Self-inflating mattress

Abstract

A self-inflating mattress includes a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core and a flexible, airtight covering that encloses the core. One or more drain valves extend through the covering and are communicably connected an interior of the mattress. The valves are opened for exhausting air from and at least partially collapsing the core and for allowing a core that is at least partially collapsed to draw in air and expand. The valves are closed for maintaining a selected air pressure within the core. A vacuum unit may be sealably interengaged with a valve to exhaust air from the mattress and deflate the foam core.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-inflating mattress comprising: 
 a body supporting member that includes a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core and a flexible, airtight covering that encloses said core;    valve means connected communicably to said core and extending through said covering, said valve means being opened for exhausting air from and at least partially collapsing said core, and for allowing a core that is at least partially collapsed to draw in air and expand, said valve means being closed for maintaining a selected air pressure within said core; and    a hydrophobic element attached to and extending across an inner end of said valve for permitting the passage of air but restricting the passage of liquids therethrough.    
     
     
         2 . The mattress of  claim 1  in which said covering includes upper and lower sections that are interconnected by a seam that peripherally surrounds said body supporting member.  
     
     
         3 . The mattress of  claim 1  in which said core portion includes a thickness of at least 4″, a length of at least 72″ and a width of at least 36″, at least when said foam core is in an inflated condition.  
     
     
         4 . The mattress of  claim 1  in which said core portion includes an open-celled foam.  
     
     
         5 . The mattress of  claim 1  further including vacuum means having a suction inlet that is sealably engagably with said body supporting portion and that communicates with said valve means for exhausting air from said foam core through said valve means when said valve means are open to at least partially collapse said core.  
     
     
         6 . A self-inflating mattress comprising: 
 a body supporting member that includes a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core and a flexible, airtight covering that encloses said core;    valve means connected communicably to said body supporting portion through said covering and extending through covering, said valve means being open for exhausting air from and at least partially collapsing said core, and for allowing a core that is at least partially collapsed to draw in air and expand, said valve means being closed to maintain a selected air pressure within said core; and    vacuum means having a suction inlet for communicably receiving said valve means and sealably engaging said body supporting portion about said valve means whereby opening said valve means and operating said vacuum means exhausts air from said body supporting portion through said valve means to at least partially collapse said core.    
     
     
         7 . The mattress of  claim 6  in which said core includes an open-celled foam.  
     
     
         8 . The mattress of  claim 7  in which said body supporting portion includes a thickness of approximately 4″, a length of at least of 72″ and a width of at least 36″.  
     
     
         9 . A method of deflating a self-inflating mattress, which mattress includes a body supporting portion having a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core, a flexible, airtight covering that encloses said core, and valve means connected communicably to an interior of said body supporting portion and extending through said covering, which valve means are opened for exhausting air from and at least partially collapsing the core and for allowing the core that is at least partially collapsed to draw in air and expand, the valve means being closed for maintaining a selected air pressure within said core, said method comprising: 
 opening the valve engaging a suction inlet of a vacuum pump with the valve such that the suction inlet receives said valve and sealably engages the body supporting member about the valve; and    operating the vacuum pump to exhaust air from the interior of said body supporting member through the valve to at least partially deflate said core.    
     
     
         10 . The mattress of  claim 7  further including a hydrophobic element that is engaged with an extends across an inner end of said valve for allowing air to pass therethrough and for restricting the passage of liquids therethrough.  
     
     
         11 . A method of adjusting the pressure in a self-inflating mattress, which mattress includes a body supporting member that has a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core and a flexible, airtight covering that encloses said core, and a valve connected communicably to said core and extending through said covering, the valve being opened for exhausting air from and at least partially collapsing said core, and for allowing the core that is at least partially collapse to draw in air and expand, the valve being closed for maintaining the selected air pressure within the core, said method comprising: 
 placing a human body upon an upper surface of said body supporting member with the core in a fully inflated condition wherein the core is at least 4″ thick;    opening the valve and allowing air within the core to be exhausted through the valve in a gradual manner; and    closing the valve before the core is fully deflated such that an impression of the person's body is formed in said body supporting member.    
     
     
         12 . A method of adjusting the pressure in a self-inflating mattress, which mattress includes a body supporting member that has a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core and a flexible, airtight covering that encloses the core, and a valve connected communicably to the core and extending through the covering, said valve being opened for exhausting air from and at least partially collapsing the core, and for allowing the core that is at least partially collapse to draw in air and expand, the valve being closed for maintaining the selected air pressure within the core, said method comprising: 
 placing a human body upon an upper surface of the body supporting member with the core in a fully inflated condition wherein the core is at least 4″ thick;    opening the valve and allowing air within the core to be exhausted through the valve in a gradual manner; and    closing the valve before the core is fully deflated such that an impression of the person's body is formed in the body supporting member.