US20070107134A1

US20070107134A1 - Heated air mattress

Info

Publication number: US20070107134A1
Application number: US11/280,395
Authority: US
Inventors: James Pittman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-17
Filing date: 2005-11-17
Publication date: 2007-05-17

Abstract

The heated air mattress includes an inflatable air mattress, a cover and a heating pad. The cover is joined to a top surface of the inflatable air mattress to form a pocket for receiving the heating pad. The inflatable air mattress includes a cavity for receiving a portable air pump, which may be carried with the air mattress for inflating the inflatable air mattress, and further includes an air valve for selective inflation and deflation of the inflatable air mattress. The inflatable air mattress has lateral recesses for receiving a wheel well compartment of a vehicle flatbed, allowing the air mattress to be mounted in a vehicle flatbed, such as in the rear of a pickup truck or sports utility vehicle. The lateral recesses may be releasably filled with filler members, allowing the mattress to be stably supported on a floor or on the ground.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heated air mattress that an attachable or built-in heating pad. The heated air mattress is particularly designed for use with a pickup truck, sports utility vehicle (SUV) or for home use, and includes recesses formed in the mattress air mattress for receiving the wheel well compartments of the vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many vehicles, such as pickup trucks, include flatbeds, which are open containers formed within the structure of the vehicle for carrying cargo. Flatbeds often contain cumbersome protruding wheel well compartments, which reduce the volume available for cargo within the flatbed. Often, drivers who spend a great deal of time on the road, or who use their vehicles for camping and other outdoor-living related activities, attempt to sleep in the flatbeds of their vehicles. The intrusive wheel well compartments can make this difficult, even when a conventional mattress is provided for reception within the flatbed. It would be desirable to provide a mattress specifically shaped and designed for the vehicle flatbed, allowing the user to comfortably use the mattress, despite the presence of the uncomfortable and intrusive wheel well compartments.
My prior patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,755, issued Oct. 19, 1999, provided an inflatable mattress adapted to fit between the wheel wells of the bed of a pickup truck. However, sleeping space was still restricted laterally by the wheel wells, which protruded through the lateral recesses. Also, while fitted with an inflation valve, the mattress of the '755 patent is not equipped with a compressor. Further, the mattress of the '755 patent does not have provision for providing a heated sleeping surface. Thus, a heated air mattress solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The heated air mattress includes an inflatable air mattress, a cover and a heating pad. The cover is joined to a top surface of the inflatable air mattress to create a pocket for receiving the heating pad. The heating pad may be removably received within the pocket or, alternatively, the cover may be joined to the top surface of the inflatable air mattress along the entire periphery thereof, to permanently secure the heating pad between the cover and the top surface.
The air mattress includes a cavity for receiving a portable air pump, which may be carried with the air mattress for inflating or deflating the inflatable air mattress, and further includes an air valve for selective inflation and deflation of the inflatable air mattress. Both the portable air pump and the heating pad may be connected to the vehicle's battery or may be powered by an external power source, such as portable batteries, depending on the needs of the user.
The air mattress has lateral recesses for receiving a wheel well compartment of a vehicle flatbed, allowing the air mattress to be mounted in a vehicle flatbed, such as in the rear of a pickup truck, SUV or on a support surface in the home. The recesses do not extend completely from top to bottom, but define ledges above the recesses that sit atop the wheel wells so that the entire space defined by the sidewalls of the truck bed is available for sleeping. An optional filler member may be provided for selectively filling the recess, allowing the mattress to be mounted on a floor, on the ground, or on any other stable, flat support surface.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a heated air mattress according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heated air mattress of the present invention, partially exploded to show details thereof.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heated air mattress according to the present invention, the heating element and cover being omitted and the mattress being broken away and partly in section to show details thereof.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heated air mattress of the present invention, showing a removable heating pad exploded therefrom.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a heated air mattress according to the present invention.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a heated air mattress, designated generally as 10 in the drawings, which is adapted for mounting within the flatbed of a truck 12. The heated air mattress 10 includes an inflatable air mattress 18 having lateral recesses 20 (only one shown in FIG. 1, the opposite side of the mattress being symmetrical). Recess 20 receives wheel well compartment 16, which is disposed over wheel 14 of truck 12. The recesses 20 allow the heated air mattress 10 to fit around and over the wheel wells formed in the flatbed of truck 12. As shown in FIG. 2, lateral recesses to not extend completely from top to bottom of the mattress 18, but define a ledge that sits atop the wheel wells 16 so that the entire space between the sidewalls of the bed of the truck is available for sleeping, instead of only the space between the wheel wells.
As shown in FIG. 2, the heated air mattress 10 includes inflatable air mattress 18, a cover 32, and a heating pad 38. When assembled, heating pad 38 is received between the top surface 34 of inflatable air mattress 18 and cover 32. As shown, the cover 32 is joined to top surface 34 along at least one edge. Cover 32 may be releasably sealed to top surface 34 along a second edge, through the use of a zipper, a hook and loop fastening material, such as Velcro, or through the use of any other suitable releasable fastener, allowing heating pad 38 to be easily removed from the inflatable air mattress 18 and cover 32. Alternatively, heating pad 38 may be permanently secured to inflatable air mattress 18. Heating pad 38 may be thermostatically controlled, or may be selectively adjusted by the user to produce a desired heat output.
Inflatable air mattress 18 and cover 32 may be made of conventional vinyl material, nylon or any other suitable pliable durable plastic or other material forming an inflatable bladder, allowing for resilience and comfort when inflatable air mattress 18 is inflated. Further, heating pad 38 may be any conventional type of heating pad, such as, but not limited to, a standard 12-volt heating pad provided for home use.
As shown in FIG. 4, cover 32 may be joined to top surface 34 along three edges, thus forming an open pocket 44. Heating pad 38 is removably received within pocket 44, depending on the needs and desires of the user. Alternatively, cover 32 may be sealed to top surface 34 along the entire periphery thereof, in order to permanently hold heating pad 38 between cover 32 and top surface 34. Cover 32 is sealed to top surface 34 through any suitable method, such as, but not limited to, heat sealing.
As further shown in FIG. 2, a cavity 22 is formed in a rear wall 50 of inflatable air mattress 18. Though illustrated here as being formed in the rear wall, it should be understood that the positioning of cavity 22 is dependent upon the needs and desires of the user, and the purpose for which the mattress is to be used. The cavity 22 is sized and shaped to receive a portable air pump 24, for inflating inflatable air mattress 18. Air pump 24 may be any conventional portable air pump and may be powered by the vehicle's battery, a separate portable battery (as shown in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5, to be described in further detail below), a standard outdoor 110-volt or 220-volt ac power supply, such as are often found in camping grounds and trailer parks, or by any other suitable power source, including any standard indoor or outdoor AC or DC electrical sources. Similarly, heating pad 38 may be powered by the vehicle's battery, by a separate portable battery or by any other suitable power source. Air pump 24 may be fixed within cavity 22, or may be removable, allowing for separate storage and transport.
An air port 26 is formed in rear wall 50, allowing for the selective passage of air in and out of inflatable air mattress 18. An air valve 28 selectively seals port 26 and allows the user to selectively deflate or inflate the air mattress 18. Valve 28 may be a standard Boston-type valve, or any other suitable, user-adjustable fluid valve. A cap 30 is provided for covering valve 28, thus preventing accidental leakage of air through port 26 and valve 28.
Although cavity 22 and port 26 are shown as being formed in rear wall 50 of air mattress 18, it should be understood that cavity 22 and port 26 may be formed through any suitable portion of air mattress 18, depending upon the needs and desires of the user. In the preferred embodiment, cavity 22 and port 26 are formed in rear wall 50 in order to provide easy access thereto when heated air mattress 10 is received in the flatbed of a pickup truck, such as that shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, air pump 24 and valve 28 are positioned adjacent one another, though the positioning of air pump 24 and valve 28 are dependent on the needs of the user. Port 26 may, alternatively, be formed within cavity 22, allowing for direct connection between air pump 24 and valve 28.
As shown in the cut-away view of FIG. 3, a plurality of collapsible columns 40 are disposed within inflatable air mattress 18 and form baffles. Each collapsible column has an upper end and a lower end, with the upper end of each column 40 being sealed to top surface 34, and the lower end being sealed to lower surface 42. Columns 40 provide additional support for the user and may be covered springs, air cylinders, inflatable cylinders, plastic coils or any other suitable deformable supports. Rings 36 may be formed where columns 40 are sealed to top surface 34 and lower surface 42, thus providing a design or pattern in the outer surfaces of inflatable air mattress 18. Columns 40 provide both additional support and additional stability to the mattress when the mattress supports a load, such as the weight of the user.
In the embodiment of FIG. 5, heated air mattress 100 includes inflatable air mattress 18 having lateral recesses 20, as described above, formed therein, heating pad 38 and releasable cover 32, similar to those shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2. Mattress 100, however, includes a filler member 110, selectively and releasably received within recess 20. If the user chooses to use heated air mattress 100 in an environment other than in the flatbed of a vehicle, such as on the ground or on a floor, the filler member 110 can be used to cover, fill and seal recess 20, providing additional support for the user and mattress 100. Filler member 110 may be separately inflatable, in a similar manner to inflatable air mattress 18.
In addition, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, a cavity 150 is formed in rear wall 50 for receiving an air pump module 120. The air pump module 120 includes an air pump 140, similar to the air pump 24 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, but further includes an attached air valve 130. A secondary air valve 160 is further provided in rear wall 50, allowing for connection to a second source of pressurized air.
Further, user-selectable indicia 170 may be imprinted on the exterior of air mattress 18, as shown. Heated air mattress 100 also includes a cavity 190 formed in sidewall 46, which receives a removable and replaceable battery pack 180. Battery pack 180 provides optional additional power to heating pad 38 and may further be used for powering air pump 140 of module 120.
Heated air mattress 10 may be sized and contoured for reception in any suitable vehicle, with recesses 20 specifically being shaped to receive a particular type of wheel well compartment 16. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, heated air mattress 100 may be used with any suitable support surface, such as a floor or on a box spring, rather than being placed in a vehicle. Recesses 20 may be contoured to receive any formation provided in a support surface, may be filled with filler members 110, or may be removed altogether for the mattress to be used on the floor or ground. Filler members 110 may be manufactured together with the mattress in order to size and shape filler members 110 to match recesses 20, providing a mattress that appears to be a conventional mattress to the observer. Similarly, the separate elements 24, 120 and 180 may all be manufactured together with the mattress in order to ensure matching between the separate components and the respective recesses.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A heated air mattress, comprising:

