INFLATABLE PAD AND METHODS FOR USING SAME
The inflatable pad includes an inflatable frame having a length and width that defines a pad area suitable for supporting a person lying thereon. A plurality of internal support members are configured to support the weight of a person lying thereon and elevate the person above the ground. The inflatable pad includes non-supporting regions that require less fill volume than regions that support primary support regions such as the hips and shoulder.
1 . An inflatable pad configured for supporting a person sleeping thereon, the inflatable pad, comprising:
an inflatable frame having a length and width that defines a pad area suitable for supporting a person lying thereon, the frame comprising a first sheet of material joined to a second sheet of material by a plurality of elongate bond lines, the elongate bond lines forming a plurality of fluidly coupled cells that define a plurality of air-inflatable support members, a portion of the bond lines defining non-supporting regions within the pad area; and
a first valve coupled to the inflatable frame and in fluid communication with the fluidly coupled cells.
2 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein the non-supporting regions have a width of at least 2 cm and a length of at least 2 cm.
3 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein the non-supporting regions are non-inflatable.
4 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable pad has a fill volume defined as the volume of air contained within the plurality of inflatable members at a pressure of 2 psi, wherein a ratio of fill volume/pad area is in a range from about 0.4-4.0 ml/cm 2 .
5 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein the vertical thickness of the support members is in a range from 3 cm to 6 cm.
6 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein the pad area includes a plurality of primary supported regions and a plurality of secondary supported regions, wherein the secondary supported regions include a greater density of non-supporting regions than the primary supported regions and wherein the primary support regions are located in a hip region, shoulder region, and/or head region and the secondary supported regions are located in a neck, middle back, upper leg, and/or lower leg region;
7 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the bond lines flare at a first end thereof.
8 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein the portion of bond lines has a rounded finish at a second end thereof.
9 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein a majority of the bond lines are substantially parallel.
10 . An inflatable pad as in claim 9 , wherein a first portion of the parallel bond lines has a different bond thickness than a second portion of the parallel bond lines, wherein the different bond thickness reduces torsion in the frame when inflated.
11 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein the bond lines comprise fabric welds.
12 . An inflatable pad as in claim 11 , wherein the fabric welds have a thickness in a range from about 2 mm to 20 mm.
13 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein the fluidly coupled cells are inflated to a pressure of at least about 2 psi.
14 . A method for using the inflatable pad, comprising:
providing the inflatable pad of claim 1 ;
inflating the fluidly coupled cells by mouth to a first pressure;
inflating the fluidly coupled cells to a second pressure using a pump; and
using the inflated support members to elevate a person lying thereon above a surface.
15 . An inflatable pad as in claim 1 , wherein the first valve is mouth-inflatable.
16 . An inflatable pad as in claim 15 , wherein the first valve includes a connector for receiving a pump or wherein the inflatable pad comprises a second valve having a connector for receiving a pump.
17 . A kit comprising the inflatable pad of claim 16 and a pump that connect to the connector.
18 . An inflatable pad configured for supporting a person sleeping thereon, the inflatable pad, comprising:
an inflatable frame having a length and width that defines a pad area suitable for supporting a person lying thereon, the frame including a plurality of fluidly coupled cells that define a plurality of air inflatable support members, the frame having a plurality of primary supported regions and a plurality of secondary supported regions, wherein the primary supported regions have a higher pad volume per unit of pad area than the secondary supported regions and wherein the primary support regions are located in a hip region, shoulder region, and/or head region and the secondary supported regions are located in a neck, middle back, upper leg, and/or lower leg region; and
a first valve coupled to the inflatable frame and in fluid communication with the fluidly coupled cells.
19 . An inflatable pad as in claim 18 , wherein the primary regions include the hip region and the shoulder region and the secondary region includes the middle back region.
20 . An inflatable pad as in claim 18 , wherein the pad volume per unit of pad area is at least 1.5 times greater in the primary regions than in the secondary regions.
21 . An inflatable pad as in claim 18 , wherein the bond lines comprise fabric welds.
22 . An inflatable pad as in claim 18 , wherein the plurality of cells is inflated to a pressure greater than 2 psi.
23 . An inflatable pad configured for supporting a person sleeping thereon, the inflatable pad, comprising:
an inflatable frame having a length and width that defines a pad area suitable for supporting a person lying thereon, the frame comprising a first sheet of material bonded to a second sheet of material by a plurality of elongate bond lines, the elongate bond lines forming a plurality of fluidly coupled cells that define a plurality of air-inflatable support members, wherein at least a portion of the bond lines include fabric welds and wherein at least a first portion of the bond lines has a different bond thickness than a second portion of the bond lines, wherein the different bond thickness reduces torsion in the frame when inflated; and
a first valve coupled to the inflatable frame and in fluid communication with the fluidly coupled cells.
24 . An inflatable pad as in claim 23 , wherein the fluidly coupled cells are inflated to a pressure of at least 2 psi.
25 . An inflatable pad as in claim 23 , wherein at least a portion of the bond lines include a flare at an end thereof.
26 . An inflatable pad as in claim 23 , wherein the portion of bond lines has a rounded finish at a second end thereof.
27 . An inflatable pad as in claim 23 , wherein a portion of the bond lines define non-supporting regions within the pad area.