초록 ▼

A configurable, adjustable inflatable device including one or more inflatable bladders and a shape-defining membrane that combines with the inflatable bladders such that an overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is at least partially controlled by the shape-defining membrane, and wherei

A configurable, adjustable inflatable device including one or more inflatable bladders and a shape-defining membrane that combines with the inflatable bladders such that an overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is at least partially controlled by the shape-defining membrane, and wherein the overall shape of the configurable inflatable device is substantially different from an inflated shape of inflatable bladders alone. The configurable adjustable inflatable device may include a covering layer that may partially or completely surround the inflatable bladders and may attach to the membrane or the inflatable bladders. The level of inflation of the inflatable bladders may also be controlled, further adding to the adjustability of the inflatable device.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An inflatable device comprising: an inflatable bladder comprising a plurality of channels, each having a corresponding length and width; and at least one shape-defining member in contact with at least two of said channels, the at least one shape-defining member extending in a

What is claimed is: 1. An inflatable device comprising: an inflatable bladder comprising a plurality of channels, each having a corresponding length and width; and at least one shape-defining member in contact with at least two of said channels, the at least one shape-defining member extending in a direction substantially perpendicularly to each of said lengths and spanning a distance equal to the width of at least two of said channels such that the overall shape of the inflatable bladder in an inflated condition and in combination with the at least one shape-defining member, is substantially different from an inflated shape of the inflatable bladder alone, wherein the inflatable bladder includes two layers sealed by a perimeter seam and sealed internally at regular intervals by a plurality of internal seams formed at a plurality of regions of the inflatable bladder, wherein the at least one shape-defining member is connected to at least one of the regions, wherein the inflatable bladder has a first width when deflated, the at least one shape-defining member has a second width, and wherein the second width is substantially smaller than the first width. 2. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shape-defining member includes at least one band that fits around the inflatable bladder. 3. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shape-defining member includes a plurality of bands that fit around the inflatable bladder. 4. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a covering layer attached to at least one of the inflatable bladder and the at least one shape-defining member. 5. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a covering layer that is quilted. 6. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a covering layer that includes an envelope structure and substantially completely surrounds the inflatable bladder. 7. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shape defining member is connected to at least one of the regions by an attachment device. 8. An inflatable bladder structure comprising: a plurality of fluidly interconnected inflatable sections that, when disposed on a planar surface, are disposed along an axis, and along the axis the inflatable sections being separated; and at least one shape-defining member coupled to the inflatable sections at a plurality of locations, the locations being disposed substantially along a direction parallel to the axis, and the shape-defining member being adapted to alter a separation of the inflatable sections in the direction of the axis, wherein the plurality of sections are separated by a plurality of seams formed at a plurality of regions of the inflatable bladder, and wherein the at least one shape defining member is connected to at least two of the regions. 9. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape-defining member is flexible. 10. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape-defining member is rigid. 11. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 10, wherein the at least one shape-defining member comprises a rod. 12. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 10, wherein the at least one shape-defining member comprises a bar. 13. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape-defining member is coupled to the inflatable sections at two or more locations. 14. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape-defining member is coupled to the inflatable sections at three or more locations. 15. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape-defining member comprises a planar membrane. 16. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 15, wherein the planar membrane has a width that is substantially the same as the width of the inflatable bladder structure. 17. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 16, wherein the planar membrane substantially overspreads a surface of the inflatable bladder structure. 18. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 15, wherein the planar membrane is disposed on a first side of the inflatable bladder structure. 19. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 18, further comprising a second membrane disposed on a second side of the inflatable bladder structure. 20. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 15, wherein the planar membrane wraps around the plurality of fluidly interconnected inflatable sections. 21. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 15, wherein the planar membrane is connected to at least two of the seams. 22. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 21, wherein the planar membrane is coupled to the inflatable sections through at least two of the seams. 23. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 21, wherein the planar membrane is connected to at least three of the seams. 24. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape defining member is connected to the inflatable sections at a first location and a second location on the inflatable bladder structure, and the length of the shape defining member between the first location and the second location is less than the distance between the first location an the second location on the inflatable bladder structure that would exist in the absence of the shape defining member. 25. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape defining member is connected to at least two of the seams. 26. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 25, wherein the at least one shape defining member is coupled to the inflatable sections through the at least two seams. 27. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape defining member is connected to at least three of the seams. 28. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape-defining member comprises a plurality of shape defining members. 29. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of shape defining members is coupled to at least two of the plurality of sections. 30. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of shape defining members is coupled to at least three of the plurality of sections. 31. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of shape defining members is connected to at least one of the plurality of seams. 32. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of shape defining members is connected to at least two of the plurality of seams. 33. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of shape defining members is connected to at least three of the plurality of seams. 34. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of sections is configured as a tube. 35. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 34, wherein each tube is disposed such that it is parallel to the other tubes. 36. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 35, wherein the tubes have a length and a width and the lengths of the shape defining members are disposed to extend substantially in the direction of the widths of the tubes. 37. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the inflatable bladder structure comprises two impermeable layers, the two layers being configured to form the plurality of fluidly interconnected inflatable sections. 38. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 37, wherein the layers are sealed at an outer perimeter. 39. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 37, wherein the layers are sealed at an edge. 40. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 37, wherein the layers are sealed at intervals, the seals forming a plurality of seams that at least partially separate the plurality of inflatable sections. 41. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 37, wherein the seams have a length less than the length of the inflatable bladder structure, whereby the plurality of inflatable sections are fluidly interconnected. 42. The inflatable bladder structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one shape-defining member is adapted to alter a separation of adjacent ones of the plurality of inflatable sections in the direction of the axis. 43. An inflatable device comprising: an inflatable bladder including at least three fluidly interconnected inflatable sections that, when disposed on a planar surface, are disposed substantially parallel to one another along an axis between a first location and a second location, and along the axis the inflatable sections being separated; and at least one shape-defining member attached to the inflatable bladder at a plurality of locations including at least one location located between the first location and the second location, the locations being disposed substantially along a direction parallel to the axis, and the shape-defining member being adapted to alter a separation of the inflatable sections in the direction of the axis. 44. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 43, wherein the at least three fluidly interconnected inflatable sections are separated by a plurality of seams formed at a plurality of regions of the inflatable bladder. 45. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 44, wherein the at least one shape-defining member is attached to the inflatable bladder at two of the plurality of regions. 46. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 45, wherein the at least one shape-defining member is attached to the inflatable bladder at two of the plurality of seams. 47. The inflatable device as claimed in claim 44, wherein the inflatable device includes two layers, and wherein the plurality of seams are formed by attaching the two layers. 48. An inflatable device comprising: an inflatable bladder including a plurality of fluidly interconnected inflatable sections that, when disposed on a planar surface, are disposed along an axis, and along the axis the inflatable sections being separated; and at least one shape-defining member spanning at least a part of three of the plurality of fluidly interconnected inflatable sections and attached to the inflatable bladder at one or more location, the one or more location being disposed substantially along a direction parallel to the axis, and the shape-defining member being adapted to alter a separation of the inflatable sections in the direction of the axis with the inflatable device substantially disposed in a planar condition.