US20130167758A1

US20130167758A1 - Inflatable Table

Info

Publication number: US20130167758A1
Application number: US13/342,977
Authority: US
Inventors: Shou Qiang Zhu
Original assignee: IP Power Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: IP Power Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2012-01-04
Filing date: 2012-01-04
Publication date: 2013-07-04

Abstract

An inflatable table includes an inflatable base having an inflation cavity, an inflatable tabletop extended from the inflatable base to provide a receiving cavity for holding food or beverage; and at least one inflation valve provided at the inflatable base or the inflatable tabletop for injection air into the inflatable table, so that the inflatable table is able to move between a deflated state and an inflated state.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an inflatable function arrangement, and more particularly to an inflatable table, wherein an inflatable tabletop with a receiving cavity is provided for holding food or beverage during an outdoor activity.
2. Description of Related Arts
Outdoor activities are popular among us, for example, we may go out to have a party or a picnic on weekends. During an outdoor activity, we play games or have a dinner together, food and beverage are indispensable for enjoying the good time. But more often, we feel reluctant to bring a table. It is really embarrassing if we don't have a table for putting together bottles of wines or beers.
If a party is carried out at home, we may simply employ a normal table for the bottles and glasses to put thereon, or rather, a special container is introduced so that the bottles of wines or beverage are stored in the container. What's more, the container can be filled with ice to cool down the wines or beverage so that we can enjoy the chilly taste. But during an outdoor party, we may not have this kind of benefit.
A foldable table may be employed to solve the problem, but it is inconvenient to bring a portable table at hand, in addition, it also cannot function to keep the wines or beverage in a chilly state. A portable fridge can serve to store and cool the beverage, but it still costs a lot of efforts, additionally, the capacity of a portable fridge is usually not large enough to fulfill the need of an outdoor party.
Therefore, a more convenient table is in need, wherein the table is convenient for transporting and effective for storing food and beverage in outdoor activities, as well as being room saving for home use.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable table comprising an inflatable base and an inflatable tabletop which are adapted to move between a deflated state and an inflated state, wherein in the deflated state, the base and the tabletop of the inflatable table are deflated so that the inflatable table is convenient for transporting and storing, wherein in the inflated state, the base and the tabletop are inflated so that the tabletop can be used for holding food and beverage during outdoor activities.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable table comprising an inflatable base and an inflatable tabletop, wherein in the inflated state, a receiving cavity is formed by the inflatable tabletop for holding food and beverage during an outdoor activity.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable table comprising an inflatable base and an inflatable tabletop, wherein the inflatable tabletop comprises a bottom wall and an encircling member vertically extended from the circumferential edge of the bottom wall so that a receiving cavity is defined by the bottom wall and the encircling member when the inflatable tabletop is in the inflated state, and food and beverage can be stored in the receiving cavity.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable table comprising an inflatable base and an inflatable tabletop, wherein when food and beverage are put into the receiving cavity formed by a bottom wall and an encircling member, ice or cooling material can be added into the receiving cavity to keep the food and beverage in a relative low temperature, and because the receiving cavity is surrounded by air partition layer formed by the encircling member and the inflatable base, the temperature in the receiving cavity can be maintained for a relative long period of time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable table comprising an inflatable base and an inflatable tabletop, wherein the inflatable tabletop is integrally formed with the inflatable base, the inflatable tabletop is used for holding food and beverage and the inflatable base functions as a support for the inflatable tabletop, wherein the inflatable base comprises a plurality of arc shaped walls and an adhering line is provided between each two arc shaped wall so that when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the plurality of arc shaped walls formed a wrinkled surface with a plurality of slight indentions so as to enhance the supporting force of the inflatable base to the inflatable tabletop.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable table comprising an inflatable base and an inflatable tabletop, wherein the inflatable base comprises a rigid frame, when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the rigid frame serves as a supporting anchor to the inflatable table so as to ensure the stability of the inflatable table, and in the deflated state, the rigid frame can be folded for easy transporting.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable table, wherein no complicated structure is required, the inflatable table is room saving and convenient for portable use.
Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by an inflatable table comprising an inflatable base and an inflatable tabletop adapted to move between a deflated state and an inflated state.
The inflatable base comprises a shell having an inflation cavity. The inflatable tabletop comprises a bottom wall and an enclosing member to define a receiving cavity therebetween for holding food or beverage, and at least one inflation valve is provided at the inflatable base or the inflatable tabletop for injection air into the inflatable table, wherein when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the inflation cavity is filled with air so as to applying supporting force to the inflatable tabletop so that the inflatable tabletop is supported by the inflatable base.
Accordingly, the shell comprises a base wall and a side wall vertically and integrally extended from an outer circumference of the base wall to define the inflation cavity, the enclosing member comprises an outer circumferential wall extended from the inflatable base and an inner circumferential wall integrally and parallelly extended from the outer circumferential wall, wherein the bottom wall engaged with the inner circumferential wall in such a manner that when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the bottom wall and the inner circumferential wall define the receiving cavity for receiving food or beverage. The outer circumferential wall couples with the inner circumferential wall to define an inner cavity therein, wherein the inner cavity is air communicating with the inflation cavity of the inflatable base so that the inflatable base and the inflatable tabletop is simultaneously filled with air through the inflation valve.
The side wall is formed by a plurality of vertical/transverse ribs, and an adhering line is provide between each of the two adjacent vertical/transverse ribs, wherein when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the surface of the side wall of the inflatable base is corrugated and the inflation cavity is divided into a plurality of inflation sections so as to enhance a supporting force to the inflatable tabletop.
The outer circumferential wall and the inner circumferential wall can be also formed by two transverse ribs respectively so that the outer circumferential wall and the inner circumferential wall are wrinkled when the inflatable tabletop is in the inflated state so as to enhance the stability of said inflatable tabletop.
Preferably, the inflatable base further comprises a rigid frame attached to the base wall so as to enhance the inflatable base when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, wherein when the inflatable table is in the deflated state, the inflatable base and the inflatable tabletop are folded onto the rigid frame.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable table according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inflatable tabletop of the inflatable table according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the inflatable table in the deflated state according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inflatable table according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative mode of the inflatable table according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inflatable table according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the inflatable table with a rigid supporting frame.

FIG. 7 an alternative mode of the inflatable table according to the above third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 of the drawings, an inflatable table according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the inflatable table comprises an inflatable base 10 and an inflatable tabletop 20 integrally formed with the inflatable base 10. The inflatable tabletop 20 is used for holding food and beverage, and the inflatable base 10 supports the inflatable tabletop 20. The inflatable table is adapted to move between a deflated state and an inflated state, wherein in the inflated state, the inflatable base 10 and the inflatable tabletop 20 is filled with air to function as a container for receiving food, bottles of wines, beers or other drinks, and in the deflated state, filling air in the inflatable base 10 and the inflatable tabletop 20 is released so that the inflatable table is rolled up or folded for storing and transporting.
The inflatable base 10 comprises a shell 11 having a base wall 111 and a side wall 112 vertically and integrally extended from the outer circumference of the base wall 111 to define an inflation cavity 113. When the inflatable table is in the inflated sate, the inflation cavity 113 is filled with air so as to apply a supporting force to the inflatable tabletop 20.
It is worth mentioning that a cross section of the base wall 111 can be any shapes such as rectangular, triangular and oval so that the inflatable base 10 can be formed in any desired shape as the user wants.
The inflatable base 10 further comprises at least one inflation valve 12 provided on the shell 11. Of course, the inflation valve 12 also can be provided on the inflatable tabletop 20. According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inflation valve 12 is integrally formed with the side wall 112 of the shell 11. The inflation valve 12 can be a normal inflation nozzle which is common in the prior art as long as it is convenient to use and effective in preventing air leakage. When the user use an air filling device such as an air pump to fill air into the inflatable base 10 through the inflation valve 12, the inflatable base 10 will be filled with air so that the inflatable table is shifted to the inflated state.
Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawing, the inflatable tabletop 20 comprises an enclosing member 21 extended from the side wall 112 of the shell 11 of the inflatable base 10, and an bottom wall 22 engaged with the enclosing member 21. Accordingly, when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the bottom wall 22 and enclosing member 21 define a receiving cavity 23 so that food and beverage can be put into the receiving cavity 23.
More specially, the enclosing member 21 comprises an outer circumferential wall 211 extended from the side wall 112 of the shell 11 of the inflatable base 10, an inner circumferential wall 212 integrally and parallelly extended from the outer circumferential wall 211. The bottom wall 22 engaged with the inner circumferential wall 212 so that when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the bottom wall 22 and the inner circumferential wall 212 define a receiving cavity 23, so that food and beverage can be put into the receiving cavity 23. And thus the inflatable tabletop 20 functions as a container to receive bottles of wines, beers and other drinks. Ice and other cooling material can be added into the receiving cavity to keep the food and beverage in a relatively low temperature, so that a user can enjoy the chilly taste of the beverage during outdoor activities.
The outer circumferential wall 211 coupled with the inner circumferential wall 212 to define an inner cavity 213 therein. Accordingly, when the enclosing member 21 is formed in a ring shape, the outer circumferential wall 211 coupled with the inner circumferential wall 212 to define an annular inner cavity 213 therein, wherein the inner cavity is air communicating with the inflation cavity 113 of the inflatable base 10 so that the integral inflatable table can be inflated just through the inflation valve 12.
What's more, when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the inner cavity 213 and the inflation cavity 113 are filled with air, and a special air partition layer is formed around the receiving cavity 23, so that when food and beverage is stored in the receiving cavity 23, the air partition layer is effective in preventing heat exchange of the food and beverage in the receiving cavity 23 with the surrounding environment so that the receiving cavity 23 will be maintained in a low temperature for a relatively long period of time.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inflatable table can be of any suitable size, shape and color, it's up to the user's choice. For example, an inflatable table is 2 m×3 m when it is in the inflated state. The height of the inflatable table also can be varied according to different favors of users.
Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawing, when the inflatable table is in the deflated state, the inflatable base 10 and the inflatable tabletop 20 are rolled up together so that the inflatable table can be easy for storing and carrying.
Furthermore, the inflatable table may comprises at least a strap 30 provided at the inflatable base 10 or the inflatable tabletop 20, accordingly, the two ends of the strap 30 are fastened at the inflatable base 10 or the inflatable tabletop 20 so that a user can simply carry the inflatable table by holding onto the strap 30.
In addition, the inflatable table is made of flexible, water-proof material of appropriate strength, preferrably polyvinylchloride. The seams or adhering lines of the inflatable table may be stitched, welded or glued.
Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawing, an inflatable table according to a second preferred embodiment is illustrated, wherein the inflatable table comprises an inflatable base 10A and an inflatable tabletop 20A integrally formed with the inflatable base 10A. The inflatable tabletop 20A is used for holding food and beverage, and the inflatable base 10 supports the inflatable tabletop 20A. The inflatable table is adapted to move between a deflated state and an inflated state.
The inflatable base 10A comprises a shell 11A having a base wall 111A and a side wall 112A vertically and integrally extended from the outer circumference of the base wall 111A to define an inflation cavity 113A. When the inflatable table is in the inflated sate, the inflation cavity 113A is filled with air so as to apply a supporting force to the inflatable tabletop 20A so that the inflatable tabletop 20A is supported by the inflatable base 10A.
The side wall 112 A is formed by a plurality of vertical ribs 1121A, an adhering line or a seam 1122A is provide between each two adjacent vertical ribs 1121A, when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the inflation cavity 113A is filled with air, but the side wall 112A is formed with a wrinkled surface from the plurality of vertical ribs 1121A, in other words, surface of the side wall 112A is corrugated to provide a plurality of arc shaped walls and the inflation cavity 113A is divided into a plurality of inflation sections. And a slight vertical indention is formed between each two adjacent vertical arc shaped walls. The plurality of inflation sections are effective in buffering the weight of the food and beverage in the inflatable tabletop 20A so that the supporting force of the inflatable base 10A to the inflatable tabletop 20A is enhanced.
The inflatable tabletop 20A comprises an enclosing member 21A extended from the side wall 112A of the shell 11A of the inflatable base 10A, a bottom wall 22A engaged with the enclosing member 21A. When the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the bottom wall 22A and enclosing member 21A define a receiving cavity 23A so that food and beverage can be put into the receiving cavity 23A.
More specially, the enclosing member 21A comprises an outer circumferential wall 211A extended from the side wall 112A of the shell 11A of the inflatable base 10A, an inner circumferential wall 212A integrally and parallelly extended from the outer circumferential wall 211A and the bottom wall 22A engaged with the inner circumferential wall 212A, so that when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the bottom wall 23A and the inner circumferential wall 212A define a receiving cavity 23A so that food and beverage can be put into the receiving cavity 23A.
Accordingly, the outer circumferential wall 211A and the inner circumferential wall 212A can be formed by two or more transverse ribs 24A so that the outer circumferential wall 211A and the inner circumferential wall 212A are wrinkled when the inflatable tabletop 20A is in the inflated state, so that the stability of the inflatable tabletop 20A is enhanced.
Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawing, an alternative mode of an inflatable table according to an alternative mode of the above second preferred embodiment is illustrated, wherein the structure of the inflatable table is similar to the second preferred embodiment, the side wall 112 B is formed by a plurality of transverse ribs 1121B, an transverse adhering line or a seam 1122B is provide between each two adjacent transverse ribs 1121B, when the inflatable table is in the inflated state, the inflation cavity 113B is filled with air, but the side wall 112B is formed with a wrinkled surface from the plurality of transverse ribs 1121B. In other words, surface of the side wall 112B is corrugated to provide a plurality of transverse arc shaped walls and the inflation cavity 113B is divided into a plurality of transverse inflation sections. And a slight transverse indention is formed between each two adjacent transverse arc shaped walls. The plurality of transverse inflation sections are effective in improving stretching force of the inflatable base 10B so that the supporting force of the inflatable base 10B to the inflatable tabletop 20B is enhanced.
Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawing, an inflatable table according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the inflatable table comprises an inflatable base 10C and an inflatable tabletop 20C integrally formed with the inflatable base 10C.
The inflatable base 10C comprises a shell 11C having a base wall 111C and a side wall 112C vertically and integrally extended from the outer circumference of the base wall 111C to define an inflation cavity 113C therein, the inflatable base 10C further comprises a rigid frame 14C attached to the base wall 111C. When the inflatable table is in the inflated sate, the inflation cavity 113C is filled with air so as to apply a supporting force to the inflatable tabletop 20C so that the inflatable tabletop 20C is supported by the inflatable base 10C, and the rigid frame 14C helps to keep the inflatable table steady on the ground when the inflatable table is in the inflated state so that the inflatable table is not easily toppled down. When the inflatable table is in the deflated state, the inflatable base 10C and the inflatable tabletop 20C are folded to the rigid frame 14C.
Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawing, as an alternative mode of the inflatable table according to the above third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inflatable base 10D comprises a rigid frame 14D, and the rigid frame 14D comprises at least two portions, for example, the rigid frame 14D comprises two halve portions 141D, 142D so that when the inflatable table is in the deflated state, the inflatable base 10D and the inflatable tabletop 20D are folded to the rigid frame 14D and then the two halve portions 141D, 142D of the rigid frame 14D are then folded together so as to save more room.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
The embodiments have been shown and described for illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention. The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various changes may be made without departure from such spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable table adapted to move between a deflated state and an inflated state, comprising:

an inflatable base comprising a shell, wherein said shell has an inflation cavity;

an inflatable tabletop extended from said inflatable base, wherein said inflatable tabletop comprises a bottom wall and an enclosing member to define a receiving cavity therebetween for holding food or beverage; and

at least one inflation valve provided on said inflatable base or said inflatable tabletop for injecting air into said inflatable table, wherein when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, said inflation cavity is filled with air so as to apply a supporting force to said inflatable tabletop so that said inflatable tabletop is supported by said inflatable base.

2. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 1, wherein said shell comprises a base wall and a side wall vertically and integrally extended from an outer circumference of said base wall to define said inflation cavity.

3. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 1, wherein said enclosing member comprises an outer circumferential wall extended from said inflatable base and an inner circumferential wall integrally and parallelly extended from said outer circumferential wall, wherein said bottom wall engaged with said inner circumferential wall in such a manner that when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, said bottom wall and said inner circumferential wall define said receiving cavity for receiving food or beverage therein.

4. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 2, wherein said enclosing member comprises an outer circumferential wall extended from said side wall of said inflatable base and an inner circumferential wall integrally and parallelly extended from said outer circumferential wall, wherein said bottom wall engaged with said inner circumferential wall in such a manner that when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, said bottom wall and said inner circumferential wall define said receiving cavity for receiving food or beverage therein.

5. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 3, wherein said outer circumferential wall coupled with said inner circumferential wall to define an inner cavity therein, wherein said inner cavity is air communicating with said inflation cavity of said inflatable base so that said inflatable base and said inflatable tabletop is simultaneously filled with air through said inflation valve.

6. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 4, wherein said outer circumferential wall coupled with said inner circumferential wall to define an inner cavity therein, wherein said inner cavity is air communicating with said inflation cavity of said inflatable base so that said inflatable base and said inflatable tabletop is simultaneously filled with air through said inflation valve.

7. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least a strap, wherein two ends of said strap are fastened at said inflatable tabletop or said inflatable base so that said inflatable table is capable of being carried via said strap.

8. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 2, further comprising at least a strap, wherein two ends of said strap are fastened at said inflatable tabletop or said inflatable base so that said inflatable table is capable of being carried via said strap.

9. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 4, further comprising at least a strap, wherein two ends of said strap are fastened at said inflatable tabletop or said inflatable base so that said inflatable table is capable of being carried via said strap.

10. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 6, further comprising at least a strap, wherein two ends of said strap are fastened at said inflatable tabletop or said inflatable base so that said inflatable table is capable of being carried via said strap.

11. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 2, wherein said side wall is formed by a plurality of vertical ribs, wherein an adhering line is provide between each said two adjacent vertical ribs, wherein when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, the surface of said side wall of said inflatable base is corrugated and said inflation cavity is divided into a plurality of inflation sections so as to enhance the supporting force to said inflatable tabletop.

12. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 4, wherein said side wall is formed by a plurality of vertical ribs, wherein an adhering line is provide between each said two adjacent vertical ribs, wherein when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, the surface of said side wall of said inflatable base is corrugated and said inflation cavity is divided into a plurality of inflation sections so as to enhance the supporting force to said inflatable tabletop.

13. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 6, wherein said side wall is formed by a plurality of vertical ribs, wherein an adhering line is provide between each said two adjacent vertical ribs, wherein when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, the surface of said side wall of said inflatable base is corrugated and said inflation cavity is divided into a plurality of inflation sections so as to enhance the supporting force to said inflatable tabletop.

14. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 10, wherein said side wall is formed by a plurality of vertical ribs, wherein an adhering line is provide between each said two adjacent vertical ribs, wherein when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, the surface of said side wall of said inflatable base is corrugated and said inflation cavity is divided into a plurality of inflation sections so as to enhance the supporting force to said inflatable tabletop.

15. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 2, wherein said side wall is formed by a plurality of transverse ribs, wherein an adhering line is provide between each said two adjacent transverse ribs, wherein when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, the surface of said side wall of said inflatable base is corrugated and said inflation cavity is divided into a plurality of inflation sections so as to enhance the supporting force to said inflatable tabletop.

16. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 10, wherein said side wall is formed by a plurality of transverse ribs, wherein an adhering line is provide between each said two adjacent transverse ribs, wherein when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, the surface of said side wall of said inflatable base is corrugated and said inflation cavity is divided into a plurality of inflation sections so as to enhance the supporting force to said inflatable tabletop.

17. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 14, wherein said outer circumferential wall and said inner circumferential wall are formed by two transverse ribs respectively so that said outer circumferential wall and said inner circumferential wall are wrinkled when said inflatable tabletop is in the inflated state so as to enhance the stability of said inflatable tabletop.

18. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 16, wherein said outer circumferential wall and said inner circumferential wall are formed by two transverse ribs respectively so that said outer circumferential wall and said inner circumferential wall are wrinkled when said inflatable tabletop is in the inflated state so as to enhance the stability of said inflatable tabletop.

19. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 16, wherein said inflatable base further comprises a rigid frame attached to said base wall so as to enhance said inflatable base when said inflatable table is in said inflated state, wherein when said inflatable table is in said deflated state, said inflatable base and said inflatable tabletop are folded at said rigid frame.

20. The inflatable table, as recited in claim 19, wherein said rigid frame comprises two half portions adapted to be folded to each other, wherein when said inflatable table is in said deflated state, said inflatable base and said inflatable tabletop are folded at said two half portions of said rigid frame.