Importance

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Abstract

A series of intermittently operable air pumps taking the form, for example, of transversely collapsible tubes or piston and cylinder assemblies, are located in recesses of a surface along which recurrent traffic moves, e.g., a factory floor subject to foot traffic and vehicular traffic, a highway, a sidewalk, or a surface along which a conveyor travels. Depressible actuating panels or treadles are operated by the traffic to in turn squeeze the tubes or move the pistons through pumping strokes, the tubes or pistons returning to their normal positions at the conclusion of such pumping strokes via yieldable means or otherwise. During such return action, the pumps operate through suction strokes such as to draw in a new supply of fluid, e.g. the ambient air, in readiness for the next operation of the actuating treadle by the traffic. Suitable check valves are employed to prevent retrograde movement of the fluid and special booster apparatus may be employed if necessary to ultimately achieve the desired energy output necessary to drive the selected equipment.

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First Claim