Internal Tensioning Structure Useable with Inflatable Devices

• US 20130230670A1
• Filed: 11/05/2012
• Published: 09/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd. (Intex Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intex Recreation Corporation (Intex Corporation)
• Inventors: Lin, Hua Hsiang, Hsu, Yaw Yuan
• Application Number:
  US13/668,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20130230670A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/12
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/081 of pneumatic type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/087 with means for connecting opposite sides, e.g. internal ties or strips
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/04 Dielectric heating, e.g. high-frequency welding , i.e. radio frequency welding of plastic materials having dielectric properties, e.g. PVC
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/433 Casing-in, i.e. enclosing an element between two sheets by an outlined seam for bookbinding B42C11/06; for packaging B65B; by laminating B32B37/00; enclosing tubular articles between substantially flat elements B29C66/53261
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/439 Joining sheets for making inflated articles without using a mould
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/45 Joining of substantially the whole surface of the articles methods or apparatus for laminating B32B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/47 Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces B29C66/5326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/472 said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4722 Fixing strips to surfaces other than edge faces fixing strips to edge faces B29C63/0026
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/474 said single elements being substantially non-flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53462 joining substantially flat covers and substantially flat bottoms to open ends of container bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/69 General aspects of joining filaments bundling articles B65B13/00; interconnecting successive lengths of material B65H69/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/723 being multi-layered B29C66/7292, B29C66/72941 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7352 Thickness, e.g. very thin
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83413 cooperating rollers, cylinders or drums
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8432 Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/919 : characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges specific electrical resistance values B29C66/81262
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/949 : characterised by specific time values or ranges
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 22/02 : Inflatable articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 : PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2022/02 : Inflatable articles balls B29L2031/54 ; inner tyres B29L2023/245
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/751 : Mattresses, cushions upholstery B29L2031/58
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/54 : Yield strength; Tensile strength
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/558 : Impact strength, toughness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2398/00 : Unspecified macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2479/00 : Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 : next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/022 : Non-woven fabric

Abstract

An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.

Claims

1. An inflatable product comprising:

a first sheet;

a second sheet disposed opposite the first sheet, the first and second sheets spaced apart to define a gap;

a tensioning structure spanning the gap between the first sheet and the second sheet, the tensioning structure comprising;

a plurality of strands uniformly spaced apart and arranged substantially parallel to one another; and

a plurality of weld strips including a first weld strip and a second weld strip spaced apart from one another and substantially perpendicular to the plurality of strands, each of the plurality of weld strips affixed to each of the plurality of strands, and each of the plurality of weld strips affixed to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet, each of the first and second weld strips having a length, a width, and a thickness, the length of each of the first and second weld strips being greater than the width of each of the first and second weld strips, the first weld strip being spaced apart from the second weld strip by a distance greater than the width of the first weld strip.

2. The inflatable product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weld strips comprise upper and lower weld strips disposed on opposing sides of the plurality of strands, the strands affixed to and captured between the upper and lower weld strips.

3. The inflatable product of claim 1, wherein the tensioning structure further comprises a weld sheet defining a width corresponding to an overall width of the plurality of strands, the plurality of strands affixed to the weld sheet, and at least one of the plurality of weld strips affixed to a first side of the weld sheet.

4. The inflatable product of claim 3, wherein another of the plurality of weld strips is affixed to a second side of the weld sheet opposite the first side.

5. The inflatable product of claim 3, wherein the weld sheet comprises a continuous piece of material extending across the plurality of strands.

6. The inflatable product of claim 1, wherein the tensioning structure further comprises at least one reinforcement strand disposed substantially perpendicular to the plurality of strands, the at least one reinforcement strand fixed to at least one of the plurality of weld strips.

7. The inflatable product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of strands comprise a plurality of twisted filaments.

26. The inflatable product of claim 1, wherein first sheet has a length, a width, and a thickness, the width of the first sheet being less than the length of the first sheet, the second sheet has a length, a width, and a thickness, the width of the second sheet being less than the length of the second sheet, the width of the first weld strip is factors less than the width of the first sheet, the width of the second weld strip is factors less than the width of the second sheet.

8. An inflatable product comprising:

a first sheet;

a second sheet disposed opposite the first sheet, the first and second sheets spaced apart to define a gap;

a tensioning structure spanning the gap between the first sheet and the second sheet, the tensioning structure comprising;

an upper weld strip having a length, a width, and a thickness, the width being less than the length;

a lower weld strip arranged substantially parallel to the upper weld strip and spaced apart from the upper weld strip and having a length, a width, and a thickness, the width of the lower weld strip being less than the length of the lower weld strip; and

a plurality of end-to-end V-shaped strands arranged between the upper and lower weld strips, each of the V-shaped strands having upper and lower ends fixed to the upper and lower weld strips, respectively, with the upper ends extending in the direction of the width of the upper weld strip and the lower ends extending in the direction of the width of the lower weld strip.

9. The inflatable product of claim 8, wherein the tensioning structure further comprises a second pair of weld strips arranged to capture the upper and lower ends of the V-shaped strands between the upper and lower weld strips and the second pair of weld strips, respectively.

10. The inflatable product of claim 8, wherein the tensioning structure further comprises at least one reinforcement strand disposed along a longitudinal extend of at least one of the upper and lower weld strips.

11. The inflatable product of claim 10, wherein the at least one reinforcement strand comprises a plurality of twisted filaments.

12. The inflatable product of claim 8, wherein the plurality of V-shaped strands comprise a plurality of twisted filaments.

14. The inflatable product of claim 8, wherein the plurality of end-to-end V-shaped strands are formed from a single, continuous strand.

27. The inflatable product of claim 8, the upper ends of the V-shaped strands are captured by the first sheet and the upper weld strip and the lower ends of the V-shaped strands are captured by the second sheet and the lower weld strip.

13. (canceled)

15. An inflatable product comprising:

a first sheet;

a second sheet disposed opposite the first sheet, the first and second sheets spaced apart to define a gap, the first sheet and the second sheet cooperating to at least partially bound an inflatable chamber;

a plurality of discrete tensioning structures positioned in the inflatable chamber and welded to respective inner surfaces of the first and second sheets such that the plurality of discrete tensioning structure span the gap, each of the plurality of discrete tensioning structures comprising;

an upper weld strip affixed to one of the first sheet and the second sheet;

a lower weld strip affixed to the other of the first sheet and the second sheet; and

a plurality of strands connecting the upper and lower weld strips to one another.

16. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein the plurality of tensioning structures further comprise at least one reinforcing strand, the reinforcing strand disposed along a longitudinal extent of at least one of the upper and lower weld strips.

17. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein the plurality of tensioning structures are welded to the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets along a linear path, and the upper and lower weld strips define a longitudinal extent corresponding to at least one of a width of the inflatable product and a length of the inflatable product.

18. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein the plurality of strands of the plurality of tensioning structures are arranged substantially parallel to one another, with even spacing between neighboring pairs of the plurality of strands.

19. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein the plurality of strands of the plurality of tensioning structures are arranged in a staggered, V-shaped arrangement with even intervals between respective pairs of the plurality of strands.

20. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein at least one weld sheet is arranged between the upper and lower weld strips and along the plurality of strands, the at least one weld sheet affixed to at least a portion of the plurality of strands.

21. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein ends of the upper and lower weld strips are connected to one another such that each of the plurality of tensioning structures forms a columnar body.

28. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein the upper weld strips of adjacent discrete tensioning structures are spaced apart from each other, the upper weld strips of adjacent discrete tensioning structures are spaced apart from the lower weld strips of adjacent discrete tensioning structures, and the lower weld strips of adjacent discrete tensioning structures are spaced apart from each other.

29. The inflatable product of claim 28, wherein the inflatable product includes a wall at least partially defined by the first sheet, the wall has an interior surface exposed to the inflatable chamber and an exterior surface, the exterior surface of the wall is divided into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion has a first thickness defined between the exterior surface and the interior surface where the first sheet and the upper weld strips of the plurality of tensioning structures are positioned adjacent one another, the second portion has a second thickness defined between the exterior surface and the interior surface where the first sheet is spaced apart from the plurality of tensioning structures, the second thickness is less than the first thickness, and the exterior surface of the second portion is greater than the exterior surface of the first portion.

22. An inflatable product comprising:

a first sheet;

a second sheet disposed opposite the first sheet, the first and second sheets spaced apart to define a gap, the first sheet and the second sheet cooperating to at least partially bound an inflatable chamber;

a plurality of tensioning structures welded to inner surfaces of the first and second sheets such that the plurality of tensioning structures span the gap, each of the plurality of tensioning structures comprising;

a weld sheet having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end;

a plurality of strands each having respective first and second ends, and the plurality of strands substantially evenly spaced and arranged substantially parallel to one another, the plurality of strands affixed to the weld sheet;

a first weld strip affixed to the first end of the weld sheet such that a longitudinal extent of the first weld strip is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of strands, the first ends of the plurality of strands are affixed to the first weld strip, and the first weld is welded to the first sheet; and

a second weld strip affixed to the second end of the weld sheet such that a longitudinal extent of the second weld strip is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of strands, the second ends of the plurality of strands are affixed to the second weld strip, and the second weld strip is welded to the second sheet.

23. The inflatable product of claim 22, wherein the plurality of tensioning structures further comprise at least one reinforcing strand, the reinforcing strand disposed along the longitudinal extent of the weld strip.

24. The inflatable product of claim 22, wherein the plurality of tensioning structures are welded to the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets along a linear path.

25. The inflatable product of claim 22, wherein ends of the weld strip are connected to one another such that each of the plurality of tensioning structures forms a columnar body.

30. The inflatable product of claim 22, wherein the plurality of strands includes a portion extending between the first and second weld strips and the weld sheet extends along the portions of the plurality of strands extending between the first and second weld strips.