US20080250568A1

US20080250568A1 - Inflatable pad assembly

Info

Publication number: US20080250568A1
Application number: US11/895,887
Authority: US
Inventors: Hsin-Tsai Wu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-12
Filing date: 2007-08-27
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Also published as: GB2448380A; GB2448380B; DE202007015250U1; GB0718099D0

Abstract

An inflatable pad assembly includes a base member having a top surface and a bottom surface, and an inflatable pad having opposite lateral layers, and a looped surrounding layer interconnecting the lateral layers, cooperating with the lateral layers to define an inflatable space, and connected to the base member. The looped surrounding layer has an outer leaning face that cooperates with the top surface of the base member to define a supporting area adapted to support a human body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Chinese Application No. 200720050451.1, filed on Apr. 12, 2007, and Chinese Application No. 200720052150.2, filed on May 24, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an inflatable pad assembly, more particularly to an inflatable pad assembly that can be operated in various states of use.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional inflatable bed is usable with a separate inflatable pillow. In this case, however, since the inflatable pillow is lightweight, it is difficult to position the same at a desired position, thereby resulting in inconvenience during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable pad assembly that can be operated in various states of use.
According to the present invention, an inflatable pad assembly comprises:
a base member having a top surface and a bottom surface; and
an inflatable pad having opposite lateral layers, and a looped surrounding layer interconnecting the lateral layers, cooperating with the lateral layers to define an inflatable space, and connected to the base member, the looped surrounding layer having an outer leaning face that cooperates with the top surface of the base member to define a supporting area adapted to support a human body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly according to the present invention, a portion of an inflatable pad being cutaway to illustrate a reinforcing belt;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the first preferred embodiment when in a state of use;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the first preferred embodiment when in another state of use;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the second preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the third preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the fourth preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly according to the present invention, a portion of an inflatable pad being cutaway to illustrate a reinforcing belt;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing the fourth preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a partly exploded perspective view showing the fifth preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing the fifth preferred embodiment; and

FIGS. 10 to 13 are perspective views showing the sixth to ninth preferred embodiments of an inflatable pad assembly according to the present invention, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 1, the first preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly 1 according to the present invention is shown to include a base member 12 and an inflatable pad 11.
In this embodiment, the base member 12 is in the form of a rectangular sheet, and has a top surface 121, a bottom surface 122 and a connecting end 123.
The inflatable pad 11 has opposite lateral layers 113, and a looped surrounding layer 112 interconnecting the lateral layers 113, cooperating with the lateral layer 113 to define an inflatable space 10, and connected to the base member 12. The looped surrounding layer 112 of the inflatable pad 11 has an outer leaning face that cooperates with the top surface 121 of the base member 12 to define a supporting area adapted to support a human body.
In this embodiment, the inflatable pad 11 is triangular in cross section. The looped surrounding layer 112 of the inflatable pad 11 has a first layer portion 1121, a second layer portion 1122 and a third layer portion 1123, wherein an angle (θ₁) between the first and second layer portions 1121, 1122 is greater than an angle (θ₂) between the first and third layer portions 1121, 1123. The connecting end 123 of the base member 12 is connected pivotally to a junction of the first and second layer portions 1121, 1122 of the looped surrounding layer 112 such that the inflatable pad 11 is operable so as to pivot relative to the base member 12 between a first position, where the first layer portion 1121 of the looped surrounding layer 112 has an outer surface that serves as the outer leaning face and where the second layer portion 1122 of the looped surrounding layer 112 has an outer surface that is coplanar with the bottom surface 122 of the base member 12, as shown in FIG. 2, and a second position, where the first layer portion 1121 of the looped surrounding layer 112 abuts against the top surface 121 of the base member 12 and where the third layer portion 1123 of the looped surrounding layer 112 has an outer surface that serves as the outer leaning face, as shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the inflatable pad 11 functions as a backrest when at the first position, and as a pillow when at the second position. The inflatable pad 11 further has a plurality of reinforcing belts 14 disposed in the inflatable space 10 and parallel to the lateral layers 113. Each reinforcing belt 14 has opposite ends connected to an inner surface of the looped surrounding layer 112.
FIG. 4 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly (1 a) according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. Unlike the first preferred embodiment, the looped surrounding layer (112 a) of the inflatable pad (11 a) has a bottom layer portion (1121 a), and an upper layer portion (1122 a) that has an inverted U-shaped cross section, and an outer surface serving as the outer leaning face. The connecting end 123 of the base member 12 is connected to a junction of the bottom layer portion (1121 a) and the upper layer portion (1122 a).
FIG. 5 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly (1 b) according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. Unlike the previous embodiments, the inflatable bad (11 b) is trapezoidal in cross section. The looped surrounding layer (112 b) has a first layer portion (1121 b), a second layer portion (1122 b), a third layer portion (1123 b) and a fourth layer potion (1124 b). The connecting end 123 of the base member 12 is connected to a junction of the first layer portion (1121 b) and the second layer portion (1122 b).
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the fourth preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly (1 c) according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the base member (12 c) is in the form of a rectangular inflatable pad body that has top and bottom layers 124, 125, and a looped surrounding layer 126 interconnecting the top and bottom layers 124, 125 and cooperating with the top and bottom layers 124, 125 to define an inner inflatable space 20.
The inflatable pad 11 is disposed on and above the base member (12 c).
The inflatable pad assembly (1 c) further includes a connecting unit for interconnecting detachably the inflatable pad 11 and the base member (12 c). The connecting unit includes a zipper 13 that has two zipper halves 131, 132 engaging detachably each other. In this embodiment, the zipper half 131 is connected fixedly to a junction of the first layer portion 1121 and the second layer portion 1122 of the looped surrounding layer 112 of the inflatable pad 11, whereas the zipper half 132 is connected fixedly to the top surface (121 c) of the base member (12 c) using a reinforcing strip 15 disposed therebetween. It is noted that, in this embodiment, the inflatable pad 11 is operable so as to pivot relative to the base member (12 c) between a first position, where the outer surface of the first layer portion 1121 of the looped surrounding layer 112 serves as the outer leaning face and where the outer surface of the second layer portion 1122 of the looped surrounding layer 112 abuts against the top surface (121 c) of the base member (12 c), and a second position, where the first layer portion 1121 of the looped surrounding layer 112 abuts against the top surface (121 c) of the base member (12 c) and where the outer surfaces of the second and third layer portions 1122, 1123 of the looped surrounding layer 112 constitute the outer leaning surface, as indicated by imaginary lines in FIG. 7. In other words, the inflatable pad 11 functions as a pillow when at the first position, and as a backrest when at the second position.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the fifth preferred embodiment of an inflatable pad assembly (1 d) according to this invention, which is a modification of the fourth preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the inflatable pad (11 d) is polygonal in cross section. The looped surrounding layer (112 d) has a first layer portion (1121 d) that is coplanar with the bottom layer 125 of the base member (12 c), a vertical second layer portion (1122 d) having an outer surface facing the surrounding layer 126 of the base member (12 c), a horizontal third layer portion (1123 d) disposed on and above the top layer 124 of the base member (12 c), an inclined fourth layer portion (1124 d) having an outer surface that serves as the outer leaning face, and an inclined fifth layer portion (1125 d).
The zipper halves 131, 132 of the zipper 13 of the connecting unit are connected fixedly and respectively to the second layer portion (1122 d) of the looped surrounding layer (112 d) of the inflatable pad (11 d) and the surrounding layer 126 of the base member (12 c).
FIGS. 10 to 13 illustrate respectively the sixth to ninth preferred embodiments of an inflatable pad assembly (1 e, 1 f, 1 g, 1 h) according to this invention, which are modifications of the fourth preferred embodiment. Unlike the fourth preferred embodiment, the inflatable pads (11 e, 11 f, 11 g, 11 h) of the inflatable pad assemblies (1 e, 1 f, 1 g, 1 h) are circular, elliptical, square and rectangular in cross section, respectively.
In sum, the inflatable pad (11, 11 a, 11 b, 11 d, 11 e, 11 f, 11 g, 11 h) of the inflatable pad assembly (1, 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d, 1 e, 1 f, 1 g, 1 h) of this invention is anchored to the base member (12, 12 c) such that undesirable displacement thereof can be avoided. Moreover, since the inflatable pad 11 of the inflatable pad assembly 1, (1 c) can be operated between the first and second positions, the inflatable pad assembly 1, (1 c) of this invention functions as either a bed with a pillow or a reclining chair.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. An inflatable pad assembly comprising:

a base member having a top surface and a bottom surface; and

an inflatable pad having opposite lateral layers, and a looped surrounding layer interconnecting said lateral layers, cooperating with said lateral layers to define an inflatable space, and connected to said base member, said looped surrounding layer having an outer leaning face that cooperates with said top surface of said base member to define a supporting area adapted to support a human body.

2. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base member is in the form of a sheet.

3. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said inflatable pad is triangular in cross section, said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad having a first layer portion, a second layer portion and a third layer portion; and

said base member has a connecting end connected pivotally to a junction of said first and second layer portions of said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad such that said inflatable pad is operable so as to pivot relative to said base member between a first position, where said first layer portion of said looped surrounding layer has an outer surface that serves as said outer leaning face and where said second layer portion of said looped surrounding layer has an outer surface that is coplanar with said bottom surface of said base member, and a second position, where said first layer portion of said looped surrounding layer abuts against said top surface of said base member and where said third layer portion of said looped surrounding layer has an outer surface that serves as said outer leaning face.

4. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad has a bottom layer portion and an upper layer portion, said upper layer portion of said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad having an inverted U-shaped cross section, and an outer surface that serves as said outer leaning face; and

said base member has a connecting end connected to a junction of said bottom layer portion and said upper layer portion of said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad.

5. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said inflatable pad is polygonal in cross section.

6. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in 1, wherein said inflatable pad further has a plurality of reinforcing belts disposed in said inflatable space, each of said reinforcing belts having opposite ends connected to an inner surface of said looped surrounding layer.

7. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in 1, wherein said base member is in the form of an inflatable pad body, and has top and bottom layers, and a looped surrounding layer interconnecting said top and bottom layers and cooperating with said top and bottom layers to define an inner inflatable space, said top layer having said top surface, said bottom layer having said bottom surface,

said inflatable pad assembly further comprising a connecting unit for interconnecting detachably said inflatable pad and said base member.

8. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said connecting unit includes a zipper that has two zipper halves connected fixedly and respectively to said top surface of said base member and said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad and engaging detachably each other.

9. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said inflatable pad is circular in cross section, and is disposed on and above said base member.

10. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said inflatable pad is elliptical in cross section, and is disposed on and above said base member.

11. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said inflatable pad is polygonal in cross section, and is disposed on and above said base member.

12. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said inflatable pad is triangular in cross section, and is disposed on and above said base member, said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad having a first layer portion, a second layer portion and a third layer portion; and

one of said zipper halves of said zipper is connected to a junction of said first and second layer portions of said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad such that said inflatable pad is operable so as to pivot relative to said base member between a first position, where said first layer portion of said looped surrounding layer has an outer surface that serves as said outer leaning face and where said second layer portion of said looped surrounding layer abuts against said top surface of said base member, and a second position, where said first layer portion of said looped surrounding layer abuts against said top surface of said base member, and where said third layer portion of said looped surrounding layer has an outer surface that serves as said outer leaning face.

13. The inflatable pad assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad includes a first layer portion that is coplanar with said bottom layer of said base member, a vertical second layer portion having an outer surface facing said surrounding layer of said base member, a horizontal third layer portion disposed on and above said top layer of said base member, and an inclined fourth layer portion having an outer surface that serves as said outer leaning face; and

said connecting unit includes a zipper having two zipper halves that are connected fixedly and respectively to said surrounding layer of said base member and said second layer portion of said looped surrounding layer of said inflatable pad and that engage detachably each other.