INFLATABLE SLEEPING PAD SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Inflatable sleeping pad systems and methods are provided. An inflatable sleeping pad may include a central pad including a self-inflating foam, at least one inflatable side rail connected to at least one edge of the central pad, and a valve configured to pass air between an external environment and an interior of the inflatable sleeping pad. A system may include the inflatable sleeping pad and a storage bag configured to receive the inflatable sleeping bag when in a deflated configuration. The system may include a removable covering configured to cover at least a portion of the inflatable sleeping pad when in an inflated configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One or more embodiments relate generally to portable sleeping solutions and, more particularly, to systems and methods for an inflatable sleeping pad.

BACKGROUND

Conventional systems and methods of providing temporary sleeping solutions can be less than desirable. For example, refugee camps and various shelters (e.g., disaster relief, homeless, abuse, etc.) may not be equipped with sufficient beds to handle demand, whether due to cost and/or space constraints. Temporary sleeping solutions should also be intuitive and easy to set up and take down. Therefore, there is a need in the art for systems and methods that address the above deficiencies, other deficiencies known in the industry, or at least offers an alternative to current techniques.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are provided for an inflatable sleeping pad. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an inflatable sleeping pad is provided. The inflatable sleeping pad may include a central pad including a self-inflating foam, at least one inflatable side rail connected to at least one edge of the central pad, and a valve configured to pass air between an external environment and an interior of the inflatable sleeping pad.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a sleep system is provided. The sleep system may include an inflatable sleeping pad and a storage bag configured to receive the inflatable sleeping bag when in a deflated configuration. The inflatable sleeping pad may include a central pad having self-inflating foam, at least one inflatable side rail connected to at least one edge of the central pad, and a valve configured to pass air between an external environment and an interior of the inflatable sleeping pad. The sleep system may include a removable covering configured to cover at least a portion of the inflatable sleeping pad when in an inflated configuration.

Additional features are set forth in part in the description that follows and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification and drawings or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed subject matter. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, which forms a part of this disclosure.

One of skill in the art will understand that each of the various aspects and features of the disclosure may advantageously be used separately in some instances, or in combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure in other instances. Accordingly, individual aspects can be claimed separately or in combination with other aspects and features. Thus, the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the claimed invention or its applications or uses. It is to be understood that structural and/or logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail and no limitation as to the scope of the claimed subject matter is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, or the like in this summary. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. Moreover, for the purposes of clarity, detailed descriptions of certain features will not be discussed when they would be apparent to those with skill in the art so as not to obscure the description of the present disclosure. The claimed subject matter is not necessarily limited to the arrangements illustrated herein, with the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.

Embodiments of the disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals may be used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the present disclosure, inflatable sleeping pad systems and methods are provided. The inflatable sleeping pad may provide a sleeping solution for temporary and/or permanent sleep arrangements, such as camping, refugee camps, disaster relief shelters, homeless shelters, abuse shelters, sleepovers, nomadic living, spare bed, limited space arrangements, etc. The sleeping pad may be inflated when needed to provide a padded sleeping surface and deflated for compact storage.

The sleeping pad may include a central pad having self-inflating foam, one or multiple inflatable side rails connected to the central pad, and a valve for inflating and deflating the sleeping pad. The sleeping pad may be provided as part of a system, such as a matched sleep system. The sleep system may include a storage bag for receiving the sleeping bag in a deflated configuration. The sleep system may include a removable covering to cover the sleeping surface of the sleeping pad.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of an inflatable sleeping pad in an inflated configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.2illustrates a top view of the sleeping pad, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.3illustrates a bottom view of the sleeping pad, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIGS.1-3, an inflatable sleeping pad100is provided. The sleeping pad100may provide a lightweight and portable sleeping solution. For example, the sleeping pad100may provide a sleeping solution for temporary and/or permanent sleep arrangements. As detailed more fully below, the sleeping pad100may be inflated when needed to provide a sleeping surface102and deflated for compact storage. Depending on the application, the sleeping pad100may be inflated or deflated automatically and/or under device and/or user assistance (e.g., via a pump, by mouth, etc.).

The sleeping pad100may include many configurations. As shown, the sleeping pad100may include a central portion for supporting the body of a user and one or more side portions for limiting the user from sliding off the sides of the sleeping pad100. For example, the sleeping pad100may include a central pad108and at least one inflatable side rail110connected to at least one edge of the central pad108, such as a first inflatable side rail110A connected to a first edge116of the central pad108and a second inflatable side rail110B connected to a second edge118of the central pad108opposite the first edge116, although other configurations are contemplated.

The central pad108may include many configurations. For instance, the central pad108may include self-inflating foam to help support a user's weight and provide a level of comfort. The central pad108may be polygonal in shape, such as rectangular, square, trapezoidal, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal, among other shapes, although other configurations are contemplated, including non-polygonal. As best illustrated inFIGS.2and3, the central pad108may include a length L and a width W defining the sleeping surface102matched to an average size of a target user, such as toddlers, children, teens, or adults. In that regard, the sleeping pad100may come in various sizes, with each size designed for a particular user in mind (e.g., a toddler sleeping pad, a child sleeping pad, an adult sleeping pad, etc.).

With continued reference toFIGS.1-3, at least one side rail110may extend along the entire length L of the central pad108, although the side rails110may extend less than the length L of the central pad108in other embodiments. The first inflatable side rail110A and second inflatable side rail110B may extend along opposite sides of the central pad108, such as the first and second inflatable side rails110A,110B being mirror images of each other across the central pad108. As shown, each side rail110may include a trapezoidal or generally trapezoidal shape, although other configurations are contemplated.

