CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from United States provisional patent application US61/761 .842 entitled "INFLATABLE DEVICE AND INFLATOR SYSTEM" filed on February 7, 2013 by David Joseph Cirjak.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to systems combining inflatable devices and inflators, for example air mattresses and air pumps.

2. Description of Related Art

Inflatable devices, such as air mattresses, are convenient because they can be deflated for compact transport or storage and inflated for use. One attendant inconvenience is that before use, the air mattress must be inflated.

The simplest way to inflate an air mattress is by mouth; however, it can be physically difficult for some people to do so.

Some air mattresses are filled with resilient foam that draws in air as it expands against the interior of the air mattress from a compressed storage state to an expanded usable state. A valve connecting the interior of the air mattress to the ambient environment outside the air mattress can be opened to allow the foam to draw in such air as it expands and then be closed to prevent the foam from expelling the air under compression as a load such as a person is supported on the air mattress. Although this passive, self-inflating arrangement is convenient, it is poorly suited to pressurizing the air mattress to as high a magnitude as some might desire. To inflate an air mattress to a higher pressure, one conventionally uses an inflator, such as an air pump, either manual or powered. Traditionally, such pumps were separate, often general purpose, pumps that one transported along with the air mattress. One problem with this arrangement was that the pump had to be carried separately and might be misplaced.

A more recent arrangement has been to seal a pump into the interior of an air mattress, and in particular into an inflatable bladder within the air mattress, so that it is conveniently always ready for use. One problem with this approach is that the pump cannot be used for other purposes, for example inflating swim toys. Another problem is that if either the pump or the air mattress breaks, the other ceases to be useful.

Accordingly, what is needed is an inflatable device and inflator system in which the two system components are independent but adapted for convenient combined transport or storage.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to this need.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system having an inflator and an inflatable device with a bladder removably connectable to the inflator and an openable cover configured to enclose both the bladder and the inflator.

The cover may be configured to enclose both bladder and the inflator when the inflatable device is in any of a storage, transport and operating state. The cover may include a closure through which ambient air can pass. The system may further include a sheath for releasably retaining the inflator. The sheath may be formed integrally with the bladder and at least one of the sheath and the bladder may be attached to the cover.

The system may further include an elbow coupler that connects the bladder to the inflator. The elbow coupler may be bulbous and have a flanged end for connecting to the bladder. The coupler may further include a check valve.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device that is inflatable with an inflator, having a bladder removably connectable to the inflator and an openable cover configured to enclose both the bladder and the inflator.

The cover may be configured to enclose both bladder and the inflator when the inflatable device is in any of a storage, transport and operating state. The cover may include a closure through which ambient air can pass.

The device may further include a sheath for releasably retaining the inflator. The sheath may be formed integrally with the bladder and at least one of the sheath and the bladder may be attached to the cover.

The device may further include an elbow coupler for connecting the bladder to the inflator. The elbow coupler may be bulbous and have a flanged end for connecting to the bladder. The coupler may further include a check valve.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon considering the following drawings and description. DESCRIPTION

The invention will be more fully illustrated by the following detailed description of non-limiting specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. In the figures, similar elements and/or features may have the same reference label.

1. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 Is a top view of an inflatable device - in this case a nap mat - in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the nap mat having a head end and an opposite foot end, as illustrated viewed from the head end.

Figure 2 Is a top view detailing the foot of the nap mat of Figure 1.

Figure 3 Is a top view detailing a closable pocket-flap in the foot of the nap mat of

Figure 1, the pocket-flap enclosing an inflator, in this embodiment a pump.

Figure 4 Is a top view detailing the coupling of the pump to an inflatable bladder within the nap mat of Figure 1.

2. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

(a) Structure of Specific Embodiments

The structure of the invention will now be illustrated by explanation of specific, non-limiting, exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing figures and described in greater detail herein. Figure 1 shows an inflatable device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, generally illustrated as a portable nap mat 100 for a child to rest upon, for example when away from home.

The nap mat 100 has an inflatable air bladder 102 (best seen in Figures 3 and 4) enclosed within a cover 104. The cover 104 has a top layer 106 that may be made of material that would make comfortable contact with skin, for example providing warmth and softness. The cover 104 also has a bottom layer 108 that may be made of material that would resist soiling and that would protect the bladder 102 against damage, for example from piercing or abrasion. The top layer 106 and the bottom layer 108 are joined at a seam 110, in this embodiment around the perimeter of the bladder 102, to form a pocket 112 (best seen in Figures 3 and 4) between them for enclosing the bladder 102.

The nap mat 100 may further include an integral blanket 114 which might be drawn over the child to provide further warmth, softness, security and comfort. In this regard, the blanket 114 might be made from the same material as the top layer 106 and be connected at one edge to a portion of the seam 110 or the blanket 114 might be an integral portion of the top layer 106, formed from the same sheet of material or the blanket 114 might be removably attachable to the top layer 106.

The nap mat 100 may be further characterized by a head 116 and a foot 118 end. For example, the head 116 may be adapted to be more pillow-like to better support the head of the child. The foot 118 might include more durable material to resist damage from shoes for example. As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the cover 104 includes a closable pocket-flap 120 that provides access to the pocket 112, shown here at the foot 116. The pocket- flap 120 includes a closure 122, in this embodiment a continuous closure, in this embodiment a zipper, between the top layer 106 and the bottom layer 108, shown here along the seam 110. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the closure might be embodied in other continuous or discontinuous ways, for example with buttons, snaps, ties, magnets, or hook-and-loop material or more generally complementary fasteners.

As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment the pocket-flap 120 extends beyond the bladder 102 contained within the remainder of the cover 104. The pocket-flap 120 is adapted to enclose an inflator, in this embodiment a foot-operated dome pump 124, adjacent to but outside the bladder 102. The pump 124 can be releasably retained within a sheath 126 and coupled to supply pressurized air to the bladder 102 via a coupler 128. The sheath 126 may be formed integrally with the bladder 102 and at least one of the sheath 126 and the bladder 102 may be fused or otherwise attached in places to the bottom layer 108 to hold the bladder 102, the cover 104 and the pump 124 together in convenient orientation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there must be provision to allow ambient air passage to reach the pump 124 for pressurization and supply to the bladder 102, for example as drawn in through the cover 104 (for example through the pocket-flap 120 and/or the closure 122) and the sheath 126, shown here slit.

The coupler 128 may include a check-valve 130 to resist unintended escape of air from the bladder 102 back through the pump 124. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bladder 102 would have provision for user-initiated deflation, for example a dedicated deflation valve (not shown) or a bypass or deactivator for the check-valve 130.

The coupler 128 may be adapted to avoid poking a child through the cover 104. In this embodiment, the coupler 128 connects to a top surface 132 of the bladder 102, downward toward the bottom layer 108 and not toward the head 116 and the child. In this embodiment, the coupler 128 includes a bulbous elbow 134 and connects to the bladder 102 via a flat, annular flange 136, shown here as fused to the top surface 132.

(b) Operation of Specific Embodiments

In a transport or storage state, the nap mat 100 would have the bladder 102 deflated and the pump 124 coupled to the coupler 128 and enclosed within the pocket- flap 120 with the closure 122 closed.

To prepare the nap mat 100 for use, the user would repeatedly compress and release the pump 124 dome through the closed pocket-flap 120 to draw ambient air into the pump 124 for pressurization and supply to the bladder 102 through the coupler 128 to put the nap mat 100 in an operating state.

To deflate the bladder 102, the user might simply remove the pump 124 if there were no check valve in the coupler 128. Alternatively, if a check valve existed, the user might open a dedicated deflation valve (not shown) if one existed or engage a bypass or deactivator for the check-valve 130.

To use the pump 124 for other purposes (or to remove a defective pump 124), the user would open the closure 122, disconnect the pump 124 from the coupler 128, and remove the pump 124 from the sheath 126 and the pocket-flap 120. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the check-valve 130 in the coupler 128 would prevent air from escaping the bladder 102 if it were currently inflated.

To replace a pump 124 for replacement, use, transport or storage, the user would place the pump 124 in the pocket-flap 120 and the sheath 126, connect it to the coupler 128, and then close the closure 122.

(c) Description Summary

Thus, it will be seen from the foregoing embodiments and examples that there has been described a way to provide a system combining an inflatable device and an inflator, in which the two system components are independent but adapted for convenient combined transport, storage and operation.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications and substitutions can be made to the foregoing embodiments without departing from the principle and scope of the invention. For example, inflatable furniture other than mattresses and inflatable devices other than furniture could apply the teachings of the invention.

TABLE OF REFERENCES