Foamless sleeping pad

Abstract

A foamless, generally self-inflating sleeping pad comprises, in one embodiment, an inflatable sleeping pad frame to which is attached fabric top and bottom layers which are stretched into place when the frame is inflated. In a second embodiment, the frame and top and bottom layers of the sleeping pad are constructed of fabric however a central inflatable structure is provided, for example in the form of a “Z” shaped inflatable structure. In all cases, atmospheric air fills the interior volume of the sleeping pad and if required, a small volume of air may be added to the cavity by means of a two-way valve to increase the firmness of the sleeping pad.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foamless sleeping pad, comprising:
 an air inflatable frame, fluidly coupled to a first air inlet/outlet valve, and configured for being inflated with air to form first and second sides and first and second ends of said foamless, sleeping pad, said first and second sides and first and second ends of said foamless, sleeping pad defining an internal sleeping pad central region, said air inflatable frame first and second sides and first and second ends forming an air inflatable frame top region and an air inflatable frame bottom region;   a second air inlet/outlet valve, fluidly coupled to said internal sleeping pad central region;   a bottom fabric layer, coupled to said bottom region of said air inflatable frame; and   a top fabric layer, coupled to said top region of said air inflatable frame.   
     
     
         2 . The foamless sleeping pad according to  claim 1 , further including an air-fillable internal cavity structure, disposed in said internal sleeping pad central region, wherein said air-fillable internal cavity structure is fluidly coupled to a third air inlet/outlet valve. 
     
     
         3 . A foamless sleeping pad, comprising:
 a sleeping pad, configured for being inflated with air to form first and second sides and first and second ends of said foamless, sleeping pad, said first and second sides and said first and second ends of said foamless sleeping pad comprising a fabric material and defining an internal sleeping pad central region, said first and second sides and said first and second ends defining a sleeping pad top region and a sleeping pad bottom region;   an air-fillable internal cavity structure, disposed in said internal sleeping pad central region;   a first air inlet/outlet valve, fluidly coupled to said air-fillable internal cavity structure;   a bottom fabric layer, coupled to said sleeping pad bottom region; and   a top fabric layer, coupled to said sleeping pad top region.   
     
     
         4 . The foamless sleeping pad according to  claim 3 , further including a second air inlet/outlet valve, fluidly coupled to said internal sleeping pad central region. 
     
     
         5 . The foamless sleeping pad according to  claim 3 , further including an air inflatable frame, fluidly coupled to a third air inlet/outlet valve, and configured for being inflated with air to form first and second sides and first and second ends of said foamless, sleeping pad, said first and second sides and first and second ends of said foamless, sleeping pad defining an internal sleeping pad central region, said air inflatable frame first and second sides and first and second ends forming an air inflatable frame top region and an air inflatable frame bottom region. 
     
     
         6 . The foamless sleeping pad according to  claim 3 , wherein said air-fillable internal cavity structure, disposed in said internal sleeping pad central region, is a Z-shaped structure having a plurality of cut out regions.