Abstract:
An inflatable mattress is provided that has a method of retaining a sleeping bag on top of it. Retaining a sleeping bag on top is achieved by using a coverlet. The coverlet is connected to the top of the inflatable mattress by suitable fasteners. The pocket formed between the coverlet and mattress portion is where a sleeping bag is inserted. An air fill mechanism is provided that is easily accessible from the outside of the mattress. An integral protective flap is also provided. The flap encases the mattress when in a rolled-up configuration and protects it during storage and transport. The device operates as one self-contained unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE/RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This invention is related and complimentary to the invention of our co-pending application Ser. No. 09/793270, filed Feb. 22, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a mattress and more particularly to a mattress that is used for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, backpacking, military purposes, and the like.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Those who enjoy the outdoors and wilderness activities have always sought to bring some form of comfort along on their adventures and thus the conventional inflatable camping accessory has an extensive history in the prior art. Inflatable devices are desirable because when deflated they are light, compact, and easy to transport. The conventional air mattress for camping purposes is composed of an inflatable device that lies on the ground and onto which a sleeping bag is laid. Such conventional air mattresses, represented in the prior art as far back as U.S. Pat. No. 31048 to Williams, Jan. 1, 1861 to as recently as U.S. Pat. No. 5787531 to Pepe, Aug. 4, 1998 have a problem in that the camper fails to get sound sleep because the sleeping bag is prone to slipping off the mattress. If a large sized air mattress is used to prevent the sleeping bag from slipping off, then space economy is sacrificed. Large conventional air mattresses are also difficult to inflate. An inflating device is needed to blow up large conventional air mattresses or time is sacrificed while inflating them with one&#39;s own breath. If a small or thin mattress is used then the problem of slipping off becomes more apparent and the unit is not likely to separate the user sufficiently from a cold surface to provide good insulation. Undular terrain will also be felt when using a thin mattress.  
           [0006]    Many solutions to this problem have been proposed in the prior art. Inflatable enclosures and tents, generally represented in the prior art by U.S. Pat. No. 1,324,009 to Hope, Dec. 2, 1919, U.S. Pat. No. 4,192,030 to Casson, Mar. 11, 1980, U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,029 to Russel, Aug. 12, 1986, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,088 to McNamee, Sep. 23, 1997 have been developed for the comfort and stability of a single camping person. These devices, while inventive, are undesirable because of their large size, the large volume of air needed to fill them, or their susceptibility to puncture.  
           [0007]    Many inflatable sleeping bags have also been proposed to provide an extra level of comfort. These are generally represented in the prior art by U.S. Pat. No. 876,464 to Abbott, Oct. 1, 1907, U.S. Pat. No. 1,648,373 to Vilas, Nov. 8, 1927, U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,733 to Tsai, Mar. 5, 1991, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,236 to Hutchinson, Apr. 9, 1991. These again are more susceptible to puncture and require a large volume of air to fill. If an external inflating device is used it represents another piece of camping equipment to keep track of and more weight to transport.  
           [0008]    The sleeping structures in U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,533 to Adams III, Sep. 5, 1989 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,725 to Ando et al., Jun. 24, 1997 provide a novel means of comfort by inserting inflatable elements into a sleeping bag. While achieving the goals of stability on the mattress and greater comfort, they again introduce complexity and additional pieces of equipment that have to be kept track of and transported. The volume of air needed to inflate the separate elements is also significant.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,504 to Ainsworth, Jun. 29, 1976 discloses a mattress and coverlet assembly. This device is not inflatable, generally not portable for backpacking, adds bulk and weight to the camping gear, uses many sheets to form a coverlet, and is not designed to receive a sleeping bag.  
           [0010]    Other novel inflatable devices in the prior art use a cellular structure to inflate various cushions, packaging material and therapeutic mattresses. These devices are generally represented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,501 to Colvin et al., Jul. 9, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,068 to Graebe, Oct. 1, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,076 to Guldager, Feb. 5, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,731 to Toedter, Jun. 24, 1997. These devices work as proposed but none have been adapted to camping purposes. Many in the prior art are complicated, difficult to manufacture, and too fragile for outdoor use. None describe a cellular structure for the express purpose of reducing the amount of air needed to inflate the device.  
         Objects and Advantages  
         [0011]    The primary object of the sleeping device is to provide a method of retaining a sleeping bag on top of a mattress. This will prevent the problem of comfortable sleep being disturbed by the sleeping bag slipping off the mattress.  
           [0012]    It is second object of the sleeping device to provide an inflatable sleeping device that requires significantly less air to fill than any similar invention in the prior art.  
           [0013]    It is a third object of the sleeping device to provide a means of carrying a sleeping bag and mattress as one consolidated unit.  
           [0014]    It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a means of making a larger mattress by joining single units of the present invention together.  
           [0015]    It is a fifth object of the sleeping device to provide an integral protective cover so that the sleeping device, sleeping bag, and air-fill mechanism are not damaged while in a rolled-up configuration.  
           [0016]    It is another object of the sleeping device to provide an extended air-fill mechanism that is easily accessible. Thus, the user can easily adjust the air pressure while lying on the device.  
           [0017]    It is another object of the sleeping device to provide extra insulation above and below a user&#39;s sleeping bag. Thus, a lighter sleeping bag can be used, reducing the overall bulk and weight of the camping gear.  
           [0018]    It is another object of the sleeping to provide a sleeping system where all the components are integral. In other words, the carrying sack, air-fill mechanism, and mattress are a completely self-contained unit.  
           [0019]    It is another object of the sleeping device to protect the inflatable bladder by using a bottom fabric that is abrasion and puncture resistant.  
           [0020]    It is another object of the sleeping device to provide a integral carrying sack that is puncture resistant.  
           [0021]    More objects and advantages of the inflatable cushioning device will become apparent in the drawings and ensuing description.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0022]    In order to accomplish the preceding objects, the proposed sleeping device provides an inflatable mattress portion and a coverlet portion. The inflatable mattress portion has an interior of cellular gas-impermeable material surrounded by a protective outer layer of fabric. The inflatable mattress portion is joined to the coverlet portion at two opposing sides by separate slide fasteners. The mattress portion and coverlet portion form a pocket into which a sleeping bag is inserted. An extension flap is connected to the mattress portion. The extensions flap has straps that secure the mattress when in a rolled up configuration. An air fill mechanism is attached to the inflatable mattress portion. The air fill mechanism is comprised of a tube and a valve. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is an isometric side view of the sleeping device with the coverlet partially open.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1A is an isometric exploded view of the major components that comprise the sleeping device.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan bottom view of the extension flap showing how the straps are connected.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric view of the sleeping device in a rolled up configuration and protected by the extension flap.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is an isometric end view of the sleeping device with the fabric partially cut-away to reveal the inflatable bladder.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is an isometric end view of the inflatable bladder.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the three layers that comprise the inflatable bladder.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the inflatable assembly.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is a cutaway isometric view of the inflatable bladder  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a conventional air mattress.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 10 is an isometric end view of a self-inflating embodiment with the fabric and gas-impermeable shell partially cut-away.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 is an isometric end view of a non-inflatable embodiment with the fabric partially cut-away.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 12 is an embodiment of the sleeping device with the coverlet being netting.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 13 is an embodiment of the sleeping device with the coverlet being a series of straps. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 shows that the sleeping device is composed principally of a mattress  20 , coverlet  22 , extension flap  28 , and air-fill mechanism  40 . These components are displayed separately in the exploded view of FIG. 1A. Referring back to FIG. 1, mattress  20  is comprised of a top layer of fabric  24  and a bottom layer of fabric  26 . These two layers are joined to each other along their periphery, hereafter referred to as outside seam  32 . The two layers surround an interior inflatable device or cushioning material. Mattress  20  and coverlet  22  are joined to each other along two opposing sides by separate slide fasteners  30 . Extension flap  28  is connected to one end of mattress  20 . Extension flap  28  is sewn in the shape of an envelope and acts as a protective cover when the sleeping device is in a rolled-up configuration. Straps  34  with snap-in connectors  36  are attached to extension flap  28 . Air-fill mechanism  40  extends out through a hole in top layer of fabric  24  at the same end as extension flap  28 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 is a partial bottom view of the sleeping device. Extension flap  28  is connected to bottom fabric  26 . Straps  34  with connectors  36  on each end are joined to extension flap  28 .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 3 is an enlarged depiction of the sleeping device in a deflated rolled-up configuration. Extension flap  28  envelops the sleeping device. The sleeping device is held in this configuration by straps  34 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 4 shows inflatable bladder  50  in the area where the fabric of the sleeping device is partially cut-away. Air-fill mechanism  40  is also shown. The main portion of air-fill mechanism  40  is air-fill tube  44 . Air-fill tube  44  is comprised of a flexible gas-impermeable material. Air fill-tube  44  is connected to inflatable bladder  50  and extends out through a hole in top layer of fabric  24 . A valve  46  is connected to the other end of air-fill tube  44 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 depicts inflatable bladder  50  in greater detail. The device is comprised of three layers of flexible gas-impermeable material. The three layers can be seen individually in the exploded view of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 depicts flat layer  63  on top. Protrusion layer  64  is in the middle. Protrusion layer  64  is formed with spaced protrusions  66  that appear as cylindrical structures. Stabilizing layer  65  is on the bottom. Referring back to FIG. 5, flat layer  63  on top is sealed to protrusion layer  64  that is in the middle. The tips of spaced protrusions  66  are secured to stabilizing layer  65  that is on the bottom. Referring to FIG. 5 in more detail, flat layer  63  and protrusion layer  64  are sealed at their respective peripheries, hereafter referred to as periphery seal  68 . Flat layer  63  and protrusion layer  64  are also sealed together at various locations between spaced protrusions  66 , hereafter referred to as manifold seals  67 .  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 7, sealing flat layer  63  and protrusion layer  64  along periphery seal  68  and manifold seals  67  forms an inflatable assembly  60 . An inflation and deflation port  70  is provided for the attachment of air-fill mechanism  40 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 8 is a cutaway isometric view of inflatable bladder  50 . The manifold seals  67  in the cutaway are depicted as interior junctions between flat layer  63  and protrusion layer  64 . The manifold seals  67  maintain the structural integrity of the inflatable assembly and form manifold area  62  through which air is distributed to spaced protrusions  66 . Also seen in the cutaway portion of FIG. 8 are spaced protrusions  66  that are in fluid communication with each other through manifold area  62 . Also shown in FIG. 8 is stabilizing layer  65 . Stabilizing layer  65  is sealed to the inflatable assembly  60  at the tips of spaced protrusions  66 . The sealed locations, hereafter referred to as tip seals  69 , occur at the junctions between the tips of spaced protrusions  66  and stabilizing layer  65 .  
       Operation of the Preferred Embodiment  
       [0044]    With the sleeping device constructed as shown in the foregoing, a user can start the use thereof by inflating inflatable bladder  50  through valve  46  and air-fill tube  44 .  
         [0045]    When inflatable bladder  50  is inflated, the spaced protrusions  66  support a load placed on the sleeping device in FIG. 1. Spaced protrusions  66  are laterally stabilized by stabilizing layer  65  and thus do not deflect out of their vertical orientation. The distance between spaced protrusions  66  is such that the volume of air needed to fill the sleeping device is significantly less than any inflatable device of the same size in the prior art. This novelty will become more apparent by comparing FIG. 9 with FIG. 5. FIG. 9 represents a conventional inflatable mattress having the same dimensions as inflatable bladder  50  in FIG. 5 but without spaced protrusions  66 . In order to inflate the mattress in FIG. 9, one must fill its entire volume with air. This volume of air is significantly greater than the volume needed to fill the inflatable bladder  50  in FIG. 5. Considering the inflatable bladder  50  in FIG. 5, in an embodiment where spaced protrusions  66  are cylindrical and regularly spaced at a distance equal to their diameter, the volume of air required to fill it to full size could be as little as one-fifth the volume needed to fill the mattress shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0046]    When inflatable bladder  50  is sufficiently inflated valve  46  is closed. Next, a slide fastener  30  is opened and coverlet  22  is folded to one side. Next, a sleeping bag is laid onto mattress  20 . When coverlet  22  is folded back, over the sleeping bag, and the previously opened slide fastener  30  is closed the sleeping bag is essentially contained in a pocket and will not shift or slip off mattress  20 . Thus, comfortable sleep will not be disturbed.  
         [0047]    When the user is finished sleeping and needs to transport the sleeping device and sleeping bag, they can both be rolled up as one with bottom fabric  26  on the exterior. Bottom fabric  26  is preferably a strong puncture-resistant material that will protect the sleeping device and sleeping bag while in a rolled-up configuration. Extension flap  28  is also composed of a strong puncture-resistant material. Extension flap  28  envelops the sleeping device while in the rolled-up configuration and thus provides an extra layer of protection to the sleeping device and sleeping bag during transport.  
         [0048]    Slide fasteners  30  can be used to join coverlet  22  and mattress  20  of one sleeping device to coverlet  22  and mattress  20  of another identical sleeping device to form a larger sleeping area suitable for more than one person.  
       Description of a Second Embodiment  
       [0049]    [0049]FIG. 10 is an embodiment where the interior of mattress portion  20  is comprised of a self-inflating bladder  50   a . The interior of self-inflating bladder  50   a  is comprised of expandable foam  51   a . Expandable foam  51   a  is surrounded by a gas-impermeable shell  52   a . Gas impermeable shell  52   a  is partially cut-away in this view for the purpose of revealing expandable foam  51   a . Sealed to gas-impermeable shell  52   a  of self-inflating bladder  50   a  is air-fill mechanism  40 . Air-fill mechanism  40  is constructed and connected to the second embodiment in a similar manner as in the preferred embodiment.  
       Operation of the Second Embodiment  
       [0050]    The second embodiment is operated in the same manner as the preferred embodiment except for the air-fill mechanism  40 . In the second embodiment, valve  46  is opened and air begins flowing into self-inflating bladder  50   a  because of the expansion of expandable foam  51   a . When the sleeping device is rolled up, expandable foam  51   a  is compressed, and air is forced out of the sleeping device through the opened valve  46 .  
       Description of a Third Embodiment  
       [0051]    [0051]FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment where the interior of mattress  20  is comprised of cushioning foam  50   b.    
       Operation of the Third Embodiment  
       [0052]    The third embodiment is operated in the same manner as the preceding embodiments except that it is not inflatable and thus requires no air-fill mechanism.  
       Description and Operation of a Fourth Embodiment  
       [0053]    [0053]FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment where the coverlet portion is a netting coverlet  22   a  constructed of a netting material and fastened to mattress  20  by snaps  30   a . Netting coverlet  22   a  performs the same function as coverlet  22 .  
       Description and Operation of a Fifth Embodiment  
       [0054]    [0054]FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment where the coverlet portion is a series of straps, hereafter referred to as strap coverlet  22   b . Strap coverlet  22   b  is fastened to mattress  20  by buttons  30   b . Strap coverlet  22   b  performs the same function as coverlet  22 .  
       Conclusion and Scope  
       [0055]    As one can see from the preceding description, this new and novel method of constructing a mattress, suitable for camping and other purposes, has many advantages. The primary advantage is that a user does not have to worry about his or her sleeping bag shifting or slipping off the mattress. A second advantage is that mattress  20 , coverlet  22 , air-fill mechanism  40 , extension flap  28 , and a sleeping bag can be stored and transported as a single integral unit making it significantly easier to bring along on camping or backpacking trips. The preferred embodiment is also easy to fill with air, requires significantly less air to fill than other mattresses in the prior art, and readily conforms to the ground. The sleeping device also provides an extra layer of insulation, allowing the camper to use a lighter sleeping bag, and thus reducing the bulk and weight of the camping gear.  
         [0056]    It is recognized that many simple modifications could be made to the sleeping device without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The connectors  36  on straps  34  could be any suitable connector or the straps could simply be tied in order to secure the sleeping device in a rolled-up configuration. Valve  46  could be any suitable valve that allows airflow into the inflatable bladder  50  or self-inflating bladder  50   a . Air fill mechanism  40  could be attached in any number of ways to inflatable bladder  50  or self-inflating bladder  50   a , so long as it is an airtight connection. Slide fasteners  30 , snaps  30   a , and buttons  30   b  could be zippers, Velcro, hook and loop fasteners, or any other type of fastener as long as they held coverlet  22  to mattress  20 . Connecting the fabrics of the sleeping could be accomplished by gluing, sewing, heat-sealing, or any other means of securing fabrics together. Additionally, top fabric  24 , bottom fabric  26 , coverlet  22 , and extension flap  28 , could all be comprised of the same material.  
         [0057]    These modifications and others that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the scope of the invention is not to be limited by the specification and is rather to be determined by the appended claims.  
       List of Reference Numerals  
       [0058]    [0058] 20 —mattress  
         [0059]    [0059] 22 —coverlet  
         [0060]    [0060] 22   a —netting coverlet  
         [0061]    [0061] 22   b —strap coverlet  
         [0062]    [0062] 24 —top fabric  
         [0063]    [0063] 26 —bottom fabric  
         [0064]    [0064] 28 —extension flap  
         [0065]    [0065] 30 —slide fastener  
         [0066]    [0066] 30   a —snaps  
         [0067]    [0067] 30   b —buttons  
         [0068]    [0068] 32 —outside seam  
         [0069]    [0069] 34 —straps  
         [0070]    [0070] 36 —connector  
         [0071]    [0071] 40 —air-fill mechanism  
         [0072]    [0072] 44 —air-fill tube  
         [0073]    [0073] 46 —valve  
         [0074]    [0074] 50 —inflatable bladder  
         [0075]    [0075] 50   a —self-inflating bladder  
         [0076]    [0076] 50   b —cushioning foam  
         [0077]    [0077] 51   a —expandable foam  
         [0078]    [0078] 52   a —gas-impermeable shell  
         [0079]    [0079] 60 —inflatable assembly  
         [0080]    [0080] 62 —manifold area  
         [0081]    [0081] 63 —flat layer  
         [0082]    [0082] 64 —protrusion layer  
         [0083]    [0083] 65 —stabilizing layer  
         [0084]    [0084] 66 —spaced protrusion  
         [0085]    [0085] 67 —manifold seal  
         [0086]    [0086] 68 —outside seal  
         [0087]    [0087] 69 —tip-to-tip seal  
         [0088]    [0088] 70 —inflation port