Modular inflatable structures
AssigneeWobbleWorks, Inc.
InventorsMaxwell Bogue, Thomas Glick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular inflatable structure can be formed using inflatable members that are interconnected together at respective joints. The inflatable member can have a connector integrated therewith or be coupled to a separate connector that interconnects adjacent inflatable members. The connector can have flexible and/or rigid components. The structure can have an assembled position in which the inflatable member is coupled with an adjacent inflatable member and flow is permitted therebetween. The structure can be inflated to form a support or framework that can be used in a variety of applications and industries.
Claims28
A modular, reconfigurable inflatable structure that is reconfigurable into one of a variety of different three-dimensional shapes while the structure is in an inflated state, the inflatable structure comprising:
- a plurality of inflatable members, each inflatable member comprising an inlet port having a one-way-valve at a first end portion thereof, an inlet port having a one-way-valve at a second end portion thereof, and a three-dimensional form when inflated through either of the inlet ports;
- a plurality of connector arms that each comprise engagement members, the engagement members being configured to releasably interconnect a given connector arm with a given inlet port of a given inflatable member and to open the one-way valve of the given inlet port to permit fluid communication between the given connector arm and the given inflatable member;
- and
- a connector comprising a body having a plurality of body ports, each body port comprising a one-way valve that is configured to releasably interconnect with the engagement members of the given connector arm to permit fluid communication between a given body port and the given inflatable member via the given connector arm,
- wherein each of the plurality of connector arms (i) is configured to move to one of a plurality of different positions with respect to the connector body for forming one of the variety of different three-dimensional shapes and (ii) has a fluid passage that is fluidly interconnected with an inner volume of the body, and
- wherein (i) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to an assembled position in which the given inflatable member is coupled to the given connector arm and flow is permitted between the body and the given inflatable member at the given body port, and (ii) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to a separated position in which the given inflatable member is disconnected from the given body port and flow through the given body port is blocked.
A modular, reconfigurable inflatable structure that is reconfigurable into one of a variety of different three-dimensional shapes while the structure is in an inflated state, the inflatable structure comprising:
- a plurality of inflatable members, each inflatable member comprising an inlet port having a valve at a first end portion thereof, an inlet port having a valve at a second end portion thereof, and a three-dimensional form when inflated through either of the inlet ports;
- a plurality of connector arms that each comprise engagement members, the engagement members being configured to releasably interconnect a given connector arm with a given inlet port of a given inflatable member and to open the valve of the given inlet port to permit fluid communication between the given connector arm and the given inflatable member;
- and
- a connector comprising a body having a plurality of body ports, each body port comprising a valve that is configured to releasably interconnect with the engagement members of the given connector arm to permit fluid communication between a given body port and the given inflatable member via the given connector arm,
- wherein each of the plurality of connector arms (i) is configured to be coupled to the connector body and move to one of a plurality of different positions with respect to the connector body for forming one of the variety of different three-dimensional shapes and (ii) has a fluid passage that is fluidly interconnected with an inner volume of the body, and
- wherein (i) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to an assembled position in which the given inflatable member and the given connector arm are coupled to the given body port and flow is permitted between the body and the given inflatable member at the given body port, and (ii) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to a separated position in which the given inflatable member is disconnected from the given body port and flow through the given body port is blocked.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.