Inflatable seating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional inflatable furniture is limited by low pressure capabilities, resulting in insufficient buoyancy and rigidity, and is restricted to cylindrical forms, making it unsuitable for comfortable and rigid seating applications, especially in water environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of a seating apparatus using drop-stitch construction and inflatable chambers that allow pressures greater than 1 PSI, enabling the creation of planar surfaces and providing buoyancy and rigidity, along with magnetic connections for securing items and modular interconnectivity with a platform system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional inflatable chambers are used, then the furniture can be inflated, but the pressure is limited to about 1 PSI above atmospheric pressure, resulting in insufficient buoyancy and rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs drop-stitch construction where numerous flexible threads or strips connect two planar surfaces, creating a structure that can withstand high pressures while maintaining flexibility. This flexible membrane structure allows the inflatable to achieve pressures greater than 1 PSI (up to 10-15 PSI or more) without rupturing, resolving the contradiction between pressure capability and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable structure combines multiple materials and structural elements: flexible membranes, rigid drop-stitch connectors, and reinforced seams. This composite approach creates a structure that can simultaneously handle high pressures, maintain rigidity, and provide sufficient buoyancy, overcoming the limitations of traditional single-material inflatable chambers.
2Shape
If traditional inflatable chambers are used, then the structure can be inflated, but the form is restricted to spherical and cylindrical elements, preventing planar surfaces and comfortable seating forms
Solution Approach 1:
The drop-stitch construction uses flexible membrane surfaces connected by rigid stitches, allowing the structure to be inflated into planar or near-planar configurations. This enables the creation of comfortable seating forms with flat surfaces, backrests, and armrests, rather than being limited to spherical or cylindrical shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable structure is divided into multiple chambers or sections, each capable of being inflated to specific pressures. This segmentation allows different parts of the seating apparatus to have different shapes and functions, enabling comfortable seating forms while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Strength
If higher pressures are applied to traditional inflatables, then rigidity increases, but the inflatable chambers rupture or lose their form
Solution Approach 1:
The drop-stitch construction distributes pressure evenly across numerous flexible threads or strips, preventing stress concentration that would lead to rupture. This allows the structure to withstand high pressures (10-15 PSI or more) while maintaining both rigidity and structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables a user to sit with parts of their body submerged and above water, providing comfort and stability, while allowing secure placement of items and easy handling, suitable for both water and firm surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Inflatable furniture and inflatable products, referred herein as inflatables, devised for outdoor recreation and leisure provide a buoyancy to keep users partially or entirely above the surface of the water on which they are deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention surrounds a seating apparatus having an arm-rest assembly configured to traverse behind a seat-back, and arm-rests which extend forward of the seat back. Embodiments discussed herein include an inflatable chamber for providing positive buoyancy and structure. Certain embodiments of the present invention are configured primarily for use in a body of water, while other embodiments are configured for use in water or upon a surface.