US3757931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic conveyor system for buildings and the like
Assignee: ROLAIR SYST Inc
•
Filing: 1971-06-09
•
Granted: 1973-09-11
•
Expires: 1991-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A conveyor system for handling large units such as houses and portions thereof. A plurality of parallel conveyor plates set in the floor of an assembly area, with compliant air bearing or air cushion units for raising the plates to engage and raise the loads from the floor, and drive units for translating the raised plates and loads, after which the air bearing units are deflated to lower the loads to the floor in a new position and the plates are moved in the opposite direction to the initial position. A bed for a plurality of air bearing units with the bearing surfaces between the bed and the plate to support the reciprocating load carrying plate.
Inventors
- 👤 T Baker
- 👤 E Reddan
- 👤 H Huthsing
- 👤 R Kieding
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:02
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G7/00; B65G7/02; B65G7/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S198/00; Y10S198/955
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
In a conveyor system, the combination of: means defining a bed; a plurality of air cushion units disposed in a line in said bed, each of said air cushion units comprising a relatively rigid plate with a relatively flexible diaphragm affixed thereto at the center and at the periphery defining an annular space between the plate and diaphragm and a central space within said annular space exteriorly of said diaphragm, with at least one opening in the diaphragm providing an air path between said central space and said annular space; a load carrying plate member resting on said air cushion units; drive means for moving said plate member along said bed in forward and reverse directions; and means comprising a passageway through said rigid plate for supplying air under pressure to one of said central space and annular space to thereby inflate each of said diaphragms raising said plate member with the plate member load distributed along said air cushion units and to provide a flowing film of air over each of said diaphragms for low friction between said plate member and bed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a conveyor system, the combination of: means defining a bed; a plurality of air cushion units disposed in a line in said bed, each of said air cushion units comprising a relatively rigid plate with a relatively flexible diaphragm affixed thereto at the center and at the periphery defining an annular space between the plate and diaphragm and a central space within said annular space exteriorly of said diaphragm, with at least one opening in the diaphragm providing an air path between said central space and said annular space; a load carrying plate member resting on said air cushion units; drive means for moving said plate member along said bed in forward and reverse directions; and means comprising a passageway through said rigid plate for supplying air under pressure to one of said central space and annular space to thereby inflate each of said diaphragms raising said plate member with the plate member load distributed along said air cushion units and to provide a flowing film of air over each of said diaphragms for low friction between said plate member and bed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system as defined in claim 1 in which said bed includes spaced support members on opposite sides of said air cushion units for supporting said plate member when said air cushion units are unenergized, with said air cushion units lifting said plate member upward from said support members when energized with air under pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as defined in claim 1 in which said bed includes an upwardly opening channel and said plate member includes a downwardly opening channel aligned with said bed channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as defined in claim 3 including mounting means for supporting said air cushion units in said upwardly opening channel above the bottom thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined in claim 4 in which said mounting means includes an air conduit of said means for supplying air and communicating with each of said air cushion units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as defined in claim 3 in which said air cushion units are disposed in an elongate pattern and in which said drive means provide reciprocating movement of said plate member along a portion of said pattern, with said air cushion units energized for plate member movement in one direction and de-energized for plate member movement in the opposite dirEction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said air cushion units are fixed in said bed with upwardly facing bearing surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said air cushion units are fixed to said plate member with downwardly facing bearing surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a conveyor system, the combination of: means defining a plurality of spaced beds; a plurality of air cushion units disposed in a line in each of said beds, each of said air cushion units comprising a relatively rigid plate with a relatively flexible diaphragm affixed thereto at the center and at the periphery defining an annular space between the plate and the diaphragm and a central space within said annular space exteriorly of said diaphragm, with at least one opening in the diaphragm providing an air path between said central space and said annular space; a plurality of plate members, with a plate member resting on the air cushion units at each of said beds; drive means for moving said plate members along said beds in forward and reverse directions in synchronism; and means comprising a passageway through said rigid plate for supplying air under pressure to one of said central space and annular space to thereby inflate the diaphragm raising the plate member with the plate member load distributed along the air cushion units and to provide a flowing film of air over the diaphragm for low friction between plate member and bed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a conveyor system, the combination of: means defining a plurality of spaced beds; a plurality of air cushion units disposed in a line in each of said beds, each of said air cushion units comprising a relatively rigid plate with a relatively flexible diaphragm affixed thereto at the center and at the periphery defining an annular space between the plate and the diaphragm and a central space within said annular space exteriorly of said diaphragm, with at least one opening in the diaphragm providing an air path between said central space and said annular space; a plurality of plate members, with a plate member resting on the air cushion units at each of said beds; drive means for moving said plate members along said beds in forward and reverse directions in synchronism; and means comprising a passageway through said rigid plate for supplying air under pressure to one of said central space and annular space to thereby inflate the diaphragm raising the plate member with the plate member load distributed along the air cushion units and to provide a flowing film of air over the diaphragm for low friction between plate member and bed.
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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |