US4809734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Condensate-collecting ceiling for elevated water tower facility
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-09-28
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Granted: 1989-03-07
•
Expires: 2008-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A condensate-collecting ceiling for water tower facilities and the like is made up of a plurality of supporting members such as rods, tubes, pipes or the like which extend from a central locus or axis such as a tension ring or riser pipe to a periphal wall and have a waterproof flexible membrane draped thereover to form valleys or channels therebetween for draining condensate therefrom into central or peripheral drain pipes.
Inventors
- 👤 John O. Cliff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:35
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H12/00; E04H12/30; E03; E03B; E03B11/00; E03B11/10; E03B11/12; E03B3/00; E03B3/28; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/5762; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/6966; Y10T137/6969; Y10T137/7028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a water storage tank facility having an upper tank positioned above a lower working area, the improvement comprising as a condensate-collecting ceiling a plurality of rod-like supporting members extending from a central axis to an interior peripheral wall of said storage tank facility, said supporting members having a single and continuous flexible membrane draped cross said supporting members to form membranous segments with valleys formed therein between each of said plurality of supporting members for collecting and draining condensate into at least one drain pipe means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a water storage tank facility having an upper tank positioned above a lower working area, the improvement comprising as a condensate-collecting ceiling a plurality of rod-like supporting members extending from a central axis to an interior peripheral wall of said storage tank facility, said supporting members having a single and continuous flexible membrane draped cross said supporting members to form membranous segments with valleys formed therein between each of said plurality of supporting members for collecting and draining condensate into at least one drain pipe means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said central axis comprises a riser pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said valleys slope downward from said riser pipe toward said peripheral wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said membranous segments are open at peripheral ends thereof and have drain pipes at peripheral ends of said valleys.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said peripheral wall has a plurality of lower and upper ventilation ports therein below and above said condensate-collecting ceiling and said membranous segments have openings at peripheral ends thereof, whereby air entering said lower ports flows through said openings and outward through said upper ports.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said central axis comprises a tension ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said valleys slope downward from inside said peripheral wall toward said tension ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein said valleys have a condensate-collecting pan at said tension ring and a drain pipe extending therefrom toward said peripheral wall and then downward therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane comprises a waterproof material selected from the group consisting of light-gauge metal, light-gauge alloy, plastic and treated fabric.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said supporting members are joined to said peripheral wall by clip members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said supporting members are joined to said peripheral wall by a rim around the inside of said wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said supporting members have turnbuckles thereover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane is held in place draped over said supporting members by bolted clamps.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane is held in place over said supporting members by over-center clamps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
The condensate-collecting ceiling of claim 1 wherein said ceiling is positioned below an elevated water tank upper portion of an elevated water tank storage facility, said central axis comprises a tension ring positioned along an axis of said elevated water tank storage facility, and said supporting members are attached to said peripheral wall of said water tank storage facility below said elevated water tank upper portion of said elevated water tank storage facility.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
The condensate-collecting ceiling of claim 15 wherein said ceiling is positioned below an elevated water tank upper portion of an elevated water tank storage facility, said central axis comprises a riser pipe along an axis of said elevated water tank storage facility, and said supporting members are attached to said peripheral wall of said water tank storage facility below said elevated water tank upper portion.
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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) | 1992-03-06 | 1992-09-05 | 1993-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-09-05 | 1997-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-06 | 2000-09-05 | 2001-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |