U.S. patent application number 13/843759 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for inflatable device with straps connected between an upper layer and lower layer thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Team Worldwide Corporation. Invention is credited to Cheng-Chung Wang, Chien-Hua Wang.
Application Number | 20140265485 13/843759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50287840 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140265485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Cheng-Chung ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
INFLATABLE DEVICE WITH STRAPS CONNECTED BETWEEN AN UPPER LAYER AND
LOWER LAYER THEREOF
Abstract
An inflatable device includes an upper layer, a lower layer, and
at least one strap alternately connected to the upper layer and the
lower layer to form a wavelike pattern between the upper layer and
the lower layer so as to limit deformation of both the upper layer
and the lower layer. The strap includes a plurality of first
contact portions connected to the upper layer, and a plurality of
second contact portions connected to the lower layer. The first
contact portions are offset from the second contact portions in a
horizontal plane respectively defined by the upper layer and the
lower layer, such that the first contact portions are not
superimposed with the second contact portions from a perspective
orthogonal to the upper and lower layers.
Inventors: |
Wang; Cheng-Chung; (Taipei,
TW) ; Wang; Chien-Hua; (Taipei, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Team Worldwide Corporation |
Taipei |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
50287840 |
Appl. No.: |
13/843759 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 17/86 20130101;
A47C 27/087 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/232 |
International
Class: |
A47C 17/86 20060101
A47C017/86 |
Claims
1. An inflatable device comprising: an upper layer; a lower layer;
and at least one strap alternately connected to the upper layer and
the lower layer to form a wavelike pattern between the upper layer
and the lower layer so as to limit deformation of both the upper
layer and the lower layer.
2. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap
comprises a plurality of first contact portions connected to the
upper layer, and a plurality of second contact portions connected
to the lower layer, wherein the first contact portions are offset
from the second contact portions in a horizontal plane respectively
defined by the upper layer and the lower layer, such that the first
contact portions are not superimposed with the second contact
portions from a perspective orthogonal to the upper and lower
layers.
3. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a
plurality of straps, wherein the straps are arranged longitudinally
with respect to the upper layer and the lower layer.
4. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a
plurality of straps, wherein the straps are arranged latitudinally
with respect to the upper layer and the lower layer.
5. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper
layer has an inner surface area, and a total contact area between
the strap and the inner surface area as a percentage of the inner
surface area is equal to or larger than 6.3%.
6. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the total
contact area between the strap and the inner surface area as a
percentage of the inner surface area is less than or equal to
63%
7. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower
layer has an inner surface area, and a total contact area between
the strap and the inner surface area as a percentage of the inner
surface area is equal to or larger than 6.3%.
8. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the total
contact area between the strap and the inner surface area as a
percentage of the inner surface area is less than or equal to
63%.
9. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower
layer is provided with a protruding peripheral edge formed on an
underside of the lower layer arranged to establish a suction force
with a surface on which the inflatable device is disposed.
10. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 9, wherein an
auxiliary strap is provided between an exterior surface of the
lower layer and an inner sidewall of the protruding peripheral
edge.
11. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an
auxiliary strap is provided between an inner surface of the
sidewall and an inner surface of the lower layer.
12. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first
auxiliary bar is provided at a joint between the upper layer and
the sidewall and a second auxiliary bar is provided at a joint
between the sidewall and the lower layer to enhance integrity of
both the upper layer and the lower layer.
13. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein portions
of the strap extending between the upper and lower layer are
slanted with respect to a reference line orthogonal to the upper
layer and the lower layer.
14. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap
is a single, continuous strip of material.
15. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap
comprises a plurality of individual strips connected between the
upper and lower layers.
16. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an angle
measured between a portion of the strap forming a contact portion
connected to the upper layer and a segment of the strap extending
from the contact portion to the lower layer is between 91 and 167
degrees.
17. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an angle
measured between a portion of the strap forming a contact portion
connected to the lower layer and a segment of the strap extending
from the contact portion to the upper layer is between 91 and 167
degrees.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present application relates to an inflatable device, and
in particular to an inflatable device with a strap having a
wavelike pattern connected between an upper layer and lower layer
thereof.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional inflatable
device 1 is shown and has an upper layer 11, a lower layer 12 and a
sidewall 13 connecting a peripheral edge of the upper layer 11 to a
peripheral edge of the lower layer 12 so as to form at least a
space between the upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12. Inside the
space between the upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12, a
plurality of coils (or straps) 14 are provided to respectively and
securely engage a lower face of the upper layer 11 with a top face
of the lower layer 12. As a result of the provision of the coils
14, the upper layer 11 is then securely connected to the lower
layer 12. It is noted that two distal and opposite contact portions
14A and 14B of each of the coils 14 are respectively and securely
connected to the upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12 so as to
limit movement of the upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12. It is
noted that in the conventional arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
contact portions 14A and 14B must be relatively large in order to
securely adhere the straps to the upper and lower layers.
[0005] With reference to FIG. 3, a second conventional inflatable
device 2 is shown and has an upper layer 21, a lower layer 22 and a
sidewall 23 connecting a peripheral edge of the upper layer 21 to a
peripheral edge of the lower layer 22 so as to form a space between
the upper layer 21 and the lower layer 22. Inside the space between
the upper layer 21 and the lower layer 22, multiple straps 24 are
provided to respectively and securely engage a lower face of the
upper layer 21 and a top face of the lower layer 22. With the
provision of the straps 24, movement of the upper layer 21 as well
as the lower layer 22 is limited.
[0006] From the depiction of FIG. 4, it is noted that two distal
and opposite contact portions 24A and 24B of each of the straps 24
are respectively and securely connected to the upper layer 21 and
the lower layer 22 of the inflatable device 2.
[0007] It is noted from the illustration in FIGS. 1-4 that the
contact portions 14A and 14B (or 24A and 24B) for each strap are
aligned in a horizontal plane respectively defined by the upper
layer and the lower layer such that they are superimposed from a
perspective orthogonal to the upper and lower layers. Moreover,
with reference to FIGS. 1-2, each strap is independent from the
other. The conventional arrangement of the straps in FIGS. 1-4 may
result in the waste of material, and can create difficulties in the
assembly process.
SUMMARY
[0008] Embodiments of the inflatable device of the present
application comprise an upper layer, a lower layer, and at least
one strap alternately connected to the upper layer and the lower
layer to form a wavelike pattern between the upper layer and the
lower layer so as to limit deformation of both the upper layer and
the lower layer. The strap comprises a plurality of first contact
portions connected to the upper layer, and a plurality of second
contact portions connected to the lower layer, wherein the first
contact portions are offset from the second contact portions in a
horizontal plane respectively defined by the upper layer and the
lower layer, such that the first contact portions are not
superimposed with the second contact portions from a perspective
orthogonal to the upper and lower layers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional inflatable
device which is partially cross-sectioned for easy understanding of
the structure of the device;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the conventional
inflatable device shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a conventional inflatable
device which is partially cross-sectioned for easy understanding of
the structure of the device;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the conventional
inflatable device shown in FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inflatable device
constructed in accordance with embodiments of the application,
wherein a portion of the upper layer of the inflatable device is
removed for easy understanding of the device;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing one embodiment of the
arrangement of the contact portions between the straps and both the
upper layer and the lower layer;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing another embodiment of the
arrangement of the contact portions between the straps and both the
upper layer and the lower layer;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic side plan view showing the pattern of
the strap between the upper layer and the lower layer of the
inflatable device of an embodiment of the application;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic side plan view showing the pattern of
the strap between the upper layer and the lower layer of the
inflatable device of another embodiment of the application;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic side plan view showing the pattern of
the strap between the upper layer and the lower layer of the
inflatable device of another embodiment of the application;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the application of the
alternate-contact-straps in an inflatable sofa;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the angular relationship
of the straps with the inflatable device when the straps are
disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer of the
inflatable device of an embodiment of the application;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the height relationship
of the straps within the inflatable device when the straps are
disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer of the
inflatable device of an embodiment of the present application;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a schematic side plan view showing another
embodiment of the inflatable device of the application;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a schematic side plan view showing another
embodiment of the inflatable device of the application;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an attachment of the
inflatable device of a preferred embodiment of the application;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing that the attachment
shown in FIG. 16 is connected to sides of the inflatable device of
a preferred embodiment of the application;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the attachment shown
in FIG. 16 is located at a position other than sides of the
inflatable device of a preferred embodiment of application;
[0027] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a foldable lamp
installed on a side of the inflatable device of a preferred
embodiment of the application;
[0028] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a foldable lamp
installed on a location other than the location shown in FIG. 19;
and
[0029] FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing that a
remote control provided with an illumination element is provided
with an embodiment of the inflatable device of the application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, applications,
or uses. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the
following description is merely illustrative of the principles of
the invention, which may be applied in various ways to provide many
different alternative embodiments.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 5, a preferred embodiment of an
inflatable device 3 constructed in accordance with the present
application has a upper layer 31, a lower layer 32, and a sidewall
33 connecting an outermost peripheral edge of the upper layer 31 to
an outermost peripheral edge of the lower layer 32 so as to form at
least one receiving space between the upper layer 31 and the lower
layer 32. A plurality of straps 34 are engaged inside the receiving
space and connected to the upper layer 31 and the lower layer 32
respectively. Preferably, the receiving space defines an inflatable
bladder or plenum that can be inflated from a deflated stated to an
inflated state by an inflator. The material of the upper layer,
lower layer, sidewall and straps may be Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC),
or any other suitable material known in the art of inflatable
products.
[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8-10, in preferred embodiments
of the application, each strap 34 is a strip of material extending
back and forth between the upper layer 31 and the lower layer 32 to
form a wavelike pattern when the inflatable device is inflated. Due
to the wavelike pattern of the strap 34, each strap 34 is
alternately and securely connected to the upper layer 31 and the
lower layer 32.
[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, in preferred embodiments
of the application, each strap 34 is a single, continuous strip of
material. As illustrated in FIG. 9, in other embodiments, each
strap 34 comprises a plurality of individual strips connected
between the upper and lower layers.
[0034] In FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a plurality of contact portions 34A and
34B are shown. For the purpose of illustration, in FIGS. 6 and 7,
each dark contact portion 34A represents the portion of each of the
straps 34 contacting the upper layer 31. Each light contact portion
34B represents a projection of the portion of each of the straps 34
contacting the lower layer 32, which from the perspective of FIGS.
6 and 7 would be directly below upper layer 31. When the inflatable
device 3 is inflated, the contact portions 34A in the upper layer
31 and the contact portions 34B in the lower layer 32 are offset in
a horizontal plane respectively defined by the upper layer 31 and
the lower layer 32 such that contact portions 34A are not
superimposed with the contact portions 34B from a perspective
orthogonal to the upper and lower layers.
[0035] In embodiments of the application, the straps 34 may extend
longitudinally or latitudinally relative to the dimensions of the
inflatable device. Furthermore, the contact portions connected to a
given layer may be aligned in the longitudinal or latitudinal
directions as shown in FIG. 6, or offset in the longitudinal or
latitudinal directions as shown in FIG. 7. For any given strap 34,
the first contact portion at a distal end of the strap may be
connected to the upper layer 31 or the lower layer 32.
[0036] In embodiments of the invention, contact portions 34A and
34B are respectively connected to the upper layer 31 and lower
layer 32 by welding. However, other methods known in the art may be
used to adhere the contact portions of the straps to the upper and
lower layers. In preferred embodiments, all of the connections of
the contact portions 34A with the upper layer 31 and/or all of the
connections of the contact portions 34B with the lower layer 32 may
be simultaneously welded with a single press of a machine.
[0037] It is further noted that the inner surface of upper layer 31
and the inner surface of lower layer 32 respectively define an area
available for engagement with the contact portions 34A and contact
portions 34B of straps 34. An area of the inner surface of the
upper layer and/or the lower layer is defined as an available area
wherever a load might be applied. In preferred embodiments, the
total areas of the contact portions 34A and 34B are respectively
greater than or equal to 6.3% of the available areas of the upper
layer and the lower layer. Moreover, in preferred embodiments, the
total areas of the contact portions 34A and 34B are respectively
less than or equal to 63% of the available areas of the upper layer
and the lower layer.
[0038] With reference to FIG. 8, in some embodiments of the
application, an underside of the lower layer 32 of the inflatable
device 3 may be free of any support. In other embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, a protruding peripheral edge 35, 35'
may be provided to the underside of the lower layer 32 such that
after the inflatable device 3 is inflated, a suction cup is formed
under the inflatable device 3. Furthermore, in order to reduce or
eliminate deformation of the inflatable device 3, an auxiliary
strap 36 may be provided inside the inflatable device 3 and between
an inner surface of the sidewall 33 and an inner surface of the
lower layer 32, as shown in FIG. 9. An auxiliary strap 37 may also
be provided between an outer surface of the lower layer 32 and the
protruding peripheral edge 35', as shown in FIG. 10.
[0039] In an embodiment of the application illustrated in FIG. 9,
the upper layer, the lower layer and the sidewall 33 form a
trapezoidal shape when the inflatable device 3 is inflated. The
addition of the auxiliary strap 36 between the inner sidewall of
the sidewall 33 and the sidewall of the lower layer 32 reduces or
eliminates deformation of the trapezoidal shape. FIGS. 8 and 10
illustrate embodiments of the application in which the
cross-section of the inflatable device 3 is rectangular.
[0040] With reference to FIG. 11, in another preferred embodiment,
inflatable device 3' has a first auxiliary bar 38 provided at a
joint between the upper layer 31 and the sidewall 33 and a second
auxiliary bar 38' provided at a joint between the sidewall 33 and
the lower layer 32 to enhance the integrity of both the upper layer
31 and the lower layer 32. Furthermore, an upright second
inflatable device 3'' is securely or detachably connected to the
inflatable device 3' depending on the requirements and design
differences.
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, it is noted that because
strap 34 extends alternately between the upper layer 31 and the
lower layer 32, each segment 34C of the strap extending between the
upper and lower layers is slanted with respect to a reference line
orthogonal to the upper layer 31 and the lower layer 32 when the
inflatable device is inflated. In a preferred embodiment, the angle
measured between a segment of the strap forming the contact portion
34A or 34B and a segment 34C of the strap extending between the
upper layer 31 and the lower layer 32 is between 91 and 167
degrees. In one preferred embodiment, the angle is 112 degrees.
However, it is understood that according to different requirements
and designs, any angle larger than 90 degrees and smaller than 180
degrees may be used for the arrangement of the strap 34.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 13, it is noted that when the inflatable
device is inflated, each strap 34 is formed into a wavelike pattern
with segments extending back and forth between the upper and lower
layers. As shown in the figure, the wavelike pattern has a height H
measured from a peripheral edge of a given contact portion 34A in
the upper layer to the face to the lower layer, or vice versa. The
length of the segment 34C extending from the peripheral edge of a
given contact portion 34A in the upper layer to a peripheral edge
of an adjacent contact portion 34B in the lower layer (or vice
versa) is Y, where H is shorter than Y. As shown in the figure, X
is distance between the peripheral edge of the contact portion 34A
in the upper layer projected to the peripheral edge of the adjacent
contact portion 34B in the lower layer (or vice versa).
[0043] The arrangement of straps 34 in a wavelike pattern between
upper and lower layers of inflatable device 3 increases the tensile
strength of the inflatable device when a load is applied thereon.
Moreover, the inventors have discovered that the wavelike pattern
of the straps 34 disclosed in the present application, wherein a
contact portion 34A in the upper layer 31 shares a single segment
34C of the strap 34 with an adjacent segment 34B in the lower layer
32, allows secure connection of the straps 34 to the upper and
lower layers using contact portions 34A and 34B with areas smaller
relative to what would be necessary in the conventional coil
arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, in embodiments of the
application, the amount of material used in the strap can be
reduced relative to the conventional arrangement shown in the FIGS.
1-2. In other embodiments, the same amount of material relative to
the conventional arrangement shown in the FIGS. 1-2 may be used,
but more contact portions can be provided, resulting in improved
tensile strength of the inflatable device. For example, in
embodiments of the application, a total of ninety-nine contact
portions may be provided in each of the upper and lower layers with
the same amount of material that would allow for only forty eight
contact portions in each of the upper and lower layers using the
conventional arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is understood
that in other embodiments of the application, both material savings
and improved tensile strength over the conventional arrangement may
be achieved by balancing the amount of material and the number of
contact portions according to design requirements.
[0044] With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, in other embodiments, the
inflatable device 4 may also be provided with a rectangular body 41
and an elongated circular headboard 42 or an elongated
semielliptical headboard 42' connected to a side of the rectangular
body 41. The headboard may be formed into any shape and fit into
the body 41.
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, a receptacle
5 is provided with a recess 51 for receiving therein accessories
such as eyeglasses, a cup holder for a soft drink, or a USB socket
52 for connection with USB devices. The receptacle 5 may be
inflatable or rigid. A single receptacle 5 may be provided at one
side of the device, or a receptacle 5 may be provided at each side
of the inflatable device spaced part from the headboard 42.
Alternately, the receptacle 5 could also be provided in the
headboard 42'. In additional embodiments, a foldable light 6 may be
provided inside a receiving space 421 defined inside the headboard
42' or a receiving space 411 defined in a side layer of the
rectangular body 41 for purpose of providing illumination to the
user lying on the inflatable device.
[0046] With reference to FIG. 21, in an additional embodiment, a
reading light 7 is provided to a remote control for an electrical
inflator of the inflatable device. The remote control is
electrically connected to a power source of the inflator, such that
whenever a user is using the remote control to control the
inflating/deflating process of the inflatable device, the reading
light 7 is available to provide illumination if necessary.
[0047] It is to be noted that although the preferred embodiment of
the present invention has been described, other modifications,
alterations or minor change to the structure should still be within
the scope defined in the claims. As those skilled in the art will
readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the
device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the
invention.
* * * * *