Inflatable Product

Abstract

An inflatable product and a method of manufacturing the inflatable product are provided. The inflatable product includes an inflatable pad body and an inflatable backrest body. The inflatable pad body includes a top wall, a bottom wall disposed opposite to the top wall, and a side wall connecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The inflatable backrest body includes a front wall and a back wall connected to the front wall. The front wall adjoins the top wall. The back wall adjoins the side wall.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an inflatable product with reduced manufacturing cost.

Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 depicts a conventional air bed 1 that includes an air mattress 11 and an air backrest 12. The air mattress 11 includes a top wall 111, a bottom wall 112, and a side wall 113 connecting the top wall 111 and the bottom wall 112. The air backrest 12 is connected to the top wall 111 of the air mattress 11 by fusion. The air mattress 11 is extended beyond the air backrest 12 in the horizontal direction so as to create a space 13 behind the air backrest 12 and above the air mattress 11. The space 13 is required for fusion operation during the manufacturing process.

As described, the air mattress 11 is required to have a portion extended beyond the backrest 12 for the manufacturing reason. However, the portion is no use for users. If the portion can be removed, then the air mattress 11 can be shortened, the material of the portion can be saved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the goal, the invention provides an inflatable product. In an exemplary embodiment, the inflatable product includes an inflatable pad body and an inflatable backrest body. The inflatable pad body includes a top wall, a bottom wall disposed opposite to the top wall, and a side wall connecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The inflatable backrest body includes a front wall and a back wall connected to the front wall. The front wall adjoins the top wall. The back wall adjoins the side wall.

In another exemplary embodiment, the top wall and the front wall are integrally formed as a continuous piece.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the side wall and the back wall are integrally formed as a continuous piece.

In another exemplary embodiment, the front wall is larger than the back wall in size.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the top wall is larger than the bottom wall in size.

In another exemplary embodiment, the side wall includes a top and a bottom. The side wall is in a closed shape. An area surrounded by the side wall is gradually larger from the bottom to the top.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable product further includes a plurality of first tensioning elements vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall, a second tensioning element slanted to connect the top wall and the side wall, a third tensioning element slanted to connect the side wall and the bottom wall, and a fourth tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable product further includes a plurality of first tensioning elements vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall, a second tensioning element slanted to connect the top wall and the side wall, and a third tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable product further includes a plurality of first tensioning elements vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall, a second tensioning element slanted to connect the side wall and the bottom wall, and a third tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable product further includes a plurality of first tensioning elements vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall, and a second tensioning element including a first portion and a second portion, both of which connect to where the front wall and the top wall meet. The first portion further connects to the back wall. The second portion further connects to the side wall.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable product further includes a first tensioning element vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall, a second tensioning element slanted to connect the top wall and the side wall, and a third tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable product further includes an inflatable armrest body including an inner wall and an outer wall connected to the inner wall. The inner wall adjoins the top wall. The outer wall adjoins the side wall and the back wall.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the top wall, the front wall and the inner wall are integrally formed as a continuous piece.

In another exemplary embodiment, the outer wall, the side wall and the back wall are integrally formed as a continuous piece.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable product further includes a first tensioning element vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall, a second tensioning element slanted to connect the top wall and the bottom wall, and a third tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inner wall is larger than the outer wall in size.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing an inflatable product which includes an inflatable pad body and an inflatable backrest body. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a first part which includes a top wall of the inflatable pad body and a front wall of the inflatable backrest body, providing a second part which includes a side wall of the inflatable pad body and a back wall of the inflatable backrest body, providing a third part which includes a bottom wall of the inflatable pad body, connecting the first part and the second part in a way that the top wall is connected to the side wall, and the front wall is connected to the back wall, and connecting the second part and the third part in a way that the side wall is connected to the bottom wall.

In another exemplary embodiment, the sheet is an integrally-formed continuous plastic piece or is formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first part is a sheet.

In another exemplary embodiment, the second part is a looped band.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the looped band is formed by connecting edges of at least one plastic piece.

In another exemplary embodiment, the third part is a sheet.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the sheet is an integrally-formed continuous plastic piece or is formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable product further includes an inflatable armrest body. The first part further includes an inner wall of the inflatable armrest body. The second part further includes an outer wall of inflatable armrest body. The first part and the second part are further connected in a way that the inner wall is connected to the outer wall.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a conventional air bed that includes an air mattress and an air backrest.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inflatable product in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the inflatable product of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 depicts three parts used for forming the inflatable product of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inflatable product in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the inflatable product of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inflatable product in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the inflatable product of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is another sectional view of the inflatable product of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 depicts three parts used for forming the inflatable product of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an inflatable product in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the inflatable product of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an inflatable product in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is a high-profile air bed 2. The high-profile air bed 2 includes an inflatable pad body 21, an inflatable backrest body 22 extending upwards from the inflatable pad body 21, and a plurality of tensioning elements 26, 27, 28, 29 disposed in the inflatable pad body 21 and the inflatable backrest body 22.

The inflatable pad body 21 is a hollow body that has a top wall 211, a bottom wall 212, and a side wall 213 connecting the top wall 211 and the bottom wall 212 by fusion. In the inflatable pad body 21, a plurality of tubular tensioning elements 26 are vertically disposed to connect the top wall 211 and the bottom wall 212, a looped tensioning element 27 is slanted to connect the top wall 211 and the side wall 213, and a looped tensioning element 28 is slanted to connect the side wall 213 and the bottom wall 212. The tensioning elements 26, 27, 28 are provided for controlling expansion of the inflatable pad body 21 to a desired shape when the air bed 2 is inflated.

The inflatable backrest body 22 is also a hollow body that has a front wall 221 and a back wall 222. The front wall 221 is provided for supporting user's back. The back wall 222 is disposed opposite to the front wall 221. The front wall 221 and the back wall 222 are connected to each other at the top by fusion. The bottom of the front wall 221 is connected to the top wall 211 of the inflatable pad body 21, and the bottom of the back wall 222 is connected to the side wall 213 of the inflatable pad body 21. One or more tubular tensioning elements 29 are horizontally disposed or are slanted to connect the front wall 221 and the back wall 222 for controlling expansion of the inflatable backrest body 22 when the air bed 2 is inflated. It is understood that the tensioning elements 29 are not necessary tubular. The tensioning elements 29 can be implemented in other forms, for example, in a form of straps.

It is worth noting that the front wall 221 is larger than the back wall 222 in size so that the inflatable backrest body 22 can bulge more toward the front after inflation.

Referring to FIG. 4, the air bed 2 is formed by connecting three parts 23, 24, 25 by fusion. The three parts 23, 24, 25 are made of plastic material such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). The part 23 is a sheet which may be an integrally-formed continuous plastic piece or may be formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces. Further, the part 23 includes the top wall 211 of the inflatable pad body 21 and the front wall 221 of the inflatable backrest body 22. The part 24 is a looped band formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces or connecting edges of a plastic piece. Further, the part 24 includes the side wall 213 of the inflatable pad body 21 and the back wall 222 of the backrest body 22. The part 25 is a sheet which may be an integrally-formed continuous plastic piece or may be formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces. Further, the part 25 includes the bottom wall 212 of the inflatable pad body 21. To form the air bed 2, the part 23 and the part 24 are connected by fusion in which the top wall 211 is connected to the side wall 213 and the front wall 221 is connected to the back wall 222. The part 24 and the part 25 are connected by fusion in which the side wall 213 is connected to the bottom wall 212.

As shown in FIG. 3, the back wall 222 adjoins the side wall 213 instead of the top wall 211. Therefore, at least the portion 111B of the air bed 1 of FIG. 1 can be saved in the invention. Further, the top wall 211 adjoins the front wall 221 without extending to further adjoin the back wall 222. Therefore, at least the portion 111A of the air bed 1 of FIG. 1 can be saved in the invention. By saving the described material, the manufacturing cost of the air bed of the invention can be significantly reduced in mass production.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an inflatable product in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is a low-profile air bed 3. The low-profile air bed 3 includes an inflatable pad body 31, an inflatable backrest body 32 extending upwards from the inflatable pad body 31, and a plurality of tensioning elements 36, 39 disposed in the inflatable pad body 31 and the inflatable backrest body 32.

The inflatable pad body 31 is a hollow body that has a top wall 311, a bottom wall 312, and a side wall 313 connecting the top wall 311 and the bottom wall 312 by fusion. In the inflatable pad body 31, a plurality of tubular tensioning elements 36 are vertically disposed to connect the top wall 311 and the bottom wall 312. The inflatable backrest body 32 is also a hollow body that has a front wall 321 and a back wall 322. The front wall 321 is provided for supporting user's back. The back wall 322 is disposed opposite to the front wall 321. The front wall 321 and the back wall 322 are connected to each other at the top by fusion. The bottom of the front wall 321 is connected to the top wall 311 of the inflatable pad body 31, and the bottom of the back wall 322 is connected to the side wall 313 of the inflatable pad body 31. At least one tensioning element 39 is provided for controlling expansion of the inflatable pad body 31 and the inflatable backrest body 32 when the air bed 3 is inflated. In this embodiment, the tensioning element 39 is a strap that includes a first portion 391 and a second portion 392, both of which connect to where the front wall 321 and the top wall 311 meet. The first portion 391 and the second portion 392 further connect to the back wall 322 and the side wall 313, respectively.

It is worth noting that the front wall 321 is larger than the back wall 322 in size so that the inflatable backrest body 32 can bulge more toward the front after inflation.

The air bed 3 is formed by connecting three parts by fusion. The three parts of this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment and therefore the descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the back wall 322 adjoins the side wall 313 instead of the top wall 311. Therefore, at least the portion 111B of the air bed 1 of FIG. 1 can be saved in the invention. Further, the top wall 311 adjoins the front wall 321 without extending to further adjoin the back wall 322. Therefore, at least the portion 111A of the air bed 1 of FIG. 1 can be saved in the invention. By saving the described material, the manufacturing cost of the air bed of the invention can be significantly reduced in mass production.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, an inflatable product in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention is an air sofa 4. The air sofa 4 includes an inflatable pad body 41, an inflatable backrest body 42 disposed at the back thereof to extend upwards from the inflatable pad body 41, two inflatable armrest bodies 48 disposed on both sides thereof to extend upwards from the inflatable pad body 41, and a plurality of tensioning elements 46, 47, 49 disposed in the inflatable pad body 41 and the inflatable backrest body 42.

The inflatable pad body 41 is a hollow body that has a top wall 411, a bottom wall 412, and a side wall 413 connecting the top wall 411 and the bottom wall 412 by fusion. In the inflatable pad body 41, a plurality of tubular tensioning elements 46 are vertically disposed to connect the top wall 411 and the bottom wall 412, and a looped tensioning element 47 is slanted or vertically disposed to connect the top wall 411 and the bottom wall 412. The tensioning elements 46, 47 are provided for producing or forming the shapes of the inflatable backrest body 42 and the inflatable armrest bodies 48 and controlling expansion of the inflatable pad body 41 when the air sofa 4 is inflated.

The side wall 413 has a top and a bottom. Further, the side wall 413 is in a closed shape. An area surrounded by the side wall 413 is gradually larger from the bottom to the top. Therefore, the top wall 411 is larger than the bottom wall 412. By such arrangement, the air sofa 4 has more space allowing the backrest body 42 and the armrest bodies 48 to bulge inward.

The inflatable backrest body 42 is also a hollow body that has a front wall 421 and a back wall 422. The front wall 421 is provided for supporting user's back. The back wall 422 is disposed opposite to the front wall 421. The front wall 421 and the back wall 422 are connected to each other at the top by fusion. The bottom of the front wall 421 is connected to the top wall 411 of the inflatable pad body 41, and the bottom of the back wall 422 is connected to the side wall 413 of the inflatable pad body 41. At least one tubular tensioning element 49 is horizontally disposed or is slanted to connect the front wall 421 and the back wall 422 for controlling expansion of the inflatable backrest body 42 when the air sofa 4 is inflated. It is understood that the tensioning element 49 is not necessary tubular. The tensioning element 49 can be implemented in other forms, for example, in a form of strap.

Each inflatable armrest body 48 is a hollow body that has an inner wall 481 and an outer wall 482 disposed opposite to the inner wall 481. The inner wall 481 and the outer wall 482 are connected to each other at the top by fusion. The bottom of the inner wall 481 is connected to the top wall 411 of the inflatable pad body 41, and the bottom of the outer wall 482 is connected to the side wall 413 of the inflatable pad body 41. It is worth noting that the inner wall 481 is larger than the outer wall 482 in size so that the inflatable armrest body 48 can bulge more away from the outer wall 482 after inflation.

Referring to FIG. 10, the air sofa 4 is formed by connecting three parts 43, 44, 45 by fusion. The three parts 43, 44, 45 are made of plastic material such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). The part 43 is a sheet which may be an integrally-formed continuous plastic piece or may be formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces. Further, the part 43 includes the top wall 411 of the inflatable pad body 41, the front wall 421 of the inflatable backrest body 42, and the inner walls 481 of the inflatable armrest bodies 48. The part 44 is a looped band formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces. Further, the part 44 includes the side wall 413 of the inflatable pad body 41, the back wall 422 of the inflatable backrest body 42, and the outer walls 482 of the inflatable armrest bodies 48. The part 45 is a sheet which may be an integrally-formed continuous plastic piece or may be formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces. Further, the part 45 includes the bottom wall 412 of the inflatable pad body 41. To form the air sofa 4, the part 43 and the part 44 are connected by fusion in which the top wall 411 is connected to the side wall 413, the front wall 421 is connected to the back wall 422, and the inner wall 481 is connected to the outer wall 482. The part 44 and the part 45 are connected by fusion in which the side wall 413 is connected to the bottom wall 412.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, an inflatable product in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention is an air sofa 5. The air sofa 5 includes an inflatable pad body 51, an inflatable backrest body 52 extending upwards from the inflatable pad body 51, and a plurality of tensioning elements 56, 57, 59 disposed in the inflatable pad body 51 and the inflatable backrest body 52.

The inflatable pad body 51 is a hollow body that has a top wall 511, a bottom wall 512, and a side wall 513 connecting the top wall 511 and the bottom wall 512 by fusion. In the inflatable pad body 51, at least one tubular tensioning element 56 is vertically disposed to connect the top wall 511 and the bottom wall 512, and a looped tensioning element 57 is slanted to connect the top wall 511 and the side wall 513. The tensioning elements 56, 57 are provided for producing the inflatable backrest body 52 and controlling expansion of the inflatable pad body 51 when the air sofa 5 is inflated.

The inflatable backrest body 52 is also a hollow body that has a front wall 521 and a back wall 522. The front wall 521 is provided for supporting user's back. The back wall 522 is disposed opposite to the front wall 521. The front wall 521 and the back wall 522 are connected to each other at the top by fusion. The bottom of the front wall 521 is connected to the top wall 511 of the inflatable pad body 51, and the bottom of the back wall 522 is connected to the side wall 513 of the inflatable pad body 51. At least one tubular tensioning element 59 is horizontally disposed or is slanted to connect the front wall 521 and the back wall 522 for controlling expansion of the inflatable backrest body 52 when the air sofa 5 is inflated. It is understood that the tensioning element 59 is not necessary tubular. The tensioning element 59 can be implemented in other forms, for example, in a form of strap.

It is worth noting that the front wall 521 is larger than the back wall 522 in size so that the inflatable backrest body 52 can bulge more toward the front more after inflation.

The air sofa 5 is formed by connecting three parts by fusion. In the fourth embodiment, the air sofa 5 has no inflatable armrest bodies 48 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, the structure of the three parts of this embodiment is more similar to that of the first embodiment than to that of the third embodiment.

In the invention, a plurality of tensioning elements, disposed vertically or slanted or in various shapes, are provided to connect the top wall, the bottom wall and the side wall by fusion or gluing along connecting lines. The connecting lines are well arranged to form different surfaces of the inflatable pad body, the inflatable backrest body, and the inflatable armrest bodies at different angles and locations, including planar surfaces, slanted surfaces, higher surfaces, lower surfaces and so on.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Claims

1. An inflatable product comprising: an inflatable pad body comprising a top wall, a bottom wall disposed opposite to the top wall, and a side wall connecting the top wall and the bottom wall;an inflatable backrest body comprising a front wall and a back wall connected to the front wall;wherein the front wall adjoins the top wall;wherein the back wall adjoins the side wall.

2. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top wall and the front wall are integrally formed as a continuous piece.

3. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side wall and the back wall are integrally formed as a continuous piece.

4. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front wall is larger than the back wall in size.

5. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top wall is larger than the bottom wall in size.

6. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the side wall comprises a top and a bottom;the side wall is in a closed shape;an area surrounded by the side wall is gradually larger from the bottom to the top.

7. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of first tensioning elements vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall;a second tensioning element slanted to connect the top wall and the side wall;a third tensioning element slanted to connect the side wall and the bottom wall;a fourth tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

8. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of first tensioning elements vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall;a second tensioning element slanted to connect the top wall and the side wall;a third tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

9. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of first tensioning elements vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall;a second tensioning element slanted to connect the side wall and the bottom wall;a third tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

10. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of first tensioning elements vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall;a second tensioning element comprising a first portion and a second portion, both of which connect to where the front wall and the top wall meet;wherein the first portion further connects to the back wall;wherein the second portion further connects to the side wall.

11. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a first tensioning element vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall;a second tensioning element slanted to connect the top wall and the side wall;a third tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

12. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an inflatable armrest body comprising an inner wall and an outer wall connected to the inner wall;wherein the inner wall adjoins the top wall;wherein the outer wall adjoins the side wall and the back wall.

13. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 12, wherein the top wall, the front wall and the inner wall are integrally formed as a continuous piece.

14. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 12, wherein the outer wall, the side wall and the back wall are integrally formed as a continuous piece.

15. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: a first tensioning element vertically disposed to connect the top wall and the bottom wall;a second tensioning element slanted to connect the top wall and the bottom wall;a third tensioning element slanted or horizontally disposed to connect the front wall and the back wall.

16. The inflatable product as claimed in claim 12, wherein the inner wall is larger than the outer wall in size.

17. A method of manufacturing an inflatable product which comprises an inflatable pad body and an inflatable backrest body, comprising: providing a first part which comprises a top wall of the inflatable pad body and a front wall of the inflatable backrest body;providing a second part which comprises a side wall of the inflatable pad body and a back wall of the inflatable backrest body;providing a third part which comprises a bottom wall of the inflatable pad body;connecting the first part and the second part in a way that the top wall is connected to the side wall, and the front wall is connected to the back wall;connecting the second part and the third part in a way that the side wall is connected to the bottom wall.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first part is a sheet.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the sheet is an integrally-formed continuous plastic piece or is formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces.

20. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second part is a looped band.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the looped band is formed by connecting edges of at least one plastic piece.

22. The method as claimed in claim 17. wherein the third part is a sheet.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22. wherein the sheet is an integrally-formed continuous plastic piece or is formed by connecting a plurality of plastic pieces.

24. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein: the inflatable product further comprises an inflatable armrest body;the first part further comprises an inner wall of the inflatable armrest body;the second part further comprises an outer wall of inflatable armrest body;the first part and the second part are further connected in a way that the inner wall is connected to the outer wall.