Inflatable Carrier

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/550,687, filed Feb. 7, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an inflatable carrier that can be folded with reduced time and labor.

Description of the Related Art

People can have funs in water with various water inflatable products like a leisure boat, an inflatable kayak, an inflatable surfboard, an inflatable stand-up paddle board and so forth. After the activity in water is finished, the user needs to deflate and fold the water inflatable product for transport and storage. However, that is time and labor consuming.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an inflatable carrier that can be folded with reduced time and labor.

The inflatable carrier in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes an inflatable main body, a foldable supporting device connected to the inflatable main body, and a plurality of elastic elements connected to the foldable supporting device and/or the inflatable main body. When the inflatable main body is inflated to expand, the foldable supporting device is forced to extend by the expanded inflatable main body and the elastic elements are deformed. When the inflatable main body is deflated, restoring forces of the elastic elements cause the foldable supporting device to be folded.

In another exemplary embodiment, the restoring forces of the elastic elements cause the foldable supporting device and the inflatable main body to be folded when the inflatable main body is deflated.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable main body is folded into a zigzag form or wavy form when the inflatable main body is deflated.

In another exemplary embodiment, the foldable supporting device includes a plurality of connecting portions, and a plurality of supporting elements connected by the connecting portions in a way that the supporting elements are rotatable with respect to each other. The elastic elements include torsion springs disposed at the connecting portions. The inflatable main body is bent near the connecting portions when the foldable supporting device and the inflatable main body are folded.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the connecting portions are flexible or bendable.

In another exemplary embodiment, the supporting elements include a plurality of first rods, second rods and third rods connected to each other. The inflatable main body, when inflated to expand, is extended in a longitudinal direction, the first rods are oriented lengthwise, and the second rods are placed transverse to the first rods. When the inflatable main body is deflated, the third rods are flipped over to tops of the second rods by the restoring forces of the torsion springs.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, when the foldable supporting device is folded, the first rods are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form.

In another exemplary embodiment, when the inflatable main body is inflated to expand and the foldable supporting device is forced to extend by the expanded inflatable main body, the foldable supporting device is placed under the inflatable main body.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the supporting elements include a plurality of first rods connected to each other by the connecting portions. The first rods are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form.

In another exemplary embodiment, the supporting elements further include a plurality of second rods connected to the first rods by the connecting portions. The second rods are placed transverse to the first rods.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first rods are placed at both sides of the inflatable main body. The second rods are placed under the inflatable main body.

In another exemplary embodiment, the connecting portions include a plurality of first connecting portions configured to connect the first rods, and a plurality of second connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the second rods. The elastic elements further include at least one stretchy rope connected to the first connecting portions.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the second rods are placed under the inflatable main body. The foldable supporting device further includes a plurality of third rods connected to the first rods by the connecting portions. The third rods are placed transverse to the first rods and under the inflatable main body.

In another exemplary embodiment, the connecting portions include a plurality of first connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the third rods, and a plurality of second connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the second rods. The elastic elements further include at least one stretchy rope connected to the second connecting portions.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the connecting portions include a plurality of first connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the third rods, and a plurality of second connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the second rods. The elastic elements further include at least one stretchy rope connected to the first connecting portions.

In another exemplary embodiment, the foldable supporting device includes a plurality of connecting portions, and a plurality of first rods connected by the connecting portions in a way that the first rods are rotatable with respect to each other. The first rods are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form. The elastic elements include at least one stretchy rope connected to the connecting portions.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the foldable supporting device includes a plurality of connecting portions, a plurality of first rods, and a plurality of second rods connected to the first rods by the connecting portions. The first rods are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form. The second rods are placed transverse to the first rods. The elastic elements include at least one stretchy rope connected to the connecting portions.

In another exemplary embodiment, the elastic elements are detachably connected to the foldable supporting device and/or the inflatable main body.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable carrier further includes a plurality of hooks configured for connecting the elastic elements to the foldable supporting device and/or the inflatable main body.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable carrier further includes an electric motor, pedals, a first gear connected to the electric motor and/or the pedals, a second gear also connected to the electric motor and/or the pedals, propeller blades, a wheel, a third gear connected to the propeller blades, and a fourth gear connected to the wheel. The propeller blades are driven by the electric motor and/or the pedals when the first gear engages the third gear and the second gear is separated from the fourth gear. The wheel is driven by the electric motor and/or the pedals when the first gear is separated from the third gear and the second gear engages the fourth gear.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first gear, the second gear, the third gear and the fourth gear are bevel gears.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable carrier further includes a seesaw lever connected to the second gear. The seesaw lever is rotatable for connecting the second gear to the fourth gear or disconnecting the second gear from the fourth gear.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable carrier further includes an electric motor, pedals, a first gear connected to the electric motor and/or the pedals, a second gear also connected to the electric motor and/or the pedals, propeller blades, a wheel, a third gear connected to the propeller blades, and a fourth gear connected to the wheel. The first gear engages the third gear and the second gear engages the fourth gear, so that the propeller blades and the wheel can be simultaneously driven by the electric motor and/or the pedals.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first gear, the second gear, the third gear and the fourth gear are bevel gears.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable carrier is an inflatable stand-up paddle board, an inflatable surfboard, an inflatable boat, an inflatable toy car, or an amphibious inflatable carrier.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable carrier in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an inflatable main body and a foldable supporting device of the inflatable carrier of FIG. 1, wherein the inflatable main body is deflated.

FIG. 3 depicts the torsion springs disposed at a connecting portion of the foldable supporting device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 depicts the inflatable main body that is deflated and the foldable supporting device that has the third rods flipped by the torsion springs in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts the inflatable carrier of the first embodiment that is folded.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the foldable supporting device of the first embodiment that is folded.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an inflatable carrier in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the foldable supporting device of the second embodiment that is extended.

FIG. 9 depicts the torsion spring disposed at a connecting portion of the foldable supporting device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 depicts the inflatable carrier of the second embodiment that is folded.

FIG. 11 depicts a modified inflatable carrier of the second embodiment that is folded.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an inflatable carrier in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the foldable supporting device of the third embodiment that is extended.

FIG. 14 depicts the inflatable carrier of the third embodiment that is folded.

FIG. 15 depicts a modified inflatable carrier of the third embodiment that is folded.

FIG. 16 is a front view of an inflatable carrier in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the portion XVII of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 depicts the inflatable carrier of the fourth embodiment that is folded.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the portion XIX of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of an inflatable main body and a foldable supporting device of an inflatable carrier in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, wherein the inflatable main body is deflated.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the inflatable carrier of the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of the power generation and transmission system of the inflatable carrier of the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of the power generation and transmission system of the inflatable carrier of the sixth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an inflatable carrier of a first embodiment of the invention is a leisure boat 10 that includes an inflatable main body 110, an awning 150 disposed above the inflatable main body 110, a rope ladder 140 disposed on a side of the inflatable main body 110, and a motor and propeller 130 disposed at the stern. The inflatable main body seats 112 is provided with a plurality of fixed seat cushions 112 and a flip seat cushion 115.

The leisure boat 10 further includes a foldable supporting device 120 placed under the inflatable main body 110 to support the inflatable main body 110. The foldable supporting device 120 includes a plurality of supporting elements 121, 122, 125 and connecting portions 123. In the first embodiment, the supporting elements include a plurality of first rods 121 oriented lengthwise, a plurality of second rods 122 placed transverse to the first rods 121, and a plurality of third rods 125 also placed transverse to the first rods 121. The connecting portions 123 are configured to connect the first rods 121, the second rods 122 and the third rods 125 in the way that the first rods 121 and the third rods 125 are rotatable with respect to the second rods 122.

A plurality of elastic elements are disposed at the connecting portions 123. In the first embodiment, the elastic elements are torsion springs 124 as shown in FIG. 3. When the inflatable main body 110 is inflated to expand, the foldable supporting device 120 is forced to extend by the expanded inflatable main body 110 and the torsion springs 124 are deformed. Then, the awning 150, the rope ladder 140 and the motor and propeller 130 are connected to the inflatable main body 110 as shown in FIG. 1, so that the user can have funs in water.

After the activity in water is finished, the user needs to deflate and fold the boat 10 for transport and storage. The awning 150, the rope ladder 140 and the motor and propeller 130 are removed from the inflatable main body 110, and the inflatable main body 110 is deflated as shown in FIG. 2. When the inflatable main body 110 is deflated, the restoring forces of the torsion springs 124 cause the foldable supporting device to be folded. As shown in FIG. 4, the third rods 125 are flipped over to tops of the second rods 122 by the restoring forces of the torsion springs 124. Then, the user can fold the foldable supporting device 120 and the inflatable main body 110 manually or by using electric power. The result is shown in FIG. 5. It is worth noting that the first rods 121 and the inflatable main body 110 are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form as shown in FIG. 6, when the foldable supporting device 120 is folded.

The leisure boat 10 further includes wheels 126 and rudders 127 disposed at the connecting portions 123 as shown in FIG. 3. After the inflatable main body 110 is deflated and the foldable supporting device 120 and the inflatable main body 110 are folded as shown in FIG. 5, the wheels 126 facilitate the user to move the leisure boat 10. In water, the rudders 127 can change the angles thereof so as to change the moving direction of the leisure boat 10.

Thanks to the torsion springs 124, time and labor required for folding the foldable supporting device 120 and the inflatable main body 110 can be reduced.

In the first embodiment, the foldable supporting device 120 includes the third rods 125. The third rods 125 provide sufficient width for the foldable supporting device 120 to support the inflatable main body 110. However, it is understood that the third rods 125 can be omitted when the inflatable main body has a reduced width. Under such circumstance, flipping the side portions of the inflatable main body 110 to reduce the width of the inflatable main body 110 is not required, when the inflatable main body 110 is deflated for transport and storage.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an inflatable carrier of a second embodiment of the invention is an inflatable kayaks 20 that includes an inflatable main body 210 and a foldable supporting device 220 configured to support the inflatable main body 210. The foldable supporting device 220 includes a plurality of supporting elements 221, 222 and connecting portions 223, 223′. In the second embodiment, the supporting elements 221, 222 include a plurality of first rods 221 and second rods 222. The first rods 221 are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form. The second rods 222 are placed transverse to the first rods 221. The connecting portions 223, 223′ are flexible or bendable, configured to connect the first rods 221 and the second rods 222 in the way that the first rods 221 are rotatable with respect to the second rods 222. The first rods 221 are placed at both sides of the inflatable main body 210. The second rods 222 are placed under the inflatable main body 210. The first rods 221 and the second rods 222 may be stiff or flexible rods.

In the second embodiment, the elastic elements include torsion springs 224 and stretchy ropes 226. The torsion springs 224 shown in FIG. 9 are disposed at the connecting portions 223, 223′. The stretchy ropes 226 are connected to the connecting portions 223, or connected to other portions which are near the connecting portions 223.

When the inflatable main body 210 is inflated to expand, the foldable supporting device 220 is forced to extend by the expanded inflatable main body 210, the torsion springs 224 are deformed, and the stretchy ropes 226 are stretched. When the inflatable main body 210 is deflated, the restoring forces of the torsion springs 224 and the stretchy ropes 226 cause the foldable supporting device 220 and the inflatable main body 210 to be simultaneously folded as shown in FIG. 10.

It is worth noting that the connecting portions 223, 223′ are placed at different heights. In the second embodiment, the stretchy ropes 226 are configured to connect the upper connecting portions 223. It is understood that other stretchy ropes 226′ can be additionally provided to connect the lower connecting portions 223′ as shown in FIG. 11. It is also understood that the stretchy ropes 226 connecting the upper connecting portions 223 can be omitted and only the stretchy ropes 226′ connecting the lower connecting portions 223′ are provided. Further, the stretchy ropes 226 and/or 226′ can be connected to other portions near the connecting portions 223 and/or 223′ instead of connected to the connecting portions 223 and/or 223′.

Further, it is understood that some or all of the torsion springs 224 can be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, an inflatable carrier of a third embodiment of the invention is an inflatable kayaks 30 that includes an inflatable main body 310 and a foldable supporting device 320 configured to support the inflatable main body 310. The foldable supporting device 320 includes a plurality of supporting elements 321, 322, 324 and connecting portions 323, 325. In the third embodiment, the supporting elements include a plurality of first rods 321 arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form, a plurality of second rods 322 placed transverse to the first rods 321, a plurality of third rods 324 also placed transverse to the first rods 321. The connecting portions include a plurality of first connecting portions 323 configured to connect the first rods 321 and the third rods 324, and a plurality of second connecting portions 325 configured to connect the first rods 321 and the second rods 322. The first connecting portions 323 and the second connecting portions 325 are flexible or bendable. The second rods 322 and the third rods 324 are placed under the inflatable main body 310.

In the third embodiment, the elastic elements include torsion springs (as shown in FIG. 9) and stretchy ropes 326 (as shown in FIG. 14). The torsion springs are disposed at the first connecting portions 323 and the second connecting portions 325. The stretchy ropes 326 are connected to the second connecting portions 325.

When the inflatable main body 310 is inflated to expand, the foldable supporting device 320 is forced to extend by the expanded inflatable main body 310, the torsion springs are deformed, and the stretchy ropes 326 are stretched. When the inflatable main body 310 is deflated, the restoring forces of the torsion springs and the stretchy ropes 326 cause the foldable supporting device 320 and the inflatable main body 310 to be simultaneously folded as shown in FIG. 14.

It is worth noting that the first connecting portions 323 and the second connecting portions 325 are placed at different heights, wherein the first connecting portions 323 are placed higher than the second connecting portions 325. In the third embodiment, the stretchy ropes 326 are configured to connect the second connecting portions 325. It is understood that additional stretchy ropes 326′ can be provided to connect the first connecting portions 323 as shown in FIG. 15. It is also understood that the stretchy ropes 326 connecting the second connecting portions 325 can be omitted and only the stretchy ropes 326′ connecting the first connecting portions 323 are provided.

Further, it is understood that some or all of the torsion springs in the third embodiment can be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, an inflatable carrier of a fourth embodiment of the invention is an inflatable stand-up paddle board 40 (or an inflatable surfboard) that includes an inflatable main body 410, a foldable supporting device 420 configured to support the inflatable main body 410, and a plurality of elastic elements 426 detachably connected to the inflatable main body 410 and the foldable supporting device 420. In the fourth embodiment, the elastic elements 426 are elastic bands, and the foldable supporting device 420 includes a plurality of stiff boards 424.

When the inflatable main body 410 is inflated to expand, the foldable supporting device 420 is forced to extend by the expanded inflatable main body 410, and the elastic bands 426 are stretched as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. When the inflatable main body 410 is deflated, the restoring forces of the elastic bands 426 cause the foldable supporting device 420 to be folded as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

A cover 440 is fixed to the inflatable main body 410 to cover and hold a stiff board 424 in place as shown in FIG. 19. The inflatable stand-up paddle board 40 further includes a plurality of connecting portions 430 that connect the elastic bands 426 to the foldable supporting device 420. Each connecting portion 430 includes a braided tape 432 and hooks 431. The braided tape 432 is formed into a loop by sewing the ends of the braided tape 432 onto the stiff board 424. The elastic band 426 is also formed into a loop. The looped elastic band 426 can be connected to the looped braided tape 432 by using the hooks 431. By such arrangement, replacement of the elastic band 426 is fast and easy.

In the fourth embodiment, both the top surface and the bottom surface of the inflatable main body 410 have the elastic bands 426 connected thereto. However, the invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that the elastic bands 426 can be provided only on the top surface the inflatable main body 410, or only on the bottom surface of the inflatable main body 410.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, an inflatable carrier of a fifth embodiment of the invention is an amphibious inflatable carrier 50 that can be used as a boat or a toy car. The amphibious inflatable carrier 50 includes a foldable supporting device 550 placed under an inflatable main body 560 to support the inflatable main body 560. The foldable supporting device 550 is the same as that of the first embodiment and therefore the descriptions thereof are omitted (it is understood that, in some other embodiment, the third rods 525 of FIG. 20 can be omitted when the inflatable main body 560 has a reduced width).

The inflatable main body 560 includes a mount hole 561 at the bow. The amphibious inflatable carrier 50 further includes a power output unit 53 that is fitted to the inflatable main body 560 through the mount hole 561 of the inflatable main body 560. As shown in FIG. 22, the power output unit 53 includes an electric motor 52 and pedals 55, wherein the pedals are provided for the user to step down thereon. Therefore, the amphibious inflatable carrier 50 can be driven to move by using electric or human power.

The amphibious inflatable carrier 50 further includes a clutch handlebar 54, a first bevel gear 514, a second bevel gear 516, a third bevel gear 515, a fourth bevel gear 517, a horizontally rotating universal joint 58 connected to the third bevel gear 515 through a shaft 520, propeller blades 59 connected to the horizontally rotating universal joint 58, a seesaw lever 518, and a wheel 513 connected to the fourth bevel gear 517.

When the clutch handlebar 54 is raised, the third bevel gear 515 is separated from the first bevel gear 514. The second bevel gear 516 engages the fourth bevel gear 517. The electric or human power is transmitted to the wheel 513 through the second bevel gear 516 and the fourth bevel gear 517 so that the amphibious inflatable carrier 50 can be moved forward on the land. Further, the user can operate the steering handle 51 to change the moving direction of the amphibious inflatable carrier 50.

When the clutch handlebar 54 is pressed, the third bevel gear 515 is pushed by the clutch handlebar 54 to engage the first bevel gear 514. The seesaw lever 518 is also pushed by the clutch handlebar 54, so that one end of the see saw lever 518 is moved down and the other end is moved up. The spring 512 is compressed. The second bevel gear 516 is separated from the fourth bevel gear 517. The electric or human power is transmitted to the propeller blades 59 through the bevel gears 514, 515, the shaft 520, and the horizontally rotating universal joint 58 so that the amphibious inflatable carrier 50 can be moved forward in water. Further, the user can operate the steering handle 51 to change the moving direction of the amphibious inflatable carrier 50.

Referring to FIG. 23, an inflatable carrier of a sixth embodiment of the invention is an amphibious inflatable carrier 60. In the sixth embodiment, the bevel gear 614 constantly engages the bevel gear 615 and the bevel gear 616 constantly engages the bevel gear. In the sixth embodiment, therefore, the power is simultaneously transmitted to the propeller blades 69 and the wheel 613 so that the amphibious inflatable carrier 50 can be moved forward.

The inflatable carrier of the invention can be any carrier like an inflatable stand-up paddle board, an inflatable surfboard, an inflatable boat, an inflatable toy car, an amphibious inflatable carrier and so forth.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.