Inflatable support body and inflatable mattress with the same

Abstract

Inflatable support bodies are disclosed. One or more of the inflatable support bodies may be part of an inflatable product, such as an inflatable mattress The inflatable body may include a plurality of sheets with aligned edges and arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other. A plurality of connection parts and a plurality of communication parts may be arranged at intervals along a length direction of each sheet and may be formed on a surface of the sheet. Side edges and the connection parts of two sheets arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other may be welded to form a plurality of inflatable units adjacently connected and in fluid communication with each other. Each inflatable unit may have a length direction the same as a support direction. The connection parts and the communication parts may be formed on adjacent surfaces of the inflatable units and may be configured to connect and communicate adjacent inflatable units, respectively. Air chambers of the plurality of inflatable units may be communicated via the communication parts to form a meshed passage.

Description

INFLATABLE SUPPORT BODY AND INFLATABLE MATTRESS WITH THE SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model 202420794938.4, filed April 17, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The utility model relates to the technical field of inflatable furniture, and more specifically, relates to an inflatable support body and an inflatable mattress with the same.BACKGROUND

[0003] The Chinese patent No. CN206151024U discloses an inflatable mattress structure, which includes an upper surface layer forming a surface of the inflatable mattress; a lower surface layer forming a bottom surface of the inflatable mattress; a side surface layer connecting outer edges of the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer to form a periphery of the inflatable mattress, so that the inflatable mattress has an interior space; and an air mattress part positioned in the interior space, including: at least one base mat; a plurality of inflatable columns each having a hollow structure and arranged on a surface of the at least one base mat; and at least one air valve positioned on the at least one base mat to inflate or deflate the air mattress part, where the hollow structure of each inflation column is communicated with the hollow structure of the at least one base mat to form an inflatable space.

[0004] Similar to the above, the inflatable mattress in the existing art supports a human body through a plurality of upward inflatable columns, and uses a base mat in communication with bottoms of the plurality of inflatable columns for convenient inflation and deflation of the inflatable columns. In view of the overall structure, inflatable mattresses in the existing art include a plurality of inflatable columns arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, and a base mat formed at the bottom in the vertical direction, which requires processing actions in both directions during automated production of the inflatable mattress in one step, and involves a relatively complex automation level.SUMMARY

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable support body and an inflatable mattress is provided. The inflatable support body and the inflatable mattress may have the advantages of simple forming structure, the same forming direction, and convenient automated mass production.

[0006] In an example thereof, the present disclosure provides: an inflatable support body, including a plurality of sheets with aligned edges and arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other, a plurality of connection parts and a plurality of communication parts arranged at intervals along a length direction of each sheet are formed on a surface of the sheet, side edges and the connection parts of two sheets arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other are welded to form a plurality of inflatable units adjacently connected and communicated with each other, each inflatable unit has a length direction the same as a support direction, the connection parts and the communication parts are formed on adjacent surfaces of the inflatable units, and configured to connect and communicate adjacent inflatable units, respectively, and air chambers of the plurality of inflatable units are communicated via the communication parts to form a meshed passage.

[0007] The plurality of inflatable units may be combined into an inflatable support body to provide support for a human body, and the connection parts may provide structural stability at positions between the plurality of inflatable units, facilitate assembly, and ensure stable support. The communication parts enable air paths among the plurality of inflatable units to be communicated with each other to form a meshed inflatable and deflatable passage, so as to facilitate inflation and deflation actions on the inflatable support body. By means of the sheets and the connection parts and the communication parts of the sheets, the plurality of inflatable units providing vertical support are integrally formed into a simple structure with air paths communicated with each other. When a pressure applied by a human body on the support surface changes, an air flow in the inflatable units at the support position flows into the inflatable units at other positions through the communication parts, and the pressure at the support position changes accordingly, thereby providing comfortable multi-point support. The plurality of sheets are welded into a plurality of inflatable units, while the connection parts and the communication parts of the sheets enable the plurality of inflatable units to be connected and communicated with each other in the same processing and forming direction, thereby ensuring a simple structure of the inflatable support body while facilitating the automated mass production design.

[0008] In another example, the present disclosure provides that: the plurality of inflatableunits may be formed adjacent to each other in the same plane, such as the same horizontal plane. Each connection part may include a first connection part and a second connection part for connecting adjacent inflatable units in different directions, such as horizontal directions, a longer symmetry axis direction of each inflatable unit in a projection face of the inflatable unit is defined as a first direction, a second direction forms an angle, such as a horizontal angle with the first direction, the first connection part connects adjacent inflatable units in the first direction, and the second connection part connects adjacent inflatable units in the second direction.

[0009] The first connection part and the second connection part may connect inflatable units in two different directions, respectively, so that the inflatable support body consisting of the plurality of inflatable units has a support surface with a larger area and a more stable structure, thereby ensuring stable support for the human body.

[0010] In a further example, the present disclosure provides that the inflatable units includes a plurality of inflatable units, such as first inflatable units, second inflatable units, third inflatable units, and fourth inflatable units, each first inflatable unit has one first connection part and one second connection part, each second inflatable unit has one first connection part and two second connection parts, each third inflatable unit has two first connection parts and one second connection part, and each fourth inflatable unit has two first connection parts and two second connection parts.

[0011] The first inflatable units, the second inflatable units, the third inflatable units, and the fourth inflatable units may be combined into a multi-point support structure for a human body, and may, in cooperation with the communication parts, enable different selections and arrangements of communicated air paths, to implement varied soft and hard firmness in different regions, and further improve the comfort of supporting effect.

[0012] In a still further example, the present disclosure provides that each communication part includes a first communication part and a second communication part, the first communication part is formed at the first connection part, and the second communication part is formed at the second connection part.

[0013] The first connection part may be a strip-shaped weld edge, and a plurality of first connection parts may be arranged at equal intervals along a longer side direction of each sheet, a length direction of the first connection part is parallel to a shorter side of the sheet, and the first connection part may have a length less than the shorter side of the sheet; the first communication part may be formed at a vacant position between two ends of each first connection part and two side edges of longer sides of the sheet; and the second connection partmay be formed between adjacent first connection parts.

[0014] The second connection part may be a quick-connector or at least one weld edge formed in parallel to a shorter side direction of the sheet, and the second communication part may be a quick-connector air hole or at least one round hole provided in a weld edge; and the second communication part may be selectively provided in the second connection part by the design of an air path.

[0015] When an action of the human body on the surface of the inflatable support body changes, an air flow in the inflatable support body may flow in the first direction and the second direction through the first communication part and the second communication part respectively according to a position and a magnitude of the pressure applied by the human body, so as to form a new supporting state and ensure comfort of the human body. When the inflatable support body is inflated, the air flow may rapidly flow into each inflatable region in the first direction and the second direction through a plurality of first communication parts and a plurality of second communication parts, thereby ensuring the inflation efficiency.

[0016] In yet another example thereof, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the plurality of inflatable units are arranged in an array of grids.

[0017] In an example thereof, the plurality of inflatable units may be horizontally arranged in an array of grids in rows and columns, and collectively form a cubic inflatable support structure that may support a human body and fit common bedding accessories such as a bed sheet, a mattress cover and the like.

[0018] In a still further example thereof, the present disclosure provides that an acute angle is formed between the first direction and the second direction, and the plurality of inflatable units are arranged in a staggered manner and adjacently connected to each other.

[0019] The plurality of inflatable units, arranged in a staggered manner and adjacently connected to each other, may reduce the gap between the inflatable units due to structural deformation and expansion after inflation, and improve the surface flatness and comfort of the inflatable support body when a human is lying thereon.

[0020] In yet still a further example thereof, the present disclosure provides that a lining cover is wrapped outside the plurality of inflatable units.

[0021] In still yet another example thereof, the present disclosure provides that the lining cover is configured to protect the plurality of inflatable units integrally formed while improving the integrality, and facilitate assembly of the inflatable support body with other bedding accessories such as a sponge, a mattress cover or the like.

[0022] In yet still another example thereof, the present disclosure provides an inflatablemattress, including the inflatable support body as described above, where a comfortable layer is laid above the inflatable units, and a mattress cover is covered outside the comfortable layer and the inflatable units.

[0023] The comfortable layer may be configured to the comfort effect of a contact surface between the human body and the surface of the inflatable support body, while the mattress cover is configured to cover the inflatable support body and the comfortable layer, and play a role in protection and improving the appearance.

[0024] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may provide the following beneficial effects: (1) inflatable units in different directions are connected and communicated by the connection parts and the communication parts in the same forming direction as the inflatable units to form the inflatable support body, which is simple in the structure and convenient for automated mass production; (2) different air paths are enabled through flexible combinations of the first communication part and the second communication part with the first inflatable unit, the second inflatable unit, the third inflatable unit and the fourth inflatable unit, so that the supporting effect of different soft and hard comfort levels in different regions is achieved; and (3) the comfortable layer laid above the inflatable support body and the mattress cover wrapped outside improve the overall use comfort and the tidy and aesthetic feelings.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable support body is provided. The inflatable support body may comprise a first sheet having a first length and a first width and including a first plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet and a first plurality of first communication parts. The inflatable body may further comprise a second sheet having a second length and a second width and including a second plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the second width of the second sheet and a second plurality of first communication parts. The second sheet may be coupled to the first sheet with the first width being parallel to the second width and the first length parallel to the second length to define an interior of the first sheet and the second sheet adapted to be inflated with a working fluid. Each of the first plurality of first connection parts may be coupled to a respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form a first plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet. The plurality of inflatable units may be in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the first plurality of first communication parts and the second plurality of first communication parts. A support direction of the inflatable support may be generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet.

[0026] In an example thereof, the plurality of inflatable units may be arranged linearly alongthe first length of the first sheet and the second length of the second sheet. In another example thereof, the first plurality of connection parts of the first sheet may contact the second plurality of connection parts of the second sheet to form at each instance an air tight connection. In a further example thereof, a periphery of the first sheet may be coupled to the second sheet.

[0027] In another example thereof, a first portion of the first plurality of first communication parts may be provided between a first periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a first portion of the second plurality of first communication parts may provided between a first periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts. In a variation thereof, a second portion of the first plurality of first communication parts may be provided between a second periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a second portion of the second plurality of first communication parts may be provided between a second periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts.

[0028] In a further example thereof, the first sheet may be welded to the second sheet and each of the first plurality of first connection parts may be welded to the respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form the plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet.

[0029] In still a further example thereof, the inflatable support body may further comprise a third sheet having a third length and a third width and including a third plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the third width of the third sheet and a third plurality of first communication parts. The inflatable support body may further comprise a fourth sheet having a fourth length and a fourth width and including a fourth plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the fourth width of the fourth sheet and a fourth plurality of first communication parts. The fourth sheet may be coupled to the third sheet with the third width being parallel to the fourth width and the third length parallel to the fourth length to define an interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet adapted to be inflated with the working fluid. Each of the third plurality of first connection parts may be coupled to a respective each of the fourth plurality of first connection parts to form a second plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet. The second plurality of inflatable units being in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the third plurality of first communication parts and the fourth plurality of first communication parts. In a variation thereof, the second plurality of inflatable units may be arranged linearly along the third length of the third sheet and the fourth length of the fourth sheet. In a further variation thereof, the third plurality of connection parts of the third sheet may contact the fourth plurality ofconnection parts of the fourth sheet to form at each instance an air tight connection. In still a further variation thereof, a periphery of the third sheet may coupled to the fourth sheet. In yet still a further variation thereof, a first portion of the third plurality of first communication parts may be provided between a first periphery length edge of the third sheet and the third plurality of first connection parts and a first portion of the fourth plurality of first communication parts may provided between a first periphery length edge of the fourth sheet and the fourth plurality of first connection parts. In another still variation thereof, a second portion of the third plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the third sheet and the third plurality of first connection parts and a second portion of the fourth plurality of first communication parts may be provided between a second periphery length edge of the fourth sheet and the fourth plurality of first connection parts. In yet another still variation thereof, the third sheet may be welded to the fourth sheet and each of the third plurality of first connection parts may be welded to the respective each of the fourth plurality of first connection parts to form the second plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet.

[0030] In yet another example thereof, each of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a first length axis and a width along a first width axis and each of the second plurality of inflatable units has a length along a second length axis and a width along a second width axis. In a variation thereof, the length of each of the first plurality of inflatable units may longer than the width of each of the first plurality of inflatable units and the length of each of the second plurality of inflatable units may longer than the width of each of the second plurality of inflatable units. In another variation thereof, the length of each of the first plurality of inflatable units may be generally equal to the width of each of the first plurality of inflatable units and the length of each of the second plurality of inflatable units may be generally equal to the width of each of the second plurality of inflatable units.

[0031] In still another example thereof, a first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a first length axis and a width along a first width axis, a second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a second length axis and a width along a second width axis, and a first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units has a length along a third length axis and a width along a third width axis. In a variation thereof, the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units may be positioned such that the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units may be generally colinear with the first width axis of the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units. In another variation thereof, the first inflatable unit of the second plurality ofinflatable units may be positioned in a waist formed between the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units such that the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned between the first width axis of the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second width axis of the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units. In a further variation thereof, the second sheet may include a first plurality of second connection parts and a first plurality of second communication parts and the third sheet may include a second plurality of second connection parts and a second plurality of second communication parts. The interior of the first sheet and the second sheet may be in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet. In yet another variation thereof, the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units may include at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units may include at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts. In a further still variation thereof, the at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts may surround the at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts may surround the at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts. In a yet further still variation thereof, the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units may include at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units may include at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts. In still another variation, the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts may surround the first one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts may surround the first one of the second plurality of second communication parts. The first one of the first plurality of second connections parts may be coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts. In a further variation thereof, the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units may include a first one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatableunits may include a first one of the second plurality of second connection parts and a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts. In a yet further variation thereof, the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts may surround the first one and the second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts may surround the first one and the second one of the second plurality of second communication parts. The first one of the first plurality of second connections parts may be coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts. In yet still another variation, the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet may be in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet along a direction generally parallel to the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units. In a further still variation thereof, the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet may be in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet along a direction angled relative to the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units. In another still variation thereof, the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts may be quick connectors. In yet another still variation thereof, the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts may form a plurality of welded connections.

[0032] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable support body capable of receiving a pressurized working fluid is provided. The inflatable support body may comprise a first inflatable cell group having a first plurality of inflatable units defined by a first sheet and a second sheet. The first plurality of inflatable units of the first inflatable cell group may be distributed along a first direction. Each of the first plurality of inflatable units of the first inflatable cell group along the first direction may have a first inflatable unit size. The inflatable support body may further comprise a second inflatable cell group having a second plurality of inflatable units defined by a third sheet and a fourth sheet. The second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group distributed along the first direction, a first portion of the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group having a second inflatable unit size and a second portion of the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group having a third inflatable unit size, the third inflatable unit size being less than the second inflatable unit size.

[0033] In an example thereof, the third inflatable unit size may be less than the first inflatable unit size.

[0034] In another example thereof, the second inflatable unit size is generally equal to the first inflatable unit size.

[0035] In a further example thereof, the first plurality of inflatable units of the first inflatable cell group and the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group may be equal height.

[0036] In yet another example thereof, the second portion of the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group plurality may include a first inflatable unit and a second inflatable unit. The first inflatable unit may be located at a first end of the second inflatable cell group and the second inflatable unit may be located at a second end of the second inflatable cell group. The first end may be opposite the second end.

[0037] In still another example thereof, the first sheet has a first length and a first width and may include a first plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet and a first plurality of first communication parts. The second sheet having a second length and a second width and may include a second plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the second width of the second sheet and a second plurality of first communication parts. The second sheet may be coupled to the first sheet with the first width being parallel to the second width and the first length parallel to the second length to define an interior of the first sheet and the second sheet adapted to be inflated with the working fluid. In a variation thereof, each of the first plurality of first connection parts may be coupled to a respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form the first plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet. The first plurality of inflatable units may be in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the first plurality of first communication parts and the second plurality of first communication parts. A support direction of the inflatable support may be being generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet. In another variation thereof, the first plurality of inflatable units may be arranged linearly along the first length of the first sheet and the second length of the second sheet. In a further variation thereof, the first plurality of connection parts of the first sheet may contact the second plurality of connection parts of the second sheet to form at each instance an air tight connection. In a still further variation thereof, a periphery of the first sheet may be coupled to the second sheet. In another still variation thereof, a first portion of the first plurality of first communication parts may be provided between a first periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a firstportion of the second plurality of first communication parts may be provided between a first periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts. In yet another still variation thereof, a second portion of the first plurality of first communication parts may be provided between a second periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a second portion of the second plurality of first communication parts may be provided between a second periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts. In a further still variation thereof, the first sheet may be welded to the second sheet and each of the first plurality of first connection parts may be welded to the respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form the plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet. In a further still variation, the third sheet has a third length and a third width and may include a third plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the third width of the third sheet and a third plurality of first communication parts and the fourth sheet has a fourth length and a fourth width and may include a fourth plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the fourth width of the fourth sheet and a fourth plurality of first communication parts. The fourth sheet may be coupled to the third sheet with the third width being parallel to the fourth width and the third length parallel to the fourth length to define an interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet adapted to be inflated with the working fluid. In a further yet variation thereof, each of the third plurality of first connection parts may be coupled to a respective each of the fourth plurality of first connection parts to form the second plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet. The second plurality of inflatable units may be in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the third plurality of first communication parts and the fourth plurality of first communication parts.

[0038] In yet a further example thereof, a first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a first length axis and a width along a first width axis, a second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a second length axis and a width along a second width axis, and a first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units has a length along a third length axis and a width along a third width axis. In a variation thereof, the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units may be positioned in a waist formed between the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units such that the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned between the first width axis of the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second width axis of the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units. In another variationthereof, the second sheet may include a first plurality of second connection parts and a first plurality of second communication parts and the third sheet may include a second plurality of second connection parts and a second plurality of second communication parts. The interior of the first sheet and the second sheet may be in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet. In a further variation thereof, the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units may include at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units may include at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts. In yet a further variation thereof, the at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts may surround the at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts may surround the at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts. In still another variation thereof, the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units may include at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts. In a further still variation thereof, the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts may surround the first one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts may surround the first one of the second plurality of second communication parts. The first one of the first plurality of second connections parts may be coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts. In a further still variation, the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units may include a first one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes a first one of the second plurality of second connection parts and a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts. In still another variation thereof, the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts may surround the first one and the second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts may surround the first one and the second one of the second plurality of second communicationparts, the first one of the first plurality of second connections parts being coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts.

[0039] In another still example thereof, the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet may be in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet along a direction angled relative to the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units.

[0040] In a further still example thereof, the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts may be quick connectors.

[0041] In yet a further still example thereof, the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts may form a plurality of welded connections.

[0042] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable support body is provided. The inflatable support body may comprise a plurality of sheets with aligned edges and arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other. The plurality of sheets may comprise a plurality of connection parts and a plurality of communication parts arranged at intervals along a length direction of each sheet which may be formed on a surface of the sheet. Side edges and the connection parts of two sheets arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other may be welded to form a plurality of inflatable units adjacently connected and communicated with each other. Each inflatable unit may have a length direction the same as a support direction. The connection parts and the communication parts may be formed on adjacent surfaces of the inflatable units and may be configured to connect and communicate adjacent inflatable units, respectively, and air chambers of the plurality of inflatable units may be communicated via the communication parts to form a meshed passage.

[0043] In an example thereof, the plurality of inflatable units may be formed adjacent to each other in the same horizontal plane. Each connection part may comprise a first connection part and a second connection part for connecting adjacent inflatable units in different horizontal directions. A longer symmetry axis direction of each inflatable unit in a projection face of the inflatable unit is defined as a first direction. A second direction forms a horizontal angle with the first direction. The first connection part may connect adjacent inflatable units in the first direction. The second connection part may connect adjacent inflatable units in the second direction.

[0044] In another example thereof, the inflatable units may comprise first inflatable units, second inflatable units, third inflatable units, and fourth inflatable units. Each first inflatable unit may have one first connection part and one second connection part. Each second inflatableunit may have one first connection part and two second connection parts. Each third inflatable unit may have two first connection parts and one second connection part. Each fourth inflatable unit may have two first connection parts and two second connection parts.

[0045] In a further example thereof, each communication part may comprise a first communication part and a second communication part. The first communication part may be formed at the first connection part. The second communication part may be formed at the second connection part. In a variation thereof, the first connection part may be a strip-shaped weld edge, and a plurality of first connection parts may be arranged at equal intervals along a longer side direction of each sheet. A length direction of the first connection part may be parallel to a shorter side of the sheet. The first connection part may have a length less than the shorter side of the sheet. The first communication part may be formed at a vacant position between two ends of each first connection part and two side edges of longer sides of the sheet. The second connection part may be formed between adjacent first connection parts. In another variation thereof, the second connection part may be a quick-connector or at least one weld edge formed in parallel to a shorter side direction of the sheet. The second communication part may be a quick-connector air hole or at least one round hole provided in a weld edge. The second communication part may be selectively provided in the second connection part by the design of an air path.

[0046] In a further still example thereof, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the plurality of inflatable units are arranged in an array of grids.

[0047] In yet still another example thereof, an acute angle is formed between the first direction and the second direction, and the plurality of inflatable units are arranged in a staggered manner and adjacently connected to each other.

[0048] In another still example thereof, a lining cover may be wrapped outside the plurality of inflatable units.

[0049] In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable mattress is provided. The inflatable mattress may comprise one or more of any of the exemplary inflatable support bodies disclosed herein.

[0050] In an example thereof, the inflatable mattress may further comprise a comfortable layer laid above the at least one instance of the inflatable support body. A mattress cover may be covered outside the comfortable layer and the at least one instance of the inflatable support body.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an exemplary inflatable support body;

[0052] FIG. 1A is a diagrammatical view of a system including the inflatable support body of FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic structural view of a plurality of inflatable units of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 1 ;

[0054] FIG. 3 is a top view of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 1 ;

[0055] FIG. 3 A is a sectional view of two adjacent inflatable units of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 3 along lines 3A-3A in FIG. 2;

[0056] FIG. 3B is a sectional view of two adjacent inflatable units of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 3 along lines 3B-3B in FIG. 2;

[0057] FIG. 3C is a sectional view of two adjacent inflatable units of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 3 along lines 3C-3C in FIG. 3;

[0058] FIG. 3D is a sectional view of two adjacent inflatable units of a first cell group and two adjacent inflatable units of a second cell group of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 3;

[0059] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view showing an edge cell group separated into a plurality of sheets of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 1 ;

[0060] FIG. 4A is a detail view of a portion of a first sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 4;

[0061] FIG. 4B is a detail view of a portion of a second sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 4;

[0062] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view showing an inner cell group separated into a plurality of sheets of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 1;

[0063] FIG. 5 A is a detail view of a portion of a first sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 5;

[0064] FIG. 5B is a detail view of a portion of a second sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 5;

[0065] FIG. 6 is a partial schematic structural view of a plurality of inflatable units in another exemplary inflatable support body;

[0066] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view at 7 in FIG. 6;

[0067] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural view of a plurality of sheets on adjacent surfaces of an edge cell group and an inner cell group of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 6;

[0068] FIG. 8 A is a detail view of a portion of a first sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 8;

[0069] FIG. 8B is a detail view of a portion of a second sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG.8;

[0070] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural view of a further exemplary inflatable support body;

[0071] FIG. 10 is a partial schematic structural view of a plurality of inflatable units of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 9;

[0072] FIG. 11 is atop view of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 9;

[0073] FIG. 11 A is a sectional view of two adjacent inflatable units of a first cell group and two adjacent inflatable units of a second cell group of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 9;

[0074] FIG. 12 is a schematic structural view showing a first edge cell group separated into a plurality of sheets of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 9;

[0075] FIG. 12A is a detail view of a portion of a first sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 12;

[0076] FIG. 12B is a detail view of a portion of a second sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 12;

[0077] FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view showing a second edge cell group separated into a plurality of sheets of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 9;

[0078] FIG. 13A is a detail view of a portion of a first sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 13;

[0079] FIG. 13B is a detail view of a portion of a second sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 13;

[0080] FIG. 14 is a schematic structural view showing a first inner cell group separated into of a plurality of sheets of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 9;

[0081] FIG. 14A is a detail view of a portion of a first sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 14;

[0082] FIG. 14B is a detail view of a portion of a second sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 14;

[0083] FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view showing a second inner cell group separated into a plurality of sheets of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 9;

[0084] FIG. 15A is a detail view of a portion of a first sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 15;

[0085] FIG. 15B is a detail view of a portion of a second sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 15;

[0086] FIG. 16 is a schematic structural view of the second inner cell group of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 9;

[0087] FIG. 17 is a schematic structural view highlighting a correspondence relationshipbetween connection positions of the sheets when the first inner cell group and the second inner cell group of the exemplary inflatable support body of FIG. 9 are connected;

[0088] FIG. 17A is a detail view of a portion of a first sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 17;

[0089] FIG. 17B is a detail view of a portion of a second sheet of the plurality of sheets of FIG. 17;

[0090] FIG. 18 is a schematic structural view of yet another exemplary inflatable support body; and

[0091] FIG. 19 is an exploded structural view of the inflatable support body of FIG. 18.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. Therefore, no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0093] The terms “couples”, “coupled”, “coupler”, and variations thereof are used to include both arrangements wherein two or more components are in direct physical contact and arrangements wherein the two or more components are not in direct contact with each other (for example, the components are “coupled” via at least a third component, but yet still cooperates or interact with each other).

[0094] In some instances throughout this disclosure and in the claims, numeric terminology, such as first, second, third, and fourth, is used in reference to various operative transmission components and other components and features. Such use is not intended to denote an ordering of the components. Rather, numeric terminology is used to assist the reader in identifying the component being referenced and should not be narrowly interpreted as providing a specific order of components.

[0095] The use of terminology of degree, such as “substantially”, “about”, or “generally”, includes the stated value plus values within ten percent higher and lower of the stated value. Thus, generally perpendicular includes angles from 81 degrees to 99 degrees.

[0096] An inflatable support body 200, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a plurality ofinflatable units 1 (a couple of examples marked) each having a height direction H which is the same as a support direction. Further, each of the plurality of inflatable units 1 may include connection parts 2 (see FIG. 2) for connecting adjacent inflatable units 1. Additionally, each of the plurality of inflatable units may include communication parts 3 (see FIG. 2) for communicating working fluid among adjacent inflatable units 1 and may be formed on adjacent surfaces of the plurality of inflatable units 1. Inflatable units 1 are configured to receive a pressurized working fluid useful to change a state of inflation of the inflatable support body 200 from a deflated state with minimal pressurized working fluid in one or more inflatable units 1 to an inflated state having the pressurized working fluid in one or more inflatable units 1. When pressurized with working fluid, the inflatable units 1 provide a degree of rigidity and support in the support direction H. In embodiments, the inflatable support body 200 may be used to support a weight of one or more persons when the inflatable units 1 receive pressurized working fluid. In embodiments, the inflatable support body 200 may be configured to receive pressurized working fluid at a range of pressures to provide varying degrees of rigidity and support. The inflatable support body 200 may be used as part of a mattress, a cushion, a seat, a float, and other suitable types of supports.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 1A, in embodiments, the plurality of inflatable units 1 receive a working fluid, such as pressurized air, from a working fluid supply 202 through at least one opening 210 of inflatable support body 200. In examples, a valve is provided in opening 210. Exemplary working fluid supplies include air pumps, pressurized air lines, and other suitable sources of a pressurized working fluid. In examples, working fluid supply 202 is controlled by a controller 204. Exemplary controllers 204 include hardwired controls, microprocessor based controllers, and other suitable controllers. Controller 204 may operate working fluid supply 202 to add additional working fluid to the plurality of inflatable units 1 to increase a pressure in the plurality of inflatable units 1 or to remove working fluid from the plurality of inflatable units 1 to decrease a pressure in the plurality of inflatable units 1. In examples, controller 204 monitors a pressure in at least one of the plurality of inflatable units with a sensor 208, such as a pressure sensor in communication with an interior of at least one of the plurality of inflatable units 1 or a pressurized volume in fluid communication with an interior of at least one of the plurality of inflatable units 1. In examples, controller 204 controls a first set of inflatable units 1 independent of a second set of inflatable units 1.

[0098] Returning to FIG. 2, the connection parts 2 and the communication parts 3 have the same forming direction as the inflatable units 1, as explained herein. The connection parts 2 and the communication parts 3 may be formed on adjacent surfaces of the inflatable units 1, andconfigured to connect and communicate adjacent inflatable units 1, respectively. Air chambers of the plurality of inflatable units 1 are in working fluid communication with each other via the communication parts 3 to form a meshed passage to convey working fluid between and among the inflatable units 1. The plurality of inflatable units 1 may be connected and communicated with each other to form a portion of an inflatable support body 700 (as shown in FIG. 19), which, in some embodiments, has a simple structure that may facilitate an automated mass production design.

[0099] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 3 A, in this embodiment, each inflatable unit 1 has a generally cylindrical structure with a top projection face 112, a first side face 114, and a second side face 116. Referring to FIG. 3 A, each of inflatable units 1 may have an oval shaped section from a top view with a first or long axis 118 and a second or short axis 120. In examples, a ratio of axis 120 to axis 118 is from about 1:5 to about 1:2. In examples, the ratio of axis 120 to axis 118 is generally equal to one and the shape of inflatable unit 1 is generally circular. Between adjacent inflatable units 1, a waist 99 is formed.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary cell group 5 of inflatable units 1 is shown. As discussed herein cell group 5 may be an edge cell group while a cell group 6 may be an interior cell group. As shown in FIG. 3 a plurality of cell groups 5 and cell groups 6 are collectively referred to as inflatable support body 200.

[0101] In cell group 5, the plurality of inflatable units 1 are formed adjacent to each other in the same horizontal plane (plane of FIG. 3), a longer symmetry axis direction of each inflatable unit 1 (axis 118 in FIG. 3 A) in the projection face 112 of the inflatable unit 1 is defined as a first direction 100, and a second direction 102 forms a horizontal angle with the first direction. The second direction 102 corresponds to the shorter symmetry axis of each inflatable unit (axis 120 in FIG. 3A). Movement described herein along the first direction 100 may occur along a row of inflatable units 1 in a manner conventionally associated with the arrow head illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 (e.g., to the right of the illustration in FIG. 2), and may occur along the row of inflatable units 1 in a manner opposite of that which is conventionally associated with the arrow head illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 (e.g., to the left of the illustration in FIG. 2). Likewise, movement described herein along the second direction 102 may occur along a row of inflatable units 1 in a manner conventionally associated with the arrow head illustrated in FIG. 3 (e.g., to the left of the illustration in FIG. 3), and may occur along the row of inflatable units 1 in a manner opposite of that which is conventionally associated with the arrow head illustrated in FIG. 3 (e.g., to the right of the illustration in FIG. 2). In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first direction 100 is defined by a straight line in which a longer symmetry axis (axis118 in FIG. 3 A) of the projection face 112 of the inflatable unit 1 is located, while the second direction 102 is defined by a straight line in which a shorter symmetry axis (axis 120 in FIG. 3 A) of the projection face 112 of the inflatable unit 1 is located. In examples, working fluid may be communicated among inflatable units 1 along the first direction 100, and may be communicated among inflatable units 1 along the second direction 102. The first direction 100 is perpendicular to the second direction 102. The plurality of inflatable units 1 are horizontally arranged in a grid array in rows and columns, and the inflatable support body formed by the plurality of inflatable units 1 has a cubic shape with a generally rectilinear horizontal extent. In examples, each of inflatable units 1 have the same height along the support direction H. In examples, a first number of inflatable units 1 has a first height along the support direction H and a second number of inflatable units 1 has a second height along the support direction H.

[0102] FIG. 2 illustrates an undulating pattern along the first direction 100 when the inflatable units 1 are inflated with pressurized working fluid. The undulating pattern is characterized by a peak 98 that extends furthest from axis 118 of each inflatable cell and a waist 99 at a junction between adjacent inflatable cells 1. In examples, as described herein, first connection part 21 is positioned at waist 99 and second connection part is positioned at peak 98. FIG. 3A illustrates the corresponding peaks 98 of two adjacent inflatable units 1 in the first group 120 of inflatable units 1 at a mid-height of each inflatable unit 1.

[0103] As shown in FIGS. 3-5B, in examples, a plurality of inflatable units 1 in the first direction 100 may be formed from two sheets 4 of material coupled together (sheet 41 and sheet 42 in FIG. 4 for cell group 5 and two sheets 42 in FIG. 5 for cell group 6). In examples, each sheet 4 is made of a polymer. Exemplary polymers include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Sheets 4 may be coupled together by welding two elongated thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sheets 4 of the same length. In examples, sheets 4 may take the form of any thermoplastics suitable for use in the inflatable support body disclosed herein, whether or not strictly made of TPU. For example, in examples, sheets 4 may be any suitable thermoplastic whether or not made from TPU that is flexible for use as an inflatable support body and has sufficient tensile strength to contain the pressurized working fluid and support a weight (e.g., a weight of a person) placed upon the inflatable support body. With respect to the specific example provided above, the thermoplastic polyurethane may be a polyester-based TPU or a polyether-based TPU. In examples, the TPU may be blended with other substances to form the material used in the sheets 4. Further, sheets 4 may be made from any suitable polymer capable of being softened under a heating process and / or melted, and then strengthened and / or solidified after being cooled. For example, in examples, portions of sheet 4 may be heated to atemperature to cause localized melting which may in turn form a solid thermoplastic when sufficiently cooled. Any suitable technique may be used to elevate temperature to a level at or above a melting temperature. For example, the temperature may be raised using a high frequency welder. Whatever the technique used to elevate temperature to melting, such a melting / re solidifying characteristic may be used in welding two sheets 4 as described above. In still further examples, the thermoplastic may be made of any suitable polymer capable of being chemically welded, such as, for example, through use of a solvent, which forms a chemical bond.

[0104] In examples, a cell group 5 of inflatable units 1 are made by arranging two sheets 4 such that they are aligned at edges and then arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other. The two sheets may then be coupled at side edges (e.g., welded at high frequency). Referring to FIG. 4, the edges of the two sheets 4 and / or portions in proximity to the edges define a periphery 410 and a periphery 420 that are coupled to one another via a welded connection 422 (see FIG. 2), for example through use of temperature induced melting with subsequent fusion and / or through chemical bonding. In the illustrated embodiment, the two sheets 4 are welded to one another in which a portion of each of the two sheets 4 contribute to formation of a welded connection 422. The welded connection between the two sheets 4 may be characterized by a fused coupling that provides an integral contact surface. The integral contact surface may have fused the periphery 410 and the periphery 420 to the extent that the two sheets are no longer independently identifiable and / or capable of being separated at the location of the weld, where inspection would reveal an integral connection without material boundary defined between the two sheets 4. The fused nature of the welded connection may result in a mixture of material as each of the two sheets 4 contribute to the welded connection. The fused nature of a welded connection may provide increased structural strength relative to a connection that is mechanically connected, bonded through a simple adhesive, etc.) In cases in which the two sheets 4 are made from the same material type, the welded connection results in fused sheets having the same material mixture at the welded connection. In cases in which the two sheets 4 are made from different material types, the welded connection results in fused sheets having a blended mixture of the different materials at the welded connection.

[0105] In examples, periphery 410 of sheet 41 and periphery 420 of sheet 42 are welded completely around a central portion 450 of sheet 41 and a central portion 452 of sheet 42 thereby defining an interior that may be pressurized with a working fluid from working fluid supply 202, either directly or through adjacent cell groups 5 or cell groups 6. In examples, a portion of periphery 410 of sheet 41 and periphery 420 of sheet 42 are not welded to each other,but are otherwise coupled to a connection part, such as a valve or conduit, which introduces a working fluid into the interior formed by sheets 41 and 42.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 5, in a similar manner, two instances of sheet 42 are coupled to form a respective cell group 6 (see FIG. 3). For cell group 6, in examples, the periphery 420 of each sheet 42 is coupled together such that central portions 452 of sheets 42 define an interior that may be pressurized with a working fluid from working fluid supply 202, either directly or through adjacent cell groups 5 or cell groups 6.

[0107] The plurality of connection parts 2 and communication parts 3 may be formed on a surface of each sheet 4 or at least one sheet 4. The plurality of connection parts 2 and communication parts 3 may be spaced at equal intervals in a length direction 100 of the sheet 4. In examples, the length direction of each sheet 4 may be the first direction 100. In examples, the plurality of connection parts 3 and communication parts 3 may not be formed at equal intervals in the length direction of the sheet 4.

[0108] Each connection part 2 may include a first connection part 21 connecting a plurality of inflatable units 1 in the first direction 100, or a first connection part 21 connecting a plurality of inflatable units 1 in the first direction 100 and a second connection part 22 connecting a plurality of inflatable units 1 in the second direction 102, or a second connection part 22 connecting a plurality of inflatable units 1 in the second direction 102.

[0109] In the illustrated embodiment, each of first connection part 21 and second connection part 22 are both portions of the respective sheet 4 and are configured to be connected to similar portions of an adjacent sheet 4. In examples, first connection parts 21 of sheets 41 and 42 in FIG. 4 are welded together to form a welded connection between sheets 41 and 42 such as that described above with respect to welding of the two sheets 4 at the periphery 410 and the periphery 420 of the respective sheets. Welding of the first connection part 21 of sheet 41 and the first connection part 21 of sheet 42 may form a welded connection as described above. The first connection part 21 of sheet 41 and the first connection part 21 of sheet 42 may be fused to the extent that sheet 41 and sheet 42 are no longer separatable at the location of the weld and inspection would reveal an integral body without material boundary defined between the first connection part 21 of sheet 41 and the first connection part 21 of sheet 42. It will be appreciated that FIG.4 illustrates the first connection part 21 in sheet 41 and sheet 42 as a set of parallel lines. The illustration of parallel lines of the first connection part 21 indicates an area of sheet 41 and an area of sheet 42 that are coupled to one another through a welded connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the area between the parallel lines are used for the welded connection. In other examples, each of the separate lines of the parallel lines may represent awelded connection such that parallel welded connections are used. In examples, connecting parts 21 are heat welded together. In examples, other forms of coupling may be used including chemical welding, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and other suitable forms.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, each connecting part 21 of sheets 41 and 42 which form cell group 5 are continuous and in a central region 430 of sheets 41 and 42 leaving sheet 41 and sheet 42 unwelded in region 432 and region 434. It is the unwelded regions 432 and 434 above and below first connection part 21 that are respective first communication parts 31 which form a first communication path 38 (see FIG. 3B) when sheet 41 is welded to sheet 42 (see FIG. 3B). In examples, the length of central portion 430 is greater than the combined length of region 432 and region 434 or is greater than the length of at least one of region 432 and region 434. In examples, the length of central portion 430 is about equal to at least one of the length of region 432 and the length of region 432 or about equal to the combined length of region 432 and region 434. In examples, the length of region 432 is about equal to the length of region 434. In examples, the length of region 432 is greater than the length of region 434. In examples, the length of region 432 is less than the length of region 434. In examples, region 430 is non-continuous and at least a third first communication part 31 is formed at an intermediate portion of central portion 430. In examples, first connection part 21 extends all the way to periphery 410 on sheet 41 and periphery 420 on sheet 42 thereby providing only a single first communication part 31 instead of two as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In examples, first connection part 21 is formed of two portions each of which extends all the way to periphery 410 on sheet 41 and periphery 420 on sheet 42 thereby providing only a single first communication part 31 in between the two portions of first connection part 21.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 5 A and 5B, each connecting part 21 of sheets 42 which form cell group 6 are also continuous and in a central region 430 of sheets 41 and 42 leaving sheets 42 unwelded in region 432 and region 434. It is the unwelded regions 432 and 434 above and below first connection part 21 that include first communication parts 31 which form first communication path 38 when sheets 42 are welded. In examples, the length of central portion 430 is greater than the combined length of region 432 and region 434 or is greater than the length of at least one of region 432 and region 434. In examples, the length of central portion 430 is about equal to at least one of the length of region 432 and the length of region 432 or about equal to the combined length of region 432 and region 434. In examples, the length of region 432 is about equal to the length of region 434. In examples, the length of region 432 is greater than the length of region 434. In examples, the length of region 432 is less than the length of region 434. In examples, region 430 is non-continuous and at least a third firstcommunication part 31 is formed at an intermediate portion of central portion 430. In examples, first connection part 21 extends all the way to periphery 420 on both of sheets 42 thereby providing only a single first communication part 31 instead of two as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In examples, first connection part 21 is formed of two portions each of which extends all the way to periphery 420 on both of sheets 42 thereby providing only a single first communication part 31 in between the two portions of first connection part 21.

[0112] It will also be appreciated that FIGS. 2 and 4-4B illustrates the second connection part 22 of sheet 42 as a set of coaxial circles. The illustration of coaxial circles of the second connection part 22 indicates an area of sheet 42 that may be coupled to another connection part 22 (e.g., coupled to second connection part 22 illustrated in FIG. 5) through a welded connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the area between the coaxial circles is used for the welded connection and the inner circle defines second communication part 32 which is an opening in sheet 42 through which an interior 68 of cell group 6 is in fluid communication with an interior 68 of cell group 5 (see FIG. 3C) or through which interiors 68 of adjacent cell group 6 are in fluid communication. In other examples, the outer circle represents a welded connection and the inner circle defines second communication part 32 which is an opening in sheet 42 through which an interior 68 of cell group 6 is in fluid communication with an interior 68 of cell group 5 (see FIG. 3C) or through which interiors 68 of adjacent cell group 6 are in fluid communication.

[0113] For cell group 5, only sheet 42 has second connection part 22 and second communication part 32 while for cell group 6 both of sheets 42 include second connection part 22 and second communication part 32. In the illustrated embodiment, both cell group 5 and cell group 6 include a plurality of inflatable units 1. For cell group 5, each inflatable unit 1 is bounded by one or more of the welded connection formed by periphery 410 of sheet 41 and periphery 420 of sheet 42 and the welded connection formed by first connection part 21 of sheet 41 and first connection part 21 of sheet 42. For cell group 6, each inflatable unit 1 is bounded by one or more of the welded connection formed by the peripheries 420 of sheets 42 and the welded connection formed by the connecting parts 21 of sheets 42. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each portion of sheet 42 corresponding to an inflatable unit 1 of cell group 5 or an inflatable unit 1 of cell group 6 includes multiple instances of second connection part 22 and second communication part 32, illustratively three. In examples, more or fewer instances of second connection part 22 and second communication part 32 may be used. In examples, a single second connection part 22 and second communication part 32 is used for each inflatable unit 1. In other examples, an unequal number of second connection part 22 and second communicationpart 32 are used for each inflatable unit 1. For example, one or more connecting parts 22 may be used with no second communication part 32 being present, and connecting parts 22 may be circular, linear, or other shapes. In other examples, a number M of connecting parts 22 may be used with a number N of communication parts 32 wherein N is less than or equal to M. When M is equal to N, each of second connection part 22 includes a corresponding second communication part 32, such as shown in the illustrated embodiment. When N is less than M, one or more of connecting parts 22 does not have an associated communication part 32.

[0114] In the illustrated cell groups 5 and 6 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), each inflatable unit 1 includes at least one second connection part 22 and at least one second communication part 32 (illustratively three of each for cell group 5 and six of each for cell group 6). In examples, one or more of inflatable units 1 of neighboring cell groups 5 and 6 or cell groups 6 and 6 does not include a second communication part 32, but does include at least one second connection part 22. For example, for a given pair of neighboring cell groups 5 and 6 or cell groups 6 and 6, a first instance of respective inflatable units 1 include at least one second connection part 22 and at least one second communication part 32, a second instance of respective inflatable units 1 fluidly coupled to the first instance of respective inflatable units 1 through respective first communication part 31 does not include any second communication part 32 but does include at least one second connection part 22, and a third instance of respective inflatable units 1 fluidly coupled to the second instance of respective inflatable units 1 through respective first communication part 31 includes at least one second communication part 32 and at least one second connection part 22. The third instance of respective inflatable units 1 may have one or multiple second instances of inflatable units 1 between itself and the first instance of respective inflatable units 1.

[0115] In examples, one or more of inflatable units 1 of neighboring cell groups 5 and 6 or cell groups 6 and 6 does not include second communication part 32 and does not include second connection part 22. For example, for a given pair of neighboring cell groups 5 and 6 or cell groups 6 and 6, a first instance of respective inflatable units 1 include at least one second connection part 22 and at least one second communication part 32, a second instance of respective inflatable units 1 fluidly coupled to the first instance of respective inflatable units 1 through respective first communication part 31 does not include any second communication part 32 nor any second connection part 22, and a third instance of respective inflatable units 1 fluidly coupled to the second instance of respective inflatable units 1 through respective first communication part 31 includes at least one second communication part 32 and at least one second connection part 22. The third instance of respective inflatable units 1 may have one ormultiple second instances of inflatable units 1 between itself and the first instance of respective inflatable units 1.

[0116] In examples, one or more of inflatable units 1 of neighboring cell groups 5 and 6 or cell groups 6 and 6 stagger the locations of second connection part 22 and / or second communication part 32 along direction 100. For example, for a given set of three neighboring cell groups 5, 6, and 6 (referred to in this example as cell group A, cell group B, and cell group C) or three cell groups (referred to in this example as cell group A, cell group B, and cell group C), a first instance of respective inflatable units 1 of each of cell group A and cell group B include at least one second connection part 22 and at least one second communication part 32 while the first instance of cell group B and a first instance of cell group C does not include second communication part 32 and may not include second connection part 22, a second instance of respective inflatable units 1 of cell groups A-C are fluidly coupled to the first instance of respective inflatable units 1 of cell groups A-C through respective first communication part 31 and the second instance of cell group A and cell group B does not include second communication part 32 and may not include second connection part 22 while the second instance of cell group B and cell group C include at least one second connection part 22 and at least one second communication part 32, and a third instance of respective inflatable units 1 of cell groups A-C are fluidly coupled to the second instance of respective inflatable units 1 of cell groups A-C through respective first communication part 31 and the third instance of cell group B and cell group C does not include second communication part 32 and may not include second connection part 22 while the second instance of cell group A and cell group B include at least one second connection part 22 and at least one second communication part 32. The above is one exemplary arrangement and other arrangements are possible, such as one or more instances of cell groups A-C being interposed between either or both of the first instances and the second instances or the second instance and the third instances with no corresponding second communication part 32 or third instances with no corresponding second communication part 32 and no corresponding second connection part 22.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 3D, four inflatable units 1 are illustrated including two inflatable units 1A and IB from a first cell group 5 and two inflatable units 1C and ID from a second cell group 6. Although inflatable units 1 from first cell group 5 and second cell group 6 are shown, in examples, inflatable units 1A and IB may be from a first instance of cell group 6 and inflatable units 1C and ID from a second instance of cell group 6. Each of inflatable units 1 are generally the same size and have generally the same cross-sectional area in FIG. 3D with each having a length L along axis 118 and a width W along axis 120. As shown in FIG. 3D, thelength L of each inflatable cell 1 is longer than the width W of each inflatable cell 1. In other examples, the length L of each inflatable cell 1 is generally equal to the width W of each inflatable cell 1. In other examples, one or more of inflatable units 1 have a first size while one or more of inflatable units 1 have a second size, the second size being different from the first size. As shown in FIG. 3D, axis 120 of a respective inflatable unit 1 for cell group 5 is generally colinear with axis 120 of a respective inflatable unit 1 for cell group 6. In the illustrated embodiment, for a respective inflatable unit 1 each of second connection parts 22 and second communication parts 32 intersect a vertical plane (normal to the section of FIG. 3D) defined by axis 120 while each of first connection parts 21 and the flow path 38 formed by first communication parts 31 intersect a vertical plane (normal to the section of FIG. 3D) defined by axis 118. As explained herein, interior 68 of the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 is in fluid communication with the interior 68 of the third sheet 42 and the fourth sheet 42 through second communication parts 31 of second sheet 42 and second communication parts 31 of third sheet 42 along a direction generally parallel to the width axis 120 of the respective inflatable units 1.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary inflatable support body 200 includes a first cell group 5, a second cell group 5, and a plurality of cell group 6 positioned between the first cell group 5 and the second cell group 5. In the illustrated embodiment, inflatable support body 200 includes nine cell group 6, but in other examples more or fewer cell group 6 may be included. In examples, inflatable support body 200 includes only first cell group 5 and second cell group 5 without any intervening cell group 6.

[0119] Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, each communication part 3 may include a first communication part 31 communicating a plurality of inflatable units 1 in the first direction 100 (as explained herein), and a second communication part 32 communicating a plurality of inflatable units 1 in the second direction 102 (as explained herein). Each sheet 4 for cell group 5 includes a first sheet 41 formed with the first connection part 21 and the first communication part 31, and a second sheet 42 formed with the first connection part 21, the first communication part 31, the second connection part 22, and the second communication part 32. Each sheet 4 for cell group 6 includes a pair of sheets 42 formed with the first connection part 21, the first communication part 31, two sets of the second connection part 22, and two sets of the second communication part 32.

[0120] When connecting two opposing sheets to form a row of inflatable units 1 (e.g., when connecting sheet 41 and sheet 42 in FIG. 4 to form a row of inflatable units 1, and another two sheets 42 to form a row of inflatable units 1 in FIG. 5), it is useful to refer to such a row ofinflatable units 1 as a cell group. Reference will be made further herein to a “cell group” or variation of “cell group” (e.g., edge cell group or inner cell group) which is intended to refer to a row of inflatable units 1 formed by a welded connection of two sheets. Referring specifically to FIGS. 4 and 5, four side edges of the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 (depicted in FIG. 4) are coupled together (e.g., welded at high frequency using a high frequency welder) to form edge cell groups 5, and different second sheets 42 (depicted in FIG. 5) are coupled together (e.g., welded at high frequency using a high frequency welder) to form inner cell groups 6. For cell group 5, the four side edges of the first sheet 41 include first end 41a, second end 41b, first side 41c, and second side 4 Id. The four side edges of second sheet 42 include first end 42a, second end 42b, first side 42c, and second side 42d. First end 41a is coupled to first end 42a; second end 41b is coupled to second end 42b; first side 41c is coupled to first side 42c; and second side 4 Id is coupled to second side 42d. For cell group 6, the four side edges of the two second sheets 42 include first end 42a, second end 42b, first side 42c, and second side 42d which are coupled to respective sides of the second sheet 42. Similarly, the connecting parts 21 of the respective sheets are coupled together (e.g., welded at high frequency using a high frequency welder) to form the waist 99 between adjacent inflatable cells 1 for each of cell group 5 and cell group 6.

[0121] The edge cell groups 5 may be used to form a first outer row (or outer side) 80 of inflatable units 1 and a second outer row (or outer side) 82 of the inflatable support body. The inner cell groups 6 may be used to form one or more interior rows 84 of inflatable units 1 positioned between the edge cell groups 5. In examples, the inner cell groups 6 may be arranged in parallel between two edge cell groups 5, and each connected and communicated with an adjacent inner cell group 6 or edge cell group 5 through the second connection part 22 and the second communication part 32. As shown in FIG. 3, a total of twenty-two (22) sheets 4 in total are provided in this example to form the two edge cell groups 5 and nine (9) inner cell groups 6 although fewer or more sheets may be used to adjust the number of cell groups. . After being inflated, each of the edge cell groups 5 and the inner cell groups 6 may have nineteen (19) inflatable units 1 connected and communicated with each other although fewer or more first connection part 21 may be included to adjust the number of inflatable units 1. Therefore, the number of the formed inflatable unit 1 is 209 in total, where (19) inflatable units 1 are arranged in each column in the first direction 100, and eleven (11) inflatable units 1 are arranged in each row in the second direction 102. Any number of inflatable units 1 may be included in the edge cell groups 5 and inner cell groups 6. Further, any number of inner cell groups 6 may be included. In examples, one or more inner cell groups may be included.

[0122] As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, on a first side 80 of the inflatable support, first sheet 41 is coupled to the second sheet 42 at the outer periphery 410 and 420 of first sheet 41 and second sheet 42, respectively, as well as via first connections 21. The second sheet 42 of edge cell group 5 is coupled to first sheet 42 of the adjacent inner cell group 6 via connection part 22. The first sheet 42 of the adjacent inner cell group 6 is coupled to the second sheet 42 of the cell group 6. The pattern repeats across the inflatable support until reaching edge cell group 5 at the other side 82 of the inflatable support, where a second sheet 42 of the edge cell group 5 at the other side 82 of the inflatable support is coupled via second connection part 22 to a sheet 42 of an inner cell group 6 adjacent to the edge cell group 5 at the other side 82 of the inflatable support. The first sheet 41 of the edge cell group 5 at the other side 82 of the inflatable support is coupled to second sheet 42 via the connection weld at the outer periphery 410 and 420 of first sheet 41 and second sheet 42, respectively, as well as via first connections 21.

[0123] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in this example, the first connection part 21 is a strip-shaped weld edge, and a plurality of first connection parts 21 are arranged at equal intervals along a longer side direction of the sheet 4 (e.g., along the direction of the first side 41c and the first side 42c) in the first direction 100, a length direction of the first connection part 21 is parallel to a shorter side of the sheet 4 (e.g., along the direction of the first end 41a and the second end 42a) in the second direction 102, and the first connection part 21 has a length less than the shorter side of the sheet 4. Since the length of the first connection part 21 is shorter than the shorter side of the sheet 4, inflatable units 1 formed along the length of the first sheet 41 through use of the first connection part 21 will be in fluid communication with neighboring inflatable units 1. The interval between the first connection parts 21 determines a width of the inflatable unit 1, and in this example, eighteen (18) first connection parts 21 are provided on the respective sheet 4 (sheets 41 and 42).

[0124] The first communication part 31 is formed at the first connection part 21, and the second communication part 32 is formed at the second connection part 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the second communication part 32 may be the inner space of the innermost circle of the coaxial circles represented in FIGS. 4 and 5, where the inner space is open and permits passage of the working fluid. In examples, the second communication part 32 may be formed between and equidistant from neighboring first connection parts 21. The first communication part 31 may be formed at a vacant position between two ends of each first connection part 21 and two side edges of longer sides of the respective sheets 4. In other words, the first communication part 31 may be provided on both sides of the first connection part 21. One orboth of the first communication part 31 and the second communication part 32 permit fluid communication between neighboring inflatable units 1 as discussed herein. By welding first connection parts 21 at corresponding positions on two adjacent sheets 4, a plurality of inflatable units 1 may be formed in the first direction 100 while adjacent inflatable units 1 may be connected and in fluid communication with each other. That is, each inflatable unit 1 is connected and communicated with an adjacent inflatable unit 1 in the first direction 100 at an end face side 112 in a direction of the longer symmetry axis of the projection face 114 of the inflatable unit 1. More specifically, each inflatable unit 1 is in fluid communication with an adjacent inflatable unit 1 in the same cell group via first communication part 31, and is in fluid communicate with an adjacent inflatable unit in an adjacent cell group via second communication part 32. Constructing the inflatable support in this manner permits working fluid to move within a cell group and across cell groups as each of the cell groups individually, and / or the inflatable support as a collection of cell groups, is inflated from an uninflated state to an inflated state. The ability of working fluid to move within a cell group and across cell groups via the first communication part 21 and the second communication part 22 also permits the cell group individually, and / or the inflatable support as a collection of cell groups, to adjust as weight is applied, such as, for example, when a person rests upon any individual cell group and / or collection of cell groups.

[0125] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second connection part 22 is formed at an intermediate position between adjacent first connection parts 21. In this example, each second connection part 22 includes three circular weld edges arranged at intervals in a direction parallel to shorter sides of the sheet 4 (e.g., along the direction of the first end 41a and the first end 42a) in the second direction 100, and the second communication part 32 includes round holes correspondingly and concentrically provided in the second connection part 22 (within the circular weld edges). In this example, fifty-seven (57) second connection parts 22 are provided on the respective sheet 4. With the second connection part 22 and the second communication part 32, the connection and communication among the edge cell group 5 and the inner cell group 6 and between adjacent inner cell groups 6 are realized. That is, by welding the second connection parts 22 at corresponding positions of adjacent sheets 4 of adjacent cell groupings 5-6 or 6-6, the connection and communication of adjacent inflatable units 1 in the second direction 102 are realized, and each inflatable unit 1 is connected and communicated with an adjacent inflatable unit 1 in the second direction 102 at an end face side in a direction of the shorter symmetry axis of the projection face 114 of the inflatable unit 1.

[0126] The second communication part 32 may be selectively provided in the secondconnection part 22 by the design of an air path to place inflatable units 1 adjacent to each other in the inflatable support body in the second direction 102 in fluid communication with each other. In this example, each second connection part 22 is formed with a second communication part 32. The first connection part 21, the second connection part 22, the first communication part 31 and the second communication part 32 are all formed on the surface of the sheet 4, and formation of the inflatable units 1 is performed in the same processing direction as connection and communication of the plurality of inflatable units 1, so that the whole inflatable support body has substantially the same operating direction during formation and processing, and therefore the automated mass production design of the inflatable support body is facilitated.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 3, in the illustrated example, the resulted inflatable units 1 include first inflatable units 11, second inflatable units 12, third inflatable units 13, and fourth inflatable units 14 of substantially the same size. As with inflatable unit 1 described above and consistent with the numbering convention of the inflatable units, inflatable unit 11, inflatable unit 12, inflatable unit 13, or inflatable unit 14 are configured to receive a pressurized working fluid useful to provide change a state of inflation from a deflated state with minimal pressurized working fluid to an inflated state having the pressurized working fluid. Tensioning of the inflatable unit 11, inflatable unit 12, inflatable unit 13, or inflatable unit 14 under the influence of the pressurized working fluid provides a degree of rigidity and support. In examples, the inflatable support body may be used to support a weight of a person when the inflatable units receive pressurized working fluid. In examples, the inflatable support body may be configured to receive pressurized working fluid at a range of pressures to provide varying degrees of rigidity and support.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, each first inflatable unit 11 (see FIG. 3) has one first connection part 21 and three second connection parts 22, and is arranged and connected at four comers of the cubic inflatable support body; each second inflatable unit 12 (see FIG. 3) has one first connection part 21 and six second connection parts 22, and is arranged and connected at an outermost shorter side of the cubic inflatable support body; and each third inflatable unit 13 (see FIG. 3) has two first connection parts 21 and three second connection part 22, and is arranged and connected at an outermost longer side of the cubic inflatable support body. An outermost layer of inflatable units 1 of the cubic inflatable support body is formed by the first inflatable units 11, the second inflatable units 12 and the third inflatable units 13, and each interior inflatable unit 1 is a fourth inflatable unit 14 with two first connection parts 21 and six second connection parts 22.

[0129] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, includes a plurality of inflatable units 1 each having aheight direction H (see FIG. 6) the same as a support direction, and connection parts 2 for connecting adjacent inflatable units 1 and communication parts 3 for communication between the interiors 68 of adjacent inflatable units 1 are formed on adjacent surfaces of the plurality of inflatable units 1. The illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 in that the second connection part 22 may be a ventilation quick-connector, such as a snap fastener quick-connecter 50 preformed on the respective sheet 4, and the second communication part 32 is an air hole formed at a connection position of the snap fasteners quick-connector 50. Although a single second connection part 22 and corresponding second communication part 32 is formed on the sheet 4 every six (6) inflatable units 1, in examples fewer or more of inflatable units 1 include second connection part 22 and the corresponding second communication part 32. Additionally, one or more of inflatable units 1 may include multiple instances of second connection part 22 and the corresponding second communication part 32. Referring to FIG. 8, the second connection part 22 in this example is selected as a snap fastener quick-connector 50 with airtight interlocking, where female fastener structures 52 of the second connection part 22 are provided on the second sheet 42 on one side of the edge cell group 5, and female or male fastener structures 52, 54 of the second connection part 22 are performed on the second sheets 42 on both sides of the inner cell group 6, so as to be connected to an adjacent edge cell group 5 or inner cell group 6, which may ensure stability and air tightness at the communication points between the inner cell group 6 and the edge cell group 5, and between adjacent inner cell groups 6, to avoid air leakage. With the use of a snap fastener quick-connector 50, as opposed to welding the respective sheets together, the cell groupings 5 and 6 may be formed separately and then combined and the cell groupings 5 and 6 may be subsequently disassembled.

[0130] Overall, for the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, outer cell groupings 5 include a sheet 41, like the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, and an instance of sheet 42 depicted in FIG. 8, either with female connectors 52 (FIG. 8A) or male connectors 54 (FIG. 8B). Additionally, inner cell groupings 6 include an instance of sheet 42 depicted in FIG. 8, either with female connectors 52 (FIG. 8A) or male connectors 54 (FIG. 8B) and another instance of sheet 42 depicted in FIG. 8, either with female connectors 52 (FIG. 8A) or male connectors 54 (FIG. 8B). First connection parts 21 and first communication parts 31 of the various cell groupings 5 and 6 may have the structure discussed herein with respect to FIGS. 1-5

[0131] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, includes a plurality of inflatable units 1 each having a height direction H the same as a support direction, and connection parts 2 for connecting adjacent inflatable units 1 and communication parts 3 for communicating adjacent inflatableunits 1 are formed on adjacent surfaces of the plurality of inflatable units 1. Referring to FIGS.11 and 12, the first direction 100 is defined by a straight line in which a longer symmetry axis of the projection face 114 of the inflatable units 1 is located. The embodiment in FIGS. 11 and12 differs from FIGS. 1-5 in that in this embodiment, the second direction 102 forms a fixed acute angle with the first direction 100. In other words, the second direction 102 is between the first direction 100 and a straight line in which a shorter symmetry axis of the projection face 114 of the inflatable unit 1 is located (e.g., in a direction across the bottom of the illustrated figure in FIG. 11). Since the inflatable units 1 are in the form of sheets 4 during the forming process, the first connection part 21, the first communication part 31, the second connection part 22 and the second communication part 32 still have the same forming and processing direction as the inflatable units 1 discussed herein with respect to FIGS. 1-5, but different connection and communication positions of the inflatable units 1 after being inflated are implemented according to the second connection part 22 formed at different positions than the inflatable units 1 discussed herein with respect to FIGS. 1-5. Therefore, the resultant inflatable units 1 are arranged in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 11 and adjacently connected, which may reduce the vacancy size of the interval between adjacent inflatable units 1, enable more compact arrangement of the inflatable units 1, and further improve the flatness and comfort of the support surface of the resulted inflatable support body.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 11 A, four inflatable units 1 are illustrated including two inflatable units 1A and IB from a first cell group 5 and two inflatable units 1C and ID from a second cell group 6. Although inflatable units 1 from first cell group 5 and second cell group 6 are shown, in examples, inflatable units 1A and IB may be from a first instance of cell group 6 and inflatable units 1C and ID from a second instance of cell group 6. Each of inflatable units 1 are generally the same size and have generally the same cross-sectional area in FIG. 11 A with each having a length L along axis 118 and a width W along axis 120. As shown in FIG. 11A, the length L of each inflatable cell 1 is longer than the width W of each inflatable cell 1. In other examples, the length L of each inflatable cell 1 is generally equal to the width W of each inflatable cell 1. In other examples, one or more of inflatable units 1 have a first size while one or more of inflatable units 1 have a second size, the second size being different from the first size. As shown in FIG. 11 A, axis 120 of a respective inflatable unit ID for cell group 6 is generally positioned in a waist 99 formed between respective inflatable units 1A and IB such that the axis 120 of inflatable unit ID is positioned between the axis 120 of inflatable units 1A and IB. In the illustrated embodiment, for a respective inflatable unit 1 each of second connection parts 22 and second communication parts 32 intersect a vertical plane (normal to the section of FIG. 3D)angled relative to axis 120 (illustrated by axis 121) while each of first connection parts 21 and the flow path 38 formed by first communication parts 31 intersect a vertical plane (normal to the section of FIG. 3D) defined by axis 118. As explained herein, interior 68 of the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 is in fluid communication with the interior 68 of the third sheet 42 and the fourth sheet 42 through second communication parts 31 of second sheet 42 and second communication parts 31 of third sheet 42 along a direction generally parallel to axis 121 (see FIG. 11 A) of the respective inflatable units 1. Axis 121 forms an acute angle with respect to axis 120. As shown in FIG. 11A, the interior 68 of inflatable unit IB would communicate with the interior 68 of inflatable unit ID along a first instance of axis 121 (communication parts 31 not illustrated) and the interior 68 of inflatable unit 1A communicates with the interior 68 of inflatable unit 1C along a second instance of axis 121 (communication parts 31 not illustrated). Alternatively, axis 121 may be rotated ninety degrees such that the interior of inflatable unit 1A would communicate with the interior 68 of inflatable unit ID along axis 121 (communication parts 31 not illustrated).

[0133] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each sheet 4 for a cell group 5 or cell group 6 includes a pair of sheets. For example, a first edge cell group 51 includes a first sheet 41 and a second sheet 43 (see FIG. 12), a second edge cell group 52 includes a third sheet 44 and a fourth sheet 45 (see FIG. 13), a first interior cell group 61 which includes a pair of sheets 43 (see FIG. 14), and a second interior cell group 62 which includes a pair of sheets 44 (see FIG. 15). Referring to FIG. 12, sheets 41 and 43 are shown prior to being coupled together. Each of sheet 41 and 43 include a plurality of sides, illustratively four, and are coupled together (e.g., welded at high frequency using a high frequency welder) to form first edge cell groups 51. The four side edges of the first sheet 41 include first end 41a, second end 41b, first side 41c, and second side 4 Id. The four side edges of second sheet 43 include first end 43a, second end 43b, first side 43c, and second side 43d. First end 41a is coupled to first end 43a; second end 41b is coupled to second end 43b; first side 41c is coupled to first side 43c; and second side 41d is coupled to second side 43d. Referring to FIG. 13, sheets 44 and 45 are shown prior to being coupled together. Each of sheet 44 and 45 include a plurality of sides, illustratively four, and are coupled together (e.g., welded at high frequency using a high frequency welder) to form second edge cell groups 52. The four side edges of the third sheet 44 include first end 44a, second end 44b, first side 44c, and second side 44d. The four side edges of fourth sheet 45 include first end 45a, second end 45b, first side 45c, and second side 45d. First end 44a is coupled to first end 45a; second end 44b is coupled to second end 45b; first side 44c is coupled to first side 45c; and second side 44d is coupled to second side 45d.

[0134] Each of sheets 41, 43, 44, and 45 include a plurality of first connection parts 21 and a plurality of first communication parts 31. Additionally, each of sheets 43, 44, and 45 include a plurality of second connection parts 22, and a plurality of second communication parts 32. In the illustrated embodiment, some instances of the second communication part 32 may be formed between neighboring first connection parts 21, but positioned closer to one of the neighboring first connection parts 21 relative to the other of the neighboring first connection parts 21 to permit communication of working fluid along instances of axis 121 (see FIG. 11 A).

[0135] In the illustrated embodiment, first sheet 41 may be formed with eighteen (18) first connection parts 21, and the second sheet 43 may be formed with eighteen (18) first connection part 21 and nine (9) second connection part 22. When coupled together, first sheet 41 and second sheet 43 form nineteen (19) inflatable units 1 for cell group 51 (see FIG. 11). Each of the inflatable units 1 being generally the same size due to equal spacing between adjacent connecting parts 21 and the offset of the first and last connecting parts 21 from the respective edges 41a, 43a and 41b, 43b of sheets 41, 43. For second interior cell group 62, the third sheet 44 may be formed with nineteen (19) first connection parts 21 and nine (9) second connection part 22 and the fourth sheet 45 may be formed with nineteen (19) first connection parts 21. As shown in FIG. 13, a distance between either of the two shorter side edges 44a, 44b of the third sheet 44 and shorter edges 45a, 45b of the fourth sheet 45 and an adjacent first connection part 21 is less than a distance between adjacent first connection parts 21 of sheets 44, 45. When coupled together, third sheet 44 and fourth sheet 45 form twenty (20) inflatable units 1 for cell group 52 (see FIG. 11). A first portion of inflatable units 1, illustratively eighteen (18) inflatable units 1, are each generally a first size due to equal spacing between adjacent connecting parts 21 and a second portion of the inflatable units 1, illustratively two (2) inflatable units 1, are each generally a second size due to the offset of the first and last connecting parts 21 from the respective edges 44a, 45a and 44b, 45b of sheets 44, 45.Referring to FIG. 11, after being inflated, the two shorter side edges of the third sheet 44 and the fourth sheet 45 form complementary inflatable units 111 with the adjacent first connection parts 21. Each complementary inflatable unit 111 has a width smaller than the inflatable unit 1, and has only one first connection part 21. The two second sheets 43 of first interior cell group 61 may each be formed with eighteen (18) first connection parts 21 and nine (9) second connection part 22. When coupled together, the two second sheets 43 form nineteen (19) inflatable units 1 for cell group 61 (see FIG. 11). Each of the inflatable units 1 being generally the same size due to equal spacing between adjacent connecting parts 21 and the offset of the first and last connecting parts 21 from the respective edges 43a and 43b of the two sheets 43. For secondinterior cell group 62, the two third sheets 44 may be formed with nineteen (19) first connection parts 21 and nine (9) second connection part 22. As shown in FIG. 15, a distance between either of the two shorter side edges 44a, 44b of the two instances of third sheet 44 and an adjacent first connection part 21 is less than a distance between adjacent first connection parts 21 of sheets 44. When coupled together, the two instances of third sheet 44 form twenty (20) inflatable units 1 for cell group 62 (see FIG. 11). A first portion of inflatable units 1, illustratively eighteen (18) inflatable units 1, are each generally a first size due to equal spacing between adjacent connecting parts 21 and a second portion of the inflatable units 1, illustratively two (2) inflatable units 1, are each generally a second size due to the offset of the first and last connecting parts 21 from the respective edges 44a, 44b of sheets 44. Referring to FIG. 11, after being inflated, the two shorter side edges of the two instances of third sheet 44 form complementary inflatable units 111 with the adjacent first connection parts 21. Each complementary inflatable unit 111 has a width smaller than the inflatable unit 1, and has only one first connection part 21.

[0136] The first sheet 41 and the second sheet 43 are coupled together (e.g., welded at high frequency) to form a first edge cell group 51, and the third sheet 44 and the fourth sheet 45 are coupled together (e.g., welded at high frequency) to form a second edge cell group 52. Referring to FIGS. 10, 14, and 15, two of second sheet 43 are coupled together (e.g., welded at high frequency) to form a first inner cell group 61 and third sheets 44 form a second inner cell group 62. In this example, there are twenty-four (24) sheets 4 in total from which one (1) first edge cell group 51 and one (1) second edge cell group 52 are formed, respectively, and five (5) first inner cell groups 61 and five (5) second inner cell groups 62 are formed, respectively. After being inflated, the first edge cell group 51 and the first inner cell groups 61 form nineteen (19) inflatable units 1 in total, the second edge cell group 52 and the second inner cell groups 62 form twenty (20) inflatable units 1 in total, including two (2) complementary units 111 at the ends. In examples, each cell group may have more or fewer inflatable units.

[0137] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12-17, in the illustrated embodiment, the second connection part 22 is an oval-shaped weld edge, and a longer symmetry axis thereof is parallel to shorter sides of the respective sheets 4. The second communication part 32 includes two round holes arranged spaced apart in the second connection part 22 to permit exchange of working fluid therethrough. Other shaped connection parts 22 may be used and a different number, greater or less, of communication parts 32 may be used. In examples, an equal number of connection parts 22 and communication parts 32 may be used. In examples, more connection parts 22 may be used than communication parts 32.

[0138] In the illustrated embodiment, the second connection part 22 is formed on the respective sheet 4 every two first connection parts 21, that is, every other inflatable unit 1. Referring to FIG. 17, sheet 43 of first interior cell group 61 and sheet 44 of second interior cell group 62 are shown. The respective connection parts 22 of sheet 43 of first interior cell group 61 and sheet 44 of second interior cell group 62 are coupled together, such as by welding, to couple first interior cell group 61 and second interior cell group 62 together and to provide communication through respective communication parts 32 between the interiors of first interior cell group 61 and second interior cell group 62. When the second connection parts 22 formed on the second sheet 43 are located at positions on the inflatable units 1 adjacent to the first connection parts 21 on one side, the second connection parts 22 formed on the third sheet 44 are located at positions on the inflatable units 1 adjacent to the first connection parts 21 on the other side. The first inner cell group 61 is welded and connected to the second inner cell group 62 through the second connection parts 22. The second connection parts 22 on the second sheet 43 are horizontally aligned with the second connection parts 22 on the third sheet 44. After being connected by the staggered second connection parts 22 of sheet 43 and sheet 44 adjacent inflatable units 1 are connected and staggered in the second direction 102. Referring to FIG. 11, the third inflatable units 13 and the fourth inflatable units 14 in the first edge cell group 51, the second edge cell group 52, the first inner cell group 61 and the second inner cell group 62 all have the same size, which size is also the same as that of the first inflatable units 11 in the first edge cell group and the second inflatable units 12 in the first inner cell group 61. The complementary units 111 in the second edge cell group 52 and the first inner cell group 61 have a width smaller than the second inflatable units 12, so that the inflatable support body, formed by the plurality of inflatable units 1 arranged in a staggered manner, has a shorter side surface being a flat side surface, thereby ensuring squareness and attractiveness of the integral structure of the inflatable support body.

[0139] The staggered nature of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 permits adjacent cells groups, such as an edge cell group and an adjacent inner cell group, to take on a nested arrangement. The peak 98 of inflatable units 1 of one cell group (e.g., inner cell group 61) is positioned into corresponding waists 99 formed between inflatable units 1 of a neighboring cell group (e.g., edge cell group 52). As a result, a first and second lateral side of any particular inflatable unit 1 in one cell group contact, respectively, a lateral side of a plurality of respective inflatable units 1 in the adjacent cell group, illustratively a pair of respective inflatable units 1 that form a waist 99 into which the peak 98 of the particular inflatable unit 1 is positioned within. The nested arrangement of cells groups into adjacent cell groups can provide ahoneycomb patern characterized by cell groups arrayed along the first direction 100 with a zig-zag patern of inflatable units 1 arrayed along a direction between opposing outer sides 94a, 94b (see FIG. 11). The second communication part 32 is positioned to permit working fluid to be communicated between inflatable units 1 of the inner cell group 61 and inflatable units 1 of edge cell group 52 along instances of axis 121 (see FIG. 11A).

[0140] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, an exemplary inflatable matress 300 is shown. Inflatable matress 300 includes two inflatable support bodies 250 (see FIG. 9) formed by a plurality of inflatable units 1 connected and communicated with each other. In examples, a single support body 250 may be used. By having a pair of support bodies 250, the internal pressure of each support body 250 may differ to improve comfort for different persons supported on inflatable matress 300. Further, additional support bodies 250 may be included. For example, the illustrated support body 250 may be replaced with support bodies having fewer inflatable units 1 so that multiple support bodies 250 may be included along direction 100, such as a heel support body 250, a leg support body 250, a torso support body 250, and a head support body 250. In examples, one or more support bodies 200 may be used instead of one or more support bodies 250 or along with one or more support bodies 250.

[0141] Returning to FIG. 19, a lining cover 302 may be positioned outside each inflatable support body 250. Exemplary covers 302 include an opening through which an inflatable support body may be passed in one or both of an inflated state and a deflated state and one or more closure devices to close the opening. Exemplary closure devices include snaps, hook-n-loop fasteners, zippers, butons, and other suitable closure devices. Alternatively, exemplary covers 302 may be provided in multiple pieces that are coupled together with one or more closure devices. A comfortable layer 304 may be laid above the two inflatable support bodies 250. Exemplary comfortable layers include one or more layers of foam. A matress cover 306 may be used to cover the outside of the comfortable layer 304 and the inflatable support bodies 250 as a whole. Exemplary covers 306 include an opening through which the one or more inflatable support bodies and if included comfortable layer 304 may be passed and one or more closure devices to close the opening. Exemplary closure devices include snaps, hook-n-loop fasteners, zippers, butons, and other suitable closure devices. Alternatively, exemplary covers 306 may be provided in multiple pieces that are coupled together with one or more closure devices. When the inflatable bed 300 is assembled, the lining cover 302 may be positioned about the inflated inflatable support bodies 250, so as to improve the integrality and facilitate the cover and assembly with the comfortable layer 304 in the matress cover 306.

[0142] In examples, each of cover 302 and 306 includes openings through which workingfluid supply 202 may communicate with the respective support bodies. In examples, working fluid supply is positioned within one or both of covers 302 and 306.

[0143] Exemplary working principles and beneficial effects of the disclosed embodiments may include a plurality of inflatable units 1 providing vertical support are integrally formed and have air paths communicated with each other, so that when a pressure applied by a human body on the support surface changes, an air flow in the inflatable units 1 at the support position flows into the inflatable units 1 at other positions through the communication parts 3, thereby providing comfortable multi-point support. The connection parts 2 and the communication parts 3 on the inflatable units 1 are formed on adjacent surfaces of the inflatable units 1, so that when the inflatable support body 7 is formed, the connection parts 2 and the communication parts 3 have the same forming direction as the plurality of inflatable units 1, and the connection parts 2 and the communication parts 3 may be formed in the same direction as the plurality of inflatable units 1, thereby ensuring a simple structure of the inflatable support body 7 while facilitating the automated mass production design. The inflatable mattress 300 including the assembled inflatable support bodies 250, combined with the comfortable layer 304 may provide comfortable support for a human body, and improve the use experience of the inflatable mattress 300.

[0144] The following are non-limiting examples of the present disclosure.

[0145] Example 1. An inflatable support body, comprising: a first sheet having a first length and a first width and including a first plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet and a first plurality of first communication parts; and a second sheet having a second length and a second width and including a second plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the second width of the second sheet and a second plurality of first communication parts, the second sheet being coupled to the first sheet with the first width being parallel to the second width and the first length parallel to the second length to define an interior of the first sheet and the second sheet adapted to be inflated with a working fluid; wherein each of the first plurality of first connection parts are coupled to a respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form a first plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet, the plurality of inflatable units being in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the first plurality of first communication parts and the second plurality of first communication parts, a support direction of the inflatable support being generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet.

[0146] Example 2. The inflatable support body of Example 1, wherein the plurality of inflatable units are arranged linearly along the first length of the first sheet and the secondlength of the second sheet.

[0147] Example 3. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the first plurality of connection parts of the first sheet contact the second plurality of connection parts of the second sheet to form at each instance an air tight connection.

[0148] Example 4. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding Examples, wherein a periphery of the first sheet is coupled to the second sheet.

[0149] Example 5. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding Examples, wherein a first portion of the first plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a first portion of the second plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts.

[0150] Example 6. The inflatable support body of Example 5, wherein a second portion of the first plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a second portion of the second plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts.

[0151] Example 7. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the first sheet is welded to the second sheet and each of the first plurality of first connection parts are welded to the respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form the plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet.

[0152] Example 8. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding Examples, further comprising: a third sheet having a third length and a third width and including a third plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the third width of the third sheet and a third plurality of first communication parts; and a fourth sheet having a fourth length and a fourth width and including a fourth plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the fourth width of the fourth sheet and a fourth plurality of first communication parts, the fourth sheet being coupled to the third sheet with the third width being parallel to the fourth width and the third length parallel to the fourth length to define an interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet adapted to be inflated with the working fluid; wherein each of the third plurality of first connection parts are coupled to a respective each of the fourth plurality of first connection parts to form a second plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet, the second plurality of inflatable units being in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the third plurality of first communication parts and the fourth plurality of first communication parts.

[0153] Example 9. The inflatable support body of Example 8, wherein the second plurality of inflatable units are arranged linearly along the third length of the third sheet and the fourth length of the fourth sheet.

[0154] Example 10. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 8 and 9, wherein the third plurality of connection parts of the third sheet contact the fourth plurality of connection parts of the fourth sheet to form at each instance an air tight connection.

[0155] Example 11. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 8-10, wherein a periphery of the third sheet is coupled to the fourth sheet.

[0156] Example 12. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 8-11, wherein a first portion of the third plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the third sheet and the third plurality of first connection parts and a first portion of the fourth plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the fourth sheet and the fourth plurality of first connection parts.

[0157] Example 13. The inflatable support body of Example 12, wherein a second portion of the third plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the third sheet and the third plurality of first connection parts and a second portion of the fourth plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the fourth sheet and the fourth plurality of first connection parts.

[0158] Example 14. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 8-13, wherein the third sheet is welded to the fourth sheet and each of the third plurality of first connection parts are welded to the respective each of the fourth plurality of first connection parts to form the second plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet.

[0159] Example 15. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 8-14, wherein each of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a first length axis and a width along a first width axis and each of the second plurality of inflatable units has a length along a second length axis and a width along a second width axis.

[0160] Example 16. The inflatable support body of Example 15, wherein the length of each of the first plurality of inflatable units is longer than the width of each of the first plurality of inflatable units and the length of each of the second plurality of inflatable units is longer than the width of each of the second plurality of inflatable units.

[0161] Example 17. The inflatable support body of Example 15, wherein the length of each of the first plurality of inflatable units is generally equal to the width of each of the first plurality of inflatable units and the length of each of the second plurality of inflatable units is generally equal to the width of each of the second plurality of inflatable units.

[0162] Example 18. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 8-14, wherein a first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a first length axis and a width along a first width axis, a second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a second length axis and a width along a second width axis, and a first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units has a length along a third length axis and a width along a third width axis.

[0163] Example 19. The inflatable support body of Example 18, wherein the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned such that the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is generally colinear with the first width axis of the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units.

[0164] Example 20. The inflatable support body of Example 18, wherein the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned in a waist formed between the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units such that the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned between the first width axis of the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second width axis of the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units.

[0165] Example 21. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 18-20, wherein the second sheet includes a first plurality of second connection parts and a first plurality of second communication parts and the third sheet includes a second plurality of second connection parts and a second plurality of second communication parts, the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet.

[0166] Example 22. The inflatable support body of Example 21, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

[0167] Example 23. The inflatable support body of Example 22, wherein the at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

[0168] Example 24. The inflatable support body of Example 21, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

[0169] Example 25. The inflatable support body of Example 24, wherein the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one of the second plurality of second communication parts, the first one of the first plurality of second connections parts being coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts.

[0170] Example 26. The inflatable support body of Example 21, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes a first one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes a first one of the second plurality of second connection parts and a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

[0171] Example 27. The inflatable support body of Example 26, wherein the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one and the second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one and the second one of the second plurality of second communication parts, the first one of the first plurality of second connections parts being coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts.

[0172] Example 28. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 21-27, wherein the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet along a direction generally parallel to the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units.

[0173] Example 29. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 21-27, wherein the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts ofthe second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet along a direction angled relative to the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units.

[0174] Example 30. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 21-29, wherein the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts are quick connectors.

[0175] Example 31. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 21-29, wherein the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts form a plurality of welded connections.

[0176] Example 32. An inflatable support body capable of receiving a pressurized working fluid, the inflatable support having a construction comprising: a first inflatable cell group having a first plurality of inflatable units defined by a first sheet and a second sheet, the first plurality of inflatable units of the first inflatable cell group distributed along a first direction, each of the first plurality of inflatable units of the first inflatable cell group along the first direction having a first inflatable unit size; and a second inflatable cell group having a second plurality of inflatable units defined by a third sheet and a fourth sheet, the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group distributed along the first direction, a first portion of the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group having a second inflatable unit size and a second portion of the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group having a third inflatable unit size, the third inflatable unit size being less than the second inflatable unit size.

[0177] Example 33. The inflatable support body of Example 32, wherein the third inflatable unit size is less than the first inflatable unit size.

[0178] Example 34. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 32 and 33, wherein the second inflatable unit size is generally equal to the first inflatable unit size.

[0179] Example 35. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 32-34, wherein the first plurality of inflatable units of the first inflatable cell group and the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group are equal height.

[0180] Example 36. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 32-35, wherein the second portion of the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group plurality include a first inflatable unit and a second inflatable unit, the first inflatable unit located at a first end of the second inflatable cell group and the second inflatable unit located at a second end of the second inflatable cell group, the first end opposite the second end.

[0181] Example 37. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 32-36, wherein thefirst sheet has a first length and a first width and including a first plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet and a first plurality of first communication parts, the second sheet having a second length and a second width and including a second plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the second width of the second sheet and a second plurality of first communication parts, the second sheet being coupled to the first sheet with the first width being parallel to the second width and the first length parallel to the second length to define an interior of the first sheet and the second sheet adapted to be inflated with the working fluid.

[0182] Example 38. The inflatable support body of Example 37, wherein each of the first plurality of first connection parts are coupled to a respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form the first plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet, the first plurality of inflatable units being in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the first plurality of first communication parts and the second plurality of first communication parts, a support direction of the inflatable support being generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet.

[0183] Example 39. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 37 and 38, wherein the first plurality of inflatable units are arranged linearly along the first length of the first sheet and the second length of the second sheet.

[0184] Example 40. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 37-39, wherein the first plurality of connection parts of the first sheet contact the second plurality of connection parts of the second sheet to form at each instance an air tight connection.

[0185] Example 41. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 37-40, wherein a periphery of the first sheet is coupled to the second sheet.

[0186] Example 42. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 37-40, wherein a first portion of the first plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a first portion of the second plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts.

[0187] Example 43. The inflatable support body of Example 42, wherein a second portion of the first plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a second portion of the second plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts.

[0188] Example 44. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 37-43, wherein thefirst sheet is welded to the second sheet and each of the first plurality of first connection parts are welded to the respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form the plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet.

[0189] Example 45. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 37-44, wherein the third sheet has a third length and a third width and including a third plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the third width of the third sheet and a third plurality of first communication parts and the fourth sheet has a fourth length and a fourth width and including a fourth plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the fourth width of the fourth sheet and a fourth plurality of first communication parts, the fourth sheet being coupled to the third sheet with the third width being parallel to the fourth width and the third length parallel to the fourth length to define an interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet adapted to be inflated with the working fluid.

[0190] Example 46. The inflatable support body of Example 45, wherein each of the third plurality of first connection parts are coupled to a respective each of the fourth plurality of first connection parts to form the second plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet, the second plurality of inflatable units being in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the third plurality of first communication parts and the fourth plurality of first communication parts.

[0191] Example 47. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 37-46, wherein a first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a first length axis and a width along a first width axis, a second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a second length axis and a width along a second width axis, and a first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units has a length along a third length axis and a width along a third width axis.

[0192] Example 48. The inflatable support body of Example 47, wherein the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned in a waist formed between the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units such that the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned between the first width axis of the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second width axis of the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units.

[0193] Example 49. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 47 and 48, wherein the second sheet includes a first plurality of second connection parts and a first plurality of second communication parts and the third sheet includes a second plurality of secondconnection parts and a second plurality of second communication parts, the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet.

[0194] Example 50. The inflatable support body of Example 49, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

[0195] Example 51. The inflatable support body of Example 50, wherein the at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

[0196] Example 52. The inflatable support body of Example 49, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

[0197] Example 53. The inflatable support body of Example 52, wherein the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one of the second plurality of second communication parts, the first one of the first plurality of second connections parts being coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts.

[0198] Example 54. The inflatable support body of Example 49, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes a first one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes a first one of the second plurality of second connection parts and a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

[0199] Example 55. The inflatable support body of Example 54, wherein the first one of thefirst plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one and the second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one and the second one of the second plurality of second communication parts, the first one of the first plurality of second connections parts being coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts.

[0200] Example 56. The inflatable support body of any one of 49-55 wherein the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet along a direction angled relative to the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units.

[0201] Example 57. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 49-56, wherein the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts are quick connectors.

[0202] Example 58. The inflatable support body of any one of Examples 49-56, wherein the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts form a plurality of welded connections.

[0203] Example 59. An inflatable support body, characterized in that: comprising a plurality of sheets with aligned edges and arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other, wherein a plurality of connection parts and a plurality of communication parts arranged at intervals along a length direction of each sheet are formed on a surface of the sheet, side edges and the connection parts of two sheets arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other are welded to form a plurality of inflatable units adjacently connected and communicated with each other, each inflatable unit has a length direction the same as a support direction, the connection parts and the communication parts are formed on adjacent surfaces of the inflatable units, and configured to connect and communicate adjacent inflatable units, respectively, and air chambers of the plurality of inflatable units are communicated via the communication parts to form a meshed passage.

[0204] Example 60. The inflatable support body according to Example 59, characterized in that: the plurality of inflatable units are formed adjacent to each other in the same horizontal plane, each connection part comprises a first connection part and a second connection part for connecting adjacent inflatable units in different horizontal directions, a longer symmetry axis direction of each inflatable unit in a projection face of the inflatable unit is defined as a first direction, a second direction forms a horizontal angle with the first direction, the firstconnection part connects adjacent inflatable units in the first direction, and the second connection part connects adjacent inflatable units in the second direction.

[0205] Example 61. The inflatable support body according to Example 60, characterized in that: the inflatable units comprise first inflatable units, second inflatable units, third inflatable units, and fourth inflatable units, each first inflatable unit has one first connection part and one second connection part, each second inflatable unit has one first connection part and two second connection parts, each third inflatable unit has two first connection parts and one second connection part, and each fourth inflatable unit has two first connection parts and two second connection parts.

[0206] Example 62. The inflatable support body according to Example 60, characterized in that: each communication part comprises a first communication part and a second communication part, the first communication part is formed at the first connection part, and the second communication part is formed at the second connection part.

[0207] Example 63. The inflatable support body according to Example 62, characterized in that: the first connection part is a strip-shaped weld edge, and a plurality of first connection parts are arranged at equal intervals along a longer side direction of each sheet, a length direction of the first connection part is parallel to a shorter side of the sheet, and the first connection part has a length less than the shorter side of the sheet; the first communication part is formed at a vacant position between two ends of each first connection part and two side edges of longer sides of the sheet; and the second connection part is formed between adjacent first connection parts.

[0208] Example 64. The inflatable support body according to Example 63, characterized in that: the second connection part is a quick-connector or at least one weld edge formed in parallel to a shorter side direction of the sheet, and the second communication part is a quick-connector air hole or at least one round hole provided in a weld edge; and the second communication part is selectively provided in the second connection part by the design of an air path.

[0209] Example 65. The inflatable support body according to Example 61 or 64, characterized in that: the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the plurality of inflatable units are arranged in an array of grids.

[0210] Example 66. The inflatable support body according to Example 61 or 64, characterized in that: an acute angle is formed between the first direction and the second direction, and the plurality of inflatable units are arranged in a staggered manner and adjacently connected to each other.

[0211] Example 67. The inflatable support body according to Example 59, characterized in that: a lining cover is wrapped outside the plurality of inflatable units.

[0212] Example 68. An inflatable mattress comprising at least one instance of the inflatable support body according to any of Examples 1-67.

[0213]

[0214] Example 69. The inflatable mattress of Example 68, further comprising a comfortable layer is laid above the at least one instance of the inflatable support body, and a mattress cover is covered outside the comfortable layer and the at least one instance of the inflatable support body.

[0215] The above embodiments and drawings are not intended to limit the form and style of the products in the utility model, and any suitable changes or modifications made by those of ordinary skill in the art should be considered as not departing from the scope of the utility model.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable support body, comprising: a first sheet having a first length and a first width and including a first plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet and a first plurality of first communication parts; and a second sheet having a second length and a second width and including a second plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the second width of the second sheet and a second plurality of first communication parts, the second sheet being coupled to the first sheet with the first width being parallel to the second width and the first length parallel to the second length to define an interior of the first sheet and the second sheet adapted to be inflated with a working fluid; wherein each of the first plurality of first connection parts are coupled to a respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form a first plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet, the plurality of inflatable units being in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the first plurality of first communication parts and the second plurality of first communication parts, a support direction of the inflatable support being generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet.

2. The inflatable support body of claim 1, wherein the plurality of inflatable units are arranged linearly along the first length of the first sheet and the second length of the second sheet.

3. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first plurality of connection parts of the first sheet contact the second plurality of connection parts of the second sheet to form at each instance an air tight connection.

4. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding claims, wherein a periphery of the first sheet is coupled to the second sheet.

5. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding claims, wherein a first portion of the first plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a first portion of the second plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts.

6. The inflatable support body of claim 5, wherein a second portion of the first plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a second portion of the second plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts.

7. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first sheet is welded to the second sheet and each of the first plurality of first connection parts are welded to the respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form the plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet.

8. The inflatable support body of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a third sheet having a third length and a third width and including a third plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the third width of the third sheet and a third plurality of first communication parts; and a fourth sheet having a fourth length and a fourth width and including a fourth plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the fourth width of the fourth sheet and a fourth plurality of first communication parts, the fourth sheet being coupled to the third sheet with the third width being parallel to the fourth width and the third length parallel to the fourth length to define an interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet adapted to be inflated with the working fluid; wherein each of the third plurality of first connection parts are coupled to a respective each of the fourth plurality of first connection parts to form a second plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet, the second plurality of inflatable units being in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the third plurality of first communication parts and the fourth plurality of first communication parts.

9. The inflatable support body of claim 8, wherein the second plurality of inflatable units are arranged linearly along the third length of the third sheet and the fourth length of the fourth sheet.

10. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the third plurality of connection parts of the third sheet contact the fourth plurality of connection parts of the fourth sheet to form at each instance an air tight connection.

11. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 8-10, wherein a periphery of the third sheet is coupled to the fourth sheet.

12. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 8-11, wherein a first portion of the third plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the third sheet and the third plurality of first connection parts and a first portion of the fourth plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the fourth sheet and the fourth plurality of first connection parts.

13. The inflatable support body of claim 12, wherein a second portion of the third plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the third sheet and the third plurality of first connection parts and a second portion of the fourth plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the fourth sheet and the fourth plurality of first connection parts.

14. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 8-13, wherein the third sheet is welded to the fourth sheet and each of the third plurality of first connection parts are welded to the respective each of the fourth plurality of first connection parts to form the second plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet.

15. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 8-14, wherein each of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a first length axis and a width along a first width axis and each of the second plurality of inflatable units has a length along a second length axis and a width along a second width axis.

16. The inflatable support body of claim 15, wherein the length of each of the first plurality of inflatable units is longer than the width of each of the first plurality of inflatable units and the length of each of the second plurality of inflatable units is longer than the width of each of the second plurality of inflatable units.

17. The inflatable support body of claim 15, wherein the length of each of the first plurality of inflatable units is generally equal to the width of each of the first plurality of inflatable units and the length of each of the second plurality of inflatable units is generally equal to the width ofeach of the second plurality of inflatable units.

18. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 8-14, wherein a first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a first length axis and a width along a first width axis, a second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a second length axis and a width along a second width axis, and a first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units has a length along a third length axis and a width along a third width axis.

19. The inflatable support body of claim 18, wherein the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned such that the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is generally colinear with the first width axis of the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units.

20. The inflatable support body of claim 18, wherein the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned in a waist formed between the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units such that the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned between the first width axis of the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second width axis of the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units.

21. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 18-20, wherein the second sheet includes a first plurality of second connection parts and a first plurality of second communication parts and the third sheet includes a second plurality of second connection parts and a second plurality of second communication parts, the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet.

22. The inflatable support body of claim 21, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit ofthe second plurality of inflatable units includes at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

23. The inflatable support body of claim 22, wherein the at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

24. The inflatable support body of claim 21, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

25. The inflatable support body of claim 24, wherein the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one of the second plurality of second communication parts, the first one of the first plurality of second connections parts being coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts.

26. The inflatable support body of claim 21, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes a first one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes a first one of the second plurality of second connection parts and a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

27. The inflatable support body of claim 26, wherein the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one and the second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one and the second one of the second plurality of second communication parts, the first one of the first plurality of second connections parts being coupled to the first one of thesecond plurality of second connection parts.

28. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 21-27, wherein the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet along a direction generally parallel to the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units.

29. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 21-27, wherein the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet along a direction angled relative to the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units.

30. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 21-29, wherein the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts are quick connectors.

31. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 21-29, wherein the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts form a plurality of welded connections.

32. An inflatable support body capable of receiving a pressurized working fluid, the inflatable support having a construction comprising: a first inflatable cell group having a first plurality of inflatable units defined by a first sheet and a second sheet, the first plurality of inflatable units of the first inflatable cell group distributed along a first direction, each of the first plurality of inflatable units of the first inflatable cell group along the first direction having a first inflatable unit size; and a second inflatable cell group having a second plurality of inflatable units defined by a third sheet and a fourth sheet, the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group distributed along the first direction, a first portion of the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group having a second inflatable unit size and a secondportion of the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group having a third inflatable unit size, the third inflatable unit size being less than the second inflatable unit size.

33. The inflatable support body of claim 32, wherein the third inflatable unit size is less than the first inflatable unit size.

34. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 32 and 33, wherein the second inflatable unit size is generally equal to the first inflatable unit size.

35. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 32-34, wherein the first plurality of inflatable units of the first inflatable cell group and the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group are equal height.

36. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 32-35, wherein the second portion of the second plurality of inflatable units of the second inflatable cell group plurality include a first inflatable unit and a second inflatable unit, the first inflatable unit located at a first end of the second inflatable cell group and the second inflatable unit located at a second end of the second inflatable cell group, the first end opposite the second end.

37. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 32-36, wherein the first sheet has a first length and a first width and including a first plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet and a first plurality of first communication parts, the second sheet having a second length and a second width and including a second plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the second width of the second sheet and a second plurality of first communication parts, the second sheet being coupled to the first sheet with the first width being parallel to the second width and the first length parallel to the second length to define an interior of the first sheet and the second sheet adapted to be inflated with the working fluid.

38. The inflatable support body of claim 37, wherein each of the first plurality of first connection parts are coupled to a respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form the first plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet, the first plurality of inflatable units being in fluid communication through flow paths formed bythe first plurality of first communication parts and the second plurality of first communication parts, a support direction of the inflatable support being generally parallel to the first width of the first sheet.

39. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 37 and 38, wherein the first plurality of inflatable units are arranged linearly along the first length of the first sheet and the second length of the second sheet.

40. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 37-39, wherein the first plurality of connection parts of the first sheet contact the second plurality of connection parts of the second sheet to form at each instance an air tight connection.

41. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 37-40, wherein a periphery of the first sheet is coupled to the second sheet.

42. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 37-40, wherein a first portion of the first plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a first portion of the second plurality of first communication parts are provided between a first periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts.

43. The inflatable support body of claim 42, wherein a second portion of the first plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the first sheet and the first plurality of connection parts and a second portion of the second plurality of first communication parts are provided between a second periphery length edge of the second sheet and the second plurality of connection parts.

44. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 37-43, wherein the first sheet is welded to the second sheet and each of the first plurality of first connection parts are welded to the respective each of the second plurality of first connection parts to form the plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet.

45. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 37-44, wherein the third sheet has a third length and a third width and including a third plurality of first connection parts extendinggenerally parallel to the third width of the third sheet and a third plurality of first communication parts and the fourth sheet has a fourth length and a fourth width and including a fourth plurality of first connection parts extending generally parallel to the fourth width of the fourth sheet and a fourth plurality of first communication parts, the fourth sheet being coupled to the third sheet with the third width being parallel to the fourth width and the third length parallel to the fourth length to define an interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet adapted to be inflated with the working fluid.

46. The inflatable support body of claim 45, wherein each of the third plurality of first connection parts are coupled to a respective each of the fourth plurality of first connection parts to form the second plurality of inflatable units in the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet, the second plurality of inflatable units being in fluid communication through flow paths formed by the third plurality of first communication parts and the fourth plurality of first communication parts.

47. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 37-46, wherein a first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a first length axis and a width along a first width axis, a second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units has a length along a second length axis and a width along a second width axis, and a first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units has a length along a third length axis and a width along a third width axis.

48. The inflatable support body of claim 47, wherein the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned in a waist formed between the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units such that the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units is positioned between the first width axis of the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units and the second width axis of the second inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units.

49. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 47 and 48, wherein the second sheet includes a first plurality of second connection parts and a first plurality of second communication parts and the third sheet includes a second plurality of second connection parts and a secondplurality of second communication parts, the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet.

50. The inflatable support body of claim 49, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

51. The inflatable support body of claim 50, wherein the at least one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the at least one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the at least one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the at least one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

52. The inflatable support body of claim 49, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

53. The inflatable support body of claim 52, wherein the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one of the second plurality of second communication parts, the first one of the first plurality of second connections parts being coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts.

54. The inflatable support body of claim 49, wherein the first inflatable unit of the first plurality of inflatable units includes a first one of the first plurality of second connection parts and at least a first one and a second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units includes a first one of the secondplurality of second connection parts and a first one and a second one of the second plurality of second communication parts.

55. The inflatable support body of claim 54, wherein the first one of the first plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one and the second one of the first plurality of second communication parts and the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts surrounds the first one and the second one of the second plurality of second communication parts, the first one of the first plurality of second connections parts being coupled to the first one of the second plurality of second connection parts.

56. The inflatable support body of any one of 49-55 wherein the interior of the first sheet and the second sheet being in fluid communication with the interior of the third sheet and the fourth sheet through the first plurality of second communication parts of the second sheet and the second plurality of second communication parts of the third sheet along a direction angled relative to the third width axis of the first inflatable unit of the second plurality of inflatable units.

57. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 49-56, wherein the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts are quick connectors.

58. The inflatable support body of any one of claims 49-56, wherein the first plurality of second connection parts and the second plurality of second connection parts form a plurality of welded connections.

59. An inflatable support body, characterized in that: comprising a plurality of sheets (4) with aligned edges and arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other, wherein a plurality of connection parts (2) and a plurality of communication parts (3) arranged at intervals along a length direction of each sheet (4) are formed on a surface of the sheet (4), side edges and the connection parts (2) of two sheets (4) arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other are welded to form a plurality of inflatable units (1) adjacently connected and communicated with each other, each inflatable unit (1) has a length direction the same as a support direction, the connection parts (2) and the communication parts (3) are formed on adjacent surfaces of the inflatable units (1), and configured to connect and communicate adjacent inflatable units (1) ,respectively, and air chambers of the plurality of inflatable units (1) are communicated via the communication parts (3) to form a meshed passage.

60. The inflatable support body according to claim 59, characterized in that: the plurality of inflatable units (1) are formed adjacent to each other in the same horizontal plane, each connection part (2) comprises a first connection part (21) and a second connection part (22) for connecting adjacent inflatable units (1) in different horizontal directions, a longer symmetry axis direction of each inflatable unit (1) in a projection face of the inflatable unit is defined as a first direction, a second direction forms a horizontal angle with the first direction, the first connection part (21) connects adjacent inflatable units (1) in the first direction, and the second connection part (22) connects adjacent inflatable units (1) in the second direction.

61. The inflatable support body according to claim 60, characterized in that: the inflatable units (1) comprise first inflatable units (11), second inflatable units (12), third inflatable units (13), and fourth inflatable units (14), each first inflatable unit (11) has one first connection part (21) and one second connection part (22), each second inflatable unit (12) has one first connection part (21) and two second connection parts (22), each third inflatable unit (13) has two first connection parts (21) and one second connection part (22), and each fourth inflatable unit (14) has two first connection parts (21) and two second connection parts (22).

62. The inflatable support body according to claim 60, characterized in that: each communication part (3) comprises a first communication part (31) and a second communication part (32), the first communication part (31) is formed at the first connection part (21), and the second communication part (32) is formed at the second connection part (22).

63. The inflatable support body according to claim 62, characterized in that: the first connection part (21) is a strip-shaped weld edge, and a plurality of first connection parts (21) are arranged at equal intervals along a longer side direction of each sheet (4), a length direction of the first connection part (21) is parallel to a shorter side of the sheet, and the first connection part (21) has a length less than the shorter side of the sheet (4); the first communication part (31) is formed at a vacant position between two ends of each first connection part (21) and two side edges of longer sides of the sheet; and the second connection part is formed between adjacentfirst connection parts.

64. The inflatable support body according to claim 63, characterized in that: the second connection part (22) is a quick-connector or at least one weld edge formed in parallel to a shorter side direction of the sheet (4), and the second communication part (32) is a quick-connector air hole or at least one round hole provided in a weld edge; and the second communication part (32) is selectively provided in the second connection part by the design of an air path.

65. The inflatable support body according to claim 61 or 64, characterized in that: the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the plurality of inflatable units (1) are arranged in an array of grids.

66. The inflatable support body according to claim 61 or 64, characterized in that: an acute angle is formed between the first direction and the second direction, and the plurality of inflatable units (1) are arranged in a staggered manner and adjacently connected to each other.

67. The inflatable support body according to claim 59, characterized in that: a lining cover (71) is wrapped outside the plurality of inflatable units (1).

68. An inflatable mattress comprising at least one instance of the inflatable support body according to any of claims 1-67.

69. The inflatable mattress of claim 68, further comprising a comfortable layer (8) is laid above the at least one instance of the inflatable support body, and a mattress cover (9) is covered outside the comfortable layer (8) and the at least one instance of the inflatable support body.

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