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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for the rapid deployment of igloos
and more particularly pertains to the deploying of igloos more
efficiently, conveniently and quickly through an inflatable form.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of building forms is known in the prior art. More specifically,
building forms heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of
fabrication structures are known to consist basically of familiar,
expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the
myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been
developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
The prior ark discloses a large number of devices for fabricating
structures. By way of example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,452,494 to Prior and
3,619,432 to Harrington disclose rapidly deployed buildings with
hemispherical and cylindrical shapes.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,643910 to Helfetz and 3,909,992 to Stachiw disclose the
inflation of a dome-like structure, the Helfetz structure adapted to
function as a form for receiving further materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,423 to Crock discloses forms for making blocks for
fabricating an igloo.
In this respect, the devices for the rapid deployment of igloos according
to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional
concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an
apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of the deploying of igloos
more efficiently, conveniently and quickly through an inflatable form and
a pump.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for
new and improved devices for the rapid deployment of igloos which can be
used for the deploying of igloos more efficiently, conveniently and
quickly through an inflatable form and a pump. In this regard, the present
invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of
building forms now present in the prior art, the present invention
provides an improved device for the rapid deployment of igloos. As such,
the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved device
for the rapid deployment of igloos and a method which has all the
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new and
improved apparatus for fabricating an igloo and like structures
comprising, in combination, an inflatable form apparatus for fabricating a
igloo and like structures comprising of an inflatable form of flexible
air-impervious plastic having an in base component, a roof component, and
cylindrically shaped side walls.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that
follows may be better understood and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar
with patent of legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and
improved devices for the rapid deployment of igloos which have all the
advantages of the prior art building forms and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide new and improved
devices for the rapid deployment of igloos which may be easily and
efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide new and improved
devices for the rapid deployment of igloos which are of durable and
reliable constructions.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide new and
improved devices for the rapid deployment of igloos which are susceptible
of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and
which accordingly are then susceptible of low prices of sale to the
consuming public, thereby making such devices for the rapid deployment of
igloos economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide new and
improved devices for the rapid deployment of igloos which provide in the
apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof,
while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally
associated therewith.
Even still another object of the present invention is to deploy igloos more
efficiently, conveniently and quickly through an inflatable form.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved apparatus for fabricating an igloo and like structures comprising
an inflatable form apparatus for fabricating an igloo and like structures
comprising of an inflatable form of a flexible air-impervious plastic
having a base component, a roof component and cylindrically shaped side
walls.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set
forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the
following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference
to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the new and improved device for the rapid
deployment of an igloo constructed in accordance with the principles of
the present invention shown with an igloo formed in association therewith.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the form shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the form deployed in association with a
partially fabricated igloo.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the form deployed for fabricating an entry
for the igloo.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a form folded and wrapped being positioned
in a container.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a form in a container, and associated
component positioned in a backpack.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an igloo constructed in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the prior Figure taken along line 8--8 of
FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken vertically through the center of the
chimney.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a form fabricated in accordance with an
alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the form illustrated in FIG. 10.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various
Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof,
the preferred embodiment of the new and improved devices for the rapid
deployment of igloos embodying the principles and concepts of the present
invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be
described.
As can be readily seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the system 10 of the present
invention includes a form 12. More specifically, the form is fabricated of
an inflatable, flexible, air-impervious material. The preferred material
is plastic, more preferably polyurethane. Other acceptable plastics with
like include properties could be utilized.
The form has a generally horizontal circular base 18 and a circular top 14
with a cylindrical side wall 20 extending vertically therebetween. The
base and upper component form the shape of the room of the igloo to be
fabricated. The upper, lower, and intermediate side components are sealed
together as by heat sealing to hold air when inflated. Other forms of
coupling such as stitching and adhesives could be utilized.
The cylindrical side walls are shown as being fabricated as a right
circular cylinder. The side walls, however, need not be right circular
cylinder of shown. The cylindrical side walls could take the form of a
rectangular configuration with rectangular top and base components. In
this manner the formed room would be box-like in configuration.
A hose or tube 30 is formed in the form adjacent to the base with a valve
32 positioned in the tube 30. In this manner the valve and tube function
to inflate and deflate the form. For inflation, the tube 30 is coupled at
its exterior end to a pump or source of compressed air to effect inflation
as needed.
For fabricating the igloo, the form is fully inflated as shown in FIG. 3.
Prior to completely covering the form with snow, the form is deflated and
removed. It is then placed adjacent to an entrance. Thereafter the form is
partially inflated and covered with snow to form an entrance. Note FIG. 4.
The form is then deflated and removed leaving the igloo free standing.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
form 12 may be rolled up and inserted in a tubular canister 36 for storage
and transportation purposes. A lid 38 positionable on the open end of the
canister is used for sealing the form in the canister to keep it dry. A
hole 39 is formed in the central top of the lid for drainage. A similar
hole 41 is formed in the central bottom of the canister.
In addition, a knapsack or backpack 40 is provided. Note FIG. 6. The
knapsack is conventional in construction except for a divider wall 42
within the container portion of the backpack 40. In this manner, the
canister with the form may be supported to one side of the divider wall
42. In addition, a supplemental component 43 may be supported to the other
side of the divider wall 42. Such supplemental component may be a chimney,
a pump, a container of compressed air, or the like.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the final embodiment of the invention as well as
the igloo fabricated in accordance with the principles of the present
invention. Such final embodiment includes a tubular member 44 positionable
centrally in the top of the formed igloo 46. So positioned, the tube 44
functions as a chimney. A cap 48 spaced above the tube functions to
preclude the entering of rain or snow into the igloo. The cap 48 and/or
chimney 44 are preferably fabricated of a rigid transparent plastic
material for admitting light into the igloo. Holes 45 are preferably
formed adjacent to the top of the chimney to promote the circulation of
air. In addition, the cap 48 is held in position on the top of the chimney
44 through vertical connector rods 49 with spaces therebetween, again for
the purpose of promoting the circulation of air. Note FIG. 9.
An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In
such embodiment a rectangular top component 52 is coupled to a rectangular
base component 54 around their peripheries. The adjacent peripheries are
coupled in an air impervious relationship as by head sealing. This forms a
seam 56. A valve 58 extends through one of the components for inflating
and deflating the form.
In this embodiment, the initial sheets are rectangular. They may be two
rectangular panels of the same size with heat sealing around the entire
periphery. In the alternative, however, a single elongated rectangular
sheet may be employed and overlapped at a center line through the middle
of the long edges. Heat sealing would be done on the three overlapped free
edges. The valve is then inserted. When inflated with air the device takes
on a lozenge shape, like an over stuffed pillow. At its fullest, it is
nearly circular in cross sectional approaching spherical in shape, but
with a slight elongation in overall appearance.
The present invention is an inflatable polyurethane form that is designed
to serve as a temporary frame for building igloos. It provides a
relatively quick and easy way to construct an igloo while at the same time
offering the advantages of being lightweight and easy to transport and
store.
The present invention features plastic air valves so the form can be
inflated and deflated, and is made of a polyurethane film that remains
flexible down to -100 degrees Fahrenheit, and has a 97 percent memory
retention. The material also has an incredible 9,000 p.s.i. tensile
strength.
To use the present invention, you fill the inflator with air. Next, connect
the air line to the pattern and fill it by compressing the inflator. The
pattern should be filled so that its diameter is no larger than 48 inches.
Taking care to avoid sharp objects that might puncture it, place the
pattern in the desired location and cover it with snow. The walls of your
igloo should be made firm and between 6 and 12 inches thick. Deflate the
pattern slightly and relocate it to form the entrance, and again, cover
the pattern with snow. Finally, deflate and remove the pattern.
Outdoors people, winter enthusiasts, and others will no doubt have an
interest in this product. It streamlines the process of building an igloo
considerably without adding significantly to the amount of equipment that
must be carried.
Note is taken that the form when deflated may be used as a ground cloth
after the igloo is fully formed. No fire, however should be made on the
form. Further, the back pack may be used as a door for the igloo.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same
should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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