Inflatable barrier
First Claim
1. An inflatable barrier system for closing an opening to frontal attacks, the opening being bounded on at least two opposing sides by substantially flat bounding edges, the bounding edges providing accessible opposing sides adjacent to the opening, the inflatable barrier system comprising:
- a front side envelope of rectangular front elevation, a horizontal plane cross-sectional profile of the front side envelope having an elongated central region terminated at each end by a pair of opposing lobes, each pair of opposing lobes defining a vertically oriented edge gripping channel into which a bounding edge can be inserted, the gripping channel being bounded on opposing sides by the opposing lobes,the envelope being inflatable with gas and fillable with a hardening foam, said inflation causing the lobes of each pair of opposing lobes to press toward each other so as to grip the bounding edge inserted within the channel, said gripping being sufficient to maintain the front side envelope in attachment to the opening during predetermined levels of push, cut, puncture, flame, chemical, and ballistic attack;
a source of gas for inflating the envelope;
an inflatable back side array of tubular gas beams configured with self sealant and combined with the front side envelope, the backside array being connected to the source of gas for inflating the array; and
a source of hardening foam for filling and hardening the envelope, a front face of the envelope being configured for resistance to the predetermined levels of push, cut, puncture, flame, chemical, and ballistic attack.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflatable barrier system for a doorway or other opening comprising a front side envelope of rectangular front elevation and dog bone shaped horizontal plane cross section, inflatable with gas and fillable with a hardening foam, combined with an inflatable back side array of tubular air beams configured with self sealant, both connected to a source of gas for inflating the fabric envelope and the back side array of tubular air beams. The front side envelope is configured for frontal resistance to predetermined levels of push, cut, puncture, flame, chemical, and ballistic attack. The system is used as a method for closing a doorway to such attacks by erecting and inflating the system within the opening such that the edges on either side of the opening are gripped between the lobes of the respective ends of the dog bone profile of the front side envelope.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An inflatable barrier system for closing an opening to frontal attacks, the opening being bounded on at least two opposing sides by substantially flat bounding edges, the bounding edges providing accessible opposing sides adjacent to the opening, the inflatable barrier system comprising:
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a front side envelope of rectangular front elevation, a horizontal plane cross-sectional profile of the front side envelope having an elongated central region terminated at each end by a pair of opposing lobes, each pair of opposing lobes defining a vertically oriented edge gripping channel into which a bounding edge can be inserted, the gripping channel being bounded on opposing sides by the opposing lobes, the envelope being inflatable with gas and fillable with a hardening foam, said inflation causing the lobes of each pair of opposing lobes to press toward each other so as to grip the bounding edge inserted within the channel, said gripping being sufficient to maintain the front side envelope in attachment to the opening during predetermined levels of push, cut, puncture, flame, chemical, and ballistic attack; a source of gas for inflating the envelope;
an inflatable back side array of tubular gas beams configured with self sealant and combined with the front side envelope, the backside array being connected to the source of gas for inflating the array; anda source of hardening foam for filling and hardening the envelope, a front face of the envelope being configured for resistance to the predetermined levels of push, cut, puncture, flame, chemical, and ballistic attack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17)
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14. An inflatable barrier kit for closing an opening to frontal attacks, the opening being bounded on at least two opposing sides by substantially flat bounding edges such as edges of a door frame, the bounding edges providing accessible opposing sides adjacent to the opening, the inflatable barrier system comprising:
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a front side envelope of rectangular front elevation, a horizontal plane cross-sectional profile of the front side envelope having an elongated central region terminated at each end by a pair of opposing lobes, each pair of opposing lobes defining a vertically oriented edge gripping channel into which a bounding edge can be inserted, the gripping channel being bounded on opposing sides by the opposing lobes, said envelope comprising a drop thread woven fabric envelope whereby the lengths of the drop threads define at least in part the horizontal plane cross-sectional profile of the envelope, the envelope being inflatable with gas and fillable with a hardening foam, said inflation causing the lobes of each pair of opposing lobes to press toward each other so as to grip the bounding edge inserted within the channel, said gripping being sufficient to maintain the front side envelope in attachment to the opening during predetermined levels of push, cut, puncture, flame, chemical, and ballistic attack a front face of the envelope being configured for resistance to the predetermined levels of push, cut, puncture, flame, chemical, and ballistic attack; a source of gas and hardening foam for inflating and hardening the envelope; an inflatable back side array of tubular gas beams attached to the back of the front side envelope and configured with self sealant; a source of gas for inflating the back side array; and a plurality of reinforcing edge members, the edge members being configured with engagement mechanisms for being secured to proximate selected edges of the opening. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 18)
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Specification