Variable size airbed

Abstract

An airbed ( 20 ) that is variable in size. The airbed includes a principal bladder ( 22 ) and one or more extension bladders ( 24, 26 ). The principal bladder ( 22 ) may be inflated and used as an airbed. The extension bladders ( 24, 26 ) may remain deflated, or one or more of the additional bladders may be inflated to increase the total size of the inflated portions of the airbed ( 20 ).

1 . An airbed, comprising:
 a plurality of bladders, each bladder being selectively inflatable;   wherein each bladder has a front end and a back end, the front end located opposite the back end;   wherein each bladder has a length determined by measuring from the front end to the back end;   wherein the plurality of bladders are connected one to another in series at one or more connections, each connection comprising a union of the front end of one bladder to the back end of an adjacent bladder, such that, when the bladders are inflated, the bladders form a substantially planar surface having a combined length approximately equal to the sum of the lengths of the bladders; and   wherein the length of at least one of the bladders is greater than the length of another bladder.   
   
   
       2 . The airbed of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of bladders is connected to at least one other bladder by a top edge weld. 
   
   
       3 . The airbed of  claim 1 , further comprising, for each bladder, an inflation valve configured to allow inflation of the bladder. 
   
   
       4 . The airbed of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a connecting valve configured to selectively provide a fluid connection between two adjacent bladders; and   an inflation valve configured to allow inflation of a first of the two adjacent bladders, with the connecting valve selectively allowing inflation from the first bladder to a second of the two adjacent bladders.   
   
   
       5 . The airbed of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of bladders is removably connected to the other bladders. 
   
   
       6 . The airbed of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of bladders is configurable from a first position, wherein the at least one of the plurality of bladders provides a portion of the sleeping surface, to a second position, wherein said at least one of the plurality of bladders is atop an adjacent bladder so as to provide a pillow atop the sleeping surface. 
   
   
       7 . The airbed of  claim 1 , wherein the width of at least one of the plurality of bladders varies to allow the airbed to receive a rear wheel well of an automobile when the airbed is positioned in a rear portion of the automobile. 
   
   
       8 . An airbed, comprising:
 an independently inflatable principal bladder having a first length and a sleeping surface; and   an independently inflatable extension bladder having a second length shorter than the first length, the extension bladder having an upper surface and being connected to the principal bladder so that, when the principal bladder and extension bladder are simultaneously inflated, the upper surface of the extension bladder is substantially coplanar with the sleeping surface of the principal bladder and the airbed fits closely inside a first rear portion of a first automobile;   wherein, when the principal bladder is inflated and the extension bladder is deflated, the airbed is configured to fit closely inside a second rear portion of a second automobile, the second rear portion being shorter than the first rear portion.   
   
   
       9 . The airbed of  claim 8 , wherein the principal bladder and the extension bladder are connected to one another by a top edge weld. 
   
   
       10 . The airbed of  claim 8 , further comprising, an inflation valve configured to allow inflation of the principal bladder. 
   
   
       11 . The airbed of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a connecting valve configured to selectively provide a fluid connection between two adjacent bladders; and   an inflation valve configured to allow inflation of a first of the two adjacent bladders, with the connecting valve selectively allowing inflation from the first bladder to a second of the two adjacent bladders.   
   
   
       12 . The airbed of  claim 8 , wherein the extension bladder is removably connected to the principal bladder. 
   
   
       13 . The airbed of  claim 8 , wherein the extension bladder is configurable from a first position, wherein the extension bladder is adjacent the principal bladder, and a second position, wherein the extension bladder is atop the principal bladder. 
   
   
       14 . The airbed of  claim 8 , wherein the width of at least the principal bladder varies to receive a rear wheel well of an automobile when the airbed is positioned in a rear portion of the automobile. 
   
   
       15 . The airbed of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more independently inflatable additional bladders connected to the principal bladder, each of the one or more additional bladders having a second upper surface, each of the one or more additional bladders being configured so that the second upper surface is substantially coplanar with the sleeping surface of the principal bladder when the principal bladder, the extension bladder, and the additional bladders are inflated.