Inflatable device
OwnerRobert B. Chaffeeinventor
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Abstract
The invention relates to an inflatable device comprising an electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a fluid controller is coupled to and supported by an inflatable bladder of an inflatable device. The fluid controller may be located in a compartment, and the compartment may be within the profile of the bladder. The inflatable device may be a single bladder mattress or a dual bladder mattress. The inflatable device may include a heater or an articulation device. The inflatable device may be multi-positional device or have a storage compartment. The inflatable device may be configurable using one or more members such as a membrane or fasteners.
Claims65
An inflatable device, comprising:
- (A) an inflatable bladder;
- and
- (B) a fluid controller comprising:
- (i) a valve coupled to and supported by the inflatable bladder, the valve being configured and arranged to control the flow of fluid into and out of the bladder, the valve forming a seal to maintain fluid in the bladder in response to fluid pressure within the bladder;
- and
- (ii) a mechanical device configured and arranged to open the valve when the mechanical device is actuated.
An inflatable mattress, comprising:
- (A) a first inflatable bladder;
- (B) a second inflatable bladder disposed adjacent to the first inflatable bladder;
- (C) a fluid controller comprising:
- (i) a first valve coupled to and supported by the first bladder, the first valve being configured and arranged to control the flow of fluid into and out of the first bladder, the first valve forming a seal to maintain fluid in the first bladder in response to fluid pressure within the first bladder;
- (ii) a second valve coupled to and supported by the second bladder, the second valve being configured and arranged to control the flow of fluid into and out of the first bladder, the second valve forming a seal to maintain fluid in the second bladder in response to fluid pressure within the second bladder;
- and
- (ii) an electromechanical device configured and arranged to open the first valve when the electromechanical device is in a first actuated position and to open the second valve when the electromechanical device is in a second actuated position;
- and
- (D) a compartment coupled to the bladder and configured and arranged to enclose the first valve and the second valve, the compartment being adapted to receive pressurized fluid from a pump.
An inflatable mattress, comprising:
- an inflatable bladder;
- an articulation apparatus comprising:
- a support structure to support the inflatable bladder above a floor, the support structure having a plurality of regions along a length of the support structure, and
- at least one joint, each at least one joint being located intermediate adjacent ones of said regions.
An inflatable device, comprising
- a first inflatable bladder;
- and
- a second inflatable bladder disposed adjacent to the first bladder, the first bladder and second bladder being adapted, at corresponding first levels of inflation, to maintain a body in a first body position, and at corresponding second levels of inflation, to maintain a body in a second body position.
An inflatable body support device, comprising:
- an inflatable bladder;
- and
- a base releasably connected the inflatable bladder and adapted to support the inflatable bladder, the base comprising a compartment disposed beneath the inflatable bladder.
40 The inflatable body support device of claim 39, further comprising a frame releasably connected to the base and supporting the inflatable bladder above the compartment.
The inflatable body support device of claim 40, wherein the frame is adapted to one of slide, rotate or elevate the inflatable bladder relative the base.
A method of using a configurable inflatable device comprising an inflatable bladder and at least one shape-defining member that combines with the inflatable bladder such that the overall shape of the inflatable bladder in an inflated condition and in combination with the shape-defining member is substantially different from an inflated shape of the inflatable bladder alone, comprising acts of:
- adapting the at least one shape-defining member to correspond to a first selected shape;
- inflating the inflatable bladder to attain the first selected shape;
- adapting the at least one shape-defining member to correspond to a second selected shape;
- and
- inflating or deflating the bladder to attain the second selected shape.
A method of using a configurable inflatable device comprising a bladder, comprising acts of:
- adapting the bladder to correspond to a first selected shape;
- inflating the inflatable bladder to attain the first selected shape;
- adapting the bladder to correspond to a second selected shape;
- and
- inflating or deflating the bladder to attain the second selected shape.
An inflatable air mattress, comprising:
- an inflatable bladder;
- and
- a heater adjacent to the inflatable bladder.
A method of using an inflatable device comprising an inflatable bladder, a surface layer, and a first intermediary layer disposed between the bladder and the surface layer, comprising acts of:
- removing the first intermediary layer;
- and
- placing a second intermediary layer in the location disposed between the bladder and the surface layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.