US4027437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable building
Assignee: MCMIAH CORP
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Filing: 1975-11-26
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Granted: 1977-06-07
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Expires: 1995-11-26
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a novel inflatable building that is particularly adapted for use as a greenhouse and the like. Basically, the novel building provided by the present invention comprises: support frame means including a plurality of spaced-apart upright first frame members having their lower ends anchored to base means and having their upper ends interconnected to a grid formed of plural spaced-apart second frame members; first and second manifold means mounted adjacent to the periphery of the support frame means and each having an inlet and plural outlets, with their inlets being respectively fluid-connected to a source of pressurized fluid through separate first and second control valve means and with the plural outlets of the first manifold means being offset from the plural outlets of the second manifold means; and covering means for covering the support frame means including two groups of plural inflatable hollow tubular members which extend across the frame means generally parallel to one another, with all members of one of the groups being substantially opaque and fluid-connected to the outlets of the first manifold means and all members of the other one of the groups being substantially translucent and fluid-connected to the outlets of the second manifold means and with one member of each of the groups being located contiguous to one member of the other of the groups such that the amount of light that can be transmitted through said covering means can be selectively varied through operation of the valve means.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey N. Monsky
- 👤 Glen Combs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:29
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/20; A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/14; A01G9/1407; A01G9/1415; E04H2015/202; E04H2015/203; E04H2015/204; E04H2015/206; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A building comprising: a. support frame means including a plurality of spaced-apart upright first frame means having their lower ends anchored to base means and having their upper ends interconnected to a grid formed of plural spced-apart second frame members; b. first and second manifold means mounted adjacent to the periphery of said support frame means and each having an inlet and plural outlets, with their inlets being respectively fluid-connected to a source of pressurized fluid through separate first and second control valve means and with the plural outlets of said first manifold means being offset from the plural outlets of the second manifold means; and c. covering means for covering said support frame means including two groups of plural inflatable hollow tubular members which extend across said frame means generally parallel to one another, with all members of a first group of said two groups being substantially opaque about their entire tubular peripheries and fluid-connected to the outlets of said first manifold means and all members of a second group of said two groups being substantially translucent and fluid-connected to the outlets of said second manifold means and with one member of each of said groups being located contiguous to one member of the other of said groups such that the amount of light that can be transmitted through said covering means can be selectively varied through operation of said valve means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
A building comprising: a. support frame means including a plurality of spaced-apart upright first frame means having their lower ends anchored to base means and having their upper ends interconnected to a grid formed of plural spced-apart second frame members; b. first and second manifold means mounted adjacent to the periphery of said support frame means and each having an inlet and plural outlets, with their inlets being respectively fluid-connected to a source of pressurized fluid through separate first and second control valve means and with the plural outlets of said first manifold means being offset from the plural outlets of the second manifold means; and c. covering means for covering said support frame means including two groups of plural inflatable hollow tubular members which extend across said frame means generally parallel to one another, with all members of a first group of said two groups being substantially opaque about their entire tubular peripheries and fluid-connected to the outlets of said first manifold means and all members of a second group of said two groups being substantially translucent and fluid-connected to the outlets of said second manifold means and with one member of each of said groups being located contiguous to one member of the other of said groups such that the amount of light that can be transmitted through said covering means can be selectively varied through operation of said valve means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein closure of said first valve means and opening of said second valve means will admit more pressurized fluid into said second group of inflatable tubular members than will be admitted into said first group of inflatable tubular members such that the members of said second group will be more fully inflated than those of said first group and a greater amount of light can be transmitted through said covering means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein opening of said first valve means and closure of said second valve means will admit more pressurized fluid into said first group of inflatable members than will be admitted into said second group of inflatable members such that the members of said first group will be more inflated than those of said second group and a lesser amount of light can be transmitted through said covering means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 3, wherein each of said groups of inflatable members covers one-half of the total area covered by said covering means when both of said groups are equally inflated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein each of said groups of inflatable members covers one-half of the total area covered by said covering means when both of said groups are equally inflated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein each of said groups of inflatable members covers one-half of the total area covered by said covering means when both of said groups are equally inflated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein opening of said first valve means and closure of said second valve means will admit more pressurized fluid into said first group of inflatable members than will be admitted into said second group of inflatable members such that the members of said first group will be more inflated than those of said second group and a lesser amount of light can be transmitted through said covering means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 7, wherein each of said groups of inflatable members covers one-half of the total area covered by said covering means when both of said groups are equally inflated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said pressurized fluid comprises air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said frame members are made of a flexible resilient material.
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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) | 1980-06-06 | 1980-12-06 | 1981-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-06 | 1984-12-06 | 1985-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-06 | 1988-12-06 | 1989-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |