Rapidly deployable protective enclosure

Abstract

A rapidly deployable protective enclosure is constructed from a flexible membrane surrounding a framework of inflatable support members each individually coupled to a central fluid distribution system. Each inflatable support member is individually repairable or replaceable from within the enclosure without effecting the structural integrity of the remaining framework. A system is provided to make the enclosure air tight along interlocking tongue and groove tracks, and an air tight passage between modularly connected enclosures is also provided.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A rapidly deployable structure for use in adverse or hostile conditions comprising: 
 a. a plurality of inflatable support members dimensioned to receive an inflating fluid and disposed in a spaced apart relationship within a protective covering, such inflatable support members defining a frame for support of the protective covering upon introduction and retention of a fluid therein,    b. a fluid distribution assembly mounted in conjunction with the protective covering and adapted for fluid communication between the plurality of inflatable support members and an inflating fluid source, such that fluid communication may occur individually or collectively between the fluid source and each inflatable support member,    c. the protective covering having an inside surface adjacent which the plurality of inflatable support members are disposed, and an outside surface subject to external environmental conditions,    d. each inflatable support member having a first end coupleable to the fluid distribution member and a second end opposite the first end and adapted to maintain a fluid within such support member,    e. each inflatable support member being separately coupleable and decoupleable with respect to the fluid distribution assembly and removable from within the structure, such that the removal and replacement of an inflatable support member with respect to the fluid distribution assembly does not change the amount of fluid present in any inflatable support member that remains coupled to the fluid distribution member.    
     
     
         2 . A rapidly deployable structure in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the fluid distribution assembly comprises a plurality of independent inflation fluid feed members with associated controllable valves that enable independent control of the passage of fluid between each inflatable support member and the fluid distribution assembly.  
     
     
         3 . A rapidly deployable structure in accordance with  claim 2  wherein each of the valves is switchable between a first position allowing ingress of the inflating fluid to the associated inflatable support member but preventing egress of the inflating fluid therefrom, and a second position allowing egress of the inflating fluid therefrom.  
     
     
         4 . A rapidly deployable structure in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the fluid distribution assembly comprises a manifold communicating with the inflatable support members releasably retained against the inside surface of the protective covering.  
     
     
         5 . A rapidly deployable structure in accordance with  claim 3  further comprising a sleeve associated with each inflatable support member that releasably retains each inflatable support member against the inside surface of the protective covering.  
     
     
         6 . A rapidly deployable structure in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the fluid distribution assembly comprises an at least partially circumferential inflation fluid manifold adjacent the lower ends of the inflatable support members.  
     
     
         7 . A rapidly deployable structure in accordance with  claim 6  wherein at least partially circumferential inflation fluid manifold is a flexible structure.  
     
     
         8 . A system for achieving an air tight doorway between the interior and exterior of an enclosure comprising: 
 a. an interlocking track having an initial end and a terminal end which defines therethrough a passageway between the interior and exterior of the enclosure,    b. a slidable sealing member having a handle member and a tip portion, the slidable sealing member being slidable on the interlocking track from the initial end of the track to the terminal end, wherein the movement of the slidable sealing member from the initial end of the track to the terminal end of the track causes a closure of the passageway between the interior and exterior of the enclosure, while movement of the slidable sealing member from the terminal end of the track to the initial end of the track causes an opening of the passageway between the interior and exterior of the enclosure, and    c. a chamber of at least semi-fluid material positioned at the terminal end of the interlocking track into which the slidable sealing member slides for blocking an opening just beyond the tip portion of the slidable sealing member that is present between the interior and exterior of the enclosure.    
     
     
         9 . A system for achieving an air tight doorway in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the at least semi-fluid material has a low viscosity.  
     
     
         10 . A system for achieving an air tight doorway in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the at least semi-fluid material is non-toxic.  
     
     
         11 . A system for achieving an air tight doorway in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the level of fluid in the chamber is monitorable and maintainable from the interior of the enclosure.  
     
     
         12 . A system for achieving an air tight doorway between the interior and exterior of an enclosure in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the interlocking track is a plastic track with an interlocking groove and extension interlocking which is operated by a traveler along the track.  
     
     
         13 . A system in accordance with  claim 12  wherein there are multiple adjoining grooves and extensions.  
     
     
         14 . A system for achieving an air tight passageway between at least two enclosures wherein the doorway of each enclosure is surrounded by a flexible covering extending away each such doorway, comprising: 
 a. a first flexible covering surrounding the first doorway on the first enclosure having a first edge connected to the first enclosure and a second edge extended away from the first enclosure    b. a second flexible covering surrounding the second doorway on the second enclosure having a first edge connected to the second enclosure and a second edge extended away from the second enclosure,    c. the second edge from the first flexible covering having along its perimeter a first compressive ring member housed within a first channel section,    d. the second edge from the second flexible covering having along its perimeter a second compressive ring member housed within a second channel section, and    e. wherein an air tight seal is created by the compressive joinder of the first and second channel sections which causes the sealing compression of the first and second ring sections along the perimeter of each flexible covering.    
     
     
         15 . A system for achieving an air tight passageway in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the first channel section comprises a larger cross section than the second channel section which results in an abutment of the first and second ring members upon the compressive joinder of the two channels sections.  
     
     
         16 . A system for achieving an air tight passageway in accordance with  claim 1   5  wherein the larger channel section is of a “J” shape cross section defined by a longer arm section and two shorter arm sections, and the smaller channel section is of a “C” shape cross section defined by three shorter arm sections and the compressive joinder of the two channels sections resulting in the abutment of the ring members is caused by an overlap of the longer arm section of the larger channel section over one of the shorter arm sections of the smaller channel section.  
     
     
         17 . A system for achieving an air tight passageway in accordance with  claim 14  further comprising a detachable passageway arranged between the first and second flexible coverings having two edges terminating in compressive ring members within channel sections and such detachable passageway ring members adapted for compressive abutment with the ring members associated with the flexible coverings of the enclosures and such channel sections associated with the detachable passageway being adapted for compressive joinder with the channel sections associated with the flexible coverings of the enclosure, and upon the compressive joinder of the channel sections associated with the detachable passageway and the flexible coverings of each enclosure, to create an air tight seal between such enclosures through the detachable passageway.  
     
     
         18 . A system for achieving an air tight passageway in accordance with  claim 1   7  further comprising clamping members arranged about the compressive joinder of channel sections to maintain the joinder of such channel sections.  
     
     
         19 . A system for achieving an air tight passageway in accordance with  claim 18  further comprising clamping members arranged about the compressive joinder of channel sections to maintain the joinder of such channel sections.