US4103369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-02-28
•
Granted: 1978-08-01
•
Expires: 1997-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A portable, inflatable structure comprises an inflatable enclosure, a blower for supplying pressurized air to fill the enclosure through a conduit joining the blower to the enclosure interior, vent means positioned adjacent the attachment of the upper portion of the enclosure to the floor portion thereof and a carrying case containing the blower and into which the other portions of the structure may be inserted for carrying when the enclosure is deflated.
Inventors
- 👤 David B. Riordan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:48
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/20; E04H15/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A portable, self-ventilating inflatable enclosure assembly for providing a separate, completely enclosed space, defined by the interior of the enclosure, within a room, comprising an enclosure floor portion of flexible sheet material for contacting the surface supporting the structure, the periphery of said floor portion defining the base of said enclosure, an enclosure upper portion of flexible sheet material attached to said floor portion adjacent said floor portion periphery, the space between said floor portion and said upper portion defining the interior space of the enclosure, blower means for supplying air at a predetermined rate at greater than ambient pressure to fill said enclosure interior space therewith, whereby the enclosure may be inflated, conduit means joining said blower means to said enclosure interior for introduction of said supplied air into said interior, vent means positioned adjacent the attachment of said upper portion to said floor portion providing for automatic venting of said supplied air from said enclosure interior space at a predetermined rate after said enclosure is fully inflated, and a carrying case containing said blower means and into which said floor portion, upper portion, conduit means and vent means are insertable for carrying when the enclosure is deflated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A portable, self-ventilating inflatable enclosure assembly for providing a separate, completely enclosed space, defined by the interior of the enclosure, within a room, comprising an enclosure floor portion of flexible sheet material for contacting the surface supporting the structure, the periphery of said floor portion defining the base of said enclosure, an enclosure upper portion of flexible sheet material attached to said floor portion adjacent said floor portion periphery, the space between said floor portion and said upper portion defining the interior space of the enclosure, blower means for supplying air at a predetermined rate at greater than ambient pressure to fill said enclosure interior space therewith, whereby the enclosure may be inflated, conduit means joining said blower means to said enclosure interior for introduction of said supplied air into said interior, vent means positioned adjacent the attachment of said upper portion to said floor portion providing for automatic venting of said supplied air from said enclosure interior space at a predetermined rate after said enclosure is fully inflated, and a carrying case containing said blower means and into which said floor portion, upper portion, conduit means and vent means are insertable for carrying when the enclosure is deflated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said conduit means is attached both to said enclosure upper portion and to said carrying case adjacent the output side of said blower means, whereby the enclosure upper portion, floor portion and vent means all are both attached to and insertable into the carrying case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said vent means comprises at least one elongated strip of open mesh material interposed between and joining at least a part of said upper portion to said floor portion periphery such that full inflation of said enclosure interior space serves to lift said mesh generally out of contact with said supporting surface, whereby full inflation of the interior space of the structure serves to open the mesh vent means to permit controlled venting of the supplied air from the enclosure interior space to the outside environment, thus also ventilating the enclosure interior.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said floor portion is generally circular and said upper portion is generally dome-shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein the maximum lateral dimension of said upper portion is located between said floor portion attachment and the top of said upper portion, whereby the upper portion bulges outwardly above the floor portion attachment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper portion sheet material is generally translucent, whereby light from outside the enclosure may be diffused into the structure interior.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein said upper portion sheet material is blue in color.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 6 further comprising a window of transparent material attached to an aperture in said translucent material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cupola of transparent material projecting above and attached adjacent the periphery of an aperture formed in the top of said upper portion, whereby light may be admitted to the interior of the enclosure therethrough, and a person within said enclosure interior may observe the outside surroundings from within the transparent cupola.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a tubular sleeve which projects outwardly of said enclosure upper portion and includes at its outer end a selectively openable and closable aperture of adjustable size whereby that aperture may be opened to permit partial insertion of an object from outside and then may be closed about that partially inserted object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly of claim 10 further comprising a light-reflective image projection screen formed upon a part of the interior surface of said enclosure upper portion generally opposite said aperture and tubular sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising selectively openable and closable slit-type entrance means provided in said enclosure upper portion, whereby, when the entrance means is opened, access may be had into the interior of the enclosure and, when the entrance means is closed, it resists the escape therethrough of the pressurized air supplied to the interior of the enclosure.
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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) | 1981-07-31 | 1982-01-30 | 1982-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-31 | 1986-01-30 | 1986-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-31 | 1990-01-30 | 1990-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |