Abstract:
A multi-purpose air mattress apparatus is disclosed for use in at least a bed of a vehicle having an opposing pair of inwardly protruding wheel wells. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, an inflatable air mattress having a pair of opposing sidewalls, each defining a lateral recess sized for accepting at least a portion of the wheel wells therewithin and further defining recess ledges that selectively sit atop the wheel wells. With the apparatus positioned within the vehicle bed and the wheel wells positioned at least partially within the lateral recesses, the recess ledges in combination with a perimeter ledge cover substantially any exposed portions of the wheel wells, while a set of upper and lower perimeter chambers further maintain a stable structure of the apparatus during use both within a vehicle bed as well as on any other relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part application of a prior filed and currently pending application having Ser. No. 11/280,395 and filing date of Nov. 17, 2005. 
         [0002]    This application claims priority and is entitled to the filing date of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 11/280,395 filed Nov. 17, 2005, and entitled “Heated Air Mattress.” The contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated by reference herein. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0003]    Applicant hereby incorporates herein by reference any and all U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications cited or referred to in this application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to air mattresses, and more particularly to an air mattress configured for use with vehicles such as a pickup truck or sport utility vehicle (SUV) or for home or other use on a relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0007]    Many vehicles, such as pickup trucks, include flatbeds, which are open containers formed within the structure of the vehicle for carrying cargo. Flatbeds often contain cumbersome protruding wheel well compartments, which reduce the volume available for cargo within the flatbed. Often, drivers who spend a great deal of time on the road, or who use their vehicles for camping and other outdoor-living or recreational activities, attempt to sleep in the flatbeds of their vehicles. The intrusive wheel well compartments can make this difficult, even when a conventional mattress is provided for reception within the flatbed. Thus, it is desirable to provide a mattress specifically shaped and designed for the vehicle flatbed, allowing the user to comfortably use the mattress, despite the presence of the uncomfortable and intrusive wheel well compartments. It is further desirable to still be able to utilize the air mattress on any other relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion. 
         [0008]    The following art defines the present state of this field: 
         [0009]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0120477 to Kennan is directed to a mattress having an overall size and shape that enables it to fit securely in the back of a pick-up truck, SUV, mini-SUV or some other vehicle. While the specifications and examples listed herein assume a full-size vehicle, a proportionally smaller mattress can be configured to accommodate mid-size or smaller vehicles. 
         [0010]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0083528 to Fisher et al. is directed to an inflatable mattress comprising a flexible bottom layer, a top layer sealed to the bottom layer through a wall, wherein the bottom and top layers and the wall define an outer frame of the inflatable mattress, and a middle layer disposed between the top and bottom layers. The bottom surface of the middle layer is sealed to the bottom layer through a plurality of laterally disposed I-beam structures to form a lower chamber. The top surface is attached to the top layer through a plurality of X-beam structures to form an upper chamber. A peripheral edge of the middle layer may be sealed with the wall to prevent the upper and lower chambers from being in fluid communication with each other. Alternatively, the peripheral edge may be detached from the wall so that the upper and lower chambers are in fluid communication with each other. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,725 to McCartney is directed to a low-pressure pneumatic cell for automobile rear seats which has a well portion and a seat portion with a padded panel covering the seat portion. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,388,738 to Wagner is directed to a mattress cover which includes a facing panel and a heat panel overlying at least a portion of the facing panel. The heat panel has an upper section, a backing section, and means for generating heat, the heat generating means being disposed between the upper and backing sections. Also provided is means for fastening the facing panel to the heat panel comprising at least one complementary pair of interlocking members comprising a first and a second locking member, the first locking member being secured to the facing panel, the second locking member being secured to the heat panel, and the first and second locking members being adjustable between an interlocked position, bridging the facing and heat panels, to an open position. The mattress cover is also provided with means for securing the facing panel to a mattress core. Also provided is a mattress construction having a mattress core and a facing panel and having said mattress cover secured to the facing panel. 
         [0013]    U.S. Design Pat. No. D281,379 to Isham et al. is directed to an ornamental design for a sofa bed for a van conversion. 
         [0014]    U.S. Design Pat. No. D392,145 to Thurston is directed to an ornamental design for an air mattress for pregnant women. 
         [0015]    Applicant&#39;s prior patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,755, is directed to a custom fit, inflatable air mattress, having a unitary, or one piece structure, that can be used in a variety situations such as in the flatbed of a pickup truck, station wagon, van or the like, and is designed to accurately and snugly conform around the protruding wheel well compartments. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,907 to Larson is directed to a mattress top assembly for a mattress comprising a pad filled with cushioning material and a plurality of connector straps attached along the head, foot, and side edges of the pad and removably connected to the sidewall of the mattress. The mattress includes one part of a cooperable fastener generally midway between top and bottom surfaces, on the sidewalls of the mattress, for detachable connection of each of the straps thereto. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,333 to Nelson et al. is directed to a heating and cooling comforter for heating or cooling a user. The heating and cooling comforter includes an inner bladder comprising a pair of panels coupled together along the outer perimeter of the inner bladder to define an air space therebetween. Each of the panels of the inner bladder has a plurality of spaced apart air apertures therethrough into the air space of the inner bladder. A comforter cover is also included comprising a pair of panels coupled together along the outer perimeter of the comforter cover. The comforter cover has an elongate slit therein between the panels of the comforter cover. The inner bladder is inserted into the comforter cover. A vent cover is included having an arcuate upper wall and an open bottom. An elongate conduit is extended between the from the inner bladder and the vent cover to fluidly connect the air space of the inner bladder to the vent cover. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,793,469 to Chung is directed to an inflatable product comprising an inflatable body, a socket, an electric pump, at least one battery and a connector. The socket is built in the inflatable body. The electric pump is connected to the socket to pump the inflatable body. The battery is disposed in the electric pump. The connector is provided on the electric pump for connecting an external power. The electric pump is supplied with power by the battery or the external power. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,694 to Roberts et al. is directed to a tent assembly comprising an awning including a plurality of tubular support members having rectilinear longitudinal lengths and a plurality of couplings for interchangeably conjoining the tubular support members such that the tubular support members define a rigid frame. The tent assembly further includes a mechanism for removably securing the frame to a support surface and a canvas removably positional over the frame for preventing undesirable foreign debris from entering beneath the frame. An inflatable mattress is sized and shaped for nesting on the flat bed of the flat bed truck. The tent assembly further includes a mechanism for selectively inflating the mattress such that a user can introduce and displace air from the mattress as needed during periodic use. The inflating mechanism is detachably engagable with the inlet port and includes one implement selected from the group including a manual air-pump and an electrically powered air-pump. 
         [0020]    The prior art described above teaches devices such as an air mattress having a removable heating pad, an air mattress having removable portions to accommodate a pregnant woman, an air mattress configured for fitting securely into the flatbed portion of a pickup truck and conform around the wheel well compartments, and an air mattress having a built-in electric pump. However, the prior art fails to teach a multi-purpose air mattress having selectively removable wheel well recess inserts, upper and lower perimeter chambers, and sidewall support seams for increasing and ensuring structural stability and integrity of the air mattress and allowing for its effective use both within a vehicle flatbed and on any other relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion. Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Aspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the exemplary advantages described below. 
         [0022]    The present invention solves the above-described problems by providing a multi-purpose air mattress apparatus configured for use with vehicles having beds that define an opposing pair of inwardly protruding wheel well compartments, such as a pickup truck or sport utility vehicle (SUV), or for home or other use on a relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion, as herein described below. 
         [0023]    The apparatus comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, an inflatable air mattress having a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing sidewalls. Each of the sidewalls define a lateral recess sized for accepting at least a portion of the wheel well compartments therewithin and further define recess ledges that selectively sit atop the wheel well compartments. An upper perimeter chamber is integral along an upper perimeter edge of the air mattress and extends distally therefrom in a relatively horizontal direction, the upper perimeter chamber further defining a perimeter ledge that is in the same plane and integral with the recess ledges and is positioned at least partially over each of the lateral recesses. Additionally, a lower perimeter chamber is positioned within the air mattress along a lower perimeter edge thereof. 
         [0024]    In a further embodiment, each of the sidewalls further provide a mid-wall support seam configured for ensuring that the sidewalls maintain a relatively planar shape and resist bulging when a user places his or her weight on the air mattress. 
         [0025]    In a still further embodiment, the apparatus provides a pair of removable filler members sized and configured for being selectively positioned within the lateral recesses in order to support the recess ledges when the air mattress is positioned on a relatively flat surface. 
         [0026]    Thus, when the apparatus is positioned within the bed of the vehicle and the wheel well compartments are positioned at least partially within the lateral recesses, the recess ledges in combination with the perimeter ledge cover substantially any exposed portions of the wheel well compartments and the perimeter ledge substantially contacts the bed wall even for varying width beds, rendering more of the bed a usable sleep surface. Likewise, when the apparatus is positioned on a relatively flat surface and the filler members are inserted within the lateral recesses, the recess ledges are thereby supported, providing additional support for the apparatus and the user and, again, render a more usable sleep surface, while the upper and lower perimeter chambers and the support seams further maintain a stable structure of the apparatus during either use. 
         [0027]    A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art. 
         [0028]    Another objective is to provide such an apparatus that is configured for use with a vehicle such as a pickup truck or sport utility vehicle (SUV) and includes recesses formed in the air mattress for receiving the wheel well compartments of a vehicle. 
         [0029]    A further objective is to provide such an apparatus that has selectively removable wheel well recess inserts for insertion within the recesses for use on any relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion. 
         [0030]    A yet further objective is to provide such an apparatus that has built-in components for inflating and deflating the mattress. 
         [0031]    A still further objective is to provide such an apparatus that has an attachable or built-in heating pad. 
         [0032]    A still further objective is to provide such an apparatus that has upper and lower chambers, as well as sidewall support seams, for increasing and ensuring structural stability and integrity of the air mattress. 
         [0033]    Other features and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention positioned within a truck bed; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view thereof; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a mattress portion of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention showing a removable heating pad exploded therefrom; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view thereof; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are partial cross-sectional views thereof; and 
           [0043]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are rear elevational views of the present invention positioned within a wide truck bed and a narrow truck bed respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]    The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a multi-purpose air mattress apparatus, designated generally as  10  in the drawings, which is adapted for being removably positioned within a bed  11  of a vehicle such as a truck  12  or for use on any other relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion. It should be noted that while a truck is used herein to describe the various features of the present invention in connection with use in a vehicle, a truck is only one type of vehicle in which the present invention may be used. As such, the present invention should not be so limited. 
         [0046]    The apparatus  10  includes an inflatable air mattress  18  having lateral recesses  20  (only one is shown in  FIG. 1 , the opposite side of the air mattress  18  being symmetrical). Each one of the recesses  20  receives wheel well compartment  16 , which is disposed over wheel  14  of truck  12 . The recesses  20  allow the apparatus  10  to fit around and over the wheel wells  16  formed in the bed  11  of truck  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lateral recesses  20  do not extend completely from top to bottom of the air mattress  18 , but define a recess ledge  48  that sits atop the wheel wells  16  so that the entire space between the sidewalls of the bed  11  of the truck  12  is available for sleeping, instead of only the space between the wheel wells  16 . 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the apparatus  10  includes air mattress  18 , a cover  32 , and a heating pad  38 . When assembled, heating pad  38  is received between a top surface  34  of air mattress  18  and cover  32 . As shown, the cover  32  is joined to top surface  34  along at least a first edge. Cover  32  may be releasably sealed to top surface  34  along a second edge, through the use of a zipper, a hook and loop fastening material, such as Velcro, or through the use of any other suitable releasable fastener, allowing heating pad  38  to be easily removed from the air mattress  18  and cover  32 . Alternatively, heating pad  38  may be permanently secured to air mattress  18 . Heating pad  38  may be thermostatically controlled, or may be selectively adjusted by the user to produce a desired heat output. 
         [0048]    Air mattress  18  and cover  32  may be made of conventional vinyl material, nylon or any other suitable pliable durable plastic or other material forming an inflatable bladder, allowing for resilience and comfort when air mattress  18  is inflated. Further, heating pad  38  may be any conventional type of heating pad, such as, but not limited to, a standard 12-volt heating pad provided for home use. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , cover  32  may be joined to top surface  34  along three edges, thus forming an open pocket  44 . Heating pad  38  is removably received within pocket  44 , depending on the needs and desires of the user. Alternatively, cover  32  may be sealed to top surface  34  along the entire periphery thereof, in order to permanently hold heating pad  38  between cover  32  and top surface  34 . Cover  32  is sealed to top surface  34  through any suitable method, such as, but not limited to, heat sealing. 
         [0050]    As further shown in  FIG. 2 , a cavity  22  is formed in a rear wall  50  of air mattress  18 . Though illustrated here as being formed in the rear wall  50 , it should be understood that the positioning of cavity  22  is dependent upon the needs and desires of the user, and the purpose for which the air mattress  18  is to be used. The cavity  22  is sized and shaped to receive a portable air pump  24 , for inflating air mattress  18 . Air pump  24  may be any conventional portable air pump and may be powered by the vehicle&#39;s battery, a separate portable battery (as shown in the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5 , to be described in further detail below), 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. Similarly, heating pad  38  may be powered by the vehicle&#39;s battery, by a separate portable battery or by any other suitable power source. Air pump  24  may be fixed within cavity  22 , or may be removable, allowing for separate storage and transport. 
         [0051]    An air port  26  is formed in rear wall  50 , allowing for the selective passage of air in and out of air mattress  18 . An air valve  28  selectively seals port  26  and allows the user to selectively deflate or inflate the air mattress  18 . Valve  28  may be a standard Boston-type valve, or any other suitable, user-adjustable fluid valve. A cap  30  is provided for covering valve  28 , thus preventing accidental leakage of air through port  26  and valve  28 . 
         [0052]    Although cavity  22  and port  26  are shown as being formed in rear wall  50  of air mattress  18 , it should be understood that cavity  22  and port  26  may be formed in any suitable portion of air mattress  18 , depending upon the needs and desires of the user. In the preferred embodiment, cavity  22  and port  26  are formed in rear wall  50  in order to provide easy access thereto when apparatus  10  is received in the bed  11  of a truck  12 , such as shown in  FIG. 1 . Preferably, air pump  24  and valve  28  are positioned adjacent one another, though the positioning of air pump  24  and valve  28  are dependent on the needs of the user. Port  26  may, alternatively, be formed within cavity  22 , allowing for direct connection between air pump  24  and valve  28 . 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, as shown in the cut-away view of  FIG. 3 , a plurality of collapsible columns  40  are disposed within air mattress  18 . Each collapsible column has an upper end and a lower end, with the upper end of each column  40  being sealed to top surface  34 , and the lower end being sealed to a bottom surface  42  of the air mattress  18 . The columns  40  provide additional support for the user and may be covered springs, air cylinders, inflatable cylinders, plastic coils or any other suitable deformable supports. Horizontally-oriented surface rings  36  may be formed where the columns  40  are sealed to top surface  34  and bottom surface  42 , thus providing a design or pattern in the outer surfaces of air mattress  18 . The columns  40  also provide additional stability to the air mattress  18  when the air mattress  18  supports a load, such as the weight of the user. 
         [0054]    In an alternate embodiment, as shown in the cut-away views of  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the collapsible columns  40  are substituted with a plurality of vertically-oriented collapsible interior loops  72 , the interior loops  72  configured for restricting the top surface  34  and bottom surface  42  from bulging, and ensuring that the air mattress  18  remains uniformly inflated. The interior loops  72  are preferably constructed of the same resilient material as the air mattress  18 . Similar to the collapsible columns  40  described above, horizontally-oriented surface ovals  74  are formed where the interior loops  72  are sealed to top surface  34  and bottom surface  42  of the air mattress  18 . 
         [0055]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , apparatus  10  includes air mattress  18  having lateral recesses  20 , as described above, formed therein, heating pad  38  and releasable cover  32 , similar to those shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . The apparatus  10 , however, also includes a pair of filler members  110 , selectively and releasably received within each of the recesses  20 . As shown best in  FIG. 7 , filler members  110  are selectively and releasably engagable within the recesses  20  preferably through the use of a releasable fastener  52 , such as a hook and loop fastening material or any other suitable releasable fastening material now known or later developed. Thus, if the user chooses to use the apparatus  10  in an environment other than in the flatbed of a vehicle, such as on the ground or on a floor, the filler members  110  can be used to fill recesses  20 , providing additional support for the user and air mattress  18 . In one embodiment, filler members  110  are separately inflatable through a filler air port  112 , in a similar manner to air mattress  18 . Similar to the air mattress  18 , each of the filler members  110  preferably provides a plurality of collapsible interior loops  72 , best shown in  FIG. 8A , positioned and configured for ensuring that the filler members  110  remain uniformly inflated and do not bulge. In another embodiment, filler members  110  are non-inflatable structures. 
         [0056]    In addition, in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , a cavity  150  is formed in rear wall  50  for receiving an air pump module  120 . The air pump module  120  includes an air pump  140 , similar to the air pump  24  of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , but further includes an attached air valve  130 . A secondary manual air valve  160  is further provided in rear wall  50 , allowing for connection to a second source of pressurized air. 
         [0057]    Further, user-selectable indicia  170  may be imprinted on the exterior of air mattress  18 , as shown. The apparatus  10  also includes a cavity  190  formed in a sidewall  46  of the mattress  18 , which receives a removable and replaceable battery pack  180 . Battery pack  180  provides optional additional power to heating pad  38  and may further be used for powering air pump  140  of module  120 . 
         [0058]    The apparatus  10  may be sized and contoured for reception in any suitable vehicle, with recesses  20  specifically being shaped to receive a particular type of wheel well compartment  16 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the apparatus  10  may be used with any suitable support surface, such as a floor or on a box spring, rather than being placed in a vehicle. Recesses  20  may be contoured to receive any formation provided in a support surface, may be filled with filler members  110 , or in some embodiments may be removed altogether for the air mattress  18  to be used on the floor or ground. Filler members  110  may be manufactured together with the air mattress  18  in order to size and shape filler members  110  to match recesses  20 , providing a mattress that appears to be a conventional mattress to the observer. Similarly, the separate elements  24 ,  120  and  180  may all be manufactured together with the air mattress  18  in order to ensure matching between the separate components and the respective recesses  22 ,  150 , and  190 . 
         [0059]    In the further alternative embodiment of the apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 6 , the air mattress  18  provides an upper perimeter chamber  54  and a lower perimeter chamber  56 . As best shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the upper perimeter chamber  54  is integral with an upper perimeter edge  64  of the air mattress  18  and extends distally in a relatively horizontal direction, forming a perimeter ledge  62  that is in the same plane and integral with the recess ledges  48 . The lower perimeter chamber  56  is positioned within the air mattress  18  along a lower perimeter edge  65  of the air mattress, and is formed by a relatively diagonally oriented chamber wall  66  in abutting engagement between the bottom surface  42  and the corresponding front, rear, or sidewall  60 ,  50 ,  46  of the air mattress  18 . Both the upper and lower perimeter chambers  54  and  56  are preferably constructed of the same resilient material as the air mattress  18 . Additionally, the upper and lower perimeter chambers  54  and  56  each provide at least one airflow aperture (not shown) which interconnect, and allow fluid communication between, the perimeter chambers  54  and  56  and the air mattress  18 ; thus, the perimeter chambers  54  and  56  are inflated and/or deflated with the air mattress  18 . 
         [0060]    The upper and lower perimeter chambers  54  and  56  are configured to increase and ensure lateral structural stability when the air mattress  18  is being used. Thus, when a user places his or her weight on the air mattress  18 , the upper and lower perimeter chambers  54  and  56  maintain the shape and structural integrity of the air mattress  18 , thereby reducing any lateral shifting of the air mattress  18 , which in turn creates a more stable surface for the user to sit or lay on. Additionally, the upper and lower perimeter chambers  54  and  56  assist in creating a structural frame as the air mattress  18  is inflated or deflated. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the upper perimeter chamber  54  and the resulting perimeter ledge  62 , in conjunction with the recesses  20 , enable the present invention to be used in a wide range of truck beds, as well as other types of vehicle beds, such as SUVs.  FIG. 9  is a rear elevational view of the apparatus  10  positioned within a relatively wide bed  68  of a truck  12 . With the apparatus  10  centered in the wide bed  68 , the wheel well compartments  16  extend only partially into the recesses  20 , leaving a portion of the wheel well compartments  16  uncovered by the recess ledges  48 . However, because the perimeter ledge  62  extends horizontally from the upper perimeter edge  64  of the air mattress  18 , the perimeter ledge  62  covers the exposed portion of the wheel well compartments  16 ; thus, the apparatus  10  is capable of covering most, if not all, of the wide bed  68 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the same apparatus  10  is capable of fitting within a relatively narrow bed  70  of a truck  12  as well. As illustrated, with the apparatus  10  centered in the narrow bed  70 , the wheel well compartments extend completely into the recesses  20 , thereby forcing the perimeter ledge  62  into a substantially vertical orientation so as to be squeezed up against a bed wall  76  of the narrow bed  70 , with essentially a net fit between the sidewall  46  of the air mattress  18  and the bed wall  76 . Thus, the perimeter ledge  62  allows the present invention to fit a wide range of vehicle bed dimensions. 
         [0062]    As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the air mattress  18  also preferably has a horizontally oriented mid-wall support seam  58  integral with the sidewalls  46  of the air mattress  18 . The support seam  58  is configured to ensure that the sidewalls  46  maintain a relatively planar shape and resist bulging when a user places his or her weight on the air mattress  18 . In a further embodiment, the support seam  58  is also integral with the rear wall  50  and front wall  60  of the air mattress  18  to further prevent bulging. 
         [0063]    It should also be noted that the various features of each of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any logical manner and are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0064]    While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.