Patent US3952976A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3952976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deployable flexible tunnel
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•
Filing: 1974-12-27
•
Granted: 1976-04-27
•
Expires: 1994-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A pressurized flexible tunnel which employs a plurality of equal length cables between ends of the tunnel. The cables are lengthened or shortened together by a single winch to adjustably constrain elongation. By positioning one set of cables on one side of the tunnel and another on the opposite side of the tunnel, the tunnel may be expanded or contracted along a straight line or along a curve as permitted by externally positioned orienting means.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Fletcher James C. Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Newton D. Brown
- 👤 Gordon L. Jeppesen
- 👤 Nicholas C. Costakos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:40
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
370 words
A deployable tunnel comprising: a plurality of serially arranged frame members, each having an opening therethrough; a flexible tubular member attached along, to, and between said frame members and together comprising an elongatable accordian-like tubular housing; a first end frame at one end of said tubular member and a second end frame at an opposite end of said tubular member; a first pulley assembly comprising an upper and lower pulley secured to an edge side region of said first end frame; a second pulley assembly comprising an upper and lower pulley secured to an opposite edge side region of said first end frame; a third pulley assembly secured to an edge side region of said second end frame; a fourth pulley assembly secured to an opposite edge side region of said second end frame opposite to the position of said third pulley assembly; a first cable assembly comprising at least one cable extending along and guidably engaging said frame members and including means for securing at least two runs of said cable, an upper run and a lower run, between said first and third pulley assemblies and for securing one end of said cable to a said end frame; a second cable assembly comprising at least one second cable extending along and guidably engaging said frame members and including means for securing at least two runs of said second cable, an upper and a lower run, between said second and fourth pulley assemblies and means for securing one end of said second cable to one of said end frames; means for applying an elongating force to said housing; cable operating means including a winch, having a winding drum, secured to one of said end frames and all of the other, otherwise free, ends of said cables being connected to, and simultaneously wound on, said drum, whereby said tubular housing may be elongated or shortened; and deployment means including an arm member pivotally attached between said end frames for enabling said tunnel to be deployed in an arc upon operation of said cable operating means, said arm being selectively detachable from one of said end frames, whereby said deployable tunnel is selectively deployable either along a line or along an arc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
370 words
A deployable tunnel comprising: a plurality of serially arranged frame members, each having an opening therethrough; a flexible tubular member attached along, to, and between said frame members and together comprising an elongatable accordian-like tubular housing; a first end frame at one end of said tubular member and a second end frame at an opposite end of said tubular member; a first pulley assembly comprising an upper and lower pulley secured to an edge side region of said first end frame; a second pulley assembly comprising an upper and lower pulley secured to an opposite edge side region of said first end frame; a third pulley assembly secured to an edge side region of said second end frame; a fourth pulley assembly secured to an opposite edge side region of said second end frame opposite to the position of said third pulley assembly; a first cable assembly comprising at least one cable extending along and guidably engaging said frame members and including means for securing at least two runs of said cable, an upper run and a lower run, between said first and third pulley assemblies and for securing one end of said cable to a said end frame; a second cable assembly comprising at least one second cable extending along and guidably engaging said frame members and including means for securing at least two runs of said second cable, an upper and a lower run, between said second and fourth pulley assemblies and means for securing one end of said second cable to one of said end frames; means for applying an elongating force to said housing; cable operating means including a winch, having a winding drum, secured to one of said end frames and all of the other, otherwise free, ends of said cables being connected to, and simultaneously wound on, said drum, whereby said tubular housing may be elongated or shortened; and deployment means including an arm member pivotally attached between said end frames for enabling said tunnel to be deployed in an arc upon operation of said cable operating means, said arm being selectively detachable from one of said end frames, whereby said deployable tunnel is selectively deployable either along a line or along an arc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A deployable tunnel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for applying an elongating force to said housing includes means for sealably connecting said tubular housing to said end frames and means for applying pressure to the interior of said housing, whereby upon the application of pressure, said housing will extend or shorten, as permitted by said cable operating means.
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) | 1979-04-27 | 1979-10-27 | 1980-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-27 | 1983-10-27 | 1984-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-27 | 1987-10-27 | 1988-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |