An inflatable and foam hybrid, collapsable, bouldering mat system

Abstract

A hybrid bouldering mat comprising inflatable 1 and foam 2 components within a cover and an inflation port 5. The device is designed to provide a crash mat for rock climbers which can be reduced in vo

Description

There are many types of bouldering mats that climbers use to land on when jumping or falling off a climbing wall. Climbers who climb at low heights and without ropes over rocks are generally referred to as boulderers. Because boulderers do not generally climb very high they rely on a crash mat to land on rather than using ropes. These crash mats are referred to as bouldering mats or bouldering pads. It is often necessary to transport a bouldering mat in a vehicle to the climbing wall. Traditional bouldering mats are made of foam and have a cover along with a backpack style strap for carrying. They can sometimes be folded up for carrying and storage. These types of bouldering mats can be bulky and take up a lot of room if transporting in a vehicle or storing. The inflatable bouldering mat can be inflated for use as a crash pad and deflated for transport or storage. Some inflatable mats have been made, but they have had limited success as they tend not to have some of the benefits of foam mats. An inflated air mat can have more springy characteristics which may bounce the person off the mat after impact and does not have the softness of foam. Also if they are not inflated to a high enough pressure and are therefore too soft they will bottom out if a climber falls from a height. Also the inflatable provides high compression at the point of load / impact, and does not affectively spread the load across the mat as well as foam mats. They are not as user friendly from a carrying perspective requiring separate bags. Puncture can also be a risk with inflatables. The present invention, referred to herein as a ‘hybrid inflatable and foam bouldering mat’ seeks to provide a solution to these problems using a combination of innovations. The majority of the thickness of the mat is an inflatable mat. This provides attenuation of the forces from the impact of the climber falling onto the mat. The inflatable component is covered by a thickness of stiff foam such as closed cell foam. This provides a cushioning affect to reduce the bounce of the inflatable, spreads the load to reduce the risk of bottoming out of the inflatable compressing to a point the climber hits the ground, and provides an added layer of firm cushioning support which compliments the softer inflatable compression. It also makes the mat firmer and less springy to fall on and walk on. User experience and functionality is significantly improved relative to only inflatable mats. When deflated the mat can be rolled up and carried with the backstrap or similar strap, or could be put into a bag. This is much more compact than the foam mat of equivalent size. The hybrid inflatable and foam bouldering mat assembly consists of the inflatable mat, which has a port or ports for inflation and deflation, a thickness of foam which is positioned on the upper surface of the inflatable, and a cover which surrounds the inflatable and the foam. The cover functions to hold the internal components together as well as added protection, and attachment of features such as carry straps. The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: The invention consists of an hybrid inflatable and foam bouldering mat, Figure 1, comprising of the inflatable mat, the foam mat and the cover. The inflatable mat is made from drop stitch inflatable material. This is a very tough form of inflatable material 1; which has the advantage of holding its shape when inflated due to internal stitching keeping the surfaces together, and it can be inflated to high pressures allowing for a selected level of stiffness, according to the inflation pressure, and rigidity whilst providing cushioning. This type of inflatable is comparatively resistant to puncture. The inflatable has an inflation and deflation port 5. There is a closed cell foam mat 2; which sits on the top surface of the inflatable. This mat may typically be 15mm thick but could be less or more. The mat shall be thick enough to provide a layer of firmness, reduce springiness of the inflatable and spreads the load of a falling climber landing on the mat. The cover 3 ;may be made of a canvas type material and this may be waterproof and provide a layer of protection from sharp objects and general wear. It also functions to contain the foam and inflatable and hold them in position when deflated and inflated. It has straps to secure when it is folded or rolled up and has carry handles and backstraps 5. The backstraps are positioned such that they are on the outside when the system is rolled up or folded up so that the inflatable mat can be carried with ease when deflated. The straps and handles may also assist in carrying when the mat is inflated. The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

Claims

Claim 1:A hybrid inflatable foam bouldering mat system consisting of a combination of inflatable and foam components which are contained within a cover. The inflatable has one or more inflation ports wherein the inflatable component may be inflated or deflated with air.When the inflatable component is inflated it acts in combination with the foam and cover to form a crash pad or crash mat system for rock climbers or boulders to fall upon. When the inflatable component is deflated the system is reduced in volume for carrying, transportation and storage.Claim 2:A combination defined in claim 1 wherein the inflatable is inflated by an electrical or hand pump.Claim 3:A combination defined in claim 1 wherein the inflatable is made up of a single or multiple inflatable compartments.Claim 4:A combination defined in claim 1 wherein the inflatable is made up of a single or multiple inflatable mats.Claim 5:A combination defined in claim 1 wherein the cover has backstraps attached for carrying the mat.Claim 6:A combination defined in claim 1, wherein the mat may be connected to other mats for use and provide a larger landing space for the climber.Claim 7:A combination defined in claim 1, wherein mats may be deflated and stacked on one another and connected for ease of carrying and transport.Claim 8:A combination defined in claim 1, wherein the cover contains straps for securing the deflated mat when rolled up or folded.Claim 9:A combination defined in claim 1, wherein the cover contains handles for carrying when the inflatable component is either inflated or deflated.

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