Inflatable escape slide with tension band system

Abstract

An inflatable safety product, such as but not limited to slides, ramps, slide / ramps, and slide / rafts, includes, in a deployed state, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side, an upper side, a lower side, and a tension band system. The tension band system includes a first tension member and a second tension member, and each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side and at least partially under the lower side.

Description

INFLATABLE ESCAPE SLIDE WITH TENSION BAND SYSTEMFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention relates to inflatable safety products such as but not limited to evacuation slides, slide / rafts, ramps, and slide / ramps, and more particularly, to inflatable safety products with tension members.BACKGROUND

[0002] Federal aviation safety regulations require aircraft to provide evacuation and other safety provisions for passengers. These include, but are not limited, inflatable safety products such as evacuation slides, evacuation slides / rafts, evacuation ramps, and evacuation slide / ramps.

[0003] Inflatable safety products such as slides, slide / rafts, ramps, and / or slide / ramps are subjected to torsional forces due to wind loads as well as bending forces when loaded with evacuees. Tension members extending in a longitudinal direction (parallel to the axis of the inflatable safety product) and attached only to lower tubes are utilized to reduce bending loads, and tubes with large tube diameters are utilized to address torsion. However, tubes with larger diameters require additional stored inflation gas, additional fabric, and additional stowage volume on an aircraft, thereby preventing the aircraft from using the volume and / or weight for other purposes (e.g., stowage, other systems, etc.).SUMMARY

[0004] The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claimsbelow, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

[0005] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an inflatable safety product includes, in a deployed state, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side, an upper side, a lower side, an aircraft end, a runway end opposite the aircraft end, and a tension band system. The tension band system includes a first tension member and a second tension member, and each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side and at least partially under the lower side.

[0006] In some embodiments, the inflatable safety product includes an upper tube defining the upper side and a lower tube defining the lower side, and the upper tube and the lower tube form the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side. In various embodiments, on both the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, each of the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to the upper tube, the lower tube, or both the upper tube and the lower tube. In some embodiments, on both the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the upper tube. In certain embodiments, at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the upper tube.

[0007] In some embodiments, the inflatable safety product includes a supplemental inflatable body on the lower tube opposite from the upper tube, and at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member contacts the supplemental inflatable body. At least one of the first tension member or the second tension member may be attached to the supplemental inflatable body at a location between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side. In some cases, the at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the supplemental inflatable body and the first longitudinal side or the second longitudinal side.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the tension members have an X configuration, and a portion of the first tension member overlaps a portion of the second tension member on the lower side. In some cases, the overlapping portions of the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to each other.

[0009] In various cases, each of the first tension member and the second tension member have an aircraft end and a runway end, and (i) the aircraft end of the first tension member is attached to the first longitudinal side and the runway end of the first tension member is attached to the second longitudinal side, and (ii) the aircraft end of the second tension member is attached to the second longitudinal side and the runway end of the second tension member is attached to the first longitudinal side.

[0010] In some embodiments, the inflatable safety product includes an aircraft end and a runway end, and each of the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side between the aircraft end and the runway end of the inflatable safety product.

[0011] In various embodiments, the inflatable safety product is at least one of a slide, a slide / raft, a ramp, or a slide / ramp.

[0012] In certain cases, the inflatable safety product includes a longitudinal axis, and each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend at a non- zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0013] In some cases, the tension band system provides longitudinal and torsional rigidity.

[0014] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an inflatable safety product includes, in a deployed state, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side, a longitudinal axis, and a tension band system with a first tension member and a second tension member. In various embodiments, each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side and at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the inflatable safety product.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first tension member and the second tension member are in an X-shaped configuration or a V-shaped configuration.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the first member or the second member includes two or more tension members.

[0017] In various embodiments, the first tension member and the second tension member are a single tension component with four or more attachment points.

[0018] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an inflatable safety product includes, in a deployed state, an upper tube and a lower tube, and the upper tube and the lower tube together define opposing longitudinal sides of the inflatable safety product. The inflatable safety product includes a tension band system with a first tension member and a second tension member. The first tension member and the second tension member each extend between the opposing longitudinal sides, and the first tension memberand the second tension member may be attached to only the lower tube, only the upper tube, or both the upper tube and the lower tube.

[0019] In certain embodiments, each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend between the opposing longitudinal sides at a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the inflatable safety product.

[0020] In various embodiments, the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to each other.

[0021] Various implementations described herein can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a side view of an inflatable safety product with a tension band system according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the inflatable safety product of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable safety product of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the inflatable safety product of FIG. 1 .DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

[0028] The described embodiments of the invention provide tension band systems for an inflatable safety product. While the tension band systems are discussed for use with evacuation slides and slide / rafts, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the tension band systems may be used in inflatable safety products of any type or otherwise as desired, such as but not limited to evacuation slides, evacuation slides / rafts, evacuation ramps, evacuation slide / ramps, or other safety decice requiring rapid inflation.

[0029] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an inflatable safety system 100 according to embodiments. The inflatable safety system 100 includes at least one inflatable safety product 102, which in FIGS. 1-4 is at least one inflatable evacuation slide, slide / ramp, ramp, or slide / raft 104 (hereinafter “slide 104”). In addition to the at least one inflatable safety product 102, the inflatable safety system 100 may also include other conventional or other equipment for inflating the inflatable safety product 102, such as but not limited to compressed gas cylinders, gas-generating pyrotechnic devices, combinations thereof, and / or other systems or equipment as desired.

[0030] The slide 104 generally includes an aircraft end 106 and a runway end 108 opposite from the aircraft end 106. In use, the aircraft end 106 is the portion of the slide 104secured to or otherwise adjacent to an aircraft (optionally adjacent a door, window, etc.), and the runway end 108 is spaced apart from the aircraft.

[0031] The slide 104 additionally includes a body portion 110 w'ith one or more upper tubes 112 and one or more lower tubes 114. The one or more upper tubes 112 may be proximate to (and / or define) an upper side 122 of the slide 104, and the one or more lower tubes 114 may be proximate to (and / or define) a lower side 124 of the slide 104. In certain embodiments, the one or more upper tubes 112 may be connected to the one or more lower tubes 114 using various mechanisms or techniques as desired, such as but not limited to using various adhesives or fasteners as desired. The one or more upper tubes 112 and the one or more lower tubes 114 may generally extend from the aircraft end 106 to the runway end 108 and may generally extend parallel to a longitudinal axis 120 of the slide 104. The one or more upper tubes 112 and the one or more lower tubes 114 generally define opposing longitudinal sides 116, 118 of the slide 104. Panels may extend between the longitudinal sides 116, 118 to provide a sliding surface. In certain embodiments, one or more transverse or supplemental inflatable bodies 126 may be provided on the one or more lower tubes 114 on the lower side 124 of the slide 104. The one or more supplemental inflatable bodies 126 may have various shapes as desired, such as but not limited to the U-shape best illustrated in FIG. 2. When included, the supplemental inflatable bodies 126 may create distance between the tension members described herein and the lower tube of the slide 104.

[0032] During deployment, the tubes 112, 114, 126 may be inflated to a deployed state separately or jointly as desired.

[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the slide 104 includes a tension band system 128 w'ith at least tw'o flexible tension members 130A-B that extend across the lower side 124 and between the longitudinal sides 116, 118. In some embodiments, the tension members 130A-Bmay cross each other, although they need not be crossing in other embodiments. Moreover, while illustrated as separate components in FIGS. 1-4, in other embodiments, the tension members may be a single component and / or a plurality of components. As a non-limiting example, the tension band system 128 may be a single tension member, and the portions corresponding to the tension members 130A-B in FIGS. 1-4 may be “legs” or “extensions” of the single component. In some embodiments, a tension member may include a plurality of attachment points. Other configurations may be utilized as desired. The tension members 130A-B may provide increased torsional resistance compared to traditional approaches of larger tube diameters while also not requiring any additional stowage weight or volume on the aircraft.

[0034] The tension members 130A-B may be various flexible devices or components as desired, such as but not limited to bands, cords, rope, mesh, cables, flexible composites, webbings, and / or any other device as desired. As such, while the tension members 130A-B are illustrated as bands in FIGs. 1-3, in other embodiments, they may be other suitable devices as desired.

[0035] Each tension member 130A-B generally includes an aircraft end 134 and a runway end 136. In some embodiments, at least one of the aircraft end 134 and / or the runway end 136 of each tension member is attached to at least one of the longitudinal sides 116, 118.

[0036] In various embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, the ends 134, 136 are each attached to the longitudinal sides 116, 118. More specifically, the aircraft end 134 may be attached to one of the longitudinal sides (e.g., longitudinal side 116 for tension member 130A and longitudinal side 118 for tension member 130B) and the runway end 136 may be attached to the other longitudinal side (e.g., longitudinal side 118 for tension member 130A and longitudinal side 116 for tension member 130B). Additionally, oralternatively, the aircraft end 134 and / or the runway end 136 may be attached to the aircraft end 106 and / or the runway end 108 of the slide 104. As non-limiting examples, and referring to FIG. 4, the aircraft ends 134 may be attached to the aircraft end 106 and the runway ends 136 may be attached to the longitudinal sides 116, 118. Other arrangements of tension members 130 may be utilized as desired. Non-limiting examples of other arrangements include attachment of a tension member 130 to the aircraft end 106 and the longitudinal side116, attachment of a tension member 130 to the aircraft end 106 and the longitudinal side118, attachment of a tension member 130 to the runway end 108 and the longitudinal side116, attachment of a tension member 130 to the runway end 108 and the longitudinal side118, and / or attachment of a tension member 130 to both longitudinal sides 116, 118. And in embodiments with a plurality of tension members 130, the tension members 130 need not attach to the same side and / or end of the inflatable safety product 102. As a non-limiting example, one tension member 130 may be attached to the aircraft end 106 and the longitudinal side 116 and another tension member 130 may be attached to the runway end 108 and the longitudinal side 118. Various other arrangements may be utilized as desired.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the tension members 130A-B are attached to the longitudinal sides between the aircraft end 106 and the runway end 108 of the slide 104. In various embodiments, on a given longitudinal side (e.g., longitudinal side 116), the aircraft end 134 of one tension band (e.g., tension member 130A) is more proximate to the aircraft end 106 of the slide 104 and the runway end 136 of the other tension band (e.g., tension member 130B) is more proximate to the runway end 108 of the slide 104.

[0038] At each of the longitudinal sides 116, 118, each tension member 130A-B may be attached to the one or more upper tubes 112, to the one or more lower tubes 114, or to both the one or more upper tubes 112 and the one or more lower tubes 114. On a particularlongitudinal side, the attachment of tension member 130A to the slide 104 need not be the same as tension member 130B. As a non- limiting example, tension member 130A may be attached to the one or more upper tubes 112 at the longitudinal side i 16 and tension member BOB may be attached to the one or more lower tubes 114 at the longitudinal side 116. Similarly, for a given tension member 130, the attachment of the aircraft end 134 need not be the same as the attachment of the runway end 136. As a non-limiting examples, the aircraft end 134 of tension member 130 A may be attached to the one or more lower tubes 114 and the runway end 136 of tension member 130A may be attached to both the one or more upper tubes 112 and the one or more lower tubes 114. Various other attachment locations may be utilized as desired. In certain embodiments, the tension members 130A-B may be attached to the one or more upper tubes 112, to the one or more lower tubes 114, or to both the one or more upper tubes 112 and the one or more lower tubes 114 to balance between longitudinal (bending) rigidity and torsional rigidity.

[0039] As mentioned, the tension members 130A-B extend across the lower side 124 of the slide 104. In certain embodiments, each tension member 130A-B may extend across and contact the supplemental inflatable body 126, and in some embodiments, each tension member 130A-B is attached to the supplemental inflatable body 126. The tension members 130A-B may be attached to various locations of the supplemental inflatable body 126 as desired, such as but not limited to a location on the supplemental inflatable body 126 between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, a location on the supplemental inflatable body 126 at the longitudinal side 116, and / or a location on the supplemental inflatable body 126 at the longitudinal side 118. In various embodiments, each tension member 130A-B may have one or multiple points of contact with the supplemental inflatable body 126, which may spread a tension load over a broad area to prevent or minimizeflattening of the supplemental inflatable body 126. In certain embodiments, the tension members 130A-B may pass over a portion of the lower tube 114 and or the supplemental inflatable body 126 without being attached to the lower tube 114 and / or the supplemental inflatable body 126.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the tension members 130A-B extend at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis 120 of the slide 104. The tension members 130A-B may have various orientations relative to each other, and in certain embodiments the tension members 130A-B overlap each other. As non-limiting examples, the tension members 130A- B may have an X-configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a V-configuration, and / or any other configuration as desired. In various embodiments, the tension members 130A-B are attached to each other at the location where the tension members 130A-B overlap. Attachment of the tension members I30A-B to each other at the location of overlap and / or attachment to the supplemental inflatable body 126 may further provide increased torsional resistance.

[0041] Optionally, the tension band system 128 includes at least two longitudinal tension members 132A-B that extend from the aircraft end 106 to the runway end 108 and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 120 of the slide 104. In various embodiments, the at least two longitudinal tension members 132A-B are attached to the one or more lower tubes 114. When included, such longitudinal tension members 132A-B may provide longitudinal (bending) rigidity.

[0001] A collection of exemplary embodiments is provided below, including at least some explicitly enumerated as an “Example” providing additional description of a variety of example embodiments in accordance with the concepts described herein. These examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the disclosure not limitedto these example examples but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

[0042] Example 1. An inflatable safety product comprising, in a deployed state: a first longitudinal side; a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side; an upper side; a lower side; and a tension band system comprising a first tension member and a second tension member, wherein each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side and at least partially under the lower side.

[0043] Example 2. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, further comprising an upper tube defining the upper side and a lower tube defining the lower side, wherein the upper tube and the lower tube form the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side.

[0044] Example 3. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein, on both the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, each of the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to the upper tube, the lower tube, or both the upper tube and the lower tube.

[0045] Example 4. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein, on both the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the upper tube.

[0046] Example 5. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the upper tube.

[0047] Example 6. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, further comprising a supplemental inflatable body on the lower tube opposite from the upper tube, wherein at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member contacts the supplemental inflatable body.

[0048] Example 7. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the supplemental inflatable body at a location between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side.

[0049] Example 8. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the at least one of the first tension member or second tension member is attached to the supplemental inflatable body and at least one of the first longitudinal side or the second longitudinal side.

[0050] Example 9. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the tension members comprise an X configuration and a portion of the first tension member overlaps a portion of the second tension member on the lower side.

[0051] Example 10. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the first tension member and the second tension member are a single tension component with four or more attachment points.

[0052] Example 11. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the inflatable safety product comprises an aircraft end and a runway end, wherein the first tension member is attached to the first longitudinal side and the runway end of the inflatable safety product or the first longitudinal side and the aircraft end of the inflatable safety product: and the second tension member isattached to the second longitudinal side and the runway end of the inflatable safety product or the second longitudinal side and the aircraft end of the inflatable safety product.

[0053] Example 12. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, further comprising an aircraft end and a runway end, wherein each of the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side between the aircraft end and the runway end of the inflatable safety product.

[0054] Example 13. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the inflatable safety product comprises at least one of a slide, slide / raft, ramp, or shde / ramp, and wherein the tension band system provides longitudinal and torsional rigidity.

[0055] Example 14. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the inflatable safety product comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0056] Example 15. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the first member or the second member comprises two or more tension members.

[0057] Example 16. An inflatable safety product comprising, in a deployed state: a first longitudinal side; a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side; a longitudinal axis; and a tension band system comprising a first tension member and a second tension member, wherein each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side and at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the inflatable safety product.

[0058] Example 17. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the first tension member and the second tension member are in an X-shaped configuration or a V-shaped configuration.

[0059] Example 18. An inflatable safety product comprising, in a deployed state: an upper tube; a lower tube, wherein the upper tube and the lower tube together define opposing longitudinal sides of the inflatable safety product; and a tension band system comprising a first tension member and a second tension member, wherein the first tension member and the second tension member each extend between the opposing longitudinal sides, and wherein the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to only the lower tube, only the upper tube, or both the upper tube and the lower tube.

[0060] Example 19. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend between the opposing longitudinal sides at a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the inflatable safety product.

[0061] Example 20. The inflatable safety product of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to each other.

[0062] Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited tothe embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMSThat which is claimed is:

1. An inflatable safety product comprising, in a deployed state: a first longitudinal side; a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side; an upper side; a lower side; and a tension band system comprising a first tension member and a second tension member, wherein the first tension member extends from the first longitudinal side towards the second longitudinal side or from the second longitudinal side towards the first longitudinal side, wherein the second tension member extends from the first longitudinal side towards the second longitudinal side or from the second longitudinal side towards the first longitudinal side, and wherein the first tension member and the second tension member are at least partially under the lower side.

2. The inflatable safety product of claim 1, further comprising an upper tube defining the upper side and a lower tube defining the lower side, wherein the upper tube and the lower tube form the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side.

3. The inflatable safety product of claim 2, wherein, on both the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, each of the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to the upper tube, the lower tube, or both the upper tube and the lower tube.

4. The inflatable safety product of claim 3, wherein, on both the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the upper tube.

5. The inflatable safety product of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the upper tube.

6. The inflatable safety product of claim 2, further comprising a supplemental inflatable body on the lower tube opposite from the upper tube, wherein at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member contacts to the supplemental inflatable body.

7. The inflatable safety product of claim 6, wherein the at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the supplemental inflatable body at a location between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side.

8. The inflatable safety product of claim 6, wherein the at least one of the first tension member or the second tension member is attached to the supplemental inflatable body and at least one of the first longitudinal side or the second longitudinal side.

9. The inflatable safety product of claim 1, wherein the tension members comprise an X configuration and a portion of the first tension member overlaps a portion of the second tension member on the lower side.

10. The inflatable safety product of claim 1, wherein the first tension member and the second tension member are a single tension component with four or more attachment points.

11. The inflatable safety product of claim 1, wherein the inflatable safety product comprises an aircraft end and a runway end, wherein the first tension member is attached to the first longitudinal side and the ranway end of the inflatable safety product or the first longitudinal side and the aircraft end of the inflatable safety product: and the second tension member is attached to the second longitudinal side and the runway end of the inflatable safety product or the second longitudinal side and the aircraft end of the inflatable safety product.

12. The inflatable safety product of claim 1, further comprising an aircraft end and a runway end, wherein each of the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side between the aircraft end and the runway end of the inflatable safety product.

13. The inflatable safety product of claim 1, wherein the inflatable safety product comprises at least one of a slide, slide / raft, ramp, or slide / ramp, and wherein the tension band system provides longitudinal and torsional rigidity.

14. The inflatable safety product of claim 1, wherein the inflatable safety product comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

15. The inflatable safety product of claim 1, wherein the first member or the second member comprises two or more tension members.

16. An inflatable safety product comprising, in a deployed state: a first longitudinal side; a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side; a longitudinal axis; and a tension band system comprising a first tension member and a second tension member, wherein each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side and at a non- zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the inflatable safety product.

17. The inflatable safety product of claim 16, wherein the first tension member and the second tension member are in an X-shaped configuration or a V-shaped configuration.

18. An inflatable safety product comprising, in a deployed state: an upper tube; a lower tube, wherein the upper tube and the lower tube together define opposing longitudinal sides of the inflatable safety product; and a tension band system comprising a first tension member and a second tension member, wherein the first tension member and the second tension member each extend between the opposing longitudinal sides, and wherein the firsttension member and the second tension member are attached to only the lower tube, only the upper tube, or both the upper tube and the lower tube.

19. The inflatable safety product of claim 18, wherein each of the first tension member and the second tension member extend between the opposing longitudinal sides at a nonzero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the inflatable safety product.

20. The inflatable safety product of claim 18, wherein the first tension member and the second tension member are attached to each other.

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