US3017642A - Self-inflating cushion - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 23, 1962 D. ROSENBERG ETAL 3,

SELF-INFLATING CUSHION I5 Sheetse-Sheet 1 Flled Nov 27, 1959 1962 D. ROSENBERG ETAL 3,017,642

SELF-INFLATING CUSHION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 27, 1959 IN VEN TORS DH V/D ROSf/VBf/QG BY LOU/5 M/E/M/DU Jan. 23, 1962 D. ROSENBERG ETAL 3,017,642

SELF-INFLATING CUSHION 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 2 7, 1959 INVENTORS lV/D 9051-7115526 [00/8 M/P/I/VDO III/ll.

Ill/I United Statm Patent 3,017,642 SELF-EJFLATING CUSHIGN David Rosenberg, Bronx, and Louis Mirando, New York, N.Y., assignors to The Holiday Line, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 855,772 14 Claims. (Cl. -349) This invention relates generally to inflatable cushions and more particularly to a self-inflating cushion which is watertight and which may be adjusted to the individual users comfort and then, after pressure is removed, returns automatically to its original shape under normal atmospheric pressure.

The recent increase in the construction of private homes has created a marked increase in the demand for outdoor lawn and patio furniture. This type of furniture includes chairs, gliders, chaise lounges, couches, etc. The majority of this type of furniture includes a metal or wooden frame and removable pillows or mattresses. These pillows and mattresses generally consist of a filler covered with fabric, leather or plastic. The seams on these pillows and mattresses are generally stitched together which permits moisture and rain to seep through the stitches and results in rotting and deterioration of the filler material. In addition, these pillows and mattresses all contain the same amount of filler material and cannot be adjusted to the individual users comfort.

In our Patent No. 2,803,023 which was reissued on March 10, 1959, as Patent No. Re. 24,618, we have described an inflatable cushion which is watertight and which may be adjusted to the individual users comfort. This cushion is filled with a resilient cellular material and an air valve is provided which controls the flow of air into and out of the cushion. When the valve is opened and the cellular filler material is compressed, such as by the weight of a person, air is driven from the cushion. The valve is closed when the contour of the cushion has been adjusted to the individual users comfort. When pressure is removed from the cushion the valve is opened and air is drawn into the interior of the cushion as the cellular filler material expands until the cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

It has been found that where the filler material for cushions consists of a solid block of cellular material the cushions may be used numerous times without adversely affecting the appearance of the cushions or the cellular filler material. If the filler material consists of shredded cellular material, however, it has been found that the filler material has a tendency to shift from an even distribution and become concentrated about the periphery of the cushion. When this happens and pressure is ap plied to the cushion, such as by the users weight, the excess of filler material about the periphery tends to burst the side walls. This is particularly true where the cushion is an elongated structure such as for mattresses for chaise lounges and couches.

' Briefly stated, the self-inflating cushion of the present invention includes two compartments, an outer compartment and an inner compartment which is effectively free to float within the outer compartment. The outer compartment includes top, bottom and side plastic panels, the seams of which are electronically welded together to render the outer compartment watertight. The inner compartment is constituted by thin sheets of plastic and includes top, bottom and side panels, the bottom panel being the same panel as the bottom panel of the outer compartment. The top panel of the inner compartment is electronically welded to one edge of the side panel of the inner compartment and the other edge of this side panel is electronically welded to the bottom panel and to ice the side panel of the outer compartment. In this manner the inner compartment is partially free to float within the outer compartment. The inner compartment is subdivided into chambers by means of gussets which are electronically welded to the top and bottom panels of the inner compartment. The chambers within the inner compartment are filled with cellular material and one or more air valves are secured to the side panel of the outer compartment but in communication with the inner compartment. The gussets are provided with spaced openings in order to facilitate the free flow of air between the chambers and to and from the valve. If the cellular filler material is shredded, the individual chambers retain the original distribution of the filler arid simulates a solid block of filler material. In addition, since the inner compartment is effectively. free to float within the outer compartment, the cushion retains its original appearance and, regardless of the pressure applied, the outer compartment will not burst.

The principal object of thepresent invention therefore is to provide a self-inflating cushion which is watertight, which may be automatically adjusted to the individual users comfort and which retains its original appearance after being inflated and deflated numerous times.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-inflating cushion which is filled with shredded cellular filler material and which retains the original distribution of the filler material after numerous uses.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a self-inflating cushion which may be made in any desired shape or size while still retaining the advantages enumerated above.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a self-inflating cushion which is provided interiorly with a number of floating gussets which effectively divide the interior of the cushion into numerous chambers in order to maintain the original distribution of the shredded cellular filler material.

These and further objects of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description of the invention to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like components in the several views are identified by the same reference numeral.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the self-inflating cushion of the present invention, the interior construction being shown in broken lines.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1. 1

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3--3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one of the gussets used to divide the interior of the cushion of the present invention into chambers.

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the self-inflating cushion of the present invention illustrating the manner in which the gussets are assembled, a portion of the view being broken away to illustrate structural details.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-section taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 and illustrating the manner in which the gussets are attached to the self-inflating cushion of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a View similar to FIGURE 6 and illustrating the self-inflating cushion of the present invention after the gussets have been secured in position and the cushion has been expanded to its normal shape.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of an elongated selfinflating cushion adapted to be utilized as a mattress for a chaise lounge, crib, bed, etc., a portion of the cushion being broken away to illustrate structural details.

FIGURE 9 is a cross-section taken on the line 9--9 of FIGURE 8, and

FIGURE 10 is a side elevation in cross-section of one type of inflating valve used with the self-inflating cushion of the present invention.

Referring now to the figures, and particularly to FIG- URE l, the self-inflating cushion of the present invention is identified in general by the numeral 10. The cushion 10 includes a top part or panel 11, a bottom part or panel 12 and a substantially continuous side wall 13. The side wall 13 is preferably composed of a single strip with its free ends electronically welded together to provide a continuous member. If desired, the side wall 13 may be eliminated and the perimeter of the top panel 11 attached directly to the bottom panel 12. In the latter event, the resultant structure is referred to as a knife edge construction rather than the block construction illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The top panel 11, bottom panel 12 and side wall 13 are cut from material which is impervious to liquids, such for example as sheet plastic. The panels 11, 12 and 13 may have any thickness desired depending on the structure desired of the finished product. If desired, several sheets of plastic may be laminated together to form the desired thickness. Any desired design may be embossed or printed on the panels 11, 12 and 13 in order to obtain the desired ornamental effect. In addition, if desired, fabric can be laminated to the outer surface of the panels 11, 12 and 13 to enhance the appearance of the cushion.

The assembly consisting of the top panel 11, the bottom panel 12 and the side wall 13 will hereafter be referred to as the outer compartment 14. If it is desired to utilize a solid block of cellular material as the filler for the self-inflating cushion of the present invention, the solid block of filler material would be inserted within this outer compartment 14. The top panel 11 would then be welded along the seam 15 to the side wall 13. In a similar manner the bottom panel 12 would be welded along a seam 16 to the side wall 13. These seams provide a completely watertight outer envelope compartment 14. Prior to the final seaming operation, the solid block of cellular filler material would be placed within this outer envelope compartment 14.

In order to render the cushion of the present invention self-inflating one or more valves 17 are secured at spaced intervals to the side wall 13 so that the valve 17 is in communication with the interior of the cushion 10. Any commercially available valve may be used for this purpose and one such valve is shown in detail in FIGURE 10. The valve body is surrounded by a plastic sleeve 18. A backing sheet of plastic 19 underlies the valve 17 and retains a wire screen 20. The valve 17 is opened and closed by unscrewing the knurled piece 21. The valve 17 is opened to vent out some of the air from the outer compartment 14 due to compression of the cellular filler material and closed when the cushion 10 has been adjusted to the users comfort. When pressure has been removed, the valve is again opened to admit air to the compartment 14 until the cellular filler material has expanded to its original shape. The valve 17 is then closed.

When it is desired to fill the cushion of the present invention with shredded cellular material rather than with a solid block of celluar material, means must be provided to retain the original distribution of filler material after the cushion has been used many times. This is accomplished by providing an inner compartment designated in general by the numeral 22. The inner compartment 22 includes a sheet 23, an inner wall 24, and a plurality of gussets 25. The sheet 23, inner wall 24 and gussets 25 are cut from any suitable thin plastic which is impervious to liquids.

In assembling the self-inflating cushion of the present invention when it is desired to utilize shredded cellular material as the filler, a plurality of gussets 25 are placed at spaced intervals on the bottom panel 12 of the outer compartment 14 as illustrated in FIGURE 5. The plastic sheet 23 is then placed over the gussets 25 and the bottom panel 12 with the perimeter of the sheet 23 approximately coinciding with the perimeter of the bottom panel 12. The assembly consisting of the bottom panel 12, sheet 23 and gussets 25 are then electronically welded together along the seams 26 by placing the parts to be joined together in a high frequency electric field existing between the electrodes 27 and 28. It can be seen from FIGURES 5 and 6 that the sheet 23 and bottom panel 12 are not welded together, but rather are each welded to the gussets 25.

The gussets 25, as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 6, consist of two sheets of thin plastic material 29 and 30 electronically welded together along the seams 31 to form pockets 32 therebetween. In order to prevent the two sections 29 and 30 of each gusset 25 from becoming secured together during the welding operation a piece of dielectric material 33 such as wax paper is placed within the pockets 32 prior to the welding operation. The dielectric material 33 may if desired, be removed from the pockets 32 in the gussets 25 after the welding operation. The purpose for the pockets 32 will be presently described.

When the gussets 25 have been welded to the bottom wall 12 and the sheet 23 the inner compartment 22 is completed by electronically welding the edges of the sheet 23 to the inner wall 24 along a seam 34, and by electronically welding the bottom panel 12, the side wall 13 of the outer compartment 14 and the inner wall 24 of the inner compartment 22 along the seam 16. The outer compartment 14 is then completed by electronically welding the top panel 11 to the side wall 13 along the seam 15. It is to be noted that the bottom panel 12 forms part of the inner compartment 22 as well as part of the outer compartment 14, while the top panel 11 forms part of the outer compartment 14 but is not part of the inner compartment 22. In this manner, the inner compartment 22 effectively is free to float within the outer compartment 14in a manner to be presently described.

The assembly of the cushion 10 of the present invention is completed when the top panel 11 is electronically welded to the side wall 13 along the seam 15. Prior to this final seaming operation the filler material 35 is placed in the inner compartment 22 in the chambers 36 provided between the gussets 25. The filler material 35 may be any type of shredded cellular material, such for example as kapok, cotton, tufilex, fiberglass, vinyl foam, urethane foam, polyester foam, rubberized hair, etc. The only requirement for the filler material 35 is that it be cellular. If desired, a flap 37 may be provided to enclose the ends of the chambers 36 containing the filler material 35 in order to prevent the filler material 35 from escaping from these chambers 36 into the outer compartment 14. The flap 37 may conveniently be an extension of the inner wall 24 of the inner compartment 22. During the weld ing operation wherein the sheet 23 is welded to the inner wall 24 along the seam 34 only three sides are welded, the other side adjacent the flap 37 remaining unsealed to permit insertion of the filler 35 in the chambers 36.

