US3702484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light-weight, minimum-volume water pad
Assignee: Aqua Therm Products Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-18
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Granted: 1972-11-14
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Expires: 1991-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A low-water volume, low-weight water pad for use as a mattress or seat pad consists of a water-filled container sandwiched between an upper and lower layer of cellular foam sheets with a surrounding water-impervious sheath which is loaded through openings in the top of the sheath. The sheath serves as a flexible frame and tray for containing water which may escape from the water-filled container. The top surface of the sheath contains flaps at either end which extend beyond the opening slits in the top of the sheath. These flaps are enveloped inside of the sheath and around the bottom of the foam layer. When used as a mattress, it may be placed directly on a conventional inner spring. A rigid platform is shown which is placed between water mattress and inner spring to provide a flat surface for support of the water mattress.
Inventors
- 👤 Sidney Tobinick
- 👤 Arnold Semenoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:15
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C27/00; A47C27/08; A47C27/085; A47C27/14; A47C27/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A pressure distributing pad having the characteristics of a water-filled mattress and having a minimum water volume and having a relatively low weight; said pad comprising, in combination: a generally flat, water-filled and water-impervious container having upper and lower surfaces; a compressible, thermally-insulating pad disposed in contact with and being coextensive with said upper surface of said water-impervious container; an enclosed sheath of a flexible, water-impervious material enclosing and closely fitting around said water-impervious container and said thermally-insulating pad; said enclosed sheath having top and bottom surfaces and side surfaces joining said top and bottom surfaces; said bottom surface and said side surfaces defining a shallow, waterimpervious tank for receiving and holding water from said container if water escapes from said container; said sheath having at least one elongated opening in its said top surface to permit the loading of said container and said thermally-insulating pad therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A pressure distributing pad having the characteristics of a water-filled mattress and having a minimum water volume and having a relatively low weight; said pad comprising, in combination: a generally flat, water-filled and water-impervious container having upper and lower surfaces; a compressible, thermally-insulating pad disposed in contact with and being coextensive with said upper surface of said water-impervious container; an enclosed sheath of a flexible, water-impervious material enclosing and closely fitting around said water-impervious container and said thermally-insulating pad; said enclosed sheath having top and bottom surfaces and side surfaces joining said top and bottom surfaces; said bottom surface and said side surfaces defining a shallow, waterimpervious tank for receiving and holding water from said container if water escapes from said container; said sheath having at least one elongated opening in its said top surface to permit the loading of said container and said thermally-insulating pad therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The pad of claim 1 wherein said at least one elongated opening is formed adjacent the junction between said top surface and one of said side surfaces of said sheath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The pad of claim 1 wherein said thermally-insulating pad is formed of a sponge rubber type material, and wherein said container and said sheath are both formed of the same material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pad of claim 1 which further includes a second thermally-insulating pad in contact with and generally coextensive with the lower surface of said water-impervious container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The pad of claim 1 which further includes a flap extending from at least one of said side surfaces of said sheath, and means for fastening said flap over said at least one elongated opening and to said top surface of said sheath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
The pad of claim 2 wherein said top surface of said sheath has a freely extending flap section which extends beyond said elongated opening; said flap section having a length longer than the height of said side section to permit said flap to be inserted into said elongated opening and enveloped around the edges of said container and said thermally-insulating pad which are adjacent said one of said side surfaces of said sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pad of claiM 4 wherein said container and said sheath are each formed of a flexible plastic material having a thickness of about 20 mils.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The pad of claim 6 which further includes a second flap extending from at least one side surface of said sheath, and means for fastening said second flap over said at least one elongated opening, and to said top surface of said sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The pad of claim 7 wherein said thermally-insulating pads are formed of a sponge rubber type material; said thermally insulating pad at said upper surface of said water container has a thickness of from about 1/2 inch to about 3 inches, thereby to provide thermal insulation; said second pad having a thickness of less than about 4 inches; said water-filled pad having a thickness, when filled, of less than about 3 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pad of claim 8 which further includes a second thermally-insulating pad in contact with and generally coextensive with the lower surface of said water-impervious container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
The pad of claim 9 wherein said at least one elongated opening is formed adjacent the junction between said top surface and one of said side surfaces of said sheath and wherein said top surface of said sheath has a freely extending flap section which extends beyond said elongated opening; said flap section having a length longer than the height of said side section to permit said flap to be inserted into said elongated opening and enveloped around the edges of said container and said thermally-insulating pads which are adjacent said one of said side surfaces of said sheath.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
The pad of claim 10 wherein said thermally-insulating pads are formed of a sponge rubber type material; said thermally insulating pad at said upper surface of said water container has a thickness of from about 1/2 inch to about 3 inches, thereby to provide thermal insulation; said second pad having a thickness of less than about 4 inches; said water-filled pad having a thickness, when filled, of less than about 3 inches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The pad of claim 11 wherein said sheath has a second elongated opening in the top surface thereof; said second opening being parallel to said one opening and being disposed adjacent a side of said sheath which is opposite to its said one side; and a second flap section, identical to said flap section, extending from said top surface at said second opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The pad of claim 13 which further includes first and second side flaps extending from opposite sides of said sheath, and means for fastening said first and second side flaps over said at least one elongated opening and said second elongated openings respectively, and means for fastening said first and second side flaps to said top surface of said sheath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination, a mattress having the characteristics of a water-filled mattress, and a conventional box spring support therefor; said mattress having a minimum water volume and having a relatively low weight; said mattress comprising, in combination: a generally flat, water-filled and water-impervious container having upper and lower surfaces; a compressible, thermally-insulating pad disposed in contact with and being coextensive with said upper surface of said water-impervious container; an enclosed sheath of a flexible, water-impervious material enclosing and closely fitting around said water-impervious container and said thermally-insulating pad; said enclosed sheath having top and bottom surfaces and side surfaces joining said top and bottom surfaces; said bottom surface and said side surfaces defining a shallow, water-impervious tank for receiving and holding water from said container if water escapes from said container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination, a mattress having the characteristics of a water-filled mattress, and a conventional box spring support therefor; said mattress having a minimum water volume and having a relatively low weight; said mattress comprising, in combination: a generally flat, water-filled and water-impervious container having upper and lower surfaces; a compressible, thermally-insulating pad disposed in contact with and being coextensive with said upper surface of said water-impervious container; an enclosed sheath of a flexible, water-impervious material enclosing and closely fitting around said water-impervious container and said thermally-insulating pad; said enclosed sheath having top and bottom surfaces and side surfaces joining said top and bottom surfaces; said bottom surface and said side surfaces defining a shallow, water-impervious tank for receiving and holding water from said container if water escapes from said container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 15 which further includes a flat, and relatively rigid member generally coextensive with said mattress and being disposed between said mattress and said box spring support.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 16 wherein said relatively rigid member includes an annular rim extEnding downwardly from the periphery thereof and telescoping over said box spring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 17 wherein said relatively rigid member further includes an annular rim extending upwardly from the periphery thereof for receiving portions of the outer periphery of said mattress.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |