CA1066645A
Expired / Lapsed
CA
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air film supported and guided load support member
Assignee: EB Eddy Forest Products Ltd
•
Filing: 1977-10-19
•
Granted: 1979-11-20
•
Expires: 1997-10-19
Abstract
Abstract ABSTRACT AIR FILM SUPPORTED AND GUIDED LOAD SUPPORT MEMBER A fluid levitated generally convex support member partic-ularly useful in supporting a pallet, plate or belt such that the pallet, plate or belt load may be moved in an air powered track system, the system including at least one concave track with means for supporting and guiding the convex member and the pallet, plate or belt thereabove on a thin film of pressurized air jetting from nozzles in the track. The support member includes a generally tu-bular, flexible and partly deformable outer member and means for internally stressing the outer member so that under load there will be controlled deformation thereof. The deformed member will be closely complementary to the track surface to maximize load carrying capacity while minimizing fluid support power requirements and the detrimental effect of track deformities. Of particular significance is the ability of the support assembly covering to vibrate at high frequency at the track surface in response to the track jets and the wedge flow of the fluid support film to provide a pumping action which propagates and augments the pressure of the support film. Also, the small air film provides a controlled air gap which permits the use of electromagnetic propulsion means installed as part of the track for reaction with suitable secondary devices included in the support means. Under load removal there will be controlled recovery of the shape of the outer member. The support member ex-hibits excellent wear, cleanliness, cushioning, manufacturing, ant select frequency response and damping characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert E. Gladish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
CA
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:29
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G15/00; B65G15/60; B65G15/30; B65G15/32; B65G15/40; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A load supporting means for positioning between a load and a load supporting surface, said means being capable of supporting said load and of substantially isolating said load from forces influencing the position of said surface, said means comprising a generally tubular outer member formed of a flexible party deformable material and, internally of said member, means for peripherally prestressing said member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A load supporting means for positioning between a load and a load supporting surface, said means being capable of supporting said load and of substantially isolating said load from forces influencing the position of said surface, said means comprising a generally tubular outer member formed of a flexible party deformable material and, internally of said member, means for peripherally prestressing said member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said prestressing means comprises an annular deformable core extending generally axially of said outer member creating an annular cavity between said core and said member and, substantially filling said cavity, a resilient deformable filler material capable of deformation under load and at least partial recovery upon load removal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said filler material and said outer member are sufficiently flexible that at least said outer member can vibrate under the influence of high velocity fluids exitting from nozzles in said surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein salt filler material comprises a continuous web of extensible paper or creped cellulose wound on said core under tension, said web being wound on said core to form a roll insertable into salt outer member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein salt filler material comprises a foamable monocellular or similar plastics material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 3 and including an axially extending, laterally flexible, reinforcing arch member positioned within said core, said arch member exerting lateral forces against the wall of said core under loading to assist in stress distribution within said filler material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said core is formed of a relatively large diameter metallic material which under deformation by loading exhibits minimal recovery, whereby the load supporting means may act as a conveyor belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein a primary coil is located in said load supporting surface, said metallic core acting as a secondary electromagnetic device for propulsion reaction with said coil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 3 and including, pivotally mounted to the exterior of said core, compression arm means extending laterally of said core and additionally prestressing said filler material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said prestressing means comprises a web of corrugated paper board wound tightly upon a core under tension.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
A load supporting means for a pallet or skid comprising a generally tubular cover member formed of a resilient partially deformable material, and means for internally prestressing said cover member including a core extending generally axially in said member and creating an annular cavity within said member, said core being formed of a flexible, resilient, deformable material, and a resilient, extensible and compressible filler material sub-stantially filling said cavity, said load supporting means being capable of deformation under load and recovery upon load removal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
A load supporting means for a pallet or skid comprising a generally tubular cover member formed of a resilient partially deformable material, and means for internally prestressing said cover member including a core extending generally axially in said member and creating an annular cavity within said member, said core being formed of a flexible, resilient, deformable material, and a resilient, extensible and compressible filler material sub-stantially filling said cavity, said load supporting means being capable of deformation under load and recovery upon load removal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said filler material and said outer member are sufficiently flexible that at least said outer member can vibrate under the influence of high velocity fluids exitting from nozzles in said surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said filler material comprises a continuous web of high bulk paper wound on said core under tension.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said filler material comprises a continuous web of extensible plastic film wound on said core under tension.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said filler material comprises a monocellular plastics material which is expanded or in-serted within said cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said filler material is a continuous web of corrugated paper board wound on said core under tension.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said tubular cover member 18 formed with deformable end caps which if cut off can be resealed to said member to provide a hermetically sealed support following insertion of said core and filler material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said core is provided with a flexible tube or bladder sealed and filled with fluid to provide additional shock absorption, load carrying capacity and temperature control.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein said bladder is equipped with pressure relief divisions and is connected to a fluid reservoir.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said tubular cover material and said filler material includes a series of coil loops, plates, permanent magnets, or magnetic materials for interaction with an electromagnetic propulsion device within close proximity to a support track for said load supporting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
98 words
A pallet or skid comprising a load supporting platform and platform support means attached to a lower surface of said platform, said support means including a generally tubular outer member formed of a resilient, partially deformable material, and means for peripherally prestressing said outer member including a core extending generally axially of said member creating an annular cavity within said member, said core being formed of a flexible resilient partially deformable material, and an extensible and compressible filler material substantially filling said cavity, said support means being capable of controlled deformation under load and recovery upon load removal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
98 words
A pallet or skid comprising a load supporting platform and platform support means attached to a lower surface of said platform, said support means including a generally tubular outer member formed of a resilient, partially deformable material, and means for peripherally prestressing said outer member including a core extending generally axially of said member creating an annular cavity within said member, said core being formed of a flexible resilient partially deformable material, and an extensible and compressible filler material substantially filling said cavity, said support means being capable of controlled deformation under load and recovery upon load removal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein said filler material comprises a continuous web of high bulk paper wound on said core under tension.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein said filler material comprises a continuous web of extensible plastic film wound on said core under tension.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein said filler material comprises a monocellular plastics material which is expanded within said cavity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein said filler material is a continuous web of corrugated paper board wound on said core under tension.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein said tubular cover member is formed with deformable end caps which if cut off can be resealed to said member to provide a hermetically sealed support following insertion of said core and filler material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein said core is provided with a flexible tube or bladder sealed and filled with fluid to provide additional shock absorption, load carrying capacity and temperature control.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 27 wherein said bladder is equipped with pressure relief divisions and is connected to a fluid reservoir.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein tubular cover material and said filler material includes a series of coil loops or plates for interaction with an electromagnetic propulsion device within close proximity to a support track for said load supporting means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
71 words
A modular pallet comprising a plurality of longitud-inally interengagable pallet modules according to Claim 21, each said pallet module having a support means adjacent each longitudinal edge with each tubular cover member thereof having a forward pro-jection and a rear recess whereby the forward projections of one such module are receivable in the corresponding rear recesses of another such module, each module being provided with means for interlocking adjacent modules together.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The modular pallet of claim 30 wherein said plat-form and each said tubular member thereof are integrably moldable as a single unit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The modular pallet of claim 30 wherein each said tubular member is pressurized.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
The modular pallet of claim 30 wherein said platform is internally fitted with a series of coils, plates or magnets which interact with an electromagnetic propulsion device set between or close to a support track for said pallet.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The modular pallet of claim 30 wherein said means for interlocking adjacent modules together includes tie rods or strapping which provides greater strength, rigidity and load carrying capacity.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
137 words
An endless belt conveyor system comprising at least one elongated conveyor air tube having means for projecting a thin film of supporting air into a lower portion of the interior thereof; an endless belt extending through said tube, said belt comprising a generally tubular outer member formed of a resilient, deformable material, and means for internally prestressing said outer member including a deformable metallic core extending generally axially within said member, and a resilient, flexible deformable filler material substantially filling the space between said core and said member, said belt being deformable upon load application to form upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being convex and being complementary to said lower portion of said tube, said upper surface being concave and adapted to receive a load; and means for driving said belt in an endless loop.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
137 words
An endless belt conveyor system comprising at least one elongated conveyor air tube having means for projecting a thin film of supporting air into a lower portion of the interior thereof; an endless belt extending through said tube, said belt comprising a generally tubular outer member formed of a resilient, deformable material, and means for internally prestressing said outer member including a deformable metallic core extending generally axially within said member, and a resilient, flexible deformable filler material substantially filling the space between said core and said member, said belt being deformable upon load application to form upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being convex and being complementary to said lower portion of said tube, said upper surface being concave and adapted to receive a load; and means for driving said belt in an endless loop.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 35 wherein said core is a wire mesh material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 35 wherein said core is provided by a plurality of axially spaced wire loops.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 35 wherein said core is provided by a plurality of deformable metal plates.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 36, 37 or 38 wherein said core forms a secondary electromagnetic device for propulsive reaction with a primary coil in said tube.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 35 and including a second conveyor air tube providing a return path for said belt.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 40 and including barrel-shaped pulley means adapted to coact with the upper surface of said belt for changing the direction of movement of said belt.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 41 wherein said pulley means has its axis of rotation substantially vertical to impart a 90° twist to said belt as it is entrained thereby.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.