Patent US4065819A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4065819A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flotation support system
Assignee: MEDPRO Inc
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Filing: 1976-06-16
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1996-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A flotation support system including a generally rectangular air frame, which is defined by a tubular air-filled member which surrounds an open region. A base sheet extends beneath the open region and is secured to the tubular member to define with such member a nesting receptacle for a fluid-containing envelope. The base sheet passes beneath the said frame and is secured to the tubular member toward the outer peripheral border thereof, to provide a receiving slot between the lower side of the tubular member and the adjacent portions of the sheet. The envelope has dimensions exceeding that of the open region, so that the peripheral portions of the envelope are received into the said slot. The peripheral portions of the envelope are elastically constrained by the slot, to thereby constitute a buffer volume for liquid displaced from the central portion of the envelope in consequence of an individual being emplaced upon such central portions, to thereby provide improved cushioning characteristics. The air frame also acts as a restraining bumper, which renders the assembly ideal for use in cribs or so forth.
Inventors
- 👤 Jody A. Gorran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:48
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C27/00; A47C27/08; A47C27/081; A47C27/085; A61; A61G; A61G5/00; A61G5/10; A61G5/1043; A61G5/1091; A47G; A47G9/00; A47G2009/008; A61G2203/00; A61G2203/70; A61G2203/72; A61G2203/723; A61G7/00; A61G7/05; A61G7/057; A61G7/05738
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A flotation support system, comprising in combination: a generally rectangular air frame, defined by a tubular air-filled member surrounding an open region; a base sheet extending beneath said open region and under said tubular frame, and being secured to said tubular member toward the outer peripheral edge of said frame, to thereby define with said member a nesting receptacle bounded by a receiving slot defined between the upper side of said sheet and the adjacent wall of said member; a fluid-containing envelope being positioned in said nesting receptacle; said envelope having dimensions exceeding those of said open region, and the peripheral border portions of said envelope being received into said receiving slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A flotation support system, comprising in combination: a generally rectangular air frame, defined by a tubular air-filled member surrounding an open region; a base sheet extending beneath said open region and under said tubular frame, and being secured to said tubular member toward the outer peripheral edge of said frame, to thereby define with said member a nesting receptacle bounded by a receiving slot defined between the upper side of said sheet and the adjacent wall of said member; a fluid-containing envelope being positioned in said nesting receptacle; said envelope having dimensions exceeding those of said open region, and the peripheral border portions of said envelope being received into said receiving slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said peripheral portions of said envelope are elastically constrained by said slot, said portions thereby providing a buffer volume for volumes of fluid displaced from the portions of said envelope within said open region in consequence of the positioning of an individual thereupon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the uppermost portions of said frame reside above the uppermost portions of said fluid-containing envelope, to thereby provide a restraining bumper for said individual.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sheet is secured to said frame by heat-sealing said sheet to a lateral edge extending along the lateral-most border of said tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein both said air frame and said envelope comprise a polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
An appliance in accordance with claim 2, wherein said envelope contains a liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein both said frame and said envelope are collapsible, and include valve means for filling same with said air and fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device in accordance with claim 2, further including an insulation pad overlying said envelope, the periphery of said pad being maintained within said slot together with said peripheral portions of said envelope, to thereby restrain relative movement between said pad and envelope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device in accordance with claim 6, further including a fluid-impervious cover secured about at least the upper portions of said air frame, thereby covering said envelope to isolate an individual residing on said system from liquid leakage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
An air frame for use with a fluid-containing envelope in the formation of flotation support system; said frame comprising; a tubular air-filled member surrounding an open region; a base sheet extending beneath said open region and under said member, and being secured to said member toward the outer peripheral edge of said frame, to thereby define with said member a nesting receptable bounded by a receiving slot defined between the lower side of said sheet and the adjacent wall of said member; whereby a fluid-containing envelope having dimensions exceeding those of said open region is positionable in said nesting receptacle, with the peripheral portions of said envelope being received into said receiving slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
An air frame for use with a fluid-containing envelope in the formation of flotation support system; said frame comprising; a tubular air-filled member surrounding an open region; a base sheet extending beneath said open region and under said member, and being secured to said member toward the outer peripheral edge of said frame, to thereby define with said member a nesting receptable bounded by a receiving slot defined between the lower side of said sheet and the adjacent wall of said member; whereby a fluid-containing envelope having dimensions exceeding those of said open region is positionable in said nesting receptacle, with the peripheral portions of said envelope being received into said receiving slot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A frame in accordance with claim 10, wherein the boundaries of said slot are elastic, whereby the said peripheral portions of said envelope are elastically constrained by said slot, said portions thereby providing a buffer volume for fluid displaced from the portions of said envelope within said open region in consequence of the positioning of said individual thereupon.
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) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |