Cushion with increased seam strength and method of assembly
US6220629A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/2359
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inflatable cushion (100,100a) includes a first panel (22a) and a second panel (22b) attached together along a peripheral joint. The joint (30) is subjected to a shearing or peeling load upon inflation of the cushion tending to separate the panels. Each of the first and second panels includes a first layer (24) of flexible structural material and a second (26) bondable layer. A reinforcement (50) is provided to prevent the joint (30) from separating. The reinforcement includes first (52a) and second (52b) strips of material, each having a structural layer (24a) and a bondable layer (26a). The first and second strips are sewn together at a seam (56a) to retard separation of the strips. The seam (56a) separates each of the strips into two portions. The structural layers of the strips face each other and the bondable layers of the strips face outwardly abutting a corresponding bondable layer of one of the first and second panels. The bondable layers of the first and second strips are joined on one or both sides of the seam to a corresponding bondable layer of the first and second panels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.