US3796279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transporter with built-in distribution and damping
Assignee: ROLAIR SYST Inc
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Filing: 1972-10-18
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1992-10-18
Abstract
Abstract An air cushion transporter with a platform and a plurality of replaceable air bearings. A platform formed of welded rectangular steel tubing providing built-in air distribution and air damping with the only piping being that used for making the connection to the external air supply. A low profile platform with no exposed or exterior piping.
Inventors
- 👤 R Burdick
- 👤 B Wolf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:23
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An air cushion transporter with a platform and at least 4 air bearings, said platform comprising a plurality of rectangular metal tubes joined side by side, and means carried on said tubes for slidingly receiving said air bearings, said plurality of tubes including a first tube extending between first and third bearing zones and a second tube parallel to said first tube and extending between second and fourth bearing zones, a third tube positioned between and attached to said first and second tubes, with openings in the walls of said first and second tubes at said third tube providing an air flow path between said first, second and third tubes, a first closed chamber at said first bearing zone and including a fourth tube alongside said first tube an having a first downwardly facing opening for communication with a corresponding opening in an air bearing, said first tube including means defining an orifice with a second downwardly facing opening for communication with a corresponding opening in an air bearing, corresponding second, third and fourth closed chambers at said second, third and fourth bearing zones, respectively, and pipe means for connecting an air supply to said third tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
An air cushion transporter with a platform and at least 4 air bearings, said platform comprising a plurality of rectangular metal tubes joined side by side, and means carried on said tubes for slidingly receiving said air bearings, said plurality of tubes including a first tube extending between first and third bearing zones and a second tube parallel to said first tube and extending between second and fourth bearing zones, a third tube positioned between and attached to said first and second tubes, with openings in the walls of said first and second tubes at said third tube providing an air flow path between said first, second and third tubes, a first closed chamber at said first bearing zone and including a fourth tube alongside said first tube an having a first downwardly facing opening for communication with a corresponding opening in an air bearing, said first tube including means defining an orifice with a second downwardly facing opening for communication with a corresponding opening in an air bearing, corresponding second, third and fourth closed chambers at said second, third and fourth bearing zones, respectively, and pipe means for connecting an air supply to said third tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A transporter as defined in claim 1 wherein said orifice defining means of said first tube comprises a valve carried in a tube section at one end of said first tube providing a right angle flow path from said first tube to said second opening, with a manually actualable valve control at the open end of said tube section for controlling the size of said orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A transporter as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said closed chambers includes at least one additional tube adjacent the fourth tube with means defining flow paths there between.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A transporter as defined in claim 3 with said closed chambers on the outer sides of said first and second tubes, and fifth and sixth tubes spaced from each other between said first and second tubes, with said third tube closing one end of said fifth and sixth tubes, with the other ends thereof open at the edge of the platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A transporter as defined in claim 4 including means defining a wheel receiving space between said fifth and sixth tubes, and additional pipe means for connecting an air supply to said space.
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) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |