[0020] There is shown in FIG. 1 a self-inflating mattress 10 that is operably and releasably connected to a conventional vacuum apparatus 12. Mattress 10 is particularly suited for indoor bedroom use, although it may alternatively be used in a wide variety of other applications. In some cases, the mattress may even be employed as a floatation device for pools and other bodies of water. This use will be explained more fully below.

[0021] In order to function as a bedroom mattress, it is preferred that mattress 10 have approximately the following dimensions: 1

[0022] It should be understood that the foregoing dimensions can vary within the scope of this invention. However, it is particularly desirable for the mattress to have a thickness of at least 4″ so that the pressure control feature described below may be successfully achieved. If a thinner mattress is utilized, the mattress will deflate almost immediately when the user lies upon the mattress. This will prevent the mattress from being successfully pressure adjusted in the manner described below.

[0023] Mattress 10, a portion of which is shown cross sectionally in FIG. 2, comprises a body supporting member that includes an internal foam core 14. Core 14 preferably features a self-inflatable, resilient open-celled foam composed of polyurethane or a similar material. The core is capable of being alternately filled with or exhausted of air as required such that the core is pressure adjustable. Core 14 is enclosed by a flexible sheet-like exterior covering 16. This covering should comprise a durable, airtight and preferably waterproof material such as nylon PVC or nylon polyurethane. Preferably, covering 16 comprises upper and lower sections 18 and 20 that are interconnected along a seam 22 by various known manners such as sewing or RF welding. The latter technique is especially preferred because it renders the mattress essentially airtight and watertight. This permits the mattress to be used as a float.

[0024] Valve means are employed by mattress 10 for the purpose of selectively collapsing (deflating) and expanding (inflating) the foam core. One or more drain valves 40 are communicably connected with the interior of body supporting member 13. Preferably two valves are provided at the head of the mattress so that each of two persons lying on the mattress can individually adjust his or her side for softness/firmness. More particularly, as best shown in FIG. 2, each drain valve 40 extends through an opening 42 in covering 16. The inner end of the drain valve carries a peripheral flange 44 that is heat welded or otherwise sealed to the inner surface of covering 16. A hydrophobic member 46 is attached to and extends across the open inner end of drain valve 40. Member 46 allows air to pass through the valve, at least when the valve is open, but restricts the passage of water and other fluids through the valve. This prevents water from entering the interior of the mattress and allows the mattress to remain effectively watertight, even when the valve is opened. In this way, the mattress may be employed effectively as a flotation device.

[0025] The inner end of drain valve 40 engages or is spaced slightly apart from foam core 14. As a result, the valve communicates with the open-celled foam core. When the core is squeezed, air from the cells in the core is exhausted through the opened valve. Alternatively, when the core is in a collapsed condition, opening the valve causes the air to be drawn inwardly through the open valve and hydrophobic membrane, and absorbed by the core. This causes the mattress to inflate.

[0026] Mattress 10 is depicted in a fully expanded or inflated condition in FIG. 1. In this state the foam core has absorbed air and the mattress may be utilized as a bed, float or otherwise. During such usage, the valves 40, should be kept closed so that the air is retained within the foam core of the mattress. To deflate, partially collapsed and/or adjust the firmness of mattress 10, vacuum assembly 12 is operably interengaged with one of the drain valves 40. In FIG. 1, vacuum assembly 12 is shown attached to a lower drain valve. It should be understood that the vacuum may be alternatively attached to any of a number of drain valves formed in the mattress. The vacuum assembly comprises a standard vacuum pump 50 which may be a conventional household vacuum pump or an alternative type of vacuum means. A hose 52 having a suction inlet or nozzle 54 is operably attached to vacuum pump 50. To deflate the mattress, nozzle 54 is fit over valve 40 such that the distal end of the inlet or nozzle sealably interengages the side surface 56 of mattress 10. More particularly, the suction inlet sealably interengages the flexible covering 16 that surrounds valve 40. Before the suction inlet is engaged in this manner, the valve is opened in a known manner.

[0027] The operator then activates vacuum pump 50. This causes nozzle 54 to seal against the side 56 of mattress 10. The vacuum draws air from foam core 14 outwardly through open valve 40. As shown in FIG. 3, air continues to be drawn through inlet 54 and hose 52 in direction of arrow 60 until mattress 10 is fully deflated. The mattress is now in a substantially flattened and easy-to-manipulate condition. After the mattress is fully deflated, the user disengages nozzle 54 from valve 40 and promptly shuts the valve to prevent the foam core from re-inflating. The user then wraps, folds or rolls up the deflated mattress in the manner depicted in FIG. 4. In certain embodiments, the mattress may carry a strap 70 that encircles the rolled mattress and is secured in place by a buckle 72. The mattress is now ready for convenient transportation or storage.

[0028] By using a vacuum to exhaust air from the foam core, the user is able to quickly and conveniently flatten even a relatively large and bulky, bed-sized mattress. Considerable time is saved in collapsing the mattress, either partially or fully, because the mattress does not have to be manually squeezed and exhausted of air. Rather, the suction provided by a standard vacuum unit accomplishes this in a much faster, less strenuous and more convenient fashion.

[0029] The self-inflating mattress of this invention may also be custom adjusted in the manner shown in FIG. 5. Therein mattress 10 is shown in a partially collapsed or deflated condition that provides optimal support and comfort for a particular user of the mattress. The owner of the mattress achieves this condition by first laying on the mattress in a comfortable sleeping position to which the user is accustomed. The user then opens one or more of the valves so that the mattress deflates under the pressure of the user's body weight. The user allows the mattress to deflate until it achieves the state of firmness that the user desires. The user then re-closes the valve to maintain or hold the mattress in this state. If the user inadvertently deflates the mattress too much, he or she can simply get up from the mattress and allow the mattress to re-inflate fully by opening the valves. The adjustment operation may then be repeated. In any event, after the desired degree of firmness is finally achieved, and the valves are re-closed, the mattress will retain the pressure-adjusted condition shown in FIG. 5. An impression or imprint 80 of the user's body will remain in the upper surface of the mattress. In this condition, the mattress should provide the user with an optimal and custom degree of comfort and support. Subsequent re-inflation, full deflation and/or intermediate adjustment may be performed quickly and conveniently in the manner described above. The mattress may be deflatably adjusted either manually or using the vacuum means described herein.

[0030] Alternatively, the mattress may be adjusted from a fully deflated condition. Typically, one or more users (depending upon the width of the mattress) lie upon the mattress in a fully flattened condition. Each user reclines such that his or her head is proximate one of the drain valves 40. The user then opens the drain valve and allows that user's side of the mattress to inflate until a desired degree of firmness/softness is achieved. The user then simply closes the drain valve on his or her side so that a custom body imprint is achieved. Each user may adjust the mattress to his or her own liking.

[0031] The foregoing embodiment exhibits a number of unexpected benefits. In particular, the individual users imprints remain in the mattress regardless of pressure adjustment and/or movement by the adjacent user. In contrast to other inflatable types of mattresses, movement by one of the users does not cause waves or ripples of air to move through the mattress and disturb the other user. The foam core of the present mattress is relatively thick compared to conventional camping mats and other air mattresses. Accordingly, the present mattress acts as a shock absorber. Movement on one half of the mattress is not transmitted through the mattress to the other half. Optimal individual sleeping comfort for each user is thereby achieved.

[0032] From the foregoing it may be seen that the apparatus of this invention provides for a pressure adjustable, self-inflating mattress and to a technique for rapidly and effectively deflating the mattress so that it may be conveniently pressured adjusted, or stored and transported. While this detailed description has set forth particularly preferred embodiments of the apparatus of this invention, numerous modifications and variations of the structure of this invention, all within the scope of the invention, will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is understood that this description is illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is not limitative thereof.

[0033] Although specific features of the invention are shown in some of the drawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with any and all of the other features in accordance with this invention.

[0034] Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims: