Thermally insulative cushion

Abstract

A method for thermally insulating a cushion can include the step of affixing a metalized fabric to an exterior surface of the cushion so as to cause a reduction in radiant heat transfer between external objects and the exterior surface. The method further can include the step of wrapping the metalized fabric with at least one additional layer of fabric. The method yet further can include the step of wrapping the metalized fabric with at least one additional layer of cushioning material. Finally, the method yet further can include the steps of placing a non-metalized fabric in a vacuum chamber; and, depositing metallic elements within fibers of the non-metalized fabric in the vacuum chamber to produce the metalized fabric.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A thermally insulative cushion comprising: 
 a cushion having an external surface and an internal core body member; and,    a metalized fabric affixed to said external surface of said cushion, said metalized fabric comprising a non-metallic fabric having metal elements dispersed throughout fibers of said non-metallic fabric while retaining a non-metallic fabric feel.    
     
     
         2 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 1 , wherein said cushion comprises an inflatable cushion comprising an air valve having an orifice at a surface portion of said external surface, said air valve being coupled to said core body member, said air valve having a configuration so that air can be drawn into said core body member as said inflatable cushion is de-compacted, and further so that air can be expelled from said core body member as said cushion is compacted.  
     
     
         3 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 2 , wherein said inflatable cushion comprises a self-inflatable cushion having an air impervious foam core body member.  
     
     
         4 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 1 , wherein said cushion comprises a cushion selected from the group consisting of a mattress, a sleeping pad, a sleeping bag and a pillow.  
     
     
         5 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 1 , wherein said non-metallic fabric comprises a fabric selected from the group consisting of a woven nylon fabric  
     
     
         6 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 5 , wherein said woven nylon fabric comprises a rip stop weave.  
     
     
         7 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 1 , wherein said metalized fabric further comprises a finish coating.  
     
     
         8 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 7 , wherein said finish coating comprises at least one coating selected from the group consisting of an emulsion of urethane, acrylic and fluorocarbon polymers, an antimicrobial agent, a surfactant, a catalyst, a dry-cleaning protectant, and a machine washing protectant.  
     
     
         9 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 1 , wherein said metallic elements comprise aluminum.  
     
     
         10 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 1 , further comprising an exterior non-metallic fabric layer disposed about an exterior surface of said metalized fabric opposite to an interior surface of said metalized fabric which is affixed to said external surface.  
     
     
         11 . The thermally insulative cushion of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one intermediate shell disposed between said metalized fabric and said core body member.  
     
     
         12 . A method for thermally insulating a cushion, the method comprising the step of affixing a metalized fabric to an exterior surface of the cushion so as to cause a reduction in radiant heat transfer between external objects and said exterior surface.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of wrapping said metalized fabric with at least one additional layer of fabric.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of wrapping said metalized fabric with at least one additional layer of cushioning material.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 placing a non-metalized fabric in a vacuum chamber; and,    depositing metallic elements within fibers of said non-metalized fabric in said vacuum chamber to produce said metalized fabric.