and above the two buoyant members, an elongate load bearing member spaced from and between the buoyant members, and a lower ballast member between the two buoyant members and below the buoyant members. Stanchions extend between the members to support them and maintain the spacing between them. An impact net is attached to the net support member and the load bearing member. When a moving vessel impacts the impact net, the net deflects to transfer a force of the impact to the net support member, the stanchions, the load bearing member and the buoyant members, which engage the water to transfer the impact force to the water and arrest the motion of the vessel. The ballast member provides a force to restore the barrier to an upright position when the barrier rotates from vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Osienski, Judson DeCew, Tom Sherwin, Eric H. Rines, Sean Gribbin
  • Patent number: 10280579
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatic operation and status indication of a marine barrier gate. Embodiments include a system having a buoyant barrier gate that is movable between a closed position and an open position. An actuator moves the gate between the open and closed positions, and a sensor is operably connected to the actuator to generate data relating to a position of the barrier gate between the open and closed positions. A processor receives the data from the sensor and processes the data to move the gate between the open and closed positions, and detect the position of the gate. A human-machine interface is operably connected to the processor for communicating the detected position of the barrier gate to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: HALO MARITIME DEFENSE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric H. Rines, Judson DeCew, Brendan Gray, Eric G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10215540
    Abstract: An open water marine barrier system is provided. Embodiments include a marine barrier with two elongate buoyant members, an elongate net support member between the two buoyant members and above the buoyant members, and an elongate lower ballast member between the two buoyant members and below the buoyant members. Stanchions extend between the members to support them and maintain the spacing between them. An impact net is attached to the net support member and a stanchion extending between the two buoyant members. When a moving vessel impacts the impact net, the net deflects to transfer a force of the impact to the net support member, the stanchions, and the buoyant members, which engage the water to transfer the impact force to the water and arrest the motion of the vessel. The ballast member provides a force to restore the barrier to an upright position when the barrier rotates from vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HALO MARITIME DEFENSE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Osienski, Judson DeCew, Tom Sherwin, Eric H. Rines
  • Publication number: 20180266068
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatic operation and status indication of a marine barrier gate. Embodiments include a system having a buoyant barrier gate that is movable between a closed position and an open position. An actuator moves the gate between the open and closed positions, and a sensor is operably connected to the actuator to generate data relating to a position of the barrier gate between the open and closed positions. A processor receives the data from the sensor and processes the data to move the gate between the open and closed positions, and detect the position of the gate. A human-machine interface is operably connected to the processor for communicating the detected position of the barrier gate to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Eric H. Rines, Judson DeCew, Brendan Gray, Eric G. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180080744
    Abstract: An open water marine barrier system is provided. Embodiments include a marine barrier with two elongate buoyant members, an elongate net support member between the two buoyant members and above the buoyant members, and an elongate lower ballast member between the two buoyant members and below the buoyant members. Stanchions extend between the members to support them and maintain the spacing between them. An impact net is attached to the net support member and a stanchion extending between the two buoyant members. When a moving vessel impacts the impact net, the net deflects to transfer a force of the impact to the net support member, the stanchions, and the buoyant members, which engage the water to transfer the impact force to the water and arrest the motion of the vessel. The ballast member provides a force to restore the barrier to an upright position when the barrier rotates from vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Osienski, Judson DeCew, Tom Sherwin, Eric H. Rines
  • Patent number: 9863109
    Abstract: A marine gate has a buoyant variable length barrier and a cable management system employing two cables or lines. An opening line extends through the barrier to move the barrier from an expanded position (gate is closed) to a retracted position (gate is open) via a winch. A closing line moves the barrier from the retracted position to the expanded position using a winch. A weight is attached to the closing line for moving a submerged portion of the line to the seafloor when the barrier gate is retracted and the closing line is payed out by operation of its winch. The weighted line allows a portion or the entire cable system to be under tension at all times. The resulting cable geometry allows vessel operators confidence in knowing the cable location in the water depths at the gate, whether the gate is fully or partially opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: HALO MARITIME DEFENSE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Judson DeCew, Eric H. Rines, Michael Osienski, Justin Bishop, Eric G. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160289907
    Abstract: A marine gate has a buoyant variable length barrier and a cable management system employing two cables or lines. An opening line extends through the barrier to move the barrier from an expanded position (gate is closed) to a retracted position (gate is open) via a winch. A closing line moves the barrier from the retracted position to the expanded position using a winch. A weight is attached to the closing line for moving a submerged portion of the line to the seafloor when the barrier gate is retracted and the closing line is payed out by operation of its winch. The weighted line allows a portion or the entire cable system to be under tension at all times. The resulting cable geometry allows vessel operators confidence in knowing the cable location in the water depths at the gate, whether the gate is fully or partially opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Judson DeCEW, Eric H. Rines, Michael Osienski, Justin Bishop, Eric G. Johnson