US3638368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable shelter and method of erection
Assignee: Environmental Structures Inc
•
Filing: 1970-03-09
•
Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1990-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight flexible inflatable shelter for enclosing large areas in applications such as greenhouses, warehouses, recreation areas and other large enclosures, and in various methods of air and water pollution control. The shelter has an envelope of lightweight, low-modulus sheet material such as stretchable fabric or plastic film having high elongation properties. The sheet material is restrained by a cable grid system having heavyduty, longitudinal parallel cables running in one direction and lighter parallel cables running transversely across the longitudinal cables. The cable grid system is tethered to restraint cables or masts at spaced points throughout the structure to restrain the grid system and the sheet material at predetermined elevations from the ground and cause the building, when inflated, to form a plurality of substantially identical dome-shaped roof sections, with the cable grid system and the tether restraint means uniformly distributing stresses throughout the structure. The shelter may be completely assembled on the site by erecting a series of perpendicular masts, draping the cable grid system across the tops of the masts, attaching long strips of sheet material between the rows of draped cables, anchoring the ends of the cables and the sheet material to the ground and inducing internal inflation pressure into the assembled structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Pierson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:43
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/20; E04H15/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
331 words
An inflatable enclosure having its lower peripheral edges attached to a base, the enclosure comprising: A. a reinforcing grid having: 1. a plurality of flexible, inextensible, main reinforcing members substantially parallel to each other and to a first opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure. 2. a plurality of flexible, inextensible, auxiliary reinforcing members extending transversely across the main reinforcing members, said auxiliary members being substantially parallel to each other and to a second opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure, 3. said main reinforcing members and auxiliary reinforcing members being attached to each other at their points of intersection, and 4. means anchoring the opposite ends of the main and auxiliary reinforcing members to the base at the periphery of the enclosure; B. tether means connected to spaced locations along the main reinforcing members and to similar spaced locations on the base aligned substantially parallel to the peripheral edges of the enclosure to hold the main reinforcing members at a predetermined distance from the base when the enclosure is inflated; C. a cover envelope comprising: 1. elongated strips of flexible extensible sheet material of substantially uniform width throughout the length of each strip thereof, attached between the auxiliary reinforcing members to completely cover the entire area embraced by the enclosure, 2. the adjacent marginal side edges of each adjacent strip of sheet material being connected to an auxiliary reinforcing member common to both adjacent edges, the connection forming an airtight seam between the adjacent edges, 3. the ends of the strips of sheet material being anchored in sealing engagement with the base around the outer periphery of the enclosure; D. means supplying internal inflation pressure to the interior of the shelter in excess of atmospheric pressure; and E. the relative positions of the tether means with respect to the peripheral edges of the enclosure and the reinforcing members of the grid causing the envelope when inflated to conform to the shape of a plurality of dome shaped moduLes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
331 words
An inflatable enclosure having its lower peripheral edges attached to a base, the enclosure comprising: A. a reinforcing grid having: 1. a plurality of flexible, inextensible, main reinforcing members substantially parallel to each other and to a first opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure. 2. a plurality of flexible, inextensible, auxiliary reinforcing members extending transversely across the main reinforcing members, said auxiliary members being substantially parallel to each other and to a second opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure, 3. said main reinforcing members and auxiliary reinforcing members being attached to each other at their points of intersection, and 4. means anchoring the opposite ends of the main and auxiliary reinforcing members to the base at the periphery of the enclosure; B. tether means connected to spaced locations along the main reinforcing members and to similar spaced locations on the base aligned substantially parallel to the peripheral edges of the enclosure to hold the main reinforcing members at a predetermined distance from the base when the enclosure is inflated; C. a cover envelope comprising: 1. elongated strips of flexible extensible sheet material of substantially uniform width throughout the length of each strip thereof, attached between the auxiliary reinforcing members to completely cover the entire area embraced by the enclosure, 2. the adjacent marginal side edges of each adjacent strip of sheet material being connected to an auxiliary reinforcing member common to both adjacent edges, the connection forming an airtight seam between the adjacent edges, 3. the ends of the strips of sheet material being anchored in sealing engagement with the base around the outer periphery of the enclosure; D. means supplying internal inflation pressure to the interior of the shelter in excess of atmospheric pressure; and E. the relative positions of the tether means with respect to the peripheral edges of the enclosure and the reinforcing members of the grid causing the envelope when inflated to conform to the shape of a plurality of dome shaped moduLes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
the adjacent marginal edges of each adjacent strip of sheet material being connected together to form an airtight seam,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
the adjacent marginal edges of each adjacent strip of sheet material being connected together to form an airtight seam,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
a second set of flexible, inextensible, reinforcing members extending transversely across the first set of reinforcing members to form intersections therewith, the members of said second set being substantially parallel to each other and to a second opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
a second set of flexible, inextensible, reinforcing members extending transversely across the first set of reinforcing members to form intersections therewith, the members of said second set being substantially parallel to each other and to a second opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
a plurality of flexible, inextensible, auxiliary reinforcing members extending transversely across the main reinforcing members, said auxiliary members being substantially parallel to each other and to a second opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
a plurality of flexible, inextensible, auxiliary reinforcing members extending transversely across the main reinforcing members, said auxiliary members being substantially parallel to each other and to a second opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least part of the tether means is a plurality of vertical rigid masts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
the adjacent marginal side edges of each adjacent strip of sheet material being connected to an auxiliary reinforcing member common to both adjacent edges, the connection forming an airtight seam between the adjacent edges,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
the adjacent marginal side edges of each adjacent strip of sheet material being connected to an auxiliary reinforcing member common to both adjacent edges, the connection forming an airtight seam between the adjacent edges,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
a plurality of flexible, inextensible substantially parallel auxiliary reinforcing members extending transversely across each main reinforcing member and lying substantially parallel to a second pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
a plurality of flexible, inextensible substantially parallel auxiliary reinforcing members extending transversely across each main reinforcing member and lying substantially parallel to a second pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
the adjacent marginal edges of each adjacent strip of sheet material being connected together to form an airtight seam,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
the adjacent marginal edges of each adjacent strip of sheet material being connected together to form an airtight seam,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
said auxiliary reinforcing members being attached to each main reinforcing member at their points of intersection, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
said auxiliary reinforcing members being attached to each main reinforcing member at their points of intersection, and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
114 words
the ends of the strips of sheet material being anchored in sealing engagement with the base around the outer periphery of the enclosures; and D. means supplying internal inflation pressure to the interior of the envelope in excess of atmospheric pressure; E. the relative positions of the tether means with respect to the peripheral edges of the enclosure and the reinforcing members of the grid causing the envelope when inflated to conform to the shape of a plurality of domed modules; and F. the extensible sheet material of the envelope stretching at least in some parts thereof upon inflation of the envelope to adjust the envelope dimensions to the dimensions of the reinforcing grid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
114 words
the ends of the strips of sheet material being anchored in sealing engagement with the base around the outer periphery of the enclosures; and D. means supplying internal inflation pressure to the interior of the envelope in excess of atmospheric pressure; E. the relative positions of the tether means with respect to the peripheral edges of the enclosure and the reinforcing members of the grid causing the envelope when inflated to conform to the shape of a plurality of domed modules; and F. the extensible sheet material of the envelope stretching at least in some parts thereof upon inflation of the envelope to adjust the envelope dimensions to the dimensions of the reinforcing grid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
the ends of the strips of sheet material being anchored in sealing engagement with the base around the outer periphery of the enclosure; D. means supplying internal inflation pressure to the interior of the shelter in excess of atmospheric pressure; and E. the relative positions of the tether means with respect to the peripheral edges of the enclosure and the reinforcing members of the grid causing the envelope when inflated to conform to the shape of a plurality of dome shaped moduLes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
the ends of the strips of sheet material being anchored in sealing engagement with the base around the outer periphery of the enclosure; D. means supplying internal inflation pressure to the interior of the shelter in excess of atmospheric pressure; and E. the relative positions of the tether means with respect to the peripheral edges of the enclosure and the reinforcing members of the grid causing the envelope when inflated to conform to the shape of a plurality of dome shaped moduLes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
said first set of reinforcing members and said second set of reinforcing members being attached to each other at their points of intersection, and
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
said first set of reinforcing members and said second set of reinforcing members being attached to each other at their points of intersection, and
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
the ends of the strips of sheet material being anchored in sealing engagement with the base around the outer periphery of the enclosure; and D. means supplying internal inflation pressure to the interior of the envelope in excess of atmospheric pressure; and E. the relative positions of the tether means with respect to the peripheral edges of the enclosure and the reinforcing members of the grid causing the envelope when inflated to conform to the shape of a plurality of dome shaped modules.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
83 words
the ends of the strips of sheet material being anchored in sealing engagement with the base around the outer periphery of the enclosure; and D. means supplying internal inflation pressure to the interior of the envelope in excess of atmospheric pressure; and E. the relative positions of the tether means with respect to the peripheral edges of the enclosure and the reinforcing members of the grid causing the envelope when inflated to conform to the shape of a plurality of dome shaped modules.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the main reinforcing members and the auxiliary reinforcing members are slidably attached to each other at the point where they intersect each other.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
said main reinforcing members and auxiliary reinforcing members being attached to each other at their points of intersection, and
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
said main reinforcing members and auxiliary reinforcing members being attached to each other at their points of intersection, and
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
74 words
means anchoring the opposite ends of the main and auxiliary reinforcing members to the base at the periphery of the enclosure; B. tether means connected to spaced locations along the main reinforcing members and to similar spaced locations on the base aligned substantially parallel to the peripheral edges of the enclosure to hold the main reinforcing members at a predetermined distance from the base when the enclosure is inflated; C. a cover envelope comprising:
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
74 words
means anchoring the opposite ends of the main and auxiliary reinforcing members to the base at the periphery of the enclosure; B. tether means connected to spaced locations along the main reinforcing members and to similar spaced locations on the base aligned substantially parallel to the peripheral edges of the enclosure to hold the main reinforcing members at a predetermined distance from the base when the enclosure is inflated; C. a cover envelope comprising:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the main reinforcing members and the auxiliary reinforcing members are fixedly attached to each other at the point where they intersect each other.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
71 words
means anchoring the opposite ends of all the reinforcing members to the base at the periphery of the enclosure; B. tether restraint means connected to spaced locations along the reinforcing members and to similar spaced locations on the base aligned substantially parallel to the peripheral edges of the enclosure to hold the reinforcing members at a predetermined distance from the base when the enclosure is inflated; C. a cover envelope comprising:
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
71 words
means anchoring the opposite ends of all the reinforcing members to the base at the periphery of the enclosure; B. tether restraint means connected to spaced locations along the reinforcing members and to similar spaced locations on the base aligned substantially parallel to the peripheral edges of the enclosure to hold the reinforcing members at a predetermined distance from the base when the enclosure is inflated; C. a cover envelope comprising:
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
78 words
means anchoring the opposite ends of the main and auxiliary reinforcing members to the base at the periphery of the enclosure; B. tether means connected to spaced locations along each main reinforcing member and to similar spaced locations on the base aligned substantially parallel to the first opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure to hold each main reinforcing member at a predetermined distance from the base when the enclosure is inflated; C. a cover envelope comprising:
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
78 words
means anchoring the opposite ends of the main and auxiliary reinforcing members to the base at the periphery of the enclosure; B. tether means connected to spaced locations along each main reinforcing member and to similar spaced locations on the base aligned substantially parallel to the first opposed pair of peripheral edges of the enclosure to hold each main reinforcing member at a predetermined distance from the base when the enclosure is inflated; C. a cover envelope comprising:
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the points of connection between the tether means and the main reinforcing members lie in a flat plane.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the points of connection between the tether means and the main reinforcing members lie in a curved plane.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover envelope is made of an extensible, low-modulus plastic material with high elongation properties.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the envelope is extensible to an elongation of at least 25 percent.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the main reinforcing members are at least four times the tensile strength of the auxiliary reinforcing members.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
An inflatable enclosure having its lower peripheral edges attached to a base, the enclosure comprising: A. a reinforcing grid having:
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
An inflatable enclosure having its lower peripheral edges attached to a base, the enclosure comprising: A. a reinforcing grid having:
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 10 wherein at least part of the tether restraint means is a plurality of vertical rigid masts.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first and second set of reinforcing members are slidably attached to each other at the point where they intersect each other.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the reinforcing members of the grid are fixedly attached to each other at the point where they intersect each other.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the points of connection between the tether restraint means and the reinforcing members lie in a flat plane.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the points of connection between the tether restraint means and the reinforcing members lie in a curved plane.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the cover envelope is made of an extensible, low-modulus plastic material with high elongation properties.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the envelope is extensible to an elongation of at least 25 percent.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
An inflatable enclosure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the reinforcing members of one set have at least four times the tensile strength of the reinforcing members of the other set.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
An inflatable enclosure having its lower peripheral edges attached to a base, the enclosure comprising: A. a reinforcing grid having:
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
An inflatable enclosure having its lower peripheral edges attached to a base, the enclosure comprising: A. a reinforcing grid having:
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |