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US 12,765,695 B2Granted
Internal tensioning structure useable with inflatable devices
AssigneeIntex Marketing Ltd.
InventorsHua Hsiang Lin, Yaw Yuan Hsu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.
Claims26
An inflatable product, comprising:
- a first sheet;
- a second sheet;
- a plurality of spaced apart internal tensioning structures, each of the plurality of spaced apart internal tensioning structures comprising:
- a plurality of weld strips including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the plurality of weld strips including a first side directly welded to the first sheet and a second side opposite the first side, the second side of the first portion facing the second sheet and the second portion of the plurality of weld strips including a first side and a second side, the second side of the second portion directly welded to the second sheet and the first side of the second portion facing the first sheet;
- and
- a strand extending back and forth multiple times between the first portion of the plurality of weld strips and the second portion of the plurality of weld strips, wherein
- a first plurality of strand portions of the strand are fixed between the second side of the first portion of the plurality of weld strips and the first sheet,
- a second plurality of strand portions of the strand are fixed between the first side of the second portion of the plurality of weld strips and the second sheet, and
- a third plurality of strand portions of the strand extend between the first portion of the plurality of weld strips and the second portion of the plurality of weld strips, the third plurality of strand portions including a first strand segment portion and a second strand segment portion angled relative to the first strand segment portion when viewed from a first longitudinal side of the respective tensioning structure when the inflatable product is inflated.
6 more elements
An inflatable product, comprising:
- a first sheet;
- a second sheet, each of the first sheet and the second sheet extending in a first direction and a second direction angled relative to the first direction;
- a plurality of spaced apart internal tensioning structures, each of the plurality of spaced apart internal tensioning structures comprising:
- a plurality of weld strips including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the plurality of weld strips being welded to the first sheet and the second portion of the plurality of weld strips being welded to the second sheet;
- and
- a strand extending back and forth multiple times between the first portion of the plurality of weld strips and the second portion of the plurality of weld strips, wherein
- a first plurality of strand portions of the strand are fixed relative to the first sheet with the first portion of the plurality of weld strips,
- a second plurality of strand portions of the strand are fixed relative to the second sheet with the second portion of the plurality of weld strips, and
- a third plurality of strand portions of the strand which extend between the first portion of the plurality of weld strips and the second portion of the plurality of weld strips, the third plurality of strand portions including a first strand segment portion and a second strand segment portion angled relative to the first strand segment portion when the inflatable product is inflated,
- wherein the plurality of spaced apart internal tensioning structures includes a first internal tensioning structure, a second internal tensioning structure spaced apart relative to the first internal tensioning structure in the first direction, and a third internal tensioning structure spaced apart relative to the second internal tensioning structure in the first direction such that the second internal tensioning structure is positioned between the first internal tensioning structure and the third internal tensioning structure along the first direction, and
- wherein the first portion of the plurality of weld strips of the first internal tensioning structure is welded to the first sheet at a first location and a second location along the first direction, the second location being spaced apart from the first location,
- the first portion of the plurality of weld strips of the second internal tensioning structure is welded to the first sheet at a third location and a fourth location along the first direction, the fourth location being spaced apart from the third location, and
- the first portion of the plurality of weld strips of the third internal tensioning structure is welded to the first sheet at a fifth location and a sixth location along the first direction, the sixth location being spaced apart from the fifth location, wherein the inflatable product is an air mattress.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.