US3854694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for an aggregate pump
Assignee: XENPAX Inc A TX CORP
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Filing: 1973-02-02
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-02-02
Abstract
Abstract An aggregate reservoir receives aggregate which is mixed by a plurality of mixer blades, one of each of which is mounted with one of each of a plurality of reciprocating shafts. One of each of the shafts extends outwardly into one of each of a plurality of conduits. As each of the reciprocating shafts moves inwardly in its respective conduit, expandable means mounted on the end of the shaft forces aggregate ahead of the shaft and through an opened gate or expandable means in the conduit. As each of the reciprocating shafts moves back toward the reservoir, the expandable means on the end of the shaft contracts and such gate with the respective conduit is closed to prevent aggregate from returning to the area of the respective reciprocating shaft. Each of the plurality of conduits is merged or joined into one single conduit some distance from their respective reciprocating shafts, and the aggregate from each of the conduits is moved through the single conduit to desired horizontal and/or vertical locations. The expandable means and/or gates of the present invention include an inner sheath of expandable material, a plurality of flexible reinforcing hard members and an outer sheath of expandable material, if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 M Coone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:57
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B7/00; F04B7/02; F04B7/0266; F04B7/0275; F04B15/00; F04B15/02; F04B15/023; F04B53/00; F04B53/14; F04B9/00; F04B9/08; F04B9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An expandable unit comprising: a. a hollow inner cylindrical expandable sheath; b. spaced holding members for supporting said inner sheath therebetween; c. an outer cylindrical expandable sheath positioned concentrically relative to said inner sheath d. spaced collar members for supporting said outer sheath therebetween; e. a plurality of longitudinally positioned strips positioned between said sheaths, said strips including: 1. a plurality of spaced longitudinal outer strips, each having arms and a body, said arms extending toward said inner sheath; 2. a plurality of alternately spaced longitudinal inner strips, each having arms and a body, said arms extending toward said outer sheath; 3. each of said arms of each of said outer strips overlapping with each of said adjacent arms of said inner strips contacting one adjacent body of said inner strips; and f. fluid means positioned between said inner and outer sheaths to provide continuous lubrication for said strips wherein pressure on said inner expandable sheath or fluid means causes said strips to expand radially outwardly until said arms of said inner strip interlock with said arms of said outer strip when said member is in its maximum expanded position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
An expandable unit comprising: a. a hollow inner cylindrical expandable sheath; b. spaced holding members for supporting said inner sheath therebetween; c. an outer cylindrical expandable sheath positioned concentrically relative to said inner sheath d. spaced collar members for supporting said outer sheath therebetween; e. a plurality of longitudinally positioned strips positioned between said sheaths, said strips including: 1. a plurality of spaced longitudinal outer strips, each having arms and a body, said arms extending toward said inner sheath; 2. a plurality of alternately spaced longitudinal inner strips, each having arms and a body, said arms extending toward said outer sheath; 3. each of said arms of each of said outer strips overlapping with each of said adjacent arms of said inner strips contacting one adjacent body of said inner strips; and f. fluid means positioned between said inner and outer sheaths to provide continuous lubrication for said strips wherein pressure on said inner expandable sheath or fluid means causes said strips to expand radially outwardly until said arms of said inner strip interlock with said arms of said outer strip when said member is in its maximum expanded position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
a plurality of alternately spaced longitudinal inner strips, each having arms and a body, said arms extending toward said outer sheath;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
a plurality of alternately spaced longitudinal inner strips, each having arms and a body, said arms extending toward said outer sheath;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
a plurality of alternately spaced longitudinal inner strips, each having arms and a body, said arms extending toward said outer sheath;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
a plurality of alternately spaced longitudinal inner strips, each having arms and a body, said arms extending toward said outer sheath;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein positioning of said unit in an initial expandable position enables pressure on said inner expandable sheath to expand said outer expandable sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
each of said arms of each of said outer strips overlapping with each of said adjacent arms of said inner strips contacting one adjacent body of said inner strips; and f. fluid means positioned between said inner and outer sheaths to provide continuous lubrication for said strips wherein pressure on said inner expandable sheath or fluid means causes said strips to expand radially outwardly until said arms of said inner strip interlock with said arms of said outer strip when said member is in its maximum expanded position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
each of said arms of each of said outer strips overlapping with each of said adjacent arms of said inner strips contacting one adjacent body of said inner strips; and f. fluid means positioned between said inner and outer sheaths to provide continuous lubrication for said strips wherein pressure on said inner expandable sheath or fluid means causes said strips to expand radially outwardly until said arms of said inner strip interlock with said arms of said outer strip when said member is in its maximum expanded position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said arms of said inner and outer strips are overlapped with adjacent arms of outer and inner strips, respectively, when said unit is partially expanded and/or contracted and wherein said arms do not interlock in such partially expanded and/or contracted position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
each of said arms of each of said outer strips interlocking with each of said adjacent arms of said inner strips; and f. fluid means positioned between said inner and outer sheaths to provide continuous lubrication for said strips wherein pressure on said outer yieldable sheath and/or said fluid means causes said strips to yield radially inwardly until said arms of said inner strip contact adjacent said arms of said inner strip and said arms of said outer strip contact adjacent said arms of said outer strip when said unit is in its maximum inwardly yieldable position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
each of said arms of each of said outer strips interlocking with each of said adjacent arms of said inner strips; and f. fluid means positioned between said inner and outer sheaths to provide continuous lubrication for said strips wherein pressure on said outer yieldable sheath and/or said fluid means causes said strips to yield radially inwardly until said arms of said inner strip contact adjacent said arms of said inner strip and said arms of said outer strip contact adjacent said arms of said outer strip when said unit is in its maximum inwardly yieldable position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
130 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said outer strips each includes a body and first and second arms, said first arm extending toward said body of an inner strip and said second arm extending toward said body of an adjacent inner strip; b. said inner strips each includes a body and first and second arms, said first arm extending toward said body of one of any outer strip and said second arm extending toward said body of an adjacent outer strip; and c. wherein expansion of said strips causes said strips to move radially outwardly until each of said first and second arms of said inner strip contacts one adjacent arm of said first and second arms of said outer strip in a maximum expanded position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
The structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein radial expansion of said strips enables one of each of said first arms of said inner strips to contact one of each of said first arms of said outer strips and one of each of said second arms of said inner strip to contact one of each of said second arms of said outer strips to prevent further radial expansion of said expandable unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said arms of each of said strips have grooves therein for enabling said fluid means to move relative to each of said strips.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
126 words
An expandable unit comprising: a. a hollow inner cylindrical expandable sheath; b. spaced holding members for supporting said inner sheath therebetween; c. an outer cylindrical expandable sheath positioned concentrically relative to said inner sheath; d. spaced collar memBers for supporting said outer sheath therebetween; e. a first set of spaced longitudinally extending U-shaped members facing said outer sheath and a second set of spaced longitudinally extending U-shaped members facing said inner sheath, the U-shaped members in said first set being alternately disposed with respect to the U-shaped members in said second set; and f. each of said alternate U-shaped members in said first set being positioned such that they overlap with adjacent U-shaped members of said second set as said sheaths are expanded outwardly and inwardly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
126 words
An expandable unit comprising: a. a hollow inner cylindrical expandable sheath; b. spaced holding members for supporting said inner sheath therebetween; c. an outer cylindrical expandable sheath positioned concentrically relative to said inner sheath; d. spaced collar memBers for supporting said outer sheath therebetween; e. a first set of spaced longitudinally extending U-shaped members facing said outer sheath and a second set of spaced longitudinally extending U-shaped members facing said inner sheath, the U-shaped members in said first set being alternately disposed with respect to the U-shaped members in said second set; and f. each of said alternate U-shaped members in said first set being positioned such that they overlap with adjacent U-shaped members of said second set as said sheaths are expanded outwardly and inwardly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure as set forth in claim 7 including fluid positioned between said sheaths for lubricating said U-shaped members and wherein each of said U-shaped members include grooves therein for enabling said fluid to flow and move between said members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
204 words
An expandable unit mounted with a tubular conduit including: a. support means disposed in said conduit and having an opening in said conduit; b. an inner resilient member positioned interiorly relative to said conduit, said inner resilient member being supported by said support means; c. an outer cylindrical member connected to said support means and positioned concentrically relative to said inner resilient member wherein an annulus is formed between said inner and outer members; d. a plurality of longitudinally extending flexible support strips secured at each end with said support means and positioned in said annulus across said opening, each of said strips being a U-shaped member and being positioned longitudinally in said annulus such that alternate of said U-shaped members face said outer member and the remainder of said alternate U-shaped members face said inner resilient member and wherein each of said U-shaped members are overlapped with each adjacent U-shaped member; e. fluid means positioned in said annulus for continuously lubricating said strips and wherein forces on said strips causes said strips to radially expand into the interior of the conduit which causes said inner resilient member to expand outwardly into the interior of the conduit to block said opening of said conduit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
204 words
An expandable unit mounted with a tubular conduit including: a. support means disposed in said conduit and having an opening in said conduit; b. an inner resilient member positioned interiorly relative to said conduit, said inner resilient member being supported by said support means; c. an outer cylindrical member connected to said support means and positioned concentrically relative to said inner resilient member wherein an annulus is formed between said inner and outer members; d. a plurality of longitudinally extending flexible support strips secured at each end with said support means and positioned in said annulus across said opening, each of said strips being a U-shaped member and being positioned longitudinally in said annulus such that alternate of said U-shaped members face said outer member and the remainder of said alternate U-shaped members face said inner resilient member and wherein each of said U-shaped members are overlapped with each adjacent U-shaped member; e. fluid means positioned in said annulus for continuously lubricating said strips and wherein forces on said strips causes said strips to radially expand into the interior of the conduit which causes said inner resilient member to expand outwardly into the interior of the conduit to block said opening of said conduit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure as set forth in claim 9 including an additional expandable unit mounted with said conduit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The structure as set forth in claim 9 including collar members longitudinally spaced from each other and supporting said inner resilient member, one of said collar members is slidably movable relative to said conduit being for radial expansion of said strips to enable said inner resilient member to be urged into the interior of said conduit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
113 words
A yieldable unit comprising: a. spaced support members; b. an inner resilient sheath positioned between and supported by said spaced support members; c. an outer resilient sheath positioned concentrically relative to said inner resilient sheath and supported by said support members, said outer resilient sheath being spaced from said inner resilient sheath forming a gap therebetween; and, d. interlocking means on said inner and outer sheaths positioned concentrically in said gap relative to said inner and outer sheath for interlocking with each other to limit circumferential relative movement of said inner and outer sheaths, said interlocking means expanding and/or contracting radially in response to contraction and/or expansion of said inner and outer sheath.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
113 words
A yieldable unit comprising: a. spaced support members; b. an inner resilient sheath positioned between and supported by said spaced support members; c. an outer resilient sheath positioned concentrically relative to said inner resilient sheath and supported by said support members, said outer resilient sheath being spaced from said inner resilient sheath forming a gap therebetween; and, d. interlocking means on said inner and outer sheaths positioned concentrically in said gap relative to said inner and outer sheath for interlocking with each other to limit circumferential relative movement of said inner and outer sheaths, said interlocking means expanding and/or contracting radially in response to contraction and/or expansion of said inner and outer sheath.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
118 words
The structure as set forth in claim 12 wherein said interlocking means includes: a. a plurality of outer longitudinal strips, each having ribs thereon, extending inwardly toward said inner sheath, said outer longitudinal strip abutting said outer resilient sheath; b. a plurality of inner concentrically positioned longitudinal strips, each having ribs thereon, extending outwardly toward said outer resilient sheath, each of said inner longitudinal strips abutting said inner resilient sheath; and c. each of said outwardly extending ribs of said innEr longitudinal strips alternately overlapping with adjacent said inwardly extending ribs of said outer longitudinal strips wherein said inner and outer longitudinal strips remain overlapped during radial expansion and radial contraction of said inner and outer resilient sheaths.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
105 words
The structure as set forth in claim 13 wherein said ribs of each of said inner and outer longitudinal strips include first and second ribs extending outwardly from each of said strips and wherein during contraction one of each of said first ribs of each of said inner longitudinal strips is adjacent one of each of said second ribs of each of said second outer longitudinal strips and wherein after radial expansion of said yieldable unit one of each of said first ribs of each of said longitudinal strips is adjacent one of each of said first ribs of each of said outer longitudinal strips.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
A yieldable unit comprising: a. a hollow inner cylindrical yieldable sheath; b. spaced holding members for supporting said inner sheath therebetween; c. an outer cylindrical yieldable sheath positioned concentrically relative to said inner sheath; d. spaced collar members for supporting said outer sheath therebetween; e. a plurality of longitudinally positioned strips positioned between said sheaths, said strips including:
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
58 words
A yieldable unit comprising: a. a hollow inner cylindrical yieldable sheath; b. spaced holding members for supporting said inner sheath therebetween; c. an outer cylindrical yieldable sheath positioned concentrically relative to said inner sheath; d. spaced collar members for supporting said outer sheath therebetween; e. a plurality of longitudinally positioned strips positioned between said sheaths, said strips including:
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure as set forth in claim 15 wherein positioning of said unit in an initial yieldable position enables pressure on said inner yieldable sheath to yield said outer yieldable sheath.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
The structure as set forth in claim 15 wherein said arms of said inner and outer strips are overlapped with adjacent arms of outer and inner strips, respectively, when said unit is partially yielded and wherein said arms of adjacent inner strips and said arms of adjacent outer strips do not contact one another in such partially yielded position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
159 words
The structure as set forth in claim 15 wherein: a. said outer strips each includes a body and first and second arms, said first arm extending toward said body of an inner strip and said second arm extending toward said body of an adjacent inner strip; b. said inner strips each includes a body and first and second arms, said first arm extending toward said body of one of any outer strip and said second arm extending toward said body of an adjacent outer strip; and, c. wherein yielding of said strips causes said strips to move radially inwardly until each of said first and second arms of said inner strip contacts one adjacent arm of said first and second arms of said adjacent inner strip and each of said first and second arms of said outer strip contacts one adjacent arm of said first and second arms of said adjacent outer strip in a maximum inwardly yielded position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
77 words
The structure as set forth in claim 15 wherein inward radial yielding of said strips enables one of each of said first arms of said inner strips to contact one of each of said first arms of said adjacent inner strips and one of each of said second arms of said outer strip to contact one of each of said second arms of said adjacent outer strips to prevent further inward radial yieldiNg of said yieldable unit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure as set forth in claim 15 wherein each of said arms of each of said strips have grooves therein for enabling said fluid means to move relative to each of said strips.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |