US 5,335,382 · Granted 1994-08-09
The Zigzag Tube That Lets Cushions Stretch Any Distance
Imagine an air cushion with a bendy tube built right into it that can stretch or compress like an accordion. The tube connects the cushion to a pump, and by adjusting how stretched the tube is, you can position two cushions—or a cushion and pump—at whatever distance works best for your setup.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers an inflatable air cushion with an integrally molded extension tube shaped in a zig-zag pattern. What's protected here is the specific design where the tube's free end can attach to another cushion or pump assembly, and the expandable zig-zag form allows the connected components to be positioned at variable distances apart. Also protected is an optional pressure-limiting chamber built into the pump to prevent over-inflation.
Why it matters
This patent solves a practical problem in inflatable furniture and cushioning: how to keep cushions connected while allowing flexible spacing without requiring multiple separate tubes or connectors. The built-in pressure limiter adds safety by preventing ruptures from over-inflation. For manufacturers of air mattresses, camping gear, or medical cushions, this design reduces assembly complexity and gives end users adaptability without extra parts.
Real-world use
You'd encounter this in an air mattress or camping pad where the pump connects via a flexible integrated tube, letting you position the pump as close or far as needed depending on your tent or bed setup.
Original USPTO abstract
An inflatable air cushion has an integrally formed extension tube of zig-zag form with its free end attached to another cushion or to a pump assembly for inflating the cushion. By separating the limbs of the zig-zag tube, the cushions, or the cushion and pump assembly can be spaced apart at different distances to suit different applications. The pump may include a pressure limiting chamber integrated therewith for limiting the maximum inflation pressure of the cushion.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 5,335,382
- Filing date
- 1992-11-23
- Grant date
- 1994-08-09
- Assignee
- Huang Yin Jun
- Inventor(s)
- HUANG; YIN-JUN
- CPC class
- A43B13/206
Want to file your own patent?
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