US20110171420A1 - Air cushion pad - Google Patents
Air cushion pad Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110171420A1 US20110171420A1 US12/701,591 US70159110A US2011171420A1 US 20110171420 A1 US20110171420 A1 US 20110171420A1 US 70159110 A US70159110 A US 70159110A US 2011171420 A1 US2011171420 A1 US 2011171420A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tubes
- sheet member
- cushion pad
- air cushion
- pad according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/015—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means
- A41D13/0156—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means having projecting patterns
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form
- B32B3/10—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material
- B32B3/12—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material characterised by a layer of regularly- arranged cells, e.g. a honeycomb structure
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/015—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/0512—Neck or shoulders area
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D19/00—Gloves
- A41D19/015—Protective gloves
- A41D19/01523—Protective gloves absorbing shocks or vibrations
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
- A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
- A41D31/28—Shock absorbing
- A41D31/285—Shock absorbing using layered materials
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/02—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using gas only or vacuum
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/02—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using gas only or vacuum
- F16F9/04—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using gas only or vacuum in a chamber with a flexible wall
- F16F9/0418—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using gas only or vacuum in a chamber with a flexible wall having a particular shape, e.g. annular, spherical, tube-like
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/015—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means
- A41D13/0155—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means having inflatable structure, e.g. non automatic
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/23—Sheet including cover or casing
- Y10T428/234—Sheet including cover or casing including elements cooperating to form cells
- Y10T428/236—Honeycomb type cells extend perpendicularly to nonthickness layer
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24149—Honeycomb-like
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24273—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including aperture
- Y10T428/24322—Composite web or sheet
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
- Y10T428/24496—Foamed or cellular component
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
- Y10T428/24521—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness with component conforming to contour of nonplanar surface
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
- Y10T428/24612—Composite web or sheet
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to an air cushion pad that provides multiple modes of shock absorption and impact cushioning and is applicable to cushioning materials that bears pressure load, such as shoulder pads, seat cushions, wrist protectors, and shoe insole, and sports gloves that require shock absorption and impact cushioning for a contact surface or internal lining cushion of sports helmets.
- Impact cushioning and shock absorption materials that are commonly available in the market include rubber pads, foamed material pads, or air sack pads, which are applicable to different fields requiring different aspect of cushioning protections.
- Tanking sports glove such as batting gloves worn by a batter of base ball, as an example, the batting gloves are made of fabrics or leathers and a batter wears the gloves to isolate the bat and his or her hand skin in order to eliminate potential risk of skidding caused by sweat when the batter tightly holds the bat and thus allowing the batter to well control the direction of force application when he or she swings the bat to hit a ball.
- the batting glove is often provided with a shock absorption cushion pad, which is a thin pad for hand compliance as well as absorption of shock to eventually improve the performance of hitting.
- Taiwan Patent Application No. 97217691 discloses a sports helmet in which an inner lining made in the form of air permeable air sack through injection molding of rubber is arranged.
- the inner lining has a surface forming a plurality of projecting pillars and is coupled, at the same side, to a cushion pad made of a stiffer resilient material.
- the cushion pad forms a plurality of cones to couple to resilient hollow air passage posts of the air sack inner lining.
- the inner lining set on one side is made in the form of permeable air sack and has a surface forming a plurality of projecting pillars, when it is subjected to a great impact force, the rubber made projecting pillar provide an effect of cushioning due to the material thereof, but the force that they can bear is only that having a component in a normal direction.
- the air sack due to the air enclosed therein being set in a predetermine space, is only capable to bear a force component of an impact that is in the normal direction, and the performance of resistance against a force in a transverse direction is poor because of the enclosed air sack being not supported in the transverse direction, which leads to poor cushioning performance when compressed by an external force.
- a cushion pad does not provide high performance of cushioning.
- an air cushion pad that is of a unique structure for applications of both light and heavy impacts or shocks to offer excellent effects of shock absorption and impact cushioning for both applications.
- the primary objective of the present invention is to provide an air cushion pad, which has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and shows excellent effects for absorbing vibrations and cushioning impacts.
- Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air cushion pad having a structure that is composed of a pad body that can be made as either a thin pad or a thick pad or that can be made as a cushioning pad having either a small area or a large area, so as to allow for expanded applications in various industries.
- the present invention provides an air cushion pad, which is composed of at least two sheet members, including an upper sheet member and a lower sheet member, both being made of resilient materials.
- Each sheet member forms a plurality of hollow tubes projecting therefrom and the tubes are connected to each other by a substantially flat plate.
- the tubes of the upper sheet member and the tubes of the lower sheet member are alternately fit to each other in an opposing manner to form the air cushion pad that provides the effects of shock absorption and protection.
- the air cushion pad may further comprise outer enclosure films that respectively set on and covers outer sides of the upper and lower sheet members. Outer circumferences of the two outer enclosure films are sealed together so that the two outer enclosure films form therebetween a hermetically enclosed air sack.
- air valves can be additionally mounted to the outer circumferences of the outer enclosure films.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air cushion pad of the first embodiment of the present invention in an assembled form.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating deformation of the air cushion pad of the first embodiment of the present invention acted upon by a normal force.
- FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating deformation of the air cushion pad of the first embodiment of the present invention acted upon by an inclined force.
- FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the air cushion pad of the second embodiment of the present invention in an assembled form.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cushioning pad that is constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the cushioning pad of the present invention applied to a glove.
- FIG. 10 is a plan view demonstrating dimension constraints for size and spacing of tubes formed on sheet members of the air cushion pad of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing side walls of the tubes of the air cushion pad of the present invention are made sloping.
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing walls of the tubes of the air cushion pad of the present invention are of non-uniform thickness.
- FIG. 13 is another cross-sectional view showing walls of the tubes of the air cushion pad of the present invention are of non-uniform thickness in a different configuration.
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an upper sheet member of an air cushion pad in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 14A is an enlarged view of a portion of the upper sheet member shown in FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the upper sheet member of FIG. 14 to be assembled to a lower sheet member of the same structure.
- FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower sheet members of FIG. 15 assembled together.
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an upper sheet member of an air cushion pad in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 17A is an enlarged view of a portion of the upper sheet member shown in FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the upper sheet member of FIG. 17 assembled to a lower sheet member of the same structure.
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an upper sheet member of an air cushion pad in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 19A is a top plan view of a portion of the upper sheet member shown in FIG. 19 .
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view, partially broken, showing the upper sheet member of FIG. 19 assembled to a lower sheet member of the same structure.
- FIG. 23 shows an example arrangement of tubes of upper and lower sheet members of the air cushion pad of the present invention.
- FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention comprising upper and lower sheet members that are made different.
- FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower sheet members of FIG. 24 assembled together.
- FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower sheet members of FIG. 26 assembled together
- FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention where upper and lower sheet members are connected to each other by a thin leaf.
- FIG. 30 is a perspective view, partially broken, of the air cushion pad of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in an assembled form.
- FIG. 32 is an exploded view, in sectioned form, of the air cushion pad of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a different structure thereof.
- FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the upper sheet member of the air cushion pad of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in an assembled form.
- each tube 13 , 14 which forms a cavity 17 , 18 in the form of an open space, is subjected to the deformation of the tubular wall of the tube 13 , 14 to have air contained in the cavity 17 , 18 to be compressed and expelled outward. Since the speed that air is expelled outward is slower than the speed that the shock acts on the tubes, an effect of cushioning is induced. Consequently, the air cushion pad 10 of the present invention provides an excellent cushioning effect when acted upon by a normal force.
- the lower side gaps c and d are also caused to be unsymmetrical due to the deformation of the tubular walls, and the limited amounts of air contained in the enclosed spaces of the gaps are forced to displace and compress, leading to an effect of delaying, which provides an effect of cushioning. Consequently, the air cushion pad 10 of the present invention provides an excellent cushioning effect when acted upon by an inclined force.
- the air cushion pad constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is shown.
- the air cushion pad also designated with reference numeral 10
- the air cushion pad is composed of an upper sheet member 11 and a lower sheet member 12 , which are further and respectively covered by outer enclosure films 21 , 22 .
- the upper and lower sheet members are made of resilient materials and are preferably structured in substantially the same way. Projecting hollow tubes 13 integrally formed on the upper sheet member 11 and projecting hollow tubes 14 integrally formed on the lower sheet member 12 are allowed to alternately fit between each other in an opposing manner as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the upper sheet member 11 is then covered by the outer enclosure film 21 and the lower sheet member 12 is covered by the outer enclosure film 22 .
- the two outer enclosure films 21 , 22 are then sealed together along outer circumferences thereof by any known means, such as high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives, whereby the two outer enclosure films 21 , 22 form therebetween an enclosed sack 20 .
- the tubes 13 are connected to each other by a substantially flat plate 15 and the tubes 14 are connected to each other by a substantially flat plate 16 , whereby the distance between adjacent tubes provided on the plate 15 , 16 is substantially corresponding to or slightly greater than a diameter of the tubes 13 , 14 , and every four tubes 13 surround and define therebetween a cushioning and deformation space B, while every four tubes 14 surround and define therebetween a cushioning and deformation space A.
- the two outer enclosure films 21 , 22 with the outer circumferences thereof being sealed together, allow the spaces of cavities 17 , 18 defined inside the tubes 13 , 14 to be completely and hermetically enclosed in a sealed sack, whereby when the sack 20 is subjected to impact by an external force, either a normal force or an inclined force, and thus compressed, the tubes 13 , 14 are compressed and deformed and airs contained inside the cavities 17 , 18 that undergo deformation are squeezed and displace to portions of the tubes that are not deformed. Due to the tubes 13 , 14 being made of resilient materials, the tubular walls thereof are swelled and deformed, resulting in an effect of cushioning.
- a cushioning pad constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown, wherein tubes 13 , 14 are distributed in a localized manner.
- the cushioning pad 20 a which is in the form of an air sack, has four corner sections, where a great number of tubes 13 , 14 are densely and respectively distributed in large zones 30 , and a central portion where small zones 40 are formed in which a number of tubes 13 , 14 are distributed in a localized manner.
- substantially flat plates and outer enclosure films 21 , 22 are connected in a multi-layered manner to thereby form a thin air sack like cushioning pad.
- a cushion pad 20 a of the present invention is mounted to for example the palm portion of a glove 50 .
- the cushion pad 20 a is filled up with gas and is hermetically enclosed, whereby gas pressure inside the cushion pad can be used to absorb shocks and vibrations.
- limitations to the size and spacing of the tubes 13 can be set as follows:
- the height (H) of the tubes is also a factor that affects the shock absorbability of the cushion pad.
- the tubes When H>3D, the tubes have a great height, whereby the tubes, when acted upon by an impact in an onward direction, allows for conversion into a great displacement in a transverse direction and significant stacking effect can be induced between tubular walls of tubes, so that a cushion pad made in this way is considered a strong impact resistant cushion pad.
- a cushion pad made in this way is considered a balanced cushion pad that is effective in resisting impact and absorbing vibration.
- a cushion pad made in this way is considered a light-load vibration-absorbing type cushion pad.
- the angle ⁇ is made large. This feature can be adjusted according to a desired proportion to the height (H) and the diameter (D) of the tubes that are discussed previously.
- the tubes 13 , 14 can also have a side wall that is of a non-uniform thickness.
- the tubes 13 , 14 have a great wall thickness at a root portion thereof and the geometry of the side wall is not straight or linear, but is of a concave curved line, and shows a small thickness at a location close to the tip.
- the wall thickness of the tubes is made non-uniform, showing a great thickness at a root portion of the tubes 13 , 14 and the geometry of the side wall is not straight or linear, but is of a convex curved line and shows a small thickness at a location close to the tip.
- the tubes 13 , 14 can be of a rounded or dome-shaped tip end, or alternatively, the tip end of the tubes is made flat or is of an inwardly recessed configuration.
- an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention is of substantially the same structure as that shown in FIG. 1 formed by composing identical upper sheet member 11 and lower sheet member 12 that are fit to each other, but the lower sheet member 12 (as well as the upper sheet member 11 ) of the instant embodiment is of a configuration that a plurality of hollow tubes 14 (tubes 13 for the upper sheet member 11 ) projecting from a plate 16 and connection ribs 141 are arranged to connect between tubular walls of the tubes 14 (tubes 13 being connected by connection ribs 131 ) in such a way that the connection ribs 131 , 141 are set at a 90 degree angular interval around the tubular wall of each tube.
- connection ribs 141 has a top which has a central portion forming a notch 142
- each of the connection ribs 131 has a top which has a central portion forming a notch 132 (as shown in FIG. 15 ).
- FIG. 15 when upper sheet member 11 and the lower sheet member 12 are inter-fit to each other, the tubes 13 , 14 are put in sideway engagement with each other and the support for the side walls of the tubes 13 , 14 is enhanced, so as to realize an effect of cushioning by taking and converting an impact into deformation in a transverse direction.
- FIGS. 17 and 18 an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention is shown, and is an expanded modification of the previous embodiment of the present invention, wherein for the structure of the upper sheet member 11 and the lower sheet member 12 according to the instant embodiment, the lower sheet member 12 (as well as the upper sheet member 11 ) forms a plurality of hollow tubes 14 (tubes 13 for the upper sheet member 11 ) projecting from a plate 16 and ribs 143 (as shown in FIG. 17A ) are provided on an outer surface of the tubular wall of each tube 14 in such a way that the ribs are set at 90 degree angular interval around the outer surface of the tubular wall of the tube. Similarly, as shown in FIG.
- each of the tubes 13 is provided, on an outer surface of a tubular wall thereof, with ribs 133 . Consequently, when the tubes 13 , 14 are inter-fit to each other, support for the side walls of the tubes 13 , 14 can be improved.
- a lower sheet member 12 (as well as an upper sheet member 11 ) comprises a plate 16 from which a plurality of hollow square tubes 14 a projects, while the upper sheet member 11 comprises a plate 15 from which a plurality of hollow square tubes 13 a projects.
- Each of the square tubes 13 a has a hollow interior space that forms a circular cavity 134
- each of the square tubes 14 a has a hollow interior space that forms a circular cavity 144 .
- the tubes 13 a, 14 a can be of a greater wall thickness in specific directions to make the tubes more resistant against impact.
- an air cushion constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention embodiment is shown, wherein the air cushion pad, generally designated at 10 , is composed of an upper sheet member 11 a and a lower sheet member 12 a.
- the sheet members comprise plates that are substantially flat, but in the instant embodiment, the sheet members can be selectively made in the form of a three-dimensional curved configuration.
- the upper sheet member 11 a is integrally made in a configuration having a curved surface and comprises tubes 13 that are mounted to a concave curved inside surface 15 a and vertically extend downward
- the lower sheet member 12 a is integrally made in a configuration having a curved surface and comprises tubes 14 that are mounted to a convex outside curved surface 16 a and vertically extend upward.
- the upper sheet member and the lower sheet member comprise tubes 13 , 14 that are arranged in such a spatial configuration that every four tubes surround one tube and every two tubes surround one tube along a line.
- tubes 13 , 14 that are arranged in such a spatial configuration that every four tubes surround one tube and every two tubes surround one tube along a line.
- an arrangement that three tubes surround one tube is provided, and it similarly shows an effect of cushioning.
- the air cushion pad 10 comprises a short-tube upper sheet member 11 b and a long-tube lower sheet member 12 b.
- the upper and lower sheet members are made of resilient materials and are constructed in different configurations, where the short-tube upper sheet member 11 b comprises short hollow tubes 13 b integrally formed therewith and projecting therefrom, while the long-tube lower sheet member 12 b comprises long hollow tubes 14 b integrally formed therewith and projecting therefrom.
- the short tubes 13 b are connected to each other by a substantially flat plate 15 b
- the long tubes 14 b are connected to each other by a substantially flat plate 16 b
- the distance between adjacent tubes of the plate 15 b, 16 b is substantially corresponding to or slightly greater than a diameter of the tubes 13 b, 14 b and thus the projecting short hollow tubes 13 b and the projecting long hollow tubes 14 b are allowed to alternately fit between each other in an opposing manner as shown in FIG. 25 with tip ends of the long tubes 14 b, which are rounded or dome-shaped, positioned against the plate 15 b and the short tubes 13 b forming a gap C with respect to the plate 16 b.
- the tubes 13 b, 14 b can be made with any desired heights, but with a difference maintained between the long and short tubes. Further, the tubes 13 b, 14 b can be made with any desired diameter. With such an arrangement, cushioning effect against impacts acting in different direction is of different result, wherein the plate 15 b can offer a strong cushioning effect against an impact applying downward from an upper side, while due to the gap C, the plate 16 b provides only a weak cushioning effect against an impact applying upward from a lower side.
- a further embodiment of the present invention provides both short tubes 13 b and long tubes 14 b on an upper sheet member 11 c and a lower sheet member 12 c and the short tubes 13 b and the long tubes 14 b are commonly connected to each other by a substantially flat plate 15 c, while in the lower sheet member 12 c, the short tubes 13 b and the long tubes 14 b are commonly connected to each other by a substantially flat plate 16 c, whereby the upper sheet member 11 c and the lower sheet member 12 c allow the projecting short hollow tubes 13 b and the projecting long hollow tubes 14 b to fit between each other in an opposing manner as shown in FIG. 27 .
- the short tubes 13 b form a gap C with respect to the plate 15 c, 16 c and such gaps C are uniformly distributed over the whole air cushion pad 10 , whereby the cushion pad may offer strong cushioning effect in local spots, but only have a weak cushioning effect for local spots where the gags C are formed.
- an upper sheet member 11 and a lower sheet member 12 are connected to each other by a thin leaf 19 , whereby when the upper sheet member 11 and the lower sheet member 12 are to mate each other, efficient and easy positioning of the sheet members can be realized.
- an upper sheet member 11 d and a lower sheet member 12 d interpose therebetween a layer of an intermediate lining.
- the intermediate lining comprises a double-sided lining member 70 made of a resilient material.
- the upper sheet member 11 d and the lower sheet member 12 d comprise outer enclosure films 21 a, 22 a set to respectively cover outside surfaces thereof.
- the upper sheet member 11 d forms a plurality of tubes 13
- the lower sheet member 12 d forms a plurality of tubes 14 .
- the double-sided lining member is constructed as shown in FIG. 29 , comprising a first sheet member 71 a and a second sheet member 71 b.
- the first sheet member 71 a forms a plurality of tubes 13 c and the second sheet member 71 b forms a plurality of tubes 14 c.
- An extension tab 72 extends sideway from each of the first and second sheet members and the first sheet member 71 a and the second sheet member 71 b are arranged to bond to each other in a back-to-back manner with sealing being made along bonding edges 73 by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives, whereby the two sheet members 71 a, 71 b form an air sack like internal space 74 and the extension tab 72 form therebetween an air vent passage 75 communicating the outside.
- the tubes 13 of the upper sheet member 11 d are fit between the tubes 13 c formed on an upper surface of the double-sided lining member 70 and the tubes 14 of the lower sheet member 12 d are fit between the tubes 14 c formed on a lower surface of the double-sided lining member 70
- the two outer enclosure films 21 a, 22 a, the first sheet member 71 a, and the second sheet member 71 b are sealed together by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives along common outer circumference thereof, whereby the two outer enclosure films 21 a, 22 a form an enclosed sack therebetween.
- a double-sided lining member 70 as shown in FIG. 31 is constructed by bonding upper-side and lower-side sheet members together with the tubes 13 c formed on the upper-side sheet member and the tubes 14 c formed on the lower-side sheet member in alignment with each other.
- a double-sided lining member 70 a as shown in FIG. 32 is constructed by bonding upper-side and lower-side sheet members together with the tubes 13 c formed on the upper-side sheet member and the tubes 14 c formed on the lower-side sheet member arranged to alternate with respect to each other. Both ways allow for the formation of an air sack like internal space 74 between the sheet members 71 a, 71 b.
- an upper sheet member 11 e and a lower sheet member 12 e are attached to each by having tubes formed thereon inter-fit to each. And, outside surfaces of the upper sheet member 11 e and the lower sheet member 12 e are respectively provided with and covered by outer enclosure films 21 a, 22 a.
- the upper sheet member 11 e is provided with an air vent passage 75 communicating the outside, and the lower sheet member 12 e also forms an air vent passage 75 communicating the outside.
- sealing is made by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives along common outer circumference to allow the two outer enclosure films 21 a, 22 a to form therein an enclosed sack, and the upper sheet member 11 e and the lower sheet member 12 e form therein air sack like internal spaces 74 .
- the upper sheet member 11 e comprises a sheet member 71 , which forms thereon a plurality of tubes 13 , and an extension tab 72 sideway extending therefrom.
- the sheet member 71 has a bottom surface to which a bottom plate 76 is attached.
- Sealing is made along a bonding edge 73 extending along an outer circumference of the sheet member 71 by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives, whereby the sheet member 71 and the bottom plate 76 are bonded to each other to form an air sack like internal space 74 (see FIG. 35 ) therebetween.
- the extension tab 72 forms therein an air vent passage 75 in communication with the outside.
- a rigid upper lid 77 is provided, which forms a plurality of holes 78 corresponding, in position, to the tubes 13 , whereby the rigid upper lid 77 and a rigid lower lid 79 are arranged to interpose the sheet member 71 therebetween to form the upper sheet member 11 e.
- the lower sheet member 12 e is of the same structure as the upper sheet member.
- the tubes 13 of the upper sheet member 11 e and the tubes 14 of the lower sheet member 12 e are fit to each other, and the two outer enclosure films 21 a, 22 a respectively cover the upper sheet member 11 e and the lower sheet member 12 e, sealing is made along a common outer circumference by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives to have the two outer enclosure films 21 a, 22 a forming therebetween an enclosed sack.
- the distance between the rigid upper lid 77 and the rigid lower lid 79 enhances the cushioning effect realized through air compression.
- a double-sided lining member 70 b is constructed as shown in FIG. 36 , which comprises a first sheet member 71 a and a second sheet member 71 b.
- the first sheet member 71 a forms a plurality of tubes 13 c and the second sheet member 71 b forms a plurality of tubes 14 c, extension tabs 72 extend sideways from the two sheet members.
- the first sheet member 71 a and the second sheet member 71 b are bonded to each other in a back-to-back manner and sealing is made along bonding edges 73 extending along outer circumferences by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives, whereby the two sheet members 71 a, 71 b form therebetween an air sack like internal space 74 , and the extension tabs 72 form therein an air vent passage 75 communicating the outside. Further, in a feasible embodiment that is not shown in the drawings, the extension tabs 72 are omitted and the bonding edges 73 extending completely along the outer circumferences are sealed to each other to enclose the air sack like internal space 74 sealed inside.
- a rigid upper lid 77 is provided, which forms a plurality of holes 78 corresponding, in position, to the tubes 13 , whereby the rigid upper lid 77 and a rigid lower lid 79 interpose the sheet members 71 therebetween to form a double-sided lining member 70 b.
- the present invention allows an upper sheet member 11 e, a lower sheet member 12 e, and a plurality of double-sided lining members 70 b combined together with the tubes inter-fit each other and outside surfaces of the upper sheet member 11 e and the lower sheet member 12 e, which are located at the outermost locations, are respectively provided with and covered by outer enclosure films 21 a, 22 a.
- the air cushion pad according to the present invention uses the compression of air to absorb vibration.
- a plurality of projecting single-axis tubes mutually engaging each other to serve as a shock absorption material when an impact is applied, the tubular walls of tubes undergo transverse displacement and deformation. When the deformation is great, the deformation progresses to the neighboring tubes. And thus, a chain reaction can be expected to gradually expand the area in which cushioning is performed to take the impact, so that the impact can be resisted and shock absorbed by change of angle of the wall thickness of the single-axis tubes.
- transverse distance and longitudinal distance of the single-axis tubes of the air cushion pad do not need to be fixed, and further, the wall thickness of the single-axis does not need to be fixed either, and variation of the thickness is allowable.
- the air cushion pad according to the present invention shows the following advantages:
- the air cushion pad is constructed with simple components and offers various modes of shock absorption, and thus allows for applications in various sites where shock absorption and cushioning is needed.
- the air cushion pad can be hermetically sealed as an air sack like cushion pad, where shock suppression can be realized through air pressure induced inside the air sack by displacing a limited amount of air contained inside the air cushion pad.
- the air cushion pad can be mounted to a glove to realize impact cushioning for the glove so as to provide the effects of shock suppression and protection.
Abstract
An air cushion pad includes at least two sheet members, which are made of resilient materials. Each sheet member forms a plurality of hollow tubes projecting therefrom and the tubes are connected to each other by a substantially flat plate. The tubes of one sheet member and the tubes of the other sheet member are alternately fit to each other in an opposing manner to form the air cushion pad. When an external impact force is applied in a top down manner, the air cushion pad absorbs the impact force and undergoes sideways deformation so as to convert the impact force into a transverse to thereby realize shock absorption and eliminate damage caused by downward action of the impact force to provide the function of protection.
Description
- The present invention generally relates to an air cushion pad that provides multiple modes of shock absorption and impact cushioning and is applicable to cushioning materials that bears pressure load, such as shoulder pads, seat cushions, wrist protectors, and shoe insole, and sports gloves that require shock absorption and impact cushioning for a contact surface or internal lining cushion of sports helmets.
- Impact cushioning and shock absorption materials that are commonly available in the market include rubber pads, foamed material pads, or air sack pads, which are applicable to different fields requiring different aspect of cushioning protections. Tanking sports glove, such as batting gloves worn by a batter of base ball, as an example, the batting gloves are made of fabrics or leathers and a batter wears the gloves to isolate the bat and his or her hand skin in order to eliminate potential risk of skidding caused by sweat when the batter tightly holds the bat and thus allowing the batter to well control the direction of force application when he or she swings the bat to hit a ball. The batting glove is often provided with a shock absorption cushion pad, which is a thin pad for hand compliance as well as absorption of shock to eventually improve the performance of hitting.
- As to sports helmets, some are known from for example Taiwan Patent Application No. 97217691, which discloses a sports helmet in which an inner lining made in the form of air permeable air sack through injection molding of rubber is arranged. The inner lining has a surface forming a plurality of projecting pillars and is coupled, at the same side, to a cushion pad made of a stiffer resilient material. On the coupling surface, the cushion pad forms a plurality of cones to couple to resilient hollow air passage posts of the air sack inner lining. For such a lining cushion device, since the inner lining set on one side is made in the form of permeable air sack and has a surface forming a plurality of projecting pillars, when it is subjected to a great impact force, the rubber made projecting pillar provide an effect of cushioning due to the material thereof, but the force that they can bear is only that having a component in a normal direction. Further, the air sack, due to the air enclosed therein being set in a predetermine space, is only capable to bear a force component of an impact that is in the normal direction, and the performance of resistance against a force in a transverse direction is poor because of the enclosed air sack being not supported in the transverse direction, which leads to poor cushioning performance when compressed by an external force. Thus, such a cushion pad does not provide high performance of cushioning.
- In view of above discussed problems, it is desired to have an air cushion pad that is of a unique structure for applications of both light and heavy impacts or shocks to offer excellent effects of shock absorption and impact cushioning for both applications.
- The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an air cushion pad, which has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and shows excellent effects for absorbing vibrations and cushioning impacts.
- Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air cushion pad having a structure that is composed of a pad body that can be made as either a thin pad or a thick pad or that can be made as a cushioning pad having either a small area or a large area, so as to allow for expanded applications in various industries.
- To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an air cushion pad, which is composed of at least two sheet members, including an upper sheet member and a lower sheet member, both being made of resilient materials. Each sheet member forms a plurality of hollow tubes projecting therefrom and the tubes are connected to each other by a substantially flat plate. The tubes of the upper sheet member and the tubes of the lower sheet member are alternately fit to each other in an opposing manner to form the air cushion pad that provides the effects of shock absorption and protection.
- The air cushion pad may further comprise outer enclosure films that respectively set on and covers outer sides of the upper and lower sheet members. Outer circumferences of the two outer enclosure films are sealed together so that the two outer enclosure films form therebetween a hermetically enclosed air sack. Optionally, air valves can be additionally mounted to the outer circumferences of the outer enclosure films.
- The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
- Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air cushion pad of the first embodiment of the present invention in an assembled form. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating deformation of the air cushion pad of the first embodiment of the present invention acted upon by a normal force. -
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating deformation of the air cushion pad of the first embodiment of the present invention acted upon by an inclined force. -
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the air cushion pad of the second embodiment of the present invention in an assembled form. -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cushioning pad that is constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the cushioning pad of the present invention applied to a glove. -
FIG. 10 is a plan view demonstrating dimension constraints for size and spacing of tubes formed on sheet members of the air cushion pad of the present invention. -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing side walls of the tubes of the air cushion pad of the present invention are made sloping. -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing walls of the tubes of the air cushion pad of the present invention are of non-uniform thickness. -
FIG. 13 is another cross-sectional view showing walls of the tubes of the air cushion pad of the present invention are of non-uniform thickness in a different configuration. -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an upper sheet member of an air cushion pad in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 14A is an enlarged view of a portion of the upper sheet member shown inFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the upper sheet member ofFIG. 14 to be assembled to a lower sheet member of the same structure. -
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower sheet members ofFIG. 15 assembled together. -
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an upper sheet member of an air cushion pad in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 17A is an enlarged view of a portion of the upper sheet member shown inFIG. 17 . -
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the upper sheet member ofFIG. 17 assembled to a lower sheet member of the same structure. -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an upper sheet member of an air cushion pad in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 19A is a top plan view of a portion of the upper sheet member shown inFIG. 19 . -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view, partially broken, showing the upper sheet member ofFIG. 19 assembled to a lower sheet member of the same structure. -
FIG. 21 is an exploded view of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the air cushion pad of the third embodiment of the present invention in an assembled form. -
FIG. 23 shows an example arrangement of tubes of upper and lower sheet members of the air cushion pad of the present invention. -
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention comprising upper and lower sheet members that are made different. -
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower sheet members ofFIG. 24 assembled together. -
FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention where sheet members that constitute an air cushion pad of the present invention possess both long and short tubes. -
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower sheet members ofFIG. 26 assembled together -
FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention where upper and lower sheet members are connected to each other by a thin leaf. -
FIG. 29 is an exploded view of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a double-sided lining member. -
FIG. 30 is a perspective view, partially broken, of the air cushion pad of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in an assembled form. -
FIG. 31 is an exploded view, in sectioned form, of the air cushion pad of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 32 is an exploded view, in sectioned form, of the air cushion pad of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a different structure thereof. -
FIG. 33 is an exploded view of an upper sheet member of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the upper sheet member of the air cushion pad of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in an assembled form. -
FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the air cushion pad of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 36 is an exploded view of a double-sided lining member of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the double-sided lining member of the present invention. -
FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. - The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1-3 , an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, generally designated at 10, generally comprises anupper sheet member 11 and alower sheet member 12. The upper and lower sheet members are made of resilient materials and are preferably structured in substantially the same way so that theupper sheet member 11 forms hollowtubes 13 integrally projecting therefrom and thelower sheet member 12 forms hollowtubes 14 integrally projecting therefrom. Thetubes 13 are connected to each other by a substantiallyflat plate 15 and thetubes 14 are connected to each other by a substantiallyflat plate 16, whereby the distance between adjacent tubes of theplate tubes hollow tubes 13 and the projectinghollow tubes 14 are allowed to alternately fit between each other in an opposing manner as shown inFIG. 3 with tip ends of thetubes plate tubes 13 surround and define therebetween a cushioning and deformation space B, while every fourtubes 14 surround and define therebetween a cushioning and deformation space A. Thetubes tubes - Referring to
FIG. 4A , when thecushion pad 10 of the present invention is subjected to compression by a normal force, firstly, acompression site 60 is induced on a surface of theplate 15, and then the force acting on the compression site progresses downward to cause a normal deformation of theplate 15. The deformation of the plate is further transmitted to thetubes 14 of the lower sheet member, causing tubular walls oftubes 14 to deform. The tubular walls oftubes 14, when deformed, are caused to squeeze the tubular walls of thetubes 13 that are in engagement therewith. The force or shock caused thereby is thus absorbed by resilient deformations induced in asingle tube 14 and fouradjacent tubes 13 so as to realize an effect of cushioning. - Further, besides the shock absorption realized by the deformation of the tubular walls of the
tubes tube cavity tube cavity air cushion pad 10 of the present invention provides an excellent cushioning effect when acted upon by a normal force. - Referring to
FIG. 4B , when thecushion pad 10 of the present invention is subjected to compression by an inclined force, firstly, a force acting on and compressing acompression site 61 downward is transmitted downward in an inclined direction to cause an inclined deformation of theplate 15. The deformation of the plate is further transmitted to thetubes 14 of the lower sheet member, causing the tubular walls of thetubes 14 to deform. The tubular walls of thetubes 14, when defolined, are caused to squeeze the tubular walls of thetubes 13 that are in engagement therewith. Since thetubes 14 abut a surface of theplate 15, with the tight engagement formed between the tubular walls of thetubes tubes 13 abut a surface of theplate 16. The lower side gaps c and d are also caused to be unsymmetrical due to the deformation of the tubular walls, and the limited amounts of air contained in the enclosed spaces of the gaps are forced to displace and compress, leading to an effect of delaying, which provides an effect of cushioning. Consequently, theair cushion pad 10 of the present invention provides an excellent cushioning effect when acted upon by an inclined force. - Referring to
FIGS. 5-7 , an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the instant embodiment, the air cushion pad, also designated withreference numeral 10, is composed of anupper sheet member 11 and alower sheet member 12, which are further and respectively covered byouter enclosure films hollow tubes 13 integrally formed on theupper sheet member 11 and projectinghollow tubes 14 integrally formed on thelower sheet member 12 are allowed to alternately fit between each other in an opposing manner as shown inFIG. 7 . Theupper sheet member 11 is then covered by theouter enclosure film 21 and thelower sheet member 12 is covered by theouter enclosure film 22. The twoouter enclosure films outer enclosure films enclosed sack 20. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , inside thesack 20, thetubes 13 are connected to each other by a substantiallyflat plate 15 and thetubes 14 are connected to each other by a substantiallyflat plate 16, whereby the distance between adjacent tubes provided on theplate tubes tubes 13 surround and define therebetween a cushioning and deformation space B, while every fourtubes 14 surround and define therebetween a cushioning and deformation space A. The twoouter enclosure films cavities tubes sack 20 is subjected to impact by an external force, either a normal force or an inclined force, and thus compressed, thetubes cavities tubes - Referring to
FIG. 8 , a cushioning pad constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally designated with reference numeral 20 a, is shown, whereintubes cushioning pad 20 a, which is in the form of an air sack, has four corner sections, where a great number oftubes large zones 30, and a central portion wheresmall zones 40 are formed in which a number oftubes large zones 30 and thesmall zones 40, substantially flat plates andouter enclosure films - Referring to
FIG. 9 , in an application to a glove, acushion pad 20 a of the present invention is mounted to for example the palm portion of aglove 50. Thecushion pad 20 a is filled up with gas and is hermetically enclosed, whereby gas pressure inside the cushion pad can be used to absorb shocks and vibrations. - Referring to
FIG. 10 , limitations to the size and spacing of the tubes 13 (as well as tubes 14) can be set as follows: - Definition of parameters/symbols:
- R=radius of tubes
- D=diameter of tubes
- X=spacing between diagonally opposing tubes
- P1=distance between centers of two diagonally opposing tubes
- P2=distance between centers of two adjacent tubes
- wherein:
-
P1=X+2R -
2R=X=4R (range of X) -
4R=P1=6R -
2D=P1=3D (range of P1) -
P2=P1/v2 -
2D/v2=P2=3D/v2 (range of P2) - Referring to
FIGS. 10 and 11 , the height (H) of the tubes is also a factor that affects the shock absorbability of the cushion pad. - When H>3D, the tubes have a great height, whereby the tubes, when acted upon by an impact in an onward direction, allows for conversion into a great displacement in a transverse direction and significant stacking effect can be induced between tubular walls of tubes, so that a cushion pad made in this way is considered a strong impact resistant cushion pad.
