Complex-contoured tensile bladder and method of making same
US5755001A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 26, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B13/20
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A complex-contoured tensile bladder and method of making same in which a bladder comprises an envelope formed from two outer barrier layers surrounding a tensile element formed of two inner sheets. The inner sheets are attached to one another along selected first attachment portions and include die cuts at certain locations. Each of the outer barrier layers are attached to the inner sheet nearest it at selected second attachment portions which are incoincident with the selected first attachment portions. The outer layers are sealed around the periphery to form the envelope and the bladder is inflated with a gas so that the inner sheets form a tensile member which extends between the selected second portions, and the selected first portions form hinges disposed between the outer layers. When loaded the tensile member compresses at the hinges which readily allow for compression while not interfering with the cushioning properties of the gas. This construction of the bladder allows for the formation of complex-curved, contoured shapes by appropriately selecting the first attachment portions and the second attachment portions and the die cuts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.