In order to render the cushion of the present invention self-inflating, one or more valves 17 are mounted on the side Wall 13 in communication with the inner compartment 22. For this purpose an opening 38 is provided in the inner Wall 2 to receive the valve 17 so that the valve 17 is in communication with the inner compartment '22. If the cushion 10 of the present invention is provided with only one valve 17, means must also be provided to allow for the flow of air between the various chambers 36. For this reason the gussets '25 are provided with a plurality of vents or openings 39 to enable the free flow of air from the various chambers 36 to the air valves 17 and from the valves 17 to the chambers 36. These vents 39 must be provided unless there is a valve 17 in communication with each chamber 36.

The gussets 25 are provided with pockets 32 both for ease of assembly and to enable the inner compartment 22 to float within the outer compartment 14. When the chambers 36 between the gussets 25 are filled with cellular filler material the pockets 32 within the gussets 25 permit the inner compartment 22 to expand without exerting any stress on the gussets 25 or the other members constituting the inner 22 and outer l4 compartments. The gussets 25 effectively prevent the shredded filler material 35 from dispersing and retains the filler material 35 in its original distributed fashion. In addition, due to the floating nature of the inner compartment 22 the cushion 10 of the present invention retains its outward attractive appearance and shape without any bulging, etc. In this fashion the cushion 1% functions as if it were filled with a block of cellular filler material with the added advantages of cheaper construction and greater resiliency.

As stated above the self-inflating cushion 10 of the present invention is also adapted to be used as a mattress for chaise lounges, cribs, beds, etc. With an elongated structure of this type it has been found desirable when using a shredded cellular filler material 35 to utilize the structure illustrated in FIGURE 8.

The structure illustrated in FIGURE 8 is similar to the structure illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3 in that inner 22 and outer 14 compartments are provided. In an elongated structure such as a mattress, however, there is a greater tendency for the filler 35 to move from an area of maximum pressure to an area of smaller pressure. In addition, in a structure such as a mattress, it is desirable to provide means to individually adjust portions of the mattress to the contours of the body. For example, it may be desirable to deflate the portion of the mattress beneath the buttock portion of the user more than the portion of the mattress beneath the feet portion of the user, or vice versa.

For this reason when the self-inflating cushion 10 of the present invention is constructed in an elongated form for use as a mattress the inner chamber is effectively divided into two sections 4-0 and 41 along the longer length by means of a divider gusset 42. The divider gusset is welded to the sheet 23 of the inner compartment 22 and to the bottom panel 12 along the entire length of the mattress. In addition gussets 43, which are similar to the gussets 25 divide each section 40 and 41 transversely into a plurality of chambers 44.

The gussets 43 are welded to the sheet 23, the bottom panel 12 and to the inner wall 24. The gussets 43, however, are not welded to the divider gusset 42. The gussets 42 and 43, as with the gussets 25, are provided with spaced vents or opening 45 in order to permit free flow of air between the chambers 44. A plurality of air valves 17 are secured to the side wall 13 at spaced intervals in order to permit selective inflation and deflation of the mattress at selected positions. The air valves 17 as be fore are in communication with the inner compartment What has been described is a self-inflating cushion which is watertight and may be adjusted to the individual users comfort by regulating the expulsion and admission of air to the cellular filler material. The cellular filler material may be shredded cellular material which in the present structure simulates a solid block cellular filler but is less expensive and renders the cushion more resilient. In addition the structure of the present invention may be utilized as a mattress and selective control of the inflation and deflation of various sections of the mattress can be accomplished by providing a plurality of spaced valves and a compartmentalized structure.

It is to be understood that what has been described is a preferred embodiment of the invention but that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention except as limited by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the top and bottom walls, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float within said chamber, cellular filler material disposed in said compartment in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

2. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the top and bottom walls, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge or" which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float within said chamber, a gusset of flexible material formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom wall and extending substantially between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet to subdivide said compartment into cells, and cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

3. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including atop wall, a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the top and bottom walls, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially :free to float within said chamber, a gusset of flexible material formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom wall and extending substantially between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet to subdivide said compartment into cells, cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler material expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

4. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a substantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top and bottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom Wall whereby said bottom wall is common .to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float within said chamber whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion, a plurality of spaced gussets of flexible material formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom wall and extending substantially between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet whereby said compartment is subdivided into a plurality of cells, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

5. An inflatable cushion in accordance with claim 4 wherein a plurality of valve means are attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment, each of said valve means being in communication with one of said cells.

6. An inflatable cushion in accordance with claim 4 wherein said gussets are provided with spaced vent holes in order to provide for free flow of air between said cells and said valve means.

7. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a substantially continuous sidewall, welded seams joining said top and bottom walls to said side Wall, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom Wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float within said chamber, a plurality of gussets formed within said inner envelope at spaced intervals and extending substantially between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet, said gussets including sheets of flexible material joined together at the edges thereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets being joined to said top sheet and bottom wall of said inner envelope whereby said compartment is subdivided into a plurality of cells, and cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

8. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a substantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top and bottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner invelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float within said chamber, a plurality of gussets formed within said inner envelope at spaced intervals and extending substantially between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet, said gussets including sheets of flexible material joined together at the edges thereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets being joined to said top sheet and bottom wall of said inner envelope whereby said compartment is subdivided into a plurality of cells, cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

9. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a substantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top and bottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float within said chamber, a plurality of gussets formed Within said inner envelope at spaced intervals and extending substantially between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet, said gussets including sheets of flexible material joined together at the edges thereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets being joined to said top sheet and bottom wall of said inner envelope whereby said compartment is subdivided into a plurality of cells, cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape, each of said gussets being provided with spaced vent holes whereby air may flow between said cells and said valve means.

10. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the top and bottom walls, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float within said chamber, a rib of flexible material formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length of said mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet whereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantially uniform vaults, cellular filler material disposed in said vaults in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said vaults, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

11. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a substantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top and bottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed Within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float within said chamber, a rib of flexible material formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length of said mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet whereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantially uniform vaults, a plurality of spaced gussets of flexible material formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom wall and extending transversely substantially between said rib and said side sheet in each of said vaults whereby said vaults are subdivided transversely into a plurality of cells, cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

12. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a substantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top and bottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is 10 joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substan tially free to float within said chamber, a rib of flexible material formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length of said mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet whereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantially uniform vaults, a plurality of gussets formed within said inner envelope at spaced intervals and extending transversely substantially between said rib and said side sheet in each of said vaults, said gussets including sheets of flexible material joined together at the edges thereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets being joined to said top sheet, bottom wall and side sheet of said inner envelope whereby said vaults are subdivided transversely into a plurality of cells, and cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compare ment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

13. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a substantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top and bottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheet and a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float Within said chamber, a rib of flexible material formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length of said mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet whereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantially uniform vaults, a plurality of gussets formed Within said inner envelope at spaced intervals and extending transversely substantially between said rib and said side sheet in each of said vaults, said gussets including sheets of flexible material joined together at the edges thereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets being joined to said top sheet, bottom wall and side sheet of said inner envelope whereby said vaults are subdivided transversely into a plurality of cells, cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

14. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelope of flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsible chamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and a substantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top and bottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber and including a .top sheet and a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined to said top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction of said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is common to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope is substantially free to float within said chamber, a rib of flexible material formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length of said mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet whereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantially uniform vaults, a plurality of gussets formed within said inner envelope at spaced intervals and extending transversely substantially between said rib and said side sheet in each of said vaults, said gussets including sheets of flexible material joined together at the edges thereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets being joined to said top sheet, bottom wall and side sheet of said inner envelope whereby said vaults are subdivided transversely into a plurality of cells, cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, and valve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape, each of said gussets being provided with spaced vent holes whereby air may flow between said cells and said valve means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 585,834 Ruth July 6, 1897 1,864,648 Haines June 28, 1932 1,985,432 Tucker et al Dec. 25, 1934 2,741,780 Kimbrig Apr. 17, 1956 2,803,023 Rosenberg et al Aug. 20, 1957

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