The following disclosure is directed to stiffening shafts and, more specifically, stiffening shafts for marine vessels.
Trolling motors employ rigid shafts that clamp to the boat hull and extend downward from the deck of the boat to position a propeller at the appropriate depth in the water. The clamped shaft is pivotable, to direct and react the thrust generated by the propeller and direct the boat in the desired direction. These rigid shafts are long (e.g., up to ten feet in length) and cumbersome to store onboard when not deployed. Existing shallow water anchor products attempt to address this issue by utilizing folding or telescoping shafts. For instance, such a product can be deployed by unfolding the foldable shaft or extending a telescoping shaft to form a more rigid shaft. However, these products have disadvantages and are not typically well-suited to mounting a motorized propeller at the distal or lower end. Additionally, a foldable shaft requires hinge mechanisms that can get in the way of fishing or other activities on a marine vessel.
Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of a stiffening shaft adapted to be coupled to marine vessels. This disclosure will often refer to the stiffening shaft as being used with a marine vessel, but in various embodiments the stiffening shaft can be used with any suitable structure (vessel, furniture item, tent, etc.). The stiffening shaft can have at least two states, a first state in which the shaft is rigid and a second state in which the shaft is collapsed. An exemplary stiffening shaft can be coupled between a marine vessel and a motor such that the motor is controllably positioned in the water and distanced away from the marine vessel. In this use case, the rigidity of the shaft can be important for proper control of the motor (e.g., a trolling motor). A trolling motor, to operate correctly, relies on a fixed spatial position relative to the marine vessel. Thus, in some cases, it is important that the fully-deployed stiffening shaft (i.e., in a rigid state) can maintain the motor at a fixed position away from the marine vessel. Another advantage of the stiffening shaft described herein is that it can bend during deployment with the application of force exceeding a certain magnitude and/or direction. Thus, if a shaft coupled to a motor strikes an obstacle (e.g., a rock) under water, the shaft can bend to reduce damage to the shaft and/or motor. In some implementations, the shaft may be configured to sense an operating condition that is different than an expected operating condition (e.g., moving too quickly when powered by the main propulsion engine) and retract to prevent damage by the techniques as described further herein.
Another exemplary use of a stiffening shaft is in the form of a shallow water stick anchor, in which a rigid stiffening shaft can be used to anchor a marine vessel in the ground (e.g., sea bed, lake bed, river bed), e.g., in shallow water. Specifically, one end of the stiffening shaft can be coupled to the marine vessel (e.g., the bow or stern of the vessel) while the opposite end of the shaft can be sunk into the ground at a fixed position. Here, the rigidity of the shaft is also important for maintaining position of the boat relative to the fixed position in the ground.
The collapsibility of the stiffening shaft allows for the shaft to be easily stowable aboard a marine vessel with the goal of taking up less space as compared to its fully-deployed configuration. This advantage can be particularly important on smaller marine vessels having limited storage space. Moreover, a stiffening shaft can be shipped or transported in smaller containers (in its collapsed configuration) as compared to shafts that are not able to collapse (e.g., a rigid shaft). For example, a 96-inch rigid shaft coupled to a motor may need to be shipped in containers with minimum dimensions of 10 inches by 20 inches by 108 inches. In comparison, a collapsed shaft may be able to be shipped in comparatively smaller containers having dimensions of 15 inches by 15 inches by 21 inches.
The stiffening shaft 100 can be used in other applications, including many recreational activities. For example, the stiffening shaft can be coupled to a net and used for catching animals or for cleaning pools. In another example, the stiffening shaft can be used as a retractable flagpole. In yet another example, one or more stiffening shafts can be used as part of a tent (e.g., a camping tent or military tent). In another example, the stiffening shaft can be used as part of furniture (e.g., as the legs of a stiffening table or chair). In many of these instances, the stiffening shaft as described herein can enable quick and easy assembly (and/or disassembly) or deployment of the exemplary applications.
In general, in one aspect, embodiments of the disclosure feature a stiffening shaft adapted to couple to a marine vessel. The shaft may include a plurality of vertebrae stacked to form a column; and at least one inelastic tension element threaded longitudinally through the plurality of vertebrae to link the vertebrae. At least a portion of the shaft may have a flexible configuration when the at least one tension element is released and a stiffened linear configuration when the tension element is tensed to react to torque and bending moments on the shaft.
In various embodiments, when the shaft transitions from the flexible configuration to the stiffened linear configuration, a first vertebra of the plurality of vertebrae attains concentric alignment with a second vertebra of the plurality of vertebrae. In some instances, the first vertebra includes a first contoured mating surface and the second vertebra comprises a second contoured mating surface, such that, the first contoured mating surface mates with the second contoured mating surface to attain concentric alignment. Each vertebra of the plurality of vertebrae may have an annular shape. In some instances, the first contoured mating surface includes a plurality of concave surfaces arranged about a perimeter of the annular shape, and the second contoured mating surface includes a plurality of convex surfaces arranged about the perimeter of the annular shape. The concave and convex surfaces may be adapted to mate to form a joint about which the first vertebra and the second vertebra can flex. At least one joint may form a hole extending from the first contoured mating surface to the second contoured mating surface. The hole may be adapted to accept the tension element.
In some instances, the at least one tension element includes at least two tension elements, each tension element displaced from a center of the shaft. The two tension elements may be positioned diametrically opposite each other. The shaft may include a motor disposed at a distal end thereof, wherein the shaft is adapted to at least partially house a control cable coupled to the motor. The shaft may be further adapted to at least partially house a power cable adapted to couple a power source with the motor. In some instances, the stiffening shaft may include a tensioning system adapted to selectively tense the tension element to transition the shaft between the flexible configuration and the stiffened linear configuration. The tensioning system may be manually operated. The tensioning system may include a spring-loaded cam mechanism. The tensioning system may be electrically operated. The tensioning system may be hydraulically operated. In some instances, the tensioning system may be adapted to limit tension when an external force exceeding a load capacity of the shaft is applied to the shaft when the shaft is in the stiffened linear configuration. The plurality of vertebrae may include a first set of vertebrae and a second set of vertebrae, in which the first set of vertebrae separate from the second set of vertebrae. The first set and the second set may zipper together to form the stiffening shaft. A first tension element of the at least one inelastic tension element may be threaded through the first set of vertebrae and a second tension element may be threaded through the second set of vertebrae.
In general, in another aspect, embodiments of the disclosure feature a method of manufacturing a stiffening shaft. The method includes providing a plurality of vertebrae, threading at least one tension element through the plurality of vertebrae to link the vertebrae, and attaching the tension element to a tensioning system. The method may include attaching a motor to an end of a column formed by the linked vertebrae. In some instances, each vertebra of the plurality of vertebrae includes a first contoured mating surface and a second contoured mating surface, such that, the first contoured mating surface of a first vertebra mates with the second contoured mating surface to attain concentric alignment. Each vertebra of the plurality of vertebrae may have an annular shape.
In various embodiments, the first contoured mating surface includes a plurality of concave surfaces arranged about a perimeter of the annular shape, and the second contoured mating surface includes a plurality of convex surfaces arranged about the perimeter of the annular shape. The concave and convex surfaces may be adapted to mate to form a joint about which the first vertebra and the second vertebra can flex. In some instances, at least one joint forms a hole extending from the first contoured mating surface to the second contoured mating surface, wherein the hole is adapted to accept the tension element. At least one tension element may include at least two tension elements, each tension element displaced from a center of the shaft. The two tension elements may be positioned diametrically opposite each other. The plurality of vertebrae may include a first set of vertebrae and a second set of vertebrae, in which the first set of vertebrae is separate from the second set of vertebrae. The method may further include zippering the first set and the second set together to form the stiffening shaft. Threading at least one tension element through the plurality of vertebrae to link the vertebrae may comprise threading (i) a first tension element of the at least one inelastic tension element through the first set of vertebrae and (ii) a second tension element through the second set of vertebrae.
In general, in another aspect, embodiments of the disclosure feature a method of using a stiffening shaft that includes (i) a plurality of vertebrae stacked to form a column, and (ii) at least one inelastic tension element threaded longitudinally through the plurality of vertebrae to link the vertebrae. At least a portion of the shaft may have a flexible configuration when the at least one tension element is released and a stiffened linear configuration when the tension element is tensed to react to torque and bending moments on the shaft. The method may include coupling the stiffening shaft to a marine vessel, and stiffening the stiffening shaft to the stiffened linear configuration.
In various embodiments, the stiffening shaft is coupled to a motor and the method further includes energizing the motor. The method may include deploying the stiffening shaft as a stick anchor for the marine vessel. In some instances, the tension element is coupled to a tensioning system and stiffening the stiffening shaft to the stiffened linear configuration further includes activating the tensioning system to selectively tense the tension element. The tensioning system may include a spring-loaded cam mechanism adapted to tense the tension element, and activating the tensioning system includes engaging the spring-loaded cam mechanism to selectively tense the tension element. In some instances, the tensioning system is a hydraulically operated tensioning system adapted to tense the tension element, and activating the tensioning system includes activating the hydraulically operated tensioning system to selectively tense the tension element. The plurality of vertebrae may include a first set of vertebrae and a second set of vertebrae, in which the first set of vertebrae is separate from the second set of vertebrae. The stiffening of the stiffening shaft to the stiffened linear configuration may include zippering the first set and the second set together to form the stiffening shaft. A first tension element of the at least one inelastic tension element may be threaded through the first set of vertebrae and a second tension element may be threaded through the second set of vertebrae.
These and other objects, along with advantages and features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, will become more apparent through reference to the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations.
In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of a stiffening shaft.
The exemplary stiffening shaft can include a set of stacked ‘vertebrae’ coupled to one or more tension elements, that enable the shaft to flex for compact storage and stiffen (e.g., unfurl) into a rigid linear configuration. The stiffening of the shaft can be advantageous whether the device is used for mounting a propeller motor, shallow anchoring, or other objective, as described herein.
In an exemplary implementation, the stiffening shaft 100 is formed from a set of stacked vertebrae.
In the implementation of
The first mating surface 302 of the vertebra 300 has a plurality of quasi-spherical convex surfaces 306 arranged around a central aperture 308 in the center of the annular vertebra 300. In other words, the convex surfaces 306 are arranged about the perimeter of the annular shape of the vertebra 300. The second mating surface 304 of the vertebra 300 has a plurality of quasi-spherical concave surfaces 310 arranged around the central aperture 308 about the perimeter of the annular shape of the vertebra 300. In this non-limiting example, the first mating surface 302 has six (6) convex surfaces 306 and the second mating surface 304 has six (6) concave surfaces 310. In other implementations, the mating surfaces 302 and 304 may have two or more convex surfaces 306 and two or more concave surfaces 310, respectively. In these specific implementations, the number of convex surfaces 306 on the first mating surface 302 matches the number of concave surfaces 310 on the second mating surface 304. These convex surfaces 306 are adapted to mate with the concave surfaces such that each corresponding pair of convex surface 306 and concave surface 310 form a joint (e.g., joint 402 in
In some implementations, each vertebra 300 includes a central aperture 308 that extends from the first mating surface 302 to the second mating surface 304 and is adapted to provide a path for one or more cables 804 carrying power and/or data (e.g., communication, control, etc.). Multiple vertebrae 300 are stacked such the path runs from a first one of the vertebrae 300 through each subsequent vertebra. The cable(s) 804 are adapted to carry power and/or data from a first end 802 of the stiffening shaft 100 to a motor 104 disposed at the second opposing end 504 of the stiffening shaft, as is depicted in
In general, the vertebra can have any suitable dimensions and properties. In some embodiments, each vertebrae can have a diameter between 20 mm and 150 mm. In some embodiments, each vertebrae can have a maximum diameter between 80 mm and 100 mm. In a non-limiting example, each vertebra has a diameter of approximately 40 mm with a height of approximately 12.7 mm (also referred to herein as “type-A” vertebrae). Each exemplary type-A vertebrae has six quasi-spherical mating surfaces distributed around the perimeter of one side of the vertebra such that the center of each of the quasi-spherical mating surfaces are approximately 13 mm from the center of vertebra (e.g., measured from the center of the diameter). The type-A vertebrae can be configured to withstand high compressive loads of >150 kpsi. In this example, each tension cable (also referred to herein as “type-A” tension cables) is configured to be tensed to a force of approximately 3,000 lbs. The compressive force of the exemplary stiffening shaft having type-A vertebrae and type-A tension cables yields a shaft breakaway moment of approximately 1100 ft-lbs.
In some implementations, the vertebrae are made primarily from aluminum oxide (also referred to as aluminium oxide, alumina, aloxide, aloxite, alundrum, or corundum). The use of aluminum oxide in forming the vertebrae can help prevent corrosion of the vertebrae in aqueous environments (e.g., fresh water or salt water environments). The use of aluminum oxide can be beneficial due to the amount of force it can withstand. In other words, a shaft 100 employing aluminum oxide vertebrae can withstand greater thrust levels from the motor 104 than a shaft having vertebrae made from, for example, injection-molded plastic, which may require that the size of the vertebrae be increased to withstand the same levels of thrust.
In some embodiments, the vertebrae may be made with any suitable metal, metal alloy, plastic, or other hard material (e.g., injection-molded plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.). Balancing various performance and/or environmental factors can dictate the selection of the appropriate material. For instance, the low compressive strength of plastics may significantly increase the size of the vertebra needed to support the target loads. Vertebrae made primarily from aluminum may be at risk of corrosion issues and, notably, the sliding action of the spherical joints may make it difficult to maintain corrosion resistant coatings, such as anodizing. Vertebrae made primarily from stainless steel may be able to handle the compressive loads and avoid corrosion issues, but the weight of stainless steel vertebrae may be too great for deployment.
In some implementations, the stacked vertebrae may be disposed in a flexible protective cover or sheath to protect the vertebrae from debris or foreign objects.
Referring to
The tension element(s) can provide a mechanism by which the shaft 100 collapses and/or stiffens. When the tension element(s) 314 are released, the shaft 100 is caused to collapse into a flexible configuration 806 (see
In some embodiments, the stiffening shaft 100 is only controllable when the shaft is fully deployed (i.e., in a rigid position). Exemplary types of control of the shaft 100 can include one or more of: (i) operational control of the motor 104 coupled to the stiffening shaft 100; (ii) rotational control of the shaft 100; (iii) displacement of the shaft 100; (iv) retraction of the shaft 100; or (v) deployment of the shaft 100. For example, a shaft 100 having power and/or data cable(s) coupled to the motor 104 may only enable signals (e.g., for steering and/or propulsion) from a first end of the shaft 100 to reach the motor 104 at the second end of the shaft 100 when the shaft 100 is deployed or rigid. As discussed further below, deployment of the shaft can include generating a fully rigid or a partially rigid shaft 100. If the shaft is bent (e.g., due to an obstruction), the motor may not receive power and/or data via the cable(s) in the shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft 100 can include a sensor configured to sense a deformation (e.g., bending, twisting, etc.) in the stiffening shaft 100. In some embodiments, the sensor can be configured to detect an overload condition (e.g., excessive pressure, movement of the tension cables, relief valve actuation, etc.). The sensor can transmit a signal to a controller coupled to the power and/or data cable(s) such that the cable(s) can cease transmitting power and/or data to the motor 104 when the deformation occurs. In some embodiments, the sensor may be positioned at one of the ends of the shaft 100. For instance, the sensor can be disposed in or near the coupling mechanism 106 or the motor 104.
One or more techniques may be used in tensioning and/or releasing tension in (“de-tensioning”) the tension element(s) 314. The element(s) 314 may be selectively tensioned and/or de-tensioned individually or in groups of elements. In some embodiments, all tension elements(s) 314 in a stiffening shaft 100 may be tensioned and/or de-tensioned together. In other embodiments, some or all of the tension element(s) 314 in the stiffening shaft 100 may be tensioned and/or de-tensioned at different times. The tensioning system may be included as part of the coupling mechanism 106 or may be entirely separate. In some embodiments, the tensioning system may be manually operated (e.g., by a user of the stiffening shaft) or automatically operated (e.g., by a signal sent to a controller coupled to the tensioning system). For instance, during normal operation, the controller can be configured to send one or more control signals to release or reduce tension in the cables in conjunction with extending or retracting the shaft. Then, the controller can re-tension the cables if the unit is to remain in the deployed or partially deployed state. In some embodiments, a manual or automatic release mechanism can be used to de-tension the stiffening shaft in the event of failure or loss of power.
In some embodiments, the tensioning system can include a linear actuator (e.g., a screw actuator, cam actuator, wheel and axle actuator, etc.). For example, a cam actuator (e.g., cam actuator 810) or a ball screw actuator can be used to tense or compress a spring to create, maintain, and/or release tension in the tension element(s) 314. Cam actuator 810 can be a cam actuator that is conventional within the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator may control the tension in a spring for each tension element 314. In some embodiments, the tension element(s) 314 can be tensioned and/or de-tensioned by an electromechanical actuator (e.g., a linear motor actuator). In some embodiments, the tensioning system can include one or more torque limiting clutches to prevent the tensioning element(s) 314 from breaking from an overload condition.
In some embodiments, the tension element(s) can be electrically and/or hydraulically tensioned and/or de-tensioned by a tensioning system. In an exemplary embodiment, an electrohydraulic tensioning system can control the amount or degree of tension in the tension element(s) such that the shaft can give way at a predetermined maximum load. This can reduce the likelihood that the stiffening shaft breaks or is damaged from impact. For example, this can be particularly beneficial for enabling the stiffening shaft 100 to bend upon striking an object underwater that exceeds the load carrying capacity of the shaft 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrohydraulic tensioning system includes a pressure relief valve to enable the shaft to be deployed at different lengths (e.g., at lengths less than then maximum length of the shaft). In one embodiment, the driving piston of the hydraulic system can be actuated by a rotary electric motor. In another embodiment, the driving piston can be actuated as part of the linear motor assembly. In some embodiments, the electrically and/or hydraulically operated tensioning system can be activated by a remote controller. For example, the remote controller may send a control signal to the tensioning system to selectively tense one or more tensioning elements.
In another embodiment, the vertebrae 300 of the stiffening shaft 100 are coupled to one or more conduits that become rigid when internal pressure is applied, thus causing the stiffening of the stiffening shaft 100.
In some embodiments, the shaft 100 can be forced out of its rigid configuration by one or more mechanical guides. In some embodiments, a portion of the shaft 100 can be collapsed (e.g., folded, coiled, etc.), for example, by one or more guides, while the remaining portion of the shaft 100 can remain tensioned. Importantly, the tensioned portion of the shaft 100 can be fully functional and allow power and/or data signals to reach the coupled motor 104. This configuration is advantageous for enabling a stiffening shaft 100 having a given length to be modified for use in varying water depths (or for different applications). Thus, for example, a shaft having a maximum length of 100 inches can be modified to a length less than 100 inches (e.g., 96 inches, 84 inches, etc.). The collapsed portion of the shaft 100, and in some instances the motor 104, may be stored in a housing (e.g., in housing 1002) on board the vessel 102.
In an exemplary embodiment, a guiding system can be used to fold the shaft 100. For example, to fold the stiffening shaft 100 into the shape illustrated in
In some embodiments, the shape of the vertebrae is configured to form guide channels for the tension element(s) such that elements remain properly spaced, aligned, and/or supported as the vertebrae distribute around a bend in the shaft 100. When the stiffening shaft 100 is in a deflected position, a subset (e.g., one or two), or portions thereof, of the quasi-spherical concave surfaces of a first vertebra 300a are in contact with a corresponding number of quasi-spherical convex surfaces of a second vertebra 300b (refer also to
In an exemplary embodiment, a guiding system can be used to coil the shaft 100. For example, as illustrated in
In an exemplary implementation, a stiffening shaft 100 includes a set of zipper segments configured to form a shaft when “zippered” together. As used herein, the term “zippered” means the mating of two segments when brought into contact with each other. As one example, the segments can have corresponding structural features that engage when the segments are brought together, e.g., corresponding teeth interfaces having corresponding hook and loop components. Many other structural elements are possible, including any technique used in known zippers and the exemplary techniques described below. As discussed herein, the zipper segments may be referred to as “vertebrae”.
In some implementations, the segments 1202 can include one or more holes 1209 for tension elements (e.g., cables) as described above. For example, the outer portions 1208 of segments 1202 can include the hole(s) 1209. The tension elements may be made of high tensile strength material(s) (e.g., ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE or UHMW) fiber, carbon fiber, aromatic polyamide (aramid) fiber, etc.). In some implementations, the stiffening shaft may utilize passive tensioning, in which the interleaving or interlocking of the segment set 1212a with set 1212b can cause the tension elements to tense as the shaft 1210 is zipped together, as described further below. Alternatively or additionally, the tension elements may be actively tensioned to achieve rigidity, as described further above (see description under heading “Exemplary Tensioning Systems”).
In some implementations, the assembly or formation of the shaft 1210 may be aided by a guide 1214. The guide 1214 may have any type of a shape to facilitate zippering of the segment sets 1212a, 1211b. The shape of the 1214 may be determined by the shape of the segments 1202 themselves. For example, the guide 1214 may have a funnel shape, a cylindrical shape, a rectangular shape, a traditional zipper tab or slider shape, etc. In some cases, the guide 1214 may be moved along the segment sets 1212a and 1212b to “zipper” them together. Alternatively, the segment sets 1212a, 1212b can be moved into the guide 1214 to zipper. In some implementations, the guide 1214 may be configured to be a housing and/or storage vessel for the unzipped sets 1212a, 1212b. In some cases, the unzipped sets 1212a, 1212b may be stored as coils. In some implementations, each set 1212a or 1212b alone can be wound into a tighter coil as compared to the assembled shaft 1210.
The exemplary stiffening shafts and components thereof described herein may be characterized by one or more of the parameters listed in
The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The term “approximately”, the phrase “approximately equal to”, and other similar phrases, as used in the specification and the claims (e.g., “X has a value of approximately Y” or “X is approximately equal to Y”), should be understood to mean that one value (X) is within a predetermined range of another value (Y). The predetermined range may be plus or minus 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 1%, 0.1%, or less than 0.1%, unless otherwise indicated.
The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items.
Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements. Each numerical value presented herein is contemplated to represent a minimum value or a maximum value in a range for a corresponding parameter. Accordingly, when added to the claims, the numerical value provides express support for claiming the range, which may lie above or below the numerical value, in accordance with the teachings herein. Every value between the minimum value and the maximum value within each numerical range presented herein (including in any charts), is contemplated and expressly supported herein, subject to the number of significant digits expressed in each particular range. Absent express inclusion in the claims, each numerical value presented herein is not to be considered limiting in any regard. Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative and not restrictive. The terms and expressions employed herein are used as terms and expressions of description and not of limitation and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. The structural features and functions of the various embodiments may be arranged in various combinations and permutations, and all are considered to be within the scope of the disclosed invention. Unless otherwise necessitated, recited steps in the various methods may be performed in any order and certain steps may be performed substantially simultaneously.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/654,784, filed on Mar. 14, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/306,188, filed on May 3, 2021, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,273,893 on Mar. 15, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/815,290, field on Mar. 11, 2020, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,027,813 on Jun. 8, 2021, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/816,653 titled “Stiffening Shafts for Marine Environments” and filed on Mar. 11, 2019, the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62816653 | Mar 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17654784 | Mar 2022 | US |
Child | 18499890 | US | |
Parent | 17306188 | May 2021 | US |
Child | 17654784 | US | |
Parent | 16815290 | Mar 2020 | US |
Child | 17306188 | US |