Abstract
An auxiliary tool to be employed when positioning elements, such as window and door frames is described, in relation to an adjacent flat or plane, such as within wall openings, whereby the auxiliary tool comprises an inflatable air cushion member (6) which through a hose connection means (10) is connected to a pumping device (12) and a bleeding valve (16). The air cushion member is shaped as a flat bag unit. The auxiliary tool furthermore comprises connecting elements (42, 46, 48) for the mutual fixation of an air cushion member (6) comprising one or more adjacent air cushion members which have two or more mutually fixed air cushion members (6) which selectively are inflatable. These are in a side by side relationship provided positioned in a common plane so that in total the flat bag unit sides form opposing sides within the auxiliary tool.
Claims
1. An auxiliary tool for positioning elements in relation to an adjacent flat, whereby the auxiliary tool comprises plural inflatable air cushion members, each air cushion member being made of armored plastic foil in order for the air cushion member to be flexible respectively bendable, but substantially unstretchable, wherein each air cushion member through a hose member is connected to an inflating device as well as a bleeding valve, and whereby each air cushion member is an air-tight bag unit that is flat in a deflated condition and which exhibits layers of the material placed face to face and being joined by welding along free edges for forming bendable protruding reinforced double layer edge flanges and for forming the air tight bag unit, wherein corners of the edge flanges comprise openings; wherein the auxiliary tool further comprises a connecting element for mutual fixation of two or more adjacent air cushion members which selectively are inflatable and which are placed in a side by side relationship with the edge flanges in a common plane, wherein the connecting element comprises only four pin members, wherein a first of the four pin members engages and extends through a first opening, wherein the first opening is in a corner of a flexible protruding edge flange of only a first of the two or more adjacent air cushion members, and wherein a second of the four pin members engages and extends through a second opening, wherein the second opening is in a corner of a flexible protruding edge flange of a second of the two or more adjacent air cushion members for connecting the two flexible protruding edge flanges of adjacent air cushion members by two pin members without overlapping edge flanges, and wherein the connecting element is detachable and separable from the air cushion members, wherein the air cushion members in cooperation with the connecting element are configured for fixating four of the air cushion members to each other by one connecting element in that each one of the four pin members of the one connecting element engages in one opening of a corner of each one of the four adjacent air cushion members.
2. The auxiliary tool according to claim 1, wherein the length of the inflatable air cushion member has the same size as the width of the inflatable air cushion member.
3. The auxiliary tool according to claim 1, wherein the air cushion member is inflatable to achieve a thickness of 50 mm through 60 mm.
4. The auxiliary tool according to claim 1, wherein a third of the four pin members engages a third opening, wherein the third opening is in a corner of a flexible protruding edge flange of a third adjacent air cushion member, and wherein a fourth of the four pin members engages a fourth opening, wherein the fourth opening is in a corner of a flexible protruding edge flange of a fourth adjacent air cushion member.
5. The auxiliary tool according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element has four pin members arranged in four corners of the connecting element in a square relationship.
Description
(1) Below the invention is described in more detail under reference to the drawing within which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(2) FIG. 1 illustrates in the perspective an air cushion member to be employed within the auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(3) FIGS. 2-5 illustrate different embodiments of an air cushion member, a hose connection and a inflating device,
(4) FIGS. 6-7 illustrate an embodiment according to the invention with a frame structure, in part as a single module element and in part as two together connected module elements,
(5) FIGS. 8-9 illustrate in plane view and in the perspective a further embodiment of a module element of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(6) FIGS. 10-11 illustrate in plane view and in the perspective a further embodiment of a module element of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(7) FIGS. 12-13 illustrate in the perspective and in cross section a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(8) FIG. 14 illustrates in the perspective a further embodiment of a module element of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(9) FIG. 15 illustrates a further embodiment of a module element of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(10) FIG. 16 illustrates in the perspective a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(11) FIG. 17 illustrates in the perspective a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(12) FIG. 18 illustrates in the perspective a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(13) FIG. 19 illustrates in plane view a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(14) FIG. 20 illustrates in plane view a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(15) FIG. 21 illustrates in the perspective a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(16) FIG. 22 illustrates in the perspective a tissue which is employed as frame structure within an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(17) FIG. 23 illustrates a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention, within which a frame structure according to FIG. 22 is employed,
(18) FIG. 24 illustrates in plane view a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(19) FIG. 25 illustrates in plane view a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(20) FIG. 26 illustrates in plane view a further embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the invention,
(21) FIGS. 27, 29, 31 illustrate three further embodiments of a module element according to the invention,
(22) FIGS. 28, 30, 32 illustrate in plane view the structure of an auxiliary tool according to the invention comprising module elements according to FIGS. 27, 29 and 31, and
(23) FIG. 33 illustrates in the perspective a further embodiment of a module element of an auxiliary tool according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(24) Within this more specifique portion of the present specification elements which either are identical elements or are corresponding elements carrying the same signs of reference. And no repeated descriptive explanation is given below for each single element within the different figures which belong to the drawing.
(25) The air cushion member 6 shown in FIG. 1 does through EP 1 0771 385 belong to the state of the art.
(26) In FIG. 1 it is shown that the air cushion member 6 can be manufactured by folding back and edge welding 4 of a rectangular shaped piece of a lengthy or long stretched material 8 which preferably should be easily bendable but substantially non-stretchable and preferably in shape of an armoured plastic foil. Before carrying out the folding to the inside of the folded material at 24 a foot piece is fastened comprising a protruding bendable stud or hose 10 for the establishing of a connection to an inflation ball 12 comprising an intake valve 14. In the connecting establishing means to the ball 12 or directly to the ball itself a bleeding valve 16 with a knob 18 for the activation of it is provided. At a corner portion of the flat leveled together welded edge 22 a hole 20 may be provided.
(27) The stud or hose 10 may, optionally, protrude while forming an acute angle with the folding edge at 24, so that the ball 12 may be located as downwards pointing from the air cushion member.
(28) In FIG. 2 an air cushion member 6 is shown comprising a stud 10 to which a hose quick lock coupling element 26 is attached. Together with the ball 12 and the valve 16 a long hose 11 is provided. The hose may according to task be abbreviated.
(29) In FIG. 3 an embodiment is shown where in conjunction with the valve 16 a hose quick lock coupling element 28 is provided. Thus, the hose 11 is being provided as a loose element which according to task may be abbreviated.
(30) In FIG. 4 an embodiment is shown where a loose hose 11 may be connected by means of a hose quick lock coupling element 28 which is attached to the valve 16 or optionally a hose may be employed which fixed is attached to the valve 16. Between the hose 11 and the hose quick lock coupling element 26 on the air cushion member 6 a loos check valve 30 is provided which may be connected to the hose quick lock coupling element 26.
(31) In FIG. 5 more air cushion members 6 are shown which through a manifold 32 may be connected to a pump. The manifold may be embodied as a 2:1 or a 3:1 or a 4:1 manifold. In the drawing manifolds 3:1 and 2:1 are illustrated.
(32) The manifold 32 is provided with output studs 34 which may be provided with hose quick lock coupling elements. The manifold comprises furthermore a hose connecting stud 36 for the connection to hoses 11, which either can be connected to a ball 12, or to a foot pump 38 or to an electric driven air pump 40.
(33) In FIG. 6 a module element 42 for a frame structure is shown. The module element 42 comprises fixed frame sides 44 by which protruding portions 46 and recesses 48 are in such a manner provided so that adjacent module elements 42 may, as mounted together, be forming one single frame. Inside the frame the air cushion member 6 is present. In each corner of the flanges, being provided by means of the edge weldings 4, openings 20 are provided. The openings 20 cooperate with a pin means 50 which is fixed mounted in the frame module 42. In this manner the air cushion member 6 is being fixed to the frame module 42. The openings 50 may be round or oblong. Oblong openings provide the possibility that the structure may react resiliently.
(34) In FIG. 7 two adjacent frame modules are shown coupled together by means of the protruding portions 46 and the recesses 48. Thus, the frame module may provide a grid comprising a number of open cavities 52. The air cushion member 6 is positioned inside the open cavities 52.
(35) In the embodiment which is shown the air cushion member 6 is arranged fixed at each corner. Alternatively this fixation may only be provided at one or two of the corners of the frame module.
(36) The frame module 42 exhibits a flat structure of an open kind. When the air cushion member 6 is inflated by pumping it will thus protrude to either side viewed in relation to the flat frame.
(37) In FIG. 8 a fixed frame of closed shape is shown. The frame is being closed by means of a flexible thin material 54 at the over- and underside of the frame module 42. And the air cushion member may be positioned loosely within the open cavity 50 between the frame side portions 44.
(38) In FIG. 10 a frame module is shown which also is foreseen to form a fixed frame. The fixed frame is provided with a bottom 56 upon which the air cushion member 6 is resting. The air cushion member 6 may thus be put loosely in place as shown in FIG. 10. Alternatively the air cushion member may be fixed by means of a pin means 50 which cooperate with a hole at the corner of the air cushion member 6.
(39) The frame modules which are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may, just as mentioned above, be coupled together to the forming of a fixed frame where a wanted number of air cushion members are positioned located in one plane.
(40) In FIGS. 12 and 13 an embodiment is shown where a frame 58 is shaped with a number of sidewardsly positioned depressions 60 for receiving an air cushion member 6. The air cushion member 6 may be positioned loosely in the frame 58 or may be fixed in place in that the opening 20 cooperates with pin means 50.
(41) In FIG. 14 a further embodiment of a frame module 42 is shown. The frame module consists of a bottom portion 62 and a cover portion 64. The cover portion 64 can in telescopic manner be displaced downwards over the bottom portion 62. An air cushion member 6 is placed inside the thus shaped box and when pumped the bottom and the cover portions become displaced away from each other.
(42) The material of the top portion may be stiff or flexible. The air cushion member 6 may be put loosely in position inside the shaped box.
(43) In FIG. 15 a further embodiment of the frame module 42 is shown. Within this embodiment a bottom portion 66 and a top portion 68 are provided. These portions are by means of hinges 70 mutually connected able to perform a pivoting movement when inflating the air cushion member 6.
(44) The frame modules 42 are provided with tongues or flaps 72 comprising an opening 74. By means of this arrangement a number of frame modules can be connected together by putting a pin member through the openings 74 thereby coupling sidewardsly adjacent frame modules together.
(45) In FIGS. 16 and 17 a fixed frame is shown which provides more cavities 52 whereby each of these serve to receive an air cushion member 6 (only shown within FIG. 16).
(46) The air cushion member 6 may be arranged at one or more of the corners of it through cooperation between an opening in the air cushion member 6 and a pin member 50 being connected with the frame 76.
(47) In FIG. 16 the frame is shown being a frame which upwardsly and downwardsly is open. In FIG. 17 the frame is shown comprising cavities 52 which are only upwardsly open in that a bottom member 78 is provided within the openings 52.
(48) Within both embodiments the frame is shaped so flat that an inflated air cushion member 6 will protrude above the frame. When the air cushion member 6 is in non-inflated condition it is able to be held in place within the frame so that the height 80 of the frame will be decisive for the interspace or slot into which the auxiliary tool can be inserted.
(49) The height 80 may be adapted so that it approximately corresponds to the height of a non-inflated air cushion member 6.
(50) The frame 76 may be manufactured of a stiff material or of a material which is flexible.
(51) In FIG. 18 a frame 76 comprising more cavities 52 is shown whereby each of these cavities 52 serves to accommodate an air cushion member 6. Each of the cavities 52 is covered by an individually movable cover member 82 which by means of hinges 84 is connected to a bottom portion 86 of the frame 76. Through individual pumping of the air cushion members 6 the cover members 82 individually are upwards moved. Within the frame 76 the air cushion members 6 may be comprised in a loose manner.
(52) In FIG. 19 an auxiliary tool according to the invention is shown comprising a frame 76 which includes four cavities 52 each of these comprising an air cushion member 6. The frame may be embodied as being open or closed as well at the top as at the bottom. Hereby the frame may be embodied as closed by means of flexible material or by means of a movable cover member or as only being provided with a bottom member thus leaving it open towards the opposite side.
(53) The frame 76 comprises a depression within which a number of tubes 86 are provided in that each of them is leading forward for the connection of an air cushion member 6 each of these including an appropriately adapted kind of ball member 12. In this manner a possibility for pumping the air cushion members 6 within the frame 76 becomes provided.
(54) It is possible to provide a marking, for instance by means of colour, to indicate which pumping providing ball member 12 does belong to which cavity within the frame 76.
(55) Even though the frame is shown as comprising four cavities another number of cavities may be employed.
(56) In FIG. 20 an auxiliary tool according to the invention is shown where a number of air cushion members comprise openings 20 within the edge weldings 4. The openings 20 are furnished at each corner. Thereby it becomes possible for the coupling together of adjacent air cushion members 6 by means of pin members 88 or similar connecting means.
(57) Thus the pin members 88 will provide a direct fixing in place of adjacent air cushion members by means of the grips through the incorporated openings 20 within the edge weldings 4.
(58) In FIG. 21 a further embodiment is shown by which the air cushion member 6 is mounted by means of fittings 90. These are substantially of rectangular shape within each corner comprising openings 92. The openings 92 may overlay the openings 20. Pins 94 are provided to connect the openings 92 of the connecting element 90 with openings 20 in the corners of the edge weldings 4 of the cushion members 6. In FIG. 21, two of the openings 92 of the connecting element 90 are used to connect two corners of two air cushion members 6. The two other openings 92 of the connecting element 90 can be used to connect to two additional corners of two air cushion members 6 for binding in total four air cushion members 6 together.
(59) In FIG. 22 a tissue 96 is shown which comprises a number of sidewards pockets 98 each comprising an opening 100 into which an air cushion member 6 may be inserted.
(60) The tissue 96 thus may be cut to provide suitable shaped patterns such as by way of example being shown in FIG. 23 where a total of six pockets 98 is achieved. Of air cushion members 6 only the positioning of four of these within the pockets 98 is shown in FIG. 23. On the other hand, it is also possible to place an air cushion member 6 into each pocket which is comprised within the cut-out tissue.
(61) The tissue 96 may be manufactured as a three-layer-structure, implying, that a pocket will be located at the opposing side as viewed in relation to the illustrated pockets 98.
(62) The tissue may be manufactured of a non-stretchable material at that one side which is connected with stretchable material for the forming of pockets to achieve that an expansion of the pocket is made possible when pumping the air cushion member.
(63) In FIG. 24 an embodiment comprising frame modules 52 is shown which provides an opening 50 for receiving the air cushion member 6. The frame modules 42 are at their external sides provided with a zipper 102 which provides a coupling together of a number of frame modules thereby to provide a complete frame structure which is able to comprise a wanted number of air cushion members.
(64) In FIGS. 25 and 26 a further embodiment is shown where the air cushion members are connected through their edge weldings 4. This provides in principle an auxiliary tool by which the air cushion members are mutually fixed through the edge weldings 4 hereby providing a coherent tool comprising a number of chambers which are inflatable in a selective manner.
(65) In FIG. 27 a frame module 42 is shown within which the frame side portions are provided forming a round shaped frame side portion 102.
(66) In FIG. 29 a frame module is shown within which the frame side portions are provided forming a hexangular frame side portion 104.
(67) In FIG. 31 a frame module is shown within which the frame side portions are provided forming a triangular frame side portion 106.
(68) Within all the shown embodiments an air cushion member 6 is mounted within the frame module 42 for cooperation between openings 20 and pin members 50. At the embodiments which are shown the coupling together is provided at each of the four corners of the air cushion member.
(69) In principle in FIGS. 28, 30 and 32 the fundamental structure of an auxiliary tool is illustrated which is provided by means of the frame modules which are shown in FIGS. 27, 29 and respectively 31.
(70) The mutual fixing of the frame modules 42 may be provided through any suitable joining means. Also hereto may be employed protrusions or recesses. Alternatively at the surface of the frame modules openings for the reception of penetrating pin members may be provided. Also other appropriate joining means may be employed.
(71) Within all the embodiments being shown the air cushion member is shown in shape of a rectangular body. On the other hand, other executions of the air cushion member are also possible.
(72) In FIG. 33 a further embodiment of a frame module 42 is shown, whereby a frame portion 108 is provided within which an opening 110 is provided in a frame side member including tracks 112 being provided in the two adjacent frame side portions. Additionally an insertable unit 114 is provided which comprises two rail members 116 which are squeezed in place seated on flanges on the air cushion member 6. The rail members 116 are thus able to be inserted/slided into the tracks 112. The frame side portions are reacting as being flexible, as indicated by means of movement indicating arrows 118, when the air cushion member 6 is pumped.
