EP0561576A1 - Inflatable storage chamber - Google Patents
Inflatable storage chamber Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0561576A1 EP0561576A1 EP93301921A EP93301921A EP0561576A1 EP 0561576 A1 EP0561576 A1 EP 0561576A1 EP 93301921 A EP93301921 A EP 93301921A EP 93301921 A EP93301921 A EP 93301921A EP 0561576 A1 EP0561576 A1 EP 0561576A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- storage chamber
- inflatable storage
- inflatable
- sheet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H6/00—Buildings for parking cars, rolling-stock, aircraft, vessels or like vehicles, e.g. garages
- E04H6/02—Small garages, e.g. for one or two cars
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
- E04H15/20—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure
- E04H15/22—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure supported by air pressure inside the tent
Definitions
- This invention relates to an inflatable storage chamber.
- Valuable items such as vintage motor vehicles and antiques will deteriorate if not stored in dry, non humid conditions. Even if for example a vintage car is stored in a garage the storage conditions are far from perfect. The vehicle will collect dust and grit but even more important is the damage caused by still air and condensation resulting in rusting bodywork and chassis. The interior trim will collect moisture from the still air and will quickly deteriorate. It is known to drape a cover such as a sheet over a car in an attempt to prevent deterioration. However, if a cover remains in contact with the paint work for a substantial length of time then adhesion to the car will tend to occur and on removing the cover some of the paint will become detached from the car.
- the present invention has been made from a consideration of these problems.
- an inflatable storage chamber defined by a flexible membrane comprising a means for access to the chamber and means for inflating the chamber.
- the membrane comprises a plastics sheet which may form a chamber by connecting the edges of the sheet via a clasp fastener.
- the membrane comprises a cover portion and a base portion which may form a chamber by connecting adjacent edges of the cover portion and base portion via a clasp fastener. Three or more adjacent edges of the cover portion and base portion may be connected.
- the chamber is inflated by a fan motor and safety release valves or vents may be provided in the membrane to prevent over inflation. Any suitable gas or combination of gases may be used such as air, helium or nitrogen. The gas is preferably dried and filtered prior to or upon entering the chamber.
- a dehumidifier may be provided in or connected to the chamber.
- the fan motor may be operated via any suitable power source such as battery, mains or solar power.
- the two halves 12, 14 of a bow tie shaped plastics sheet 10 may be connected together via a clasp fastener 16 the slide of which is movable between positions 18, 20.
- the sheet 10 forms a chamber 25.
- the base 11 of the chamber 25 may optionally be defined by rigid poles 21.
- a fan motor 27 is used to draw gas into and thereby inflate the chamber 25 such that only the base of the item or in the case of a motor vehicle the wheels are in contact with the sheet 10.
- a filter 28 and a dehydrating agent 29 such as silica gel provided at the entrance 30 to the chamber 25. These prevent contamination of the environment and maintains dry conditions within the chamber 25.
- a dehumidifier may be used to maintain dry conditions in addition to, or as an alternative to this.
- Inert gases such as helium or nitrogen are also suitable.
- Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention which is similar to the first embodiment and like reference numerals are used to represent like features.
- the clasp fastener 16 is a plastic zip which extends around three sides of the chamber, adjacent the base.
- the chamber may be designed to approximate the shape of a motor vehicle, as illustrated.
- the top cover may be 500s gauge clear plastic and the base sheet may be 1000s gauge clear plastic.
- the present invention therefore provides an inflatable chamber which can store an item in a suitable environment whilst only the base of the item is in contact with the chamber and the item can be viewed from outside the chamber.
- the size of the chamber may be adapted to suit the item to be stored.
- Supplementary rigid supports may be attached to the sheet to ensure that once inflated the chamber has a set configuration.
- Any item may be stored within the chamber such as motor vehicles, machinery, furniture especially vintage cars and antiques.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to an inflatable storage chamber.
- Valuable items such as vintage motor vehicles and antiques will deteriorate if not stored in dry, non humid conditions. Even if for example a vintage car is stored in a garage the storage conditions are far from perfect. The vehicle will collect dust and grit but even more important is the damage caused by still air and condensation resulting in rusting bodywork and chassis. The interior trim will collect moisture from the still air and will quickly deteriorate. It is known to drape a cover such as a sheet over a car in an attempt to prevent deterioration. However, if a cover remains in contact with the paint work for a substantial length of time then adhesion to the car will tend to occur and on removing the cover some of the paint will become detached from the car.
- The present invention has been made from a consideration of these problems.
- According to the present invention there is provided an inflatable storage chamber defined by a flexible membrane comprising a means for access to the chamber and means for inflating the chamber.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention the membrane comprises a plastics sheet which may form a chamber by connecting the edges of the sheet via a clasp fastener.
- In another embodiment of the invention the membrane comprises a cover portion and a base portion which may form a chamber by connecting adjacent edges of the cover portion and base portion via a clasp fastener. Three or more adjacent edges of the cover portion and base portion may be connected. The chamber is inflated by a fan motor and safety release valves or vents may be provided in the membrane to prevent over inflation. Any suitable gas or combination of gases may be used such as air, helium or nitrogen. The gas is preferably dried and filtered prior to or upon entering the chamber. A dehumidifier may be provided in or connected to the chamber. The fan motor may be operated via any suitable power source such as battery, mains or solar power. Thus, with the inflatable storage chamber of the present invention items can be stored in a controlled, fresh, dry environment. An individual environment is envisaged for each vehicle.
- In order that the invention may be more readily understood a specific embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
- Fig. 1 is a membrane of a first embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is an illustrative side elevational view of the inflated chamber of the first embodiment;
- Fig. 3 is a rear view of the inflated chamber of Fig.2;
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inflated chamber of a second embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view of the inflated chamber of a third embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 5 (b) shows the base of the chamber of Fig. 5 (a) ; and
- Fig. 5(c) is a side view of the chamber of Fig. 5 (a) .
- Referring to the drawings of the first embodiment the two
halves plastics sheet 10 may be connected together via aclasp fastener 16 the slide of which is movable betweenpositions halves sheet 10 forms achamber 25. thebase 11 of thechamber 25 may optionally be defined by rigid poles 21. - In use an item to be stored within the chamber would be placed on
base part 11 while thesheet 10 is in the position shown in Figure 1. The fastener is subsequently closed to define thechamber 25. - A
fan motor 27 is used to draw gas into and thereby inflate thechamber 25 such that only the base of the item or in the case of a motor vehicle the wheels are in contact with thesheet 10. - If air is used to inflate the chamber it is desirable to have a
filter 28 and adehydrating agent 29 such as silica gel provided at theentrance 30 to thechamber 25. These prevent contamination of the environment and maintains dry conditions within thechamber 25. A dehumidifier may be used to maintain dry conditions in addition to, or as an alternative to this. - Air need not be used to inflate the
chamber 25. Inert gases such as helium or nitrogen are also suitable. -
Safety valves 32 may be provided in thesheet 10 to prevent overinflation of thechamber 25. Filters and dehydrating agents may be provided in thevalves 32. - It may be that there will be a slow release of gas from the
chamber 25. If this is so then the amount of gas within thechamber 25 will need to be maintained within certain parameters. This can be achieved by using a pressure meter (not shown) which is connected to themotor 27 and automatically switches on themotor 27 when the amount of gas in the chamber has fallen below a certain minimum level and switches themotor 27 off as the amount of gas in thechamber 25 reaches a predefined maximum level. - The
sheet 10 may be made of any suitable flexible plastics material such as polypropylene, but the plastics material is preferably transparent to allow the stored item to be viewed from outside the chamber. Alternatively, windows of transparent plastics material may be provided. - Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention which is similar to the first embodiment and like reference numerals are used to represent like features. In this embodiment, the
clasp fastener 16 is a plastic zip which extends around three sides of the chamber, adjacent the base. - Referring to the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the
inflatable chamber 50 is formed by starting with abase sheet 52 of coloured pvc with azip 54 around all four sides. Aclear pvc top 56 is attached and zipped to the base forming a sealed unit. To this sealed unit a small fan andair filter unit 58 is added which not only inflates the chamber but supplies a constant flow of fresh filtered air through the entire unit. Theunit 58 is sewn into thetop cover 56. To stimulate and enhance the flow of air throughout the unit controlledopenings 60 are made in same i.e. "Vents" are set into the unit at opposite ends to the fan and filter assembly, thus passing air over and through the entire contents of the unit. The fan and filter will supply enough dust free air to change the air inside the unit 3 times every hour. This flow of constantly changing fresh air will have the effect of drying whatever is stored in the unit, i.e if a wet motor car were placed in the unit, it would completely dry (after several hours) and stay that way as long as stored. Theopenings 60 may be plastic, adjustable air vents. - In use, the vehicle or object to be stored is placed on the
base 52 and the clear top cover is then thrown over it. The cover and base are then joined together around all four sides by means of thezip 54. The fan is turned on to inflate the chamber. Usually such inflation will be achieved in approximately ten minutes. The rear air vents are then adjusted to control the chamber ventilation. - The chamber may be designed to approximate the shape of a motor vehicle, as illustrated.
- The top cover may be 500s gauge clear plastic and the base sheet may be 1000s gauge clear plastic.
- The present invention therefore provides an inflatable chamber which can store an item in a suitable environment whilst only the base of the item is in contact with the chamber and the item can be viewed from outside the chamber.
- It is to be understood that the above described embodiments are by way of example only and many modifications and variations may be made.
- The size of the chamber may be adapted to suit the item to be stored. Supplementary rigid supports may be attached to the sheet to ensure that once inflated the chamber has a set configuration.
- Any item may be stored within the chamber such as motor vehicles, machinery, furniture especially vintage cars and antiques.
Claims (13)
- An inflatable storage chamber defined by a flexible membrane comprising means for access to the chamber and means for inflating the chamber.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in claim 1 wherein the membrane comprises a sheet which may form a chamber by connecting the edges of the sheet.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sheet comprises plastics material.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the edges of the sheet are connected via a clasp fastener.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in claim 1 wherein the membrane comprises a cover portion and a base portion.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in claim 5 wherein the cover portion and the base portion form a chamber by connecting adjacent edges of the cover portion and base portion.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in claim 6 wherein the adjacent edges are connected via a clasp fastener.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the chamber is inflated by a fan motor.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in any preceding claim wherein safety release valves are provided in the membrane to prevent over inflation.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a dehumidifier is provided in or connected to the chamber.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a filter is provided in or connected to the chamber.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a fan motor is provided in or connected to the chamber.
- An inflatable storage chamber as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the chamber approximates the shape of a motor vehicle.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9205618 | 1992-03-14 | ||
GB929205618A GB9205618D0 (en) | 1992-03-14 | 1992-03-14 | Inflatable storage chamber |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0561576A1 true EP0561576A1 (en) | 1993-09-22 |
EP0561576B1 EP0561576B1 (en) | 1997-07-30 |
Family
ID=10712156
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19930301921 Expired - Lifetime EP0561576B1 (en) | 1992-03-14 | 1993-03-12 | Inflatable storage chamber |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0561576B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69312535T2 (en) |
GB (2) | GB9205618D0 (en) |
SG (1) | SG43282A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2721340A1 (en) * | 1994-06-15 | 1995-12-22 | Jet Plastique Sarl | Zip fastener allowing removal of inflatable cover over swimming pool leaving base in place |
FR2814187A1 (en) * | 2000-09-18 | 2002-03-22 | Styl Piscines | Inflatable shelter e.g. for workshop has heater and ventilation grilles to prevent inner surface condensation |
WO2003076743A1 (en) * | 2002-03-08 | 2003-09-18 | Stanley Millward | Collapsible verhicle storage structure |
DE202017000076U1 (en) | 2017-01-07 | 2017-02-07 | Udo Gräfe | Packaging for motor vehicles, caravans and objects |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5566512A (en) * | 1994-05-13 | 1996-10-22 | Page; George | Inflatable storage chamber |
US5571933A (en) | 1994-11-17 | 1996-11-05 | Duquesne University Of The Holy Ghost | Derivatives of estra 1,3,5(10)triene-17-one, 3-amino compounds and their use |
GB9702904D0 (en) | 1997-02-13 | 1997-04-02 | Page George | Storage chamber |
IT1298836B1 (en) * | 1998-01-05 | 2000-02-07 | Edoardo Moscarelli | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE STORAGE OF EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY AND MOBILE MEANS, IN CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE. |
CN100523409C (en) * | 2006-08-22 | 2009-08-05 | 孙兆忠 | High-pressure gas skeleton car shaped parking garage |
CN103628713A (en) * | 2013-10-27 | 2014-03-12 | 沈阳建筑大学 | Multifunctional portable mobile garage |
FR3066519A1 (en) * | 2017-05-17 | 2018-11-23 | Eder Numero 1 | DEVICE FOR CREATING A WORKING ENVIRONMENT UNDER CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE |
WO2022189926A1 (en) | 2021-03-09 | 2022-09-15 | In The Garage Ag | Vehicle enclosure |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3474803A (en) * | 1968-06-19 | 1969-10-28 | Ephraim F Davis | Automobile enclosure |
US4031674A (en) * | 1976-01-19 | 1977-06-28 | Rand J Patrick | Inflatable tent |
GB2024588A (en) * | 1978-07-10 | 1980-01-16 | Plastics Fabricating & Distrib | Protective enclosure |
WO1981000872A1 (en) * | 1978-08-18 | 1981-04-02 | C Sargent | Air-supported shelter system |
GB2178772A (en) * | 1985-07-24 | 1987-02-18 | Pi Cat Ltd | Inflatable tent with fan and filter |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4103369A (en) * | 1977-02-28 | 1978-08-01 | Riordan David B | Inflatable structure |
US4164829A (en) * | 1977-11-14 | 1979-08-21 | Sadler Philip M | Inflatable structure |
GB2084211A (en) * | 1980-09-19 | 1982-04-07 | Northgreaves Kenneth Roy | Shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas |
US4550533A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1985-11-05 | Fraioli Donato M | Air-supported structure for sport activities |
GB2134559A (en) * | 1983-02-02 | 1984-08-15 | Disco Bounce Int | Inflatable building in which lights or sound sources are mounted |
WO1990012940A1 (en) * | 1989-04-14 | 1990-11-01 | John Kay | Sun tent |
-
1992
- 1992-03-14 GB GB929205618A patent/GB9205618D0/en active Pending
-
1993
- 1993-03-12 EP EP19930301921 patent/EP0561576B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-03-12 DE DE1993612535 patent/DE69312535T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-03-12 SG SG1996006973A patent/SG43282A1/en unknown
- 1993-03-12 GB GB9305064A patent/GB2264963B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3474803A (en) * | 1968-06-19 | 1969-10-28 | Ephraim F Davis | Automobile enclosure |
US4031674A (en) * | 1976-01-19 | 1977-06-28 | Rand J Patrick | Inflatable tent |
GB2024588A (en) * | 1978-07-10 | 1980-01-16 | Plastics Fabricating & Distrib | Protective enclosure |
WO1981000872A1 (en) * | 1978-08-18 | 1981-04-02 | C Sargent | Air-supported shelter system |
GB2178772A (en) * | 1985-07-24 | 1987-02-18 | Pi Cat Ltd | Inflatable tent with fan and filter |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2721340A1 (en) * | 1994-06-15 | 1995-12-22 | Jet Plastique Sarl | Zip fastener allowing removal of inflatable cover over swimming pool leaving base in place |
FR2814187A1 (en) * | 2000-09-18 | 2002-03-22 | Styl Piscines | Inflatable shelter e.g. for workshop has heater and ventilation grilles to prevent inner surface condensation |
WO2003076743A1 (en) * | 2002-03-08 | 2003-09-18 | Stanley Millward | Collapsible verhicle storage structure |
US7096628B2 (en) | 2002-03-08 | 2006-08-29 | Stanley Millward | Collapsible vehicle storage structure |
DE202017000076U1 (en) | 2017-01-07 | 2017-02-07 | Udo Gräfe | Packaging for motor vehicles, caravans and objects |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69312535D1 (en) | 1997-09-04 |
GB2264963B (en) | 1996-11-06 |
GB9205618D0 (en) | 1992-04-29 |
GB9305064D0 (en) | 1993-04-28 |
EP0561576B1 (en) | 1997-07-30 |
DE69312535T2 (en) | 1998-02-26 |
GB2264963A (en) | 1993-09-15 |
SG43282A1 (en) | 1997-10-17 |
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