Foldable Supporting Device and Object Supported by the Foldable Supporting Device

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/573,624, filed Apr. 3, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The invention relates to a foldable supporting device and an object supported by the foldable supporting device.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,223 discloses a conventional foldable supporting structure. When extended, the supporting structure can be used for supporting, for example, a mattress. For storage, the supporting structure can be folded. When folded, however, the supporting structure becomes higher and occupies a storage space that is somewhat large.

The invention therefore provides a foldable supporting device. When folded, the supporting structure does not become higher. Besides, the storage space of the foldable supporting device is significantly reduced. The foldable supporting device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a first supporting frame, a second supporting frame, a rail device and a retractable structure. The first supporting frame includes a first upper part, a first lower part disposed opposite to the first upper part, and a first side part connecting the first upper part and the first lower part. The second supporting frame includes a second upper part, a second lower part disposed opposite to the second upper part, and a second side part connecting the second upper part and the second lower part. The retractable structure is movably and rotatably connected to the rail device. The rail device is configured to guide movement of the retractable structure. The retractable structure connects the first side part and the second side part and is retractable from an extended position to a retracted position so as to change a distance between the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame. In the retracted position, the retractable structure is restricted in a range near where the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame are connected to the retractable structure.

In another exemplary embodiment, the retractable structure includes a plurality of crossing elements which are rotatably connected to each other.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the crossing elements are arranged into a plurality of pairs. In each pair of the crossing elements, the crossing elements cross and are pivoted to each other.

In another exemplary embodiment, the crossing elements include a first end and a second end. The first end is moved parallel to the first side part and the second end is moved parallel to the second side part, when the retractable structure is retracted from the extended position to the retracted position.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the foldable supporting device further includes a first upper connector, a second upper connector, a first slider and a second slider. The first upper connector connects the first upper part and the first side part. The second upper connector connects the second upper part and the second side part. The first slider is connected to the first end. The second slider is connected to the second end. The guide device includes a first guide rail extended parallel to the first side part, and a second guide rail extended parallel to the first side part. The first slider is configured to slide along the first guide rail when the retractable structure is retracted from the extended position to the retracted position. The second slider is configured to slide along the second guide rail when the retractable structure is retracted from the extended position to the retracted position.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first slider and the second slider are guided to slide by the first guide rail and the second guide rail.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first slider and the second slider are pins.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first slider and the second slider are rods.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the rods are L-shaped.

In another exemplary embodiment, the foldable supporting device further includes a first lower connector and a second lower connector. The first lower connector connects the first lower part and the first side part. The second lower connector connects the second lower part and the second side part. The first slider includes a first laterally extended portion which is disposed outside the first guide rail, and the second slider includes a second laterally extended portion which is disposed outside the second guide rail. The first slider and the first slider are in a top position when the first laterally extended portion contacts the first guide rail of the first upper connector and the second laterally extended portion contacts the second guide rail of the second upper connector. The first slider and the second slider are in a bottom position when the first laterally extended portion contacts the first lower connector and the second laterally extended portion contacts the second lower connector.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the foldable supporting device further includes a side structure rotatably connected to the first supporting frame. The side structure includes a first connecting rod, a joint, a leg and a second connecting rod. The first supporting frame further includes a first upper connector and a first lower connector. The first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first upper connector of the first supporting frame. The first connecting rod and the leg are connected through the joint. The leg is rotatably connected to the second connecting rod. The second connecting rod is rotatably connects to the first lower connector of the first supporting frame. When the leg is rotated to be fully spread, the connecting rod restricts the leg from being spread more thereby keeping the leg in position stably.

In another exemplary embodiment, the foldable supporting device further includes a side structure rotatably connected to the first supporting frame. The side structure includes a connecting rod, a joint and a leg. The connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first supporting frame. The connecting rod and the leg are connected through the joint. The joint includes a channel and a roller disposed in the channel. When the side structure is flipped to spread the leg, the joint is inverted with the roller moved in the channel by virtue of gravity until the roller is stuck to a bottom of the channel, thereby keeping the leg in position.

The invention also provides an apparatus that includes a foldable supporting device described above and an object. The foldable supporting device is configured to support the object.

In an exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary support is a weaving strap.

In another exemplary embodiment, the object includes a mattress, a tent disposed on the mattress, a stretch elongated element including a first portion and a second portion, and an inflatable frame configured to support the tent and to carry the stretch elongated element. The stretch elongated element is disposed inside or outside the inflatable frame. When the inflatable frame is inflated to erect the tent, the stretch elongated element is stretched. When the inflatable frame is deflated, the first portion is kept in position by the mattress and the second portion is moved toward the first portion by a restoring force of the stretch elongated element thereby controlling the tent to collapse inwards.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the object further includes a first core and a second core. The first core and the second core are disposed in the inflatable frame and connected by the stretch elongated element. The mattress includes a receiving portion configured to receive the first core.

In another exemplary embodiment, the object further includes a sleeve fixed to the tent. The inflatable frame is penetrated through the sleeve.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the stretch elongated element is disposed outside the inflatable frame. The first end portion and the second end portion are fixed to the inflatable frame.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inflatable frame includes an end connected to the mattress. The end is oval in cross section.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the foldable supporting device further includes a joint, a connecting rod, a torsion spring and a leg. The connecting rod is connected to the foldable supporting device through the joint so as to be rotatable between two positions. The torsion spring is disposed at the joint. The leg is rotatably connected to the connecting rod so as to be rotatable between two other positions. The object is an inflatable carrier. When the inflatable carrier is inflated, the foldable supporting device is extended with the torsion spring twisted, with the connecting rod flipped to support the inflatable carrier and with the leg spread to support the leg, whereby the inflatable carrier is supported by the foldable supporting device and the connecting rod. When the inflatable carrier is deflated, the connecting rod and the leg are restored to an original position by a restoring force of the torsion spring.

In another exemplary embodiment, the object includes an inflatable mattress, a tent disposed on the inflatable mattress, a stretch elongated element, and an inflatable frame configured to support the tent and to carry the stretch elongated element. The stretch elongated element is fixed at two locations which are staggered in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction. When the inflatable frame is inflated to erect the tent, the stretch elongated element is stretched. When the inflatable frame is deflated, the stretch elongated element is shrunk to generate a pulling force that laterally pulls the tent to collapse towards a central part of the inflatable mattress.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a coupling element. The object is fixed to the foldable supporting device through the coupling element. The coupling element includes a first enlarged portion, a second enlarged portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first enlarged portion and the second enlarged portion. The first enlarged portion is fixed to the object. The second portion is detachably connected to the foldable supporting device.

In another exemplary embodiment, the foldable supporting device includes an L-shaped groove allowing the connecting portion to slide therein, thereby connecting the object to the foldable supporting device through the coupling element.

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

Referring to, a foldable supporting deviceof a first embodiment of the invention is provided to support an inflatable mattress. In, the foldable supporting deviceis in a folded state, with the inflatable mattresssagging therein. When inflated, the inflatable mattressis expanded. The foldable supporting devicecan be automatically extended by means of expansion of the inflatable mattressas shown in.

depicts the foldable supporting devicein a folded state anddepicts the foldable supporting devicein an extended state. As shown, the foldable supporting deviceincludes plural supporting unitsthat are combined together. However, the invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that the foldable supporting device of the invention may include only one supporting unit.

For easy understanding, one of the supporting unitsis taken for introducing the foldable supporting deviceof the first embodiment. As shown in, a supporting unitincludes two supporting framesand, a foldable structuredisposed at the bottom of the supporting framesand, two retractable structuresdisposed at opposite sides of the supporting framesand, and four side structureslaterally connected to the supporting framesand.

Referring to, the supporting frameincludes an upper part, a lower partdisposed opposite to the upper part, and two first side partsconnected to the upper partthrough two upper connectorsand connected to the lower partthrough two lower connectors. In the first embodiment, the upper partis a rectangular rod, and the lower partand the side partsare round rods. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The upper part, the lower partand the side partsmay have different shapes. A movable elementis movably disposed around the lower part.

Similarly, the supporting frameincludes an upper part, a lower partdisposed opposite to the upper part, and two side partsconnected to the upper partthrough two upper connectorsand connected to the lower partthrough two lower connectors. In the first embodiment, the upper partis a rectangular rod, and the lower partand the side partsare round rods. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The upper part, the lower partand the side partsmay have different shapes. A movable elementis movably disposed around the lower part.

The foldable structuredisposed at the bottom of the supporting frames,includes two crossing elements,that cross and are pivoted to each other. In the first embodiment, the crossing elements,are flat rods. The crossing elements,have four ends rotatably connected to the movable element, the lower connector, the movable elementand the lower connector, respectively. In operation, the crossing elements,are spread or folded with the movable elements,moved along the lower parts,.

Each retractable structureincludes plural crossing elementsrotatably connected to each other. The crossing elementsare arranged into three pairs. In each pair, the crossing elementscross and are pivoted to each other. Further, the crossing elementshave ends rotatably connected to the upper connectors,and the lower connectors,. It is worth noting that two of the ends are movable with respect to the upper connector,. As shown in. The upper connector() is provided with a guide railwhich is extended parallel to the side part(). A slideris connected to the endof the crossing element. In the first embodiment, the slideris a pin protruding from the endof the crossing element. In operation, the slideris able to slide along the guide rail. The guide railis closed at the bottom (not shown) to prevent an escape of the slidertherefrom.

When inflated, the inflatable mattressis expanded. The foldable supporting deviceis automatically extended by means of expansion of the inflatable mattress. The foldable structureis spread with the movable elements,moved along the lower parts,. Also, the retractable structureis extended, with the slidermoved along the guide railfrom a top position () to a bottom position (). The supporting frames,are moved away from each other, and the foldable supporting deviceis extended as shown in.

Referring to, the side structureincludes a connector, a joint, a connecting rodconnecting to the connectorand the joint, a legconnecting to the joint, a footdisposed under the leg, and a connecting rodrotatably connecting to the footand the lower connector(). Referring to, the connectorand the upper connector() are assembled to be a jointin which a torsion springis provided.

In a folded state, the side structureis flipped over to the top of the supporting unitas shown in. Referring to, the jointhas a channeland a rollerdisposed in the channel. When the foldable supporting deviceis extended by means of expansion of the inflatable mattress, the side structureis rotated with respect to the joint(as indicated by arrow A) by the restoring force of the torsion spring, and the legis spread as shown in. Since the side structureis rotated, the jointis inverted with the rollermoved in the channelby virtue of gravity. After the rotation of the side structureis finished, the legof the side structureis spread and the rollerfalls to the bottom of the channeland is stuck thereto for keeping the legin position. Further, after the rotation of the side structureis finished, the legis fully spread as shown in, wherein the connecting rodrestricts the legfrom being spread more. By such arrangement, the legcan be kept in position stably. When the side structureis flipped to spread the connecting rodand the leg, the connecting rodis rotated at about 180° and the legis rotated at about 270°.

Thanks to the retractable structureand the slidermovable along the guide rail, the foldable supporting device, after folded, does not become higher (the height of the foldable supporting deviceremains unchanged and the height of the retractable structurechange little). Besides, the storage space of the foldable supporting device is significantly reduced. The inflatable mattressafter deflated is folded and disposed between the side structureand the retractable structure, and the retractable structureafter retracted is disposed lower than the connecting rodand the legof the side structurethat are disposed horizontally. It can be therefore understood that the foldable supporting deviceafter folded does not become higher.

depict a foldable supporting device of a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the elements of the second embodiment same as those of the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals and the descriptions thereof are omitted. Similarly, only one supporting unit′ is taken for introducing the foldable supporting device of the second embodiment.

is an enlarged partial view of, andis an exploded view of. As shown, a mount′ is fixed to the top surface of the upper connector′ (′). The mount′ has an L-shaped groove′. A coupling elementhas two enlarged portions,and a connecting portionconnecting the enlarged portions,. An inflatable mattress′ is fixed to the foldable supporting device through the coupling elementsas shown in. The inflatable mattress′ has a bottom sheetand a supplemental sheetthat are fused to contain the enlarged portionof the coupling element. During assembly, the enlarged portionis coupled to the upper connector′ (′) with the connecting portionmoved along the L-shaped groove′. Thus, the inflatable mattress′ can be fixed to the foldable supporting device through the coupling elementas shown in.

The upper connector′ (′) is provided with a guide rail′ which is extended parallel to the side part′ (′) of the supporting frame′ (′). A slider′ is configured to slide along the guide rail′.is an enlarged partial view ofandis an exploded view of. As shown, the slider′ is an L-shaped rod which has a lengthwise main body′ and a laterally extended portion′ extending from the main body′. The laterally extended portion′ has a through hole′. The side part′ (′) of the supporting frame′ (′) is penetrated through the through hole′. Therefore, the slider′ is able to slide along the side part′ (′). The main body′ is penetrated through the guide rail′, and the laterally extended portion′ is disposed outside the guide rail′. Therefore, the slider′ is also able to slide along the guide rail′.

Referring to, in the second embodiment, each retractable structure′ includes two pairs of crossing elements′. In each pair of the crossing elements′, the crossing elements′ cross and are pivoted to each other. Further referring to, one of the crossing elements′ has an end rotatably connected to the main body′ of the slider′. Therefore, the slider′ is able to slide along the guide rail′ with the crossing element′ rotated with respect to the slider′ when the retractable structure′ is retracted.

As described above, the slider′ is able to slide along the guide rail′. When the foldable supporting device is folded, the retractable structure′ is retracted and the slider′ is moved to a top position () with the laterally extended portion′ contacting the guide rail′. When the foldable supporting device is extended, the slider′ is moved to a bottom position () with the laterally extended portion′ contacting the lower connector′ (′).

Thanks to the retractable structure′ and the slider′ movable along the guide rail′, the foldable supporting device, after folded, does not become higher (the height of the foldable supporting device remains unchanged and the height of the retractable structure′ change little). Besides, the storage space of the foldable supporting device is significantly reduced.

The retractable structureof the first embodiment has three pairs of crossing elements, while the retractable structure′ of the second embodiment has two pairs of crossing elements′. Structurally, the foldable supporting device of the second embodiment can provide stable support more than the foldable supporting device of the first embodiment. When retracted, however, the retractable structure′ of the second embodiment requires its ends to vertically travel longer than the retractable structureof the first embodiment. The guide railof the first embodiment cannot provide a sufficient travelling distance required by the retractable structure′ of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, therefore, the slider′ is an L-shaped rod rather than a pin. The slider′ has a lengthwise main body′ which is configured to slide along the guide rail′. By such arrangement, the requirement of the travelling distance of the retractable structure′ of the second embodiment can be satisfied.

Referring to, a foldable supporting deviceof a third embodiment of the invention is provided to support a mattressand a tent. The mattresshas plural receiving portionsprovided on the circumference thereof. The tentis disposed on the mattress. The tenthas plural net sleevesfixed thereto. Plural inflatable framesare provided to support the tent. The inflatable framesare penetrated through the net sleevesand have ends fitted into the receiving portionsof the mattress.

is a partial view of, with a part of an inflatable frameremoved to expose what is in the inflatable frame. As shown, the inflatable framehas cores,disposed therein. The cores,are connected by at least one stretch elongated element. Specifically, the stretch elongated elementhas a first end portionconnected to the coreand a second end portionconnected to the core. The coreenveloped by the inflatable frameis extended over the tent. The coreenveloped by the inflatable frameis fitted into the receiving portionof the mattress. In the invention, the stretch elongated elementmay be a line, a thread, a cord, a string, a rope, a twine, a strip, a strap, a ribbon, a band or the like. The cores,may be stiff, tough or even resilient, capable of providing sufficient strengths for the inflatable framesto support the tentand capable of assisting the stretch elongated elementto fall toward the central part of the mattress.

depicts the tentin a collapse state. When inflated, the inflatable framesare erected to support the tentas shown in. The stretch elongated elementsare stretched. When the inflatable framesare deflated, the first end portionof the stretch elongated elementis kept in position by the mattressthrough the coreenveloped by the inflatable frameand the second end portionis moved toward the first end portionby a restoring force of the stretch elongated elementand the coreis pulled by the second end portionto fall toward the central part of the mattress, thereby controlling the tentto collapse toward the central part of the mattress(the tentcollapses inwards). The result is as shown in. The tentcan be folded with reduced time and labor.

Referring to, a foldable supporting deviceof a fourth embodiment of the invention is provided to support a mattressand a tent. The tentis disposed on the mattress. Plural inflatable framesare fixed to the mattressat least at the ends thereof.

Theis a partial view of. As shown, the inflatable frameshave plural fasteners,disposed thereon. A stretch elongated elementhas a first end portionfixed to the fastenerand a second end portionfixed to the fastener. It is worth noting that the first end portionand the second portionare staggered in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction.