None.
Not applicable.
This invention relates to inflatable devices that hold or include projection or imaging screens.
Inflatable structures used with projection or imaging screens are known in the art. United States Patent Publication 20100007949 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,446,937 describe examples of inflatable screens. Inflatable screen devices can be quite large and are often used in outdoor environments. Therefore, the stability of inflatable screens is important.
Inflatable screen devices generally include an inflatable framework that is used to hold up and secure the screen surface. The inflatable structure may be held to the ground by guy wires or tethers that run from the inflatable structure to anchor points on or in the ground or ballast. This prevents the inflatable structure from moving along the ground or falling. However, the screen surface and/or framework may bend, curve, or bow due to structural design, large size, torsion (i.e., when the weight is different on the front and back of structure), and the influence of wind. It is highly desirable for the screen projection surface to remain flat and rectangular during use so that the projected images appearing on the screen are not distorted. Prior art attempts to keep screen projection surfaces flat and rectangular during use have included structural elements, such as one or more support columns centered or distributed vertically in the framework. In the prior art, these elements have been placed in or close to the plane of the framework and the projection screen surface to reduce some of the displacement of the framework and screen due to wind or other forces. In the prior art designs, the screen surface may come into contact with such a support structure as the wind pushes against the screen from the front, which can cause visually apparent distortion of the projection screen surface and projected images.
Thus, a need exists for a support mechanism for inflatable screen devices that reduces displacement and distortion of the framework and projection screen surface due to wind or other forces while minimizing interference with the screen when the wind pushes against the screen surface from the front.
An object of the present invention is to provide an additional support structure for an inflatable device for holding up a projection screen surface comprising an inflatable framework on which a projection screen for images is held, wherein the additional support structure attaches to upper and lower portions of the inflatable framework such that displacement of the framework and screen due to the wind will be reduced and wherein the additional support mechanism bends, curves, or angles away from the plane of the screen and the inflatable framework in the area of the screen.
It is a further object of the invention to provide one or more additional support structures that are inflatable.
It is a further object of the invention that the additional support structure(s) has an air bladder that is separate from air bladders of the inflatable framework.
It is a further object of the invention that air pressure within the air bladder of the additional support structure(s) can be varied to adjust for different or changing environmental and other conditions.
a is a side view of a prior art inflatable device and screen under the influence of wind.
b is a perspective view of a prior art inflatable device and screen under the influence of wind.
a shows prior art inflatable device 1 under the influence of a wind 8 blowing into the back of inflatable device 1, causing the screen 2 to billow and be displaced out of the plane of the framework 3.
In a preferred embodiment, support structure 21 is an inflatable structure that has an air bladder that is separate from any air bladders of framework 30. In this manner, the air pressure in support structure 21 can be adjusted for the conditions. For example, an increase in wind speed could create a greater downward force on top portion 40. An increase in the air pressure in support structure 21 would tend to create an upward force against top portion 40 that could counteract the downward force caused by the wind and keep the framework 30 more square, which would also reduce the amount that screen 20 is displaced.
In addition, more than one of the support structures of the present invention can be used to provide support for the framework, as shown for example in structures 22 and 23 of
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