EP1346119B1 - Aufblasbare konstruktion - Google Patents

Aufblasbare konstruktion Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1346119B1
EP1346119B1 EP01991641A EP01991641A EP1346119B1 EP 1346119 B1 EP1346119 B1 EP 1346119B1 EP 01991641 A EP01991641 A EP 01991641A EP 01991641 A EP01991641 A EP 01991641A EP 1346119 B1 EP1346119 B1 EP 1346119B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
legs
leg
structural elements
apical
tetrahedron
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01991641A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1346119A1 (de
Inventor
Etienne Douw Visser
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1346119A1 publication Critical patent/EP1346119A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1346119B1 publication Critical patent/EP1346119B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • E04H2015/201—Tents or canopies, in general inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure with inflatable tubular framework, with or without tent cover

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an inflatable structure.
  • inflatable structures such as inflatable boats, inflatable life rafts and the like are manufactured from airtight fabrics.
  • These fabrics conventionally consist of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabric reinforced with woven polyester. The fabric is cut and welded, either with the use of heat welding or with adhesives, to obtain the desired shapes.
  • PVC polyvinyl chloride
  • Frame structures as typically utilised in a tent or canopy utilise structural intersections that are typically too complex and difficult to manufacture with the current state of art in inflatable tube manufacturing.
  • a structure comprising a plurality of structural units each consisting of three inflatable legs, two of which constitute support legs and the third constituting an apical leg, each leg having a free end and an inner end, the inner ends of the three legs being joined at a centrepoint, the legs being arranged to define a tetrahedron with the three legs lying on three adjacent edges of the tetrahedron and with adjacent pairs of legs lying in planes of three sides of the tetrahedron, and the free ends of the legs define the fourth side of the tetrahedron; the free ends of the units being closed and the apical legs of the units being connected to corresponding legs of the other units at a join position.
  • each unit is preferably of the same length although two of the legs are of the same length and the third leg is of a different length.
  • each leg is straight.
  • Each leg preferably comprises a plastic reinforced by a woven fabric. The warp of the fabric is conveniently aligned with the tube axis.
  • a connector unit is conveniently provided at the free end of at least one of the legs whereby it may be connected to a similar leg of another structural unit.
  • the structural element of the invention will yield, in combination with similar structural elements, a variety of geodesic structures.
  • the apical legs of the structural elements may be secured to the apical legs of adjacent, similar structural elements.
  • the support legs of the structural elements may be secured to the support legs of adjacent, similar structural elements.
  • each structural element may be provided with mating connector formations to permit easy connection and disconnection to the apical legs of adjacent structural elements.
  • the support legs of each structural element may be provided with mating connector formations to permit easy connection and disconnection to the support legs of adjacent structural elements.
  • the connector constitutes the mating track and slider formations that can be inter engaged with one another to connect the structural elements together.
  • each structural element is geometrically shaped along the natural complimentary lines along the intersecting surfaces of the adjacent structural element.
  • the connectors are fixed along their relative axial angles.
  • the inflatable structure of the invention is more of a construction system than a simple structure.
  • the system relies on the use of an inflatable polyhedral structural element as its basic unit of construction. By combining such a structural element with similar structural elements or with similarly polyhedral structural elements, a large variety of structures can be created as will be illustrated below.
  • the structural element 10 illustrated in Figure 1 has an essentially straight sided tetrahedral shape.
  • a tetrahedron being a polyhedron with four triangular sides, the structural element is made of three inflatable relatively narrow tubes 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, each lying on an edge of the tetrahedron.
  • Three of the triangular sides of the tetrahedron are constituted by the triangular planes included between the three legs and the fourth triangular side is constituted by the plane defined by the free ends of the legs.
  • the structural element constitutes an inverted Y shaped support element.
  • the legs 10.1 and 10.2 lie on the inverted arms of the Y and constitute support legs.
  • the remaining leg 10.3 defines the stem of the Y, which is angled relatively to the legs 10.1, 10.2 to define a support beam in structures to be erected with the use of the structural element 10.
  • the tubes making up the legs 10.1, 10.2. 10.3 of the structural support element are made from airtight PVC fabric reinforced with woven polyester.
  • the woven polyester reinforcing fabric is arranged with the warp thereof aligned longitudinally with the principal axis of each of the tubular legs 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3. This gives the tubes a high resistance to bending.
  • the polyester reinforcing fabric may be arranged on the bias (with the warp at an angle to the tube axis) to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the curvature that will be permitted.
  • the airtight fabric is double welded along the length of each tube.
  • the fabric is welded along axially extending seams with a separate strip of fabric welded internally along each of the seams to provide enhanced sealing.
  • the tubes making up the legs 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 are interconnected at their inner ends 10.5 across a joint 12 through which the pressurising fluid can flow freely during inflation and deflation of the structural element 10.
  • the closed end 10.4 of each leg 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 is geometrically shaped along the natural complimentary lines along the intersecting surfaces of the adjacent structural element.
  • the structural element 10 is inflated and deflated by means of an inflation valve (illustrated diagrammatically at 14).
  • the inflatable tubes are airtight and once it is filled with compressed gas to the desired pressure and sealed off, will maintain its rigidity and support strength without any further addition of compressed air.
  • pressurising fluid would be compressed air obtained from a blower or compressor, or from a pressurised gas canister, but alternative pressurising fluids such as motor vehicle exhaust gas could also be used, provided the appropriate inflation fittings are used.
  • the structural element 10 of the invention can be combined into relatively complex structures that, because of the tetrahedral shape of the unit 10, will have the characteristics of geodesic domes.
  • the simple structure 100 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 provides an example of the structure building capabilities of the basic structural element 10.
  • the structure 100 four of the units 10 are interconnected to form a four-sided structural frame.
  • the apical legs 10.3 of the units 10 are connected to one another at the join position at apex 102 of the structure 100 by means of connectors that will be described below.
  • the support legs 10.1 and 10.2 of the structural elements 10 extend down to the ground and are connected to one another by means of connectors that will be described below.
  • the structure 100 may now be clad with a fabric cover (not shown).
  • the structure 100 is clad with a fabric cover and fastened to a groundsheet, it is completely free standing and needs no pegs or anchor ropes to keep it stable. Very little experience or knowledge is now required to pitch the tent.
  • the energy that pitches the tent is supplied by the compressed gas and the whole process is done in a fraction of the normal time. There is also no assembly needed to pitch the tent.
  • the unit only needs to be unfolded and inflated to pitch the tent. The same applies when putting the tent down.
  • the valves in the tubes are opened to let the compressed gas out and the whole structure collapses. It is then folded as a unit in the normal way. There is thus no poles or other structural elements to account for.
  • the structure 100 provides a high degree of wind resistance but, if required, the structure can be pegged to the ground.
  • the structure 100 is erected using four separate structural elements 10 that are connected to one another.
  • Figure 4 illustrates two of the metal connectors 15 that are used to interconnect the structural element ends 10.4 of the structural elements 10 (the free ends of the legs 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 of the structural elements 10).
  • the ends 10.4 of the structural elements 10 are shaped complementary to permit interconnection of the structural elements along the axial angle of the completed structure.
  • Each such leg end 10.4 is finished off with a flat end weld 13 that is double welded and inserted between the flat strips of metal making up the connectors 15.
  • Each structural element 10 is provided, at its leg ends 10.4 with a connector 15 that comprises a slider 16 and track formation 18, the slider 16 being adapted to slide into the track 18 of an adjacent connector 15.
  • the slider and track formations 16, 18 are dimensioned to provide a secure friction fit once interconnected.
  • the connectors are fixed along their relative axial angles at the vertex of the polyhedron.
  • the utilisation of the connector 15 on each tube end has the advantage that two or more tube ends can be interconnected in a very strong and stable bond alleviating the need for a complex welded joint.
  • the entire connector 15 is riveted together with blind rivets. This has the advantage that the connector formations 16, 18 can be removed to permit reopening of the tube ends and the servicing of the tubes.
  • the structure 100 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 are a relatively simple structure that utilises only the basic structural element 10 illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the basic structural unit 10 can be used in conjunction with similar yet slightly more complex structural elements to provide more complex structures as is illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8.
  • the structure 200 shown in these drawings utilises three of the basic structural elements 10 at each of its short ends.
  • the apex and long sides of the structure 200 are defined by a pair of opposed structural elements 204, each of which incorporates a pair of support legs 204.1 and a pair of apical legs 204.2 that extend upwardly towards an apical beam 206 that defines the apex of the structure 200.
  • the apical legs 10.3 of the elements 10 at each end of the structure 200 are connected to the ends of the beam 206 by means as described above.
  • the structural element 10 will yield, in combination with similar structural elements, a variety of geodesic structures.
  • the apical legs of the structural elements may be secured to the apical legs of adjacent, similar structural elements.
  • the support legs of the structural elements may be secured to the support legs of adjacent, similar structural elements.
  • the basic structural elements 10 may be flanked by a slightly modified structural element, each of which differs from the basic structural element 10 only in the fact that it has an asymmetrical tetrahedral shape.
  • the structures of the invention being inflatable, lend themselves to novel uses.
  • the structure could be internally lit using light fittings 20 fitted to the insides of the tubes making up the structural elements.
  • the fabric of the tubes and the structure as a whole will be chosen for translucency to enhance the lighting effect.
  • the structures need not be confined to land. Being inflatable, the structures will float on water to provide a novel staging facility for events and advertising.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
  • Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Ein Aufbau (100 und 200) bestehend aus mehreren Konstruktionseinheiten (10), von denen jede aus drei aufblasbaren Beinen besteht, die zwei Stützbeine (10.1 und 10.2) und ein Firstbein (10.3) bilden, wobei jedes Bein ein freies Ende (10.4) und ein inneres Ende (10.5) hat, und die inneren Enden der drei Beine an einem Zentralpunkt (12) zusammen befestigt sind. Die Beine sind so zusammengestellt, dass sie ein Tetraeder bilden, wobei die drei inneren Beine an den drei angrenzenden Kanten des Tetraeders liegen und die angrenzenden Beinpaare auf den Flächen der drei Seiten des Tetraeders liegen, und die freien Enden der Beine die vierte Seite des Tetraeders bilden; die freien Enden (10.4) der Einheit sind geschlossen und die Firstbeine (10.3) der Einheiten sind mit den entsprechenden Beinen der anderen Einheiten an einem Befestigungspunkt (102) verbunden.
  2. Eine Konstruktion, auf die wie in Ziffer 1 Anspruch erhoben wird, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass die drei Beine (10.1, 10.2 und 10.3) einer jeden Einheit (10) gleich lang sind.
  3. Eine Konstruktion, auf die wie in Ziffer 1 Anspruch erhoben wird, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass zwei der drei Beine (10.1 und 10.2) gleich lang sind, wobei das dritte Bein (10.3) eine andere Länge aufweist.
  4. Eine Konstruktion, auf die wie in Ziffer 1, 2 oder 3 Anspruch erhoben wird, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass ein Stützbein (10.1) einer Einheit mit dem anderen Stützbein (10.2) einer angrenzenden Einheit verbunden ist
  5. Eine Konstruktion, auf die wie in jeder der vorstehenden Ziffern Anspruch erhoben wird, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass jedes Bein einen Kunststoff verstärkt mit gewebtem Stoff beinhaltet.
  6. Eine Konstruktion, auf die wie in Ziffer 4 und 5 Anspruch erhoben wird, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass die Krümmung des Stoffs auf die Röhrenachse ausgerichtet ist.
  7. Eine Konstruktion, auf die wie in jeder der vorstehenden Ziffern Anspruch erhoben wird, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass eine Verbindungseinheit (15) am freien Ende von mindestens einem der Beine (10.3) eines jeden Elements gegeben ist.
  8. Eine Konstruktion, auf die wie in jeder der vorstehenden Ziffern Anspruch erhoben wird, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass die Firstbeine (10.3) alle direkt miteinander verbunden sind.
  9. Eine Konstruktion, auf die wie in jeder der Ziffern 1 bis 7 Anspruch erhoben wird, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass einige der Firstbeine (10.3) mit anderen Firstbeinen (10.3) durch einen Zwischenbalken (206) verbunden sind.
  10. Eine Konstruktion, auf die wie in jeder der vorstehenden Ziffern Anspruch erhoben wird, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass die äußeren Enden der Beine entsprechend geformt sind, um die Verbindung der Konstruktivnselemente untereinander im Achsenwinkel des fertigen Aufbaus zu ermöglichen.
EP01991641A 2000-11-14 2001-11-14 Aufblasbare konstruktion Expired - Lifetime EP1346119B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA200006289 2000-11-14
ZA200006289 2000-11-14
PCT/ZA2001/000175 WO2002064917A1 (en) 2000-11-14 2001-11-14 Inflatable structure

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1346119A1 EP1346119A1 (de) 2003-09-24
EP1346119B1 true EP1346119B1 (de) 2006-02-08

Family

ID=25588963

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01991641A Expired - Lifetime EP1346119B1 (de) 2000-11-14 2001-11-14 Aufblasbare konstruktion

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20040031208A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1346119B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE317481T1 (de)
AU (1) AU2002231380B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2449262C (de)
DE (1) DE60117171T2 (de)
WO (1) WO2002064917A1 (de)
ZA (1) ZA200206637B (de)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2581476A1 (en) * 2007-02-08 2008-08-08 Jean-Marc D. Turcot Inflatable structure for covering sport utility vehicles, boats and the like
US20090084043A1 (en) * 2007-08-13 2009-04-02 Drs Technical Services, Inc. Air support structures and methods of erecting same
DE202007015754U1 (de) * 2007-11-09 2009-03-26 Vector Foiltec Gmbh Folienkissenanordnung
FR2963631B1 (fr) * 2010-08-03 2013-06-07 Komex Abri a structure gonflable
US9527261B1 (en) * 2012-09-14 2016-12-27 Hrl Laboratories, Llc Hollow polymer micro-truss structures containing pressurized fluids
US10465376B1 (en) * 2016-06-28 2019-11-05 Charles Hoberman Construction method for foldable polyhedral enclosures
WO2023064974A1 (en) * 2021-10-18 2023-04-27 Clinical Governance Australia Pty Ltd Inflatable sports net

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2938526A (en) * 1958-06-02 1960-05-31 Iii Richard Harrison Inflatable shelter
US3221464A (en) * 1961-03-17 1965-12-07 Alvin E Miller Tetrahelical structure
US3277479A (en) * 1963-09-25 1966-10-04 Jr Arthur D Struble Passive communications satellite
US3502091A (en) * 1968-09-12 1970-03-24 Wendel V Goltermann Tent supporting frame
US3913105A (en) * 1971-04-05 1975-10-14 Trw Inc Collapsible self-erecting tubular frame structure and deployable electromagnetic reflector embodying same
US3994102A (en) * 1974-05-06 1976-11-30 Alley Friends Inflatable element and system
US4120024A (en) * 1976-10-18 1978-10-10 Julian Borisovich Aizenberg Lighting installation
GB2090622A (en) * 1980-11-13 1982-07-14 Williams Mervyn Ellis Emergency tent
US4723382A (en) * 1986-08-15 1988-02-09 Haresh Lalvani Building structures based on polygonal members and icosahedral
US4807405A (en) * 1987-08-20 1989-02-28 Borgquist Ronald B Geodesic inflatable structure, and methods of constructing and utilizing same
US4932169A (en) * 1989-11-01 1990-06-12 Robert Charbonneau Inflatable structure
US5007212A (en) * 1990-03-21 1991-04-16 Monty Fritts Inflatable shelter
US5311706A (en) * 1991-07-19 1994-05-17 Tracor Aerospace, Inc. Inflatable truss frame
FR2697045B1 (fr) * 1992-10-19 1995-01-27 Semmel Alain Abri gonflable à éléments modulaires.
DE9418076U1 (de) * 1994-11-11 1995-01-12 Festo Kg, 73734 Esslingen Tragwerk für die Bautechnik
US6061969A (en) * 1997-02-11 2000-05-16 Leary; Jeremiah E. Inflatable greenhouse
US5987822A (en) * 1997-09-18 1999-11-23 Cyrk, Inc. Inflatable tent
US5893237A (en) * 1998-02-26 1999-04-13 Ryon; Michael J. Inflatable tent construction

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA200206637B (en) 2004-07-06
DE60117171D1 (de) 2006-04-20
WO2002064917A1 (en) 2002-08-22
CA2449262A1 (en) 2002-08-22
US20040031208A1 (en) 2004-02-19
ATE317481T1 (de) 2006-02-15
EP1346119A1 (de) 2003-09-24
DE60117171T2 (de) 2006-11-02
AU2002231380B2 (en) 2006-09-07
CA2449262C (en) 2008-03-18

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