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US-20260124061-A1 - FOLDABLE INFLATABLE LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE WITH METAL SUPPORT

US20260124061A1US 20260124061 A1US20260124061 A1US 20260124061A1US-20260124061-A1

Abstract

A folded compact inflatable structure has one or more chambers containing one or more folded metallic members, wherein the chambers and the 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. An orthopedic structure for supporting a limb in a subject has a folded non-inflated state and an unfolded inflated state in a form of an orthopedic brace. The structure includes one or more chambers provided with one or more metallic members. In the folded non-inflated state both the chambers and the metallic members are folded. The folded non-inflated state is transformable into the unfolded inflated state by unfolding and causing the metallic members to extend along a long axis of the chambers and cause an interior of the chambers to inflate with a foam material.

Inventors

  • Gil YOSEF

Assignees

  • Gil YOSEF

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20260102
Priority Date
20230705

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . 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 along a long axis of the chambers and causing an interior of the one or more chambers to inflate with a foam material.
  2. 2 . The structure according to claim 1 , formed of at least two sheets of a fabric material, the space between the at least two sheets forming the one or more chambers.
  3. 3 . The structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a thermally insulating structure arranged between the one or more chambers and an interior portion of the structure that is configured to be adjacent to the limb.
  4. 4 . The structure according to claim 1 , further comprising ventilation holes, the ventilation holes configured to convey heat from a curing of the foam material to ambient atmosphere.
  5. 5 . The structure according to claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to receive and hold one or more disposable chambers of an impervious material, said chambers being configured to comprise the foam material.
  6. 6 . The structure according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more metallic members is/are formed of a metal or a metal alloy selected from aluminum; alloys of copper; zinc and aluminum alloys (Cu—Zn—Al alloys); copper, aluminum and nickel alloys (Cu—Al—Ni alloys); iron, manganese, silicon alloys (Fe—Mn—Si alloys); stainless steel, or brass.
  7. 7 . The structure according to claim 1 , provided with a precursor of a curable resin configured to form the foam material upon demand.
  8. 8 . The structure according to claim 7 , wherein the precursor is formed in a pod or container.
  9. 9 . The structure according to claim 7 , wherein the precursor is a pair or plurality of different materials which in combination react to form the foam, and wherein the different materials are separately contained within a common pod configured to be ruptured or cause to break, to permit contact between the different materials and form the foam material.
  10. 10 . The structure according to claim 9 , wherein the different materials comprise at least one isocyanate prepolymer and at least one polyol.
  11. 11 . 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.
  12. 12 . The structure according to claim 11 , provided in a kit of elements, wherein the kit comprises the folded structure, including the one or more chambers and the one or more metallic members, and means for inflating the structure with the foam material.
  13. 13 . The structure of claim 11 , wherein in the unfolded inflated state the structure is a support structure designed to provide a mechanical support to an object.
  14. 14 . The structure of claim 13 , wherein in the unfolded inflated state the support structure is shaped as a pillar, a frame, a structural skeleton, or a modular unit.
  15. 15 . The structure of claim 13 , wherein in the unfolded inflated state the support structure is an orthopedic member or brace.
  16. 16 . The structure according to claim 11 , being a support or a load bearing structure having a folded non-inflated state and an unfolded inflated state, wherein the structure comprises the one or more chambers provided with the 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; and wherein the folded non-inflated state is transformable into the unfolded inflated state by unfolding and causing the one or more metallic members to extend along an axis of the chambers and causing an interior of the one or more chambers to inflate with the foam material.
  17. 17 . The structure of claim 16 , wherein in the unfolded inflated state the load-bearing structure is provided with one or more handles or straps that are attached to exterior sides of the structure to aid in carrying the inflated structure, and/or extendable legs or support members to position the structure above surface level; and/or wheels to maneuver the structure on a surface.
  18. 18 . The structure of claim 11 , wherein in the unfolded inflated state the structure is a backboard, mattress, stretcher, table, portable field surgical table, helmet, protective or support vest unit, wearable clothing unit, lifesaving vest unit, a capsule for securing a human or an animal from environmental conditions, an inflatable pad, tourniquet, garment, body protective unit, umbrella, parasol, sleeping bag, snowboard, surfboard, ladder, cart, tripod, heating cover, floating unit, portable table or chair, sleeping bag, mattress, or ladder.
  19. 19 . A method of operating an inflatable structure having a folded non-inflated state and an unfolded inflated state, and comprising one or more chambers provided with one or more metallic members, the method comprising unfolding the structure in the folded non-inflated state causing the one or more metallic members to snap and extend along an axis of the unfolded chambers; and causing an interior of the one or more chambers to inflate with a foam material to transform into a support structure or a load bearing structure.
  20. 20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the structure is an orthopedic brace and the unfolding comprises positioning the unfolded non-inflated structure around a body part and allowing the structure to fill with the foam material to take shape around the body part.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This Application is a Continuation-in-Part of PCT Application No. PCT/IL2024/050644, entitled “Foldable Inflatable Load Bearing Structure With Metal Support,” filed Jul. 3, 2024, which claims priority to Israeli Patent Application No. 304,279, filed Jul. 5, 2023, entitled “Foldable Inflatable Load Bearing Structure With Metal Support,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 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 U.S. Pat. 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 object 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 includ