Inflatable canopy tent

Abstract

A portable, inflatable canopy is disclosed having an inflatable support system comprising interconnected, intersecting arches over which a tarp is secured to form a dome structure that can be anchored to the ground as a respite for sun, heat, wind, and rain. The inflatable support system works with a portable fan to inflate the canopy quickly without outside power requirements, and the fan can also be used to quickly deflate the canopy. The canopy includes a primary arch and a secondary arch that inflate and deflate sequentially as a result of restricted air passages connecting the primary and secondary arches.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A portable, inflatable canopy, comprising:
 a unitary primary arch comprising a hollow tube extending from a first vertically oriented, closed base through a horizontally oriented midsection to a second vertically oriented, closed base, the primary arch further including, on opposite surfaces, first and second perforated panels at said horizontal midsection;   a secondary arch extending perpendicularly from the primary arch, the secondary arch formed from first and second symmetric columns, each of which comprises a hollow tube extending from a vertically oriented, closed base to a horizontally oriented open end, wherein both of said horizontally oriented open ends attach to, conform with, and extends from a perimeter of a respective one of said first and second perforated panels;   an inflation valve disposed on said primary arch, said inflation valve comprising an annular rim defining an air passage to the interior of the primary arch, an outwardly projecting flange configured for engagement with a mating pump, a removable threaded cap configured to engage the outwardly projecting flange to seal the air passage, a flexible flapper valve attached at the annular rim and configured to pivot from a flush position sealing the air passage to a deflected position establishing a pathway through the inflation valve, the flexible flapper valve including an outwardly projecting nipple extending into a volume defined by the outwardly projecting flange; and   a dome-shaped flexible tarp attached to the primary and secondary arches;   wherein the first and second perforated panels establish a restricted fluid path from the primary arch to the secondary arch for inflating the primary arch and secondary arch sequentially; and   whereby introduction of the mating pump on the outwardly projecting flange of the inflation valve bears against the nipple and moves the flexible flapper valve from the flush position to the deflected position.   
     
     
         2 . The portable, inflatable canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second perforated panels have a three dimensional shape of a circle projected onto an outer surface of the primary arch. 
     
     
         3 . The portable, inflatable canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the removable threaded cap is attached to the inflation valve via a cable. 
     
     
         4 . The portable, inflatable canopy of  claim 1 , wherein each perforated panel includes at least three perforations. 
     
     
         5 . The portable, inflatable canopy of  claim 1 , further comprising zippered pouches at respective bases of the primary and secondary arches. 
     
     
         6 . The portable, inflatable canopy of  claim 5 , further comprising anchors insertable into said zippered pouches. 
     
     
         7 . The portable, inflatable canopy of  claim 6 , wherein said anchors are U-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The portable, inflatable canopy of  claim 1 , wherein a total cross sectional area of bases of primary and secondary arches is greater than two percent (2%) of an area defined by a rectangle enclosing all said bases.