US4733990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Erecting/lying-down dam or sluice gate made of flexible sheet
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1987-07-14
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Granted: 1988-03-29
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Expires: 2007-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A dam with a flexible cover attached to a bottom sheet by fittings with corrugations formed between the fittings so that upon deflation the cover conforms to the surface of the corrugations, minimizing any floating cover portion. The corrugations may be formed as pipe-like members, as molded portions integral with the bottom sheet or as part of the concrete foundation. Preferably the length between the fittings measured along the corrugation surfaces is at least 1.1 times the linear length therebetween. The corrugations are also preferably recessed to extend no higher than the bottom of the riverbed.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiomi Tsuji
- 👤 Ichiro Maruyama
- 👤 Hiroshi Takuma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:48
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B7/00; E02B7/20; E02B7/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A collapsible dam or sluice gate which is expandable upon fluid supply therein and deflatable upon fluid discharge therefrom comprising: means for supporting said dam or gate disposed along a bottom of a river or the like having a plurality of corrugations formed integrally on an upper surface of said supporting means; a cover made of a flexible sheet which can expand and deflate; means for attaching said cover to said supporting means; and means for defining a lower interior surface, disposed along said upper surface of said supporting means corrugations so that said lower interior surface means has a corrugated shape and, upon discharge of said fluid, said cover is deflated to a position substantially near said corrugated shape of said lower interior surface means, and the length of a floating portion of said cover during deflation is therefore minimized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A collapsible dam or sluice gate which is expandable upon fluid supply therein and deflatable upon fluid discharge therefrom comprising: means for supporting said dam or gate disposed along a bottom of a river or the like having a plurality of corrugations formed integrally on an upper surface of said supporting means; a cover made of a flexible sheet which can expand and deflate; means for attaching said cover to said supporting means; and means for defining a lower interior surface, disposed along said upper surface of said supporting means corrugations so that said lower interior surface means has a corrugated shape and, upon discharge of said fluid, said cover is deflated to a position substantially near said corrugated shape of said lower interior surface means, and the length of a floating portion of said cover during deflation is therefore minimized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A dam as in claim 1 wherein said supporting means is recessed below the bottom of the river so that said supporting means corrugations extend no higher than the bottom of the river.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A dam as in claim 1 wherein said supporting means is a concrete foundation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A dam as in claim 2 wherein said supporting means is a concrete foundation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dam as in claim 1 wherein said attaching means further comprises first and second attaching lines each of said attaching lines forming a row of fittings extending in a transverse direction to the direction of the flow of the river or the like.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dam as in claim 2 wherein said attaching means further comprises first and second attaching lines each of said attaching lines forming a row of fittings extending in a transverse direction to the direction of the flow of the river or the like.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dam as in claim 5 wherein said supporting means corrugations extend substantially parallel to said first and second attaching lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A dam as in claim 6 wherein said supporting means corrugations extend substantially parallel to said attaching lines.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dam as in claim 7 wherein said lower interior surface means is attached to said cover by said attaching means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dam as in claim 8 wherein said lower interior surface means is attached to said cover by said attaching means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A dam as in claim 5 wherein the length between said first and second attaching lines measured along the surface of said lower interior surface means is at least 1.1 times the linear length between said first and second attaching lines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A dam as in claim 6 wherein the length between said first and second attaching lines measured along the surface of said lower interior surface means is at least 1.1 times the linear length between said first and second attaching lines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
141 words
A collapsible dam or sluice gate which is expandable upon fluid supply therein and deflatable upon fluid discharge therefrom comprising: means for supporting said dam or gate disposed along a bottom of a river or the like including: a foundation having an upper surface; and corrugation-forming members attached to said upper surface of said foundation; a cover made of a flexible sheet which can expand and deflate; means for attaching said cover to said supporting means; and means for defining a lower interior surface, disposed along said supporting means corrugation-forming members so that said lower interior surface means has a corrugated shape and, upon discharge of said fluid, said cover is deflated to a position substantially near said corrugated shape of said lower interior surface means, and the length of a floating portion of said cover during deflation is therefore minimized.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
141 words
A collapsible dam or sluice gate which is expandable upon fluid supply therein and deflatable upon fluid discharge therefrom comprising: means for supporting said dam or gate disposed along a bottom of a river or the like including: a foundation having an upper surface; and corrugation-forming members attached to said upper surface of said foundation; a cover made of a flexible sheet which can expand and deflate; means for attaching said cover to said supporting means; and means for defining a lower interior surface, disposed along said supporting means corrugation-forming members so that said lower interior surface means has a corrugated shape and, upon discharge of said fluid, said cover is deflated to a position substantially near said corrugated shape of said lower interior surface means, and the length of a floating portion of said cover during deflation is therefore minimized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A dam as in claim 13 wherein said supporting means is recessed below the bottom of the river so that said corrugation-forming members extend no higher than the bottom of the river.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A dam as in claim 14 wherein said supporting means foundation is concrete.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A dam as in claim 14 wherein said corrugation forming members are rod-like members having rigidity which is large enough to withstand the water pressure at the desired depth of use of the dam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A dam as in claim 14 wherein said upper surface of said supporting means foundation is approximately planer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dam as in claim 14 wherein said attaching means further comprises first and second attaching lines each of said attaching lines forming a row of fittings extending in a transverse direction to the direction of the flow of the river or the like.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A dam as in claim 18 wherein said corrugation-forming members extend substantially parallel to said first and second attaching lines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dam as in claim 19 wherein said lower interior surface means is attached to said cover by said attaching means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
A dam as in claim 18 wherein the length between said first and second attaching lines measured along the surface of said lower interior surface means is at least 1.1 times the linear length between said first and second attaching lines.
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) | 1991-03-29 | 1991-09-28 | 1992-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-29 | 1995-09-28 | 1996-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-29 | 1999-09-28 | 2000-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |