Patent ID: 8151391

Claim:
An inflatable device capable of containing inflation pressure, the inflatable device comprising: a first surface; a second surface, opposite said first surface; a first side wall between said first and second surfaces; a second side wall opposite said first side wall and between said first and second surfaces; a plurality of columns extending from said first surface toward said second surface and extending along said first surface for a substantial portion of the distance between said first side wall and said second side wall, said plurality of columns being capable of containing inflation pressure; and a chamber capable of containing inflation pressure, and substantially located between said plurality of columns and said second surface; and a plurality of channels formed between said plurality of columns, wherein each of said channels substantially occupies the space formed between two columns and said first surface, and wherein said plurality of channels is configured in such a way as to form at least a path capable of allowing a fluid to flow at substantially lower pressure levels than the inflation pressure of said columns.