US3592285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air cushion supported platforms
Assignee: British Hovercraft Corp Ltd
•
Filing: 1968-12-09
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1988-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A load bearing platform of the air cushion supported type comprises a platform, a flexible skirting assembly adapted to restrict the escape of air from a cushion area beneath the platform, means for supplying pressurized air to the cushion area, and at least one platform lifting means carried by the platform, the lifting means being extendible to an operative position where it is adapted to support the platform until the supporting cushion is formed, and thereafter being retracted to an inoperative position. Exemplary lifting means comprise flexible inflatable diaphragms or pneumatically actuated wheels or rollers.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce Thomas Noble
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:14
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G51/00; B65G51/02; B65G51/03; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A load bearing platform device of the air cushion supported type, comprising a platform; a flexible skirting assembly carried by said platform and adapted to restrict the escape of air from a cushion area beneath said platform; at least one lifting means carried by said platform, and being selectively extendible downwardly to bear against a supporting surface to lift said platform to permit said skirting assembly to extend downwardly therefrom to form a wall about said cushion area and being selectively retractable upwardly toward said platform so as to increase the operating clearance of the platform when supported by an air cushion within said flexible skirting assembly; and means for selectively effecting extension of said lifting means to bear against the supporting surface and lift said platform such that said skirting assembly extends downwardly to encompass said cushion area, pressurization of said cushion area such that the device becomes cushion bornE, and retraction of said lifting means while said cushion area remains pressurized and said platform remains supported by said pressurized cushion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A load bearing platform device of the air cushion supported type, comprising a platform; a flexible skirting assembly carried by said platform and adapted to restrict the escape of air from a cushion area beneath said platform; at least one lifting means carried by said platform, and being selectively extendible downwardly to bear against a supporting surface to lift said platform to permit said skirting assembly to extend downwardly therefrom to form a wall about said cushion area and being selectively retractable upwardly toward said platform so as to increase the operating clearance of the platform when supported by an air cushion within said flexible skirting assembly; and means for selectively effecting extension of said lifting means to bear against the supporting surface and lift said platform such that said skirting assembly extends downwardly to encompass said cushion area, pressurization of said cushion area such that the device becomes cushion bornE, and retraction of said lifting means while said cushion area remains pressurized and said platform remains supported by said pressurized cushion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lifting means comprises at least one pneumatically operable lifting member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pneumatically operable lifting member comprises a flexible inflatable diaphragm biased normally upwardly to a retracted position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for selectively effecting extension of said lifting means, pressurization of said cushion area, and retraction of said lifting member comprises controllable air supply means communicating with said inflatable diaphragm and said cushion area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said controllable air supply means communicates separately with said inflatable diaphragm and said cushion area so as to permit separate pressurization and depressurization thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said controllable air supply means communicates directly with said inflatable diaphragm, and said diaphragm is located within said cushion area and has orifices therein opening into said cushion area to pass pressurized air thereto, said orifices being sized such that the pressure inside the inflatable diaphragm can equalize with the air cushion pressure so as to permit retraction of the inflatable diaphragm while cushion pressure is maintained at least in part by air passing through said orifices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lifting means comprises a wheellike member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said lifting means comprises pneumatically operable means for selectively extending and retracting said wheellike member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3313367A
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |