Abstract A lightweight, compact air mattress particularly well suited for use for backpacking is disclosed. The air mattress is comprised of a lightweight, thin walled casing having a plurality of sideby-side elongated pockets and a plurality of inflatable tubular members removably mounted in the pockets. The casing is formed with access openings at both ends thereof adapted for insertion and removal of the tubular elements into the pockets from either end of the casing. The tubular members are preferably thin walled, thermal plastic extrusions which are sealed at each end to provide an inflatable chamber and to provide a tab at each end beyond the seals. Replacement of a punctured tubular member can be accomplished by opening both access openings to the casing, fastening the tab on a replacement member to the tab at one end of the punctured element, and pulling the punctured element out of the casing from the other end to pull the replacement tubular element into the casing. A casing having a layer of foam material on one side thereof to enhance thermal insulation is also disclosed.
In a lightweight, compact air mattress having a casing including opposed sheet portions formed to define a plurality of side-by-side elongated pockets, and a plurality of individual elongated inflatable tubular members each being removably mounted in said pockets, the improvement comprising: said pockets and said tubular members having a diameter to length ratio preventing manual insertion of replacement tubular members in said pockets; said casing being formed with an access opening proximate each end of said casing, each said access opening being adapted to provide access to each of said pockets for insertion and removal of said tubular members to and from said pockets through said access openings; access opening closure means mounted to said casing proximate each of said access openings and adapted for selective opening and closing of said access openings; and each said tubular member is formed with securement tabs adapted for securement of a replacement tubular member to both ends thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a lightweight, compact air mattress having a casing including opposed sheet portions formed to define a plurality of side-by-side elongated pockets, and a plurality of individual elongated inflatable tubular members each being removably mounted in said pockets, the improvement comprising: said pockets and said tubular members having a diameter to length ratio preventing manual insertion of replacement tubular members in said pockets; said casing being formed with an access opening proximate each end of said casing, each said access opening being adapted to provide access to each of said pockets for insertion and removal of said tubular members to and from said pockets through said access openings; access opening closure means mounted to said casing proximate each of said access openings and adapted for selective opening and closing of said access openings; and each said tubular member is formed with securement tabs adapted for securement of a replacement tubular member to both ends thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A lightweight, compact air mattress as defined in claim 1, and at least one replacement inflatable tubular member dimensioned for mounting in said pockets and formed with securement tabs proximate both ends thereof and adapted for securement to securement tabs provided on said tubular members mounted in said pockets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lightweight, compact air mattress as defined in claim 1 wherein, said access opening closure means are provided by zippers, and said tubular members have a diameter of no more than about 2-1/2 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lightweight, compact air mattress as defined in claim 1, and a thin layer of foam material secured to and substantially covering at least one of said sheet portions.