Inflatable Water Walkway

Abstract

An inflatable device is disclosed. The inflatable device includes an airtight inflatable mat. The airtight inflatable mat has a first surface member, a second surface member and at least one side member. A plurality of support structures is substantially evenly disposed internally within the airtight inflatable mat. Each support structure is generally parallel to each other and is coupled to the first surface member and the second surface member of the airtight inflatable mat. Furthermore, a plurality of fastening mechanisms is disposed on the at least one side member of the airtight inflatable mat. The fastening mechanisms are positioned on a plane substantially centrally located between the first surface member and the second surface member, and each fastening mechanism is configured for removably connecting with another fastening mechanism disposed on a side member of another airtight inflatable mat.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a generally rectangular airtight inflatable mat, the airtight inflatable mat having a first surface member, a second surface member, and a plurality of sides including two elongated sides and two short sides;   a plurality of support structures disposed internally within the airtight inflatable mat, the plurality of support structures being generally parallel to the two short sides and being coupled to the first surface member and the second surface member of the airtight inflatable mat, the plurality of support structures being disposed in between the two short sides of the airtight inflatable mat, and the plurality of support structures being configured to allow air flow within the airtight inflatable mat; and   at least one fastening mechanism including a first fastening mechanism, the first fastening mechanism disposed on a particular side of the plurality of sides of the airtight inflatable mat, the first fastening mechanism being positioned on a plane substantially centrally located between the first surface member and the second surface member, the first fastening mechanism extending along the particular side of the airtight inflatable mat, and the first fastening mechanism configured for removably connecting with another fastening mechanism disposed on a side of another airtight inflatable mat.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastening mechanism is a zipper fastening mechanism, a loop connection fastening mechanism, a snap connection fastening mechanism, a Velcro connection fastening mechanism, a buckled connection fastening mechanism, a grommet with rope connection fastening mechanism, or a grommet fastening mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastening mechanism further includes a second fastening mechanism, wherein the first and second fastening mechanisms are disposed on the two short sides or the two elongated sides of the airtight inflatable mat. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an airtight inflatable mat, the airtight inflatable mat having a first surface member, a second surface member and at least one side member;   a plurality of support structures disposed internally within the airtight inflatable mat, the plurality of support structures being generally parallel to each other and being coupled to the first surface member and the second surface member of the airtight inflatable mat, and the plurality of support structures being configured to allow air flow within the airtight inflatable mat; and   at least one fastening mechanism including a first fastening mechanism, the first fastening mechanism disposed on the at least one side member of the airtight inflatable mat, the first fastening mechanism being positioned on a plane substantially centrally located between the first surface member and the second surface member, the first fastening mechanism extending along a majority of the full length of the at least one side of the airtight inflatable mat, and the first fastening mechanism configured for removably connecting with another fastening mechanism disposed on a side member of another airtight inflatable mat.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes at least one of: a zipper fastening mechanism, a loop connection fastening mechanism, a snap connection fastening mechanism, a Velcro connection fastening mechanism, a buckled connection fastening mechanism, a grommet with rope connection fastening mechanism, or a grommet fastening mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . A system, comprising:
 a first airtight inflatable mat, the first airtight inflatable mat having a first surface member, a second surface member and at least one side member;   a second airtight inflatable mat, the second airtight inflatable mat having a first surface member, a second surface member and at least one side member;   a plurality of support structures disposed internally within each of the first and second airtight inflatable mat, the support structures being generally parallel to each other and being coupled to the first surface member and the second surface member of their respective airtight inflatable mat; and   a pair of fastening mechanisms respectively disposed on the at least one side member of the first and second airtight inflatable mat, each of the pair of fastening mechanism being positioned on a plane substantially centrally located between the first surface member and the second surface member, the pair of fastening mechanisms configured for removably connecting the first and second airtight inflatable mat to form a floatable walkway.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein each fastening mechanism includes at least one of: a zipper fastening mechanism, a loop connection fastening mechanism, a snap connection fastening mechanism, a Velcro connection fastening mechanism, a buckled connection fastening mechanism, a grommet with rope connection fastening mechanism, or a grommet fastening mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least three of the plurality of support structures are disposed substantially evenly in between the two short sides of the airtight inflatable mat. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastening mechanism extends along a majority of the full length of the particular side of the airtight inflatable mat. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between two adjacent support structures is between approximately 1 and 3 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the generally rectangular airtight inflatable mat is between approximately 5 and 7 feet. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the generally rectangular airtight inflatable mat is between approximately 9 and 11 feet. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support structures, the first surface member, and the second surface member of the airtight inflatable mat are welded together. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the grommet is configured to receive an attachment. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of support structures are substantially evenly disposed internally within the airtight inflatable mat. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one fastening mechanism extends along a majority of the full length of the at least one side of the airtight inflatable mat. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of support structures are substantially evenly disposed internally within each of the first and second airtight inflatable mat. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the pair of fastening mechanisms extend along a majority of the full length of the at least one side member of their respective airtight inflatable mat.