US3718371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid bearing track structure and components thereof
Assignee: IND MODULAR SYST CORP
•
Filing: 1971-08-25
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1991-08-25
Abstract
Abstract An improved fluid bearing track structure for supporting and transporting articles on a fluid bearing, components of such track structure, and a method for fabricating such track structure. The track structure includes as a novel component thereof a flexible insert strip having directional fluid passages therein for directing a supporting fluid against an article to be transported over the upper surface of the track structure. The insert strip is frictionally or otherwise held in place in the track structure with its upper edge flush with the upper surface of the track structure so that supporting fluid emanating from the fluid passages therein may support and move successive articles along the track. The flexible characteristics of the insert strip permit the track structure to be formed with curved or other non-straight configurations. The track also has bi-directional article movement capability. In its preferred embodiment the insert strip is produced by a chemical etching procedure which allows elongated lengths of insert strips to be inexpensively and accurately produced from various materials.
Inventors
- 👤 C Lasch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:48
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G51/00; B65G51/02; B65G51/03; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49636; Y10T29/49639
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said strip insert is positioned in said track bed structure to extend generally longitudinally axially thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said assembly includes more than one of said jet strip inserts clamped therein, each of which has fluid passages therein in communication with said plenum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 3 in which said jet strip inserts are symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of said track bed structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said track bed structure includes a portion which defines a non-straight path for changing direction of movement of articles extending therealong.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 5 in which said non-straight track bed portion is generally arcuate in configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said track bed structure is defined by a. two opposed track sections which define a slot therebetween in communication with said plenum, b. said jet strip insert being received within said slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said track bed structure is defined by a. a single track section formed of resilient flexible material having a slot therein in communication with said plenum, b. said jet strip insert being positioned within said slot and frictionally engaged therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The assembly of claim 8 in which said track section is extruded with a concave configuration in transverse cross-section so that said slot is initially closed, said track section being bendable to open said slot to receive said insert therein after which the natural resilience of said section maintains said insert in place.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said assembly includes C. at least two jet strip inserts clamped therein each of which has directional fluid passages therein a. said jet strips being identical in construction but oppositely oriented in said track bed structure so that bearing fluid emanating therefrom is oppositely directed whereby bi-directional article movement capability is imparted to said assembly, b. each of said jet strips being operatively connected with a fluid plenum for effecting selective fluid introduction into said passages of said respective jet strips.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The assembly of claim 10 in which three jet strip inserts are positioned in said track bed structure one of which is positioned centrally thereof with its fluid passages extending in a first direction and the other two of which are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of said central strip with their fluid passages extending in the opposite direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said jet strip insert is formed from a chemically etchable material selected from the group including phosphor bronze, brass, berryllium copper and stainless steel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said jet strip insert fluid passages are defined by i. recesses extending laterally therethrough in communication with said plenum, and ii. jet nozzle grooves extending from said recesses to an edge of said strip insert, iii. said nozzle grooves tapering in width from said recesses toward said strip edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 13 in which said jet nozzle grooves are generally arcuately curved in configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 13 in which said jet nozzle grooves extend laterally only partially through said insert strip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly of claim 13 in which said jet nozzle grooves open onto the upper surface of said track bed structure at an angle within the range of approximately 15* to approximately 25*.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 13 in which said jet nozzle grooves are each defined by side walls formed as arcs of circles having different centers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said jet strip insert has bi-directional article movement capability provided by b. a second series of directiOnal fluid passages extending therethrough on a side thereof opposite from said first mentioned series of passages, c. said second series of passages being oppositely oriented relative to said first mentioned series, d. each of said series of passages extending laterally only part way through said insert strip, e. said insert strip being positioned in said assembly with each of said series of passages in communication with a separate plenum so that bearing fluid may be selectively introduced into either of said series of passages.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said strip further includes b. retaining tongues projecting laterally therefrom for engagement with predetermined portions of said track bed forming structure for positively maintaining said strip in place in said assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3318640A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |