INFLATABLE RECLINER

Abstract

An inflatable recliner includes an inflatable body and a side portion disposed beside the inflatable body. The inflatable body includes a backrest portion, and a buttock-and-leg support portion connected to the backrest portion. The side portion is extended backward and beyond where the backrest portion and the buttock-and-leg support portion are connected, thereby providing the inflatable body with a supporting force that prevents the inflatable recliner from being overturned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an inflatable recliner able to stay in balance in water without being overturned.

Description of the Related Art

A user can lie on an inflatable recliner in water for fun. The inflatable recliner has a backrest that slopes at an angle to support user's back. However, a conventional inflatable recliner may be sometimes overturned if user's weight center is not well controlled.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an inflatable recliner which is able to keep stable or in balance in water without being overturned. The inflatable recliner in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes an inflatable body and a side portion.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable body includes a backrest portion, and a buttock-and-leg support portion connected to the backrest portion. The side portion is disposed beside the inflatable body. The side portion is extended backward and beyond where the backrest portion and the buttock-and-leg support portion are connected, thereby providing the inflatable body with a supporting force that prevents the inflatable recliner from being overturned.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the side portion is an armrest.

In another exemplary embodiment, the backrest portion is adjustable to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support by virtue of a concave space formed between the backrest portion and the buttock-and-leg support portion.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the concave space is a groove extending in a traverse direction of the inflatable recliner.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable recliner further includes a tensioning element which is connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion and the backrest portion to keep the backrest portion sloped with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion at an angle.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the tensioning element is a buckle strap which includes an adjustment device operated manually to adjust a length of the buckle strap so as to raise or lower the backrest portion.

In another exemplary embodiment, the buckle strap includes a first part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, a second part extended over the backrest portion and connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, and a buckle configured to connect or disconnect the first part and the second part.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable recliner further includes a reel device wherein the tensioning element is a cord to be rolled by the reel device.

In another exemplary embodiment, the reel device includes a rotary disk and a pawl disk. The rotary disk includes teeth. The pawl disk includes a pawl engaged with the teeth. The teeth include gently sloped edges, and steeply sloped edges disposed opposite to the gently sloped edges. The steeply sloped edges are configured to stop the rotary disk from rotating in a first direction in a way that the pawl catches against the steeply sloped edges. The pawl slides over the gently sloped edges when the rotary disk is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable recliner further includes two tensioning elements, wherein each of the tensioning elements is connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion and the backrest portion to keep the backrest portion sloped with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion at an angle.

In another exemplary embodiment, each of the tensioning elements is a buckle strap, the buckle strap includes a first part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, a second part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, and a buckle configured to connect or disconnect the first part and the second part.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable recliner includes a backrest portion and a buttock-and-leg support portion connected to the backrest portion. The buttock-and-leg support portion is extended backward at both sides of the backrest portion and beyond where the backrest portion and the buttock-and-leg support portion are connected, thereby providing the inflatable recliner with a supporting force that prevents the inflatable recliner from being overturned.

In another exemplary embodiment, the backrest portion is adjustable to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support by virtue of a concave space formed between the backrest portion and the buttock-and-leg support portion.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the concave space is a groove extending in a traverse direction of the inflatable recliner.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable recliner further includes a tensioning element which is connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion and the backrest portion to keep the backrest portion sloped with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion at an angle.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the tensioning element is a buckle strap.

In another exemplary embodiment, the buckle strap includes a first part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, a second part extended over the backrest portion and connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, and a buckle configured to connect or disconnect the first part and the second part.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable recliner further includes a reel device wherein the tensioning element is a cord to be rolled by the reel device.

In another exemplary embodiment, the reel device includes a rotary disk and a pawl disk. The rotary disk includes teeth. The pawl disk includes a pawl engaged with the teeth. The teeth include gently sloped edges, and steeply sloped edges disposed opposite to the gently sloped edges. The steeply sloped edges are configured to stop the rotary disk from rotating in a first direction in a way that the pawl catches against the steeply sloped edges. The pawl slides over the gently sloped edges when the rotary disk is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable recliner further includes two tensioning elements, wherein each of the tensioning elements is connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion and the backrest portion to keep the backrest portion sloped with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion at an angle.

In another exemplary embodiment, each of the tensioning elements is a buckle strap, the buckle strap includes a first part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, a second part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, and a buckle configured to connect or disconnect the first part and the second part.

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 is a perspective view of an inflatable recliner in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the inflatable recliner of FIG. 1, with one of the armrest portions of the inflatable recliner removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 along III-III.

FIG. 4 depicts the inflatable recliner of the first embodiment, with the backrest portion adjusted to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion.

FIG. 5 depicts the inflatable recliner of FIG. 4, with one of the armrest portions of the inflatable recliner removed.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a reel device of the inflatable recliner of the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the reel device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a pawl engaged with the teeth of the reel device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the pawl separated from the teeth of the reel device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inflatable recliner in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 depicts the inflatable recliner of FIG. 10, with one of the armrest portions of the inflatable recliner removed.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of FIG. 10 along XII-XII.

FIG. 13 depicts the inflatable recliner of the second embodiment, with the backrest portion adjusted to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion.

FIG. 14 depicts the inflatable recliner of FIG. 13, with one of the armrest portions of the inflatable recliner removed.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an inflatable recliner in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 depicts a buckle strap of the inflatable recliner of FIG. 15 is released to be adjustable in length.

FIG. 17 depicts the buckle strap of FIG. 16 is fastened to be unadjustable in length.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an inflatable recliner in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 depicts a scale provided on a buckle strap of the inflatable recliner of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an inflatable recliner 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention includes an inflatable body 110 and two side portions 120 disposed beside the inflatable body 110. The inflatable body 110 includes a first wall 111, a second wall 112 disposed opposite to the first wall 111, and a third wall 113 connecting the first wall 111 and the second wall 112. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 2 depicts the inflatable recliner 10 of FIG. 1 with one of the armrest portions 120 removed, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 along III-III. As shown, a concave space 114 is formed at the bottom of the inflatable body 110. In the first embodiment, the concave space 114 is a groove extending in a traverse direction at the bottom of the inflatable body 110. It is worth noting that the groove is not extended to the third wall 113 of the inflatable body 110.

It is feasible that the third wall 113 is removed and the first wall 111 and the second wall 112 are directly connected to each other by fusion and/or gluing.

Thanks to the groove 114, the inflatable body 110 can be bent. Structurally and functionally, the inflatable recliner 10 includes a backrest portion 130 and a buttock-and-leg support portion 140. The groove 114 is formed between the backrest portion 130 and the buttock-and-leg support portion 140 so that the backrest portion 130 can be adjusted to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion 140, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the first embodiment, the side portions 120 are armrests. The side portions 120 are extended backward and beyond where the backrest portion 130 and the buttock-and-leg support portion 140 are connected. By such arrangement, the inflatable recliner 10 that reclines will not be overturned. Specifically, when a user lies on the inflatable recliner 10 in water (e.g. swimming pool, lake, sea and so on), the buoyant force (the supporting force) exerted to the side portions 120 can keep the inflatable recliner 10 stable or in balance without being overturned.

The inflatable recliner 10 further includes a tensioning element 150 for adjusting the backrest portion 130 to slope at different angles. In the first embodiment, the tensioning element 150 is a cord extended over the back of the backrest portion 130. Further, the cord has an end connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion 140 and another end connected to a reel device 160. In the invention, the tensioning element of the invention is not limited to a cord. The tensioning element 150 can be a strap, a band or in other shape. In some other embodiments, the tensioning element is a plastic strap, a braided strap or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the reel device 160 includes a rotary cap 161, a pressure disk 162, a rotary disk 163, a pawl disk 164, a spring 165 and a base 166. The rotary cap 161 and the rotary disk 163 are connected to each other in a way that the rotary disk 163 can be driven by the rotary cap 161 to rotate. An end of the cord 150 is fixed to the rotary disk 163. The cord 150 has a portion disposed in the reel device 160 and wrapped around the rotary disk 163 and another portion pulled out of the reel device 160 through a hole 167 of the base 166. The spring 165 has an end fixed to the base 166 and another end configured to push the pawl disk 164 toward the rotary disk 163 so that the pawl 168 of the pawl disk 164 is forced into the depression 169 between the teeth 167 of the rotary disk 163 as shown in FIG. 8. When the rotary cap 161 is rotated in the unrestricted direction, the rotary disk 163 is driven to rotate with respect to the pawl disk 164 and the pawl 168 of the pawl disk 164 easily slides over the gently sloped edges of the teeth 167 and into the next depression 169 between the teeth 167. Also, the portion of the cord 150 outside the reel device 160 is shortened. The rotary disk 163 cannot be rotated reversely because the pawl 168 catches against the steeply sloped edge of the tooth 167. Therefore, the backrest portion 130 can be kept at an angle by the cord 150. The backrest portion 130 can be raised by further rotating the rotary cap 161 to shorten the portion of the cord 150 outside the reel device 160.

To lower the backrest portion 130, the user can push down the pressure disk 162 to separate the pawl 168 of the pawl disk 164 from the depression 169 between the teeth 167 as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, the rotary disk 163 can be rotated reversely and the user can pull more cord out of the reel device 160 that allows the backrest portion 130 to be lowered.

From above descriptions, it is understood that the user can operate the reel device 160 with one hand. It is convenient for the user. Further, the reel device 160 is an adjustment device allowing the user to adjust the length of the cord 150 so as to raise or lower the backrest portion 130.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, an inflatable recliner 10′ in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention includes a backrest portion 130, a buttock-and-leg support portion 140, and a concave space 114′ formed between the backrest portion 130 and the buttock-and-leg support portion 140. In the second embodiment, the concave space 114′ is a groove extending in a traverse direction of the inflatable recliner 10′. It is worth noting that the groove is extended to the side wall 113 of the inflatable recliner 10′.

Thanks to the concave space 114′, the backrest portion 130 can be adjusted to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion 140, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

Other elements of the inflatable recliner 10′ of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 15, an inflatable recliner 10″ in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention includes a backrest portion 130 and a buttock-and-leg support portion 140. The backrest portion 130 is adjustable to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion 140 at different angles.

The inflatable recliner 10″ further includes a buckle strap 170 to determine the angle of the backrest portion 130. The buckle strap 170 includes a first part 171 connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion 140, a second part 172 extended over the back of the backrest portion 130, and a buckle 174 connecting/disconnecting the first part 171 and the second part 172. The length of the buckle strap 170 is adjustable so as to change the angle of the backrest portion 130. When the first part 171 is released by the buckle 174 as shown in FIG. 16, the buckle strap 170 can be adjusted in length. When the first part 171 is fastened by the buckle 174 as shown in FIG. 17, the buckle strap 170 cannot be adjusted in length. It is therefore understood that the buckle 174 is an adjustment device allowing the user to adjust the length of the buckle strap so as to raise or lower the backrest portion.

In the third embodiment, the buttock-and-leg support portion 140 is extended backward at both sides of the backrest portion 130. The side portions 120 are disposed beside the buttock-and-leg support portion 140. It is worth noting that the buttock-and-leg support portion 140 and the side portions 120 are all extended beyond where the backrest portion 130 and the buttock-and-leg support portion 140 are connected. Therefore, the buoyant force of the third embodiment for preventing the inflatable recliner from being overturned is greater than those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, an inflatable recliner 10″ in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention includes a backrest portion 130 and a buttock-and-leg support portion 140. The backrest portion 130 is adjustable to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion 140 at different angles.

The inflatable recliner 10″ further includes two buckle straps 170 disposed at two side to determine the angle of the backrest portion 130. Each buckle strap 170 includes a first part 171 connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion 140, a second part 172 connected to the backrest portion 130, and a buckle 174 connecting/disconnecting the first part 171 and the second part 172. The length of the buckle strap 170 is adjustable so as to change the angle of the backrest portion 130. The first part 171 is provided with a scale as shown in FIG. 19, and the buckle 174 is provided with an indicator (not shown) that points at the scale to show the angle of the backrest portion 130. The user can adjust the two buckle straps 170 to equal length by means of the scales, thereby avoiding the backrest portion 130 from tilting toward one side (the left side or the right side).

Other elements of the inflatable recliner 10″ of the fourth embodiment are similar to those of the third embodiment, and therefore the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

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 recliner, comprising: an inflatable body comprising a backrest portion, and a buttock-and-leg support portion connected to the backrest portion;a side portion disposed beside the inflatable body;wherein the side portion is extended backward and beyond where the backrest portion and the buttock-and-leg support portion are connected, thereby providing the inflatable body with a supporting force that prevents the inflatable recliner from being overturned.

2. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side portion is an armrest.

3. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backrest portion is adjustable to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support by virtue of a concave space formed between the backrest portion and the buttock-and-leg support portion.

4. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the concave space is a groove extending in a traverse direction of the inflatable recliner.

5. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tensioning element which is connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion and the backrest portion to keep the backrest portion sloped with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion at an angle.

6. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tensioning element is a buckle strap which comprises an adjustment device operated manually to adjust a length of the buckle strap so as to raise or lower the backrest portion.

7. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the buckle strap comprises a first part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, a second part extended over the backrest portion and connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, and a buckle configured to connect or disconnect the first part and the second part.

8. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a reel device wherein the tensioning element is a cord to be rolled by the reel device.

9. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the reel device comprises a rotary disk and a pawl disk;the rotary disk comprises teeth;the pawl disk comprises a pawl engaged with the teeth;the teeth comprise gently sloped edges, and steeply sloped edges disposed opposite to the gently sloped edges;the steeply sloped edges are configured to stop the rotary disk from rotating in a first direction in a way that the pawl catches against the steeply sloped edges;the pawl slides over the gently sloped edges when the rotary disk is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

10. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two tensioning elements, wherein each of the tensioning elements is connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion and the backrest portion to keep the backrest portion sloped with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion at an angle.

11. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the tensioning elements is a buckle strap, the buckle strap comprises a first part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, a second part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, and a buckle configured to connect or disconnect the first part and the second part.

12. An inflatable recliner, comprising: a backrest portion;a buttock-and-leg support portion connected to the backrest portion;wherein the buttock-and-leg support portion is extended backward at both sides of the backrest portion and beyond where the backrest portion and the buttock-and-leg support portion are connected, thereby providing the inflatable recliner with a supporting force that prevents the inflatable recliner from being overturned.

13. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 12, wherein the backrest portion is adjustable to slope with respect to the buttock-and-leg support by virtue of a concave space formed between the backrest portion and the buttock-and-leg support portion.

14. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 13, wherein the concave space is a groove extending in a traverse direction of the inflatable recliner.

15. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a tensioning element which is connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion and the backrest portion to keep the backrest portion sloped with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion at an angle.

16. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the tensioning element is a buckle strap.

17. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 16, wherein the buckle strap comprises a first part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, a second part extended over the backrest portion and connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, and a buckle configured to connect or disconnect the first part and the second part.

18. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a reel device wherein the tensioning element is a cord to be rolled by the reel device.

19. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 18, wherein: the reel device comprises a rotary disk and a pawl disk;the rotary disk comprises teeth;the pawl disk comprises a pawl engaged with the teeth;the teeth comprise gently sloped edges, and steeply sloped edges disposed opposite to the gently sloped edges;the steeply sloped edges are configured to stop the rotary disk from rotating in a first direction in a way that the pawl catches against the steeply sloped edges;the pawl slides over the gently sloped edges when the rotary disk is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

20. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 12, further comprising two tensioning elements, wherein each of the tensioning elements is connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion and the backrest portion to keep the backrest portion sloped with respect to the buttock-and-leg support portion at an angle.

21. The inflatable recliner as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the tensioning elements is a buckle strap, the buckle strap comprises a first part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, a second part connected to the buttock-and-leg support portion, and a buckle configured to connect or disconnect the first part and the second part.