Abstract:
An airframe supported tent  10  includes at least one pair of coupled airbeams  12 . The coupled air beams  12  include first  36   a  and second  36   b  redundant airbeams for providing support to the tent structure  10  when inflated. The airframe supported tent  10  also includes an interface  14 , fluidly coupled to each of the first and second redundant air beams  36 , for allowing all of the airbeams to be inflated and deflated through the interface. An air pump  50  is also provided which is small, compact and lays generally flat when compressed. The air pump  50  couples with the interface  14  on the tent, to inflate and deflate all of the air beams generally simultaneously.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an inflatable tents and its components and more particularly, relates to an inflatable tent having redundant airbeams connected via a sewing flap at the midseam of the redundant airbeams, an integrated pump, a valve interface, a soft pump, and a rollup stuff sack for storing the components therein.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0002]     Conventional tents utilize rigid and segmented poles. Typically, the poles are made out of fiberglass or aluminum and are used in conjunction with tent stakes to support the tent structure. The poles can be problematic during an overnight hike because of their bulkiness. The poles are also fragile and prone to failure under extreme conditions. They can bend and break and tear through a tent in heavy winds.  
         [0003]     Conventional tents are adequate for their basic purpose and function however, some require considerable effort to set up and break down. It often takes some practice to set up a conventional tent because the poles may come in different lengths or shapes. The poles also tend to freeze together in extremely cold conditions, making the break down of the tent difficult.  
         [0004]     Most conventional tents are transported in ordinary fabric stuff sacks. It is desirable for carrying the tent in a backpack to have it store as small and light as possible. Conventional tents are limited in how small they may be packed by the length of their poles.  
         [0005]     Inflatable tents have been designed in the past. Most inflatable tents rely on large volume inflatable components or high pressure smaller volume components to achieve structural integrity. Large volumes require more time to inflate, whereas high pressure supports require heavy pumps or compressed air. Neither of these systems are ideal for the backpacking application. The ideal system uses low pressure, low volume supports.  
         [0006]     The problems with the prior art inflatable tents have included a lack of reparability in the case of puncture, excess weight as a result of outdated material technology, and inefficient inflation either because of high air volumes or cumbersome pumps. Some higher pressure, lower volume designs have necessitated the use of compressed air for inflation which is heavy, expensive and potentially dangerous, making it impractical for backpacking applications.  
         [0007]     Finally, a tent should be easy and inexpensive to manufacture, thus keeping the cost down for the consumer. The present invention is directed to an inflatable backpacking tent and its components designed to achieve each of these goals.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention relates to an inflatable tent having redundant airbeams connected by means of a sewing flap at the midseam of the redundant airbeams, for holding bladders therein. The present invention also features an integrated pump and soft pump for pumping air into the bladders of the inflatable tent, and a valve interface for receiving the air from the integrated pump or soft pump and distributing it to at least one of the bladders, and a rollup stuff sack for storing the inflatable tent and its components.  
         [0009]     It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawing wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an inflatable tent having a double frame construction according to the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of a sewing flap used between an inner airbeam and an outer airbeam of a frame, wherein the redundant airbeams provide the supporting structure of the inflatable tent according to one aspect of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a valve interface used to receive air in which to inflate the bladders of the inflatable tent according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an integrated pump used to pump air into the bladders of the inflatable tent by means of the valve interface according to the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a soft pump used to pump air into the bladders of the inflatable tent using the valve interface according to the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of a roll-up stuff sack in a rolled out position being stuffed with the inflatable tent and its components according to the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view of the roll-up stuff sack being rolled up to hold the inflatable tent and its components according to the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6   c  is a perspective view of a roll-up stuff sack in a rolled up position used to hold the inflatable tent and its components when not in use, according to the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6   d  is a perspective view of the roll-up stuff sack in a rolled out position used to dry or air out the inflatable tent, its components, or other items according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a photograph of an inflatable tent having a single frame construction according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a foam filled the fabric pump according to one aspect of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram illustrating the construction of the foam a filled the fabric pump of the present invention; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is an exploded diagram of a fill and dump valve in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     The present invention includes a novel inflatable tent  10 ,  FIG. 1 , and its components. The inflatable tent  10  has a canopy portion  20  attached to a floor portion  22 . In the preferred embodiment, the canopy portion  20  and the floor portion  22  are made of waterproof/breathable nylon or polyester fabric however, other weather resistant and durable materials may be substituted.  
         [0025]     The canopy portion  20  may be formed from a number of panels  30  that are attached to at least one frame  12 , which will be described below, by means of a sewing flap  18 , and also attached to a floor portion  22 . In an alternative embodiment, the canopy portion  20  is a single piece of material.  
         [0026]     It is important to note that the inflatable tent may have any number of frames  12 ,  FIG. 1 . For example, a double frame embodiment is shown in  FIG. 1 , whereas a single frame embodiment is shown in  FIG. 7 . A first portion  94  and second portion  96  of the inflatable tent  10  are also made from the same type of material as that of panels  30 . The portions  94 ,  96  have stake loops  98  for receiving a tent stake.  
         [0027]     The inflatable tent  10  is held erect by inflating one or more of the frames  12  and staking the stake loops  98  of the portions  94 ,  96  in the longitudinal direction. The inflatable tent  10  is held erect without the need for tent poles. In alternative embodiments, the sides of the inflatable tent  10  may also have one or more stake loops  98  for receiving tent stakes and for holding the inflatable tent  10  in place.  
         [0028]     The frame  12 ,  FIG. 2 , includes redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  enclosing bladders  36   a ,  36   b . The redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  are preferably made of dimensionally stable synthetic fabric, however, other materials may be substituted. The bladders  36   a ,  36   b  are inflatable members and contained within the redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b . The bladders  36   a ,  36   b  are elastic and airtight, and are used to receive and hold air. Further, the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  are easily replaceable and repairable in the event of a puncture.  
         [0029]     When the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  are inflated, the redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  are arcuate in overall shape and form an inner airbeam  13   a  and an outer airbeam  13   b . The redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  restrict the inflation of the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  to a certain shape and diameter. In the preferred embodiment, the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  are made from sheet urethane that is RF welded along the edges; however, other expandable and airtight materials and methods of heat sealing may be substituted.  
         [0030]     The redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  provide the supporting structure of the inflatable tent  10 . The twin shell construction of the frame  12  includes an outer layer of fabric of the redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b , for providing the shape of the redundant airbeams,  13   a ,  13   b , and for containing the bladders  36   a ,  36   b , while the inner material of the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  hold air when inflated.  
         [0031]     When the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  are inflated, the inner airbeam  13   a  is arcuate and the outer airbeam  13   b  is also arcuate and extends parallel and adjacent the inner airbeam  13   a . In the preferred embodiment, the outer airbeam  13   b  is positioned above the inner airbeam  13   a  although this is not a limitation of the present invention, as the airbeams could also be side by side in the same general horizontal plane. In addition, although the present invention is explained using circular shaped airbeams, this is for exemplary purposes only as the beams could be any shape including, but not limited to triangular, square, rectangular, octagonal, trapezoidal, etc.  
         [0032]     The bladders  36   a ,  36   b  and the redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  provide sturdy support for the canopy portion  20  and keep the inflatable tent  10  erect and in the “use” position. Further, the redundant airbeam design significantly improves the strength of the structure, making possible the use of lower air pressure.  
         [0033]     Each frame  12  or redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  are made from two sheets of dimensionally stable synthetic fabric. In the preferred embodiment, the two dimensionally stable synthetic fabric sheets are joined together at a top seam  38   b ,  FIG. 2  with top-stitching, giving a finished appearance to the outside of the tent. Thereafter, the two dimensionally stable synthetic sheets are then joined together at a bottom seam  38   a  with a basting stitch and edge binding. Finally, the two dimensionally stable synthetic sheets are joined together at a midseam  24  with double stitching through the sewing flaps  18 . However, in alternative embodiments, other types of joining may be used. For example, RF welding may be used to join the sheets together. RF welding will allow the redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  to be welded flat in one operation. This joining construction, being airtight, could also obviate the need for bladders  36   a  and  36   b . A single wall design has the benefit of being more lightweight and easy to manufacture, however, in the case of a puncture, it is beneficial to have bladders, which can easily be repaired or replaced.  
         [0034]     The sewing flap  18  is preferably sewn to the midseam  24  of the frame  12 . The sewing flap  18  is preferably an oxford nylon or polyester, but a variety of fabrics could be used. In the preferred embodiment, the sewing flap  18  has a first flap portion  26  and a second flap portion  28  that are separate elements sewn to the midseam  24  between the inner airbeam  13   a  and the outer airbeam  13   b  of the frame  12 . The first flap portion  26  and the second flap portion  28  are operatively attached to the midseam  24  at first ends  34 . Second ends  32  of the first flap portion  26  and the second flap portion  28  are used to connect the plurality of panels  30  of the canopy portion  20 . In an alternative embodiment, the sewing flap  18  can have any number of flaps for attaching to any number of the plurality of panels  30 .  
         [0035]     In the preferred embodiment, the sewing flap  18  is double stitched to the midseam  24  of the frame  12  and/or the canopy portion  20  for added strength. However, in alternative embodiments, other types of joining may be used. For example, RF welding may be used to join the sewing flap  18  to the midseam  24  of the frame  12  and/or the canopy portion  20  for added strength and simplification.  
         [0036]     The top seam  38   b  may be top-stitched or welded on an inside circumference of the outer airbeam  13   b  protruding inside the outer airbeam  13   b . The bottom seam  38   a  may be extending from an outer circumference to produce an outward extending overlap that is edge binded.  
         [0037]     The first flap  26  and the second flap  28  of the sewing flap  18  allow the adjacent plurality of panels  30  to be sewn to the redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  and matched edge-to-edge with notches for proper alignment. This is a significant benefit during production. Also, the sewing flap  18  may be of a heavier material, which strengthens the midseam  24  of the redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  without adding a significant amount of weight. Further, since the adjacent plurality of panels  30  may be sewn with standard top-stitching or flat-felled stitching, a finished look with taped seams is more easily achieved.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 1 and 3  show the valve interface  14 , which is used for receiving air from an external source, such as a pump. The valve interface  14  is in fluid connection with the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  in the redundant airbeams  13   a ,  13   b  of each of the frames  12  by means of an air supply line  16 . The air supply line  16  is preferably a ⅜ th  inch outside diameter urethane tubing, however, other flexible tubing may be substituted. The air supply line  16 , preferably, runs along the inside of the inflatable tent  10  to each of the frames, although this is not a limitation of the present invention as each frame could have a valve interface although this would make inflating the frame(s) more time consuming but on the other hand, insulate the failure of one frame  12  from a good frame  12 .  
         [0039]     The valve interface  14  has an inflation valve  40 . The inflation valve  40  is preferably a Halkey Roberts #147-ACUR straight connector with a Colder Products APC model quick disconnect with internal shut-off, however, other one-way valves may be substituted. The inflation valve  40  of the valve interface  14  receives air from an external source. The incoming air travels to the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  via the air supply line  16 .  
         [0040]     The valve interface  14  also typically has a deflation valve  42  for deflating the bladders  36   a ,  36   b . The deflation valve  42  is preferably a Carmo (Cosmos-Kabar) #3-730 deflation valve although other deflation valves may be substituted.  
         [0041]     In a double frame embodiment as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , the valve interface  14 ,  FIG. 3 , has a first end  44  and a second end  46  in fluid connection with the air supply line  16 . The first end  44  is in fluid connection with one of the frames  12 , and the second end  46  is in fluid contact with another of the frames  12 .  
         [0042]     Air is received through the inflation valve  40  and exhausted through the deflation valve  42 . The valve interface  14  and the air supply line  16  provide an integral system of inflating and deflating each of the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  forming the redundant frames(s)  12 .  
         [0043]     The valve interface  14  is preferably mounted to the inside of the inflatable tent  10 , however, the inflation valve  40  and the deflation valve  42  extend through and to the outside of the inflatable tent  10 . The valve interface  14  precludes moisture from entering the air supply line  16  and the bladders  36   a ,  36   b , and also may be fitted with a conventional well known moisture filter, such as an open celled urethane foam, to further preclude contamination from entering the air supply line  16  and the bladders  36   a ,  36   b . In the preferred embodiment, when the tent is stored, the deflation valve  42  is left in the “open” position to facilitate evaporation of any moisture in the valve interface  14  and the bladders  36   a ,  36   b.    
         [0044]     In the preferred embodiment, the valve interface  14  has a body  48  that is made from urethane coated ripstop nylon, however, other airtight materials may be substituted. The body  48  is airtight and RF welded or heat-sealed, and serves as an inflation manifold and is in fluid connection with the inflation valve  40 , the deflation valve  42 , the first end  44 , and the second end  46  and the air supply line  16 . The RF welding or heat sealing of the body  48  of the valve interface  14  is an economical, precise, and high-strength method of joining the fabric pieces, tubing, and valves in a single operation. Urethane coated nylon fabric is preferred for weldability, airtightness, and functionality in a wide range of temperatures. Urethane tubing and valves are similarly desirable and provides for proper seal with the urethane-coated fabric. The urethane tubing is sealed into the body  48  to allow an airtight connection of a standard barbed coupling. In that way, the connecting tubes, hoses, and valves may be any of a variety of materials depending on the performance characteristics desired.  
         [0045]      FIGS. 1 and 4  show an integrated pump  50  used to inflate the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  of the inflatable tent  10  through the valve interface  14  and the air supply line  16 . Unfortunately, the human lung cannot provide enough air pressure to appropriately inflate the tent bladder. Accordingly, a pump of some sort must be used to in effect amplifier the long pressure. Since the lungs can only comfortably provide approximately one half pounds of pressure, approximately 5 or more pounds (5 to 10 preferably) are required to properly fill a tent bladder. A pump of some sort is thereby needed to amplify the air pressure available from a user&#39;s lungs to fully inflate the frame(s)  12  with enough air pressure.  
         [0046]     Conventional foot pumps have been used to inflated objects such as the inflatable tents  10 ; however, they are too bulky to carry on a hiking or camping trip in the wilderness. These conventional pumps typically use metal return springs to replenish air volume after being compressed, whereas the integrated pump  50  is a novel approach that obviates the need for bulky springs or convolutes found in conventional pumps. The integrated pump  50  is small, flexible, foldable, and compact. The integrated pump  50  is inflated by the user&#39;s lungs after each compression.  
         [0047]     The integrated pump  50  is made from an airtight fabric, such as urethane coated ripstop nylon. The fabric is made into a pouch  52 . The pouch  52  is airtight and RF welded or heat-sealed. The pouch  52  is an inflation manifold and is in fluid connection with an input hose  54  and an output hose  56 .  
         [0048]     The input hose  54  and the output hose  56  are attached to the pouch  50  of the integrated pump  50  using tube seals and are sealed airtight. The input hose  54  is preferably a ½ inch outside diameter urethane tubing, such as #200-1307 from New Age Industries. The input hose  54  has an oral inflation valve  60 , which is inserted into an end of the input hose  54 . The oral inflation valve  60  is preferably a Halkey-Roberts #720 ROA oral inflation valve. The oral inflation valve  60  is inserted into an end of the input tube  54  and into the pouch  52  of the integrated pump  50 . The oral inflation valve  60  is flexible.  
         [0049]     The output hose  56  is preferably an 11/16 th  inch outside diameter urethane tubing, such as #200-1615 from New Age Industries. The output hose  56  has another Halkey-Roberts #720 ROA oral inflation valve inserted into the same end as a Colder Products model APC quick disconnect which connects to the interface valve  40  or the manifold for an inflatable object. A manual inflation valve  58  is also attached to the pouch  50 . The manual inflation valve  58  is preferably a Carmo #3-115 inflation valve however, other similar valves are available from Halkey Roberts and others. The manual inflation valve  58  is sealed air-tight to the pouch  52 .  
         [0050]     The manual inflation valve  58  provides a dual function of offering an interface for an ordinary tapered fitting common to inflatable boat and beach ball pumps, and also a means of allowing the interior of the integrated pump  50  to dry out when not in use. Moisture from the lungs will collect inside the integrated pump  50  during use and without a means for drying it out, the moisture could lead to mildew and premature deterioration of the fabric that forms the integrated pump  50 .  
         [0051]     The pouch  52  is best constructed by RF welding or heat sealing which provides an economical, precise and high-strength method of joining the fabric pieces, tubing and valve in a single operation. Urethane coated nylon fabric is preferred for weldability, airtightness, and functionality in a wide range of temperatures. Urethane tubing and valves are similarly desirable and may be required for proper seal with the urethane-coated fabric. The urethane tubing is sealed into the fabric pouch  52  to allow the connection of a standard barbed coupling. In that way, the input hose  54  and the output hose  56  may be any of a variety of materials depending on the performance characteristics desired.  
         [0052]     To use the integrated pump  50 , the user first connects the output hose  56  to the inflation valve  40  of the valve interface  14  or any manifold on an inflatable object. In this embodiment, the integrated pump has an integral check valve in the output hose  56 , however, the manifold or valve (such as valve  14 ) of the inflatable object could have its own check valve.  
         [0053]     There are several methods of operating the integrated pump  50 . In the preferred embodiment, the pouch  52  of the integrated pump  50  is placed under the ball of the user&#39;s foot, and the user blows into the input hose  54  which is connected to the oral inflation valve  60 . A good rhythm of blowing into the oral inflation valve  60  of the integrated pump  50 , and then rocking the foot forward to compress the pouch  52  of the integrated pump  50  is preferred. The process or method is repeated, which will provide for highly efficient pumping. Another method is for the user to compress the pouch  52  of the integrated pump  50  in his/her hand, which allows the user to stand up while using the integrated pump  50 .  
         [0054]     In summary, the user blows into the oral inflation valve  60  to fill the pouch  52  of the integrated pump  50 . The oral inflation valve  60  is a one-way valve. The pouch  52  is then compressed to create the 5 to 10 psi necessary to sufficiently inflate the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  of the inflatable tent  10 . This is significant because the average person cannot blow much more than 2 psi whereas 5 or more psi are required to properly inflate the bladders  36   a ,  36   b  of the inflatable tent  10 . The user&#39;s lungs behave as the return spring would in an ordinary foot pump, replenishing the air inside the pouch  52  of the integrated pump  50 . The integrated pump  50  offers a very lightweight, and simple method of amplifying pressure.  
         [0055]     The integrated pump  50  also helps prevent moisture from the air blown into the integrated pump  50  from entering the inflatable tent  10 . The oral inflation valve  58  may be opened when the integrated pump  50  is not in use to allow this moisture to evaporate.  
         [0056]      FIG. 5  shows a soft pump  80 , which may be used to input air into the inflatable tent  10  or other inflatable device in lieu of the integrated pump  50  previously described. Conventional foot pumps for inflatable sporting goods products are heavy and clumsy objects made of plastic or metal components. The soft pump  80  is made entirely of flexible, rubbery components. The benefits of this design are that it is lighter, friendlier, more compactable, and more durable than conventional designs.  
         [0057]     The soft pump  80  has a convoluted shape and is made of blow-molded Santoprene, which is a rugged versatile material common in shock boots and CV boots for vehicles. The soft pump  80  has a body  82  that is molded with two orifices  84 ,  86  therein. A first orifice  84  has a flange for mounting and adhering a Vernay rubber butterfly valve. A second orifice  86  is a smooth bore in which an output hose  88  of the soft pump  80  is operatively attached. The bore in the second orifice  86  is aligned with a recessed channel that circumscribes the part. The output hose  88  may be wrapped around the part in this channel. An end of the output hose  88  has a quick disconnect fitting  90  attached thereto. The output hose  88  is connected to the inflation valve  40  of the valve interface  14  or other manifold for an inflatable device.  
         [0058]     The properties of the Santoprene and geometry of the convolutes cause them to behave as their own return spring. No separate metal spring or foam insert is needed to get the pump to return to its original shape after being compressed.  
         [0059]     In order to blow mold the soft pump  80  in a seamless way, without puncturing the visible surfaces of the pump, horizontal injection pins are used through the input and output openings  84  and  86 , respectively. In alternative embodiments, the pump could have an additional opening, which could afterwards be covered and sealed by a separate piece of material such as a strap.  
         [0060]     A base  92  of the soft pump  80  has a tread pattern for helping to keep the pump in place during use. A strap (not shown) is mounted to a bottom of the soft pump  80  and wraps around the pump and secures to itself to keep the soft pump  80  compressed for efficient storage and travel.  
         [0061]      FIGS. 8-10  illustrate another embodiment of a foot pump  110  in accordance with one feature of the present invention. The foot pump is made of a lightweight collapsible material, such as urethane coated fabric  112  and is filled with reticulated foam  114 . The fabric material  112  this selected such that it can be easily assembled such as by sewing, gluing, RF welding and the like. The foam features very large open cells and contains approximately 97% air. The foam acts as the return spring for the pump  110 . The pump  110  can easily be stored in the tent itself or placed into a stuff sack and carried to remote locations.  
         [0062]     The preferred embodiment of the pump  110  includes a number of bellows or sections  116 . Although in the preferred embodiment includes three sections  116 , this is not a limitation of the present invention as one or more sections will suffice. The bellows prevents outward deflection of the pump  110  when compressed. This assures that all of the air found in the bellows will be transferred out of the bellows.  
         [0063]     In order to effectively use the pump of the present invention, a valve  118  must be provided which serves the function of allowing the bellows to quickly fill with air. The filling with air must be nearly instantaneous otherwise the user will have to wait an inordinate amount of time for the bellows to refill before the air can be squeezed or compressed out of the pump again.  
         [0064]     Accordingly, the present invention solves this problem by providing a unique valve  118 . As shown in greater detail in  FIG. 10 , the valve  118  includes a traditional quick dump valve  120  such as available from Hulkey Roberts as dump valve 650AD combined with the valve segment  122  which forms a check valve. The umbrella valve segment  122 , such as available from the Vernay company, interfaces with valve platform  124 . The tip or protrusion  126  of the valve segment  122  is inserted into opening  128  of the valve platform  124 . Lastly, a semi-rigid ring  130  is provided against the bottom region  134  of the fabric material  132  to which the valve  118  is mounted.  
         [0065]     To assemble a valve  118  according to the present invention, the dump valve  120  is RF welded or otherwise attached to the top surface  136  of the fabric or other material  132  to which the valve  118  is mounted. Next, the umbrella valve segment  122  is mated with the valve platform  124 . Finally, a semi rigid ring  130  having approximately the same as or slightly greater diameter than the valve  122  is provided and RF welded or otherwise attached to the under surface  134  of the fabric or other material  132  to which the valve  118  is attached. The semi rigid ring  130  serves to make sure that the fabric  132  remains open in the area of the valve  118  to be sure that the air can easily enter the valve  118  which serves as the refill valve. The valve support number  124  and the ring  130  are typically die cut pieces from sheet urethane or other similar material. Accordingly, the valve  118  allows the air to be squeezed out of the bellows into a tube or other similar device  138 ,  FIG. 1 , while the valve number  122  prevents the air from escaping the valve  118  when the bellows  112  or compressed.  
         [0066]      FIG. 6   a  shows the roll-up stuff sack  62 , wherein the user is stuffing the inflatable tent  10 , the valve interface  14 , the integrated pump  50 , and the soft pump  80  into a sack pouch  64 . The sack pouch  64  is large enough to hold the previously listed items. After the items are placed in the roll-up stuff sack  62 , a top  66  is fastened to a body  68 . The fastener may be hooks and loops, a zipper, a snap and receiver, clasps, straps, ladder locks, or any similar device.  
         [0067]     The roll-up stuff sack  62  is then rolled up into a tight, compact package as shown in  FIG. 6   b .  FIG. 6   c  shows a roll-up stuff sack  62  in a rolled up or compressed position. In the rolled up position, the roll-up stuff sack  62  may hold the inflatable tent  10 , the valve interface  14 , the integrated pump  50 , and the soft pump  80  for easy transport and carry.  
         [0068]     Webbing straps  72  have hooks and loops  78 ,  FIG. 6   d , at their ends for attaching to each other and for holding the roll-up stuff sack  62  together after rolling. Buckles  70  are used to compress or tightly package the items in the roll-up stuff sack  62 . Tightening the webbing straps  72  compresses the roll-up stuff sack  62 . Specifically, the user grasps at a pocket  76  and rolls the roll-up stuff sack  62  towards the tapered end, securing the hooks and loops  78  to hold the roll together. The user then clips the buckles  70  and tightens the roll by pulling the webbing straps  72 . To remove the items, the process is reversed.  
         [0069]     The roll-up stuff sack  62  may have mesh panels  74 . The mesh panels  74  allows the contents to breathe when the roll-up stuff sack  62  is rolled out. The webbing straps  72  at either end of the roll-up stuff sack  62  facilitate hanging. The same webbing straps  72  that keep the roll-up stuff sack  62  in the rolled up position as shown in  FIG. 6   a  may also be used to clip to itself to form a larger loop for hanging the roll-up stuff sack  62  from a tree branch, line, or another structure as shown in  FIG. 6   d . The roll-up stuff sack  62  may hold the items previously described after use so that they may be hung and the items allowed to dry out. Further, the roll-up stuff sack  62  may be used to dry out clothing or other items capable of fitting therein. The mesh panels  74  may be made black in color and made of ripstop nylon panels and if the roll-up stuff sack  62  is hung in direct sunlight, it absorbs UV from the sun for quick drying.  
         [0070]     The pocket  76  at a bottom end of the roll-up stuff sack  62  provides a location for tent stakes, a patch kit and other parts. When full, the pocket  76  facilitates the rolling up of the roll-up stuff sack  62 .  
         [0071]     In the preferred embodiment, the roll-up stuff sack  62  is made from nylon ripstop, nylon mesh, and nylon flat webbing; however, other materials may be used while retaining the spirit and concept of this invention. These materials have been chosen for their excellent durability and weather resistance. The roll-up stuff sack  62  has double stitching at all integral seams, and back-tacking is used over high-stress areas such as the pocket  76  corners, and edge binding to conceal all raw edges.  
         [0072]     In summary, the roll-up stuff sack  62  allows the user to pack the inflatable tent  10  and its components therein in a very tight bundle with relative ease. The roll-up stuff sack  10  may also be hung inside the inflatable tent  10  or outside in the sun and used to dry clothing since its dark fabric absorbs UV and its mesh panel  74  allows the contents to breathe and moisture to escape.  
         [0073]     As mentioned above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied object or feature of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention which are not to be limited except by the allowed claims and equivalents thereto.