Abstract: A structure is provided having a floor, and a canopy made from a flexible, substantially air-impermeable material and having a tubular rib. The canopy has an air inlet port by which the interior of the tubular rib can be connected to a source of compressed air, and is movable by the supply of compressed air from a collapsed state in which the tubular rib is deflated to an inflated state in which the tubular rib is inflated and supports the canopy in such a way that the canopy encloses an interior space above the floor and forms a roof and side walls of the structure. The floor has three substantially rigid floor panels which may be arranged together to form a substantially planar floor, or connected together to form the base and sides of a container in which the canopy can be stored when in the collapsed state.

Abstract: The document concerns inflatable tents, in particular non-durable, inflatable tents. The tents are provided with an inflated arch and a flysheet. The arch can be simply constructed from first and second flexible sheet materials joined to one another, and the flysheet is pivotally openable about the arch.

Abstract: An inflatable drive through tunnel system comprised of an inflatable main tunnel and an inflatable positive pressure booth area for performing simple medical diagnostic tests or the like. A patient can drive into the inflatable tunnel. Medical personnel can take samples from patients who remain in their vehicles. The medical personnel can then store the samples in the positive pressure booth area. The positive pressure ensures that outside contaminants are not brought into the booth through the air when the personnel enter and leave the booth.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a metering structure and a plurality of foldable members disposed around a periphery of the metering structure. Each foldable member in the plurality of foldable members includes an arm comprising a strain deployable composite and a reflector disposed on the arm. The arm in a respective foldable member in the plurality of foldable members is configured to hold the respective foldable member toward the metering structure in a first state and to hold the respective foldable member away from the metering structure in a second state such that the reflector of the respective foldable member forms part of a sparse aperture in the second state.

Abstract: A portable sunshade assembly comprising: an in-use top flexible sheet spaced away from an in-use bottom flexible sheet wherein during use in an extended configuration the top and bottom flexible sheets comprise respective surfaces and are arranged to define a space there-between to provide a plurality of passages located between the first and second sheets to allow air to pass in a direction from a first side of the top and bottom flexible sheets to a second side of the top and bottom flexible sheets.

Abstract: An activity gym with an arch that is readily movable between a first position and a second position. The activity gym includes a base sized to support an infant positioned on the base with the base having a perimeter. The nursing cover further includes an arch pivotally connected to the base along the perimeter of the base. The arch movable between a first position in which the arch is substantially perpendicular to the base and a second position in which the arch is adjacent to the base. The activity gym can also include a means for affixing an image capturing device such that the image capturing device is capable of capturing images of an infant positioned on the base of the activity gym.

Abstract: A data center can include an inflatable enclosure in which rack computer systems can be installed and can provide computing capacity. The inflatable enclosure includes an inflatable structure which is at least partially inflated based on cooling air discharged into the inflatable enclosure by one or more cooling modules. A cooling module can include a cooling system and a cooling air vent, where the cooling system adjustably induces a stream of cooling air and the cooling air vent adjustably directs the cooling air stream into a particular space enclosed by an inflatable structure. The inflatable enclosure can be established by separate modules positioned on opposite sides of a space and an inflatable structure which extends across the space between the modules. The inflatable structure can be extended over additional spaces to expand the inflatable enclosure, thereby providing additional space to install rack computer systems.

Abstract: A system and method is described generally for providing a high altitude conduit the high altitude conduit includes a first material layer forming an elongated duct. The high altitude conduit also includes a second material layer outside the first material layer. The second material layer defines a space between the second material layer and the first material layer. A gas has a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the second material layer. The gas is disposed in the space between the first and the second layer. An introducer is configured to provide the gas into the space between the first material layer and the second material layer. The gas causes the conduit to extend in an approximately upright orientation.

Abstract: A deployable and inflatable roof, wall, or other structure has first and second covers made of flexible panels and cables arranged from edge to edge along the covers. Couplings along the edges of the covers connect the structure to supports, such as rails on which the structure can deploy and other supports of a building. Air from blowers blow air in between the covers to inflate the structure like an air cushion. In addition to cables, lateral support for the structure can use struts disposed edge to edge along the covers. Traction or rack and pinion drive mechanisms or cable drive systems can be used to deploy and retract the structure along the rails to cover or open a rooftop or other opening or area of the building.

Abstract: A reinforced inflatable structure includes an inflatable member having a longitudinal axis. The member includes a bladder and a braided restraint layer mounted to the bladder. A plurality of spaced supports is mounted on the member and extends outwardly therefrom. A plurality of spaced bracing cables are connected at each end to a respective one of the plurality of supports. The cables are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member and are held at a generally fixed distance from the member by the supports. The inflatable member tensions the bracing cables rendering them capable of resisting bending.

Abstract: In the event of hurricanes or man-made events causing high wind velocities and flying debris, a window or door material fabric is removably installed to protect the frangible elements of the openings and unsuitably protected portions of the envelope. The barrier has retainers fastened on opposite sides of an opening with a flexible material fabric extending between the retainers. Alternatively, the barrier can be secured directly to the structure providing envelop protection to the structure.

Abstract: An air barrier having a scuff coating is used in connection with the core of a spacecraft to form an inflatable, or expandable, human habitat module. The air barrier is comprised of a number of segments joined together to form a enclosure that has at least one opening. The joined segments are generally gas impermeable, flexible, and have a scuff coating on both sides of the segments.

Abstract: An inflatable structure is augmented with transverse frames and bracing cables to make a truss-like structure. This feature is adaptable for adding strength to a plain inflatable structure and to an inflatable structure forming a structural arch. It can also be incorporated into an inflatable wing.

Abstract: An inflatable barrier system for a doorway or other opening comprising a front side envelope of rectangular front elevation and dog bone shaped horizontal plane cross section, inflatable with gas and fillable with a hardening foam, combined with an inflatable back side array of tubular air beams configured with self sealant, both connected to a source of gas for inflating the fabric envelope and the back side array of tubular air beams. The front side envelope is configured for frontal resistance to predetermined levels of push, cut, puncture, flame, chemical, and ballistic attack. The system is used as a method for closing a doorway to such attacks by erecting and inflating the system within the opening such that the edges on either side of the opening are gripped between the lobes of the respective ends of the dog bone profile of the front side envelope.

Abstract: A wall panel which can be used to provide a lower, more rigid, perimeter wall to an air supported structure. The wall panels may be attached to the earth via a hinged connection to provide for improved ease of raising the air supported structure and to allow for flexing, or may be rigidly attached. The wall panels will generally be modular and interchangeable.

Abstract: A building includes a wall and a roof. The wall encloses an enclosed area, and the wall comprises a plurality of standardized modules, each having an inner space used as a room. The roof covers the enclosed area. The standardized modules are standardized, and thus very convenient to manufacture. In addition, the standardized modules can be transported quickly and efficiently, therefore, the building as disclosed is convenient and reliable to construct and dismantle.

Abstract: Described is a building encasement element (100) with a foil cushion that comprises an outer foil layer (101) forming the outside of a building envelope and an inner foil layer (102) forming the outside of a building envelope, wherein these foil layers form, between themselves, at least one essentially fluid-tight, enclosed hollow space in which a fluid medium, in particular, air, is contained, and with a reinforcement element (107).

Abstract: A wall panel which can be used to provide a lower, more rigid, perimeter wall to an air supported structure. The wall panels may be attached to the earth via a hinged connection to provide for improved ease of raising the air supported structure and to allow for flexing, or may be rigidly attached. The wall panels will generally be modular and interchangeable.

Abstract: A mobile building module comprises rigid load-bearing surface elements and one or more inflatable flexible surface elements connected therewith. In the transport condition, several of the load-bearing rigid surface elements are disposed to form a parallelepiped container having a floor and surrounding rigid walls for accommodating the inflatable flexible surface elements, with the height of the container being lower than the height of the building. A building, which is assembled of several partial modules, which are constructed according to the above-mentioned principles, is also an object of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a structure which can be moved from a storage position to an in-use position. The structure is attached to a further building (8) which means that when the structure is moved to the in-use position the structure forms an additional area for the further building. In one preferred embodiment persons entering the further building are required to pass through the structure first, thereby allowing, for example, in a medical environment, the persons to be decontaminated prior to entering the further building.

Abstract: A flexible structural restraint layer for use with an inflatable modular structure, having a fore and aft assembly separated by a longeron and an inflatable bladder. The restraint layer is comprised of two circumferential strap assemblies, each attachedly fastened at opposing ends of a radial strap assembly. There are a plurality of axial straps that are secured in place to the circumferential strap assemblies and the radial strap assembly. The restraint layer surrounds the bladder and the ends of the axial straps are secured in place at the fore and aft end of the modular structure. When the bladder is inflated, the structural restraint layer distributes the load created by the inflated bladder.

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: A large multi-level tent that has an interior divided into two levels. The tent is a ¾ sphere that is supported by shaped tubes, a set of braces, and a top band. The platform has polyvinylchloride (PVC) posts to secure the platform to the ground. Each post extends upward to the full desired height for a two level living space. Metal brackets are secured to the vertical posts at each floor location. These brackets hold 2×4 horizontal wooden frame members. The frame members are reinforced with additional wood framing, similar to deck construction. Each deck is then covered with plywood sheathing to form a “floor” surface. After the platform is built, the tent is constructed around it. The tent has frame, which is covered by a canvas outer covering that is attached to all the tent frame elements.

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.