JPH0345389B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a balloon-like structure,
In particular, it relates to a balloon-like structure that is filled with pressurized fluid, maintains a certain shape, and can change its external shape by applying an external force to it.

More specifically, it relates to a balloon-like structure that can be bent or expanded by pulling an operating string provided inside the balloon-like structure.

(Prior Art) Generally, when manufacturing a structure, a rigid body is used as the material. However, if a rigid body such as metal or resin is used as the material, if the structure is large, scaffolding or supports will be required for its manufacture and installation, which will incur additional costs. increases.

Furthermore, since the structure is heavy, it is extremely troublesome to transport it.

Moreover, when said structures are installed especially for decorative, advertising, etc. purposes, their installation period is relatively short - i.e. their installation, dismantling and transportation operations can be carried out within a relatively short period of time. Since it has to be repeated, the cost required for the decoration, advertising, etc. becomes enormous.

Furthermore, when configuring such a structure so that it can be moved in part or in its entirety, it requires a large-capacity drive source and a large-scale drive mechanism, which makes the structure extremely difficult to move. It is expensive, and its adjustment and maintenance are also difficult. Furthermore, in order to move a large and heavy structure, it is dangerous to approach the structure during operation.

In view of the above, the inventor of the present invention fabricated the outline (external shape) of the structure by sewing the structure using materials such as cloth and film, and fabricated the structure using pressurizing means such as a blower. By increasing the pressure inside the main body higher than atmospheric pressure, the main body is inflated into a balloon shape to shape the external shape of the structure, and further, by arranging a simple driving means inside the structure, He has already devised and invented a balloon-like structure that can move part or all of the structure.

The above-mentioned ideas and inventions are, for example, disclosed in 1983-
124490, and Utility Model Application Publication No. 117788,
and Japanese Patent Application No. 60-70200 (Japanese Patent Application No. 61-229076)
No.) stated in the specification.

The above-mentioned Utility Model Application No. 117788/1983 and Japanese Patent Application No. 1983-
No. 70200 discloses that an operating string, one end of which is fixed above the bending position inside the structure, is used as a driving means for bending part or all of the balloon-like structure from an extended state. It is being

In addition, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 60-70200 discloses that in order to reduce the change in volume of the balloon-like structure when bent and to reduce the tension of the operating string required for bending, A technique in which an allowance is provided on the opposite side of the structure to the bending direction, and the length of the allowance is selected to be smaller than 1/2 of the length of the outer circumference of the balloon-like structure including the allowance. It is shown.

Now, in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 60-70200, a plurality of margin parts (extra cloth) are arranged so that the axial positions of the balloon-shaped structure body are different, and the balloon-shaped structure is attached to a plurality of fulcrums. A technique for bending in pairs, that is, bending in multiple steps, is disclosed.

The above technology will be briefly explained below.

FIG. 10A is a schematic side view of a balloon-like structure in which two extra fabrics are arranged so that their axial positions are different.

In FIG. 10A, the balloon-like structure 1A is formed by sewing cloth or film-like material. In the illustrated example, the balloon-like structure 1A is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape.

The balloon-like structure 1A includes the balloon-like structure 1A.
Two openings 13A and 13B having the same size are formed so that the positions in the axial direction of A are different, and margin cloths 14A and 14B having the same shape and size are provided in the openings. It is being

One end of the operating string 4A is connected to the inner wall of the main body 12 of the balloon-like structure 1A, further to the tip of the portion facing the slack cloth 14A arranged on the tip side of the balloon-like structure 1A. The fixture 3A is fixed.

The end portion of the balloon-like structure 1A is fixed to the base 2.

In this state, for example, if air is sent in the direction of arrow A from the air hole 2A formed in the pedestal 2 toward the inside of the balloon-like structure 1A, the internal pressure will become higher than atmospheric pressure. , the balloon-like structure 1A gradually begins to inflate like a balloon.

Then, the balloon-like structure 1A finally has the following characteristics:
Shape its outer shape (cylindrical) as shown in FIG. 10A.

In the balloon-like structure 1A having the above configuration, when the operating string 4A is pulled in the direction of arrow B, the balloon-like structure 1A includes the ends of the openings 13A and 13B, that is, the pair of E1 and E2. Bends around the bending axis.

FIG. 11A shows that in the balloon-like structure shown in FIG. 10A, each extra cloth 14 is provided inside the structure.
FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of two fixtures with operating strings attached corresponding to A and 14B. In FIG. 11A, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 10A represent the same or equivalent parts, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 11A, the fixture 3A to which one end of the operating string 4A is attached is fixed to the inner wall of the main body 12, slightly closer to the distal end than the portion facing the slack cloth 14A. Similarly, the fixture 3B to which one end of the operating string 4B is attached is fixed to the inner wall of the main body 12, slightly closer to the distal end than the part facing the slack cloth 14B.

The ends of the operating strings 4A and 4B are connected to the operating string 4D at portions indicated by reference numeral 5.
The connection with the operating string 4D is such that when the operating string 4D is pulled in the direction of arrow B, the operating string 4A is pulled before the operating string 4B. This is done so that the string 4B has more slack.

In the balloon-like structure 1B having the above configuration, if the operating string 4D is pulled in the direction of the arrow B, the attachment 3
Since force is applied to the fixture 3A before B, the balloon-like structure 1B first bends around the fulcrum E1. Then, when force is applied to the fixture 3B, the balloon-like structure 1B moves around the fulcrum E2.
bends further.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The above-described conventional techniques had the following problems.

The openings 13A and 13B of the balloon-like structure 1A shown in FIG. 10A have the same size, and the margin cloths 14A and 14B also have the same size and shape. As a result, in Figure 10A,
By simply pulling 4A, it is not possible to simultaneously bend the balloon-like structure 1A using E1 and E2 as fulcrums.

Furthermore, in this case, it is not possible to determine from which of E1 and E2 the bending point starts.

Furthermore, if the distance between the openings 13A and 13B is relatively long, as shown in FIG. 10B,
If the balloon-like structure 1A can only be bent using E1 as a fulcrum, or if the bending is extremely difficult, the balloon-like structure 1A can be bent from the part where the fixture 3A is fixed to the vicinity of the base of the balloon-like structure 1A. In other words, the balloon-like structure 1A may become distorted as a whole over E1 and E.
There is also a risk that it may be bent using a portion other than 2 as a fulcrum.

In the balloon-like structure 1B shown in FIG. 11B, when the operating strings 4A and 4B are connected, the slack of the operating strings 4A and 4B is adjusted to a specified amount based on experience. As described above, the balloon-like structure 1B first bends around E1 as a fulcrum, and then bends around E2 as a fulcrum.

However, for example, if the slack of the operating string 4B is set too large, the balloon-like structure 1B may bend only using E1 as a fulcrum, or conversely, the operating string 4B may bend only with E1 as the fulcrum.
If the slack of A is set to be larger than the slack of operating string 4B, or if the slack of operating strings 4A and 4B is set to be equal, as shown in FIG. It only bends and sways.

In other words, if a plurality of operating strings are provided so that the attachment positions in the axial direction of the balloon-like structure are different, and each of the operating strings is combined into one, each of the operating strings 4A
Since the amount of slack must be set precisely, manufacturing is extremely troublesome.

Note that also in the balloon-like structure 1B shown in FIG. 11A, the balloon-like structure 1B cannot be bent simultaneously using E1 and E2 as fulcrums.

The present invention has been made to solve each of the above-mentioned problems.

(Means and effects for solving the problem) In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a balloon-like structure in which a number of slack portions are formed at different positions in the axial direction of the main body. In a balloon-like structure configured to be able to bend and expand around an axis connecting both ends of the slack portion in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the slack portion, the slack portion of the inner wall of the balloon-like structure At least two operating strings each having one end individually attached to the slightly distal side of the part opposite to at least two loose parts including the most advanced one, and arranged closer to the base than the most advanced loose part. an operating string hooking means disposed on an axis connecting both ends of the at least one loose portion of the operating string, the at least one of the operating strings being connected to a base of the operating string that Hook it on the operation string hooking means placed on the side,
Thereby, for example, when pulling each of the operating strings together, the balloon-like structure can be simultaneously and equally bent or lengthened at each of the bending axes, and each of the operating strings is When towing the balloon independently, no matter what pulling state each operating string is in - that is, no matter what bending state the balloon-like structure is in, at the desired bending axis,
It is also characterized by the ability to bend or extend the balloon-like structure at a desired angle.

(Example) The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view taken along line C-C in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of section K in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 A , B are developed views of the balloon-like structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, FIG. 5A is a developed view of the main body 12, and FIG. 5B is a developed view of the extra cloth 14.

In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 3, air holes 2 formed in the base 2 by means not shown are shown.
From A, air is sent into the balloon-like structure 11 in the direction of arrow A, and the balloon-like structure 11 stands upright and has an outline (cylindrical in this case).

Furthermore, the seam 11A of the balloon-like structure 11 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted in FIGS. 2 and 3. Furthermore, in FIG. 5A, the stitching allowance necessary for sewing the main body 12 into a cylindrical shape is omitted.

Now, in each figure, the balloon-like structure 11
is composed of a main body 12 and extra cloths 14A and 14B, which are made of cloth coated with resin or the like.

As is clear from FIG. 5A, the main body 12 is sewn into a cylindrical shape so that when the main body 12 is sewn into a cylindrical shape, the positions in the axial direction are different, and in the circumferential direction, one part of the circumference is sewn. Two openings 13A and 13B are formed with a length less than /2.

The openings 13A, 13B are the first, third, and fourth openings.
In the drawings and FIG. 5A, the width is shown as being formed with a certain width, but the width is not particularly limited to this, and it may simply be a cut.

The balloon-like structure 11 is constructed by sewing a main body 12 in a circumferential manner, and attaching fifth holes to openings 13A and 13B of the main body 12.
It is formed by sewing the extra fabrics 14A and 14B shown in Figure B. Extra cloth 14A, 14B
is equipped with a margin 15 having a boat bottom shape and a seam 16, and the seam 16 is connected to the main body 12.
The openings 13A and 13B are sewn.

In addition, in each figure, the extra cloth 14A, 1
4B is fixed to the inside of the main body 12, but may be fixed to the outside of the main body 12.

An end of the balloon-like structure 11 is fixed to a base 2 in which an air hole 2A is formed. In addition, the main body 12
Attachments 3A and 3B are fixed to the inside of the holder and to the tip side of the part that is almost opposite to the part where each of the extra fabrics 14A and 14B are sewn, and the attachments 3A and 3B have an operation button. One ends of the strings 4A and 4B are fixed.

Inside the balloon-like structure 11, as shown in FIG. 4, there are a pair of ends E of the opening 13B.
A ring support rod 52 is horizontally suspended using the vicinity of 2 as a support portion. The ring 51 is locked to the ring support rod 52.

The operating string 4A is hooked onto the ring 51 and tied to the operating string 4D together with the operating string 4B.

Note that the ring 51 and ring support rod 52
The arrangement is such that when the inside of the balloon-like structure 11 is pressurized and expanded, the contact portion between the ring 51 and the operating string 4A is imaginary including the pair of ends E2 of the opening 13B. This is done so that it is located on a straight line (bending axis) or near the straight line.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the operating string 4D is pulled in the direction of arrow B (towards the base), the operating strings 4A and 4B simultaneously apply tension to the fittings 3A and 3B. They are fixed to the operating string 4D at the position indicated by reference numeral 5 so that they can be supplied with the same amount of slack, that is, so that they each have the same slack.

Note that although the above-described air is constantly blown to the balloon-like structure 11, the seams 11 of the balloon-like structure 11
Since air leaks from A, the balloon-like structure 11
The internal pressure is kept constant.

Now, as mentioned above, the openings 13A and 13B
is shorter than half the length of the cylindrical outer circumference of the main body 12. In other words, as shown in FIG. Since the balloon-like structure 11 is disposed closer to the opening than the center line L of the cross section of the structure 11, the balloon-like structure 11 stands upright due to the air blowing.
At this time, the excess cloth 15 becomes slack (that is, becomes a slack portion).

Now, if you pull the operation string 4D in the direction of arrow B,
First, as shown in FIG.
(i.e., the slack portion) and the operation strings 4A and 4B attached to the tip slightly further than the portion facing the slack portion.
are tensioned at the same time, so the fixtures 3A and 3B have
At the same time, tension is applied to the operating string.

The operating string 4D is pulled by a pulling means (not shown).
When pulled further in the direction of arrow B, as shown in FIG. Due to the tension of the operating string 4A applied to the tool 3A, it is bent in the direction of arrow D using E1 as a fulcrum.

Here, for example, only the operating string 4B is pulled,
Even if the balloon-like structure 11 bends with E2 as the fulcrum, the distance between E2 and the fixture 3A does not change at all. Therefore, if the operating strings 4B and 4A are pulled by the same amount at the same time, the balloon-like structure 11 is E
2 and E1 as fulcrums, it can be bent at the same time and at the same angle.

Now, due to the bending, the balloon-like structure 11
The volume on the side of the fixtures 3A, 3B from both ends E1, E2 of the openings 13A, 13B decreases;
The side volume increases by the amount that the extra fabrics 14A, 14B are stretched.

As a result, the degree of decrease in volume of the balloon-like structure 11 from the state before bending to after bending is smaller than when no extra fabric is provided, and the pressure increase inside the balloon-like structure 11 during bending is also reduced. It can be kept relatively small.

Therefore, the balloon-like structure 11 can be bent only by applying a small force to the operating string 4D. Moreover, the angle of the bending can also be made relatively large. Furthermore, since there is little change in the volume of the balloon-like structure 11, the appearance of the balloon-like structure and the impression given to the audience are also good.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 8, the same symbols as in Fig. 6 are
Since they represent the same or equivalent parts, their explanation will be omitted. In addition, in FIG. 8, the operation string 4D
represents a state where it is drawn in the direction of arrow B.

In FIG. 8, the balloon-like structure 21 includes an extra cloth 14C,
It is the same as the one provided with a ring 50, a fixture 3C, and an operating string 4C.

That is, the balloon-like structure 21 has an opening 13
Similar to A and 13B, an opening 13C is formed,
A margin cloth 14C similar to the margin cloths 14A and 14B is sewn into the opening 13C.

A ring support rod (not shown) as indicated by the reference numeral 52 in FIG. 4 is horizontally suspended near both ends E3 of the opening 13C as support portions. A ring 50 is stopped on the ring support rod.

A fitting 3C is fixed to the inner wall of the main body 22 of the balloon-like structure 21 on the tip side of the portion facing the extra cloth 14C, and an operating string 4C is fixed to the fitting 3C. has been done.

The operating string 4A fixed to the fitting 3A attached to the tip of the portion facing the surplus cloth 14A is hooked on a ring 51 arranged near the bending axis including both ends E2 of the opening 13B, and further It is hung on a ring 50.

In addition, the operating string 4A is fixed to the fitting 3B attached to the tip of the portion facing the slack cloth 14B.
is hooked on the ring 50.

The end portions of the operating strings 4A and 4B and the end portion of the operating string 4C fixed to the fixture 3C are parts indicated by reference numeral 5A, and the operating string 4D
is fixed to. In addition, the fixation is made so that when the operating string 4D is pulled in the direction of arrow B, an attractive force can be applied to the fixtures 3A, 3B, and 3C at the same time, as shown in FIG. That is, each operating string 4A, 4B, 4C has the same amount of slack.

In the second embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration, if the operating string 4D is further pulled in the direction of arrow B from the state shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the arrows D
Can be bent in any direction.

(Modification) The present invention described above can be modified as follows.

(1) In each of the above embodiments, an opening is formed in the balloon-like structure and a slack cloth is provided in the opening, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, so that the constituent members constituting the main body of the balloon-like structure include a margin corresponding to the margin cloth,
Even by cutting (three-dimensional cutting) the constituent members, substantially the same functions and effects as those obtained by sewing loose fabric can be obtained.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, the margin cloth (margin portion) was explained as being arranged at two or three locations so that the positions in the axial direction of the balloon-like structure are different; however, in the present invention, It is clear that the margin portions may be arranged at two or more locations.

In this case, the number of operation strings may be the same as the number of margins so as to correspond to the margins, or
Further, as long as there are two or more, the number may be smaller than the margin.

Further, the margin portion may be provided continuously in the axial direction of the balloon-like structure.

(3) Although the above description has been made assuming that the operating strings can be combined into one string, this is not particularly necessary.

Further, in this case, the balloon-like structure may be configured such that each operation string is pulled at different timings.

(4) Although the extra fabric or the extra portion corresponding to the extra fabric is provided in a cylindrical balloon-like structure, it is not limited to this, and may be used, for example, in a conical balloon-shaped structure. It may be provided in

In addition, if a cloth or a string is provided inside the balloon-like structure to define the contour shape when the inside is pressurized, the balloon-like structure can be shaped into a shape other than a cylinder or a cone. The present invention may be applied to such a structure.

(5) Although the balloon-like structure has been described as having air constantly blown into its interior as shown by arrow A in each figure, by providing the balloon-like structure with extra fabric, the internal volume after bending can be increased. Therefore, even if the balloon-like structure is sealed after its seams are post-processed to make the seams airtight and the internal pressure is made higher than atmospheric pressure, the bending motion can be maintained well. can be done. Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to balloons, airships, ad balloons, etc.

(6) Each of the above embodiments is an application example of the present invention in the case of bending a balloon-like structure that is always in an extended state. Of course, it may be applied. In this case, one end of the operating string may be placed on the same side of the inner wall of the main body as the side where the margin is provided.

Specifically, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the openings 13A, 13B are made longer than half of the cylindrical outer circumference of the main body 12, and the openings 13A, 13B are By arranging the margin 15 having a size of The balloon-like structure does not loosen, but the portion facing the allowance portion 15 loosens, and the balloon-like structure assumes a bent state (always in a bent state). That is, a slack portion is formed in a portion facing the allowance portion 15 .

Therefore, in such a configuration, one end of the operating string is located within the margin 15 of the inner wall of the balloon-like structure.
It suffices if it is attached to the slightly leading end of the same side as the side where it is provided, in other words, slightly to the leading end of the side opposite to the slack portion.

Of course, if an external force is applied to the balloon-like structure when the inside of the balloon-like structure is pressurized, the openings 13A and 13B may be
Even if the outer circumference of the cylinder 2 is less than half, the balloon-like structure is always bent.

(7) Although the means for hooking the operating string has been described as a ring, it is not limited to this, and may be a means such as a pulley, for example.

(8) The main body and excess cloth of the balloon-like structure are made of cloth coated with resin or the like, but are not limited to cloth alone, and may be made of a material that does not stretch or contract very much, such as film. It's okay.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

That is, since the operating string is hooked on the operating string hooking means disposed on the base side of the loose part facing the fixed part of the operating string, (1) each operating string is pulled evenly; Alternatively, when pulling all the operation strings together, the balloon-like structure can be simultaneously and evenly bent or stretched at the bending axis of each margin. When pulling the string independently,
Regardless of the state of bending of the balloon-like structure, by pulling a predetermined operating string by a predetermined amount, the balloon-like structure can be bent at a desired bending axis and at a desired angle.
The balloon-like structure can be bent or expanded.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view taken along line C-C in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of section K in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 A, B are Figures 1 to 4
FIG. 6 is a developed view of the balloon-like structure shown in FIG.
The figure is a schematic sectional view showing a state in which the balloon-like structure shown in FIG. 6 is bent when the operating string is further pulled, and FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the balloon-like structure in FIG. 8 is bent when the operating string is pulled, and FIGS. 10A and 10B show an example of a conventional balloon-like structure. 11A and 11B are schematic side views showing other examples of conventional balloon-like structures. 2... Pedestal, 2A... Air intake, 3A-3C... Mounting tool, 4A-4D... Operation string, 11, 21... Balloon-like structure, 12, 22... Main body, 13A-13C... Opening, 14A-14C... Extra fabric, 15... Extra portion,
50, 51...Ring, 52...Ring support rod.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The contour is formed by filling the inside with pressurized fluid, and a plurality of slack portions are formed at different positions in the axial direction extending from the root side to the tip side, A balloon-like structure configured to be bendable and extendable around an axis connecting both ends of the slack portion in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the slack portion, the balloon-like structure having the inner wall thereof at least two operating strings each having one end fixed to a slightly distal side of a portion facing at least two loose portions including the most advanced one of the loose portions; and a portion closer to the base than the most advanced loose portion an operating string gripping means disposed on an axis connecting both ends of at least one loose portion disposed in the operating string, and at least one of the operating strings is arranged on a shaft connecting both ends of at least one loose portion disposed in the operating string, and at least one of the operating strings A balloon-like structure characterized in that the balloon is hung on an operation string hooking means arranged on the base side. 2. The balloon-like structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the operating strings is integrated into one. 3. The balloon-like structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slack portion is at least one slack portion fixed to an opening formed in the main body. 4. The balloon-like structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slack portion is a part of the main body component obtained by three-dimensional cutting. 5. The portion of the inner wall of the balloon-like structure that faces the slack portion is at least one slack portion fixed to an opening formed in the main body. Balloon-like structure according to item 2. 6. The structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion of the inner wall of the balloon-like structure that faces the slack portion is a part of the main body component obtained by three-dimensional cutting. Balloon-like structure.