Seating/sleeping systems and methods
A seating/sleeping system includes: a lower support layer; a cushion that is located above the support layer and that is supported by the support layer, the cushion being configured to support buttocks of a person sitting on the seating/sleeping system; a back support layer that is located above the lower support layer, the back support layer being configured to support a back of a person sitting on the seating/sleeping system; and an air mattress that is connected to the seating/sleeping system and that is located within the seating/sleeping system, the air mattress configured to be inflated while remaining connected to the seating/sleeping system.
Some existing seating/sleeping systems (e.g., sleeper sofas) include built-in beds. However, such seating/sleeping systems are typically uncomfortable, heavy, expensive and/or difficult to convert into beds. Therefore there exists a need for systems and methods that address these and/or problems associated with existing seating/sleeping systems.
SUMMARYSeating/sleeping systems and methods are disclosed. An embodiment of a seating/sleeping system includes: a lower support layer; a cushion that is located above the support layer and that is supported by the support layer, said cushion being configured to support buttocks of a person sitting on the seating/sleeping system; a back support layer that is located above the lower support layer, the back support layer being configured to support a back of a person sitting on the seating/sleeping system; and an air mattress that is connected to said seating/sleeping system and that is located within said seating/sleeping system, said air mattress configured to be inflated while remaining connected to said seating/sleeping system.
An embodiment for using a seating/sleeping system includes: removing at least a portion of an air mattress that is connected to a seating/sleeping system from within said seating/sleeping system; and inflating said at least a portion of said mattress while it remain connected to said seating/sleeping system.
Another embodiment for using a seating/sleeping system includes: deflating an air mattress that is connected to a seating/sleeping system; and placing said mattress inside said seating/sleeping system while it remains connected to said seating/sleeping system.
These and other embodiments are described in more detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSMany aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
As will be described in greater detail herein, an embodiment of the present invention comprises one or more air mattress(es) located inside a seating device (e.g., couch, sofa, love seat, etc.). The seating device may be configured to seat one or more people (e.g., may have one or more cushions) and may have a seat-back and/or one or more arm-supports. The seating device may comprise one or more of the following components, among others: a frame (e.g., wood frame), padding (e.g., polyester padding), springs (e.g., metal springs), and/or a shell (e.g., cloth, leather, and/or vinyl), for example.
The air mattress(es) may be deployed automatically (e.g., responsive to the press of one or more buttons) or manually. Preferably, this is accomplished by locating an air mattress inside a base of the seating device along with an air pump. The user may then inflate the air mattress by activating an air pump (located inside or outside the seating device) to deploy the air mattress(es). The air pump may include a battery (e.g., rechargeable battery) that enables the air mattress to be inflated without having the air pump connected to an external power supply (e.g., electric wall socket).
The air mattress may comprise one or more air chambers. Furthermore, the air mattress may comprise one or more materials including, for example, plastic, vinyl, and/or rubber, among others. The air mattress may be attached to the seating device either directly or indirectly (e.g., via a mattress cover that covers the air mattress and that is attached to the seating device). When uninflated, the air mattress may be rolled and/or folded. As the air mattress is inflated it may unroll and/or unfold due to air pressure.
Note that an embodiment of the invention may incorporate one or more of the following elements (where feasible), depending on a desired implementation
a single-seat seating device
a multi-seat seating device.
a plurality of seating devices.
a single air mattress located in a seating device.
a plurality of air mattresses located in a seating device.
a single pump located in a seating device.
a plurality of pumps located in a seating device.
a single pump located outside a seating device.
a plurality of pumps located outside in a seating device.
one or more pumps that are pre-connected to respective air mattresses.
one or more pumps that are connected to respective air mattresses by a user.
a user interface (e.g., button or switch) located on a seating device.
a user interface located on a remote control device.
a plurality of air mattresses that exit simultaneously from a seating device.
a plurality of air mattresses that exit sequentially from a seating device.
a plurality of air mattresses in a seating device that are independently inflated.
a plurality of air mattresses that retract simultaneously from a seating device.
a plurality of air mattresses that retract sequentially from a seating device.
a plurality of air mattresses in a seating device that are independently deflated.
Referring now to the drawings,
In one or more of the above embodiments, an air mattress may be covered with a air mattress cover (e.g., made of cloth) while the air mattress is deflated and stored within the seating device. As the air mattress is inflated, the air mattress covers remains on the air mattress to provide a suitable sleeping surface.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples, among others, of the implementations, setting forth a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the principles of the invention. For example, elements of one of above embodiments may be combined with suitable elements of another embodiment. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the disclosure and present invention.
Claims
1- A seating/sleeping system comprising:
- a lower support layer;
- a cushion that is located above the support layer and that is supported by the support layer, said cushion being configured to support buttocks of a person sitting on the seating/sleeping system;
- a back support layer that is located above the lower support layer, the back support layer being configured to support a back of a person sitting on the seating/sleeping system; and
- an air mattress that is connected to said seating/sleeping system and that is located within said seating/sleeping system, said air mattress configured to be inflated while remaining connected to said seating/sleeping system.
2- The seating/sleeping system of claim 1, wherein said seating/sleeping system is a sofa.
3- The seating/sleeping system of claim 1, wherein said air mattress is configured to be inflated by an air pump.
4- The seating/sleeping system of claim 1, further comprising:
- an air pump located inside the seating/sleeping system.
5- The seating/sleeping system of claim 4, wherein the air pump is coupled to a rechargeable battery.
6- The seating/sleeping system of claim 4, wherein the air pump is coupled to the air mattress.
7- The seating/sleeping system of claim 1, wherein the air mattress is located below the support layer.
8- The seating/sleeping system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to activate the air pump.
9- The seating/sleeping system of claim 1, wherein said air mattress comprises a vinyl shell.
10- The seating/sleeping system of claim 1, further comprising a mattress cover that covers a majority of the air mattresses' outer surface.
11- A method comprising:
- removing at least a portion of an air mattress that is connected to a seating/sleeping system from within said seating/sleeping system; and
- inflating said at least a portion of said mattress while it remain connected to said seating/sleeping system.
12- The method of claim 11, further comprising opening a door of a storage compartment of the seating/sleeping system prior to removing said air mattress from within said seating/sleeping system.
13- The method of claim 11, wherein said seating/sleeping system is a sofa.
14- The method of claim 11, wherein the said at least a portion of the air mattress is inflated via an air pump.
15- The method of claim 14, wherein said air pump is located within said seating/sleeping system.
16- The method of claim 14, wherein the air pump is coupled to a rechargeable battery.
17- The method of claim 14, wherein the air pump is coupled to said at least a portion of the air mattress while the air mattress is located within the seating/sleeping system.
18- A method comprising:
- deflating an air mattress that is connected to a seating/sleeping system; and
- placing said mattress inside said seating/sleeping system while it remains connected to said seating/sleeping system.
19- The method of claim 18, further comprising opening a door of a storage compartment of the seating/sleeping system prior to placing said air mattress inside said seating/sleeping system.
20- The method of claim 18, wherein said seating/sleeping system is a sofa.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 28, 2005
Publication Date: Jan 11, 2007
Inventor: Joyce Worman (Covington, GA)
Application Number: 11/168,848
International Classification: A47C 27/08 (20060101);