WO2013014217A1

WO2013014217A1 - Partially inflatable body with an air-tight outer shell

Info

Publication number: WO2013014217A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/064643
Authority: WO
Inventors: Axel Christoph
Original assignee: Axel Christoph
Priority date: 2011-07-28
Filing date: 2012-07-26
Publication date: 2013-01-31
Also published as: AT511783A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable body with an air-tight outer shell which encloses a first chamber (1) and assumes a predetermined shape in the inflated state, and with a further chamber (2) arranged at least partially in the region of the outer shell (3). A substantially simplified handling is achieved in that, in the inflated state, the further chamber (2) stretches out the outer shell (3) substantially in the predetermined shape, such that the first chamber, which is large compared to the second chamber, is not actively inflated by a pump or air-pressure connection, but air automatically flows into the first chamber as a result of a negative pressure generated during the filling process.

Description

PARTLY SELF-BLOWING BODY WITH A AIR-SEALED OUTER SLEEVE

The invention relates to an inflatable body having an airtight outer shell, which encloses a first chamber and occupies a predetermined shape in the inflated state, and with a further chamber arranged in the region of the outer shell.

Such inflatable bodies are used as air cushions for example as transport or lying surfaces, for example as an air mattress, air bed, seat cushion or inflatable boat, inflatable boat or raft, but also as an inflatable water basin. For storage and transportation of these air cushions are often evacuated and thus space-saving. Thus, there is also the need to inflate the air cushion before each use.

In general, the air is pumped into the pillow via an air pump or the lungs, a tedious and time-consuming task. In the case of so-called self-inflating air cushions, the air in the mat is sucked into the mat by a foam located in the mat; in the mat, the pressure is the same as in the outside air. The pumping is slow but at least until the ambient pressure automatically; A big problem with this is the fatigue of the foam and the low pressure, especially on heavy tarpaulins. The discharge of air is a sometimes laborious process, since the air flows only slowly and only under pressure from the foam.

Common materials for airtight tarpaulins for cushion walls are plastics (especially thermoplastics, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, such as PVC, neoprene) that often support with fibers, a woven or knitted fabric, e.g. B. are laminated; also woven and knitted fabrics of (plastic) coated yarn, calendered fabric or film coated fabric are used. Some tarpaulins are made up of several different layers (eg hypalon or polyurethane with neoprene). Special materials are used for specific purposes (eg quartz yarn, aramid fiber, modified polyester). Air cushions can be made from one or more tarpaulins. Air cushions often have internal webs or connecting surfaces, which are usually made of the material of the cushion walls (but are also possible other air-permeable materials such as normal fabrics and knitted fabrics) and generally serve to the maximum distance of the cushion walls or a desired cushion shape define. Another tarpaulin and other parts can be fixed to a tarpaulin connected or applied (or the Plane with yourself), for example by sewing, welding, riveting, vulcanizing or gluing, or by using other parts such as loops, webs, pockets, straps, eyelets or holes (the latter eg in continuations, tabs or webs) or over Brackets or rings are connected to the tarpaulin.

With such air cushion more parts may be permanently or detachably connected, which are required for the function, such. As a frame of a seat, eyelets, rings, straps, cords, straps, snaps, Velcro fasteners, buckles or clamps for attachment, mounts for other parts, recordings for rudders, fixing aids for the folded air cushion, protective elements against mechanical or other influences, shaping parts.

Such other parts, such as seats, are sometimes realized in the form of further chambers attached to the main chamber.

Various inflatable bodies are known in which air chambers are surrounded by a shell. However, it is not known to form the shell as its own airtight structure. Such known solutions are disclosed in the following publications: US 2004/0226103 A, EP 0 981 984 A,

US 2005/0081300 A, WO 1996/04825 A, US 2009/0193580 A and WO 1996/033686 A.

The object of the invention is to provide an inflatable body which is largely selbstaufblasend in the above sense, inasmuch as the main amount of air inside must not be actively introduced via a pump or a Druckluftan- circuit, but due to a during filling generated negative pressure flows automatically into the body. The above disadvantages should be avoided and it should be ensured in particular a low weight, a permanent function without fatigue and fast filling and emptying.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved in that the further chamber in the inflated state spans the outer shell substantially in the predetermined shape. In this solution, although an active air supply is required to some extent, but since the volume of the other chamber is small in any case compared to the first chamber, so the main chamber, the main amount of air is sucked as in self-inflating air cushion by negative pressure in the body.

If the supporting air cushion, so the other chamber inflated, it pushes apart the pillow walls of the air cushion aufzublasenden; Thus, with its free air flow, ambient air is sucked into the cushion and He inflated. The air that needs to be actively pumped is limited to the volume of the supporting air cushion.

Preferably, the first chamber has a first inflow opening and the further chamber has a further inflow opening. The associated valves are particularly tightly closed and can be designed as a check valves for simplicity.

A particularly favorable embodiment variant of the invention provides an overpressure valve between the first chamber and the further chamber, which discharges air into the first chamber when a predetermined pressure in the further chamber is exceeded.

If a pressure relief valve attached to the supporting air cushion, which directs the air in the air cushion aufzublasende, so the air cushion system can be inflated via only one valve; The inflated air cushion is in this case in a meaningful way with a check valve (check valve) equipped.

In another variant, the air from the pressure relief valve flows from the inflation channel of the auxiliary pad, (before the actual valve in the auxiliary pad) when a sufficient backpressure over the check valve of the auxiliary pad (further chamber), opens the pressure relief valve and the main pad (the first chamber) is pumped up.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the further chamber is formed as a network of tubular sections. In this way, a relatively stable three-dimensional structure, which essentially spans the desired shape of the inflatable body, can be generated simply by inflating the further chamber. After filling and closing the first chamber, the air space inside the first chamber supports this shape.

A particularly simple method of manufacture is achieved by the outer shells is double-walled and formed of two sections connected layers and wherein the further chamber is arranged between these two layers. The further chamber is thus formed in the manner of an aneurysm in the wall region of the first chamber.

For some applications, it is necessary that the first chamber is completely or partially plate-shaped, that consists of two usually approximately parallel outer walls. The clamping of these outer walls by the further chamber can now be particularly preferred carried out by that the further chamber is formed as a spacer substantially band-shaped between these two parallel outer walls.

Another possibility is not to carry out the further chamber along the outer shell of the main chamber, but mostly in the interior of the main chamber. In this case, the further chamber spans the outer shell of the main chamber along defined lines or points.

A particularly favorable stiffening of the structure can be achieved in that the further chamber has support ribs with a T-shaped cross section.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention is designed so that the further chamber is arranged between two rigid structures. It is sometimes necessary or at least advantageous if the inflatable body also has rigid structures, such as a table top. If an opposing corresponding one is provided for this one rigid structure, the further chamber can clamp these two structures against each other and thus solve the object according to the invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

If only one rigid structure is provided, for example as the bottom of a boat, then a further chamber can span the main chamber against it in the manner described above.

Another particularly favored variant provides that the first chamber has a compressible section for increasing the pressure. After clamping the body by inflating the other chamber while the first chamber is indeed tensioned but depressurized in itself. In many cases, it is now desirable to produce a certain - low - pressure in this first chamber in order to derive the forces on the setting of the first chamber can. As described above, this can be done by additionally supplying a small amount of air into the first chamber. But it is also possible to deliberately reduce the volume of the first chamber and thereby cause an internal pressure. This is effected by the above-mentioned compressible portion

In the following, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. Show it :

Fig. 1 shows schematically an inflatable body according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a possible training variant of the other chamber; Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the further chamber;

Fig. 4 is a detail showing a possible structure of the other chamber;

4a shows a spatial embodiment variant on the basis of a variant of FIG. 4 in a settlement;

FIG. 4b shows the embodiment of FIG. 4a in a folded state in an axonometric view; FIG.

4c shows a further spatial embodiment variant on the basis of a variant of FIG. 4 in a development;

FIG. 4d shows the embodiment of FIG. 4c in the folded state in an axonometric view; FIG.

5 shows a further detail for the production of the further chamber;

6 shows a further embodiment variant of the inflatable body according to the invention;

FIG. 6a a further embodiment variant in the folded state in axonometric representation; FIG.

Fig. 7 shows a further detail for the formation of the further chamber;

8 shows a further embodiment variant of the inflatable body according to the invention;

9 and Fig. 10 further details for the formation of the further chamber;

11 and FIG. 12 further variants of the invention

body;

FIGS. 13 to FIG. 20 further details explaining the invention.

In Fig. 1, the basic structure of an inflatable body according to the invention is shown schematically. A substantially barrel-shaped first chamber 1 is surrounded on its outer side by a network which is constructed by a tube-shaped further chamber 2. The outer shell 3 of the first chamber 1 is clamped by the further chamber 2.

Fig. 2 explains in detail that the further chamber 2 is composed of a plurality of tubular sections 2a which communicate with each other. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, a plurality of further chambers 2 are provided, which are constructed of mutually unconnected sections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d. In this way, the reliability is increased and it is possible to selectively adjust the pressures in the other chambers 2.

Another alternative is shown in FIG. Here, the second further chamber 2 forms a grid-shaped network of sections 2a. Furthermore, from Fig. 4 it can be seen that the further chamber 2 is formed by forming the outer shell 3 from a first layer 3a and a second layer 3b, which are connected to one another in connecting regions 4, but otherwise span the further chamber 2 between them.

According to this principle, spatial structures can also be implemented in a simple manner, illustrated in FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4b. In Fig. 4a, a ladder-shaped structure is schematically shown in a plan view, which is analogous to the embodiment of FIG. 4 is composed of two layers 3a and 3b. The further chamber 2 is formed by the section-wise connecting portions 4 and the connection along the circumference. Fig. 4b shows how folding creates a spatial structure, wherein a diagonal element 4a contributes to the stiffening. That the further chamber 2 kinks at the intended locations, is ensured by constrictions, not shown. By an upper and lower cover, which are not shown, the first chamber 1 is formed.

If the structure of the further chamber 2 is not visible from the outside, then it can also be mounted inside the first chamber 1. Over the folded structure thus another shell is attached. In this case, it makes sense that the connection areas 4 have air outlets.

In some cases, cross connections are undesirable, for example in the tubular chambers of dinghies. In this case, the outer portions of the other chamber 2 are to be guided along the tube, all other connections inside or at least in places that do not interfere with the function. Such a structure can also be implemented with a double foil, ie corresponding to the two layers 3a and 3b from FIG. 4. Fig. 4c again shows in plan view the connection to the spatial structure. It can be seen how the two films are connected to one another via the connecting regions 4 and along the circumference and thus form the further chamber 2. In addition, both films of the connection areas 4 on bushings 34, so that the sections can be intertwined. The finished structure is shown in Fig. 4d. Along the axis of the structure, ie along the passages 34, a firm connection can support the stability. This structure is enveloped by the first air cushion and it makes sense to use this sem firmly connected along the outer sections of the further air bag 2. The film of the first cushion can be continued from the film of the airbag, but it can also be another, for example, stiffer film can be used.

Fig. 5 explains the concept of the double-walled outer shell 3 by means of another example. In this embodiment, an outer layer 3a of the outer shell 3 is substantially planar, and the second layer 3b - typically on the inner side of the first chamber 1 - is wrinkled so as to form tubular structures. This embodiment variant, in contrast to that of FIG. 4, has the advantage that the outside of the inflatable body can be largely flat.

Fig. FIG. 6 shows how the further chamber is analogous to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 can be constructed from two sections connected layers.

In many cases, the inflatable body is formed in its entirety or at least partially plate-shaped, such as when it is a hammock or air mattress. This means that a bottom 13a and a top 13b of the first chamber 1 are arranged substantially parallel to each other. In order to clamp these two surfaces 13a, 13b against each other, it is provided in this embodiment variant that the further chamber 2 is formed substantially band-shaped and extends perpendicular to the surfaces 13a and 13b. Inside the first chamber 1, this band is guided in a suitable meander shape in order to achieve a desired support. In the example shown, the individual sections 2a of the further chamber 2 also extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surfaces 13a, 13b (FIG. 6).

Another variant, aufzuspannen two parallel surfaces, is shown in Fig. 6a shown. Again, the further chamber 2 is formed from two films, and is determined by the connecting portions 4. By tilting the inner (not visible) connecting channels and the folding shown a very stable structure is formed.

A special stiffening can be achieved according to FIG. 7, in that the further chamber 2 is composed of first sections 2a and second sections 2b. The first sections 2a extend as in the embodiment of FIG. 5 parallel to the outer wall 3 and are formed between the two layers of the outer wall 3. Second portions 2b extend perpendicular thereto and stiffen the outer wall 3 thus in the manner of a rib. It is not necessarily required that the stiffening meets. It is also possible to provide the T-shaped stiffener along an inner wall.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the first chamber 1 is divided into four sections 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d, which are not hydraulically connected to each other. In the manner of a multi-chamber system can thus be achieved increased safety and reliability.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment variant in which a further chamber 2 is formed on an outer wall 3 by a strip of material being connected to the outer wall 3 along welding lugs 5, the further chamber 2 being formed between the two welding lugs 5 in the unconnected section.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the outer wall 3 of the first chamber 1 forms an edge 6, in which case two sections 3a, 3b of the outer wall 3 are connected to one another. Between the welds 7, at which the sections 3a, 3b are connected to each other, the further chamber 2 is formed in a non-connected portion. The resulting continuations can be used by connecting them to a supporting air cushion, or by the resulting tube receives a supporting air cushion. Accordingly, own loops can be attached to the pillow to accommodate a tubular and supporting air cushion. It may also be necessary to have several supporting air cushions via their own connected openings or channels, e.g. B. tubing to connect to a single supporting air cushion. These channels can also start directly from a valve.

In the embodiment of Fig. 11, two rigid structures 8a, 8b are formed in the form of plates between which the first chamber 1 extends. The further chamber 2 consists of a plurality of columns 12a, 12b, 12c in the inflated state, the two rigid structures 8a, 8b press away from each other. The outer wall 3 limits the distance of the rigid structures 8a, 8b from each other.

Fig. 12 shows that the rigid structures 8a, 8b can not only be parallel to one another, but can also form an overall wedge-shaped structure in the manner of a bellows.

A supporting air cushion can also take on additional functions. Inflatable boats are often constructed in such a way that an air cushion forms the floor, which is separated from another z. B. tubular air cushion is surrounded. If the floor cushion is widened by partially replacing the tubular air cushion gripped, this floor cushion is another variant of a supporting air cushion, its function is not only in reinforcing the tubular air cushion, but also in the ground. When using multiple air cushion these z. B. be inflated sequentially, each blown first, the following can serve as a supporting air cushion.

An air pump can be integrated, sharing several air cushions the air pump (eg also supporting inflating air cushion) such. B. with multiple valve, pressure relief valve from one to the other air cushion. An air cushion with supporting airbags may be combined with other airbags e.g. in a multi-chamber system, wherein another air cushion is not spanned by its own, supporting air cushion or by one of the other air cushion in the manner described. A supporting air cushion can thus span several air cushions. A multiple valve can be used.

After blocking the air flow or closing the valve, the pressure in the air bag can be further increased either by pumping further air into the bag or by reducing the volume of the air bag, e.g. the air cushion is compressed or pulled and fixed in this position. Is the supporting air cushion z. B. equipped with a simple integrated pump or with a self-inflating or easy-to-use reservoir and also with such a volume-reducing device so the air bag system can be inflated without external aids.

In the embodiment of Fig. 13, the pressure inside the first chamber 1 is increased by compressing a rigid structure 8a whose interior 10 communicates with the first chamber 1 through an opening 11 so as to reduce the internal volume and thereby increase the pressure of the first chamber 1.

A variant of the embodiment of FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 13a shown. Different from the embodiment described above is that the inner space 10 is connected to the further chamber 2, which surrounds the first chamber 1. Therefore, air can be forced out of the inner space 10 into the further chamber 2 via the opening 11, so that an inflatable body can be represented that can be completely inflated without an external air pump or the like.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14, bands 30 are attached to individual points 32 of a first chamber 1. These bands 30 are replaced by inner tubes. 31 of the first chamber 3 and openings 33 in a plate-shaped structure 8a, led to the outside so that by applying appropriate tensile forces on the bands 30, a volume reduction of the first chamber 1 and thus an increase in pressure occurs. The hoses 31 are shown in FIG. 14 shown loosely. When an internal pressure occurs, however, these hoses 31 will be tight against the belts 30, since the interior of the hoses 31 is depressurized.

According to FIG. 15 also bands 20, which wrap around the first chamber 1, increase the internal pressure.

A further embodiment variant is shown in Fig. 16, in which a tab 21 partially wraps around the first chamber 1, can be set under pressure at an attachment point 22 in order to keep the volume small. In the variant embodiment of FIG. 17, the volume is reduced in that a rigid wall section 23 is deflected around a roller 24 together with another rigid wall section 25.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18 is achieved by rolling a wall portion to a roll 26 a volume reduction.

According to FIG. 19 can be achieved by screwing a screw body 27 into an opening 28 of the outer wall 3, a volume reduction of the first chamber 1.

Finally, according to FIG. 20 that a corresponding volume reduction can also be achieved by mechanical clamping of a body 29 in the interior of the first chamber 1. The body 29 is expanded by rigid bands or leaf springs from a collapsed position in the left half of FIG. 20 to a deployed position in the right half of FIG. There are also not shown linkage used, which span like a screen inside the first chamber 1.

After the pressure increase, the fixation must take place. This can be done in a known manner by snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, knots, buttons, bayonet locks, laces, buckles, clamps, eyelets, clip and snap connections, screws, closing and the same. It is also possible to put a sleeve over the pillow which either fixes the pillow or contains the volume reducing device.

Air cushions of the type mentioned can serve as a seat or lying opportunity or support, air mattress or air bed, head or foot cushions, armrest, boat raft or basin but also for transport protection as such, both to the ummante- development of a cargo and be used as a filler in a transport container. As a tent floor air cushions act like a bed. The air cushion can also be used in the tent roof to stretch the tent. As a saucer of a sleeping or bivy sack an air cushion also acts as a bed. It can also be formed by the air cushion only a part of said object.

Claims

PATENT APPLICATIONS

1. Inflatable body having an airtight outer shell, which encloses a first chamber (1) and assumes a predetermined shape in the inflated state, and with a at least partially in the outer shell (3) arranged further chamber (2), characterized in that the further chamber (2) in the inflated state, the outer shell (3) spans substantially in the predetermined shape.

2. Inflatable body according to claim 1, characterized in that the first chamber (1) has a first inflow opening and the further chamber (2) has a further inflow opening.

3. Inflatable body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the further chamber (2) as a network of tubular sections (2 a) is formed.

4. Inflatable body according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a pressure relief valve is provided which discharges air in the first chamber (1) when a predetermined pressure in the further chamber (2) is exceeded.

5. Inflatable body according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer shell (3) is double-walled from two sections connected layers and that the further chamber (2) is arranged between the two layers.

6. Inflatable body according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the further chamber (2) in the interior of the first chamber (1) is arranged and only in places with the outer shell (3) is in communication.

7. Inflatable body according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the further chamber (2) forming support ribs with a T-shaped cross-section.

8. Inflatable body according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the further chamber (2) adjacent to a rigid structure or is arranged between rigid structures.

9. Inflatable body according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first chamber (1) has a compressible portion for increasing the pressure.

10. Inflatable body according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the further chamber (2) has a compressible portion for increasing the pressure.

11. Inflatable body according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the further chamber (2) is designed foldable to form a planar structure of a spatial structure.

12. Inflatable body according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting regions (4) have bushings (34) to pass through the further chamber (2).