Patent US4514447A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4514447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable structural column
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-03-23
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Granted: 1985-04-30
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Expires: 2004-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight, inflatable structural member, having a substantially tubular shape and sealed at both ends, includes an inner lining to maintain internal pressure upon inflation. The inner lining is covered with a filament reinforced matrix structure comprising resin impregnated filaments of high tensile strength. The uninflated structural member is stowable in a collapsed condition. Curing of the resin matrix is inhibited by storing the collapsed member at a low temperature. Prior to use, the member is inflated with a fluid and heated to enable curing of the resin matrix.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Boxmeyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:42
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H12/00; E04H12/18; B; B64; B64G; B64G99/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1352; Y10T428/1369; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24058; Y10T428/24074; Y10T428/24091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An inflatable support member comprising a substantially tubular body having attachment means on at least one end thereof, said tubular body being collapsible prior to introduction of inflating fluid and comprising: (a) a sealable inner liner impermeable to said inflating fluid; (b) at least one first layer of filaments spirally wound in a first direction at a first predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tubular body; (c) at least one second layer of filaments spirally wound in a second direction opposite said first direction, at a second predetermined angle with respect to said longitudinal axis; (d) a layer of longitudinally oriented filaments disposed between said first and second layers of filaments; (e) means for bonding said filaments together, said bonding means becoming stiff after curing; and (f) means for inhibiting the curing of said bonding means until after said support structure has been inflated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An inflatable support member comprising a substantially tubular body having attachment means on at least one end thereof, said tubular body being collapsible prior to introduction of inflating fluid and comprising: (a) a sealable inner liner impermeable to said inflating fluid; (b) at least one first layer of filaments spirally wound in a first direction at a first predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tubular body; (c) at least one second layer of filaments spirally wound in a second direction opposite said first direction, at a second predetermined angle with respect to said longitudinal axis; (d) a layer of longitudinally oriented filaments disposed between said first and second layers of filaments; (e) means for bonding said filaments together, said bonding means becoming stiff after curing; and (f) means for inhibiting the curing of said bonding means until after said support structure has been inflated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An inflatable support member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inflating fluid is a gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An inflatable support member in accordance with claim 2 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable support member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially between 91° and 105° and said second predetermined angle is substantially between 91° and 105° .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An inflatable support member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said filaments comprise aramid fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An inflatable support member in accordance with claim 5 wherein said bonding means comprises a resin matrix .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An inflatable support structure in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for inhibiting curing comprises means for maintaining the temperature of said collapsed tubular body below a predetermined temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The inflatable support member in accordance with claim 7 wherein said temperature is substantially equal to 0° centigrade.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
An inflatable support member comprising a substantially tubular body having attachment means on at least one end thereof, said tubular body being collapsible prior to introduction of inflating fluid and comprising: (a) a sealable inner lining impermeable to said inflating fluid; (b) at least a first layer of filaments spirally wound in a first direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tubular body; (c) at least a second layer of filaments spirally wound in a second direction, opposide said first direction at a predetermined angle with respect to said longitudinal axis; (d) at least one layer of longitudinally oriented filaments disposed between said first and second filament layers; and (e) means for bonding said filaments together after inflation of said tubular body, said bonding means becoming stiff after curing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
An inflatable support member comprising a substantially tubular body having attachment means on at least one end thereof, said tubular body being collapsible prior to introduction of inflating fluid and comprising: (a) a sealable inner lining impermeable to said inflating fluid; (b) at least a first layer of filaments spirally wound in a first direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tubular body; (c) at least a second layer of filaments spirally wound in a second direction, opposide said first direction at a predetermined angle with respect to said longitudinal axis; (d) at least one layer of longitudinally oriented filaments disposed between said first and second filament layers; and (e) means for bonding said filaments together after inflation of said tubular body, said bonding means becoming stiff after curing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Inflatable support member in accordance with claim 9 wherein said inflating fluid is a gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
An inflatable support member in accordance with claim 10 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Inflatable support member in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially between 91° and 105° and said second predetermined angle is substantially between 91° and 105° .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An inflatable support member in accordance with claim 9 wherein said filaments comprises aramid fibers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An inflatable support member in accordance with claim 9 wherein said bonding means comprises a resin matrix.
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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) | 1988-04-29 | 1988-10-29 | 1989-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-29 | 1992-10-29 | 1993-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-29 | 1996-10-29 | 1997-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |