FLUID INFLATABLE SUPPORT

Abstract: A fluid inflatable support (10) including an inflatable ring (11) which rests on an underlying surface and which defines a central opening (12) and a support sheet (13) secured to the ring (11) and extending across the central opening (12) to define a support area raised above the underlying surface. The inflatable support (10) may be combined with a frame assembly to form a foldable cot.

Description: "FLUID INFLATABLE SUPPORT" THIS INVENTION relates to a fluid inflatable support which in one aspect is particularly suitable for use as a bed for pets such as dogs or cats and which in another aspect may be combined with a framework for use as a foldable cot or playpen for infants. A number of different types of pet bed are presently in use or commercially available, however, none of the presently available arrangements is sufficiently versatile to be easily portable. Furthermore, in most instances, pet beds which are available are formed of a fabric material and tend to become unclean and a haven for vermin so as to be therefore unhygienic. A further disadvantage is that the normal fabric arrangements are not particularly comfortable and are not particularly suitable for use in veterinary applications. The present arrangements also tend to be relatively hot in summer conditions. There are also presently available a number of different arrangements for foldable infant cots, however, in most instances such cots tend to be relatively heavy and bulky, difficult to collapse and expensive. The present invention aims to overcome or alleviate at least some of the above disadvantages by providing a fluid inflatable support which is particularly suited for use as a bed for pets such as dogs or cats and which is portable, versatile and hygienic in use. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a foldable infant's cot or playpen which incorporates the above inflatable support. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacture for such inflatable supports. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. With the above and other objects in view, this invention resides broadly in a fluid inflatable support including a first portion adapted to be supported on an underlying surface, said first portion being formed of air impervious material and being adapted when inflated to adopt a generally hollow annular configuration surrounding a central, open area and a second support portion formed of sheet material, said support portion being fixed to said first portion and extending over said central open area whereby to define, when said first portion is inflated, a support area spaced from said underlying surface. In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:- Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of inflatable support according to the present invention in an inflated mode; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the support along line A-A of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing the components of the support; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a side portion of the inflatable support; Fig. 5 is a plan view of an alternative form of inflatable support according to the present invention; and Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate an infant's cot or playpen in an erect and collapsed mode incorpor¬ ating an inflatable support according to the present invention. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an inflatable support 10 according to the present invention in this embodiment in the form of a pet bed which comprises an inflatable annular ring 11 which is of do-nut like configuration when inflated with a wall of hollow generally circular cross-section and defining a central open area 12. Arranged on the upper side of the support 10 is a layer of -flexible, sheet material 13 which is fixed to the inflat¬ able ring 11 to extend across the central opening 12 and arranged to be under tension in the inflated attitude of the ring. The flexible sheet 13 being suspended under tension over the opening 12 therefore provides a support surface for an animal such as a dog, cat or child to lie thereon which is spaced from the floor or ground. Referring now to Fig. 3, there is illustrated in exploded view the respective components of the bed illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown, the inflatable annular ring 11 comprises two substantially identical annular sheets of flexible air impervious material prefer¬ ably polyvinyl chloride sheet 14 and 15, the lower sheet 15 of which is provided with a conventional valve assembly 16 to permit inflation of the ring 11. The respective annular sheets 14 and 15 are overlapped and are joined to each other preferably by heat welding adjacent their respective inner and outer edges at 17 and 18 respectively to define the ring 11 which when inflated adopts the generally do-nut like shape. The support layer 13 is preferably formed of air pervious sheet material such as a n apertured P.V.C. sheet or nylon mesh and is of circular form having a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the annular parts 14 and 15. After the heat welded joins are formed between the two annular parts 14 and 15, the support sheet 13 is placed in align- ment over the parts 14 and 15 and connected to the overlapping joined portions of the annular parts 14 and 15 at a position spaced outwardly from the join 18 between the annular parts 14 and 15 as shown in Fig. 4. This reduces the possibility of damage being caused to the respective annular portions 14 and 15 and minimises the risk of leakage in the assembled product. In an alternative form of construction of the inflatable support according to the present invention, the outer joins between the annular parts 14 and 15 and the support sheet 13 may be formed at the same time and in this instance, provided care is taken, one weld may be used to join the three overlapping parts 13, 14 and 15. It will be seen that the support sheet 13 extends from its join at the outer periphery of the ring 11 and over the top of the ring 11 and central opening 12 and this ensures that the necessary tension is applied to the support sheet 13 when the annular ring 11 is inflated. This arrangement also ensures a wide variance in weights of pets can be tolerated without the sheet 13 touching the underlying surface. Referring now to Fig. 5, there is illustrated an alternative form of inflatable support according to the present invention. The inflatable support 19 includes an annular inflatable ring 20 in this instance in the form of two part-circular opposed end portions 21 joined by respective side portions 22 which as illustrated are slightly bowed outwardly. As in the support 10 illus¬ trated in Figs. 1 to 4 ; a sheet 23 extends over the inflatable ring portion 20 to define a support for an animal or child when the device is inflated. In this instance, the bowing out of the side portions 22 of the device will assist in preventing excess deflection" of the support sheet 23 when subject to loads. Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, there is illustrated a folding cot or playpen assembly 24 which incorporates a fluid inflatable support of the type illustrated in Fig. 5. The folding cot assembly 24 includes a lower frame portion 25 which is preferably formed of tubular plastics material or alternatively, aluminium or steel and which has a shape which substant¬ ially follows the outer periphery of the inflatable support 18 so that the inflatable support 18 may be neatly located therein (as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 5) . In this instance, the overlapped outer portions of the. component sheets of the support define a flap 26 which is fixed to the lower frame portion by any suitable fastening means such as screws, press studs or the like, or alternatively, the flap 26 may be wrapped about the frame portion 25 to define an envelope or pocket which - 5 - accommodates the lower frame portion 25. The lower frame portion 25 also includes respective spaced legs 27 which raise the frame portion 25 above an underlying surface and to a position located adjacent to the joined portions of the component sheets so that when inflated, the inflat¬ able support 19 will rest on the ground and not carry the weight of the frame portions of the cot. The folding cot assembly 24 also includes an upper frame portion 28 which is of similar configuration to the lower frame portion 25 and which is joined thereto by respective pivotal link assemblies 29 each of which comprise first and second links 30 and 31 pivotally attached at one end to the respective frame portion 25 and 28 and pivotally interconnected at their opposite ends. Preferably means are provided to maintain the links 30 and 31 in an upright aligned attitude and for this purpose, the respective links 30 -and 31 may be provided with apertures therethrough which become aligned when the links 30 and 31 are in an upright attitude so as to receive a locking pin therethrough. In an alternative arrangement illustrated, a sleeve 32 is placed about one of the links 30 and slid over the pivotal join between the links 30 and 31 when the links are in their aligned attitude so as to lock the links in that position. As also shown, an open mesh material 33 extends between the upper and lower frame portions 24 and 28 to define the enclosure for the cot 24. Preferably, the open mesh material 33 is fixed say by heat welding at its lower end to the flap 26 of the support 19, whilst at its upper end the mesh material 33 may be fixed by press, studs, spring clips or other suitable fasteners, or alternatively, may be folded about the upper frame to define an envelope or pocket therefor. As stated above, the frame portions 25 and 28 and interconnected links 30 and 31 are preferably formed of tubular plastics material so that the cot is - 6 - light and easily transportable. When it is desired to use the cot 24 in a sleeping mode, the links 30 and 31 are erected and locked in an upright attitude and the support 19 inflated so that a child may lie thereon, whilst if the cot 24 is desired to be used as a playpen, the support 19 is deflated to merely act as a floor which is surrounded by the mesh wall 33. The cot 24 may also be adapted for use with animals say for show or travelling purposes. In this instance, the upper frame 28 may be covered by mesh or other material, or alternatively, by a solid panel whilst a door or z ' ippered opening may be provided therein or in the mesh wall 33 to permit access to the interior thereof. Of course, the frame portions 25 and 28 may be varied in configuration to suit the particular external periphery of the inflatable support used. For example, if the support 10 of Figs. 1 to 4 is employed, the frame portions 25 and 28 will.be of generally circular ring like configuration. To stabilise the support when used for animals, in lieu of filling the rings 11 or 20 with air, water or other liquid may be used which will ensure that the support will not shift around on the floor. Of course, many different configurations of inflatable ring may be employed in the arrangements disclosed above. Accordingly, the term "annular" used throughout the specification and claims in relation to the support ring of the support is deemed to include both circular configurations as in Figs. 1 to 4 or oval-like configurations as in Fig. 5 or any other geometrical configuration which provides an external inflatable wall about a central opening. The inflatable support of the present invention being formed normally o fplastics material is simple to clean. Furthermore, the support is suitable for winter and summer conditions as in winter an insulating layer of air may be trapped underneath the support material by the use of say a blanket over the bed, whilst in summer, air will circulate through the air pervious support material 13 or 23. The support is also easily transport¬ able as when deflated occupies very little space. Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, it will be realised that many modifications and variations may be made to the above described embodiments by persons skilled in the art without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A fluid inflatable support including a first portion adapted to be supported on an underlying surface, said first portion being formed of air impervious material and being adapted when inflated to adopt a generally hollow annular configuration surrounding a central open area and a second support portion formed of sheet material, said support portion being fixed to said first portion and extending over said central open area whereby to define, when said first portion is inflated, a support area spaced from said underlying surface. 2. A fluid inflatable support according to Claim 1, wherein said first portion is defined by first and second annular sheets, said sheets being sealingly inter¬ connected adjacent their inner and outer edges. 3. . A fluid inflatable support ' according to -Claim 2, wherein the material of said second -support portion is secured to said annular sheets at the said outer edge connection therebetween. 4. A fluid inflatable support according to Claim 2, wherein said first and second annular sheets include portions extending outwardly beyond said outer edge connection and wherein the material of said second support portion is secured to said outwardly extending portions of said sheets. 5. A fluid inflatable support according to Claim 1, wherein said second support portion is formed of air pervious material. 6. A fluid inflatable support according to Claim 5, wherein said air pervious material comprises a nylon mesh. 7. A fluid inflatable support according to Claim 1, and including a first frame portion surrounding the outer periphery of said support and fixed thereto and a second frame portion connected to said first frame portion for movement between a first attitude wherein said first and second frame portions are juxtaposed and a second attitude wherein said second frame portion is spaced above said first frame portion and there being provided flexible sheet material extending between said first and second frame portions and defining an enclosure about said support. 8. A fluid inflatable support according to Claim 7, wherein said lower frame portion includes down¬ wardly extending feet supporting said frame portion above said underlying surface. 9. A fluid inflatable support according to Claim 7, wherein said first and second frame portions are inter¬ connected by pivotal link assemblies and there being provided locking means for locking said link assemblies against movement to maintain said second frame portion in said second attitude. 10. A fluid inflatable support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference, to Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. 11. A foldable cot assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: WALKER KEVIN JOHN, WALKER, KEVIN, JOHN
Applicants: WALKER KEVIN JOHN, WALKER, KEVIN, JOHN
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A01K1
IPC codes: A01K1, A47C27, A47D7