US3603430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure relief impact absorbing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-11
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1990-03-11
Abstract
Abstract Pressure relief apparatus comprising means defining a fluidreceiving chamber and having a flexible wall portion consisting of elongated elastic strands which are interwoven whereby adjacent and intersecting strands cooperate to define interstices that are substantially closed when the fluid pressure in the chamber is below the relief pressure. When the fluid pressure in the chamber is raised above the relief pressure the wall portion is flexed outwardly and the strands stretched in proportion to the pressure to open the interstices thereby defining a cumulative fluid relief flow area that is proportionate to the increase in pressure over the relief pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert T Kendall
- 👤 Robert S Tanibata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:23
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/36; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7838; Y10T137/7839; Y10T137/784
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
Pressure relief or metering apparatus for releasing fluid when a predetermined pressure is attained, said apparatus comprising: a container formed with a fluid-receiving chamber having a flexible wall portion consisting of adjacent elastic members extending in longitudinal and transverse directions, and interconnected to form interstices, the elastic character of said members and the interconnection thereof tending to draw said members together, both longitudinally and transversely, to maintain said interstices substantially closed when the pressure in said chamber is below said predetermined pressure, the elastic character and interconnection of said members further enabling said members to stretch when the fluid pressure increases above said predetermined pressure to move adjacent ones of said members apart to open said interstices and cause them to expand in size in direct proportion to said fluid pressure to enable said fluid to escape at a rate which increases progressively with the increase of said pressure above said predetermined pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
Pressure relief or metering apparatus for releasing fluid when a predetermined pressure is attained, said apparatus comprising: a container formed with a fluid-receiving chamber having a flexible wall portion consisting of adjacent elastic members extending in longitudinal and transverse directions, and interconnected to form interstices, the elastic character of said members and the interconnection thereof tending to draw said members together, both longitudinally and transversely, to maintain said interstices substantially closed when the pressure in said chamber is below said predetermined pressure, the elastic character and interconnection of said members further enabling said members to stretch when the fluid pressure increases above said predetermined pressure to move adjacent ones of said members apart to open said interstices and cause them to expand in size in direct proportion to said fluid pressure to enable said fluid to escape at a rate which increases progressively with the increase of said pressure above said predetermined pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
Pressure relief apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said flexible wall portion is unconstrained to enable it to expand in overall area and cause said elastic members to diminish in cross section as they are stretched to thereby enhance the enlargement of said interstices to increase the rate of discharge of said fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Pressure relief or metering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said elastic members are interconnected by weaving to enable said respective longitudinal and transverse members to shift with respect to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
154 words
Energy-absorbing apparatus for absorbing the energy of an impacting body of a predetermined weight and comprising: a flexible container for interposition between said body and an impacting surface, said container being formed with a fluid chamber of sufficient size to receive a predetermined volume of a selected fluid, said chamber including a flexible wall portion consisting of adjacent elongated flexible members interconnected to form interstices, said interstices in the normal state of said members being diminished in size to restrict fluid flow therethrough and the flexible character of said elongated members being sufficient to cause said interstices to be enlarged sufficiently, by the pressure differential across said wall portion resulting from said impacting body flexing the walls of said container and reducing the volume of said chamber, to meter said fluid through the enlarged interstices at a rate sufficient to enable said container to gradually collapse and absorb the kinetic energy of said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
Energy-absorbing apparatus for absorbing the energy of an impacting body of a predetermined weight and comprising: a flexible container for interposition between said body and an impacting surface, said container being formed with a fluid chamber of sufficient size to receive a predetermined volume of a selected fluid, said chamber including a flexible wall portion consisting of adjacent elongated flexible members interconnected to form interstices, said interstices in the normal state of said members being diminished in size to restrict fluid flow therethrough and the flexible character of said elongated members being sufficient to cause said interstices to be enlarged sufficiently, by the pressure differential across said wall portion resulting from said impacting body flexing the walls of said container and reducing the volume of said chamber, to meter said fluid through the enlarged interstices at a rate sufficient to enable said container to gradually collapse and absorb the kinetic energy of said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
ENergy-absorbing apparatus as set forth in claim 4 that includes: flexible shaping structures for normally urging said container to an uncollapsed configuration and sufficiently flexible to be collapsed by the impact of said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Energy-absorbing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said flexible shaping structure is formed by fluid inflatable collapsible tubing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
Energy-absorbing apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said elongated members are of sufficiently flexible character to enable said interstices to become sufficiently enlarged by said pressure increase to provide absorption of substantially all of said kinetic energy of said impacting body whereby there is substantially no rebound of said body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Energy-absorbing apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said container is formed with a base wall and an oppositely disposed impacting wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Energy-absorbing apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein: said base wall and impacting wall are relatively airtight and said impacting wall is sloped relative to said base wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Energy-absorbing apparatus as set forth in claim 4 that includes: an inflatable container disposed beneath said flexible container for elevating it.
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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) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |