Abstract:
A readily deployable lightweight structure comprises a frame with a fabric cover. The frame consists of polyhedral structures of inflatable legs made from reinforced frame material that has a woven reinforcing substrate coated on each side with an air tight layer of polymer material. This material is wound into a tube with an outer side portion overlying the inner end portion. A longitudinal covering strip covers the edge of the outer side portion. The legs meet at connection points. An opening is provided at each connection point. A sealing device is provided at each connection point consisting of an inner sealing member and an outer sealing member both sealed to fabric.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a folding, large area roof made from flexible material (1) only fixed on one front face (2) and tensioned by means of tubular gas-fillable segments (3), provided with scroll springs, individual gas-fillable chambers in the segments (3) or mechanical support elements (4) made up of jointed support sections (5) for the geometrical guiding and speeding up of the preferably spiral unfolding and folding movements.
Abstract:
An inexpensive collapsible enclosure providing a protected space on a beach, lawn or the like. An inflatable tube (2, 22) forms a wall (9, 29) surrounding a space having an open end, so that a user is shielded from small kicked or thrown material or objects, running pets and the like. The tubular wall has flaps (4, 24) extending from its bottom surface, with pouches (26) or separate tubes (56) which a user fills at the site to hold the enclosure in place. The enclosure may have a floor (11, 31), and may have attachment portions (195') for removable connecting an extension unit (180) having a floor (188) which extends beyond the open end of the space between side portions of the wall (29).
Abstract:
An airframe supported tent (10) includes at least one pair of coupled airbeams (12). The coupled airbeam frames (12) include first (36a) and second (36b) redundant airbeam bladders for providing support to the tent (10) when inflated. The airframe supported tent (10) also includes a valve interface (14), fluidly coupled to each of the first and second redundant airbeam bladders (36a, 36b), for allowing all of the airbeams to be inflated and deflated through the valve interface (14). An air pump (50) is provided which is small, compact, and lies generally flat when compressed. The air pump (50) couples with the valve interface (14) on the tent (10), to inflate and deflate all of the airbeams generally simultaneously.
Abstract:
A construction system of a plurality of interlocking construction elements is disclosed. At least one of the interlocking elements is a cured-in-place element having a pliable exterior shell defining a cavity and a strength-imparting core placed inside the cavity. The system also includes a hardenable media for filling the cavity. The exterior shell of the cured-in-place element is adapted to expand as its cavity is filled with the hardenable media or as the hardenable media cures, whereby the interlocking construction elements bond into an integral structure by a an interference or a friction fit. Methods of construction of new structures and reinforcement of preexisting ones are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A dome shaped structure (10) comprising a framework of elongate inflatable members (12) in a skin (14). The skin (14) defines second inflatable members between the first inflatable members, which second members are held at below ambient pressure. A pressure distributor (18) provides above ambient pressure in the elongate members (12) and below ambient pressure in the second inflatable members.
Abstract:
La présente invention a pour objet un hangar gonflable flottant pour bateau. Il est constitué d'une enceinte (1) longitudinale en arche formée de modules gonflables (2) constituant chacun un élément indépendant modulable permettant d'ajuster la longueur de l'enceinte, chaque module étant séparé des modules adjacents par une certaine distance et reliés entre eux par des bâches (3) ajustables permettant le passage des personnes, d'équipements divers ou du mât d'un voilier, la base de chaque paroi latérale de l'enceinte étant montée sur un ponton (4, 5) flottant rigide comportant des plateaux longeant les parties basse interne et externe des parois. Il est destiné à abriter un bateau à flot pour procéder à son entretien ou pour effectuer des réparations.
Abstract:
This invention comprises of an inflatable structure that is constructed by combining polyhedron structural elements to form more complex geodesic structures. The structural elements are constructed out of straight inflatable tubes, in which the warp of the polyester reinforced fabric is aligned with the principal tube axis, giving it high resistance to bending. The complementary leg ends are connected at the vertices with connectors that comprises a slider and track formation, fixed along the axial angle at the end of each leg. Each leg end is shaped along the natural complimentary lines along the intersecting surfaces of the adjacent structural element. Once assembled in combination with a fabric cover and groundsheet, the tent is stable and completely freestanding.
Abstract:
The invention discloses a portable modular shelter comprising a rigid structure (1) parallelepiped in shape comprising two front panels (4a, 4b) and two lateral panels (5a, 5b), and comprising a panel (6a) forming the roof of the structure (1) and a panel (6b) forming the floor of the structure (1), characterised in that at least one of the panels (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) is articulated about the rigid structure (1), and in that it further comprises an inflatable structure (13a, 13b) mechanically coupled with the panels (5a, 5b), the inflatable structure (13a, 13b) coupled with the unfolded panel (5a, 5b) enlarging the available volume of the rigid structure (1) when the inflatable structure (13a, 13b) is unfolded and maintained thus by the action of pressure from a fluid injected into the inflatable structure (13a, 13b).
Abstract:
Rigidifiable composites are formed by stitching a reinforced B-stage resin sheet stock to form a three-dimensional preform (20). The preform (20) is subsequently rigidified by initiating final cure of the resin. Molded articles, inflatable and other structures, such as, tank, tunnel, and sewer liners are some of the typical structures which can be formed by the methods of the invention. Control of thread count, thread tension and thread spacing can be used to consolidate multi-ply or layered preforms, which, upon cure, can have up to 90 % of the load carrying capacity of compression molded fiber reinforced articles.