Patent Publication Number: US-9422735-B1

Title: Methods and systems of applying forces using folded hoses

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to methods and systems of applying forces to structures. The forces can be used to lift the structures or to move the structures in any direction, or to maintain a structure at a height or position. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In some circumstances it is necessary to apply a force to a structure to move the structure in a desired direction. For example, over time structures such as roadways, driveways, houses or portions thereof, garage floors, porches, sidewalks, patios, etc., have a tendency to settle or sink and need to be raised upwardly to return the structure to its original level. In another example, it is sometimes desirable to lift a structure upwardly, even a structure that has not settled, from a first level to a second higher level. In still another example, such as in a rescue situation, it may be desirable to move a structure in a particular direction such as upward, downward, sideways, or in any other direction, such as when attempting to extricate a person. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,092,116 and 8,864,421 describe the use of an inflatable hose or hoses to raise structures. 
     SUMMARY 
     Methods and systems of applying forces to structures are described. The methods and systems described herein utilize an inflatable hose that is folded over onto itself at least once to form inflatable hose sections. When a pressurized media is introduced into the hose, the hose sections increase in volume. The increase in volume can be used to apply a force to a structure which can be used to, for example, move the structure in a desired direction or maintain the structure at a height or position. The force(s) can be applied to the structure in a vertical direction (for example vertically upward or vertically downward), a horizontal direction (for example to move or maintain the structure in a sideways direction) or any angle between vertical and horizontal. 
     The inflatable hose is folded over onto itself at least once to form first and second inflatable hose sections. In another embodiment, the inflatable hose is folded over onto itself more than once, for example twice, three times, etc., to form three or more inflatable hose sections. By folding the inflatable hose over onto itself, more force is generated when the hose sections are inflated with pressurized media compared to a single length of hose that is inflated. 
     In one embodiment, the hose sections are only partially inflated so that in a cross-sectional view, the hose sections are generally oval in shape which helps to ensure stability of the hose sections when the force is applied to the structure. The size and/or shape of the inflatable hose and resulting inflatable hose sections can be increased/decreased as desired depending upon the required force and the application the inflatable hose is used for. 
     In some embodiments, a second inflatable hose structure that is folded over onto itself can be used to apply another force to the structure. The second inflatable hose structure would be spaced from the first inflatable hose structure so that the force applied by the second inflatable hose structure is applied at a location spaced from the force applied by the first inflatable hose structure. In some embodiment, the second inflatable hose structure need not be folded over onto itself when applying the second force to the structure. For example, the second hose structure can be a hose as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,092,116 and 8,864,421. 
     In one embodiment, a method of applying a force to a structure includes folding a first inflatable hose over on itself at least once to form at least first and second inflatable hose sections with the second inflatable hose section adjacent to the first inflatable hose section, the first and second inflatable hose sections are increasable in volume in a first direction to generate a force in the first direction. The first and second inflatable hose sections are located adjacent to the structure to be moved with the second inflatable hose section positioned between the first inflatable hose section and the structure to be moved so that when the first and second inflatable hose sections are increased in volume the force that is generated in the first direction is applied to the structure. Pressurized media is then introduced into the first inflatable hose so as to inflate the first and second inflatable hose sections to increase the volume of the first and second inflatable hose sections so that the force in the first direction is applied to the structure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an inflatable hose described herein that is folded over onto itself and positioned underneath a structure to permit application of a vertical force to the structure. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view similar to  FIG. 1  but with the inflatable hose inflated by a pressurized media to increase the volume of the hose sections to apply the vertical force. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional end view through the hose sections of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of an inflatable hose described herein that is folded over onto itself and positioned to the side of a structure to apply a horizontal force to the structure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an inflatable hose described herein that is folded over onto itself and positioned to apply a force to a lifting bracket that is fixed to the structure. 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  but with the inflatable hose inflated by a pressurized media to increase the volume of the hose sections. 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  but also showing a crank jack that applies a vertical force to the structure to supplement the force of the inflatable hose. 
         FIGS. 8-12  illustrate various steps involved in folding the inflatable hose over onto itself to create first and second hose sections. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , an inflatable hose  10  is folded over onto itself to form first and second inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b . The second inflatable hose section  12   b  is adjacent to the first inflatable hose section  12   a , for example in direct contact with the first inflatable hose section  12   a . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the inflatable hose section  12   b  is disposed vertically above the inflatable hose section  12   a . The inflatable hose section  12   a  is that part of the hose  10  that is underneath the inflatable hose section  12   b  located above it. In addition, the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  are those portions of the hose  10  that combine with one another to increase the height of the hose  10  compared to the portion of the hose  10  that is not folded over onto itself. 
