US3938764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frangible aircraft floor
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1975-05-19
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Granted: 1976-02-17
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Expires: 1995-05-19
Abstract
Abstract The upper floor of a multi-deck pressurized aircraft having frangible floor panels sealing the floor during normal flight conditions yet rupturable under a predetermined environmental condition such as when a relatively high pressure differential exists between the upper cabin and lower cargo compartments. This may occur, for example, when the cargo compartment is depressurized by inflight explosion or collision. Differential pressure activates the panel destruction apparatus which strikes the frangible floor panels in such manner as to cause them to disintegrate or crumble into small pieces. Typical panels may be chemically strengthened glass, ceramics, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G. McIntyre
- 👤 Otto J. Minnich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:53
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C1/00; B64C1/18; B64C2001/009; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1632; Y10T137/1692; Y10T137/1759; Y10T137/1767; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24661
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
30 words
A frangible aircraft floor comprising a porous floor support; a frangible panel on said support; and means responsive to a predetermined environmental condition for striking said panel to disintegrate it.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
30 words
A frangible aircraft floor comprising a porous floor support; a frangible panel on said support; and means responsive to a predetermined environmental condition for striking said panel to disintegrate it.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A frangible aircraft floor as in claim 1 wherein said porous support has openings defined by webs over which said panel is supported.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A frangible aircraft floor as in claim 1 wherein said frangible panel is chemically strengthened to have a thin compression layer at its surface and an inner tension layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A frangible aircraft floor as in claim 1 wherein said predetermined environmental condition is a pressure differential between two compartments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A frangible aircraft floor as in claim 1 wherein said predetermined environmental condition is a reduction in pressure in the cargo compartment of said aircraft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A frangible aircraft floor as in claim 1 wherein said means is a differential pressure activated panel destruction apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A frangible aircraft floor as in claim 6 wherein said apparatus includes a spring-loaded plunger releasable by an aneroid initiator in response to an increase in differential pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A frangible aircraft floor as in claim 1 wherein said predetermined environmental condition is a pressure differential between the sides of said panel.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of equalizing pressure in an upper passenger compartment and a lower cargo compartment comprising the steps of placing a plurality of frangible floor panels on a porous support for said passenger compartment and striking the panels to disintegrate them when the differential pressure between the two compartments exceeds a predetermined amount.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of equalizing pressure in an upper passenger compartment and a lower cargo compartment comprising the steps of placing a plurality of frangible floor panels on a porous support for said passenger compartment and striking the panels to disintegrate them when the differential pressure between the two compartments exceeds a predetermined amount.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-16 | 1979-08-18 | 1980-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-16 | 1983-08-18 | 1984-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-16 | 1987-08-18 | 1988-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |