Patent Publication Number: US-8991104-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for distributing a load about an air beam

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/094,727 filed Sep. 5, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to static structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to air beam construction static structures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Inflatable structural members, commonly referred to as “air beams” may be assembled to form large inflatable shelters. The pneumatic columns may be difficult to connect with other structural elements/attachments due to their relative weakness and susceptibility to puncture. This can make them difficult to incorporate into structures and attach to footings, anchors, guy wires, supports, etc. 
     It is, therefore, desirable to provide a method and apparatus for distributing the attachment point loading for air beam structures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous methods and apparatus for distributing the attachment point loading for air beam structures. 
     In a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for connecting an attachment and an air beam, the apparatus comprising an elongate hug strap for hugging a perimeter surface of the air beam, the elongate hug strap adapted to connect with the attachment, and a hug strap pad attached to the elongate hug strap, the hug strap pad for attaching to the perimeter surface. 
     In one embodiment, the elongate hug strap is attached to the hug strap pad by stitching. 
     In one embodiment, the hug strap pad comprises an elongate strap. 
     In one embodiment, the elongate hug strap is color coded to identify a design parameter. In one embodiment, the design parameter is selected from the group consisting of design strength, design usage, year of manufacture, sequence of assembly, and a combination thereof. 
     In one embodiment, the elongate hug strap extends between a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end having an end connector, the end connectors adapted to receive an end link member. 
     In one embodiment, the end connector includes a loop or a grommet. 
     In one embodiment, the elongate hug strap further includes an intermediate connector, between the first end and the second end, and the intermediate connector is adapted to receive an intermediate link member. 
     In one embodiment, the intermediate connector includes a loop or a grommet. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a standoff extending between the elongate hug strap and the intermediate connector. 
     In one embodiment, the hug strap pad is attached to the elongate hug strap substantially continuously about the perimeter surface. 
     In one embodiment, the hug strap pad is wider than the elongate hug strap. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention provides an air beam including an elongate pneumatic tubular column having a perimeter surface. A hug strap pad is attached to the perimeter surface. An elongate hug strap is attached to the hug strap pad and hugs the perimeter surface. The elongate hug strap is adapted to connect with an attachment. 
     In one embodiment, the hug strap is attached to the hug strap pad by stitching. 
     In one embodiment, the hug strap pad is attached to the pneumatic tubular column by welding. 
     In one embodiment, the hug strap pad is attached to the elongate hug strap substantially continuously about the perimeter surface. 
     In one embodiment, the hug strap pad is attached to the perimeter surface substantially continuously about the perimeter surface. 
     In one embodiment, the hug strap pad is wider than the elongate hug strap. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of securing an attachment to an air beam. The method includes providing an air beam having a perimeter surface, attaching an elongate hug strap to a hug strap pad, securing the hug strap pad, with the elongate hug strap attached, to the air beam, wherein the elongate hug strap hugs the perimeter surface, and securing the attachment to the elongate hug strap. 
     In one embodiment, the elongate hug strap and the hug strap pad are attached by stitching. In one embodiment, the hug strap pad and the air beam are attached by welding. 
     In one embodiment, the attachment is selected from the group consisting of a guy wire, a reinforcing member, a cable, or a combination thereof. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for connecting a first air beam and a second air beam. The apparatus includes a first elongate hug strap for hugging a first perimeter surface of the first air beam and a first hug strap pad attached to the first elongate hug strap, the first hug strap pad for attaching to the first perimeter surface. The apparatus also includes a second elongate hug strap for hugging a second perimeter surface of the second air beam and a second hug strap pad attached to the elongate second hug strap, the second hug strap pad for attaching to the second perimeter surface. The apparatus also includes biasing means for biasing the first elongate hug strap and the second elongate hug strap together. In one embodiment, the biasing means comprises a ratchet assembly. 
     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric exploded view of an apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  laid flat; 
         FIG. 3  a cross-section of an air beam column with the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an apparatus of the present invention with air beam columns; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section of one of the air beam columns of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a isometric detail of one of the air beam columns of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown with an attachment in the form of a fly; 
         FIG. 8  is a detail view of the apparatus of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of the apparatus of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of an apparatus of the present invention in the form of an axial/longitudinal embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a section view of an air beam with a hug strap of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a section view of an air beam with a hug strap of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a top section of the air beam of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a cutaway section of an air beam structure using a hug strap of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally, the present invention provides a method and system for providing an attachment connection for connecting with a pneumatic tubular columns (arches) such as air beams. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a hug strap  10  is attached to a hug strap pad  20 . The hug strap pad  20  is then attached to an air beam  30  ( FIG. 3 ). The hug strap pad  20  and hug strap  10  are connected by sewing, stitching, adhesive, or other means. This allows the hug strap  10  to be securely attached to the air beam  30  without risk to the pneumatic integrity of the air beam  30 . 
     The connection between the hug strap  10  and the hug strap pad  20  may be intermittent or spot or may be substantially continuous along the perimeter (e.g. circumference for cylindrical tube shown). The hug strap pad  20  and the air beam  30  ( FIG. 3 ) are connected by welding, bonding, adhesive, fusing, or other means. The connection between the hug strap pad  20  and the air beam  30  ( FIG. 3 ) may be intermittent or spot or may be substantially continuous along the perimeter (e.g. circumference for cylindrical tube shown). The hug strap  10  is generally a stronger flexible material, such as nylon. The hug strap pad  20  is generally a weaker flexible material, compatible with the air beam  30 , such as vinyl or poly vinyl chloride (PVC). The hug strap pad  20  may be wider than the hug strap  10  to provide for a larger contact area with the air beam  30 . 
     The hug strap  10  may include end loops  40 , which may be connected with an end link member  50  such as a quick link or other device. The end link member  50  may provide an attachment point  60 . An intermediate loop  70  may be provided, which may be connected with an intermediate link member  80 , such as a d-link or other device. The intermediate link member  80  may provide an attachment point  90 . 
     While shown as a single, substantially central or midpoint location of the hug strap  10 , the intermediate loop may  70  be provided in another location, or plurality of locations. As an alternate to the end loop  40  or the intermediate loop  70 , a grommet may be provided within the hug strap  10  or the standoff  100  or both. 
     The hug strap pad  20  and the hug strap  10  generally conform or ‘hug’ the perimeter surface of the air beam  30  (in the case of the air beam  30  shown having a circular cross section, the circumference). A standoff  100  may provide radial separation between the intermediate loop  70  and the hug strap  10 . 
     While shown as extending about a perimeter (circumference) of the air beam  30 , the hug strap pad  20  and hug strap  10  may alternatively extend only about a portion of the perimeter of the air beam  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , the apparatus of the present invention may be used to connect or attach a wide variety of attachments  110  and air beams  30 , in a number of fixed or floating configurations or both. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a wide variety of attachments may be connected with the air beam  30  via the attachment point  60  or the attachment point  90  or both. The attachments may include a guy wire  140 , a reinforcing member  150 , a cable  130 , or other attachment known to one skilled in the art, or a combination thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , the apparatus of the present invention may be used to connect or attach a fly  160  or other flexible (or rigid or semi rigid) covering on the outside  190  or inside  195  or both of a number of the air beams  30  (forming a structure). A fastener  180  (e.g. bolt) may extend between the hug strap  10  through the fly  160  to provide a connection (e.g. eye nut  210 ) to the air beam  30  through the fly  160 . A reinforcement  220  may be added around the fastener  180 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , apparatus of the present invention may be used to connect the air beams  30  (connect a first air beam  230  and a second air beam  240 , for example end to end, as shown). A first hug strap  250  attaches to a first hug strap pad  260 , and the first hug strap pad  260  attaches to the first air beam  230 . A second hug strap  270  attaches to a second hug strap pad  280 , and the second hug strap pad  280  attaches to the second air beam  240 . The first hug strap  250  and the second hug strap  270  are fixed together by a cable  130  or otherwise, or may be drawn together and fixed in place, for example by a ratchet assembly  290 . As shown, this axial connection may be combined with the perimeter design of  FIGS. 1-9 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-14 , the hug strap  10  is shown in securing the air beam  30 . The cables  130  extend between the attachment point  60  and an anchor to secure the structure. The hug strap  10  and the hug strap pad  20  or both may be relatively wide and may attach to the air beam  30  at a limited number of points (see  FIGS. 12-13 ), for example by weld  300 . 
     In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. 
     The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.