US3870263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-erecting pod
Assignee: Ametek Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-15
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A self-erecting pod has an elongated body with at least three substantially equally spaced legs pivoted to the body adjacent one end thereof and extending towards the other end of the body in their stowed position. Springs cause relative pivoting between the legs and the body when the legs are released from the stowed position. Advantageously the body has recesses for the stowage of the legs and the springs are tightly coiled ribbon springs with each leg having one such spring secured at one end to the leg adjacent its pivot and the remainder of the spring extending in the uncoiled condition between the leg and the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell J Hardiman
- 👤 Leigh David Leiter
- 👤 Howard C Valle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/02; H04B1/03; H04B1/034; E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/688; F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/20; F16M11/24; F16M11/242; F16M11/38; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/04; F16M2200/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A self-erecting pod comprising: an elongated body, at least three substantially equally spaced legs pivoted to the body closely adjacent one end of the body and extending towards the other end of the body in their stowed position, spring means to erect the pod with said one end nearer the ground from a substantially prone position by reacting against at least one arm supported by the ground to pivot the body relative to the ground supported arms and to pivot the remaining arms relative to the body to their supporting positions, said spring means comprising in each leg a tightly coiled ribbon spring having one end secured adjacent the pivot of the leg and the remainder of the spring extending in the uncoiled condition between the leg and the body, and means to releasably retain said legs in the stowed position, said retaining means including means actuated on impact with the ground to release said retaining means to free the legs for pivoting and erection of the pod on the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A self-erecting pod comprising: an elongated body, at least three substantially equally spaced legs pivoted to the body closely adjacent one end of the body and extending towards the other end of the body in their stowed position, spring means to erect the pod with said one end nearer the ground from a substantially prone position by reacting against at least one arm supported by the ground to pivot the body relative to the ground supported arms and to pivot the remaining arms relative to the body to their supporting positions, said spring means comprising in each leg a tightly coiled ribbon spring having one end secured adjacent the pivot of the leg and the remainder of the spring extending in the uncoiled condition between the leg and the body, and means to releasably retain said legs in the stowed position, said retaining means including means actuated on impact with the ground to release said retaining means to free the legs for pivoting and erection of the pod on the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
171 words
A self-erecting pod comprising: an elongated body, at least three substantially equally spaced legs pivoted to the body closely adjacent one end of the body and extending towards the other end of the body in their stowed position, spring means to erect the pod with said one end nearer the ground from a substantially prone position by reacting against at least one arm supported by the ground to pivot the body relative to the ground supported arms and to pivot the remaining arms relative to the body to their supporting positions, said spring means comprising in each leg a tightly coiled ribbon spring having one end secured adjacent the pivot of the leg and the remainder of the spring extending in the uncoiled condition between the leg and the body, and means to releasably retain said legs in the stowed position, said retaining means including means actuated on impact with the ground to release said retaining means to free the legs for pivoting and erection of the pod on the ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
A self-erecting pod comprising: an elongated body, at least three substantially equally spaced legs pivoted to the body closely adjacent one end of the body and extending towards the other end of the body in their stowed position, spring means to erect the pod with said one end nearer the ground from a substantially prone position by reacting against at least one arm supported by the ground to pivot the body relative to the ground supported arms and to pivot the remaining arms relative to the body to their supporting positions, said spring means comprising in each leg a tightly coiled ribbon spring having one end secured adjacent the pivot of the leg and the remainder of the spring extending in the uncoiled condition between the leg and the body, and means to releasably retain said legs in the stowed position, said retaining means including means actuated on impact with the ground to release said retaining means to free the legs for pivoting and erection of the pod on the ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A self-erecting pod in accordance with claim 1 in which the body has recesses for the stowage of the legs.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |