Inflatable cover for transporting goods

Abstract

An inflatable cover apparatus and methods of using same are provided. The apparatus includes a bottom surface, a plurality of inflatable walls coupled to the bottom surface, and at least one bladder, wherein at least one of the bladders is disposed within at least one of the inflatable walls. The bladders are configured to be filled with air or other gases. A method of using such an apparatus to enclose a good includes positioning the good within the apparatus, inflating one or more of the bladders with air or other gases, and closing the apparatus to enclose the good. A method of using such an apparatus to remove a good includes opening the apparatus, deflating one or more of the bladders, and removing the good.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable cover apparatus for transporting goods, comprising:
 a bottom surface;   a plurality of inflatable walls coupled to the bottom surface, in which the inflatable walls are configured to receive and enclose one or more goods; and   at least one bladder, in which at least one of the bladders is disposed within at least one of the inflatable walls, wherein the bladders are configured to be filled with air or other gases.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the bladders are configured to be coupled to an inflation apparatus for filling the bladders with air or other gases. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 one or more valves; and   one or more pipes;   in which the bladders are configured to be coupled to the inflation apparatus through one or more of the valves or pipes.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an inflation apparatus.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a holder configured to securely retain the inflation apparatus; and   a pocket configured to contain the holder and the inflation apparatus.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of canopies, in which the canopies are fastened to the walls, and in which the canopies are configured to be fastened to each other using a fastening mechanism.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of hooks disposed along the inflatable walls; and   an elastic cord configured to be passed through the plurality of hooks.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of pads coupled to the bottom surface;   in which the pads are configured to receive and retain one or more of the goods.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of elastic straps or springs;   in which the elastic straps or springs are configured to connect to one or more of the goods to secure the one or more goods in floating fashion.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 one or more pressure sensors configured to monitor pressure in one or more bladders; and   one or more programmable microprocessors programmed with a target pressure for one or more of the bladders, in which the programmable microprocessor(s) are configured to send a control signal to the inflation apparatus, which causes air or other gases to be sent into or out of the bladders based upon the control signal until a target pressure is achieved.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 means for accepting user input to permit a user to set the target pressure for the bladders.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a wireless device, which a user may use to set the target pressure for one or more bladders.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tracking sensor; and   a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a wireless device to allow a user of the wireless device to determine location of the inflatable cover.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect when the inflatable cover has been opened; and   a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a wireless device to allow a user of the wireless device to determine that the inflatable cover has been opened.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , in which one or more of the bladders is disposed within one or more of the canopies. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which one or more of the bladders is disposed within the bottom surface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a handle; and   wheels for rolling the inflatable cover.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a strap for carrying the inflatable cover.   
     
     
         19 . A method of using an inflatable cover to enclose a good, comprising the steps of:
 positioning the good within the inflatable cover;   inflating one or more bladders of the inflatable cover with air or other gases, in which at least one of the bladders is disposed within an inflatable wall of the inflatable cover; and   closing the inflatable cover to enclose the good.   
     
     
         20 . A method of opening an inflatable cover to remove a good, comprising the steps of:
 opening the inflatable cover;   deflating one or more bladders of the inflatable cover, in which at least one of the bladders that is deflated is disposed within an inflatable wall of the inflatable cover; and   removing the good.