Patent Publication Number: US-2012042578-A1

Title: Inflatable Enclosure and Inflatable Enclosure System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 USC §119 on the Patent Cooperation Treaty application PCT/CN2009/000508, filed on May 11, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an inflatable arena, and more particularly, an inflatable arena enclosure in which paintball and other games may be played. 
     BACKGROUND 
     People enjoy outdoor activities such as golf, tennis and paintball. Of course, these activities require a field/arena to partake in the particular sport. A traditional field or arena setup normally employs a series of wood or metal poles with netting or mesh attached thereto to form an enclosure. Such poles must be buried deep into the ground to ensure secure installation of the poles, and support cables or ropes may also be required to maintain the poles in an upright position. These existing products require a great deal of effort to erect and to get into a condition for use, such as digging holes, mixing concrete (to use as additional support for a pole, for example). This preparation also requires time and cost. 
     Accordingly, in light of the disadvantages in the prior art, what is needed is an inflatable enclosure and enclosure system that overcome all of these disadvantages 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is designed to replace a traditional field/arena. The disclosure is an inflatable enclosure system, comprising self-standing inflatable wall structures, which structures provide the ability to change the field size as needed. The inflatable system does not require construction work and can be erected quickly and immediately. 
     The inflatable enclosure disclosed herein comprises a plurality of wall structures. The modular wall structures include an inflatable wall unit and inflatable bracing members, with the bracing member comprising, in an embodiment, a triangle-shaped brace between a wall unit and a support member. The inflatable enclosure system described herein comprises a plurality of inflatable enclosure and fans connected to the wall structures of at least one inflatable enclosure of the plurality of inflatable enclosures. 
     The inflatable enclosure and enclosure system disclosed herein can be made from soft and flexible material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tarp (which material is less expensive than metal of traditional field or arena construction). As the inflatable enclosure system is formed by modular wall structures, it will be apparent that the size and shape of the field or arena formed by the system can be changed as needed. The triangle bracing supports eliminate the cables and poles. The inflatable enclosure and enclosure system accordingly are complete, self-contained and easier and safer to use than the prior art systems. 
     At the bottom/base of the support structure, there may be space where a user can place ballast (such as sand bags, for example), so as to make the whole structure of the enclosure more stable. 
     For a modular inflatable wall structure of the present disclosure, connecting sections on the outside surface thereof so that multiple wall structures may be connected to each other. Also provided on each inflatable wall structure is a duct/vent for corresponding connection with a matching duct/vent an adjoining wall structure/. It will be apparent that, in this configuration, an air circulation path will be created through the various wall structures and the structure formed by the various all structures will comprise a complete unit with air flowing through all structures. 
     As mentioned above, the inflatable modular wall structure can be made from a flexible material such as PVC tarp, and preferably from a material that can be welded or glued together to reduce air leaking from the seams. 
     The enclosure system also preferably includes at least one entrance module. The entrance module may connect to other inflatable wall structures. The entrance module forms a space where players can get enter and leave the field formed by the enclosure. 
     The enclosure system also comprises includes all the modular wall structures, at least one entrance module, as well as blowers or fans. The blowers or fans are used to inflate components of the inflatable enclosure system. 
     In summary, the enclosure system creates a safe playing field, is easy to set up, has a lower building cost and is flexible in allowing size changes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an inflatable enclosure system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a modular inflatable wall structure, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a connection of two modular inflatable wall structures, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows another perspective view of a connection of two modular inflatable wall structures, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  shows an entrance module, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary configuration of an inflatable enclosure system is shown, which configuration portrays a field in which a paintball game can be played. As shown, the inflatable enclosure system  10  comprises a plurality of modular inflatable wall structures  1  and  2  and entrance module  3 . The wall structures  1  and  2  comprise inflatable walls and a supporting structure, which wall and support structure, when assembled, form a bracing support system, which system may be triangular-shaped. In this manner, each modular wall structure may be self-standing without requiring any additional or separate support. 
     The inflatable wall structure  1  comprises an inflatable frame and a mesh or porous region within the frame. The inflatable wall structure  2  comprises two inflatable frames with mesh or porous region within each frame. The entrance module  3  is preferably formed of by a plurality of walls to create a space, which such space can be used as a warm-up area for a player before the game and as an entrance/exit for a player. The entrance module is inflatable and is connectable to a modular wall structure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the inflatable enclosure system  10  may have two entrance modules  3 , however, it will be apparent that the quantity of the entrance can be adjusted based on the size of the field or other preference of the user. It will also be apparent that an entrance module is not required for the inflatable enclosure system disclosed herein. That is, the inflatable enclosure system can be set up without the entrance module, with players instead entering and exiting the enclosed playing area via a gap between modular wall structures. 
     It will be apparent that the above illustration of the enclosure system forming a paintball field is exemplary only and that the enclosure system can be used for any other game requiring an enclosure, such as soccer, football, tennis, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5 , detailed descriptions of the components of the enclosure system are shown. 
       FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of a modular inflatable wall structure  1 , and  FIG. 3  shows an exemplary connection between two modular inflatable wall structures. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a modular wall structure comprises an inflatable wall and a supporting structure. The inflatable wall includes upper beam  101 , lower base  102 , poles  103  and  104 , which beam, base, and poles form an inflatable frame, in which frame a mesh or porous material or netting is secured. The particular material is dependent in part on the game for which the enclosure or system is to be used. The supporting structure comprises bases  105  and  106  and braces  107  and  108 . Bases  105  and  106  attach to the lower base  104  of the frame at a 90 degree angle. One end of bracing poles  107 ,  108  connects to an upper end of frame poles  103 ,  104 , and the other end of the bracing poles  107 ,  108  connects to base  105 ,  106 . Accordingly, poles  103  and  104 , bases  105  and  106 , and bracing poles  104  and  108 , may form a triangular-shaped supporting structure. In this way, an inflatable wall structure  1  can stand freely without requiring additional or outside support mechanisms. 
     Components of the modular inflatable wall structures  1  and  2  are preferably hollow, and, the wall structure components may be made with fused or glued seams to reduce leakage of air from the components and to increase the stability of the wall structure. 
     Upper beam  101  and lower base  102  extend horizontally and connects with poles  103  and  104 , forming a square or rectangle or other shape frame. Within the frame, mesh or other porous fabric will be used to depending of different requirement of different games. 
     On bases  105  and  106 , air outlets  118  may be provided, where air can be exhausted to facilitate deflating the inflatable wall. In another embodiment air outlets  118  are not provided on base  105  or  106 , but are instead disposed on lower base  102 . 
     On sides of poles  103  and  104  that are distal to the interior of the frame formed the wall structure  1 , is connecting flap  112  (as shown in the  FIG. 2 .) Through connecting flap  112 , two or more modular inflatable wall structures can connect to each other. As shown by way of example in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), one connecting flap  112  can use Velcro® to connect to another connecting flap  112 ′. Connecting flap  112  may be made from the same or similar material as the modular inflatable wall structure (such as PVC tarp), such that when wall structures are connected to each other by way of the connecting flaps  112 , the flexibility of the materials can accommodate uneven ground level or surfaces. Connecting flap  112  may extend from top to the bottom, so when they connect, form the complete cover on the gap between inflatable walls. 
     On the sides of the base  105  and  106  that are distal to the interior of the frame of the wall structure  1 , there is a plurality of connecting ducts  114 . When a first modular inflatable wall structure connects to second wall structure, an air duct  114  of the first wall structure will also connect to an air duct of the second wall structure so that the air can flow freely between wall structures.  FIG. 2  shows the air duct  114  as a square shape, however, it will be apparent that the duct  114  may be in other shapes such as a rectangular or round shape. In proximity to the area of air duct  114 , Velcro® can be used so that when two wall structures connect to each other, the corresponding air ducts  114  will match each other and securely connect by way of the Velcro®. To ensure the strong connection between wall structures, straps or buckles can be used to tie base  105  and  106  of adjoining wall structures. 
     On a side of at least one of base  105 ,  106  and/or lower base  102 , an air inlet  123  is disposed, wherein a blower or other supply of air may be attached to provide air to inflate a modular inflatable wall structure  1 . The air inlet  123  can be rolled up and stored within the base or lower base when not in use. 
     It is not shown in the drawings, however, it will be apparent that open storage space can be provided in lower base  102  and base  105  and  106 , where weighting items, such as sand bags, water bags, and the like can be placed to hold down the modular inflatable wall structure. 
       FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of a modular inflatable wall structure  2  of the present disclosure, wherein the wall structure further comprises medial support elements  120 ,  121 , and  122 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of an entrance module  3 . The entrance module  3  comprises a front frame  310 , a back frame  320 , side frames  330  and  340  that join the front and back frames, and side lower bases  331  and  341 . The front frame  310  comprises horizontal beam  311  and vertical poles  312  and  313 . The front frame  310  includes a panel of mesh or porous fabric or other material on the interior of the frame  310 . The front frame  310  mesh panel further comprises an opening  315  through which where players can enter or exit an inflatable enclosure system of the present disclosure. The back frame  320  includes horizontal beam  321  and vertical poles  322  and  323 . The back frame  320  includes a panel of mesh or porous fabric or other material on the interior of the frame  320 . The back frame  320  mesh panel comprises opening  325  where players can enter or exit an inflatable enclosure system of the present disclosure. Side lower bases  331  and  341  attach to front frame  310  at a lower end  312  and  313  of front frame  310  and to back frame  320  at a lower end  322  and  323  of back frame  320 . 
     Upper beam  330 , poles  322  and  312 , and lower base  331  form a frame, which frame includes a panel  332  of mesh or porous fabric or other material on the interior of the frame. Upper beam  340 , poles  323 , poles  313  and lower base  341  form a frame, which frame includes a panel  342  of mesh or porous fabric or other material on the interior of the frame. Upper beams  330 ,  340 ,  311  and  321  form a frame, which frame includes a panel  324  of mesh or porous fabric or other material on the interior of the frame. In an embodiment, back frame  320  have a greater height than front frame  310 , causing beam  330  and  340  to have a sloped configuration. Upper beams  330  and  340 , poles  312 ,  313 ,  322 , and  323  and lower bases  331  and  341  may connect to front frame  310  and back frame  320  by way of fasteners such as Velcro®, zippers, etc. 
     On exterior sides of entrance module (along poles  322  and  323 ), connecting flaps  326  are disposed, which flaps may be used connect one entrance module to a modular inflatable wall structure or another entrance module. Also disposed on exterior sides of lower base  331  and  341 , connecting air ducts  333  may be disposed, which ducts  333  may correspond in size and configuration to air ducts of the modular inflatable wall structure of the present disclosure. 
     Lower base  331  and  341  of entrance module may further comprise storage space, wherein weighting items (such as sand bags or water bags) can be placed to hold down the entrance module. Lower base  331  and  341 , and poles  312 ,  313 ,  322  and  333 , may further comprise air outlets to exhaust air out of these components for deflation purposes. Such air outlets can also be used as air inlets to which a blower or fan can be connected to provide air for the inflation. 
     All panels in embodiments described herein can be either mesh or fabric, depending on particular application of the enclosure or system. A banner can also be applied to a panel for advertising purposes. 
     The enclosure and system illustrated herein shows two or three triangular brace support structures. It will be apparent that the quantity of such triangle brace support structures may increase depending on wall size. 
     The inflatable enclosure system  10  described herein comprises at least one modular inflatable wall structure  1  and/or  2  as well as entrance module  3 . The structures and entrance module(s) connect with each other to form a complete enclosure. The enclosure will be made from flexible material (such as PVC) and be erected and inflated via blowers. It should be noted that prior art inflatable products are sewn and stitched together to form the shape. The drawback for the sewn/stitched inflatable is there are lots of needle holes around the seam where the air will leak out. This air leaking from the seam may not be an issue for a smaller-sized inflatable object. However, when the inflatable object is larger, the air leaking from the seam will be an issue, which means that you need more power to supply air flow to offset the leaking air. The present disclosure uses glue, welding and/or fuse technology so that the seams do not have needle holes, so as to reduce the air leak dramatically. Of course, the said present disclosure can be made in traditional stitch/sewn way too. 
     The preferred embodiments of the disclosure described here are exemplary, and numerous modifications, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims.