US3610364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Free bottom air bearing device
Assignee: Airfloat Corp
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Filing: 1969-01-09
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1989-01-09
Abstract
Abstract An air bearing device capable of increased inflation height which consists of a load supporting member and an inflatable flexible diaphragm attached peripherally to the support, the attached diaphragm having a rigid center portion which operates in light contactual relationship with the operating surface, and spaces that portion of the diaphragm adjacent to the rigid center portion above the operating ground surface.
Inventors
- 👤 David Roy Snoeyenbos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An air-bearing device operable over a ground surface comprising a flexible diaphragm having an unsecured center portion, a load-carrying member to which said diaphragm is secured to provide a gas-receiving chamber, a cavity-forming support means having a convex shaped or upwardly directed bottom carried by the unsecured center portion of the diaphragm for turning the unsecured center portion upward and to thereby form a ground proximate plenum cavity beneath said diaphragm, said diaphragm being characterized by having openings adjacent to said support means which are maintained in communication with said gas-receiving chamber and said ground proximate plenum cavity by means of said cavity-forming support means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An air-bearing device operable over a ground surface comprising a flexible diaphragm having an unsecured center portion, a load-carrying member to which said diaphragm is secured to provide a gas-receiving chamber, a cavity-forming support means having a convex shaped or upwardly directed bottom carried by the unsecured center portion of the diaphragm for turning the unsecured center portion upward and to thereby form a ground proximate plenum cavity beneath said diaphragm, said diaphragm being characterized by having openings adjacent to said support means which are maintained in communication with said gas-receiving chamber and said ground proximate plenum cavity by means of said cavity-forming support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The air-bearing device of claim 1, wherein the cavity-forming support means is an outer plate having its ground proximate outer surface generally convex and its inner or upper surface concave.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The air-bearing device of claim 2, including a second plate conforming to and mounted on top of the outer plate with the unsecured center portion of the diaphragm held therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The air-bearing device of claim 1, wherein the cavity-forming support means comprises a rigid cavity-forming insert to which the diaphragms''s center portion is attached.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
An air-bearing device operable over a ground surface comprising a flexible diaphragm having an unsecured center portion, a load-carryIng member to which said diaphragm is secured to provide a gas-receiving chamber therebetween, a cavity-forming support means having a convexed shaped bottom portion carried by the unsecured center portion of the diaphragm for turning the unsecured center portion upward and to thereby form a ground proximate plenum cavity beneath said diaphragm, said diaphragm being characterized by having openings adjacent to said support means which are maintained in communication with said gas-receiving chamber and said ground proximate plenum cavity by means of said cavity-forming support means and a gas inlet means for directing gas into said chamber, said gas inlet means being arranged to avoid substantial closure thereof by said cavity-forming support means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
An air-bearing device operable over a ground surface comprising a flexible diaphragm having an unsecured center portion, a load-carryIng member to which said diaphragm is secured to provide a gas-receiving chamber therebetween, a cavity-forming support means having a convexed shaped bottom portion carried by the unsecured center portion of the diaphragm for turning the unsecured center portion upward and to thereby form a ground proximate plenum cavity beneath said diaphragm, said diaphragm being characterized by having openings adjacent to said support means which are maintained in communication with said gas-receiving chamber and said ground proximate plenum cavity by means of said cavity-forming support means and a gas inlet means for directing gas into said chamber, said gas inlet means being arranged to avoid substantial closure thereof by said cavity-forming support means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The air-bearing device of claim 5, wherein said gas inlet means passes through said load-carrying member at a point offcenter thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3390736A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |