US 12,247,394 B2
Inflatable partition
Liu Weiqiang, Beijing (CN); Zhongzhe Dong, Beijing (CN); Long Long, Beijing (CN); and Daniel Wei, Beijing (CN)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Oct. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/496,109.
Application 18/496,109 is a continuation of application No. 17/551,672, filed on Dec. 15, 2021, granted, now 11,885,123.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/134,270, filed on Jan. 6, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0060296 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64D 11/00 (2006.01); E04B 2/74 (2006.01)
CPC E04B 2/7416 (2013.01) [B64D 11/0023 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of manufacturing an inflatable partition for a vehicle, the vehicle having a vehicle body with an interior surface, the method comprising:
forming a flexible membrane configured to be disposed within the vehicle body;
attaching an inflatable frame to an outer periphery of the flexible membrane, the inflatable frame having an inner edge adjacent the flexible membrane, an outer edge opposite the inner edge, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, an upper portion connected to the first and/or second sides, and a bottom portion opposite the upper portion, the inflatable frame being inflatable between a first state and a second state;
attaching a sealing mechanism to the outer edge of the inflatable frame, the sealing mechanism being configured to press against and attach to the interior surface of the vehicle body, the sealing mechanism including a first flexible flap projecting in a first direction from a front side of the inflatable frame and a second flexible flap projecting in a second direction, distinct from the first direction, from a back side of the inflatable frame; and
attaching first and second structural members to the inflatable frame such that the first and second structural members extend between the upper portion and the bottom portion, the first and second structural members defining an opening in the inflatable partition.