Abstract:
The present system, method and apparatus are adapted for the quick and easy patching of inflatable devices. More specifically, the system, apparatus and methods comprise a tip, a body portion, an adhesive, a patch and a probe, wherein the tip and body portion are inserted into the inflatable device so as to apply the adhesive and patch to the interior of the device to create an air-tight seal. The disclosure thus provides an improved patching system, apparatus and method.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/667,052, filed Jul. 30, 2012 and entitled “Patching Device,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The embodiments of the system disclosed herein relate generally to apparatus and methods for applying patches. More specifically, the system relates to the application of patches to inflatable items by way of specialized. 
         [0003]    The use of inflatable items such as inflatable balls, inner tubes, tires, toys, pools, life jackets, aquatic toys, inflatable playground equipment, bouncy castles, and the like, has become ubiquitous. Some of these inflatable items represent significant investments. Others, such as life jackets, are legally necessary. Most all of them have the risk of developing small holes and tears which may prevent use. 
         [0004]    This propensity of each of these inflatable devices to eventually puncture, tear, or otherwise become compromised creates a need in the art for a method and apparatus for improved repair of these inflatable devices. The system addresses this need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One object of the system is to provide an improved apparatus for the patching of inflatables. 
         [0006]    A further object of the system is to provide a method for applying patches to the interior of inflatables. 
         [0007]    Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method for applying a patch to the interior of an inflatable device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail in the subsequent detailed description with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements and in which  FIGS. 1-illustrate  some embodiments of the system. Other embodiments are possible. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bladder embodiment of the patching apparatus. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a cutaway view of a similar embodiment of the patching apparatus being used according to an exemplary embodiment of the present method. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a cutaway view of a similar embodiment of the patching apparatus being used according to an exemplary embodiment of the present method. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  is a cutaway view of a similar embodiment of the patching apparatus being used according to an exemplary embodiment of the present method. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2D  is a cutaway view of a similar embodiment of the patching apparatus being used according to an exemplary embodiment of the present method 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective cutaway of the threaded insert embodiment of the patching apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a similar embodiment of the patching apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a side view cutaway of a threaded insert embodiment of the patching apparatus after insertion into an inflatable according to one method embodiment of the system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a side view cutaway of a threaded insert embodiment of the patching apparatus after insertion into an inflatable according to one method embodiment of the system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4C  is a side view cutaway of a threaded insert embodiment of the patching apparatus after insertion into an inflatable according to one method embodiment of the system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a threaded insert of the patching apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  is a cutaway side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of a threaded insert embodiment of the patching apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the system. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of a threaded insert embodiment of the patching apparatus according to an alternate exemplary embodiment of the system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6C  is a side view of a threaded insert embodiment of the patching apparatus according to an alternate exemplary embodiment of the system comprising an extended throw. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a patching apparatus according to an alternate exemplary embodiment of the system. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of a patching apparatus according to the embodiment of the system of  FIG. 7A , showing the O-Ring. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of a patching apparatus according to an alternate exemplary embodiment of the system. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of a patching apparatus according to the embodiment of the system of  FIG. 7C , showing the O-Ring. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7E  is a perspective view of a patching apparatus according to the embodiment of the system of  FIG. 7C , showing the O-Ring in a dislodged position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8A  is a side view of a patching apparatus according to an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8B  is a cross-section view of a patching apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 8C  is a cross section view of a patching apparatus according to an alternate exemplary embodiment having a tight adapted region. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8D  is a side view of a patching apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8C . 
           [0033]      FIG. 8E  is a side view of a patching apparatus according to an alternate exemplary embodiment having an alternate adapted region. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8F  is a cross section side view of a patching apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8E . 
           [0035]      FIG. 8G  is a side view of a patching apparatus according to an alternate exemplary embodiment having an alternate adapted region. 
           [0036]      FIG. 8H  is a cross section side view of a patching apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8G . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    The system generally consists of a method and apparatus for applying a patch to the interior of an inflatable item. 
         [0038]    Referring now to the drawings in more detail,  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of the system  10 . In this embodiment, the invention consists generally of a probe  12 , a tip  14 , a cap  15 , a body portion  16 , a handle  17 , an adhesive  18 , and a patch  20 . Other configurations and additions are possible. 
         [0039]    As shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2A-2D , this embodiment and method of the system involve the insertion of the tip  14  and body portion  16  into the inflatable device  22 . In this embodiment, the system further comprises a reservoir contained within the body portion  19  to contain the adhesive  18 . In this embodiment, the exterior of the body portion  16  is coextensive with, and capable of forming the patch  20 . This embodiment further comprises one or more adhesive application holes  21  appearing around the body portion for dispensing the adhesive onto the inner surface of the inflatable device. As shown in  FIG. 1 , these can be covered with a foil or other wrapper prior to use. Other means of covering and then exposing the application holes  21  are possible. 
         [0040]    In this example, the probe  12  extends internally through the body portion  16  and reservoir to the tip  14 . After being inserted into the inflatable device  22  until the cap  15  is in contact with the outer wall of the device  22 , the probe  12  is then withdrawn, which causes the tip  14  move in the direction of the interior wall of the inflatable device  22  and in the direction of the cap  15  until the tip  14 , cap  15  and patch form an air-tight seal  23  around the opening in the inflatable device  22 . This movement in turn causes the horizontal expansion of the body portion  16 , parallel relative to the wall of the inflatable device, and the reduction of the corresponding vertical length of the body portion  16 , as the tip  14  and cap  15  are brought together in the center of the patch  20  and body portion  16 . During this outward expansion, the reservoir of the body portion  16  is evacuated, thereby applying the adhesive to the inner surface of the inflatable device  22  and the patch  20  itself, which in this example is substantially coextensive with the exterior of the body portion  16 . Other configurations are possible. 
         [0041]    After the patch has been affixed to the inner wall of the inflatable device  22 , the probe  12  may then be removed by the user. Here, that removal is accomplished by turning the probe (shown as an expanded arrow  24 ) so as to detach it from the tip  14  in a manner similar to a screw. Other means of separation are possible. This results in the completed application of the patch  20  and cap  15 , as best shown in  FIG. 2D . The patch is thereby held in place by a combination of the adhesive  18  and the internal pressure of the inflatable device after it is re-filled with air. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 3A-3B  show a second example of the system  50 . In this threaded insert embodiment, the invention generally comprises a probe  52 , a tip  54 , a body portion  56 , an adhesive  58  and a patch  60 . As best shown in  FIG. 1A , in this embodiment, the body portion further comprises a threaded portion  62 . While in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B  contains a plastic tip  54  and a rubber patch  60 , other materials and compositions are possible. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 4A-4C  generally show an exemplary embodiment of the method of using the threaded insert  40 . In this embodiment, the invention  50  is inserted into an inflatable device  64 . Upon insertion, the body portion  56  is adjusted so as to apply the adhesive  58  to the interior wall of the inflatable device  64 . In this particular embodiment, this is achieved by use of a screw used to collapse the flexible body portion  66  so that the upper body wall  66  bows outward and brings the adhesive  58  into direct contact with the interior wall of the inflated object  64  so as to make an air-tight seal  72 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show yet another exemplary embodiment of the system  100 . In this exemplary embodiment, the invention consists generally of a probe  112 , a tip  114 , a cap  115 , a body portion  116 , a handle  117 , an adhesive (not shown), a bladder  119  and a patch  120 . As compared to exemplary embodiments described above, in these embodiments the diameter of the probe is increased so as to insure that it has sufficient strength to accommodate the deforming of a larger bladder portion  119 . In these embodiments, the tip is also reinforced so as prevent the bladder  119  from prematurely separating from the tip  114 . In these embodiments, the increased bladder  119  size over other embodiments allows for greater strength. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 5A-5B  also depict embodiments having an adapted port  121  for glue dispersal. In these embodiments, for example, glue can be inserted into the system  100  by way of the lumen  130  in the body  116 . In these embodiments, the glue flows outward from the port  140  at the bottom of the lumen  130  so as to fill the reservoir  132  in the center of the body  116  until it begins to exit the port  121  so as to be used on externally. In certain embodiments, the handle  117  can be adapted  134  so as to accommodate a tube of glue, for example model airplane glue or the like by way of a screw. Of course, and as described elsewhere herein, the glue can also be applied to the exterior of the body  116 , and can also act as a lubricant during insertion. 
         [0046]    In these and the other embodiments discussed below, the extended bladder  119  balloons out as described above. After being inserted into the inflatable device (not shown) until the cap  115  is in contact with the outer wall of the device, the probe  112  is then withdrawn, which causes the tip  114  move in the direction of the interior wall of the inflatable device and in the direction of the cap  115  until the tip  114 , cap  115  and patch (formed by the bladder  119 ) form an air-tight seal around the opening in the inflatable device. This movement in turn causes the horizontal expansion of the body portion  116 , parallel relative to the wall of the inflatable device, and the reduction of the corresponding vertical length of the body portion  116 , as the tip  114  and cap  115  are brought together in the center of the patch (comprising the body portion  116 /bladder  119 ). During this outward expansion, the reservoir  134  of the body portion  116  may evacuated, thereby applying the adhesive to the inner surface of the inflatable device and the patch itself, which in this example is substantially coextensive with the exterior of the body portion  116 . As discussed elsewhere herein, the adhesive or glue can also be applied to the exterior of the body portion  116 . 
         [0047]    In certain exemplary embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5A-8H , the adhesive of the system can be applied to the exterior of the body  116 , bladder  119  and tip  114  so as to also act as a lubricant prior to setting.  FIGS. 6A-6C  depict certain alternate embodiments of the system  110  featuring further handle  117 A,  117 B,  117 C embodiments. In these embodiments, the increased size of the bladder  119  causes the system to require greater actuation force for the system, thus requiring more surface area for manual operation of the system.  FIG. 6A  depicts a smaller version of the handle  117 A, generally operating so as to be operated by the use of, for example, fingertips.  FIGS. 6B and 6C  depict larger handle  117 B,  117 C configurations capable of being operated by a user&#39;s entire hand, for example.  FIG. 6C  depicts a handle  117 C having an extended throw  117 D, so as to allow greater flexibility for the user to grasp the handle. As would be apparent to one of skill in the art, further handle configurations and arrangements are possible. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 7A-7E  depict various external views of yet further exemplary embodiments of the system  100  showing the presence of a body  116  having a region adapted  116 A to accommodate an O-Ring  116 B. In these embodiments, the distal portion of the body  116 C can experience buckling, thus resulting in a poor seal. The addition of the O-Ring (as best shown in  FIG. 7B ) assists in the distribution of stress and prevents “bad” deformation. 
         [0049]    In certain of these embodiments, and as shown in  FIG. 7C , certain lubricants such as talc  116 D can be applied to the distal portion  200  of the body  116  so as to reduce friction, which eases the insertion and allows for a smaller obdurator, such as a 10-18 mm obdurator. In certain other embodiments, the obdurator may be 19 mm or larger. In certain embodiments using an obdurator which is too large, the region adapted  116 A for the O-Ring can cause catching without sufficient lubrication.  FIG. 7D  depicts this embodiment with the O-Ring  116 B fitted, while  FIG. 7E  depicts the O-Ring  116 B which has been moved to the proximal portion of the body and away from the adapted region  116 A. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 8A-8H  depict various views of the system  110  according to yet further exemplary embodiments. In these embodiments, the adapted region  116 A has been designed so as to further capture the O-Ring  116 B, and thus further preventing unwanted buckling or deformation of the body  116  or displacement of the O-Ring  116 B, as shown in reference to  FIG. 7E , and shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B . In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 8C-8D , the adapted region  116 A. 1  is formed so as to more tightly hold the O-Ring  116 B in place. In these embodiments, the “captured” O-Ring  116 B is less likely to be displaced upon insertion into certain kinds of inflatable items, so as to prevent slippage while maintaining the ability to prevent buckling and other unwanted deformation. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 8E-H  show various embodiments depicting yet further embodiments of the adapted region  116 A. 2 ,  116 A. 3 . In the exemplary embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8E-F , the proximal portion  201  of the body is narrowed relative to the distal portion  200 , thus helping to reduce the size of the upper adapted region  116 A. 2 A relative to the lower adapted region  116 A. 2 B, so as to prevent buckling in certain alternate applications and assist with insertion of the system. 
         [0052]    In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 8G-H , the proximal portion is thicker than that of the embodiments of  FIGS. 8E-F  while maintaining the relationship between the upper adapted region  116 A. 3 A and the lower adapted region  116 A. 3 B. The particular requirements of certain applications will dictate which of these embodiments is most suitable for use, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. 
         [0053]    While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
         [0054]    Although the system has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.