US3889602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for transporting
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-03-13
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1994-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for transporting in which a track is provided on which vehicles can run with the track including at least one conduit which is supplied with air pressure and having valves therein which are opened by a vehicle moving along the track. The vehicle confines a space with the track to which compressed air from the opened valves is supplied thereby providing lift for the vehicle. The pressurized space beneath the vehicle is also connected by a duct in the vehicle with an opening at the rear of the vehicle so that air will also flow out the rearward opening and provide forward propulsion force on the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald L Barber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:01
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B13/00; B61B13/12; B61B13/122; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
In a transporting apparatus; track means, conduit means extending longitudinally along the track means in about the center thereof and adapted to be supplied with air under pressure, valve means distributed along the length of said conduit means in laterally spaced rows and normally closed, a vehicle adapted to run along said track means and to confine therewith a space with which said valves communicate and with a downwardly facing surface of the vehicle closing the top of said space, laterally spaced valve actuating means on the vehicle for opening the valve means of the respective rows which are within the longitudinal range of said space whereby compressed air in said conduit means flows into said space and supplies lifting force to the vehicle, means in said space restricting lateral flow of air therein between said rows of valve means, passage means in the vehicle leading out the rear end thereof from said space whereby compressed air in said space flows through said passage means and supplies rearwardly directed air jet means to exert propulsive force on the vehicle in the forward direction, and means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a transporting apparatus; track means, conduit means extending longitudinally along the track means in about the center thereof and adapted to be supplied with air under pressure, valve means distributed along the length of said conduit means in laterally spaced rows and normally closed, a vehicle adapted to run along said track means and to confine therewith a space with which said valves communicate and with a downwardly facing surface of the vehicle closing the top of said space, laterally spaced valve actuating means on the vehicle for opening the valve means of the respective rows which are within the longitudinal range of said space whereby compressed air in said conduit means flows into said space and supplies lifting force to the vehicle, means in said space restricting lateral flow of air therein between said rows of valve means, passage means in the vehicle leading out the rear end thereof from said space whereby compressed air in said space flows through said passage means and supplies rearwardly directed air jet means to exert propulsive force on the vehicle in the forward direction, and means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 1 in which each said valve means comprises a hole in the conduit means and a valve member in the conduit means spring urged toward seating engagement with the hole, each valve member protruding through the hole for engagement by the said valve actuating means on the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 2 in which each valve member is a ball.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 1 in which said conduit means comprises a single conduit centrally located on said track means and protruding upwardly therein, said space comprising a region beneath the vehicle on each side of said conduit, and a central duct extending longitudinally of the vehicle open toward said conduit and having side walls adjacent the sides of the conduit, said valve actuating means protruding downwardly in said central duct, said means restricting lateral flow between said rows of valves comprising a longitudinal rib dependent from the vehicle between said valve actuating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 4 in which said valve means comprise two rows of laterally aligned valves in the top of said conduit, a valve actuating member in said duct for the valves of each row, and flow restricting means on the vehicle between the rows of valves, said side walls of said duct and the sides of said conduit forming restricted passages between each said region and the row of valves adjacent thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 5 in which said passage means in the vehicle is formed by said duct.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 1 in which said conduit means comprise a pair of laterally spaced parallel conduits, a closure plate extending between said conduits and forming the bottom of said space, said valve means comprising a row of valves in each conduit having valve members protruding from the conduit in closed position, said vehicle having runner-like cams thereon adjacent each conduit for actuating the valves into open position when the vehicle is positioned over the respective region of the conduits, and a plate on the bottom of the vehicle extending between said cams and forming the top closure for said space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 7 in which said valve members protrude upwardly from the top of the conduits, said runner-like cams being in the bottom of the vehicle, whereby said valve means vary in the degree of opening by the cams inversely to the degree the vehicle is elevated by the air from the valves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 7 which includes further valves in the