Patent US3701173A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3701173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable body support
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-05-22
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1990-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable body support having sequentially expandable first and second banks of cells which comprise transversely extending fingers. Each of the finger cells have substantially the same effective diameter with a center to center distance, between a cell from the first bank and a cell from the second bank, which is less than said effective diameter.
Inventors
- 👤 John K Whitney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/05; A61G7/057; A61G7/05769; A61G7/05776
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An inflatable body support pad comprising: first and second banks of sequentially expandable cells, each of said banks having a common cell and a plurality of finger cells fluidly communicating with said common cell and extending therefrom, said common cells being spaced apart with the finger cells of said first bank extending toward said common cell of said second bank and said finger cells of said second bank extending toward said common cell of said first bank; said finger cells from said first and second banks each having substantially the same effective diameter with a center to center distance, between a cell from said first bank and a cell from said second bank, less than said effective diameter, said inflatable pad being rectangular in configuration and said common cells extending along the long sides of said pad and said finger cells extending parallel to the short sides of said pad.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An inflatable body support pad comprising: first and second banks of sequentially expandable cells, each of said banks having a common cell and a plurality of finger cells fluidly communicating with said common cell and extending therefrom, said common cells being spaced apart with the finger cells of said first bank extending toward said common cell of said second bank and said finger cells of said second bank extending toward said common cell of said first bank; said finger cells from said first and second banks each having substantially the same effective diameter with a center to center distance, between a cell from said first bank and a cell from said second bank, less than said effective diameter, said inflatable pad being rectangular in configuration and said common cells extending along the long sides of said pad and said finger cells extending parallel to the short sides of said pad.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said center to center distance is achieved by forming said first and second banks of cells as individual units with substantially identical finger cells and overlying said first bank on said second bank; the edges of the finger cells of said second bank lying on the centerline of the finger cells of said first bank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said center to center distance is achieved by interdigitating the finger cells from said first and second banks; each of the individual finger cells having alternately broad and narrow adjacent areas, said broad and narrow areas on said finger cells from said first bank being interleaved with the broad and narrow areas on said finger cells from said second bank; and means for supplying fluid pressure to said first and second banks of cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said pad comprises two elongated expandable sheets sealed toGether at their outer edges to provide upper and lower surfaces for said cells and said cells are formed by a continuous serpentine seal ribbon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said broad and narrow areas of said finger cells have a ratio of about 4:1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said surfaces of said finger cells are undular when expanded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |