Inflatable pad and methods for using same

Abstract

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.