MULTIPLE AIR COMPARTMENT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A multiple air compartment adjustment device includes at least two air compartments, an adjustment unit, at least one positioning member. The air compartments are arranged in a tiered form. The air compartments include, in an interior thereof, an elastic body. The adjustment unit includes at least two valve assemblies, which include a connection valve, a self-charging valve, and an operation section. The positioning member is movably disposed on the adjustment unit and one of the positioning member includes an activation section. The air compartments are automatically operated to adjust for high, low, soft, stiff, and shape according to a magnitude of a pressing force and after the pressing force acting disappears, inflation can be automatically carried out for shape restoration to prevent the elastic body from elastic fatigue and deformation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustment device, and more particularly to a multiple air compartment adjustment device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Heretofore, pneumatic control structures of air compartment do not allow automatic adjustment of high, low, softness, stiffness, and shape, and are not easy to operate and does not allow for precise and fine adjustment of a height and a shape of an air compartment.

Thus, the present inventor has previously proposed an automatic pneumatic control structure of air compartment that enables automatic adjustment of high, low, softness, stiffness, and shape of an air compartment, yet the air compartment thereof is of a single-layered structure, making the effect of height supporting (softness) and shapeability (contour pliancy) not perfect.

Further, reference is directed to Taiwan Utility Model M453454, which, although allowing adjustment and setting of height and saturation of each air compartment, has two air compartments that are arranged on the same plane and are not in a tiered manner, and does not fully disclose valve related structures, so that the effect of height supporting (softness) and shapeability (contour pliancy) is similarly not perfect, making it not effectively suit to the needs of different users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple air compartment adjustment device that provides a better effect of height supporting (more degrees of softness) and shapeability (better contour pliancy) and enhanced adaptability for better suiting to the needs of different users.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention is applicable to pillows, cushions and the likes and comprises at least two air compartments, an adjustment unit, at least one positioning member, the air compartments being arranged in a tiered form, the air compartments including, in an interior thereof, an elastic body, the air compartments being connected to an air tube; the adjustment unit comprising at least two valve assemblies, the valve assemblies being each connected to the air tube of the air compartments of each tier, the valve assemblies comprising a connection valve, a self-charging valve, and an operation section, the connection valve and the self-charging valve being in communication with each other, the connection valve being connected to the air tube, the operation section being operable to control air flowing or not flowing between inside and outside of the connection valve; the positioning member being disposed, in a movable manner, in the adjustment unit, one of the positioning member including an activation section to activate, when the positioning member is moved to a first position, the connection valve of one of the valve assemblies and to activate, when moved to a second position, the connection valve of the other one of the valve assemblies.

By using the positioning member and the multiple valve assemblies to control air flowing or not flowing between the inside and outside of the air compartments of the multiple tiers, in addition to allowing the air compartments to automatically adjust for high, low, soft, stiff, and shape according to a magnitude of a pressing force (such as a head, a neck, or hips) in order to reduce a reacting force of the air compartments, making a supported part (such as the head, the neck, or the hips) naturally and comfortably supported to provide an effect of height supporting (more degrees of softness) and shapeability (contour pliancy) of better adaptability to be more effectively suitable to different users.

And, after the pressing force acting on the air compartments disappears, inflation can be automatically carried out for shape restoration to prevent the elastic body from elastic fatigue and deformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an adjustment unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the adjustment unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a valve assembly according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are schematic views, in cross-sectional forms, showing an activation section of the present invention changing from a stationary condition to a moving condition.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the adjustment unit of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of use of the present invention, where a force is applied to cause a positioning member to move to a first position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of use of the present invention, where a force is applied to cause a positioning member to move to a second position.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustment unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the adjustment unit in a condition, where a force is applied to cause the positioning member to move to the first position.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the adjustment unit in a condition, where a force is applied to cause the positioning member to move to the second position.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the present invention is applicable to pillows, cushions and the likes and comprises two air compartments 10, an adjustment unit 20, and a positioning member 30. Details are provided below.

The air compartments 10 are arranged in a tiered form. The air compartments 10 include, in an interior thereof, an elastic body 11, and the air compartments 10 are connected to an air tube 12.

The adjustment unit 20 comprises two valve assemblies 40. The valve assemblies 40 are each connected to the air tube 12 of the air compartments of each tier. The valve assemblies 40 comprise a connection valve 41, a self-charging valve 42, and an operation section 43. The connection valve 41 and the self-charging valve 42 are in communication with each other. The connection valve 41 is connected to the air tube 12. The operation section 43 is operable to control air flowing or not flowing between inside and outside of the connection valve 41.

The positioning member 30 is disposed, in a movable manner, in the adjustment unit 20. The positioning member 30 includes an activation section 31 to activate, when the positioning member 30 is moved to a first position, the connection valve 41 of one of the valve assemblies 40 and to activate, when moved to a second position, the connection valve 41 of the other one of the valve assemblies 40.

By using the positioning member 30 and the multiple valve assemblies to control air flowing or not flowing between the inside and outside of the air compartments 10 of the multiple tiers, in addition to allowing the air compartments 10 to automatically adjust for high, low, soft, stiff, and shape according to a magnitude of a pressing force (such as a head, a neck, or hips) in order to reduce a reacting force of the air compartments 10, making a supported part (such as the head, the neck, or the hips) naturally and comfortably supported to provide an effect of height supporting (more degrees of softness) and shapeability (contour pliancy) of better adaptability to be more effectively suitable to different users; and after the pressing force acting on the air compartments 10 disappears, inflation can be automatically carried out for shape restoration to prevent the elastic body 11 from elastic fatigue and deformation.

In a structure of an embodiment, the adjustment unit 20 is in the form of a case. The adjustment unit 20 has a through hole 21. The positioning member 30 includes an activation section 31 at one side thereof. The activation section 31 is arranged in an interior of the adjustment unit 20 and the activation section 31 is coupled, at one side thereof, to a pushing section 32. The pushing section 32 has a part forming a post that is received, in a movable manner, through the through hole 21, and the pushing section 32 has another part that is positioned on a surface of the adjustment unit 20, so that the pushing section 32 is movable along the through hole 21 and the positioning member 30 is prevented from separating from the adjustment unit 20.

The adjustment unit 20 is provided, on the surface thereof, with multiple markings 23, and the pushing section 32 includes a projection for pointing the markings 23 at different locations during a movement of the positioning member 30 in order to provide an indication of positions of stages for adjustment positioning.

The adjustment unit 20 is provided, on an inside wall thereof, with multiple retention notches 22 arranged in a paired and opposing form. The activation section 31 is provided, on two side edges thereof, with two opposite retention flanges 311. The retention flanges 311 are retainable in the retention notches 22. The adjustment unit 20 is selected from plastic materials so that the retention flanges 311 are readily moved to dislodge from the retention notches 22 for being retained in another ones of retention notches 22, thereby providing a multiple-stage-switchable adjustment positioning effect.

In a structure of an embodiment, the activation section 31 includes a U-shaped portion, and the U-shaped portion has two branches each provided with a first pressing section 312 and a second pressing section 313 projecting from an undersurface thereof for pressing down a side rim of the operation section 43 of the valve assemblies 40.

The first pressing section 312 and the second pressing section 313 have a slope section for spreading resistance caused by pressing of the side rim of the operation section 43 of the valve assemblies 40.

In a structure of an embodiment, the connection valve 41 is formed with a through hole 411, and the connection valve 41 is provided, in an interior thereof, with an operation bar 412. The operation bar 412 is received, in a movable manner, through the through hole 411 to couple to the operation section 43. The operation bar 412 is provided, on a lower end, with a step portion 413. The step portion 413 has a lower side that is in engagement with and elastically biased by a first elastic body 414 so that the step portion 413 is caused to close the through hole 411.

In a structure of an embodiment, the self-charging valve 42 is formed with an opening 421, and the self-charging valve 42 is provided, in an interior thereof, with an airtight sealing member 422. The airtight sealing member 422 is selected from elastic materials. The airtight sealing member 422 has an upper side that is in engagement with and elastically biased by a second elastic body 423 so that the airtight sealing member 422 is caused to close the opening 421.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 11, when the positioning member 30 has not been moved, the valve assemblies 40 are not in communication with the exterior and air inside the air compartments 10 is not in communication with the exterior and is only allowed to flow in the interior.

Under such a condition, a maximum height is made and maximum stiffness is demonstrated.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12, when a force is applied to cause the positioning member 30 to move to a first position, the first pressing sections 312 of the activation section 31 press down the operation section 43 of one of the valve assemblies 40 to open the through hole 411 and thus activating the connection valve 41 of one of the valve assemblies 40 to set the valve assembly 40 in communication with the exterior, and air inside the air compartment 10 of an upper tier is in communication with the exterior.

Under such a condition, a moderate height is made and moderate stiffness is demonstrated.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 13, when a force is applied to cause the positioning member 30 to move to a second position, the second pressing sections 313 of the activation section 31 press down the operation section 43 of the other one of the valve assemblies 40, thus activating the connection valve 41 of the other one of the valve assemblies 40 to set the valve assembly in communication with the exterior, and air inside the air compartment 10 of a lower tier is also in communication with the exterior. Under this condition, air inside the air compartment 10 of the upper tier is also in communication with the exterior.

Under such a condition, a minimum height is made and minimum stiffness is demonstrated.

Referring to FIG. 8, when a pressing force acting on the air compartments 10 disappears (such as the head, the neck, or the hips moving away from the air compartments 10), whether or not the connection valves 41 are activated and set in communication with the exterior, the elastic bodies 11 elastically restore to expand up the air compartments 10 (not illustrated), and pressure of the air compartments 10 sucks backward the airtight sealing member 422 of the self-charging valve 42 to thereby open the opening 421, allowing exterior air to flow through the opening 421, the self-charging valve 42, the connection valve 41, and the air tube 12 to reach into the air compartments 10, so that the air compartments 10 are automatically charged with air to restore the original shape and thus helping prevent the elastic bodies 11 from elastic fatigue and deformation.

It is noted here that in the present invention, the number of the air compartment 10 and the valve assembly 40 can be two or more, and the number of the raised pressing section of the activation section 31 can be two or more, and the number of stages to which switching made through movement can be two or more, so that the activation section 31 can achieve an effect of multiple-stage-switchable adjustment positioning, to enhance an effect of adaptability of the air compartments 10 for height supporting (demonstrating more degrees of softness) and shapeability (contour pliancy).

Referring to FIG. 14, the present invention may comprise three air compartments 10, two positioning members 30, and three valve assemblies 40, wherein the additional air compartment 10 is located at the highest tier and the additional positioning member 30 also includes an activation section 31, the activation section 31 including only one pressing section for activating the connection valve 41 of the third valve assembly 40 through movement. As such, adaptability of the air compartments 10 for height supporting (demonstrating more degrees of softness) and shapeability (contour pliancy) can be further enhanced.

Claims

1. A multiple air compartment adjustment device, comprising:

at least two air compartments, which are arranged in a tiered form, the air compartments comprising an elastic body, the air compartments being connected with an air tube;

an adjustment unit, which comprises at least two valve assemblies, the valve assemblies being each connected to the air tubes of the air compartments of each tier, the valve assemblies comprising a connection valve, a self-charging valve, and an operation section, the connection valve being in communication with the self-charging valve, the connection valve being connected with the air tube, the operation section being operable to control air flowing or not flowing between inside and outside of the connection valve; and

at least one positioning member, which is movably arranged on the adjustment unit, wherein one of the positioning member comprises an activation section to activate, when the positioning member is moved to a first position, the connection valve of one of the valve assemblies and to activate, when moved to a second position, the connection valve of the other one of the valve assemblies.

2. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is in the form of a case, the adjustment unit having a through hole, the positioning member comprising an activation section at one side thereof, the activation section being arranged in an interior of the adjustment unit, the activation section being coupled, at one side thereof, to a pushing section, the pushing section having a part forming a post that is received, in a movable manner, through the through hole, the pushing section having another part positioned on a surface of the adjustment unit, so that the pushing section is movable along the through hole of the adjustment unit and the positioning member is prevented from separating from the adjustment unit.

3. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment unit is provided, on the surface thereof, with multiple markings, and the pushing section comprises a projection for pointing the markings at different locations during a movement of the positioning member in order to provide an indication of positions of stages for adjustment positioning.

4. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is provided, on an inside wall thereof, with multiple retention notches arranged in a paired and opposing form, the activation section being provided, on two side edges thereof, with two opposite retention flanges, the retention flanges being retainable in the retention notches, the adjustment unit being selected from plastic materials so that the retention flanges are movable to dislodge from the retention notches for being retained in another ones of the retention notches, thereby providing a multiple-stage-switchable adjustment positioning effect.

5. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein in an embodiment of the activation section, the activation section comprises a U-shaped portion, the U-shaped portion having two branches each provided with a first pressing section and a second pressing section projecting from an undersurface thereof for pressing down a side rim of the operation section of the valve assemblies.

6. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to claim 5, wherein the first pressing section and the second pressing section have a slope section for spreading resistance caused by pressing of the side rim of the operation section of the valve assemblies.

7. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the connection valve is formed with a through hole, the connection valve being provided, in an interior thereof, with an operation bar, the operation bar being received, in a movable manner, through the through hole of the connection valve to couple to the operation section, the operation bar being provided, on a lower end, with a step portion, the step portion having a lower side in engagement with and biased by a first elastic body to have the step portion close the through hole.

8. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the self-charging valve is formed with an opening, the self-charging valve being provided, in an interior thereof, with an airtight sealing member, the airtight sealing member being selected from elastic materials, the airtight sealing member having an upper side in engagement with and biased by a second elastic body to have the airtight sealing member close the opening.

9. The multiple air compartment adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the other one of the positioning member comprises an activation section, which activates the connection valve of the other one of the valve assemblies when the other one of the positioning member is moved.