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Airbed combinationRelated Patent Categories: Beds, Mattress (for Whole Body), Having Confined Gas (e.g., Air Mattress)Airbed combination description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060037144, Airbed combination. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed to inflatable products, and more specifically to airbeds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] An airbed is a large rectangular rubber or plastic (e.g., vinyl) bag that is filled with air so that it may be used as a bed. Airbeds are well known in the art and have proven themselves to be very useful. On the one hand, an inflatable airbed may be deflated and folded to store the airbed in a closet or basement. On the other hand, when guests arrive or when the owner of the airbed takes a trip to a place where there is no bed, the airbed may be inflated and may be used as a bed. [0003] An air mat is similar in construction to an airbed, but is used as a float so that an individual may lie on the air mat in the water. Both products fall under the broad category of "inflatable" products. Other nonlimiting examples of inflatable products include rafts, inflatable furniture, inflatable pools, and inflatable boats. [0004] One problem often encountered with inflatable products such as airbeds is that they are difficult to store. For example, often, an airbed is shipped in a box, and storing the airbed in the box is difficult, if not impossible. When the airbed is shipped, there is almost no air at all in the airbed, and it is efficiently folded so as to fit in the box. A user may find it difficult to remove all air from the airbed, and/or replicate the folding pattern used in shipping of the product. Thus, the user typically folds the airbed as tightly as possible and extends it partly into the box, with a portion hanging out. Even if the user can get the airbed back into the box, the box may become crushed, torn, broken, or otherwise damaged with use. If a box is not used, the user must store the airbed in a different manner, such as in a separate bag or using ties. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. [0006] In accordance with an embodiment, an airbed or inflatable product is provided with an integral sleeve. After deflation of the airbed, the airbed is rolled or folded into a tight formation, and the sleeve is extended around the airbed for storage. [0007] In accordance with an embodiment, the sleeve is a flat fabric material that is attached to a seam of the airbed, for example by welding. [0008] In accordance with an embodiment, the sleeve includes drawstrings or cords for tying and tightening the sleeve around the airbed. A handle may also be provided for carrying the stored airbed once the sleeve is in place. [0009] Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is side perspective view of an airbed with the airbed stored in a sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0011] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the airbed of FIG. 1, with the airbed in a deployed position and the sleeve rolled out flat; [0012] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the sleeve for the airbed of FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of a sleeve that may be used to store an airbed, with the sleeve shown encasing an airbed; and [0014] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 4, with the sleeve partially rolled around the airbed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. [0016] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows an airbed 20 encased by a sleeve 22 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Briefly described, the sleeve 22 is attached to the airbed 20 and is configured so that it may extend around and enclose the airbed 20 when air is deflated from the airbed and the airbed is rolled or folded into a tight configuration. In general, the present invention is directed to a sleeve, such as the sleeve 22, for use an inflatable product such as the airbed 20, but sleeves in accordance with the invention may be utilized with other inflatable products including, but not limited to, air mats, rafts, inflatable furniture, inflatable pools, inflatable boats, and other inflatable products. [0017] FIG. 2 shows the airbed 20 fully inflated. The airbed 20 includes a top wall 24, a bottom wall 26, and a side wall 28 joining the top wall and bottom wall. Together the top wall 24, the bottom wall 26, and the side wall 28 form an airtight mattress. The side wall 28 is connected to the bottom wall 26 at a lower seam 30. This lower seam 30 may be, for example, a weld. Similarly, the top wall 24 is attached to the side wall 28 at an upper seam 32. [0018] Details of the sleeve 22 are shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment shown, a strip 34 attaches to the lower seam 30. This strip 34 is preferably sewn or otherwise permanently affixed to the lower seam 30. The strip 34 is preferably formed of a material so that it may be welded, heat-fused, or otherwise formed as a portion of the airbed 20. Although shown as attached to the lower seam 30, the strip 34 or other parts of the sleeve 22 may alternatively be attached to [0019] A rectangular fabric 36 is attached to the strip 34. The rectangular fabric 36 is preferably wider than the strip 34, and is of sufficient length to wrap around the airbed 20 when the airbed is folded or rolled into a storage configuration, such as is shown in FIG. 1. Continue reading about Airbed combination... Full patent description for Airbed combination Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Airbed combination patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Airbed combination or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Meditation support Next Patent Application: Self-inflating mattress Industry Class: Beds ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Airbed combination patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12614 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
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