Patent US3859481A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3859481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telescoping power support
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-10-29
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-10-29
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for supporting an electric cable, hose or the like along an extendable structure such as a walkway leading to a parked aircraft from an airport terminal building. An embodiment of this apparatus includes several telescoping tubular members with slidable cable supporting trolleys suspended therefrom. These telescoping members and the cable supporting trolleys are constructed so that they do not interfere with each other when the telescoping members are drawn into the larger ones thereof and the cable supported thereby is folded and suspended therefrom. A modified embodiment of this invention includes a tag line that is held under tension and is supported on the side of the telescoping structure with the cable or hose suspended therefrom by trolleys. Tension and take-up of the tag line is provided by an automatic reeling and dispensing apparatus that is electrically controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen B Sprague
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:15
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/30; B64F1/305; H; H02; H02G; H02G11/00; H02G11/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose along an extendable structure leading to a parked aircraft from an airport terminal building, the combination comprising an extendable cable support attached to the outside of the structure, said cable support being extended when the structure is extended, a plurality of depending trolleys movable on said support, said cable support comprising a plurality of telescoping channel members, each of said channel members having track means for supporting said depending trolleys, the outer one of said telescoping channel members having additional track means, means attached to an inner one of said telescoping members movably engaging said additional track means of said outer one of said telescoping members for supporting said inner one of said telescoping members, said inner one of said telescoping members having additional track means and means attached to the innermost one of said telescoping members for movably supporting said innermost one of said telescoping members on said last mentioned additional track means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose along an extendable structure leading to a parked aircraft from an airport terminal building, the combination comprising an extendable cable support attached to the outside of the structure, said cable support being extended when the structure is extended, a plurality of depending trolleys movable on said support, said cable support comprising a plurality of telescoping channel members, each of said channel members having track means for supporting said depending trolleys, the outer one of said telescoping channel members having additional track means, means attached to an inner one of said telescoping members movably engaging said additional track means of said outer one of said telescoping members for supporting said inner one of said telescoping members, said inner one of said telescoping members having additional track means and means attached to the innermost one of said telescoping members for movably supporting said innermost one of said telescoping members on said last mentioned additional track means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said telescoping channel members are attached to the outside of said extendable structure by brackets attached to the outer ends of said channel members to hold said channel members parallel to each other and to said extendable structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose as set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that said brackets hold the ends of said outer one of said channel members fixed on said extendable structure, said brackets also holding the outer ends of said inner channel members fixed on said extendable structure and means on the other ends of said channel members slidable selected ones of said additional track means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said depending trolleys are attached to spaced points of the cable supported thereby so that said cable assumes a serpentine configuration when said telescoping members are collapsed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose along an extendable structure leading to a parked aircraft from an airport building, said structure having a fixed section and at least one movable section, the combination comprising a tag line having one end attached to the movable section of the extendable structure, a plurality of movable trolleys supported in spaced relation by said tag line, different ones of said trolleys having means attached to spaced points of the cable for supporting said cable under said tag line, tensioning means for said tag line attached to the fixed section of said structure, said tensioning means having a reel and the other end of said tag line being attached to said reel, and means automatically controlling said reel to provide predetermined tension to said tag line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose along an extendable structure leading to a parked aircraft from an airport building, said structure having a fixed section and at least one movable section, the combination comprising a tag line having one end attached to the movable section of the extendable structure, a plurality of movable trolleys supported in spaced relation by said tag line, different ones of said trolleys having means attached to spaced points of the cable for supporting said cable under said tag line, tensioning means for said tag line attached to the fixed section of said structure, said tensioning means having a reel and the other end of said tag line being attached to said reel, and means automatically controlling said reel to provide predetermined tension to said tag line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose as set forth in claim 5 further characterized in that said reel is driven by a motor, said reel being connected to said motor by said automatic controlling means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose as set forth in claim 6, further characterized in that said controlling meAns comprises an electric clutch, said reel, clutch and motor being mounted on a movable panel which is movable by said tag line, a limit switch controlling electric current to said clutch, said limit switch being opened when said panel is moved in one direction so that said clutch is de-energized to thereafter function as a brake to control rotation of said reel and apply predetermined tension to said tag line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for supporting an electric cable or hose as set forth in claim 7 further characterized in that there is provided a second limit switch which connects said motor to an electric current supply when said panel is moved in the opposite direction so that said motor drives said reel to take up said tag line.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |