US4730574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible pontoon
Assignee: MAN Mobile Bridges GmbH
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Filing: 1986-03-25
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Granted: 1988-03-15
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Expires: 2006-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A pontoon includes a plurality of side-by-side arranged buoyant bodies articulated to one another to allow the pontoon to be placed in a collapsed or in an extended state. Each flanking buoyant body has a bottom face sloping upwardly in an outwardly direction, a top face and a wall element arranged at an outer portion of the flanking buoyant body. The wall element has a position in which it slopes upwardly and projects beyond the top face in an upward direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Diefendahl
- 👤 Carsten Schmitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:30
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01D; E01D15/00; E01D15/14; E01D15/20; B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/34; B63B35/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
In a pontoon including a plurality of side-by-side arranged buoyant bodies articulated to one another to allow the pontoon to be placed in a collapsed or in an extended state; external buoyant bodies on either side of the pontoon being flanking bodies; each said flanking body having a bottom face sloping upwardly in an outward direction and a top face; each said flanking body having an outer portion; further wherein each buoyant body of said pontoon has a top face and said pontoon is collapsible in a W-configuration; the improvement wherein said flanking body has a plate-shaped wall element arranged at said outer portion and extending away from the end thereof; said plate-shaped wall element having a position in which it slopes upwardly and projects to a substantial extent beyond said top face of said flanking body in an upward direction; in the extended state of the pontoon the top faces lying in a plane situated at a level below parts of said plate-shaped wall element in the upwardly sloping position thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a pontoon including a plurality of side-by-side arranged buoyant bodies articulated to one another to allow the pontoon to be placed in a collapsed or in an extended state; external buoyant bodies on either side of the pontoon being flanking bodies; each said flanking body having a bottom face sloping upwardly in an outward direction and a top face; each said flanking body having an outer portion; further wherein each buoyant body of said pontoon has a top face and said pontoon is collapsible in a W-configuration; the improvement wherein said flanking body has a plate-shaped wall element arranged at said outer portion and extending away from the end thereof; said plate-shaped wall element having a position in which it slopes upwardly and projects to a substantial extent beyond said top face of said flanking body in an upward direction; in the extended state of the pontoon the top faces lying in a plane situated at a level below parts of said plate-shaped wall element in the upwardly sloping position thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 1, wherein each buoyant body of said pontoon has a bottom face; in the extended state of the pontoon the bottom faces have, when viewed in cross section, a continuous contour line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 1, wherein each said flanking body has an outer zone; said flanking bodies are solid, foam plastic parts at least in said outer zones thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 1, wherein said wall element is rigidly affixed to said outer portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 4, wherein said wall element projects vertically upwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a pontoon including a plurality of side-by-side arranged buoyant bodies articulated to one another to allow the pontoon to be placed in a collapsed or in an extended state; external buoyant bodies on either side of the pontoon being flanking bodies; each said flanking body having a bottom face sloping upwardly in an outward direction and a top face; each said flanking body having an outer portion; the improvement wherein said flanking body has a wall element arranged at said outer portion; said wall element having a position in which it slopes upwardly and projects to a substantial extent beyond said top face in an upward direction; the improvement further comprising pivot means for articulating said wall element to said outer portion; said wall element having a inwardly-pivoted position and an outwardly-pivoted position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a pontoon including a plurality of side-by-side arranged buoyant bodies articulated to one another to allow the pontoon to be placed in a collapsed or in an extended state; external buoyant bodies on either side of the pontoon being flanking bodies; each said flanking body having a bottom face sloping upwardly in an outward direction and a top face; each said flanking body having an outer portion; the improvement wherein said flanking body has a wall element arranged at said outer portion; said wall element having a position in which it slopes upwardly and projects to a substantial extent beyond said top face in an upward direction; the improvement further comprising pivot means for articulating said wall element to said outer portion; said wall element having a inwardly-pivoted position and an outwardly-pivoted position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 6, wherein each buoyant body of said pontoon has a top face; said pontoon being collapsible in a W-configuration; in the extended state of the pontoon the top faces lie in a plane situated at a level below parts of said wall element in the upwardly sloping position thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 6, wherein said pontoon is collapsible in a W-configuration; in said inwardly-pivoted position said wall element being situated between two adjoining said buoyant bodies of said pontoon in the collapsed state thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 6, wherein said flanking body has a cross-sectional outline; said pivot means being situated within said cross-sectional outline.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 6, wherein said wall element comprises consecutive first and second length portions interconnected by an additional pivot means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 10, wherein said flanking body has an upper corner, said additional pivot means being situated at said upper corner in the inwardly-pivoted position of said wall element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 6, wherein said wall element is, in said outwardly-pivoted position, an obliquely upwardly and outwardly oriented continuation of said bottom face.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 12, further comprising a web covering at least one part of the wall element in the outwardly-pivoted position thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A pontoon as defined in claim 13, said web being pivotally supported on said flanking body and having inwardly-pivoted and outwardly-pivoted positions; said web covering said wall element in the outwardly-pivoted position of said web.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1991-03-15 | 1991-09-14 | 1992-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-15 | 1995-09-14 | 1996-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-15 | 1999-09-14 | 2000-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |