EP0515244A1 - Inflatable vaulted structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The inflatable vaulted structure (2) according to the invention comprises inflatable lune-shaped elements (10) arranged side by side, each longitudinal end of which is mounted so as to slide along an opening-out track (4, 6). The opening-out tracks are located in parallel planes (P, Q) inclined with respect to the ground (8). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to inflatable arches made of inflatable spindles assembled side by side.

The deployment and retraction of this type of vault is carried out by simple inflation and deflation of the spindles.

To facilitate deployment and retraction, the longitudinal ends of the spindles are slidably mounted along a deployment path generally consisting of beams fixed to the ground.

Such arches substantially cover the surface delimited by the ground anchor points of the deployment paths.

The object of the present invention is to provide a structure of the type described above making it possible to cover large spaces so that the covered surface has an exterior part to the surface delimited by the anchoring points of the deployment paths.

For this purpose the present invention relates to an inflatable arch comprising inflatable spindles arranged side by side, each longitudinal end of which is slidably mounted along a deployment path, characterized in that the deployment paths are located in parallel planes inclined to the ground.

• les chemins de déploiement sont formés en arc de cercle centrés sur un axe perpendiculaire au plan contenant lesdits chemins ;
• les diamètres des arcs de cercle sont différents ;
• la voûte est associée à une autre voûte analogue pour former une couverture à deux voûtes, un chemin de déploiement de la première voûte étant disposé sensiblement tangentiellement à un chemin de déploiement de la seconde voûte ;
• l'espace délimité entre les deux chemins de déploiement disposés sensiblement tangentiellement comporte un réseau de membrures disposées en entretoises entre lesdits chemin de déploiement pour constituer une arche commune aux deux voûtes reliant lesdits chemins de déploiement.

According to other characteristics:

• the deployment paths are formed in an arc centered on an axis perpendicular to the plane containing said paths;
• the diameters of the arcs are different;
• the vault is associated with another similar vault to form a cover with two vaults, a deployment path of the first vault being arranged substantially tangentially to a deployment path of the second arch;
• the space delimited between the two deployment paths arranged substantially tangentially comprises a network of members arranged in spacers between said deployment paths to form an arch common to the two arches connecting said deployment paths.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'une section latérale d'une voûte selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique de dessus de la voûte représentée sur la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique selon la flèche F de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue analogue à la figure 1 représentant l'association de deux voûtes telles que représentées sur la figure 1 pour constituer une couverture de plus grande surface ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus de l'association des deux voûtes représentée sur la figure 3.
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique du dessus d'une couverture réalisée à l'aide de trois voûtes selon l'invention.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a side section of a vault according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the vault shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a schematic view along arrow F of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the association of two arches as shown in Figure 1 to form a cover of larger area;
• FIG. 5 is a top view of the association of the two arches shown in FIG. 3.
• Figure 6 is a schematic view from above of a cover made using three arches according to the invention.

In Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a vault 2 according to the invention, comprising two deployment paths 4 and 6 fixed to the ground 8 and connected by a set of inflatable spindles 10 assembled side by side (see also Figure 2).

The longitudinal ends of the spindles are slidably mounted along the deployment paths 4 and 6 to facilitate their deployment.

The deployment paths 4 and 6, consisting for example of beams, are situated in parallel planes P, Q inclined with respect to the ground 8.

The deployment paths 4 and 6 are arcs of a circle whose centers 12 and 14 respectively, are located on an axis X-X making an angle α with the ground.

The angle α is complementary to the angle β of inclination of the planes P and Q of the deployment paths relative to the ground.

It will be noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the deployment paths 4 and 6 are homothetic with respect to the point S of intersection of the axis X-X with the ground 8.

However, such a provision is not compulsory, the point of homothety can be above or below the ground.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a cover produced using two inflatable parts 50 and 52 which are associated, each inflatable part being formed by a roof as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The two arches 50 and 52 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane, such that the deployment path 54 of the first arch 50 is substantially tangent to the deployment path 56 of the second arch 52 in the zone furthest from the ground of deployment paths 54 and 56 (see also Figure 5).

The deployment paths 54 and 56 are connected over their entire length by a network of members 58 forming an arch.

The arch can be covered by a canvas or a suitable rigid cover, to ensure the continuity of the cover.

It will be noted that a technical gallery (not shown) can be suspended from the members of the arch in order to receive installations such as lighting, sound system, shooting stations, security or watering device, and the like.

When such a vault, with technical gallery is arranged above a site that can be discovered and to be lit, the lighting is located closer to the site than in the previously known constructions, which reduces the energy consumed to get good lighting.

It should be noted that, depending on the layout imposed on the two arches 50 and 52, the deployment paths 54 and 56 can be arranged substantially tangentially in an area different from the area furthest from the ground, for example in an area located near the longitudinal ends 60 and 62 respectively of paths 54 and 56.

It should be noted that a vault according to the invention can be associated with at least two other similar vaults 2 so that one of the deployment paths of a vault is substantially tangent to one of the deployment paths of the two adjacent vaults (see Figure 6), the free space between the deployment paths defining a substantially triangular arch may also include a network of members (not shown).

Claims (9)

Inflatable arch (2) comprising inflatable spindles (10) arranged side by side mounted sliding along at least two deployment paths (4, 6), characterized in that the deployment paths are located in planes (P, Q) parallels inclined to the ground (8). Vault according to claim 1, characterized in that the deployment paths are paths in an arc centered on an axis perpendicular to the planes (P, Q) containing said paths. Vault according to claim 2, characterized in that the diameters of the arcs of a circle are different. Vault according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two deployment and folding paths located near the longitudinal ends of the spindles. Arch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two inflatable parts (50, 52) forming a single building, a deployment path (54) of a first part (50) being arranged substantially tangentially to a deployment path (56) similar to at least one other part (52). Vault according to claim 5, characterized in that a connecting arch is arranged between said deployment paths of the arches, the arch covering the space between said paths. Vault according to claim 6, characterized in that the arch arranged between the deployment paths (54, 56) disposed substantially tangentially comprises a network of bracing members, the network extending at least over the entire length of said deployment paths . Vault according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the arch constitutes a support for a cover protecting the space between the deployment paths (54, 56) arranged substantially tangentially. Vault according to claim 6, characterized in that said arch constitutes a support for accessible technical installations, such as lighting, sound system or others.

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