INFLATABLE CUSHION

Abstract

A portable cushion has a first chamber formed from an upper sheet and a lower sheet sealed to the upper sheet along three edges, and a resealable closure extending between the upper sheet and lower sheet along a fourth edge to create an air-impermeable pocket when the closure is sealed. There is a second chamber formed from an upper sheet and a lower sheet sealed to the upper sheet along three edges, and a resealable closure extending between the upper sheet and lower sheet along a fourth edge to create an air-impermeable pocket when the closure is sealed. The second chamber is connected to one of the three edges of the first chamber along one of the three edges of the second chamber, to form a two-part cushion having a hinge between the two chambers. The cushion can be filled with air by waving each chamber through the air while the respective fourth edge is in an open position, and then sealing the respective closure element when air has entered the chamber.

Claims

1. A portable cushion comprising: a first chamber formed from an upper sheet and a lower sheet sealed to the upper sheet along three edges, and a resealable closure extending between the upper sheet and lower sheet along a fourth edge to create an air-impermeable pocket when the closure is sealed; and a second chamber formed from an upper sheet and a lower sheet sealed to the upper sheet along three edges, and a resealable closure extending between the upper sheet and lower sheet along a fourth edge to create an air-impermeable pocket when the closure is sealed, the second chamber being connected to one of the three edges of the first chamber along one of the three edges of the second chamber.

2. The portable cushion according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower sheets are formed from plastic.

3. The portable cushion according to claim 1, wherein the resealable closure is in the form of a snap fit closure extending along the entire fourth edge.

4. The portable cushion according to claim 1, wherein the resealable closure is in the form of a zipper closure.

5. The portable cushion according to claim 1, wherein the closure element is formed from resealable adhesive.

6. The portable cushion according to claim 1, wherein the closure element is formed from a hook-and-loop type closure system that engages when the fourth edge is rolled around itself at least once.

7. The portable cushion according to claim 1, wherein the upper sheet of the first chamber and the upper sheet of the second chamber are formed in one piece, and wherein the lower sheet of the first chamber and the lower sheet of the second chamber are formed in one piece.

8. The portable cushion according to claim 1, wherein the fourth edge of the second chamber is disposed on an opposite side of the cushion from the fourth edge of the first chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0011] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the cushion according to the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 shows the method of inflation of the cushion;

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the cushion in an inflated state; and

[0015] FIG. 4 shows the cushion in use in an automobile seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the cushion 10 according to the invention. Cushion 10 comprises a top sheet 11 connected to a bottom sheet 12 along side edges 13, 14, and along seam 15 to create two chambers 16, 17. A fourth edge 18, 19 of each chamber 16, 17 is closeable with a resealable closure element in the form of a snap-fit closure 20, 21. As shown in FIG. 2, chambers 16, 17 are inflatable with air simply by waving them through the air with fourth edge 18, 19 fully opened, and then sealing edge 18, 19 via closure 20, 21. An inflated cushion 10 is shown in FIG. 3. The two chambers 16, 17 can be used to form a seat cushion and a back cushion for a user when traveling or sitting in uncomfortable seating arrangements. Use of cushion 10 by a user 30 sitting in an automobile seat having a seat section 26 and a backrest section 25 is shown in FIG. 4.

[0017] The cushion according to the invention is inexpensive, easily portable, and simple to inflate. It can be used in many different environments, such as stadiums, airplane seats, car seats, doctor's offices, etc. It can also be used in the medical field as a quick hot or cold compress if the chambers are filled with warm or cold water instead of air.

[0018] Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.