Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
  • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
  • E04B1/344—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts
  • E04B1/3442—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts folding out from a core cell
• • 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
  • E04H15/008—Tents or tent-like constructions composed partially of rigid panels
• • 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
• • 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
  • E04H2015/202—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure with inflatable panels, without inflatable tubular framework
• • 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
  • E04H2015/202—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure with inflatable panels, without inflatable tubular framework
  • E04H2015/205—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure with inflatable panels, without inflatable tubular framework made from two sheets with intermediate spacer means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an inflatable element adapted to form in the inflated state a substantially planar wall.
• the present invention also relates to a structure comprising one or more substantially planar walls, at least one of the planar walls being an inflatable element of the preceding type.
• an inflatable element adapted to form in the inflated state a flat wall, this element consisting of two textile plies connected to each other by threads each attached to these two plies, each of these plies being formed of '' a textile layer proper, to which the threads are fixed, covered with an airtight outer covering, these sheets being joined to each other at their periphery by a seal which is also airtight, said element comprising at least one inflation valve with non-return valve.
• Such an element can be produced according to the velvet weaving process.
• Each textile sheet may be coated, at least on its outer face, by coating or laminating, with a coating which is airtight and, of course, water and liquid.
• a coating which is airtight and, of course, water and liquid.
• This product is already used as the bottom of inflatable boats, the two textile sheets being able to be easily glued or welded together or independently from each other to the inflatable tubes of these boats.
• the object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of known inflatable elements, and to propose an inflatable element of the aforementioned type adapted to form in the inflated state a substantially planar wall of a working or living structure, this element inflatable that can be integrated into said structure easily and reliably.
• the inflatable element of the aforementioned type is characterized in that the connecting means is, along at least one peripheral edge, in the form of an elongated or joined edge element covering each of the plies and fixed longitudinally thereto, for example by gluing or by welding, and in that it comprises main retaining means secured to one of said plies and adapted to cooperate with complementary retaining means secured to a wall adjacent to said peripheral edge so as to permanently urge said peripheral edge in the direction of said adjacent wall to press said peripheral edge against said adjacent wall in the inflated state of said inflatable element.
• each peripheral edge of this inflatable assembly can be urged permanently against an adjacent wall, it is thus possible to establish between the inflatable element and such an adjacent wall a rigid connection, although simple and reliable, and watertight or substantially watertight from the causes the edge of the inflatable element to be pressed and therefore slightly crushed against said adjacent wall.
• the inflatable element according to the present invention is therefore perfectly suited to forming a wall of any work or housing structure.
• the structure of the aforementioned type comprising one or more substantially planar walls is characterized in that at least one of the substantially planar walls consists of a inflatable element according to the first aspect of the present invention.
• the main retaining means and the complementary retaining means constitute a removable connection.
• the main retaining means and the complementary retaining means constitute an elastic connection.
• the main retaining means comprise a strip fixed on a ply along the peripheral edge, the strip having along its longitudinal edge adjacent to said peripheral edge retaining elements such as hook-and-loop strip, zipper rack, tie rods, cords, etc.
• Retaining means are provided on each ply along said peripheral edge.
• the structure comprises a base on which side walls are fixed, at least one of which is constituted by an inflatable element and to fix said inflatable element to the base, an elongated profile is used, of U-shaped cross section, connected to said base. , having ribs forming the branches of the U being spaced from each other by a predetermined distance making it possible to introduce between the ribs the corresponding peripheral edge of said inflatable element in the inflated state. Tie rods connect the inflatable element to the profile.
• the structure comprises a central part substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped comprising a base and at least one lateral wall articulated along its lower longitudinal edge adjacent to the base so as to be able to be folded down substantially parallel to said base and to receive elements forming side walls and an element forming a roof in order to constitute a lateral structure extending laterally the central structure, at least some of the elements forming the side walls and the element forming the roof are constituted by inflatable elements according to the invention.
• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 3 is an enlarged view, in elevation, of the structure according to the embodiment of Figure 1, the front side wall having been removed;
• Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a sectional view along VV in Figure 3.
• FIG. 1 shows a structure 1 substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped constructed on a base 2 and consisting of substantially planar walls, respectively a front wall 3, two side walls 4, a rear wall 5 and a roof 6.
• each of these walls consists of an inflatable element which will be detailed later.
• the base 2 shown as a conventional base made of hard material, could also consist of an inflatable element like the other walls.
• the front wall 2 includes a door 7 which can be a door made of conventional material pivoting around a frame also made of conventional material.
• the door 7 can also be constituted by an inflatable element of the same type as the walls 3, 4, 5 and 6.
• FIG. 2 shows a more complex structure 8 comprising a central structure 9, produced in this example in conventional material , shaped rectangular parallelepiped.
• the central structure 9 comprises a base 10 and two side walls 11. Each side wall 11 is articulated along an axis 12 along its lower longitudinal edge 13 adjacent to the base 10. Each side wall 11 can thus be folded outwards from the structure 9 until being substantially parallel to the base 10. In this folded position, each side wall 11 can receive elements forming side walls 14, 15 and a roofing element 16 so as to constitute a side structure 17 extending laterally the central structure 9.
• all of the elements 14, 15 forming the side walls and of the element 16 forming the roof are constituted by inflatable elements similar to the inflatable elements represented in FIG. 1.
• the inflatable element 18 adapted to form in the inflated state a substantially flat wall, consists of two textile sheets 19, 20 connected to one another by threads 21 each attached to these two plies 19, 20.
• the threads 21 are any known textile threads, for example made of natural, synthetic or glass fibers.
• Each of these plies is formed by a textile layer proper 19a, 20a, for example made of polyester, to which the threads 21 are fixed, and is covered on its outer face with an outer covering 22 airtight and water, for example PVC.
• These plies are joined to each other at their periphery by an edge element or joint 23, glued or welded or produced in any known manner, this joint 23 also being airtight and water tight.
• Each inflatable element 18 comprises at least one inflation valve 24 comprising a built-in non-return valve (not shown).
• each inflatable element 18 comprises along at least one peripheral edge 25, the seal 23 externally covering the end of each of the plies 19, 20 and fixed longitudinally thereto, for example by gluing or by welding, and retaining means integral with one of the plies 19, 20 and adapted to cooperate with complementary retaining means integral with a wall adjacent to said peripheral edge 25 so as to permanently urge the peripheral edge 25 in the direction of said adjacent wall to press this edge 25 against this wall in the inflated state of the inflatable element 18.
• the elongated joint 23 comprises, in the example of FIG. 5, a central textile layer covered on each face with a waterproof plastic coating to allow easy welding or bonding to the plies 19, 20 and to ensure the sealing edge 25.
• peripheral edge 25 pressed between an adjacent wall is flattened slightly against this wall and achieves an excellent air and water tightness.
• the retaining means and the complementary retaining means constitute a removable connection, which facilitates handling and transport operations before assembly and after disassembly of the structure shown.
• the retaining means comprise a strip 26 fixed to a textile sheet 19, 20 along the corresponding peripheral edge 25.
• the strip 26 has, along its longitudinal edge 27 adjacent to the peripheral edge 25, retaining elements such as hook-and-loop strips 28 or zipper racks 29.
• the inflatable elements 18 have, in the inflated state, a remarkable rigidity which allows their use as a wall of a structure.
• these elements are locally slightly deformable, which makes it possible to ensure a connection in tension with the retaining means, hook-and-loop bands 28 or zipper racks 29 by locally pulling on the band. 26 before fixing the retaining means to the corresponding complementary retaining means of the adjacent wall.
• retaining means 28, 29 are provided on each textile ply 19, 20 along the peripheral edge 25.
• a complementary waterproof cover 40 covers the roofing element 16 and is fixed to the inflatable elements forming the side walls 4 for example by self-gripping bands 28 of Velcro® band type.
• an elongated profile 32 of U-shaped cross section is fixed to the base 33.
• the ribs 34, 35 forming the branches of the U are spaced from each other by a distance predetermined for introducing between these ribs 34, 35 the peripheral edge 25 corresponding to an inflatable member 18 in the inflated state.
• the retaining means are tie rods 36 fixed to a band 26 on either side of the inflatable element 18.
• the tie rods 36 have at their free end a loop retained on the base 33 by means of a rod 37 for example made of rubber, passing through eyelets 38 integral with the profile 32.
• the tie rods 36 can be elastic to constitute an elastic connection.
• the tie rods 36 can also be replaced by cords.
• the left wall 4 is connected by tie rods 36 to the solid base, and by rack and pinion closure 29 to the roof 6.
• the right wall 4 is connected by rack and pinion closure 29 to the base, which it is hard or that it is an inflatable element.
• the embodiment shown in Figure 2 can be particularly used as a mobile shelter, the central structure 9 which may have the standardized dimensions of a container respecting the road and rail gauges.
• the structure 9 can thus be easily transported and deposited in any place where it can be deployed to form the complex structure 8 of FIG. 2.
• This structure is waterproof against water, air, and therefore bacteria, winds sand, etc., can have many applications, both civil and military.
• the structure 8 can be fitted inside if necessary an electromagnetic shielding and means of filtration, purification and treatment of air.
• the structures of the invention described above thus constitute economical, rigid and insulating structures in the inflated state, compact and easy to fold, store, transport in the deflated state.
• the retaining means can be assembled in the inflated state or in the deflated state.
• the structures in the inflated state can obviously be reinforced by known means, internal reinforcements or arches, shrouds, etc., (not shown) to resist wind and external conditions.
• the embodiment shown in Figure 2 can thus include a complementary structure on one side of the central structure.
• the longitudinal side wall 11 can of course comprise two articulated panels, one at its lower part to constitute a base, the other at its upper part to constitute a roofing element, the inflatable elements simply constituting the side walls of the structure complementary .

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
• Air Bags (AREA)
• Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
• Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=9498580

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (12)

Family Cites Families (12)

• 1996
  • 1996-12-12 FR FR9615254A patent/FR2757200B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1997
  • 1997-12-11 CA CA002274932A patent/CA2274932C/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1997-12-11 EP EP97951301A patent/EP0954661B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-12-11 AT AT97951301T patent/ATE235632T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1997-12-11 DE DE69720271T patent/DE69720271T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-12-11 BR BR9713930-0A patent/BR9713930A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1997-12-11 WO PCT/FR1997/002262 patent/WO1998026143A1/fr active IP Right Grant

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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