EP0722284B1 - Inflatable article, in particular an air mattress, with a part which acts as a pump and a part which is pumped up by the pump - Google Patents

Inflatable article, in particular an air mattress, with a part which acts as a pump and a part which is pumped up by the pump Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0722284B1
EP0722284B1 EP94926933A EP94926933A EP0722284B1 EP 0722284 B1 EP0722284 B1 EP 0722284B1 EP 94926933 A EP94926933 A EP 94926933A EP 94926933 A EP94926933 A EP 94926933A EP 0722284 B1 EP0722284 B1 EP 0722284B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pump
section
walls
film
inflated
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EP94926933A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0722284A1 (en
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Josef Graf
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
    • A47C27/084—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type self inflating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B45/00—Pumps or pumping installations having flexible working members and specially adapted for elastic fluids
    • F04B45/02—Pumps or pumping installations having flexible working members and specially adapted for elastic fluids having bellows

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an object to be inflated with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.
  • the pump part is designed as part of the head part of an air mattress.
  • the dividing wall required to separate the pumping part and the part to be inflated bulges alternately to one side or the other during the pumping process, because there is an alternating overpressure on one or the other side of the dividing wall.
  • the partition is arched inwards at the beginning of the compression of the pump part, as a result of which part of the pumping space is lost, because the partition must first be bulged outwards before the air flows through the one-way outlet valve into the part to be inflated.
  • an inflatable hollow body in which a bellows built into the interior of the hollow body is used.
  • This bellows is stiffened by cell walls that connect the bellows to the hollow body envelope.
  • the bellows are rebuilt after being compressed by the inherent elasticity of the bellows, ie the bellows must be designed to be relatively stable.
  • the invention is based on the object of further developing the object to be inflated in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that as little pumping space as possible is lost.
  • the pump part is separated from the part to be inflated by foil walls, which are held in their basic position by elements that are subjected to tension, namely on the outside by tension tabs and on the inside by web tabs and retaining webs. A mutual bulging of the film walls is essentially excluded, so that the pumping space is not lost.
  • the design of the pump part as a kind of independent unit also ensures that the pump part can be used independently of the structure of the object to be inflated.
  • the space used for receiving the fuel can be kept very small, so that fuel is saved.
  • perforated partitions transversely to the web brackets and to the holding web, which in turn produce a tensile connection between opposing foil walls and thus ensure that the foil walls cannot bulge outwards.
  • the holes in the perforated partitions have the same dimensions as the inlet opening, so that the fragmented propellant through the Inlet opening and can be subsequently introduced through the holes into the chambers receiving the fuel.
  • the dimensioning in claim 4 ensures that when the object is inflated, the pumping part cannot appear externally in the form of notches, because the walls that connect the opposite outer skins are never taut when the object is inflated.
  • the object to be inflated which can be thought of as an air mattress, consists of a pump part 2 and a part 1 to be inflated.
  • the outer skins 1a are connected to one another by webs 1b.
  • the pump part 2 is installed in a field delimited by the webs 1b.
  • This pump part 2 has the basic shape of a rectangle in plan view (FIG. 2) and is separated from the part to be inflated by air-tight film walls 3.
  • a one-way outlet valve in the form of a film valve 9.
  • the air can pass from the pump part 2 into the part 1 to be inflated through this film valve 9.
  • perforated partitions 6 running parallel to one another are arranged, which are connected at the top and bottom to the outer skins 1a and laterally to mutually opposite film walls 3, this connection not having to be airtight.
  • the perforated partitions 6 delimit an air chamber between the spaces for receiving the propellant 11, which is connected to the outside air via the inlet opening 8 and to the part 1 to be inflated via the film valve 9.
  • the propellant 11 consists of fragmented plastic foam, the pieces being introduced into the receiving chambers after the manufacture of the mattress through the inlet opening 8 and the holes 7. Any material that can be mechanically compressed, but increases its volume when air enters, can be used as the propellant.
  • pull tabs 4 On the outside of the film walls 3 obliquely extending pull tabs 4 are attached, which are fixed at the other end to the inside of the outer skins 1a. Bulging of the film walls 3 to the inside is largely prevented by these pull tabs 4.
  • Retaining webs 10 run between the perforated partition walls 6 and are arranged one above the other and in a different plane than the web brackets 5. Through the retaining webs 10 and through the web tabs 5 occurring tensile forces are transmitted between the film walls.
  • the film walls 3 are thus fixed in both directions by tension members in their basic position.
  • the pull tabs 4 have the additional function that when the part 1 to be inflated is filled, the film walls 3 are pulled along and erected. This is particularly important if the receiving chambers are not completely filled with the propellant 11.
  • the holes 7 in the perforated partitions 6 are of approximately the same dimension as the inlet opening 8. This has the advantage that small-sized propellant 11 can be brought through the inlet opening 8 and through the holes 7 into the receiving chambers with slight compression. The propellant 11 expands again in the receiving chambers and cannot escape through the holes 7. The holes 7 must therefore also be large enough to always ensure adequate air passage in both directions through the perforated partitions 6.
  • the film walls 3 and the perforated partition walls 6 are dimensioned in the direction of their extent between the outer skins 1a so that their height is greater than the greatest distance between the outer skins 1a in the area of the walls mentioned when the mattress is inflated. This prevents the pump part from being visible on the outside in the form of notches.
  • the propellant 11 can be introduced into the spaces provided for its reception through a filling tube in which the pieces of propellant 11 are pressed together.
  • the propellant material 11 can have the form of bar-like pieces, these bars running perpendicular to one another from layer to layer and forming a stack with large free spaces.
  • the perforated partitions can be dispensed with.
  • opposing film walls 3 are also provided with web tabs that connect one another in a tensile manner.
  • the foil walls 3 can also function as webs running between the outer skins 1a, e.g. of a circular walkway. In this case, the film walls 3 are stretched tight when the mattress is inflated.
  • the air mattress is first rolled out. If you now open the inlet opening 8, then air can enter the interior of the pump part 2 through this opening. When air enters, the propellant 11 accommodated in the pump part 2 increases in volume until the pump part is filled with air to some extent. Now, for example, the pump part 2 is pressed together by the foot of the user, the foot closing the inlet opening 8. Air is now pressed through the film valve 9 into the part 1 to be inflated. This pumping process is repeated until the part 1 to be inflated is inflated somewhat more than is desired in the end result.
  • the outlet opening is opened to empty the air mattress.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
  • Massaging Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable article, more especially an air mattress, having a section (8 - 11) acting as a pump and a section (1) to be inflated by the pump. The pump section has a closable inlet aperture (8) and communicates with the inflatable section via a film valve (9). Film walls (3) are disposed between the pump section and the inflatable section and are inserted between oppositely situated outer coverings (1a). Tensioning lugs (4), which extend inclinedly relative to the inside of the outer coverings and are secured there, are disposed on the outside of the film walls. The insides of the oppositely situated film walls are interconnected by means of web lugs (5) and retaining webs (10). <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen aufzupumpenden Gegenstand mit den im Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 angegebenen Merkmalen.The invention relates to an object to be inflated with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.

Ein derartiger Gegenstand ist dem DE-GU-93 08 870 als bekannt zu entnehmen. Dort ist zum Beispiel der Pumpteil als Teil des Kopfteils einer Luftmatratze ausgebildet. Die zur Abtrennung von Pumpteil und aufzupumpendem Teil erforderliche Trennwand beult sich beim Pumpvorgang abwechselnd nach der einen oder anderen Seite aus, denn es entsteht abwechselnd ein Überdruck auf der einen oder auf der anderen Seite der Trennwand. So ist die Trennwand zu Beginn des Zusammendrückens des Pumpteils nach innen gewölbt, wodurch ein Teil des Pumpraums verloren geht, denn es muß die Trennwand erst nach außen ausgebeult werden, bevor die Luft durch das Einweg-Auslaßventil in den aufzupumpenden Teil strömt.Such an object is known from DE-GU-93 08 870. There, for example, the pump part is designed as part of the head part of an air mattress. The dividing wall required to separate the pumping part and the part to be inflated bulges alternately to one side or the other during the pumping process, because there is an alternating overpressure on one or the other side of the dividing wall. Thus, the partition is arched inwards at the beginning of the compression of the pump part, as a result of which part of the pumping space is lost, because the partition must first be bulged outwards before the air flows through the one-way outlet valve into the part to be inflated.

Aus der DE-A-22 50 154 ist ein aufblasbarer Hohlkörper bekannt, bei dem ein in den Innenraum des Hohlkörpers eingebauter Blasebalg verwendet wird. Dieser Blasebalg ist durch Zellenwände versteift, die den Blasebalg mit der Hohlkörperhülle verbinden. Die Wiederaufrichtung des Balgs nach dem Zusammendrücken erfolgt durch die Eigenelastizität des Balgs, d.h. der Balg muß verhältnismäßig stabil ausgebildet sein.From DE-A-22 50 154 an inflatable hollow body is known, in which a bellows built into the interior of the hollow body is used. This bellows is stiffened by cell walls that connect the bellows to the hollow body envelope. The bellows are rebuilt after being compressed by the inherent elasticity of the bellows, ie the bellows must be designed to be relatively stable.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zu Grunde, den aufzupumpenden Gegenstand gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 dahingehend weiter auszubilden, daß möglichst wenig Pumpraum verloren geht.The invention is based on the object of further developing the object to be inflated in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that as little pumping space as possible is lost.

Die Lösung dieser Aufgabe wird mit den im Anspruch 1 angegebenen Merkmalen erreicht.This object is achieved with the features specified in claim 1.

Erfindungsgemäß ist der Pumpteil vom aufzupumpenden Teil durch Folienwände abgetrennt, die in ihrer Grundposition durch auf Zug beanspruchte Elemente gehalten sind, nämlich außen durch Zuglaschen und innen durch Steglaschen und Haltestege. Ein wechselseitiges Ausbeulen der Folienwände ist damit im wesentlichen ausgeschlossen, so daß Pumpraum nicht verloren geht. Durch die Ausbildung des Pumpteils als gewissermaßen eigenständiges Aggregat wird darüber hinaus erreicht, daß der Pumpteil unabhängig von der Struktur des aufzupumpenden Gegenstandes eingesetzt werden kann. Außerdem kann der für die Aufnahme des Treibmaterials benutzte Raum sehr klein gehalten werden, so daß an Treibmaterial gespart wird.According to the invention, the pump part is separated from the part to be inflated by foil walls, which are held in their basic position by elements that are subjected to tension, namely on the outside by tension tabs and on the inside by web tabs and retaining webs. A mutual bulging of the film walls is essentially excluded, so that the pumping space is not lost. The design of the pump part as a kind of independent unit also ensures that the pump part can be used independently of the structure of the object to be inflated. In addition, the space used for receiving the fuel can be kept very small, so that fuel is saved.

Weitere Ausführungsformen des Gegenstandes des Anspruchs 1 sind in den Unteransprüchen beschrieben.Further embodiments of the subject matter of claim 1 are described in the subclaims.

So ist es vorteilhaft, quer zu den Steglaschen und zum Haltesteg gelochte Trennwände einzusetzen, welche ihrerseits eine zugfeste Verbindung zwischen einander gegenüberliegenden Folienwänden herstellen und damit dafür sorgen, daß die Folienwände nicht nach außen ausbeulen können.So it is advantageous to use perforated partitions transversely to the web brackets and to the holding web, which in turn produce a tensile connection between opposing foil walls and thus ensure that the foil walls cannot bulge outwards.

Die Löcher in den gelochten Trennwänden haben dieselbe Abmessung wie die Einlaßöffnung, damit das gestückelte Treibmaterial durch die Einlaßöffnung und durch die Löcher nachträglich in die das Treibmaterial aufnehmenden Kammern eingebracht werden kann.The holes in the perforated partitions have the same dimensions as the inlet opening, so that the fragmented propellant through the Inlet opening and can be subsequently introduced through the holes into the chambers receiving the fuel.

Durch die Bemessungsangabe im Anspruch 4 wird erreicht, daß sich beim aufgepumpten Gegenstand der Pumpteil äußerlich nicht in Form von Einkerbungen abzeichnen kann, denn die gegenüberliegenden Außenhäute miteinander verbindenden Wände sind beim aufgepumpten Gegenstand nie straff gespannt.The dimensioning in claim 4 ensures that when the object is inflated, the pumping part cannot appear externally in the form of notches, because the walls that connect the opposite outer skins are never taut when the object is inflated.

Im folgenden wird die Erfindung an Hand eines in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiels näher erläutert. Es zeigt:

Fig. 1
einen Querschnitt durch den aufzupumpenden Gegenstand, insbesondere durch den Pumpteil, gemäß Schnittlinie B-B in Fig. 2;
Fig. 2
einen Schnitt durch den Pumpteil gemäß Schnittlinie A-A in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3
eine Teilansicht einer gelochten Trennwand.
Fig. 4
eine der Fig. 2 entsprechende Darstellung des in den aufzupumpenden Gegenstand eingebauten Pumpteils.
The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. It shows:
Fig. 1
a cross section through the object to be inflated, in particular through the pump part, according to section line BB in Fig. 2;
Fig. 2
a section through the pump part along section line AA in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3
a partial view of a perforated partition.
Fig. 4
a representation corresponding to FIG. 2 of the pump part installed in the object to be inflated.

Der aufzupumpende Gegenstand, den man sich als Luftmatratze vorstellen kann, besteht aus einem Pumpteil 2 und einem aufzupumpendem Teil 1. Die Außenhäute 1a sind durch Stege 1b miteinander zugfest verbunden.The object to be inflated, which can be thought of as an air mattress, consists of a pump part 2 and a part 1 to be inflated. The outer skins 1a are connected to one another by webs 1b.

In einem durch die Stege 1b begrenzten Feld ist der Pumpteil 2 eingebaut. Dieser Pumpteil 2 hat in der Draufsicht (Fig. 2) die Grundform eines Rechtecks und ist durch luftdichte Folienwände 3 vom aufzupumpenden Teil getrennt.The pump part 2 is installed in a field delimited by the webs 1b. This pump part 2 has the basic shape of a rectangle in plan view (FIG. 2) and is separated from the part to be inflated by air-tight film walls 3.

In einer der Folienwände 3 befindet sich ein Einweg-Auslaßventil in Form eines Folienventils 9. Durch dieses Folienventil 9 kann die Luft vom Pumpteil 2 in den aufzupumpenden Teil 1 übertreten.In one of the film walls 3 there is a one-way outlet valve in the form of a film valve 9. The air can pass from the pump part 2 into the part 1 to be inflated through this film valve 9.

In einer mit der Richtung des Folienventils 9 übereinstimmenden Richtung sind zwei parallel zueinander verlaufende gelochte Trennwände 6 angeordnet, die oben und unten mit den Außenhäuten 1a und seitlich mit einander gegenüberliegenden Folienwänden 3 verbunden sind, wobei diese Verbindung nicht luftdicht sein muß. Die gelochten Trennwände 6 begrenzen zwischen den Räumen für die Aufnahme des Treibmaterials 11 eine Luftkammer, die über die Einlaßöffnung 8 mit der Außenluft und über das Folienventil 9 mit dem aufzupumpenden Teil 1 in Verbindung steht. Das Treibmaterial 11 besteht aus gestückeltem Kunststoffschaum, wobei die Stücke nach dem Herstellen der Matratze durch die Einlaßöffnung 8 und die Löcher 7 in ihre Aufnahmekammern eingebracht werden. Als Treibmaterial kann jedes Material verwendet werden, das mechanisch zusammendrückbar ist, bei Luftzutritt aber sein Volumen vergrößert.In a direction corresponding to the direction of the film valve 9, two perforated partitions 6 running parallel to one another are arranged, which are connected at the top and bottom to the outer skins 1a and laterally to mutually opposite film walls 3, this connection not having to be airtight. The perforated partitions 6 delimit an air chamber between the spaces for receiving the propellant 11, which is connected to the outside air via the inlet opening 8 and to the part 1 to be inflated via the film valve 9. The propellant 11 consists of fragmented plastic foam, the pieces being introduced into the receiving chambers after the manufacture of the mattress through the inlet opening 8 and the holes 7. Any material that can be mechanically compressed, but increases its volume when air enters, can be used as the propellant.

An der Außenseite der Folienwände 3 sind schräg verlaufende Zuglaschen 4 befestigt, welche mit ihrem anderen Ende an der Innenseite der Außenhäute 1a festgelegt sind. Durch diese Zuglaschen 4 wird ein Ausbeulen der Folienwände 3 nach innen weitgehend verhindert.On the outside of the film walls 3 obliquely extending pull tabs 4 are attached, which are fixed at the other end to the inside of the outer skins 1a. Bulging of the film walls 3 to the inside is largely prevented by these pull tabs 4.

Zwischen einer Folienwand 3 und einer gelochten Trennwand 6 befinden sich innerhalb der für die Aufnahme des Treibmaterials 11 bestimmten Räume Steglaschen 5, die eine zugfeste Verbindung zwischen Folienwand 3 und gelochter Trennwand 6 herstellen. Die Steglaschen 5 nehmen nur einen Teil des Querschnitts dieser Räume ein, damit sich das Treibmaterial 11 gut verteilen kann.Between a film wall 3 and a perforated partition 6 there are web tabs 5 within the spaces intended for receiving the propellant 11, which create a tensile connection between the film wall 3 and the perforated partition 6. The bridge tabs 5 only occupy part of the cross section of these spaces so that the propellant 11 can be distributed well.

Zwischen den gelochten Trennwänden 6 verlaufen Haltestege 10, die übereinander und in einer anderen Ebene als die Steglaschen 5 angeordnet sind. Durch die Haltestege 10 und durch die Steglaschen 5 werden zwischen den Folienwänden 3 auftretende Zugkräfte übertragen.Retaining webs 10 run between the perforated partition walls 6 and are arranged one above the other and in a different plane than the web brackets 5. Through the retaining webs 10 and through the web tabs 5 occurring tensile forces are transmitted between the film walls.

Die Folienwände 3 sind somit in beiden Richtungen durch Zugglieder in ihrer Grundposition festgelegt. Die Zuglaschen 4 haben dabei noch die zusätzliche Funktion, daß beim Füllen des aufzupumpenden Teils 1 die Folienwände 3 mitgezogen und aufgerichtet werden. Dies ist insbesondere dann von Bedeutung, wenn die Aufnahmekammern nicht ganz mit dem Treibmaterial 11 gefüllt sind.The film walls 3 are thus fixed in both directions by tension members in their basic position. The pull tabs 4 have the additional function that when the part 1 to be inflated is filled, the film walls 3 are pulled along and erected. This is particularly important if the receiving chambers are not completely filled with the propellant 11.

Die Löcher 7 in den gelochten Trennwänden 6 sind von etwa gleicher Dimension wie die Einlaßöffnung 8. Das hat den Vorteil, daß kleinstückiges Treibmaterial 11 unter leichtem Zusammendrücken durch die Einlaßöffnung 8 und durch die Löcher 7 in die Aufnahmekammern gebracht werden kann. In den Aufnahmekammern dehnt sich das Treibmaterial 11 wieder aus und kann durch die Löcher 7 nicht austreten. Die Löcher 7 müssen auch deswegen genügend groß sein, um immer einen ausreichenden Luftdurchtritt in beiden Richtungen durch die gelochten Trennwände 6 zu gewährleisten.The holes 7 in the perforated partitions 6 are of approximately the same dimension as the inlet opening 8. This has the advantage that small-sized propellant 11 can be brought through the inlet opening 8 and through the holes 7 into the receiving chambers with slight compression. The propellant 11 expands again in the receiving chambers and cannot escape through the holes 7. The holes 7 must therefore also be large enough to always ensure adequate air passage in both directions through the perforated partitions 6.

Die Folienwände 3 und die gelochten Trennwände 6 sind in Richtung ihrer Erstreckung zwischen den Außenhäuten 1a so bemessen, daß ihre Höhe größer ist als der größte Abstand der Außenhäute 1a im Bereich der genannten Wände bei aufgepumpter Matratze. Dadurch wird verhindert, daß sich der Pumpteil außen in Form von Einkerbungen abzeichnet.The film walls 3 and the perforated partition walls 6 are dimensioned in the direction of their extent between the outer skins 1a so that their height is greater than the greatest distance between the outer skins 1a in the area of the walls mentioned when the mattress is inflated. This prevents the pump part from being visible on the outside in the form of notches.

Im Bereich des Folienventils 9 befindet sich in der Folienwand 3 eine kleine Öffnung 12, die eine geringe Rückströmung der Luft vom aufzupumpenden Teil 1 in den Pumpteil 2 ermöglicht.In the area of the film valve 9 there is a small opening 12 in the film wall 3, which allows a small backflow of air from the part 1 to be inflated into the pump part 2.

Das Einbringen des Treibmaterials 11 in die für dessen Aufnahme vorgesehenen Räume kann durch ein Befüllungsrohr erfolgen, in welchem die Stücke des Treibmaterials 11 zusammengedrückt durchgepreßt werden.The propellant 11 can be introduced into the spaces provided for its reception through a filling tube in which the pieces of propellant 11 are pressed together.

Das Treibmaterial 11 kann die Form von balkenartigen Stücken haben, wobei diese Balken von Schicht zu Schicht senkrecht zueinander verlaufen und einen Stapel mit großen Freiräumen bilden. In diesem Fall kann auf die gelochten Trennwände verzichtet werden. An ihre Stelle treten auch hier gegenüberliegende Folienwände 3 zugfest miteinander verbindende Steglaschen.The propellant material 11 can have the form of bar-like pieces, these bars running perpendicular to one another from layer to layer and forming a stack with large free spaces. In this case, the perforated partitions can be dispensed with. Instead of this, opposing film walls 3 are also provided with web tabs that connect one another in a tensile manner.

Die Folienwände 3 können bei entsprechender Struktur der Matratze zugleich die Funktion von zwischen den Außenhäuten 1a verlaufenden Stegen, z.B. eines Rundstegs, haben. In diesem Fall sind die Folienwände 3 bei aufgepumpter Matratze straff gespannt.With a corresponding structure of the mattress, the foil walls 3 can also function as webs running between the outer skins 1a, e.g. of a circular walkway. In this case, the film walls 3 are stretched tight when the mattress is inflated.

Das Aufpumpen und Entleeren des aufzupumpenden Gegenstands wird am Beispiel einer Luftmatratze im folgenden näher erläutert:The pumping and emptying of the object to be inflated is explained in more detail using the example of an air mattress:

Es sei davon ausgegangen, daß die Luftmatratze für das Zusammenlegen, zum Beispiel für Transportzwecke, zusammengedrückt ist und die Einlaßöffnung 8 sowie die nicht dargestellte Auslaßöffnung verschlossen sind.It is assumed that the air mattress is compressed for folding, for example for transport purposes, and the inlet opening 8 and the outlet opening, not shown, are closed.

Die Luftmatratze wird zunächst ausgerollt. Öffnet man jetzt die Einlaßöffnung 8, dann kann durch diese Öffnung Luft in den Innenraum des Pumpteils 2 eintreten. Bei Zutritt von Luft nimmt das im Pumpteil 2 untergebrachte Treibmaterial 11 an Volumen zu, bis der Pumpteil eini germaßen mit Luft gefüllt ist. Jetzt wird zum Beispiel durch den Fuß des Benutzers der Pumpteil 2 zusammengedrückt, wobei der Fuß die Einlaßöffnung 8 verschließt. Es wird jetzt Luft durch das Folienventil 9 in den aufzupumpenden Teil 1 gedrückt. Dieser Pumpvorgang wiederholt sich so lange, bis der aufzupumpende Teil 1 etwas mehr, als im Endergebnis erwünscht ist, aufgeblasen ist. Wird dann mit dem Pumpen aufgehört und die Einlaßöffnung 8 verschlossen, dann fließt ein Teil der Luft über die kleine Öffnung 12 in den Pumpteil 2 zurück, bis in dem vom Pumpteil 2 und dem aufzupumpenden Teil 1 gebildeten geschlossenen System der gleiche Druck herrscht. Die Matratze ist damit gebrauchsfertig.The air mattress is first rolled out. If you now open the inlet opening 8, then air can enter the interior of the pump part 2 through this opening. When air enters, the propellant 11 accommodated in the pump part 2 increases in volume until the pump part is filled with air to some extent. Now, for example, the pump part 2 is pressed together by the foot of the user, the foot closing the inlet opening 8. Air is now pressed through the film valve 9 into the part 1 to be inflated. This pumping process is repeated until the part 1 to be inflated is inflated somewhat more than is desired in the end result. If the pumping then stops and the inlet opening 8 is closed, then part of the air flows back through the small opening 12 into the pump part 2 until the same pressure prevails in the closed system formed by the pump part 2 and the part 1 to be inflated. The mattress is now ready for use.

Zum Entleeren der Luftmatratze wird die Auslaßöffnung geöffnet. Durch Zusammenrollen der Luftmatratze vom Pumpteil 2 aus wird dann die Luft sowohl aus dem Pumpteil 2 als auch aus dem aufzupumpenden Teil 1 entfernt, indem sie über die Auslaßöffnung austritt. In diesem Zustand ist die Luftmatratze zusammengelegt und kann ohne weiteres transportiert werden. Der beschriebene Zyklus kann von Neuem beginnen.The outlet opening is opened to empty the air mattress. By rolling up the air mattress from the pump part 2, the air is then removed both from the pump part 2 and from the part 1 to be inflated by exiting through the outlet opening. In this state, the air mattress is folded up and can be easily transported. The cycle described can start again.

Claims (4)

  1. Inflatable article, more especially an air mattress, having a section acting as a pump and a section to be inflated by the pump, having the following features:
    the pump section comprises a closable inlet aperture (8) and communicates with the inflatable section (1) via a film valve (9);
    a propellant material (11), formed from open-celled expanded plastics material, even in the form of waste, is accommodated in the pump section (2);
    a small back-flow of the air is permitted from the inflatable section (1) into the pump section (2) through a small aperture (12);
    a closable outlet aperture is disposed in the inflatable section (1); and
    film walls (3), which are inserted between oppositely situated outer skins (1a), are disposed between pump section (2) and inflatable section (1);
    characterized by the following features:
    tension logs (4), which extend inclinedly relative to the inner surface of the outer skins (1a) and are secured there, are disposed on the outer surface of the film walls (3); and
    the inner surfaces of oppositely situated film walls (3) are inter-connected by web lugs (5) and retaining webs (10).
  2. Article according to claim 1, characterized in that perforated dividing walls (6), which interconnect oppositely situated film walls (3) and enclose therebetween an area which communicates with the inlet aperture (8) and the film valve (9), are inserted transversely relative to the web lugs (5) and retaining webs (10) between the outer skins.
  3. Article according to claim 2, characterized in that the perforations (7) in the perforated dividing walls (6) have the same dimension as the inlet aperture (8).
  4. Article according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the film walls (3) and the perforated dividing walls (6) are so dimensioned that their height is greater than the greatest spacing between the outer skins (1a) when the article is inflated.
EP94926933A 1993-10-05 1994-09-12 Inflatable article, in particular an air mattress, with a part which acts as a pump and a part which is pumped up by the pump Expired - Lifetime EP0722284B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9315105U 1993-10-05
DE9315105U DE9315105U1 (en) 1993-10-05 1993-10-05 Object to be inflated, in particular an air mattress with a part acting as a pump and a part to be inflated by the pump
PCT/EP1994/003040 WO1995009552A1 (en) 1993-10-05 1994-09-12 Inflatable article, in particular an air mattress, with a part which acts as a pump and a part which is pumped up by the pump

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0722284A1 EP0722284A1 (en) 1996-07-24
EP0722284B1 true EP0722284B1 (en) 1997-07-16

Family

ID=6898987

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94926933A Expired - Lifetime EP0722284B1 (en) 1993-10-05 1994-09-12 Inflatable article, in particular an air mattress, with a part which acts as a pump and a part which is pumped up by the pump

Country Status (15)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0722284B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH09507394A (en)
KR (1) KR960704482A (en)
CN (1) CN1132468A (en)
AT (1) ATE155327T1 (en)
AU (1) AU7657494A (en)
CA (1) CA2173478A1 (en)
DE (2) DE9315105U1 (en)
ES (1) ES2105747T3 (en)
FI (1) FI961531A0 (en)
GB (1) GB2282528B (en)
GR (1) GR3024536T3 (en)
NO (1) NO961331L (en)
PL (1) PL313866A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1995009552A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4413445C2 (en) * 1994-04-18 1996-02-01 Josef Graf Method for producing an air mattress with a part acting as a pump and a part to be inflated by the pump
NL1007398C2 (en) * 1997-08-07 1999-02-09 Patrick Kloppenborg Conforming body support with air chamber and pump chamber.
JP6242841B2 (en) * 2015-09-17 2017-12-06 株式会社イガラシ Air injector

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3133696A (en) * 1962-02-19 1964-05-19 Holiday Line Inc Pump
AU615424B2 (en) * 1987-06-16 1991-10-03 Jackel International Pty. Ltd. A pump assembly
DE9210427U1 (en) * 1992-08-04 1992-09-24 Graf, Josef, 8201 Frasdorf Air mattress with a part that acts as a pump

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2173478A1 (en) 1995-04-13
GB2282528B (en) 1997-10-15
EP0722284A1 (en) 1996-07-24
GB9419351D0 (en) 1994-11-09
JPH09507394A (en) 1997-07-29
KR960704482A (en) 1996-10-09
WO1995009552A1 (en) 1995-04-13
PL313866A1 (en) 1996-07-22
CN1132468A (en) 1996-10-02
ATE155327T1 (en) 1997-08-15
NO961331L (en) 1996-06-05
DE59403408D1 (en) 1997-08-21
ES2105747T3 (en) 1997-10-16
GR3024536T3 (en) 1997-12-31
FI961531A (en) 1996-04-04
NO961331D0 (en) 1996-04-01
GB2282528A (en) 1995-04-12
AU7657494A (en) 1995-05-01
DE9315105U1 (en) 1994-02-17
FI961531A0 (en) 1996-04-04

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