US 6,584,732 B2Granted

Super show dome

AssigneeInflatable Image Technologies Pty. Limited

InventorsChris Kinglsey Miller, Tom Zayit

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Abstract

An inflatable object includes interior attachment points to opposing interior faces of the object and rope or cord connections between these attachment points. The opposing walls have interior faces which include attachment points adapted to be connected together by predetermined lengths of material, the arrangement being such that upon inflation of the device, the walls are held in position relative to one another by the lengths of material. The connection material between the inner and outer panels is a flexible cord-like material. However any appropriate material may be used. The attachment points are located on webbing strips attached to the interior face of each wall at a seam, provided with eyelets. In the preferred embodiment, the cords are maintained at an angle substantially or averaging substantially 90 degrees from the inner and outer surfaces.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An inflatable structure, comprising:

a first external panel provided as a pressure barrier for the inflatable structure;
a second panel substantially parallel to the first panel as a pressure barrier for the inflatable structure such that the first and second panel form a cavity therebetween inflated with pressurized gas;
and
at least one cord attached to the first panel and the second panel for substantially retaining the first panel and second panel in a predetermined relationship to one another against pressure from the pressurized gas,
wherein said first panel further comprises at least two panel strips attached to one another and to a first webbing strip, the first webbing strip being substantially perpendicular to the first panel when the structure is inflated, wherein the at least one cord is attached to the webbing strip,
wherein said second panel further comprises at least two panel strips attached to one another and to a second webbing strip, the second webbing strip being substantially perpendicular to the first panel when the structure is inflated, wherein the at least one cord is attached to the second webbing strip,
wherein said first webbing strip further includes at least one grommet attached to the first webbing strip, for attaching the at least one cord,
wherein said second webbing strip further includes at least one grommet attached to the second webbing strip, for attaching the at least one cord,
wherein each of said at least one cord is attached to said first panel at an angle substantially normal to the surface of the first panel, and wherein the said at least one cord comprises a plurality of cords, and wherein the average angle of attachment of the cords relative to their respective attachment points in the first panels is substantially 90 degrees.

6 more elements

An inflatable structure, comprising:

a first external panel provided as a pressure barrier for the inflatable structure;
a second panel substantially parallel to the first panel as a pressure barrier for the inflatable structure such that the first and second panel form a cavity therebetween inflated with pressurized gas;
and
at least one linear attachment means attached to the first panel and the second panel for substantially retaining the first panel and second panel in a predetermined relationship to one another against pressure from the pressurized gas,
wherein the at least one linear attachment means comprises at least one of a cord, a rope, a wire rope, a strap, a cable, a web, and a mesh,
wherein said first panel further comprises at least two panel strips attached to one another and to a first webbing strip, the first webbing strip being substantially perpendicular to the first panel when the structure is inflated, wherein the at least one linear attachment means is attached to the webbing strip,
wherein said second panel further comprises at least two panel strips attached to one another and to a second webbing strip, the second webbing strip being substantially perpendicular to the first panel when the structure is inflated, wherein the at least one linear attachment means is attached to the second webbing strip,
wherein said first webbing strip further includes at least one grommet attached to the first webbing strip, for attaching the at least one linear attachment means,
wherein said second webbing strip further includes at least one grommet attached to the second webbing strip, for attaching the at least one linear attachment means,
wherein each of said at least one linear attachment means is attached to said first panel at an angle substantially normal to the surface of the first panel, and wherein said at least one linear attachment means comprises a plurality of linear attachment means, and wherein the average angle of attachment of the linear attachment means relative to their respective attachment points in the first panels is substantially 90 degrees.

7 more elements

A method of making an inflatable structure, comprising the steps of:

providing a first external panel provided as a pressure barrier for the method of making an inflatable structure;
providing a second panel substantially parallel to the first panel as a pressure barrier for the method of making an inflatable structure such that the first and second panel form a cavity therebetween inflated with pressurized gas;
and
providing at least one cord attached to the first panel and the second panel for substantially retaining the first panel and second panel in a predetermined relationship to one another against pressure from the pressurized gas,
wherein said first panel further comprises at least two panel strips attached to one another and to a first webbing strip, the first webbing strip being substantially perpendicular to the first panel when the structure is inflated, wherein the at least one cord is attached to the webbing strip,
wherein said second panel further comprises at least two panel strips attached to one another and to a second webbing strip, the second webbing strip being substantially perpendicular to the first panel when the structure is inflated, wherein the at least one cord is attached to the second webbing strip,
wherein said first webbing strip further includes at least one grommet attached to the first webbing strip, for attaching the at least one cord,
wherein said second webbing strip further includes at least one grommet attached to the second webbing strip, for attaching the at least one cord,
wherein each of said at least one cord is attached to said first panel at an angle substantially normal to the surface of the first panel, and wherein said at least one cord comprises a plurality of cords, and wherein the average angle of attachment of the cords relative to their respective attachment points in the first panels is substantially 90 degrees.

6 more elements

A method of making an inflatable structure, comprising the steps of:

providing a first external panel provided as a pressure barrier for the method of making an inflatable structure;
providing a second panel substantially parallel to the first panel as a pressure barrier for the method of making an inflatable structure such that the first and second panel form a cavity therebetween inflated with pressurized gas;
and
providing at least one linear attachment means attached to the first panel and the second panel for substantially retaining the first panel and second panel in a predetermined relationship to one another against pressure from the pressurized gas,
wherein the at least one linear attachment means comprises at least one of a cord, a rope, a wire rope, a strap, a cable, a web, and a mesh,
wherein said first panel further comprises at least two panel strips attached to one another and to a first webbing strip, the first webbing strip being substantially perpendicular to the first panel when the structure is inflated, wherein the at least one linear attachment means is attached to the webbing strip,
wherein said second panel further comprises at least two panel strips attached to one another and to a second webbing strip, the second webbing strip being substantially perpendicular to the first panel when the structure is inflated, wherein the at least one linear attachment means is attached to the second webbing strip,
wherein said first webbing strip further includes at least one grommet attached to the first webbing strip, for attaching the at least one linear attachment means,
wherein said second webbing strip further includes at least one grommet attached to the second webbing strip, for attaching the at least one linear attachment means,
wherein each of said at least one linear attachment means is attached to said first panel at an angle substantially normal to the surface of the first panel and wherein said at least one linear attachment means comprises a plurality of linear attachment means, and wherein the average angle of attachment of the linear attachment means relative to their respective attachment points in the first panels is substantially 90 degrees.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/984,882Filed 31 Oct 2001
Priority: AU PR666027 Jul 2001
Published: US 2003/0019168 A130 Jan 2003
Granted: 1 Jul 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

E04H 15/18
Tents or canopies, in general: tents having plural sectional covers, e.g. pavilions, vaulted tents, marquees, circus tents ; Plural tents, e.g.…
E04H 15/20
Tents or canopies, in general: inflatable, e.g. shaped, strengthened or supported by fluid pressure
E04H 2015/205
With inflatable panels, without inflatable tubular framework: made from two sheets with intermediate spacer means
E04H
Buildings or like structures for particular purposes