Fluidic chambers fluidly connected by one way valve and method for use
OwnerRobert B. Chaffeeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims31
An inflatable device, comprising:
- a first fluid chamber comprising a first outlet;
- and
- a second fluid chamber comprising an inlet;
- 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.
A method of providing adjustable support with an inflatable device, comprising:
- inflating a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber of the inflatable device through an inlet of the second fluid chamber and a one way valve fluidly connecting the first and second fluid chambers;
- and
- releasing fluid from the second fluid chamber while maintaining a fluid level in the first fluid chamber.
A method of providing adjustable body support with an inflatable body support device, comprising:
- providing the inflatable body support device with a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, the first fluid chamber configured as a structural support chamber that is to be used as a bottom chamber of the device, the second fluid chamber configured as a comfort chamber to be disposed above the structural chamber, the first and second fluid chambers being fluidly segregated;
- inflating the first fluid chamber to a first level of inflation;
- inflating the second fluid chamber to a second level of inflation;
- and
- adjusting the second level of inflation of the second fluid chamber to provide a desired level of body support by releasing fluid from the second fluid chamber, while maintaining the first level of inflation in the first fluid chamber.
An inflatable device, comprising:
- a first fluid chamber comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, the first fluid chamber configured as a structural support chamber that is to be used as a bottom chamber of the device;
- a second fluid chamber comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, the second fluid chamber configured as a comfort chamber to be disposed above the structural support chamber;
- and
- wherein the second fluid chamber is fluidly segregated from the first fluid chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.