US 12,351,281 B2
Multipurpose selective fish capture system
Peter Karlheinz Krahn, North Vancouver (CA)
Appl. No. 17/921,944
Filed by Peter Karlheinz Krahn, North Vancouver (CA)
PCT Filed Apr. 28, 2021, PCT No. PCT/CA2021/050589
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 27, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/217260, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 4, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/018,468, filed on Apr. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0286717 A1, Aug. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. B63B 35/34 (2006.01); A01K 73/02 (2006.01); A01K 73/04 (2006.01); A01K 73/12 (2006.01); B63B 35/14 (2006.01); B63B 35/32 (2006.01); B63B 35/44 (2006.01)
CPC B63B 35/34 (2013.01) [A01K 73/025 (2013.01); A01K 73/04 (2013.01); A01K 73/063 (2022.02); A01K 73/12 (2013.01); B63B 35/14 (2013.01); B63B 35/32 (2013.01); B63B 35/44 (2013.01); B63B 2035/4453 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An interconverting pontoon platform adapted to convert between a selective fish capture system and an oil spill response system comprising:
a pair of opposing pontoon floats arranged in parallel and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of each float configured to support a mounting riser extending the length of each float;
a support frame having an upper surface and a lower surface, the support frame comprising a series of parallel beams arranged transverse to the pair of opposing floats and mounted on the mounting risers, wherein the series of beams maintain the distance between each float to the other;
a rail assembly attached to the lower surface of the support frame, the rail assembly comprising a pair of curtain track I beams or C Channels that support a pair of curtain track rail assemblies that contain a plurality of curtain track roller hooks, the curtain track I beams or C Channels arranged in parallel to each other and extending the length of the interior facing side of each float to define a containment enclosure therebetween;
a deck mounted on the upper surface of the support frame, the deck sized to provide a working surface and comprising at least one access hatch centrally located on the deck to provide access to the containment enclosure below the deck, the access hatch having an end-facing side;
a retractable and removable release gate containing a raisable release gate net and emergency release mechanism positioned at the end-facing side of the access hatch, wherein the retractable and removable release gate extends below deck to close off one end of the containment enclosure when in the deployed position and the raisable release gate net is retracted to a raised position to open the containment enclosure to allow release of its contents;
at least one connector assembly attached to the underside of the deck, the connector assembly comprising a pair of inner curtain track beams and a pair of outer curtain track beams that each supports a curtain track rail assembly that contains a plurality of curtain track roller hooks, the inner curtain track beams are configured to have an apex that points towards the containment enclosure, the outer curtain track beams are configured to have an apex that points away from the containment enclosure;
a series of net lift-line access hatches equally distributed along each opposing side of the platform, wherein the net lift-line access hatch comprises a corresponding cleat on or below the working surface of the deck; and
at least one mounting bracket at one or both ends of the deck to receive a corresponding outboard motor.