US3677189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aerial pipeline system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-10
•
Granted: 1972-07-18
•
Expires: 1990-07-10
Abstract
Abstract The aerial pipeline system provides for suspending large diameter pipe between a plurality of spaced towers across every conceivable type of terrain and in all climates. Each of the towers is of approximate A-frame configuration with an aerial tramway cable suspended between each tower through the opening between the legs of the tower for the purpose of transporting the pipe and other supplies during construction of the pipeline and for transporting inspection and maintenance personnel and supplies subsequent to construction. The pipeline will be suspended from the towers and extend through the opening between the legs. Depending upon the loading, the pipeline may be arranged for either vertical or horizontal expansion and contraction. A multiple section, hinged trolley beam is also disclosed for supporting and transporting long sections of pipe along the cable which is suspended in a sagging manner between adjacent towers. A smaller manually portable cable tramway is also provided for bringing in supplies for the construction of the pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Weldon F Appelt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/024; F16L1/0243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An aerial pipeline construction comprising an elongated pipeline, a plurality of tower support means located in spaced relation along said pipeline, a plurality of towers each having two leg members secured in an inverted V-shaped configuration, pivot means pivotally mounting said leg members on said support means for movement about an axis transverse to said pipeline, at least one pair of spaced apart support cable means supporting said pipeline from each of said towers with the pipeline extending in an elevated manner between said leg members and transport cable means supported by each tower and extending substantially parallel to and above said pipeline between said pairs of support cable means adjacent the apex of said inverted V-shaped configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An aerial pipeline construction comprising an elongated pipeline, a plurality of tower support means located in spaced relation along said pipeline, a plurality of towers each having two leg members secured in an inverted V-shaped configuration, pivot means pivotally mounting said leg members on said support means for movement about an axis transverse to said pipeline, at least one pair of spaced apart support cable means supporting said pipeline from each of said towers with the pipeline extending in an elevated manner between said leg members and transport cable means supported by each tower and extending substantially parallel to and above said pipeline between said pairs of support cable means adjacent the apex of said inverted V-shaped configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An aerial pipeline construction as set forth in claim 1 further comprising transportation means mounted on said transport cable means for movement therealong between the cables of each pair of supporting cable means above said pipeline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
An aerial pipeline construction as set forth in claim 2 wherein said transportation means is comprised of an elongated multiple-section trolley beam, trolley means movably supporting each section from said transport cable means, hinge means pivotally connecting said sections to each other and means on said trolley beam for supporting an object therebeneath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An aerial pipeline construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pipeline is provided with means at selected towers which predisposes said pipeline to expand in a sinusoidal manner along the length thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
An aerial pipeline construction set forth in claim 1, further comprising pulley means mounted on the top of each tower for rotation about an axis transverse to the axis of said pipeline; one pair of cables being connected at one end to said pipeline at a location spaced from a tower on one side thereof and at the other end to said pipeline immediately adjacent said tower on the opposite side thereof with the intermediate portions of said pair of cables extending over said pulley means and another pair of cables being connected at one end to said pipeline at a location spaced from said tower on said opposite side and at the other end to said pipeline immediately adjacent said tower on said one side thereof with the intermediate portions of said another pair of cables extending over said pulley means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An aerial pipeline construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said pairs of cables are connected at one end to said pipeline at a location spaced from a tower and at the other end to the top portion of said tower.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US411725A
Cited
GB190803064A
Cited
US2659913A
Cited
US3016219A
Cited
US3033978A
Cited
US3247539A
Cited
US3361084A
Cited
US3390854A
Cited
US3520514A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |