US3643758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Skirts for air cushion vehicles
Assignee: British Hovercraft Corp Ltd
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Filing: 1970-09-09
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1990-09-09
Abstract
Abstract An air cushion vehicle wherein the cushion is bounded in part by a skirt including a plurality of segments extending from the rigid structure of the vehicle and includes a flexible diaphragm extending between and secured to the webs and arcuate part of each segment, the diaphragm extending from a position centrally of the arcuate part to the inner upper edge of each web. The diaphragm, together with the segment and the rigid structure of the vehicle, forms an inflatable compartment separate from the fluid cushion.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Winter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V1/00; B60V1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A vehicle which receives support from at least one cushion of pressurized fluid, the cushion or cushions being bounded in part by a skirt including a plurality of segments extending from rigid structure of the vehicle, wherein at least one flexible diaphragm extends between, and is secured to, the webs and the arcuate part of each segment, the diaphragm extending from a position on the arcuate part intermediate the upper edge and the lower tip of the arcuate part in a direction first inwardly towards the fluid cushion and then upwardly towards the inner upper edge of each web to form, with the segment and the rigid structure of the vehicle, at least one inflatable compartment separate from the fluid cushion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A vehicle which receives support from at least one cushion of pressurized fluid, the cushion or cushions being bounded in part by a skirt including a plurality of segments extending from rigid structure of the vehicle, wherein at least one flexible diaphragm extends between, and is secured to, the webs and the arcuate part of each segment, the diaphragm extending from a position on the arcuate part intermediate the upper edge and the lower tip of the arcuate part in a direction first inwardly towards the fluid cushion and then upwardly towards the inner upper edge of each web to form, with the segment and the rigid structure of the vehicle, at least one inflatable compartment separate from the fluid cushion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein each compartment is inflatable to a pressure higher than that of the fluid cushion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein two or more compartments are formed with each segment and each of these compartments is inflated to a different pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A vehicle which receives support from at least one cushion of pressurized fluid, the cushion or cushions being bounded in part by a skirt including a plurality of segments and an upper flexible part, wherein at least one flexible diaphragm extends between, and is secured to, the webs and the arcuate part of each segment, the diaphragm extending from a position on the arcuate part intermediate the upper edge and the lower tip of the arcuate part in a direction first inwardly towards the fluid cushion and then upwardly towards the inner upper edge of each web to form, in cooperation with the segment and the upper flexible part of the skirt, at least one inflatable compartment separate from the fluid cushion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A vehicle which receives support from at least one cushion of pressurized fluid, the cushion or cushions being bounded in part by a skirt including a plurality of segments and an upper flexible part, wherein at least one flexible diaphragm extends between, and is secured to, the webs and the arcuate part of each segment, the diaphragm extending from a position on the arcuate part intermediate the upper edge and the lower tip of the arcuate part in a direction first inwardly towards the fluid cushion and then upwardly towards the inner upper edge of each web to form, in cooperation with the segment and the upper flexible part of the skirt, at least one inflatable compartment separate from the fluid cushion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein each compartment is inflated by fluid from the upper part of the skirt by way of orifices in the upper part of the skirt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fluid is supplied to the cushion by way of orifices in the upper part of the skirt remote from the segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fluid is supplied to the cushion from the compartments by way of orifices in the diaphragms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein fluid flows to the cushion from both the upper part of the skirt and the compartments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 4 wherein each compartment is inflatable to a pressure higher than that of the fluid cushion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 9 wherein two or more compartments are formed with each segment and each of these compartments is inflated to a different pressure.
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) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |