Folding inflatable structure

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable structure (2) comprising a tethered-air vertical mast (8) and a plurality of tethered-air inflatable elongate elements (18) arranged in the circumferential direction around the mast (8), each elongate element (18) comprising at least one tubular segment (22), the structure comprising means for inflating the mast between a deflated state and an inflated state and means for deploying the elongate elements between a stowed position in which the elongate elements (18) extend substantially along the mast (8) and a deployed position in which the tubular segments (22) project transversely with respect to the mast (8), the means for inflating the mast (8) and for deploying the elongate elements (18) being arranged such that the elongate elements (18) are in the deployed position when the mast is in the inflated state and the elongate elements (18) are in the stowed position when the mast (8) is in the deflated state.

Description

FOLDABLE INFLATABLE STRUCTURE

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of inflatable structures, more particularly of the type comprising air chambers or inflatable tubes forming part of the framework of enclosures, shelters or tents when it is covered with a canvas, or of any structure comprising an assembly of at least two inflatable tubes.

[0002] In this field, enclosures are known comprising a framework made by an assembly of inflatable tubes connected to each other and provided with access to an inflation fluid, such as an inflation valve. After inflation, the tubes ensure the stiffening of the framework. These structures are generally self-supporting; once inflated, they maintain their shape and support coverings or doors, in the case of enclosures or shelters, or they support other elements belonging to the structure of which they are a part. When deflated, these structures are generally stored in small-sized devices, particularly for transport. Among the known folding methods, we know those similar to the folding of a sheet or a parachute, where these folds are manual and require a lot of labor.

[0003] In the case of inflatable structures that have significant vertical dimensions such as a parasol, an umbrella or a totem, inflatable structures that are designed so that they can be completely deflated for storage, it is desirable to fold them compactly around a central mast. The folding or unfolding of such a structure, which also often has a large span around the mast, generally consists of gathering its components around the mast to obtain a shape approaching a cylinder of great height compared to its diameter. Such a large structure requires a very high mast and for its transport a large and fairly heavy trailer is therefore necessary.

[0004] Furthermore, when the central mast is itself inflatable, it must be made in such a way as to withstand the mechanical stresses undergone by the inflatable structure that it supports, either under normal load (for example, compressive and buckling stresses in the absence of parasitic phenomena, such as those due to the weather) or when the weather conditions (wind, rain, hail) induce mechanical stresses. additional ones which, most of the time, are supported by the central mast. The inflatable central mast is equipped with guy ropes and cables capable of supporting the various components of the structure. However, when folding the structure, there is a risk of these cables becoming tangled, of producing knots, or even of seeing certain components of the structure twist on themselves.

[0005] The objective of the invention is to remedy at least in part these drawbacks and to propose a foldable, compact inflatable structure, while being large in size compared to its folded state, made in such a way as to allow automatic folding and deployment.

[0006] This objective is achieved by the invention which provides an inflatable structure comprising a captive air inflatable vertical mast and a plurality of captive air inflatable elongate elements arranged circumferentially around the mast, each elongate element comprising at least one tubular segment, the structure comprising means for inflating the mast between a deflated state and an inflated state and means for deploying the elongate elements between a collapsed position in which the elongate elements extend substantially along the mast and a deployed position in which the tubular segments project transversely relative to said mast, the means for inflating the mast and deploying the elongate elements being arranged so that the elongate elements are in the deployed position when the mast is in the inflated state and the elongate elements are in the collapsed position when the mast is in the deflated state,said structure comprising means for pulling the elongated elements comprising a wire element fixed to the top of the mast and means for winding and unwinding the wire element.,

[0007] This results in a compact structure, in its collected position where all the inflatable elongated elements are located near the mast, extending along it, the mast being in the deflated state (by deflated state it is understood that the mast is not completely inflated, or it is at least partly deflated) in a deployed position in which the elongated elements and the mast being inflated, the elongated elements can move away from the mast to a deployed position in which they extend radially around the mast, their longitudinal axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mast. This results in an inflatable structure that can move from a compact position to a fairly large deployed position.

[0008] The structure of the invention further comprises means for pulling the elongated elements in order to facilitate their deployment and their passage into the collected position. Said traction means comprise a wire element fixed to the top of the mast and means for winding and unwinding the wire element.

[0009] In the case of inflatable structures, it is common to deflate the structure and then fold it. However, the solution of the invention allows the deployment and folding of structures having large dimensions and a large span around the mast. The wire element is wound and unwound by the traction means and connects the mast to the inflatable elements, which allows the movement of the latter between a collected position when they are located along the mast and a deployed position when they extend transversely to the mast.

[0010] Thus, said wire element helps to assist the deployment of the structure during inflation and, during deflation, when proceeding in the opposite direction to that previously described, the elongated elements are folded around the mast by activating the wire element or rope which links them.

[0011] The solution of the invention therefore makes it possible to facilitate the deployment of a compact structure to move to a large-scale structure, while allowing it to return to its compact position for the purpose of folding the structure.

[0012] Each elongate element of the inflatable structure may comprise at least one first tubular segment connected to at least one second tubular segment using a folding segment, where: - in the stowed position, the first and second tubular segments of the elongated members extend substantially along the mast; - in the deployed position, the second tubular segments extend transversely from said mast by rotating around the folding segment.

[0013] This allows for a large-scale structure to be deployed at a predetermined location, that of the folding segment. This allows for the deployment of an inflatable structure at a predetermined height from the mast.

[0014] The elongated elements and the mast can be made so that they can be inflated and deflated substantially simultaneously.

[0015] It is thus possible to design an inflatable structure in which the dimensions of the mast and the elongated elements are substantially equal (dimensions are understood to mean length and cross-section) and in which air is sent into the internal chamber of each at the same time for all the chambers or at short time intervals (of the order of a few seconds) from one to the other. Thus, this inflatable structure being composed of inflatable elements of substantially equal dimensions, the inflation / deflation time of the structure is reduced if the various elements are started to be inflated substantially simultaneously.

[0016] The structure may include a system for winding said inflatable elements and the mast around a rotating drum. Such a winding system allows the structure to be wound progressively, as the drum rotates, while deflating it. This allows the relative positions of the various elements composing it to be maintained and avoids the risk of these elements becoming entangled during inflation. In addition, such a system lends itself very well to automation.

[0017] The elongated elements can each be attached to the mast using at least one guy line. This allows the elongated elements to be held in position when they are in the deployed position.

[0018] The structure may comprise a protective canopy comprising several canvases, each canvas being fixed between two second adjacent tubular segments. The canopy thus makes it possible to give the structure a protective function (for example against rain or sun) or a collection function (for example rainwater), or even a radio wave receiving antenna function. Such a canopy formed of several canvases makes it possible to fold it easily at the same time as the other components.

[0019] The structure may include a storage housing for the mast and elongated elements in the folded state. This allows the structure to be stored in the folded state.

[0020] The inflatable structure may comprise a base comprising means for stabilizing the structure on the ground on which the structure is placed.

[0021] Such a base provides the necessary ballast to stabilize the structure when it is inflated and deployed.

[0022] Said base may include means for moving the structure.

[0023] The base of the structure can be fitted with at least three wheels, making it easy to transport the inflatable structure from one location to another.

[0024] The object of the invention is also achieved with a method for deploying an inflatable structure comprising a captive air inflatable vertical mast and a plurality of captive air inflatable elongate elements arranged circumferentially around the mast, each elongate element comprising at least one tubular segment, the structure comprising means for inflating the mast between a deflated state and an inflated state and means for deploying the elongate elements between a collapsed position in which the elongate elements extend substantially along the mast and a deployed position in which the tubular segments project transversely relative to said mast, the means for inflating the mast and deploying the elongate elements being arranged such that the elongate elements are in the deployed position when the mast is in the inflated state and the elongate elements are in the collapsed position when the mast is in the deflated state,characterized in that it comprises the following steps in order: a) inflating the mast and each elongate element; b) raising, to a predetermined height relative to said base, the mast and elongate elements, the latter extending substantially along the mast; c) rotating said tubular segments by said deployment means until they project transversely relative to the mast.,

[0025] The deployment method may include an additional step d) of raising the structure of step c) to a height greater than that of step b). In In the case of the deployment of an inflatable structure such as a parasol or umbrella fixed to the ground at its base, it then becomes possible to keep it at a reasonable distance from the ground, thus avoiding getting it dirty or catching it on objects and allowing people to move around underneath.

[0026] In the method of folding the inflatable structure according to the invention, the air is removed from the structure by carrying out the following steps in order: e) lowering, to a predetermined height relative to said base of the structure obtained in step d); f) rotating said elongated elements bringing them closer to the mast until they extend substantially along the mast; h) deflating the mast and the elongated elements.

[0027] The base of said inflatable structure may be connected to a rotating drum which may be rotated synchronously with the supply of air to the mast and to the elongated elements, respectively with the withdrawal of air from the mast and the elongated elements in order to allow the structure to be unwound from the drum, respectively the structure to be wound around the drum.

[0028] The invention will be better understood from the remainder of the description, which is based on the following figures: Figure 1 being a realistic perspective view of an inflatable structure according to the invention in its inflated state; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the inflatable structure of Figure 1 in its inflated state; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the inflatable structure of Figure 2 in a first intermediate state between inflation and deflation; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the inflatable structure of Figure 2 in a second intermediate state between inflation and deflation; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the inflatable structure of Figure 2 in a state close to deflation.

[0029] In the various figures, identical or similar elements bear the same reference. Their description is therefore not systematically repeated.

[0030] Figure 1 represents an example of an inflatable structure 2 of the invention which is a structure capable of providing sun protection or parasol over a fairly large area, the structure being capable of being inflated and deflated using means contained in a casing 7. The inflatable structure is composed in this case of a central mast 8 and several members 14 which support a canopy 17. The mast 8 ensures by means of guy wires 30 the horizontal position of the members 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable structure 2 comprises six members 14 which support a canopy 17 of hexagonal shape. Canopies of hexagonal shape have the advantage of being able to juxtapose several inflatable sun protection structures 2 according to a hexagonal mesh in order to obtain sun protection over a larger area. Alternatively, the canopy 17 can have other shapes, for example circular, oval, square, rectangular.The members 14 comprise for this purpose six substantially horizontal arms regularly distributed around the circumference of the mast 8, two adjacent arms supporting a piece of fabric 16 which is an openwork fabric intended to provide shade, while allowing the wind to pass through. The six pieces of fabric 16 side by side form the canopy 17. In a variant, when it is desired to use the inflatable structure 2 as protection against bad weather, the fabric 16 can be a waterproof fabric.

[0031] The inflatable structure 2 of the invention comprises a central mast 8 with captive air, the longitudinal axis 3 of the mast 8 extending vertically, and a plurality of inflatable elongated elements 18 with captive air regularly spaced in the circumferential direction, here six in number and each in contact with the two elongated elements 18 which are directly adjacent to it in the circumferential direction. Each elongated element 18 comprises a first tubular segment 20 and a second tubular segment 22 connected to each other by a folding segment 24. The first tubular segments 20 of the elongated elements 18 are, in the example illustrated, cylinders arranged with their longitudinal axes parallel to the axis 3 of the mast 8. The second tubular segments 22 may have a section identical to the first or different from them.

[0032] The casing 7 encloses the inflatable structure in the folded state and it comprises means for inflating / deflating 1 the structure, as will be explained in the following. The dimensions of the casing 7 are large enough to accommodate the inflatable structure 2 in the deflated and folded state and it can be completely closed when storing the structure or transporting it. The inflatable structure 2 also comprises a base 100 allowing to stabilize it on the ground in the position in which it is located. The stabilizing means are the ballast weight of the entire structure and the casing. The base 100 of the structure comprises moving means, for example several wheels 70 and a trailer hitch (not shown) so that the casing 7 can be towed by a motorized vehicle, its dimensions being compatible with the dimensions of authorized road trailers. In the deployed position of the structure, its base ensures its ballast and stabilization on the ground, thanks to its own weight and several stabilizing arms 80 projecting transversely relative to the casing 7, five stabilizing arms 80 being shown in the example of Figure 1. The stabilizing arms can serve as a bench and are made removable for transport.

[0033] The invention will be better explained on the basis of simplified representations of the inflatable structure 2, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, which make it easier to understand.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates an inflatable structure 2 of the invention, capable of being inflated for operation and deflated for storage, in which figure only two elongated elements 18 out of the six that the inflatable structure 2 of the invention comprises have been shown around the mast 8 for clarity. The mast 8 maintains by the shrouds 30 the horizontal position of the second tubular segments 22 of the elongated elements 18, these shrouds 30 being connected to a wire element connected to means for winding and unwinding the wire element. In the example shown, the wire element is a rope 5 wound on a winch 6 arranged in the casing 7. In the casing 7 is also arranged a rotating drum 10 comprising an axis of rotation 11 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 3 of the mast 8. The winch 6 can be arranged in the center of the drum 10, its axis of rotation being able to coincide with that of the drum 10.The captive air inflatable mast 8 and the captive air inflatable elongated elements 18 are connected by their base to the generator of the rotating drum 10 which allows the winding, respectively the unwinding of the structure at the same time as the rotational drive of the drum 10. The mast 8 and the elongated elements 18 are connected, preferably each at its base to an access to the inflation fluid, in this case air, coming from a source of pressurized air (not shown), for example a pump or a compressor, source of air located in the casing 7. Advantageously, access to the inflation fluid is achieved by means of a valve 15 located at. level of the drum 10. The air chambers of the mast 8 and the elongated elements 18 each comprise a drain or conduit connecting its lower end or base to its top, the drain being connected to the access of the pressurized inflation air. The drain is made from a 3D fabric or a foam or a pipe having a certain compression rigidity so as to be permeable to air even in the folded position of an inflatable element or the mast. It is thus possible to inflate each inflatable component of the structure from its base, the conduit or drain being capable of conducting the inflation air to the top of each element, even in the folded or rolled-up position of each component.

[0035] According to the invention, the structure comprises means for inflating the mast 8 between a deflated state and an inflated state and means for deploying the elongated elements 18 between a collected position in which the elongated elements 18 extend substantially along the mast 8 and a deployed position in which the tubular segments 22 extend transversely relative to said mast 8, the means for inflating the mast and deploying the elongated elements being arranged so that the elongated elements are in the deployed position when the mast is in the inflated state and the elongated elements are in the collected position when the mast is in the deflated state.

[0036] This gives an inflatable structure which can move from a first position of small radial size of the structure, position in which the inflatable elongated elements 18 are located along the mast 8, to a deployed position of fairly large span, the elongated elements 18 extending transversely to the mast 8. The position of small radial size, in which the elongated elements 18 and the mast 8 are in a substantially vertical alignment, allows the inflatable structure 2 to be deflated and stored easily.

[0037] Each elongate captive air element 18 is comprised of a plurality of internal air chambers and an outer structural envelope within which the internal air chambers are housed, the outer envelope being formed of the first and second tubular segments 20, 22 and the folding segment 24. Alternatively, the structural envelope is airtight and may be made of an impregnated fabric impervious to the inflation fluid.

[0038] The outer casing of the elongated elements 18 of captive air inflatable revolution is made from a fabric, for example DACRON®. Each internal air chamber of the elongated elements 18 of revolution inflatable with captive air is formed of an extensible material, for example polyurethane. The internal air chambers form the framework of the elongated elements 18 of revolution inflatable with captive air. In the example illustrated in the figures, the internal air chambers are made so as to communicate with each other, at least one being connected to an inlet of an inflation fluid via an inflation valve (not shown). When the inflation valve receives the inflation fluid, which in this example is air from a pressurized air source, the internal chambers of the elongated element 18 are inflated simultaneously. Each elongated element 18 is thus inflated independently by connecting the inlet of one of its chambers to a pressurized air supply.

[0039] Of course, it is also possible to provide each inner tube of each elongated element 18 with its own inflation valve and thus to inflate each inner tube independently of the neighboring inner tubes.

[0040] The first and second tubular segments 20, 22 of the elongated element 18 are here cylindrical with a circular section and the same diameter. Alternatively, the first or second tubular segment 20, 22 of the elongated element 18 could have a different section, for example a square section. Alternatively, the first tubular segment 20 of the elongated element 18 could have a different diameter than the second tubular segment 22 of the elongated element 18.

[0041] The folding segment 24 of the elongated element 18 is produced by reducing the section of the first tubular segment 20 and the second tubular segment 22, in particular by producing a first frustoconical portion of circular section extending the first tubular segment 20 inwards and extending towards the second tubular segment 22, a second frustoconical portion of circular section extending the second tubular segment 22 inwards and extending towards the first tubular segment 20, and by connecting the two frustoconical portions together using a seam. The folding segment 24 of the elongated element 18 makes it possible to locate the position of formation of a fold when the first 20 and the second 22 tubular segments form a non-zero angle with respect to each other.

[0042] The captive air mast 8 of the inflatable structure 2 is produced in a similar manner to the elongated elements 18, by introducing one or more expandable polyurethane air chambers into an external structural fabric envelope, made for example of DACRON®. The internal chamber(s) of the mast 8 communicate with each other and are connected via an inflation valve (not shown) to a pressurized air inlet. During inflation, the air chambers stiffen and form the framework of the mast, giving it the necessary rigidity. The mast 8 has the shape of a tubular barrel with a circular cross-section in the example shown in the figures. In other variants (not shown), the cross-section of the mast 8 may have a polygonal shape, for example square, rectangular, hexagonal, or a twelve-sided polygon, etc.

[0043] The first step in folding the inflatable structure is shown in Figure 3. A first length located towards the base of the inflatable structure 2 is wound onto the drum 10 in the direction indicated by the solid arrow, in this case two-thirds of a turn. The winding keeps the part of the inflatable structure 2 wound onto the drum 10 tight on the surface of the drum, the pressure increases in the inflatable structure and part of the inflation fluid is evacuated through the drain of the mast 8 and through the drains of the elongated elements 18. To keep the second tubular segments 22 in a horizontal position so that they do not touch the ground, the rope 5 is kept under tension by the winch 6 which winds it in the direction indicated by the solid arrow. The free part of the inflatable structure 2 therefore descends in the direction of the solid vertical arrows.By reducing the height of the inflatable structure in this step, the wind resistance of the inflatable structure is reduced, which makes it easier to fold. This lowering of the inflatable structure 2 can be done at least until the second tubular segments 22 are close to the casing 7. Advantageously, the casing 7 can have funnel-shaped edges to guide the inflatable structure 2 towards the inside of the casing.

[0044] The second step for folding the inflatable structure is shown in Figure 4. The winch 6 winds the rope 5 in the direction of rotation indicated by the solid arrow, the rope 5 being connected to the guy ropes 30 via a ring fixed to the top 8' of the mast 8 passing through a slot 12 to arrive at the external winding surface of the drum 10. The second tubular segments 22 then rotate around their respective folding segment 24 and straighten up according to the solid arrows as they approach the mast 8. Once the second tubular segments 22 having arrived in a position in which they extend along the mast 8, the winding continues by rotation of the drum 10. During winding, the rope 5 is wound integrally with the inflatable structure 2, there is therefore no longer any possibility of relative movement with respect to the drum 10 of the rope 5. The flow of the inflation fluid continues through the drain towards an air outlet.

[0045] The third step for folding the inflatable structure is shown in Figure 5. It consists of rotating the drum 10 in the direction of the solid arrow to finish winding the inflatable structure 2, therefore the mast 8 and the elongated elements 18 which descend into the casing 7 following the solid arrow. The winch 6 is stopped and the rope 5 continues to wind itself integrally with the inflatable structure which holds it on the drum. The inflation fluid continues to circulate in the drain of each captive air inflatable element to completely deflate the inflatable structure. The guy ropes 30 are also wound onto the drum 10. This phase stops once the inflatable structure is entirely inside the casing 7.

[0046] To deploy the inflatable structure, the procedure is reversed from Figures 5 to 2 by following the unfilled arrows. Thus, the first step for unrolling the inflatable structure is shown in Figure 5. It simply consists of inflating the inflatable structure 2 through the drain from the inflation fluid access via the valve 15 located on the drum 10. The inflatable structure inflates through its free ends opposite the base which is the first to be wound onto the drum. A rotation of the drum 10 unrolls it as it inflates, also releasing the guy ropes 30 and the rope 5. The winch 6 is stopped, the rope 5 unrolling from the drum 10 at the same time as the unrolling of the inflatable structure 2.

[0047] Being inflated as it unrolls, the inflatable structure 2 rises vertically with a rigidity making it possible to avoid any interaction with the casing and the ground. When the rope 5 is released from its winding with the inflatable structure, it is possible to start the winch 6 to lower the second tubular segments 22 by rotating them around their folding segment 24, as shown in Figure 4 along the unfilled arrows.

[0048] The inflatable structure 2 can then be further inflated according to the unfilled arrows of Figure 3 and, while unrolling it by rotating the drum 10 so that it unfolds inflated, while rotating the winch 6 to release the rope 5 while keeping it under tension (see unfilled arrow of Figure 3) in order to keep the second tubular segments in a horizontal position. At the end of this step, the inflatable structure 2 is fully deployed and is in the position illustrated in Figure 2.

[0049] The invention was tested using an inflatable structure in accordance with Figure 1. The canopy 17 is approximately 17 m in diameter. The first tubular segments 22 are erected approximately 3.5 m from the ground to avoid any interaction with passers-by. The end of the mast 8 peaks approximately 10 m from the ground. The elongated elements 18 are approximately 12 m long. The sections of the elongated elements 18 and the mast 8 are approximately 45 cm in diameter and the captive air chambers of the elongated elements 18 are inflated to a pressure of 0.3 bar, the internal chamber of the mast being inflated to a pressure of 0.5 bar. In each of the captive air chambers is inserted a drain composed of a 3D polyester fabric of the commercial reference “T5683 Müller textile” 6 mm thick and with a section width of 100 mm in the set of inflatable elongated elements 18 and in the mast 8 so as to connect their tops by the drain to the inflation / deflation valve 15.

[0050] The solution of the invention has the advantage of maintaining an adapted geometry of the structure by maintaining the pressure in certain parts of its inflatable components during its folding, for controlled storage of the structure. The inflatable structure composed of numerous inflatable elements, canvases and multiple ropes is folded and stored by rolling it onto a rotating drum.

[0051] The speed of the drum is advantageously adapted to the speed of air evacuation from the air chambers of the inflatable parts to maintain a quasi-constant pressure adapted to the winding movement of the structure. The air evacuation can be done via a valve located at the drum or at different locations on the inflatable elements.

[0052] Thus, advantageously according to the invention, it is possible to deflate and store, respectively deploy and inflate the inflatable structure automatically. It can thus be easily deflated and rolled up on the drum inside the casing, for example in case of bad weather or for the night.

[0053] Other variations and embodiments of the invention may be contemplated within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

Claims 1. Inflatable structure (2) comprising a vertical inflatable mast (8) with captive air and several elongated elements (18) inflatable with captive air arranged in the circumferential direction around the mast (8), each elongated element (18) comprising at least one tubular segment (22), the structure comprising means for inflating the mast between a deflated state and an inflated state and means for deploying the elongated elements between a collapsed position in which the elongated elements (18) extend substantially along the mast (8) and a deployed position in which the tubular segments (22) extend transversely relative to said mast (8), the means for inflating the mast (8) and for deploying the elongated elements (18) being arranged so that the elongated elements (18) are in the deployed position when the mast is in the inflated state and the elongated elements (18) are in the collapsed position when the mast (8) is in the deflated state,said structure comprising means for pulling the elongated elements (18) comprising a wire element fixed to the top of the mast (8) and means for winding and unwinding the wire element., 2. Inflatable structure according to the preceding claim, in which each elongate element (18) comprises at least one first tubular segment (20) connected to at least one second tubular segment (22) using a folding segment (24) and in which: in the collected position, the first (20) and second tubular segments (22) of the elongate elements (18) extend substantially along the mast (8), in the deployed position, the second tubular segments (22) extend transversely relative to said mast (8) by rotating around the folding segment (24).

3. Inflatable structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elongated elements (18) and the mast (8) are made so as to be able to be inflated and deflated substantially simultaneously.

4. Inflatable structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a system for winding said elongated elements (18) and said mast (8) around a rotating drum.

5. Inflatable structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elongated elements (18) are each fixed to the mast (8) using at least one guy line (30).

6. Inflatable structure according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a protective canopy (17) comprising several canvases (16), each canvas (16) being fixed between two second adjacent tubular segments (22).

7. Inflatable structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a casing (7) for storing the mast (8) and the elongated elements (18) in the folded state.

8. Inflatable structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a base (100) comprising means for stabilizing the structure on the ground on which the structure is placed.

9. Inflatable structure according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said base (100) comprises means for moving the structure.

10. A method of deploying an inflatable structure (2) comprising a vertical mast (8) with captive air and a plurality of elongate elements (18) with captive air arranged circumferentially around the mast (8), each elongate element (18) comprising at least one tubular segment (22), a base (100), the structure comprising means for inflating the mast between a deflated state and an inflated state and means for deploying the elongate elements between a collapsed position in which the elongate elements (18) extend substantially along the mast (8) and a deployed position in which the tubular segments (22) project transversely relative to said mast (8), the means for inflating the mast and deploying the elongate elements being arranged so that the elongate elements are in the deployed position when the mast is in the inflated state and the elements elongated are in the collected position when the mast is in the deflated state, characterized in that it comprises the following steps in order: a) inflating the mast (8) and each elongated element (18); b) raising, to a predetermined height relative to said base (100), the mast (8) and elongated elements (18), the latter extending substantially along the mast; c) rotating said tubular segments (22) by said deployment means until they project transversely relative to the mast (8).

11. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises an additional step d) of raising the structure of step c) to a height greater than that of step b).

12. Method for folding an inflatable structure whose deployment has been obtained with the method of claim 11, characterized in that the air is removed from the structure by carrying out the following steps in order: e) lowering, to a predetermined height relative to said base of the inflatable structure of step d); f) rotating said elongated elements (18) by bringing them closer to the mast (8) until they extend substantially along the mast (8); g) lowering, to a height lower than that of step e) relative to said base, the mast (8) and the elongated elements (18), the latter extending substantially along the mast (8); h) completely deflating the mast (8) and the elongated elements (18).

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the elongated elements (18) and the mast (8) are connected to a rotating drum (10) which is rotated synchronously with the supply of air into the mast (8) and into the elongated elements (18), respectively with the withdrawal of air from the mast (8) and the elongated elements. (18) in order to allow the structure to be unwound from the drum, or the structure to be wound around the drum.

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