Patent Publication Number: US-2021186225-A1

Title: Hybrid pad

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. provisional application 62/950,654, filed Dec. 19, 2019 (“the &#39;654 application”). The &#39;654 application is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to various embodiments of a camping pad that may be a layered camping pad or hybrid camping pad, or hybrid pad. More specifically it relates to a camping mattress or pad that may comprise an inflatable frame that may incorporate a cushion-like layer, such as a sheet of foam, for additional support and comfort. The features disclosed herein are numerous in nature and may be employed in various different ways to provide the same or similar results. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When camping, a lightweight pad or mattress is typically used under a sleeping bag. Camping pads may provide support padding, and even some insulation for the user. Camping pads have typically fallen into two general categories: inflatable and not inflatable. 
     Camping pads that are not inflatable are essentially closed-cell strips of foam of a predetermined size. Such pads tend to be heavier than inflatable types. They may be used in any camping situation. 
     With respect to inflatable camping pads, there are two basic types of pads, both of which rely on a quantity of air for inflation during use and which deflate for portage. 
     A first, and generally older type of inflatable camping pad, is essentially an inflatable air mattress. A fill valve is opened and air is forced in under positive pressure by mouth, typically, to inflate the camping pad a desired amount. 
     A second, and generally newer type of camping pad, is a variation of the prior type. The second type may include an open-cell expandable type of foam filler within the open-cell. When a fill valve for such a type of camping pad is opened, the compressed foam (from the deflated state) within the open-cell of the camping pad begins to expand and naturally inflates the mattress. The camping pads that include the foam within the open-cell of the camping pads are generally regarded as being of superior design because they self-inflate (to a certain extent) and are therefore easier to use. They also tend to be warmer and therefore, more comfortable. 
     While these and perhaps other types of camping pads or mattresses have been used for a long time, they have certain disadvantages when used for camping. For example, virtually all campers are aware of the rarity of level, smooth ground. In addition, the ground tends to act as a heat sink that can rob the sleeper of valuable body heat, which can cause campers to be cold while sleeping on the ground. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure relates to a padded sleeping system that comprises: an inflatable frame comprising a first sheet of material joined to a second sheet of material at a plurality of bond lines to form an air inflatable support member. The padded sleeping system may further comprise at least one valve that is coupled to the inflatable frame, which is in fluid connection with the air inflatable support member for inflation and deflation of the inflatable frame. The system may also comprise a cushion portion that may be fixed to the inflatable frame. 
     The air inflatable support member may further comprise multiple fluidly connected air inflatable support members, which may be defined by additional bond lines between the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material. These air inflatable support members may form linear cells that vary in size and shape based on their position relative to the cushion portion of the sleeping pad. Each of the air inflatable support members may alternatively form a cell or baffle that varies in size and shape based on its position with respect to where the user would place certain body parts when laying upon the padded sleeping system. 
     The cushion portion of the padded sleeping system may comprise a sheet of perforated open cell polyurethane foam having a width that conforms to a width of the inflatable frame and a length that is shorter than a length of the inflatable frame. In such an embodiment, the cushion portion may be fixed to a portion of the inflatable frame. 
     In a different embodiments, the cushion portion may comprise a plurality of cushion portions that vary in size and shape and are fixed to the inflatable frame at different positions. 
     In yet another embodiment, the cushion portion may comprise a plurality of individual cells filled with at least one of: foam, feathers, or cotton, or synthetic fiber. Additionally, the cushion material may include a mylar or heat reflective material, closed cell foam, synthetic fiber or any combination thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a camping pad with an inflatable portion and a cushion portion; 
         FIG. 2A  is a longitudinal side view of the camping pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is another longitudinal side view the camping pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the camping pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a bottom view of the camping pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is another bottom view of the camping pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a transverse side view of the camping pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side cut-away view of an exemplary camping pad according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the camping pad of  FIG. 6  without a cushion portion; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the camping pad of  FIG. 7  without a cushion portion; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded side view of another configuration of a camping pad; 
         FIG. 10  is a longitudinal side view of another configuration of a camping pad with two separate cushion portions; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional longitudinal side view of the camping pad of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the camping pad of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an embodiment of a camping pad  100 , or hybrid pad, or pad, which may be a layered camping pad. The camping pad may comprise an inflatable frame  102  having a length and width that defines a pad area, which may be suitable for supporting a person lying, or sitting thereon. The inflatable frame may extend between a first end  104  (i.e., head end) and a second end  106  (i.e., feet end) and a width that extends between a first side  108  and a second side  109 . The camping pad  100  may also comprise a top portion  110  and a bottom portion  111 , which may be substantially planar and parallel to each other. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the inflatable frame  102  may be formed by joining a first sheet of material  124  to a second sheet of material  126  at a bond line  103 , which may include an I-beam construction, around a perimeter of the first and second sheets of material in such a way that it forms a cell within the inflatable frame  102 . The first sheet of material  124  may form a top side of the inflatable frame  102  and the second sheet of material  126  may form a bottom side of the inflatable frame  102 . The I-beam may be formed by the first sheet of material  124  and the second sheet of material  126  with a tether between each bond line  103 . Other potential constructions may be welding, ultrasonic welding, or the like, or any combination of these constructions methods which are further considered herein. The cell within the inflatable frame  102  may be inflated. The cell within the inflatable frame  102  may also comprise a plurality of fluidly coupled cells  112  or baffles, which may serve as inflatable support members. The pad  100  may further include a superior portion  101  toward the first end  104  and an inferior portion  105  toward the second end  106 . 
     The plurality of fluidly coupled cells  112  may take various different forms, shapes and sizes. In  FIG. 1 , for instance, each cell of the fluidly coupled cells  112  may form a linear support member, which may extend between the first side  108  and the second side  109  of the camping pad  100 . While the plurality of fluidly coupled cells  112  may be parallel to one another in  FIG. 1 , other configurations of fluidly coupled cells can be used. The plurality of fluidly coupled cells  112  may, for example, be arranged in such a way that the plurality of fluidly coupled cells  112  provides targeted support to particular parts of a person&#39;s body when lying thereon. In some configurations, the height of each of the fluidly coupled cells  112  or baffles may vary based on the what part of a user&#39;s body may be placed on that cell  112 . Varying the height of the cells may help a user lay more flat on the camping pad  100  and additionally provided targeted support. 
     The plurality of fluidly coupled cells  112  may be formed in various different ways, by way of example, by incorporating various different patterns of bond lines  113  between the first sheet of material  124  and the second sheet of material  126 . The bond lines  113  may be formed from welding the first sheet of material and second sheet of material to each other in a predetermined pattern. Alternatively, the bond lines  113  may be tethered from the first sheet of material  124  to the second sheet of material  126  through an I-beam weld wherein the bond lines  113  on each side of the first material and second material are not actually adjacent but are connected via an I-beam weld. In addition, the plurality of fluidly coupled cells  112  may also be formed as a result of the shape and contours of the first and second sheets of material that were joined together to create the inflatable frame  102 . 
     Other embodiments of the inflatable frame  102  may further comprise various non-supporting regions, which may be defined by additional bond lines as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 9,756,955. 
     The camping pad  100  may also comprise a cushion portion  114  positioned at the superior portion  101 , which may provide additional comfort and support for users laying upon the camping pad  100 . The cushion portion  114  may be made out of a variety of different padding materials, such as foam. More specifically, the cushion portion  114  may comprise a strip of perforated open cell polyurethane foam. The perforated nature of the foam may provide the camping pad  100  with greater flexibility, and it may also allow the camping pad to maintain a lighter weight. These features may allow for easier storage and portage. It may also improve the breathability of the camping pad  100 , which may be useful when camping in warmer conditions. The cushion portion  114  may also comprise a cushion fabric sleeve  122  (see  FIG. 6A ), which may be fixed around the cushion portion  114 . 
     The cushion portion  114  may be separate from the inflatable frame  102 . That is, the inflatable frame  102  and the cushion portion  114  may be attached, but not in fluid connection. In many prior art camping pads, the cushion is provided within the inflatable portion. A separation of the cushion portion  114  and the inflatable frame  102  may allow the padding or cushioning material to disperse better compared to cushioning material within an inflating portion. This may provide for additional support and comfort of a user. 
     The cushion portion  114  may take various different forms and be made of various different types of materials. For example, another embodiment of the cushion portion  114  may comprise a plurality of cells, which may be filled with a combination of at least one of the following: synthetic fibers, foam, soft feathers (e.g. down feathers), cotton, closed cell foam, heat reflective material or any combination thereof, or any other materials used in conjunction with mattresses or pillows. Depending on the material that the cushion portion  114  is made out of (such as unperforated foam or down feathers), the cushion portion  114  may provide a user with additional insulation, which may be useful when camping in colder conditions. 
     The cushion portion  114  may be incorporated into the camping pad  100  in various different ways.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict that while the bottom portion  111  of the inflatable frame  102  may extend the entire length between the first end  104  and the second end  106  of the camping pad  100 , the cushion portion  114  may extend only partially the length of the camping pad  100 . In some configurations, the top portion  110  of the camping pad  100  may be substantially planar even while transitioning from a cushion top portion  115  to an inflatable top portion  117 . The inflatable top portion  117  may primarily extend toward the second end  106  as the inferior portion  105  of the pad  100 . The cushion portion  114  may be coupled to the inflatable frame  102  in such a way that it, in effect, replaces part of the top portion  110  and becomes a separate layer of the camping pad  100 . In other words, the cushion portion  114  may be coupled to the inflatable frame  102  where the top portion  110  would have been located if the inflatable top portion  117  would have extended the entire length of the camping pad  100 . In this manner, the bottom portion  111  of the inflatable frame  102  and the cushion portion  114  may resemble separate layers which have been coupled together to form the hybrid camping pad  100 . 
     In other configurations, the cushion portion  114  may not in effect replace part of the top portion  110 , but rather may be added on top of the top portion  110 . In such configurations, the superior portion  101  may have a taller height than the inferior portion  105  of the inflatable frame  102  such that the top of the cushion portion  114  of the superior portion  101  extends above a height of the inflatable frame  102  of the inferior portion  105 . The inflatable top portion  117  and cushion top portion  115  may be substantially parallel plains. The width of the cushion portion  114  may conform substantially to the width of the inflatable frame  102 . The portion of the pad  100  with the cushion portion  114  may be thicker than any portion(s) of the pad  100  without the cushion portion  114 . In some configurations, the pad  100  may have a uniform thickness because the cushion portion  114  extends the entire length or substantially the entire length between the first end  104  and the second end  106  of the camping pad  100 . In other configurations, the thickness of the pad  100  may vary has some portions are provided with a cushion portion  114  and others are not. 
     The cushion portion  114  may be coupled to the inflatable frame  102  in various different ways, for example, by laser welding, ultrasonic welding, binding tape, an adhesive, by sewing the cushion fabric sleeve  122  (which may be fixed around the cushion portion  114 ) to the inflatable frame  102  or a combination of these or other means well known in the art. The cushion portion  114  may be attached to the exterior of the inflatable frame  102  such that it is separate from the inflatable frame to provide additional comfort and support to a user apart from the support provided by the inflatable frame  102 . In some configurations, the cushion portion  114  may be directly coupled to the inflatable frame  102  and in other configurations a cushion fabric sleeve  122  (see  FIG. 6A ) may be directly coupled to the inflatable frame  102 , with the cushioning material  123  placed inside the cushion fabric sleeve  122 . 
     In some configurations, the first sheet of material  124  forming the top of the inflatable frame  102  may be provided with an appendage  119  for a cushion fabric sleeve to be securely and aesthetically connected to the first sheet of material  124 . For example, the appendage  119  may be a pleat or fold in the first sheet of material  124 . This fold may be formed in any suitable manner. For example, the first sheet of material  124  may be doubled back on itself and secured in place by gluing, sewing, welding, etc. The appendage  119  need not be formed of the first sheet of material  124 , and may also be formed by attaching a second piece of material to the first sheet of material  124 , such as by gluing, sewing, welding, etc., the second piece of material to the first sheet of material  124 . 
