Air mattress assembly

An inflatable air mattress assembly for use with a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a bed having protruding wheel well compartments, opposed sidewalls, a tailgate and a headboard. The air mattress assembly comprises and inflatable base, an inflatable first support and an inflatable second support. The inflatable base includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The base has lateral recesses formed therein which extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface and define a ledge over the recesses. The base is dimensioned and configured for placement in the vehicle bed with the recesses being disposed over the wheel well compartments protruding into the bed. A front portion of the base is adjacent the headboard. A rear portion of the base is adjacent a tailgate. The inflatable first support is releasable attached to the front portion of the base. The first support includes an inflatable backrest and at least one inflatable armrest connected to the backrest. The inflatable second support is releasably attached to one of the front portion of the base and the first support. The second support is spaced from the at least one armrest.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to an air mattress assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to an air mattress assembly for use with a pickup truck, van, sports utility vehicle (SUV), station wagon and the like.

Certain types of vehicles such as pickup trucks, vans, SUVs and station wagons have flatbeds or beds that are normally used to carry cargo or the like. Flatbeds or beds, which are open containers formed within the structure of the vehicle for carrying cargo, generally contain cumbersome protruding wheel well compartments that can greatly impinge on the size and shape of the cargo that can fit in the flatbed. Furthermore, when such vehicles are changed over and utilized for the transportation of passengers, or used as sleeping quarters in the course of a trip requiring a prolonged or overnight stay, the transformation of the flatbed from a working storage area to a comfortable sleeping or reclining quarters can be problematic and uncomfortable at best. When attempting to accommodate passengers whom desire to use this converted space, the protruding wheel well compartments represent an inherent problem by getting in the way of and diminishing what limited comfort various types of coverings and padding, such as a conventional mattress, unable to fit around the wheel wells, can provide. Another inherent problem in this type of changeover is that flatbeds are frequently dirtied by use, are hard and uncomfortable.

Attempts have been made to use various cloth and/or plastic coverings for flatbeds but these solutions usually move or easily slide about, are unable to appropriately accommodate the protruding wheel well compartments and simply do not supply enough comfort for the flatbed. It would be desirable to provide an air mattress assembly specifically shaped and designed for the vehicle flatbed, allowing the user to comfortably use the air mattress assembly, despite the presence of the uncomfortable and intrusive wheel well compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one aspect, an inflatable air mattress assembly for use with a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a bed having protruding wheel well compartments, opposed sidewalls, a tailgate and a headboard. The air mattress assembly comprises an inflatable base, an inflatable first support and an inflatable second support. The inflatable base includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The base has lateral recesses formed therein which extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface and define a ledge over the recesses. The base is dimensioned and configured for placement in the vehicle bed with the recesses being disposed over the wheel well compartments protruding into the bed. A front portion of the base is adjacent the headboard. A rear portion of the base is adjacent a tailgate. The inflatable first support is releasable attached to the front portion of the base. The first support includes an inflatable backrest and at least one inflatable armrest connected to the backrest. The inflatable second support is releasably attached to one of the front portion of the base and the first support. The second support is spaced from the at least one armrest.

In accordance with another aspect, an air mattress assembly for a pickup truck comprises an inflatable base, an inflatable first support and an inflatable second support. The inflatable base is configured for placement in a pickup bed. The base covers the substantially entire bed including wheel well compartments protruding therein. The inflatable first support is removably attached to the front portion of the base. The first support has a width approximately equal to a width of the base. The first support includes an inflatable backrest and first and second inflatable armrests. Each of the backrest and the first and second armrests define an air chamber. At least one of the first and second armrests includes a cup holder. The inflatable second support is removably attached to one of the first support and the base. The second support is positionable along the width of the first support and serves as an additional armrest.

In accordance with yet another aspect, an air mattress assembly for a pickup truck comprises an inflatable base, an inflatable first support and an inflatable second support. The inflatable base is dimensioned and configured for placement in a pickup bed. The base covers the substantially entire bed including wheel well compartments. The base includes a first member and a second member releasably connected to the first member. At least one of the first and second members is formed from a first inflatable component and a second inflatable component. One of the first and second components has a lateral recess formed therein. The recess is disposed over a wheel well compartment protruding into the bed. The inflatable first support is removably attached to the front portion of the base. The first support includes an inflatable backrest and first and second inflatable armrests. At least one of the first and second armrests includes a cup holder. The inflatable second support is removably attached to one of the first support and the base. The second support provides an additional armrest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. It will also be appreciated that the various identified components of the air mattress assembly disclosed herein are merely terms of art that may vary from one manufacturer to another and should not be deemed to limit the present disclosure. Although the air mattress assembly is shown sized for a pickup truck bed, it should be appreciated that the air mattress assembly can be configured to accommodate any pickup-like vehicles (i.e., an El Camino), SUVs, vans, station wagons, mid-size or smaller vehicles. It should also be appreciated that the term air can include any conventional inflating substance. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the air mattress assembly illustrated in the drawings and should not be construed as limiting the claims appended hereto.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-3, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, an air mattress assembly100according to one aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. The air mattress assembly described herein can be utilized for many different purposes, such as to accommodate sleeping in the back or bed of a vehicle or providing a comfortable place to sit during outdoor sporting events. As shown, the air mattress assembly100is a custom fit, inflatable unit which substantially overlies a bed102of a vehicle, such as the illustrated pickup truck104. The air mattress assembly100generally comprises a base110, a first support112, and a second support114. The first and second supports112and114are configured to be removably attached to the base110.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the base110, which is in the form of a mattress, is substantially rectangular and has a rear portion122, a front portion124and opposed side portions126and128. The rear portion122is located nearest a tailgate (not shown) of the pickup104, or a hatch or rear door of the vehicle. The front portion124is located adjacent to a headboard108of the pickup or front seats of the vehicle. Thus, the base has a length which allows substantially the entire space between the tailgate and headboard108of the bed102, for example, to be available for sleeping. In the depicted embodiment, the base110has a unitary, single body construction and includes a top surface130and a bottom surface132connected to the top surface through a continuous vertical wall134. In particular, the top surface130is connected to the vertical wall134throughout the upper periphery of the wall at an upper seal140. Similarly, the bottom surface132is connected to the vertical wall134throughout the lower periphery of the wall at a lower seal142. As a result, the top surface130, bottom surface132and vertical wail134together form the outer structure of the base110and define an air chamber146. The side edges140,142of the vertical wall can be fused with the top and bottom surfaces using a conventional sealing process known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, user-selectable indicia may be imprinted on one of the top surface and the bottom surface.

The base side portions126and128include respective lateral recesses150and152. Each recess150,152is dimensioned to snugly conform around a wheel well compartment154located in the bed102of the pickup truck104. This allows the base110to conform precisely to the vehicle bed for which it is intended to be used. As shown inFIG. 1, the lateral recesses150,152do not extend completely from the top surface130to the bottom surface132, but define a ledge156that sits atop the wheel well compartments154. Therefore, the base110has a width which allows substantially the entire space between sidewalls158of the bed102to be available for sleeping, for example, instead of only the space between the wheel well compartments.

With reference toFIG. 3, for inflating the air chamber146of the base110, an air port160can be provided on the rear portion122of the base. An air valve162selectively seals the air port160. A cap (not shown) can be provided for covering the air valve, thus preventing accidental leakage of air through the air port and the air valve. As shown, the air port160and air valve162are located on the vertical wall134in order to facilitate easy inflation of the base110; although, it should be understood that the air port and air valve may be located on any suitable portion of the base, depending upon the needs and desires of the user. The air valve160can be mounted within a recessed area (not shown) formed into the vertical wall134such that the air valve does not project laterally beyond the vertical wall. The air valve allows the selective passage of air in and out of the air chamber146and can be a standard safety valve or any other suitable, user-adjustable fluid valve commercially available and known to those of skill in the art. In the depicted embodiment, the air valve162is a one-way valve, or self-sealing valve, including a check valve which allows air flow into the air chamber146but must be pinched to allow air flow out of the chamber. For deflating, the air chamber146can be in fluid communication with a separate air outlet (not shown) which is connected to the vertical wall134. The air outlet can have a wide opening for fast deflation.

With continued reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of collapsible support columns170are disposed within the air chamber146of the base110. Each column170has an upper end172and a lower end174, with the upper end of each column being sealed to the top surface130, and the lower end being sealed to the bottom surface132. This sealing can also create an appearance of a two-piece construction, with a pillow section being disposed on the top surface. The columns170provide resilient support for the user, additional stability to the base110and equalize downward forces exerted thereon during sleeping conditions. Each column170can be cylindrically shaped. As depicted, the columns have one of a barrel-like and hour-glass conformation. The columns can be covered springs, air cylinders, inflatable cylinders, plastic coils or any other suitable deformable support. The columns170also serve as retention members which limit the outward expansion of the top and bottom surfaces130,132as the air chamber146is being inflated with air. Alternatively, although columns are shown, other support/retention members are contemplated, such as I-beams, coil-like beams, tube-like beams and the like. Rings (not shown) may be formed where columns are sealed to the top and bottom surfaces, thus providing an alternative design or pattern in the outer surfaces130,132of the base110.

With reference now toFIGS. 6-8, the first support112is releasably secured to the front portion124of the base110and can extend the full width of the base. The first support includes a backrest200and first and second armrests202and204, respectively. The first and second armrests202,204extend from respective end section210and214of the backrest200. The backrest and the armrests are integrally formed or connected together to form a single combined air chamber220so that air passes freely between the backrest and the armrests. The first support112is releasably connected to the base110through the use of conventional fasteners, such as zippers, snaps, hook and lock fasteners, clips, Velcro® and the like. Alternatively, the first support can be fixedly attached to the base110through use of high frequency welding or other conventional process.

The backrest200includes a back wall230and a front wall232which are connected to each other by a bottom wall234and a top wall236. The back wall230extends substantially normal from the bottom wall and is supported by the headboard108of the bed102of the pickup truck104(seeFIG. 1). The bottom wall234can be shaped to mate with the contour of the top surface130of the base110. The top wall236can have an arcuate shape; although, this is not required. The front wall232can include a lumbar support section240. As shown, the lumbar support section is at least partially defined by a convex portion242and a concave portion244. The convex portion extends generally from the top wall236and the concave portion extends generally between the convex portion and the bottom wall234. The lumbar support section240is configured to bring the lower back of the user naturally against the backrest200.

As will also be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the first and second armrests202,204can be generally identical, except that they are axially mirrored relative to one another, and thus only the first armrest202will be described in further detail herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the first armrest202includes a top surface260, a bottom surface262, a front surface264and opposed side surfaces266and268. The top surface includes a planar portion270and an arcuate portion272which connects the planar portion to one of the front wall232and top wall236of the backrest200. The arcuate portion272extends a substantial length of the first armrest202thereby providing a gradual transition from the backrest200to the planar portion270. A cup holder280can be located on the planar portion270adjacent to the front surface264. In the depicted embodiment, the cup holder280is defined by a circular shaped recess282. The top surface260can have a length about two-thirds the length of the first support112; although, this is not required. The front surface264can have a height about equal to one-half the height of the backrest200; although, this is not required. It will be appreciated that the above dimensions may vary widely within the scope of the present disclosure, depending in part upon the size of the desired air mattress assembly100.

To inflate the first support112, one of the backrest200and first and second armrests202,204includes an inflation aperture or air valve284(FIG. 3). Similar to the air valve of the base110, the air valve allows the selective passage of air in and out of the air chamber220and can be a standard safety valve or any other suitable, user-adjustable fluid valve commercially available and known to those of skill in the art.

With reference again toFIG. 2, the second support114is releasably secured to the front portion124of the base110adjacent to the front wall232of the first support112. As shown inFIGS. 9-11, the second support, which can serve as an additional armrest for the user of the air mattress assembly100, is substantially rectangular in shape and includes a top surface290and a bottom surface292connected to the top surface through a continuous vertical wall294. The top surface290, bottom surface292and vertical wall294together form the outer structure of the second support114and define and an air chamber300. Similar to the base110, the side edges of the vertical wall can be fused with the top and bottom surfaces using a conventional sealing process known to one of ordinary skill in the art. A rear section302of the vertical wall294is configured to mate with the contour of the front wall232of the backrest200, particularly a portion of the lumbar support section240. The second support114can have a width about equal to one-fourth the width of the first support112, a length about equal to the length of the first and second armrests202,204, and a height substantially equal to the height of the armrest front surface264. Again, it will be appreciated that the above dimensions may vary widely within the scope of the present disclosure, depending in part upon the size of the desired air mattress assembly100.

The second support114is releasably connected to one of the first support112and the base110through the use of conventional fasteners, such as zippers, snaps, hook and lock fasteners, clips, Velcro® and the like. Alternatively, the second support can be fixedly attached to the base110through use of high frequency welding or other conventional process. The second support114can be selectively positioned along the width of the first support112such that first and second separated seating areas310,312(seeFIG. 2) having varying widths can be defined by the first and second supports112,114. The second support can include a cup holder (seeFIG. 12) similar to the cup holder280of the armrest202.

To inflate the second support114, the vertical wall294can include an inflation aperture or air valve (not shown). Again, the air valve allows the selective passage of air in and out of the air chamber300and can be a standard safety valve or any other suitable, user-adjustable fluid valve commercially available and known to those of skill in the art.

The components of the air mattress assembly100can be selectively inflated via an air pump (not shown). The air pump may be any conventional portable air pump and may be powered by the vehicle's battery, a separate portable battery, a standard outdoor 110-volt or 220-volt ac power supply, such as are often found in camping grounds and trailer parks, or by any other suitable power source, including any standard indoor or outdoor AC or DC electrical sources. A cavity (not shown) can be formed on the base110, the cavity being sized and shaped to receive the air pump. The air pump can be fixed within the cavity, or can be removable, allowing for separate storage and transport.

The components of the air mattress assembly100can be made from a conventional vinyl material, rubber material or other suitable, pliable, durable plastic. The thickness of the base110may vary according to the vehicle for which it is intended to be used with and based upon the desired amount of cushioning and support that the base is to demonstrate. The other dimensions of the custom fit air mattress assembly100will depend upon the make and model of vehicle with which it is to be used with because these dimensions vary from vehicle to vehicle. While the base110and second support114of the air mattress assembly100has been referred to as having a substantially rectangular shape, it should be noted that the base110and second support114may have another desired shape, dependent upon the structure that the air mattress assembly is to be used with, so long as the air mattress assembly100is custom fit to be snugly received within the desired area of the vehicle, and in the case of the pickup104, with the bed102and over the protruding wheel well compartments154.

The components of the air mattress assembly100have been described as each component defining a separate air chamber. It should also be appreciated that the respective air chambers146,220and300of the base110, first support112and second support114can be in fluid communication with each other. In that instance, the air mattress assembly100would be a unitary one-piece inflatable assembly having a single air valve for inflating each air chamber.

With reference now toFIGS. 12-14, an air mattress assembly500according to another aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Similar to air mattress assembly100, air mattress assembly500is a custom fit, inflatable unit which substantially overlies the bed102of the illustrated pickup truck104(seeFIG. 1). The air mattress assembly500generally comprises a base510, a first support512, and a second support514, the first and second supports being configured to be removably attached to the base.

As shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, the base510includes a first inflatable member520, which is in the form of a mattress, and second and third inflatable members522and524, respectively, which are selectively attached to opposed side portions530and532of the first member520. The first member is substantially rectangular in shape and has a rear portion534, which is located nearest the tailgate of the pickup104, and a front portion536, which is located adjacent to the headboard108of the pickup. The side portions are located adjacent the wheel well compartment154located in the bed102of the pickup104. Thus, the first member has a length and width which allows substantially the entire space between the tailgate and headboard108and wheel well compartments154of the bed102, for example, to be available for sleeping. In the depicted embodiment, the first member520has a unitary, single body construction and includes a top surface540and a bottom surface542connected to the top surface through a continuous vertical wall544. The top surface, bottom surface and vertical wall together define an air chamber546.

As will also be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the second and third inflatable members522and524can be generally identical, except that they are axially mirrored relative to one another. By having the second and third members522and524being generally identical, the cost of manufacturing the base510is significantly reduced (e.g., only a single mold is required to manufacture the second and third members). Further, by having a multiple member base510, a consumer can replace one of the members of the base if that member is damaged without having to replace the entire base510(as compared to replacing the unitary base110). Thus, the multiple member base provides cost savings to the consumer.

Only the second member522will be described in further detail herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the second member includes a top surface550and a bottom surface552connected to the top surface through a continuous vertical wall554. The top surface, bottom surface and vertical wall together define an air chamber556. The second member522has a length approximately equal to the length of the first support520and width approximately equal to a width of the wheel well compartment154. As shown, the second member522includes a lateral recess560that is dimensioned to snugly conform around the wheel well compartment154. As shown inFIG. 14, the lateral recess560does not extend completely from the top surface552to the bottom surface552, but defines a respective ledge570that sits atop the wheel well compartments154. The second inflatable member522is releasably connected to the first member520through the use of conventional fasteners, such as zippers, snaps, hook and lock fasteners, clips, Velcro® and the like. With the second and third members522and524selectively attached to the opposed side portions530and532of the first member520, the base110can have a width which allows substantially the entire space between sidewalls158of the bed102to be available instead of only the space between the wheel well compartments.

To inflate the first member520, second member522and third member524, each member includes a respective inflation aperture or air valve580,582,584. Similar to the air valve of the base110, the air valve allows the selective passage of air in and out of the respective air chamber of each member and can be a standard safety valve or any other suitable, user-adjustable fluid valve commercially available and known to those of skill in the art.

With continued reference toFIGS. 13 and 14, the first support512is releasably secured to the base510and can extend the full width of the base. The first support includes a backrest600and first and second armrests602and604, respectively. The first and second armrests602,604extend from respective end section610and614of the backrest600. In this embodiment, the backrest600and the first and second armrests602and604are separate members, each defining a separate air chamber620,622and624, respectively. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 15, the first support112can be used with the base510.

As shown inFIG. 16, the backrest600includes a back wall630and a front wall632which are connected to each other by a bottom wall634and a top wall636. The back wall630extends substantially normal from the bottom wall and is supported by the headboard108of the bed102of the pickup truck104. The bottom wall634can be shaped to mate with the contour of the top surface of the base510. The front wall232can include a lumbar support section640, which is similar to lumbar support section240.

As will also be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the first and second armrests602,604can be generally identical, except that they are axially mirrored relative to one another. As indicated previously with respect to the multiple member base510, by having the first and second armrests602,604being generally identical, the cost of manufacturing the first support512is also significantly reduced (e.g., only a single mold is required to manufacture the first and second armrests). Further, a consumer can easily replace an armrest if that armrest is damaged without having to replace the entire first support512(as compared to replacing the unitary first support112). Again, this provides cost savings to the consumer.

Only the first armrest602will be described in further detail herein. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 17, the first armrest602includes a top surface660, a bottom surface662, a front surface664and opposed side surfaces666and668. The top surface includes a planar portion670and an arcuate portion672which connects the planar portion to one of the front wall632and top wall636of the backrest600. A cup holder680can be located on the armrest adjacent to the front wall.

To inflate the backrest600and first and second armrests602and604, each component includes an inflation aperture or air valve682,684and686. The air valve allows the selective passage of air in and out of the respective air chamber of each member and can be a standard safety valve or any other suitable, user-adjustable fluid valve commercially available and known to those of skill in the art.

The backrest600is releasably connected to the base510through the use of conventional fasteners. The first and second armrests602,604are releasably connected to at least one of the backrest and base through the use of conventional fasteners. Alternatively, the first and second armrests can be fixedly attached to the backrest through use of high frequency welding or other conventional process.

With continued reference toFIG. 13, and additional reference toFIGS. 18 and 19, the second support514, which is similar to second support114, is releasably secured to the base510adjacent to the front wall632of the first support512. The second support, which can serve as an additional armrest for the user of the air mattress assembly500, includes a top surface690and a bottom surface692connected to the top surface through a continuous vertical wall694. The second support114is releasably connected to one of the first support512and the base510through the use of conventional fasteners. To inflate the second support514, the vertical wall694can include an inflation aperture or air valve698. Again, the air valve allows the selective passage of air in and out of an air chamber700defined by the second support and can be a standard safety valve or any other suitable, user-adjustable fluid valve commercially available and known to those of skill in the art.

With reference now toFIG. 20, an air mattress assembly800according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Similar to air mattress assembly500, air mattress assembly800is a custom fit, inflatable unit which substantially overlies the bed102of the illustrated pickup truck104(seeFIG. 1). The air mattress assembly800generally comprises a base810, the first support112, and the second support114, the first and second supports being configured to be removably attached to the base.

Similar to base510, base810includes a first inflatable member820, which is in the form of a mattress, and second and third inflatable members822and824, respectively, which are selectively attached to opposed side portions830and832of the first member820. In the depicted embodiment, the first member820has a unitary, single body construction and includes a top surface840and a bottom surface842connected to the top surface through a continuous vertical wall844. The top surface, bottom surface and vertical wall together define an air chamber846. The first member820is substantially identical to first member520so that further discussion herein is deemed unnecessary.

The second and third members822and824have a length approximately equal to the length of the first member820and width approximately equal to a width of the wheel well compartment154. The second and third members are releasably connected to the first member820through the use of conventional fasteners, such as zippers, snaps, hook and lock fasteners, clips, Velcro® and the like. With the second and third members822and824selectively attached to the opposed side portions830and832of the first member820, the base810can have a width which allows substantially the entire space between sidewalls158of the bed102to be available instead of only the space between the wheel well compartments.

As will also be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the second and third inflatable members822and824can be generally identical, except that they are axially mirrored relative to one another. Again, this can reduce the costs of manufacturing. Only the second member822will be described in further detail herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the second member is a multiple component member that can include first and second end components850and852, respectively, and a center, wheel well component854. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second end components and center components are separate, inflatable components. Each end component850and852is releasably connected to an end section of the center component854through the use of conventional fasteners, such as zippers, snaps, hook and lock fasteners, clips, Velcro® and the like. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that one of the first and second end components can be integrally connected to the center component.

As shown inFIG. 20, the first end component includes a top surface860and a bottom surface862connected to the top surface through a continuous wall864. The top surface, bottom surface and vertical wall together define an air chamber866. To inflate the first end component, an inflation aperture or air valve870is provided. As will be appreciated, depending on the length of the truck bed102, the first and second end components850,852can be generally identical. Thus, further discussion of the second component852is deemed unnecessary.

The center component includes a top surface880and a bottom surface882connected to the top surface through a continuous vertical wall884. The top surface, bottom surface and vertical wall together define an air chamber886. As shown, the center component includes a lateral recess890that is dimensioned to snugly conform around the wheel well compartment154. As shown inFIG. 20, the lateral recess890does not extend completely from the top surface880to the bottom surface882, but defines a respective ledge892that sits atop the wheel well compartments154. To inflate the center component, an inflation aperture or air valve (not visible)870is provided.

By having generally identical first and second end components850and852, the cost to manufacture the second member822is significantly reduced (e.g., only a single mold is required to manufacture the first and second end components). Further, first and second end components of varying lengths can be manufactured. For example, the first end component850can have one of a first length and a second length and the second end component852can have one of the first length and the second length. This allows for use of a common length center component854regardless of the length of the truck bed. Further because the second and third members822and824are generally identical, the cost of manufacturing the base810is significantly reduced. Again, by having a multiple member base810, a consumer can replace one of the base members without having to replace the entire base810.