Load support with fluid-pressure type load relief provision

Claim 1

IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT MEMBER, A LOAD CARRIER MEMBER DISPOSED IN NORMALLY SURFACE-TO-SURFACE CONTACT ON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT THEREON, ONE OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING DEFINED THEREIN AN AIR CHAMBER AND AT LEAST ONE OPENING WHICH EXTENDS FROM SAID AIR CHAMBER TO THE CONTACTING SURFACE THEREOF, AN AIRIMPERMEABLE PLUG FILLING SAID OPENING AND BEING PERIPHERALLY NOTCHED TO DEFINE AN AIR DUCT WITH THE BONDING SURFACE OF SAID OPENING, SAID AIR DUCT BEING IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID AIR CHAMBER AND EXTENDING TO THE CONTACTING SURFACE OF SAID ONE MEMBER, AND SAID ONE MEMBER HAVING PROVISION TO CONNECT SAID AIR CHAMBER TO A COMPRESSED AIR SUPPLY WHEREBY TO PROVIDE A FINE AIR JET ISSUING FROM SAID DUCT AND CREATING AND SUSTAINING BETWEEN THE CONTACT SURFACES OF SAID MEMBERS AN AIR FILM TO FLOAT THE LOAD CARRIER MEMBER ABOVE THE SUPPORT MEMBER WHEN COMPRESSED AIR IS ADMITTED TO SAID CHAMBER.