Inflatable bed

Abstract

An inflatable bed includes an inflatable main chamber having a top panel, a top cover attached to the top panel of the main chamber to define a sealed chamber between the top cover and the top panel, and a padding provided in the sealed chamber. The padding provides a solid cushion between the person and the main chamber, so that when a person sleeps on the bed, the person actually lays on the padding and not the top panel of the main chamber.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mattresses and beds, and in particular, to an inflatable bed.

2. Description of the Related Art

Inflatable beds and mattresses have become increasingly popular in recent times. There are a number of reasons for this increasingly popularity. First, inflatable beds can be deflated and folded into a small size, making them small and lightweight, and therefore (i) easy to carry around during camping, travel and other similar uses, and (ii) easy and convenient to Store. Second, these inflatable beds are typically provided with pumps that can quickly and conveniently inflate and deflate the bed, making the beds easy to deploy and store.

Despite these advantages that are being offered by the conventional inflatable beds, certain disadvantages still exist. For example, existing inflatable beds are not very comfortable to sleep on. Thus, there still remains a need for additional improvements to the conventional inflatable beds that would provide additional comfort and convenience for users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an inflatable bed that provides improved sleeping comfort to the user.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide an inflatable bed where the firmness can be adjusted.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an inflatable bed which can be easily and conveniently deployed and folded for storage and re-deployed for use.

The objectives of the present invention can be accomplished by providing an inflatable bed having an inflatable main chamber having a top panel, a top cover attached to the top panel of the main chamber to define a sealed chamber between the top cover and the top panel, and a padding provided in the sealed chamber. The padding provides a solid cushion between the person and the main chamber, so that when a person sleeps on the bed, the person actually lays on the padding and not the top panel of the main chamber, thereby increasing the level of comfort and simulating the feeling of sleeping on a regular bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an inflatable bed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bed of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the bed of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an inflatable bed according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bed of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an inflatable bed 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The inflatable bed 10 has three primary components: a main chamber 12, a padding 14 and a top cover 16.

The main chamber 12 is essentially a rectangular chamber formed by four side walls 20, a bottom panel 22, and a top panel 24. The four side walls 20, the bottom panel 22 and the top panel 24 are all provided in a weather-proof, leak-proof, water-proof and airtight material, such as PVC, polyester laminated with a PVC backing, nylon coated with PVC, cotton coated with PVC, rayon coated with PVC, polyester/cotton coated with PVC, any fabric coated with PVC, and any plastic sheeting, among others. The main chamber 12 can be filled with air, liquids (e.g., water) or any similar substance to form a base for the bed 10. The air or liquid can be introduced via an inlet valve 26 that is provided in one of the side walls 20, the bottom panel 22 or the top panel 24. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment where the inlet valve 26 is provided in a side wall 20. For example, a conventional pump (not shown) can be attached to the inlet valve 26 to inflate and deflate the main chamber 12. A comfort control valve 28 can also be provided in one of the side walls 20. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment where the comfort control valve 28 is provided in a side wall 20. The comfort control valve 28 allows the user to adjust the firmness of the bed 10 by selectively releasing some of the air or liquid inside the main chamber 12. For example, when the main chamber 12 is fully inflated, the user can open the comfort control valve 28 slightly by turning clockwise to obtain the desired firmness, and then close the valve 28 by turning it counter-clockwise.

The padding 14 can be provided in the form of an open cell visco-elastic foam which is housed inside a sealed chamber 34 that is defined by the top cover 16 and the top panel 24 of the main chamber 12. The padding 14 functions to provide a contoured sleeping posture and maximum sleeping support. For example, the padding 14, which can be any conventional bed padding available in the marketplace, provides extra support to a sleeping body since the open cells of the visco-elastic foam have a memory that shapes the natural contour of the human body during sleep.

The top cover 16 can be made from a weather-proof, leak-proof, water-proof and airtight material, such as a fabric with a PVC, or plastic backing, or any of the materials described above for the side walls 20, the bottom panel 22 and the top panel 24. In one embodiment of the present invention, the top cover 16 can be made from the same material as the four side walls 20, the bottom panel 22 and the top panel 24. The top cover 16 extends over the top of the padding 14 along the sides of the padding 14, and has side edges that are stitched, heat-fused or otherwise attached to the top of the side walls 20 of the main chamber 12 to define the sealed chamber 34. The sealed chamber 34 preferably retains the padding 14 in a loose-fitting manner such that air can be introduced into the sealed chamber 34. For example, a vacuum valve 36 allows air or liquid to be introduced or removed to allow the padding 14 to be easily rebounded for packing and storage. The term “rebounded” refers to the return of the padding 14 to its original state. For example, the foam of the padding 14 is compressed when the padding 14 is vacuum packed and rolled up. When a vacuum valve 36 is opened and air is introduced into the sealed chamber 34, the sealed chamber 34 expands, and allows the padding 14 to quickly return to its original (expanded) state.

The introduction to and removal of air to and from the sealed chamber 34 facilitates faster and more effective packing and storage of the bed 10. If the air inside the sealed chamber 34 is not released during the rolling and packing of the bed 10, the air in the sealed chamber 34 will cause the entire bed to roll up like a balloon. When the vacuum valve 36 is opened during rolling or packing, the air inside the sealed chamber 34 is forced out of the sealed chamber 34, thereby allowing the padding 14 to be easily compressed to its smallest size for rolling and packing.

Thus, the present invention improves upon the conventional inflatable beds by providing the padding 14 on top of the main chamber 12. In contrast, in conventional inflatable beds, the person normally sleeps directly on top of an inflated chamber (without any padding), so the person can feel that the bed is rather soft. The padding 14 of the present invention provides a solid cushion between the body and the air/liquid-filled chamber 12. When a person sleeps on the bed 10, the person actually lays on the padding 14 and not the top panel 24 of the main chamber 14. This will increase the level of comfort and simulates the feeling of sleeping on a regular bed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a modification that can be made to the bed 10 of FIGS. 1-3. A stretch inflatable tube 50 can be provided along the peripheral edge of the top cover 16 along the connection between the edges of the top cover 16 and the top panel 24 of the main chamber 12. The tube 50 can be inflated via an inlet 52. Alternatively, a tubing (not shown) can be provided to connect the main chamber 12 and tube 50 so that the tube 50 is inflated when the main chamber 12 is inflated. The tube 50 helps in the inflation and deployment of the inflatable bed 10. Specifically, the tube 50 can be deflated when the bed 10 is rolled up for storage. When the bed 10 is to be deployed for use, the bed 10 is unrolled and the chamber 12 and the tube 50 are both inflated. When the tube 50 is inflated, it will force the top cover 16 to open flat and smooth as the main chamber 12 is inflated. As a result, air can be more easily introduced into the sealed chamber 34 and the padding 14 can be rebounded more easily.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A method of inflating an inflatable bed, comprising:

a. providing an inflatable bed having: an inflatable main chamber having a top panel; a top cover attached to the top panel of the main chamber to define a sealed chamber between the top cover and the top panel, the top cover having a periphery; a padding provided in the sealed chamber; and an inflatable tube attached around the periphery of the top cover;

b. inflating the main chamber; and

c. inflating the tube to cause the top cover to be smoothened and flattened.

18. The method of claim 17, further including:

providing the main chamber with four side walls, the top panel, and a bottom panel.

19. The method of claim 18, further including:

providing an inlet valve in one of the four side walls, the top panel, or the bottom panel.

20. The method of claim 18, further including:

providing a valve in one of the four side walls, the top panel, or the bottom panel; and

adjusting the volume of air inside the main chamber via the valve.

21. The method of claim 17, further including:

providing the padding in the form of an open cell visco-elastic foam.

22. The method of claim 17, further including:

retaining the padding in a loose-fitting manner inside the sealed chamber.

23. The method of claim 17, further including:

inflating the tube and the main chamber at the same time.