Referring toFIGS.1and3, the sleeping pad100may include a valve124configured to pass air between an external environment and an interior of the inflatable sleeping pad100. For instance, the sleeping pad100may be inflated or deflated via the valve124using manual or assisted means (e.g., via a pump, by mouth, etc.). In embodiments, inflation of the sleeping pad100via the valve124may inflate both the central pad108and the side rail(s)110, such as simultaneously or sequentially in any order. As shown, the valve124may be disposed in one of the inflatable side rails110, such as in the first inflatable side rail110A. The valve124may be disposed in either the top or the bottom of the sleeping pad100. In embodiments, the valve124may be disposed in an end of a side rail110.

The valve124may include any configuration allowing both inflation and deflation of the sleeping pad100. For instance, the valve124may function as a check valve when inflating the sleeping pad100to limit undesired deflation during and/or after inflation. In some embodiments, the valve124may be reconfigured to allow deflation, such as a portion of the valve124removed or otherwise altered to allow deflation. In some embodiments, the valve124may include a cap to further limit undesired deflation after inflation.

FIG.4illustrates a perspective view of the sleeping pad100in a deflated configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Deflation of the sleeping pad100may deflate both the central pad108and the side rails110. Once deflated, the sleeping pad100may be reduced in volume, such as becoming substantially flat or planar. This reduction in volume of the sleeping pad100when deflated may facilitate portability of the sleeping pad100. For example, the deflated sleeping pad100may be packed or stored in a small container or space. In addition, numerous sleeping pads100can be stored or transported in a deflated state without requiring much storage space. Once deflated, the valve124can be configured to limit undesired inflation of the sleeping pad100, such as the valve124being capped.

FIG.5illustrates the sleeping pad100in a rolled-up configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.6illustrates the sleeping pad100in a rolled-up and secured configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIGS.5and6, the deflated sleeping pad100may be configured for storage. For instance, the deflated sleeping pad100may be folded and/or rolled into a compact form to facilitate compact storage or packaging. Referring toFIG.6, at least one cinching strap130, such as multiple cinching straps130, may be placed around the folded and/or rolled sleeping pad100to secure the sleeping pad100in the deflated configuration. The cinching strap(s)130may be elastic or non-elastic. In some embodiments, the cinching strap130may include a buckle or other mechanism for cinching the strap tight onto or around the sleeping pad100.

FIG.7illustrates the sleeping pad100positioned within a storage bag, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.7, the deflated sleeping pad100may be placed within a storage bag134or other container. Depending on the application, the sleeping pad100and storage bag134may be provided as a system140(e.g., a matched system, a sleep system, etc.). The system140may include other accessories or items. For example, the system140may include a repair kit, a pump, or a sleeping bag, or any combination thereof. The storage bag134may secure the sleeping pad100in the deflated configuration, similar to the cinching strap(s)130described above.

FIG.8illustrates the sleeping pad100secured within the storage bag134, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.9illustrates a perspective view of the storage bag134, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.10illustrates a bottom view of the storage bag134, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIGS.7-10, the storage bag134may include many configurations. For example, the storage bag134, which may be referred to as a cinch sack or drawstring bag, may be tubular with an enclosed bottom144and an opening146. The deflated sleeping pad100may be inserted into the storage bag134through the opening146, with the deflated sleeping pad100filling or generally filling the internal compartment of the storage bag134. In some embodiments, the deflated sleeping pad100may be configured (e.g., rolled) to match or generally match the internal shape of the internal compartment.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, once the sleeping pad100is positioned within the storage bag134, the opening146may be closed to secure the sleeping pad100. Depending on the application, the opening146may be closed via a drawstring150. The drawstring150may be tied to hold it in place, or the drawstring150may be kept drawn using a cordlock152or other device. Referring toFIG.10, the drawstring150may be secured to the storage bag134, such as to the bottom144of the storage bag134at a hem between bottom and side panels of the storage bag134.

FIG.11illustrates a top perspective view of a covering, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.12illustrates a bottom perspective view of the covering, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.13illustrates a hem of the covering, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIGS.11-13, a removable covering160may be provided to cover at least a portion of the sleeping pad100, such as when the sleeping pad100is in an inflated configuration. Depending on the application, the covering160may be provided in the system140with the sleeping pad100and storage bag134(e.g., a matched system, a sleep system, etc.). In some embodiments, the covering160may be provided as an additional accessory to the sleeping pad100. In that regard, the covering160may be provided in various fabrics, colors, patterns, etc.

Referring toFIGS.11and12, the covering160may include a top162and bottom164, respectively. The top162may be placed over the central pad108and side rail(s)110, such as on the sleeping surface102, with the bottom164wrapped around and under the sleeping pad100, similar to a fitted sheet. As shown inFIGS.12and13, the covering160may include an elastic hem168to hold the covering160in place at least partially around the inflated sleeping pad100.

FIG.14illustrates the covering160in a rolled-up configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Like the deflated sleeping pad100, the covering160may be configured for storage. For instance, the covering160may be folded and/or rolled into a compact form to facilitate compact storage or packaging. In some embodiments, the covering160may be folded and/or rolled with the sleeping pad100. In some embodiments, the folded and/or rolled covering160may be placed within the storage bag134to secure the sleeping pad100and covering160together within a single package. In some embodiments, the covering160may be placed within a separate sack.

All relative and directional references (including up, down, upper, lower, top, bottom, side, front, rear, and so forth) are given by way of example to aid the reader's understanding of the examples described herein. They should not be read to be requirements or limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other, unless specifically set forth in the claims.