Abstract:
Ballast systems for, particularly, inflatable decontamination shelters are described. The systems may be integrated into the overall structures of the shelters so as to avoid need for sand bags or other discrete weight-providing objects. They additionally may use liquids (rather than or in addition to solids) for weight-providing purposes, with the liquids including water supplied by the same plumbing system that supplies a shower of a shelter.
Abstract:
A portable shelter with low emissivity is provided for sheltering materials or human occupants at a remote location. The shelter has a flexible, multi-layer cover, including a vinyl material, reflective material located inside and immediately adjacent to the vinyl material, and insulation material located inside the reflective material. The low-ε vinyl cover is lightweight and thermally efficient. The shelter may be adapted for use with interior-climate control equipment at the remote location.
Abstract:
A tethermast and frag wall includes a fabric device having a fill volume fillable with a fill material on a flexible or compliant mast system. The fill volume may be a chambered curtain. The tethermast and frag wall is self supporting, easily deployed, and may be used in connection with a structure or may be deployed stand-alone. A tether system for an air beam structure utilizing a flexible tethermast, an external frag wall or frag curtain, soft couplings, air beam slings, or combinations thereof to reduce the effects of pressure waves, such as blast waves, onto and into an air beam structure and any inhabitants.
Abstract:
A hard walled shelter has first and second substantially parallel corner posts. The hard walled shelter also has an upper frame support extending between first ends of the corner posts and a lower frame support extending between second ends of the corner posts. The hard walled shelter additionally has a moveable wall. The moveable wall has a lower portion hinged at the lower frame support and an upper portion that fits securely on the interior of the corner posts when the moveable wall is in a closed configuration. When the moveable wall is in an open configuration the moveable wall is disposed away from the hard walled shelter to form an opening in the shelter. The hard walled shelter also has a coupling that extends around the perimeter of the opening in the shelter.
Abstract:
A shelter assembly includes a multi-layered, fluid filled shelter that does not require rods for assembly. The assembly includes sidewalls that form a framework for a shelter. The sidewalls comprise air filled materials having a substantially planar shape. The sidewalls form a plurality of layers. Apertures in the sidewalls enable a fluid to pass between each layer for forming an insulating effect on the assembly. The apertures also serve as a cavity for a rod to pass through and fasten the shelter to a surface. A lower floor sidewall and an upper floor sidewall rest adjacent to each other, forming a sandwich configuration that creates insulation and air circulation between layers. At least one channel, such as a chimney, enables an external fluid to circulate through the assembly. A gate portion provides access to the assembly. A roof sidewall provides an external protective upper covering.
Abstract:
An airbeam includes at least a pair of inflatable beams each having an inner sleeve, middle sleeve and outer cover. Each sleeve is stitched to form flat side seams. The sleeves are inverted so that each flat side seam is disposed cantilevered inwardly on the inside of the sleeve. A linear common seam bisects the stitched side edges of the outer cover to form a pair of outer sleeves. One middle sleeve is nested within each outer sleeve. One inner sleeve is nested within each middle sleeve. One inner tube is nested in each inner sleeve. The nesting is arranged so that the side seams of the inner and middle sleeves are adjacent one another or overlap one another along, their entire length and so that the side seams of the outer cover are adjacent or overlap the side seams of the middle sleeve.
Abstract:
A rapidly-deployable fire shelter is described herein. Specifically, the fire shelter is equipped with one or more actuators that enable the fire shelter to be rapidly deployed thereby providing a quick and effective mechanism for protecting items or people from fire, smoke, and the other fire-related hazards. The fire shelter may include a protective barrier that is extended upon activation of the one or more actuators.
Abstract:
A structure which is transformable by inflation from a collapsed condition for storage to an erect condition for use has an inflatable tubular framework and at least one flexible web attached to and extending between two or more regions of the framework. The inflatable framework is formed by at least one inner inflatable tubular element (A, B) of flexible, elastic, air-impermeable material and having an inflation valve (13,15) accommodated within an outer sleeve arrangement of a material which is flexible but substantially non-elastic and restrained therein upon inflation. The outer sleeve arrangement is configured to include at least one branch point and/or at least one abrupt bend and the configuration of the inner tubular element or elements (A, B) corresponds to that (branch points (a, b) and abrupt bends (z)) so that the inner tube or tubes will substantially fill the outer sleeve arrangement upon inflation. Each inner tube (A, B) is formed by cutting and bonding of the air-impermeable material to provide a continuous inflatable compartment of relevant configuration and is inserted through an opening in the outer sleeve arrangement and fed through so as to fill it when later inflated in use.
Abstract:
A mechanism for raising or lowering a sidewall of a container. The mechanism has a shaft that extends across a substantial width of the container adjacent an upper frame support. The shaft has two spools fixedly attached to opposing ends of the shaft. The mechanism has two cables each having one end secured to an associated one of the spools, an opposing end secured to the sidewall, and a length wrapped around the spool and extending between the spool and sidewall. The mechanism has a drive for rotating the shaft to unwrap a portion of the cable allowing for the sidewall to rotate away from the container in response to gravity, and to wrap a portion of the cable around the spool, causing the sidewall to rotate toward the container.
Abstract:
A hard walled shelter has first and second substantially parallel corner posts. The hard walled shelter also has an upper frame support extending between first ends of the corner posts and a lower frame support extending between second ends of the corner posts. The hard walled shelter additionally has a moveable wall. The moveable wall has a lower portion hinged at the lower frame support and an upper portion that fits securely on the interior of the corner posts when the moveable wall is in a closed configuration. When the moveable wall is in an open configuration the moveable wall is disposed away from the hard walled shelter to form an opening in the shelter. The hard walled shelter also has a coupling that extends around the perimeter of the opening in the shelter.