US3675378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-level automatic storage and recovery system for aircraft
Assignee: Cubic Corp
•
Filing: 1970-06-11
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Granted: 1972-07-11
•
Expires: 1990-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A storage facility having a plurality of multi-level, nonrotatable, support frames, and rotatable spider frames with circumferentially spaced aircraft storage stalls peripherally supported on the support frames for communication with an elevator that has a turntable for aligning an aircraft with a selected stall, and individual, aircraft-carrying, wheeled pallets being moved by a power tractor on rails by an automatic control system to and from an external loading dock to and from the selected stalls in a series of sequential steps that are initiated by coded signals identifying each aircraft with each stall.
Inventors
- 👤 Malcolm A Neumann
- 👤 Arnold Hunsberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:03
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H6/00; E04H6/08; E04H6/12; E04H6/18; E04H6/28; E04H6/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
In a storage system for vehicles such as aircraft and the like, a multi-level storage facility having a vertical, stationary center shaft and vertically extending, radially displaced outer supports with a plurality of horizontal beams that extend between said center shaft and said outer supports to which the ends of said beams are fixed providing a plurality of vertically spaced levels of horizontal beams, at least a pair of circular spaced rails fixed to the upper surface of said beams adjacent the outer ends thereof, a plurality of spider frames positioned to rotate around said shaft and having aircraft carrying stalls radially displaced from said center shaft, each of said spider frames have a unitary circular frame structure that is positioned above said circular rails and supports said stalls, said circular frame structure has roller means for rollably moving said circular frame structure on said rails, said circular frame structure and said aircraft stalls are solely supported by said rails, each of said spider frames includes a bearing connecting to said center shaft, and flexible tensioning means interconnecting said circular frame structure and said bearing connection for exerting hoop tension force therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
In a storage system for vehicles such as aircraft and the like, a multi-level storage facility having a vertical, stationary center shaft and vertically extending, radially displaced outer supports with a plurality of horizontal beams that extend between said center shaft and said outer supports to which the ends of said beams are fixed providing a plurality of vertically spaced levels of horizontal beams, at least a pair of circular spaced rails fixed to the upper surface of said beams adjacent the outer ends thereof, a plurality of spider frames positioned to rotate around said shaft and having aircraft carrying stalls radially displaced from said center shaft, each of said spider frames have a unitary circular frame structure that is positioned above said circular rails and supports said stalls, said circular frame structure has roller means for rollably moving said circular frame structure on said rails, said circular frame structure and said aircraft stalls are solely supported by said rails, each of said spider frames includes a bearing connecting to said center shaft, and flexible tensioning means interconnecting said circular frame structure and said bearing connection for exerting hoop tension force therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a storage system as claimed in claim 1 in which, said circular frame structure has a circular outer drive surface, drive belt means for abutting against only an arc section of said drive surface and rotating said spider frame, and means for providing positive engagement between said drive belt means and said drive surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a storage system as claimed in claim 2 in which, said positive engagement means comprises teeth secured to said drive surface at spaced locations and pins secured to said drive belt means for engaging said teeth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a storage system as claimed in claim 1 in which, said flexible tensioning means comprise a plurality of rods with their ends connected to said circular frame structure and said bearing connection, and means for shortening the length of said rods.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a storage system as claimed in claim 4 in which, said roller means includes wheel means depending from said circular frame structure for riding on said rails.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a storage system as claimed in claim 4 in which, said storage facility includes a substantially cylindrical shaped enclosing housing, and said supports are a part of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a storage system as claimed in claim 4 in which, said circular frame structure has a circumferential inner edge and a radially displaced circumferential outer edge with circumferentially displaced pairs of radially aligned rails defining separate stalls for supporting individual aircraft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a storage system as claimed in claim 7 in which, said roller means including individual pairs of inline wheels pivotally connected at the intersections of said pairs of radially aligned rails with said inner and outer edges of said frame structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US636324A
Cited
US1593665A
Cited
FR580784A
Cited
US1582099A
Cited
GB458984A
Cited
US2964144A
Cited
US3405816A
Cited
US3398843A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |