Batting filled self inflatable body

Claim 1

An inflatable body comprising: (a) an air impervious envelope comprising upper and lower sheets joined to one another at perimeter portions thereof enclosing an inflatable portion; (b) a resilient fiber batt core positioned within said inflatable portion of said envelope, said core having a planar configuration with length and width dimensions substantially in excess of its thickness dimension, and having tensile elements therein extending across the thickness thereof, and separating said upper and lower sheets when in an unloaded condition; (c) each of said upper and lower sheets of the envelope being bonded to said tensile elements whereby said tensile elements extend between said upper and lower sheets; (d) said batt core being substantially continuous throughout said envelope and having its upper and lower surfaces securely bonded to or in the upper and lower sheets of the envelope, with a bonding strength adequate to resist tension loads imparted by internal air pressure whereby the batt core acts effectively in tension between said upper and lower sheets to limit deflection of said upper and lower sheets from each other with said sheets providing an air impervious barrier to maintain such air pressure, and (e) a valve connected to said inflatable body and providing an air passageway allowing atmospheric air to enter the air impervious envelope caused by the tensile elements of said resilient batt core straightening, because of their resiliency, and thereby urging said upper and lower sheets apart until said tensile elements are fully expanded preventing further expansion, at which time said valve may be closed thereby sealing atmospheric air pressure within said envelope.