US3583520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air-cushion vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-04-07
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1989-04-07
Abstract
Abstract An air cushion vehicle having means for producing an air cushion at the bottom of the and means for propelling the vehicle over a surface, is characterized in that the hull of the vehicle is made of two basic integral sections, one section constituting the upper part of the vehicle hull and formed with a passenger cabin, the other section constituting the lower part of the vehicle hull and forming a downwardly opening plenum chamber, the two sections being secured together along a peripheral flange formed on each section. The lower section is formed with a top wall, a downwardly extending, outwardly sloping inner sidewall forming therewith the plenum chamber, and an upwardly extending, outwardly sloping outer sidewall forming with the inner sidewall a buoyancy chamber around the top wall and protecting the inner sidewall and top wall, and thereby the plenum chamber, from puncture in the event of collision. The flanges extend outwardly and are sealed by a sealing strip forming an external peripheral bumper.
Inventors
- 👤 Natan Kirpitznikoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:42
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V1/00; B60V1/04; B60V1/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An air cushion vehicle having a hull, power means for producing an air cushion, and power means for propelling the vehicle over a surface, characterized in that said hull includes a hull section having a top wall circumscribed by a downwardly and outwardly extending inner sidewall and forming therewith a downwardly opening plenum chamber, the outer end of said inner sidewall being circumscribed by and joined to the lower end of an upwardly extending and outwardly sloping outer sidewall spaced from said inner sidewall, said outer sidewall forming with said inner sidewall a buoyancy chamber circumscribing said top wall and protecting the inner sidewall and the top wall, and thereby the plenum chamber, from puncture in the event of collision, said top wall being formed with an opening, said air cushion power means including a lift fan supported on said top wall over said opening and rotatable on a vertical axis, and a flexible peripheral skirt attached to the lower end of said inner sidewall and circumscribing said plenum chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An air cushion vehicle having a hull, power means for producing an air cushion, and power means for propelling the vehicle over a surface, characterized in that said hull includes a hull section having a top wall circumscribed by a downwardly and outwardly extending inner sidewall and forming therewith a downwardly opening plenum chamber, the outer end of said inner sidewall being circumscribed by and joined to the lower end of an upwardly extending and outwardly sloping outer sidewall spaced from said inner sidewall, said outer sidewall forming with said inner sidewall a buoyancy chamber circumscribing said top wall and protecting the inner sidewall and the top wall, and thereby the plenum chamber, from puncture in the event of collision, said top wall being formed with an opening, said air cushion power means including a lift fan supported on said top wall over said opening and rotatable on a vertical axis, and a flexible peripheral skirt attached to the lower end of said inner sidewall and circumscribing said plenum chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
An air cushion vehicle according to claim 1, further characterized in that said hull includes a second section constituting the upper hull section and being joined to said first-mentioned section constituting the lower hull section, said upper hull section and said outer sidewall of the lower hull section each being formed with an outwardly extending peripheral flange, the two sections being joined together along said peripheral flanges, and a sealing strip covering and sealing said joined peripheral flanges and forming therewith an external bumper around the periphery of the hull.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
An air cushion vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said upper hull section and said top wall of the lower hull section are each formed with a pair of said openings one on each side of the longitudinal axis of the hull, said power means including a pair of lift fans each disposed between one of said openings in each section and rotatable on a vertical axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An air-cushion vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said upper hull section is formed with a cabin and a pair of fins each rising from one side thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An air-cushion vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said top wall is formed with a reinforcing axial beam and with a plurality of reinforcing transverse ribs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An air-cushion vehicle according to claim 1, further including vehicle balancing weights comprising a weight underneath said top wall and positionable transversely of the vehicle and another weight positionable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |