US5406653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustably inflatable body cradle for use in water
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1994-03-29
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Granted: 1995-04-18
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Expires: 2014-03-29
Abstract
Abstract An elongated flexive cradle is provided including longitudinally spaced and variably inflatable head, lower back and thigh cushions. At least the lower back and thigh cushions are adjustably shiftable longitudinally of the cradle and remote operable hand acutatable inflation/deflation structure is operatively associated with the cushions for individual adjustable inflation and deflation thereof by a person disposed on the cradle in a reclining position thereon when the cradle is disposed generally parallel and closely beneath the surface of a body of water.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis A. Todor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:56
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C15/00; A47C15/004; A47C15/006; B; B63; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/50; B63B34/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An adjustably inflatable body cradle having opposite ends and including a pair of elongated, horizontally, laterally spaced apart and flexive longitudinal side members, separate adjustably inflated head, lower back and thigh cushions disposed between and spaced apart longitudinally of said side members, anchor means anchoring remote marginal portions of each of said cushions to corresponding adjacent longitudinally spaced portions of said side members, and inflation means for adjustably inflating said cushions, the spacing between said cushions being adjustable to the stature of a user of said cradle to substantially center the head of said user on said head cushion, the lower back area of said user on said lower back cushion and the rear thigh portions of said user on said thigh cushion, said anchor means adjustably anchoring said remote marginal portions of said lower back and thigh cushions to the adjacent side members for adjusted positioning lengthwise therealong.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An adjustably inflatable body cradle having opposite ends and including a pair of elongated, horizontally, laterally spaced apart and flexive longitudinal side members, separate adjustably inflated head, lower back and thigh cushions disposed between and spaced apart longitudinally of said side members, anchor means anchoring remote marginal portions of each of said cushions to corresponding adjacent longitudinally spaced portions of said side members, and inflation means for adjustably inflating said cushions, the spacing between said cushions being adjustable to the stature of a user of said cradle to substantially center the head of said user on said head cushion, the lower back area of said user on said lower back cushion and the rear thigh portions of said user on said thigh cushion, said anchor means adjustably anchoring said remote marginal portions of said lower back and thigh cushions to the adjacent side members for adjusted positioning lengthwise therealong.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cradle of claim 1 wherein said cushions include corresponding upper sides, the upper side of said head cushion including a central upward opening recess.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cradle of claim 1 wherein said side members are arcuate in shape and open upwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cradle of claim 1 including an elongated flexible tether member connected between said cradle and a suction cup for anchoring said cradle to a smooth unbroken surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
226 words
An adjustably inflatable body cradle having opposite ends and including a pair of elongated, horizontally, laterally spaced apart and flexive longitudinal side members, separate adjustably inflated head, lower back and thigh cushions disposed between and spaced apart longitudinally of said side members, anchor means anchoring remote marginal portions of each of said cushions to corresponding adjacent longitudinally spaced portions of said side members, and inflation means for adjustably and separately inflating each cushion, the spacing between said cushions being adjustable to the stature of a user of said cradle to substantially center the head of the body of said user disposed on said cradle on said head cushion, the lower back area of said user on said lower back cushion and the rear thigh portions of said user on said thigh cushion, one of said side members being tubular, said inflation means including a flexible inflation/deflation hose for each of said cushions, each of said hoses including a first end sealingly opening into a corresponding cushion, a second end sealingly communicated with an air pump and vent valve through a control valve selectively actuatable to communicate a selected hose of said hoses with said air pump and a longitudinally extending slot extending through said one side member from adjacent a corresponding cushion outwardly to an end of said one side member remote from said thigh cushion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
226 words
An adjustably inflatable body cradle having opposite ends and including a pair of elongated, horizontally, laterally spaced apart and flexive longitudinal side members, separate adjustably inflated head, lower back and thigh cushions disposed between and spaced apart longitudinally of said side members, anchor means anchoring remote marginal portions of each of said cushions to corresponding adjacent longitudinally spaced portions of said side members, and inflation means for adjustably and separately inflating each cushion, the spacing between said cushions being adjustable to the stature of a user of said cradle to substantially center the head of the body of said user disposed on said cradle on said head cushion, the lower back area of said user on said lower back cushion and the rear thigh portions of said user on said thigh cushion, one of said side members being tubular, said inflation means including a flexible inflation/deflation hose for each of said cushions, each of said hoses including a first end sealingly opening into a corresponding cushion, a second end sealingly communicated with an air pump and vent valve through a control valve selectively actuatable to communicate a selected hose of said hoses with said air pump and a longitudinally extending slot extending through said one side member from adjacent a corresponding cushion outwardly to an end of said one side member remote from said thigh cushion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cradle of claim 5 wherein said anchor means include means anchoring said remote marginal portions of said lower back and thigh cushions to the adjacent side members for adjustable positioning lengthwise therealong.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cradle of claim 6, an elongated flexible tether member anchored to the end of said cradle adjacent said head cushion and suction cup means supported from said tether member for removable suction anchoring to a smooth unbroken surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cradle of claim 7 wherein said cushions include corresponding upper sides, the upper side of said head cushion including a central upward opening recess.
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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) | 1998-04-17 | 1998-10-17 | 1999-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-17 | 2002-10-17 | 2003-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-17 | 2006-10-17 | 2007-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |