Patent US5533755A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5533755A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Structurally efficient inflatable protective device
Assignee: National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC
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Filing: 1994-12-09
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Granted: 1996-07-09
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Expires: 2014-12-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for making a low cost, self-venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from a base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold line(s) and being Joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber. The inflatable protective cushion and method for making same may further include a lightweight, low permeability, fabric that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed and minimizes the packed volume of the cushion when stored.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Nelsen
- 👤 Larry D. Whinery
- 👤 Kenneth W. Gwinn
- 👤 Donald D. McBride
- 👤 Daniel A. Luna
- 👤 Joseph P. Holder
- 👤 Richard J. Bliton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R21/233; B60R21/2334; B60R21/2338; B60R21/235; B60R2021/23382; B60R2021/23571; B60R2021/23576; B60R2021/2358; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1352; Y10T428/1362
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An inflatable protective cushion comprising a sheet made of a woven material defined by four or fewer fold lines and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from the base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold lines with each of the flap portions substantially converged to form an apex above the sheet and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber, wherein the side edges are either substantially perpendicular or substantially parallel to the warp direction of the woven material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An inflatable protective cushion comprising a sheet made of a woven material defined by four or fewer fold lines and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from the base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold lines with each of the flap portions substantially converged to form an apex above the sheet and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber, wherein the side edges are either substantially perpendicular or substantially parallel to the warp direction of the woven material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cushion as recited in claim 1, wherein said sheet is substantially in the shape of a square and said flap portions are substantially triangular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cushion as recited in claim 2, wherein said sheet is a material having a grab tensile strength of less than 255 lbs., tongue tear strength of less than 8.0 lbs., and a Mullen burst strength of less than 325 psi.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cushion as recited in claim 3, wherein said sheet is a material having an air permeability of less than 1.10 cfm/sq. ft. at a pressure drop of 0.5 in. of water across the material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cushion as recited in claim 4, wherein said sheet is woven with less than 420 denier yarn.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cushion as recited in claim 5, wherein said sheet is woven with less than 300 denier yarn.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cushion as recited in claim 6, wherein said sheet is made of woven cloth of 30-200 denier yarn.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
An inflatable protective cushion comprising a single sheet having four or fewer fold lines and a plurality of flap portions, said sheet being, substantially in the shape of a square, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from the base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold lines with each of the flap portions substantially converged to form an apex above the sheet and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
An inflatable protective cushion comprising a single sheet having four or fewer fold lines and a plurality of flap portions, said sheet being, substantially in the shape of a square, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from the base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold lines with each of the flap portions substantially converged to form an apex above the sheet and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cushion as recited in claim 8, wherein said sheet is a material having a grab tensile strength of less than 255 lbs., tongue tear strength of less than 8.0 lbs., and a Mullen burst strength of less than 325 psi.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cushion as recited in claim 9, wherein said sheet is a material having an air permeability of less than 1.10 cfm/sq.ft. at a pressure drop of 0.5 in. of water across the material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cushion as recited in claim 9, wherein said sheet is woven with less than 420 denier yarn.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cushion as recited in claim 11, wherein said sheet is woven with less than 300 denier yarn.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cushion as recited in claim 12, wherein said sheet is made of woven cloth of 30-200 denier yarn.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
An inflatable protective cushion comprising a single sheet having four or fewer fold lines and a plurality of flap portions, said sheet being substantially in the shape of a square, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from the base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold lines with each of the flap portions substantially converged to form an apex above the sheet and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber, wherein said side edges are configured at about said apex to form a means for mounting said sheet to an inflatable device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
An inflatable protective cushion comprising a single sheet having four or fewer fold lines and a plurality of flap portions, said sheet being substantially in the shape of a square, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from the base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold lines with each of the flap portions substantially converged to form an apex above the sheet and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber, wherein said side edges are configured at about said apex to form a means for mounting said sheet to an inflatable device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
An inflatable protective cushion comprising a sheet defined by four or fewer fold lines and a plurality of substantially triangular flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges extending outwardly from the base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
An inflatable protective cushion comprising a sheet defined by four or fewer fold lines and a plurality of substantially triangular flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges extending outwardly from the base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cushion as recited in claim 15, wherein said sheet is a material having a grab tensile strength of less than 255 lbs., tongue tear strength of less than 8.0 lbs., and a Mullen burst strength of less than 325 psi.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cushion as recited in claim 16, wherein said sheet is woven with less than 420 denier yarn.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cushion as recited in claim 17, wherein said sheet is woven with less than 300 denier yarn.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cushion as recited in claim 18, wherein said sheet is made of woven cloth of 30-200 denier yarn.
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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) | 1999-07-09 | 2000-01-08 | 2000-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-09 | 2004-01-08 | 2004-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-09 | 2008-01-08 | 2008-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |