US2639750A

US2639750A - Inflating means

Info

Publication number: US2639750A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter J Phane
Original assignee: Wingfoot Corp
Current assignee: Wingfoot Corp
Priority date: 1951-03-07
Filing date: 1951-03-07
Publication date: 1953-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-26

Description

y 1953 w. J. PHANE I 2,639,750

INFLATING MEVANS Filed March 7, 1951 INVENTOR. 23 WALTER J. PHANE FIG. 2

ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1953 INFLATING MEANS Walter J. Rhane, Akron, Ohio, assignor to Wings foot Corporation, Akron, Qhio, a corporationof;

Delaware Application March 7, 1951, SerialNo. 214 355 6. Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved,

form of inflating means for an inflatable fabric member. More particularly; the-present invention pertains to an inflating element orvalve for use on any of several different forms. of inflatable fabric productsincluding a wide variety: ofstructural shapes such, for example, as boats, pontoons, buildings, forms, and other similar articles.

Theinflating means of the presentinvention is especially well adapted to use in connection with such inflatable articles as are capable of fabrication from a doubles-ply. fabric.

This double-ply fabri'cembodies: a top ply: and bottom ply disposed in substantially superposed relation to. each other with a multiplicity of sub-- coating, they are inflated through any suitableform. of inflatingtube or valve structurethrough.

which fluid under pressure may be introduced to the chamber defined by and enclosed. within.

the cooperating" top and: bottom plies of the double-ply fabric.

The double-ply fabric, however, unlike the single-ply material previously: used, must. have.

the Various: fittings which are employed there-- with firmly anchored intoboth plies to prevent destruction of the fabric whenitiszfinally'sealed and inflated. This isattributable. to the fact that when an opening for insertion: of a valve, for example, is cut in one ply of the double-ply fabric, the tie threads. in the area immediately adjacent the out are left unanchored in the remaining ply. This places an excessive: strain on the other tie threads in the fabric element. adjacent the portion removed when the element.

is sealed and inflated.

The inflating means of. the present. invention was developed for the expressv purpose of providing'a positive reinforcement; in the area wherethe fluid is admitted to the fabric. elementand to prevent failure of the double-ply fabric. It is highlyadvantageous in that it enabl'esthe distribution of: the stresses: created in the double ply fabric by theinflation of the structure tobe distributed and thus to prevent. failures. caused by the breaking: or disengagement of the unanchored: tiethreadsin the: fabric..

It is the primary object. of the present invention to provide an inflating means which is par.- ti'cularly adapted to use in conection with structures fabricated: from double-ply fabric.

It is another object ofthe present invention; to provide an improved form of inflating means which is capable of use with products manufactured from double-ply fabric for preventing failure of the fabric in the area where the inflating means is installed.

Other features and advantages of the present invention. will become apparent as the description of oneform of inflating means: embodying" the inventive concept proceeds.

In the drawing, Fig. i represents a partial plan view of a double-ply fabric element with an inflating means embodying the teachings of the present invention. Fig; 2 is a vertical crosssectiontakenv substantially along the line 2-2- iniFigr l' with parts-in elevation and broken away. Fig. 3: is an enlarged detail inhorizontal sectionof a portion of the, conduit for the inflating means.v

The; reference numeral l in Figs. 1 and 2 identifies the; inflating means of the present inventionigenerally. Gneof the principal components ot the inflating means i is an. inflating element or valve 2 having a threaded end portion 3 nous-- ing a conventional valve core 4 internally of itsbore:v 5;. The valve 2 comprises a rubber stem portion 6: and an integrally formed. flange portion 1. It will be readily understood that any conventional form of valve stem, whether it be of all rubber or all: metal construction, will sufiice' for the purposes of the present invention, the-one shown here being solely for the purposeof illustration.

Thevalvez, is disposed with its integral flange portion 1: in registration with an aperture 8 in an. inflatable fabric member or segment 9; The inflatable fabric member s comprises a. top fabric ply H- which. is. disposed inopposed relation to a. bottom fabric ply I2 and secured thereto by means: of a multiplicity of tie threads [-3 The tie threads l3 are of predetermined length and are substantially inextensible, whereby the spacing between. the top fabric ply H and thebottom fabric ply I2 is predetermined when the inflatable fabric member 9 is: satisfactorily sealed and inflated.

In the; use of an inflatable fabric member 9: in various types ofconstruction to which. it; isv adaptedi the outermost surfaces of" the top fabric ply H and the; bottom fabric; ply t2: are coated with; a. suitablefluidi-imperyious coating such, for

3 example, as a thin coating of rubber or the like. It will be understood that when the inflatable fabric member 9 is sealed and inflated, the top fabric ply II and the bottom fabric ply I2 will be disposed in the relationship illustrated in Fig. 2. When the inflatable fabric member is void of inflating fluid, the top fabric ply I I will ordinarily be disposed in opposed contacting rela-.

tion with the bottom fabric ply I2, thereby rendering the structure readily collapsible.

The aperture 8 in the inflatable fabric member 9 is defined by a fabric sleeve I of generally tubular shape forming a conduit. This conduit I0 may take any suitable shape, being either circular, square, or rectangular in cross-section. The conduit It serves to provide a satisfactory reinforcement for the aperture 8 to hold the top fabric ply I I and the bottom fabric ply I2 in predetermined spaced relation as determined by the length of the tie threads I3.

The conduit I0 is preferably of generally cylindrical shape by reason of its ease of construction. As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, a piece of single-ply fabric It is formed into the cylindrical sleeve I0 with its ends lapped over to form the joint l5 and bonded together. An inner and outer tape reinforcement IE and Il, respectively, serve to protect and reinforce the joint lb.

The piece of fabric I4 forming the sleeve I0 is provided with a flanged portion I8 which is formed by folding back a portion of the end of the fabric I4 and slitting the same to form a series of tabs I9 which are disposed in contact with the top fabric ply II to which they are secured by a suitable bonding agent. The opposite end of the piece of fabric I4 comprising the sleeve I0 is treated in a similar manner to form the flange portion 20' comprising a series of tabs 2| corresponding generally to the several tabs I9 formed in the flanged portion I8 just described. As before, the several tabs 2| are adhesively secured to the bottom ply I2 of the inflatable fabric member 9.

In order to form a satisfactory anchorage for the flanged portion I8 of the piece of fabric I4 forming the sleeve III, a reinforcement element 22 of annular form is cut from a flat piece of fabric. The reinforcement 22 is adapted to overlay completely the several tabs I 9 comprising the flanged portion I8 and to project therebeyond so as to enable it to be secured to the top fabric ply ll of the inflatable fabric member 9. A similar reinforcement 23 is applied to the several tabs 2|" of the flange portion 20 to secure them in place with respect to the bottom fabric member 9 and a circular fabric cover patch 24 is arranged to overlay the whole assembly.

The flange portion 1 of the valve 2 is secured in place over the reinforcement 22 with the bore 5 thereof in coaxial relation to the sleeve I0. A patch 24 of annular shape is cut from a flat piece of fabric so as to encircle the base of the stem portion 6 of the valve 2. The patch 24 i arranged to overlay the uppermost surface of the flange portion I of the valve 2 and extend therebeyond. The patch 24 is thus enabled to be adhesively secured to the top fabric ply II of the inflatable fabric member 9 as shown in Fig. 2.

In order that fluid under pressure introduced to the bore 5 of the valve 2 of the inflating means I may be distributed through the entire inner chamber 26 of the inflatable fabric member 9, a number of apertures 21 are provided in the fabric I 4 comprising the sleeve II]. It will be noted that the inflating means I comprising the valve 2 and the sleeve I0 affords a highly advantageous means of introducing the inflating fluid under pressure to the chamber 26 in the inflatable fabric member 9 and at the same time provides a reinforcement for the aperture 8. Moreover, the inflating means I is sufficiently flexible to promote the readily collapsible character of the inflatable fabric member essential in the many varied forms of products such as those previously mentioned.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modiflcaions may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an inflatable fabric member embodying two fabric plies having a fluid impervious coating thereon disposed in opposed relation to each other and joined together by a plurality of substantially inextensible tie threads woven at least partially into each of the fabric plies, the marginal edges of said fabric plies being sealed to define a substantially fluid-tight chamber therebetween, an inflating means comprising an openended flexible walled conduit extending between the fabric plies and having at least one aperture in the wall thereof communicating with the chamber; a port mounted on one of the fabric plies and operatively connected to an end of the conduit for admitting fluid under pressure to the chamber; and means on the other fabric ply for closing the other end of the conduit.

2. In an inflatable fabric member embodying two fabric plies having a fluid impervious coating thereon disposed in opposed relation to each other and joined together by a plurality of substantially inextensible tie threads woven at least partially into each of the fabric plies, the marginal edges of said fabric plies being sealed to define a substantially fluid-tight chamber therebetween, an inflating means comprising a valve having a base portion thereon; a conduit disposed between the fabric plies in substantially coaxial relation to the valve, said conduit being formed of flexible material and having a plurality of apertures therein communicating with the chamber; means for mounting the valve on one ply of fabric; and means on the other ply of fabric for closing the end of the conduit opposite the valve.

3. In an inflatable fabric member embodying two fabric plies having a fluid impervious coating thereon disposed in opposed relation to each other and joined together by a plurality of substantially inextensible tie threads woven at least partially into each of the fabric plies, the marginal edges of said fabric plies being sealed to define a substantially fluid-tight chamber therebetween, an inflating means comprising a conduit disposed between the fabric plies, said conduit being formed of a strip of fabric and having at least one aperture in the wall thereof communicating with the chamber; a port having a base portion threon, said port admitting fluid under pressure to the conduit; means for'mounting the port on the fabric ply at one end of the conduit; and means on the other fabric ply for closing the other end of the conduit.

4. In an inflatable fabric member embodying two fabric plies having a fluid impervious coating thereon disposed in opposed relation to each other and joined together by a plurality of substantially inextensible tie threadswoven at least partially into each of the fabric plies, the marginal edges of said fabric plies being sealed to define a substantially fluid-tight chamber therebetween, an inflating means comprising a fabric tubular element disposed between the fabric plies, said element having a plurality of apertures formed in the Wall thereof; a valve having the base thereof mounted on one of the fabric plies substantially in registration with an end of the fabric element; means for sealing the base of the valve with respect to the ply of fabric on which it is mounted; and means providing a fluid-tight closure for the end of the tubular element opposit that to which the valve is connected.

5. In an inflatable fabric member embodying two fabric plies having a fluid impervious coating thereon disposed in opposed relation to each other and joined together by a plurality of substantially inextensible tie threads woven at least partially into each of the fabric plies, the marginal edges of said fabric plies being sealed to define a substantially fluid-tight chamber therebetween, an inflating means comprising a generally tubular element the wall of which is formed of a flat piece of single-ply fabric joined at its ends disposed between and secured at its open ends to the fabric plies of the inflatable member to reinforce an aperture therein and to define a conduit therebetween, said element having a plurality of openings formed in the wall thereof for communication with the chamber; a valve mounted on one of the fabric plies, said conduit being connected with the conduit and closing one end threof and means forming a fluid-tight closure for the end of the conduit opposite the valve.

'6. In an inflatable fabric member embodying two fabric plies having a fluid impervious coating thereon disposed in opposed relation to each other and joined together by a plurality of substantially inextensible tie threads woven at least partially into each of the fabric plies, the marginal edges of said fabric plies being sealed to define a substantially fluid-tight chamber therebetween, an inflating means comprising a generallytubular element the wall of which is formed of a flat piece of single-ply fabric joined at its ends disposed between and secured at its open ends to the fabric plies of the inflatable member to reinforce an aperture therein and to define a conduit therebetween, said element having a plurality of openings formed in the wall thereof for communication with the chamber; a flanged portion adjacent the open ends of the tubular element for attachment to each of the fabric plies of the inflatable member; an annular sealing member securing the flanged portion to the fabric plies; a valve mounted on one of the fabric plies with its base in substantial registration with an end of the tubular element; an annular sealing member encompassing the base of the valve and secured in place over the flanged portion of the tubular element and its sealing member; and a fabric patch secured to the other fabric ply closing and sealing the end of the tubular element opposite the valve.

WALTER J. PHANE'.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,686,366 Boyle Oct. 2, 1928 2,028,060 Gilbert Jan. 14, 1936 2,318,492 Johnson May 4, 1943 2,495,254 Heigis Jan. 24, 1950