WO1996006288A1

WO1996006288A1 - Air cushion buffer for absorbing shock

Info

Publication number: WO1996006288A1
Application number: PCT/KR1994/000116
Authority: WO
Inventors: Won In Lee
Original assignee: Won In Lee
Priority date: 1994-08-24
Filing date: 1994-08-24
Publication date: 1996-02-29
Also published as: EP0783639A1; JPH09512893A

Abstract

Air cushion sheet (1) and air cushion bumper (101) for absorbing shock applied thereto. The air cushion sheet (1) comprises a flat sheet, a plurality of air tubes (3, 3'), each of which has a plurality of closed air cells, arranged on the flat sheet and elastic resin applied to the air tubes. The air cushion bumper (101) comprises a base bumper (111), a plurality of air tubes (3, 3'), each of which has an air valve (112), attached to an outer surface of the base bumper (111), a cover receiving the air tubes (3, 3') and elastic resin (107) applied to an outer surface of the cover (113).

Description

AIR CUSHION BUFFER FOR ABSORBING SHOCK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a buffer article, and more particularly to an air cushion buffer incorporating air cushions therein for absorbing shock applied thereto.

Description of the Prior Art

An example of conventional air cushion sheet is disclosed in Korean Utility Model application No. 3862/1991 which is filed by the present inventor. The application discloses an air cushion sheet which has bulged portions filled with air for cushioning shock. However, since the cushioning action is carried out only at the unit bulged portions filled with air, it is impossible to maximize the cushioning action.

In addition, another example of conventional air cushion sheet is disclosed in Korean Utility Model application No. 15780/1992 which is also filed by the present inventor. The air cushion sheet disclosed in the application comprises a case and a pair of cushion sheets received in the case in which the facing surfaces have air tubes filled with air respectively whereby coaction of the air in the air tubes and the air between the sheets causes shock to be absorbed. However, the air cushion sheet of the application No. 15780 is complicated in its manufacturing process and thus its manufacturing cost is raised. When a conventional bumper is applied to an automobile, bumpers for a middle-sized and a small-sized automobiles except that of a large-sized automobile are generally assembled with synthetic resin layers, an absorber and an impact beam and then mounted on the car body. Since the bumper must absorb shock by only several synthetic resin layers at the time of collision, shock absorbing effect can not be maximized thereby causing the occupant to be injured or the automobile to be damaged severely. Also, since the bumper is made of synthetic resin, the bumper is easy to be broken even by small shock, and after the bumper is deformed by shock, the deformed bumper is difficult to return to the original shape.

In order to overcome the above mentioned problems, a method for absorbing shock by using pressurized air and helium gas (Korean Utility Model Publication No. 4558/1990) and a method for absorbing shock by attaching an air tube to a bumper (Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No. Sho 50- 146247) are disclosed.

In the former method, a bumper is provided with three tubes which are filled with pressurized air or helium gas at a low pressure, a middle pressure and a high pressure respectively, and an automobile is provided at its both side areas with several tubes filled with pressurized air or helium so as to absorb shock at the time of overturn. However, the shock absorbing apparatus is difficult to be manufactured due to its complicated structure and is impractical. Furthermore, since the tubes are protruded outward, the tubes are easy to be damaged by a sharp rock or wood at the time of overturn. Hence, when the tubes are damaged, the whole bumper must be substituted.

In the latter method, an automobile is formed with air chambers at its bumper and both sides and air is introduced into the air chambers so that the air chambers absorb shock at the time of collision. Also, the shock absorbing apparatus is designed such that when an unit air chamber is damaged, other air chambers are closed by means of a locking device. However, since an existing bumper is additionally provided with the air chambers, additional cost is required in manufacture and difficult manufacturing process is required. In addition, since various components are mounted on an engine of an automobile, service life of the automobile is shortened. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems occurring in the prior art and an object of the invention is to provide an air cushion buffer which is adapted to absorb shock applied thereto and is lengthened in its service life.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing the above air cushion buffer. In accordance with the present invention, the object mentioned above can be accomplished by providing an air cushion bumper comprising: a base bumper member; a plurality of embossed air tubes attached to an outer surface of the base bumper member; a plurality of air valves provided at the base bumper member, each of the air valves corresponding to each of the embossed air tubes; a cover mounted on the base bumper member and receiving the embossed air tubes to provide an air space between the cover and the embossed air tubes; and elastic resin applied to an outer surface of the cover.

The air cushion bumper may have an air supplying duct connected to the air valves to inflate the plurality of embossed air tubes at a time.

The air cushion bumper may also have a network positioned between the cover and the elastic resin with an air space therebetween. *

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an air cushion article comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of air tubes on a flat sheet; securing an end of each of the air tubes to the flat sheet by fusing; introducing air into the air tubes; forming a plurality of fused portions at the air tubes at predetermined spacings to provide a plurality of closed air cells; and applying elastic resin to the air tubes to form a desired shape of article.

The step of arranging the air tubes may comprise the steps of placing a plurality of air tubes on the flat sheet to form a lower tube layer and placing a plurality of air tubes between the lower air tubes to form an upper tube layer.

The step of arranging the air tubes may also comprise the steps of placing a pair of air tubes on the flat sheet and placing an air tube between and on the pair of air tubes.

The step of arranging the air tubes may further comprise the steps of wrapping the pair of air tubes with a first fabric sheet to provide air spaces therebetween after placement of the pair of air tubes and wrapping the upper air tube and the first fabric sheet with a second fabric sheet to provide air spaces therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed specification and drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an air cushion sheet according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front sectional view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of an air cushion sheet according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. ^ is a sectional view of an air cushion bar according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of an air cushion bar according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a sectional view of an air cushion bumper according to a fifth embodiment of the invention and an enlarged view of an essential part thereof;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of an air cushion bumper according to a sixth embodiment of the invention and an enlarged view of an essential part thereof; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of an air cushion bumper according to a seventh embodiment of the invention and an enlarged view of an essential part thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments according to an air cushion buffer of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings hereinafter.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, there are shown an air cushion sheet according to a first embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in the drawings, the air cushion sheet 1 of the invention comprises a flat sheet 2 and a plurality of air tubes 3, 3'. More specifically stated, the plurality of air tubes 3, 3' are placed on the flat sheet 2 such that the air tubes 3, 3' are parallel to each other. Each of the air tubes 3, 3' is secured at its both ends to the flat sheet 2 by fusing. The plurality of air tubes 3, 3' are filled with air. Each of the air tubes 3, 3' is formed with several fused portions 4 at middle points between the both ends such that a plurality of air cells are formed at the air tubes 3, 3, and can not be in communication with one another. The air tubes 3, 3' secured to the flat sheet 2 is embedded in elastic resin 5 such as polyurethan resin by applying the resin to the air tubes 3, 3' so that the resulting cushion sheet 1 has a flat sheet shape.

Alternatively, the air cushion sheet of the invention may be manufactured as described hereinafter. A plurality of air tubes 3, 3' each is closed at an end by fusing and filled with air through the other end. The air tubes 3, 3' each is closed at the other end by fusing and then formed with several fused portions 4 at middle points between the both ends, so that a plurality of air cells are provided to the air tubes 3, 3'. Thereafter, the resulting air tubes 3, 3' having the air cells are attached to the flat sheet 2 such that the air tubes 3, 3' are parallel to each other. The air tubes 3, 3¹ are applied with elastic resin 5 so that the resulting air cushion sheet 1 has a flat sheet shape. As mentioned above, since the air cushion sheet of the invention is provided with a plurality of air tubes 3, 3' each having a plurality of air cells, even though one of the air cells is damaged, the air cushion sheet can obtain absorbing effect by other air cells. Accordingly, the air cushion sheet of the invention can be used as a wall and a floor sheets of a building or inner and outer cushion sheets of an automobile.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown an air cushion sheet according to a second embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in the drawing, a plurality of air tubes 3, 3' are placed on a flat sheet 2 so that the air tubes 3, 3' are spaced from and parallel to each other, thereby forming a first tube layer. A plurality of air tubes 6 are placed between and on the arranged air tubes 3, 3' so as to form a second tube layer. The arranged air tubes 3, 3' and 6 each is closed at an end by fusing and filled with air through the other end. Thereafter, the air tubes each is formed with several fused portions at predetermined spacings so that the air tube has a plurality of closed air cells. The resulting air tubes 3, 3' and 6 are applied with elastic resin 5 to form a flat air cushion sheet 1.

Alternatively, the air cushion sheet of the invention may be manufactured as described hereinafter. A plurality of air tubes 3, 3' and 6 each is closed at an end by fusing. The air tubes each is filled with air through the other end and then closed at the other end. The air tubes filled with air are formed with a plurality of fused portions at several points between the both ends, thereby forming a plurality of closed air cells. The air tubes 3, 3' and 6 having the plurality of air cells are attached to a flat sheet 2 to form first and second tube layers. The air tubes 3, 3' and 6 attached to the flat sheet are applied with elastic resin 5 to form a flat air cushion sheet 1. Accordingly, the air cushion sheet 1 of the invention which has been manufactured in such a manner that the additional air tubes 6 are placed between the lower air tubes 3, 3' attached to the flat sheet 2 and then the air tubes 3, 3' and 6 attached to the flat sheet 2 are applied with elastic resin 5 can obtain dual absorbing effect. The air cushion sheet 1 of the invention can be also used as a wall and a floor sheets of a building or inner and outer cushion sheets of an automobile.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown an air cushion bar according to a third embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in the drawing, a pair of air tubes 3, 3' are placed on a flat sheet 2 and an upper air tube 7 is placed between the lower air tubes 3, 3'. The lower and upper air tubes 3, 3' and 7 attached to the flat sheet 2 are filled with air. Then, the resulting air tubes 3, 3' and 7 are applied with elastic resin 5 to form a flat air cushion bar. Alternatively, the air cushion bar of the invention may be manufactured as described hereinafter. A pair of lower air tubes 3, 3' and an upper air tube 7 each is closed at an end by fusing and then filled with air. The air tubes 3, 3' and 7 filled with air are formed with a plurality of fused portions 4 at predetermined spacings so that the air tubes are provided with a plurality of air cells. The lower and upper air tubes 3, 3 and 7 having air cells are attached to a flat sheet and then applied with elastic resin 5 to a flat air cushion bar 8. In the air cushion bar of the invention, the fused portions may not be formed at the air tubes. Since the above air cushion bar is shaped into a bumper form for an automobile, the air cushion bar can be used as a bumper for an automobile.

Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown an air cushion bar according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in the drawing, a pair of lower air tubes 3, 3' and an upper air tube 11 each is closed at an end by fusing and then filled with air. The air tubes 3, 3' and 11 filled with air are formed with a plurality of fused portions 4 at predetermined spacings so that the air tubes are provided with a plurality of air cells. Thereafter, the pair of lower air tubes 3, 3' are placed on a flat sheet and then held in place by wrapping the air tubes 3, 3' with a fabric sheet 10 and fixing the both ends of the fabric sheet 10 to the flat sheet 2. The upper air tube 11 is placed between the lower air tubes 3, 3' and then held in place by a fabric sheet 12 in a manner similar to that of the lower air tubes 3, 3' . The inner space defined by the outer fabric sheet 12 is filled with air. Subsequently, elastic resin 13 is applied to the outer fabric sheet 12 surrounding the lower and upper air tubes 3, 3' and 11 to form a desired shape of air cushion bar. In this embodiment, the fused portions may not be also formed. For example, the air cushion sheet may be shaped into a bumper form for an automobile and may be attached to front and rear frame of an automobile.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is shown an air cushion bumper according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in the drawing, a plurality of embossed air tubes 3, 3' are placed on an existing base bumper 111. The base bumper 111 is provided with air valves 112 at positions corresponding to the air tubes 3, 3'. Air is introduced into the air tubes 3, 3' through the air valves 112. The inflated air tubes 3, 3' are received in a cover 113 so that air spaces 106 are defined between the air tubes 3, 3' and the cover 113. Elastic resin 107 such as polyurethan resin is applied to the cover 113, thereby forming the air cushion bumper 101 of the invention. In this embodiment, since the air tubes 3, 3¹ are filled with air through the air valves 112 functioning as safety pins, the air tubes can be freely filled with air.

When an automobile provided with the above air cushion bumper 101 meets another object such as an automobile, shock applied to the air cushion bumper is absorbed firstly by the elastic resin 107, secondly by the air spaces 106 defined by the cover 113 and the air tubes 3, 3¹ and thirdly by the air tubes 3, 3'. Accordingly the absorbing effect by the air cushion bumper of the invention is considerably enhanced.

Referring to Fig. 8, there is shown an air cushion bumper according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in the drawing, the air cushion bumper 101 of this embodiment is constructed in a manner similar to that of the fifth embodiment but an air supplying duct 112 is provided therein. The air supplying duct 112 is provided inside of the base bumper 111, and the air tubes 3, 3' are in communication with the air supplying duct 112 through the air valves 112 functioning as safety pins. The air supplying duct 115 is in communication with an air pump (not shown) . Consequently, the plurality of air tubes 3, 3' can be inflated at a time by the air valves 112 and the air supplying duct 115. That is, when the air filled in the air tubes 3, 3' is insufficient because of temperature variance, the plurality of air tubes 3, 3' can be filled with air at a time.

Referring to Fig. 9, there is shown an air cushion bumper according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in the drawing, the air cushion bumper 101 of this embodiment is also constructed in a manner similar to that of the fifth embodiment but a network 117 is provided therein. The network 117 is positioned at an outer surface of a cover 213. The air cushion bumper 101 of this embodiment is characterized in that a second space 206 is provided between the network 117 and the elastic resin 107. Accordingly, since shock applied to the air cushion bumper

101 is further absorbed by the second space 206, the shock absorbing effect of this embodiment can be further enhanced.

As apparent from the above description, although the air cushion buffer of the invention is provided with a plurality of air tubes, the outer appearance is simple because of compactness of the air tubes and the outer elastic resin layer. Also, although an unit air tube is damaged, the air cushion buffer can be stably used because the damage of the air tube does not affect other air tubes. In addition, the air cushion buffer of the invention has the air tubes, the elastic resin layer and the air space therebetween, shock absorbing effect by the air cushion buffer of the invention can be considerably enhanced.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for manufacturing an air cushion article Comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of air tubes on a flat sheet; securing an end of each of the air tubes to the flat sheet by fusing; introducing air into the air tubes; forming a plurality of fused portions at the air tubes at predetermined spacings to provide a plurality of closed air cells; and applying elastic resin to the air tubes to form a desired shape of article.

2. A method in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the step of arranging the air tubes comprises the steps of placing a plurality of air tubes on the flat sheet to form a lower tube layer and placing a plurality of air tubes between the lower air tubes to form an upper tube layer.

3. A method in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the step of arranging the air tubes comprises the steps of placing a pair of air tubes on the flat sheet and placing an air tube between and on the pair of air tubes.

4. A method in accordance with Claim 3, wherein the step of arranging the air tubes further comprises the steps of wrapping the pair of air tubes with a first fabric sheet to provide air spaces therebetween after placement of the pair of air tubes and wrapping the upper air tube and the first fabric sheet with a second fabric sheet to provide air spaces therebetween.

5. An air cushion bumper comprising: a base bumper member; a plurality of embossed air tubes attached to an outer surface of the base bumper member; a plurality of air valves provided at the base bumper member, each of the air valves corresponding to each of the embossed air tubes; a cover mounted on the base bumper member and receiving the embossed air tubes to provide an air space between the cover and the embossed air tubes; and elastic resin applied to an outer surface of the cover.

6. An air cushion bumper in accordance with Claim 5, further comprising an air supplying duct connected to the air valves to inflate the plurality of embossed air tubes at a time.

7. An air cushion bumper in accordance with Claim 5 or 6, further comprising a network positioned between the cover and the elastic resin with an air space therebetween.