       FIG. 1  shows the hose  10  and the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  in a deflated or non-pressurized condition where they have minimal volume and are not applying a vertical force. A first end  14  of the hose  10  is connected to a source of pressurized media, and the second end  15  of the hose  10  is sealed in any suitable manner to prevent escape of pressurized media through the end  15 . When pressurized media is introduced through the end  14  of the hose  10 , the first and second inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  are increased in volume in a first direction (for example, the vertical direction in  FIGS. 1-3 ) to generate a vertically upward force  16  in the first direction.  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the hose  10  and the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  in an inflated or pressurized condition with an increased volume compared to  FIG. 1 . 
     The hose  10  is located adjacent to a structure  18  to be moved vertically upward or maintained at its vertical position. In  FIGS. 1-3 , the hose  10  is located underneath the structure  18  so that the vertical force  16  is applied to the structure  18  in a vertically upward direction, for example to lift the structure  18  upward. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , when the hose  10  is correctly positioned, the second inflatable hose section  12   b  is positioned on top of the first inflatable hose section  12   a  between the first inflatable hose section  12   a  and the structure  18 . The second inflatable hose section  12   b  can be in direct contact with the structure  18 , or an intervening structure such as a force spreading plate or other structure can be disposed between the second inflatable hose section  12   b  and the structure  18 . The first inflatable hose section  12   a  can be located on a stabile base  20  such as the ground or a floor.  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the first inflatable hose section  12   a  directly contacting the base  20 , but an intervening structure such as a force spreading plate or other structure can be disposed between the first inflatable hose section  12   a  and the base  20 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  are only partially inflated so that in a cross-sectional view, the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  are generally oval in shape. This helps to ensure stability of the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  when the force  16  is applied to the structure. However, the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  can be inflatable any amount sufficient to achieve the desired goal of applying a force to the structure  18  to move the In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3 , one or more stabilizing bands  22  can be disposed around the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  to help maintain the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  vertically aligned or stacked on top of one another. The stabilizing band(s)  22  can be, for example, a rubber band(s) that expands with the inflation of the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b.    
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  can extend any length L of the structure  18 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  extend at least 50% of the length L. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  can be located at any position along the width W of the structure  18 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  are located approximately at the middle of the width W to apply the force  16  proximate the center of the structure  18 . 
       FIG. 3  also illustrates an alternative location of the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  in dashed lines, where the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  are positioned off center toward one side of the structure  18 . Alternatively, the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG. 3  indicate that a second inflatable hose  10 , similar or identical in construction to the first inflatable hose  10 , can be used to apply a second force to the structure  18 . The second inflatable hose  10  is spaced from the first inflatable hose  10  so that the force  16  applied by the second inflatable hose  10  is applied at a location spaced from the force  16  applied by the first inflatable hose  10 , but with the two forces  16  combining to lift the structure  18  or maintain the structure  18  at its current height. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the inflatable hose  10  positioned to the side of the structure  18  to apply the force  16  in a horizontal direction to the structure  18 . In this embodiment, the inflatable hose  10  can be positioned on the base  20  between a side of the structure  18  and a second stabile base  24 . When pressurized media is introduced into the inflatable hose  10 , the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  expand in volume to create the horizontal force  16  on the structure  18  to move the structure  18  sideways or to maintain the horizontal position of the structure  18  spaced from the stabile base  24 . The inflatable hose  10  can be positioned at any location along the vertical height H of the structure  18  so that the force  16  is applied at any location along the height H. Optionally, one or more of the stabilizing bands  22  can be used to help maintain the relative positions of the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b . In addition, more than one of the inflatable hoses  10  can be positioned to apply multiple forces  16  to the structure  18 . Further, the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3  and  FIG. 4  can be combined, so that one or more of the inflatable hoses  10  can apply one or more forces  16  vertically while one or more of the inflatable hoses can apply one or more forces  16  horizontally. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an embodiment where one or more of the inflatable hoses  10  indirectly apply forces to the structure  18 . In this embodiment, one or more angle brackets  30  are fixed to the side of the structure  18 , and one or more lift brackets  32  are engaged between the angle bracket(s)  30  and the inflatable hose(s)  10 .  FIG. 5  shows the inflatable hose(s)  10  positioned underneath the lift bracket(s)  32  in its deflated or non-pressurized condition. As shown in  FIG. 6 , upon introduction of pressurized media into the inflatable hose, the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  expand in volume, creating the upward force  16  on the lift bracket  32  which is transferred to the angle bracket  30  and to the structure  18 . The end of the structure  18  is then lifted upward as shown in  FIG. 6  from its original position shown in  FIG. 5 . Further information on the use of angle and lift brackets to aid in lifting a structure is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,864,421 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, fill material can be introduced underneath the structure  18  once it is raised to fill the now empty space shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In some embodiments, the force(s) applied by the one or more inflatable hose(s)  10  can be supplemented by other mechanical lifting mechanisms. For example,  FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  showing the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  expanded with pressurized media so they are applying the upward force  16  on the structure  18 . In addition, the upward force  16  applied by the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  is supplemented by one or more crank jacks  40  that apply a vertical force  42  to the structure  18  to supplement the force  16  of the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b.    
     The construction and operation of the crank jack  40  is well known in the art. Each crank jack  40  includes a base  44  that rests on the stabile base  20 . The base  44  is telescoped within a movable sleeve  46  that moves up and down on the base  44 . A rotatable crank handle  48  is connected to a mechanism within the crank jack  40  such that rotation of the crank handle  48  in one direction causes the sleeve  46  to be moved upwardly on the base  44 , while rotation of the crank handle  48  in the opposite direction causes the sleeve  46  to slide down on the base  44 . 
     The crank jack(s)  40  can be coupled to the structure  18  in any suitable manner such that upward movement of the sleeve  46  applies an upward force to the structure  18 . For example, in one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a bracket  60  can be fixed to the side of the structure  18  and a structure  62  on the sleeve  46  of the crank jack  40  engages with the bracket  60  to apply the upward force from the crank jack  40  to the structure  18 . 
     The use of one or more supplemental lifting mechanisms such as the crank jack(s)  40  can aid in the inflatable hose in lifting the structure  18 . Alternatively, the supplemental lifting mechanisms such as the crank jack(s)  40  can act as a fail-safe measure to hold the structure  18  up if pressure escapes from the inflatable hose  10  and the inflatable hose  10  deflates. 
       FIGS. 8-12  illustrate one example of a sequence of operations of folding the inflatable hose  10  over onto itself to form the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  and sealing the second end  15  of the hose. Other sequences are possible. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the inflatable hose  10  in an initial unfolded condition. The first end  14  can be connected to a source of pressurized media at this stage, or the connection of the first end  14  to the source of pressurized media can occur later. In addition, in this embodiment, the second end  15  of the hose  10  can be initially open or unsealed so that if pressurized media were to be introduced into the inflatable hose, the pressurized media would escape out the end  15 . A sealing band  50  is shown disposed around the inflatable hose  10 . The sealing band  50  is used to help seal the second end  15  of the inflatable hose  10  as discussed further below. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the inflatable hose  10  being folded over onto itself in a clockwise direction (i.e. in the direction of the arrow) into a lower part  52  and an upper part  54  separated by a bend  55 . The hose  10  should be folded such that the second end  15  significantly overlaps the sealing band  50 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates that a portion  56  of the upper part  54  containing the second end  15  is then folded downward toward the lower part  52  at a bend  58 . The portion  56  including the second end  15  is then directed in a reverse direction back through the sealing band  50  such that the portion  56  is disposed between the sealing band  50  and the lower part  52  of the inflatable hose  10  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The sealing band  50  is a sleeve that is disposed around the lower part  52  that permits the second end  15  to be passed through the sealing band  50  in the reverse direction between the sealing band  50  and the lower part  52  as depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second end  15  completely extends through the sealing band  50 . In one embodiment, the sealing band  50  can be made of the same material as the hose  10 . For example, approximately a six inch length of hose can be cut from the hose  10  to form the sealing band  50 , and then slid over the lower part  52 . The second end  15  can then be reversed and passed through the sealing band  50  as seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . However, other forms and lengths of sealing bands  50  can be used. 
     Once the portion  56  and the second end  15  are sufficiently reversed back through the sealing band  50 , the portion  56  is disposed between the sealing band  50  and the lower part  52  of the inflatable hose  10  as shown in  FIG. 12 . In addition, the portion  56 , including the second end  15 , is disposed between the inflatable hose section  12   b  and the inflatable hose section  12   a.    
     The sealing band  50  seals the second end  15  of the inflatable hose  10  by pinching the portion  56  between the sealing band  50  and the lower part  52  of the inflatable hose  10 . Upon the introduction of pressurized media through the first end  14 , the pressurized media expands the inflatable hose section  12   a , and flows through the bend  55  and expands the inflatable hose section  12   b . The portion  56  and the second end  15  are disposed between the expanded hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  which also helps to seal the second end  15  and prevent escape of the pressurized media through the second end  15 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  expand in volume. However, due to the sealing band  50  which seals the second end  15 , the pressurized media does not flow past the sealing band  50 . 
     In embodiments where the inflatable hose  10  is folded over onto itself more than once, the sequence and construction shown in  FIGS. 8-12  can vary slightly. For example, in the case of the inflatable hose  10  being folded over onto itself twice, a portion of the upper part  54  shown in  FIG. 9  can be folded upwardly and then reversed in direction over the remainder of the upper part  54  so that three inflatable hose sections are formed. The sealing band  50  can be located on the middle hose section so that a portion of the uppermost hose section can be reversed back through the sealing band in a similar manner to the portion  56 . In such a construction, the reversed portion of the uppermost hose section would be pinched between the sealing band and the middle hose section to seal the open end of the inflatable hose. 
     The inflatable hose  10  can be made from any suitable material such as rubber, canvas, nylon or the like, as long as the inflatable hose  10  can maintain pressurized media therein when inflated, the inflatable hose  10  can withstand the forces of the pressurized media and engagement with the structure  18  and the base  20 , and the inflatable hose  10  is inflatable to increase the volume of the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  from the collapsed or non-pressurized condition. 
     The inflatable hose  10  is described above as being partially inflated so that the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  assume an oval shape. However, the inflatable hose  10  itself can be shaped such that when fully inflated the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  have an oval cross-sectional shape. Alternatively, the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  can have a circular cross-sectional shape, a rectangular cross-sectional shape, a polygonal cross-sectional shape, or an irregular shape when partially or fully inflated. 
     The pressurized media used to inflate the inflatable hose can be any pressurized media such as pressurized gases such as air and pressurized liquids such as water. The pressurized media can be injected from a suitable pressurized media source (not shown) and is injected through the end  14  which can be provided with a suitable fitting (not shown) to connect to the pressurized media source. In another embodiment, the second end  15  need not be closed, but can instead be connected back to the pressurized media source to form a closed looped circulation system. The pressure of the pressurized media can be constant, or the pressure of the pressurized media may vary. 
     When the inflatable hose  10  is intended to lift a structure, the increase in size of the inflatable hose sections resulting from inflation creates an upward lifting force on the structure that is sufficient to lift the structure. The size of the hose that is used can be sufficient such that when folded over onto itself to form the inflatable hose sections, the structure is lifted upward a sufficient distance to raise the structure to a desired level. Further, the inflatable hose sections need not be fully inflated. The inflatable hose sections only need be inflated enough to raise the structure to the desired level. In addition, the size of the hose and pressure of the pressurized media should be sufficient to create enough upward lifting force to lift the weight of the structure. When it is desired to implement the method while the structure remains in use, the upward force should be sufficient to support both the structure and any objects on the top surface of the structure. In such an embodiment, the pressure of the pressurized media introduced into the inflatable hose sections may vary during use. In this manner, the structure can be raised while the structure remains in use. 
     When the inflatable hose  10  is intended to maintain a structure at a desired height, the upward lifting force on the structure that is generated should be sufficient to keep the structure raised at its current height. The size of the hose that is used can be sufficient such that when folded over onto itself to form the inflatable hose sections, and the inflatable hose sections are expanded, the expanded hose sections engage the structure and can accept the weight of the structure without collapsing. The inflatable hose sections need not be fully inflated. The inflatable hose sections only need be inflated enough to engage the structure and maintain the structure at the desired level when the weight of the structure is applied to the hose sections. In addition, the size of the hose and pressure of the pressurized media should be sufficient to support the weight of the structure. When it is desired to implement the method while the structure remains in use, the upward force of the hose sections should be sufficient to support both the structure and any objects on structure during use. In such an embodiment, the pressure of the pressurized media introduced into the inflatable hose sections may vary during use. In this manner, the structure can be maintained at a raised position while the structure remains in use. 
     When the force of the inflatable hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  is no longer required, the hose sections  12   a ,  12   b  can be deflated by allowing the pressurized media to escape from the hose sections  12   a ,  12   b , for example through the first end  14  or through one or more suitable valves (not shown) provided in the hose sections  12   a ,  12   b.    
     The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.