an inflatable air mattress having a top surface and a bottom surface, the mattress having lateral recesses formed therein extending from the bottom surface towards the top surface and defining a ledge over the recesses, the air mattress being dimensioned and configured for placement in a vehicle flatbed with the recesses disposed, over wheel wells protruding into the flatbed;

a cover attached to the inflatable air mattress and extending over the top surface of the inflatable air mattress; and,

a heating pad disposed between the cover and the top surface of the inflatable air mattress.

2. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 1, wherein said air mattress has a pump cavity defined therein, the heated air mattress further comprising an air pump disposed in the pump cavity.

3. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 1, wherein said inflatable air mattress has a port formed therein for selective inflation and deflation of said inflatable air mattress.

4. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 3, further comprising an air valve selectively sealing said port.

5. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 4, further comprising a cap member selectively covering said air valve.

6. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of collapsible columns disposed within said inflatable air mattress, each of the columns having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end of each said collapsible column being secured to the top surface of said inflatable air mattress, the lower end of each of the columns being secured to the bottom surface of the inflatable air mattress, the collapsible columns providing support for the top surface.

7. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 1, wherein said cover and the top surface define a pocket removably receiving said heating pad.

8. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 1, wherein said cover is attached around the entire periphery of the top surface of said air mattress, sealing the heating pad therebetween.

9. The heated air mattress according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of inflatable filler members dimensioned and configured for filling the lateral recesses defined in said air mattress, the filler members being removably disposed in the recesses in order to support the ledges when the recesses are disposed over a flat surface.

10. A heated air mattress, comprising:

an inflatable air mattress having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a cover attached to the inflatable air mattress and disposed over the top surface of the inflatable air mattress; and,

11. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 10, wherein said mattress has a pump cavity defined therein, the heated air mattress further comprising an air pump disposed in the pump cavity.

12. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 11, wherein said mattress has a battery cavity defined therein, the heated air mattress further comprising a power battery disposed within said battery cavity for powering said air pump.

13. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 10, wherein said inflatable air mattress has a port formed therein for selective inflation and deflation of said inflatable air mattress.

14. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 13, further comprising an air valve selectively sealing said port.

15. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 14, further comprising a cap member selectively covering said air valve.

16. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 10, further comprising a plurality of collapsible columns disposed within said inflatable air mattress, each of the columns having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each of the columns being secured to the top surface of said inflatable air mattress, the lower end of each of the columns being secured to the bottom surface of said inflatable air mattress, the columns providing support for the top surface.

17. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 10, wherein said cover and the top surface define a pocket removably receiving said heating pad.

18. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 10, wherein said cover is attached around the entire periphery of the top surface of said air mattress, sealing the heating pad therebetween.

19. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 10, wherein said inflatable air mattress has a pair of lateral recesses formed therein extending from the bottom surface towards the top surface and defining a ledge over the recesses, the air mattress being dimensioned and configured for placement in a vehicle flatbed with the recesses disposed over wheel wells protruding into the flatbed.

20. The heated air mattress as recited in claim 19, further comprising a pair of inflatable filler members dimensioned and configured for filling the lateral recesses defined in said air mattress, the filler members being removably disposed in the recesses in order to support the ledges when the recesses are disposed over a flat surface.