- When 3/2D=H=3D, the tubes, when acted upon by an impact in an onward direction, allows for conversion into a moderate displacement in a transverse direction and a moderate stacking effect of the tubular walls between tubes can be found. Thus, a cushion pad made in this way is considered a balanced cushion pad that is effective in resisting impact and absorbing vibration.
- When H<3/2D, the tubes have a small height, whereby the tubes, when acted upon by an impact in an onward direction, allows for conversion into a small displacement in a transverse direction. Thus, a cushion pad made in this way is considered a light-load vibration-absorbing type cushion pad.
- As shown in
FIG. 11 , according to the present invention,tubes tubes included angle 0 with respect to a horizontal plane. For θ=90 degrees, the maximum cushioning effect against an impact is shown. For θ<90 degrees and decremented, the resistance shown by the tubes against an impact is gradually reduced. Thus, it is possible to select a desired angle θ for forming the slope of the side walls of the tubes according to the desired property and requirement for a specific product. In other words, for a “soft” pad, which is only resistant against a light load of impact, the angle θ is made small. For a “rigid” pad, which has excellent resistance against a heavy load of impact but shows a short response of cushioning, the angle θ is made large. This feature can be adjusted according to a desired proportion to the height (H) and the diameter (D) of the tubes that are discussed previously. - Referring to
FIGS. 12 and 13 , thetubes FIG. 12 , thetubes FIG. 13 , the wall thickness of the tubes is made non-uniform, showing a great thickness at a root portion of thetubes - The
tubes - Referring to
FIGS. 14 , 14A, 15, and 16, an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention is of substantially the same structure as that shown inFIG. 1 formed by composing identicalupper sheet member 11 andlower sheet member 12 that are fit to each other, but the lower sheet member 12 (as well as the upper sheet member 11) of the instant embodiment is of a configuration that a plurality of hollow tubes 14 (tubes 13 for the upper sheet member 11) projecting from aplate 16 andconnection ribs 141 are arranged to connect between tubular walls of the tubes 14 (tubes 13 being connected by connection ribs 131) in such a way that theconnection ribs connection ribs 141 has a top which has a central portion forming anotch 142, and each of theconnection ribs 131 has a top which has a central portion forming a notch 132 (as shown inFIG. 15 ). Referring toFIG. 15 , whenupper sheet member 11 and thelower sheet member 12 are inter-fit to each other, thetubes tubes notches 142 have a recessed depth of m and theconnection ribs 141 have a height of n, wherein the formula m=n/2 is satisfied, so as to allow thenotches 132 of theconnection ribs 131 and thenotches 142 of theconnection ribs 141 to inter-fit to each other when thetubes plates - Referring to
FIGS. 17 and 18 , an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention is shown, and is an expanded modification of the previous embodiment of the present invention, wherein for the structure of theupper sheet member 11 and thelower sheet member 12 according to the instant embodiment, the lower sheet member 12 (as well as the upper sheet member 11) forms a plurality of hollow tubes 14 (tubes 13 for the upper sheet member 11) projecting from aplate 16 and ribs 143 (as shown inFIG. 17A ) are provided on an outer surface of the tubular wall of eachtube 14 in such a way that the ribs are set at 90 degree angular interval around the outer surface of the tubular wall of the tube. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 18 , each of thetubes 13 is provided, on an outer surface of a tubular wall thereof, withribs 133. Consequently, when thetubes tubes - Referring to
FIGS. 19 and 20 , in a further embodiment of the present invention, a lower sheet member 12 (as well as an upper sheet member 11) comprises aplate 16 from which a plurality of hollowsquare tubes 14 a projects, while theupper sheet member 11 comprises aplate 15 from which a plurality of hollowsquare tubes 13 a projects. Each of thesquare tubes 13 a has a hollow interior space that forms acircular cavity 134, and each of thesquare tubes 14 a has a hollow interior space that forms acircular cavity 144. In this way, thetubes - Referring to
FIGS. 21 and 22 , an air cushion constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention embodiment is shown, wherein the air cushion pad, generally designated at 10, is composed of anupper sheet member 11 a and alower sheet member 12 a. It is noted that in the embodiments that are discussed previously, the sheet members comprise plates that are substantially flat, but in the instant embodiment, the sheet members can be selectively made in the form of a three-dimensional curved configuration. For example, theupper sheet member 11 a is integrally made in a configuration having a curved surface and comprisestubes 13 that are mounted to a concave curvedinside surface 15 a and vertically extend downward, while thelower sheet member 12 a is integrally made in a configuration having a curved surface and comprisestubes 14 that are mounted to a convex outsidecurved surface 16 a and vertically extend upward. In this way, when thetubes concave surface 15 a and theconvex surface 16 a abutting each other to allow for performance of high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives for hermetic sealing to thereby form an air sack like cushion pad. - Referring to
FIG. 23 , in the previously discussed embodiments of the present invention, the upper sheet member and the lower sheet member comprisetubes - Referring to
FIGS. 24 and 25 , an air cushion pad constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, generally designated at 10, is shown. Theair cushion pad 10 comprises a short-tubeupper sheet member 11 b and a long-tubelower sheet member 12 b. The upper and lower sheet members are made of resilient materials and are constructed in different configurations, where the short-tubeupper sheet member 11 b comprises shorthollow tubes 13 b integrally formed therewith and projecting therefrom, while the long-tubelower sheet member 12 b comprises longhollow tubes 14 b integrally formed therewith and projecting therefrom. Theshort tubes 13 b are connected to each other by a substantiallyflat plate 15 b, and thelong tubes 14 b are connected to each other by a substantiallyflat plate 16 b, whereby the distance between adjacent tubes of theplate tubes hollow tubes 13 b and the projecting longhollow tubes 14 b are allowed to alternately fit between each other in an opposing manner as shown inFIG. 25 with tip ends of thelong tubes 14 b, which are rounded or dome-shaped, positioned against theplate 15 b and theshort tubes 13 b forming a gap C with respect to theplate 16 b. Thetubes tubes plate 15 b can offer a strong cushioning effect against an impact applying downward from an upper side, while due to the gap C, theplate 16 b provides only a weak cushioning effect against an impact applying upward from a lower side. - Referring to
FIGS. 26 and 27 , a further embodiment of the present invention provides bothshort tubes 13 b andlong tubes 14 b on anupper sheet member 11 c and alower sheet member 12 c and theshort tubes 13 b and thelong tubes 14 b are commonly connected to each other by a substantiallyflat plate 15 c, while in thelower sheet member 12 c, theshort tubes 13 b and thelong tubes 14 b are commonly connected to each other by a substantiallyflat plate 16 c, whereby theupper sheet member 11 c and thelower sheet member 12 c allow the projecting shorthollow tubes 13 b and the projecting longhollow tubes 14 b to fit between each other in an opposing manner as shown inFIG. 27 . Theshort tubes 13 b form a gap C with respect to theplate air cushion pad 10, whereby the cushion pad may offer strong cushioning effect in local spots, but only have a weak cushioning effect for local spots where the gags C are formed. - Referring to
FIG. 28 , in a further embodiment of the present invention, anupper sheet member 11 and alower sheet member 12 are connected to each other by athin leaf 19, whereby when theupper sheet member 11 and thelower sheet member 12 are to mate each other, efficient and easy positioning of the sheet members can be realized. - Referring to
FIGS. 29-31 , in a further embodiment of the present invention, anupper sheet member 11 d and alower sheet member 12 d interpose therebetween a layer of an intermediate lining. In the instant embodiment shown in the drawing, the intermediate lining comprises a double-sided lining member 70 made of a resilient material. Theupper sheet member 11 d and thelower sheet member 12 d compriseouter enclosure films upper sheet member 11 d forms a plurality oftubes 13, and thelower sheet member 12 d forms a plurality oftubes 14. The double-sided lining member is constructed as shown inFIG. 29 , comprising afirst sheet member 71 a and asecond sheet member 71 b. Thefirst sheet member 71 a forms a plurality oftubes 13 c and thesecond sheet member 71 b forms a plurality oftubes 14 c. Anextension tab 72 extends sideway from each of the first and second sheet members and thefirst sheet member 71 a and thesecond sheet member 71 b are arranged to bond to each other in a back-to-back manner with sealing being made along bonding edges 73 by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives, whereby the twosheet members internal space 74 and theextension tab 72 form therebetween anair vent passage 75 communicating the outside. Thus, when thetubes 13 of theupper sheet member 11 d are fit between thetubes 13 c formed on an upper surface of the double-sided lining member 70 and thetubes 14 of thelower sheet member 12 d are fit between thetubes 14 c formed on a lower surface of the double-sided lining member 70, the twoouter enclosure films first sheet member 71 a, and thesecond sheet member 71 b are sealed together by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives along common outer circumference thereof, whereby the twoouter enclosure films internal space 74 between thesheet members upper sheet member 11 d and alower sheet member 12 d. - Referring to
FIGS. 31 and 32 , a double-sided lining member 70 as shown inFIG. 31 is constructed by bonding upper-side and lower-side sheet members together with thetubes 13 c formed on the upper-side sheet member and thetubes 14 c formed on the lower-side sheet member in alignment with each other. A double-sided lining member 70 a as shown inFIG. 32 is constructed by bonding upper-side and lower-side sheet members together with thetubes 13 c formed on the upper-side sheet member and thetubes 14 c formed on the lower-side sheet member arranged to alternate with respect to each other. Both ways allow for the formation of an air sack likeinternal space 74 between thesheet members - Referring to
FIGS. 33-35 , in a further embodiment of the present invention, anupper sheet member 11 e and alower sheet member 12 e are attached to each by having tubes formed thereon inter-fit to each. And, outside surfaces of theupper sheet member 11 e and thelower sheet member 12 e are respectively provided with and covered byouter enclosure films upper sheet member 11 e is provided with anair vent passage 75 communicating the outside, and thelower sheet member 12 e also forms anair vent passage 75 communicating the outside. With thetubes 13 of theupper sheet member 11 e and thetubes 14 of thelower sheet member 12 e inter-fit to each other and the twoouter enclosure films upper sheet member 11 e and thelower sheet member 12 e, sealing is made by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives along common outer circumference to allow the twoouter enclosure films upper sheet member 11 e and thelower sheet member 12 e form therein air sack likeinternal spaces 74. - Referring to
FIG. 33 , the instant embodiment of the present invention will be described with theupper sheet member 11 e as an example. The structure of thelower sheet member 12 e is the same. Theupper sheet member 11 e comprises asheet member 71, which forms thereon a plurality oftubes 13, and anextension tab 72 sideway extending therefrom. Thesheet member 71 has a bottom surface to which abottom plate 76 is attached. Sealing is made along abonding edge 73 extending along an outer circumference of thesheet member 71 by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives, whereby thesheet member 71 and thebottom plate 76 are bonded to each other to form an air sack like internal space 74 (seeFIG. 35 ) therebetween. Theextension tab 72 forms therein anair vent passage 75 in communication with the outside. A rigidupper lid 77 is provided, which forms a plurality ofholes 78 corresponding, in position, to thetubes 13, whereby the rigidupper lid 77 and a rigidlower lid 79 are arranged to interpose thesheet member 71 therebetween to form theupper sheet member 11 e. Thelower sheet member 12 e is of the same structure as the upper sheet member. Thus, when thetubes 13 of theupper sheet member 11 e and thetubes 14 of thelower sheet member 12 e are fit to each other, and the twoouter enclosure films upper sheet member 11 e and thelower sheet member 12 e, sealing is made along a common outer circumference by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives to have the twoouter enclosure films upper lid 77 and the rigidlower lid 79 enhances the cushioning effect realized through air compression. - Referring to
FIGS. 36-38 , in an embodiment of the present invention, a double-sided lining member 70 b is constructed as shown inFIG. 36 , which comprises afirst sheet member 71 a and asecond sheet member 71 b. Thefirst sheet member 71 a forms a plurality oftubes 13 c and thesecond sheet member 71 b forms a plurality oftubes 14 c,extension tabs 72 extend sideways from the two sheet members. Thefirst sheet member 71 a and thesecond sheet member 71 b are bonded to each other in a back-to-back manner and sealing is made along bonding edges 73 extending along outer circumferences by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives, whereby the twosheet members internal space 74, and theextension tabs 72 form therein anair vent passage 75 communicating the outside. Further, in a feasible embodiment that is not shown in the drawings, theextension tabs 72 are omitted and the bonding edges 73 extending completely along the outer circumferences are sealed to each other to enclose the air sack likeinternal space 74 sealed inside. A rigidupper lid 77 is provided, which forms a plurality ofholes 78 corresponding, in position, to thetubes 13, whereby the rigidupper lid 77 and a rigidlower lid 79 interpose thesheet members 71 therebetween to form a double-sided lining member 70 b. As shown inFIG. 38 , the present invention allows anupper sheet member 11 e, alower sheet member 12 e, and a plurality of double-sided lining members 70 b combined together with the tubes inter-fit each other and outside surfaces of theupper sheet member 11 e and thelower sheet member 12 e, which are located at the outermost locations, are respectively provided with and covered byouter enclosure films - The air cushion pad according to the present invention uses the compression of air to absorb vibration. With a plurality of projecting single-axis tubes mutually engaging each other to serve as a shock absorption material, when an impact is applied, the tubular walls of tubes undergo transverse displacement and deformation. When the deformation is great, the deformation progresses to the neighboring tubes. And thus, a chain reaction can be expected to gradually expand the area in which cushioning is performed to take the impact, so that the impact can be resisted and shock absorbed by change of angle of the wall thickness of the single-axis tubes. Thus, transverse distance and longitudinal distance of the single-axis tubes of the air cushion pad do not need to be fixed, and further, the wall thickness of the single-axis does not need to be fixed either, and variation of the thickness is allowable.
- To summarize, the air cushion pad according to the present invention shows the following advantages:
- (1) The air cushion pad is constructed with simple components and offers various modes of shock absorption, and thus allows for applications in various sites where shock absorption and cushioning is needed.
- (2) The air cushion pad can be hermetically sealed as an air sack like cushion pad, where shock suppression can be realized through air pressure induced inside the air sack by displacing a limited amount of air contained inside the air cushion pad.
- (3) The air cushion pad can be mounted to a glove to realize impact cushioning for the glove so as to provide the effects of shock suppression and protection.
- It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.
- While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Claims (34)
1. An air cushion pad, comprising an upper sheet member and a lower sheet member, characterized in that:
the upper sheet member is made of a resilient material and forms a plurality of hollow tubes projecting therefrom, the tubes being connected by a plate; and
the lower sheet member is made of a resilient material and forms a plurality of hollow tubes projecting therefrom, the tubes being connected by a plate;
wherein the hollow tubes of the upper sheet member and the hollow tubes of the lower sheet member are inter-fit to each other in an opposing manner.
2. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the upper sheet member comprises a curved sheet member having a concave curved surface from which the tubes vertically extend downward and wherein the lower sheet member comprises a curved sheet member having a convex curved surface from which the tubes vertically extend upward.
3. The air cushion pad according to claim 2 , wherein when the tubes of the upper sheet member and the lower sheet member are inter-fit to each other, circumferential edges of the concave curved surface and the convex curved surfaces abut each other to allow for sealing to each other by high-frequency machining, ultrasonic plastic fusion operation, pressurized thermal bonding, or application of adhesives.
4. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes of the upper sheet member, the intermediate lining layer, and the lower sheet member are selectively provided with a lid made of a rigid material.
5. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes have tubular walls between which connection ribs are arranged, each of the connection ribs having a top having a central portion forming a notch, the connection ribs being arranged at a 90 degree angular interval around each of the tubes.
6. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes have tip end positioned against opposite sheet member.
7. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes of the upper sheet member, the lower sheet member, and the intermediate lining layer are selectively different in length.
8. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes have tip ends that are of a predetermined shape, including a dome shape, a flat configuration, and an inwardly recessed configuration.
9. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the cushion pad comprises tubes that are locally distributed in large zones and tubes that are locally distributed in small zones.
10. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes form notches having a depth m in tubular walls thereof and the tubes comprise connection ribs having a height n, which satisfy the following condition: m=n/2, the connection ribs being arranged at 90 degree angular interval around each of the tubes.
11. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes comprise ribs formed on an outer surface thereof and the ribs are arranged at 90 degree angular interval along the outer surface.
12. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes are square tubes having a hollow interior forming a circular cavity
13. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the hollow tubes of the upper sheet member and the lower sheet member are fit to each other in such a way that every two tubes surround one tube along a line.
14. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes have tubular walls that have a non-uniform wall thickness.
15. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the tubes have a side wall that is of a slope.
16. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the upper sheet member and the lower sheet member are connected to each other by a leaf.
17. The air cushion pad according to claim 1 , wherein the upper sheet member and the lower sheet member are respectively provided on outer sides thereof with outer enclosure films that have outer circumferences bonded together to form an enclosed sack between the outer enclosure films.
18. An air cushion pad comprising an upper sheet member, at least one intermediate lining layer, and a lower sheet member, characterized in that:
the upper sheet member is made of a resilient material and forms a plurality of hollow tubes projecting therefrom, the tubes being connected by a plate;
each intermediate lining layer is made of a resilient material and has at least one surface forming a plurality of hollow tubes projecting therefrom; and
the lower sheet member is made of a resilient material and forms a plurality of hollow tubes projecting therefrom, the tubes being connected by a plate;
wherein the hollow tubes of the upper sheet member and the hollow tubes of the lower sheet member are inter-fit to each other in an opposing manner.
19. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the intermediate lining layer comprises a double-sided lining member, which comprises a first sheet member and a second sheet member, the first sheet member forming a plurality of tubes, the second sheet member forming a plurality of tubes, an extension being formed on one side of the two sheet members, the first sheet member and the second sheet member being bonded to each other in a back-to-back manner to form an air sack like internal space between the two sheet members, the extension forming therein an air vent adapted to communicate the outside.
20. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the intermediate lining layer comprises a double-sided lining member and the intermediate lining layer comprises hollow tubes integrally formed on opposite surfaces of a plate.
21. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes of the upper sheet member, the intermediate lining layer, and the lower sheet member are selectively provided with a lid made of a rigid material.
22. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes have tubular walls between which connection ribs are arranged, each of the connection ribs having a top having a central portion forming a notch, the connection ribs being arranged at a 90 degree angular interval around each of the tubes.
23. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes have tip end positioned against opposite sheet member.
24. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes of the upper sheet member, the lower sheet member, and the intermediate lining layer are selectively different in length.
25. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes have tip ends that are of a predetermined shape, including a dome shape, a flat configuration, and an inwardly recessed configuration.
26. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein upper sheet member, the at least one intermediate lining layer, and the lower sheet member are respectively provided on outer sides thereof with outer enclosure films that have outer circumferences bonded together to form an enclosed sack between the outer enclosure films.
27. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the cushion pad comprises tubes that are locally distributed in large zones and tubes that are locally distributed in small zones.
28. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes form notches having a depth m in tubular walls thereof and the tubes comprise connection ribs having a height n, which satisfy the following condition: m=n/2, the connection ribs being arranged at 90 degree angular interval around each of the tubes.
29. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes comprise ribs formed on an outer surface thereof and the ribs are arranged at 90 degree angular interval along the outer surface.
30. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes are square tubes having a hollow interior forming a circular cavity
31. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the hollow tubes of the upper sheet member and the lower sheet member are fit to each other in such a way that every two tubes surround one tube along a line.
32. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes have tubular walls that have a non-uniform wall thickness.
33. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the tubes have a side wall that is of a slope.
34. The air cushion pad according to claim 18 , wherein the upper sheet member and the lower sheet member are connected to each other by a leaf
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US14/141,373 US20140106115A1 (en) | 2010-02-07 | 2013-12-26 | Structure of Handgrip Cushion Pad |
US14/140,542 US20140103587A1 (en) | 2010-02-07 | 2013-12-26 | Structure of Cushion Pad |
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TW099100463A TWI419792B (en) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-01-11 | Gas cushion |
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US14/140,542 Continuation-In-Part US20140103587A1 (en) | 2010-02-07 | 2013-12-26 | Structure of Cushion Pad |
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Also Published As
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DE102010007528A1 (en) | 2011-07-14 |
JP2011140736A (en) | 2011-07-21 |
TW201124281A (en) | 2011-07-16 |
DE102010007528B4 (en) | 2018-04-12 |
US8852723B2 (en) | 2014-10-07 |
GB2476839B (en) | 2011-12-28 |
GB201001936D0 (en) | 2010-03-24 |
TWI419792B (en) | 2013-12-21 |
US20130142985A1 (en) | 2013-06-06 |
JP5376331B2 (en) | 2013-12-25 |
GB2476839A (en) | 2011-07-13 |
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Owner name: UNIVERSAL TRIM SUPPLY CO., LTD., TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:YANG, SHIH-SHENG;REEL/FRAME:023908/0632 Effective date: 20100205 |
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