Abstract: An inflatable device having a safety system provided by having at least two separate and distinct independently inflatable bladders contained within the outer shell of the device. Each of the bladders is designed when fully inflated to fully inflate the shell, but during use one of the bladders is not fully inflated and has a projected area of no greater than 50% of the projected area of the inflated shell.

Abstract: A canopy which can be inflated, deployed and retracted by inflation and deflation, respectively. The canopy includes a plurality of beams arranged side by side, an apparatus for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid, an apparatus for sliding the beams along a rigid beam and at least one orifice made in the wall of the rigid beam placing the apparatus for supplying pressurized-fluid-supply in communication with the inner space of the inflatable beams. The canopy also includes an apparatus for successive positioning of the inner space of each inflatable beam opposite the orifice of the rigid beam to guarantee inflation of the beams by the pressurized fluid from the upper beam to the lower beam and their deflation from the lower beam to the upper beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the transmission of energy through an energy transmissive structure having at least one energy transmissive panel comprising in combination at least one elongated support adjacent to the energy transmissive panel of the energy transmissive structure. A polymer bag made of polyethylene terephthalate encapsulates the elongated support which allows the polymer bag to be inflated or deflated around the elongated support. The outer surface of the polymer bag has a reflective coating for reflecting energy through the energy transmissive structure. There is at least one elongated weight attached to the polymer bag to ensure that the polymer bag is maintained in its optimum position. There is at least one air distribution header attached to the elongated support to inflate or deflate the polymer bag.

Abstract: An elongated truss boom structure is adapted to be flattened and coiled to a stowed configuration. The truss boom includes longerons, battens, and diagonals A fixed ladder shaped structure is formed by a plurality of fixedly coupled battens which interconnect two adjacent longerons. The truss boom is flattened for stowage by arranging all of the longerons coplanar to the plane of the fixed ladder shaped structure. The longerons preferably have a corrugated cross section. For stowage the longeron is heated and compressed into a ribbon shaped cross section, and upon deployment the longeron is heated to restore its corrugated cross section. A mechanical assembly machine includes a drum, a stowed flattened truss boom rolled into a coil around the drum, a device for unrolling the coil, an actuating and locking mechanism, and a control arm which connects the actuating and locking mechanism to the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning mild steel reinforcing bars within a precast, moment resisting frame of a building. The apparatus includes a hand-receiving access component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame so as to permit convenient access to the reinforcing bars that are slidably carried within bar receiving passageways formed within the concrete beams. Additionally, the apparatus includes a bladder-receiving component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame in a manner to permit an expandable bladder to be conveniently positioned within the cable receiving passageways formed in the beam. When in position within a cable-receiving passageway, the expandable bladder spans the interface between the beam and the column and effectively prevents grout from entering the cable passageway during the grouting step.

Abstract: The object of invention is a cargo cover (1) , incorporating on the inside pads (2) , inflatable with a medium (air). The cover is placed over the cargo (7) , and at the same time the pads are placed in the corners and at other appropriate places. The cargo is secured with ropes (6) , and the medium is introduced into the pads, causing the pads to expand and tighten the ropes. The fastening of the cargo is elastic and non-loosening, since the deformation of the pads and fastening, members can be compensated.

Abstract: An electric fan with mounted light (6) mounted overhead within a square dome camping tent (1). The fan/light unit is supported by a series of fiberglass poles (12), and pole footings (10). The fan/light unit is powered by a portable power supply and control unit (7) which contains power switches (23), an updraft/downdraft switch (24), an accessory plug (25), and a charger plug (27).

Abstract: An inflatable temporary work shelter. In one embodiment, the shelter has an inflatable framework and a covering material. In a second embodiment the shelter could be formed of inflatable panels. The shelter includes a spine formed between two separate bearing frame members which, on inflation, contact each other. When inflated, for example, from a position beneath a structure such as an aeroplane wing suspending an engine pod by a pylon, the shelter will initially impinge against the engine pod and because the shelter is not fully inflated the spine will open and allow the shelter to continue to rise until fully inflated when the spine will be light on the pylon and the shelter will contain the engine.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a canopy which can be inflated, deployed and retracted, respectively, having a plurality of longitudinal inflatable beams arranged side by side, a device for supplying the inflatable beams with pressurized fluid, and a device for the foundation or ballasting of the canopy. Each of the inflatable beams is formed by a tubular envelope which is closed at its two ends by a mechanical leaktight confinement device.

Abstract: A facility including an inclined plane for sliding for which snow is used, a snow producing apparatus for producing snow from water and supplying the snow to the facility, and an air jet apparatus for forming an air roof by air flow so that the air roof covers space over the facility, are provided. The air roof covers space over the facility for which artificial snow is used, thus making the building of a roof and the like unnecessary and lowering building costs. The inside of the facility is opened to the fresh air by stopping the supply of air for forming the air roof, which makes special equipment for measures against exhaust gas unnecessary.

Abstract: A venting-membrane system for mitigating blast pressure generated from a blast force on a wall structure. The venting-membrane system having a framework including a plurality of parallel structural members defining a wall structure having an interior surface and an exterior surface. At least one inflatable enclosure attached to the interior surface of the wall; and at least one inflatable enclosure attached to the exterior surface of the wall wherein the at least one inflatable enclosure attached to the interior surface of the wall is in communication with the at least one inflatable enclosure attached to the exterior surface of the wall.

Abstract: Paint-ball playing fields are characterized by empty envelope elements fastened together creating a continuous interior volume filled with air, under a predetermined pressure of approximately 1.5 bars. A motor furnishes air to compensate for losses of pressure in the elements of the field.

Abstract: A sports stadium or building complex is covered by a huge fiberglass fabric dome that is supported by an inflatable dual-membrane bladder on a hollow compression ring with a diameter of 800 to 1200 feet. A central vertical spreader having upper and lower tension rings connected to the membranes of said bladder is supported from above or below by separate suspension cables in a position above the compression ring. Containment cables limit the expansion of and shape said bladder to provide a closed pressurized air space of narrow lenticular cross section and can include 40 or more radial ceiling cables and the same number of radial hold-down cables of the same length.

Abstract: A pneumatic structure in the form of a barrel roof which has openings at the opposite ends thereof includes outer and inner walls of a sheet or membrane material connected by a plurality of partition walls in the form of ribs provided therebetween to define a plurality of air compartments in the form of ribs between the outer and inner walls. The partition walls includes a plurality of openings for fluid communication between adjacent air compartments. The pneumatic structure has specific dimensions defined as follows. 1.20≦b/a≦1.35 1.10≦d/c≦1.35 0.2≦a/c≦0.5 where a: the maximum opening width of the pneumatic structure; b: the total width of the pneumatic structure; c: the effective height (between ground and the maximum height of the inner wall; and d: the total height (between ground and the maximum height of the outer wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting an occupant of a building from flying debris from a frangible structure of the building, such as a window or the like, in the event of an explosion or other blast. A protective barrier is positioned adjacent the building structure and is constructed to be deployed by inflation of at least a portion thereof. The protective barrier is movable from a stored position adjacent the building structure to a deployed position in which it covers the building structure. A gas generating device is connected to the protective barrier and is operable to generate gas to inflate the protective barrier and move it to the deployed position in response to the sensing of an explosion or other blast by a sensing device located remote from the building.

Abstract: One or more inflatable tubes are used to support a self-erecting tent. If two or more tubes then they may have at least one cross over criss-crossed in the manner of conventional domed tent poles. The tube or tubes are secured or releasably secured to the tent so that the tent is self-erecting as the tube or tubes are inflated. When two or more tubes are employed, the tubes may be connected by an auxiliary tube so that forcing pressurized air into one tube results in all tubes inflating simultaneously. The ends of the tubes are self-sealing so as to accommodate relatively high air pressure within the tube, in the order of 20-30 pounds per square inch inflated pressure, thereby providing a significantly rigid structure from which the tent is suspended.

Abstract: A mobile blower or fan is used to inflate the envelope portion of a hot air balloon. The fan includes a propeller which is driven by a gasoline/fuel engine and the engine is mounted on a wheeled base and is covered by an encompassing cage. By means of wheels attached to the base, it is possible to move the fan or blower on all types of terrain as needed.

Abstract: An improved inflatable protective fabric enclosure for an automobile. The enclosure has a base frame for stabilizing and locating the enclosure. The improvement includes the following features. One or more hoops support the fabric. Each hoop has two ends. Frame clips attach the hoop ends to the base frame. Each frame clip has a pintle for engaging each end of the hoop. An upper portion of fabric of the enclosure has hoop loops, for locating and stabilizing the hoop at a top of the hoop's arc.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable barrier device for use with elevator door jamb panels and entryway doors and jambs to protect the surfaces of these panels and doors from sustaining damage from collisions with moving equipment, building materials and furniture. The device protects the surfaces from scratches and dents when furniture and construction materials inadvertently bang into these protected surfaces. The entryway protector comprises two sections and securing components. An inflatable main rectangular section is separated by a line of stitching from a minor rectangular section or flap that is filled with padding material. The securing components secure the protector to the surfaces against dislodging by contact with equipment, building materials and furniture.

Abstract: A weather cover for a boat comprises a fabric cover that completely covers the boat while floating in the water. The cover is gathered tight above the waterline. An air-duct fan inside the cover draws in clean dry air from outside through a filtered vent and a connecting flexible air duct. Such fan runs on electricity provided by shore power, the boats electrical system, or solar panels. The exhaust air is directed through another vent through the cover. The intake cover vent is filled with a replaceable filter foam material. In both vents, a louver opening is directed downward to prevent rain or water spray from entering. The fan need only keep the air inside the boat dry over the long term. The fan therefore may run continuously, or as power is available, e.g., during daylight when the sun is shining.