WO2005105251A1

WO2005105251A1 - Inflatable building block

Info

Publication number: WO2005105251A1
Application number: PCT/DE2005/000766
Authority: WO
Inventors: Norbert Hirsch
Original assignee: Norbert Hirsch
Priority date: 2004-04-29
Filing date: 2005-04-26
Publication date: 2005-11-10
Also published as: DE112005001626A5

Abstract

The inflatable building block, which is generally to be used as a toy, is made of a plastic film (1) and has a square cross-section and can be stacked, together with other building blocks when filled, by virtue of the planar surfaces thereof. In the cut-open representation (10) of the outer film (1), the constructive structure thereof can be seen. Said structure comprises five air chambers which are connected to each other in an air-permeable manner (6). Four air chambers (5), forming rounded edges of the building block, are evenly distributed around a larger one (3). A film encompasses the entire inner structure, resulting in planar surfaces. The area thus encompassed comprises inter alia an inflation pressure-free volume (2) which can enter and exit via various air slits in the outer film. In the cut-open representation (8) of one of the smaller air chambers (5), an air-permeable stretch film (4) can be seen, said film being maintained by the air chambers (3,5) in a partially cylindrical form thereof. Preferably, it is welded at the edges (7) thereof. The filling, which is introduced via the valve, can be distributed through holes (6) that are preferably incorporated therein.

Description

Inflatable building block

The invention relates to large inflatable building blocks, suitable as children's toys for the formation of buildings or works of art, consisting of plastic films, the technical execution of which cause flat surfaces.

Caves, castles and other creative structures are usually built by children by using upholstery in the living room sofa, kitchen table turned / turned over, chairs and other furnishings. Commercially available foam blocks, toys or similar objects are only to be kept in such large dimensions in generous storage rooms which are generally not available. It would therefore make sense to use inflatable objects to create construction / works of art. Conventionally, however, such surfaces have outward curvature. Fasteners that would offer a good grip to one another are not available.

The invention specified in claim 1 is based on the problem of creating a large but easy-to-use, stable stackable building block, which also has a small space requirement when stowed.

This problem is solved in that it is inflatable and nevertheless can be stacked stably due to the feature -plane surface- listed in claim 1.

It is achieved with the invention that an inflatable object can be formed from plastic film with flat surfaces. Buildings / works of art can be created creatively with large objects of low weight, which are also stackable. Despite their effective size, they can be stowed away with little space when the air is out.

The flat surfaces are created with the listed features of claims 2 to 11. The technical structure of the invention is explained with the aid of FIG. 8.

An air-impermeable film (Fig. 8/14) forms a large part of a cylinder (circular arc). This partial cylinder shape (Fig. 8/14) is mirrored on the chord (Fig. 8/20) and another (Fig. 8/15). The radius of one partial cylinder shape (Fig. 8/14) does not have to correspond to the radius of the other (Fig. 8/15), but the chord length of both partial cylinder shapes must be identical. At the tendon level (Fig. 8/20) there is an air-permeable film which holds the partial cylinder shapes (Fig. 8/14 and 15) in their filled state in their circular arc shape. The edges of the films that meet are preferably welded. Three edges are to be connected in each case: the partial cylindrical shape - edge of the smaller air chamber (Fig. 8/15), the partial cylindrical shape - edge of the larger air chamber (Fig. 8/14) and the edge of the air-permeable film on the chord plane (Fig. 8 / 20). At the end, all of the Tei cylinders end with a round arch. The curvature preferably has the same radius as the associated partial cylinder. The air-permeable film located on the chord level adapts at the ends to the radii of the partial cylinder shapes of different sizes (Fig. 8/14 and 15) (see Fig. 4). With this technique, several partial cylinders can be connected to each other or around a partial cylinder depending on the cross-sectional shape of the component to be manufactured. With three smaller partial cylinders around a larger partial cylinder one achieves an equilateral triangular cross-sectional shape (Fig. 9), with four smaller partial cylinders around a larger partial cylinder one achieves a square cross-sectional shape (Figs. 1 to 7) and so on. An air-permeable outer shell (Fig. 8/16) is finally stretched around the entire air chambers (if called "air chamber"), which are partly cylindrical-shaped by plastic films (Fig. 8/18 and 19), but at least between the partly cylindrical outer circumferences of the air-chamber films. As in FIG. 8, the differently shaped building blocks ultimately have flat surfaces on the surface in the areas of the inflation-free volumes (FIG. 8/17).

The block with the square-shaped cross section is created with the listed features of claims 12 and 13. The technical structure is explained with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Fig. 1 shows the building block in the inflated state with an insight into the internal structure (the cut edges have been shown more clearly for better understanding), Fig. 2 durable stacked building blocks in different lengths, including a cube, Fig. 3 the partially cylinder-shaped air-impermeable film larger air chamber, Fig. 4 the air-permeable foils mainly located on the tendon planes, Fig. 5 the partial cylinder-shaped air-impermeable foils of the smaller air chambers with valve, Fig. 6 the connected partial cylinder foils of the entire inflatable air chamber with valve, Fig. 7 the inflatable Construction enveloping outer film with adhesive surfaces and valve. The cut-open representation (Fig. 1/10) of the outer film (Fig. 1/1) shows the structural design, which consists of five air chambers connected to each other in an air-permeable manner (Fig. 1/6) (see also Fig. 6). Four smaller air chambers

(Fig. 1/5 and Fig. 5), which form the rounded edges and corners of the block, are evenly distributed around a larger one (Fig. 1/3 and Fig. 3). The one from the slide

(Fig. 1/1) spanned space includes, among other things, inflation-free volume

(Fig. 1/2), which can enter and exit through various air slots in the outer film.

Due to the cut view (Fig. 1/8) of one of the smaller air chambers

(Fig.1 / 5) you can see an air-permeable stretch film (Fig.1 / 4), both the smaller

Hold the air chambers (Fig. 1/5) and the larger air chamber (Fig. 1/3) in their partially cylindrical shape. It is preferably welded at the edges (Fig. 1/7).

The holes to be introduced through the valve (Fig. 1/13) can be distributed through holes (Fig. 1/6) preferably incorporated in the tensioning foils (Fig. 4).

The illustration shows a welding edge on the opposite side

(Fig.1 / 9).

As in this exemplary embodiment as well, the invention is primarily cuboids of different lengths, the square cross-sectional shape of which has a side length of preferably 200 mm to 500 mm.

The cuboid length corresponds at least to the side length of the square

Cross-sectional shape. The shortest cuboid is therefore a cube. The enveloping film of the larger volume (Fig. 1/3 and Fig. 3) is then preferably designed as a ball.

The diameter of the partial cylinder of the larger volume (Fig. 1/3 and Fig. 3) corresponds to the side lengths of the block cross-section. The radii of the partial cylinders with the smaller ones

Volumes (Fig.1 / 5 and Fig.5) are preferably one third of the radius of the

Partial cylinder with the larger volume.

The lengths of all partial cylinder shapes are identical.

Adhesive surfaces in the form of strips (FIG. 1/12) and are preferably on five of six flat outer sides of the block with a square cross-sectional area

Points (Fig.1 / 11) attached, which are preferably systematically placed at the locations behind which the inflatable space (Fig.6) is located directly.

The building blocks are systematic, for example according to the brick composite principle, but also without a system, for example across, stackable and have a durable composite

(Fig.2). The blocks with more or less edges and corners are listed with the

Features of claims 14 to 23 created. They differ in

Essentially only in the number of smaller air chambers.

The technical structure of a triangular shaped block in cross section is explained with reference to FIG. 9. In this case there are three smaller air chambers (Fig. 9/26), enveloped by air-impermeable partial-cylinder-shaped foils (Fig. 9/22), which surround the air-impermeable foil (Fig. 9/21) of a larger air chamber (Fig. 9/25) spread evenly.

Three air-permeable foils (Fig. 9/27) on the chord level also keep the partial cylinder shapes in their circular arc shape when filled. The one from a slide

(Fig. 9/23) includes, among other things, inflation-free volume

(Fig. 9/24), which in turn can enter and exit through various air slots in the outer film.

The number of smaller air chambers around the larger one determines the number of rounded corners / edges of a block. A building block with a hexagonal shape

Cross-sectional area therefore has six smaller air chambers by a larger one, etc.

The end faces of the building blocks of the exemplary embodiments listed so far can be shaped obliquely by changing the lengths of the smaller air chambers. Starting from a block with a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, for example, two smaller air chambers placed next to each other are shortened by the dimension X. The adjacent smaller air chambers keep their length at the level of the larger air chamber. The remaining two smaller air chambers are made longer by the dimension X. The outer film is finally stretched around the ends of the smaller air chambers and forms an inclined surface of a building block. This embodiment is shown with the listed features of claim 24.

The block with a round cross-sectional area (cylinder) and flat base areas is created with the features listed in claims 25 to 29. The technical structure is explained with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. Show it

10 shows a part of the longitudinal section like FIG. 12 but without an outer shell,

11 the view of the end face without an outer shell,

12 shows the longitudinal section along the central axis.

In the case of a cylinder, the technique as described in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 8 is used exclusively on the base areas. The smaller air chambers mostly formed by air-impermeable foils

(Fig. 10 and 12/39) form in the form of rings, the cross section of which is one

Circular arc shape (Fig. 10, 11 and 12/30 and 31). The outside diameter of the

Ring is with the diameter of the most part through an air-impermeable film

(Fig. 10 and 12/28 and 29) shaped larger volume uniformly. It forms the rounded edges of the cylinder.

The envelope of the larger air chamber (Fig. 10 and 12/37 and 38) is divided into three by the rings (Fig. 10 and 12/39), it consists of the

Master cylinder film (Fig. 10 and 12/28) and the two covers (Fig. 10, 11 and 12/29).

An air-permeable film (Fig. 10, 11 and 12/34) is on the edges (Fig. 10 and 12/32 and 33) with the larger air chamber (Fig. 10 and 12/37 and 38) and with the smaller ones

Air chambers (Fig. 10 and 12/39) preferably welded.

Here, too, an air-permeable outer shell (Fig. 12/35) encloses the inflatable

Air chambers and thus also inflation-free volume (Fig. 10 and 12/36), which shows the flat surfaces of the cylinder faces and the straight transition to

Cylinder jacket results.

The adhesive surfaces, which are preferably attached to the end faces of the cylinder, are systematically attached to the locations behind which the inflatable space is located directly.

The preferably welded valve (Fig.12 / 40) is located on one of the two rounded edges of the cylinder.

All building blocks can be curved like a segmental arch due to the different lengths of the foils, but they are still constructed using a similar technical structure. This manufacturing possibility is created with the listed features of claim 30.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown in claim 31. The building blocks will preferably have adhesive surfaces, such as Velcro, on their flat surfaces so that they can be layered onto one another in a durable manner. The stripes (Fig.1 / 12) and dots (Fig.1 / 11) are mainly placed in the areas behind which there is directly inflatable volume. The block with the square-shaped cross-sectional areas preferably has it only on five of six sides.

Claims

Claims:

1. Inflatable building block made of plastic film with a lockable valve, characterized in that it has flat sides (Fig. 1/1) on its surface when filled.

2. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that its inner structure has air chambers formed by plastic films which are connected to one another in an air-permeable manner (FIG. 6), and is covered with an outer film (FIG. 1/1).

3. Block according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed with rounded edges (Fig.1 / 5).

4. Block according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it has rounded corners (Fig.1 / 5).

5. Building block according to the preceding claims, characterized in that two on the tendon (Fig. 8/20) reflecting - not necessarily the same size - partially cylindrical shaped, air-impermeable foils (Fig. 8/14 and 15) on the chord level with an air-permeable Foil (Fig.4, Fig.8 / 20) are connected.

6. Block according to the preceding claims, characterized in that its inner construction made of a larger partial cylinder-shaped film (Fig. 1/3, Fig. 3, Fig. 8/14, Fig. 9/21, Fig. 12/28 and 29) and at least two smaller part-cylinder-shaped foils (Fig. 1/5, Fig. 5, Fig. 8/15, Fig. 9/22, Fig. 12/30) is formed.

7. Module according to the preceding claims, characterized in that an air-permeable film (Fig. 1/4, Fig. 4, Fig. 8/20, Fig. 9/27, Fig. 12/34) the films of the larger (Fig .1 / 3, Fig.3, Fig.8 / 14, Fig.9 / 21, Fig.12 / 28 and 29) and the smaller ones (Fig.1 / 5, Fig.5, Fig.8 / 15, Fig .9 / 22, Fig.12 / 30) Air chambers - in tension - keeps their shape.

8. Building block according to the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer shell (Fig.1 / 1, Fig.7, Fig.8 / 16, Fig.9 / 23, Fig.12 / 35) between or around the smaller inflatable Air chambers (Fig. 1/5, Fig. 5, Fig. 8/15, Fig. 9/22, Fig. 12/30) is tensioned.

9. Module according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer film encloses volume free of inflation pressure (Fig. 1/2, Fig. 8/17, Fig. 9/24, Fig. 12/36).

10. Module according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rounded edges are formed by the shape of the smaller air chambers.

11. Module according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rounded corners are formed by the shape of the smaller air chambers.

12. Module according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that its cross-sectional area is square-shaped (Fig.l to 7).

13. Module according to claim 12, characterized in that four smaller partial cylinders (Fig. 1/5, Fig. 5) are evenly distributed around a larger one (Fig. 1/3, Fig. 3).

14. Block according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that its cross-sectional area is triangular (Fig.9).

15. Module according to claim 14, characterized in that three smaller partial cylinders (Fig. 9/22) are evenly distributed around a larger one (Fig. 9/21).

16. Module according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that its cross-sectional area is pentagonal.

17. Module according to claim 16, characterized in that five smaller part cylinders are evenly distributed around a larger one.

18. Block according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that its cross-sectional area is shaped hexagonal.

19. Module according to claim 18, characterized in that six smaller Teiizylinder are evenly distributed around a larger one.

20. Building block according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that its cross-sectional area is shaped as a heptagon.

21. Module according to claim 20, characterized in that seven smaller partial cylinders are evenly distributed around a larger one.

22. Module according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that its cross-sectional area is octagonal.

23. Module according to claim 22, characterized in that eight smaller partial cylinders are evenly distributed around a larger one.

24. Module according to claims 1 to 23, characterized in that beveled end faces are achieved by changing the lengths of the individual partially cylindrical shells.

25. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that its cross-sectional area is shaped round (Fig.11).

26. Module according to claim 25, characterized in that the end faces of the cylinder are flat (Fig.12).

27. Module according to claim 26, characterized in that two air chambers (Fig. 10/39 and 12/39), which are largely covered with air-impermeable film, form in the form of rings, the cross section of which is in the form of an arc (Fig. 10/30 and 12/30).

28. Module according to claim 27, characterized in that the curves of the flat end faces (Fig. 10/31 and 12/31 by the ring-shaped air chambers (Fig. 10/39 and 12/39) form.

29. Module according to claim 28, characterized in that the outer diameter of the ring is uniform with the diameter of the cylinder, which is largely covered with an air-impermeable film (Fig. 11/30).

30. Block according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it is curved - like a segmental arch - constructed according to a similar technical structure.

31. Module according to the preceding claims, characterized in that devices for connecting adhesive surfaces in the form of dots (Fig. 1/11) and strips (Fig.1 / 12) are systematically attached to the flat sides.