The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 22, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 23, 2000
Applicant:
Inventor:
Robert T. Bigelow, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Assignee:
Bigelow Development Aerospace, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E04B 1/34 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E04B 1/34 ;
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved sleeping berth for space modules that can be expanded from a collapsed position to provide greater passenger comfort in a larger living space. The extension of the berth is accomplished using expandable gas inflated bellows between two hard surface housings. The berth can be retracted into its closed position simply by removing the air pressure from the bellows. The berth's retracted position may still accommodate a passenger and may be used in this position when space is unavailable for the berth's extension.