Inflatable cases and methods
First Claim
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1. An inflatable device for protecting a consumer device, comprising:
- an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder is formable into a case that at least partially encloses the consumer device;
a pump assembly comprising a compressible pump and a one-way air intake valve, the pump assembly operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder through the one-way valve, wherein the pump assembly operates to inflate the bladder through the one-way valve, thereby permitting a one-way flow of air from the pump assembly into the bladder; and
an air release valve, operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the air release valve operates to deflate the bladder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides systems and methods for inflating a device, such that the device forms a protective case securely enclosing a product, thus insulating and cushioning against the potential of impairment, damage and breakage. In one exemplary embodiment, the inflatable device is an inflatable bladder formable into a protective case that encloses the consumer device and provides an exceptional amount of protection in a lightweight device.
71 Citations
47 Claims
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1. An inflatable device for protecting a consumer device, comprising:
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an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder is formable into a case that at least partially encloses the consumer device;
a pump assembly comprising a compressible pump and a one-way air intake valve, the pump assembly operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder through the one-way valve, wherein the pump assembly operates to inflate the bladder through the one-way valve, thereby permitting a one-way flow of air from the pump assembly into the bladder; and
an air release valve, operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the air release valve operates to deflate the bladder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An inflatable storage case for protecting consumer products from damage comprising:
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an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder defines at least a portion of the inflatable case;
an outer layer of material that is adapted to receive to the inflatable bladder, wherein the outer layer of material forms an exoskeleton to create a shape of the inflatable case;
a pump assembly comprising a compressible pump and a one-way air intake valve, the pump assembly operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder through the one-way valve, wherein the pump assembly operates to inflate the bladder through the one-way valve, thereby permitting a one-way flow of air from the pump assembly into the bladder; and
an air release valve, operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the release valve operates to deflate the bladder. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An inflatable protective case for insulating consumer products from damage comprising:
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an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder defines at least a portion of the protective case;
a compressible pump assembly comprising a pump chamber coupled to the inflatable bladder, a compressible material located within the pump chamber, and a hole coupled to the pump chamber, the hole operable for both introducing air into the pump chamber and containing the air within the pump chamber for displacement into the bladder using the compressible material;
a one-way air intake valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder and the compressible pump assembly, wherein the one-way air intake valve permits a one-way flow of air from the pump cavity into the bladder; and
an air release valve, operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the release valve operates to deflate the bladder. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An inflatable protective case for insulating a personal electronic device from damage comprising:
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an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder defines at least a portion of the protective case;
a compressible pump assembly comprising a pump chamber coupled to the inflatable bladder, a compressible material located within the pump chamber, and a hole coupled to the pump chamber, the hole operable for both introducing air into the pump chamber and containing the air within the pump chamber for displacement into the bladder using the compressible material;
an air intake valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder and the compressible pump assembly, wherein the air intake valve permits air flow from the pump cavity into the bladder;
a transparent cover coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the transparent cover allows a personal electronic device display to be visible; and
an air release valve, operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the release valve operates to deflate the bladder. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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37. A method for providing an inflatable protective case for insulating a consumer product, the method comprising:
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providing an inflatable protective case, wherein the case comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder defines at least a portion of the inflatable case, a pump assembly operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder comprising a compressible pump and an air intake valve, and a release valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder; and
operating the pump assembly to cause air from the pump assembly to pass through the intake valve and to inflate the bladder. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. An inflatable protective case for insulating a flip-style personal electronic device from damage comprising:
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an inflatable bladder comprising a first portion and a second portion;
a compressible pump assembly comprising a pump chamber coupled to the inflatable bladder, a compressible material located within the pump chamber, and a hole coupled to the pump chamber for introducing air into the pump chamber for displacement into the bladder;
an air intake valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder and the compressible pump assembly, wherein the air intake valve permits a one-way flow of air from the pump cavity into the bladder;
wherein at least one of the first or the second portion defines a window to allow at least a portion of the display device to be visible from outside the case; and
a release valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the release valve operates to deflate the bladder. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45)
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46. An inflatable case for protecting a consumer device from damage comprising:
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a first inflatable bladder;
a first pump assembly comprising a first compressible pump and a first air intake valve, the first pump assembly operatively coupled to the first inflatable bladder through the first valve, wherein the first pump assembly operates to inflate the first bladder through the first valve;
a first air release valve operatively coupled to the first inflatable bladder, wherein the air release valve operates to deflate the first bladder;
a second inflatable bladder;
a second pump assembly comprising a second compressible pump and a second air intake valve, the second pump assembly operatively coupled to the second inflatable bladder through the second valve, wherein the second pump assembly operates to inflate the second bladder through the second valve;
a second air release valve operatively coupled to the second inflatable bladder, wherein the air release valve operates to deflate the second bladder. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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Specification