US3974655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water gate
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-04-14
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Granted: 1976-08-17
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Expires: 1995-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A water gate for a waterway in two species, in one of which an inflatable and deflatable barrier is provided in side and bottom recesses, the gate being in a closed position when the barrier is inflated and an open position when the barrier is deflated, the other of the species providing a curtain which may be raised or lowered by inflating or deflating a balloon disposed at the top of the curtain.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Halpern
- 👤 Carl L. Skiles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:31
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B7/00; E02B7/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
Means for retaining pollution in a polluted dominant body of water connected by a waterway to an unpolluted subsidiary body of water and to permit vessels to pass from the dominant to the subsidiary body and from the subsidiary to the dominant body with containment of pollution in the dominant body during such passages, comprising, in combination, a pair of gates disposed sequentially in the connecting waterway, comprising in each gate a pair of vertically disposed recesses in parallel relationship on either side of the said waterway, connected by a horizontally disposed bottom recess, adapted to receive and contain in a collapsed condition a collapsible barrier, buoyant means to elevate the barrier to prevent the flow of water through the waterway, gravity means to lower the barrier to a collapsed condition, and means to add fluid to and withdraw fluid from the buoyant means, said containment being effected during the passage of the vessel by closing the barrier first traversed in said passage before opening the barrier next to be traversed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
Means for retaining pollution in a polluted dominant body of water connected by a waterway to an unpolluted subsidiary body of water and to permit vessels to pass from the dominant to the subsidiary body and from the subsidiary to the dominant body with containment of pollution in the dominant body during such passages, comprising, in combination, a pair of gates disposed sequentially in the connecting waterway, comprising in each gate a pair of vertically disposed recesses in parallel relationship on either side of the said waterway, connected by a horizontally disposed bottom recess, adapted to receive and contain in a collapsed condition a collapsible barrier, buoyant means to elevate the barrier to prevent the flow of water through the waterway, gravity means to lower the barrier to a collapsed condition, and means to add fluid to and withdraw fluid from the buoyant means, said containment being effected during the passage of the vessel by closing the barrier first traversed in said passage before opening the barrier next to be traversed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
A structure in accordance with claim 1, in which the collapsible means is composed of a balloon-type structure which, when filled with water, is of sufficient size to engage said side and bottom recesses to provide a barrier to the flow of water in the waterway, said balloon being collapsible by withdrawal of water therefrom to a collapsed condition at the bottom of the waterway, gravity means carried by the balloon to cause the balloon to collapse and descend to the bottom recess as water is withdrawn therefrom, and means to pump water into and withdraw water from the balloon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
A structure in accordance with claim 1, in which the collapsible barrier is composed of a flexible curtain, the bottom of which is fixed in the bottom recess, the sides of which ride in the side recesses, buoyant means at the top of said flexible curtain, means to fill the buoyant means with air to elevate the curtain to provide a barrier to the flow of water through the waterway, means to exhaust the air from the buoyant means, and gravity means carried on the curtain to cause the curtain to descend, drawing with it the buoyant means, into the bottom recess when air is withdrawn from the buoyant means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2568751A
Cited
US3173269A
Cited
FR1341032A
Cited
FR1386516A
Cited
US3779020A
Cited
US3786638A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-17 | 1980-02-16 | 1980-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-17 | 1984-02-16 | 1984-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-17 | 1988-02-16 | 1988-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |