Patents by Inventor Lee E. Richardson

Lee E. Richardson 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).

  • Hook assembly for broken tow line retrieval and emergency marine towing
    Patent number: 5386792
    Abstract: A controllable hook assembly for retrieving a barge's towing bridle or broken tow cable while maintaining a safe standoff distance between the drifting vessel and the recovery vessel. It may also be used for emergency towing of a vessel adrift or otherwise in distress. The disclosed assembly consists of a bidirectional side-planing otterboard integrated with a retrieval/towing hook which is shackled to a recovery towline. The depth and lateral position of the towed assembly are controlled by the length of recovery towline and the speed of the recovery towing vessel, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Lee Richardson
    Inventor: Lee E. Richardson
  • Hook assembly for broken tow line retrieval and emergency marine towing
    Patent number: 5241920
    Abstract: A controllable hook assembly and method for retrieving a barge's towing bridle or broken tow cable while maintaining a safe standoff distance between the drifting vessel and the recovery vessel. It may also be used for emergency towing of a vessel adrift or otherwise in distress. The disclosed assembly consists of a bidirectional side-planing otterboard integrated with a retrieval/towing hook which is shackled to a recovery towline. The depth and lateral position of the towed assembly are controlled by the length of recovery towline and the speed of the recovery towing vessel, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventor: Lee E. Richardson