US3682284A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rolling surface construction
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-29
•
Granted: 1972-08-08
•
Expires: 1990-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A surface defined by a plurality of hard balls retained in rolling captivity with a portion of the outer surfaces thereof continually exposed for the rolling support of a person or object thereon. The balls are retained between friction adjusting bolts or within a crossed rail grid, and are surrounded by bolt retaining cover plates or a unitary cover panel incorporating ball accommodating openings therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Sakamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G39/00; B65G39/02; B65G39/025; B65G13/00; B65G13/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Rolling surface construction comprising seat defining means arranged in a predetermined pattern and presenting a plurality of outwardly opening seats, a plurality of balls, one ball being rotatably received within each seat and projecting outwardly therebeyond, panel means overlying said seat defining means and surrounding said balls in close conformance thereto, said balls projecting through said panel means and outwardly therebeyond to define a rolling surface, and a base panel underlying and mounting said seat defining means, said seat defining means comprising a plurality of studs fixed to said base panel and projecting outwardly therefrom, said studs being arranged in spaced ball confining relation about each ball each stud having an enlarged head thereon, said balls being rotatably retained between the stud heads and the underlying base panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Rolling surface construction comprising seat defining means arranged in a predetermined pattern and presenting a plurality of outwardly opening seats, a plurality of balls, one ball being rotatably received within each seat and projecting outwardly therebeyond, panel means overlying said seat defining means and surrounding said balls in close conformance thereto, said balls projecting through said panel means and outwardly therebeyond to define a rolling surface, and a base panel underlying and mounting said seat defining means, said seat defining means comprising a plurality of studs fixed to said base panel and projecting outwardly therefrom, said studs being arranged in spaced ball confining relation about each ball each stud having an enlarged head thereon, said balls being rotatably retained between the stud heads and the underlying base panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein said stud heads are configured so as to generally conform to the arcuate configuration of the balls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The construction of claim 2, wherein said studs are adjustably secured to said base panel for a selective longitudinal adjustment relative thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The construction of claim 3 wherein said panel means comprises a plurality of individual cover plates positioned between adjoining balls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The construction of claim 4, wherein said cover plates engage and lock to said studs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The construction of claim 5, wherein the head of each stud includes kerf means therein, said cover plates including depending ribs engaged within said kerf means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The construction of claim 1, wherein said studs are adjustably secured to said base panel for a selective longitudinal adjustment relative thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The construction of claim 1, wherein said panel means comprises a plurality of individual cover plates positioned between adjoining balls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The construction of claim 8, wherein said cover plates engage and lock to said studs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
Rolling surface construction comprising seat defining means arranged in a predetermined pattern and presenting a plurality of outwardly opening seats, a plurality of balls, one ball being rotatably received within each seat and projecting outwardly therebeyond, and panel means overlying said seat defining means and surrounding said balls in close conformance thereto, said balls projecting through said panel means and outwardly therebeyond to define a rolling surface, said seat defining means comprising a plurality of elongated rails arranged in a grid-like pattern, each rail including a full length enlarged base portion, a full length reduced outer portion and opposed sides concave so as to generally conform to the curvature of the balls, said concave sides extending along approximately the full length of said rails.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
Rolling surface construction comprising seat defining means arranged in a predetermined pattern and presenting a plurality of outwardly opening seats, a plurality of balls, one ball being rotatably received within each seat and projecting outwardly therebeyond, and panel means overlying said seat defining means and surrounding said balls in close conformance thereto, said balls projecting through said panel means and outwardly therebeyond to define a rolling surface, said seat defining means comprising a plurality of elongated rails arranged in a grid-like pattern, each rail including a full length enlarged base portion, a full length reduced outer portion and opposed sides concave so as to generally conform to the curvature of the balls, said concave sides extending along approximately the full length of said rails.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The construction of claim 10, wherein said panel means includes a plurality of ball accommodating openings therein, said openings each defining spaced points of engagement with the corresponding ball.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
Rolling surface construction comprising a base panel, a plurality of studs fixed to said base panel and projecting outwardly therefrom so as to define a plurality of outwardly opening ball receiving seats, a plurality of balls received in said seats and projecting outwardly beyond said studs to define a rolling surface, a plurality of individual cover plates positioned between adjoining balls said plates defining apertures through which said balls partially project, and means for releasably locking each cover plate to selected ones of the studs about the adjoining balls.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
Rolling surface construction comprising a base panel, a plurality of studs fixed to said base panel and projecting outwardly therefrom so as to define a plurality of outwardly opening ball receiving seats, a plurality of balls received in said seats and projecting outwardly beyond said studs to define a rolling surface, a plurality of individual cover plates positioned between adjoining balls said plates defining apertures through which said balls partially project, and means for releasably locking each cover plate to selected ones of the studs about the adjoining balls.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The construction of claim 12 wherein said studs are adjustably secured to said base panel for a selective longitudinal adjustment thereof relative to the base panel, the studs being affixable upon removal of the associated individual cover plates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The construction of claim 12, wherein each stud has an enlarged head on the outer end thereof configured so as to generally conform to tHe arcuate configuration of the balls for a rotatable retention of the balls between the stud heads and the underlying base panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |