INFLATION VALVE ALLOWING FOR RAPID INFLATION AND DEFLATION OF AN INFLATABLE OBJECT
Disclosed is an inflation valve that enables a user to quickly inflate and deflate an inflatable object. The inflation valve can include an inflation chamber that is an adequate size to capture a breath of air blown by a user from a distance away from an outside opening of the inflation chamber. This allows surrounding air into the area of low pressure created by the moving air, thereby greatly increasing the amount of air entering the inflatable object. To prevent air from escaping the inflatable object, the inflation valve can include a non-invertible one-way valve and/or an invertible one-way valve. Each valve can prevent air from escaping the inflation chamber until adequate pressure is applied from the outside opening of the inflation chamber, for example, as a result of a user blowing air into the inflation chamber. The invertible one-way valve can be inverted to reverse the properties of the valve.
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to inflation valves and more specifically to an inflation valve that allows for rapid inflation and deflation of an inflatable object.
2. Introduction
Numerous types of objects are currently available as inflatable objects that can be inflated prior to use and deflated when not needed. For example, chairs, mattresses, pool toys, pools, etc., are all available as inflatable objects. Inflatable objects are advantageous because, when deflated, they can be easily stored and transported. For example, a large inflatable object, such as a mattress, can be stored in a much smaller space when it is deflated. This makes inflatable objects ideal for travel, such as camping, because they can be easily transported and stored when deflated.
While inflatable objects provide many advantages, traditional inflation valves used to inflate inflatable objects provide numerous challenges. To prevent air from escaping the inflatable object between breaths, many inflation valves are made small to limit the amount of air that can exit the inflatable object. The small size of these inflation valves also allows a user to place the valve in their mouth while inflating, further limiting the amount of air that can escape between breaths. While effective at preventing air from escaping, these valves also limit the amount of air that can be blown into the inflatable object and can be unsanitary.
Some inflation valves include an internal valve that closes the inflation valve to prevent air from escaping an inflatable object. These types of internal valves are often perpendicular to the opening of the inflation valve and require substantial force to open. For example, these valves can require a user to pinch the inflation valve to open the internal valve and allow the user to inflate the inflatable object. These types of internal valves generally require a user to place their mouth on the inflation valve because the small size of the inflation valve makes it difficult to blow air into the inflation valve from a distance away from the inflation valve and air can easily escape the inflatable object when the internal valve is opened.
Alternatively, some internal valves require a pump to open the internal valve to allow inflation of the inflatable object. While some of these types of inflation valves provide for a larger conduit by which air can enter the inflatable object and do not require a user to place the inflation valve in the user's mouth, these types of valve do require the use of a pump, which reduces the portability of the inflatable object. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved inflation valve.
SUMMARYAdditional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.
Disclosed is an inflation valve that enables a user to quickly inflate and deflate an inflatable object. To accomplish this, the inflation valve can include at least one one-way valve attached within an inflation chamber that is attached to an inflatable object. The one-way valve can be designed to open when adequate pressure is applied to the one-way valve from one direction, while remaining closed when adequate pressure is applied to the one-way valve from the opposite direction. Adequate pressure to open the one-way valve can be created by a user blowing into the one-way valve and adequate pressure to close the one-way valve can be created by the air trapped inside the inflatable object. Thus the one-way valve can allow air blown by the user to enter the inflatable object while preventing the air trapped in the inflatable object from escaping the inflatable object.
The one-way valve also allows for larger inflation chambers because the user is not required to place their mouth over the inflation chamber to force air into the inflatable object or prevent air from escaping the inflatable object. This can increase the amount of air that can enter and/or exit the inflatable object. Further, low pressure created by the fast moving air being blown into the inflation chamber can cause surrounding air to be drawn into the inflation chamber from the area between the user and the inflation chamber, thereby greatly increasing the speed at which the inflatable object can be inflated.
The inflation chamber can be open at opposing ends to provide a large conduit by which air can enter and/or exit the inflatable object. In some embodiments, the inflation chamber can be an adequate size to capture a breath of air blown by a user from a distance away from an outside opening of the inflation chamber. The fast blowing air being blown into the inflation chamber by the user can create an area of low pressure around the air stream. The low pressure can draw in surrounding air into the area of low pressure from the space between the user and the inflation chamber, thereby greatly increasing the amount of air entering the inflatable object.
To prevent air from escaping the inflatable object, the inflation valve can include a non-invertible one-way valve and/or an invertible one-way valve. The non-invertible one-way valve can be positioned in the inflation chamber such that the non-invertible one-way valve opens when adequate pressure is applied to the non-invertible one-way valve from the outside opening of the inflation chamber, for example, as a result of a user blowing air into the inflation chamber. An invertible one-way valve can be inverted, allowing a user to invert the properties of the invertible one-way valve. Thus, an invertible one-way valve positioned to open when adequate air pressure is applied to the invertible one-way valve from the outside of the inflation chamber, can be inverted to open when adequate air pressure is applied to the invertible one-way valve from inside the inflatable object.
In some embodiments, the inflation valve can include a non-invertible one-way valve and an invertible one-way valve. In this type of embodiment, the invertible one-way valve can be designed such that, when inverted to allow air to escape the inflatable object, the invertible one-way valve rests between the ends of the non-invertible one-way valve, causing the non-invertible one-way valve to open when the invertible one-way valve opens. This can allow the inflatable object to be rapidly deflated.
In various embodiments, an inflatable air pad may include an inflation chamber comprising one or more non-invertible one-way valves and/or one or more invertible one-way valves. In certain embodiments, a user may blow air into the inflation chamber in order to inflate the inflatable air pad. As air is added to the inflation chamber, the one or more one-way valves may prevent or impede air from escaping the inflatable air pad. The inflation valve may then be rolled up to force any air present within the inflation chamber into the body portion of the inflatable air pad. According to certain embodiments, a user may invert the one or more invertible one-way valves in order to allow air to escape from the inflatable air pad. Inverting the one or more invertible one-way valves may prevent the one or more non-invertible one-way valves from closing and therefore preventing air from escaping the inflatable air pad.
In various embodiments, an air bag may comprise an inflation chamber comprising one or more one-way valves. In certain embodiments, a user may blow air through an inflation opening into the inflation chamber in order to inflate the air bag. As air is added to the inflation chamber, the one or more one-way valves may prevent or impede air from escaping the air bag. In various embodiments, the air bag may include a compression assembly configured to allow a user to decrease the volume of the air bag while maintaining a constant amount of air inside the air bag. The air bag may also include an access opening near the inflation opening that may allow a user to insert or remove one or more objects from the air bag. The access opening may include a fastening assembly to prevent air from escaping the air bag when the access opening is sealed. In various embodiments, a user may open the access opening in order to release any air trapped within the interior of the air bag.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the principles briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
The present disclosure addresses the need in the art for an inflation valve that allows for an inflatable object to be rapidly inflated and/or deflated. Traditional inflation valves include internal valves that cannot be opened by blowing into the inflation valve from a distance. The user must physically open the internal valve by, for example, pinching the internal valve. Further, these internal valves allow air to escape when open, thus requiring a user to place the inflation valve in their mouth while inflating to force air into the inflatable object or and prevent air from escaping the inflatable object. As a result, inflating and/or deflating an inflatable object with a traditional inflation valve can be time consuming and unsanitary and/or require the use of additional devices such as pumps.
Disclosed is an inflation valve that enables a user to quickly inflate and deflate an inflatable object. To accomplish this, the inflation valve can include at least one one-way valve attached within an inflation chamber that provides a conduit to inflate an inflatable object. The one-way valve can be designed to open when adequate pressure is applied to the one-way valve from one direction, while remaining closed when adequate pressure is applied to the one-way valve from the opposite direction. Adequate pressure to open the one-way valve can be created by a user blowing into the one-way valve and/or using a pump to blow air into the one-way valve. Adequate pressure to close the one-way valve can be created by the air trapped inside the inflatable object. Thus the one-way valve can allow air blown by the user to enter the inflatable object while preventing the air trapped in the inflatable object from escaping the inflatable object.
The one-way valve also allows for larger inflation chambers because the user is not required to place their mouth over the inflation chamber to prevent air from escaping the inflatable object. This can increase the amount of air that can enter and/or exit the inflatable object. Further, low pressure created by the fast moving air being blown into the inflation chamber can cause surrounding air to be drawn into the inflation chamber from the area between the user and the inflation chamber, thereby greatly increasing the speed at which the inflatable object can be inflated.
The inflation chamber can be open at opposing ends to provide a large conduit by which air can enter and/or exit the inflatable object. In some embodiments, the inflation chamber can be an adequate size to capture a breath of air blown by a user from a distance away from an outside opening of the inflation chamber. The fast blowing air being blown into the inflation chamber by the user can create an area of low pressure around the air stream. The low pressure can draw surrounding air into the area of low pressure from the space between the user and the inflation chamber, thereby greatly increasing the amount of air entering the inflatable object.
To prevent air from escaping the inflatable object, the inflation valve can include a non-invertible one-way valve and/or an invertible one-way valve. The non-invertible one-way valve can be positioned in the inflation chamber such that the non-invertible one-way valve opens when adequate pressure is applied to the non-invertible one-way valve from the outside opening of the inflation chamber, for example, as a result of a user blowing air into the inflation chamber. An invertible one-way valve can be inverted, allowing a user to invert the properties of the invertible one-way valve to allow air to flow through the valve in the opposite direction and out of the inflation chamber. Thus, an invertible one-way valve positioned to open when adequate air pressure is applied to the invertible one-way valve from the outside of the inflation chamber can be inverted to open when adequate air pressure is applied to the invertible one-way valve from inside the inflatable object.
In some embodiments, the inflation valve can include a non-invertible one-way valve and an invertible one-way valve. In this type of embodiment, the invertible one-way valve can be positioned such that, when inverted to allow air to escape the inflatable object, the invertible one-way valve rests between the ends of the non-invertible one-way valve, causing the non-invertible one-way valve to open when the invertible one-way valve opens. This can allow the inflatable object to be rapidly deflated.
In some embodiments, inflation chamber 105 can be of an adequate size to receive a full breath of air blown by a user while the user is a distance away from inflation chamber 105. This can maximize the amount of air blown by the user that is captured by inflation chamber 105 and also allow for surrounding air to enter inflation chamber 105, thus increasing the speed by which inflatable object 110 is inflated.
In some embodiments, inflation chamber 105 can include a one-way valve that prevents air from escaping inflatable object 110. The one-way valve can be attached inside inflation chamber 105 such that air must travel through the one-way valve to enter and/or exit inflatable object 110.
A one-way valve can be designed to open when adequate air pressure is applied to the one-way valve from outside opening 115. For example, adequate air pressure can be applied as a result of a user or pump blowing air into inflation chamber 105 from outside opening 115, causing the one-way valve to open to allow air to enter inflatable object 110.
Further, the one-way valve can be designed to close when adequate pressure is applied to the one-way valve from the opposite end, for example from the air trapped inside inflatable object 110. Thus, the one-way valve can open to allow air to enter inflatable object 110 when a user blows into inflation chamber 105 from outside opening 115, and close from the air pressure inside inflatable object 110 when the user stops blowing. By automatically trapping the air between each of the user's breaths, the user can repeatedly blow into inflation chamber 105, adding additional air into inflatable object 110 until inflatable object 110 is adequately full.
To accomplish this, the one-way valve can include an outer open end and an inner open end, through which air can travel when the one-way valve is open. The one-way valve can be attached to the inside of inflation chamber 105 such that the outer open end of the one-way valve is positioned closer to outside opening 115 than the inner open end of the one-way valve is positioned to outside opening 115. The one-way valve can be attached to the inside of inflation chamber 105 along the entirety of the outer open end of the one-way valve to create a seal that forces all air to travel through the one-way valve to enter and/or exit inflatable object 110. Air inside inflatable object 110 can occupy the space between inflation chamber 105 and the inner end of the one-way valve, causing adequate air pressure to close the one-way valve when adequate pressure to open the one-way valve is not being applied from the opposite direction. To accomplish this, the one-way valve may be long enough that the inner end can adequately close the one-way valve.
In some embodiments, the one-way valve can be a non-invertible one-way valve that remains in a fixed position within inflation chamber 105. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the one-way valve can be an invertible one-way valve that can be inverted to reverse the direction of the invertible one-way valve. Thus, when inverted, an invertible one-way valve can close when adequate pressure is applied from outside opening 115 of inflation chamber 105, and open when adequate air pressure is applied from inside of inflatable object 110.
Non-invertible one-way valve 305 can be attached to the inside of inflation chamber 105 along left edge 320 and right edge 325, which can prevent non-invertible one-way valve 305 from being inverted.
Non-invertible one-way valve 305 can further be attached to the inside of inflation chamber 105 along the edge, or near the edge, of outer open end 310. This can create a seal between non-invertible one-way valve 305 and inflation chamber 105 that forces all air to travel through non-invertible one-way valve 305 to enter and/or exit inflatable object 110.
While adequate pressure to open non-invertible one-way valve 305 is not being applied, non-invertible one-way valve 305 can be closed from adequate air pressure applied from air inside inflatable object 110, thus preventing air from entering or escaping inflatable object 110. Adequate pressure to open non-invertible one-way valve 305 can be applied using manual force, such as a user using their hand to open non-invertible one-way valve 305, or alternatively, by applying adequate air pressure, such as when a user or pump blows air into outside opening 115 of inflation chamber 105.
As shown, inner open end 315 of non-invertible one-way valve 305 is closed, thus preventing air from traveling in and/or out of inflatable object 110. Air blown into inflatable object 110 can fill spaces 321 and 322 between inner open end 315 and inflation chamber 305, and apply pressure to inner open end 315 that closes non-invertible one-way valve 315 while adequate pressure to open non-invertible one-way valve 305 is not being applied. Adequate pressure can be applied by a user reaching into inflation chamber 105 and manually opening inner open end 315.
Alternatively adequate pressure can be applied by a user blowing into outside opening 115 of inflation chamber 105. While adequate air pressure is applied to non-invertible one-way valve 305 from outside opening 115, i.e. while a user is blowing into outside opening 115, inner open end 315 can open, allowing air to enter inflatable object 110. When the air pressure is removed from non-invertible one-way valve 305, i.e., when the user stops blowing into outside opening 115, the air inside inflatable object 110 can apply pressure to non-invertible one-way valve 305, causing at least inner open end 315 to close, thus preventing air from entering and/or exiting inflatable object 110.
In some embodiments, inflation valve 100 can include an invertible one-way valve in addition to or instead of non-invertible one-way valve 305, which can prevent air from entering and/or exiting inflatable object 110. An invertible one-way valve can be similar to non-invertible one-way valve 305 except it can be inverted, whereas non-invertible one-way valve 305 cannot be inverted.
Inverting the invertible one-way valve can cause the properties of the invertible one-way valve to reverse such that the invertible one-way valve will open when adequate air pressure is applied to the inverted invertible one-way valve from inside inflatable object 110, rather than when adequate air pressure is applied to the invertible one-way valve from outside of inflatable chamber 105. This can allow a user to change the properties of the invertible one-way valve to accommodate either inflating or deflating inflatable object 110.
Unlike non-invertible one-way valve 305, invertible one-way valve 405 is not attached to the inside of inflation chamber 105 along the edges of invertible one-way valve 405, thus allowing invertible one-way valve 405 to be inverted by a user. As shown, invertible one-way valve 405 is positioned similar to non-invertible one-way valve 305 such that outer open end 410 is closer to outside opening 115 than inner open end 415 is to outside opening 115.
In this configuration, invertible one-way valve 405 acts similarly to non-invertible one-way valve 305 in that it prevents air from escaping inflatable object 110 when invertible one-way valve 405 is closed, and invertible one-way valve 405 opens to allow air into inflatable object 110 when adequate air pressure is applied to invertible one-way valve 405 from outside opening 115.
To invert invertible one-way valve 405, a user can reach into invertible one-way valve 405 and pull inner open end 415 towards outside opening 115. Inverting invertible one-way valve 405 in this way reverses the properties of invertible one-way valve 405. For example, when inverted, invertible one-way valve 405 will open when adequate air pressure is applied to invertible one-way valve 405 from inside opening 120 for example, from the pressure applied from air trapped inside inflatable object 110.
A user can leave invertible one-way valve 405 in its original un-inverted position to inflate inflatable object 110. This can allow air blown by the user into outside opening 115 to enter inflatable object 110 without being able to escape. When the user wishes to deflate inflatable object 110, the user can invert invertible one-way valve 405. Inverting invertible one-way valve 405 allows the pressure created by the air trapped inside inflatable object 110 to open invertible one-way valve 405, thus deflating inflatable object 110.
In some embodiments, an inflation valve can include both a non-invertible one-way valve and an invertible one-way valve. This type of embodiment is illustrated in
Both non-invertible one-way valve 305 and invertible one-way valve 405 are positioned to open when adequate air pressure is applied from outside opening 115, and to remain closed when adequate pressure is not being applied from outside opening 115. Thus, a user can inflate inflatable object 110 by blowing into inflation valve 500 at outside opening 115.
In some embodiments, invertible one-way valve 305 can include vent holes 520 that can be used to release air trapped in air pocket 515. For example, if a user has inflated inflatable object 110 to a desired pressure, air trapped in air pocket 515 can be released through vent holes 520 rather than being forced into inflatable object 110. Alternatively, a user can release the air trapped in air pocket 515 by manually opening non-invertible one-way valve 305, for example, by using their hand to open inner open end 315.
As illustrated in
While
As shown in
In some embodiments, inflation chamber 105 can be secured after being completely rolled, to keep inflation chamber 105 in the rolled position. For example, loop 705 and strap 710 can be attached to inflatable object 110 on either side of inflation chamber 105 and used to secure inflation chamber 105 after it has been rolled to seal inflatable object 110.
In some embodiments, inflation chamber 105 can be used primarily to deflate inflatable object 110. For example, as illustrated in
In various embodiments, inflation chamber 105 can be rolled up to provide a seal that prevents air from escaping inflatable object 110. To deflate inflatable object 110, a user can unroll inflation chamber 105 and allow air to escape inflatable object 110. Because inflation chamber 105 may be used primarily to deflate inflatable object 110 in the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, covering 1110 can be made of a flexible plastic or cloth mesh material so that use of the inflation chamber is not affected. For example, a user can still roll up inflation chamber 105, the inflatable object 110, invert an invertible one-way valve, etc.
The size of the openings in the mesh material used to create covering 1110 can be varied depending on the size of the objects that are to be prevented from entering and/or exiting an inflatable object 110. For example, a finer mesh with smaller holes can be used to prevent smaller objects from entering and/or exiting an inflatable object.
In some embodiments, attachment piece 1210 can be rigid such as a metal or plastic cage. This can keep fan 1205 in a fixed position in relation to inflation chamber 105. Alternatively, in some embodiments, attachment piece 1210 can be made of a soft flexible material such as a flexible plastic or cloth mesh material.
In some embodiments, secondary valve 1310 can be used to inflate a second inflatable object. For example, secondary valve 1310 can be designed to attach to a hose, tube or other conduit that can be used to inflate the second inflatable object.
Although
According to various embodiments, the inflation chambers described herein may be adapted for use with an inflatable mattress or air pad (herein “air pad”). As an example,
As shown in
In certain embodiments, such as those exemplified by
As shown in
The edge of the outside opening 1415 may have an edge guard 1515 affixed near the outer opening 1415 to facilitate holding the inflation chamber 1405 open during inflation. The edge guard may comprise one or more separate pieces that may be affixed between the upper glossy layer 1530 and upper shell layer 1505, and between lower glossy layer 1531 and lower shell layer 1506. The edge guard 1515 may be constructed of a stiff material, such as a resilient plastic. The edge guard 1515 may also prevent the outer edge of the inflation chamber 1405 from wrinkling and may facilitate the rolling of inflation chamber 1405.
According to one embodiment, the edge guard 1515 may be affixed near the outer opening 1415 by placing the edge guard 1515 between the glossy layers 1530, 1531 and the shell layers 1505, 1506 and attaching the gloss layers 1530, 1531 to the shell layers 1505, 1506. The outer edge of the shell layers 1580 may likewise be attached to the glossy layers 1530, 1531 at edge 1545. The shell layers 1505, 1506 may also be attached to both the outer open end of the first and second non-invertible one-way valves 1517, 1520 and the glossy layers 1530, 1531 at edge 1550. As shown, a portion of one or both of the glossy layers 1530, 1531 may extend beyond the outer edge of the upper and lower shell layers 1580 to serve as a grip and to further restrict air from exiting the opening 1415, when the inflation chamber 1405 is rolled up. Alternatively, the edge guard 1515 may be attached to only one of the shell layers 1505, 1506. In various embodiments, the edge guard 1515 may be attached to the outside of one or both of the shell layers 1505, 1506.
In the embodiment shown in
The shell layers 1505, 1506 may be affixed to the outer open end of each non-invertible valve 1520 at edges 1550, 1560. Likewise, the shell layers 1505, 1506 may be attached to the outer open end of the invertible one-way valve 1525 at edge 1565. The side edges of both upper and lower invertible valve layers 1526, 1525 that comprise the invertible one-way valve may also be attached at edge 1575. The side edges of the layers constructing the non-invertible valves 1517, 1520 may be attached together and attached to the shell layers 1505, 1506 along the entire length of the non-invertible one-way valves 1517, 1520 at edge 1570. In various embodiments, the user engagement feature 1529 may be constructed from a heat sealable material, such as a polyester fabric laminated with polyurethane, and can be attached to one edge of the lower invertible valve layer 1527 using the attachment means described above.
Referring back to
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the inflation chamber 1405 may be attached to an air pad 1400 at various orientations, and more than one inflation chamber 1405 may be used with any one air pad 1400. For example, as shown in
To inflate the air pad 1400 a user can hold open the outer opening 1415 and blow air into the inflation chamber 1405. When blowing into the inflation chamber 1405, the user may hold the outer opening 1415 near the user's mouth. The user then blows into the opening 1415. This process may be repeated until the air pad 1400 has been filled. Next, the user may press down on the first air chamber 1605 to force air trapped inside into the air pad 1400.
Each time the user blows into opening 1415 and additional air is added to the inflation chamber 1405 and air pad 1400, the pressure inside air chambers 515, 1605 and air pad 1400 increases, causing the one or more non-invertible valves 1517, 1520 and one or more invertible valves 1525 to close and prevent air from escaping the air pad 1400. Eventually the pressure inside of the air chambers 515, 1605 and air pad 1400 is such that a person blowing into the opening cannot add more air.
As shown in
Alternatively, a user may use the fan 1205, or other air movement devices such as an electric air pump or compressor, hand or foot pump, bag pump, or billows pump 2020 to blow air into the inflation chamber 1405, as shown in
As shown in
To deflate the air pad 1400, the user may disengage the security assembly, and allow the inflation chamber 1405 to unroll. Next the user may reach inside of the inflation chamber 1405 and invert the invertible valve 1525 by pulling the user engagement feature 1529 out of the inflation chamber 1405 (as shown in
As shown in
Alternatively, the user can also pack up the air pad 1400 by first folding the long edges of the air pad 1400, towards the center as shown in
According to various embodiments, the inflation chambers described herein may be adapted for use with an inflatable air bag. As an example,
In various embodiments, the air bag 2200 may be configured to hold various objects for storage and transportation. As shown in
As shown in
The air bag 2200 may additionally include a compression assembly that may be used to decrease the interior volume of the air bag 2200 and thereby increase the pressure within the air bag 2200 without introducing additional air to the interior of the air bag 2200. For example, as shown in
As shown in
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. For example, the disclosed inflation valve can be used to inflate any type of inflatable object such as a mattress, pool toy, chair, neck pillow, inflatable tents or structures, rafts, or other inflatable objects. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the principles described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An inflatable mattress configured for being inflated by a user, the inflatable mattress comprising:
- an inflatable mattress object configured for receiving a volume of air; and
- an inflation chamber protruding from the inflatable mattress object, the inflation chamber defining an outer opening for receiving air from outside the inflatable mattress object;
- wherein the inflation chamber includes a resilient member disposed proximate the outer opening of the inflation chamber and configured to support the inflation chamber's outer opening in an open configuration during inflation of the inflatable mattress object.
22. The inflatable mattress of claim 21, wherein the resilient member is formed from a resilient, plastic material.
23. The inflatable mattress of claim 21, wherein the inflation chamber defines at least one inner opening in fluid communication with the inflatable mattress object, and wherein the inflation chamber further comprises:
- a top portion extending between the outer opening and the inner opening; and
- a bottom portion extending between the outer opening and the inner opening and opposite the top portion; and wherein
- the resilient member is secured to one of the top portion or the bottom portion adjacent the outer opening.
24. The inflatable mattress of claim 23, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion collectively define an inflation chamber interior, and wherein the inflation chamber further comprises:
- a top glossy layer secured to the top portion within the inflation chamber interior and adjacent the outer opening; and
- a bottom glossy layer secured to the bottom portion within the inflation chamber interior and adjacent the outer opening;
- wherein the top glossy layer is configured to engage the bottom glossy layer when and impede air from escaping the inflatable mattress.
25. The inflatable mattress of claim 24, wherein the resilient member is secured between the top glossy layer and the top portion.
26. The inflatable mattress of claim 24, wherein the resilient member is secured between the bottom glossy layer and the bottom portion.
27. The inflatable mattress of claim 21, wherein the inflation chamber is configured for being rolled around the resilient member into a closed configuration in which air is prevented from escaping the inflatable mattress object.
28. The inflatable mattress of claim 27, wherein the inflation chamber is configured such that, when rolled into the closed configuration, the inflation chamber is rolled toward the inflatable mattress object and forces air within the inflation chamber into the inflatable mattress object.
29. The inflatable mattress of claim 27, further comprising a fastener configured for selectively securing the inflation chamber in a closed configuration.
30. The inflatable mattress of claim 21, further comprising a secondary valve in fluid communication with the inflatable mattress object.
31. The inflatable mattress of claim 21, further comprising a one-way valve configured to permit air to enter the inflatable mattress object through the inflation chamber.
32. The inflatable mattress of claim 31, wherein the one-way valve is disposed at least partially within the inflation chamber.
33. The inflatable mattress of claim 32, wherein the one-way valve comprises a non-invertible one-way valve.
34. The inflatable mattress of claim 23, wherein the resilient member is secured to the top portion and the inflation chamber further comprises a second resilient member secured to the bottom portion.
35. The inflatable mattress of claim 21, wherein the inflation chamber protrudes from a first side of the inflatable mattress object and has a width that is approximately one-third of the width of the first side of the inflatable mattress object.
36. The inflatable mattress of claim 21, wherein the inflatable mattress object defines an interior portion of the inflatable mattress object, and comprises one or more baffles secured within the interior portion of the inflatable mattress object.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 28, 2014
Publication Date: Dec 24, 2015
Inventor: Ryan Christopher Frayne (Portland, OR)
Application Number: 14/763,112