Abstract:
An airbed ( 20 ) that is variable in size. The airbed includes a principal bladder ( 22 ) and one or more extension bladders ( 24, 26 ). The principal bladder ( 22 ) may be inflated and used as an airbed. The extension bladders ( 24, 26 ) may remain deflated, or one or more of the additional bladders may be inflated to increase the total size of the inflated portions of the airbed ( 20 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/827,816, filed Oct. 2, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An airbed, sometimes called an “air mattress,” is a large rectangular rubber or plastic (e.g., vinyl) bag that is filled with air so that it may be used as a bed. Airbeds are well known in the art and have proven themselves to be very useful. On the one hand, an inflatable airbed may be deflated and folded to store the airbed in a closet or basement. On the other hand, when guests arrive or when the owner of the airbed takes a trip to a place where there is no bed, the airbed may be inflated and may be used as a bed. 
         [0003]    Although airbeds work well for their intended purpose, one limitation to the use of airbeds is that most conventional airbeds are manufactured to be used in a large open area. Thus, if an airbed is inflated and placed in the bed of a truck, wagon, sport utility vehicle (SUV), or other vehicle, the dimensions of the airbed may cause the airbed to fit poorly, either being too long or too short in one or more dimensions. One type of airbed that has been used to address this limitation is specifically manufactured to fit the dimensions of a particular vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description of some embodiments that are presented later. 
         [0005]    In accordance with an embodiment, an airbed is provided that is variable in size. In an embodiment, the airbed includes a principal bladder and one or more extension bladders. The principal bladder may be inflated and used as an airbed. The extension bladders may remain deflated, or one or more of the additional bladders may be inflated to increase the total size of the inflated portions of the airbed. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, each bladder has its own valve so that each bladder may be inflated individually. Alternatively, two or more bladders may be inflated using the same valve. 
     
     
         [0007]    Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an airbed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a vehicle with an airbed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a cutout view of an airbed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a cutout view of an alternate embodiment of an airbed; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is schematic representation of a cutout view of an edge weld in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. 
         [0014]    Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows an airbed  20  in accordance with an embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the airbed  20  includes a principal bladder  22 , a first extension bladder  24 , and a second extension bladder  26  connected in series. As further described below, the principal bladder  22 , the first extension bladder  24 , and/or the second extension bladder  26  may be inflated so as to provide an inflated airbed having varying lengths. The variable lengths of the airbed  20  may permit the airbed to be used in a variety of different applications, including, but not limited to, for use in the back of various different vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles. 
         [0015]    In the embodiment shown in the drawings, each the bladders  22 ,  24 , and  26  are connected to the respective adjacent bladder by a releasable or permanent connection. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the principal bladder  22  is attached to the first extension bladder  24  by an edge weld  30 . Also shown in  FIG. 1 , the second extension bladder  24  is attached to the second extension bladder  26  by an edge weld  30 . 
         [0016]    “Edge welds” are well-known in the airbed art. Details of an example of attachment of the principal bladder  22  to the first extension bladder  24  at an edge weld are shown in  FIG. 3 . As is known, as shown in  FIG. 5 , when two or more sheets of material  50  for an airbed are welded, the welded juncture forms a seam  52 . This seam  52  includes excess flashing material  54  that usually extends outward at the seam  52 . This excess flashing material  54  is also known as an “edge weld.” In most conventional airbeds, such junctures are formed at the connection of a top wall  32  ( FIG. 3 ) of an airbed  20  to a side wall  34  for the airbed, and similarly at a connection of a bottom wall  36  to the side wall  34 , but edge welds may be positioned at other locations on the airbed. 
         [0017]    In accordance with an embodiment, the bladders  22 ,  24 , and  26  of the airbed  20  are connected at edge welds  30 . However, bladders may be attached in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, ties, hooks, snaps, loops and toggles, clasps, and other suitable attachments. The attachments may be permanent, or may allow users to attach or detach bladders to or from each other. In addition, two or more of the bladders  22 ,  24 , and  26  of the airbed  20  may be formed in a single process. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a single side panel  134  and a single top panel  132  may be used, and a weld  130  may be formed in the construction that defines a boundary between adjacent bladders. 
         [0018]    In accordance with an embodiment, the connection of adjacent bladders is made at the top of the airbed. However, the bladders  22 ,  24 , and/or  26  may be connected in a variety of other locations. For example, connections may be located at the bottom of the airbed or in a location between the top and bottom of the airbed. In general, the edge welds or other connectors may be located in any manner that allows proper connection of the bladders. 
         [0019]    The present invention need not be limited to three bladders. A variable size airbed may alternatively have one extension bladder or more than two extension bladders. Also, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the extension bladders  24  and  26  are on the same side of the principal bladder  22 . However, any number of configurations may be used. For example, one or more extension bladders may be attached to opposite sides of the principal bladder. In addition,  FIG. 1  shows extension bladders  24  and  26  that may be selectively inflated to vary the length of the airbed. However, extension bladders may also be used to vary the width of the airbed as well. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , each bladder  22 ,  24 , and  26  includes a valve  28  so that each bladder may be selectively inflated. Other configurations may be used that allow selective inflation of the bladders  22 ,  24 , and  26 . For example, the principal bladder  22  may include a valve for inflating the principal bladder  22 . A closure valve (not shown) may fluidly connect the extension bladder  24  to the principal bladder  22  such that, when the valve is open, there is a fluid connection between the principal bladder  22  and extension bladder  24  so that air can flow between the two bladders. Similarly, the second extension bladder  26  may either contain a valve  28  for inflation as shown in  FIG. 1 , or may include a closure valve connecting the second extension bladder  26  to the first extension bladder  24  providing a fluid connection between the two bladders. In general, any configuration of valves may be utilized that allows the bladders to be selectively inflated. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the airbed is manufactured to fit inside the bed of a vehicle  32 . Specifically, bladders are manufactured to correspond to common size vehicle beds. For example, the principal bladder  22  may be four feet long while the extension bladders  24  and  26  each may be one foot long, allowing the bed to fit inside vehicles with beds that are four, five, or six feet long. In another embodiment, an airbed may have two bladders connected, for example at edge welds, a principal bladder having a width of forty one inches and a length of sixty two inches, and an extension bladder having a width of forty one inches and a length of seven inches so that, when both bladders are inflated, the airbed has a width of forty one inches and a length of sixty nine inches and, when only the principal bladder is inflated, the airbed is approximately the size of the principal bladder. Of course, in other embodiments, each bladder may be manufactured to any desired length, allowing the airbed to fit in a variety of places. In addition, the extension bladders need not have dimensions that match other extension bladders and/or the principal bladder. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bladders have a rectangular shape. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the width dimension of the rectangle is such that the airbed will fit between protruding wheel wells in the bed of a vehicle. Alternate embodiments may have one or more bladders of another size or shape. For example, the principal bladder  22  and/or the extension bladders  24 ,  26  may have different widths to accommodate variations in the width of a vehicle bed, such as variations due to wheel wells. The width of one or more bladders may also vary to accommodate such variations in the width of a vehicle bed. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bladders  22 ,  24 , and  26  have the same width, but the bladders may also vary in width. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the extension bladders  24  and  26  may be used to extend the length of the airbed. However, the extension bladders  24  and  26  may serve other purposes such as pillows or backrests. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , inflated extension bladder  26  may be folded along the edge weld  30  and used as a pillow. In addition, inflated extension bladders  24  and  26  may be folded up along the edge weld connecting the extension bladder  24  to the primary bladder  22  to provide a larger pillow. Also, inflated extension bladder  24  and deflated extension bladder  26  may be folded along the edge weld  30  connecting the extension bladder  24  to the primary bladder in order to provide a pillow. In this last configuration, the deflated extension bladder  26  may lie on top of the primary bladder  22  or may be folded under the inflated extension bladder  24 . Of course, similar variations may also be made with other configurations. 
         [0024]    Although described with reference to a “principal” and one or more “extension” bladders, an airbed in accordance with an embodiment may include two or more bladders that are of the same size. In addition, an airbed in accordance with an embodiment may include a first bladder that is configured and sized to fit the back of one size of a vehicle, and a second bladder configured and sized to fit the back of another size of vehicle. In a variation of such an embodiment, the bladders are both inflated to be used in a third, larger sized vehicle. 
         [0025]    In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the bladders may contain a built in pump or compressor in addition to or instead of the valve that inflates one or more of the bladders. The built in pump or compressor may be incorporated into one or more of the bladders. 
         [0026]    Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0027]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0028]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0029]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.