Improvements in or Additions to Portable Structures, Erections, and Articles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 4th June, 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug.,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Additions to Portable Structures, Erections,
and Articles.
I, ROBERT FREDERICK HALL, of " Ferndale," Church Road, Moseley, near
the City of Birmingham, Managing Director of Public Company, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
My invention relates to portable and collapsible structures, erections and articles,
such as buildings, huts, sentry-boxes, sheds, partitions, marquees, tents, canopies,
awnings, blinds, military and other bridges, tables, chairs, bedsteads and other
articles of furniture, principally for camp purposes, temporary letter boxes,
ambulance carriages and stretchers, standards, transport and other vehicles, parts
of cycles, such as seat pillars, framings and the like, wheel-harrow bodies, cisterns
and water troughs, wash-bowls, milk-cans, water vessels, boats, life-saving rafts,
sails, mats, baskets, umbrellas and parasols, capes, skirts, bolices, corsets, and
other articles of clothing, dress-improvers and crinolines, hats, and the like.
My invention has for its object, a portable and collapsible structure, erection or
article, capable of being made self-supporting and rigid or stiff, when dilated or
distended, by inflation.
The structures, erections or articles, which may be made in interchangeable
or other sections, are made self-supporting, or rigid and stiff by employing, in
connection with canvas, fabric or other soft material, hollow ribs, pipings or parts,
which, when inflated, constitute ties, stays or bracings for supporting, making rigid
or stiffening the walls of the said structures, erections and articles.
In carrying out my invention in connection with a portable structure or building,
such as a shed, hut, sentry box or the like, a suitable length of canvas, to form the
outer walls, is taken, and is provided with upright and transversely directed hollow
ribs or pipings, made integral with the said canvas, or attached thereto by lacings
or otherwise, and which said piped or tubular or hollow parts are made preferably
of rubber, with separate canvas plies, or with plies formed from the canvas of the
walls of the structure, so as to prevent over-distension.
These hollow cavities or ribs, which may, as aforesaid, be disposed in opposite
directions, or upright and diagonally, so as to prop or support each other and the
intervening surfaces of canvas, are in cominunication with each other, and may, if
necessary, be lined with a continuous air sack, with a common inflating inlet.
The length of canvas may be joined by an inflating pillar terminating one end,
with which a rolled edge of the other end engages, so that when inflated one
edging becomes dilated, and is thereby kept within the other edging, although the
said terminal ends may be joined by lacings or other means.
I propose that the upper and lower edges of the canvas should have pipings or
hollow beadings running along them, besides the transverse or diagonal and upright
hollow ribs.
When the ribs of the structure are inflated, the said structure becomes self-
Eupporting and rigid in all directions, and may, if necessary, be kept from being
displaced in high winds by ropes or cords, or stake or other attachments.
1 propose to form the roof of such a structure from canvas, provided with hollow
inflating ribs, running around the border edges of the same, and with like hollow
ribs running up to a ridge or to a point, so as to form supports for the slanting
sides, and in order to prevent the sides of the roof from collapsing beam-like
crossing ribs may stretch from point to point of the interior.

page_text: The sloping, cambered or other roof may be attachedly connected to the side
walls by any suitable means.
If necessary, the canvas may be fitted with pockets to receive the ends of wood
or like rigid bars, which will increase the rigidity of the structure.
In making the structures up of interchangeable or other sections, the primary
hollow parts, which support the structure, and constitute, as it were, spinal columns,
may be made separate from the canvas, and be provided with undercut grooves, or
with channels having contracted entrances, into which, beaded or rolled ends of
the canvas sections or parts take, and are kept in their assigned positions when the
columns are inflated. In such a form, the hollow ribs forming the cross or
diagonal stays, ties or bracings are independently inflated.
Thus, in erecting a canvas or part canvas structure, the edges of the canvas
sections are connected to the upright supports and the structure placed erect and
the whole of the hollow parts are inflated.
Doors or openings are provided for the ingress and egress of persons.
