Inflatable with elastic constraint tethers
US12104672B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2022 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F2236/04
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- 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 therebetween, and a plurality of tethers disposed within the bladder, each tether in the plurality of tethers having a first end coupled to the top end cap and a second end coupled to the bottom end cap, wherein when the bladder is inflated, the bladder expands axially forcing the top end cap and the bottom end cap away from one another, the plurality of tethers adapted to restrict movement of the top end cap and the bottom end cap away from one another and limit axial expansion of the bladder, wherein, at least one of the plurality of tethers is elastic, and the inflatable structure is adapted to provide multiple support profiles that are capable of supporting compressive loading.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.