US3786638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable dams and dam units
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-27
•
Granted: 1974-01-22
•
Expires: 1992-06-27
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable dam unit with means to anchor it to the bed of a water course. These means are in two parts, one which primarily resists bodily movement of the unit downstream and the other which concentrates on resisting the tendency of the unit to roll. The invention also includes dams including such units when installed, and methods of damming water flow.
Inventors
- 👤 D Fish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:19
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B7/00; E02B7/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An inflatable dam unit comprising an envelope capable of being inflated by fluid to take up an elongated shape, a tension member joined to the outer wall of the envelope at least at close intervals along a line extending substantially its whole length and operable to exert a locating force upon the envelope, and means adjacent the join between the tension member and the envelope operable to create a region of low pressure close to the join and thereby exert a locating force in a second direction upon the region of the join.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An inflatable dam unit comprising an envelope capable of being inflated by fluid to take up an elongated shape, a tension member joined to the outer wall of the envelope at least at close intervals along a line extending substantially its whole length and operable to exert a locating force upon the envelope, and means adjacent the join between the tension member and the envelope operable to create a region of low pressure close to the join and thereby exert a locating force in a second direction upon the region of the join.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An inflatable dam unit according to claim 1 in which the means adjacent the join between the tension member and the envelope comprises a porous layer of particulate material beneath and extending both upstream and downstream of the envelope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
An inflatable dam unit comprising an envelope capable of being inflated by fluid to take up an elongated shape, a water-tight tension member having a water-tight join to the outer wall of the envelope at least at close intervals along a line extending along substantially its whole length and operable to exert a locating force in a first direction upon the envelope, and a locating structure adjacent the join between the tension member and the envelope operable to create a pressure differential across the tension member in the region of the join and thereby exert a locating force in a second direction upon the region of the join, the locating structure including a drainage member adapted to create a region of low pressure close to the join.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
An inflatable dam unit comprising an envelope capable of being inflated by fluid to take up an elongated shape, a water-tight tension member having a water-tight join to the outer wall of the envelope at least at close intervals along a line extending along substantially its whole length and operable to exert a locating force in a first direction upon the envelope, and a locating structure adjacent the join between the tension member and the envelope operable to create a pressure differential across the tension member in the region of the join and thereby exert a locating force in a second direction upon the region of the join, the locating structure including a drainage member adapted to create a region of low pressure close to the join.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inflatable dam unit according to claim 3 in which the first and second directions lie substantially at right angles to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A dam comprising an upstream and a communicating downstream pool and a dam unit according to claim 3, in which the envelope lies between the pools with its length transverse to the natural flow of fluid between them, in which the locating structure exerts a downward force upon the region of the join to locate it to the bed of the upstream pool, and the tension member is held to the same bed further upstream and exerts a substantially horizontal pull on the envelope in a direction opposite to that of the natural flow between the pools.
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) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |