U.S. patent number 3,854,253 [Application Number 05/325,383] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-17 for joint construction between supported and supporting members.
Invention is credited to Joseph A. Slowbe.
United States Patent |
3,854,253 |
Slowbe |
December 17, 1974 |
JOINT CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN SUPPORTED AND SUPPORTING MEMBERS
Abstract
A joint structure and method are disclosed for interconnecting a
marginal edge portion of an inflatable panel component with a
supporting member. The panel is constructed of walls of flexible
material interconnected interiorly so as to limit the lateral
spacing therebetween when the panel is inflated. One or more of the
marginal edges of the panel is disposed in or adjacent the recess,
and the panel is filled with a settable material whereby the
marginal edge portion of the panel is interconnected with the
support member. Walls of the panel are provided with covers of
sheet material having marginal edges in the form of flaps
adhesively bondable to the support member to initially pre-position
the panel relative thereto. The panel and support member are
assembled by partially inflating the panel, positioning the panel
relative to the support member with the marginal edge of the panel
disposed in or adjacent the recess thereof, bonding the flaps of
the panel to the support member to hold the panel in place relative
thereto, further inflating the panel for the marginal edge portion
to fill the recess, introducing filler material into the panel
while at the same time evacuating the air therefrom, and then
allowing the filling material to set.
Inventors: |
Slowbe; Joseph A. (Cleveland,
OH) |
Family
ID: |
26940249 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/325,383 |
Filed: |
January 22, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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249681 |
May 1, 1972 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/2.15; 52/63;
52/717.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
2/56 (20130101); E06B 1/02 (20130101); E04F
21/0015 (20130101); E06B 1/6069 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
2/56 (20060101); E06B 1/56 (20060101); E06B
1/02 (20060101); E06B 1/60 (20060101); E06B
1/00 (20060101); E04b 001/345 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/2,601,619,623,615,309 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Abbott; Frank L.
Assistant Examiner: Raduazo; Henry
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending
application Ser. No. 249,681 filed May 1, 1972, and now abandoned.
Claims
Having thus described my invention, I claim:
1. A joint structure comprising, an elongated support component
having a bottom wall and laterally spaced apart sidewalls, said
bottom wall and sidewalls defining a recess, flange means on said
sidewalls and extending laterally inwardly thereof to define a
restricted entrance to said recess, said flange means having inner
surfaces with respect to said recess, and panel means interengaged
with said support component, said panel means including an
inflatable body of flexible sheet material, a portion of said body
extending through said restricted entrance and into said recess,
means filling said body and forcing the sheet material of said
portion of said body in said recess to extend laterally behind said
flange means to interengage said panel means and support component
against separation outwardly of said restricted entrance, and means
prepositioning and supporting said panel means with respect to said
support component, said side walls of said support component having
outer surfaces with respect to said recess and said prepositioning
and supporting means including flap means on said panel means
adhesively bonded to said outer surfaces.
2. The joint structure according to claim 1, wherein said panel
means further includes a substantially rigid member disposed
adjacent said support component and having a side overlying said
recess, and said inflatable body of flexible material is attached
to said side of said substantially rigid member.
3. The joint structure according to claim 2, wherein said
prepositioning and supporting means is sheet means attached to said
rigid member and having portions adhesively bonded to the outer
surfaces of said side walls of said support component.
4. The joint structure according to claim 1, and a second support
component identical to said first named support component, said
first named and second support component being spaced apart and
disposed with the recesses thereof opening toward one another, and
said inflatable body of said panel means including a second portion
extending through the restricted entrance and into the recess of
said second support component.
5. The joint structure according to claim 1, wherein said means
filling said body of flexible material is set filler material.
6. The joint structure according to claim 5, wherein said body of
flexible material includes spaced apart walls, and means between
said walls to limit the spacing therebetween by said filler
material.
7. An inflatable panel member mountable on a rigid channel-shaped
supporting component having a bottom wall and sidewalls defining an
elongated recess, comprising: said panel member including a body
portion and a marginal edge portion, said edge portion being
received in said recess in said supporting component, and flap
means attached to said body portion outside said recess and
adjacent said marginal edge, said flap means extending in overlying
relationship with said marginal edge and the outer surface of the
corresponding one of said sidewalls of said supporting component
and adhesive means on said flap means for connecting said flap
means with said one of said sidewalls for prepositioning and
supporting said panel member relative to said supporting
component.
8. The panel member according to claim 7, wherein said body portion
and marginal edge include a pair of panel walls having end edges
and an end wall transversely interconnecting said panel walls along
said end edges, said end wall and a portion of said panel walls
defining said marginal edge, sheets of flexible material covering
the outer surfaces of said panel walls, said sheets each having an
end overlying said portion of the corresponding panel wall and a
remaining portion bonded to the corresponding panel wall, said ends
of said sheets defining said flap means.
9. A joint structure comprising, an elongated support component
having a bottom wall and laterally spaced apart sidewalls, said
bottom wall and sidewalls defining a recess, flange means on said
sidewalls and extending laterally inwardly thereof to define a
restricted entrance to said recess, said flange means having inner
surfaces with respect to said recess, and panel means interengaged
with said support component, said panel means including an
inflatable body of flexible sheet material, a portion of said body
extending through said restricted entrance and into said recess,
means filling said body and forcing the sheet material of said
portion of said body in said recess to extend laterally behind said
flange means to interengage said panel means and support component
against separation outwardly of said restricted entrance, and means
prepositioning and supporting said panel means with respect to said
support component, said inflatable body further including sidewalls
integral with said portion in said recess and extending parallel to
said sidewalls of said support component, and a cover sheet of
flexible material secured on the outer side of at least one of said
sidewalls of said inflatable body, said cover sheet having an edge
flap overlying said portion of said inflatable body in said recess,
said edge flap defining said prepositioning and supporting means
and being adhesively bonded to the outer surface of the
corresponding one of said sidewalls of said support component
10. The joint structure according to claim 9, and a second cover
sheet on the outer side of the other of said sidewalls of said
inflatable body, said second cover sheet having an edge flap
overlying said portion of said inflatable body in said recess and
adhesively bonded to the outer surface of the other one of said
sidewalls of said support component.
Description
The present invention relates to the art of structural components
and, more particularly to inflatable components and joint
structures and methods of forming a joint between a supporting
component and a supported component including an inflatable body
interengagable with the support member.
In accordance with the present invention a joint structure is
provided in which a supported component including an inflated body
is interconnected with one or more supporting components having
openings therein in which a portion of the inflated body is
disposed. The inflated body may be filled with a settable material
which is substantially rigid, whereby the supported and supporting
components together define a reasonably rigid structure.
The supported component may be a panel of flexible material adapted
to be inflated by water, air or other fluid. Alternatively, the
supported component may be a substantially rigid structure
including an inflatable body portion for interengaging the
supported and supporting components. The joint construction, as
will become more apparent hereinafter, is applicable to a wide
variety of constructional applications and provides for a
structural interconnection between supported and supporting
components to be achieved in a minimum amount of time and in a
manner whereby structural integrity is achieved.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
supporting component has an opening therein having a restricted
entrance. In this respect, for example, the supporting components
may be U-shaped in cross section and provided with inwardly
extending flanges defining a restricted entrance into the space
between the legs of the U. The supported component includes an
inflatable body of flexible material a portion of which extends
through the restricted opening and laterally outwardly behind the
flanges defining the restricted opening. The flanges thus operate
to constrict the inflatable body to interlock the portion disposed
in the recess with the supporting component. Preferably, the
inflatable body is subsequently filled with a settable material,
whereby the interlocking interengagement becomes substantially
rigid.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the
supporting components are defined by U-shaped channels spaced apart
and rigidly supported with the channels facing one another. The
supported component may be an inflatable panel having opposite
marginal edges, or a rigid structure disposed between the channels
and having inflatable portions adapted upon inflation, to enter the
corresponding channel. When the panel or inflatable portions are
inflated, the supported component is interengaged with the opposed
channels, and if the panel or inflated portions are then filled
with a settable material, a substantially rigid joint is produced
and a rigid structure results.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the
supported component is provided with pre-positioning and supporting
elements such as flaps of flexible sheet material. The
pre-positioning elements are adapted to be interconnected with the
supporting component in any suitable manner such as by adhesive
bonding, nailing or interengaging fastener assemblies so as to
pre-position and support the supported component relative to the
supporting component. The pre-positioning elements support the
supported component relative to the supporting member to facilitate
the assembly operation and, in certain embodiments, the
pre-positioning elements are flaps defined by the marginal edge
portions of an outer covering for the supported component, which
covering provides a finished appearance therefor.
The form of the supported components will vary depending on the end
structure sought, as will become more apparent hereinafter.
Likewise, the cross-sectional profile of the recess in the
supporting component can readily be varied without departing from
the principles of the present invention.
It is an outstanding object of the present invention to provide a
structural assembly between supporting and supported components in
which the supported component includes at least an inflatable body
portion which is cooperable with the supporting component when
inflated to interengage the supported and supporting
components.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a structural
joint between a supporting component and inflatable body portion of
a supported component characterized by a portion of the inflatable
body being constricted by engagement with the supporting component
to interlock the supporting and supported components.
Another object is the provision of a joint structure of the
foregoing character in which the inflatable body is filled with
settable material to enhance the interengaged relationship between
the body and supporting member.
Yet another object is the provision of a joint structure of the
foregoing character in which the supported component adapted to be
pre-positioned and supported relative to the supporting component
during assembly of the joint structure.
A further object is the provision of a joint structure of the above
character in which the supported component carries one or more
pre-positioning elements by which the supported component is
initially pre-positioned and supported relative to the supporting
member.
