Title:
FRAMELESS WATER BED
United States Patent 3787907
Abstract:
A frameless water bed comprises primary plastic sheeting forming a tube extending in a loop, auxiliary plastic sheets extending across the loop interior and overlapping opposite extents of the tube for retaining it against outward deflection under the influence of water pressure exertion. The auxiliary sheets form with the tube a closed, water receiving interior hollow bounded by the tube.
US Patent References:
LIQUID SUPPORT FOR HUMAN BODIES
Hall - June 1971 - 3585356
/3123117.html
Nourse et al. - March 1964 - 3123117
PRESSURE-CONTROLLED CUSHION STRUCTURE
Williams - August 1971 - 3600727
LIQUID SUPPORT FOR HUMAN BODIES
Hall - June 1971 - 3585356
/3123117.html
Nourse et al. - March 1964 - 3123117
PRESSURE-CONTROLLED CUSHION STRUCTURE
Williams - August 1971 - 3600727
Inventors:
Pennington, William (Palos Verdes, CA)
Pennington III, William (Palos Verdes, CA)
Pennington III, William (Palos Verdes, CA)
Application Number:
05/221589
Publication Date:
01/29/1974
Filing Date:
01/28/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
5/932
International Classes:
A47C27/08; A47C27/08
Field of Search:
5/348-350,348WB,60 9/1A,10,13 128/376
Primary Examiner:
Gay, Bobby R.
Assistant Examiner:
Calvert, Andrew M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
William, Haefliger Et Al W.
Claims:
I claim
1. In a water bed, the combination comprising
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tube is formed by flat plastic sheet layers which are superimposed in horizontally extending relation, said auxiliary sheets also bonded to and along said tube proximate the outermost extent thereof furthest from said hollow.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said tube is rectangular and defined by four elongated plastic sheets folded along their lengths and having diagonal end interconnections at the corners of the rectangular tube.
4. The combination of claim 1 including a water fill valve connected with one of said auxiliary sheets, and an air fill valve connected with one of said tube sheets.
5. The combination of claim 2 wherein inwardly and outwardly spaced rectangular loop bonds interconnect the auxiliary upper sheet and the tube, and inwardly and outwardly spaced rectangular loop bonds interconnect the auxiliary lower sheet and the tube.
6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said sheets consist of vinyl plastic sheet material.
7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the tube is air expanded with the auxiliary upper and lower sheets extended into outwardly convexly curved conformation over the tube.
8. The combination of claim 3 wherein said elongated sheets in unfolded state have V-shaped end interconnection.
1. In a water bed, the combination comprising
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tube is formed by flat plastic sheet layers which are superimposed in horizontally extending relation, said auxiliary sheets also bonded to and along said tube proximate the outermost extent thereof furthest from said hollow.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said tube is rectangular and defined by four elongated plastic sheets folded along their lengths and having diagonal end interconnections at the corners of the rectangular tube.
4. The combination of claim 1 including a water fill valve connected with one of said auxiliary sheets, and an air fill valve connected with one of said tube sheets.
5. The combination of claim 2 wherein inwardly and outwardly spaced rectangular loop bonds interconnect the auxiliary upper sheet and the tube, and inwardly and outwardly spaced rectangular loop bonds interconnect the auxiliary lower sheet and the tube.
6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said sheets consist of vinyl plastic sheet material.
7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the tube is air expanded with the auxiliary upper and lower sheets extended into outwardly convexly curved conformation over the tube.
8. The combination of claim 3 wherein said elongated sheets in unfolded state have V-shaped end interconnection.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to water beds, and more particularly concerns unusual simplifications and improvements in the construction of such beds.
Water bed systems normally incorporate a flexible hollow enclosure or bladder to receive liquid such as water, together with a relatively rigid frame (constructed of material such as wood or plastic) bounding and often supporting the bladder. Such a frame has been felt necessary in order to confine the bladder against spreading under pressure exerted by the weight of a reclining sleeper, in order to maintain a sufficient layer of water in the bladder and beneath the sleeper. While efforts have been made to eliminate need for the rigid frame, in order to reduce cost, none of such efforts have to my knowledge resulted in the unusually advantageous combinations and sub-combinations of elements, mode of operation and results afforded by the present invention, as will appear. The latter include extremely low cost and light weight construction characterized by simplicity, durability and portability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a major object of the invention to provide a water bed construction eliminating need for a rigid frame, while at the same time avoiding water confinement and bladder deformation problems that normally arise in the absence of such a frame.
Basically, the improved "frameless" water bed comprises primary plastic sheeting defining legs that are inflatable to form a tube extending in a loop, for example which may be generally rectangular; auxiliary plastic sheets extending across the loop interior and overlapping opposite extents of the tube; and the auxiliary sheets carried by the tube and forming therewith a closed, water receiving interior hollow bounded by the tube. As will be seen the tube may advantageously be formed by flat plastic sheet layers which are superimposed horizontally, and the auxiliary sheets may include upper and lower sheets respectively overlying and underlying the tube and bonded thereto. In this regard, inwardly and outwardly spaced generally rectangular loop heat seal bonds may interconnect each of the auxiliary sheets to the tube, whereby when the tube is air expanded, the auxiliary sheets become extended into peripherally convexly curved conformation over the tube, retaining it against outward deflection under the influence of water pressure exertion.
The simple construction of the bed is enhanced by the provision of a generally rectangular tube each of whose four legs is comprised of an elongated plastic sheet folded lengthwise, and with adjacent sheet ends having diagonal interconnection at the corners of the rectangular tube. Further, and as will be seen, the elongated sheets in unfolded state may have V-shaped end interconnection. All the sheets as described may advantageously consist of vinyl plastic material.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings, in which:
DRAWING DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of a water bed;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken on lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view taken on lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a section taken in elevation prior to inflation of the bed;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of an unfolded "corner" portion of the bed tube;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the FIG. 5 "corner," partially folded;
FIG. 7 is a plan view like FIG. 5 showing the same corner portion after nearly completed folding; and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged section taken through a fill valve.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bed 10 in general includes primary plastic sheeting, as for example is indicated at 11 defining a tube extending in a loop, which may be rectangular as shown; however, other loop shapes are possible. The bed also includes auxiliary upper and lower sheets 12 and 13 extending across the interior space bounded by the loop and overlapping opposed extents of the tube. For example, portion 12a of upper sheet 12 overlaps tubular loop extent 11a', and portion 13a of lower sheet 13 overlaps tubular loop extent 11a". In similar manner, where the loop is rectangular, portions 12b , 12c and 12d of the upper sheet 12 overlap loop leg extents 12b', 12c' and 12d', respectively, and portions 13b , 13c and 13d of the lower sheet overlap loop leg extents 12b", 12c" and 12d". Such overlapping is convexly curved, as shown, to retain or hold the legs against outward deflection in response to water pressure exertion.
The auxiliary sheets 12 and 13 are seen in FIG. 2 to be carried by the tube 11 and to form therewith a closed, interior space or hollow 14 which receives water 15 and is bounded by the tube. After inflation to the tube, but prior to water filling into that hollow, the upper sheet may hang downwardly as indicated by the broken lines 12f.
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the tube may with unusual advantage be defined or formed by four elongated flat plastic sheets 11e, the ends of which are V-notched as at 18 in FIG. 5, to form corners, as will now be described. Two such sheets are superimposed and heat sealed along a V-shaped band to form the end interconnection 19 as shown. Next, the extremeties 20 of the interconnection are brought together as indicated by the arrows 21 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 showing near completion of this step to develop medial folding 22 along the sheet lengths. Upon completion of such inwardly oriented fold development, the two sheets 11 extend at right angles from the corner diagonal seal connection 19, and it will be seen that the four sheets 11e thereby are caused to develop four corners.
Subsequently, the previously referred to upper and lower plastic sheets 12 and 13 are applied in the flat overlay as seen in FIG. 4, and heat sealing is effected along rectangularly extending outer band 24 joining all the sheets. Also, upper and lower heat seal bands 25 and 26 are formed as shown, band 25 being generally rectangular and spaced inwardly of seal 24 and joining sheet 12 to upper extent 11a' of sheet 11e, and band 26 also being generally rectangular and joining sheet 13 to the lower extent 11a" of sheet 11e. Such bands may be curved at the corners as indicated at 24a, 25a and 26a, and excess outwardly lying sheet material may be stripped off about band 24, as is clear from FIG. 3. Accordingly, such heat sealing and stripping may be quickly effected, in FIG. 4 sheet condition.
Expansion of the tube may be accomplished by introduction of air (as from a vacuum sweeper discharge) via a flapper valve unit 30 assembled on the tube, and a similar valve 31 may be employed on sheet 12 to facilitate water introduction into and entrapment within the enclosed space 14. The valve 31 is shown in detail in FIG. 8 as including a cup shaped body 32 having a top flange 33 to which sheet 12 is bonded. The body includes a flap 34 adapted to be downwardly deflected to position 34a when water is introduced, and to seat upwardly in closed position as shown in full lines. An attached cap 35 forcibly fits downwardly into the body, with lip interference at 36, to provide additional sealing. The cap may be elevated to position 35a, as shown.
This invention relates generally to water beds, and more particularly concerns unusual simplifications and improvements in the construction of such beds.
Water bed systems normally incorporate a flexible hollow enclosure or bladder to receive liquid such as water, together with a relatively rigid frame (constructed of material such as wood or plastic) bounding and often supporting the bladder. Such a frame has been felt necessary in order to confine the bladder against spreading under pressure exerted by the weight of a reclining sleeper, in order to maintain a sufficient layer of water in the bladder and beneath the sleeper. While efforts have been made to eliminate need for the rigid frame, in order to reduce cost, none of such efforts have to my knowledge resulted in the unusually advantageous combinations and sub-combinations of elements, mode of operation and results afforded by the present invention, as will appear. The latter include extremely low cost and light weight construction characterized by simplicity, durability and portability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a major object of the invention to provide a water bed construction eliminating need for a rigid frame, while at the same time avoiding water confinement and bladder deformation problems that normally arise in the absence of such a frame.
Basically, the improved "frameless" water bed comprises primary plastic sheeting defining legs that are inflatable to form a tube extending in a loop, for example which may be generally rectangular; auxiliary plastic sheets extending across the loop interior and overlapping opposite extents of the tube; and the auxiliary sheets carried by the tube and forming therewith a closed, water receiving interior hollow bounded by the tube. As will be seen the tube may advantageously be formed by flat plastic sheet layers which are superimposed horizontally, and the auxiliary sheets may include upper and lower sheets respectively overlying and underlying the tube and bonded thereto. In this regard, inwardly and outwardly spaced generally rectangular loop heat seal bonds may interconnect each of the auxiliary sheets to the tube, whereby when the tube is air expanded, the auxiliary sheets become extended into peripherally convexly curved conformation over the tube, retaining it against outward deflection under the influence of water pressure exertion.
The simple construction of the bed is enhanced by the provision of a generally rectangular tube each of whose four legs is comprised of an elongated plastic sheet folded lengthwise, and with adjacent sheet ends having diagonal interconnection at the corners of the rectangular tube. Further, and as will be seen, the elongated sheets in unfolded state may have V-shaped end interconnection. All the sheets as described may advantageously consist of vinyl plastic material.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings, in which:
DRAWING DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of a water bed;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken on lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view taken on lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a section taken in elevation prior to inflation of the bed;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of an unfolded "corner" portion of the bed tube;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the FIG. 5 "corner," partially folded;
FIG. 7 is a plan view like FIG. 5 showing the same corner portion after nearly completed folding; and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged section taken through a fill valve.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bed 10 in general includes primary plastic sheeting, as for example is indicated at 11 defining a tube extending in a loop, which may be rectangular as shown; however, other loop shapes are possible. The bed also includes auxiliary upper and lower sheets 12 and 13 extending across the interior space bounded by the loop and overlapping opposed extents of the tube. For example, portion 12a of upper sheet 12 overlaps tubular loop extent 11a', and portion 13a of lower sheet 13 overlaps tubular loop extent 11a". In similar manner, where the loop is rectangular, portions 12b , 12c and 12d of the upper sheet 12 overlap loop leg extents 12b', 12c' and 12d', respectively, and portions 13b , 13c and 13d of the lower sheet overlap loop leg extents 12b", 12c" and 12d". Such overlapping is convexly curved, as shown, to retain or hold the legs against outward deflection in response to water pressure exertion.
The auxiliary sheets 12 and 13 are seen in FIG. 2 to be carried by the tube 11 and to form therewith a closed, interior space or hollow 14 which receives water 15 and is bounded by the tube. After inflation to the tube, but prior to water filling into that hollow, the upper sheet may hang downwardly as indicated by the broken lines 12f.
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the tube may with unusual advantage be defined or formed by four elongated flat plastic sheets 11e, the ends of which are V-notched as at 18 in FIG. 5, to form corners, as will now be described. Two such sheets are superimposed and heat sealed along a V-shaped band to form the end interconnection 19 as shown. Next, the extremeties 20 of the interconnection are brought together as indicated by the arrows 21 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 showing near completion of this step to develop medial folding 22 along the sheet lengths. Upon completion of such inwardly oriented fold development, the two sheets 11 extend at right angles from the corner diagonal seal connection 19, and it will be seen that the four sheets 11e thereby are caused to develop four corners.
Subsequently, the previously referred to upper and lower plastic sheets 12 and 13 are applied in the flat overlay as seen in FIG. 4, and heat sealing is effected along rectangularly extending outer band 24 joining all the sheets. Also, upper and lower heat seal bands 25 and 26 are formed as shown, band 25 being generally rectangular and spaced inwardly of seal 24 and joining sheet 12 to upper extent 11a' of sheet 11e, and band 26 also being generally rectangular and joining sheet 13 to the lower extent 11a" of sheet 11e. Such bands may be curved at the corners as indicated at 24a, 25a and 26a, and excess outwardly lying sheet material may be stripped off about band 24, as is clear from FIG. 3. Accordingly, such heat sealing and stripping may be quickly effected, in FIG. 4 sheet condition.
Expansion of the tube may be accomplished by introduction of air (as from a vacuum sweeper discharge) via a flapper valve unit 30 assembled on the tube, and a similar valve 31 may be employed on sheet 12 to facilitate water introduction into and entrapment within the enclosed space 14. The valve 31 is shown in detail in FIG. 8 as including a cup shaped body 32 having a top flange 33 to which sheet 12 is bonded. The body includes a flap 34 adapted to be downwardly deflected to position 34a when water is introduced, and to seat upwardly in closed position as shown in full lines. An attached cap 35 forcibly fits downwardly into the body, with lip interference at 36, to provide additional sealing. The cap may be elevated to position 35a, as shown.