EA001675B1 - Air cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A three dimensional air cushion comprising: at least one air chamber having a sealed peripheral edge, said at least one air chamber including a base portion and two opposed lateral sides located on opposite sides of the base portion to form a concave structure, the base portion and the two lateral sides being formed between an upper surface layer and a lower surface layer, said two opposed lateral sides projecting above a plane occupied by said base portion to form elevated sidewalls of the air cushion and forming a U-shape with the base portion for distributing shock forces delivered to the sidewalls. 2. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one air chamber is sealed. 3. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air chamber has a one-way valve to communicate with open air. 4. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper surface layer is provided with at least one recessed elongated groove and the lower surface layer is flat and smooth. 5. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower surface layer is provided with at least one recessed elongated groove, and the upper surface layer is flat and smooth. 6. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer are provided with at least one recessed elongated groove. 7. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 6, wherein said elongated recessed grooves provided in said upper surface and lower surface are connected with each other. 8. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air cushion is a component in one of a shoe, a sneaker, a protective pad, and a helmet, for providing a buffer and shock-absorbing effect. 9. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 1, further including an inlet for filling fluid. 10. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 9, further including a valve device. 11. The three dimensional air cushion as claim in claim 9, further including a pump device. 12. The three dimensional air cushion as claims 9, wherein said air chamber is filled with a liquid fluid. 13. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 9, wherein said air chambers are filled with semi-liquid fluid. 14. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 9, wherein said air chamber is filled with foam material. 15. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 9, wherein said air chamber is filled with a gas other than air. 16. A three dimensional air cushion comprising: at least one air chamber having a sealed peripheral edge, said at least one air chamber including a base portion and two opposed substantially vertical lateral sides located on opposite sides of the base portion to form a concave structure, the base portion and the two lateral sides being formed between an upper surface layer and a lower surface layer, said two opposed lateral sides projecting above a plane occupied by said base portion to form elevated sidewalls of the air cushion and forming a U-shape with the base portion for distributing shock forces delivered to the sidewalls, and an inner surface area of said air cushion defined by said upper surface layer being smaller than an outer surface area of said air cushion defined by said lower surface layer. 17. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 16, wherein said at least one air chamber is sealed. 18. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 16, wherein said air chamber has a one-way valve to communicate with open air. 19. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 16, wherein the upper surface layer is provided with at least one recessed elongated groove and the lower surface layer is flat and smooth. 20. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lower surface layer is provided with at least one recessed elongated groove, and the upper surface layer is flat and smooth. 21. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 16, wherein the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer are provided with at least one recessed elongated groove. 22. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 21, wherein said elongated recessed grooves provided in said upper surface and lower surface are connected with each other. 23. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 16, wherein said air cushion is a component in one of a shoe, a sneaker, a protective pad, and a helmet, for providing a buffer and shock-absorbing effect. 24. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 16, further including an inlet for filling fluid. 25.The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 24,futher including a valve device. 26. The three dimensional air cushion as claim in claim 24, further including a pump device. 27. The three dimensional air cushion as claims 24, wherein said air chamber is filled with a liquid fluid. 28. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 24, wherein said air chambers are filled with semi-liquid fluid. 29. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 24, wherein said air chamber is filled with foam material. 30. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 24, wherein said air chamber is filled with a gas other than air. 31. A three dimensional air cushion comprising: at least two air chambers communicating with each other, said at least two air chambers including a base portion and two opposed substantially vertical lateral sides located on opposite sides of the base portion to form a concave structure, the base portion and the two lateral sides being formed between an upper surface layer and a lower surface layer, said two opposed lateral sides projecting above a plane occupied by said base portion to form elevated sidewalls of the air cushion and forming a U-shape with the base portion for distributing shock forces delivered to the sidewalls, and at least one recess extending from at least either said upper surface layer or said lower surface layer and separating said air chambers. 32. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 31, wherein said at least one air chamber is sealed. 33. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 31, wherein said air chamber has a one-way valve to communicate with open air. 34. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 31, wherein the upper surface layer is provided with at least one recessed elongated groove and the lower surface layer is flat and smooth. 35. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 31, wherein the lower surface layer is provided with at least one recessed elongated groove, and the upper surface layer is flat and smooth. 36. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 31, wherein the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer are provided with at least one recessed elongated groove. 37. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 36, wherein said elongated recessed grooves provided in said upper surface and lower surface are connected with each other. 38. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 31, wherein said air cushion is a component in one of a shoe, a sneaker, a protective pad, and a helmet, for providing a buffer and shock-absorbing effect. 39. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 31, further including an inlet for filling fluid. 40. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 39, further including a valve device. 41. The three dimensional air cushion as claim in claim 39, further including a pump device. 42. The three dimensional air cushion as claims 39, wherein said air chamber is filled with a liquid fluid. 43. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 39, wherein said air chambers are filled with semi-liquid fluid. 44. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 39, wherein said air chamber is filled with foam material. 45. The three dimensional air cushion as claimed in claim 39, wherein said air chamber is filled with a gas other than air.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In ordinary sportswear, such as tennis shoes, protective pads, helmets, etc., sponge foam rubber or polymer compounds have traditionally been used as shock absorbing materials. Gradually, these traditional materials are superseded by inflatable air bags using gas or liquid contained in the air bag to absorb impacts.

In general, the air cushion was made of two sheets placed on top of each other and hermetically glued along the ring with their outer edges to form an internal cavity pumped with gas or liquid. Another type of air cushion is performed by injection molding to obtain a three-dimensional air cushion with a hollow inner space, followed by pumping the air chambers formed therein with gas or liquid.

The pillow shown in FIG. 1, is made of two sheets placed one on top of the other and fused together so that it has an upper flat surface. When a blow is communicated to its surface, it is taken by the stain of the pillow and then gradually disperses to other surfaces. This type of cushion absorbs only a slight blow and, therefore, requires a relatively greater dissipation of energy. In addition, its center of gravity is high and the instability caused by the shock increases accordingly.

As will be understood from the physical principles of providing stability, a cushion with a flat surface can only withstand a large external force. Such a pillow can only perform a shock absorbing function for the object that protects the pillow.

The hollow three-dimensional cushion shown in FIG. 2, performed by the injection molding process, may have a curved upper surface to come into contact with the object to be protected, but the pillow does not have a shape memory structure and should depend on the outer layer added to its surface to form its upper curved surface. The entire curved surface of the pillow is almost under the lower surface of the protected object, i.e. the impact surface, so that when an impact on the surface of the pillow or pressure on it is added by the object, the force of impact or pressure cannot be dissipated on two sides, since the pillow is not provided with side walls higher than the height of the pillow. Thus, the shock energy that it takes is only temporarily converted into a side effect, limited in absorption and stabilization of the shock, and such a structure is not ideal for a pillow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to offer an air cushion with a better design for shock absorption and stability.

A three-dimensional airbag according to the invention is shown in FIG. 3 and has the following advantages.

1. The relatively higher sides, two or three of which are equipped with air chambers, depart from the central part so that the air cushion and the object that it protects can come into contact over a curved surface so that the dispersion of the shock received by the surface can increase to minimize the energy of the moving shock wave and to maximize the compressible area and, therefore, with the greatest shock absorbing effect.

2. It can sufficiently convert the energy of the shock acting on the middle upper surface into the energy of the external lateral support.

3. When the shock or pressure disappears, the energy of the external lateral support can completely return to the point of impact, forming the recoil energy, which produces an excellent effect of the reverse action.

The buffering and shock absorbing effects of the air cushions according to the invention were tested at the 8a! Ha GoNgeag Tss11po1 Sep1eg Center in the UK and it has been proven to be the best structural design for practical use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

This invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional air cushion with an upper flat surface in contrast to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional air cushion with a top surface curved downward in contrast to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 4a is an alternative embodiment of a first preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line Ι-Ι in FIG. 4a;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line ΙΙ-ΙΙ in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line ΙΙΙ-ΙΙΙ in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line Ιν-Ιν in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line ν-ν in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a sixth preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a seventh preferred embodiment of an air cushion according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of various air bags according to the invention, practiced in a tennis shoe;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an eighth preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a ninth preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a tenth preferred embodiment of an air bag according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A three-dimensional airbag according to the present invention may be formed as the backdrop airbag shown in FIG. 4, the foot pad air cushion shown in FIG. 10, or the air cushion of the sole of the shoe shown in FIG. 12, without configuration restrictions and can be adapted for tennis shoes, safety pads, helmets, etc.

A first preferred embodiment of the three-dimensional air cushion according to the present invention shown in FIG. 4, 4a, 5 and 6, includes one or more independent air chambers 10 or communicating air chambers 10 with passages 11. Each air chamber 10 can extend to two opposite sides of the cushion shell 1, forming a three-dimensional inner upper surface and a lower flat, smoothly curved a surface that does not protrude into the air chambers 10. The hermetically sealed peripheral edge of the cushion shell 1 may have a geometric configuration. The hollow interior, surrounded by a hermetically sealed peripheral edge, has a projected surface area that is less than the area of the upper surface of the pillow shell 1. The casing 1 of the pillow has a curved configuration, occupying a three-dimensional space, adapted to make recesses in it or to obtain swollen curved pillows.

A second preferred embodiment of an air cushion according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7 and 8, includes a cushion shell 1, one or more air chambers, as in the first preferred example, with one or more recessed elongated grooves 12 located on the lower surface so that a three-dimensional surface with recesses is formed, and the upper surface is formed even and smooth, with a bend.

A third preferred embodiment of an air cushion according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9 is formed in much the same way as the second preferred example, but with one or more elongated grooves 12 formed on both the upper surface and the lower surface.

A fourth preferred embodiment of an air cushion according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10 and 11, includes a cushion shell 1 formed to support the sole of the foot, having elongated grooves 12 formed in the upper surface or lower surface, as shown in FIG. 8, or in both upper and lower surfaces, as shown in FIG. 9. When this foot cushion is to be fixed in the middle of the tennis shoe, the two opposite sides are bent upward at a predetermined angle other than the three-dimensional, inwardly curved or inflated air cushion described above. A special feature of this air cushion is that the inner surface area is smaller than the outer surface area, and each elongated groove 12 of each air chamber 10 has two ends with a projected line extending almost vertically to the projected vertical surface of the groove.

A fifth preferred embodiment of an air cushion according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12 and 13 includes an air cushion for use in the toe of the sole of the foot.

A sixth preferred embodiment of an air cushion according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14 includes an outer layer 2 of a material different from the material of the pillow shell 1 added to the pillow shell 1 corresponding to the first preferred example, but also adaptable to other airbags.

A seventh preferred embodiment of an air cushion according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 15 includes an outer layer 2 of a material different from the material of the pillow shell 1 added to the pillow shell according to the third preferred example shown in FIG. nine.

The air chambers 10 made in the casing 1 of the cushions of various preferred examples can be filled with gas or liquid, since the air cushion 1 itself is a hollow sealed casing. In addition, the one-way air valve and pumping means can be connected to the casing 1 of the air cushion to fill its interior with gas or liquid under the necessary pressure.

The eighth, ninth and tenth preferred embodiments of the air cushion according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 17-19 include a fluid inlet 15 including a valve 13 (shown in FIG. 17) or two valves 13 (shown in FIG. 18) located on opposite sides of the pumping means 14.

FIG. 16 depicts three airbags shown in FIG. 4, 10 and 12, adapted for use in a tennis shoe. Airbags can be used with or without an outer layer, with a wide variety of details. In addition, the recessed grooves in the upper surface and / or lower surface can be independent or can be connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, the air chambers 10 of the air cushion 1 extend in two opposite upward curved sides having a curved surface that comes in contact with the object to be protected, which increases the surface of the shock-receiving, shock-receiving surface to obtain minimal impact energy movement and relatively large compressible dimensions to obtain the maximum effect shock absorption. When air cushion 1 receives a downward impact, the impact pressure will dissipate in two higher sides so that two opposite higher sides take increased pressure, producing a compressive effect on the object or source of the impact. In this case, an object, such as a foot, will move to the center of the air cushion. In other words, the airbag can automatically compress an object or source of impact in the direction of its center and, therefore, become more stable. If the impact disappears, the pressure dispersed in two directions will move back to the point of impact, forming a recoil force and, thus, giving the air cushion an excellent shock-absorbing function.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be recognized and understood that many of their modifications can be made, and the appended claims cover all such modifications that may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (45)

CLAIM 1. Three-dimensional air bag containing at least one air chamber having a hermetically sealed peripheral edge, the specified at least one air chamber has a base part and two opposite sides located on opposite sides of the base part, forming a concave structure moreover, the base part and two sides are formed between the layer of the upper surface and the layer of the lower surface, these two opposite sides protrude above the plane occupied by the specified base part, forming the raised side walls of the air cushion and forming an I-shaped configuration in conjunction with the base part for the distribution of impact forces transmitted to the side walls. 2. The three-dimensional air bag according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one air chamber is hermetically closed. 3. Three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the air chamber has a one-way valve for communication with open air. 4. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of the upper surface has at least one in-depth elongated groove and the layer of the lower surface is made flat and smooth. 5. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of the lower surface has at least one deepened elongated groove and the layer of the upper surface is made flat and smooth. 6. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer have at least one in-depth elongated groove. 7. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 6, characterized in that the elongated recessed grooves made in the layer of the upper surface and the layer of the lower surface are connected to each other. 8. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the air cushion is a component of one of the products: a boot, a tennis shoe, a protective lining and a helmet to provide a buffering and shock absorbing effect. 9. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes an inlet for filling fluid substance. 10. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 9, characterized in that it further includes valve means. 11. Three-dimensional airbag according to claim 9, characterized in that it further includes a pumping means. 12. Three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 9, characterized in that the air chamber is filled with liquid fluid. 13. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 9, characterized in that the air chamber is filled with a semi-fluid fluid substance. 14. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 9, characterized in that the air chamber is filled with foam material. 15. Three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 9, characterized in that the air chamber is filled with gas other than air. 16. Three-dimensional air cushion containing at least one air chamber having a hermetically sealed peripheral edge, said at least one air chamber comprising a base portion and two opposite, substantially vertical, side sides located on opposite sides the base part, forming a concave structure, while the base part and two sides are formed between the layer of the upper surface and the layer of the lower surface, these two opposite sides protrude hell with the plane occupied by the indicated base part, forming the raised side walls of the air cushion and forming an I-shaped configuration together with the base part for distributing the impact forces transmitted to the side walls, and the area of the inner surface of the air cushion formed by the upper surface layer is less than the area of the outer surface an air cushion formed by a layer of the lower surface. 17. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 16, characterized in that at least one air chamber is hermetically closed. 18. Three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 16, characterized in that the air chamber has a one-way valve for communicating with open air. 19. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 16, characterized in that the upper surface layer has at least one deepened elongated groove, and the lower surface layer is made flat and smooth. 20. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 16, characterized in that the layer of the lower surface has at least one deepened elongated groove and the layer of the upper surface is made flat and smooth. 21. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 16, characterized in that the layer of the upper surface and the layer of the lower surface have at least one in-depth elongated groove. 22. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 21, characterized in that the elongated deepened grooves made in the layer of the upper surface and the layer of the lower surface are connected to each other. 23. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 16, characterized in that the air cushion is a component of one of the products: a boot, a tennis shoe, a protective lining and a helmet to provide a buffering and shock absorbing effect. 24. Three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 16, characterized in that it further includes an inlet for filling fluid substance. 25. Three-dimensional air cushion according to p. 24, characterized in that it further includes valve means. 26. Three-dimensional airbag according to claim 24, characterized in that it further includes a pumping means. 27. Three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 24, characterized in that the air chamber is filled with liquid fluid. 28. Three-dimensional air cushion according to p. 24, characterized in that the air chamber is filled with a semi-fluid fluid substance. 29. Three-dimensional air cushion according to p. 24, characterized in that the air chamber is filled with foam material. 30. Three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 24, characterized in that the air chamber is filled with gas other than air. 31. Three-dimensional air cushion containing at least two air chambers communicating with each other, said at least two air chambers include a base part and two opposite, essentially vertical, side sides located on opposite sides of the base part forming a concave structure, with the base part and two sides formed between the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer, two opposite sides protrude above the plane occupied by the specified base part, about by blowing up the raised side walls of the air cushion and forming an i-shaped configuration together with the base part for distributing the impact forces transmitted to the side walls and at least one recess extending at least from either the top surface layer or the lower layer surfaces, and separating air chambers. 32. Three-dimensional air cushion according to p, characterized in that at least two air chambers are hermetically closed. 33. Three-dimensional air cushion according to p, characterized in that the air chambers have a one-way valve for communication with open air. 34. Three-dimensional air cushion according to p, characterized in that at least one recess is at least one recessed elongated groove in the layer of the upper surface and the layer of the lower surface is made flat and smooth. 35. Three-dimensional air cushion according to p, characterized in that one recess is at least one deepened elongated groove in the layer of the lower surface and the upper surface is made flat and smooth. 36. Three-dimensional air cushion according to p, characterized in that the layer of the upper surface and the layer of the lower surface have at least one deepened elongated groove. 37. Three-dimensional air cushion according to clause 36, characterized in that the elongated deep Prior art FIG. one BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIG. 2 flax grooves made in the specified layer of the upper surface and the layer of the lower surface are connected to each other. 38. The three-dimensional airbag according to Claim 31, wherein the airbag is a component of one of the products: a boot, a tennis shoe, a protective lining and a helmet to provide a buffering and shock absorbing effect. 39. Three-dimensional air cushion according to p. 31, characterized in that it further includes an inlet for filling fluid substance. 40. Three-dimensional air cushion according to § 39, characterized in that it further includes valve means. 41. Three-dimensional airbag according to § 39, characterized in that it further includes a pumping means. 42. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 39, wherein the air chambers are filled with liquid fluid. 43. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 39, wherein the air chambers are filled with a semi-fluid fluid. 44. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 39, wherein the air chambers are filled with foam material. 45. The three-dimensional air cushion according to claim 39, wherein the air chambers are filled with gas other than air.