(19)
(11) EP 0 647 751 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
28.06.1995 Bulletin 1995/26

(43) Date of publication A2:
12.04.1995 Bulletin 1995/15

(21) Application number: 94850131.7

(22) Date of filing: 15.07.1994
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: E04H 15/20
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE DE ES FR GB IT NL SE

(30) Priority: 16.07.1993 US 93077

(71) Applicant: ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Albany, New York 12204 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Brookstein, David S.
    Wellesley, MA 02181 (US)
  • Rose, Donald J.
    Sharon, MA 02067 (US)
  • Rondiak, Roman
    Natick, MA 01760-3313 (US)
  • McIntire, John J.
    Randolph, MA 02368 (US)

(74) Representative: Bjerre, Nils B.J. 
AWAPATENT AB, P.O. Box 5117
200 71 Malmö
200 71 Malmö (SE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Braided airbeams and method of making the same


    (57) An airbeam (12) is formed of a bladder (20) covered by a sleeve (42) having a preselected shape, which may be for example curvilinear. When the bladder is inflated it takes the shape of the sleeve to form a structural member for a shelter or other temporary structure. Preferably the sleeve is a braided fabric. The airbeam is made by first forming a solid mandrel of the bladder and then braiding the sleeve about the mandrel. The fabric is formed of several interlocked layers.






    Search report