Inflation valve allowing for rapid inflation and deflation of an inflatable object

Abstract

Disclosed is an inflation valve that enables a user to quickly inflate and deflate an inflatable object. The inflation valve can include an inflation chamber that is an adequate size to capture a breath of air blown by a user from a distance away from an outside opening of the inflation chamber. This allows surrounding air into the area of low pressure created by the moving air, thereby greatly increasing the amount of air entering the inflatable object. To prevent air from escaping the inflatable object, the inflation valve can include a non-invertible one-way valve and/or an invertible one-way valve. Each valve can prevent air from escaping the inflation chamber until adequate pressure is applied from the outside opening of the inflation chamber, for example, as a result of a user blowing air into the inflation chamber. The invertible one-way valve can be inverted to reverse the properties of the valve.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An inflatable mattress configured for being inflated by a user, the inflatable mattress comprising:
 an inflatable mattress object configured for receiving a volume of air; and   an inflation chamber protruding from the inflatable mattress object, the inflation chamber defining an outer opening for receiving air from outside the inflatable mattress object;   wherein the inflation chamber includes a resilient member disposed proximate the outer opening of the inflation chamber and configured to support the inflation chamber's outer opening in an open configuration during inflation of the inflatable mattress object.   
     
     
         22 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 21 , wherein the resilient member is formed from a resilient, plastic material. 
     
     
         23 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 21 , wherein the inflation chamber defines at least one inner opening in fluid communication with the inflatable mattress object, and wherein the inflation chamber further comprises:
 a top portion extending between the outer opening and the inner opening; and   a bottom portion extending between the outer opening and the inner opening and opposite the top portion; and wherein   the resilient member is secured to one of the top portion or the bottom portion adjacent the outer opening.   
     
     
         24 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 23 , wherein the top portion and the bottom portion collectively define an inflation chamber interior, and wherein the inflation chamber further comprises:
 a top glossy layer secured to the top portion within the inflation chamber interior and adjacent the outer opening; and   a bottom glossy layer secured to the bottom portion within the inflation chamber interior and adjacent the outer opening;   wherein the top glossy layer is configured to engage the bottom glossy layer when and impede air from escaping the inflatable mattress.   
     
     
         25 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 24 , wherein the resilient member is secured between the top glossy layer and the top portion. 
     
     
         26 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 24 , wherein the resilient member is secured between the bottom glossy layer and the bottom portion. 
     
     
         27 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 21 , wherein the inflation chamber is configured for being rolled around the resilient member into a closed configuration in which air is prevented from escaping the inflatable mattress object. 
     
     
         28 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 27 , wherein the inflation chamber is configured such that, when rolled into the closed configuration, the inflation chamber is rolled toward the inflatable mattress object and forces air within the inflation chamber into the inflatable mattress object. 
     
     
         29 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 27 , further comprising a fastener configured for selectively securing the inflation chamber in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         30 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 21 , further comprising a secondary valve in fluid communication with the inflatable mattress object. 
     
     
         31 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 21 , further comprising a one-way valve configured to permit air to enter the inflatable mattress object through the inflation chamber. 
     
     
         32 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 31 , wherein the one-way valve is disposed at least partially within the inflation chamber. 
     
     
         33 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 32 , wherein the one-way valve comprises a non-invertible one-way valve. 
     
     
         34 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 23 , wherein the resilient member is secured to the top portion and the inflation chamber further comprises a second resilient member secured to the bottom portion. 
     
     
         35 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 21 , wherein the inflation chamber protrudes from a first side of the inflatable mattress object and has a width that is approximately one-third of the width of the first side of the inflatable mattress object. 
     
     
         36 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 21 , wherein the inflatable mattress object defines an interior portion of the inflatable mattress object, and comprises one or more baffles secured within the interior portion of the inflatable mattress object.