Inflatable device for receiving an infant

Abstract

An inflatable device for infants, the device comprising a structure formed from two or more inflatable chambers in fluid communication with a control valve, wherein the control valve comprises a single input port for receiving an inflation device and an output port unit in fluid communication with the inflatable chambers to enable the chambers to be inflated simultaneously by the inflation device while providing fluid separation between the chambers after inflation.

1 . An inflatable device for infants, the device comprising a structure formed from two or more inflatable chambers in fluid communication with a control valve, wherein the control valve comprises a single input port for receiving an inflation device and an output port unit in fluid communication with the inflatable chambers to enable the chambers to be inflated simultaneously by the inflation device while providing fluid separation between the chambers after inflation. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises four inflatable chambers arranged to form four walls of a skeleton structure suitable for receiving an infant. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the device comprises a separate base for insertion within the skeleton structure. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the structure further comprises a fifth inflatable chamber arranged to form an inflatable base. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more inflatable chambers are fluidly independent. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control valve is a failsafe valve. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the output port unit of the control valve is arranged not to be in fluid communication with the inflatable chambers when the single input port is not receiving the inflation device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the output port unit of the control valve is arranged to be in fluid communication with the inflatable chambers only when the single input port is receiving the inflation device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the output port unit of the control valve comprises multiple output ports in fluid communication with the inflatable chambers. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the output port unit is formed on a housing that may be retro-fitted to a standard spring actuated valve. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each output port is in fluid communication with a single inflatable chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each output port is in fluid communication with two or more inflatable chambers. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the control valve comprises a spindle in communication with the input port and output port unit, where the spindle is arranged to set the control valve in an inflation mode upon receiving the inflation device and further arranged to set the control valve in a non-inflation mode when the inflation device is not being received. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the control valve further comprises a housing and a spring, wherein the spring is arranged between the spindle and the housing to set the control valve in the non-inflation mode when the inflation device is not being received. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable chambers are in parallel fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the output port unit of the control valve comprises a single output port in fluid communication with a manifold and the manifold comprises multiple shut off valves in fluid communication with the inflatable chambers. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the multiple shut off valves are arranged to be controlled manually to provide fluid separation between the chambers after inflation. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the control valve comprises a spindle in communication with the input port and single output port, where the spindle is arranged to set the control valve in an inflation mode upon receiving the inflation device and further arranged to set the control valve in a non-inflation mode when the inflation device is not being received. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the control valve further comprises a housing and a spring, wherein the spring is arranged between the spindle and the housing to set the control valve in the non-inflation mode when the inflation device is not being received. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the output port unit of the control valve is in fluid communication with a first inflatable chamber and the device further comprises one or more shut off valves positioned in between each inflatable chamber. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the inflatable chambers are in series fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more shut off valves are arranged to be controlled manually to provide fluid separation between the chambers after inflation. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable chambers are formed from a material from any one of a drop stitch material, sonically welded film, PVC material, thermoplastic material manufactured as a film, urethane material manufactured as a film, non-rigid material manufactured as a film. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the drop stitch material comprises two layers of material, where a first layer is connected to a second layer via interconnecting threads. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the single input port is adapted to provide fluid communication from the input port to the output port unit upon receiving the inflation device. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure includes a re-enforced base fabric on a lower base portion of the device. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a cot, crib, carrycot or playpen. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the single input port is adapted to receive an inflation device that is one of a human being, bicycle pump, hand pump, motorised pump, electrical pump, mechanical pump and air compressor. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is formed from 3 or more inflatable chambers. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the structure is formed from 4 or more inflatable chambers. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a fabric cover arranged to fit over the structure. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the fabric cover is arranged to reinforce and/or increase rigidity to the device. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the fabric cover is formed from a washable fabric.