# US 5,348,265 A · Air cushion supported secondary structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,348,265 A - Document ID: US5348265A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/053,910 - Filed: 1993-04-27 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1988-04-11 - Inventors: Donald E. Burg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348265A ## CPC - B63B 15/00: Superstructures {, deckhouses, wheelhouses or the like}; Arrangements or adaptations of masts {or spars, e.g. bowsprits}(loading or unloading equipment B63B27/00; masts and staying in general E04H; sails, running rigging B63H; {mounting ladders or the like on masts B63B29/205}) - B63B 17/00: Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for {(vehicle fittings for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles in general B60R25/00; propeller guards, line cutters or other means for protecting propellers or rudders B63H5/165; protection of power legs of outboard propulsion units B63H20/36; locking devices for boats, surfboards or parts or accessories thereof E05B73/007)} - B63B 29/02: Cabins or other living spaces; Construction or arrangement thereof - B63B 2017/0072: {Seaway compensators} - B63B 2221/22: by means that allow one or more degrees of angular freedom, e.g. hinges, articulations, pivots, universal joints, not otherwise provided for in this class - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract This invention consists of a parent structure and a stabilized supported secondary structure with one or more supporting pressurized gas cushions disposed between them. Selective control of pressures in the supporting pressurized gas cushions insures that the secondary structure is maintained in a desired orientation regardless of the orientation of the parent structure. This particularly attractive for stabilization of passenger cabins in boats but is also applicable of trains, airplanes, and even non-vehicular applications where there is tilting or other movement of the parent structure. An attractive application is to gas cushion supported marine craft since such craft already have a gas pressurization system in place. A pressure regulating device controls pressures in the supporting gas cushions. The pressure regulating device receives direction from a controller that utilizes data on secondary structure orientation supplied by an orientation sensing device, preferably a gyroscope, in mechanical communication with the secondary structure. There is normally a pivoting mechanism disposed between the parent structure and the secondary structure to prevent excessive movement of the secondary structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus to provide support for a secondary structure relative to a parent structure comprising: multiple secondary structure supporting gas cushions disposed, at least in part, between the secondary structure and the parent structure with a sum of upper surface areas of said secondary structure supporting gas cushions equaling a majority of a secondary structure lower surface area, a gas pressurization means for supplying pressurized gas to said secondary structure supporting gas cushions, and a gas pressure regulating device to control gas pressures in at least one of said secondary structure supporting gas cushions to thereby provide orientation control of the secondary structure relative to the parent structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 1 wherein operation of the gas pressure regulating device is directed by a controller with said controller receiving data inputs from an orientation sensing device in mechanical communication with the secondary structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 1 wherein pressurized gas can be vented from at least one of the secondary structure supporting gas cushions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 3 wherein pressurized gas vented from one of the secondary structure supporting gas cushions is directed to the gas pressurization means. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a seal terminating proximal to and extending proximal a majority of a length of an outer periphery of a lower surface of said secondary structure with said seal in mechanical communication with the parent structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a pivoting connector disposed between the parent structure and the secondary structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pivoting connector is, at least in part, a ball and socket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pivoting connector is, at least in part, a hinge like device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a parent structure supporting gas cushion disposed, at least partially, between the parent structure and a supporting medium of said parent structure and whereby pressurized gas can pass between at least one of said secondary structure supporting gas cushions and the parent structure supporting gas cushion. ### Claim 10 Apparatus to provide support for a secondary structure relative to a parent structure comprising: multiple secondary structure supporting gas cushions disposed, at least in part, between the secondary structure and the parent structure with a sum of upper surface areas of said supporting gas cushions equaling a majority of a secondary structure lower surface area, a parent structure supporting gas cushion supplied with pressurized gas by a gas pressurization means and disposed, at least partially, between the parent structure and a supporting medium of said parent structure and whereby pressurized gas can pass between at least one of said secondary structure supporting gas cushions and the parent structure supporting gas cushion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 10 which further comprises gas pressure regulating means to control gas pressures in at least one of said secondary structure supporting gas cushions to thereby provide orientation control of the secondary structure relative to the parent structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 11 wherein operation of the gas pressure regulating device is directed by a controller with said controller receiving data inputs from an orientation sensing device in mechanical communication with the secondary structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 10 wherein pressurized gas can be vented from at least one of the secondary structure supporting gas cushions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 13 wherein pressurized gas vented from at least one of the secondary structure supporting gas cushions is directed to the gas pressurization means. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 10 which further comprises a pivoting connector disposed between the parent structure and the secondary structure. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 15 wherein said pivoting connector is, at least in part, a hinge like device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 10 which further comprises a seal terminating proximal to and extending proximal a majority of a length of an outer periphery of a lower surface of said secondary structure with said seal in mechanical communication with the parent structure. ### Claim 18 Apparatus to provide support for a secondary structure relative to a parent structure comprising: multiple secondary structure supporting gas cushions disposed, at least in part, between the secondary structure and the parent structure with a sum of upper surface areas of said supporting gas cushions equaling a majority of a secondary structure lower surface area, and a pivoting connector disposed between the parent structure and the secondary structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 18 wherein said pivoting connector is, at least in part, a ball and socket. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 18 wherein said pivoting connector is, at least in part, a hinge like device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 18 which further comprises pressure regulating means to control gas pressures in said supporting gas cushions to thereby provide orientation control of the secondary structure relative to the parent structure. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 21 wherein operation of the gas pressure regulating device is directed by a controller with said controller receiving data inputs from an orientation sensing device in mechanical communication with the secondary structure. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 21 wherein pressurized gas can be vented through a pressure regulating device from the secondary structure supporting gas cushion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 18 which further comprises a seal terminating proximal to and extending proximal a majority of a length of an outer periphery of a lower surface of said secondary structure with said seal in mechanical communication with the parent structure. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The secondary structure support and stabilization apparatus of claim 18 which further comprises a parent structure supporting gas cushion disposed, at least partially, between the parent structure and a supporting medium of said parent structure and whereby pressurized gas can pass between at least one of said secondary structure supporting gas cushions and the parent structure supporting gas cushion.