US3760899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflated air bearing
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1971-05-06
•
Granted: 1973-09-25
•
Expires: 1991-05-06
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a load supporting device of the air cushion type. The device is formed of a dual wall inflatable fabric which is sealed at its edges and coated on its upper and side surfaces with an air-tight coating. The lower surface of the device is porous. The device is inflated by a low or high pressure air supply and the air escaping through the porous lower surface supports the device with its load a small distance above the ground surface. The device may be used in moving and lifting heavy loads, for supporting patients, and for other uses. Another primary use is for distributing heavy loads over larger areas, this would permit moving heavy loaded commercial or military trucks over bridges and so forth because of decreased concentrated wheel loads.
Inventors
- 👤 R Crossman
- 👤 R Fisher
- 👤 H Kifor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:07
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A load supporting device of the fluid bearing type, comprising: an air impervious upper wall forming a continuous plane within the confines of its periphery; a lower wall of sufficient porosity over at least a portion thereof to permit pressurized fluid to escape therethrough, the lower wall forming a continuous plane within the confines of its periphery which is substantially parallel to the upper wall, wherein the upper and lower walls are the upper and lower surfaces of a dual wall fabric, the upper and lower surfaces being interconnected by drop threads of sufficient length to permit the upper and lower walls to separate from one another upon inflation of the device to provide a plenum chamber therebetween, the upper and lower walls being sealed to one another along their edges; and inlet means extending through one of the walls to permit pressurized fluid to be introduced between the upper and lower walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A load supporting device of the fluid bearing type, comprising: an air impervious upper wall forming a continuous plane within the confines of its periphery; a lower wall of sufficient porosity over at least a portion thereof to permit pressurized fluid to escape therethrough, the lower wall forming a continuous plane within the confines of its periphery which is substantially parallel to the upper wall, wherein the upper and lower walls are the upper and lower surfaces of a dual wall fabric, the upper and lower surfaces being interconnected by drop threads of sufficient length to permit the upper and lower walls to separate from one another upon inflation of the device to provide a plenum chamber therebetween, the upper and lower walls being sealed to one another along their edges; and inlet means extending through one of the walls to permit pressurized fluid to be introduced between the upper and lower walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fluid bearing type load supporting device as recited in claim 1 wherein the drop threads adjacent to the edges of the upper and lower walls are shortened to contour the edges of the walls together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fluid bearing type load supporting device as recited in claim 1 wherein the upper and lower walls are flexible, having the ability to conform to irregular contours of an object supported on the device and to irregularities of the supporting surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
128 words
A load supporting device of the air bearing type, comprising: a piece of dual wall inflatable fabric having porous upper and lower fabric walls connected to one another along the edges thereof, the walls being continuously planar in nature and substantially parallel to each other; an air-impervious coating on the upper fabric wall and about the peripheral edges of the lower fabric wall; inlet means extending through the upper wall to permit pressurized air to be introduced between the upper and lower walls; and a downwardly extending band connected to and extending about the outer surface of the lower fabric wall at the periphery of the uncoated portion thereof, the band preventing engagement of the lower fabric wall with the supporting surface upon which the device is positioned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
A load supporting device of the air bearing type, comprising: a piece of dual wall inflatable fabric having porous upper and lower fabric walls connected to one another along the edges thereof, the walls being continuously planar in nature and substantially parallel to each other; an air-impervious coating on the upper fabric wall and about the peripheral edges of the lower fabric wall; inlet means extending through the upper wall to permit pressurized air to be introduced between the upper and lower walls; and a downwardly extending band connected to and extending about the outer surface of the lower fabric wall at the periphery of the uncoated portion thereof, the band preventing engagement of the lower fabric wall with the supporting surface upon which the device is positioned.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A load supporting device as recited in claim 4 wherein a load distributing pad is positioned on the upper fabric wall of the device.
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) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |