Abstract:
An inflatable frame assembly comprises a plurality of inflatable tubular members elements having a longitudinal dimension. A first portion of the plurality of tubular members is connected in fluid communication end to end in a continuous relationship for defining a closed area. A second portion of the plurality of tubular members is connected in fluid communication at their ends with the first portion of the tubular members. The second portion of the tubular members forms uprights for suspending and supporting the first tubular members. A first inflating valve is disposed on at least one of the tubular members for introducing air for inflating the plurality of tubular members, wherein the plurality of tubular members are self-supporting when inflated and define a closed volume.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    An inflatable apparatus is described and, more particularly, an apparatus comprising an inflatable frame assembly that is lightweight and, when operatively associated with a cover, provides shelter for one or more persons. 
         [0002]    An inflatable shelter may comprise a plurality of pneumatic tubes and a cover for cooperatively supporting the shelter in an upright position. Each of the inflatable tubes is configured so that, with the addition of air, the tube is expanded into a frame member of the shelter. The deflated frame structure can be collapsed and rolled or compacted in any desired manner for transport. 
         [0003]    Inflatable shelters are useful as tents for camping tents, which typically rely on rigid frame members or flexible fiberglass poles for support structure. The inflatable shelter substitutes inflatable pneumatic tubes for the rigid frame members and poles by providing a framework on which exterior fabric cover or a tent canopy is mounted. 
         [0004]    There is a need for an improved inflatable frame assembly or structure comprising inflatable elements capable of supporting a covering material for providing shelter for one or more persons. The inflatable frame or structure should be quickly constructed by single person. Ideally, the inflatable frame or structure should be light weight and small volume when collapsed so as to be relatively easily transportable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An inflatable frame assembly comprises a plurality of inflatable tubular members elements having a longitudinal dimension. A first portion of the plurality of tubular members is connected in fluid communication end to end in a continuous relationship for defining a closed area. A second portion of the plurality of tubular members is connected in fluid communication at their ends with the first portion of the tubular members. The second portion of the tubular members forms uprights for suspending and supporting the first tubular members. A first inflating valve is disposed on at least one of the tubular members for introducing air for inflating the plurality of tubular members, wherein the plurality of tubular members are self-supporting when inflated and define a closed volume. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the tubular members extend substantially linearly when inflated and unconstrained, and the tubular members are collapsible without inflating fluid at a minimum pressure. 
         [0007]    In a second aspect, the first portion of the plurality of tubular members is in a plane. The second plurality of tubular members may extend perpendicular to the plane. 
         [0008]    In a third aspect, the closed area defined by the first portion of the plurality of tubular members is rectangular. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the inflatable frame assembly further comprises a removable cover. The cover may span between and extend over the closed area defined by the first plurality of tubular members for forming a shelter. Alternatively, the cover has a configuration corresponding to the closed volume for enclosing a top and sides of the closed volume and forming an enclosed shelter. The cover may comprise a flexible sheet material, wherein the flexible sheet material comprises a waterproof nylon fabric. At least one loop fastener may be provided along a periphery of at least one of the tubular members for fastening the cover so as to form a shelter. The cover may be detachably fastened to the at least one loop fastener, wherein the cover can be selectively removed. 
         [0010]    In a further aspect, the inflatable frame assembly further comprises a plurality of selectively closable fluid passages in fluid communication between adjacent tubular members of the first plurality of tubular members. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a more complete understanding of the inflatable frame assembly, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inflatable frame assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in  FIG. 1   
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in  FIG. 1   
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an end elevation view of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in  FIG. 1   
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of an embodiment of an inflatable tubular member for use in the frame assembly as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a close-up perspective view of an interior corner of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the interior corner as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section view of an embodiment of a fluid connector of the interior corner as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a pneumatic valve of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a cross-section view of the pneumatic valve as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a close-up elevation view of an embodiment of a loop strap sewn onto the inflatable frame assembly as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in  FIG. 1  and further comprising a cover supported by the frame assembly. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the FIGs. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise. 
         [0026]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, an inflatable frame assembly is shown in  FIGS. 1-5  and generally designated at  20 . The frame assembly  20  comprises a plurality of hollow inflatable tubular members connected at their ends. In one embodiment, when the frame assembly  20  is inflated with air under pressure, the tubular members assume the position shown in  FIG. 1 . The frame assembly  20  provides a support structure for receiving a cover or canopy (not shown) which serves as a means for partially or totally enclosing the frame assembly  20  and providing covered shelter to one or more persons. The covered shelter may be used as a housing, tent, sports enclosure, storage facility and the like. 
         [0027]    The inflatable tubular members include a pair of upper side beams  22  which are of substantially equal length. The respective ends of the side beams  22  are interconnected by a pair of end beams  24  which are also of substantially equal length. The length of the end beams  24  is relatively shorter than the side beams  22 . The ends of the side beams  22  and the end beams  24  are adjoined at right angles such that each pair of the side beams  22  and the end beams  24  extend parallel to one another in respective spaced relation for defining a rectangular area. 
         [0028]    Four inflatable tubular members  26  are connected at their ends at the corners of the adjoined side beams  22  and end beams  24 . The tubular members  26  extend downwardly from the corners and function as legs for supporting the interconnected side beams  22  and end beams  24 . The leg members  26  are of substantially equal length such that, when inflated, the side beams  22  and end beams  24  are in substantially the same plane. For example, when the leg members  26  extend substantially vertically, the side beams  22  and the end beams  24  extend substantially horizontally. 
         [0029]    A transverse tubular member  28  extends between and interconnects the side beams  22  intermediate along their length. The transverse member  28  extends slightly upwardly to a peak  30  at its midpoint when inflated. This configuration of the transverse tubular member  28  resists buckling at the vertex when supporting the cover. 
         [0030]    Each of the inflatable tubular members  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  comprises an outer flexible substantially non-resilient sleeve  32  and an inner resilient inflatable bladder  34  inside and extending substantially along the entire length of the sleeve  32 . As used herein, the phrase substantially non-resilient means that the corresponding material or fabric expands slightly under tension to an estimated five percent expansion when highly tensioned. A cross-section of an exemplary tubular member is shown in  FIG. 6 , which depicts the sleeve layer  32  and the bladder layer  34  and shows slight spacing between the layers for ease of understanding of the view. It is understood that, when the inner bladder  34  is inflated, there is no spacing between the layers forming the tubular member, and the sleeve  32  and the bladder  34  are tightly engaged one to the other. In this configuration, the sleeve  32  constrains the expansion of the bladder  34  under high pneumatic pressure sufficient to maintain the desired configuration. This enables the air to be forced into the tubular members under considerable pressure to assure a rigid structure to the frame assembly  20 . 
         [0031]    The outer sleeve  32  is formed from sheets of flexible fabric such as a coated or waterproof nylon cloth. Each sheet is substantially rectangular having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension. The linear edges of the sheet includes a substantially linear common seam inset from each side edge forming a flat side seam extending completely along each side edge. The thread used to form the edge seams may be mono-cord bonded polyester thread or other suitable thread as would be known to one skilled in the art to withstand the loading of the sleeves. It is understood that the tubular members may be vulcanized, glued or otherwise connected to one another by known means. The result is a sleeve  32  having a uniformly tubular or cylindrical shape, when unbent, of substantially constant diameter. Each tubular member may have a circumference of about six inches, for example, meaning a diameter of approximately two inches. The side beams  22  may be, for example, about eight feet long and the end beams  24  may be, for example, about four feet long. 
         [0032]    The inner bladder  34  is formed as a continuous hollow rubber or plastic tube wherein the ends of the bladder are sealed so that the bladder  34  is airtight. One bladder is enclosed within each sleeve. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , an air hose  36  is mounted in fluid communication between the side beams  22  and the end beams  24  in each corner. An air hose  36  also extends between the transverse tubular member  36  and a side beam  22 . Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , the air hoses  36  are connected at their ends with air inlet discs  38  sealingly connected to the side beams  22  and end beams  24  or transverse member  36 , respectively. The inlet discs  38  include an inlet tube  40  configured to receive an end of the air hose  36 . The inlet disc  38  is connected through an opening in the sleeve  32  and the bladder  34 . The connection includes dual washers  42  glued to the bladder therebetween. The air hoses  36  and air inlet discs  38  function to render the tubular members in fluid communication forming a continuous air passage so that the inflation of one of the tubular members causes simultaneous inflation of all of the remaining tubular members in the frame assembly  20  so that the structure is self-erecting. All of the tubular members can be inflated or deflated from a single valve  50 . A pinch clip  44  is provided for closing an air hose  36  so that a bladder  34  of one of the tubular members may be separated from the remainder of the frame assembly  20 . 
         [0034]    An air valve  50  is disposed in each of the legs  26  for providing an air passage for inflating and deflating the frame assembly  20 . It is advantageous to provide means for introducing air under pressure at more than a single point of the frame assembly  20 . Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the air valve  50  is in fluid communication with the bladder  34  in the respective leg member  26 . The valve  50  is configured for connection to any suitable source of compressed air connected thereto. The valve  50  comprises an airtight screw cap  52  for closure. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , the frame assembly  20  may be enclosed by a suitable cover  60 , which functions to form the walls and ceiling of a shelter enclosure. The cover  60  is configured to be reasonably taut over the frame assembly  20  while being supported in position by the longitudinal side beams  22  and transverse end beam  24 . The cover  60  may be formed as one-piece from thin plastic sheathing of the poly-ethylene or other synthetic resin families, canvas or other suitable material. The plastic sheathing is preferred because the plastic is thin and lightweight while having good tensile strength and is waterproof to maintain a dry interior. The material can be opaque so the interior will be invisible from the outside, although transparent material can be used where entrance of light is desirable. Alternatively, at least a portion of the cover  60  material may be a ventilating mesh which is used as a window while preventing insects from entering the enclosure. The cover material may have one or more vertical slits in the sheathing, which serves as a door, or be otherwise open-ended or open-sided or may be entirely open with merely a sun-shade covering the enclosure. 
         [0036]    The cover  60  can be releasably secured to the tubular members of the frame assembly  20 . In one embodiment, shown in the  FIG. 12 , the cover  60  may be retained on the frame assembly  20  with ties or retainer strips  54  sewed to the walls of the tubular members. Alternatively, the cover  60  may be fastened to the tubular members by means of grommets and turnbuckles or any other means for detachably fastening the cover to the tubular members of the frame assembly  20 . In another embodiment, hook-and-loop fasteners (not shown) may be disposed along the side beams  22  and end beams  24  whereby the cover can be selectively removed. It is understood that other means for fastening the cover  60  are possible so as to enable the cover to be applied to the frame assembly  20  when inflated or removed from the frame assembly  20  before deflating. The cover  60  can also be secured to frame assembly  20  permanently as by sewing. 
         [0037]    In use, the frame assembly  20  is spread on the ground or other supporting base. A means for supplying air to the tubular members, such as an air pump, is connected to one of the air inlet valves  50 . Air is delivered to the tubular members via the valve  50 . The tubular members gradually fill and distend and separate from one another to assume their predetermined angular relations. Because the tubular members are all in fluid connection with one another via the air hoses  36 , the pump can inflate the entire frame assembly  20  upon introducing air at any one valve  50 . 
         [0038]    A minimum pressurization goal is about 8 psi, but considerably higher pressures are contemplated. Pressurization of the tubular member should be sufficient to support a cover without any additional rigid support. Accordingly, the pneumatic tubular members allow for pressurization to high air pressures in the order of 45-110 pounds per square inch (psi). Inflation of the frame to its operating pressure of, for example, fifty-five psi will cause the surface of the tubular members to become smooth. When inflated to substantially 8 psi or more, buckling or bending of the tubular members at the vertex of a bend is inhibited. The frame assembly  20  will be sufficiently rigid so as to provide load support for, and tensioning of, the cover or other structure being supported. After the frame assembly  20  is fully inflated, the inflating pump is removed. Although air-inflated tubular members are described, it is to be understood that any gas or other fluid substance serving the purpose of air may be employed to inflate the tubular members. 
         [0039]    The inflated frame assembly  20  may be anchored to the ground or other base to minimize the effect of wind lifting or upsetting the frame assembly or moving from a selected position. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, stakes (not shown) may pass through the loops formed by the retainer strips  54  receiving suitable hold-down strips  12  ( FIG. 12 ) and driven into the ground as is well-known manner of a tent. 
         [0041]    When the frame assembly  20  is not in use, one of the valve caps  52  is opened to deflate the frame assembly  20 . The deflated frame assembly  20  is folded or rolled into a relatively small light mass for storage and shipment. 
         [0042]    The inflatable frame assembly  20  has many advantages, including providing a lightweight portable shelter which can be erected in a minimum of time and by the use of an air pump for inflating the frame assembly  20 . The frame assembly  20  can be easily deflated for compact storage and transport. 
         [0043]    The frame assembly  20  is for use in connection with tents or the like, although it is understood that the frame assembly  20  may be employed in various other structures or shelters and in combination with sport utility vehicles, boats, trailers, and other wheeled vehicles. Moreover, while the frame assembly  20  has been shown and described as generally rectangular, the tubular members may be arranged in a criss-cross pattern or circular formation to provide a round tent or any other arrangement for other possible form of tent or shelter. 
         [0044]    Although the inflatable frame assembly has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that we do not intend to limit the invention to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the frame assembly, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, we intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the description as defined by the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.