Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An endless belt conveyor system comprising at least one elongated conveyor air tube having means for projecting a thin film of supporting air into a lower portion of the interior thereof; an endless belt extending through said tube, said belt comprising a generally tubular outer member formed of a resilient, deformable material, a deformable metallic core extending generally axially within said member, and a resilient, flexible deformable filler material substantially filling the space between said core and said member, said belt being deformable upon load application to form upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being convex and being complementary to said lower portion of said tube, said upper surface being concave and adapted to receive a load; and means for driving said belt in an endless loop.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An endless belt conveyor system comprising at least one elongated conveyor air tube having means for projecting a thin film of supporting air into a lower portion of the interior thereof; an endless belt extending through said tube, said belt comprising a generally tubular outer member formed of a resilient, deformable material, a deformable metallic core extending generally axially within said member, and a resilient, flexible deformable filler material substantially filling the space between said core and said member, said belt being deformable upon load application to form upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being convex and being complementary to said lower portion of said tube, said upper surface being concave and adapted to receive a load; and means for driving said belt in an endless loop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said core is a wire mesh material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said core is provided by a plurality of axially spaced wire loops.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said core is provided by a plurality of deformable metal plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said core forms a secondary electromagnetic device for propulsive reaction with a primary coil in said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 1 and including a second conveyor air tube providing a return path for said belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 6 and including barrel-shaped pulley means adapted to coact with the upper surface of said belt for changing the direction of movement of said belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said pulley means has its axis of rotation substantially vertical to impart a 90° twist to said belt as it is entrained thereby.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 3, wherein said core forms a secondary electronomagnetic device for propulsive reaction with a primary coil in said tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein said core forms a secondary electromagnetic device for propulsive reaction with a primary coil in said tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
A load supporting means for positioning between a load and a load supporting surface, said means being capable of supporting said load and of substantially isolating said load from forces influencing the position of said surface, said means comprising a generally tubular outer member formed of a flexible partly deformable material and, internally of said member, means for peripherally prestressing said member comprising an annular deformable core extending generally axially of said outer member creating an annular cavity between said core and said member and, substantially filling said cavity, a resilient deformable filler material capable of deformation under load and at least partial recovery upon load removal; and wherein said core is formed of a relatively large diameter metallic material which under deformation by loading exhibits minimal recovery, whereby the load supporting means may act as a conveyor belt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
139 words
A load supporting means for positioning between a load and a load supporting surface, said means being capable of supporting said load and of substantially isolating said load from forces influencing the position of said surface, said means comprising a generally tubular outer member formed of a flexible partly deformable material and, internally of said member, means for peripherally prestressing said member comprising an annular deformable core extending generally axially of said outer member creating an annular cavity between said core and said member and, substantially filling said cavity, a resilient deformable filler material capable of deformation under load and at least partial recovery upon load removal; and wherein said core is formed of a relatively large diameter metallic material which under deformation by loading exhibits minimal recovery, whereby the load supporting means may act as a conveyor belt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein a primary coil is located in said load supporting surface, said metallic core acting as a secondary electromagnetic device for propulsion reaction with said coil.