Sleeping surface having two longitudinally connected bladders

Abstract

A sleep surface is formed by joining longitudinal sides of two juxtaposed air bladders, thereby providing a continuous sleep surface having two independently inflatable air chambers. The union of the two bladders ensures that the bladders remain in a desired position despite being repeated inflated, deflated, folded and unfolded.

1 . A sleep surface for two people comprising: 
 a first bladder having a longitudinal side including first upper lip and a first lower lip, each of said first upper and lower lips having an inner surface and an outer surface, said upper and lower lips defining a receiving channel therethrough;    a second bladder having a longitudinal side including a second upper lip and a second lower lip, each of said second upper and lower lips having an inner surface and an outer surface, said second upper lip and said second lower lip received into said receiving channel, wherein the outer surface of said second upper lip abuts the inner surface of said first upper lip and the outer surface of said second lower lip abuts the inner surface of said first lower lip forming an overlap between the first bladder and the second bladder, wherein said longitudinal side of said second bladder is attached to the longitudinal side of the first bladder; and further wherein    each bladder constructed and arranged to maintain an air pressure therein that is independent of an air pressure in the other bladder.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . The sleep surface of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal side of the first bladder is heat welded to the longitudinal side of the second bladder.  
   
   
       5 . The sleep surface of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal side of the second bladder is attached to the longitudinal side of the first bladder with a hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       6 . The sleep surface of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal side of the second bladder is attached to the longitudinal side of the first bladder with a zipper.  
   
   
       7 . The sleep surface of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal side of the second bladder is attached to the longitudinal side of the first bladder with a plurality of snaps.  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . The sleep surface of  claim 8  further comprising a reinforcing member operably attached to the first and second bladders over the overlap.  
   
   
       10 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A method of creating an uninterrupted sleeping surface with two bladders capable of being folded into a sleeper sofa comprising: 
 providing a first elongate bladder, having a first longitudinal upper lip and a first longitudinal lower lip, said first upper and lower lips defining a receiving channel;    providing a second elongate bladder, having a second longitudinal upper lip and a second longitudinal lower lip;    receiving the second longitudinal upper and lower lips into said receiving channel such that said first longitudinal upper and lower lips are juxtaposed and overlap said second longitudinal upper and lower lips; and    joining the first elongate bladder to the second elongate bladder.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein joining the first elongate bladder to the second elongate bladder comprises heat welding the first elongate bladder to the second elongate bladder.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein joining the first elongate bladder to the second elongate bladder comprises zipping the first elongate bladder to the second elongate bladder along said overlap.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein joining the first elongate bladder to the second elongate bladder comprises: 
 providing a hook and loop fastener system having a hook portion and a loop portion;    operably attaching the hook portion to the first bladder;    operably attaching the loop portion to the second bladder;    pressing the hook portion and the loop portion together.