Inflatable Wing Rig Stiffening Element for Wind Sports

The patent replaces the rigid tubular structure with an inflatable tube made of flexible material. The tube is inflated with gas to create the necessary structural strength and rigidity, eliminating the need for heavy metal or rigid composite tubes. This flexible shell approach maintains structural integrity while dramatically reducing weight.

The patent uses pneumatic pressure by inflating the tube with gas to generate structural strength. The internal gas pressure creates the rigid framework needed for the leading edge and boom, replacing traditional mechanical tubular structures with a pneumatic support system that is both strong and lightweight.

The patent divides the structure into separable components: an inflatable tube that can be independently inflated and deflated, and a rigid insert that can be quickly inserted and removed. This segmentation allows the soft tube to be rapidly deployed and the rigid structural element to be easily attached or detached, dramatically reducing assembly and disassembly time while maintaining structural stability during use.

The patent transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the tube can be inflated and deflated on demand. The inflatable tube provides structural stability when needed (inflated state) and can be quickly collapsed (deflated state) for rapid disassembly and storage, enabling the structure to adapt between stable operation and quick deployment/retirement.

The patent replaces the rigid tubular structure with an inflatable tube made of flexible material. The tube provides necessary profile stiffness when inflated but becomes soft and flexible when deflated, eliminating the injury risk from rigid structures during falls or contact while maintaining aerodynamic performance during operation.

The inflatable tube acts as a cushioning element that protects the user from injury. When the user falls or contacts the structure, the flexible inflatable tube absorbs impact rather than causing injury like a rigid structure would. The tube can be quickly deflated to maximize flexibility and protection during such events.

The patent divides the structural support function into two separate components: the inflatable tube for lightweight support and a rigid insert for profile stabilization. The rigid insert is segmented into multiple sections that can be independently positioned along the tube, providing localized stiffening where needed without requiring the entire structure to be heavy and rigid. This segmentation maintains profile stability under unfavorable conditions while keeping the overall weight low.

The rigid insert acts as an intermediary element between the flexible inflatable tube and the required structural stiffness. The insert is inserted into the inflatable tube to provide the necessary profile stability and resistance to deflection under unfavorable wind or wave conditions, while the inflatable tube continues to provide lightweight support. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve both low weight and high stability.