WO2017186169A1

WO2017186169A1 - Wearable inflatable

Info

Publication number: WO2017186169A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/082430
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kei Hung John Law
Original assignee: Magic Time International Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-04-29
Filing date: 2017-04-28
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Also published as: CN205759494U

Abstract

A wearable inflatable (10) includes an outer membrane (26), an inner membrane (24), and one or more partition membranes (30) between the inner membrane (24) and the outer membrane (26), the partition membranes (30) create a plurality of compartments (36) filled with air.

Description

WEARABLE INFLATABLE

RELATED APPLICATION

The current application claims the benefit of Chinese Utility Model Application No. 201620377920. X, filed on 29 April 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/375,520, filed on 16 August 2016, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to wearable inflatable toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bubble soccer ball is a game that uses wearable inflatable spheroids having an open top, an open bottom and a hollow interior that is surrounded by the cushion of the inflatable. The interior surface of the cushion includes straps for the user to wear. In use, the user places himself in the hollow interior and secures himself to the inflatable so that the user is surrounded by the cushion. The cushion then allows the user to run into others wearing a similar inflatable.

Bubble soccer balls of the prior art such as those sold by Zoom Sports, LLC (Boca Raton, Florida) typically include a plurality of strings within the interior of the cushion that extend between the inner and outer membranes. It is believed that such strings are present for structural support. It is also believed that the strings are present in order to prevent the hollow interior inner membranes from moving towards each other (and collapsing against a user located in the hollow interior) when force is exerted against the inflatable cushion (by the user running into another bubble ball or a wall for example) .

However, the strings make the products time-intensive and expensive to manufacture and are unsightly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a wearable inflatable as described herein. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides: a wearable inflatable comprising: a hollow interior comprising an open top, an open bottom, a height extending from the open top to the open bottom, and a perimeter generally perpendicular to the height, the hollow interior configured to receive a human user； an inflatable cushion surrounding the perimeter of the hollow interior, the inflatable cushion comprising an inner membrane, an outer membrane, an interior between the inner membrane and the outer membrane and configured to be filled with air, and a plurality of internal partition membranes spaced about the inflatable cushion interior, the plurality of internal partition membranes having a height generally parallel to the hollow interior height and a width generally perpendicular to the internal partition membrane height extending from the inner membrane to the outer membrane, the plurality of internal partition membranes separating the inflatable cushion interior into a plurality of compartments, wherein at least some of the internal partition membranes comprise at least one opening allowing air to flow between adjacent compartments, and further wherein the inflatable cushion has a collapsed state wherein the inflatable cushion has a first volume and an inflated state wherein the inflatable cushion has a second volume, the second volume greater than the first volume, the inflatable cushion configured to move from the collapsed state to the inflated state by filling the plurality of compartments with air.

In some embodiments, the inner membrane is connected to a plurality of straps facing the hollow interior. Optionally, the inner membrane comprises a plurality of patches connecting the inner membrane to the plurality of straps. Optionally, the patches are welded to the inner membrane. Optionally, the inner membrane, the outer membrane, and the internal partition membrane are comprised of plastic. Optionally, the inner membrane, the outer membrane and the internal partition membrane are welded together. Optionally, the wearable inflatable further comprises an air fill port in gaseous communications with the plurality of compartments, the air fill port configured to allow a user to inflate the plurality of compartments with air. Optionally, the air fill port comprises a one-way air fill valve. Optionally, the inner membrane and the outer membrane are sealed to prevent air from leaking through the inner membrane and the outer membrane. Optionally, the plurality of compartments are hollow. Optionally, the wearable inflatable is a spheroid. Optionally, each internal partition membrane comprises a top and a bottom and further wherein each internal partition membrane comprises a top opening located at the top of the internal partition membrane and a bottom opening located at the bottom of the internal partition membrane. Optionally, the top opening and the bottom opening of each internal partition membrane combined forms between about 10 and about 20 percent of the surface area of each internal partition membrane (i.e., each opening forms 5-10％of the surface area of each internal partition membrane) .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a wearable inflatable of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a compartment of the wearable inflatable of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the wearable inflatable of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan view of the wearable inflatable of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation view of an internal partition membrane prior to welding the internal partition membrane to the inner membrane and the outer membrane.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation view of an alternate design of an internal partition membrane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

With reference to FIGs. 1-6, the present invention provides a wearable inflatable designated by the numeral 10. In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing for the sake of clarity.

Referring further to FIGs. 1-6, the wearable inflatable 10 includes a hollow interior 12. The hollow interior 12 includes an open top 14, an open bottom 16, a height 18 extending from the open top 14 to the open bottom 16, and a perimeter 20 generally perpendicular to the height 18. The hollow interior 12 is configured to receive a human user. More particularly, the human stands in the hollow interior 12.

The inflatable 10 further includes an inflatable cushion 22 surrounding the perimeter 20 of the hollow interior 12. The inflatable cushion 22 includes an inner membrane 24 (thin wall) , an outer membrane 26 (thin wall) , and an inflatable cushion interior 28 between the inner membrane 24 and the outer membrane 26. The inflatable cushion interior 28 is configured to be filled with air. The inflatable cushion 22 is configured to absorb force without the inner membrane 24 protruding into the hollow interior 12 (and the user) .

The inflatable cushion interior 28 further includes a plurality of internal partition membranes 30 spaced about the inflatable cushion interior 28. The plurality of internal partition membranes 30 include a partition top 52, a partition bottom 54 and a height 32 extending from the partition top 52 to the partition bottom 54 generally parallel to the hollow interior height 18. The plurality of internal partition membranes 30 also include a width 34 generally perpendicular to the internal partition membrane height 32 (and the hollow interior height 18) extending from the inner membrane 24 to the outer membrane 26. The plurality of internal partition membranes 30 separate the inflatable cushion interior 28 into a plurality of compartments 36. At least some of the internal partition membranes 30 comprise at least one opening/

air channel

38A and 38B allowing air to flow between adjacent compartments 36 (i.e., compartments that share the same internal partition membrane 30) . In other words, the plurality of internal partition membranes 30 act as partial partitions between adjacent compartments 36. In an exemplary embodiment, each opening 38A and 38B has a surface area of between about 1 square inch (about 6.5 square centimeters) and about 16 square inches (about 103 square centimeters) . More preferably, in some embodiments, each opening 38A and 38B represents between about 5 percent and about 10 percent of the overall surface area of the internal partition membrane 30 -i.e., the

openings

38A and 38B combined represent about 10％-20％of the overall surface area of the internal partition membrane 30. Without being bound by any particular theory, a purpose for the

openings

38A and 38B is not only to allow the inflatable cushion 22 to be inflated by a single fill hole 48, but also they allow the air to flow freely from one compartment 36 to another which can help to apply the impact force evenly over all the seams on the entire inflatable cushion 22 so as to reduce the pressure on any one single seam. If the

openings

38A and 38B are too small, the impact force will not be released to the other compartments 36 of the inflatable cushion 22, thus high pressure will be applied on the seam on the single compartment 36. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the

openings

38A and 38B may be curved/arch-shaped, with material from the internal partition membrane 30 bordering the sides and top of the arc-

shaped openings

38A and 38B.

The inflatable cushion 22 has a collapsed state wherein the inflatable cushion 22 has a first volume and an inflated state wherein the inflatable cushion 22 has a second volume, the second volume greater than the first volume. The inflatable cushion 22 is configured to move from the collapsed state to the inflated state by filling the plurality of compartments 36 with air.

Optionally, the inner membrane 24 is connected to a plurality of straps 44 facing the hollow interior 12. For example, the inner membrane 24 may comprise a plurality of patches 46 connecting the inner membrane 24 to the plurality of straps 44. The straps 44 are designed to be worn by a user and include, for example, shoulder straps. Optionally, the straps 44 are sewn onto the patches 46 and the patches 46 are welded to the inner membrane 24. Optionally, the inner membrane 24, the outer membrane 26 and the internal partition membrane 30 are comprised of plastic. (e.g., vinyl) . Optionally, the inner membrane 24, the outer membrane 26 and the internal partition membrane 30 are welded together, with seams marking the location at which two components (e.g., the internal partition membrane 30 and the inner membrane 24) are welded together. Optionally, the inflatable cushion 22 further includes an air fill port 48 in gaseous communications with the plurality of compartments 36, the air fill port 48 configured to allow a user to inflate the plurality of compartments 36 with air. Optionally, the air fill port 48 is located on the outer membrane 26. Optionally, all internal partition membranes 30 include at least one

opening

38A and 38B so that the inflatable cushion 22 needs only one air fill port 48. Optionally, the air fill port 48 comprises a one-way air fill valve 50 (e.g., a butterfly valve) so that the user is able to inflate the inflatable cushion 22 with a pump and the user needs to open the valve 50 to deflate the inflatable cushion 22. Optionally, the inner membrane 24 and the outer membrane 26 are sealed to prevent air in the compartments 36 from leaking through the inner membrane 24 and the outer membrane 26. (It being understood that the sealed nature prevents air from leaking without the user opening the valve 50) . Optionally, the plurality of compartments 36 are hollow (e.g., the cushion interior 28 contains no other structural elements except for the internal partition membranes 30) . Optionally, the wearable inflatable 10 is spheroid/pumpkin-shaped, as best seen in FIGs. 1, 3 and 4. Optionally, each internal partition membrane 30 comprises a top 52 and a bottom 54 and each internal partition membrane 30 comprises a top opening 38A located at the top 52 of the internal partition membrane 30 and a bottom opening 38B located at the bottom 54 of the internal partition membrane 30.

Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the internal partition membranes 30 aid the structural integrity of the inflatable cushion 22 and also prevent the inflatable cushion 22 from protruding into the hollow interior 14 without the use of strings. Indeed, in test experiments, the inflatable 10 was strapped to a semi-truck and was backed into a wall without breaking, thus, showing that the inflatable cushion 22 can withstand a significant amount of force.

Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will understand how to make changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, the steps of any method described herein may be performed in any suitable order and steps may be performed simultaneously if needed.

Terms of degree such as “generally” ， ″substantially″ ， ″about″ and ″approximately″ as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ± 5％of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.

Claims

A wearable inflatable comprising:

a hollow interior comprising an open top, an open bottom, a height extending from the open top to the open bottom, and a perimeter generally perpendicular to the height, the hollow interior configured to receive a human user；

an inflatable cushion surrounding the perimeter of the hollow interior, the inflatable cushion comprising an inner membrane, an outer membrane, an interior between the inner membrane and the outer membrane and configured to be filled with air, and a plurality of internal partition membranes spaced about the inflatable cushion interior, the plurality of internal partition membranes having a height generally parallel to the hollow interior height and a width generally perpendicular to the internal partition membrane height extending from the inner membrane to the outer membrane, the plurality of internal partition membranes separating the inflatable cushion interior into a plurality of compartments,

wherein at least some of the internal partition membranes comprise at least one opening allowing air to flow between adjacent compartments, and

further wherein the inflatable cushion has a collapsed state wherein the inflatable cushion has a first volume and an inflated state wherein the inflatable cushion has a second volume, the second volume greater than the first volume, the inflatable cushion configured to move from the collapsed state to the inflated state by filling the plurality of compartments with air.
The wearable inflatable of claim 1, wherein the inner membrane is connected to a plurality of straps facing the hollow interior.
The wearable inflatable of claim 2, wherein the inner membrane comprises a plurality of patches connecting the inner membrane to the plurality of straps.
The wearable inflatable of claim 3, wherein the patches are welded to the inner membrane.
The wearable inflatable of claim 1, wherein the inner membrane and the outer membrane are comprised of plastic.
The wearable inflatable of claim 1, wherein the inner membrane, the outer membrane and the internal partition membrane are welded together.
The wearable inflatable of claim 1, further comprising an air fill port in gaseous communications with the plurality of compartments, the air fill port configured to allow a user to inflate the plurality of compartments with air.
The wearable inflatable of claim 7, wherein the air fill port comprises a one-way air fill valve.
The wearable inflatable of claim 1, wherein the inner membrane and the outer membrane are sealed to prevent air from leaking through the inner membrane and the outer membrane.
The wearable inflatable of claim 1, wherein the plurality of compartments are hollow.
The wearable inflatable of claim 1, wherein the wearable inflatable is a spheroid.
The wearable inflatable of claim 1, wherein each internal partition membrane comprises a top and a bottom and further wherein each internal partition membrane comprises a top opening located at the top of the internal partition membrane and a bottom opening located at the bottom of the internal partition membrane.
The wearable inflatable of claim 12, wherein the combined surface area of the top opening and the bottom opening of each internal partition membrane forms between about 10 and about 20 percent of the total surface area of each internal partition membrane.
The wearable inflatable of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the width of each of the plurality of internal partition membranes causes a reduction in a width of the inflatable cushion in the inflated state at a location of each of the plurality of internal partition membranes.