Elongated, foldable, inflatable, captive air-operated element of revolution.

Abstract

This elongated inflatable element of revolution (18) comprises a first tubular segment (20), a second tubular segment (22), and a folding segment (24) connecting the first tubular segment (20) and the second tubular segment (22). The folding segment (24) is provided with a first frustoconical portion (26) extending inward from the first tubular segment (20) and extending towards the second tubular segment (22), and a second frustoconical portion (28) extending inward from the second tubular segment (22) and extending towards the first tubular segment (20). (See Figure 4 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Foldable inflatable elongated element of revolution with captive air. technical field

[0001] The invention has as its technical domain the foldable captive air inflatable elements.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to an elongated inflatable element of revolution with captive air and a sun protection assembly comprising at least one such elongated element. Previous techniques

[0003] A captive air inflatable element is generally cylindrical in cross-section. When shaping a structure incorporating such an inflatable element, the element may be bent, for example, at a 45-degree angle. The resulting bend extends radially beyond the cylindrical shape of the inflatable element. This can cause interference with other inflatable elements of the structure.

[0004] Moreover, it is difficult to precisely control the location where the fold will form.

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy at least one of these drawbacks. Description of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to an elongated inflatable element of revolution with captive air comprising a first tubular segment and a second tubular segment.

[0007] According to a general characteristic, the elongated element includes a folding segment connecting the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.

[0008] The folding segment is provided with a first frustoconical portion extending inwards from the first tubular segment and extending towards the second tubular segment and a second frustoconical portion extending inwards from the second tubular segment and extending towards the first tubular segment.

[0009] The bending segment of the elongated element makes it possible to locate the position where a bend forms when the first and second tubular segments form a non-zero angle with respect to each other. Indeed, the bend forms between the first and second frustoconical portions of the bending segment.

[0010] Furthermore, with this configuration of the folding segment, it may not extend radially in projection beyond the cylindrical shape of the inflatable element after folding, depending on the dimensioning of said folding segment.

[0011] The folding segment can further be provided with a cylindrical portion connecting the first and second frustoconical portions.

[0012] Thus, the fold forms on the cylindrical portion of the bending segment. The shorter the length of the cylindrical portion, the more precise the location of the bending area.

[0013] The cylindrical portion of the folding segment makes it possible to limit the concentration of stresses at the seams of the elongated element.

[0014] The length of the cylindrical portion of the bending segment may be less than the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the bending segment.

[0015] Thus, the accuracy of the fold formation position is increased.

[0016] Preferably, the first frustoconical portion and the second frustoconical portion of the folding segment are symmetrical with respect to a median radial plane passing through the center of the cylindrical portion.

[0017] The cylindrical portion of the bending segment can extend the small diameter edges of the first and second frustoconical portions of the bending segment.

[0018] The first and second tubular segments and the folding segment can be sewn together and form a unit assembly.

[0019] The diameter of the small diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion of the folding segment can be less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion of the folding segment multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

[0020] Thus, we ensure that the fold formed does not extend radially beyond the diameter of the large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion of the folding segment.

[0021] The diameter of the small diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion of the folding segment can be less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion of the folding segment multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

[0022] Thus, we ensure that the fold formed does not extend radially beyond the diameter of the large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion of the folding segment.

[0023] The elongated element may further include a conduit connecting the first and second tubular segments, the conduit being configured to allow air to flow between the first and second tubular segments when the first and second tubular segments form an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other.

[0024] According to a first conception, said conduit is internal to the cylindrical portion of the folding segment.

[0025] According to a second alternative design, said conduit is external to the folding segment, in particular external to the cylindrical portion of the folding segment.

[0026] The first and second tubular segments and the folding segment can form an outer envelope.

[0027] The elongated element may further include at least one internal air chamber housed inside the outer casing.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a sun protection assembly comprising a vertical inflatable tube with captive air, at least one canvas and at least one elongated element of revolution inflatable with captive air as defined above, the first tubular segment of said elongated element extending along said tube, the second tubular segment of said elongated element extending transversely from said tube, said canvas being fixed at least to the second tubular segment of said elongated element.

[0029] The assembly may comprise at least three, in particular six, elongated inflatable elements of revolution with captive air spaced regularly in the circumferential direction, the first tubular segment of each elongated element extending along said shaft, the second tubular segment of each elongated element projecting transversely from said shaft, the assembly further comprising at least one fabric fixed between each pair of said successive second tubular segments. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] The present invention will be better understood upon study of the detailed description of embodiments, taken by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] is a schematic side view of a solar protection assembly according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] is a top view of the assembly of [Fig.1];

[0033] [Fig.3] is a simplified perspective view of the assembly of [Fig.1]; and

[0034] [Fig.4] is a top view of an elongated element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0035] Fig. 1 schematically represents an assembly 2 for sun protection comprising a trunk 4, an inflatable structure 6 mounted on the trunk 4 and equipped with a vertical inflatable pole 8 with captive air deploying from the trunk 4 and a canopy 10 projecting transversely from the vertical pole 8, and a plurality of guy wires 12 fixing the canopy 10 to the vertical pole 8.

[0036] As more visibly illustrated in [Fig.2], the canopy 10 comprises a plurality of members or tubes 14, here six in number, extending transversely in relation to the vertical shaft 8 and spaced regularly in the circumferential direction.

[0037] The assembly 2 for sun protection also includes fabrics 16 fixed between the successive canopy members 14 in the circumferential direction, the fabrics 16 forming a protection under the canopy 10.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the canopy 10 comprising six members 14 is hexagonal in shape, thus allowing several assemblies 2 to be juxtaposed for Sun protection using a hexagonal mesh to provide sun protection over a larger area. Alternatively, the canopy 10 can have other shapes, for example circular, oval, square, rectangular.

[0039] As more clearly illustrated in [Fig. 3], the assembly 2 comprises a plurality of regularly spaced, circumferentially spaced, inflatable, elongated elements 18 of revolution, in this case six in number, each in contact with the two elongated elements 18 directly adjacent to it in the circumferential direction. The guy wires 12 and the webbing 16 have not been shown in [Fig. 3] for clarity.

[0040] Each elongated element 18 comprises a first tubular segment 20 extending vertically along the vertical shaft 8 of the assembly 2 and a second tubular segment 22 extending transversely relative to the vertical shaft 8 of the assembly 2 so as to form a member 14. Each elongated element 18 also comprises a folding segment 24 connecting the first and second tubular segments 20, 22 of the elongated element 18.

[0041] Each elongated inflatable element 18 of revolution with captive air is composed of a plurality of internal air chambers and an external envelope inside which the internal air chambers are housed, the external envelope being formed of the first and second tubular segments 20, 22 and the folding segment 24.

[0042] The outer casing of the elongated 18-degree inflatable elements with captive air is made of a fabric, for example, DACRON®. Each internal air chamber of the elongated 18-degree inflatable elements with captive air is made of a stretchable material, for example, polyurethane. The internal air chambers form the framework of the elongated 18-degree inflatable elements with captive air.

[0043] Each elongated element 18 of revolution inflatable with captive air includes one or more inflation points (not shown), in particular an inflation valve allowing simultaneous inflation of the internal air chambers of the elongated element 18 or several inflation valves allowing independent inflation of the internal air chambers of the elongated element 18, so that each elongated element 18 of revolution inflatable with captive air can be inflated independently of the other elongated elements 18 of revolution inflatable with captive air.

[0044] Fig. 4 represents an elongated inflatable element 18 of revolution with captive air, not folded, the first tubular segment 20 being in the extension of the second tubular segment 22.

[0045] The first and second tubular segments 20, 22 of the elongated element 18 are here cylindrical with a circular cross-section and the same diameter. Alternatively, the first or second tubular segment 20, 22 of the elongated element 18 could have a different cross-section, for example, a square cross-section. Alternatively, the first segment tubular 20 of the elongated element 18 could have a different diameter than the second tubular segment 22 of the elongated element 18.

[0046] The folding segment 24 of the elongated element 18 is provided with a first frustoconical portion 26 extending inwards from the first tubular segment 20 and extending in the direction of the second tubular segment 22, a second frustoconical portion 28 extending inwards from the second tubular segment 22 and extending in the direction of the first tubular segment 20, and a cylindrical portion 30 connecting the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28.

[0047] The large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment 24 is sewn to the first tubular segment 20 of the elongated element 18. The large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion 28 of the folding segment 24 is sewn to the second tubular segment 22 of the elongated element 18.

[0048] The first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28 of the bending segment 24 are here in the shape of a truncated cone of revolution with a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28 of the bending segment 24 could be in the shape of a truncated pyramidal cone, for example with a square cross-section.

[0049] The diameter of the small diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment 24 is preferably less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment 24 multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

[0050] The diameter of the small diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion 28 of the folding segment 24 is preferably less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion 28 of the folding segment 24 multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment and the second frustoconical portion 28 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median radial plane P passing through the center of the cylindrical portion 30. Alternatively, the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28 could be of different dimensions.

[0052] The cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 extends the small diameter edges of the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28 of the folding segment 24.

[0053] The cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 is sewn to the small diameter edges of the first and second truncated conical portions 26, 28 of the folding segment 24.

[0054] The cylindrical portion 30 of the bending segment 24 is here circular in cross-section. Alternatively, the cylindrical portion 30 of the bending segment 24 could have a different cross-section, for example square.

[0055] The diameter of the cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 is greater than the length of the cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24.

[0056] When the elongated element 18 is bent, for example at an angle of 90 degrees, the bend is formed in the cylindrical portion 30 of the bending segment 24 and is smaller in dimension than the diameters of the first and second tubular segments 20, 22 of the elongated element 18.

[0057] The elongated element 18 includes a conduit 32 disposed inside the cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 and connecting the first and second tubular segments 20, 22. The conduit 32 allows air to flow between the first and second tubular segments 20, 22 when the elongated element 18 is folded, at least up to an angle of 90 degrees. In particular, the conduit 32 allows the passage of the quantity of air necessary to maintain pressure in the first and second tubular segments 20 when the elongated element 18 is folded. Alternatively, the conduit 32 may be disposed outside the cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24.

[0058] In the example shown, the folding segment 24 of the elongated element 18 includes a cylindrical portion 30 connecting the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28. Alternatively, the folding segment 24 of the elongated element 18 may not include a cylindrical portion 30. In this case, the folding segment 24 of the elongated element 18 includes only the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28, the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment 24 then extending the small diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion 28 towards the first tubular segment 20, the second frustoconical portion 28 of the folding segment 24 then extending the small diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion 26 towards the second tubular segment 22.

Claims

Demands

1. An elongated inflatable element of revolution (18) comprising a first tubular segment (20) and a second tubular segment (22), characterized in that it comprises a folding segment (24) connecting the first tubular segment (20) and the second tubular segment (22), the folding segment (24) being provided with a first frustoconical portion (26) extending inwardly from the first tubular segment (20) and extending towards the second tubular segment (22) and a second frustoconical portion (28) extending inwardly from the second tubular segment (22) and extending towards the first tubular segment (20), the elongated element (18) further comprising a conduit (32) connecting the first and second tubular segments (20, 22), the conduit (32) being configured to allow air to flow between the first and second tubular segments (20, 22) when the first and second tubular segments (20,22) form an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other.

2. Elongated inflatable element (18) of revolution with captive air according to claim 1, in which the folding segment (24) is further provided with a cylindrical portion (30) connecting the first and second frustoconical portions (26, 28).

3. Elongated inflatable element (18) of revolution with captive air according to claim 2, wherein the length of the cylindrical portion (30) of the folding segment (24) is less than the diameter of the cylindrical portion (30) of the folding segment (24).

4. Elongated inflatable element of revolution (18) according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the first frustoconical portion (26) and the second frustoconical portion (28) of the folding segment are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median radial plane (P) passing through the center of the cylindrical portion (30).

5. Elongated inflatable element of revolution (18) with captive air according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the cylindrical portion (30) of the folding segment (24) extends the small diameter edges of the first and second frustoconical portions (26, 28) of the folding segment (24).

6. Elongated inflatable element (18) of revolution with captive air according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second tubular segments (20, 22) and the folding segment (24) are sewn together and form a unitary assembly.

7. Elongated inflatable element (18) of revolution with captive air according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the small diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion (26) of the folding segment (24) is less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion (26) of the folding segment (24) multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

8. Elongated inflatable element (18) of revolution with captive air according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the small diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion (28) of the folding segment (24) is less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion (28) of the folding segment (24) multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

9. Elongated inflatable element (18) of revolution with captive air according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second tubular segments (20, 22) and the folding segment (24) form an outer envelope, the elongated element (18) further comprising at least one internal air chamber housed inside the outer envelope.

10. Assembly (2) for sun protection comprising a vertical inflatable captive air shaft (8), at least one fabric (16) and at least one elongated captive air inflatable element (18) of revolution according to any one of the preceding claims, the first tubular segment (20) of said elongated element (18) extending along said shaft (8), the second tubular segment (22) of said elongated element (18) extending transversely outward from said shaft (8), said fabric (16) being fixed at least to the second tubular segment (22) of said elongated element (18).

11. Assembly (2) according to claim 10, comprising at least three, in particular six, regularly spaced elongated elements (18) of revolution inflatable with captive air in the circumferential direction, the first tubular segment (20) of each elongated element (18) extending along said shaft (8), the second tubular segment (22) of each elongated element (18) extending transversely outward from said shaft (8), the assembly (2) further comprising at least one canvas (16) fixed between each pair of said successive second tubular segments.

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