U.S. patent application number 15/634569 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-12 for rotatable connector assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aqua-Leisure Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Aqua-Leisure Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Scott R. de Grasse.
Application Number | 20170292553 15/634569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58446687 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170292553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
de Grasse; Scott R. |
October 12, 2017 |
ROTATABLE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY
Abstract
This invention relates to a rotatable connector assembly, also
referred to as a two-part connector assembly that allows connection
of one object or member bearing one part of the assembly to another
object or member bearing the other part of the assembly, and
further allows rotation of the members with respect to each other
in a plane parallel to the plane of the assembled connector,
assures that the two connector members remain attached under load
and shear forces, and permits ready detachment of the connector
members from each other.
Inventors: |
de Grasse; Scott R.;
(Marshfield, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aqua-Leisure Industries, Inc. |
Avon |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Aqua-Leisure Industries,
Inc.
Avon
MA
|
Family ID: |
58446687 |
Appl. No.: |
15/634569 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15220541 |
Jul 27, 2016 |
9719541 |
|
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15634569 |
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62236221 |
Oct 2, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 4/54 20130101; F16B
12/2009 20130101; F16B 12/12 20130101; A47C 1/146 20130101; A47C
1/143 20130101; A47C 7/42 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16B 12/12 20060101
F16B012/12; A47C 4/54 20060101 A47C004/54; A47C 7/42 20060101
A47C007/42; A47C 1/14 20060101 A47C001/14 |
Claims
1. A rotatable connector assembly, comprising: a first connector
member comprising a cylindrical body having one or more protrusions
extending radially therefrom; and a second connector member
comprising a cylindrical body having a perimetral rim at an upper
edge of the cylindrical body, the perimetral rim having one or more
slots therein for corresponding receipt of each of the one or more
protrusions; wherein the one or more protrusions in the first
connector member are configured to fit beneath the perimetral rim
of the second connector member when the one or more protrusions are
inserted fully into the one or more slots of the second connector
member, so that the first connector member may be rotated relative
to the second connector member.
2. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the at one
or more protrusions extend outwardly from the cylindrical body of
the first connector member.
3. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the
perimetral rim at the upper edge of the cylindrical body of the
second connector member extends inwardly.
4. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
connector member further comprises a plate proximate an upper edge
of the cylindrical body of the first connector member.
5. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or
more protrusions comprise a plurality of protrusions and the one or
more slots comprise a plurality of slots.
6. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 5, wherein the
plurality of protrusions are not all equally spaced apart around
the cylindrical body of the first connector member, such that the
plurality of protrusions align with the slots at a single
orientation between the first connector member and the second
connector member.
7. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
connector member comprises a perimetral rim extending from an upper
edge of the cylindrical body of the first connector member.
8. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the
perimetral rim of the first connector member is configured such
that when the one or more protrusions of the first connector member
are fully inserted into the one or more slots of the second
connector member, the perimetral rim of the first connector member
is proximate to the perimetral rim of the second connector
member.
9. The rotabable connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the
perimetral rim of the first connector member is configured such
that when the one or more protrusions of the first connector member
are fully inserted into the one or more slots of the second
connector member, the perimetral rim of the first connector member
rests on the perimetral rim of the second connector member.
10. The rotabable connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the
perimetral rim of the first connector member comprises one or more
cut-out areas, each of the one or more cut-out areas being
positioned above one of the plurality of protrusions.
11. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or
more protrusions are spaced apart from the perimetral rim of the
first connector member.
12. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or
more protrusions are sufficiently spaced apart from the perimetral
rim of the first connector member such that the perimetral rim of
the second connecter member may fit between the one or more of
protrusions and the perimetral rim of the first connector
member.
13. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the
perimetral rim of the first connector member extends outwardly from
the first connector member.
14. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the
second connector member further comprises a ring portion proximate
a lower edge of the cylindrical body of the second connector
member.
15. An inflatable lounge, comprising an inflatable body; an
inflatable cushion; and a rotatable connector assembly, comprising:
a first connector member attached to one of the inflatable body and
the inflatable cushion, the first connector comprising a
cylindrical body having one or more protrusions extending radially
therefrom; and a second connector member attached to the other of
the inflatable body and the inflatable cushion, the second
connector comprising a cylindrical body having a perimetral rim at
an upper edge of the cylindrical body, the perimetral rim having
one or more slots therein for corresponding receipt of each of the
one or more protrusions; wherein the one or more protrusions in the
first connector member are configured to fit beneath the perimetral
rim of the second connector member when the one or more protrusions
are inserted fully into the one or more slots of the second
connector member, so that the first connector member may be rotated
relative to the second connector member.
16. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the at
one or more protrusions extend outwardly from the cylindrical body
of the first connector member.
17. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the
perimetral rim at the upper edge of the cylindrical body of the
second connector member extends inwardly.
18. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the first
connector member further comprises a plate proximate an upper edge
of the cylindrical body of the first connector member.
19. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the one
or more protrusions comprise a plurality of protrusions and the one
or more slots comprise a plurality of slots.
20. The rotatable connector assembly of claim 19, wherein the
plurality of protrusions are not all equally spaced apart around
the cylindrical body of the first connector member, such that the
plurality of protrusions align with the slots at a single
orientation between the first connector member and the second
connector member.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
62/236,221, filed Oct. 2, 2015 and entitled "ROTATABLE DETACHABLE
CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY," which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Assemblies and methods for mechanically connecting and
detaching separate components are generally described. In
particular, assemblies and methods are described for use with an
inflatable lounge.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Different assemblies and methods for mechanically connecting
separate components including those of an inflatable lounge are
known. However, these assemblies are often overly-complex, or if
they are easily attachable they tend to be difficult to detach or
prone to unwanted detachment.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for alternative assemblies.
SUMMARY
[0005] Assemblies and methods for mechanically connecting and
detaching separate components are generally described.
[0006] According to one more embodiments, a rotatable connector
assembly is provided. The rotatable connector assembly may comprise
a first connector member and a second connector member. The first
connector member may comprise a cylindrical body having one or more
protrusions extending radially therefrom. The second connector
member may comprise a cylindrical body having a perimetral rim at
an upper edge of the cylindrical body. The perimetral rim may have
one or more slots therein for corresponding receipt of each of the
one or more protrusions. The one or more protrusions in the first
connector member may be configured to fit beneath the perimetral
rim of the second connector member when the one or more protrusions
are inserted fully into the one or more slots of the second
connector member, so that the first connector member may be rotated
relative to the second connector member.
[0007] According to one or more embodiments an inflatable lounge is
provided. The inflatable lounge may comprise an inflatable body; an
inflatable cushion; and a rotatable connector assembly, such as the
one described above, having a first connector member attached to
one of the inflatable body and the inflatable cushion, and a second
connector member attached to the other of the inflatable body and
the inflatable cushion.
[0008] Other advantages and novel features of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description of
various non-limiting embodiments of the invention when considered
in conjunction with the accompanying figures. In cases where the
present specification and a document incorporated by reference
include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure, the present
specification shall control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component
illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For
purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every
figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention
shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the
figures:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotatable connector
assembly in accordance with the instant invention, with the first
(male) connector member shown above the second (female) connector
member;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rotatable connector
assembly of FIG. 1, in which the male connector member has been
positioned with its protrusions partially inserted into the slots
in the second connector part;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rotatable connector
assembly of FIG. 1, in which the male connector part has been fully
mated with the female connector part, so that the two parts may be
rotated with respect to each other; and
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates one application of the rotatable
connector assembly to allow adjustable rotation of a back support
cushion that is detachably connected to the body of an inflatable
lounge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Assemblies and methods for mechanically connecting separate
components are generally described.
[0015] According to one or more embodiments, a rotatable connector
assembly is disclosed. The rotatable connector assembly may be a
two-part assembly. The rotatable connector assembly may comprise a
first connector member and a second connector member. The first
connector member may comprise the male part of the two-part
assembly. The second connector member may comprise the female part
of the two part assembly.
[0016] The first connector member may comprise a cylindrical body
having a one or more protrusions (e.g., teeth) extending radially
therefrom. The protrusions may extend radially outwardly from the
cylindrical body, for example as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
or may alternatively extend radially inwardly from the cylindrical
body.
[0017] The second connector member may comprise a cylindrical body.
The cylindrical body may have a perimetral rim (a rim surrounding
the perimeter) at its upper edge. The perimetral rim may have one
or more slots therein for corresponding receipt of each of the one
or more protrusions.
[0018] According to one or more embodiments, when the first, or
male, connector member is mated with the second, or female,
connector member, the two members may be rotated relative to each
other. Once the protrusions on the first connector part are rotated
away from the slots on the second connector member, a perimetral
rim extending beyond the perimeter of the first connector member
cooperates with the perimetral rim on the upper edge of the second
connector member to keep the two members in close association with
each other while the two members may be rotated relative to each
other. In some embodiments, the two members are rotatable through a
full 360 degree range of motion. Alternatively, in some embodiments
the two members may be rotatable through a limited range of motion
of less than 360 degrees, for example, 90 degrees, to aid in
positioning articles attached to the two members into a desired
orientation.
[0019] The two connector members may be detached from each other by
rotation of the parts until the protrusions in the first connector
member are re-aligned with the slots in the second connector
member, so that the two connector members may then be pulled
apart.
[0020] One application of the instant invention involves the
rotatable attachment of a cushion to an inflatable lounge, the
invention facilitating the ready attachment and detachment of the
cushion from the lounge as desired while assuring that the two
parts of the connector remain attached under load and shear
forces.
[0021] In FIG. 1, the rotatable connector assembly 1 of the instant
invention comprises a first connector member 10 (i.e., male part)
and a second connector member 20 (i.e., female part).
[0022] The first connector member 10 comprises a cylindrical body
12 having protrusions 14 extending radially therefrom. Two such
protrusions 14 may be seen in FIG. 1, and an unseen third
protrusion extends from the rear of the cylindrical body 12.
Different embodiments may have a different number of protrusions. A
perimetral rim 19 extends from an upper edge 13 of the cylindrical
body 12. The protrusions 14 may be spaced apart from the perimetral
rim 19. For example, a spaced region 15 may separate the top
surface of a protrusion 14 from a bottom surface of the perimetral
rim 19. The plurality of protrusions 14 may be sufficiently spaced
apart from the perimetral rim 19 of the first connector member 10
such that a perimetral rim 24 of the second connecter member 20,
described below, may fit between the plurality of protrusions 14
and the perimetral rim 19 of the first connector member 10. For the
sake of simplicity and clarity, the disclosed embodiments are
generally described with the first connector member 10 positioned
above the second connector member 20. It should be understood,
however, that changing the positions or directions of the two
members 10 and 20 would not affect the scope of the invention.
[0023] The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 further comprises optional
cut-out areas 18 situated in the perimetral rim 19, with each of
the cut-out areas 18 positioned above situated above each
protrusion 14, which may facilitate ready location of the
protrusions 14 for alignment with the corresponding slots 26 in the
second connector member 20, as described below. An optional plate
16 extends across the top of cylinder 12. The plate 16 may be flat,
as shown, or curved (e.g., concave or convex). The plate 16 may be
integral with the perimetral rim 19.
[0024] The second, or female, connector member 20 of the rotatable
connector assembly 1 comprises a cylindrical body 22 having a
perimetral rim 24 at an upper edge 23 of the cylindrical body 22.
Slots 26 formed in the perimetral rim 24 are adapted for receipt of
the protrusions 14 of the first connector member 10. The perimetral
rim 24 may extend inwardly as shown in FIG. 1, or may, in
alternative embodiments not shown, extend outwardly. An optional
ring portion 28 extends radially around a lower edge 25 of the
cylindrical portion 22.
[0025] According to certain embodiments, for example, the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the protrusions 14 of the first
connector member 10 may be not all equally spaced apart around the
cylindrical body 12, such that the plurality of protrusions align
with the slots at a single orientation between the first connector
member and the second connector member. This unequal spacing
ensures that the two connector members 10 and 20 may be detached
from each other at only a single position, thus making it less
likely that the two connector members 10 and 20 are inadvertently
separated, in operation.
[0026] FIG. 2 depicts the first connector member 10 (i.e., the male
connector part) partly mated with the second connector member 20
(i.e., the female connector part), the protrusions 14 of the former
being partially inserted into the slots 26 of the latter.
[0027] FIG. 3 depicts the two connector members 10 and 20 mated
together and rotatable with respect to each other. As discussed
above and as can be seen in FIG. 1, protrusions 14 of male
connector part 10 extend only part way up the wall of cylinder 12,
and the protrusions 14 are therefore spaced apart from the
perimetral rim 19. As a result of this configuration, when the
first connector member 10 (i.e., the male part) is fully mated with
the second connector member 20 (i.e., the female part), protrusions
14 are rotatable below the rim 24 of female part 20. In other
words, the plurality of protrusions 14 may be sufficiently spaced
apart from the perimetral rim 19 of the first connector member 10
such that a perimetral rim 24 of the second connecter member 20,
described below, may fit between the plurality of protrusions 14
and the perimetral rim 19 of the first connector member 10. At the
same time, protrusions 14 are of sufficient height to ensure that
the perimetral rim 19 of the first connector member 10 and the
perimetral rim 24 of the second connector member 20 are proximate
to each other as the two connector parts are rotated relative to
one another. For example, the perimetral rim 19 of the first
connector member 10 may rest on the perimetral rim 24 of the second
connector member 20.
[0028] In some embodiments, the attached pair of connector members
may be detached only by aligning the protrusion(s) and slot(s) and
then pulling the two members apart. In some embodiments, the
connector assembly may be configured to limit or reduce the
potential for unwanted or accidental disassembly. For example, the
first connector member and the second connector member may be
detachable at only a single, unique orientation between the first
member and the second member. In some embodiments, the plurality of
protrusions are not all equally spaced apart around the cylindrical
body of the first connector member, such that the plurality of
protrusions align with the slots at a single orientation between
the first connector member and the second connector member. By
limiting the necessary alignment for detachment to a single
orientation, the chances for accidental disassembly are
significantly reduced.
[0029] The connector parts may be machined or molded from
appropriate materials, and are preferably made of Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC). The assembly may have any suitable dimensions, for
example the connected assembly may have a longest cross-sectional
dimension (e.g., diameter) . The connector parts may be attached to
articles by any suitable known or later-discovered techniques. For
example, the connector parts may be heat welded to the articles to
which they are attached, for example, the plastic lounge and
cushion described below in relation to FIG. 4.
[0030] According to one or more embodiments, the connector
assembly, and systems or articles that incorporate the connector
assembly, may be operated as follows. The one or more protrusions
of the first connector member may be aligned with the one or more
slots of the second connector member. The one or more protrusions
may then be inserted into the one or more slots. The first member
and the second member may be rotated relative to each other,
bringing the protrusion(s) and slot(s) out of alignment and placing
the protrusion(s) underneath the perimetral rim of the second
member, and thereby securing or connecting the two connector
members. While in the secured or connected state, the first
connected member and second member may be rotated through a range
of motion, including a full 360 degree range of motion according to
some embodiments. The connector assembly may be further operated to
detach the two connected members of the connector assembly. The
process of detaching comprises reorienting the first connector
member and the second connector member to realign the one or more
protrusions of the first member from the one or more slots of the
second member and withdrawing the first member from the second
member. Methods of operating the connector assembly and systems or
articles that incorporate the connector assembly, may incorporate
any of the embodiments of the connector assembly.
[0031] FIG. 4 depicts one example of an application or use of the
instant connector assembly. An inflatable lounge 40 comprises an
inflatable body 41 and an inflatable cushion 50, and a rotatable
connector assembly 1 removably attaching the body 41 to the
inflatable cushion 50. The body 41 may comprise an inflatable
bladder 42 and a seating area 44. In the embodiment shown, the
inflatable cushion 50 is removably attached by the connector
assembly 1 to the body 41 at an inner portion of an inflatable
bladder 42 on each side of a seating area 44 (with the connector
assembly 1 on the left side of the cushion 50 out of view). In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the first connector member 10 (i.e.,
the male part) of the connector assembly 1 is attached to the body
41 and the second connector member 20 (i.e., the female part) is
attached to the cushion 50. Alternatively, the first connector
member 10 could be attached to the cushion 50 and the second
connector member 20 could be attached to the body 41.
[0032] The cushion 50 may then be rotated about the two connector
assemblies 1 to provide adjustable back support for the user of the
inflatable lounge 40. In some embodiments, the plate 16 of the
first connector member 10 may be affixed to the cushion 50, and the
rim 28 of second connector member 20 may be affixed to the
inflatable bladder so that when the two connector members 10 and 20
are mated, the cushion 50 may rotate freely without separation of
the connector members 10 and 20 under load or shear forces, and the
cushion 50 may be detached from the body 41 when desired.
[0033] While several embodiments of the present invention have been
described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the
art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or
structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the
results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and
each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within
the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled
in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or
applications for which the teachings of the present invention
is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many
equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described
herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing
embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described
and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual
feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein.
In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,
articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems,
articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,
is included within the scope of the present invention.
[0034] The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the
specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one."
[0035] The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and
in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those elements specifically identified unless clearly
indicated to the contrary. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a
reference to "A and/or B," when used in conjunction with open-ended
language such as "comprising" can refer, in one embodiment, to A
without B (optionally including elements other than B); in another
embodiment, to B without A (optionally including elements other
than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally
including other elements); etc.
[0036] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or"
should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as
defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or"
or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the
inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a
number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted
items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only
one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims,
"consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element
of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used
herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive
alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded
by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of,"
or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the
claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of
patent law.
[0037] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more
elements, should be understood to mean at least one element
selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of
elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every element specifically listed within the list of elements and
not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present
other than the elements specifically identified within the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one,
optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment,
to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B
(and optionally including other elements); etc.
[0038] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," "involving," "holding," and the like are to
be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not
limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and
"consisting essentially of" shall be closed or semi-closed
transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United
States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section
2111.03.
* * * * *