Inflatable structure for covering sport utility vehicles, boats and the like

Abstract

A pneumatically inflatable structure includes first and second parallel spaced apart pneumatic end support tubes and at least two opposed pairs of bowed criss-crossed pneumatic bracing tubes and an arched canopy extending over the support tubes and bracing tubes. Each of the end support tubes has first and second opposed ends each mountable to a base surface wherein each of the end support tubes forms a vertical arch having an apex when the structure is erect. The pneumatic bracing tubes have first and second ends wherein each of the first ends of the bracing tubes are secured to one of the first or second ends of one of the first or second end support tubes. Each of the second ends of the pneumatic bracing tubes are securable the apex of an opposed of the first or second end support tubes.

1 . A pneumatically inflatable structure comprising:
 first and second parallel spaced apart pneumatic end support tubes, each of said end support tubes having first and second opposed ends each mountable to a base surface wherein each of said end support tubes forms a vertical arch having an apex when said structure is erect;   at least two opposed pairs of bowed criss-crossed pneumatic bracing tubes, each of said bracing tubes having first and second ends wherein each of said first ends of said bracing tubes are secured to one of said first or second ends of one of said first or second end support tubes, wherein each of said second ends are securable said apex of an opposed of said first or second end support tubes; and   an arched canopy extending over said support tubes and bracing tubes.   
   
   
       2 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 1  comprising two end support tubes and two opposed pairs of bracing tubes mounted thereto and extending therebetween. 
   
   
       3 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 2  further comprising at least one intermediate support tube forming a vertical arch between and in parallel to said end support tubes at a location defined by a junction of said bracing tubes. 
   
   
       4 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 1  wherein said support tubes and said bracing tubes has equal length. 
   
   
       5 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 4  wherein said support tubes and said bracing tubes have are substantially identical. 
   
   
       6 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 1  wherein said canopy is secured to said support tubes and said bracing tubes. 
   
   
       7 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 1  further comprising securing means for securing said support tubes to said base surface. 
   
   
       8 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 7  wherein said securing means comprises a fastener. 
   
   
       9 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 8  wherein said securing means comprises a ground spike. 
   
   
       10 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 1  wherein said base surface comprises a ground surface. 
   
   
       11 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 1  wherein said base surface comprises a planar sheet. 
   
   
       14 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 1  further comprising at least two of said opposed pairs of bowed criss-crossed pneumatic bracing tubes lengthwise connected to each other. 
   
   
       15 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 1  wherein said support tubes and said bracing tubes are pneumatically interconnected by a flexible air conduit extending therebetween. 
   
   
       16 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 15  wherein said support tubes and said bracing tubes comprise inner resilient tubes snugly mountable within outer non-resilient straight sleeves in journalled relation therethrough. 
   
   
       17 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 16  wherein each sleeve of said outer non-resilient straight sleeves has a seam extending linearly along its length, each said seam being an overlapped seam having an overlapped portion within said sleeve due to inversion of said sleeve following forming of said seam, said overlapped portion formed of the longitudinal edges of material forming said sleeve, said overlapped portion folded over so as to be disposed perpendicular to a curvature of said seam when said inflatable supports are inflated. 
   
   
       18 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 17  wherein said support tubes and said bracing tubes are self-sealing by self-sealing means at ends of support tubes and said bracing tubes, said self-sealing means comprising ends of said inner resilient tubes which are folded over onto themselves, said ends of said tubes anchored by anchoring means to said ends of said first and second supports, said ends of said support tubes and said bracing tubes each formed as a flap hinge when said ends are mounted to said tent canopy. 
   
   
       19 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 17  wherein said inner resilient tubes are adapted, when mounted in said sleeves, to contain air pressurized to between 8 to 12 pounds per square inch. 
   
   
       20 . The pneumatically inflatable structure of  claim 1  further comprising a vestibule extending from an opening aperture of said pneumatically inflatable structure.