WO2016058614A1

WO2016058614A1 - A device for positioning an element relatively to a surface and method for operating such device

Info

Publication number: WO2016058614A1
Application number: PCT/DK2015/050315
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claus Hornstrup Dissing
Original assignee: Dissing AS
Current assignee: Dissing AS
Priority date: 2014-10-13
Filing date: 2015-10-13
Publication date: 2016-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-13
Also published as: EP3206985A1; EP3206985B1; EP3206985A4; DK3206985T3

Abstract

The device comprises a plurality of inflatable air cushion members of a flexible but non- stretchable air tight sheet material in hose-connection with an inflation tool. Each inflatable air cushion member is formed as a bag unit comprising opposite layers of said sheet material provided face to face and joined along an edge area to form a double layer edge. The air cushion members are separate from each other and connected through said hose-connection to a common air pump configured for inflation of the air cushion members, for example simultaneously.

Description

A device for positioning an element relatively to a surface and method for operating such device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device with inflatable air cushion members for posi- tioning an element relatively to a surface and method for operating such device. The air cushion members are made of a flexible but not readily stretchable air tight sheet material in hose-connection with an inflation tool. The inflatable air cushion member is a bag unit comprising opposite layers of said sheet material provided face to face and joined along an edge area to form a reinforced double layer edge. The bag unit is flat in deflated condition and attains a rounded form when inflated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In International patent application W095/13448, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, an auxil- iary tool and a use of the tool is disclosed for adjusting the position of frames 20, for example doors and windows, in buildings by placing inflatable cushion members 2 on either side of the frame within a corresponding opening 18 in a wall, potentially supported by wedges 19. For example, once positioned, the window frame 18 is fastened in the wall opening 18 be screws through pre-drilled holes in the frame. The cushion member 2 is a flat bag with two layers of a tough and flexible but not readily stretchable material placed face to face and joined along edges made. It is in hose connection with a manually operable inflation balloon and a bleeding valve for inflating and deflating the bag for change its shape between flat and round shapes. If the system in W095/13448 is used under a broad frame two or more of the cushion members are used. Although, the system yields high flexibility for adjustments, precise adjustment of all the separate cushion members is difficult, especially, if the frame is heavy or bendable and needs more than two cushion members on a side.

International patent application W099/15741 discloses alternative cushion members that comprise stiffening elements in the cushion members in order to facilitate positioning of the cushion members in locations that are not readily accessible or not easy visible. The stiffened cushion members are optionally provided as arrays of cushioning members in order to increase the length thereof such that positioning is made easier. In either of the two above systems, the precise adjustment of a large frame requires manual operation of multiple pumps at different locations with shifts between inflation and deflation in dependence of the desired movement of the frame, which is a difficult task and typically requires more than one person. It would be desirable to provide a system that is more user-friendly.

DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide a general improvement in the art. Especially, it is an objective to provide a device with inflatable air cushion mem- bers for positioning an element relatively to a surface, for example vertical or horizontal surface, and method for operating such device, where the device is easier to operate than the prior art. These and further objectives are achieved with a method and device for positioning an element relatively to a surface as described in the following. The device comprises a plurality of inflatable air cushion members of a flexible but non-stretchable air tight sheet material in hose-connection with an inflation tool, the inflation tool comprising an air pump, for example a hand operated balloon, a bellows, for example foot-operated, or an electrical compressor pump. Each inflatable air cushion member is formed as a bag unit comprising opposite layers of said sheet material provided face to face and joined along an edge area to form a double layer edge. The bag unit is flat in deflated condition and attains increasing thickness in dependence of the air pressure in it. The air cushion members of the plurality of inflatable air cushion members are separate from each other such that the edge area of a first cushion member of the plurality of inflatable air cushion members is entirely disjoint from the edge area of a second cushion member of said a plurality of inflatable air cushion members. This is in contrast to the prior art as disclosed in W099/15741. The first and second cushion members are connected through the hose-connection to a common air pump as part of the inflation tool. With the common air pump, the first and second cushion members are inflated. The inflation tool may additionally also comprise a valve arrangement for deflating the air cushion members. Alternatively, valves for deflation are provided remote the inflation tool, for example near the air cushion members or on the hose that connects the air cushion members with the inflation tool. An example is a valve arrangement near the inflation tool.

Optionally, the device is configured for inflation of said first and second cushion member simultaneously by the common air pump. Alternatively or additionally, the device is configured for inflation of said first and second cushion member sequentially by the common air pump. Optionally, the inflation tool is provided with a regulator to regulate whether the air cushion members are inflated all simultaneously, inflated individually or in groups according to a sequence. An example is a sequence comprising inflating said first cushion member by the common pump while the second cushion member is deflated; subsequently inflating said second cushion member by the common air pump. This way, one side of an element is lifted first, after which the second side is lifted. Optionally, the first cushion member is deflated prior to inflating the second cushion member.

In a further embodiment, the device is configured for a sequence of inflation and deflation of the first cushion member followed by inflation and deflation of said second cushion member. For example, this is achieved by providing a corresponding regulator in the inflation tool or external to the inflation tool. The regulator is configured for manual adjustment by a keypad or by knobs. Alternatively, the regulator is connected to an electronic controller comprises programs or is programmable for special sequences of inflation and deflation of air cushion members or group of air cushion members one after the other. In some embodiments, the controller is also connected to an electrical common air pump, such as a compressor, in order to start and stop the common air pump when not used for inflation during the sequential inflation and deflation and before and after such sequence.

Thus, the system is a manual system in its simple version with a hand operated squeeze balloon or foot operated bellows and with manually operated valves for infla- tion and deflation. In more advanced forms, the device comprises an electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic driven common air pump, which is controlled by a programmable electronic controller, functionally connected to the common air pump and to a regulator for regulation of inflation and deflation of the hose-connected air cushion mem- bers or groups of air cushion members. However, it is also possible to use manually operated valves and an electrical driven compressor. Thus, various mixes of parts the described embodiments is also possible. The device has a large versatility and flexibility in adjustment to the actual use.

In a further embodiment, the inflation tool is configured for selective shift between a first inflation mode and a second inflation mode by the common air pump; wherein the first mode is inflation of the first and second cushion member simultaneously and the second mode is inflation of the first and second cushion member sequentially one after the other.

Instead of the first and second air cushion members, a first group and a second group of air cushion member is inflated and deflated similarly as described above, where the first and the second group are subgroups of the plurality of inflatable air cushion members. For example, the inflation tool is configured for inflating the two subgroups one after the other.

In some embodiments, the device comprises a regulator, optionally as part of the inflation tool, the regulator having an air inlet, which is connected to the common pump, and a first and a second air outlet, the first air outlet being connected to the first air cushion member or to a first group of air cushion members and the second outlet being connected to the second air cushion member or to a second group of air cushion members. The regulator is adjustable to selectively inflate one or the other of the first and second air cushion member or group of air cushion members at a time. For the device, various accessories can be provided as an assembly kit comprising a plurality of air cushion members, at least two hoses, and at least one T-piece connector or cross connector fitting the hoses. Such assembly kit is easy to purchase and eases assembly, as it contains the necessary components for the device. Optionally, the kit is also provided with a common air pump. Thus, a client may purchase a basic assembly kit with a common air pump and then supplement the basic kit with further kits without the pump in order to extend the range of use of the device.

In the method for operating the device, the first and second cushion member are connected through said hose-connection to a common air pump as part of the inflation tool and are correspondingly inflated simultaneously or sequentially. For example, the first cushion member is inflated while the second cushion member is deflated; then the first cushion member is deflated and, subsequently, the second cushion member is inflated while the first cushion member stays deflated. Finally, the second cushion member is deflated to a state where the first and the second cushion members both are deflated. This sequence is illustrative but only one example among many others, especially if there are more than two air cushion members. With a corresponding regulator, even complicated inflation and deflation sequences can be performed, especially if controlled by a programmable electronic controller that is functionally connected to the regulator for regulating various valves in the regulator for inflation and deflation.

The device according to the invention is suitable for lifting and adjusting a variety of elements, for example machines, frames, doors, windows, walls, and furniture, for example tables. The air cushion members are placed between the element and the support and can be used for a vertical lift or for non-vertical horizontal adjustment or both. For example, on air cushion member is placed under each corner of the element or under each leg of a table.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where FIG. 1 illustrates a device with a plurality of air cushion members and a common pump, where a) illustrates a system with two air cushion member connected by a T-piece and with a valve system, b) illustrates the two air cushion mem- bers without separate valve for simultaneous inflation, c) illustrates a system with three air cushion members; d) illustrates a system with four air cushion members; FIG. 2 illustrates a device with a) two air cushion members, b) three air cushion members and c) four air cushion members that can be filled separately or in groups by a regulator;

FIG. 3 illustrates an air cushion member;

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative air cushion member with a) one, b) two, and c) three joints or d) a cross joint for providing partial volumes;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a T-piece connector, cross connector, Y-piece connector and a hose for the hose-connection;

FIG. 6 illustrates various common air pumps;

FIG. 7 is a prior art image of W095/13448, explained in detail in the introduction, where separate air cushion members are inflated by an air pump on each air cushion member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION / PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. la illustrates a device 1 with a first air cushion member 2a and a second air cushion member 2b interconnected by a hose-connection 5 including a first hose 5a and a second hose 5b and a T-piece 3, the T-piece connection 3 further connecting the first hose 5a and the second hose 5b with a third hose 5c that is connected to an air pump 6, which is a common air pump 6 as it is used to inflate both the first air cushion member 2a and the second air cushion member 2b.

In the figuration shown in FIG. la, this common air pump 6 can be used to inflate the first air cushion member 2a and a second air cushion member 2b simultaneously. However, this need not to be the case, as the T-piece 3 or the first hose 5a and the second hose 5b can optionally be supplemented by a valve arrangement with a first valve 7a and a second valve 7b to regulate the inflation such that only the first air cushion member 2a is inflated by the common air pump 6 or only the second air cushion member 2b is inflated by the common air pump 6, or the common air pump 6 is used for sequential inflation such that the first air cushion member 2a is inflated first and subsequently the second air cushion member 2b. Such valve arrangement 7a, 7b is optionally operated manually or automatically via a controller 8, typically electronic controller, although an automatic mechanical controller, such as hydraulic or pneumatic, is also possible, in principle. Examples of a common air pump 6 is a hand operated bellows or balloon, such as disclosed in W095/13448, or an electrical air pump, or a hydraulic or pneumatic driven air pump. Optionally, in order to control the deflation, deflation valves 9a, 9b are provided, either manually operated or also controlled by the controller 8.

The common air pump 6 is part of an inflation tool 4. Optionally, the inflation tool 4 is also connected to the controller 8. In some embodiments, the controller 8 controls the start and stop of the common air pump 6 as part of the inflation tool 4, and also the first valve 7a and the second valve 7b, and optionally also the first deflation valve 9a and the second deflation valve 9b. In this case, the common air pump is an electrical air pump, or a hydraulic or pneumatic driven air pump. The drawings are only principle sketches and not to scale. Although, the valves 7a, 7b, 9a, 9b are shown as close to the air cushion members 2a, 2b, the distances can be selected such that the valves are closer to the inflation tool 4 than to the air cushion members 2a, 2b. This is a design option that is adjustable to the most suitable configuration.

In the latter case, a fully automated sequence can optionally be performed with inflation of the first air cushion member 2a as a first sequential step and deflation of the first air cushion member 2a as a second sequential step; then, as a third sequential step, inflation of the second air cushion member 2b while the first air cushion member 2a is deflated, and deflation of the second air cushion as a fourth sequential step. For example, such sequence can be used for lifting one side of an element first and then another side of an element.

Alternatively, as an example, the first air cushion member 2a is inflated first, then the second air cushion member 2b, after which only the first air cushion member 2a or the second air cushion member 2b is deflated, followed by a final deflation of the remaining inflated air cushion member. Various sequences are possible with such automated arrangement. In other embodiments, this sequence is performed without the controller 8 by instead operating the valves 7a, 7b, 9a, 9b manually. Alternatively, the valves 7a and 7b and the inflation tool 4 are connected to the controller 8, but the deflation valves 9a, 9b are operated manually.

It is pointed out the that the controller 8 is fully optional, as in certain embodiments, the start and stop of the common air pump 6, the operation of the first valve 7a and the second valve 7b and the first deflation valve 9a and the second deflation valve 9b are all operated manually.

In the configuration in FIG. la, also flow regulators and/or pressure regulators can be provided on one or both sides of the T-piece connector in order to differentiate the pressure and/or flow, for example maximum pressure and/or flow, for the air cushion member or members.

FIG. lb shows the arrangement of FIG. la without the valves. In this case, the first air cushion member 2a and the second air cushion member 2b are always inflated simultaneously. FIG. lc illustrated the arrangement where the T-piece 3 is substituted by a cross such that 3 air cushion members 2a, 2b, 2c can be filled simultaneously. FIG. Id shows a further configuration with 4 air cushion members 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are connected to a common air pump 6 with hoses via a T-piece 3 and with a cross connection 10. The configurations of FIG. lc and Id can be modified with a valve systems that controls the inflation and deflation analogously to the configuration in FIG. la.

FIG. 2a and 2b illustrate alternative embodiments, where the inflation tool 4 is provided with a regulator unit 11 that is hose-connected to the common air pump 6. The regulator unit 11 comprises a valve arrangement for inflation and deflation of each single air cushion 2a, 2b , 2c in isolation, sequentially, or in common, dependent on the selection by the user, for example manually by a corresponding keypad and/or knobs 23 as illustrated in FIG. 2b but equally applicable in FIG. 2a. Alternatively or in addition, the inflation and deflation of the two or three air cushion members 2a, 2b, 2c simulta- neously or sequentially is regulated by a controller 8 that controls the regulator unit 11 and the air pump 6.

In FIG. 2a there is indicated a first regulator 25a and a second regulator on the two hoses for regulation of air flow or maximum air pressure or both for each of the first and second air cushion members 2a, 2b, respectively. In case that the regulators 25a, 25b are configured for regulating the maximum pressure, the regulator is used to adjust the pressure individually for the first and second air cushion members 2a, 2b. For example, it may be of interest that the first air cushion member 2a is inflated to a higher pressure than the second air cushion member. In case that the regulators 25a, 25b are configured for regulating the maximum flow, the regulator is used to adjust the flow individually for the first and second air cushion members 2a, 2b. In this case, the inflation speed can be regulated individually. It is also possible to use only a single regulator 25a in order only to regulate the first air cushion member 2a relatively to the second air cushion member 2b. In some embodiment, the regulators 25a and 25b are configured to regulate both pressure and flow. Alternatively, the first regulators 25a is of the type for regulation of pressure, and the regulator 25b is of the type to regulate flow. The indication of a regulator 25a or 25b is schematic only, and is to be understood that a number of regulators can be provided in connection with the same air hose 5a or the same air cushion member or group of air cushion members.

The regulators 25a, 25b are also applicable to the other systems as indicated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In FIG. 2c, there are shown three regulators 25a, 25b, 25c. The first regulator 25a is regulating the pressure for the first group of air cushion members 2a and 2c, and the second regulator is regulating the pressure of the second group of air cushion members 2b, 2d. The third regulator is regulating the flow into the first group of air cushion members 2a, 2c. This illustrates different regulators for different groups of air cushion members.

Likewise, a three branch system as in FIG. 2b is optionally be provided with various numbers of regulators. The considerations and examples with respect to regulators apply equally well for the other embodiments and examples shown and discussed. The principles of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b are optionally provided with four, five, six or more air cushion members.

The controller 8 is optionally programmed with several sequential programs for inflat- ing and deflating the various air cushion members 2a, 2b, 2c in dependence on the sequential programs. Sequences with sequential inflating and deflating as described above in connection with FIG. la can performed by the arrangement in FIG. 2 if reduced to two air cushion members. Likewise inflation and deflation sequences can be performed for more than two air cushion members connected to the regulator unit 11.

Alternatively to the two or three air cushion members 2a, 2b, 2c, as illustrated in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, some or all of the air cushion members 2a, 2b, 2c are alternatively substituted by air cushion member groups. This principle for two groups with each two air cushion members is illustrated in principle in FIG. 2c. Instead of a first air cushion 2a and a second air cushion 2b as in FIG. 2a, a first group of air cushion members 2a, 2c and a second group of air cushion members 2b, 2d are provided. In analogy with FIG. 2b, three groups of air cushion members are optionally provided or even more than three groups, for example four, five, six, or more groups. Optionally, each of the groups of air cushion members comprises more than two air cushion members. As a further option, one group can have a different number of air cushion members than another group.

Fig. 3 illustrates an air cushion member 2 useful for the device 1 as described herein. The air cushion member 2 comprises a folded rectangular piece of a sheet material and has a form as a rectangle. The sheet material is joined along an edge region 13 such that the fold 12 constitutes one edge 13a of the rectangle and the edge region 13 constitutes three other edges 13b, 13c, 13d of the rectangle. The sheet material is easily flexible, but non-stretchable. For example, the sheet material is a plastic sheet, rein- forced with fibers, optionally glass, polymer, or carbon fibers. At the fold 12, for example provided prior to the folding, there is provided a foot piece of an outwardly projecting, flexible first hose 5a for connection with the common air pump 6. Optionally, as also illustrated in FIG. la, a deflation valve 9a is provided on the first hose 5a in the form of a bleeding valve with an actuator button 14. The bleeding valve 9a is for sake of illustration in the figure drawn as being close to the cushion member 2. However, it is optionally provided at a larger distance to the air cushion member 2, for example close to the inflation tool 4. FIG. 4a illustrates an air cushion member 22 similar to the one in FIG. 3 but with a central joint 15, which joins the two opposite layers of sheet material of the air cushion member 22. Such joint 15 is typically made by welding, although gluing is another option. The joint 15 extends from the center of one edge 13b towards the center of the opposite edge 13a but does not extend entirely to the opposite edge 13a, because there must be an air flow connection 16 such that air from the first hose 5a can fill the two partial volumes 17a, 17b in either side of the joint 15.

FIG. 4b illustrates an air cushion member 22' with three partial volumes 17a, 17b, 17c partially separated by two joints, and FIG. 4c illustrates an air cushion member 22' with four partial volumes 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d partially separated by three joints. FIG. 4d illustrates an air cushion member 22' with four partial volumes 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, partially separated by a cross joint.

Such joints limit the deformation such that the air cushion member with joint has a smaller maximum thickness as compared to one of an equal size but without joint. Also, the joints result in a more flat shape when fully inflated.

FIG. 5 illustrates possible embodiments for the T-piece connector 3, the cross connector 10, a Y-piece connector 3' as alternative to the T-piece connector 3, and a piece of tube 5a. These components are used for assembling systems according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and are optionally provided in an assembly set that also comprises a plurality of air cushion members 2, 22, 22', 22".

FIG. 6 illustrates various common air pumps, namely a hand operated balloon 6', a bellows 6", for example foot-operated, or an electrical compressor pump 6" '. As an example, three hoses of a hose-connection 5 are connected by quick couplings 24 to a manifold 23 for inflation of three air cushion members or three groups of air cushion Optionally, the manifold 23 is provided with regulation options, in which case the manifold also comprises regulator unit 11 of the type as indicated in FIG. 2. The device according to the invention is suitable for lifting and adjusting a variety of elements, for example frames, doors, windows, walls, furniture, and machines.

In FIG. 7, a prior art drawing is shown with air cushion members 2, each being con- nected to its air pumping balloon. A device as described above is suitable for such use, where the two left air cushion members and the two right air cushion members form two groups that are inflated by respective hoses, for example as illustrated in FIG. 2c, where the left group and the right group of air cushion members are inflated differently and adjustable. The two wedges 7 in FIG. 7 can thus be substituted by a system in FIG. la, FIG. lb, or FIG. 2a, depending on whether the window has to be lifted and lowered identically or differentially. As a further alternative, the system in FIG. 2b is provided with six air cushion members that can be inflated, deflated, and regulated individually; such system is suitable for substituting the four air cushion members 2 in FIG.7 as well as the two wedges 7.

NUMBER LIST

1 device

2 air cushion member

2a first air cushion member

2b second air cushion member

3 T-piece

3' Y-piece

4 inflation tool

5 hose-connection

5a first hose

5b second hose

5c third hose

5' further hose to pump

6 common air pump

6' hand operated balloon

6" bellows

6"' compressor

7a, 7b valve arrangement

8 controller 9a, 9b deflation valve

10 cross connection

11 regulator unit

12 fold

13 edge region

13a edge with fold 12

13b, 13c, 13d edges of air cushion member 2

14 actuator button

15 central joint of air cushion member 22 16 air flow channel in air cushion member 22 17a, b, c partial volumes

18 wall opening

19 wedge

20 window frame

21 holes in window frame 20

22 air cushion member with a single joint 22' air cushion member with a two joints 22" air cushion member with a three joints

23 manifold

24 quick coupling

25a, 25b regulator for pressure or flow or both

Claims

1. A device for positioning an element relatively to a surface, the device comprising a plurality of inflatable air cushion members of a flexible but non- stretchable air tight sheet material in hose-connection with an inflation tool; wherein each inflatable air cushion member is formed as a bag unit comprising opposite layers of said sheet material provided face to face and joined along an edge area to form a double layer edge; wherein the bag unit is flat in deflated condition; wherein the air cushion members of the plurality of inflatable air cushion members are separate from each other such that the edge area of a first cushion member of the plurality of inflatable air cushion members is entirely disjoint from the edge area of a second cushion member of said a plurality of inflatable air cushion members; wherein said first and second cushion member are connected through said hose-connection to a common air pump as part of the inflation tool, said common air pump being configured for inflation of said first and second cushion member.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device is configured for inflation of said first and second cushion member simultaneously by the common air pump.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said inflation tool is configured for inflation of said first and second cushion member sequentially by the common air pump.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein device is configured for a sequence of in- flation by the common air pump, the sequence comprising inflating said first cushion member by the common pump while the second cushion member is deflated; subsequently inflating said second cushion member by the common air pump.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said device is configured for deflating said first cushion member prior to inflating said second cushion member.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured for a sequence of inflation and deflation of the first cushion member followed by inflation and deflation of said second cushion member.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said inflation tool is configured for selective shift between a first inflation mode and a second inflation mode by the common air pump; wherein the first mode is inflation of said first and second cushion member simultaneously and the second mode is inflation of said first and second cushion member sequentially one after the other.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a first group of multiple air cushion members and a second group of multiple air cushion members, wherein the first and the second group are subgroups of said plurality of inflatable air cushion members; wherein the inflation tool is configured for inflating the two sub- groups one after the other.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a regulator having an air inlet, which is connected to the common pump, and a first and a second air outlet, the first air outlet being connected to the first air cushion member or to a first group of air cushion members and the second outlet being connected to the second air cushion member or to a second group of air cushion members; wherein the regulator is adjustable to selectively inflate one or the other of the first and second air cushion member or group of air cushion members at a time.

10. An assembly kit for a device according to claim 1, the kit comprising a plurality of air cushion members, at least two hoses, and at least one T-piece connector or cross connector fitting the hoses.

11. A method for operating a device for positioning an element relatively to a surface, the device comprising a plurality of inflatable air cushion members of a flexible but non-stretchable air tight sheet material in hose-connection with an inflation tool; wherein each inflatable air cushion member is formed as a bag unit comprising opposite layers of said sheet material provided face to face and joined along an edge area to form a double layer edge; wherein the bag unit is flat in deflated condition; wherein the method comprises providing the air cushion members of the plurality of inflatable air cushion members separated from each other such that the edge area of a first cushion member of the plurality of inflatable air cushion members is entirely disjoint from the edge area of a second cushion member of said a plurality of inflatable air cushion members; connecting said first and second cushion member through said hose-connection to a common air pump as part of the inflation tool and inflating said first and second cushion member.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the method comprises inflating the first cushion member while the second cushion member is deflated, and then deflating the first cushion member; subsequently inflating the second cushion member while the first cushion member is deflated and then deflating the second cushion member to a state where the first and the second cushion members both are deflated.

2/6

FIG.2a FIG.2b

4/6

FIG. 4d

FIG.6 6/6

prior art