초록 ▼

A flexible, resilient, annular grommet, preferably flanged at both ends, mounts to a circular hole within a planar generally rigid backing member. The backing member forms with a thin flexible sheet member having at least a portion underlying the backing member, a plenum chamber. The flexible sheet

A flexible, resilient, annular grommet, preferably flanged at both ends, mounts to a circular hole within a planar generally rigid backing member. The backing member forms with a thin flexible sheet member having at least a portion underlying the backing member, a plenum chamber. The flexible sheet bears perforations to provide an air bearing with an underlying support surface for a load borne by the backing member. The grommet lower flange is bifurcated and separated circumferentially by radial slots to permit lateral escape of the air to the interior of the plenum chamber with the inner flange functioning as air dispersion means within the plenum chamber to insure air flow throughout the chamber when the pallet is under load. A cross-piece or its equivalent, borne by the grommet, functions as a mechanical lock when engaging a rigid air supply tube or nozzle at the end of an air inlet hose, for feeding air under pressure to the plenum chamber. The cross-piece further limits projection of the nozzle within the hole of the grommet, thereby preventing the end of the nozzle from plunging through the thin flexible sheet bearing the perforations.

대표청구항 ▼

An air inlet and air dispersion grommet for a planar air pallet materials handling system or the like, said system comprising: a planar, generally rigid backing member, a thin flexible sheet member including a bottom portion bearing perforations underlying said backing member, said backing member su

An air inlet and air dispersion grommet for a planar air pallet materials handling system or the like, said system comprising: a planar, generally rigid backing member, a thin flexible sheet member including a bottom portion bearing perforations underlying said backing member, said backing member supporting a load, means including at least said thin flexible sheet member forming a plenum chamber for retaining pressurized air between the bottom portion of said sheet and said backing member and for creating a thin air film between the bottom portion of said sheet and an underlying support surface for allowing frictionless movement of said load over said underlying supporting surface, said grommet being mounted to one of said members and comprising a hollow annular body sealably fixed to said one member and opening to said plenum chamber, said body including at least one radially outwardly projecting inner flange over a portion of its periphery, within said plenum chamber and functioning to space said members apart, said body also including slot means within a peripheral portion of said body opening to said plenum chamber and to the interior of said hollow body, to the side of said inner flange, and means for insuring air flow from a tubular air supply nozzle bearing air under pressure when inserted into said annular body through said slot means, whereby, insertion of the end of said tubular air supply nozzle bearing air under pressure into said hollow annular body permits rapid jacking of said load, dispersion of the air throughout said plenum chamber, and creation of said thin film air bearing.