Air flotation and locking material handling apparatus and method of use

A materials handling apparatus for positioning objects on a substantially horizontal flat surface comprising, in combination with said horizontal flat surface;

• at least one flotation pad, comprising a seal skirt, a floatation pad disk, and means to secure said floatation pad disk to said seal skirt, said pad having a substantially planar lower surface and supporting at least a portion of the weight of said object:
• said seal skirt comprising, a recessed area defined by a downwardly extending annular flange, and a fluid port;
• and
• said floatation pad disk sealingly engaged in said recessed area of said seal skirt, said floatation pad disk comprising, a body portion having a thickness commensurate with said annular flange such that the floatation pad disk lower surface may be selectively spaced relative to said horizontal surface;
• a plurality of fluid jets extending through said body portion communicating a pressurized fluid between said fluid port and said lower surface of said floatation pad disk, said pressurized fluid forming a thin fluid film layer between said pad lower surface and said horizontal flat surface.

A materials handling apparatus for positioning objects on a substantially horizontal flat surface comprising, in combination with said horizontal flat surface;

• at least one flotation pad comprising a seal skirt, a floatation pad disk, means to secure said floatation pad disk to said seal skirt, and a mount for supporting at least a portion of the weight of said object, said pad having a substantially planar lower surface:
• said seal skirt comprising, a lower recessed area defined by a circular downwardly extending annular flange, said annular flange having inner face and a bottom face, a central bore of substantially smaller diameter than the lower recessed area, and a fluid port;
• said floatation pad disk comprising, a disk body having an upper disk surface, a lower surface, and an outer circumferential surface;
• said upper disk surface having an integral cylindrical shaft extending upwardly therefrom, said cylindrical shaft having substantially the same outer diameter as said seal skirt central bore, an annular groove in said shaft, and an o-ring pressed into said groove, said o-ring sealingly engaged with said seal skirt central bore;
• said upper disk surface having an annular groove in fluid communication with said seal skirt fluid port and having a plurality of fluid jets evenly spaced around said groove communicating a pressurized fluid between said fluid port and said lower surface of said floatation pad, said pressurized fluid forming a thin fluid film layer between said pad lower surface and said horizontal flat surface, said lower disk surface lying within substantially the same plane as said lower face of said seal skirt;
• and
• said outer circumferential surface having an annular groove therein, an o-ring pressed into said groove, said o-ring in sealing engagement with said seal skirt flange inner wall.