Inflatable device and connection means therein

Abstract

An inflatable device and a connection device are disclosed. The inflatable device has a top wall, a bottom wall vertically spaced apart from the top wall, and a vertical partition having a top edge connected to the top wall and a bottom edge connected to the bottom wall. A pair of top diagonal support partitions connects the vertical partition to the top wall, each of the pair of top diagonal support partitions being connected to the top wall on opposite sides of the top edge of the vertical partition and spaced apart from the top edge of the vertical partition by a distance. A pair of bottom diagonal support partitions further connects the vertical partition to the bottom wall, each of the pair of bottom diagonal support partitions being connected to the bottom wall on opposite sides of the bottom edge of the vertical partition and spaced apart from the bottom edge of the vertical partition by a distance.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to inflatable devices, and more particularly to inflatable devices including panel devices that are lighter and use less material. The present invention also relates to connection devices in the inflatable devices. BACKGROUND

[0002] Standard inflatable devices, such as inflatable slides and the like, are well known in the art. For example, US 6,558,264 to Gordon teaches an inflatable water slide including an inflatable wedge-shaped mat for children to slide down.

[0003] These inflatable devices typically include a plurality of panels to provide support to the device. In particular, these devices typically include a plurality of vertical walls to provide vertical support. For example, US 6,568,011 to Fish teaches an inflatable mattress including a top layer and a bottom layer connected by vertical panel walls.

[0004] US 10,131,092 to Cook teaches an inflatable device in which panels are connected to the outer surface of the inflatable device by T-shaped joints. The middle portion of the joint is fused to the facing surface of the panel wall.

[0005] This prior art teaches a plurality of vertical panels that are directly connected to the top and bottom walls of the inflatable device to provide vertical support to the inflatable device. However, this prior art does not teach that the vertical panels connected to the top and bottom walls of the inflatable device further include diagonal support panels connected on either side of the vertical panels to connect the vertical panels to the top and bottom walls of the inflatable device. The present invention meets these needs and provides further advantages as set out in the following summary. SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable device including a top wall, a bottom wall vertically spaced apart from the top wall, and a vertical panel having a top edge connected to the top wall and a bottom edge connected to the bottom wall. A pair of top diagonal support panels connect the vertical panel to the top wall, each of the pair of top diagonal support panels being connected to the top wall on opposite sides of the top edge of the vertical panel and spaced apart from the top edge of the vertical panel by a distance. A pair of bottom diagonal support panels further connect the vertical panel to the bottom wall, each of the pair of bottom diagonal support panels being connected to the bottom wall on opposite sides of the bottom edge of the vertical panel and spaced apart from the bottom edge of the vertical panel by a distance.

[0008] Preferably, the vertical panel comprises a plurality of panels connected to each other at side edges, a top band connected to top edges of all the plurality of panels, and a bottom band connected to bottom edges of all the plurality of panels.

[0009] Preferably, each side of the vertical panel has mounted thereon one of the top diagonal support panels, one of the bottom diagonal support panels, and one of the rear diagonal support panels, wherein the top and bottom diagonal support panels are connected to the rear diagonal support panel at side edges, respectively.

[0010] Preferably, each of the top diagonal support panels has a lower edge attached to the top band of the vertical panel, wherein the top diagonal support panel extends outwardly from the vertical panel a distance suitable to support a top wall.

[0011] Preferably, the vertical panel is attached to the top and bottom diagonal support panels by welding.

[0012] Preferably, the vertical panel is attached to the top and bottom diagonal support panels by stitching.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a connection arrangement for use in an inflatable device, the connection arrangement comprising:

[0014] a wall of an inflatable device;

[0015] a panel having edges connected to the wall; and

[0016] a pair of diagonal support panels connecting the panel to the wall, each of the pair of diagonal support panels being connected to the wall on opposite sides of the edges of the panel and spaced apart from the edges of the panel by a distance.

[0017] It is a primary object of the present application to provide an inflatable device having advantages not taught by the prior art.

[0018] Another object is to provide an inflatable device having only three laterally spaced apart support points by a single vertical panel, which significantly reduces the weight of the inflatable device.

[0019] Another object is to provide an inflatable device that uses less material than standard prior art devices.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present application. In such drawings:

[0022] Figure 1is a perspective view of an inflatable device according to one embodiment of the present application showing a portion of the top wall of the inflatable device removed to show the internal panel arrangement of the inflatable device;

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the internal panel arrangements in a fully assembled configuration, the internal panel arrangement including a vertical panel and a pair of top diagonal support panels and bottom diagonal support panels;

[0024] Figure 3 is an exploded side view of one embodiment of a vertical panel;

[0025] Figure 4 is an exploded side view of one embodiment of a diagonal support panel;

[0026] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 3 a vertical panel and Figure 4 a diagonal support panel;

[0027] Figure 6 is an exploded front view of a vertical panel showing how the diagonal support panels are attached;

[0028] Figure 7 is a rear cutaway view of one embodiment of an inflatable device having Figure 2 the internal panel arrangement of

[0029] Figure 8 is a side-by-side comparison of Figure 2 the internal panel arrangement of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The above figures illustrate the present application, an inflatable device that includes a panel structure that is lighter and uses less material. The internal panel arrangement of the present application provides three support points with only a single vertical panel. By removing two of the three vertical panels, the volume and weight of the inflatable device is significantly reduced without compromising support and structural integrity.

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable device 10 according to one embodiment of the present application. For clarity, a portion of the top wall 20 of the inflatable device 10 is shown removed to show the internal panel arrangement 30 of the inflatable device 10.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1 , the inflatable device 10 includes at least one (in this case, three) internal panel arrangement 30, which will be described in greater detail below. Although this is one embodiment of the present application, any number of internal panel arrangements 30 can be used.

[0033] Further, while it is shown as a slide, any shape of inflatable can include the internal bulkhead arrangement 30 and any structure known in the art should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0034] In Figure 1 In embodiments of the present invention, the inflatable 10 includes a top wall 20 and a bottom wall 22 that is vertically spaced from the top wall 20 by an internal bulkhead arrangement 30. The top wall 20 is attached to a pair of top diagonal support bulkheads 32 that are spaced a lateral width from a vertical bulkhead 34, which can be at about the midpoint. Similarly, the bottom wall 22 extends over a pair of bottom diagonal support bulkheads 36 a lateral width. These structures are described in more detail below and are shown in some of the following figures.

[0035] In this embodiment, the top wall 20 and the bottom wall 22 are in the form of an inflatable slide with side guards 24, as is well known in the art, which can be supported by additional means. Further, the top wall 20 and the bottom wall 22 can each extend a longitudinal length of the top diagonal support bulkheads 32 and the bottom diagonal support bulkheads 36, respectively, and extend into parallel supports 26 that terminate the inflatable slide. In this embodiment, two parallel supports 26 extend from the outer edges 38 of each of the top diagonal support bulkheads 32 and the bottom diagonal support bulkheads 36, and one of the parallel supports 26 extends from the vertical bulkhead 34. The parallel supports 26 can be integrally formed with the internal bulkhead arrangement 30, or they can be attached by any means known in the art, such as stitching, welding, etc. As noted above, each internal bulkhead arrangement 30 of the present invention provides three laterally spaced support points by only a single vertical bulkhead 34, which significantly reduces the weight of the inflatable 10. In some embodiments, the internal bulkhead arrangement 30 can also include a pair of rear diagonal support bulkheads 28, which are discussed in more detail below.

[0036] While shown as part of an inflatable slide, the inflatable 10 of the present invention and its construction process and method can be incorporated into the design and construction of any inflatable (e.g., a mattress, an obstacle training course, a pool toy, etc.). The top wall 20 and the bottom wall 22 can each be constructed from a sheet of thermoplastic cover fabric type commonly used in inflatables, such as woven nylon coated with PVC, or any other material suitable for use in inflatables. The top wall 20, the bottom wall 22, and / or the side guards 24 can be stitched and / or welded together, or can be attached directly to the inflatable 10 using any method known in the art. The inflatable 10, including the fabric portions, can be constructed by stitching, a hot air fusing process, or any other suitable construction known to those skilled in the art. Further details of the internal bulkhead arrangement 30 and its structure are shown in the following figures and described below.

[0037] Figure 2This is a perspective view of one of the internal partition devices in a fully assembled structure. Figure 3 This is an exploded side view of one embodiment of the vertical partition 34. Figure 4 This is an exploded side view of one embodiment of the diagonal support partitions 32, 36 and 28 on one side.

[0038] like Figures 2-4 As shown, this includes a vertical partition 34 and an internal partition structure 30 (also in...). Figure 3 (shown separately) and the paired top inclined support partition 32 and bottom inclined support partition 36 (also shown separately) Figure 4 (Shown separately in the text). Figures 2-4 As shown, the internal partition assembly 30 includes a vertical partition 34 having a top edge 40 connected to the top wall 20 and a bottom edge 42 connected to the bottom wall 22. A pair of top inclined support partitions 32 connect the vertical partition 34 to the top wall 20. Each of the pair of top inclined support partitions 32 is connected to the top wall 20 on opposite sides of the top edge 40 of the vertical partition 34 and is spaced apart from the top edge 40 of the vertical partition 34 by a distance (in... Figure 4 (Best displayed in the middle). In addition, a pair of bottom inclined support partitions 36 connect the vertical partition 34 to the bottom wall 22. Each of the pair of bottom inclined support partitions 36 connects to the bottom wall 22 on opposite sides of the bottom edge 42 of the vertical partition 34 and is spaced apart from the bottom edge 42 of the vertical partition 34.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the vertical partition 34 includes a plurality of panels 44 interconnected at sides 46, a top band 48 connected to the top 50 of at least some of the panels 44, and a bottom band 52 connected to the bottom 53 of all the panels 44. In this embodiment, the top band 48 is provided in two pieces, and a rear band 54 is also connected to the rear 55 of the plurality of panels 44 and can be further connected to the top band 48 and the bottom band 52. Although a particular structure of the vertical partition 34 is shown, the vertical partition 34 may also be constructed as a single piece, or composed of... Figure 3 It consists of components of different quantities and / or proportions / shapes.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, it may include a top inclined support partition 32, a bottom inclined support partition 36, and a rear inclined support partition 28, wherein the top inclined support partition 32 and the bottom inclined support partition 36 are each connected to the rear inclined support partition 28 at a side 56. Similar to... Figure 3 The discussion suggests that the top inclined support diaphragm 32 can each be constructed as two pieces. For example... Figures 3-4 The components shown can be attached by stitching, hot air fusion process, welding, bolting or any other suitable construction method known to those skilled in the art.

[0041] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Vertical partition 34 and Figure 4 Exploded perspective view of the diagonal bracing diaphragms 32, 36, and 28. (See attached image.) Figure 5 As shown and described above, the components of the internal partition assembly 30 can be connected together in any manner devised by those skilled in the art. The top strap 48 of the vertical partition 34 is aligned and secured together between the top inclined support partitions 32, the bottom strap 52 of the vertical partition 34 is aligned and secured together between the bottom inclined support partitions 36, and the rear strap 54 is further secured between the rear inclined support partitions 28. In this embodiment, as... Figure 6 As shown, the top inclined support partition 32 and the bottom inclined support partition 36 may have a lower edge 58 and an upper edge 60 respectively attached to the vertical partition 34, and the rear inclined support partition 36 may also have an inner edge 62 attached to the vertical partition 34.

[0042] Figure 6 This is an exploded front view of the vertical partition 34, showing how the diagonal support partitions 32 and 36 are attached. As described above, each top diagonal support partition 32 may have a lower edge 58 attached to the top band 48 of the vertical partition 34, wherein the paired top diagonal support partitions 32 extend diagonally outward from the lower edge 58 and the top band 48 to support the top wall for a distance.

[0043] Each of the paired bottom diagonal support partitions 36 may also have an upper edge 60 attached to the bottom band 52 of the vertical partition 34, and the rear diagonal support partition 28 may also have an inner edge 62 attached to the rear edge 55 of the rear band 54 of the vertical partition 34 (e.g., Figure 5 As shown). Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the paired top inclined support partition 32 and bottom inclined support partition 36, as well as the top band 48 and bottom band 52 of the vertical partition 34, clamp the top 50 and bottom 53 of the plurality of panels 44 in the middle when they are fixed together.

[0044] Figure 7 It has Figure 2 A rear sectional view of an embodiment of the inflation device 10 of the internal partition device 30. (See also:) Figure 7 As shown, the inflatable device 10 in the fully constructed structure can be implemented as three adjacent inflatable slides, each having a top wall 20 and a bottom wall 22 that are inflated on top of the internal partition device 30.

[0045] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A side-by-side comparison diagram of the internal partition device and a prior art partition device (shown on the left side of the internal partition device 30 for comparison). Figure 8As shown, a typical prior art partition device includes multiple vertical partitions that extend from... Figure 1 The parallel supports discussed form a structurally bulky internal partition assembly. However, the present invention includes diagonal support partitions 32, 36, and 28 connected to individual partitions, which provide equivalent vertical support while significantly reducing the number of support points (e.g., 32, 36, and 28) used to form the top wall 20 and bottom wall 22 without compromising structural integrity. Figures 1-2 The amount of material shown in Figure 7.

[0046] The prior art teaches multiple vertical partitions that are directly connected to the top and bottom walls of the inflatable device to provide vertical support to the inflatable structure. However, the prior art does not teach that the vertical partitions connected to the top and bottom walls of the inflatable device also include diagonal support partitions connected to both sides of the vertical partitions to connect the vertical partitions to the top and bottom walls of the inflatable device.

[0047] As used herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “an” are defined to include one or more of the referenced objects, unless otherwise expressly stated. The terms “about” and “approximately” are defined to mean + / - 10%, unless otherwise expressly stated. Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly stated, the terms “having,” “comprising,” “including,” and similar terms are defined to mean “including.” Additionally, the terms used in the description provided above are defined herein to include similar and / or equivalent terms, and / or alternative embodiments that will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon the teachings of this patent application. Although the invention has been described with reference to at least one specific embodiment, it should be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by the claims set forth herein.

Claims

1. An inflatable device comprising: a top wall; a bottom wall vertically spaced apart from the top wall; a vertical panel having a top edge connected to the top wall and a bottom edge connected to the bottom wall; a pair of top diagonal support panels connecting the vertical panel to the top wall, each of the pair of top diagonal support panels connected to the top wall on opposite sides of the top edge of the vertical panel and spaced apart from the top edge of the vertical panel by a distance; and a pair of bottom diagonal support panels connecting the vertical panel to the bottom wall, each of the pair of bottom diagonal support panels connected to the bottom wall on opposite sides of the bottom edge of the vertical panel and spaced apart from the bottom edge of the vertical panel by a distance.

2. The inflator device of claim 1, wherein, the vertical panel comprises a plurality of panels connected to each other at side edges, a top strip connected to top edges of all of the plurality of panels, and a bottom strip connected to bottom edges of all of the plurality of panels.

3. An inflator device according to claim 2, wherein, each side of the vertical panel has one of the top diagonal support panels, one of the bottom diagonal support panels, and one of the back diagonal support panels mounted thereon, wherein the top diagonal support panel and the bottom diagonal support panel are connected to the back diagonal support panel at the side edge, respectively.

4. An inflator device according to claim 3, wherein, each of the top diagonal support panels has a lower edge attached to the top strip of the vertical panel, wherein the top diagonal support panel extends outwardly from the vertical panel by a distance suitable to support the top wall.

5. The inflator device of claim 1, wherein, the vertical panel is attached to the top diagonal support panels and the bottom diagonal support panels by welding.

6. The inflator device of claim 1, wherein, the vertical panel is attached to the top diagonal support panels and the bottom diagonal support panels by sewing.

7. A connecting device for use in the inflatable device of any one of claims 1-6, the connecting device comprising: a wall of the inflatable device; a panel having edges connected to the wall; and a pair of diagonal support panels connecting the panel to the wall, each of the pair of diagonal support panels connected to the wall on opposite sides of the edges of the panel and spaced apart from the edges of the panel by a distance.

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