Control panel for an inflatable structure

• US 5,647,078 A
• Filed: 05/23/1995
• Issued: 07/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dielectrics Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dielectrics Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Pekar, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Santos, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US08/449,898
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 5/453, 5/455, 5/456, 5/457, 5/933, 5/449
• US Class Current: 5/706
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/083 with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/10 with two or more independently-fillable chambers
• 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 66/004 Preventing sticking together, e.g. of some areas of the parts to be joined
• 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 66/133 Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible the parts to be joined being rigid B29C66/1312
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/438 Joining sheets for making hollow-walled, channelled structures or multi-tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/439 Joining sheets for making inflated articles without using a mould
• 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 66/7234 comprising a barrier layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2075/00 Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• 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 37/0076 characterised in that the layers are not bonded on the totality of their surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/1841 during laying up
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/932 Seals and sealing methods, for plastics

Abstract

A control panel for an inflatable structure includes a multi-layer planar fluid flow control panel sealed together at predetermined locations to define at least one fluid flow conduit with at least one layer of the panel having a plurality of apertures located in a predetermined pattern that communicate with the conduits. A plurality of discrete, inflatable chambers are sealed in planar orientation to the upper surface of the control panel to form the structure. The apertures of the panel are sealed in registered relationship with the fluid orifices to thereby permit fluid communication between the chambers and conduits of the control panel for selective inflation and deflation thereof. The interior surface of the control panel and chambers is selectively coated with a release material to prevent closure of the conduits and enable coplanar sealing of the chambers onto the panel about the perimeter of the apertures and orifices when disposed in registered relation.

Claims

1. A fluid flow control panel adapted to be sealably assembled with a discrete inflatable structure having a plurality of orifices disposed and oriented at predetermined locations, said control panel comprising a multi-layer coplanar unitary panel having at least three layers sealed together at predetermined locations for defining at least two fluid distribution tiers, each tier providing at least one fluid flow conduit to thereby enable said fluid flow conduits in different tiers to traverse one another without communicating therebetween, said fluid flow conduits adapted for connection to a variable fluid pressure source, at least one layer of said panel being provided with a predetermined pattern of apertures therethrough, each of said apertures communicating with at least one of said conduits, said apertures being disposed and oriented for attachment to the inflatable structure, said control panel including a release material selectively disposed on an interior surface thereof to prevent closure of said conduits.

3. A fluid flow control panel, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of said fluid flow conduits are disposed for attachment below the inflatable structure.

2. The combination comprising an inflatable structure having a plurality of inflatable chambers, a fluid flow control panel sealed in coplanar orientation to said inflatable structure and having at least three layers sealed together at predetermined locations for defining at least two fluid distribution tiers, at least some of said chambers including at least one fluid orifice for selective inflation and deflation thereof, each tier providing at least one fluid flow conduit to thereby enable conduits in different tiers to traverse without communicating therebetween, said fluid flow conduits adapted for connection to a variable fluid pressure source, at least one layer of said panel being provided with a predetermined pattern of apertures therethrough, each of said apertures communicating with at least one of said conduits, said fluid orifices being disposed in registered relation with said apertures, said panel having a release material selectively disposed on an interior surface thereof to enable coplanar sealing of said chambers onto said panel.

4. The combination, as set forth in claim 2, wherein a substantial portion of said conduits are disposed below said inflatable chambers.

5. The combination comprising an inflatable structure having a plurality of inflatable chambers, and a fluid flow control panel sealed in coplanar orientation to said inflatable structure, at least some of said chambers including at least one fluid orifice for selective inflation and deflation thereof, said panel sealed together at predetermined locations for defining at least one fluid flow conduit for connection to a variable fluid pressure source, a substantial portion of said fluid flow conduit being disposed below said inflatable chambers, at least one layer of said panel being provided with a predetermined pattern of apertures therethrough, each of said apertures communicating with at least one conduit, said fluid orifices being disposed in registered relation with said apertures, said panel being provided with a release material selectively disposed on an interior surface thereof to enable coplanar sealing of said chambers onto said panel.

6. The combination, as set forth in claim 5, in which said release material is selectively disposed on an interior surface of said inflatable structure.

7. The combination, as set forth in claim 5, in which said release material is disposed on an interior surface of said fluid flow conduit.

8. The combination, as set forth in claim 5, in which said chambers are elongated and laterally disposed along said fluid flow control panel in parallel relation to each other.

9. The combination, as set forth in claim 8, in which said two independent fluid flow conduits longitudinally extend along said fluid flow control panel perpendicular to said chambers.

10. The combination, as set forth in claim 9, in which each chamber alternately interconnects between one of said fluid flow conduits via said orifices and apertures.

11. The combination, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said fluid flow conduit has a plurality of apertures.

12. The combination comprising an inflatable structure defined by at least four layers, said inflatable structure having a plurality of inflatable chambers, and a fluid flow control panel sealed in coplanar orientation to said inflatable structure, at least some of said chambers including at least one fluid orifice for selective inflation and deflation thereof, said panel sealed together at predetermined locations for defining at least one fluid flow conduit for connection to a variable fluid pressure source, at least one layer of said panel being provided with a predetermined pattern of apertures therethrough, each of said apertures communicating with at least one conduit, said fluid orifices being disposed in registered relation with said apertures, said panel being provided with a release material selectively disposed on an interior surface thereof to enable coplanar sealing of said chambers onto said panel.

13. The combination, as set forth in claim 12, in which said chambers are elongated and laterally disposed along said fluid flow control panel in parallel relation to each other.

14. The combination, as set forth in claim 12, in which said two independent fluid flow conduits longitudinally extend along said fluid flow control panel perpendicular to said chambers.

15. The combination, as set forth in claim 14, in which said each chamber alternately interconnects between one of said fluid flow conduits via said orifices and apertures.

16. The combination, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said fluid flow conduit has a plurality of apertures.