U.S. patent application number 16/624283 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for multiple air compartment adjustment device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mei-Li Cheng. Invention is credited to Mei-Li Cheng.
Application Number | 20200113347 16/624283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63499982 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200113347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng; Mei-Li |
April 16, 2020 |
MULTIPLE AIR COMPARTMENT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE
Abstract
A multiple air compartment adjustment device includes at least
two air compartments, an adjustment unit, at least one positioning
member. The air compartments are arranged in a tiered form. The air
compartments include, in an interior thereof, an elastic body. The
adjustment unit includes at least two valve assemblies, which
include a connection valve, a self-charging valve, and an operation
section. The positioning member is movably disposed on the
adjustment unit and one of the positioning member includes an
activation section. The air compartments are automatically operated
to adjust for high, low, soft, stiff, and shape according to a
magnitude of a pressing force and after the pressing force acting
disappears, inflation can be automatically carried out for shape
restoration to prevent the elastic body from elastic fatigue and
deformation.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Mei-Li; (Taipei City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cheng; Mei-Li |
Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
63499982 |
Appl. No.: |
16/624283 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
June 7, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2018/090206 |
371 Date: |
December 18, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 31/60 20130101;
A47C 27/10 20130101; A47C 27/081 20130101; A47G 9/1027
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/10 20060101
A47C027/10; A47C 27/08 20060101 A47C027/08; A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 20, 2017 |
CN |
201720719246.3 |
Claims
1. A multiple air compartment adjustment device, comprising: at
least two air compartments, which are arranged in a tiered form,
the air compartments comprising an elastic body, the air
compartments being connected with an air tube; an adjustment unit,
which comprises at least two valve assemblies, the valve assemblies
being each connected to the air tubes of the air compartments of
each tier, the valve assemblies comprising a connection valve, a
self-charging valve, and an operation section, the connection valve
being in communication with the self-charging valve, the connection
valve being connected with the air tube, the operation section
being operable to control air flowing or not flowing between inside
and outside of the connection valve; and at least one positioning
member, which is movably arranged on the adjustment unit, wherein
one of the positioning member comprises an activation section to
activate, when the positioning member is moved to a first position,
the connection valve of one of the valve assemblies and to
activate, when moved to a second position, the connection valve of
the other one of the valve assemblies.
2. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to
claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is in the form of a case, the
adjustment unit having a through hole, the positioning member
comprising an activation section at one side thereof, the
activation section being arranged in an interior of the adjustment
unit, the activation section being coupled, at one side thereof, to
a pushing section, the pushing section having a part forming a post
that is received, in a movable manner, through the through hole,
the pushing section having another part positioned on a surface of
the adjustment unit, so that the pushing section is movable along
the through hole of the adjustment unit and the positioning member
is prevented from separating from the adjustment unit.
3. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to
claim 2, wherein the adjustment unit is provided, on the surface
thereof, with multiple markings, and the pushing section comprises
a projection for pointing the markings at different locations
during a movement of the positioning member in order to provide an
indication of positions of stages for adjustment positioning.
4. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to
claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is provided, on an inside wall
thereof, with multiple retention notches arranged in a paired and
opposing form, the activation section being provided, on two side
edges thereof, with two opposite retention flanges, the retention
flanges being retainable in the retention notches, the adjustment
unit being selected from plastic materials so that the retention
flanges are movable to dislodge from the retention notches for
being retained in another ones of the retention notches, thereby
providing a multiple-stage-switchable adjustment positioning
effect.
5. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to
claim 1, wherein in an embodiment of the activation section, the
activation section comprises a U-shaped portion, the U-shaped
portion having two branches each provided with a first pressing
section and a second pressing section projecting from an
undersurface thereof for pressing down a side rim of the operation
section of the valve assemblies.
6. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to
claim 5, wherein the first pressing section and the second pressing
section have a slope section for spreading resistance caused by
pressing of the side rim of the operation section of the valve
assemblies.
7. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to
claim 1, wherein the connection valve is formed with a through
hole, the connection valve being provided, in an interior thereof,
with an operation bar, the operation bar being received, in a
movable manner, through the through hole of the connection valve to
couple to the operation section, the operation bar being provided,
on a lower end, with a step portion, the step portion having a
lower side in engagement with and biased by a first elastic body to
have the step portion close the through hole.
8. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to
claim 1, wherein the self-charging valve is formed with an opening,
the self-charging valve being provided, in an interior thereof,
with an airtight sealing member, the airtight sealing member being
selected from elastic materials, the airtight sealing member having
an upper side in engagement with and biased by a second elastic
body to have the airtight sealing member close the opening.
9. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to
claim 1, wherein the other one of the positioning member comprises
an activation section, which activates the connection valve of the
other one of the valve assemblies when the other one of the
positioning member is moved.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustment device, and
more particularly to a multiple air compartment adjustment
device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Heretofore, pneumatic control structures of air compartment
do not allow automatic adjustment of high, low, softness,
stiffness, and shape, and are not easy to operate and does not
allow for precise and fine adjustment of a height and a shape of an
air compartment.
[0003] Thus, the present inventor has previously proposed an
automatic pneumatic control structure of air compartment that
enables automatic adjustment of high, low, softness, stiffness, and
shape of an air compartment, yet the air compartment thereof is of
a single-layered structure, making the effect of height supporting
(softness) and shapeability (contour pliancy) not perfect.
[0004] Further, reference is directed to Taiwan Utility Model
M453454, which, although allowing adjustment and setting of height
and saturation of each air compartment, has two air compartments
that are arranged on the same plane and are not in a tiered manner,
and does not fully disclose valve related structures, so that the
effect of height supporting (softness) and shapeability (contour
pliancy) is similarly not perfect, making it not effectively suit
to the needs of different users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An objective of the present invention is to provide a
multiple air compartment adjustment device that provides a better
effect of height supporting (more degrees of softness) and
shapeability (better contour pliancy) and enhanced adaptability for
better suiting to the needs of different users.
[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention is
applicable to pillows, cushions and the likes and comprises at
least two air compartments, an adjustment unit, at least one
positioning member, the air compartments being arranged in a tiered
form, the air compartments including, in an interior thereof, an
elastic body, the air compartments being connected to an air tube;
the adjustment unit comprising at least two valve assemblies, the
valve assemblies being each connected to the air tube of the air
compartments of each tier, the valve assemblies comprising a
connection valve, a self-charging valve, and an operation section,
the connection valve and the self-charging valve being in
communication with each other, the connection valve being connected
to the air tube, the operation section being operable to control
air flowing or not flowing between inside and outside of the
connection valve; the positioning member being disposed, in a
movable manner, in the adjustment unit, one of the positioning
member including an activation section to activate, when the
positioning member is moved to a first position, the connection
valve of one of the valve assemblies and to activate, when moved to
a second position, the connection valve of the other one of the
valve assemblies.
[0007] By using the positioning member and the multiple valve
assemblies to control air flowing or not flowing between the inside
and outside of the air compartments of the multiple tiers, in
addition to allowing the air compartments to automatically adjust
for high, low, soft, stiff, and shape according to a magnitude of a
pressing force (such as a head, a neck, or hips) in order to reduce
a reacting force of the air compartments, making a supported part
(such as the head, the neck, or the hips) naturally and comfortably
supported to provide an effect of height supporting (more degrees
of softness) and shapeability (contour pliancy) of better
adaptability to be more effectively suitable to different
users.
[0008] And, after the pressing force acting on the air compartments
disappears, inflation can be automatically carried out for shape
restoration to prevent the elastic body from elastic fatigue and
deformation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an adjustment unit
according to the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the adjustment unit
according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a valve assembly
according to the present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are schematic views, in cross-sectional
forms, showing an activation section of the present invention
changing from a stationary condition to a moving condition.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the adjustment unit of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of use
of the present invention, where a force is applied to cause a
positioning member to move to a first position.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of use
of the present invention, where a force is applied to cause a
positioning member to move to a second position.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustment unit
according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the adjustment
unit in a condition, where a force is applied to cause the
positioning member to move to the first position.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the adjustment
unit in a condition, where a force is applied to cause the
positioning member to move to the second position.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a
second embodiment according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the present invention is applicable
to pillows, cushions and the likes and comprises two air
compartments 10, an adjustment unit 20, and a positioning member
30. Details are provided below.
[0022] The air compartments 10 are arranged in a tiered form. The
air compartments 10 include, in an interior thereof, an elastic
body 11, and the air compartments 10 are connected to an air tube
12.
[0023] The adjustment unit 20 comprises two valve assemblies 40.
The valve assemblies 40 are each connected to the air tube 12 of
the air compartments of each tier. The valve assemblies 40 comprise
a connection valve 41, a self-charging valve 42, and an operation
section 43. The connection valve 41 and the self-charging valve 42
are in communication with each other. The connection valve 41 is
connected to the air tube 12. The operation section 43 is operable
to control air flowing or not flowing between inside and outside of
the connection valve 41.
[0024] The positioning member 30 is disposed, in a movable manner,
in the adjustment unit 20. The positioning member 30 includes an
activation section 31 to activate, when the positioning member 30
is moved to a first position, the connection valve 41 of one of the
valve assemblies 40 and to activate, when moved to a second
position, the connection valve 41 of the other one of the valve
assemblies 40.
[0025] By using the positioning member 30 and the multiple valve
assemblies to control air flowing or not flowing between the inside
and outside of the air compartments 10 of the multiple tiers, in
addition to allowing the air compartments 10 to automatically
adjust for high, low, soft, stiff, and shape according to a
magnitude of a pressing force (such as a head, a neck, or hips) in
order to reduce a reacting force of the air compartments 10, making
a supported part (such as the head, the neck, or the hips)
naturally and comfortably supported to provide an effect of height
supporting (more degrees of softness) and shapeability (contour
pliancy) of better adaptability to be more effectively suitable to
different users; and after the pressing force acting on the air
compartments 10 disappears, inflation can be automatically carried
out for shape restoration to prevent the elastic body 11 from
elastic fatigue and deformation.
[0026] In a structure of an embodiment, the adjustment unit 20 is
in the form of a case. The adjustment unit 20 has a through hole
21. The positioning member 30 includes an activation section 31 at
one side thereof. The activation section 31 is arranged in an
interior of the adjustment unit 20 and the activation section 31 is
coupled, at one side thereof, to a pushing section 32. The pushing
section 32 has a part forming a post that is received, in a movable
manner, through the through hole 21, and the pushing section 32 has
another part that is positioned on a surface of the adjustment unit
20, so that the pushing section 32 is movable along the through
hole 21 and the positioning member 30 is prevented from separating
from the adjustment unit 20.
[0027] The adjustment unit 20 is provided, on the surface thereof,
with multiple markings 23, and the pushing section 32 includes a
projection for pointing the markings 23 at different locations
during a movement of the positioning member 30 in order to provide
an indication of positions of stages for adjustment
positioning.
[0028] The adjustment unit 20 is provided, on an inside wall
thereof, with multiple retention notches 22 arranged in a paired
and opposing form. The activation section 31 is provided, on two
side edges thereof, with two opposite retention flanges 311. The
retention flanges 311 are retainable in the retention notches 22.
The adjustment unit 20 is selected from plastic materials so that
the retention flanges 311 are readily moved to dislodge from the
retention notches 22 for being retained in another ones of
retention notches 22, thereby providing a multiple-stage-switchable
adjustment positioning effect.
[0029] In a structure of an embodiment, the activation section 31
includes a U-shaped portion, and the U-shaped portion has two
branches each provided with a first pressing section 312 and a
second pressing section 313 projecting from an undersurface thereof
for pressing down a side rim of the operation section 43 of the
valve assemblies 40.
[0030] The first pressing section 312 and the second pressing
section 313 have a slope section for spreading resistance caused by
pressing of the side rim of the operation section 43 of the valve
assemblies 40.
[0031] In a structure of an embodiment, the connection valve 41 is
formed with a through hole 411, and the connection valve 41 is
provided, in an interior thereof, with an operation bar 412. The
operation bar 412 is received, in a movable manner, through the
through hole 411 to couple to the operation section 43. The
operation bar 412 is provided, on a lower end, with a step portion
413. The step portion 413 has a lower side that is in engagement
with and elastically biased by a first elastic body 414 so that the
step portion 413 is caused to close the through hole 411.
[0032] In a structure of an embodiment, the self-charging valve 42
is formed with an opening 421, and the self-charging valve 42 is
provided, in an interior thereof, with an airtight sealing member
422. The airtight sealing member 422 is selected from elastic
materials. The airtight sealing member 422 has an upper side that
is in engagement with and elastically biased by a second elastic
body 423 so that the airtight sealing member 422 is caused to close
the opening 421.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 11, when the positioning member 30
has not been moved, the valve assemblies 40 are not in
communication with the exterior and air inside the air compartments
10 is not in communication with the exterior and is only allowed to
flow in the interior.
[0034] Under such a condition, a maximum height is made and maximum
stiffness is demonstrated.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12, when a force is applied to
cause the positioning member 30 to move to a first position, the
first pressing sections 312 of the activation section 31 press down
the operation section 43 of one of the valve assemblies 40 to open
the through hole 411 and thus activating the connection valve 41 of
one of the valve assemblies 40 to set the valve assembly 40 in
communication with the exterior, and air inside the air compartment
10 of an upper tier is in communication with the exterior.
[0036] Under such a condition, a moderate height is made and
moderate stiffness is demonstrated.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 13, when a force is applied to
cause the positioning member 30 to move to a second position, the
second pressing sections 313 of the activation section 31 press
down the operation section 43 of the other one of the valve
assemblies 40, thus activating the connection valve 41 of the other
one of the valve assemblies 40 to set the valve assembly in
communication with the exterior, and air inside the air compartment
10 of a lower tier is also in communication with the exterior.
Under this condition, air inside the air compartment 10 of the
upper tier is also in communication with the exterior.
[0038] Under such a condition, a minimum height is made and minimum
stiffness is demonstrated.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 8, when a pressing force acting on the air
compartments 10 disappears (such as the head, the neck, or the hips
moving away from the air compartments 10), whether or not the
connection valves 41 are activated and set in communication with
the exterior, the elastic bodies 11 elastically restore to expand
up the air compartments 10 (not illustrated), and pressure of the
air compartments 10 sucks backward the airtight sealing member 422
of the self-charging valve 42 to thereby open the opening 421,
allowing exterior air to flow through the opening 421, the
self-charging valve 42, the connection valve 41, and the air tube
12 to reach into the air compartments 10, so that the air
compartments 10 are automatically charged with air to restore the
original shape and thus helping prevent the elastic bodies 11 from
elastic fatigue and deformation.
[0040] It is noted here that in the present invention, the number
of the air compartment 10 and the valve assembly 40 can be two or
more, and the number of the raised pressing section of the
activation section 31 can be two or more, and the number of stages
to which switching made through movement can be two or more, so
that the activation section 31 can achieve an effect of
multiple-stage-switchable adjustment positioning, to enhance an
effect of adaptability of the air compartments 10 for height
supporting (demonstrating more degrees of softness) and
shapeability (contour pliancy).
[0041] Referring to FIG. 14, the present invention may comprise
three air compartments 10, two positioning members 30, and three
valve assemblies 40, wherein the additional air compartment 10 is
located at the highest tier and the additional positioning member
30 also includes an activation section 31, the activation section
31 including only one pressing section for activating the
connection valve 41 of the third valve assembly 40 through
movement. As such, adaptability of the air compartments 10 for
height supporting (demonstrating more degrees of softness) and
shapeability (contour pliancy) can be further enhanced.
* * * * *