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EP-4739266-A1 - FOLDABLE INFLATABLE LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE WITH METAL SUPPORT

EP4739266A1EP 4739266 A1EP4739266 A1EP 4739266A1EP-4739266-A1

Abstract

The invention generally provides a folded compact inflatable structure transformable into a robust load-bearing structure within a matter of seconds.

Inventors

  • YOSEF, Gil

Assignees

  • Yosef, Gil

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240703

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A folded compact inflatable structure comprising a structure having one or more chambers containing one or more folded metallic members, wherein the one or more chambers and the one or more metallic members are configured to unfold into an inflatable structure capable of being transformed by a foam material into a support or load bearing structure of a predefined shape and size.
  2. 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the structure having one or more chambers and a metallic member contained in one of the chambers, wherein the one or more chambers are configured upon unfolding of the metallic member to fill with a foam material.
  3. 3. The structure according to claim 1, being a support or a load bearing structure having a folded non-inflated state and an unfolded inflated state, wherein the structure comprising one or more chambers provided with one or more metallic members, such that in the folded noninflated state both the one or more chambers and the one or more metallic members are folded; the folded non-inflated state is transformable into the unfolded inflated state by unfolding and causing the one or more metallic members to extend a long an axis of the chambers and causing an interior of the one or more chamber to inflate with a foam material.
  4. 4. The structure according to claim 1, provided in a kit of elements, wherein the kit comprises the folded structure, including the one or more chambers and the metallic member(s), and means for inflating the structure with the foam material.
  5. 5. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the structure is a support structure designed to provide a mechanical support to an object.
  6. 6. The structure according to claim 5, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the support structure is shaped as a pillar, a frame, a structural skeleton, or a modular unit.
  7. 7. The structure according to claim 5, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the support structure is an orthopedic member or brace.
  8. 8. The structure according to claim 5, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the support structure is an orthopedic member or brace configured and operable to support a broken body part.
  9. 9. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the structure is a load-bearing structure configured to support a weight of a subject or an object placed above.
  10. 10. The structure according to claim 9, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the loadbearing structure is provided with one or more or with a plurality of handles or straps that are attached to exterior sides of the structure to aid in carrying the inflated structure.
  11. 11. The structure according to claim 9 or 10, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the loadbearing structure is provided with extendable legs or support members to position the structure above surface level; or wheels to maneuver the structure on a surface.
  12. 12. The structure according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the load-bearing structure is a backboard configured to transport of a human or an animal subject.
  13. 13. The structure according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the load-bearing structure is a mattress or a stretcher or a table, or a portable field surgical table.
  14. 14. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the structure is a helmet, or a protective or a support vest unit or a wearable clothing unit or a lifesaving vest unit.
  15. 15. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the structure is a capsule for securing a human or an animal from environmental conditions.
  16. 16. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the structure is an inflatable pad, tourniquet, a garment, a body protective unit, an umbrella, a parasol, a sleeping bag, a snowboard, a surfboard, a ladder, a cart, a tripod, a heating cover, a floating unit, a portable table or chair.
  17. 17. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the unfolded inflated state the structure is a load bearing structure selected from a sleeping bag, a mattress, a ladder, a portable field surgical table, or a stretcher.
  18. 18. A load-bearing structure for carrying a human, the structure having a folded noninflated state and an unfolded inflated state in a form of a stretcher, wherein the structure comprising one or more chambers provided with one or more metallic members, such that in the folded non-inflated state both the one or more chambers and the one or more metallic members are folded; the folded non-inflated state is transformable into the unfolded inflated state by unfolding and causing the one or more metallic members to extend a long a long axis of the chambers and causing an interior of the one or more chambers to inflate with a foam material.
  19. 19. An orthopedic structure for supporting a limb in a subject, the structure having a folded non-inflated state and an unfolded inflated state in a form of an orthopedic brace, wherein the structure comprising one or more chambers provided with one or more metallic members, such that in the folded non-inflated state both the one or more chambers and the one or more metallic members are folded; the folded non-inflated state is transformable into the unfolded inflated state by unfolding and causing the one or more metallic members to extend a long a long axis of the chambers and causing an interior of the one or more chambers to inflate with a foam material.
  20. 20. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, formed of at least two sheets of a fabric material, the space between the at least two sheets forming the one or more chambers.

Description

FOLDABLE INFLATABLE LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE WITH METAL SUPPORT FIELD OF INVENTION The invention is generally in the field inflatable structures and specifically foldable inflatable structures with a metal support. BACKGROUND Portability, versatility, low weight, and immediate deployment are some of the reasons foldable and inflatable structures are used. Such advantages have prompted numerous manufacturers to explore alternatives in a form of inflatable products. The ability to quickly set-up or erect a structure provides a wide range of benefits to medical as well as to military personnel. Typically, inflatable structures are structured of two sheets of a polymeric or a fabric material, such that the space between the sheets is pressurized with air or another gaseous material. Robust erected structures such as buildings and load-bearing structures require rigid non-inflatable spares or ribs. The presence of such spars or ribs, typically made of a metal, renders the inflatable structures less portable and heavier in weight. Curable resin foams have been used in place of compresses air to achieve a robustness where metal spares or ribs could not be used or were undesired. Polyurethane has been used to fill a structure as stretcher poles or to immobilize patients by having a polyurethane foam filled structure surround body parts as it cures, but before it hardens to secure the body parts from movement. In US Patent No. 4,744, 116, a stretcher with hollow longitudinal tubes that are stretcher poles is provided separate from the litter bearing surface. The tubes are impregnated with a fluid curable resin and wrapped with a waterproof material. The tubes inflate when water is introduced and the resin hardens. The material cures and the tubes are used as stretcher poles. In US Publication No. 2017/0258622, a position retaining device to stabilize patients is proposed. The device has a casing with containers having chemical precursors of a curable foam. The casing also has a plurality of beads. The containers are ruptured, the precursors mix, and the resulting polyurethane surrounds the beads molding the casing around the body part. US Publication No. 2008173316 discloses a disposable spine support. The stretcher is flat and to provide spine support a bag within a bag is provided. The two bags have the precursors of a curable resin. When the inner bag is ruptured, the resulting reaction creates a curable foam that confirms to patient’s spine. US Publication No. 2021/368998 discloses a smart bed with transverse viscoelastic polyurethane foam members. The cylinders are surrounded by heaters to adjust firmness. The foam members have an adjustable stiffness to adjust hardness of the bed. Despite the convenience of converting a foldable, portable, compact and light weight body into a functional structure by using a foam-forming material, such as a polyurethane, due to their brittleness, foam-based materials are less suitable for load-bearing applications. Presence of a metal frame, spars or ribs could improve the load-bearing capabilities; however, at the same time would make the product lose its foldability, compatibility and simplicity of transport. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The inventor of the invention disclosed herein has developed a portable and compact inflatable platform capable of being transformed, within a matter of seconds, into a robust support unit or a load-bearing structure capable of carrying objects reaching hundreds of kilograms in weight. The inflatable platform, being shaped as a support unit, e.g., a medical support unit, or a structure for recreational, infrastructural or otherwise as a load-bearing unit, is shaped and sized to meet the intended use. The platform is generally formed of a material enclosure comprising an internal flexible metallic or polymeric member, which may be provided within an inflatable chamber or on its internal or external surface. When in the folded configuration, the structure is a compact and lightweight obj ect that may be packed to be carried under human power. The folded structure may have a weight that is between several hundred grams to about 5 or so kilograms, depending on the size of the structure. When the structure is unfolded, the flexible metal member snaps into a predetermined or predefined shape, position or orientation, which may be further subsequently manipulated into a desired shape, position or orientation. The inflatable chamber is then inflated or caused to be inflated by one or a plurality of materials to a predetermined volume or pressure. The plurality of materials may include one or more gaseous materials such as air or an inert gas, or reactive precursors that may be combined, upon unfolding of the structure or at any time thereafter, to generate a solid foam that fills and inflates the fabric chamber surrounding the internal flexible metal member. As the chamber and the structure as a whole inflates, the foam quickly hardens forming a rigid mass.