Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A support (1) for a disk-shaped article, comprising: a hollow supporting shaft (2) having a central axis (11) and an upper end (41); an annular nozzle (12) arranged in a peripheral zone of the support (1) facing the article, said nozzle (12) being fed with compressed gas so as to form a gaseous cushion between the support (1) and the article; cams (45) being located in an upper surface of the support (1) and facing the article in the peripheral zone of the support (1) so as to retain laterally the article, said cams (45) also being arranged on shafts (44) carrying gear wheels (43); and a gear rim (40) being coupled with the supporting shaft (2) at an inner end and being meshed with the gear wheels (43) at an outer end so as to rotate the cams (45); whereby a first space (50, 53, 54) leading from the upper end (41) of the supporting shaft (2) to the nozzle (12) is separated and sealed off from a second space (31, 33) in which the gear rim (40) operates to rotate the cams (45).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A support (1) for a disk-shaped article, comprising: a hollow supporting shaft (2) having a central axis (11) and an upper end (41); an annular nozzle (12) arranged in a peripheral zone of the support (1) facing the article, said nozzle (12) being fed with compressed gas so as to form a gaseous cushion between the support (1) and the article; cams (45) being located in an upper surface of the support (1) and facing the article in the peripheral zone of the support (1) so as to retain laterally the article, said cams (45) also being arranged on shafts (44) carrying gear wheels (43); and a gear rim (40) being coupled with the supporting shaft (2) at an inner end and being meshed with the gear wheels (43) at an outer end so as to rotate the cams (45); whereby a first space (50, 53, 54) leading from the upper end (41) of the supporting shaft (2) to the nozzle (12) is separated and sealed off from a second space (31, 33) in which the gear rim (40) operates to rotate the cams (45).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A support according to claim 1 further comprising: a base member (20) seated on the supporting shaft (2); an annular member (21) in which the shafts (44) of the cams (45) are rotatably supported; and a central member (22) defining together with the annular member (21) the nozzle (12).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A support according to claim 2, further comprising: sliding block means (46), provided in the base member (20), for guiding the gear rim (40) in the second space (31, 33).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A support according to claim 2 wherein the second space (31, 33) is partially defined by a surface (25) of the base member (20) on one side and by a mutually facing surface (32) of the central member (22) on an opposite side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A support according to claim 2 wherein the first space (50, 53, 54) is defined by a blind hole (50) in the central member (22), a plurality of radial holes (53) in the central member (22) leading away from the blind hole (50), and an annular space (54) between the central member (22) and the annular member (21).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A support according to claim 5 wherein the central member (22) is sealed at an open end of the blind hole (50) with respect to the upper end (41) of the supporting shaft (2).