Modular inflatable structures

Abstract

A modular inflatable structure can be formed using inflatable members that are interconnected together at respective joints. The inflatable member can have a connector integrated therewith or be coupled to a separate connector that interconnects adjacent inflatable members. The connector can have flexible and/or rigid components. The structure can have an assembled position in which the inflatable member is coupled with an adjacent inflatable member and flow is permitted therebetween. The structure can be inflated to form a support or framework that can be used in a variety of applications and industries.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular, reconfigurable inflatable structure that is reconfigurable into one of a variety of different three-dimensional shapes while the structure is in an inflated state, the inflatable structure comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable members that each comprise first and second ends portions, a coupling element disposed at each of the first and second ends portions, and a three-dimensional form when inflated; and   a base component comprising a body having a plurality of body ports, each body port being configured to releasably interconnect with a given coupling element of a given inflatable member to permit fluid communication between a given body port and the given inflatable member via the given coupling element,   wherein each of the coupling element s (i) is configured to be coupled to the base component body and move to one of a plurality of different positions with respect to the base component body for forming one of the variety of different three-dimensional shapes and (ii) has a fluid passage that is fluidly interconnected with an inner volume of the body, and   wherein (i) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to an assembled position in which the given inflatable member and the given coupling element are coupled to the given body port and flow is permitted between the body and the given inflatable member at the given body port, and (ii) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to a separated position in which the given inflatable member is disconnected from the given body port and flow through the given body port is blocked.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the given coupling element comprises an engagement member. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements is configured to be selectively moved to one of the plurality of ports of the base component body in order to be moved to one of the plurality of positions for forming one of the variety of different three-dimensional shapes. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable structure of  claim 1 , wherein in the separated position, the given coupling element is also disconnected from the given body port and flow through the given body port is blocked. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the given inflatable member can be coupled to another inflatable member. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the given inflatable member comprises a one-way valve, and wherein when the given coupling element is disconnected from the base component, the one-way valve automatically returns to a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . A modular, reconfigurable inflatable structure that is reconfigurable into one of a variety of different three-dimensional shapes while the structure is in an inflated state, the inflatable structure comprising:
 inflatable members, a connector body, and a structural component supported by the inflatable members, each inflatable member comprising first and second end portions and a three-dimensional form when inflated, the connector body having a plurality of ports, the connector body being configured to releasably interconnect with the inflatable members to permit fluid communication between a given port and a given inflatable member, the structural component configured to be coupled with the inflatable members and the connector body to form a wall, support column, shade panel, roof, tabletop, brace, or base of the inflatable structure;   wherein the inflatable members are configured to move to one of a plurality of different positions with respect to the connector body for forming one of the variety of different three-dimensional shapes and to support the structural component thereby, and   wherein (i) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to an assembled position in which the given inflatable member is coupled to the given port and flow is permitted between the body and the given inflatable member at the given port, and (ii) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to a separated position in which the given inflatable member is disconnected from the given port and flow through the given port is blocked.   
     
     
         8 . The inflatable structure of  claim 7 , wherein the structural component comprises a flexible panel coupled to at least two inflatable members to form a shade panel or roof, adjustable to different three-dimensional shapes in the inflated state. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable structure of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second end portions of each inflatable member each comprise a valve. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable structure of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second end portions of each inflatable member each comprise a coupling arm for connecting with the connector body or another inflatable member. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable structure of  claim 10 , wherein each coupling arm comprises a smooth tubular section. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable structure of  claim 10 , wherein each coupling arm is configured to be selectively moved to one of the plurality of ports of the connector body in order to be moved to one of the plurality of different positions for forming one of the variety of different three-dimensional shapes. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable structure of  claim 7 , wherein in the separated position, the given inflatable member is also disconnected from the given port and flow through the given port is blocked. 
     
     
         14 . The inflatable structure of  claim 7 , wherein the given inflatable member can be coupled to another inflatable member. 
     
     
         15 . The inflatable structure of  claim 7 , wherein the given inflatable member comprises a one-way valve. 
     
     
         16 . A modular, reconfigurable inflatable structure that is reconfigurable into one of a variety of different three-dimensional shapes while the structure is in an inflated state, the inflatable structure comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable members, each inflatable member having a three-dimensional form when inflated;   a plurality of connector arms that each comprise engagement members, the engagement members being configured to releasably interconnect a given connector arm with a given inflatable member to permit fluid communication between the given connector arm and the given inflatable member;   a base component having a plurality of base ports, each base port comprising a valve that is configured to releasably interconnect with the engagement members of the given connector arm to permit fluid communication between a given base port and the given inflatable member via the given connector arm; and   a functional component supported by at least one of the plurality of inflatable members or the base component that is configured to enable the inflatable structure to be used for a given application, the functional component comprising lighting, plumbing, electrical, and/or motor elements for performing the given application;   wherein each of the plurality of connector arms is configured to be coupled to the base component and move to one of a plurality of different positions with respect to the base component for forming one of the variety of different three-dimensional shapes for facilitating performing the given application, and   wherein (i) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to an assembled position in which the given inflatable member and the given connector arm are coupled to the given base port and flow is permitted between the base component and the given inflatable member at the given base port, and (ii) while the structure is inflated, the given inflatable member can be moved to a separated position in which the given inflatable member is disconnected from the given base port and flow through the given base port is blocked.   
     
     
         17 . The inflatable structure of  claim 16 , wherein the functional component comprising lighting, plumbing, electrical, and/or motor elements for performing the given application. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable structure of  claim 16 , wherein the functional component comprises a lighting element integrated with at least one of the plurality of inflatable members or the base component, the lighting element being configured to illuminate an interior or exterior of the inflatable structure to facilitate its use in applications including portable garages, trade booths, or temporary housing during low-light conditions. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable structure of  claim 16 , wherein the functional component comprises a plumbing element coupled to the base component and configured to facilitate fluid distribution within the inflatable structure, the plumbing element enabling applications such as temporary shelters or construction molds by supporting fluid-based utilities independent of the fluid communication used for inflation. 
     
     
         20 . The inflatable structure of  claim 16 , wherein the functional component comprises an electrical element and a motor element operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of connector arms or the base component, the electrical element powering the motor element to enable dynamic reconfiguration of the inflatable structure's three-dimensional shape in applications such as obstacle courses or recreational forts, while maintaining fluid communication and structural integrity in the inflated state.