Autonomous pneumatic enclosing clasp
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsJacob D O'Donnell, Nicholas A Valm, Michael P Smith, Paul V Cavallaro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pneumatic enclosure assembly is provided for securing a payload. The pneumatic enclosure assembly includes a cover, inflatable arches, and at least one pneumatic actuator. The cover attached to a base at a first end and second end, and the inflatable arches and at least one pneumatic actuator are positioned entirely within the cover, the at least one pneumatic actuator arranged parallel to the inflatable arches.
Claims20
A pneumatic enclosure assembly, comprising:
- a cover attached to a base at a first end and a second end, said first end longitudinally opposite said second end;
- inflatable arches operably coupled to said cover, said inflatable arches positioned with a longitudinal axis of said inflatable arches perpendicular to said first end of the cover and said second end of the cover;
- and
- at least one pneumatic actuator positioned within said cover and between and parallel to said inflatable arches;
- wherein the inflatable arches and the at least one pneumatic actuator are configured to inversely inflate and deflate.
A method for securing a payload, comprising:
- coupling a cover of a pneumatic enclosure assembly to a base of said pneumatic enclosure assembly, said cover operably coupled to inflatable arches and at least one pneumatic actuator positioned between said inflatable arches;
- inflating said inflatable arches wherein said pneumatic enclosure assembly is in an open state;
- positioning the payload between said base and said cover;
- and
- deflating said inflatable arches and inflating said at least one pneumatic actuator wherein said pneumatic enclosure assembly is in a closed state.
A pneumatic enclosure assembly for securing a payload, comprising:
- a pneumatic enclosure including inflatable arches and at least one pneumatic actuator,
- wherein said pneumatic enclosure is shaped as an arch when said pneumatic enclosure assembly is in an open state, and when said pneumatic enclosure assembly is in a closed state, said pneumatic assembly is shaped to at least partially conform to a shape of the payload.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.