Patent ID: 6658827
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: B68C

Abstract:
A load pad for a load-bearing animal, comprising:a left inflatable member adapted for placement between a left upper side of the load-bearing animal and a load resting on that side, the left inflatable member having a foam core with a cell structure that absorbs atmospheric air, which foam core is wholly surrounded by and bonded to a thin skin which forms a fluid tight envelope around said foam core, which thin skin has an opening for transmitting air between the foam core and the atmosphere, which transmission of air is controlled by a left inflatable member valve in said opening; a right inflatable member adapted for placement between a right upper side of the load-bearing animal opposite said left side and a load resting on that side, the right inflatable member having a foam core with a cell structure that absorbs atmospheric air, which foam core is wholly surrounded by and bonded to a thin skin which forms a fluid tight envelope around said foam core, which thin skin has an opening for transmitting air between the foam core and the atmosphere, which transmission of air is controlled by a right inflatable member valve in said opening; and a top connection adapted for linking said left inflatable member and said right inflatable member across an upper portion of the load-bearing animal such that said left inflatable member and said right inflatable member hang over said upper portion adjacent, respectively, the left and right upper sides of the load-bearing animal.