US3608664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cushion barriers for air cushion vehicles
Assignee: British Hovercraft Corp Ltd
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Filing: 1969-05-02
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A barrier for bounding at least part of the periphery of the cushion area of an air cushion vehicle is constructed at least in part from composite materials so as to have an acutely bent cross section. The barrier comprises an upper part and a lower part connected by a resilient sharply curved part, the free edge of the upper part being adapted for attachment to the rigid structure of the vehicle. In its nonoperational state, the upper part of the barrier extends outwardly from the vehicle to merge with the sharply curved part, which curves sharply downwardly and inwardly to merge with the lower portion which extends inwardly with respect to the vehicle, terminating in a free edge. When the cushion is pressurized, the pressure on the barrier overcomes the resilience of the sharply curved part and moves the free edge of the lower part downwardly and outwardly in opposition to the normal sharply curved configuration of the resilient part. The resilience of the sharply curved part is sufficient to return the barrier to its original configuration when the cushion pressure ceases.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman Ralph Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V1/00; B60V1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A barrier for bounding at least part of the periphery of the cushion area of an air cushion vehicle, the barrier being constructed at least in part from composite materials so as to have an acutely bent normal cross section comprising an upper part constructed to have high stiffness and a lower part constructed to have high flexibility at least in the region of its free edge, connected by a normally sharply curved part constructed to have high resilience, the free edge of the upper part being adapted for attachment to the rigid structure of the vehicle, the barrier construction being such that when it is so attached to a nonoperational vehicle the upper part of the barrier extends outwardly with respect to the vehicle, to merge with the sharply curved part which curves first downwardly and then inwardly to merge with the lower portion which then extends inwardly with respect to the vehicle, to terminate in a free edge, and when the vehicle becomes operational the action of the air cushion pressure on the barrier overcomes the resilience of the sharply curved part and moves the free edge of the lower part downwardly and outwardly in opposition to the normally sharply curved configuration of said resilient part, the resilience of the sharply curved part being enhanced by the insertion of spring steel strip and being sufficient to return the barrier to its original more acute configuration when it ceases to be acted upon by the air pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A barrier for bounding at least part of the periphery of the cushion area of an air cushion vehicle, the barrier being constructed at least in part from composite materials so as to have an acutely bent normal cross section comprising an upper part constructed to have high stiffness and a lower part constructed to have high flexibility at least in the region of its free edge, connected by a normally sharply curved part constructed to have high resilience, the free edge of the upper part being adapted for attachment to the rigid structure of the vehicle, the barrier construction being such that when it is so attached to a nonoperational vehicle the upper part of the barrier extends outwardly with respect to the vehicle, to merge with the sharply curved part which curves first downwardly and then inwardly to merge with the lower portion which then extends inwardly with respect to the vehicle, to terminate in a free edge, and when the vehicle becomes operational the action of the air cushion pressure on the barrier overcomes the resilience of the sharply curved part and moves the free edge of the lower part downwardly and outwardly in opposition to the normally sharply curved configuration of said resilient part, the resilience of the sharply curved part being enhanced by the insertion of spring steel strip and being sufficient to return the barrier to its original more acute configuration when it ceases to be acted upon by the air pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
248 words
A barrier for bounding at least part of the periphery of the cushion area of an air cushion vehicle, the barrier being constructed at least in part from composite materials so as to have an acutely bent normal cross sectioN comprising an upper part constructed to have high stiffness and a lower part constructed to have high flexibility at least in the region of its free edge, connected by a normally sharply curved part constructed to have high resilience, the free edge of the upper part being adapted for attachment to the rigid structure of the vehicle, the barrier construction being such that when it is so attached to a nonoperational vehicle the upper part of the barrier extends outwardly with respect to the vehicle, to merge with the sharply curved part which curves first downwardly and then inwardly to merge with the lower portion which then extends inwardly with respect to the vehicle, to terminate in a free edge, and when the vehicle becomes operational the action of the air cushion pressure on the barrier overcomes the resilience of the sharply curved part and moves the free edge of the lower part downwardly and outwardly in opposition to the normally sharply curved configuration of said resilient part, the resilience of the sharply curved part being enhanced by the insertion of spring steel wire and being sufficient to return the barrier to its original more acute configuration when it ceases to be acted upon by the air pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
248 words
A barrier for bounding at least part of the periphery of the cushion area of an air cushion vehicle, the barrier being constructed at least in part from composite materials so as to have an acutely bent normal cross sectioN comprising an upper part constructed to have high stiffness and a lower part constructed to have high flexibility at least in the region of its free edge, connected by a normally sharply curved part constructed to have high resilience, the free edge of the upper part being adapted for attachment to the rigid structure of the vehicle, the barrier construction being such that when it is so attached to a nonoperational vehicle the upper part of the barrier extends outwardly with respect to the vehicle, to merge with the sharply curved part which curves first downwardly and then inwardly to merge with the lower portion which then extends inwardly with respect to the vehicle, to terminate in a free edge, and when the vehicle becomes operational the action of the air cushion pressure on the barrier overcomes the resilience of the sharply curved part and moves the free edge of the lower part downwardly and outwardly in opposition to the normally sharply curved configuration of said resilient part, the resilience of the sharply curved part being enhanced by the insertion of spring steel wire and being sufficient to return the barrier to its original more acute configuration when it ceases to be acted upon by the air pressure.
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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) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |