Abstract: A remote interconnection of a first undersea vehicle tethered to a second dersea vehicle is assured by mating assemblies carried on both vehicles. The tethering cable extends through a prod assembly carried on the tethered vehicle and functions mainly to deploy and retrieve the tethered vehicle. During the connection of the two vehicles the cable serves to draw the prod assembly into a latching assembly carried on the second undersea vehicle. Several pawls are cammed into an annular groove on the prod assembly and a pair of opposing helical springs mechanically interact to lock the pawls in place. The coaction of the springs' working on a collar on the prod assembly and a sleeve on the latching assembly makes accidental disengagement nearly impossible until hydraulic actuators assist the force produced by the sleeve spring to overcome the force exerted by the collar spring to release the pawls.

Abstract: A recovery tool is located and affixed to a recovery object by a mechanical anipulator extending from an undersea vehicle. The manipulator squeezes a pair of spring biased actuators on the tool and interconnected linkage is displaced. The displaced linkage longitudinally slides an actuator tube on a lift rod and rotates a crossbar from its orthogonal disposition on the lift rod to an axially aligned position. The manipulator inserts the lift rod through a hole or ring provided in the recovery object and relaxes its squeezing force. The spring biased actuators spread apart and the interconnected linkage withdraws the actuator tube. A small spring carried inside the lift rod rotates the cross bar to its orthogonal position. When so disposed the crossbar cannot be withdrawn through the hole on the object. Thusly, a hoisting cable coupled to the recovery tool is joined to the object allowing its recovery to a surface or other undersea craft.

Abstract: A recovery tool is designed to be actuated by the manipulator of an under vehicle. The undersea vehicle approaches an object to be recovered and its manipulator arm grips a pair of spring biased actuators. Linkage or lever arms extend from each of the actuators to off-center portions of a pair of pivotally mounted tongs. Squeezing the actuators together separates the tongs and they are placed about the object. When the pressures are released, the actuators force the tongs to grasp the object. A hoisting cable, coupled in a centrally in-lined position with respect to the tongs, hauls the object upward which causes the tongs to grip the object more securely.