side of each conduit including further valve Members protruding laterally from each conduit, said vehicle comprising further laterally directed runner-like cams for engaging and opening said further valve members on the vehicle passes thereby, lateral chambers receiving the air from said further valve means, and nozzles at the ends of the vehicle connected to said chambers to supply sealing air curtains to the ends of the space between the vehicle and the track means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 9 in which said chambers are dependent from the vehicle on the outer side of each conduit and said further valve means are in the outer side of each conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 9 in which the first mentioned valve means are distributed along said conduits in spaced relation and said further valve means are staggered relative thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 11 in which each conduit has an upwardly facing flat top wall in which the first mentioned valve means are disposed and to which the first mentioned cams are opposed, each conduit also having an outwardly facing flat side wall in which said further valve means are disposed and to which said further cams are opposed, said cams adapted for load bearing engagement with the respective opposed conduit walls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 7 in which each conduit is rectangular with the top walls in substantially the same lateral plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 1 which includes brake element means carried by the vehicle, said brake element means comprises brake elements on opposite sides of said conduit means and operable when urged toward each other to engage opposite sides of said conduit means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means on the vehicle for opening the valve means includes magnet means and magnetically responsive means associated with the valve means for opening the valve means when the vehicle is within the range thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a transporting apparatus; track means, conduit means extending longitudinally along the track means and protruding upwardly, said conduit means being adapted to be supplied with air under pressure, laterally spaced rows of valves distributed along the length of said conduit means and normally closed, a vehicle adapted to run along said track means and having a duct opening downwardly and embracing said conduit, said vehicle laterally of said conduit confining spaces with said track means, said valves adapted to communicate with said duct and therethrough with said spaces, said vehicle having a downwardly facing surface closing the top of said spaces, means on the vehicle for causing the valves which are within the longitudinal range of said spaces to open whereby compressed air in said conduit means flows into said duct and therefrom into said spaces and supplies lifting force to the vehicle, a rail extending along said track means, an air motor on the vehicle receiving air from said conduit means via said valves, a wheel driven by said motor and engaging said rail for propelling said vehicle, and means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a transporting apparatus; track means, conduit means extending longitudinally along the track means and protruding upwardly, said conduit means being adapted to be supplied with air under pressure, laterally spaced rows of valves distributed along the length of said conduit means and normally closed, a vehicle adapted to run along said track means and having a duct opening downwardly and embracing said conduit, said vehicle laterally of said conduit confining spaces with said track means, said valves adapted to communicate with said duct and therethrough with said spaces, said vehicle having a downwardly facing surface closing the top of said spaces, means on the vehicle for causing the valves which are within the longitudinal range of said spaces to open whereby compressed air in said conduit means flows into said duct and therefrom into said spaces and supplies lifting force to the vehicle, a rail extending along said track means, an air motor on the vehicle receiving air from said conduit means via said valves, a wheel driven by said motor and engaging said rail for propelling said vehicle, and means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A transporting apparatus according to claim 16 in which said wheel is a friction wheel and frictionally engages said rail.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
108 words
The method of supporting and driving a vehicle along a predetermined path which comprises; confining the vehicle to the said path by track means which includes longitudinally coextensive conduit means, supplying air under pressure to the conduit means, releasing air from the conduit means to the space beneath the vehicle for developing lift on the vehicle by the vehicle, directing a jet of the said air from the conduit means rearwardly from the vehicle to develop forward thrust on the vehicle, and supplying air released from said conduit means to air curtain seals at the ends of the space beneath said vehicle at the ends of the vehicle.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
108 words
The method of supporting and driving a vehicle along a predetermined path which comprises; confining the vehicle to the said path by track means which includes longitudinally coextensive conduit means, supplying air under pressure to the conduit means, releasing air from the conduit means to the space beneath the vehicle for developing lift on the vehicle by the vehicle, directing a jet of the said air from the conduit means rearwardly from the vehicle to develop forward thrust on the vehicle, and supplying air released from said conduit means to air curtain seals at the ends of the space beneath said vehicle at the ends of the vehicle.
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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |