Pressure regulation for an inflatable cushion
AssigneeDielectrics Industries
InventorRobert W. Pekar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inflatable cushion is disclosed, having features that allow deflation of the cushion to be controlled. The cushion includes an inflatable bladder having a support therein and a valved exhaust tube in fluid communication therewith. An indicator coupled to the exhaust tube indicates when fluid is exiting the exhaust tube. When sat upon, the cushion deflates only by a preselected amount. This allows the cushion to be consistently and easily deflated to a predetermined inflation height.
Claims12
An inflatable cushion comprising:
- all inflatable bladder,
- a support positioned within said inflatable bladder,
- an exhaust tube in fluid communication with said inflatable bladder;
- said exhaust tube having a valve thereon;
- and
- an indicator coupled to said exhaust tube for indicating when fluid is exiting the exhaust valve;
- wherein said support includes an exhaust channel positioned adjacent a surface of said support, said exhaust channel providing fluid communication between said inflatable bladder and said exhaust tube.
A method of adjusting an inflatable cushion to achieve a predetermined inflation height, wherein the inflatable cushion comprises an inflatable bladder having a top, a bottom, and a valved exhaust tube in fluid communication therewith, a support positioned within the inflatable bladder, and an indicator coupled to the exhaust tube;
- the method comprising:
- inflating the inflatable bladder to a height which exceeds the predetermined inflation height,
- partially deflating the inflatable cushion by having a person sit upon the top of the inflatable bladder and opening the valve so that the compressive load exerted by the weight of the person causes fluid to exit the exhaust tube and the indicator to indicate fluid flow;
- and
- closing the valve when the indicator stops indicating fluid flow, thus indicating that the top of the cushion is in contact with the support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.