Portable seat shelter

Abstract

A seat-shelter is formed from an inflatable closure can be collapsed for ease in transport and inflated on-site to form free-standing a five-sided shelter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus comprising 
 a cushion member having a first end and a second end and a length measured between the first end and the second end, a first side edge and a second side edge extending for substantially the length of the cushion member, a first generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion extending from the first end toward the second end, a second generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion extending from the second end toward the first end, and a third generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion connecting the first generally rectangularly shaped panel portion and the second generally rectangularly shaped panel portion, wherein the second generally rectangularly shaped panel portion is superposed over the first generally rectangularly shaped panel portion,    a first sheet member fastened along the length of the first side edge of the cushion member, and    a second sheet member fastened along the length of the second side edge of the cushion member.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the cushion member further forms means for biasing the first generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion away from the second generally rectangularly shaped panel portion.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as in  claim 2  wherein the cushion member forms means for biasing the first generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion away from the second generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion to straighten the first sheet member and the second sheet member and form a shelter for accommodating a person.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein the cushion member comprises a self-supportive inflatable closed structure.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as in  claim 4  wherein the cushion member comprises a plurality of air-impermeable longitudinally-extending tubes.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as in  claim 5  wherein the tubes of the plurality of tubes are arranged in parallel side by side relationship.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as in  claim 6  wherein the cushion member further comprises means for inflating the tubes.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as in  claim 7  wherein the means for inflating comprises means for forming a selectively sealable flow path from an outside of the cushion to an inside of the plurality of tubes.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as in  claim 8  wherein the means for forming a selectively sealable flow path comprises a nozzle operatively associated with a valve for sealing the nozzle.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as in  claim 9  further comprising a second nozzle associated with a second valve for selectively deflating the plurality of tubes.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus as in  claim 10  further comprising a covering connected to an outside surface of the plurality of tubes which is stretched taut when the plurality of tubes is in an inflated condition to provide the cushion with protection and a smooth outside appearance.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus as in  claim 12  wherein the sheet members are stretched taut when the plurality of tubes is in an inflated condition.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as in  claim 13  wherein the sheet members are each provided with at least one means for forming a window.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as in  claim 14  wherein each means for forming a window comprises a clear panel located in a middle portion of each sheet member, each such clear panel having a periphery which is fastened to the sheet member.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as in  claim 15  wherein each clear panel is releasably fastened to the sheet member along at least a portion of its periphery.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as in  claim 16  wherein each clear panel folds toward the first generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion when in a released position.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein first generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion is larger than the second generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion, the first generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion forming a seat structure and the second generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion forming a roof structure, and the third generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion connects the first generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion and the second generally rectangularly shaped cushion member panel portion and forms a sloping rear wall structure.