In carrying out my invention in connection with a bell-tent, I form the same
from a continuous length of canvas, or from united-together sections, and provide
the edging at the base of the same with a hollow beading, rib or tube. I also
direct radially from the base to the apex or summit, other hollow beadings, ribs or
tubes. These last named form the column supports to the tent, whilst the base
edging forms the stretcher, which is assisted in keeping the tent distended or
stretched out in all directions by lateral or intermediate hollow stays. When
the hollows of the structure are inflated, the same is rendered self-supporting
and rigid.
Instead of the hollow ribs or stretchers being directed in opposite directions, the
same may, in the case of bell tents, be made to run spirally from top to base and
winding circumferentially around the cone shaped walls.
As a further form, the hollow ribs may be made bridge or arch shaped, with or
without buttresses.
The tent may be tied down by ropes, pegs, stakes or their equivalents in the
usual way.
Usual openings are provided in the tent for ingress, egress and ventilation, and if
necessary the top may be provided with a cowl or apron.
In a tent such as described, no poles or other supports are required, and when
made in segments or sections, I construct the same in manner alike as already
described in respect of structures.
In carrying out my invention in connection with canopies awnings, blinds and similar
articles, the same are made from canvas, having transverse, longitudinal or diagonal
hollow ribs or tubings formed with it, and if necessary, the boundary edges are
likewise provided.
When the hollow parts are inflated, the whole structure becomes practically
rigid or stiff, and well suited for the purposes for which it is designed.
The said articles may have webbed or angular ends to increase their rigidity
and stiffness.
In a pontoon bridge, the same is made in sections, with barrels or inflated
chambers coming upon the undersides of canvas parts, which are united or laced
together, and have longitudinal hollow ribs formed with or attached to them,
which ribs are inflated and a comparatively rigid structure is formed.
In another form of pontoon bridge, the component sections are made alike unto
thick hollow planks or stalks, with interlocking edges, that is a he part on the edge
of one section passes into a she part on the adjacent edge of another section, and
when the parts are put together and built up into an arch, and then inflated, the
whole forms a comparatively rigid structure, which is still further strengthened by
an attached surface of canvas having stiffening ribs running crosswise to the
direction of the blocks.
To further support the structure through the medium of the water of a river,
the sectional parts are provided with tent-shaped chambers, having wide and

page_text: open bases or mouths, which are presented to and become partly immersed within
the water.
In carrying out my invention in connection with tables, chairs, bedsteads and
other camp and like furniture, I make the same primarily of canvas, hollow ribbed
in cross and circular directions, and with the principal pillar supports made, if
necessary, entirely hollow, forming trunk passages to the branch ribs, and when the
whole of these passages and ribs are inflated, the canvas or other material forming,
as it were, webbed parts, the hollow ribs become stretched and supported by the
distension, in all directions, of the said hollow parts.
The edges of such portable articles of furniture are usually hollow beale 1.
In carrying out my invention in connection with such portable and collapsible
articles as letter boxes, wheel-barrow bodies, cisterns, water-troughs, wash-bowls,
milk-cans, water vessels, baskets and the like, the canvas body part is made of the
desired shape (or from sections) and is provided with hollow crassing ribs and
boundary beadings, which when inflated, distend and keep rigid the hollow articles
so made.
In ambulances, carriages, stretchers, transport vehicles aul the like, I make
the bodies up of canvas sides, either united together or in a piece, and provide
the same with hollow stiffening ribs, beadings or parts, which, when inflated, make the
articles in question sufficiently rigid for carrying articles and persons.
In carrying out my invention in connection with the parts of cycles, I proceed
in a like manner as already described with respect to other structures and
articles.
In making a collapsible boat, I form the body of the same from canvas, and
provide the same with hollow ribs or parts, crossing cach other, or directel in
various directions, and also with hollow boundary edges, which, when inflated,
make the articles buoyant and, to a considerable extent, rigid.
In sails, I provide the same with a hollow beading runing around the edges,
which, when inflated, distends the canvas, and imparts rigidity thereto.
In carrying out my invention in connection with umbrellas, parasols, or the like,
I make the same from some soft material, such as silk or alpaca, having hollow
bendings at the edgings, which are in direct communication with radially or
equatorially directed hollow ribs, which, on being inflated, give stay to, or distend,
the top, and thus dispense with the use of stretchers.
In carrying out my invention in connection with life-saving and other rafts,
door mats or the like, I make the same alike in character to a grating or cross-
barred grating, with the bars made hollow, so that when the same are inflated,
rigidity and stiffness is imparted to the article. In the case of rafts, I may fit
the same with sacks or pockets, wherein shipwrecked people may lie, with the
months of the sacks coining up to the necks, thus protecting the bodies from
exposure.
In carrying out my invention in connection with cyclists capes, dress skirts
and other like articles of clothing, the lower border edges only are usually inflated
so that the garments are distended outward away from the legs and body of a
person.
The application of my invention to bodices, corsets, crinolines, and other articles
of dress, differs only from its application to skirts and capes in respect of the
dispositions of the stiffening ribs and hollow beadings.
To prevent over-distension of the hollow edges and ribs, the inflating parts may
be provided with relief valves, and further, the said parts may be fitted with inflating
instruments.
Dated this 2nd lux of Avaust 1894

page_text: Improvements in or Additions to Portable Structures, Erections,
and Articles.
I, ROBERT FREDERICK HALL, of Ferndale, Church Road, Moseley, near the
City of Birmingham, Managing Director of Public Company, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:--
My invention relates to portable and collapsible structures, erections and
articles, such as buildings, huts, sentry-boxes, sheds, partitions, inarquees, tents,
canopies, awnings, blinds, military and other bridges, tables, chairs, bedsteads and
other articles of furniture, principally for camp purposes, temporary letter boxes,
ambulance carriages and stretchers, standards, transport and other vehicles, parts of
cycles, such as seat pillars, framings and the like, whcel barrow bodies, cisterns and
water troughs, wash-bowls, milk-cans, water vessels, boats, life-saving rafts, sails,
mats, baskets, umbrellas and parasols, capes, skirts, bodices, corsets, and other
articles of clothing, dress-improvers and crinolines, hats, and the like.
My invention has for its object, a portable and collapsible structure, erection or
article, capable of being made self-supporting and rigid or stift, when dilated or
distended, by inflation.
The structures, erections or articles, which may be made in interchangeable or
other sections, are made self-supporting, or rigid and stiff by employing, in
connection with canvas, fabric or other soft material, hollow ribs, pipings or parts,
which, when inflated, constitute supports, ties, stays or bracings for supporting,
making rigid or stiffening the walls of the said structures, erections and articles.
In carrying out my invention in connection with a portable structure or building,
such as a shed, hut, sentry box or the like, a suitable length of canvas, to form the
outer walls, is taken, and is provided with upright and transversely directed hollow
ribs or pipings, either made integral with the said canvas, or attached thereto by
lacings or otherwise, and which said piped or tubular or hollow parts are made
preferably of rubber, with separate canvas plies, or with plies formed from the
canvas of the walls of the structure, so as to prevent over-distension.
These hollow cavities or ribs, which may, as aforesaid, be disposed in opposite
directions, or upright and diagonally, so as to prop or support each other and the
intervening surfaces of canvas, are in communication with each other, and may, if
necessary, be lined with a continuous air sack, with a common inflating inlet.
The length of canvas may be joined by an inflating pillar terminating one end,
with which a rolled edge of the other and engages, so that when inflated one
edging becomes dilated, it is thereby kept within the other edging, although the
said terminal ends may be joined by lacings or other means.
I propose that the upper and lower edges of the canvas should have pipings or
hollow beadings running along them, besides the transverse or diagonal and upright
hollow ribs.
When the ribs of the structure are inflated, the said structure becomes self-
supporting and rigid in all directions and may, if necessary, be kept from being
displaced in high winds by ropes or cords, or stakes or other attachments.
propose to form the roof of such a structure from canvas, provided with hollow
inflating ribs, running around the border edges of the same, and with like hollow
ribs running up to a ridge or to a point so as to form supports for the slanting sides,
and in order to prevent the sides of the roof from collapsing, beam-like crossing
ribs may stretch from point to point of the interior.
The sloping, cambered or other roof may be attachedly connected to the side
walls by any suitable means.

page_text: If necessary, the canvas may be fitted with pockets to receive the ends of wool
or like rigid bars, which will increase the rigidity of the structure.
In making the structures up of interchangeable or other sections, the primary
hollow parts, which support the structure, and constitute, as it were, spinal columns,
may be made separated from the canvas, and be provided with underent grooves,
or with channels having contracted entrances, into which bended or rolled ends of
the canvas sections or parts take, and are kept in their assigned positions when the
columns are inflated. In such a form, the hollow ribs forming the cross or
diagonal stays, ties or bracings are in lependently inflated.
Thus, in erecting a canvas or part canvas structure, the edges of the canvas
sections are connected to the upright supports and the structure placed erect and
the whole of the hollow parts are inflated.
Door or openings are provided for the ingress and egress of persons.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents the skeleton framing of an
air-supported structure such as described and made according to oue form of my
invention.
Figure 2 represents a topside plan of the same.
Figure 3 represents the said structure covered with canvas or other suitable
fabric, although if necessary the canvas may be formed integral with the pipings
of the frame.
u are hollow or tubular collapsible passages or pipings, of the loose roof a', and
body part a² made preferably of india rubber and having restraining plies to
prevent over-distension, although generally the structure would be provided with
an air relief valve. a³ are inlets, provided with any well-known check valve.
The whole of the tubular passages a, are (or may be) in communication with each
other., are canvas coverings, thrown over the inflated framework, which may
be further stayed by ropes and staples c.
Figure represents an air-inflated and self-supporting sentry box or like
structure made according to my invention.
Figure 5 represents a pair of skeleton air-supported panels, numbers of which
may be laced or other connected together to form structures of any design.
Each said skeleton panel is composed of a number of air passages, and has
webs at, for uniting one panel to another. When a series of panels have been
inflated and connected together by lacings a³, or hooks, or otherwise, in order to
enclose a space, canvas is then fitted to or thrown over them, hence an air-
supported canvas structure.
Figure 6 represents another form of skeleton panel, alike unto Figure 5, which
may be one of a series of such panels united together and employed to form a
structure.
Figure represents a section of two panels locked together by the he end of
the one engaging with the she end of the other, and when the said hollow panels
are inflated, they become locked and united together and form an air-supported
structure.
In carrying out my invention in connection with a bell-tent, I form the same
from a continuous length of canvas, or from united-together sections, and provide
the edging at the base of the same with a hollow beading, rib or tube. I also
direct radially from the base to the apex or summit, other hollow beadings, ribs or
tubes. These last named form the column supports to the tent, whilst the base
edging forms the stretcher, which is assisted in keeping the tent distended or
stretched out in all directions by lateral or intermediate hollow stays. When the
hollows of the structure are inflated, the same is rendered self-supporting and
rigid.
Figure 8 represents the air-supported skeleton framing of a bell tent
coustructed.
50
Figure 9 is a plan of the said frame, whilst Figure 10 represents the same
covered with canvas.

page_text: the sides are made truss-wise to resist the weight of the covering, which is not
shown.
Figure 12 represents a section of an inflatable and collapsible tent, with
continu us hollow walls.
a', a are the walls of the structure, and a is the inside chamber coming between
them, which chamber is provided with an air sack to which the walls of the tent
form the restraining medium. is the air inlet valve.
Figure 13 represents a tent formed of a number of laced-together sections,
each section being provided with a valve, and eyelettings for the lacings.
are the collapsible pneumatic sections, united at their edges a, by lacings a',
Figure 14 represents an elevation of a "gipsy" tent constructed according to my
invention.
Figure 15 represents a topside plan of the same.
a is the collapsible inflatable framing, and a, a, are the tube members. is the
cover and the valve.
Figure 16 is a like tent, but made with inflatable hollow walls.
Figure 17 represents a part section of the same.
a', a are the inner and outer walls and a is the chamber coming between them.
a is the door or opening and bis the valve, whilst is the gutter for taking off the
drainage.
It is understood that the whole of the inflatable tents described may have a
bottom of india-rubber, waterproof canvas, tarpaulin or the like, nade integral
with the tent proper.
Instead of the hollow ribs or stretchers being directed in opposite directions the
same may, in the case of bell tents, be made to run either ring-wise or spirally
from top to base and wind circumferentially around the cone shaped walls.
Figure 18 represents the collapsible and inflatable skeleton ring framing for a
hell tent such as last described, and Figure 19 represents a topside plan of the
same, whilst Figure 20 shows the same provided with a canvas covering.
a are hollow inflatable rings and are like inflatable stays in connection with
them. is the door or entrance, the valve and c the cover.
Figure 21 represents a stayed helical or spiral framework.
is the spiral.
a² the stays, as the door or entrance and the valve. The tent may be tied down
by ropes, pegs, stakes or their equivalents in the usual way.
Usually openings are provided in the tents for ingress, egress and ventilation,
and if necessary the tops may be provided with a cowl or apron.
In tents such as described, no poles or other supports are required.
In carrying out my invention in connection with tables, chairs, bedsteads and
other camp and like furniture, I make the same primarily of canvas, hollow ribbed
in cross and circular directions, and with the principal pillar supports made, if
necessary, entirely hollow, forming trunk passages to the branch ribs, and when
the whole of these passages and ribs are inflated, the canvas or other material
forming, as it were, webbed parts between the hollow ribs becomes stretched and
supported by the distension, in all directions, of the said hollow parts.
The edges of such portable articles of furniture are usually hollow beaded, or
the entire walls of the said articles may be hollow, or they may be made in
inflatable sections coupled together by he and she edges (Figure 7), clips, lacings
or other means.
Figure 22 represents a portable table constructed according to this part of my
invention.
a is the top, a' the pillar a² the stays and a³ the foot, whilst b is the valve.
In carrying out my invention in connection with such portable and collapsible

page_text: articles as wheel-harrow bodies, cisterns, water-troughs, wash-bowls, milk-cany,
water vessels, baskets and the like, the canvas body part is made of the desired
shape (or from sections) and is provided with hollow crossing ribs and boundary
beadings, which when inflated, distend and keep rigid the hollow articles so made.
Figure 23 represents a wash bowl constructed on the same principle as the table
Figure 22.
a is the hollow walled body part, with stem a', base a and stays a³, whilst b i、
the inflating valve.
Figure 24 represents a collapsible air supported milk carrier constructel
according to my invention, consisting of an inflatable rib framework a, with a
rubber body part a', cross stays a' and valve b. A suitable lid is provided for
closing the open top.
Figure 25 represents a collapsible portable wash-bowl or bath, made according to
my invention, in which a is the hollow inflatable framing, a' the canvas or sheet
rubber framework and a³ the valve.
Figure 26 represents a collapsible water jug and Figure 27 a bucket constructed
on the same principle.
a is the inflatable frame-work, a the canvas or rubber body fabric and a³ the
valve.
In carrying out my invention in connection with cyclists capes, dress skirts and
other like articles of clothing, the lower border edges only are usually inflated
so that the garments are distended outward away from the legs and body of a
person,
Figure 28 represents a cyclists cape and honded cap so provided.
In sails, I provide the same with a hollow beading running around the edges,
which, when inflated, distends the canvas, and imparts rigidity thereto.
Figure 29 represents a Chinese-lug sail so constructed. It will be seen that the
yards are made in the form of hollow inflatable tubes a, whilst the inner edge a²
of the body canvas of the sail a' is also made tubular and inflatable, by which
hollow inflated parts the sail is supported.
In carrying out my invention in connection with canopies, awnings, blinds and
similar articles, the same are made from canvas, having transverse, longitudinal or
diagonal hollow ribs or tubings formed with it, and if necessary, the boundary
edges are likewise provided.
When the hollow parts are inflated, the whole structure becomes practically
rigid or stiff, and well suited for the purpose for which it is designed.
The said articles may be webbed or angular ended to increase their rigidity and
stiffness.
Figure 30 represents a collapsible carriage hood or head, which is opened out
and supported by inflation. The construction of this article is the same as the
sail.
a are the hollow ribs and a' is the body fabric stretched between them.
This form of my invention is well applicable to awnings for windows and the
like.
Figure 31 represents another form of air supported and collapsible awning or
blind for windows. In this view the blind is shown inflated and distended, whilst
Figure 32 represents the same deflated and rolled up, which rolling up is effected
by moulding the rubber to take a rolled-up figure when deflated, or by thin sheet
metal insertious, whose normal figure is that of a coil.
a is hollow canvas body part, with walls a', a² and an inflatable space a',
between them. u³ is the valve, whilst the inner end a', of the blind is attachedly
connected to the top of the window.
a are metal insertions for automatically coiling the same up when deflated.
The inflation or deflation may be effected through a tube connected with the
inlet a³, of the check valve and leading to the inside of a building or the said
inlet and check valve may be placed in any convenient position.
Figure 33 represents a medification of this part of my invention in which attached

page_text: tubes are inflated to form supports for the bl nd instead of the hollow blind itself
being inflated.
a are inflatable tubes upon the two opposite sides of the body fabric a'. a³ is an
end stay, a³ a valve and a are spring metal strips for automatically coiling up the
lind on its pneumatic supports being deflated.
Figure 34 represents another form of inflatable and collapsible blind or awning
for windows. This view shows the blind in position and distended and Figure 35
represents the same separately and collapsed.
It is understood that the blind shown in Figure 34 when in use is horizontal, but
it is so drawn in order to better explain its construction.
a are radial supporting ribs, directed from common air supply a², having air
entrance and valve a³, and rubber, canvas or like webs a', between the inflated ribs.
The rubber or canvas is moulded into gussets, so that when deflated the blind will
fold itself up fanwise automatically.
In making a collapsible boat, I form the body of the same from canvas, and
provide the same with hollow ribs or parts, crossing each other, or directed in
various directions, and also with hollow boundary edges, which, when inflated, make
the articles buoyant and, to a considerable extent, rigid.
Figure 36 represents a plan and Figure 37 an elevation, of a Canadian canoe so
constructed.
a is the canvas skin of the boat, which is supported in all directions by inflated
ribs a. is the valve and a' are the seats, which also constitute stretchers for
preserving the figure of the canoe.
The boats may be provided if necessary with supplementary inflatable floats,
shown in dotted lines in Figure 36.
Figure 38 represents a portable air-supported letter box, principally for military
purposes. The canvas walls a of the same are supported by an inflated frame-work
of hollow tubes a', although if necessary, the said box may be made up of hollow
inflated walls integral or in connected together sections.
In carrying out my invention in connection with life-saving and other rafts, door
mats or the like, I make the same alike in character to a grating or cross-barred
grating, with the bars made hollow, so that when the same are inflated, rigidity and
stiffness is imparted to the article. In the case of rafts, I may fit the same with
sacks or pockets, wherein shipwrecked people may lie, with the months of the sacks
coming up to the necks, thus protecting the bodies from exposure.
Figure 39 represents a door-mat constructed according to my invention, and made
up of hollow inflatable tubes a, arranged grating-wise.
Figure 40 represents another form of door mat, in which the walls a,
are made hollow and corrugated.
of the same
Figure 41 represents an open-work and collapsible basket formed of inflatable
tubings a.
In ambulances carriages, stretchers, transport vehicles and the like, I make the
bodies up of canvas sides, either united together or in a piece, and I provide the
same with hollow stiffening ribs, beadings or parts, which, when inflated, make
the articles in question sufficiently rigid for carrying persons and articles.
Figure 42 represents a collapsible ambulance stretcher constructed according to
my invention.
a is an inflatable and collapsible framing, made up of a series of hollow tubes a',
connected together by a canvas covering a². a³ is the valve.
Figure 43 represents a collapsible and portable lamp post, which is distended and
held rigid and erect by being inflated.
a is a lamp post or standard, made in the form of a hollow canvas or rubber
pillar, with base a, and armis a'. b is a Hexible gas pipe, runuing up the
middle of the same and terminating in a burner is an inlet check valve.
In carrying out my invention in connection with umbrellas, parasols, or the like,
I make the same from some soft material, such as silk or alpaca, having hollow
beadings at the edgings, which are in direct communication with radially or

page_text: equatorially directed hollow ribs, which, on being inflated, give stay to, or distend,
the top, and thus dispense with the use of stretchers, or the body of the umbrella
may be entirely hollow and inflatable, such as represented in Figure 44.
The stick or handle of the umbrella may carry, or be made to constitute, an
air pump, the working of which will inflate and open out the umbrella when
required.
In a pontoon bridge, the same is made in sections, with barrels or inflated
chambers coming upon the undersides of canvas parts, which are united or laced
together and have longitudinal hollow ribs formed with or attached to them, which
ribs are inflated and a comparatively rigid structure is formed.
In another form of bridge, the component sections are made either into thick
hollow planks or slabs, with interlocking edges, that is a he part on the edge of
one section passes into a she part on the adjacent edge of another section, and when
the parts are put together and built up into an arch, and then inflated, the whole
forms a comparatively rigid structure, which is still further strengthened by an
attached surface of canvas having stiffening ribs running crosswise to the direction
of the blocks.
To further support the structure through the medium of the water of a river, the
sectional parts may be provided with tent-shaped chambers, having wide and open
basis or mouths, which are presented to and become partly immersed within the
water.
Figure 45 represents a bridge so constructed from inflatable and interlocked
blocks, each separately inflated after the same have been connected together.
a are the blocks, with he connections a' at the one end and she connections a², at
the other end, adapted to interlock one with the other.
Figure 46 represents a floating or pontoon bridge constructed on the same
principle as the bridge Figure 45, and being marked with the same letters of
reference.
Figure 47 represents a perspective view of a collapsible and inflating building
block or section for erecting portable structures for various purposes.
Figure 48 is a cross section of the same and Figure 49 represents a portion of a
wall built up of such blocks.
a is a hollow and inflated body part, having he locks a', a² and she locks a' and a³,
and provided with an inflating entrance and valve a³.
It will be understood that the he-locks of one block are respectively inserted into
the she blocks of another when the articles are in a collapsed state and are then
locked together by the inflation.
Figure 50 represents the rear part of a bicycle provided with a collapsible or
automatic rolling-up and air distended mud-guard.
Figure 51 is a plan and Figure 52 an edge view of the said mud guard, separately
and upon an enlarged scale.
Figure 53 is a cross section of the mud guard and the upper part of its middle
supporting stay.
Figure 54 is an underside plan of the connection end of the guard and its back
stay and Figure 55 is a plan of the same.
a is the hollow mud guard, secured at the end a', to the framing a², of the
machine, and having a valve a³, whilst running down the body of the guard is a
thin steel spring a, normally constrained when the guard is deflated, to take a coiled
figure and take the guard with it.
a is a T or hooked end, adapted to take into the eyed end as, of the back
stay a'.
The middle part of the guard is designed to pass over and take into the trough a³,
in the middle stay a³.
The dotted lines in Figure 50 shows the position which the guard takes when
rolled up, cither by the spring, or by hand.
Instead of the mud guard being hollow it may be provided with hollow inflatable
ribbings alike unto the other objects described.
B

page_text: Adverting again to that part of my invention relating to air supports articles of
clothing the application of same to bodices, corsets, crinolines, and other articles of
dress, differs only from its application to skirts and capes in respect of the dispositions
of the stiffening ribs and hollow beadings.
To prevent over-distension of the hollow edges and ribs, the inflating parts may
be provided with relief valves, and further, the said parts may be fitted with
inflating instruments.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
First. Making portable and collapsible structures, erections and articles self-
supporting, rigid and stiff by employing, in connection with canvas, fabric or other
soft material, inflatable and collapsible hollow ribs, pipings or parts, which, when
inflated, constitute supports, ties, stays, or bracings for supporting, making rigid or
stiffening the walls of the said structures, erections and articles, substantially as
described and set forth.
Secondly. Forming air-supported structures, such as sheds, portable erections
and tents, by making the walls in the form of inflatable chambers, either continuous
or in sections, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 7, 12, 13, 16 and 17.
Thirdly. The improvements in inflatable and collapsible air-supported structures,
substantially as described and set forth in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11,
14 and 15.
Fourthly. The improvements in inflatable and collapsible air-supported structures,
substantially as described and set forth in Figures 7, 12, 13, 16 and 17.
Fifthly. In the hollow sections of inflatable and collapsible air-supported
structures, connecting the same together by he and she edged connections,
substantially as described and set forth in Figure 7.
Sixthly. The improvements in inflatable and collapsible tents, substantially as
described and set forth in Figures 18 to 21.
Seventhly. The improvements in inflatable and collapsible portable articles of
furniture, substantially as described and as set forth in Figures 22 and 23.
Eighthly. The improvements in inflatable and collapsible portable vessels,
substantially as described and as set forth in Figures 24, 25, 26 and 27.
Ninthly. The improvements in articles of clothing such as cyclists capes and the
like, substantially as described and as set forth in Figure 28.
Tenthly. The improvements in sails for boats and vessels, substantially as
described and set forth in Figure 29.
Eleventhly. The improvements in inflatable and collapsible carriage heads or
hoods, and in awnings for windows, substantially as described and set forth in
Figure 30.
Twelfthly. An inflatable and collapsible blind, which becomes rigid when inflated
and collapses when deflated, substantially as described, and set forth.
Thirteenthly. The improvements in inflatable and collapsible blinds, substantially
as described and set forth in Figures 31 to 33.
Fourteenthly. The improvements in inflatable and collapsible blinds, substantially
as described and set forth in Figures 34 and 35.
Fifteenthly. The improvements in collapsible, inflatable and portable boats,
canoes and like vessels, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 36
and 37.
Sixteenthly. The improvements in collapsible, inflatable and portable letter boxes,
substantially as described and set forth in Figure 38.
Seventeenthly. The improvements in door mats, rafts and life saving apparatus,
made rigid and buoyant by inflation, substantially as described and set forth in
Figures 39 and 40.
Eighteenthly. The improvements in collapsible and inflatable baskets and like
carriers, substantially as described and set forth in Figure 41.

page_text: Nineteenthly. The improvements in collapsible and inflatable ambulances,
stretchers, transport vehicles and the like, substantially as described and as set
forth in Figure 42.
Twentiethly. A transportable and collapsible lamp-post, distended and held rigid
by inflation, substantially as described and set forth in Figure 43.
Twenty-first. The improvements in inflatable and collapsible umbrellas, parasols
and the like, substantially as described and as represented in Figure 44.
Twenty-secondly. In portable and collapsible pontoou and other bridges, making
the same up of inflatable sections or inflatable locking-together sections,
substantially as described and set forth in Figures 45 and 46.
Twenty-thirdly. A collapsible and inflating building block or section for
erecting portable structures for various purposes, substantially as described and set
forth.
Twenty-fourthly. A collapsible and inflating building block or section for
erecting portable structures for various purposes, having he and she locks or
connections substantially as described and set forth in Figures 27 to 29.
Twenty-fifthly. An air-distended or pneumatic mud-guard, substantially as
described and set forth.
Twenty-sixthly. An air-distended or pneumatic and automatic rolling-up mud
guard, substantially as described and set forth.
Dated this 1st day of June 1895.
ROBERT FREDERICK HALL,
By Henry Skerrett,
24 Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.