초록 ▼

A flexible film sheet underlying a backing member bearing a load and directly overlying a planar, fixed support surface and partially defining a plenum chamber, and having perforations within the flexible film sheet facing the support surface, extends laterally beyond the load to form an extension o

A flexible film sheet underlying a backing member bearing a load and directly overlying a planar, fixed support surface and partially defining a plenum chamber, and having perforations within the flexible film sheet facing the support surface, extends laterally beyond the load to form an extension of the air plenum chamber. Air inlet means opens to the plenum chamber extension portion, and a seal line extends diagonally inwardly from the juncture of the air inlet means and the plenum chmber extension portion to a point near or beneath the load to effectively jack the load from the air inlet means laterally and automatically balance the load on the air pallet during jacking, while reducing the possibility of rupture of the flexible film sheet in the vicinity of the air inlet.

대표청구항 ▼

An air pallet comprising: a relatively rigid planar backing member for supporting a load, said backing member including longitudinal and lateral side edges, a bottom, thin flexible sheet underlying said backing member, bearing perforations and having longitudinal side edges, means including at least

An air pallet comprising: a relatively rigid planar backing member for supporting a load, said backing member including longitudinal and lateral side edges, a bottom, thin flexible sheet underlying said backing member, bearing perforations and having longitudinal side edges, means including at least said thin flexible sheet forming a plenum chamber for retaining pressurized air, thereby being formed between said bottom sheet and said backing member; whereby, said air pallet is supported for frictionless movement ovver a supporting surface, a portion of said bottom sheet extending laterally beyond at least one of said lateral sides of said backing member and being overlapped, forming a fold line therein with overlapped upper and lower portions which are sealed together along said longitudinal side edges thereof, a seal line joining said upper and lower overlapped portions of said thin flexible sheet and extending diagonally from said fold line to at least one of said longitudinal side edges, an air inlet means formed in said sheet at the end of said seal line adjacent said fold line; whereby, said pressurized air enters said plenum chamber through said air inlet means and is guided by said seal line towards said backing member to prevent rupture of said overlapped thin flexible sheet portions.