Load lifting tensioned inflatable structure
US11912546B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2022 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66F3/35
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air, a plurality of tethers disposed within the bladder, the inflatable structure moveable between a stowed profile and a final support profile, wherein the bladder is pressurized and expanded axially and the plurality of tethers are fully extended and restrict further movement of the top end cap and the bottom end cap away from one another and limit axial expansion of the bladder, a pulley assembly mounted within the bottom end cap, wherein in the stowed support profile, the plurality of tethers are wound onto the pulley assembly, the pulley assembly adapted to allow selective extension of the tethers allowing axial expansion of the bladder, wherein, the inflatable structure is adapted to provide multiple intermediary support profiles capable of supporting compressive loading.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.