Still a further object is the provision of a joint structure
between a supported component including inflatable body portions
and a pair of opposed supporting members each having a recess in
which one of the body portions is disposed for interlockingly
interengaging the supported component with the supporting
members.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an
inflatable panel having pre-positioning and supporting elements
thereon by which the panel is supported relative to a supporting
component during assembly therebetween.
Yet a further object is the provision of an inflatable panel
wherein at least one side of the panel is provided with a covering
of flexible material having one or more marginal edge portions
adapted to be bonded to a surface of the support component to
pre-position and support the inflatable panel relative thereto.
Still another object is the provision of a joint structure between
a supporting component and a supported component including an
inflatable body which enables substantially rigid interconnection
between the supported and supporting components to be achieved
economically, with a minimum of effort and a minimum amount of
time.
Yet a further object is the provision of a method of joining a
supported member including an inflatable body with a supporting
member having a recess and which method comprises positioning the
supported member relative to the supporting member for a portion of
the inflatable body to enter the recess, and inflating the body for
the latter to cooperatively interengage with the recess in the
supporting member to interconnect the supported and supporting
members.
Still another object is the provision of a method of joining of the
foregoing character which includes the further step of
pre-positioning and supporting the supported member relative to the
supporting member.
Yet another object is the provision of a method of joining of the
above character which includes the further step of introducing a
settable filling material into the inflatable body and
simultaneously evacuating the inflating fluid therefrom and
allowing the filling to set to form a substantially rigid supported
and supporting member assembly.
The foregoing objects and others will in part be obvious and in
part more fully pointed out hereinafter in conjunction with the
following description of the drawings depicting preferred
embodiments of the present invention and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, of an
inflatable panel and supporting channel adapted to be joined in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially in section, of the joint
construction resulting from assembly of the inflatable panel and
supporting channel components illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, illustrating
another structural assembly including a joint construction made in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially in section, illustrating
yet another structure embodying the joint construction of the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another structure including
the joint construction of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of disassembled supported and
supporting components which are adapted to be interconnected by the
joint construction of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a view in cross section of the supported and supporting
components illustrated in FIG. 6, the section being taken along
line 7--7 in FIG. 6 and illustrating the components in partially
assembled relationship;
FIG. 7A corresponds to FIG. 7 and illustrates the components in
fully assembled relationship;
FIG. 8 is a view in cross section of the supporting and supported
components illustrated in FIG. 6, the section being along line 8--8
in FIG. 6 and illustrating the components in partially assembled
relationship;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view, partially in section, of another
embodiment of an inflatable panel;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partially in section, of the panel
of FIG. 9 pre-positioned and supported between supporting channels;
and
FIG. 11 is a plan view, in section, of the panel and supporting
channels of FIG. 10 in fully assembled relationship.
Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein the
showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments
of the present invention only and not for the purpose of limiting
the same, supported and supporting components 10 and 12,
respectively, are illustrated in FIG. 1, and the joint construction
therebetween provided in accordance with the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 2.
Supported component 10 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2, is a panel including an inflatable body of flexible material
having sidewalls 14 and 16 interconnected by end walls 18 and 20
and top and bottom walls 22 and 24, respectively. The several walls
of the inflatable body are of flexible sheet material and the body
can be constructed in any suitable manner. In this respect, for
example, the walls can be separate components of sheet material
suitably interconnected with one another such as by adhesive
bonding, heat sealing, stitching, or the like, or the body can be
suitably molded for the several walls to be integrally united. The
inflatable body can be produced from any suitable material or
combinations of material such as, for example, plastic, rubber,
treated fabric, or the like. Moreover, the material can be either
pervious or impervious to the passage of air therethrough for the
purpose set forth more fully hereinafter, and can be translucent,
transparent or opaque as desired. The particular materials and the
manner of fabrication of the inflatable body do not form a part of
the present invention, and it will be understood that it is only
necessary that the supported component include a body portion which
is of an inflatable nature.
In the embodiment illustrated, sidewalls 14 and 16 are impervious
and are provided with inlet and discharge valve elements 26 and 28,
respectively, by which the body can be inflated with air or other
gas as well as with a suitable filling material as described more
fully hereinafter. Preferably, walls 14 and 16 of the inflatable
body are provided with cross ties 30 of nylon or other suitable
materials having opposite ends which are suitably interconnected
with the walls to limit separation thereof when the body is
inflated. While cross ties are illustrated, it will be appreciated
that other forms of wall interconnections can readily be provided
for the same purpose, namely to restrict separation of the body
walls upon inflation thereof. Moreover, while the cross ties are
illustrated as being operable to maintain the sidewalls in
relatively flat dispositions parallel to one another, it will be
appreciated that the cross ties can provide for the walls to have
other contours when the body is inflated.
The inflatable body has a peripheral edge portion 32 which is
disposed between legs 34 and 36 of supporting member 12 when
assembled therewith. In the present embodiment, the marginal edge
portion is defined by those portions of sidewalls 14 and 16 and end
wall 18 disposed along the corresponding legs 34 and 36 and web 38
of the supporting member. Supporting member 12 further includes a
pair of inturned flanges 40 and 42 extending along the outer edge
of the corresponding one of the legs 34 and 36, and flanges 40 and
42 define a restricted entrance to an opening or recess 44 defined
by legs 34 and 36 and web 38 of the supporting member. Supporting
member 12 can be metal or any other suitable rigid material such as
wood, plastic, concrete or the like. Member 12 can be defined, for
example, by an extrusion, by an assembly of parts to provide the
desired recess configuration, or in any other suitable manner. It
will be appreciated that opening or recess 44 has an axis A and
that flanges 40 and 42 have outer sides 40a and 42a and inner sides
40b and 42b with respect to axis A.
Walls 14 and 16 of the inflatable body are provided with covers 46
and 48 of flexible sheet material which are generally coextensive
with regard to the dimensions of the corresponding body walls and
which are interconnected therewith in any suitable manner such as,
for example, by stitching, adhesive bonding, heat sealing and the
like. The material of sheets 46 and 48 may be plastic, rubber,
cloth, leather, or the like. Sheets 46 and 48 have corresponding
marginal edge portions 50 and 52 which are free from
interconnection with the underlying portions of sidewalls 14 and 16
of the inflatable body. In the embodiment illustrated marginal edge
portions 50 and 52 are adapted to overlie the outer surface of
channel legs 34 and 36 and preferably, are adhesively bonded to
legs 34 and 36 for the purpose set forth more fully hereinafter.
Such adhesive bonding may be achieved in any suitable manner. For
example, the outer surfaces of channel legs 34 and 36 may be
provided with a coating of adhesive, the inner surfaces of portions
50 and 52 may be provided with a coating of adhesive or the
portions 50 and 52 may be bonded to legs 34 and 36 by suitably
applied heat and pressure. Preferably the inner surfaces of
portions 50 and 52 are provided with corresponding layers 51 and 53
of pressure sensitive adhesive which is initially protected in a
well known manner by removable strips 54 and 56 or release paper of
the like.
It will be appreciated that prior to assembly of the components the
inflatable body is in a collapsed condition. Preferably, though not
necessarily, the inflatable body is first partially inflated
through valve 26 to facilitate handling thereof during assembly,
and marginal edge portion 32 thereof is then positioned within
recess 44 of supporting member 12. It will be appreciated that at
this time discharge valve 28 is closed. Release paper strips 54 and
56 are then removed from marginal edge portions 50 and 52 of sheets
46 and 48 and the latter edge portions are pressed against the
outer surfaces of legs 34 and 36 to pre-position and support the
inflatable panel relative to the supporting member. Additional air
or other inflating fluid is then introduced into the inflatable
body through valve 26 to inflate the body to the extent necessary
for the latter to assume the desired contour and for marginal edge
portion 32 thereof to substantially fill recess 44. It will be
noted that in the inflated condition of the panel portions of panel
walls 14 and 16 within channel recess 44 underlie the inner
surfaces 40b and 42b of channel flanges 40 and 42, and that the
restricted entrance to recess 44 constricts the inflatable body
between marginal edge portion 32 and the portion of the inflatable
body disposed outwardly of the supporting component. While marginal
edge portion 32 of the inflatible panel is illustrated as being
free of cross tie members corresponding to cords 30 it will be
appreciated that such cross ties can be provided in this area of
the inflatable body if desired.
After the inflatable body is pre-positioned and supported relative
to the supporting member and is inflated as described above,
suitable filling material 58 preferably is introduced into the body
and the air or other inflating fluid therein is exhausted from the
body through valve 28 as the body fills with the material 58. In
this respect, valve 28 defines an outlet valve for the air and is
operable in any suitable manner to achieve air evacuation
simultaneous with filler material introduction. For example, valve
28 can be operable in response to the increased pressure caused by
introduction of the filler to open and allow the air in the
inflated body to escape. The filler material is of a settable
nature, whereby after filling of the body therewith the material
sets to form a substantially rigid panel which is interlocked with
the supporting component as a result of the structural
interrelationship between the marginal edge portion of the panel
and the restriction defined by flanges 40 and 42 of the supporting
member. The filling material may be any suitable material adapted
to be flowed into the inflatable body and which will set to define
a substantially rigid mass therein. For example, the filling
material could be a foamed plastic, concrete, or other settable
material. Moreover, it will be appreciated that if the filling
material is foamed plastic, the dried plastic material can be
introduced or provided in the inflatable body and the necessary
activator introduced when desired to cause generation of the foam
material. It will be appreciated that upon setting of the filling
material the panel is interlocked with the supporting component in
a manner which provides structural integrity for the joint to
prevent unintended separation of the supporting and supported
components.
Cover sheets 46 and 48 can be of a material providing a pleasing
appearance for the exterior of the supported component, thus for
the panel to have a decorative appearance once the assembly is
completed. It will be appreciated, however, that the
pre-positioning and the support functions provided by marginal edge
portions 50 and 52 of the cover sheets can be provided by means
other than sheets of material dimensionally coextensive with the
opposed walls of the inflatable body. For example, narrow strips of
material could be attached to walls 14 and 16 of the inflatable
body adjacent marginal edge portion 32 thereof to provide these
functions. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the inflatable
body could otherwise be pre-positioned and supported relative to
supporting member 12 during the inflation and filling operations by
which the joint is constructed. For example, the inflatable body
could be partially inflated, positioned relative to supporting
member 12 and held by hand during the final inflation and filling
operation. Sheets 46 and 48 are preferred in that they not only
provide the pre-positioning and support function but also provide
the supported component with an outer surface which can be
pre-printed, embossed, colored, or otherwise constructed to enhance
the appearance of the panel.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the joint
structure of the present invention that many end products and
structural configurations can readily be devised employing the
joint structure. For example, supporting member 12 of the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 can be suitably interconnected
with a support surface such as a wall or ceiling in a manner
whereby the panel or supported member projects outwardly from the
wall or is suspended from the ceiling to provide a sign or a
support surface for suitable decorative or informative indicia.
While the joint construction is illustrated in FIG. 1 as including
a single supporting member and an inflatable body having one
marginal edge interengaged therewith it will be appreciated that
more than one supporting component may be interconnected with an
inflatable body to be supported in order to achieve a desired end
structure. End structures which may be formed are numerous and
FIGS. 3-5 are provided to illustrate of few of such structures.
Others will be readily apparent.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a portion of a partition, panel or wall
assembly is illustrated which is comprised of a plurality of
support members 60 suitably interconnected to define openings for
receiving and supporting inflatable panels 62. Supporting members
60 are structurally similar and in this respect are in the form of
metal I-beams having a web component 64 and flange components 66
which cooperate to define a recess 68. Flanges 66 are provided with
longitudinally extending and inwardly projecting flanges 70 which
define a restricted entrance to the corresponding recess 68. The
several supporting members 60 may be interconnected in any suitable
manner such as by welding, bolting or the like to define structure
for one or more of the inflatable panels. Moreover, it will be
appreciated that such a frame structure may be constructed to
provide walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, partitions, or combinations
of these structures as well as others depending on the end
structure sought. In the embodiment illustrated, four of the
supporting members designated 72, 74, 76 and 78 are interconnected
to define a square or rectangular frame for supported component 62.
It will be appreciated that each of these supporting members has a
recess 68 facing inwardly of the frame opening. Supported member 62
is structurally similar to supported member 10 described
hereinabove and, in this respect, includes marginal edge portions
each of which is disposed in a corresponding one of the recesses
68. More particularly, supported member 62 is in the form of an
inflatable panel having side walls 80 and 82 of flexible material
interconnected interiorly by cross ties 84. Preferably, the outer
sides of both walls 80 and 82 are provided with cover sheets 86
having marginal edge portions 88 adapted to be adhesively bonded to
the corresponding support member in the manner and for the purpose
described hereinabove in conjunction with the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The outer surface of one or both
cover sheets may be provided with a decorative configuration such
as defined by embossment 90 so that the cover sheets of adjacent
inflatable panels on one or both sides of the structure have a
pleasing appearance. It will be understood that the inflatable
panel is provided with suitable valves or other means, not
illustrated which enable inflation thereof and the filling thereof
with settable filling material 92. Moreover, it will be appreciated
that the marginal edge portions of the inflatable panel may be free
of cross ties or may include cross ties similar to cross ties
84.
Supported component 62 is readily assembled with the frame
structure by partially inflating the panel, positioning the panel
relative to members 72, 74, 76 and 78 with the marginal edge
portions of the panel in the corresponding recess 68, adhesively
bonding the marginal edge portions 88 of cover sheets 86 to the
corresponding support member, and further inflating the panel to
assure expansion of the marginal edge portions thereof into the
recesses of the corresponding support members. The assembly is then
completed by introducing settable filling material into the panel
and simultaneously evacuating the air or other inflating fluid
therefrom. When the filling material has set, the panel is
substantially rigid and is interlocked on four sides with the
supporting members. It will be appreciated that in this manner an
expansive wall assembly can be readily constructed. Further, it
will be appreciated that by the use of supporting members having
various cross sectional profiles and longitudinal contours, such a
wall can be constructed with angular corner configurations as well
as other desired structural configurations.
With reference to FIG. 4, a panel and frame structure is
illustrated which is of arcuate configuration. Such a configuration
could, for example, provide an open ended arcuate cover, or half of
a tubular structure. In this embodiment, the supporting members
include a pair of longitudinally extending U-shaped channels 100
and 102, arcuately contoured U-shaped channels 104 and 106 at
opposite ends of channels 100 and 102, and an intermediate I-beam
channel 108 extending between channels 104 and 106. Channels 100,
102, 104 and 106 are similar in cross section to the supporting
member illustrated in FIG. 1 and, in this respect, include a recess
having a restricted entrance thereinto. Support member 108 is
similar to the support members disclosed in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3 and, in this respect, has a pair of recesses
on opposite sides of the web of the beam and each of which recesses
includes a restricted entrance. The frame recesses are adapted to
receive corresponding marginal edge portions of a pair of
inflatable panels 110 each of which is arcuate in transverse cross
section. It will be appreciated that panels 110 are constructed in
a manner similar to the inflatable bodies described hereinabove,
and that the arcuate contours thereof can be provided during the
manufacturing process. It will be further appreciated that the
marginal edge portions of the panels interengage with the channel
recesses in the manner previously described, and that settable
material is introduced into the panels to provide for interlocking
engagement between the panels and supporting channels. surfaces of
panels 110 may be provided with cover sheets or other
pre-positioning and supporting elements in the manner hereinbefore
described. It will be appreciated too that a plurality of the
structures illustrated in FIG. 4 could be assembled end to end by
interconnecting the juxtaposed end channels thereof, and that two
such structures could be interconnected to form a tubular structure
by interconnecting the juxtaposed longitudinal channels
corresponding to channels 100 and 102. While the end channels 104
and 106 are illustrated as being of U-shaped cross-section, it will
be appreciated that these components could be defined by I-beams
similar to beam 108, whereby a plurality of panels corresponding to
panels 110 could be interconnected in an elongated structure.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that two or more longitudinal
beams corresponding to beam 108 could be provided between end beams
104 and 106 with panels disposed between the pairs of longitudinal
beams and the corresponding arcuate portions of the end beams.
FIG. 5 illustrates a tubular structure constructed by use of the
structural joint of the present invention. In this respect, the
tubular structure is comprised of end portions 112 and 114 having
different diameters and an intermediate portion 116 which is
tapered for its opposite ends to correspond with the diameters of
sections 112 and 114. In this embodiment, section 112 includes a
supporting member 118 in the form of an I-beam having recesses on
the opposite side of the web thereof and which recesses have
restricted entrances in the manner described hereinabove. Section
114 includes a supporting component 120 similar in cross section to
component 118. The inflatable panels defining sections 112, 114 and
116 are tubular in transverse cross-section and have inner and
outer walls of flexible material interconnected by cross ties in
the manner described hereinabove. Sections 112 and 114 have
marginal edge portions at the inner ends thereof disposed in the
corresponding recesses of supporting members 118 and 120, and
intermediate section 116 has marginal edge portions at the axially
opposite ends thereof disposed in the recesses of the corresponding
supporting member 118 and 120.
The joint structure of the present invention has been described
hereinabove with regard to a supporting component and a supported
component which is in the form of an inflatable panel. In FIGS. 6-8
the joint structure is illustrated in conjunction with a supported
component which, as a unit, is a relatively rigid structure adapted
to be interconnected with a supporting component by means of the
joint structure of the present invention. More particularly, a
building wall 122 is illustrated in FIG. 6 as being provided with a
window opening 124 adapted to receive and support a window and
window frame unit 126. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, window
opening 124 is provided about the periphery thereof with support
components including side members 128 and a sill member 130. It
will be appreciated that a suitable top member not illustrated,
would be provided to complete the frame structure within the window
opening. In the embodiment illustrated, each of the side members
128 is in the form of a metal I-beam having a recess 132 facing
inwardly of the window opening and provided with a restricted
entrance defined by flanges 134 on the I-beam. Similarly, sill
member 130 is of a form similar to an I-beam in cross section and
includes a recess 136 having a restricted entrance defined by
flanges 138 thereon.
The window and window frame assembly 126 can be of any suitable
construction and includes side frame members 140, sill member 142
and a top frame member 144. Frame members 140, 142 and 144 may be
of any suitable material such as wood or metal and are
pre-assembled and interconnected to support relatively slidable
window panels W. Such pre-assembled or pre-fabricated window units
are well known and do not form a part of the present invention. In
accordance with the present invention, an inflatable body of
flexible material 146 is mounted such as by adhesive bonding to the
outer surfaces of frame members 140, 142 and 144. It will be
appreciated that inflatable body 146 may be a continuous body
extending peripherally about the window frame unit, or that
individual sections may be provided to define the inflatable body.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that the inflatable body or bodies
are provided with means such as the valves described hereinabove to
facilitate inflation thereof and the filling thereof with a
settable filling material. Preferably, the outer surfaces of wooden
frame members 140, 142 and 144 are provided with covers of sheet
material 148 having marginal edge portions 150 adapted to be
adhesively bonded to the corresponding support component to
preposition and support the window and window frame assembly prior
to inflation of inflatable bodies 146. Cover material 148 may
completely cover the exposed outer surface of the wood frame
members as illustrated in FIG. 7, or may cover only a portion
thereof as illustrated in FIG. 8.
The window and window frame assembly is positioned in the window
opening with frame members 140, 142 and 144 overlying the recesses
of the corresponding supporting components. Marginal edge portions
150 of cover sheets 148 are then bonded to the supporting
components in a manner similar to that described hereinabove, and
bodies 146 are inflated so as to extend through the restricted
entrance and into the recess of the corresponding supporting
components. Settable filling material 152 is then introduced into
the inflatable body in the manner described hereinabove to
interlock the window and window frame unit with the supporting unit
in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7A. If desired, one or more of
the wooden frame components 140, 142 and 144 may be provided with a
longitudinally extending recess 154 into which a portion of the
inflatable body can expand. Recess 154 is desirable in that when
filled with the settable material it stabilizes the window and
window frame unit against displacement laterally of the
corresponding supporting component.
It will be noted that the flexible material of inflatable body or
bodies 146 is illustrated as being resilient and expansible upon
inflation to fill the corresponding recess. The material may be a
rubber or rubber like composition for this purpose. However, it
will be understood that the inflatable body could be of a size
adapted to extend into the recess prior to inflation in a manner
similar to the marginal edge portion of the panel illustrated in
FIG. 1.
While the window and window frame assembly has been described as
being comprised of wooden frame components, it will be appreciated
that the frame components may be of any suitable material.
Moreover, while the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 is
comprised of an assembly of a window relative to a wall, it will be
appreciated that the joint structure can in a similar manner be
employed to provide for interlocking other substantially rigid
units, such as air conditioning apparatus, door and door frame
assemblies, or the like, with respect to an opening therefor in a
wall of a building or the like. Moreover, doors, windows and other
rigid units can be assembled in a similar manner in conjunction
with the construction of a building structure or the like produced
of inflatable panels and supporting components of the character
described in other embodiments herein.
In all the embodiments described hereinabove, the supporting member
or component has been in the form of an elongated structural
channel having a pair of inturned flanges defining a restricted
entrance to a recess provided by the side and bottom walls of the
channel. It will be appreciated, however, that many cross-sectional
channel profiles, and structural configurations or assemblies other
than channels can be employed as the supporting member. It is only
necessary in connection with the embodiments described hereinabove
that the supporting component have an opening or recess which
provides in some manner for a marginal edge portion of the
inflatable body to be constructed so that the portion of the
inflatable body disposed in the recess is interlocked with the
supporting component to prevent unintentional separation thereof.
Many cross-sectional profiles or other structural configurations
which could be employed to provide this structural
interrelationship between the supporting and supported components
will be apparent. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the beam
structures described hereinabove can alone define the supporting
components or can be suitably mounted relative to an additional
support member such as a wall or floor. Still further, while the
inflatable panels or inflatable body member of the embodiments
described hereinabove have a marginal edge portion coextensive with
a side edge of the panel, it will be appreciated that the
inflatable panels or body members could have a marginal edge
portion within the meaning of this term herein which would be
defined, for example, by an inflatable projection extending
outwardly from the peripheral edge of the panel and into the recess
of the supporting member.
Referring now to FIGS. 9-11 of the drawing, there is illustrated
another embodiment of an inflatable panel made in accordance with
the present invention and an assembly thereof with a pair of spaced
apart supporting channels. More particularly, an inflatable panel
160 is illustrated in FIG. 9 which is comprised of spaced apart
side walls 162 and 164 and a pair of end walls 166 and 168. It will
be appreciated that the panel includes top and bottom walls, not
illustrated. Sidewalls 162 and 164 are laterally interconnected by
cords 170 to limit lateral separation of the sidewalls upon
inflation of the panel. In this embodiment, the material of at
least end walls 166 and 168 of the panel is a resilient material
such as rubber which will permit expansion of end walls 166 and 168
outwardly in the direction of the corresponding arrow B upon full
inflation of the panel. It will be appreciated, of course, that
suitable valve means, not illustrated, are provided to facilitate
inflation of the panel and the filling thereof with settable
filling material.
Side walls 162 and 164 are provided with corresponding cover sheets
172 and 174 of flexible material suitably interconnected with the
corresponding wall 162 and 164 such as by adhesive bonding,
stitching, heat sealing or the like. In this embodiment, cover
sheet 172 has marginal edge portions 176 and 178 and cover sheet
174 as marginal edge portion 180 and 182. Marginal edge portion
176, 178, 180 and 182 each extend beyond the corresponding one of
the end walls 166 and 168 of the inflatable panel when the latter
is in the uninflated or partially inflated disposition as
illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The inner surfaces of the marginal
edge portions of cover sheets 172 and 174 may be provided with
adhesive in the manner described hereinabove with regard to the
inflatable panel illustrated in FIG. 1, or the marginal edge
portions may be provided with other suitable means for
pre-positioning and supporting the inflatable panel relative to the
supporting members with which it is to be assembled.
In FIG. 10 there is illustrated a pair of U-shaped channel members
184 and 186 of metal or the like which are rigidly supported in
spaced apart relationship in any desired manner. For example,
channels 184 and 186 could be opposed frame components of a frame
structure similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3, or as illustrated
in FIG. 10, the channel components can be mounted to extend at
parallel spaced apart relationship from a suitable substrate or
base 188 which may, for example, be a concrete foundation in which
the corresponding ends of the channel are embedded. Inflatable
panel 160 has a length between end walls 166 and 168 which, when
the panel is partially inflated, correspond substantially the
distance between channels 184 and 186. Channels 184 and 186 are
each defined by a web portion and a pair of side flanges which
together define a corresponding channel recess 184a and 186a, and
the channels are supported with the recesses facing one another.
The spacing between the channels and the length of the inflatable
panel provide for the partially inflated panel to be disposed
between the channels with the panel end walls 166 and 168 disposed
adjacent the outer edges of the channel flanges, as illustrated in
FIG. 10. The marginal edge portions of cover sheets 172 and 174
overlap the outer surfaces of the channel flanges to pre-position
and support the partially inflated panel relative to the channel
members.
With the inflatable panel pre-positioned and supported relative to
the channels as illustrated in FIG. 10, the panel can be further
inflated to cause panel end walls 166 and 168 to expand outwardly
into channel recesses 184a and 186a, respectively, as illustrated
in FIG. 11. The inflated panel can then be filled with settable
material 190 and the inflating fluid simultaneously evacuated
therefrom. When material 190 sets, the panel and supporting
channels define a substantially rigid structure in which the set
filling material restrains lateral separation of the panel from the
supporting components.
It will be appreciated that the assembly illustrated in FIGS. 10
and 11 is merely illustrative of one embodiment of a combination of
spaced channels and an inflatable panel in which the end walls of
the panel expand outwardly of the panel and into the channel
recesses. When an inflatable panel is interrelated with a pair of
supporting channels in this manner, it will be appreciated that it
is not necessary to provide the inner surfaces of the channel
flanges with projections defining a restricted entrance of the
character described in conjunction with the embodiments previously
described. Moreover, it will be appreciated that many structural
assemblies of supporting channels can be employed to form an end
structure in which the panels and supporting channels are
interrelated in the manner disclosed in FIGS. 9-11. For example,
the channels could be H-shaped in cross-section and interconnected
in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, or the channel
could be interconnected to define a frame structure such as that
illustrated in FIG. 4. Still further, it will be appreciated that
the supporting channels in the window opening illustrated in the
embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 could be modified to eliminate the flanges
defining the restricted entrance to the recesses therein so that
the inflatable body or bodies provided on the periphery of the
prefabricated window structure would expand into the recesses in
the manner described herein with respect to the embodiment of FIGS.
9-11. In other words, whenever the supporting components for the
member to be supported are rigidly supported in spaced apart
relationship, the supported member may include an inflatable
portion expandable outwardly and into the channel recess and the
inflatable body filled with a settable material to maintain the
corresponding opposite edges of the supported member within the
channel recesses to interconnect the supporting channels and the
supported member.
Many variations of supporting component structures and cooperable
marginal edge structures for the components to be supported thereby
will be apparent, as will the construction of numerous structures
having various utility such as tables, chairs, buildings, signs,
conduit, and others. It will be appreciated too that the joint
construction can be employed to erect temporary enclosures such as
domes often used for outdoor exhibits or shows. In this respect,
the supporting components could be assembled to define the
necessary frame structure, the inflatable panels would be
positioned between the frame components and the panels inflated
with air or the like to interlock the marginal edge portions of the
channels with the frame components. In a structure of this nature,
the panels would not be filled with a settable material, whereby
following use of the temporary structure the panels could be
deflated and removed and the frame structure dismounted for
subsequent reassembly of the temporary structure. Moreover, the
inflatable panels of such a temporary structure would not
necessarily have to be provided with outer covers of sheet material
to provide the pre-positioning and support functions thereof prior
to panel inflation, although the use of such cover sheets,
especially if decorated could enhance the exterior appearance of
such a temporary structure.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the use of
valves for inflating and filling the supported component, the
material of the inflatable body can be a fabric which would be
pervious to air but impervious to the filling material. Thus, air
could be pumped into the body to inflate the latter and pumping
continued to maintain inflation during introduction of the filler.
Thus, the air would escape through the material but the filler
would not, and the use of an exhaust or discharge valve would not
be necessary. Further, it will be clearly understood that the use
of adhesive between the pre-positioning elements of the supported
component and the corresponding surfaces of the supporting
component is merely illustrative of a preferred manner of
interconnection between the flaps and support member. The flaps or
other elements on the supported member can be interconnected with
the support member by suitable fastener elements or cooperable
fastener assemblies. For example, if the supporting member is wood,
nails, staples or the like can be employed in place of or in
addition to adhesive. Moreover, such fastening assemblies can be
either temporary or permanent as desired. Further, it will be
appreciated that the portion of the inflatable body disposed in the
recess of the supporting member can, when inflated, substantially
or completely fill the recess either by having a pre-formed
configuration corresponding to that of the recess and/or by being
of sufficient resilience to expand into conformance with the recess
contour.
As many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made
and as many possible changes may be made in the embodiments herein
disclosed, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing
descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of
the present invention and not as a limitation.
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