Inflatable play structure with integrated inflation mechanism

Abstract

Embodiments of inflatable play structures are presented. In an embodiment, the inflatable play structure includes an air pump integrated with the inflatable play structure and configured to inflate the inflatable play structure to a pressure level, and to seal air at the pressure level into the inflatable play structure.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an inflatable play structure; and   an air pump integrated within the inflatable play structure and configured to inflate the inflatable play structure to a pressure level, and to seal air at the pressure level into the inflatable play structure.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary port configured to release air from the inflatable play structure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a coupler for coupling the auxiliary port of the inflatable play structure to an inflation port of an auxiliary structure, the coupler configured to pass air from the inflatable play structure to the auxiliary structure for inflation of the auxiliary structure by the air pump integrated with the inflatable play structure. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the inflation port of the auxiliary structure comprises a valve structure configured to allow one-way passage of air into the auxiliary structure. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined maximum pressure is determined by a maximum pumping pressure of the air pump. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable play structure comprises a bouncy play surface configured to support one or more users bouncing thereon. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable play structure comprises one or more safety support structures for preventing a user from falling off of the bouncy play surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable play structure further comprises a moveable cover positioned adjacent the air pump, the movable cover configured to protect the air pump from water damage. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 an inflatable play structure;   an air pump integrated with the inflatable play structure and configured to inflate the inflatable play structure to a pressure level, and to seal air at the pressure level into the inflatable play structure; and   one or more auxiliary sturctures configured to be inflated by the air pump integrated with the inflatable play structure.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the inflatable play structure further comprises an auxiliary port configured to release air from the inflatable play structure. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a coupler for coupling the auxiliary port of the inflatable play structure to an inflation port of the auxiliary structure, the coupler configured to pass air from the inflatable play structure to the auxiliary structure for inflation of the auxiliary structure by the air pump integrated with the inflatable play structure. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the coupler comprises a tube. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tube comprises a flexible hose. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the inflation port of the auxiliary structure comprises a valve structure configured to allow one-way passage of air into the auxiliary structure. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined maximum pressure is determined by a maximum pumping pressure of the air pump. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the inflatable play structure comprises a bouncy play surface configured to support one or more users bouncing thereon. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the inflatable play structure comprises one or more safety support structures for preventing a user from falling off of the bouncy play surface. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a moveable cover positioned adjacent the air pump, the movable cover configured to protect the air pump from water damage. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the auxiliary structure comprises a slide. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the auxiliary structure comprises a pool.