Patent ID: 6113445
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
A multi-element, rope line cutting system for a multi-bladed, marine propeller having a hub with a back side with a center-line defining the propeller's axis of rotation when used on a marine vessel for propulsion, the vessel having a static hull structure, a stuffing box and a drive shaft for the propeller, comprising:a first set of equi-spaced arms defining a center-line and being attached to the hub of said propeller and extending out away from the back side of the hub in a direction at least generally in line with the center-line of the hub, the center-lines of the hub and said first set of arms being coincident;a second set of arms associated with said first set of arms extendible in a direction opposite to that of said first set of arms and defining a center-line when so extended, said center-line of said second set of arms when so extended being coincident with said center-line of said first set of arms, one of the two sets of arms being nestable within the other, said first set of arms and said second set of arms each having at least one side edge surface configured to assist in the severing of any rope line that becomes entangled with the propeller when in active use on the marine vessel, one set of said two sets of arms being rotatable with respect to the other set of arms about their coincident center-lines, whereby their respective side edge surfaces of each set of arms are brought together in close proximity, creating a rope severing action between them, said second set of arms being fixedly attached to a static part of the vessel's hull structure; anda circular member with a back side and being attached orthogonally to the center-line of the vessel's stuffing box, which is used to hold the rotatable shaft for driving the propeller for propelling the vessel; each of said arms of said first set of arms having a terminal end extending downwardly past the back side of said circular member, interlocking the two sets of arms together, whereby, should the propeller shaft break, the propeller is maintained connected to the hull structure, preventing its loss.