CPC B63G 8/001 (2013.01) [B63B 3/13 (2013.01); F16B 7/0426 (2013.01); B63G 2008/002 (2013.01)] | 21 Claims |
1. An underwater vehicle comprising a system for selectively securing components of the underwater vehicle, the underwater vehicle comprising:
an access plate secured to the bow of the vehicle and having a flange, the flange of the access plate having intermittent solid portions and intermittent open portions;
a nose cone having a flange; and
a bow clamp configured to selectively attach the nose cone to the access plate, the bow clamp comprising:
a circular body comprising two semi-circular parts joined by a hinge, the hinge being operable to open the bow clamp;
a vehicle mating flange configured to integrate with the flange of the access plate, the vehicle mating flange having intermittent solid portions and intermittent open portions;
a nose cone mating flange configured to integrate with the flange of the nose cone;
a clamp configured to selectively secure the bow clamp to the access plate and the nose cone;
wherein the intermittent solid portions and intermittent open portions are sized, shaped, and spaced so as to prevent the bow clamp from disengaging from the flange of the access plate.
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