US3566822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air cushion vehicles
Assignee: British Hovercraft Corp Ltd
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Filing: 1969-01-27
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1989-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle for operating over water supported by air cushions and having a central hull to divide the air cushion area and to provide a low location for a prime mover and power transmission system. The hull provides additional buoyancy and is shaped to provide planing lift. The air cushion area is bounded partly by rigid members and partly by a flexible skirt assembly. The rigid members include ducts to conduct pressurized air to the air cushion and have on their outer sides inflated flexible members which give additional buoyancy and protection against wave impact caused by high seas.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Rowland Crewe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V1/00; B60V1/11; B60V1/12; B60V1/04; B60V1/046; B60V1/14; B60V1/145; B60V3/00; B60V3/06; B60V3/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A maritime vehicle which, during operation, receives support from pressurized air cushions, comprising a rigid platform; a buoyant hull shaped to provide support by planing, said hull being connected to and disposed beneath the rigid platform along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle; downwardly extending rigid members depending from said platform on laterally opposite sides of said hull and extending longitudinally along at least part of the sides of the platform, such that the rigid members define part of the boundary of an air cushion area beneath said platform, which air cushion area is subdivided by said hull; a flexible skirt assembly including a plurality of independent juxtaposed segments depending downwardly and forming the remainder of the boundary of said cushion area; inflatable members secured to the sides of said rigid members remote from the cushion area for rendering said rigid members buoyant; a lift fan; said rigid members including ducts communicating with said lift fan for conveying pressurized air therefrom to the cushion area; and water propulsion means supported by said hull.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A maritime vehicle which, during operation, receives support from pressurized air cushions, comprising a rigid platform; a buoyant hull shaped to provide support by planing, said hull being connected to and disposed beneath the rigid platform along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle; downwardly extending rigid members depending from said platform on laterally opposite sides of said hull and extending longitudinally along at least part of the sides of the platform, such that the rigid members define part of the boundary of an air cushion area beneath said platform, which air cushion area is subdivided by said hull; a flexible skirt assembly including a plurality of independent juxtaposed segments depending downwardly and forming the remainder of the boundary of said cushion area; inflatable members secured to the sides of said rigid members remote from the cushion area for rendering said rigid members buoyant; a lift fan; said rigid members including ducts communicating with said lift fan for conveying pressurized air therefrom to the cushion area; and water propulsion means supported by said hull.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indepEndent juxtaposed segments forming the flexible skirt assembly in the bow and stern areas of the vehicle are relatively long and extend below the bottoms of said rigid members, and wherein said flexible skirt assembly includes shorter segments extending along and below said rigid members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein said shorter segments depend at least in part from the rigid members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein said shorter segments depend at least in part from said inflatable members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein the segments at the bow and sides of the vehicle are open toward the cushion area, and the segments at the stern are closed toward the cushion area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |