Patents by Inventor Ralph D. Hooper

Ralph D. Hooper 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: 10407138
    Abstract: A system comprising a clamp assembly configured to capture an unmanned underwater vehicle, wherein the clamp assembly comprises a first arm, a second arm, and an extending rod assembly, wherein the first arm and second arm have a first end and a second end and are configured to form a hollow chamber when connected on both ends, wherein first arm and second arm are connected at the first end with the extending rod assembly, wherein the extending rod assembly comprises an extending rod that is configured to project downward when first arm and second arm are in an open position and is configured to retreat inside the extending rod assembly when the first arm and second arm are in a closed position, wherein a spring-loaded latch and a pin on the second end of the first arm and second arm are configured to automatically catch and lock upon closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ralph D. Hooper, Jeffrey T. Gilchrist, William A. Chambers
  • Publication number: 20190241239
    Abstract: A system comprising a clamp assembly configured to capture an unmanned underwater vehicle, wherein the clamp assembly comprises a first arm, a second arm, and an extending rod assembly, wherein the first arm and second arm have a first end and a second end and are configured to form a hollow chamber when connected on both ends, wherein first arm and second arm are connected at the first end with the extending rod assembly, wherein the extending rod assembly comprises an extending rod that is configured to project downward when first arm and second arm are in an open position and is configured to retreat inside the extending rod assembly when the first arm and second arm are in a closed position, wherein a spring-loaded latch and a pin on the second end of the first arm and second arm are configured to automatically catch and lock upon closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Ralph D. Hooper, Jeffrey T. Gilchrist, William A. Chambers
  • Patent number: 10220916
    Abstract: An open water transport system for payloads and a method for transporting payloads. The system includes two sponsons substantially parallel to the other. The sponsons are spaced apart from each other and extending in a forward direction. A deck plate module is detachably mounted on top of each sponson. A superstructure may be detachably mounted to the deck plate modules. The superstructure may bear a weight of one or more payloads. The carriage assembly couples to the payload(s). The carriage assembly has an adjustment mechanism that permits an operator to redistribute the weight of a payload. The open water transport system is towed by another vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ralph D. Hooper, William A. Chambers, Jeffery T. Gilchrist
  • Publication number: 20180362117
    Abstract: An open water transport system for payloads and a method for transporting payloads. The system includes two sponsons substantially parallel to the other. The sponsons are spaced apart from each other and extending in a forward direction. A deck plate module is detachably mounted on top of each sponson. A superstructure may be detachably mounted to the deck plate modules. The superstructure may bear a weight of one or more payloads. The carriage assembly couples to the payload(s). The carriage assembly has an adjustment mechanism that permits an operator to redistribute the weight of a payload. The open water transport system is towed by another vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ralph D. Hooper, William A. Chambers, Jeffery T. Gilchrist