Human-bearing inflatable device

Abstract

An inflatable device serving in one or more roles as furniture and/or equipment for exercise, recreation, and/or therapeutic equipment, or in some combination of these functions is disclosed. The device consists of an inflatable base (2) with one or more cavities or holes, with rounded inflatable spheroid(s) (1) in said cavities or holes. The device may optionally include a system of straps (3 and 4) or a form-fitting covering around the base, which may serve to correct an asymmetry in said base. The device may include a weighted base (11). The device may also include means for generating lights, sound, and/or video (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and/or 13) responsive to the actions of users on or around the device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R & D [0002] Not applicable. REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention relates to human-bearing inflatables and more particularly pertains to multi-function inflatables serving in one or more roles as furniture or as exercise / recreation / therapy equipment. [0005] Human-bearing inflatables are used as furniture as well as exercise, recreational, and therapy devices. However, few devices of the prior art are significantly multi-function, and none combine the benefits of low cost, robustness, and multi-functionality. Simple, rounded shapes with minimal seams and seals offer the highest robustness and lowest manufacturing costs, but generally lack multifunctionality. For example, large rubber and PVC balls (“Swiss balls”, “Pilates balls”, etc.) are widely use...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the human-bearing inflatable described in my above patent, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0009] (a) to form a human-bearing inflatable device capable of serving as furniture and / or equipment for exercise, recreation, and / or therapy;

[0010] (b) to reduce the cost of manufacturing by employing mass-produced components;

[0011] (c) to form a highly portable human-bearing inflatable device;

[0012] (d) to form a highly robust human-bearing inflatable device;

[0013] (e) to provide, optionally, a simple means for correcting any asymmetry in the base component;

Problems solved by technology

However, few devices of the prior art are significantly multi-function, and none combine the benefits of low cost, robustness, and multi-functionality.

Simple, rounded shapes with minimal seams and seals offer the highest robustness and lowest manufacturing costs, but generally lack multifunctionality.

For example, large rubber and PVC balls (“Swiss balls”, “Pilates balls”, etc.) are widely used for exercise and therapy, but their tendency to roll makes them unsafe for inexperienced users and limits their usefulness as furniture.

Ball chairs and ball supports, which hold a ball in a shallow plastic or metal ring, require non-inflatable and costly additional components and do not support intensive recreational-exercise activities.

Inner tubes, which, like balls, are also a low-cost and robust shape, are limited by their shape to a few recreational uses, even with added handles, tow points, etc.

Furthermore, mass-produced inner tubes are often unattractively asymmetrical when inflated outside of tires.

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