Inflatable venue

Abstract

An inflatable structure for covering a space, includes a plurality of inflatable support members arranged in a framework according to an intended final inflated shape of the structure, a plurality of connector members for directly or indirectly connecting at least two adjacent support members of the plurality of inflatable support members, and a plurality of anchor units positioned at an end of each of the plurality of inflatable support members. The anchor units are arranged to establish ground locations of the plurality of inflatable support members. When inflated, the inflatable support members provide total structural support for the inflatable structure without assistance of any rigid structural members or positive air pressure within the space. A secondary support structure can be disposed below the plurality of inflatable support members, without any interconnection. Each of the anchor units includes a housing and each of air supply units is provided in one of the housings

We claim: 
     
         1 . An inflatable structure for covering a space, comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable support members arranged in a framework according to an intended final inflated shape of the structure;   a plurality of connector members for directly or indirectly connecting at least two adjacent support members of the plurality of inflatable support members; and   a plurality of anchor units positioned at an end of each of the plurality of inflatable support members, the anchor units being arranged to establish ground locations of the plurality of inflatable support members,   wherein, when inflated, the inflatable support members provide total structural support for the inflatable structure without assistance of any rigid structural members or positive air pressure within the space.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising air supply sources for the inflatable support members, wherein each of the anchor units comprises a housing and each of the air supply units is provided in one of the housings. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing of each of the anchor units comprises a storage space for storing at least one of the inflatable support members when not deployed. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the connector members comprises a membrane stretching between and connecting two adjacent, but spaced apart inflatable support members. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising noise mitigation material associated with the inflatable support members. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the noise mitigation material is provided within the plurality of inflatable support members. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the noise mitigation material is provided as a liner hung from beneath the plurality of inflatable support members. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary support structure disposed below the plurality of inflatable support members, the secondary support structure not being physically interconnected with the plurality of inflatable support members. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising air supply sources for the inflatable support members and a control system for controlling the air supply sources for the inflatable support members, wherein the control system controls the air supply sources to maintain a target pressure within the inflatable support members. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the control system controls the air supply sources to maintain the target pressure within the inflatable support members based on at least one of feedback information and predicted environment information, the feedback information including at least one of temperature and pressure, and the predicted environment information including at least one of a weather forecast or anticipated environmental conditions. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one conduit attached to and running along at least one of the inflatable support members, wherein the at least one conduit comprises one of a flexible electrical conduit for electrical cables, flexible HVAC ducting for airflow separate from air in the inflatable support members, and a fire sprinkler tube. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the connector members comprises an inflatable canopy formed of plural canopy tubes, the inflatable canopy being connected to at least two adjacent inflatable support members. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 12 , wherein an interior sock member is provided in each of the canopy tubes in the inflatable canopy, and noise attenuation material is provided in the interior sock members. 
     
     
         14 . An inflatable structure, comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable support members arranged in a framework according to an intended final inflated shape of the structure;   a plurality of connector members for directly or indirectly connecting at least two adjacent support members of the plurality of inflatable support members;   a plurality of anchor units positioned at an end of each of the plurality of inflatable support members, the anchor units being arranged to establish ground locations of the plurality of inflatable support members; and   air supply sources for the inflatable support members,   wherein each of the anchor units comprises a housing and each of the air supply units is provided in one of the housings.   
     
     
         15 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing of each of the anchor units comprises a storage space for storing at least one of the inflatable support members when not deployed. 
     
     
         16 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing of each of the anchor units comprises a space for providing ballast for anchoring, the space allowing the weight of the ballast to be adjusted. 
     
     
         17 . An inflatable structure for covering a space, comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable support members arranged in a framework according to an intended final inflated shape of the structure;   a plurality of connector members for directly or indirectly connecting at least two adjacent support members of the plurality of inflatable support members;   at least one anchor unit arranged to establish ground locations of the plurality of inflatable support members; and   a secondary support structure disposed below the plurality of inflatable support members, the secondary support structure not being physically interconnected with the plurality of inflatable support members.   
     
     
         18 . The inflatable structure according to  claim 17 , wherein the secondary support structure comprises rigid truss members. 
     
     
         19 . A modular inflatable structural system for constructing an inflatable structure, comprising:
 a plurality of structural module units, the structural module units being configurable into multiple final inflated shapes of the structure based on the number, size, and positioning of the structural modular units; and   a plurality of connector members for directly or indirectly connecting at least two adjacent structural module units,   wherein each structural module unit comprises at least one inflatable support member and an anchor connected to an end of the at least one inflatable support member, the anchor being arranged to establish a ground location of the at least one inflatable support member, and housing an air supply source for the at least one inflatable support member.   
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling an inflatable structure, the method comprising:
 arranging a plurality of inflatable support members and a plurality of anchors positioned at each an end of each of the plurality of inflatable support members in a framework according to an intended final inflated shape of the structure;   directly or indirectly connecting at least two adjacent support members of the plurality of inflatable support members with at least one connector member; and   inflating the plurality of inflatable support members to form the intended final inflated shape of the structure.