Patent US2377261A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3799504A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3799504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatically operated lift device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-02
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A lifting device comprising an upper platform to support a load; a lower base platform and an inflatable envelope interposed between the two platforms for inflation to lift the load, the envelope being of a configuration to stabilize the upper platform. The envelope may be of generally toroidal configuration to form a central compartment which may or may not be pressurized to cooperate in the support of the upper platform. In some practices of the invention, the upper platform is flexible to conform to loads that have non-planar bottom surfaces. In such practices of the invention, the central compartment may be vented to the atmosphere to favor central downward bowing of the flexible platform for a greater area of pressure contact with a downwardly bulging load.
Inventors
- 👤 J Vaughen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:35
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B15/00; F15B15/08; F15B15/10; B; B66; B66F; B66F3/00; B66F3/24; B66F3/25; B66F3/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
In a device to lift a load, the combination of: a base platform for positioning below the load; a lifting platform overlaying the base platform; generally semi-toroidal diaphragm means interposed between the two platforms and attached to the two platforms for inflation to raise the lifting platform; and means to supply fluid under pressure to inflate the diaphragm means, a first continuous portion of the diaphragm means being attached to one of the two platforms and defining a first area thereon, a second continuous portion of the diaphragm means being attached to the other of the two platforms and defining a second area thereon, a third continuous portion of the diaphragm means being Attached to the first of the two platforms defining a third area thereon, the first area being substantially larger than the second area and being positioned substantially symmetrically thereof with the outer circumferential wall of the diaphragm means sloping upwardly and inwardly of the two platforms from the first area to the second area, whereby the tensions in the diametrically opposite portions of the outer circumferential walls of the diaphragm means oppose lateral shifts of the lifting platform relative to the base platform to stabilize the load, and the second area being substantially larger than the third area and being positioned substantially symmetrically thereof with the inner circumferential wall of the diaphragm means sloping upwardly and outwardly of the two platforms from the third area to the second area, whereby the tensions in diametrically opposite portions of the inner circumferential walls of the diaphragm means oppose lateral shifts of the lifting platform relative to the base platform to stabilize the load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
In a device to lift a load, the combination of: a base platform for positioning below the load; a lifting platform overlaying the base platform; generally semi-toroidal diaphragm means interposed between the two platforms and attached to the two platforms for inflation to raise the lifting platform; and means to supply fluid under pressure to inflate the diaphragm means, a first continuous portion of the diaphragm means being attached to one of the two platforms and defining a first area thereon, a second continuous portion of the diaphragm means being attached to the other of the two platforms and defining a second area thereon, a third continuous portion of the diaphragm means being Attached to the first of the two platforms defining a third area thereon, the first area being substantially larger than the second area and being positioned substantially symmetrically thereof with the outer circumferential wall of the diaphragm means sloping upwardly and inwardly of the two platforms from the first area to the second area, whereby the tensions in the diametrically opposite portions of the outer circumferential walls of the diaphragm means oppose lateral shifts of the lifting platform relative to the base platform to stabilize the load, and the second area being substantially larger than the third area and being positioned substantially symmetrically thereof with the inner circumferential wall of the diaphragm means sloping upwardly and outwardly of the two platforms from the third area to the second area, whereby the tensions in diametrically opposite portions of the inner circumferential walls of the diaphragm means oppose lateral shifts of the lifting platform relative to the base platform to stabilize the load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the means to supply fluid under pressure includes pressure regulating means to control the fluid pressure between the two platforms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said one platform is the base platform and said other platform is the lifting platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said one platform is the lifting platform and said other platform is the base platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said one platform is the base platform and said other platform is the lifting platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said one platform is the lifting platform and said other platform is the base platform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes means to bleed air from the space between the two platforms to reduce oscillations of the lifting platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said diaphragm means and said lower platform define a single compartment to receive the pressurized fluid for the sole support of the lifting platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the two platforms and the inner circumferential wall of the semi-toroidal diaphragm means form a central closed expansile chamber; and which includes means to supply fluid under pressure to said central chamber to create additional force to lift the load.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which the means to supply fluid under pressure to said central chamber includes pressure regulator valve means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which the means to supply fluid under pressure communicates with the semi-toroidal chamber and the semi-toroidal chamber communicates with the central compartment to supply fluid under pressure thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which the means to supply fluid under pressure is in direct communication with the semi-toroidal chamber and is in direct communication with the central chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which the means to supply fluid under pressure communicates with the central chamber and the central chamber is in flow communication with the semi-toroidal chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as set forth in claim 13 which includes means to bleed air from the semi-toroidal chamber to reduce oscillations of the lifting platform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination as set forth in claim 13 which includes means to adjust the rate of fluid flow from the central chamber to the semi-toroidal chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which the means to supply fluid to the central chamber and the semi-toroidal chamber maintains the same fluid pressure in both chambers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which the means to supply fluid to the two chambers maintains higher pressure in the central chamber than in the semi-toroidal chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which the means to supply fluid to the two chambers maintains higher pressure in the semi-toroidal chamber than in the central chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes spacer means to protect the diaphragm means by limiting the approach of the lifting platform to the base platform when the diaphragm means is deflated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as set forth in claim 19 in which said spacer means projects upward from the base platform.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination as set forth in claim 19 in which said spacer means comprises means to anchor the diaphragm means to one of said two platforms.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a device for lifting a load wherein diaphragm means is mounted on a base for upward expansion by inflation to lift the load with an upper portion of the inflated diaphragm means pressing against the load and conforming to the shape of the load, the improvement comprising: said envelope when inflated being of semi-toroidal configuration; an outer peripheral edge of the envelope being attached to the base and defining a relatively large area on the base; an inner peripheral edge of the envelope being attached to the base and defining a relatively small area on the base, said two areas being located substantially symmetrically relative to each other, the outer circumferential wall of the inflated diaphragm means sloping upwardly and inwardly whereby the tensions in the diametrically opposite portions of the outer circumferential wall of the diaphragm means oppose lateral shift of the elevated load relative to the base to tend to stabilize the load relative to the base, the inner circumferential wall of the inflated diaphragm means sloping upwardly and outwardly whereby the tensions in the diametrically opposite portions of the inner circumferential wall of the diaphragm means also oppose opposite lateral shift of the elevated load relative to the base to stabilize the load.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a device for lifting a load wherein diaphragm means is mounted on a base for upward expansion by inflation to lift the load with an upper portion of the inflated diaphragm means pressing against the load and conforming to the shape of the load, the improvement comprising: said envelope when inflated being of semi-toroidal configuration; an outer peripheral edge of the envelope being attached to the base and defining a relatively large area on the base; an inner peripheral edge of the envelope being attached to the base and defining a relatively small area on the base, said two areas being located substantially symmetrically relative to each other, the outer circumferential wall of the inflated diaphragm means sloping upwardly and inwardly whereby the tensions in the diametrically opposite portions of the outer circumferential wall of the diaphragm means oppose lateral shift of the elevated load relative to the base to tend to stabilize the load relative to the base, the inner circumferential wall of the inflated diaphragm means sloping upwardly and outwardly whereby the tensions in the diametrically opposite portions of the inner circumferential wall of the diaphragm means also oppose opposite lateral shift of the elevated load relative to the base to stabilize the load.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination as set forth in claim 22 which includes pressure regulator means to maintain selected magnitudes of pressure inside the diaphragm means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said lift platform is flexible for deformation in response to the weight of the load to conform in art to the configuration of a load that has a non-planar bottom surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the transverse cross-sectional configuration of the semi-toroidal diaphragm means is upperwardly convergent toward the lifting platform.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as set forth in claim 25 in which the two platforms and the inner circumferential wall of the semi-toroidal diaphragm means form a central closed expansile chamber; and which includes means to supply fluid under pressure to the central chamber to create additional force to lift the load.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the two platforms and the inner circumferential wall of the semi-toroidal diaphragm means form a central chamber and the central chamber is vented to the atmosphere to facilitate downward bulging of the central portion of the flexible lifting platform by a downwardly bulging load.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
87 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the cross-sectional configuration of the diaphragm means is convergent toward the lifting platform so that the area of the diaphragm means in pressure contact with the lifting platform increases with depression of the diaphragm means by the lifting platform, whereby the magnitude of the area of the diaphragm means in pressure contact with the lifting platform varies directly with the weight of the load and inversely with the magnitude of the fluid pressure in the diaphragm means.
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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |