Inflatable quonset and domed structures 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 to substantially the apex or thereabouts of an opposed tube of the first or second end support tubes.

1 . A pneumatically inflatable structure for supporting a canopy, the structure comprising:
 a plurality of spaced apart pneumatic multi-tube support beams, each of said support beams having first and second opposite ends mountable to a base surface wherein each of said support beams form an arch having an apex when said structure is inflated and erect;   wherein each of said multi-tube support beams includes a plurality of adjacently mounted parallel inflatable tubes mounted to one another along their length.   
   
   
       2 . The structure of  claim 1  further comprising at least two opposed pairs of bowed criss-crossed pneumatic multi-tube bracing beams mounted substantially diagonally across said support beams, and wherein said arches form a parallel spaced apart array. 
   
   
       3 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein said support beams are radially spaced apart about a vertical axis. 
   
   
       4 . The structure of  claim 2  comprising two support beams, one at each end of said array, and two opposed pairs of said bracing beams mounted thereto and extending therebetween. 
   
   
       5 . The structure of  claim 4  wherein said support beams include at least one intermediate support beam forming a vertical arch between and in parallel to said support beams at said ends of said array. 
   
   
       6 . The structure of  claim 5  wherein one of said intermediate support beams is mounted to said bracing beams at a junction of each said pair of said bracing beams. 
   
   
       7 . The structure of  claim 2  wherein said support beams and said bracing beams have equal length. 
   
   
       8 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said support beams and said bracing beams are substantially identical. 
   
   
       9 . The structure of  claim 2  wherein said support beams and said bracing beams are pneumatically interconnected by a flexible air conduit extending therebetween for simultaneous inflation of said structure from a single compressed air source. 
   
   
       10 . The structure of  claim 2  wherein said inflatable tubes of said support beams and said bracing beams comprise resilient inner bladders snugly mountable within non-resilient straight sleeves in journalled relation therethrough. 
   
   
       11 . The structure of  claim 10  wherein each sleeve of said 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 and formed into said arches. 
   
   
       12 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein each said tube of said inflatable tubes includes at least a pair of resilient inner-tubes mounted within corresponding sleeves and mounted end-to-end. 
   
   
       13 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein each said inner-tube has at least one substantially wedge-shaped end, and said at least a pair of resilient inner-tubes are mounted end-to-end by overlapping of opposed facing said wedge-shaped ends of said inner-tubes. 
   
   
       14 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein said inflatable tubes of each said beam are mounted within a flexible outer casing. 
   
   
       15 . The structure of  claim 14  wherein said outer casing is compartmentalized to form separate elongate compartments along and within said outer casing for mounting therein of said tubes. 
   
   
       16 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein each said beam is a flat beam having said tubes only in side-by-side adjacent planar array when laid flat and inflated. 
   
   
       17 . The structure of  claim 16  wherein each said beam includes three said tubes. 
   
   
       18 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein each said beam includes three said tubes. 
   
   
       19 . The structure of  claim 2  wherein each said support beam includes three said tubes and wherein each said bracing beam includes two said tubes.