Foldable supporting device and object supported by the foldable supporting device

Abstract

A foldable supporting device includes a first supporting frame, a second supporting frame 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 includes a plurality of crossing elements which are rotatably connected to each other. The retractable structure is rotatably and movably connected to 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foldable supporting device, comprising:
 a first supporting frame comprising 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;   a second supporting frame comprising 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;   a rail device;   a retractable structure movably and rotatably connecting to the rail device;   wherein the rail device is configured to guide movement of the retractable structure;   wherein the retractable structure further connects the first side part of the first supporting frame and the second side part of the second supporting frame 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;   wherein 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.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retractable structure comprises a plurality of crossing elements which are rotatably connected to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein:
 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.   
     
     
         4 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the crossing elements comprise 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.   
     
     
         5 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first upper connector connecting the first upper part and the first side part;   a second upper connector connecting the second upper part and the second side part;   a first slider connected to the first end;   a second slider connected to the second end;   wherein the guide device comprises a first guide rail extended parallel to the first side part, and a second guide rail extended parallel to the first side part;   wherein 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;   wherein 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.   
     
     
         6 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first slider and the second slider are guided to slide by the first guide rail and the second guide rail. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first slider and the second slider are pins. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first slider and the second slider are rods. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the rods are L-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first lower connector connecting the first lower part and the first side part;   a second lower connector connecting the second lower part and the second side part;   wherein the first slider comprises a first laterally extended portion which is disposed outside the first guide rail, and the second slider comprises a second laterally extended portion which is disposed outside the second guide rail;   wherein 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;   wherein 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.   
     
     
         11 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a side structure rotatably connected to the first supporting frame;   wherein the side structure comprises a first connecting rod, a joint, a leg and a second connecting rod;   wherein the first supporting frame further comprises a first upper connector and a first lower connector;   wherein the first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first upper connector of the first supporting frame;   wherein the first connecting rod and the leg are connected through the joint;   wherein the leg is rotatably connected to the second connecting rod;   wherein the second connecting rod is rotatably connects to the first lower connector of the first supporting frame;   wherein 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.   
     
     
         12 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a side structure rotatably connected to the first supporting frame;   wherein the side structure comprises a connecting rod, a joint and a leg;   wherein the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first supporting frame;   wherein the connecting rod and the leg are connected through the joint;   wherein the joint comprises a channel and a roller disposed in the channel;   wherein 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.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising:
 an object;   the foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 1 , configured to support the object.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the object comprises a mattress, a tent disposed on the mattress, a stretch elongated element comprising 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.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein:
 the object further comprises 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 comprises a receiving portion configured to receive the first core.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein:
 the object further comprises a sleeve fixed to the tent;   the inflatable frame is penetrated through the sleeve.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein:
 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.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein:
 the inflatable frame comprises an end connected to the mattress;   the end is oval in cross section.   
     
     
         19 . The foldable supporting device as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a joint;   a connecting rod connected to the foldable supporting device through the joint so as to be rotatable between two positions;   a torsion spring disposed at the joint;   a leg connected to the connecting rod so as to be rotatable between two other positions;   wherein the object is an inflatable carrier;   wherein 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;   wherein 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.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the object comprises 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;   wherein the stretch elongated element is fixed at two locations which are staggered in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction;   wherein 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.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a coupling element;   wherein the object is fixed to the foldable supporting device through the coupling element;   wherein the coupling element comprises a first enlarged portion, a second enlarged portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first enlarged portion and the second enlarged portion;   wherein the first enlarged portion is fixed to the object;   wherein the second portion is detachably connected to the foldable supporting device.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the foldable supporting device comprises an L-shaped groove allowing the connecting portion to slide therein, thereby connecting the object to the foldable supporting device through the coupling element.