Inflatable Carrier

Abstract

An inflatable carrier includes an inflatable main body, a foldable supporting device connected to the inflatable main body, and a plurality of elastic elements connected to the foldable supporting device and/or the inflatable main body. When the inflatable main body is inflated to expand, the foldable supporting device is forced to extend by the expanded inflatable main body and the elastic elements are deformed. When the inflatable main body is deflated, restoring forces of the elastic elements cause the foldable supporting device to be folded.

1 . An inflatable carrier comprising:
 an inflatable main body;   a foldable supporting device connected to the inflatable main body;   a plurality of elastic elements connected to the foldable supporting device and/or the inflatable main body;   wherein when the inflatable main body is inflated to expand, the foldable supporting device is forced to extend by the expanded inflatable main body and the elastic elements are deformed;   wherein when the inflatable main body is deflated, restoring forces of the elastic elements cause the foldable supporting device and the inflatable main body to be folded.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the restoring forces of the elastic elements cause the foldable supporting device and the inflatable main body to be folded when the inflatable main body is deflated. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the inflatable main body is folded into a zigzag form or wavy form when the inflatable main body is deflated. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the foldable supporting device comprises a plurality of connecting portions, and a plurality of supporting elements connected by the connecting portions in a way that the supporting elements are rotatable with respect to each other;   the elastic elements comprise torsion springs disposed at the connecting portions;   the inflatable main body is bent near the connecting portions when the foldable supporting device and the inflatable main body are folded.   
     
     
         5 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the connecting portions are flexible or bendable. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the supporting elements comprise a plurality of first rods, second rods and third rods connected to each other;   the inflatable main body, when inflated to expand, is extended in a longitudinal direction, the first rods are oriented lengthwise, and the second rods are placed transverse to the first rods;   when the inflatable main body is deflated, the third rods are flipped over to tops of the second rods by the restoring forces of the torsion springs.   
     
     
         7 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein:
 when the foldable supporting device is folded, the first rods are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form.   
     
     
         8 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein:
 when the inflatable main body is inflated to expand and the foldable supporting device is forced to extend by the expanded inflatable main body, the foldable supporting device is placed under the inflatable main body.   
     
     
         9 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the supporting elements comprise a plurality of first rods connected to each other by the connecting portions;   the first rods are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form.   
     
     
         10 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the supporting elements further comprise a plurality of second rods connected to the first rods by the connecting portions;   the second rods are placed transverse to the first rods.   
     
     
         11 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first rods are placed at both sides of the inflatable main body; and   the second rods are placed under the inflatable main body.   
     
     
         12 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein:
 the connecting portions comprise a plurality of first connecting portions configured to connect the first rods, and a plurality of second connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the second rods;   the elastic elements further comprise at least one stretchy rope connected to the first connecting portions.   
     
     
         13 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein:
 the second rods are placed under the inflatable main body;   the foldable supporting device further comprises a plurality of third rods connected to the first rods by the connecting portions;   the third rods are placed transverse to the first rods and under the inflatable main body.   
     
     
         14 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the connecting portions comprise a plurality of first connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the third rods, and a plurality of second connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the second rods;   the elastic elements further comprise at least one stretchy rope connected to the second connecting portions.   
     
     
         15 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the connecting portions comprise a plurality of first connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the third rods, and a plurality of second connecting portions configured to connect the first rods and the second rods;   the elastic elements further comprise at least one stretchy rope connected to the first connecting portions.   
     
     
         16 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the foldable supporting device comprises a plurality of connecting portions, and a plurality of first rods connected by the connecting portions in a way that the first rods are rotatable with respect to each other;   the first rods are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form;   the elastic elements comprise at least one stretchy rope connected to the connecting portions.   
     
     
         17 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the foldable supporting device comprises a plurality of connecting portions, a plurality of first rods, and a plurality of second rods connected to the first rods by the connecting portions;   the first rods are arranged into a zigzag form or wavy form;   the second rods are placed transverse to the first rods;   the elastic elements comprise at least one stretchy rope connected to the connecting portions.   
     
     
         18 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elastic elements are detachably connected to the foldable supporting device and/or the inflatable main body. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of hooks configured for connecting the elastic elements to the foldable supporting device and/or the inflatable main body. 
     
     
         20 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electric motor;   pedals;   a first gear connected to the electric motor and/or the pedals;   a second gear also connected to the electric motor and/or the pedals;   propeller blades;   a wheel;   a third gear connected to the propeller blades;   a fourth gear connected to the wheel;   wherein the propeller blades are driven by the electric motor and/or the pedals when the first gear engages the third gear and the second gear is separated from the fourth gear;   wherein the wheel is driven by the electric motor and/or the pedals when the first gear is separated from the third gear and the second gear engages the fourth gear.   
     
     
         21 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the first gear, the second gear, the third gear and the fourth gear are bevel gears. 
     
     
         22 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a seesaw lever connected to the second gear;   wherein the seesaw lever is rotatable for connecting the second gear to the fourth gear or disconnecting the second gear from the fourth gear.   
     
     
         23 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electric motor;   pedals;   a first gear connected to the electric motor and/or the pedals;   a second gear also connected to the electric motor and/or the pedals;   propeller blades;   a wheel;   a third gear connected to the propeller blades;   a fourth gear connected to the wheel;   wherein the first gear engages the third gear and the second gear engages the fourth gear, so that the propeller blades and the wheel can be simultaneously driven by the electric motor and/or the pedals.   
     
     
         24 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first gear, the second gear, the third gear and the fourth gear are bevel gears. 
     
     
         25 . The inflatable carrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable carrier is an inflatable stand-up paddle board, an inflatable surfboard, an inflatable boat, an inflatable toy car, or an amphibious inflatable carrier.