The present invention provides for an apparatus utilising the buoyancy upthrust on a floatation member to assist displacement of a moveable article in a non-vertical direction wherein the apparatus comprises at least one pivotally mounted floatation member disposed within a fluid medium and having a displaceable actuator member integrally connected to this floatation member and the floatation member being integrally mounted on the moveable article about an appropriate pivot axis extending therefrom whereby the floatation member is pivotally displaceable about its pivot axis into the fluid medium and past an equilibrium position by application of a pivotal displacement force applied to the actuator member so as to create a resultant buoyancy upthrust on the floatation member, whereby elements and/or components are provided to apply and maintain the pivotal displacement force in the direction perpendicular to this actuator member to thereby create a resultant force vector from the buoyancy upthrust on the floatation member which extends perpendicularly through the pivot axis so as to be transmittable to the article to effect displacement of such article. There is also provided a method of utilising such buoyancy upthrust on a floatation member to effect displacement of a moveable article in a non-vertical direction.
This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/GB03/04512 filed Oct. 20, 2003 which designates the United States and claims priority of Great Britain Application No. 0224464.8 filed Oct. 21, 2002, Great Britain Application No. 0225684.0 filed Nov. 4, 2002 and Great Britain Application No. 0312948.3 filed Jun. 5, 2003.
Priority Data
Oct 21, 2002 [GB] 0224464.8 Nov 04, 2002 [GB] 0225684.0
