Configurable inflatable support devices

• US 20030028971A1
• Filed: 07/10/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert B. Chaffee
• Original Assignee: Robert B. Chaffee
• Inventors: Chaffee, Robert B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,328,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/706
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 15/006 Floating seats floatable vessel furniture for life-saving B63C9/30
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/081 of pneumatic type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/10 with two or more independently-fillable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/021 Detachable or loose seat cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/38 for the head adjustable coupled to reclining or easy chairs A47C1/036
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2009/003 with inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/062 for covering the ground, e.g. picnic or beach blankets
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/1027 Details of inflatable pillows
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/52 Inflatable or partly inflatable

Abstract

A configurable, adjustable inflatable device including one or more inflatable bladders and a shape-defining membrane that combines with the inflatable bladders such that an overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is at least partially controlled by the shape-defining membrane, and wherein the overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is substantially different from an inflated shape of inflatable bladders alone. The configurable adjustable inflatable device may include a covering layer that may partially or completely surround the inflatable bladders and may attach to the membrane or the inflatable bladders. The level of inflation of the inflatable bladders may also be controlled, further adding to the adjustability of the inflatable device.

Claims

1. A configurable inflatable device comprising:

an inflatable bladder; and

a shape-defining membrane that combines with the inflatable bladder;

wherein an overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is at least partially controlled by the shape-defining membrane, and wherein the overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is substantially different from an inflated shape of inflatable bladder alone.

2. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane at least partially encompasses the inflatable bladder.

3. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the membrane include a first fastener for attaching the membrane to the inflatable bladder.

4. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inflatable bladder includes a second fastener adapted to mate with the first fastener so as to attach the membrane to the inflatable bladder.

5. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, further including a covering layer that at least partially encompasses the inflatable bladder.

6. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder includes a self-sealing valve.

7. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder includes two layers sealed at a perimeter and sealed internally at regular intervals by a plurality of internal seams.

8. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of internal seams are substantially shorter than an overall length of the inflatable bladder in a direction of orientation of the plurality of internal seams.

9. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the membrane includes a plurality of flexible strips that are attached to at least some of the plurality of internal seams.

10. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the membrane includes a plurality of rigid bars.

11. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the membrane is attached to at least some of the plurality of internal seams by attachment devices.

12. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the membrane is flexible.

13. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the membrane includes a rigid member.

14. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inflatable bladder has a first width when deflated, the membrane has a second width, and wherein the second width is substantially smaller than the first width.

15. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 14, further including a covering layer that at least partially surrounds the inflatable bladder.

16. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the covering layer includes a plurality of bands that fit around the inflatable bladder.

17. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the covering layer is attached to at least one of the inflatable bladder and the membrane.

18. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the covering layer is quilted.

19. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the covering layer has an envelope structure and substantially completely surrounds the inflatable bladder.

20. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member includes a covering layer that at least partially surrounds the inflatable bladder.

21. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the covering layer is attached to at least one side of the inflatable bladder.

22. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the covering layer is quilted.

23. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder has a cylindrical shape when inflated.

24. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane includes an opening through which the inflatable bladder can be inserted into the membrane.

25. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane is wrapped around the inflatable bladder.

26. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane includes a planar membrane and a covering layer that at least partially surrounds the at least one inflatable bladder, and wherein the covering layer is attached to the planar membrane.

27. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the planar membrane is substantially rectangular.

28. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 26, further including a rigid member attached to the planar membrane.

29. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the inflatable bladder is substantially contained within the covering layer.

30. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the at least one of the covering layer and the planar membrane include attachment devices for attaching the covering layer to the planar membrane, and wherein the attachment devices are also adapted for adjusting a length of the planar membrane.

31. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the inflatable bladder includes a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder; and

the first inflatable bladder is attached to a first end of the membrane and the second inflatable bladder is attached to a second, opposing end of the membrane.

32. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the each of the first and second inflatable bladders are at least partially surrounded by respective covering layers, and wherein the respective covering layers are attached to the membrane.

33. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 31, further including a third inflatable bladder attached to an additional membrane section, wherein the additional membrane section is attached to the membrane.

34. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the additional membrane section is attached to approximately a longitudinal center of the membrane.

35. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 34, wherein the additional membrane section is attached such that the third inflatable bladder is pivotable between the first end and the second opposing end of the membrane.

36. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 31, further including a lateral stiffening member, and wherein the membrane includes openings to allow insertion of the lateral stiffening member into the membrane.

37. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane includes at least one opening forming a sleeve, and wherein the inflatable bladder is inserted within the sleeve.

38. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the membrane includes a plurality of openings forming a plurality sleeves that are separated by a corresponding interconnecting portions of the membrane.

39. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 38, wherein the interconnecting portions of the membrane each have a substantially same length, such that a spacing between each of the plurality of openings is substantially uniform.

40. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is U-shaped.

41. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, further including a covering layer that is one of quilted and padded.

42. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, further including a covering layer that at least partially surrounds the inflatable bladder.

43. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 42, wherein the covering layer includes a mesh material.

44. An adjustable inflatable body-support structure comprising:

an inflatable bladder having a self-sealing valve; and

a membrane that partially surrounds the inflatable bladder, the membrane having at least one fastener for securing the membrane in position with respect to the inflatable bladder;

wherein the membrane at least partially controls an overall shape of the inflatable bladder when inflated, such that the overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is different from an inflated shape of inflatable bladder alone.

45. A configurable inflatable device comprising:

an inflatable bladder; and

at least one pair of fasteners including a first fastener and a second fastener, coupled to the at least one inflatable bladder;

wherein the first fastener is adapted to mate with the second fastener to configure the inflatable bladder and provide a predetermined shape of the inflatable bladder when inflated.

46. The configurable inflatable device as claimed in claim 45, further including a covering layer that at least partially covers the inflatable bladder.

47. A method for configuring an inflatable body-support structure comprising:

combining a shape-defining membrane with an inflatable bladder to select an overall shape of the inflatable bladder when inflated; and

inflating the inflatable bladder by a predetermined amount to configure the inflatable body-support structure to the overall shape.

48. An adjustable configurable inflatable device comprising:

an inflatable bladder; and

a shape-defining member that combines with the inflatable bladder;

wherein a combination of the shape-defining member and the inflatable bladder provides the adjustable configurable inflatable device with an overall shape that is substantially different from a shape of the inflatable bladder alone.