US4347022A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air table system
Assignee: Precision Metal Fabricators Inc
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Filing: 1980-04-07
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Granted: 1982-08-31
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Expires: 2000-04-07
Abstract
Abstract An air table system which utilizes air jet openings in the table surface of a pattern configuration to lift, support and direct movement of containers to feed same from a plurality of sources to fewer destinations or vice versa. With suitable cover configuration, partially closed and open covers, movement of the containers around or to one side of blockades to accomplish controlled movement of the containers is made possible.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Lenhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:18
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G51/00; B65G51/02; B65G51/03; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0235; B65G2201/0244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An air table apparatus for the transport of objects which comprises: a table having a surface, edges and an underside with a prearranged pattern of air jet openings in the surface slanted in a downstream direction and communicating the surface and the underside; a plenum adapted to be connected to a source of air under pressure underlying and attached to the underside of the table surface; a perforated cover spaced and supported above the table surface a distance slightly greater than the height of an object being worked upon including solid cover portions; and, a vertical barrier means positioned between the table surface and the cover such that objects moving under the solid cover, separate and pass to either side of the barrier means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
An air table apparatus for the transport of objects which comprises: a table having a surface, edges and an underside with a prearranged pattern of air jet openings in the surface slanted in a downstream direction and communicating the surface and the underside; a plenum adapted to be connected to a source of air under pressure underlying and attached to the underside of the table surface; a perforated cover spaced and supported above the table surface a distance slightly greater than the height of an object being worked upon including solid cover portions; and, a vertical barrier means positioned between the table surface and the cover such that objects moving under the solid cover, separate and pass to either side of the barrier means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The air table of claim 1 wherein the air jet openings are slanted at from about 3° to about 45° from a normal to the upper surface of the table and preferably from about 5° to about 40° thereto and wherein the angle of the jet openings is selected in conjunction with the size of the jet openings and the static pressure of the air supplied to the jet openings to lift and support the objects and to provide a mass air flow over the air table sufficient to control and regulate the transport velocity of the mass flow of objects.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The air table of claim 1 wherein the air jet openings are positioned in a symmetrical pattern wherein the openings are located at the apexes of successive rows of serially positioned alternately reversed isosceles triangles and wherein the size of the jet openings is selected with respect to the static pressure of air supplied to the jet openings to provide a vertical force sufficient to lift an object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The air table of claim 3 wherein the dimension of the jet opening pattern is selected with respect to the dimensions of the surface of the objects presented to the air table such that not less than four jets address the objects surface at any one time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The air table of claim 4 which includes an air jet opening pattern dimensioned such that the cross sectional area of each object opposing the air jet openings in the table surface opposes in the range of from four to nine jet openings in moving a distance equal to one-half the length of the base dimension of the isosceles triangle pattern of the air jet openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The air table of claim 2 wherein the angle of the air jets is selected to provide a horizontal force vector of a magnitude to transport objects at a predetermined rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The air table of claim 6 wherein the table surface is divided into a plurality of sections and the angles of the air jets therein are selected to provide horizontal force vectors of a magnitude sufficient to transport objects on each section at a selected predetermined rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The air table of claim 1 including guide rails positioned along the edges of the table surface coextensive therewith to assist in guiding objects being transported, wherein the static pressure of air supplied to the jet openings is selected with respect to the size of the jet openings such that the velocity of the air issuing from the jet openings is sufficient to lift an object being worked on and having an air volume sufficient to support the object for transport.
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) | 1985-08-30 | 1986-03-01 | 1986-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-30 | 1990-03-01 | 1990-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-30 | 1994-03-01 | 1994-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |