Rapidly deployable protective enclosure
OwnerClint J. Hilbertinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rapidly deployable protective enclosure is constructed from a flexible membrane surrounding a framework of inflatable support members each individually coupled to a central fluid distribution system. Each inflatable support member is individually repairable or replaceable from within the enclosure without effecting the structural integrity of the remaining framework. A system is provided to make the enclosure air tight, and air tight passage between modularly connected enclosures is also provided.
Claims30
A rapidly deployable structure for use in adverse or hostile conditions comprising:
- a. a plurality of inflatable support members dimensioned to receive an inflating fluid and disposed in a spaced apart relationship within a protective covering, such inflatable support members defining a frame for support of the protective covering upon introduction and retention of a fluid therein,
- b. a fluid distribution member mounted in conjunction with the protective covering and adapted for fluid communication between the plurality of inflatable support members and an inflating fluid source, such that fluid communication may occur individually or collectively between the fluid source and each inflatable support member,
- c. the protective covering having an inside surface adjacent which the plurality of inflatable support members are disposed, and an outside surface subject to external environmental conditions,
- d. each inflatable support member having a first end coupleable to the fluid distribution member and a second end opposite the first end and adapted to maintain a fluid within such support member,
- e. each inflatable support member being separately coupleable and decoupleable with respect to the fluid distribution member and removable from within the structure, such that the removal and replacement of an inflatable support member with respect to the fluid distribution member does not change the amount of fluid present in any inflatable support member that remains coupled to the fluid distribution member.
A conveniently and rapidly deployable protective shelter comprising:
- (a) An outer membrane adapted to be supported in the configuration of an enclosure by a structural framework,
- (b) the structural framework being comprised of:
- (i) a plurality of flexible inflatable tubes,
- (ii) a manifold for detachable communication to one end of the plurality of said flexible inflatable tubes,
- (iii) said manifold incorporating valve means for independent control of access of an inflation medium to individual tubes of said plurality of flexible inflatable tubes,
- (c) means to prevent egress of fluid from a second end of said plurality of flexible inflatable tubes,
- (d) said tubes being arranged within the membrane when connected to the manifold such that when inflation medium is admitted to said tubes from said manifold, such tubes as they inflate lift and support the at least semi-flexible membrane to form an enclosure, and
- (e) said individual tubes being individually deflatable and removable from the manifold and enclosure and replaceable with substitute tubes without disturbance of the remainder of the tubes.
A rapidly deployable enclosure for the protection of occupants situated in the interior of the enclosure from an outside environment comprising:
- a. a flexible membrane defining a barrier between the interior of the enclosure and the outside environment,
- b. a framework defined by a plurality of individual inflatable and deflatable support members disposed in a spaced apart relationship within the flexible membrane and adapted to be freestanding within the enclosure upon the inflation of such inflatable support members with a fluid, and
- c. the framework being capable of maintaining a freestanding posture when one of the inflatable support members is removed for repair and replacement from within the interior of the enclosure.
A rapidly deployable and repairable protective shelter comprising:
- (a) an outer membrane providing at least a partial separation between an outer environment on one side of the membrane and a sheltered region on the opposite side of such membrane,
- (b) a structural support for said membrane comprised of a plurality of individual inflatable and deflatable members arranged in a supporting framework for said membrane,
- (c) the inflatable and deflatable members being individually removable from the structural support and replaceable by similar inflatable and deflatable members without collapse of the shelter as a whole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.