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EP-4493296-B1 - MODULAR INFLATABLE STRUCTURES

EP4493296B1EP 4493296 B1EP4493296 B1EP 4493296B1EP-4493296-B1

Inventors

  • BOGUE, MAXWELL
  • GLICK, Thomas

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230317

Claims (13)

  1. A modular inflatable structure comprising: an inflatable member (12, 212, 252) comprising an inlet port and a three-dimensional form; and a connector (14, 140, 220, 260) comprising a body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226), a first arm (20, 162, 262), and a second arm (20, 162, 262), at least one of the first and second arms being configured to articulate with respect to the body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226) and having a fluid passage that is fluidly interconnected with an inner volume of the body, characterized in that (i) in an assembled position, the inflatable member (12, 212, 252) is coupled to the first arm (20, 162, 262) and flow is permitted between the body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226) and the inflatable member (12, 212, 252), and (ii) in a separated position, the inflatable member (12, 212, 252) is disconnected from the first arm (20, 162, 262) and flow through the first arm (20, 162, 262) is blocked.
  2. The inflatable structure of Claim 1, wherein the first and second arms (20, 162, 262) each have a valve integrated therewith to restrict flow therethrough.
  3. The inflatable structure of Claim 1, wherein the body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226) comprises a flexible material for permitting deflection of the first and second arms (20, 162, 262) relative to each other and to the body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226).
  4. The inflatable structure of Claim 1, wherein the first and second arms (20, 162, 262) are rigid components.
  5. The inflatable structure of Claim 1, wherein the first and second arms (20, 162, 262) are separable from the body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226).
  6. The inflatable structure of Claim 1, wherein the first and second (20, 162, 262) arms each comprise opposing end portions (272, 274) having a plurality of engagement members (276) for coupling to the ports (264) of the connector (14, 140, 220, 260) and to a connection socket (280) of the inflatable member (12, 212, 252).
  7. The inflatable structure of Claim 1, wherein the first and second arms (20, 162, 262) are both configured to articulate with respect to the body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226).
  8. The inflatable structure of Claim 1, wherein the structure comprises five inflatable members (12, 212, 252), wherein each inflatable member (12, 212, 252) can be coupled to a respective one of the first, second, or a third, fourth, or fifth arm (20, 162, 262).
  9. The inflatable structure of Claim 1, wherein first end portions (70) of the first arm, the second arm (20, 162, 262), are coupled to the body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226) at coupling points that collectively form a rotation plane, wherein articulation of the first arm and the second arm (20, 162, 262) permits second end portions (72, 272, 274) of the first arm and the second arm (20, 162, 262) to be positioned on a first side or a second side of the rotation plane.
  10. The inflatable structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector arm (20, 162, 262) is coupled to the body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226) using a ball-and-socket configuration (50).
  11. A connector for an inflatable structure according to claim 1, the connector comprising a body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226), a first arm (20, 162, 262), and a second arm (20, 162, 262), at least one of the first and second arms (20, 162, 262) being configured to articulate with respect to the body (22, 142, 172, 192, 226) and having a fluid passage that is fluidly interconnected with an inner volume of the body, characterized in that the first arm has a valve integrated therewith to restrict flow therethrough and wherein the valve is disposed within the first arm.
  12. The inflatable structure of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the first arm (20, 162, 262) can be coupled to the body at one of a plurality of ports to permit interconnection between the body and the inflatable member (12, 212, 252) at a given port to form a desired three-dimensional form of the inflatable structure.
  13. The inflatable structure of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the first arm (20, 162, 262) comprises first and second end portions that each have engagement members to permit the first end portion of the first arm to engage with a given port of the body and the second end portion of the first arm to engage with the inflatable member (12, 212, 252).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Patent App. No. 63/321,037, filed on March 17, 2022. BACKGROUND Field The present disclosure relates to inflatable structures and, in particular, to inflatable structures that use interchangeable connectors and inflatable members having a variety of structural and functional features. Prior art Document US2017144077A1 discloses a modular inflatable structures comprising at least two arms being configured to articulate with respect to the body and having a fluid passage that is fluidly interconnected with an inner volume of the body. SUMMARY The present disclosure describes a system of components that can be combined to form a modular inflatable structure. The structure can be formed using inflatable members that are interconnected together at respective joints. The inflatable members can have a connector, which can be integrated therewith or coupled thereto as a separate connector, that interconnects adjacent inflatable members. The structure can have an assembled position in which the inflatable member is coupled with an adjacent inflatable member and flow is permitted therebetween. In some embodiments, inflatable structures can be formed using a variety of interchangeable components, such as connectors, valves, connector arms, caps, and/or inflatable members that can be selectively coupled to each other to form the inflatable structure. The connector can be incorporated into the inflatable member itself or formed as a separate component that is interconnected with one or more inflatable members in order to form a framework that can be inflated from a collapsed or uninflated configuration to an inflated or expanded configuration. As discussed further herein, the various advantages and applications for such structures create numerous opportunities and benefits in a variety of industries. An aspect of at least some embodiments disclosed herein is beneficial and advantageous ease of storage when the structure is in the collapsed configuration and the rapidity of expansion into the deployed configuration so that the structure is ready for use. According to some embodiments disclosed herein, the structure can also be modular. Thus, components of the system can be connected to form or modify a shape and/or function of the structure. The modularity of the structure can enable a variety of unique connectors, tubing, panels, bases, and/or other devices, including lighting, motors, electrical and/or plumbing components, and/or other features that may be commonly incorporated into toys, housing structures, or other service structures where aspects of the presently disclosed system may find utility. The modularity of the system can allow a user to expand the system or replace components of the system in order to construct a structure that is specifically designed for a user's particular needs. For example, the structure can be used for portable garage spaces for vehicles, trade booths, construction sets for educational, recreational, or commercial use, portable structures such as sheds, tents, forts, storages, and garages, temporary housing that can be used during emergency situations, obstacle courses, protective shelters against inclement weather, molds for retaining or supporting certain types of construction material (e.g., to be used to hold or be filled with a material, such as concrete or other materials that can be sprayed onto the structure or otherwise supported by the structure in order to cure and facilitate the creation of a permanent structure, and other various construction and recreational applications). Optionally, in some embodiments, there may be no valves incorporated into the inflatable members and/or the connectors themselves (e.g., a closure caps could be used to close off the inflatable member to make it). In some embodiments, the system can comprise inflatable members and connectors that are made of a rigid and/or flexible material. For example, at least a portion of the connectors, such as the main body section thereof, can be made of a flexible, deformable material. Such embodiments can permit ports of the connector to move relative to each other to different angular orientations, thereby permitting relative movement of inflatable members coupled to the connector. For example, at least a portion of the connector (e.g., the connector body and/or at least a portion of the connector arm or port) can comprise a flexible material that can deflect or bend as a force is exerted on inflatable members attached thereto (e.g., at the joint between the inflatable member and the connector) upon exertion of a bending stress on the inflatable member or joint. Further, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the connector (e.g., a connector arm) can be rigid to permit a secure coupling or sealing between the connector and the inflatable member(s) coupled thereto. In accordance with some embodiments,