     The appendage  119  may be used to secure the cushion portion  114  to the exterior top side of the inflatable frame. For example, the cushion portion  114  may be comprised of a cushion fabric sleeve  122  with a cushioning material  123  placed within the cushion fabric sleeve  122 . The cushion fabric sleeve  122  may be connected to the inflatable frame on one or more sides. For example, in some configurations the cushion fabric sleeve may be attached to the inflatable frame  102  on four sides, on the first side  108 , the fold  119 , the second side  109 , and the first end  104 . The appendage  119  may provide a secure place to attach one side of the cushion fabric sleeve, and may do so in an ascetically pleasing way. By providing a connecting point via the appendage  119 , the cushion fabric sleeve  122  may be securely attached to the first sheet of material  124  over the appendage  119 , covering all or substantially all of the appendage  119 , without the need for an exterior connection or cover. 
     The cushion portion  114  may be incorporated into the camping pad  100  in various different ways. The cushion portion  114  may also form various different shapes and sizes, which may or may not conform to the shape and size of the inflatable frame  102 . By way of example, on an alternative embodiment of the camping pad  100 , the bottom portion  111  and the top portion  110  may both extend the entire length of the camping pad (from the first end  104  to the second end  106 ). In such an embodiment, the size and shape of the cushion portion  114  may not conform to the contours of the inflatable frame  102 . The cushion portion  114  may be coupled to the camping pad  100  in such a way that it may be positioned to cover the entire top portion  110 . 
     The cushion portion  114  may also alternatively comprise a plurality of cushion portions, which may be coupled to, or may replace, certain parts of the top portion  110 . In such an embodiment, the plurality of cushion portions may be arranged in such a way that they may provide targeted support to specific parts of a user&#39;s body when lying thereon. By way of example, a cushion portion  114  may be positioned at the shoulders and/or hips of a user while the remainder of the pad  100  comprises only the inflatable portions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , the camping pad  100  may also comprise a valve  120 , that is able to inflate by any means necessary including a pump or by mouth. The position of the valve may be at any of a number of locations that allow for ease in inflation and deflation of the pad  100 . 
       FIG. 4A  also demonstrates that the bond lines  113  may form various different patterns, including for example staggered bond lines  113   a  that may run substantially parallel to the width of the inflatable frame  102 . The staggered bond lines  113   a  may comprise a rounded end  113   b  at one or both ends of the bond lines. The rounded end  113   b  may be formed in various different ways, including for example by welding a greater surface area of the first sheet of material and a greater surface area of the second sheet of material to each other to form the rounded end  113   b.    
     Many of the staggered bond lines  113   a  in  FIG. 4A  include the rounded end  113   b  on an end of the staggered bond lines  113   a  that are adjacent to the first side  108  or adjacent to the second side  109 . Some of the staggered bond lines  113   a  in  FIG. 4A  that do not include an end that is adjacent to the first side  108  or the second side  109  do not include a rounded end  113   b  on either end. In alternative embodiments, the rounded end  113   b  may be included at any number of locations along the bond lines  113 . 
     The bottom portion  111  of the camping pad  100  may be entirely an inflatable portion of the inflatable frame  102 . The sizes and shapes of the fluidly coupled cells  112  may vary. The superior portion  101  may have fluidly coupled cells  112   b  that are situated directly adjacent to and beneath the cushion portion  114  of the camping pad  100  may have a narrower width. Fluidly coupled cells  112   a  of the inferior portion  105  that are not beneath the cushion  114  may have a wider width. The width of the fluidly coupled cells  112   a  of the inferior portion  105  may be wider in width than the fluidly coupled cells  112   b  of the superior portion  101 . The fluidly coupled cells  112   b  of the superior portion  101  that are situated beneath the cushion portion  114  may provide the inflatable frame  102  with a more condensed volume of air providing stiffer structural support for the cushion  114 . The fluidly coupled cells  112   b  of the superior portion  101  may also facilitate greater surface area for adhering the cushion portion  114  to the inflatable portion  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , the camping pad  100  may alternatively comprise a first valve  120   a , which a user may employ with his or her mouth to inflate the inflatable frame  102  and a second valve  120   b , which may be connected to a pump for inflation. Both the first valve  120   a  and the second valve  120   b  may be in fluid communication with the inflatable frame  102  in such a way that allows the inflatable frame  102  to be inflated and deflated. Alternatively, the first valve  120   a  and second valve  120   b  may be a single valve. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the dimensions of the cushion portion  114  of the camping pad  100  may not conform to the dimensions of the inflatable frame  102 , the height of the superior portion  101 , which includes the cushion portion  114 , may be greater than the height of the inferior portion  105  of the inflatable frame  102 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the camping pad  100 . A cushion fabric sleeve  122  may be an outer cover for the cushion portion  114 , and may be attached directly to the inflatable frame  102  on one or more sides. For example, in some configurations the cushion fabric sleeve may be attached to the inflatable frame  102  on four sides, on the first side  108 , the appendage  119 , the second side  109 , and the first end  104 . The cushion portion  114  may comprise a strip of perforated foam. The inflatable top portion  117  of the inflatable frame  102  may include the first sheet of material  124 , which may be joined to the second sheet of material  126  at the bond line  103 . The bottom portion  111  of the inflatable frame  102 , which may include the second sheet of material  126  which may be joined to the first sheet of material  124  at the bond line  103 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , the top fabric sleeve  122  may be fixed around the cushion portion  114 ; the cushion portion  114  and the top fabric sleeve  122  may be coupled to the first sheet of material  124  of the inflatable top portion  117 ; and the first sheet of material  124  may be joined to the second sheet of material  126  of the bottom portion  111  at the bond line  103  to form the inflatable frame  102 . 
     Various additional layers may be included in the camping pad  100  to provide insulation as may be desired. Similarly, various materials may be used to form the layers depending on the purpose of use for the camping pad. In some configurations, the inflatable portion may include insulation and/or foam. Mylar may be included in one or more layers or as a fabric layer. The fabric sleeve  122  may be formed of any suitable material, and if desired may be formed from a material with a soft hand-feel such as a micro fleece fabric, etc. In the alternate camping pad  100 ′ configuration shown in  FIG. 9 , several layers of insulation and foam may be provided for comfort and/or insulation. For example, the fabric sleeve  122  may be formed of micro fleece. The cushioning portion may include one or more layers of foam, such as a layer of 30 mm PU foam  114   a , and a layer of ¼″ EVA foam  114   b . Different types of foam having varying densities and varying thicknesses may also be used. One or more layers of PET mylar  130   a ,  130   b  may also be included. Similarly, insulation  133  may be provided within the air frame  102  if desired. In some configurations, one or more layers of foam  137   a ,  137   b  may be provided within the air frame  102  as desired. 
       FIGS. 10-12  show another configuration of a camping pad  100 ″ that may be provided with a first cushion portion  114   a  and a second cushion portion  114   b . One, two, or more cushion portions may be provided on the camping pad as desired to support a user. For example, in the configurations shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , the cushioning portions may be provided proximal to the shoulders of a user and proximal to the hips of a user. 
     An individual may use the camping pad  100  in conjunction with various camping activities. For example, the individual may inflate the inflatable frame  102  of the camping pad  100  by engaging either of the first valve  120   a  (by blowing into the first valve  120   a  with his or her mouth) or the second valve  120   b  (by connecting a pump to the second valve  120   b ). The individual may then place the camping pad  100  beneath the individual&#39;s sleeping bag or other sleeping gear and lay on the camping pad  100  for leisure or sleep. Utilizing the camping pad  100  in this manner may provide numerous benefits, including but not limited to, elevating the individual off the ground for insulation purposes and providing the individual with additional comfort while sitting or lying upon the camping pad  100  when the individual is engaged in activities such as camping trips. 
     When the individual is finished using the camping pad  100 , the individual may then deflate the inflatable frame  102  of the camping pad  100  by opening up either of the first valve  120   a  or the second valve  120   b  to let the air escape. The individual may desire to introduce pressure to the camping pad  100  in order to drive the air out of the inflatable frame  102 . Once the air is driven from within the inflatable frame  102 , the individual may desire to store the camping pad  100  by folding it up, rolling it up, or otherwise compressing it into a more portable shape and size. 
     Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scopes of the inventions recited by any of the appended claims, but merely as providing information pertinent to some specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of the appended claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. In addition, other embodiments may also lie within the scopes of the appended claims. All additions to, deletions from and modifications of the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.