Patent ID: 7152264

Claim:
An air mattress comprising: a first inflatable compartment having a first layer, a second layer, a strip extending from the first layer to the second layer such that the strip defines substantially straight, vertically extending sides defining a height of the first inflatable compartment, and a periphery defining a length and a width, said strip forming an air-impervious wall of the first inflatable compartment; a second inflatable compartment having at least one additional layer and extending generally said length and width of said periphery, said second inflatable compartment being tufted, said second inflatable compartment having a vertical extent substantially less than the height of the first inflatable compartment; and a perimeter seal connecting said first inflatable compartment to said second inflatable compartment, wherein said perimeter seal is recessed from said periphery; wherein said second layer forms a boundary surface between said first inflatable compartment and said second inflatable compartment and contains a plurality of fluid communication channels between said first compartment and said second compartment, said fluid communication channels providing fluid communication between the first and second inflatable compartments to enable fluid in one of the first and second inflatable compartments to flow into the other of the first and second inflatable compartments.