Abstract: An airbeam, inflated to create a structural member, has three functional layers in its wall: a flexible gas barrier and a braided reinforcing layer plus the novelty of an additional braided layer. Key design factors are the bias angles of the braids in the two braided layers: that of the inner one greater than 54.7 degrees bias angle and of the outer one less than 54.7 degrees bias angle. The two layers of braid being slipped over another allows the airbeam to be formed with bends for a wide variety of shapes.

Abstract: A paraglider having ram-air inflated left and right wings and supported above a pilot by suspension lines, the wings consisting of foldable and flexible sheet material and defining front openings to receive ram-air to inflate the wings in flight, the combination comprising; fluid inflated spar tube means extending spanwise in stiffening relation to the wings, to assist in supporting and shaping the wings in flight; spar tube means extending in such proximity to the front openings as to resist tuck under and collapse of the wings, at low angles of attack; spar tube means consisting of material which is flexible and foldable when the spar tube means is not inflated.