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Drawing from US Patent 4899406 |
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Folding cushion |
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| Publication Date |
February 13, 1990 |
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| Filing Date |
September 30, 1988 |
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| Parent Case |
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 095,832 filed Sept. 14,
1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,735, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an inflatable cushion and more particularly to a
cushion which is foldable along folding means to permit easy deflated
storage and portability.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The prior art provides inflatable cushions which, once inflated, seemingly
defy easy deflation into a flat and foldable condition. Thus, the storage
of present inflatable cushions, and the like, requires more volume than
would be required if the inflatable cushion could be essentially deflated
of the inflating fluid and folded.
What is needed is an inflatable cushion which provides for easy and
substantially complete removal of the inflating fluid.
It is a primary object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion
which is foldable along folding means to permit easy deflated portability
and storage.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a folding means which
provides hinge lines which enhance the removal of the inflating fluid when
the cushion is being deflated.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a folding means
positioned in the side interconnecting members and back member which
promotes a collapsed state when deflated.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cushion which upon
deflation can be repeatedly folded along hinge lines to consistently form
a small folded cushion after each inflation.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion
which may be deflated and easily folded into a flat and storable
condition.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion
having folding means which provide hinge lines along which the memory of
the plastic material comprising the inflatable cushion is enhanced to
enable easy and repeatable folding of the inflatable cushion along the
folding means when in a deflated state.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion
which attains and maintains a flat and compressed storable state when
deflated and folded along the memory enhanced folding means.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable and
inflatable cushion which is easily inflated to form a cushion suitable for
sitting.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion
which includes advertising indicia disposed thereon for advertising a
product, service or the like.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion
with a valve means including a sound generating means activated by the
inflating fluid when the cushion is being deflated.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion
with folding means which provide hinge lines for enhancing the folding
memory along the hinge line to enable an aligned foldable cushion when the
cushion is in a collapsed and deflated condition.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the
present invention. These objects should be construed to be merely
illustrative of some of the more pertinent features and application of the
invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the
disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention
within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, other objects and a fuler
understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of
the invention and the detailed description describing the preferred
embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the
claims take in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An inflatable, deflatable and foldable cushion of the present invention is
defined by the appended claims with a specific embodiment shown in the
figures. For purposes of summarizing the invention, the invention relates
to an inflatable, deflatable and foldable cushion comprising a first and a
second plastic sheet member with the first and the second plastic sheet
members each having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a
second side edge. The front edges, back edges, first side edges and second
side edges of the first and the second plastic sheet members,
respectively, are sealed together in order to provide a fluid tight
chamber between the first and second plastic sheet members. The fluid
tight chamber in use receives an inflating fluid, such as air or the like.
A first folding means extends from the front edge to the back edge of the
first plastic sheet member. The first folding means divides the first
plastic sheet member into a first portion and a second portion and further
provides a first hinge line on the first plastic sheet member. The first
hinge line extends from the front edge to the back edge of the first
plastic sheet member. A second folding means extends from the front edge
to the back edge of the second sheet member to divide the second plastic
sheet member into a first portion and a second portion and further
provides a second hinge line on the second plastic sheet member. The
second hinge line preferably extends from the front edge to the back edge
of the second plastic sheet member. A first transverse folding means
extends from the first side edge to the second side edge of the first
plastic sheet member. The first transverse folding means further provides
a first transverse hinge line on the first plastic sheet member normal to
the first hinge line. Preferably, the first transverse hinge line extends
from the first side edge to the second side edge of the first plastic
sheet member. A second transverse folding means extends from the first
side edge to the second side edge of the second plastic sheet member. The
second transverse folding means provides a second transverse hinge line on
the second plastic sheet member normal to the second hinge line. A valve
means is positioned in one of the first and second plastic sheet members.
The valve means permits fluid communication into the chamber to define an
inflated cushion and also permits fluid communication out of the chamber
in order to provide a collapsed and deflated cushion. The collapsed and
deflated cushion enables the each folding means to be simultaneously
folded along the respective hinge lines. Thus, the first folding means and
second folding means of the first and second plastic members,
respectively, may be simultaneously folded along the first hinge line and
second hinge line, respectively, such that the first side edges become
proximate the second side edges of the first and second plastic sheet
members. This folding maneuver forms a flat, partially folded and deflated
inflatable cushion and further enables the first transverse folding means
and the second transverse folding means to be simultaneously folded such
that the back edges of the first and second plastic members become
proximate the front edges of the first and second plastic sheet members to
form a flat, completely folded and deflated inflated cushion.
Preferably, the cushion further includes a partition member disposed within
the chamber to form a proximate chamber and a distal chamber. The
partition further includes a first end, a second end, a third end and a
fourth end. The first end and second end of the partition member sealingly
interconnect each first and second sheet members, respectively. The
attached partition member maintains the parallel relationship of the first
and second plastic sheet members when the cushion is inflated. Preferably,
the partition member further includes an aperture formed in the partition
to enhance fluid communication of the inflating fluid between the
proximate chamber and the distal chamber of the chamber. Preferably, the
partition member includes a sixth folding means which extends from the
third end to the fourth end of the partition member. The sixth folding
means of the partition member enhances the collapsibility of the cushion.
Preferably the folding means which includes the first folding means,
second folding means, first transverse folding means, second transverse
folding means and sixth folding means each comprise a channel formed in
the surface of the first and second plastic sheet members to enhance the
folding memory of the first and second sheet members. Preferably, the
sixth folding means comprises a channel formed in the surface of the
partition member to further enhance the collapsibility of the first sheet
member and second sheet member when the cushion is being deflated.
In a further embodiment of the invention comprises a first and a second
plastic sheet member having an outer surface and an inner surface. The
first and second plastic sheet members each further include a front edge,
a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. A front
interconnecting member having a first end, a second end, a third end, and
a fourth end is disclosed. The first end and second end of the front
interconnecting member sealingly interconnects the front edges of each of
the first and second plastic sheet members, respectively. The sealed
interconnection can be made by methods known in the art such as thermal
welding. A back interconnecting member with a first end, a second end, a
third end, and a fourth end is disclosed. The first end and second end of
the back interconnecting member sealingly interconnects the back edges of
each of the first and second plastic sheet members, respectively. A first
interconnecting member with a first end, second end, third end and fourth
end is disclosed. The first end and second end of the first
interconnecting member sealingly interconnect each first side edges of the
first and second plastic sheet members, respectively. A second
interconnecting member with a first end, a second end, a third end and a
fourth end is disclosed. The first end and second end of the second
interconnecting member sealingly interconnect each second side edge of
each first and second plastic sheet members, respectively. The third end
of the front interconnecting member is sealingly interconnected with the
third end of the first interconnecting member. The fourth end of the first
interconnecting member is sealingly interconnected with the third end of
the back interconnecting member. The fourth end of the back
interconnecting member is sealingly interconnected with the fourth end of
the second interconnecting member. The third end of the second
interconnecting member is sealingly interconnected with the fourth end of
the front interconnecting member such that when inflated, the inner
surfaces of the first and second plastic sheet members are in a
substantially parallel spaced relationship and said front interconnecting
member and the back interconnecting member are in a substantially and
parallel and spaced relationship and the first and second interconnecting
members are in a substantially parallel and spaced relationship to define
a fluid tight chamber to receive an inflating fluid. A third folding means
provides a third hinge line which is disposed on a back interconnecting
member. The third folding means extends from the third end of the back
interconnecting member to the fourth end of the back interconnecting
member. Preferably the third hinge line extends from the third end of the
back interconnecting member to the fourth end of the back interconnecting
member. A fourth folding means for providing a fourth hinge line is
disposed on the first interconnecting member and extends from the third
end of the first interconnecting member to the fourth end of the first
interconnecting member. A fifth folding means is disposed on the second
interconnecting member and extends from the third end of the second
interconnecting member to the fourth end of the interconnecting member to
form a fifth hinge line such that upon deflation of the cushion, the
third, fourth and fifth folding means permit the collapse of the inner
surface of the first plastic sheet member onto the inner surface of the
second plastic sheet member thereby forming a flat and collapsed cushion.
A first folding means which extends from the front edge to the back edge
of the first plastic sheet member divides the first plastic sheet member
into a first portion and a second portion and further provides a first
hinge line on the first plastic sheet member. Preferably, the first hinge
line extends from the front edge to the back edge of the first plastic
sheet member. A second folding means extends from the front edge to the
back edge of the second plastic sheet member to divide the second plastic
sheet member into a first portion and a second portion. The second folding
means further provides a second hinge line on the second plastic sheet
member to enable the first portion of the first and second plastic sheet
members to be simultaneously folded along the first and second hinge lines
of the first and second plastic sheet members, respectively, such that the
first side edges of the first and second plastic sheet members become
proximate the second side edges of the first and second plastic sheet
members to thereby form a flat, partially folded and deflated cushion. A
first transverse folding means extends from the first side edge to the
second side edge of the first plastic sheet member. The first transverse
folding means further provides for a first transverse hinge line on the
first plastic sheet member normal to the first hinge line. A second
transverse folding means extends from the first side edge to the second
side edge of the second plastic sheet member. The second transverse
folding means further provides for a second transverse hinge line on the
second plastic sheet member normal to the second hinge line such that in
use the first and second transverse hinge line may be simultaneously
folded to enable the back edges of the first and second plastic sheet
members to become proximate the front edges of the first and second sheet
members to form a flat, completely folded and deflated inflatable cushion.
A valve means for permitting fluid communication into a chamber to define
an inflated cushion and for further permitting fluid communication out of
the chamber in order to provide a collapsed and deflated cushion such that
the first and second sheet members collapse to define a deflated, flat
cushion.
Preferably, the cushion further includes a partition member disposed within
the chamber to form a proximate chamber and a distal chamber. The
partition member further includes a first end, a second end, a third end
and a fourth end. The first end and second end of the partition member
sealingly interconnect the first and second sheet members, respectively,
for maintaining the parallel relationship of the first and second sheet
members when the cushion is inflated. Preferably, the partition further
includes an aperture formed therein to enhance fluid communication of the
inflating fluid between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber of the
chamber. Preferably, the partition further includes a sixth folding means
disposed on the partition member and extending from the third end to the
fourth end in order to enhance the collapsibility of the cushion is
considered the extent with which the inner surface of the first sheet
member collapses upon the inner surface of the second sheet member.
Preferably, the partition further includes a first and a second notch
formed at the third end and fourth end, respectively, for receiving in use
a portion of the first interconnecting member and second interconnecting
member proximate the third end and fourth end of the partition,
respectively, when the cushion is being deflated. The first and second
notches enhance the flatness of the cushion when completely collapsed and
deflated. The first and second notches receive the plastic material of the
first and second interconnecting member which is proximate the third end
and fourth end of the partition member. The reception of the plastic
material by the first and second notches enhances the flatness of the
cushion when completely collapsed and deflated. Preferably, the partition
member is parallel to and attachedly sealed to the first and second sheet
members proximate the first and second transverse hinge lines.
Preferably the third folding means, fourth folding means and fifth folding
means are disposed on the outer surface of the back interconnecting
member, the first interconnecting member and second interconnecting
member, respectively, to enhance the inwardly foldability of the back
interconnecting member, the first interconnecting member and the second
interconnecting member to enhance the flatness of the cushion when in a
deflated state.
In a further embodiment, the cushion further includes the first folding
means being disposed on the outer surface of the first plastic sheet
member and the second folding means being disposed on the inner surface of
the second plastic sheet member to enhance the foldability of the first
portions of the first and second plastic sheet members along the hinge
lines of the first and second plastic sheet members. In a further
embodiment of the invention, the folding means further includes a
plurality of hinge lines juxtapositioned to enhanced foldability along the
hinge lines. The plurality of hinge lines is most useful where the sheet
and interconnecting members are relatively thick. Thus, each folding
means, as described above, optionally includes a plurality of channels to
form each hinge line formed in the interconnecting, partition, and sheet
members to further enhance collapsibility and foldability of the cushion.
The number of channels which comprise the plurality of channels is related
to the thickness of the sheet material of the member the channels are
formed in. Thus, the thicker the sheet material, the greater the number of
channels required.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the first folding means which
provides the first hinge line is a first channel formed on the outer
surface of the first plastic sheet member and the second folding means
which provides the second hinge line is a second channel formed on the
inner surface of the second sheet member. The positioning of the first
channel and the second channel in the outer and inner surfaces
respectively further enhances the foldability of the cushion when the
first portions of the first and second sheet members are simultaneously
folded along the first and second hinge lines of the first and second
sheet members, respectively. This enables the first side edges of the
first and second plastic members to become proximate the second side edges
of the first and second plastic sheet members without resistance along the
hinge lines to thereby form a flat, partially folded and deflated cushion.
Preferably, the first and second channels run from the first side edge to
the second side edge of each of the first and second sheet members,
respectively.
Preferably, the third, fourth and fifth folding means which provide the
third, fourth and fifth hinge lines are a third, a fourth and a fifth
channel formed on the outer surface of the back interconnecting member,
the first interconnecting member and the second interconnecting member,
respectively. The channels provide better memory retention to augment the
foldability of the cushion along the hinge lines to inwardly bias the
interconnecting and sheet members when the cushion is being deflated.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second plastic
sheet members further include a seventh and an eighth folding means,
respectively. The seventh folding means is parallel and spaced apart
relative to the first folding means and further provides for a seventh
hinge line which extends from the front edge to the back edge of the first
plastic sheet member. The seventh folding means and the first folding
means together divide the first sheet member into a first portion, a
second portion and a third portion. An eighth folding means is parallel
and spaced apart relative to the second folding means and further provides
an eight hinge line which extends from the front edge to the back edge of
the second plastic sheet member. The eighth folding means and second
folding means divide the second plastic sheet member into a first portion,
a second portion and a third portion to enable the first portion of the
first and second plastic sheet members to be simultaneously folded along
the first and second hinge lines provided by the first and second folding
means such that the first side edges of the first and second plastic sheet
members become proximate the seventh hinge line of the first plastic sheet
member and to further enable the third portions of the first and second
plastic sheet members to be simultaneously folded along the seventh and
eighth hinge lines provided by the seventh and eighth hinge lines such
that the side edges of the first and second plastic sheet members become
proximate the second hinge line provided by the second folding means of
the second sheet member. Preferably, the seventh folding means is a
channel formed on the outer surface of the first plastic sheet member. The
eighth folding means is preferably a channel formed on the inner surface
of the second plastic sheet member to enable the third portions of the
first and second plastic sheet members to be simultaneously folded along
the seventh and eighth hinge lines provided by the seventh and eighth
folding means such that the side edges of the first and second plastic
sheet member become proximate the second hinge line provided by the second
folding means of the second sheet member.
The cushion of the invention further may include a valve means which
comprises a sound generating means activated by the inflating fluid when
the cushion is being deflated.
Preferably the third end and fourth end of the front interconnecting
member, the back interconnecting member and the first interconnecting
member and second interconnecting member are concavely shaped to further
enhance the inwardly folding direction or bias of the back interconnecting
member, first interconnecting member and second interconnecting member.
The hinge lines present on the first and second sheet members and the
front, back, first and second interconnecting members enhance the folding
memory of the members along the hinge line. The hinge lines enable the
deflated and flattened cushion to be easily refolded into the original and
compact dimension. In the first embodiment, the hinge lines present in the
back, first and second interconnecting members (third, fourth and fifth
hinge lines, respectively), (and partition member, if present, with a
sixth hinge line) enable the hinge lines in the first and second sheet
members to be aligned for easy and rapid folding upon collapsement of the
first sheet member onto the second sheet member. Thus, the third, fourth,
fifth and sixth, (if present) hinge lines enable the first sheet member to
alignedly collapse downwardly over the second sheet member, such that upon
deflation, the first hinge line is alignedly positioned over the second
hinge line and contacts the second hinge line; the seventh hinge line is
alignedly positioned over the eighth hinge line and contacts the eighth
hinge line and the first transverse hinge line is alignedly positioned
over the second transverse hinge line and contacts the second transverse
hinge line. Accordingly, deflation provides paired hinge lines:
first-second, seventh-eighth of the first and second sheet members and
first transverse-second transverse which enable fast and accurate folding
of the deflated cushion.
Preferably, the first and second portions are equal in size. In those
cushions with first, second and third portions, it is preferred that the
portions are equal in size. Equal portion sizes provide for the overlying
and underlying folding means to be in, or substantially in, the same plane
thereby insuring simultaneous folding. Preferably, the transverse hinge
lines equally divide the sheet members. The number of folding means which
provide hinge lines and the number of transverse folding means which
provide transverse hinge lines on the sheet members is determined by the
size of the sheet members in relationship to the desired size once folded
as practically attainable.
Preferably, the folding means which provide the hinge lines are a channel
formed in the surface of the plastic sheet members and the interconnecting
members to enhance the folding memory of the sheet members and
interconnecting members, respectively. The channel may be formed by "hot
stamping" into the surface of the members a melted channel which partially
extends into the thickness of the member. The channel forming device
includes a heated bar seal die which contacts the surface of the member
(plastic sheet) and utilizes radio frequency to form the channel. Other
methods of forming folding means are known to those skilled in the art
once given the disclosure of this invention. For example, the use of two
plastic sheets with their surfaces adhered to one another except at the
folding means where a gap occurs in one of the sheets to form a channel
comprise an alternative method.
The ends of the interconnecting members and the edges of the sheet members
may be sealed or joined together by sonic welding, heat sealing,
adhesives, or the like by methods well known in the art to form the
desired chamber.
A hold down means is preferably attached to the device such that when the
device is folded, the hold down means secures and maintains the cushion in
the folded position. Hold down means include hooks and loops (VELCRO),
snaps, or the like, well known in the art.
The composition of the first and second plastic sheet members and the
interconnecting members may be of any flexible material, such as vinyl,
which is also capable of holding and containing an inflating medium, such
as air. Such materials are known to those in the industry to be useful in
the production of inflatable devices and which can also accept folding
means as described herein. The conposition of the partition member should
be of the same material as the sheet and interconnecting members. However,
the partition member does not require the ability of containing the
inflating medium.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important
features of the pressent invention in order that the detailed description
of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present
contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features
of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of
the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures
for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should
also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as
set forth in the appended claims. |
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