US4056939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable envelope systems for use in excavations
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-01-08
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Granted: 1977-11-08
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Expires: 1996-01-08
Abstract
Abstract Inflatable envelope systems for use with slurry products in back filling and other operations involving subterranean works. An envelope is inflated to partially crush deformable means disposed between the envelope and the wall of an excavation chamber so as to conform to the wall profile and oppose the flow of solidifiable material between the envelope and the wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Alberto M. Alvarez-Calderon F.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:05
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21F; E21F15/00; E21F15/02; E21F15/04; E21C; E21C41/00; E21C41/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for forming a channel through a solidifiable substance backfilling an excavation chamber, said chamber having opposed walls portions of which are approximately parallel and uneven, an elongate tubular envelope, elongate deformable means disposed between the envelope and the adjacent opposed walls, means for inflating said envelope to thereby partially crush said deformable means between the envelope and the wall, said deformable means conforming to the unevenness of said walls to form a seal between said envelope and at least one of said walls which opposes the flow of said solidifiable substances across said seal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for forming a channel through a solidifiable substance backfilling an excavation chamber, said chamber having opposed walls portions of which are approximately parallel and uneven, an elongate tubular envelope, elongate deformable means disposed between the envelope and the adjacent opposed walls, means for inflating said envelope to thereby partially crush said deformable means between the envelope and the wall, said deformable means conforming to the unevenness of said walls to form a seal between said envelope and at least one of said walls which opposes the flow of said solidifiable substances across said seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said deformable means is a foam product.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said foam product is made of ridig polystyrene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for forming a channel through a solidifiable substance backfilling an excavation chamber, comprising a deformable elongated inflatable tubular envelope, means for inflating said envelope means for controlling the shape of said envelope for causing the same to gradually develop an inclined side surface by sequential addition of fluid to said envelope and backfill substance to said chamber, with said sequential addition being applied at least two times, whereby the second addition of said fluid deforms said envelope causing the same to develope an inclined side surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for forming a channel through a solidifiable substance backfilling an excavation chamber, comprising a deformable elongated inflatable tubular envelope, means for inflating said envelope means for controlling the shape of said envelope for causing the same to gradually develop an inclined side surface by sequential addition of fluid to said envelope and backfill substance to said chamber, with said sequential addition being applied at least two times, whereby the second addition of said fluid deforms said envelope causing the same to develope an inclined side surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for use as a partition in excavation chambers within a body of solidifiable backfilling material comprising an elongate tubular envelope, means for adding a fluid into said envelope to maintain a fluid pressure therein, longitudinal mechanical means internally interconnecting side portions of said envelope for causing the same to assume to prolate shape in crossection when inflated to thereby define opposed extended portions interconnected by internal tension means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for use as a partition in excavation chambers within a body of solidifiable backfilling material comprising an elongate tubular envelope, means for adding a fluid into said envelope to maintain a fluid pressure therein, longitudinal mechanical means internally interconnecting side portions of said envelope for causing the same to assume to prolate shape in crossection when inflated to thereby define opposed extended portions interconnected by internal tension means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 in which said envelope has lateral edges and in which at least a portion of said longitudinal means are clamp means engaging said lateral edges forming a seal therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for forming a passageway within solidifiable material backfilling an excavation chamber having opposed walls, portions of which are approximately parallel and uneven, an elongate tubular envelope extending along the chamber between the wall portions, elongate low density crushable means disposed between the envelope and the adjacent opposed walls, means for inflating said envelope to cause the same to radially expand against and partially crush said crushable means between the envelope and the wall portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for forming a passageway within solidifiable material backfilling an excavation chamber having opposed walls, portions of which are approximately parallel and uneven, an elongate tubular envelope extending along the chamber between the wall portions, elongate low density crushable means disposed between the envelope and the adjacent opposed walls, means for inflating said envelope to cause the same to radially expand against and partially crush said crushable means between the envelope and the wall portions.
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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) | 1980-11-07 | 1981-05-09 | 1981-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-07 | 1985-05-09 | 1985-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-07 | 1989-05-09 | 1989-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |