Fluidic chambers fluidly connected by one way valve and method for use
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
A47C-027/08
A47C-020/00
출원번호
US-0423341
(2003-04-25)
등록번호
US-7412738
(2008-08-19)
발명자
/ 주소
Chaffee,Robert
출원인 / 주소
Chaffee,Robert
대리인 / 주소
Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi, LLP.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
11인용 특허 :
73
초록▼
The present invention is directed to an inflatable device or a body support device, and, specifically, to an inflatable device including two or more fluid chambers. One embodiment of the device includes a first fluid chamber comprising a first outlet, and a second fluid chamber comprising an inlet,
The present invention is directed to an inflatable device or a body support device, and, specifically, to an inflatable device including two or more fluid chambers. One embodiment of the device includes a first fluid chamber comprising a first outlet, and a second fluid chamber comprising an inlet, wherein the second fluid chamber is fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber by a one way valve arranged to allow fluid to pass from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber. The invention is also directed to a method of providing adjustable support.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. An inflatable device, comprising: a first inflatable fluid chamber; a second inflatable fluid chamber constructed and arranged to overlay at least a portion of the first inflatable fluid chamber, the first fluid chamber adapted to support at least a portion of the second flui
What is claimed is: 1. An inflatable device, comprising: a first inflatable fluid chamber; a second inflatable fluid chamber constructed and arranged to overlay at least a portion of the first inflatable fluid chamber, the first fluid chamber adapted to support at least a portion of the second fluid chamber; a two way valve configured as an inlet and an outlet for the second inflatable fluid chamber wherein the two way valve is located in a location accessible to a user to allow the user to release fluid from the second inflatable fluid chamber; and a one way valve fluidly connecting the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber, that is configured to allow a volume of fluid to pass from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber and to substantially maintain the volume of fluid in the first fluid chamber when fluid is released from the second inflatable fluid chamber via the two way valve. 2. The inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising an inflatable comfort device adapted to support at least a part of a mass of the user, wherein the two way valve is located in the location accessible to the user with the inflatable device oriented in an orientation in which the inflatable device is intended for use. 3. The inflatable device of claim 2, wherein the first inflatable fluid chamber and the second inflatable fluid chamber are configured as horizontal layers, and wherein the first inflatable fluid chamber is located below the second inflatable fluid chamber with the inflatable device oriented in the orientation. 4. The inflatable device of claim 3, wherein the second inflatable fluid chamber is constructed and arranged to overlay a majority of the first inflatable fluid chamber. 5. The inflatable device of claim 4, wherein the second inflatable fluid chamber is constructed and arranged to overlay substantially all of the first inflatable fluid chamber. 6. The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the two way valve is located within a wall of the second inflatable fluid chamber. 7. The inflatable device of claim 6, wherein the location is a location that allows the user to directly manipulate the two way valve. 8. The inflatable device of claim 6, wherein the wall provides a support surface for the user of the inflatable device. 9. An inflatable device, comprising: a first inflatable fluid chamber configured as a first layer and comprising a first outlet; a second inflatable fluid chamber constructed and arranged as a second layer to overlay at least a portion of the first inflatable fluid chamber; a two way valve configured as an inlet and an outlet for the second inflatable fluid chamber; and a one way valve fluidly connecting the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber, and being configured and arranged to allow fluid to pass from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber, wherein the first fluid chamber is adapted to support the second fluid chamber. 10. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the first fluid chamber is constructed and arranged as a structural layer and the second fluid chamber is constructed and arranged as a comfort layer. 11. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the inflatable device is constructed and arranged as a mattress. 12. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the inflatable device is constructed and arranged as a pillow. 13. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the inflatable device is constructed and arranged as a seat. 14. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the inflatable device is constructed and arranged as a back support portion of a chair. 15. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the inflatable device is constructed and arranged as a back support. 16. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the one way valve comprises a valve that is configured to open with sufficient fluid pressure and to form a seal against a valve seat in an absence of such fluid pressure. 17. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the two way valve is configured to allow an adjustment of the fluid level in the second fluid chamber. 18. The inflatable device of claim 17, wherein the two way valve is constructed and arranged to allow a flow of air from outside the second fluid chamber to inside the second fluid chamber to pressurize the fluid chamber and that also is configured to exhaust air from inside the second fluid chamber to outside the second fluid chamber, and wherein the one way valve is configured to prevent a passage of fluid from the first inflatable fluid chamber to the second inflatable fluid chamber when air is exhausted from inside the second fluid chamber to outside the second fluid chamber. 19. The inflatable device of claim 17, wherein the inflatable device is constructed and arranged as a body support device and the two way valve is constructed and arranged to be actuatable by a person being supported by the body support device to select a level of inflation of the second fluid chamber. 20. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber share at least one wall. 21. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the one way valve is configured and arranged to automatically pass air from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber upon inflation of the second fluid chamber. 22. An inflatable device, comprising: a first inflatable fluid chamber comprising a first outlet; a second inflatable fluid chamber constructed and arranged to overlay at least a portion of the first inflatable fluid chamber, the first fluid chamber adapted to support at least a portion of the second fluid chamber; a two way valve configured as an inlet and an outlet for the second inflatable fluid chamber; and a one way valve fluidly connecting the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber, that is arranged to allow fluid to pass from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber. 23. The inflatable device of claim 22, wherein the inflatable device is constructed and arranged as a body support device. 24. The inflatable device of claim 23, wherein the body support device is constructed and arranged as a mattress. 25. The inflatable device of claim 23, wherein the body support device is constructed and arranged as a pillow. 26. The inflatable device of claim 23, wherein the body support device is constructed and arranged as a seat. 27. The inflatable device of claim 23, wherein the body support device is constructed and arranged as a back support portion of a chair. 28. The inflatable device of claim 23, wherein the body support device is constructed and arranged as a back support. 29. The inflatable device of claim 22, wherein the one way valve comprises a valve that is configured to open in response to sufficient fluid pressure and to form a seal against a valve seat in an absence of such fluid pressure. 30. The inflatable device of claim 22, wherein the two way valve is configured to allow an adjustment of the fluid level in the second fluid chamber. 31. The inflatable device of claim 30, wherein the two way valve is constructed and arranged to allow a flow of air from outside the second fluid chamber to inside the second fluid chamber to pressurize the second fluid chamber and that also is configured to exhaust air from inside the second fluid chamber to outside the second fluid chamber, and wherein the one way valve is configured to prevent a passage of fluid from the first inflatable fluid chamber to the second inflatable fluid chamber when air is exhausted from inside the second fluid chamber to outside the second fluid chamber. 32. The inflatable device of claim 30, wherein the inflatable device is constructed and arranged as a body support device and the two way valve is constructed and arranged to be actuatable by a person being supported by the body support device to select a level of inflation of the second fluid chamber. 33. The inflatable device of claim 22, wherein the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber are connected together. 34. The inflatable device of claim 22, wherein the second inflatable fluid chamber is constructed and arranged to overlay a majority of the first inflatable fluid chamber. 35. The inflatable device of claim 34, wherein the inflatable device provides a support surface for a user, and wherein the second inflatable fluid chamber provides a majority of the support surface. 36. The inflatable device of claim 35, wherein the second inflatable fluid chamber provides substantially all of the support surface. 37. The inflatable device of claim 35, wherein the support surface is a top surface of a mattress. 38. The inflatable device of claim 37, wherein the first inflatable fluid chamber is located beneath the second inflatable fluid chamber. 39. The inflatable device of claim 35, wherein the support surface is a back-support surface of a backrest. 40. The inflatable device of claim 35, wherein the support surface is a back-support surface of a chair. 41. The inflatable device of claim 35, wherein the support surface is a top surface of a pillow. 42. The inflatable device of claim 22, wherein the second inflatable fluid chamber provides a support surface for a user, and wherein the first inflatable fluid chamber and the second inflatable fluid chamber are disposed as layers substantially parallel to the support surface along an axis perpendicular to the support surface. 43. The inflatable device of claim 42, wherein the second inflatable fluid chamber is constructed and arranged to overlay a majority of the first inflatable fluid chamber. 44. A method of providing adjustable support with an inflatable device, comprising: configuring a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber as a first layer and a second layer of the inflatable device, respectively, wherein the second fluid chamber overlays at least a portion of the first fluid chamber; inflating the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber of the inflatable device through a two way valve configured as an inlet and an outlet for the second fluid chamber and a one way valve fluidly connecting the first and second fluid chambers, the act of inflating comprising providing the first fluid chamber with a sufficient fluid level to support the second fluid chamber; releasing fluid from the second fluid chamber through the two way valve while maintaining the fluid level in the first fluid chamber, to provide a selected comfort level with the second fluid chamber; and releasing fluid from the first fluid chamber through an outlet of the first fluid chamber.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (73)
Larson Lynn D., Adjustable support cervical pillow.
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Van Driessche Marcella L. (2057 N. Avenida Placida #1 Simi Valley CA 93063), Combined maternity air mattress and abdomen supporting, progressively deflatable cushion insert.
Graebe Robert H. (St. Clair County IL) Matsler Winfield R. (St. Clair County IL), Zoned cellular cushion with flexible flaps containing inflating manifold.
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