Abstract: This invention concerns a surface effect vessel whose type comprises a buoyed up structure fitted with two side keels (20), an rear seal apparatus rear and a forward seal apparatus (200) both delimiting a central buoyancy cushion (300). According to the invention the forward seal apparatus (200) consists of an upper horizontal extension shell (210) extending between the two side keels (20) which communicates with the central cushion (300) so as to be supplied by it and two rows of lower multilobe skirts (230, 250) connected below the upper shell (210), which converge towards the center of the central cushion (300) from top to bottom, and whose concavity faces the center of the central cushion (300), the multilobe skirts (230, 250) together delimiting the intermediate chambers (254) which communicate with the upper shell (210) via ports provided in its wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying and transporting loads over a surface comprises: a supporting platform; a flexible damping ring fixed to the supporting platform along a circular closed-loop line of contact and defining a chamber adapted for inflation upon introduction of a pressurized medium; an uplift chamber defined between the supporting platform, the surface and an interior wall portion of the damping ring, the interior wall portion of the damping ring forming a lateral partition between the chambers during operation and the damping ring having at least one aperture enabling fluid communication between the chambers; and, the interior wall portion of the damping ring being stretchable and the remaining wall portions of the damping ring being substantially unstretchable, whereby introduction of the pressurized medium will effect inflation of the damping ring and pressurization of the uplift chamber, the pressurized medium escaping from the uplift chamber as a fluid film of substantially uniform thickness and pres

Abstract: An arrangement for the attachment of a lower portion of a skirt forming an air cushion limiting member in an air cushion vehicle comprises attachment points inside the skirt. These attachment points include an attachment eye or the like, through which a pulling element is drawn. The pulling element has an inner end attached to the lower skirt portion and, following said pulling element, at the opposite side of the attachment eye, an outer end attached to a point where the attachment is operable from the outside of the air cushion vehicle.

Abstract: A boat hull having at least one extending hull (10), an intermediate hull portion (13), a flexible plenum chamber (14) to raise and lower the intermediate hull portion (13), and a flexible skirt (17) formed integrally with the intermediate hull (13) to entrain air beneath it so that its lower extremities are clear of the ground or water.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle is provided with a lift system including a flexible keel. The vehicle has a rigid body which is supported on an air cushion. The air cushion is divided into two longitudinal semichambers by a flexible keel and is further defined by flexible skirts provided at the periphery of the rigid body. The flexible keel directs lift air to the semichambers and controls the attitude of the vehicle by automatically distributing lift air to one of the two longitudinal semichambers to provide a stabilizing force. The flexible keel is constructed of a plurality of flexible segments, each of which has two triangular portions which are joined by a trapezoidal portion having a curved bottom. When the flexible sheets are formed into a working configuration the two triangular portions are joined at a fastening point so that the top edge each of the flexible segment form a triangle.

Abstract: A vehicle travelling on air cushions comprises a lifted structure and a lift arrangement which comprises at least one multilobular skirt having a plurality of first lobes open towards the inside of the vehicle. A lower part of each first lobe converges in a downwards direction with respect to the structure. At least in the vicinity of the rear of the vehicle, each open first lobe has within it an anti-damage lobe which diverges in a downwards direction with respect to the structure at an inclination such that the values of the angles formed between the respective outermost generatrices of the first and anti-damage lobes with respect to the vertical are substantially equal. The side edges of the anti-damage lobe are each connected along a rectilinear connection to the opposite side walls of the first lobe which converge in a downwards direction with respect to the structure. The anti-damage lobe is also at its lower part, and in a horizontal plane, connected to the base of the first lobe.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surface effect ship stern seal system comprising a plurality of side-by-side vertically standing inflatable fingers of open top form, the leading end portions of the fingers being attached to the hull by resilient means and the bottom edges of the sidewalls of the fingers being closed by water planing plate means. The upper edges of the sidewall portions of the fingers are carried by tension ropes connecting at their leading ends to said resilient means and at their aft ends to the ship hull, reclining therebetween in catenary fashion.

Abstract: An air-cushion vehicle comprising a lifted structure, a central cushion, and a peripheral lift arrangement in which each lobe of the outer skirt projects outside the lifted structure and preferably surrounds an inner skirt.Each lobe extending downwardly is hollow with an open lower end and has a lower part to which is attached an upper part or cover connected along its upper edge to the lifted structure along a rectilinear horizontal line. The upper part or cover is also connected to the lifted structure along two spaced rectilinear segments at either end of the upper edge and disposed in respective vertical planes.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle comprising a structure to be lifted, a central lifting cushion and a peripheral lifting arrangement including a plurality of lifting cells defined externally by an outer multilobed skirt. Each lobe of the outer skirt comprises an upper part defined by a surface of revolution which is slanted downwardly and outwardly with respect to the structure, and a lower part defined by a surface of revolution which is slanted downwardly and inwardly with respect to the structure, so that the lobe projects outwardly of the periphery of the structure. According to the invention, the upper part is defined by at least two surfaces of revolution having respective axes of revolution coplaner with a vertical plane containing the axis of revolution of the lower part.

Abstract: A sealing system for the air cushion of an air-cushion vessel comprising rigid sidewalls designed as buoyant bodies, and at least at the front between the rigid walls a series of adjacent, interconnected sealing elements sealing the air cushion, each of which sealing elements is a voluminous, rigid body which at one end can be hingedly connected to the vessel bottom. Means are provided for limiting the free hingeing movement of the rigid sealing bodies relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ends of all rigid bodies remote from the hinge point can be connected by means of a flexible air-tight flap to the bottom of the vessel, to form a space that can be connected to a source of compressed air, such as a blower. In another embodiment the length of the flaps is adjustable, to facilitate trimming.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle has a plenum structure surrounding the vehicle body and a plurality of skirt segments. Each segment is attached to its own rigid frame which supports a flexible membrane. The frame outer end pivots from the plenum structure, while the frame inner end can move upwardly relative to the vehicle body from an inclined deployed position to a horizontal retracted position. The skirt membrane is extended from the frame during hovering and can be furled to its frame for replacement. The skirt segments are replaceable from inside the vehicle's air plenum.

Abstract: A seal structure for an air cushion vessel includes an inflatable bag secured to the hull and a transversely stiffened lobe portion maintained therebeneath. The stiffened lobe portion consists of a membrane with an array of spaced, transverse stiffener members connected thereto. The colinear stiffener members are interconnected in end-to-end relationship. According to one embodiment, the end portions of the stiffener members are connected to support stays which are connected either to the bag structure or to the forward portion of the hull. The support stays may comprise cable elements or membranes which form continuations of the stiffened lobe membrane. Additional support for the stiffened lobe portion is provided in the form of a plurality of rear support elements which set the orientation and configuration of the stiffened lobe portion and limit the downward deflection of the stiffened lobe portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for effecting rapid changes in the geometry of a flexible wall structure forming at least a part of the cushion seal on an air cushion vehicle. The apparatus comprises one or more inflatable members co-operating with the flexible wall structure and an air ejector for rapidly introducing pressurized air into each inflatable member. Each inflatable member may be constituted by a wall structure portion of hollow construction. The invention finds particular application in assisting directional control of an air cushion vehicle.

Abstract: An air-cushion supported, manually manoeuverable, load-carrying apparatus including a load-carrying base, a dependent perimetric skirt for laterally confining pressurized air, and a member for restraining a foot portion of the skirt to a permanently inwardly extending configuration so as to be urged into sealing engagement with the ground by the internal air pressure during operation. The skirt restraining member is secured to the skirt at spaced inner and outer regions, spanning the foot portion. The rectilinear spacing is substantially less than the corresponding width of the foot portion so as to provide the foot portion with freedom to seal with the ground.

Abstract: Fluid-cushion supported apparatus, which may comprise a sidewall gas-cushion vehicle, is supported by a cushion of pressurized air formed and contained between the vehicle body and the surface. The front or bow end of the cushion is contained by an inflatable flexible skirt system comprising a row of ropes or like filamentary support members disposed in spaced, substantially parallel, relationship, with their end portions attached to the vehicle body. Flexible sheet material is draped over the support members so as to form loops extending laterally therebetween. The loops are also curved between the end portions of the support members.

Abstract: Bow and stern seals for sidewall type air cushion vehicles for containing, together with the sidewalls, the air cushion under the vehicle. They consist of a substantial number of more or less equidistant rods (or "stays") connected by flexible membranes, these rods being designed to hinge around a more or less common axis at substantially the top of the air cushion, the rods extending beyond their hinge points and being positioned by two sets of opposing air bags, one set of air bags acting on the extensions of the rods above the hinge points and the other set on the sections of the rods just below the hinge points. The membranes are attached with a large amount of slack so that the rods can rotate a very substantial amount relative to each other. As the air bags will allow the rods only to rotate a limited amount relative to each other, the membranes will not get tight, and the membranes and rods will not be exposed to the accompanying shock loads leading to membrane tear and rod breakage.

Abstract: A new improved steering, propelling and skirting means is provided for air cushion type vehicles. The steering, propelling or skirting means is biased to maintain contact with the underlying support surface thereby providing dramatic improvements in the response for steering and propelling the vehicle, as well as reduction in fluid loss with respect to the vehicle skirting means.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air cushion vehicle intended to move on land or water, having a platform surrounded by an inflatable skirt. A belt is positioned around the platform interior of the skirt and includes a first face directed toward the central axis of the platform and downward and a second face forming a support pad. At least one nozzle is provided under the platform into the first face to form an air cushion.

Abstract: The inflated geometry of an inflatable skirt wall constituting at least a part of the cushion sealing means on an air cushion vehicle (A.C.V.) is changed to effect a shift in the center of pressure of the vehicle supporting air cushion for assisting in directional control or to reduce the overall width dimension of the A.C.V. when the skirt wall projects outwardly of vehicle rigid body structure while maintaining a skirt structure sufficient to contain an air cushion for slow speed maneuvering of the A.C.V. Means for changing the inflated skirt wall geometry comprise duct means and co-operating valve means for controlling supply of pressurized air to one or more compartments of the skirt structure, and further duct means and co-operating valve means for venting air from said one or more compartments.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle comprises a structure to be lifted, a central lifting cushion, and a peripheral lifting arrangement constituted by a plurality of cells defined externally by an outer multi-lobed skirt.Each lobe of the outer skirt is constituted by an assembly of an upper part defined by a surface of revolution which diverges downwards with respect to the structure, and of a lower part defined by a surface of revolution which converges downwards with respect to the structure, so that the lobe projects outside the structure. The lifting surface of the cells and thus of the entire cushion is increased and they project externally of the structure thus protecting the structure against impact.

Abstract: In an aircraft air cushion takeoff and landing system with a flexible trunk section in the form of a large expandable tube, having multiple air exhaust holes in the bottom thereof, encircling the bottom of the fuselage, a group of flexible finger-like protrusions beneath the forward section of the trunk. The downwardly extending finger-like protrusions make intermittent contact with the ground surface to suppress vertical vibrations in the trunk when the aircraft is hovering at ground level with the trunk inflated.

Abstract: A flexible sheet material is disclosed for making air cushion vehicle skirts and the like. A molded seamless air cushion vehicle skirt and method of making same are also disclosed. In the method, an uncured, liquid polyurethane is sprayed onto a mold in the shape of a predetermined air cushion vehicle skirt. This forms a first continuous polyurethane layer on which is laid a foraminous substrate made of triaxially woven an aramid known by the trade mark of KEVLAR. The substrate is then coated with a second continuous layer of liquid, uncured polyurethane. The polyurethane layers penetrate the substrate and mix together so that when the polyurethane is cured, a continuous molded skirt is formed of material which cannot be delaminated. Parts of the mold may be masked to produce uncoated areas of the substrate. These areas may be later sprayed with liquid urethane to produce permeable sections in the air cushion vehicle skirt.

Abstract: An apertured flexible sheet component for an air cushion vehicle flexible skirt, such as an apertured section of a flexible skirt bag member, comprises reinforced flexible sheet material including a reinforcing fabric having substantial spacings between groups of cords from which the fabric is formed. The reinforcing fabric is coated with elastomeric material and apertures are formed in the elastomeric material within the spacings between the groups of cords in the reinforcing fabric so that no broken cords are caused by formation of the apertures.

Abstract: A seal structure for an air cushion vessel includes an inflatable bag secd to the hull and a transversely stiffened lobe portion maintained therebeneath. The stiffened lobe portion consists of a membrane with an array of spaced, transverse stiffener members connected thereto. The colinear stiffener members are interconnected in end-to-end relationship.Generally, the end portions of the stiffener members are connected to support stays which are connected either to the bag structure or to the forward portion of the hull. The support stays may comprise cable elements or membranes which form continuations of the stiffened lobe membrane.Additional support for the stiffened lobe portion is provided in the form of a plurality of rear support elements which set the orientation and configuration of the stiffened lobe portion and limit the downward deflection of the stiffened lobe portion.

Abstract: A skirt system is disclosed in combination with a barge floating on a body of water, the barge having a roof extending over the body of water, for providing a substantial ice-free zone around a barge out to at least a hundred feet from the barge.

Abstract: An apertured flexible sheet component for an air cushion vehicle flexible skirt, such as an apertured section of a flexible skirt bag member, comprises reinforced flexible sheet material including a reinforcing fabric having substantial spacings between groups of cords from which the fabric is formed. The reinforcing fabric is coated with elastomeric material and apertures are formed in the elastomeric material within the spacings between the groups of cords in the reinforcing fabric so that no broken cords are caused by formation of the apertures.

Abstract: A ground-effect vehicle having a base frame and a downwardly extending skirt, rides on an air cushion created by injecting air downwardly through the frame into the space beneath the vehicle. In order to prevent the down draft of the air injected under the vehicle from damaging fragile objects, such as young plants, a deflector is provided to divert the air flow parallel to the ground and to reduce its velocity, while still maintaining sufficient pressure in the air cushion to permit the vehicle to hover.

Abstract: An anti-broaching sidehull fence for a surface effect ship. The surface effect ship includes a central pressurized plenum chamber which is defined by the upper wet deck, forward and stern seals and sidehull fences positioned along the longitudinal sides of the surface effect ship. These sidehulls are configured to provide a seal preventing pressurized gas from escaping from the plenum chamber with minimum water emersion therealong while the surface effect ship is traveling at maximum forward speed.

Abstract: Skirt segments for a segmental skirt of an air cushion vehicle can be removed and replaced without getting under the vehicle hull, by providing a rod or tube at each top edge of a segment, the inner ends of the rods or tubes being inserted into sockets on the vehicle bottom surface. The outer edge of the skirt segment, and the outer ends of the rods or tubes, are held against the vehicle structure by a clamping member. A tool can be provided which attaches to the outer ends of the rods or tubes to assist in removing or replacing a segment, the tool removed before applying the clamping member.

Abstract: A load-support module comprises first and second frame structures of rectangular plan form disposed one above the other on a common central axis, with load support members attached to and extending between the structures. The frame structures are such that the modules can be stacked one on another in nested relationship. The modules are disposed in close-packed rows on a base frame structure, forming a load-support surface. Contiguous modules are demountably secured to one another and are each provided with fitted floor members. The entire structure is provided with a demountable, peripheral flexible skirt. A number of such structures can be combined to transport very large objects.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle has a plurality of webs extending out between adjacent skirt members, with a solid or tubular peripheral member attached to the web members at their forward parts. The web members and the peripheral member guard the skirt against damage by debris, such as ice. The webs tend to ride up over an ice edge, while ice floes or similar objects are deflected by the peripheral member. The peripheral member can be in the form of a blade to cut off humps of ice on the top of an ice sheet or floe.

Abstract: An attachment device for releasably connecting a flexible skirt component to rigid body structure of an air cushion vehicle has a plurality of first elements attached at spaced positions on the rigid body structure. A plurality of second elements are attached at spaced positions along an edge portion of the flexible skirt by a plurality of clamping plates which co-operate one with each second element to present a clamping face towards a clamping face on the second element. The edge portion of the flexible skirt is held between the clamping faces by a clamping action applied by releasable fasteners passing through aligned holes in the second elements, the clamping plates and the flexible skirt. The second elements are positioned in the spaces between the first elements so that respective longitudinal passages extending through the first and second elements are aligned, and a pin member is inserted into the aligned passages so as to connect the first and second elements in hinged relationship.

Abstract: A connecting element for attaching fingers of a hovercraft skirt to its loop is formed from two identical pieces of elastomer-coated fabric which are bonded together over part of their faces to form a portion to which adjacent side faces of adjacent fingers are secured and which are left unbonded over part of their faces to provide a pair of flaps which are out-turned in mutually opposite directions at right angles to the bonded portion to be secured to the material of the loop.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle operable over land, water and ice separately and in any combination, wherein there is a hull of "lighter" configuration adapted to be collapsed for highway transport and to be expanded for use with a prime mover fan both for lift and propulsion when in use, with a perimeter skirt and a center roll stabilizer responsive to air pressures in separated chambers established thereby, and with a tread type labyrinth seal for lift air control, and there being a steerable nose wheel and trailing casters for direction control.

Abstract: A fluid film bearing suitable for use with either liquid or gaseous fluid and capable of far greater lift because of the larger usable lifting surface. The larger lifting surface is achieved in that the bearing assumes a square, rectangular, or race track configuration, a configuration which is more easily adapted for use in combinations of multiple bearings for large lift capacity and further may more closely approximate the shape of an object to be lifted or moved. An integral high tensile strength, flexible membrane gives the fluid bearing sufficient strength to withstand internal pressures over elongated, non-circular peripheral portions and also gives the bearing a far greater ability to flex and conform to an uneven or undulated surface thereby enabling the bearing to comply with a surface of far less uniformity without the loss of support than was heretofore possible.

Abstract: Cushion sealing at the rear of an air cushion vehicle comprises a flexible skirt that is attached to rigid body structure of the vehicle so as to extend downwardly therefrom and define a plurality of inter-communicating inflatable compartments positioned one above the other. These inflatable skirt compartments communicate by way of a first duct with a source of pressurized air on the vehicle, and by way of a second duct with cushion space at the underside of the vehicle. The second duct offers low impedance to the transfer of air between the skirt compartments and the cushion space, whereby in operation, when the skirt is deflected, air transfers from the skirt compartments to the cushion without any substantial rise in the skirt inflation pressure, which would tend to increase the stiffness of the skirt.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for preventing the flooding of an enclosed plenum chamber pressurized by a source of pressurized gas provided through a duct system leading from a plenum chamber open to the surface of the water over which the ship rides. The inlet to the duct system located within the open plenum chamber is formed to reject by deflection a substantial quantity of water adjacent the inlet from entry. Any small amount of water entering the duct that is not initially rejected from the inlet is ramped through the duct and collected in a stern holding tank. The holding tanks include a float controlled water exhaust valve that opens to the atmosphere and exhausts that collected water therein with the aid of plenum pressure. Any water reaching the closed plenum chamber is constantly exhausted therefrom through apertures in its walls. An additional embodiment is disclosed that prevents substantially all water from entering the enclosed plenum chamber.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle is provided with cushion-containing means at least partly constituted by a flexible skirt which comprises an inflatable bag member and individual flexible skirt elements depending downwardly from attachment both to the bag member and the vehicle hard structure.

Abstract: An air retaining skirt for use with an air cushion vehicle of a type which utilizes a peripheral series of loop and segment sections in combination to provide retention of the air cushion over uneven terrain or water. The loops are adapted to extend from the air cushion vehicle outward and downward in flexible, air inflatable composure, and each loop supports a plurality of ground-contacting segments affixed to the lower edge thereof and extending back up for retention at or near the lower edge of the air cushion vehicle.

Abstract: A gas cushion vehicle having a portable fan unit with control apparatus for utilizing the air flow generated by the fan for lifting, propulsion and/or inflating a peripheral skirt on the hull thereof such that skirt pressure is higher than cushion pressure and skirt pressure is relatively independent of fan speed.

Abstract: A flexible gas cushion confinement cell for a ground effect vehicle comprising two flexible walls extending substantially parallel to one another with flexible partitions extending transversely of the walls and joining them together over at least a part of their height. The walls define, in conjunction with one another and with the partitions, juxtaposed compartments which are open at their upper ends to enable them to be connected to a gas pressure source and which are closed or substantially closed at their lower ends. The cell is approximately of horseshoe-shape and can be provided with an additional wall and transverse deflectors extending between the legs of the horseshoe-shaped cell.

Abstract: A passive stern seal for a plenum chamber of an air cushion marine vehicle comprising a front rectilinear planar seal member with an upward extending curvilinear rear tip, a plurality of front seal member supporting stay members adjacent to the underside of the planar seal, and pivotally attached to the vehicle at their forward surfaces, strut members pivotally attached and extending from the front planar seal member adjacent the curvilinear tip; a rear seal member extending from an attachment to the vehicle downward and to an attachment to the front planar seal member forward of the curvilinear tip, the free end of the strut members are attached to the upper surface of the rear seal member and a plurality of forming members are attached between the rear seal member and the vehicle. The forming members cooperate with pressure within the stern seal and form at least one transverse convolute in said rear seal member.

Abstract: An annular sealing member extends to ground level to minimize loss of fluid from a lifting cushion. This member includes an inflatable seal hanger envelope mounted on the underside of a fluid cushion vehicle. The inflatable hanger envelope is inflated from the lifting fluid cushion through a tube. The length of this inflation tube is great compared with its bore diameter, thereby producing a pressure drop in the fluid as it flows between the fluid cushion and the hanger envelope. The hanger envelopes of adjacent fluid cushions are also interconnected when the vehicle is supported on four or more fluid cushions. These interconnections divide the total number of fluid cushions into only three independent groups to produce a statically determinant support for the fluid cushion vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle riding on air cushions in which the lift of a platform is ensured by an arrangement of flexible skirts defining a central air-lift area at substantially constant pressure and a partitioned peripheral air-lift area. A closed loop of adjacent tubular skirts is inserted between the central and peripheral air-lift areas to increase the flying stability of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a segment for forming part of a segmented flexible skirt for use on craft, vehicles or devices which can be supported on a cushion of pressurized fluid, comprising a sheet of flexible material folded into a substantially U-shape in plan view to form a curved front wall portion having an upper end and side wall portions having an upper end and a bottom end, said side wall portions in side elevation tapering from their said upper end towards their said bottom end, an upper portion of said front wall portion which extends from said upper end of the front wall portion being in a plane which lies at an angle relative to the remainder of the front wall portion.

Abstract: An air-lift vehicle has inner and outer multi-lobed peripheral skirts arranged so that the corresponding lobes of the skirts are in register. Means is provided to supply compressed air to the inside of the inner skirt and between the inner and outer skirts for lifting purposes. The space between the skirts comprises a plurality of compartments each defined by two corresponding lobes of the inner and outer skirts. The lower edges of the lobes of the outer skirt at least are located in the same horizontal plane as a result of which the height of lift and the stability of the vehicle are improved.

Abstract: An improved ground-run/skid-braking and/or maneuvering control system for an aircraft or ground effect machine having an air cushion type undercarriage of the type comprising an elastically retractable inflatable trunk or other air inflatable air cushion confining device fabricated of elastic sheet material. The braking/control system comprises a mechanically actuated multiple spine system disposed interiorly of the trunk fabric; and is operable under pilot control to cause portions of the trunk to curvilinearly project downwardly below the basic footprint level of the trunk when inflated, to provide the desired ground-friction braking/maneuvering effects. The projected portions of the trunk are externally armored by means of wear/tear resistant friction pads which are relatively pleat-folding automatically incidental to elastic contractions of the trunk sheet material, to minimize craft flight drag effects.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle flexible skirt assembly includes a plurality of skirt elements. Each skirt element comprises a first section including an endless band of flexible material. A second section of the element includes a plurality of members each comprising an endless band of flexible material having a peripheral dimension which is less than the peripheral dimension of the first section. The members comprising the second section are each joined at one of their edges to one of the edges of the endless flexible band comprising the first section to constitute an extension thereof. If desired, these skirt elements may depend from a bag member forming another part of the flexible skirt assembly.

Abstract: A flexible skirt assembly for surface effect vehicles having an upper and lower skirt. The upper skirt cooperates with the vehicle body to form a pressurized chamber. The lower skirt has a plurality of segments with adjacent ones having common supports. The upper and lower skirts are supported by a plurality of horizontally spaced cables and with such cables supporting the segments at their upper edges.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle has a flexible skirt assembly including an inflatable bag member. When inflated, the bag member is supported by a reticulated member, so that loads acting on the bag member are transferred to the reticulated member. Preferably a buffer material is interposed between the bag member and the reticulated member to prevent chafing of the bag member by the reticulated member.