Cascade Designs, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150342360 | RESILIENT CORES WITH CONVECTION BARRIERS PARTICULARLY FOR INFLATABLE BODIES AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - Resilient cores preferably for inflatable bodies having resilient slabs that define a plurality of generally columnar holes or resilient arrays of generally columnar solids, methods for making such slabs and arrays, and articles incorporating the same wherein the cores further includes thermal transmission mitigation means for improving a core's resistance to heat transfer beyond the core's innate insulative properties. Non-exclusive and non-exhaustive examples of such thermal transmission mitigation means in slab core embodiments include consideration to hole or bore geometric cross section, frequency, pattern and orientation, the introduction of a thermal barrier at or within at least some holes or bores, and/or slab material selection/treatment. Non-exclusive and non-exhaustive examples of such thermal transmission mitigation means in array core embodiments include consideration to the geometric cross section, frequency (density), pattern and orientation of the solids, the introduction of thermal barriers within inter-solid spaces and/or solid material selection/treatment. | 12-03-2015 |
20130093219 | Articles, Systems and Methods for Transforming Inflatable Bodies into Seating Structures - The invention is directed to articles, systems and methods for transforming inflatable bodies such as sleeping mattresses/pads into structures capable of functioning as elevated, ground supported seating surfaces. Article embodiments preferably include first end and second ends, characterized as solid or foraminous flexible panels and/or strap-like webbing each preferably having a peripheral compression portion, each positioned proximate to respective first and second edge portions of a cylindrically involuted inflatable mattress by compressively restraining differential axial displacement between adjacent major edge portions and overall radial expansion thereof. At least one linking portion links the first end to the second end, and preferably is adjustable to accommodate cylindrical mattresses of disparate widths. The ends may further include padding and/or enhanced water repellancy. | 04-18-2013 |
20120266438 | LATCH, LATCHING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TEMPORARILY ASSOCIATING OBJECTS USING A MAGNETIC RETENTION FEATURE - Latches, latch arrangements and related methods for temporarily associating two objects, each having one part of a magnetic catch retention arrangement. Latches according to various embodiments of the invention have matable first and second housings wherein the first housing defines a primary recess and the second includes a primary protrusion that is receivable by the primary recess. A biased, displaceable catch of one housing selectively retains the other housing when the two housings are in a mated condition. The magnetic catch retention arrangement becomes functional after sufficient user displacement of the catch; upon sufficient differential movement of the housings, the magnetic catch retention arrangement no longer has sufficient effect to overcome the catch bias. Upon initial re-association of the housing parts, the catch is physically displaced but not sufficiently to permit operative interaction between it and the magnetic catch retention arrangement, thereby allowing the catch to reengage the opposing housing upon complete association. | 10-25-2012 |
20110311765 | RESILIENT CORES WITH CONVECTION BARRIERS PARTICULARLY FOR INFLATABLE BODIES AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - Resilient cores preferably for inflatable bodies having resilient slabs that define a plurality of generally columnar holes or resilient arrays of generally columnar solids, methods for making such slabs and arrays, and articles incorporating the same wherein the cores further includes thermal transmission mitigation means for improving a core's resistance to heat transfer beyond the core's innate insulative properties. Non-exclusive and non-exhaustive examples of such thermal transmission mitigation means in slab core embodiments include consideration to hole or bore geometric cross section, frequency, pattern and orientation, the introduction of a thermal barrier at or within at least some holes or bores, and/or slab material selection/treatment. Non-exclusive and non-exhaustive examples of such thermal transmission mitigation means in array core embodiments include consideration to the geometric cross section, frequency (density), pattern and orientation of the solids, the introduction of thermal barriers within inter-solid spaces and/or solid material selection/treatment. | 12-22-2011 |
20110013299 | Cellular Matrix with Integrated Radiant and/or Convection Barriers Particularly for Use with Inflatable Bodies - Cellular matrices generally having a plurality of generally identical cells (open-ended geometric prisms) arranged to form a repeating geometric form, and characterized by radiant and/or convection barriers at each cell to mitigate undesired thermal transmission in a plurality of directions there through. Barriers of various embodiments include non-film sheet material, such as non-woven (e.g., spun) or batting-type sheet material as well as a foam sheet material, which may be substituted for some or all of the film material otherwise comprising the matrix, and/or integration of a thermally reflective film or coating into the matrix and/or enveloping panels of an inflatable body to provide enhanced thermal radiation mitigation means. When used in conjunction with inflatable bodies, axes of the cells are oriented parallel to exteriorly exposed panels that define the chamber of the inflatable body in which the matrix is disposed, and in certain embodiments the panels defining the chamber also comprise portions of the matrix. | 01-20-2011 |
20100278455 | Flexible fluid container with removable slide fastener - Flexible, re-sealable containers and systems for retaining solids, liquids, gasses or combinations thereof. Containers and related system embodiments include, in combination or in the alternative, polyethylene and polyurethane laminated panels; linear interlocking closure elements having a pair of opposed sealing members; a removable slider that include structure for accommodating varying thickness sealable closures, for progressively engaging opposing interlock portions of the sealing members of the closure, for engaging portions of a container adjacent to the closure to resist unintended separation thereof and/or engaging portions of the sealing members to provide a means for resisting tensioned separation of the slider from the container, for incorporating permanent or removable handle(s) to facilitate transportation, mounting, attaching or adapting of the container, and/or for selectively modifying the sealing pressure applied to the sealable closures during closure operations; and/or novel high strength apertures/handles that are integral with a flexible container. | 11-04-2010 |
20100170834 | Portable fluid filtration device - Portable apparatus, systems and methods for the selective removal of contaminants from a fluid medium through the use of hollow fiber media (“HFM”). Apparatus embodiments include a housing defining an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a chamber fluidly coupled there between for receiving hollow fiber media, in either bulk or cartridge form, wherein the media is hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic. Passive, i.e., gravity fed or active, i.e., mechanically pressurized versions are disclosed. Apparatus may further include user reversible/replaceable check valves, a receptacle fitting adaptor to allow the use of a variety of receiving containers with a single filtration device, and configurations wherein at least 80% of a maximum flow rate through the filter can be achieved when an inlet fluid pressure is about 0.2 bar. A buoyant pre-filter with an optional hydrophilic filter element may also be used to establish a system. | 07-08-2010 |
20090235460 | Composite cushion with compression modulated valve and valve assembly there for - Valve assemblies optionally with inflatable bodies for modulating fluid expulsion from an inflatable body, without active user participation. Valve assemblies include, in separate components or in integrated form, a vent body defining an external orifice, an internal orifice in fluid communication with the external orifice, and an inflatable body interface. Extending from the internal orifice is a collapsible, hollow elongate member defining longitudinal and lateral axes. Sealing closure of the elongate member, which is preferably constructed from a resilient material, results from application of generally opposing mechanical forces across a lateral surface of the elongate member. Compression localizing members may be used proximate to the elongate member to increase closure performance. In addition, performance parameters can be varied by modifying the physical characteristics of the compression members (height, upper surface area, lower surface area, composition, density, use of localizing ridges, etc.) as well as locations of the compression members (proximity to other compression members, distribution relative to the cushion geometry, etc.). | 09-24-2009 |
20090095773 | Active freeze mitigation cover for personal hydration devices - A cover or enclosure for actively transferring heat energy to at least a distal portion of a fluid conduit and/or bite valve thereof that is part of a personal hydration system, systems incorporating such a cover and related methods. The cover or enclosure includes a first chamber and an adjacent second chamber where a common or adjacent wall, or portion thereof, separates the two. The first chamber is adapted to receive a heat generating element while the second chamber is adapted to removable receive at least the distal portion of the fluid conduit and/or bite valve thereof. The first chamber further includes at least one closure for selectively allowing ingress and egress of the heating means to and from the first chamber. Heating of the distal portion of the fluid conduit and/or bite valve thereof takes place when disposed in the second chamber and the heat generating element is active. | 04-16-2009 |
20080213715 | High efficiency radiant burner - A naturally aspirated, fully aerated radiant burner and optional heat exchanger arrangement where the radiant burner has a generally enclosed cavity defined, at least in part, by fuel gas impermeable surroundings and a lower surface of fuel gas permeable burner element, wherein cavity preferably has two opening exposed to an oxidizer source. Sealingly coupled to openings are mix tubes, each having respective first ends and second ends, wherein first ends occupy openings and second ends extend into and are exposed to cavity. Fuel gas injectors, which during use are in fluid communication with fuel gas, are positioned to introduce fuel gas into mix tubes and entrain only slightly more air than needed for stoichiometric combustion. Pre-combustion gasses migrate to upper surface where stable stoichiometric combustion occurs, resulting in low CO and NOx emissions, increased wind resistance and elevated combustion gas temperatures Connecting the heat exchanger directly to the burner further increases its wind resistance and prevents dilution of the combustion gases by wind or free convection. | 09-04-2008 |