Inflatable Mat

Abstract

An inflatable mat including an upper outer layer and a lower outer layer defining a substantially enclosed internal volume; at least one valve in selectable fluid communication with the internal volume; at least one insulating layer disposed between the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer; a plurality of tie members each extending between and directly connected to the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer; and a plurality of strap members each configured to hold the insulating layer to one of the upper or lower outer layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable mat comprising:
 an upper outer layer and a lower outer layer defining a substantially enclosed internal volume;   at least one valve in selectable fluid communication with the internal volume;   at least one insulating layer disposed between the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer;   a plurality of tie members each extending between and directly connected to the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer; and   a plurality of strap members each configured to hold the insulating layer to one of the upper outer layer or the lower outer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tie members are each discrete from one another, and/or wherein the plurality of strap members are each discrete from the plurality of tie members and from one another. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the tie members are orientated substantially transversely with respect to the strap members. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tie members are orientated substantially transversely with respect to the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer when the inflatable mat is in an inflated configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of strap members extends from the respective upper or lower outer layer, through the at least one insulating layer and back towards the same of the respective upper or lower layer to connect the at least one insulating layer to the respective upper or lower outer layer. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of tie members is connected to the upper outer layer at an upper connection point, and to the lower outer layer at a lower connection point, and wherein the upper and lower connection points are transversely aligned. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of strap members are directly connected to the respective upper outer layer or lower outer layer at a first connection point and a second connection point spaced apart from the first connection point, optionally wherein the first connection point is longitudinally aligned with the second connection point. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tie members are arranged in an array of rows, optionally wherein each row extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the inflatable mat, optionally wherein adjacent rows of the plurality of tie members are longitudinally offset. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of strap members are arranged in an array of rows, optionally wherein each row extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the inflatable mat, optionally wherein adjacent rows are longitudinally offset. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insulating layer comprise a plurality of apertures each configured to receive a tie member therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insulating layer comprises a plurality of apertures, and wherein each aperture is configured to receive a respective strap member therethrough, optionally wherein each strap member extends through more than one of the plurality of apertures of the at least one insulating layer. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insulating layer comprises an upper insulating layer connected to the upper outer layer by a plurality of upper strap members, and a lower insulating layer connected to the lower outer layer by a plurality of lower strap members, optionally wherein the at least one insulating layer comprises an intermediate insulating layer located between the upper insulating layer and the lower insulating layer. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of tie members each comprise a neck portion, and wherein the intermediate insulating layer comprises an aperture dimensioned to be held around the neck portion so as to locate the intermediate insulating layer with respect to the tie member in a direction transverse to the upper and lower outer layers when the inflatable mat is in an inflated configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tie members and/or the plurality of strap members are welded or heat sealed to the respective upper or lower outer layer. 
     
     
         15 . An inflatable mat comprising:
 an upper outer layer and a lower outer layer defining a substantially enclosed internal volume;   at least one valve in selectable fluid communication with the internal volume;   at least one insulating layer disposed between the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer; and   a plurality of tie members each extending between and directly connected to the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer, wherein each of the tie members comprises a neck portion; and   wherein the at least one insulating layer comprises an aperture dimensioned to be held around the neck portion so as to locate the insulating layer with respect to the tie member in a direction substantially transverse to the upper outer layer and the lower outer layers when the inflatable mat is configured for use.   
     
     
         16 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 15 , wherein the neck portion defines a minimum width, and wherein the minimum width is located spaced apart from upper and lower ends of the tie member, optionally wherein the tie member comprises a substantially hourglass shape defining the neck portion. 
     
     
         17 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 16 , wherein the aperture defines a width, and wherein the minimum width of the neck portion is substantially equal to the width of the aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of tie members is formed from one piece extending between the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tie members and the plurality of strap members are separate from one another. 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing an inflatable mat, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an upper outer layer and a lower outer layer;   providing at least one insulating layer;   providing a plurality of tie members and a plurality of strap members;   connecting the insulating layer to the upper outer layer or lower outer layer via the plurality of strap members;   connecting each of the tie members to the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer such that each of the tie members extend between the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer and the insulating layer is located between the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer.