JP-2026076160-A - Modular expansion structure

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a system of components that can be combined to form a modular, expandable structure. [Solution] A modular inflatable structure 10 can be formed using inflatable members 12 interconnected together at their respective joints. The inflatable members may have connectors 14 integrated with the inflatable members, or they may be coupled to separate connectors that interconnect adjacent inflatable members. The connectors may have flexible and/or rigid components. The structure may have assembly positions in which inflatable members are coupled to adjacent inflatable members, allowing for fluid flow between the inflatable members. The structure can be inflated to form a support or framework that can be used in a variety of applications and industries. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

• ボーグ、マックスウェル
• グリック、トーマス

Assignees

• ウォブルワークス・インコーポレイテッド

Dates

Publication Date

20260511

Application Date

20251224

Priority Date

20220317

Claims (20)

1. A modular inflatable structure comprising: an inflatable member having an inlet port and a three-dimensional shape; and a connector having a main body, a first arm, and a second arm, wherein at least one of the first and second arms is configured to articulate with respect to the main body and has a fluid passage fluidically interconnected with the internal volume of the main body; wherein (i) in the assembled position, the inflatable member is coupled to the first arm, allowing fluid to flow between the main body and the inflatable member; and (ii) in the separated position, the inflatable member is detached from the first arm, blocking fluid flow through the first arm.
2. The inflatable structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second arms has a valve integrated therewith to restrict the flow through it.
3. The expandable member, in the assembly position, causes the valve to open so that flow between the main body and the expandable member, according to claim 2.
4. The inflatable structure according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion comprises a flexible material that allows the first and second arms to bend relative to each other and relative to the main body portion.
5. The inflatable structure according to claim 1, wherein the first and second arm portions are rigid components.
6. The inflatable structure according to claim 1, wherein the first and second arm portions are detachable from the main body portion.
7. The inflatable structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second arms comprises opposite end portions having a plurality of engaging members for coupling with the port of the connector and the connection socket of the inflatable member.
8. The expandable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a valve configured to restrict flow through the first arm, wherein, in the separation position, the valve is in a closed position restricting flow between the main body and the expandable member.
9. The valve is located within the first arm portion, as described in claim 8 of the expansion structure.
10. The inflatable structure according to claim 8, wherein the first arm is connected to the main body at its first end portion, and the valve is located at the first end of the first arm.
11. The inflatable structure according to claim 8, further comprising a second valve configured to restrict flow through the second arm, wherein the second valve maintains a closed position restricting flow through the second arm when the second arm is detached from another inflatable member, arm, or body.
12. The expansion structure according to claim 11, wherein the second valve is located within the second arm.
13. The inflatable structure according to claim 11, wherein the second arm is connected to the main body at its first end portion, and the second valve is located at the first end of the second arm.
14. The inflatable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein both the first and second arm portions are configured to be articulated to the main body portion.
15. The inflatable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a third arm portion connected to the main body portion.
16. The inflatable structure according to claim 15, further comprising a fourth arm portion connected to the main body portion.
17. The inflatable structure according to claim 16, further comprising a fifth arm portion connected to the main body portion.
18. The inflatable structure according to claim 17, wherein the structure comprises five inflatable members, each inflatable member being able to be connected to one of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth arm portions.
19. The inflatable structure according to claim 17, wherein the third, fourth, and fifth arm portions are configured to be articulated and connected to the main body portion.
20. The inflatable structure according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the first arm or the second arm is configured to rotate at an angle of at least 30 degrees relative to the main body.

Description

This application claims priority and interest to U.S. Patent Application No. 63/321,037, filed on 17 March 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This disclosure relates to an inflatable structure, and more particularly to an inflatable structure using interchangeable connectors and inflatable members having various structural and functional features. This is a perspective view of an expansion-type structure according to several embodiments.This is a side view of the expansion-type structure shown in Figure 1, according to several embodiments.Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an inflatable connector according to several embodiments, showing the connector arms of the connector in a first position.This is a top perspective view of the connector shown in Figure 3, according to several embodiments, where the connector arms are in the second position.This is a side cross-sectional view of the connector shown in Figure 3.This is a side cross-sectional view of the connector shown in Figure 4.This is a perspective view of the interconnection between a connector and an expandable member according to several embodiments.Figure 7 shows a top view of the interconnection portion of the connector and expandable member shown in the figure, according to several embodiments.Figure 7 shows a top view of the interconnection portion of the connector and expandable member shown in the figure, according to several embodiments.This is a side view of the interconnection portion of the connector and expandable member shown in Figure 7, according to several embodiments.This figure shows an alternative embodiment of a connector that may be used in accordance with the embodiment of the expandable structure disclosed herein.This figure shows an alternative embodiment of a connector that may be used in accordance with the embodiment of the expandable structure disclosed herein.This figure shows an alternative embodiment of a connector that may be used in accordance with the embodiment of the expandable structure disclosed herein.This figure shows an alternative embodiment of a connector that may be used in accordance with the embodiment of the expandable structure disclosed herein.This figure shows an alternative embodiment of a connector that may be used in accordance with the embodiment of the expandable structure disclosed herein.This figure shows an alternative embodiment of a connector that may be used in accordance with the embodiment of the expandable structure disclosed herein.This figure shows an alternative embodiment of a connector that may be used in accordance with the embodiment of the expandable structure disclosed herein.This figure shows an alternative embodiment of a connector that may be used in accordance with the embodiment of the expandable structure disclosed herein.This figure shows an exemplary expandable structure in a non-expansion configuration according to several embodiments.This figure shows an exemplary inflatable structure in an inflatable configuration according to several embodiments.This figure shows an inflatable structure having an inflatable member and a connector, according to several embodiments.This figure shows an inflatable structure having an inflatable member and a connector, according to several embodiments.This figure shows a portion of an inflatable structure having an inflatable member and a connector, according to several embodiments.This figure shows a portion of an inflatable structure having an inflatable member and a connector, according to several embodiments. The detailed description below is intended to describe various configurations of the subject art, and not to represent the only configuration in which the subject art can be practiced. The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein and constitute part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes certain details for the purpose of providing a complete understanding of the subject art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject art can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are illustrated in block diagrams to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject art. For ease of understanding, similar components are given the same element number. Referring next to the drawings, various aspects of embodiments of this disclosure are shown in Figures 1 to 24. The features shown in these figures and discussed herein can be incorporated into various systems, structures, and components. The system may provide a structure that can expand and contract to provide a structure that can be temporarily and selectively expanded into a deployed configuration and collapse into a reduced configuration when desired. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows one example of the many different three-dimensional shapes that can be made using the structural components discussed herein. Figure 1 is an embodiment of an infl