Patent ID: 8161686

Claim:
A pneumatic structural element comprising: at least two elongated hollow bodies, each of the at least two elongated hollow bodies comprising a gas-tight casing of flexible material; at least two tension/compression elements, the at least two tension/compression elements disposed between the at least two elongated hollow bodies and being continuous over a length of the gas-tight casing of flexible material, the at least two tension/compression elements being connected to each other at a node at respective ends of the at least two tension/compression elements; a web of high-tensile-strength material extending between the at least two tension/compression elements disposed between the at least two elongated hollow bodies, the web extending along a length of the at least two elongated hollow bodies, the web being connected along an upper longitudinal edge and a lower longitudinal edge to the gas-tight casing, the web being tensioned responsive to pressurization of the at least two elongated hollow bodies; wherein, responsive to a transverse-acting load, a first tension/compression element of the at least two tension/compression elements, on a same side of the transverse-acting load, is axially compressed and a second tension/compression element of the at least two tension/compression elements, on an opposite side of the transverse-acting load, is axially tensioned; and wherein, responsive to the transverse-acting load, axial compression and tension forces are transmitted between the first tension/compression element and the second tension/compression element through the node.