Air bag for goods on vehicles

Abstract: An air bag (22), has at least one indicator line marking (44) for providing a visual indication of when the air bag (22) is in a properly inflated condition for filling a void between loads (26,28), such as cargo in a truck, airplane, or train. In a first embodiment (Fig 1), each indicator line (44) includes a center portion (46) which is of one design, such as being blue colored, and easily identifiable ends (48) of a second design, such as being red-colored. The distance between the ends of the center portion (46) is substantially equal to the thickness of the air bag (22) when it is properly inflated. In a second embodiment (Fig 5), the indicator lines (44a) extend from the top seam (34) to the bottom seam (36) of the air bag (22). The air bag (22) is properly inflated when the inner edges of the lines (44a) are visible between the loads (26,28).

Description: It is well-known in the art to use inflatable air bags for buffering a load, such as cargo boxes and the like, in a transport vehicle, such as a train, ship, truck, aircraft and the like, in order to brace the load from shifting or damaging itself during transport because of voids between the loads. These air bags typically consist of a plastic, inflatable bladder surrounded by some form of container, usually a multi-ply paper container (see for example US-A-4136788). The container prevents the bladder from being punctured by the load or other objects in the cargo bay. The air bag includes an air inlet valve so that the bladder can be inflated with high pressure air from an appropriate source. When using this type of air bag, the air bag is placed between the loads in a deflated condition and then inflated through the valve with high pressure air. In the inflated condition, the voids between the loads are filled and the loads are stabilized and ready for transport. A proper air bag should be placed between the loads in order to properly stabilize and buffer the loads. Often, the void between the loads in which the air bag is placed is too large for the air bag that is used. As a result, the air bag is commonly over-inflated so that the void is completely filled and the air bag ruptures. According to this invention an air bag for buffering loads being transported by a vehicle by filling a void between opposing surfaces of the loads, has an inflatable container with opposing sides for contacting said surfaces when the container is inflated, and marginal end portions which span the distance between said opposing surfaces, characterised by visual indicating means on said marginal end portions positioned to be visibly exposed and thereby provide a visual indication in said void when said air bag is properly inflated. The present invention provides an indicator that easily allows a user to visually know that the air bag is inflated to a proper thickness and that a proper air bag is being used for the specific void to be filled. It visually indicates to a user if the air bag is in a properly inflated condition. In a first embodiment of the invention, each indicator line is horizontal with respect to the floor when the air bag is placed between loads and inflated. Each indicator line includes a center portion which is of a first design, such as being blue-colored, and having easily identifiable ends. Preferably, each indicator line has end portions of a second design, such as being red-colored, which are on opposite sides of the center portion of the line and are distinct from the first design. The center portion of the indicator line has a length which is equal to the thickness to which the air bag is to be inflated to obtain a properly inflated condition of the air bag. The air bag is properly inflated when the end portions of the line cannot be seen or when the center portion of the line is completely visible between the loads and the junctions between the center portion and the end portions of the line are just visible between the loads. In a second embodiment of the invention, each indicator line is vertical with respect to the floor when the air bag is placed between loads and inflated. Each indicator line extends the entire length of the air bag and has a predetermined width. The width between the indicator lines is equal to the thickness to which the air bag is to be inflated to obtain a properly inflated condition of the air bag. The air bag is properly inflated when the inner horizontal edges of the indicator lines are just visible between the loads. In a further aspect according to this invention a method of visually determining the proper spacing between loads buffered by an air bag and being transported by a vehicle comprises the steps of: providing an air bag in accordance with any one of the preceding claims having indicating means thereon for providing a visual indication of when said air bag is in a properly inflated condition; spacing the loads between which said air bag is to be placed; placing the air bag between said loads in a deflated condition; inflating said air bag until said indicating means on said air bag provides a visual indication of when said air bag is in said properly inflated condition, and ensuring that in this condition it is supporting said loads. Preferred embodiments of air bags in accordance with this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements and; in which:- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an air bag in a deflated condition which incorporates the features of a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIGURE 1 in a properly inflated condition to properly and fully fill a void between two pieces of cargo; FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIGURE 1 in an over-inflated condition in a void between two pieces of cargo which is too large for the air bag to properly fill the void; FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIGURE 1 in a properly inflated condition in a void between two pieces of cargo which is smaller than the void shown in FIGURE 2; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of an air bag in a deflated condition which incorporates the features of a second embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIGURE 5 in a properly inflated condition to properly and fully fill a void between two pieces of cargo; and FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIGURE 5 in an over-inflated condition in a void between two pieces of cargo which is too large for the air bag to properly fill the void. The present invention presents a novel indicator 20, 20a which visually and easily indicates to a user whether the air bag 22 is in a space or void 24 between pieces of cargo items or loads 26, 28 that the air bag 22 is designed to properly fill. The air bag in FIGURES 1-4 is shown with a first embodiment of the indicator 20 and the air bag in FIGURES 5-7 is shown with a second embodiment of the indicator 20a. The air bag 22 is particularly suited for use to hold and stabilize various large objects, such as cargo °X loads 26, 28, during transport by filling the void 24 left between the loads 26, 28 when the loads are placed side-by-side in the transport vehicle. The air bag 22 of the present invention is generally formed of a bladder (not shown) which is sealed within and surrounded by a container or bag. The bladder may be made of a seamless tube of polyethylene, rubber or the like and is sealed so as to be gas-tight. The bladder includes a valve 42 for inflating the bladder by high pressure air from an appropriate source. The container in which the bladder is enclosed is of known construction such as the multi-ply dunnage bag disclosed in US-A-4,136,788. The container is formed of two sheets 30, 32, each of which is comprised of multiple layers of suitable sheet material such as paper, usually-4 to 8 plies. The sheets 30, 32 are joined at the edges of the sheets 30, 32 along top seam, 34, bottom seam 36 and side seams 38, 40 by suitable means so as to form a first face 39 and a second face 41. Alternatively, a single sheet of material can be folded over onto itself and sealed along the overlapping edges by suitable means so that only a single side seam is provided while still providing first and second faces. The container prevents the bladder being punctured by the load 26, 28 or by other objects which may be found in a cargo bay. Attention is now directed to the first embodiment of the novel indicator 20 of the present invention shown in FIGURES 1-4. The indicator 20 is formed of at least one marking 44 on the air bag 22, which in its preferred embodiment is an elongate line as shown in the drawings, which overlaps onto each face 39, 41 of the container and over the side seam 38 or 40. The midpoint of the marking line 44 is adjacent to the side seam 38 or 40. As shown, a plurality of markings 44 are provided on the air bag 22, on each side of the air bag 22 with each marking 44 overlapping onto each face 39, 41 over the respective side seam 38, 40, however, only a single marking may be used if desired. The markings 44 provide a user with a visual indication as to whether the air bag 22 is in a properly inflated condition and thus, the void 24 in which the air bag 22 is placed is one that the particular air bag 22 should be used in. Each marking 44 has a first indicia portion 46 which has a first design thereon. The length of the first indicia portion 46 is substantially equal to the thickness to which the air bag 22 is to be inflated to properly fill the void 24. In addition, the length of the first indicia portion 46 represents the maximum width of the space which can be properly filled by the air bag 22. The design is such that opposite ends 47 of the portion 46 are easily observed when the air bag 22 is inflated to a thickness to properly fill the void 24 as described below. In order to define the opposite ends 47 of the middle portion 46, there is preferably provided a second indicia along end portions 48 which have a second design and are positioned on each side of the first indicia portion 46. Therefore, the distance between the end portions 48 represents the maximum width of the space which can be properly filled by the air bag 22. The first design and the second design are visually distinct from each other so that a person can easily visually distinguish between the two designs. Preferably, the first design, of which the first indicia portion 46 is formed, is a color, such as the color blue, and the second design, of which the end portions 48 are formed, is another distinct color, such as the color red. Of course, the designs can be any design that is desired, such as a solid black line as the portion 46, and a series of black checks as the end portions 48, so long as the designs are distinct from each other so that a user can tell the difference between the designs. The markings 44 can be applied to the air bag 22 by suitable means, such as by printing the markings on the air bag 22. The end portions 48 may be short in length or can extend around the periphery of the air bag 22 to the indicator line marking 44 on the opposite side of the air bag 22 if desired. When the air bag 22 is being used to buffer and stabilize the loads 26, 28, the air bag 22 is placed in the void 24 between the loads 26, 28 in a deflated condition with the faces 39, 41 adjacent to the loads 26, 28 so that the side seams 38, 40 with the markings 44 thereon are clearly visible to a user. When the air bag 22 is placed between the loads 26, 28 the markings 44 are horizontal and parallel to the floor. The user then inflates the air bag 22 by injecting high pressure air from an appropriate source through the valve 42 and into the bladder in the air bag 22. The size of the air bag 22 used is dependent on the size of the void 24 to be filled. As air is introduced into the air bag 22, the air bag 22 expands and the faces 39, 41 of the air bag 22 move into engagement with the respective loads 26, 28. As the air bag 22 expands, the length of the marking 44 becomes visible to the user. As shown in FIGURE 2, the maximum thickness to which the air bag 22 should be inflated to properly fill the void 24 is indicated when the juncture between the opposite ends 47 and the portions 48 of the indicator line marking 44 are just visible to the user. In other words, the distance between the opposite ends 47 defines a marginal end portion 49 of the air bag 22, which end portion 49 in turn defines the desired spacing between loads 26 and 28 when the-air bag 22 is properly inflated. As shown in FIGURE 3, when the void 24 between the loads 26, 28 to be supported by the air bag 22 is too wide, the end portions 48 of the indicator line markings 44 are substantially visible to the user when the air bag 22 is inflated. If the end portions 48 are shorter in length, then portions 50 of the air bag 22 beyond the end portions 48 of the indicator markings 44 may be seen. This tells the user that the air bag 22 is over-inflated and if the air bag gets too far over-inflated, then the air bag may rupture. As shown in FIGURE 4, when the void 24 between the loads 26, 28 to be supported by the air bag 22 is narrow, the entire indicator line marking 44 will not be visible to the user and the end portions 48 of the markings 44 will be completely hidden from view when the air bag 22 is inflated. While the air bag 22 is not inflated to its maximum thickness, as shown in FIGURE 2, the air bag 22 still provides a proper buffer between the loads 26, 28 to properly fill the void 24 even though the air bag 22 is under-inflated and the full capacity of the air bag 22 is not being used. Attention is now directed to the second embodiment of the novel indicator 20a of the present invention shown in FIGURES 5-7. The indicator 20a is formed of at least two markings 44a, 45a on the air bag 22, each of which in its preferred embodiment is an elongate line as shown in the drawings. Each marking 44a, 45a is on a single face 39, 41 of the air bag 22 and extends substantially the entire length of each face 39, 41 of the air bag 22 from the top seam 34 to the bottom seam 36 and is of a predetermined width such that an inner end 56 and an outer end 58 of each marking line 44a, 45a is defined. The inner end 56 of each marking line 44a, 45a is spaced from the side seam, for example side seam 40, a distance which is substantially equal to half of the maximum thickness to which the air bag 22 is to be inflated to properly fill the void 24. Thus, the distance between the inner ends 56 of the marking lines 44a, 45a represents the maximum thickness to which the air bag 22 is to be inflated to properly fill the void 24 and therefore, the maximum width of the space which can be properly filled by the air bag 22. Of course, additional like marking lines, as shown in the drawings, may be provided on the opposite side of the air bag 22 around side seam 38. The markings 44a, 45a provide a user with a visual indication as to whether the air bag 22 is in a properly inflated condition and thus, the void 24 in which the air bag 22 is placed is one that the particular air bag 22 should be used in. It is to be understood that the markings lines 44a, 45a do not need to be solid along their length. Instead, the lines 44a, 45a could be a series of spaced apart dots or the like along the length of the line. Each marking line 44a, 45a is of an indicia which has a design thereon. The design on each marking line 44a, 45a is visually distinct from the remainder of the air bag 22 so that a person can easily visually distinguish between the marking lines 44a, 45a and the remainder of the air bag 22. Preferably, the design on each of the marking lines 44a 45a is a color, such as the color blue, and the remainder of the air bag 22 is of a second design which is another distinct color, such as the color brown. Of course, the designs can be any design that is desired so long as the designs are visually distinct from each other so that a user can easily tell the difference between the designs. The marking lines 44a, 45a can be applied to the air bag 22 by suitable means, such as by printing the markings lines 44a, 45a on the air bag 22. The area 52 between the inner ends 56 of the marking lines 44a, 45a may have an indicia thereon which has a design that is different than the marking lines 44a, 45a and clearly distinguishable from the marking lines 44a, 45a. In addition, the area 54 between the outer ends 58 of the marking lines 44a, which are on the same face of the air bag 22, may have an indicia thereon which has a design that is different than the marking lines 44a, 45a and clearly distinguishable from the marking lines 44a, 45a. Alternatively, no indicia needs to be provided on the areas 52, 54. When the air bag 22 is being used to buffer and stabilize the loads 26, 28, the air bag 22 is placed in the void 24 between the loads 26, 28 in a deflated condition with the faces 39, 41 adjacent to the loads 26, 28 so that the side seams 38, 40 are clearly visible to a user. When the air bag 22 is placed between the loads 26, 28 the markings 44a, 45a are vertical and perpendicular to the floor and the user cannot see the marking lines 44a, 45a since the marking lines 44a, 45a face the loads 26, 28. The user then inflates the air bag 22 by injecting high pressure air from an appropriate source through the valve 42 and into the bladder in the air bag 22. The size of the air bag 22 used is dependent on the size of the void 24 to be filled. As air is introduced into the air bag 22, the air bag 22 expands and the faces 39, 41 of the air bag 22 move into engagement with the respective loads 26, 28. Eventually, after a sufficient amount of air is introduced into the air bag 22, the vertical marking lines 44a, 45a become visible to the user. As shown in FIGURE 6, the maximum thickness to which the air bag 22 should be inflated to properly fill the void 24 is indicated when the inner ends 56 of the indicator line markings 44a, 45a are just visible to the user. In other words, the distance between the inner ends 56 of the indicator line markings 44a, 45a defines a marginal end portion 49 of the air bag 22, which end portion 49 in turn defines the desired spacing between loads 26 and 28 when the air bag 22 is properly inflated. As shown in FIGURE 7, when the void 24 between the loads 26, 28 to be supported by the air bag 22 is too wide, the entire marking lines 44a, 45a are visible to a user and a portion 60 of each area 54 of the air bag is visible to the user when the air bag 22 is inflated. This tells the user that the air bag 22 is over-inflated and if the air bag gets too far over-inflated, then the air bag may rupture. After the air bag 22 has been used, the air bag 22 may be disposed of, or deflated by appropriate means for reuse.

Claims: An air bag (22) for buffering loads being transported by a vehicle by filling a void between opposing surfaces of the loads (26,28), having an inflatable container (30,32) with opposing sides (39,41) for contacting said surfaces (26,28) when the container (30,32) is inflated, and marginal end portions (49) which span the distance between said opposing surfaces, characterised by visual indicating means (20, 20a) on said marginal end portions (49) positioned to be visibly exposed and thereby provide a visual indication in said void when said air bag (22) is properly inflated. An air bag as defined in claim 1, wherein said indicating means (20, 20a) comprises indicia (46,48). An air bag as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said indicating means (20, 20a) comprises at least one indicator marking (44a,45a,44) on each side (39,41) of said container (30,32), said indicator marking (44a,45a,44) on each said side being spaced from each other a predetermined distance, said indicator markings being of a design which is visually distinct from the remainder of the container (30,32), said distance between said indicator markings being of a length which is approximately equal to a thickness of said air bag (22) when it is properly inflated. An air bag as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said indicator markings (44a, 45a) is an elongate line which extends from approximately the top to the bottom of the air bag (22) substantially parallel its side edges (38,40). An air bag as defined in claim 3, wherein the container (30,32) has a side edge (38,40) and said indicator markings (44) have a first indicia (46) of a first design which extends across said side edge (38,40) of said container (30,32) and further including a second indicia (48) of a second design on the outside of the first indicia (46), said second indicia (48) being visually distinct from said first indicia (46). An air bag as defined in claim 5, wherein said first indicia (46) of a first design comprises a first color along a center portion of the indicator markings (44) and said second indicia (48) of a second design comprises a second color along end portions of the indicator markings (44), said first and second colors being visually distinct from each other. An air bag as defined in either one of claims 5 or 6 which is inflated to a properly inflated condition when only said first indicia (46) is visible between said loads (26,28) or when said second indicia (48) is just partially visible between said loads (26,28) and the air bag is in an over-inflated condition when said second indicia (48) is totally visible between said loads (26,28) or when portions of said container (30,32) beyond said indicating means (20,20a) are visible between said loads (26,28). An air bag as defined in any preceding claim, wherein said indicating means (20, 20a) is an elongate line. A method of visually determining the proper spacing between loads (26,28) buffered by an air bag and being transported by a vehicle comprising the steps of: providing an air bag (22) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims having indicating means (20,20a) thereon for providing a visual indication of when said air bag (22) is in a properly inflated condition; spacing the loads (26,28) between which said air bag (22) is to be placed; placing the air bag (22) between said loads (26,28) in a deflated condition; inflating said air bag (22) until said indicating means (20,20a) on said air bag provides a visual indication of when said air bag (22) is in said properly inflated condition, and ensuring that in this condition it is supporting said loads (26,28). A method as defined in claim 9, wherein said step of inflating said air bag (22) until said indicating means (20,20a) provides a visual indication of when said air bag is in said properly inflated condition comprises inflating said air bag until said indicator marking (44) is visible between said loads (26,28).

Inventors: FARRELL WILLIAM J, KEENAN THOMAS C, FARRELL, WILLIAM J., KEENAN, THOMAS C.
Applicants: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B60P7
IPC codes: B60P7