Editing Inflatable (section)

===By use===

====Balloon====
{{main|Balloon}}
A '''balloon''' is an inflatable flexible filled with air and also [[gas]], such as [[helium]], [[hydrogen]], [[nitrous oxide]] or oxygen. Modern balloons can be made from materials such as [[Latex|latex rubber]], [[Neoprene|polychloroprene]], or a [[nylon]] fabric, while some early balloons were made of dried animal [[urinary bladder|bladder]]s {{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}. Latex rubber balloons may be used as inexpensive children's toys or decorations, while others are used for practical purposes such as [[Weather balloon|meteorology]], [[Angioplasty|medical treatment]], [[Barrage balloon|military defense]], or [[Balloon (aircraft)|transportation]]. A balloon's properties, including its low [[density]] and low cost, have led to a wide range of applications. The inventor of the natural latex rubber balloon, (the most common balloon) was [[Michael Faraday]] in 1824, via experiments with air and various gases.<ref>Swain, Heather (2010) [https://books.google.com/books?id=IKPb1wtWg74C&q=rubber+balloon+faradayMake&pg=PT15 These Toys: 101 Clever Creations Using Everyday Items] Penguin, 2010</ref>

====Inflatable castles====
[[Image:Jumping castle.jpg|thumbnail|right|An inflatable castle type of moonwalk.]]
{{main|Inflatable castle}}
'''Inflatable castles''' and similar structures are temporary inflatable buildings and structures that are rented for functions, school and church festivals and [[fete|village fete]]s and used for recreational purposes, mainly by children. The growth in popularity of moonwalks has led to an inflatable rental industry which includes inflatable slides, obstacle courses, games, and more.  Inflatables are ideal for portable amusements because they are easy to transport and store.

====Inflatable boat====
[[Image:Inflatable boat-002.jpg|thumb|An [[inflatable boat]].]]
{{main|Inflatable boat}}

An '''inflatable boat''' is a lightweight boat constructed with its sides and bow made of flexible tubes containing pressurised gas. For smaller boats, the floor and hull beneath it are often flexible. On boats longer than {{convert|3|m|ft|0|disp=or}}, the floor often consists of three to five rigid [[plywood]] or [[aluminium]] sheets fixed between the tubes but not joined rigidly together. Often the [[Transom (nautical)|transom]] is rigid, providing a location and structure for mounting an [[outboard motor]].

Some inflatable boats have been designed to be disassembled and packed into a small volume, so they can easily be stored and transported to water when needed. Here the boat when inflated is kept rigid crossways by a foldable removable [[thwart]]. This feature allows such boats to be used as [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|liferaft]]s for larger [[boat]]s or [[aircraft]], and for travel or recreational purposes.

Other terms for inflatable boats are "inflatable dinghy", "rubber dinghy", "inflatable", or "inflatable rescue boat".

====Pneumatic tire====
[[File:Claas Jaguar 970, Vorderrad mit Schlauch der Reifendruckregelanlage.jpg|thumb|An inflated vehicle tire]]
{{main|Tire}}

A '''tire''' (in American English and Canadian English) or '''tyre''' (in British English, New Zealand English, Australian English and others) is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel [[Rim (wheel)|rim]] to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground. The word itself may be derived from the word "tie," which refers to the outer steel ring part of a wooden cart wheel that ties the wood segments together (see Etymology below).

The fundamental materials of modern tires are [[synthetic rubber]], [[natural rubber]], fabric and wire, along with other compound chemicals. They consist of a tread and a body. The tread provides [[Traction (engineering)|traction]] while the body ensures support. Before rubber was invented, the first versions of tires were simply bands of metal that fitted around wooden wheels in order to prevent wear and tear. Today, the vast majority of tires are [[pneumatic]] [[inflatable structure]]s, comprising a doughnut-shaped body of cords and wires encased in rubber and generally filled with compressed air to form an inflatable cushion. Pneumatic tires are used on many types of vehicles, such as [[bicycle]]s, [[motorcycles]], [[cars]], [[truck]]s, [[earthmover]]s, and [[aircraft]].

====Air-supported structure====
[[Image:Air-supported dome.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Air-supported dome used as a sports and recreation venue]]
{{main|Air-supported structure}}
An '''air-supported (or air-inflated) structure''' is any permanent building that derives its structural integrity from the use of internal pressurized [[air]] to inflate a pliable material (i.e. structural fabric) [[building envelope|envelope]], so that air is the main support of the structure. It is usually [[dome|dome-shaped]], since this shape creates the greatest [[volume]] for the least amount of material. However, rectangular inflatables are also possible, such as the ''Airtecture Exhibition Hall'' constructed by [[Festo|Festo AG & Co]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tensinet.com/database/viewProject/3753 |title=Airtecture Exhibition Hall |publisher=TensiNet |access-date=2011-09-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120002836/http://www.tensinet.com/database/viewProject/3753 |archive-date=2011-11-20 }}</ref>

The concept was popularized on a large scale by [[David H. Geiger]] with the United States pavilion at [[Expo '70]] in [[Osaka, Japan]] in 1970.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/04/obituaries/david-geiger-engineer-54-dies.html | work=The New York Times | title=David Geiger, Engineer, 54, Dies | date=1989-10-04}}</ref>

To maintain structural integrity, the structure must be pressurized such that the internal [[pressure]] equals or exceeds any external pressure being applied to the structure (i.e. [[wind]] pressure). The structure does not have to be airtight to retain structural integrity—as long as the pressurization system that supplies internal pressure replaces any air leakage, the structure will remain stable. All access to the structure interior must be equipped with two sets of doors or revolving door ([[airlock]]). Air-supported structures are secured by heavy weights on the ground, ground anchors, attached to a foundation, or a combination of these.

====Inflatables for entertainment====
The original inflatable game was the [[Moonwalk (bounce house)]]. Today there are a wide variety of inflatable games that come in all shapes and sizes. Many inflatable games put people in head-to-head competition with other people such as the bungee run and gladiator joust. There are also several inflatable obstacle courses available. Because of their large size, most obstacle courses consist of two or more inflatables connected together.

There are also several variations on sports games which are made portable thanks to inflatables. A sports cage is an inflatable cage that holds up a backdrop that resembles a sport (e.g., [[baseball]], [[American football]], [[football (soccer)|soccer]], [[golf]]) in which you throw, toss, hit or kick a ball at a marked spot on the backdrop. The cage not only holds the backdrop but keeps balls from flying everywhere. Some sports cages come with a [[radar gun]] that will tell you the speed of your throw or kick.

====Decorative inflatables====
[[File:Holiday yard inflatables.jpg|thumb|right|Holiday yard inflatables at a Walmart in The Villages, Florida.]]
During the 2000s, inflatables have replaced the plastic [[Blow molding|blow-mold]]ed yard decorations used as Christmas decorations at many U.S. homes, and are also now used as Halloween decorations and for other occasions as well.

These are made of a [[synthetic fabric]], of which different colors have been sewn together in various patterns.  An electric blower constantly forces air into the figure, replacing air lost through its fabric and seams.  They are internally lit by small C7 [[incandescent light bulb]]s (also used in nightlights), which are covered by [[translucent]] plastic snap-on globes that protect the fabric from the heat if they should rest against it.

Inflatables come in various sizes, commonly four feet or 1.2 meters tall (operated with a [[extra-low voltage|low-voltage]] [[direct current|DC]] [[power supply]] and a computer fan), and six or eight feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) tall, running directly from [[alternating current|AC]] [[mains electricity]].  Like inflatable rides, outdoor types are staked to the ground with [[guy wire]]s (usually synthetic rope or flat straps) to keep them upright in the wind, though being rather flimsy this does not always work.  Heavy snow or rainwater which has accumulated may also prevent proper inflation.

While these store compactly, there are disadvantages, including the large amount of electricity needed to constantly keep them inflated.  While they can be turned off in the daytime, this leaves the figure deflated, and subject to the rain and snow problem. [[Freezing rain]], heavy snow, or high winds may also cause inflatables to collapse.  Additionally, like a tent, they must be completely dry before being packed for storage, or [[mildew]] may be a problem (especially if kept in a basement).

Decorative inflatables can be mended using duct tape or rip stock patching tape. Since these materials are now available in colors, matching the patch to the inflatable is not difficult.

Decorative inflatables are made in many popular characters, including [[Santa Claus]] and snowmen for [[Christmas]], and ghosts and [[jack-o-lantern]]s for [[Halloween]].  Several [[trademark]]ed characters are also produced, including [[SpongeBob SquarePants]], [[Winnie the Pooh]], and [[Snoopy]] and [[Woodstock (Peanuts)|Woodstock]] from ''[[Peanuts]]''.  There are also walk-through arches and "[[haunted house]]s" for children, and items for other holidays like [[Uncle Sam]] for [[Independence Day (US)|Independence Day]], and palm trees for backyard summer cookouts.

Since 2005, there are also inflatable [[snow globe]]s which blow tiny [[styrofoam]] beads around on the inside, the blower's air jet picking them up and through a tube to the top, where they fall down inside the clear [[Polyvinyl chloride|vinyl]] front.  On others, mainly for Halloween,  lightweight foam [[bat (animal)|bat]]s or ghosts spin around like confetti in what is called a "tornado globe".  The figures inside both types are also inflatables.

Since 2006, several of these have motion, which is driven by the air itself and the [[Venturi effect]].  The original is a [[merry-go-round]] (usually surrounded by clear vinyl for support), another from 2007 is an [[airplane]] with moving [[propeller]].  Ghosts may also have streamers which blow around where the air escapes.
[[File:Alphie Fireworks! 01.jpg|thumb|''[[Alphie the Alpha Turtle]]'' floating on Darling Harbor (2014)]]
Inflatables have been made by visual artists and displayed in prominent places in Australia, including on the water in [[Sydney harbor|Sydney Harbor]] and in the sky over the city of [[Canberra]]. Examples include ''[[Alphie the Alpha Turtle]]'' and Patricia Piccinini's ''[[The Skywhale]]''.

====Structural inflatables====
[[Image:Traverse City Film Festival with Airscreen.JPG|thumb|Public screening with an [[inflatable movie screen]]]]
Airbeams, inflatable spars,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US3994102A/en|title=Inflatable element and system}}</ref>  inflatable wings,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US4725021A/en|title=Inflatable wing}}</ref> and [[tensairity]]-enhanced inflatable bladders provide a means to structure practical objects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.natick.army.mil/soldier/media/fact/shelter/Airbeam.htm |title=Airbeam Technology |date=2003-03-31 |work=Natick server webpage |publisher=US Army |access-date=2012-01-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623194839/http://www.natick.army.mil/soldier/media/fact/shelter/Airbeam.htm |archive-date=June 23, 2007 }}</ref>

Inflatable [[ballute]] structures have been proposed for use during [[aerocapture]], [[aerobraking]] and [[atmospheric entry]] of [[cubesat]]<ref name=as20111224>{{cite web |title=Reentry System—CubeSat Recovery System |url=http://www.andrews-space.com/content-main.php?mainsection=Mjc2 |year=2008 |publisher=Andrews Space |access-date=2011-12-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101193223/http://www.andrews-space.com/content-main.php?mainsection=Mjc2 |archive-date=2012-01-01 }}</ref> and [[nanosatellite|nanosat]]<ref name=ss2011>{{cite web |title=NanoSat Deorbit and Recovery System (DRS) to Enable New Missions |url=http://www.andrews-space.com/brochures/Publications/AndrewsSpace-SmallSat2011-NanosatelliteDeorbitandRecovery.pdf |work=conference paper |publisher=Small Sat 2011 |access-date=2012-01-22 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[satellites]].  The inflatable structures for these applications may take a variety of engineered shapes including stacked toroidal, tension cone and isotensoid ballute form factors.<ref name=ss2011/>

[[Inflatable space habitat]]s have been proposed since the 1960s<ref>{{cite web |url=http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/ABSTRACTS/GPN-2003-00106.html |title=GPN-2003-00106 - Inflatable Station Concept |year=1961 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206093856/http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/ABSTRACTS/GPN-2003-00106.html |archive-date=2012-02-06 }}</ref> and one expandable [[Bigelow Next-Generation Commercial Space Station|space station]] is currently planned for launch in 2015.<ref name=aw20100506>[http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2010/05/06/11.xml&channel=space Bigelow Marketing Inflatable Space Stations]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''[[Aviation Week]]'', 2010-05-06, accessed 2010-10-30.</ref>