Air Bag Having Inflation Indicator and Method of Determining Proper Spacing Between Loads Supported Thereby

This invention is directed to an indicator on a cargo air bag that visually indicates to a user whether the air bag is properly inflated and is placed in a void between loads that is of a proper size.

It is well-known in the art to use inflatable air bags for buffering a load, such as cargo boxes and the like, in a transport vehicle, such as a train, ship, truck, aircraft and the like, in order to brace the load from shifting or damaging itself during transport because of voids between the loads. These air bags typically consist of a plastic, inflatable bladder surrounded by some form of container, usually a multi-ply paper container. The container prevents the bladder from being punctured by the load or other objects in the cargo bay. The air bag includes an air inlet valve so that the bladder can be inflated.

When using this type of air bag, the air bag is placed between the loads in a deflated condition and then inflated through the valve with high pressure air to a desired air pressure, usually two to eight pounds per square inch, depending of the size of the bladder and the container structure. In the inflated condition, the voids between the loads are filled and the loads are stabilized and ready for transport.

A proper air bag should be placed between the loads in order to properly stabilize and buffer the loads. Often, the void between the loads in which the air bag is placed is too large for the air bag that is used. As a result, the air bag is commonly over-inflated so that the void is completely filled and the air bag ruptures.

The present invention presents a novel indicator that easily allows a user to visually know that the air bag is inflated to a proper thickness, and thus pressure, and that a proper air bag is being used for the specific void to be filled. Other advantages and features will become apparent upon a reading of the following disclosure.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a novel indicator for an air bag that is used as a brace between loads in a transport vehicle and which easily and visually indicates to a user that the air bag is in a properly inflated condition.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel air bag having an indicator which easily and visually indicates to a user that the air bag is in an over-inflated condition.

Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention comprises an air bag, and a method of using the same, which has at least one indicator line marking thereon for providing a visual indication of when the air bag is in a properly inflated condition for filling a void between loads, such as cargo or the like, in a truck, airplane, train or the like. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, each indicator line includes a center portion which is of a first design, such as being blue-colored, and having easily identifiable ends. Preferably, each indicator line has end portions of a second design, such as being red-colored, which are on opposite sides of the center portion of the line and are distinct from the first design. The center portion of the indicator line has a length which is equal to the maximum thickness and, thus pressure, to which the air bag is to be inflated while maintaining a properly inflated condition. The air bag is properly inflated when the air bag is inflated but the end portions of the line cannot be seen or when the center portion of the line is completely visible between the loads and the junctions between the center portion and the end portions of the line are just visible between the loads.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, each indicator line is vertical with respect to the floor when the air bag is placed between loads and inflated. Each indicator line extends the entire length of the air bag and has a predetermined width. The width between the indicator lines is equal to the thickness to which the air bag is to be inflated so as to obtain a properly inflated condition of the air bag. The air bag is properly inflated when the inner vertical edges of the indicator lines are just visible between the loads.

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air bag in a deflated condition which incorporates the features of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIG. 1 in a properly inflated condition, but maximum inflated condition, to fully fill a void between two pieces of cargo;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIG. 1 in an over-inflated condition in a void between two pieces of cargo which is too large for the air bag to properly fill the void;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIG. 1 in a properly inflated condition in a void between two pieces of cargo which is smaller than the void shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an air bag in a deflated condition which incorporates the features of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIG. 5 in a properly inflated condition so as to properly and fully fill a void between two pieces of cargo; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the air bag shown in FIG. 5 in an over-inflated condition in a void between two pieces of cargo which is too large for the air bag to properly fill the void.

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

The present invention presents a novel indicator 20 which visually and easily indicates to a user whether the air bag 22 is property inflated within a space or void 24 between pieces of cargo items or loads 26, 28 that the air bag 22 is designed to properly fill. The air bag 22 is particularly suited for use to hold and stabilize various large objects, such as cargo or loads 26, 28, during transport by filling the void 24 left between the loads 26, 28 when the loads are placed side-by-side in the transport vehicle. The air bag 22 of the present invention is generally formed of a bladder which is sealed within and surrounded by a container or bag.

The bladder may be made of a seamless tube of polyethylene, rubber or the like and is sealed so as to be gas-tight. The bladder includes a valve 42 for inflating the bladder by high pressure air from an appropriate source to a desired air pressure, usually 2 to 8 pounds per square inch, depending on the size and the container structure of the air bag 22.

The container in which the bladder is enclosed is of known construction such as the multi-ply dunnage bag disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,788, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. The container is formed of two sheets 30, 32, each of which is comprised of multiple layers of suitable sheet material such as paper, usually 4 to 8 plies. The sheets 30, 32 are joined at the edges of the sheets 30, 32 along top seam, 34, bottom seam 36 and side seams 38, 40 by suitable means. Alternatively, a single sheet of material can be folded over onto itself and sealed along the overlapping edges by suitable means so that only a single side seam is provided. The container prevents the bladder from being punctured by the load 26, 28 or by other objects which may be found in a cargo bay.

The novel indicator 20 of the present invention which is provided on the air bag 22 is formed of at least one marking 44, which in its preferred embodiment is an elongate line as shown in the drawings, which overlaps Onto each sheet 30, 32 of the container and over the side seam 38 or 40. The midpoint of the marking line 44 substantially coincides with the side seam 38 or 40. As shown, a plurality of markings 44 are provided on the air bag 22, more specifically upon each side of the air bag 22 with each marking 44 overlapping onto each sheet 30, 32 over the respective side seam 38, 40, however, only a single marking may be used if desired. The markings 44 provide a user with a visual indication as to whether the air bag 22 is in a properly inflated condition and thus, the void 24 in which the air bag 22 is placed is one that the particular air bag 22 should be used in.

Each marking 44 has a first indicia portion 46 which has a first design thereon. The length of the first indicia portion 46 is substantially equal to the maximum thickness, and thus maximum pressure, to which the air bag 22 is to be inflated to properly fill the void 24. In addition, the length of the first indicia portion 46 represents the maximum width of the space which can be properly filled by the air bag 22. The design is such that opposite ends 47 of the first indicia portion 46 are easily observed when the air bag 22 is inflated to its maximum thickness, and thus pressure, to properly fill the void 24 as described below. In order to define the opposite ends 47 of the first indicia 46, there is preferably provided a second indicia along end portions 48 which have a second design and are positioned on each side of the first indicia portion 46. The first design and the second design are visually distinct from each other so that a person can easily visually distinguish between the two designs. Preferably, the first design, of which the first indicia portion 46 is formed, is a color, such as the color blue and the second design, of which the end portions 48 are formed, is another distinct color, such as the color red. Of course, the designs can be any design that is desired, such as a solid black line as the portion 46, and a series of black checks as the end portions 48, so long as the designs are distinct from each other so that a user can tell the difference between the designs. The markings 44 can be applied to the air bag 22 by suitable means, such as by printing the markings on the air bag 22. The end portions 48 may be short in length or can extend around the periphery of the air bag 22 to the indicator line marking 44 on the opposite side of the air bag 22 if desired.

When the air bag 22 is being used to buffer and stabilize the loads 26, 28, the air bag 22 is placed in the void 24 between the loads 26, 28 in a deflated condition with the sheets 30, 32 adjacent to the loads 26, 28 so that the side seams 38, 40 with the markings 44 thereon are clearly visible to a user. The user then inflates the air bag 22 by injecting high pressure air from an appropriate source through the valve 42 and into the bladder in the air bag 22. The size of the air bag 22 used is dependent on the size of the void 24 to be filled.

As air is introduced into the air bag 22, the air bag 22 expands and the length of the marking 44 becomes visible to the user. As shown in FIG. 2, the maximum thickness, and thus pressure, to which the air bag 22 should be inflated to properly fill the void 24 is indicated when the junctures between the opposite ends 47 of indicia 46 and portions 48 of the indicator line markings 44 are just visible to the user.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the void 24 between the loads 26, 28 to be supported by the air bag 22 is too wide, the end portions 48 of the indicator line markings 44 are substantially visible to the user when the air bag 22 is inflated. If the end portions 48 are shorter in length, then portions 50 of the air bag 22 beyond the end portions 48 of the indicator markings 44 may be seen. This tells the user that the air bag 22 is over-inflated and since air bags have a maximum operating pressure, if the air bag gets too far over-inflated, then the air bag may rupture.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the void 24 between the loads 26, 28 to be supported by the air bag 22 is narrow, the entire indictor line marking 44 will not be visible to the user and the end portions 48 of the markings 44 will be completely hidden from view when the air bag 22 is inflated. While the air bag 22 is not inflated to its maximum pressure and thickness, as shown in FIG. 2, the air bag 22 still provides a proper buffer between the loads 26, 28 to properly fill the void 24 even though the air bag 22 is under-inflated and the full capacity of the air bag 22 is not being used.

After the air bag 22 has been used, the air bag 22 may be disposed of, or deflated by appropriate means for reuse.

Attention is now directed to the second embodiment of the novel indicator 20a of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 5-7. The indicator 20a is formed of at least two markings 44a, 45a on the air bag 22, each of which in its preferred embodiment comprises a pair of elongate lines. Each marking 44a, 45a is disposed upon a single face 39, 41 of the air bag 22 and extends substantially the entire length of each face 39, 41 of the air bag 22 from the top seam 34 to the bottom seam 36 and is of a predetermined width such that an inner end 56 and an outer end 58 of each marking line 44a, 45a is defined. The inner end 56 of each marking line 44a, 45a is spaced from the side seam, for example, side seam 40, by means of a distance which is substantially equal to one-half of the maximum thickness to which the air bag 22 is to be inflated so as to properly fill the void 24. Thus, the distance defined between the inner ends 56 of the marking lines 44a, 45a represents the maximum thickness to which the air bag 22 is to be inflated so as to properly fill the void 24, or in other words, the maximum width of the space which can be properly filled by the air bag 22. The markings 44a, 45a thus provide a user with a visual indication as to whether or not the air bag 22 is in a properly inflated condition, or alternatively, whether or not the void 24 in which the air bag 22 is placed is of the proper size within which the particular air bag 22 is to be used.

As was the case of the first embodiment, it is to be understood that the marking lines 44a, 45a do not need to be solid along their length. Instead, the lines 44a, 45a can be a series of spaced apart dots, checks, or the like, along the length of each line Each marking line 44a, 45a comprises an indicia which has a design thereon. The design on each marking line 44a, 45a is visually distinct from the remainder of the air bag 22 so that a person can easily visually distinguish between the marking lines 44a, 45a and the remainder of the air bag 22. Preferably, the design on each of the marking lines 44a, 45a is a first color, while the reminder of the air bag 22 is of a second design which may be another distinct color. Of course, as was the case in the first embodiment, the designs can be any design that may be desired as long as the designs are visually distinct from each other so that a user can easily tell the difference between the designs. The marking lines 44a, 45a can be applied to the air bag 22 by any suitable means, such as, for example, by printing the marking lines 44a, 45a on the air bag 22.

The area 52 between the inner ends 56 of the marking lines 44a, 45a may have an indicia thereon which has a design that is different from the marking lines 44a, 45a and which are clearly distinguishable from the marking lines 44a, 45a. In addition, the area 54 between the outer ends 58 of the marking lines 44a or 45a, which are on the same face of the air bag 22, may have an indicia thereon which has a design that is different from the marking lines 44a, 45a and which are clearly distinguishable from the marking lines 44a, 45a.

When the air bag 22 is being used to buffer and stabilize the loads 26, 28, the air bag 22 is placed in the void 24 between the loads 26, 28 in a deflated condition with the faces 39, 41 disposed adjacent to the loads 26, 28 so that the side seams 38, 40 are clearly visible to a user. When the air bag 22 is placed between the loads 26, 28, the markings 44a, 45a are vertical and perpendicular to the floor upon which the loads 26, 28 are supported, and the user cannot see the marking lines 44a, 45a since the marking lines 44a, 45a are disposed toward or face the loads 26, 28. The user then inflates the air bag 22 by injecting high pressure air into the bag 22 from an appropriate source and through the valve 42 and the bladder of the bag 22. The size of the air bag 22 used is dependent upon the size of the void 24 to be filled.

As air is introduced into the air bag 22, the air bag 22 expands and the faces 39, 41 of the air bag 22 move into engagement with the respective loads 26, 28. Eventually, after a sufficient amount of air is introduced into the air bag 22, the vertical marking lines 44a, 45a become visible to the user. As shown in FIG. 6, the maximum thickness to which the air bag 22 should be inflated so as to properly fill the void 24 is indicated when the inner ends 56 of the indicator line markings 44a, 45a are just visible to the user. In other words, the distance between the inner ends 56 of the indicator line markings 44a, 45a defines a marginal end portion 49 of the air bag 22, which end portion 49 in turn defines the desired thickness of the inflated air bag 22 and the size of the void or space 24 defined between the loads 26 and 28 when the air bag 22 is properly inflated.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the void 24 defined between the loads 26, 28 is too wide, the entire marking lines 44a, 45a are visible to a user and a portion 60 of each area 54 of the air bag 22 is visible to the user when the air bag 22 is inflated. This tells the user that the air bag 22 is over-inflated and if the air bag 22 is over-inflated further, the air bag 22 may rupture. After the air bag 22 has been used, the air bag 22 may be disposed of or deflated by appropriate means for reuse.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherise than as specifically described herein.