초록 ▼

An inflatable item has a body. The body has a chamber therein, and defines an outer edge. An inlet is provided on the body and communicates with the chamber. A groove is cut from the outer edge of the body and extends for a depth into the body. A fold line extends from the outer edge to a portion of

An inflatable item has a body. The body has a chamber therein, and defines an outer edge. An inlet is provided on the body and communicates with the chamber. A groove is cut from the outer edge of the body and extends for a depth into the body. A fold line extends from the outer edge to a portion of the groove.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An inflatable item, comprising: a body having a chamber therein, the body defining an outer edge; an inlet provided on the body and communicating with the chamber; a first groove cut from the outer edge of the body and extending for a depth into the body; a second groove cut

What is claimed is: 1. An inflatable item, comprising: a body having a chamber therein, the body defining an outer edge; an inlet provided on the body and communicating with the chamber; a first groove cut from the outer edge of the body and extending for a depth into the body; a second groove cut from the outer edge of the body and extending for a depth into the body; a first fold line extending from the outer edge to a portion of the first groove; and a second fold line extending from the outer edge to a portion of the second groove. 2. The item of claim 1, wherein the body defines a longitudinal center line, and wherein the first and second grooves are symmetrical to each other about the center line. 3. The item of claim 1, wherein the body defines a longitudinal center line, and wherein the first and second fold lines are symmetrical to each other about the center line. 4. The item of claim 1, wherein the first groove has an inner end, with the first fold line extending from the outer edge to the inner end of the first groove. 5. The item of claim 1, wherein the first fold line divides the body into separate first and second sections. 6. The item of claim 5, wherein the second fold line divides the body into separate first and third sections. 7. The item of claim 5, wherein the body assumes a planar configuration when fully inflated, and wherein the body assumes a folded configuration when the separate sections are folded about the fold lines. 8. The item of claim 7, further including a releasable attachment mechanism that secures the body in the folded configuration. 9. The item of claim 1, further including a third fold line extending from a portion of the first groove to a portion of the second groove. 10. The item of claim 1, further including: a third fold line extending from the outer edge to another portion of the first groove; and a fourth fold line extending from the outer edge to another portion of the second groove. 11. The item of claim 1, wherein the body is generally circular. 12. The item of claim 1, wherein the body has four sides. 13. A method of deploying an inflatable item, comprising: a. providing a body defining an outer edge, the body having: a chamber therein; an inlet provided on the body and communicating with the chamber; first and second grooves cut from the outer edge of the body and extending for a depth into the body; and a first fold line extending from the outer edge to a portion of the first groove, the first fold line dividing the body into separate sections, a second fold line extending from the outer edge to a portion of the second groove; b. inflating the chamber with the body in a planar configuration; c. folding the body about the first fold line so that the body assumes a folded configuration while the body is still inflated; and d. folding the body about the second fold line. 14. The method of claim 13, further including: d. securing the body in the folded configuration.