GB2496705A

GB2496705A - Inflatable pillow with storage compartment

Info

Publication number: GB2496705A
Application number: GB201205203A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Kenneth William Aldridge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-11-21
Filing date: 2012-03-25
Publication date: 2013-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-25
Also published as: GB2496705B; GB201120086D0; GB201205203D0

Abstract

An inflatable pillow comprises a double-skinned inflatable bladder 4 defining an internal storage compartment 3 sealed by a waterproof zipper fastener 2 having two zipper pullers 5 adapted to be secured together by a padlock. The bladder is inflated and deflated by a valve 1. When inflated the device functions as a pillow and when deflated may be used as a carrying pouch. In use, the inflatable pillow conceals the user s valuables such as electronic devices, cash, passports, cheques and credit or debit cards, when festival going, backpacking or otherwise travelling.

Description

Description of JKAOO1 -A device with a storage compartment' James Aidridge -18/3/12 When camping, festival-going) backpacking overseas or otherwise travelling with valuables, secure storage of important documents and electronic devices is extremely important. Documents such as passports, visas, and insurance agreements can become damaged by exposure to the environment. The rise in lightweight consumer electronics now means that valuable electronic notebooks and cameras are commonly taken travelling(USA Today, 2006), where they are vulnerable to damage or theft. Theft is also an issue in regard to cash, passports, travellers' cheques and credit & debit cards. One of the most vulnerable times for theft is when a traveller is asleep. In a communal dormitory or campsite, luggage storage is at best semi-private. Commonly, hostel staff will have access to lockers via spare keys; few backpacking hostels have a safe. Large valuables such as laptops and cameras cannot be stored in the pockets of sleeping attire.

Presented is JKAOO1, a novel invention for mitigation of the above problems. An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 displays an X-axis cross section of the invention, displaying the internal storage compartment, the locations where it is affixed to the external skin, the areas of void' for pressurization and the location of the storage compartment seal.

* Figure 2 displays a 2-axis cross section of the invention, displaying the features in Figure 2 from a different angle.

* Figure 3 shows an external, lifelike view of the invention.

Legend for Diagrams 1. * Inflation valve; 2 * Water resistant zip; 3 * Enclosed ambient pressure pocket; 4 * Pressurised void; S * Ring fasteners.

JKAOO1 consists of a waterproof pouch (3) of sufficient size to house a small laptop, internet phone, keys, folded A4 documents, jewellery or other valuables. A water resistant zip (2) closes the central pouch, ensuring that environmental factors cannot damage valuables.

In a novel innovation, the invention is double-skinned. The void (4) between the two skins can be inflated via a valve (1), turning the pouch into a comfortable pillow with valuables stored inside. Two rings (5) for an optional small padlock on the seal provide extra security from theft. The padlock can be concealed inside the pillow body to provide anonymity. When deployed, a potential thief would first have to identify the location of the valuables (the pillow is deliberately nondescript, and could be placed inside a pillowcase for further security). The thief would then have to physically remove the pillow from under the sleeper to access the valuables, without waking them. When no longer desired, the pillow can be deflated and once again used as secure day storage, and used again the following night. It is not necessary to remove valuables between the deflated and deployed stages. In a half-inflated or fully inflated state, the device can be used to protect fragile electronic devices from blunt kinetic force, such as when a bag is roughly handled by a luggage attendant or dropped from a table. The device is deliberately lightweight to allow for the rigours of long-distance hiking. In an emergency, it could also be deployed as a flotation aid.

Electronic Healing (2012) reports that 80% of British sleepers flip their pillow during sleep to access the cool side for reasons of comfort. When in use as a pillow, the device can be inverted along the yz -plane and will continue to function. Rough edges on valuables will be cushioned on either side of the pillow by the pressurised compartment Pillows with storage compartments have been described previously. Below is a list of comparable inventions together with a description of why this invention can be described as novel.

4688286 (25/08/1987, USA) Pillow Having Storage Compartments 4688286 comprises of a pillowcase which has storage pockets attached to one face, which are concealed when the pillow is placed in the ground. JKAOO1 differs from 4688286 in six ways. 4688286 cannot be inverted (or flipped') for comfort during sleep, whereas JKAOO1 can. 4688286 requires a distinct pillow section which makes it more cumbersome for travelling, whereas JKAOO1 is a single unit. The storage pockets on 4688286 provide minimal protection from environmental damage such as humidity as they are not water resistant, whereas JKAOO1 features a water resistant seal. 4688286 cannot be deployed as a flotation aid, while JKAOO1 can. 4688286 is less discrete as its function as a storage unit will become apparent whenever it is lifted from the ground, whereas JKAOO1 can be flipped over, observed from all angles, inflated and deflated without changing its appearance as a normal inflatable pillow. 4688286 provides less protection from blunt accidental travel damage as any valuables are only cushioned from one side, whereas JKAOO1 has 360° protection.

4928336 (26/08/1988 USA) Combined Inflatable Headrest and Storage Device 4928336 comprises of an inflatable pillow joined to vinyl storage compartment which acts as a base.

JKAOO1 differs from 4928336 in three ways. 4928336 cannot be inverted (or flipped') for comfort during sleep while edged valuables are in the storage compartment, as it is not cushioned from this angle, whereas JKAOO1 can. 4928336 is much less discrete than JKAOO1, as the storage compartment is visible from all angles whereas the compartment in JKAOO1 is fully internal in the inflatable section. When inflated, 4298336 provides less protection from blunt accidental travel damage as any valuables are only cushioned from one side, whereas JKAOO1 has 360 protection.

5819346 (15/12/1997 USA) Recreation Utility Pillow 5819346 comprises of a foam pillow, the interior of which contains an audio transmitter, and the covering of which contains a compartment on the edge which can be used to store small valuables.

5819346 differs from JKAOO1 in five ways. 5819346 is less discrete than.JKA0001, as the storage compartment is not concealed inside the body of the foam pillow, and the edges of bulky valuables will show through the cover; this is not an issue in JKAOO1 as the compressed air sections will cushion these edges. 5819346 cannot be deflated for ease of transport, whereas JKAOO1 can. 5819346 is not inherently water resistant, and must use a separate waterproof cover for use in hazardous environments, whereas JKAOO1 is water resistant. 5819346 cannot be deployed as a flotation aid, while JKAOO1 can. 5819346 provides less protection from blunt accidental travel damage as any valuables are only cushioned from one side, whereas JKAOO1 has 36U protection.

6568012 (27/5/2003 USA) Inflatable Mattress with Storage Compartment 6568012 comprises an inflatable mattress with a concave depression at one end, and an inflatable pillow designed to fasten over this depression forming a discreet pocket. 6568012 differs from JKAOO1 in six ways. 6568012 cannot be used as a damage cover for valuables when deflated or half deflated, as the exterior storage compartment ceases to exist. In an inflated state, the storage section seal of 6568012 is not water resistant, whereas JKAO01 is. 6568012 is less discreet than JKAOO1 as valuables must be transferred in and out of the compartment when inflating or deflating, whereas in JKAOO1 they can remain inside, out of sight for the duration. In 6568012, inflating the mattress in sight of others also advertises the fact that the headrest contains a storage compartment, whereas in JKAOO1 it remains discrete. In addition, the anchored pillow on 6568012 looks suspicious, as a separate pillow/mattress would not always be in such an exact position, while a single inflatable unit would not have a distinct separation between mattress and pillow segments; this is not a problem with JK001 and it can be used with a standard mattress. As it is anchored, the pillow section on 6568012 cannot be flipped during sleep for comfort, this is not an issue with JKAOO1.

References USA Today (2006). Flashpacking?' Don't forget you still need room for extra socks." from http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/200E06-19-flashpacldngxhtm.

Electronic Healing (2012)-http://www.electronichealing.co.uk/articles/chillow_too_hot.htm