Stabilized shape retentive air-inflated bed

Abstract

A bed including a flexible air-inflatable bladder embraced by a flexible inextensible shroud. The shrouded bladder may be encircled by a surround to define the outer periphery of the resulting mattress construction. An inextensible layer can be peripherally attached to the upper edge of the surround.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In combination: 
 an air-inflatable bladder having an outer skin made of an organic plastic material having the properties of flexibility, impermeability and extensibility under stress, said bladder having a top face, a bottom face, two side faces and two end faces; and    a shroud made of a cloth having the properties of flexibility and negligible extensibility under stress, said shroud encapsulating said bladder and having shapes and dimensions substantially identical to those of the said outer skin when inflated, whereby said shroud prevents substantial change in total area of the skin when under pressure.    
     
     
         2 . A combination according to  claim 1  in which said shroud includes at least one area which can be opened to receive said bladder, and closed to retain said bladder.  
     
     
         3 . A combination according to  claim 2  in which said area is closed by fastener means.  
     
     
         4 . A combination according to  claim 3  in which said fastener means is a strip of loop-hook material.  
     
     
         5 . A combination according to  claim 1  in which a surround of flexible, substantially non-extensible material surrounds and embraces said shroud, said surround having a peripheral upper edge and a peripheral lower edge, and a base sheet to which said lower edge is continuously attached to provide an open-topped rectangular receiver in which said shroud encapsulated bladder is place.  
     
     
         6 . In combination: 
 a pair of said bladders and shrouds according to  claim 1 .    
     
     
         7 . A combination according to  claim 5  in which said shrouds share a common wall extending from the top of each shroud to the bottom of each shroud, said common wall comprising a web attached at said top and bottom by continuous joinders.  
     
     
         8 . A combination according to  claim 6  in which said shrouds comprise a common base sheet, and a pair of arch shapes attached to said base sheet.  
     
     
         9 . A combination according to  claim 6  in which a surround of flexible, substantially non-extensible material surrounds and embraces said shroud, said surround having a peripheral upper edge and a peripheral lower edge, and a base sheet to which said lower edge is continuously attached to provide an open-topped rectangular receiver in which said shroud encapsulated bladder is place.  
     
     
         10 . A combination according to  claim 9  in which layer of foam is laid upon said shroud-encapsulated bladders.  
     
     
         11 . A combination according to  claim 10  in which a finish layer is laid atop said foam layer, continuously attached to said upper edge of said surround by a continuous attachment.