Shelter with inflatable frame

Abstract

The present patent application provides a shelter. The shelter comprises a frame; a cover mountable on the frame; an air intake valve; and an air guide. The frame includes at least three support members. Each support member includes an inflatable air chamber. The frame is configured to be inflatable to an expanded configuration to support the cover thereon and to define an enclosed space within the shelter. The air intake valve is constructed and arranged to receive air from an air source. The air guide is constructed and arranged to be in fluid communication with the air intake valve and with each of the inflatable air chambers. The air guide is constructed and arranged to guide the flow of the air from the air intake valve to each of the inflatable air chambers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shelter comprising:
 a frame having at least three support members, each support member including an inflatable air chamber;   a cover mountable on the frame;   wherein the frame is configured to be inflatable to an expanded configuration to support the cover thereon and to define an enclosed space within the shelter;   an air intake valve constructed and arranged to receive air from an air source; and   an air guide constructed and arranged to be in fluid communication with the air intake valve and with each of the inflatable air chambers, the air guide constructed and arranged to guide the flow of the air from the air intake valve to each of the inflatable air chambers.   
     
     
         2 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising releasable connections between respective ones of the at least three support members and the air guide, each of the releasable connections between a support member of the at least three support members and the air guide being configured to enable the support member to be releasably connected to the air guide. 
     
     
         3 . The shelter of  claim 2 , wherein each releasable connection is configured to couple a first end portion of the support member of the at least three support members with the air guide. 
     
     
         4 . A shelter comprising
 a frame having at least three support members, each support member including an inflatable air chamber;   a cover mountable on the frame;   wherein the frame is configured to be inflatable to an expanded configuration to support the cover thereon and to define an enclosed space within the shelter; and   an air guide constructed and arranged to be in fluid communication with an air source and with each of the inflatable air chambers, the air guide constructed and arranged to guide the flow of the air from the air source to each of the inflatable air chambers; and   releasable connections between respective ones of the at least three support members and the air guide, each of the releasable connections between a support member of the at least three support members and the air guide being configured to enable the support member to be releasably connected to the air guide.   
     
     
         5 . The shelter of  claim 4 , wherein each releasable connection is configured to couple a first end portion of the support member of the at least three support members with the air guide. 
     
     
         6 . The shelter of  claim 4 , wherein each releasable connection includes an air valve constructed and arranged to receive the air from the air guide.