A hemispherical inflatable tent
By using an inflatable frame and skin covering design, the problems of complex assembly, lack of door structure, insufficient stability, and reliance on complex processes for sealing in existing tents are solved, achieving rapid setup, convenient use, and high stability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YANTAI KANGQIAO OUTDOOR LEISURE PROD CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
Smart Images
Figure CN224495995U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tent technology, specifically a hemispherical inflatable tent suitable for outdoor activities, advertising displays, sports events, and other scenarios. Background Technology
[0002] Utility model patent CN218091306U discloses a tent structure. The technical solution is as follows: the tent is formed by at least two mounting components enclosing a sheltered space. Adjacent mounting components are connected by elastic connectors such as adhesive strips or sponges with snap-fit parts, which are then engaged in connecting grooves. An adhesive guide groove is provided to inject adhesive and seal the gaps. Connecting screws, corner brackets, and other reinforcing components further enhance the connection strength. The mounting components include a separate mounting frame and mounting plate. The mounting frame is formed by multiple connecting rods and has reinforcing ribs in its inner cavity. The mounting plate is fixed to the mounting frame by limiting grooves. This solution avoids the on-site welding work required for traditional large-size tents by prefabricated component splicing, but it still has certain drawbacks in practical applications.
[0003] ① High assembly complexity and time-consuming / labor-intensive: This tent requires the assembly of multiple mounting components, including mounting frames and mounting plates, through multiple steps such as snapping together with elastic connectors, sealing with adhesive through guide grooves, and tightening with fasteners. For example, connecting adjacent components requires first aligning the connecting grooves and inserting the elastic connectors, then injecting adhesive through the inlet to seal the gaps, and finally installing connecting screws or fixing brackets and other fasteners. For large-sized tents, the large number of components and the multiple steps required for each connection result in a cumbersome overall assembly process, making rapid setup impossible, especially in outdoor emergency or high-frequency use scenarios where efficiency is insufficient.
[0004] ② Lack of an entrance / exit structure: The patent does not disclose the design of an entrance / exit structure for the tent, only mentioning the formation of the enclosed space. As a practical facility for personnel entry and exit and material transportation, the lack of an entrance / exit structure forces users to disassemble and install components or damage the enclosed space to enter and exit, seriously affecting the convenience of use and failing to meet the basic needs of practical scenarios such as outdoor camping and exhibition setup. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the shortcomings or one of the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model discloses a hemispherical inflatable tent, the technical solution of which is as follows:
[0006] A hemispherical inflatable tent, comprising an inflatable frame and a skin, differs from existing technologies in that...
[0007] The inflatable frame is shaped like a hemispherical shell with perforations, the perforations being distributed in a manner similar to the alternating arrangement of regular pentagons and hexagons on the surface of a soccer ball, specifically including:
[0008] The top center has a regular pentagonal cutout, and the five sides of the regular pentagonal cutout are connected to five regular hexagonal cutouts to form the first ring of the top structure.
[0009] Below the first ring, along the latitude of the hemispherical shell, there are 5 regular pentagonal cutouts, 4 regular hexagonal cutouts, and 1 door structure cutout, which are alternately distributed.
[0010] The bottom of the skeleton is a non-enclosed broken line segment, and its outer contour is decagonal;
[0011] The skin covers the outer surface of the inflatable frame, except for the opening area of the door structure.
[0012] Furthermore, the door structure is hollowed out by removing the bottom edge of a regular hexagon, and the adjacent left and right lower diagonal edges are verticalized to form two vertical side edges. The top of the vertical side edge is connected to the upper diagonal edge of the original regular hexagon, and the bottom is connected to the end of the broken line segment.
[0013] Furthermore, the side lengths of regular pentagonal cutout one, regular pentagonal cutout two, regular hexagonal cutout one, and regular hexagonal cutout two are all equal.
[0014] Furthermore, the inflatable frame is integrally formed using double-sided PVC mesh fabric through a hot air pressing process, forming an airtight cavity inside, and is equipped with an inflation valve for inflation.
[0015] Furthermore, the inflatable frame is provided with one or more vent valves, which are connected to the outside to regulate the internal air pressure.
[0016] Furthermore, the skin is made of waterproof Oxford cloth, which is detachably connected to the inflatable frame by Velcro or zipper, and forms a door curtain in the open area of the door structure.
[0017] Furthermore, a hanging lamp is fixed to the position corresponding to the pentagonal cutout of the inflatable frame.
[0018] Furthermore, five transparent pentagonal PVC window panels are sewn onto the skin at positions corresponding to the five pentagonal cutouts.
[0019] Furthermore, the inflatable frame has multiple ground nail buckles fixed to the outer side of the corresponding folded segment; the inflatable frame has wind rope buckles fixed to the outer side of the lower side of each regular hexagonal cutout one, which is also the upper side of each regular hexagonal cutout two.
[0020] Furthermore, three additional arched columns extending along the meridian direction are evenly distributed within the pentagonal hollow.
[0021] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial technical effects:
[0022] 1. Assembly efficiency is significantly improved, making assembly quick and convenient.
[0023] Existing technologies employ a multi-component splicing mode, such as mounting frames, mounting plates, elastic connectors, and reinforcement components, requiring multiple steps including alignment, sealing with glue, and screw fixing. The assembly process is cumbersome and time-consuming.
[0024] This utility model features an inflatable frame with an integrated molding design. It utilizes gas pressure to form rigid support, eliminating the need for prefabricated component splicing, glue injection, or screw fixing. It can be quickly molded simply by inflating, significantly shortening the assembly time and meeting the efficiency requirements of outdoor emergency and high-frequency use scenarios.
[0025] 2. Features an independent door structure, significantly improving ease of use.
[0026] The existing technology does not disclose the door structure design, which requires users to disassemble components or break through the enclosed space to enter and exit, seriously affecting the practicality.
[0027] This utility model features an independent door structure with a hollowed-out design on the weft coil of an inflatable frame. The vertical side and entry / exit passage are formed by the deformation of a regular hexagon. The skin in this area forms an openable and closable door curtain, providing a clear entry and exit path, facilitating personnel access and material handling, and meeting the basic functional requirements of outdoor camping, exhibition setup, and other scenarios.
[0028] 3. Enhanced structural rigidity and geometric stability
[0029] Existing technologies rely on the splicing of flexible connectors and reinforcements, which results in gaps and movement between components, and insufficient structural rigidity.
[0030] The inflatable frame of this invention has a hemispherical shell-shaped geometric structure. The hollowed-out distribution simulates the alternating arrangement of regular pentagons and regular hexagons on the surface of a soccer ball, forming a stable spherical structure. The gas pressure forms uniform support, making the overall rigidity stronger and improving the wind resistance and deformation resistance in outdoor environments.
[0031] 4. Simplified sealing logic and improved reliability
[0032] Existing technologies rely on adhesive injection and sealing via adhesive channels, and aging of the adhesive may lead to a decrease in sealing performance.
[0033] The skin of this invention covers all hollow areas except the door structure, forming a seal through overall coverage and edge fixing, avoiding gaps between multiple components, and without relying on adhesives, resulting in more stable sealing over long-term use. Attached Figure Description
[0034] Figure 1 This is a front view structural diagram of the inflatable frame of Example 1.
[0035] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the left-side structure of the inflatable frame in Example 1.
[0036] Figure 3 This is a top view of the inflatable frame structure of Example 1.
[0037] Figure 4 This is an isometric side view of the inflatable frame in Example 1.
[0038] Figure 5 This is an isometric side view of the inflatable frame in Example 2. Detailed Implementation
[0039] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0040] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "communication" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0041] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0042] Example 1, as Figure 1-4 The illustrated hemispherical inflatable tent includes an inflatable frame 100 and a skin. The inflatable frame 100 is generally shaped like a hemispherical shell with perforations, the perforations being arranged in a manner similar to the alternating arrangement of regular pentagons and hexagons on the surface of a soccer ball. Specifically, it includes:
[0043] The top center has a regular pentagonal cutout 101, and the five sides of the regular pentagonal cutout 101 are connected to five regular hexagonal cutouts 102 respectively, forming the first ring of the top structure.
[0044] Below the first ring, along the latitude of the hemispherical shell, there are 5 regular pentagonal cutouts 103, 4 regular hexagonal cutouts 104 and 1 door structure cutout 105, which are alternately distributed.
[0045] The bottom of the skeleton is a non-enclosed broken line segment 106, and its outer contour is decagonal;
[0046] The skin covers the outer surface of the inflatable frame 100, except for the opening area of the door structure cutout 105.
[0047] The inflatable frame is hemispherical in shape and is integrally formed through a prefabricated hollow structure. The outer surface is covered by a skin (except for the door structure opening). Unlike the complex process of splicing, gluing, and fastening multiple components (mounting frame, mounting plate, connectors, etc.) in the existing technology, this embodiment uses an inflatable frame, which can quickly expand to form a rigid support structure by inflating the internal cavity. No tools or cumbersome assembly steps are required, which significantly shortens the construction time and meets the efficiency requirements of outdoor emergency and high-frequency use scenarios.
[0048] An independent door structure is cut out on the weft coil, and the skin forms an entrance / exit opening in this area. Existing technology does not disclose this door structure, requiring component disassembly for entry and exit. This invention, through the geometric cutout layout of the inflatable frame, transforms a regular hexagonal cutout into a door structure (the patent claims "alternating distribution of 5 regular pentagonal cutouts, 4 regular hexagonal cutouts, and 1 door structure cutout"), retains the opening in this area when the skin is covering it, forming a natural entrance / exit passage that directly meets the basic functions of personnel access and material handling, avoiding damage to the enclosed space.
[0049] The inflatable frame is hemispherical, with perforations mimicking the alternating arrangement of pentagons and hexagons on the surface of a soccer ball. The hemispherical curved structure possesses excellent mechanical properties; external loads (such as wind and snow) can be evenly distributed throughout the frame via the curved surface, reducing localized stress concentration. The alternating arrangement of pentagons and hexagons (similar to the "32-sided" structure of a soccer ball) forms a stable spherical grid. After inflation, the perforated units support each other through gas pressure, forming a uniform tension system. The overall rigidity far exceeds that of traditional flat or modular tents, significantly improving wind and deformation resistance.
[0050] The skin covers the outer surface of the inflatable frame, covering all open areas except for the door structure openings. Existing technologies rely on elastic connectors and adhesive injection for sealing, which can easily lead to a decrease in sealing performance due to gaps between components. This solution eliminates gaps between multiple components by using a skin to cover the non-door open areas and utilizing the fixed connection between the skin and the edge of the frame's open areas (implying an overall fit design). It does not rely on adhesives or complex sealing structures, resulting in more reliable sealing performance over long-term use.
[0051] In summary, this embodiment addresses the problems of complex assembly, lack of door structure, insufficient stability, and reliance on complex sealing processes in existing technologies through four core features: inflatable hemispherical shell skeleton (rapid prototyping), soccer ball-shaped hollow layout (stable mechanical structure), independent door structure hollow (functional integrity), and overall skin coverage (simplified sealing). It achieves multi-dimensional improvements in assembly efficiency, ease of use, and structural strength.
[0052] Example 2, as Figure 5 As shown, based on Example 1, three additional arches 107 extending along the warp direction are evenly distributed within the regular pentagonal cutout 101. Without the additional arches 107, rainwater easily stagnates in the cutout area, causing the skin (200) to sag under pressure (especially the waterproof Oxford cloth, which becomes heavier after getting wet), and even causing damage to the skin or local deformation of the frame due to excessive water accumulation. Example 2, by adding additional arches along the warp direction within the regular pentagonal cutout at the top, not only utilizes the physical separation of the arches to achieve directional guidance of rainwater, but also enhances the local structural strength through rigid support, solving the problem of water accumulation at the top of the hemispherical tent and improving the product's durability and user experience in rainy conditions.
[0053] In another preferred embodiment, the door structure cutout 105 is formed by removing the bottom edge of a regular hexagonal cutout and verticalizing the adjacent left and right lower slopes to form two vertical side edges 1051. The top of the vertical side edge 1051 is connected to the upper slope 1052 of the original regular hexagon, and the bottom is connected to the end of the broken line segment 106. This embodiment removes the bottom edge of the regular hexagonal cutout and verticalizes the adjacent left and right lower slopes to form two vertical side edges perpendicular to the ground. The top of these side edges is connected to the upper slope of the original regular hexagon, and the bottom is fixed to the end of the broken line segment at the bottom of the frame. This design makes the two side frames of the door structure perpendicular to the ground, forming a regular rectangular channel. This maintains the geometric continuity with the surrounding cutout units (the upper slope is still collinear with the bottom edge of the adjacent regular pentagon), and provides a vertical and stable installation boundary for the door curtain, facilitating upright entry and exit for personnel, while reducing structural deformation caused by frequent opening and closing of the door area.
[0054] In another preferred embodiment, the side lengths of the regular pentagonal cutout 101, regular pentagonal cutout 2 103, regular hexagonal cutout 102, and regular hexagonal cutout 2 104 are all equal. Equal side lengths mean that the PVC mesh fabric can be cut to uniform specifications, mass-produced through heat sealing, and finally aligned and sewn together, reducing processing difficulty and cost. Simultaneously, the structure is stable. The equilateral design conforms to the spherical geometry of a soccer ball, ensuring even stress distribution in each cutout unit. After inflation, a stable tension network is formed, avoiding localized stress concentration and improving the overall wind and deformation resistance of the hemispherical shell. Furthermore, the uniform side lengths provide a standardized interface for subsequent functional expansions such as skin adaptation and window panel sewing (e.g., regular pentagonal transparent PVC window panels), ensuring consistency and sealing of the installation of each component.
[0055] In another preferred embodiment, the inflatable frame 100 is integrally formed using a double-sided PVC mesh fabric through a hot air pressing process, creating an internal airtight cavity and equipped with an inflation valve for inflation. This process, using double-sided PVC mesh fabric integrally formed through hot air pressing, creates an internal airtight cavity and an inflation valve. This process gives the inflatable frame high airtightness and structural integrity, allowing for rapid inflating without the need for splicing components, significantly reducing assembly time. The double-sided PVC mesh fabric is also waterproof and wear-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor environments. The inflation valve allows for convenient control of the internal air pressure of the frame, ensuring an efficient and controllable inflation process, meeting the rapid deployment needs in emergency scenarios.
[0056] In another preferred embodiment, the inflatable frame 100 is equipped with one or more vent valves, which are connected to the outside to regulate the internal air pressure. The presence of one or more vent valves on the inflatable frame allows for pressure regulation. When the tent is used in a high-temperature environment, the internal gas may expand due to heat, potentially leading to excessive pressure. The vent valves release excess gas promptly, preventing the frame from breaking due to over-inflation. Furthermore, the vent valves accelerate the air release process when quick disassembly is required, improving storage efficiency. This design enhances the tent's adaptability to different ambient temperatures, ensuring safety and operational flexibility.
[0057] In another preferred embodiment, the outer skin is made of waterproof Oxford cloth, detachably connected to the inflatable frame 100 via Velcro or zippers, and forms a curtain in the opening area of the door structure cutout 105. The waterproof Oxford cloth ensures the tent's rainproof performance, and the detachable connection facilitates the installation, removal, and maintenance of the outer skin. The curtain design retains an entry and exit passage while allowing the curtain to be opened and closed via Velcro or zippers, ensuring both the tent's airtightness (preventing wind and rain intrusion) and providing a convenient entry and exit method, thus balancing functionality and practicality.
[0058] In another preferred embodiment, a hanging light is fixedly attached to the inflatable frame 100 at the position corresponding to the regular pentagonal cutout 101. The hanging light is fixed to the inflatable frame position corresponding to the regular pentagonal cutout at the top, utilizing the center of the top of the hemispherical shell for illumination. This design fully utilizes the three-dimensional space of the tent, allowing the light to evenly illuminate the interior area, meeting outdoor nighttime lighting needs; the fixed connection between the hanging light and the frame ensures stability in the wind, preventing swaying and improving the user experience.
[0059] In another preferred embodiment, five transparent pentagonal PVC window panels are sewn onto the skin at positions corresponding to the five regular pentagonal cutouts 103. Sewing these pentagonal transparent PVC window panels onto the skin at positions corresponding to the regular pentagonal cutouts allows these cutout areas to serve both lighting and sealing functions. The transparent window panels allow natural light to enter the tent interior, improving lighting conditions, making it particularly suitable as a temporary space for exhibitions or outdoor camping. The sewn connection between the window panels and the skin maintains the sealing of the cutout edges, preventing rain or dust from entering. Simultaneously, the regular pentagonal shape matches the cutout layout of the frame, maintaining the overall geometric aesthetic.
[0060] In another preferred embodiment, the inflatable frame 100 has multiple ground pegs fixed to the outer side of the corresponding zigzag segment 106; the inflatable frame 100 also has guy lines fixed to the outer side of the lower edge of each regular hexagonal cutout 102, which is also the upper edge of each regular hexagonal cutout 104. Multiple ground pegs are fixed to the outer side of the zigzag segment at the bottom of the frame to connect ground pegs and secure the tent to the ground. The decagonal outer contour of the zigzag segment provides evenly distributed anchoring points. The ground pegs and ground pegs work together to form a multi-point anchoring system, effectively resisting vertical pull forces (such as strong winds) on the tent and preventing it from tipping over. This design strengthens the connection between the tent and the ground, improving safety in inclement weather. Guy lines are fixed to the outer side of the lower edge of the regular hexagonal cutout 1 (i.e., the upper edge of the regular hexagonal cutout 2) to tie the guy lines and enhance the tent's wind resistance. These guy lines are located in the middle of the hemispherical shell, forming an anchoring system that works in conjunction with the bottom ground pegs: the ground pegs secure the bottom edge, and the guy lines are pulled to the ground anchor points via guy lines. This effectively resists lateral winds and reduces the horizontal swaying of the tent, making it especially suitable for use in open, windy environments and ensuring structural stability.
[0061] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A hemispherical inflatable tent, comprising an inflatable frame (100) and a skin, characterized in that: The inflatable frame (100) is generally in the shape of a hemispherical shell with perforations. The perforations are distributed in a manner similar to the alternating arrangement of regular pentagons and regular hexagons on the surface of a soccer ball, specifically including: The top center has a regular pentagonal cutout (101), and the five sides of the regular pentagonal cutout (101) are connected to five regular hexagonal cutouts (102) to form the first ring of the top. Below the first ring, along the latitude of the hemispherical shell, there are 5 regular pentagonal cutouts (103), 4 regular hexagonal cutouts (104), and 1 door structure cutout (105) distributed alternately. The bottom of the skeleton is a non-enclosed broken line segment (106), and its outer contour is decagonal; The skin covers the outer surface of the inflatable frame (100), except for the opening area of the door structure cutout (105).
2. The hemispherical inflatable tent according to claim 1, characterized in that: The door structure cutout (105) is formed by removing the bottom edge of a regular hexagonal cutout and verticalizing the adjacent left and right lower diagonal edges to form two vertical side edges (1051). The top of the vertical side edge (1051) is connected to the upper diagonal edge (1052) of the original regular hexagon, and the bottom is connected to the end of the broken line segment (106).
3. The hemispherical inflatable tent according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side lengths of regular pentagonal cutout one (101), regular pentagonal cutout two (103), regular hexagonal cutout one (102) and regular hexagonal cutout two (104) are all equal.
4. The hemispherical inflatable tent according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inflatable frame (100) is integrally formed by hot air pressing of double-sided PVC mesh fabric, forming an air-sealed cavity inside, and is equipped with an inflation valve for inflation.
5. The hemispherical inflatable tent according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inflatable frame (100) is provided with one or more vent valves, which are connected to the outside to regulate the internal air pressure.
6. The hemispherical inflatable tent according to claim 1, characterized in that: The skin is made of waterproof Oxford cloth and is detachably connected to the inflatable frame (100) by Velcro or zipper, forming a door curtain in the opening area of the door structure cutout (105).
7. The hemispherical inflatable tent according to claim 1, characterized in that: A hanging lamp is fixed to the position of the inflatable frame (100) corresponding to the position of the regular pentagonal cutout (101).
8. The hemispherical inflatable tent according to claim 1, characterized in that: The skin is fitted with five transparent pentagonal PVC window panels at the positions corresponding to the five regular pentagonal cutouts (103).
9. The hemispherical inflatable tent according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inflatable frame (100) has multiple ground nail buckles fixed to the outer side of the corresponding broken line segment (106); the inflatable frame (100) has wind rope buckles fixed to the outer side of the lower side of each regular hexagonal cutout one (102) and also the upper side of each regular hexagonal cutout two (104).
10. The hemispherical inflatable tent according to claim 1, characterized in that: Three additional arch columns (107) extending along the meridian are evenly distributed within the regular pentagonal cutout (101).