US20130086744A1

US20130086744A1 - Fall mat with topper pad

Info

Publication number: US20130086744A1
Application number: US13/268,289
Authority: US
Inventors: Arone Silverman
Original assignee: MPL Ltd Belize
Current assignee: M P L Ltd; MPL Ltd Belize
Priority date: 2011-10-07
Filing date: 2011-10-07
Publication date: 2013-04-11

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a fall mat that includes a bottom body including at least one self inflating cell in operable communication with a valve. The valve is exposed to the ambient environment. Further, a top pad made from a foam material is connectable to the bottom body such that the top pad is an adjacent layer above the bottom body.

Description

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to fall mats for climbing, gymnastics, or stunts. More particularly, the subject matter relates to a self inflatable and self adjustable fall mat with a topper pad that is collapsible for easy transportation and storage.

BACKGROUND

Fall mats, also referred to as bouldering mats or crash pads, are used for climbing or stunts to prevent serious injury when a climber, gymnast, or stuntman falls from a boulder, rope (gymnastic or rock climbing), pole, tree, ice or snow formation, structure or rock wall. Fall mats are often used to cover dangerous sections of the ground below a chosen climb or stunt such as protruding rocks, grass tufts, pavement, concrete or the like. A typical fall mat utilizes foam. Because fall mats are made of foam, they are generally still cumbersome to carry even when folded. Furthermore, foam crash pads cannot adjust to the particular amount of impact pressure necessary to break a climber's fall.
Thus, a self inflatable and self adjustable fall mat with a topper pad that is collapsible for easy transportation and storage would be well received in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect, a fall mat comprises: a bottom body including at least one self inflating cell in operable communication with a valve, wherein the valve is exposed to the ambient environment; and a top pad made from a foam material connectable to the bottom body such that the top pad is an adjacent layer above the bottom body.
According to another aspect, a fall mat comprising: a top pad; a bottom body that is self inflatable; wherein the bottom body and the top pad are securable in an adjacent position where a bottom surface of the top pad abuts a top surface of the bottom body top pad and the bottom body share a plane; wherein the bottom body is detachable from the top body and is compressible and roll-able into a compressed and rolled up position, and wherein the top pad is securable about the compressed and rolled up bottom body.
According to another aspect, a fall mat comprises: a top pad surrounded by a first cover; and a bottom body that includes a second cover surrounding a plurality of self-expanding cells and a protective bottom layer that is located under the plurality of self-expanding cells; wherein the top pad and the bottom body are connected along an edge at a hinge such that the top pad is rotatable about the bottom body along the hinge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of fall mat having a top pad and a bottom body set up under a climber in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the fall mat of FIG. 1 with the top pad rotated about a hinge with respect to the bottom body in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the fall mat of FIGS. 1-2 with the bottom body rolled up in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the fall mat of FIGS. 1-3 in a collapsed position for transportation in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective cutaway view of the fall mat of FIGS. 1-4 in an open position in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 6 depicts a cross sectional side view of the fall mat of FIG. 1 in a closed position taken at arrows 6-6 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of another fall mat in a closed position accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective cutaway view of the fall mat of FIG. 7 in an open position in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 9 depicts a cross sectional side view of the fall mat of FIGS. 7-8 taken at arrows 9-9 in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, a fall mat 10 is shown. The fall mat 10 may also be referred to as a bouldering mat, a crash pad, stunt pad, gymnastic pad, or the like. Whatever the embodiment, the fall mat 10 may be configured to break the fall of a climber, stuntman or gymnast 12 that falls from a boulder 14 or other high surface, as shown in FIG. 1. The fall mat 10 includes a top pad 16 and a bottom body 18. The bottom body 18 of the fall mat 10 may be self-inflatable when an open/shut manifold valve 20 is opened to allow air to enter within the bottom body 18. After use, the top pad 16 may be detached from the bottom body 18 and rotated about a hinge 22 with respect to the bottom body 18, as shown in FIG. 2. The valve 20 may again be opened to allow a user to manually compress the bottom body 18 and roll it up in order to conserve space for transportation, as shown in FIG. 3. The rolled up bottom body 18 may then be surrounded by the top pad 16 to achieve a compact roll for ease of transportation and storage, as shown in FIG. 4.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, the internal components of the fall mat 10 are shown. FIG. 5 shows a cutaway view of the bottom body 18 of the fall mat 10, while FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional side view of the fall mat 10. The bottom body 18 may include a plurality of self-inflating cells 24 housed within a cover 26. The embodiment depicted includes ten self-inflating cells 24 that are oriented in an adjacent fashion. However, in other embodiments more or less self-inflating cells 24 may be utilized. For example, in another embodiment, only six self-inflating cells 24 may be used. Any number of self-inflating cells 24, for example each number between four to twelve, may be utilized depending on the size and shape of the cells, and the desirable size of the fall mat 10. The self-inflating cells 24 may each comprise an outer envelope 28 made from a flexibly rigid material, such as a polymeric or inorganic membrane or laminate such as polyurethane, for example. The envelope 28 is any non-porous membrane or laminate that retains air either alone or in an open cell foam or reticulated foam structure. The self-inflating cells 24 may each have a hollow interior within the outer envelope 26. The material or physical configuration of the outer envelope 26 in this embodiment is made of a resilient material or structure that has the ability to absorb energy when it is deformed elastically and then, upon unloading to have this energy recovered. For example the outer layer may be a spring or laminate or composite material that reforms upon compression. In the embodiment depicted, the outer envelope 28 of each of the self-inflating cells 24 has a rounded rectangular cross section in an expanded state. In an expanded state, the outer envelopes 26 may have a thickness between 2 inches and 5 inches, for example. In one embodiment, the outer envelopes 26 have a thickness of 3.5 inches. Further, the self-inflating cells 24 are elongated to span across the entire dimensional length of the bottom body 28. However, the embodiment depicted is not limiting, and the fall mat 10 is contemplated to have a plurality of both rows and columns of smaller self-inflating cells 24. Further, the self inflating cells 24 may have different cross sectional dimensions such as square, oval, or triangular.
When in an inflated state, air may occupy the interior volume of the self-inflating cells 24. Whatever the material of the outer envelope 26, the outer envelope 26 may have an elasticity and resilience that allows for the outer envelope 26 to expand back to its original full-volume state after compression. In one embodiment, the outer envelope 26 may surround a self-expanding foam material that causes the cells 24 to self-inflate. In another embodiment, the outer envelope may include one or more internal coil springs to provide for expansion after compression. The internal coil springs may be oriented vertically to help initiate vertical expansion after compression of the fall mat 10. In another embodiment, the self inflating cells 24 may contain fluid cells within the outer envelope 26 that provide for self-inflation. The fluid cells may be helical cells with an exterior of material defined by folds along which the fluid cell collapses when loaded. The folds may be helical in nature, spiraling from the bottom of the fluid cell to the top of the fluid cell. Single, double, or triple helical designs are contemplated. The fluid cells may be oriented vertically such that they collapse and expand in a vertical or upright direction. The fluid cells may be constructed such that several fluid cells are utilized along the length of each self-inflating cell 24. Each of the fluid cells may contain air such that they are air springs. In one embodiment, each of the self-inflating fluid cells may be connected individually to the air distribution system 27.
The self-inflating cell 24 may be any cell which has a spring bias which effects the reformation of the self-inflating cell 24 such that the cell 24 collapses when loaded with a load having a force which is greater than the sum of the forces within the cell 24, including the pressure of the fluid inside the cell 24 multiplied by the area of the cell 24 supporting the load, plus the reforming force of the cell 24, and said cell 24 reforms when said load is reduced to a load having a force which is less than the sum of the force within the cell 24 and the reforming force of the cell 24. Thus, the self-inflating cells 24 may each be configured to expand to this maximum volume state after compression. For example, when the fall mat 10 is at a resting state after being compressed, the expanding mechanical nature of the self-inflating cells 24 may put an expansive pressure on the system. However, the outer polyurethane material of the outer envelope 26 may also be flexible such that a compressive force may overcome this expansive pressure from the self-inflating cells 24. This may allow the bottom body 18 to be folded and compressed after use for transportation and storage.
The self-inflating cells 24 may each be connected via an air distribution system 27. The air distribution system 27 may include a manifold 29 that connect each of the self-inflating cells 24 to the valve 20. The manifold 29 may include a number of connected conduits, channels, ducts, pipes, and/or tubes for distributing air to and from the system. The manifold 29 may be made from a flexible material to accommodate the rolling up of the fall mat 10 for transportation and storage. Alternately, the manifold 29 may be stiff, in the case that the rolling of the fall mat 10 does not bend the manifold 29. The stiffness or flexibility of the manifold 29 may vary depending on the embodiment. Furthermore, the cross sectional thickness of the conduits of the manifold 29 may vary in order to allow more or less airflow. For example, the conduits of the manifold 29 may have between a ¼ and ½ inch cross sectional orifice opening. In one embodiment, the cross sectional opening may be ⅜ of an inch.
The valve 20 may be a manual valve that is capable of being manually toggled between an opened and a closed state. When the valve 20 is in an open state and the self-inflating cells 24 are in a compressed state, the mechanical tendency of the self-inflating cells 24 to expand from a compressed state generates air flow through the valve 20 from the outside environment into the self-inflating cells 24 to fill the expanding volume within the envelope 26. In contrast, when the valve 20 is in an open state and the self-inflating cells 24 are in an expanded state, compression of the self-inflating cells generates flow of air through the valve 20 coming from within the self-inflating cells 24 and exiting to the outside environment. The valve 20 is shown on a right edge 38 of the bottom body 18. However, in other embodiments the valve 20 may be at other locations. Furthermore, a plurality of valves (not shown) may be desirable in order to achieve faster expansion and compression by allowing for increased airflow into and out of the self-inflating cells 24 of the bottom body 18.
As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the cover 26 of the bottom body 18 may further house within it a bottom layer 30 that covers the entire surface area of the bottom body 18. The bottom layer 30 may be made from a membrane or laminate such as polyurethane, for example, and may protect the self-inflating cells 24 from damage caused by rocks or other protrusions that may be under the fall mat 10 during operation. The bottom layer 30 may be a harder foam material that is also flexible. The bottom layer 30 may also be tear resistant such including a para-aramid synthetic fiber. The bottom layer 30 may be about an inch thick. However, any appropriate material and thickness may be apparent to those skilled in the art. The bottom layer 30 may be made of 50 ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) foam. The bottom layer 30 may, for example, have a one inch thickness. The thickness of the bottom layer may have a range between ½ an inch and 2 inches. The bottom body 18 may also include a top layer (not shown) having a similar thickness that is also made from harder 50 ILD foam, similar to the bottom layer 30. This may further help protect the cells 32.
The top pad 16 is shown located directly above and adjacent to the bottom body 18. The top pad 16 may be made from polyethylene foam in one embodiment. The top pad 16 may be made from relatively hard foam having a high-density. This may be in order to prevent a climber's foot from sinking into the fall-mat 10 and impacting protrusions from the ground that may be felt on a fall. The top pad 16 may be housed within its own cover 32 that is separate from the cover 26 of the bottom body 18. Thus, the fall mat 10 may include two covers 26, 32. This two cover system may allow both the bottom body 18 and the top pad 16 to be used as a cushion against the ground, as shown in FIG. 2 when in an opened state.
The top pad 16 and the bottom body 18 may be connected at the hinge 22. The hinge 22 may provide for rotation of the top pad 16 about the bottom body 18 along the right edge 38 of each of the top pad 16 and the bottom body 18. The hinge 22 may be a connecting piece of material located between the two covers 26, 32. The hinge 22 may extend along the right edge 38, for example, of each of the top pad 16 and the bottom body 18, as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the top pad 16 may be opened like a book about the right edge 38 in order to allow for a greater surface area of the ground to be covered, as shown in FIG. 2. While the fall mat 10 may not be capable of best protecting a falling rock climber without both the top pad 16 and the bottom body 18 in the adjacent or closed position shown in FIG. 1, the open position shown in FIG. 2 may be ideal to cover a greater surface area to allow more people to sit, lay or otherwise rest on the cushions of the fall mat 10 when climbing is not occurring. In other words, the fall mat 10 may also be used as a cushion against the ground when a climber wishes to rest. In other embodiments, the hinge 22 may be a strip of material that is sewn into both covers 26, 32. The hinge 22 material may also be connected via hook and loop or another appropriate fastener. Buttons, a zipper, or any other fastening means are contemplated. Whatever embodiment, the hinge 22 may be configured to keep the top pad 16 rotatably attached to the bottom body 18. It should be understood that the hinge 22 may be an optional component of the fall mat 10, and that some embodiments may not include a hinge. Rather, the top pad 16 and the bottom body 18 may be completely seperable.
The top pad 16 and the bottom body 18 may further include hook and loop portions 34 in order to properly secure the fall mat 10 in the adjacent or closed position shown in FIG. 1. Thus, a left edge 36 of each of the top pad 16 and the bottom body 18 may include strips of corresponding hook and loop material in order to secure the fall mat 10 into place during operation. While the embodiment in the Figures includes hook and loop portions 34, other embodiments are contemplated, such as buttons, zippers, or any other fastening means. Further, the hook and loop portions 34 may also be along top and bottom edges 40, 42 in addition to the left edge 36. Alternately, the hook and loop portions 34 may be at any other locations on the top face of the bottom body 18 and the bottom face of the top pad 16 that would provide for securing the bottom body 18 with the top pad 16 during use.
In operation, a climber 12 may transport the fall mat 10 to a desirable boulder 14, rock or other wall to climb. During the transportation, the bottom body 18 may be in a compressed and rolled-up state as shown in FIG. 4. When a desirable location is reached, the climber 12 may unroll the compressed fall mat 10. To unroll the compressed fall mat 10, the climber 12 may first be required to unfasten hook and loop fastening material that holds that top pad 16 in position around the rolled up bottom body 18. Then, the climber 12 may unroll the bottom body 18 and place the top pad 16 into position above the bottom body 18. The top pad 16 and the bottom body 18 may be secured into place in this position by the hook and loop portions 34.
The climber 12 may then open the valve 20. Upon opening the valve 20, the expansive pressure from the elasticity and resilience of the self-inflating cells 24 may cause the self inflating cells 24 of the bottom body 18 to expand or inflate. Air then enters the bottom body 18 through the valve 20. Once the fall-mat is fully expanded, the climber 12 may close the valve 20 to prevent air from entering or leaving the bottom body 18. In this state, the fall mat 10 becomes a closed system where the pressure exerted by the fall mat 10 on a falling climber will correspondingly adjust to the amount of pressure exerted by the falling climber on the fall mat 10. In other words, the harder the climber falls, the harder the fall mat 10 will feel, and vice versa.
To pack up the fall mat 10 for transportation once the climber 12 finishes, the climber 12 may once again toggle the valve 20 into an opened state. The climber 12 may then separate the bottom body 18 from the top pad 16 by separating the hook and loop portion 34 and rotating the top pad 16 about the bottom body 18 with the hinge 22. In this position, the climber 12 may compress the bottom body 18 of the fall mat 10 to force the air out of the self inflating cells 24. This compression may overcome the expanding tendency of the self-inflating cells. The climber 12 may roll the bottom body 18 up, as shown in FIG. 3. Then, the climber 12 may surround the rolled bottom body 18 with the top pad 16. Hook and loop portion 34 of the top pad 16 may be utilized to retain the top pad 16 in a surrounded position about the rolled up bottom body 18. For example, a first hook and loop portion 34 of the bottom body 18 may integrate with a second hook and loop portion 34 at a proper location of the top pad 16.
Tests were also conducted by the inventor on a fall mat containing many of the features described hereinabove. During those tests, 210 pounds of weight was dropped on a fall mat having a body with envelopes from 15 feet, 20 feet and 25 feet. The fall mat tested included six air envelopes having a 10 mil polyurethane envelope. The manifold on the tested fall mat included 1.4 inch diameter cylinders. The envelopes rested on top of a bottom layer having 1 inch thickness 50 ILD polyurethane foam. The body was enclosed by a 1000 Denier Cordura cover. No top pad was used on the tests. From up to a 25 foot fall height, the internal pressure generated was withstood by the envelopes.
Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, another embodiment of a fall mat 100 is shown. The fall mat 100 may be similar to the fall mat 10 described hereinabove. Thus, the fall mat 100 may be configured to break the fall of a climber 112 that falls from a boulder 114 or other climbing surface, as shown in FIG. 7. The fall mat 100 includes a top pad 116 and a bottom body 118, similar to the top pad 16 and bottom body 18 described hereinabove. The bottom body 118 of the fall mat 100 may be self-inflatable when a two way open and shut manifold valve 120, shown located at a right side 121 of the bottom body 118, is opened to allow air to enter within the bottom body 18. After use, the top pad 116 may be detached from the bottom body 118 and rotated about a hinge 122 with respect to the bottom body 18, as shown in FIG. 2. The manifold valve 120 may again be opened to allow a user to manually compress the bottom body 118 and roll it up in order to conserve space for transportation, similar to the embodiment of the fall mat 10 in FIG. 3. Like the previous embodiment, the rolled up bottom body 118 may then be surrounded by the top pad 116 to achieve a compact roll for ease of transportation and storage.
Unlike the fall mat 10 described hereinabove, the fall mat 100 includes a check valve 124 and a pressure release valve 126 that are each connected to an air distribution system 128 that includes conduits or manifold 130, similar to the manifold 29 described hereinabove. As shown in FIG. 8, the air distribution system 128 may include conduits 130 that are connected to a plurality of cells 132. The pressure release valve 126 may be located at a mid point in the manifold and may be set to open when the pressure inside the cells 132 and in the manifold system 29 reaches a predetermined level. Thus, even when the manifold valve 120 is shut, the pressure release valve 126 may still be configured to allow air to exit the cells 132 through the air distribution system 128 and through the pressure release valve 126 when the pressure in the cells 132 reaches the predetermined level in order to prevent damage to the plurality of cells 132. For example, if the climber 112 were to fall from the boulder 114 from such a height that would potentially damage the internal cells 132, the pressure relief valve 126 may be set to open in order to relieve the system of the excessive pressure and expel air until the pressure in the system is reduced below the predetermined level.
Shown in FIG. 9, the check valve 124 is shown located on a left side 134 of the manifold 130. The check valve 124 may be a one way valve that is configured to only allow air to enter into the air distribution system 128 when the pressure inside the cells 132 is less than the ambient air pressure. This valve 124 allows air to enter into the cells 132 even when the manifold valve 120 is shut or closed. The check valve 124 may thus allow the cells 132 to re-inflate after the pressure relief valve 126 has allowed for air to expel out of the system. This re-inflation may occur in use even when the manifold valve 120 is closed.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, the cells 132 are also shown oriented ninety degrees within the bottom body 118 compared to the cells 24 of the fall mat 10. In other words, the cells 132 extend parallel to the direction of rolling when the fall mat 100 is rolled up for transportation and storage. The manifold 130 is shown extending along the hinged side of the fall mat 100. This position may allow the fall mat 100 to be rolled up in a transportation position without bending the manifold 130. These positions are not meant to be limiting. For example, the orientation of the cells 132 in this embodiment may be similar to the embodiment described hereinabove with respect to the fall mat 10. The manifold 130 may be included on any appropriate side of the fall mat 100. The manifold 130 may further include conduits having similar diameters to the manifold 29 described hereinabove.
Furthermore, the cells 132 in this embodiment may be filled with an expanding foam material. For example, the foam may have an Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) of 15. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that ILD is a direct measurement of how soft or hard a memory foam is. This internal foam may help create the expansion forces within the cells 132 to provide for self expansion after compression. The internal foam may completely fill the entire volume, or a substantial portion of the entire volume the cells 132. Similar to the cells 24 described hereinabove, an outer envelope 142 may encircle and enclose the cells 132. The outer envelope 142 may be made from a flexibly rigid nonporous material, such as polyurethane. It should also be understood that foam may also be included within the cells 24 of the fall mat 10.
The fall mat 100 may include similar layers to the fall mat 10, such as a bottom foam layer 144. This layer 144 may also comprise foam having 50 ILD. This foam 144 may have hardness similar to the foam found within the top pad 116. In other words, the foam of the top pad 116 may also be 50 ILD foam. It should be understood that the foam layers 144, 116 may be harder or softer than 50 ILD in some embodiments.
In operation, the climber 112 may transport the fall mat 100 to a desirable boulder 114, rock or other wall to climb. During the transportation, the bottom body 118 may be in a compressed and rolled-up state, similar to the fall mat 10 as shown in FIG. 4. When a desirable location is reached, the climber 112 may unroll the compressed fall mat 100. To unroll the compressed fall mat 100, the climber 112 may first be required to unfasten hook and loop fastening material that holds that top pad 116 in position around the rolled up bottom body 118. Then, the climber 112 may unroll the bottom body 118 and place the top pad 116 into position above the bottom body 118. The top pad 116 and the bottom body 118 may be secured into place in this position.
The climber 112 may then open the manifold valve 120. Upon opening the valve 120, the expansive pressure from the elasticity and resilience of the self-inflating cells 132 may cause the self inflating cells 132 of the bottom body 118 to expand or inflate. At this time, the check valve 124 may also be allowing air to enter into the self inflating cells 132 because the pressure in the system may be less than the ambient air pressure. Air then enters the bottom body 118 through the valves 120, 124. Once the fall-mat is fully expanded, the climber 112 may close the manifold valve 120 to prevent air from entering or leaving the bottom body 118 through this valve.
When the climber 112 falls onto the mat 100 from a height so that the pressure in the system exceeds the predetermined level, the pressure relief valve 126 may be opened in order to relieve the pressure in the system and prevent the self inflating cells 132 from bursting or becoming otherwise damaged. Once the system stabilizes on a fall, the pressure relief valve 126 again closes. When the climber 112 is removed from the mat 100, the pressure within the system becomes less than the ambient air pressure, and the check valve 124 begins to allow airflow to re-enter into the system.
To pack up the fall mat 100 for transportation once the climber 112 finishes, the climber 112 may once again toggle the manifold valve 120 into an opened state. The climber 12 may then separate the bottom body 118 from the top pad 116 by rotating the top pad 116 about the bottom body 118 with the hinge 122. In this position, the climber 112 may compress the bottom body 118 of the fall mat 110 to force the air out of the self inflating cells 24 through the manifold valve 120. This compression may overcome the expanding tendency of the self-inflating cells 132. The climber 112 may roll the bottom body 118 up, similar to the fall mat 10 as shown in FIG. 3. Then, the climber 112 may surround the rolled bottom body 118 with the top pad 116. The top pad 116 may then remain in a surrounded position about the rolled up bottom body 118 for transportation and storage. For example, a first hook and loop portion 140 of the bottom body 116 may integrate with a second hook and loop portion 140 at a proper location of the top pad 116.
It should be understood that the fall mat 100 may include a plurality of manifold valves, check valves, and pressure relief valves. For example, each of the cells 132 may include its own individual pressure relief valve or check valve. In other embodiments, each of the left side 134 and right side 121 of the manifold may include a manifold valve, check valve and/or pressure relief valve.
Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either the articles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” and their derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or” when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms. The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish elements and are not used to denote a particular order.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A fall mat comprising:

a bottom body including at least one self inflating cell in operable communication with a valve, wherein the valve is exposed to the ambient environment; and

a top pad made from a foam material connectable to the bottom body such that the top pad is an adjacent layer above the bottom body.

2. The fall mat of claim 1, wherein the self inflating cell has an outer envelope having an elasticity and resilience such that the at least one self inflating cell has a tendency to expand to a full volume state when the valve is in an open state.

3. The fall mat of claim 1, wherein the bottom body further includes a bottom layer of polyurethane beneath the at least one self inflating cell.

4. The fall mat of claim 1, further comprising a first cover surrounding the at least one self-inflating cell and a second cover surrounding the top pad.

5. The fall mat of claim 4, further comprising a hinge located along an edge of the bottom body and the top pad, the hinge connecting the first cover and the second cover such that the top pad is configured to rotate about the bottom body along the edge.

6. The fall mat of claim 5, wherein the at least one self-inflating cell is a plurality of elongated self-inflating cells extending across an entire length of the bottom body, the plurality of elongated self-inflating cells oriented in an adjacent fashion to define a support surface.

7. The fall mat of claim 6, further comprising an air distribution system connecting each of the plurality of elongated self-inflating cells to the valve.

8. The fall mat of claim 1, wherein the bottom body is compressible and roll-able into a compressed and rolled up position, and wherein the top pad is securable about the compressed and rolled up bottom body.

9. The fall mat of claim 8, further comprising hook and loop material configured to secure the top pad in an adjacent position above the bottom body, and further configured to secure the top pad about the compressed and rolled up bottom body.

10. The fall mat of claim 1, wherein the foam material of the top pad is polyethylene.

11. The fall mat of claim 7, wherein the valve is a manifold valve that is changeable between an open position and a shut position, and wherein the fall mat further comprises a check valve and a pressure relief valve.

12. The fall mat of 11, wherein the air distribution system includes a conduit having a diameter greater than ¼ an inch and less than ½ an inch.

13. The fall mat of claim 11, further comprising a first cover surrounding the at least one self-inflating cell and a second cover surrounding the top pad and a hinge located along an edge of the bottom body and the top pad, the hinge connecting the first cover and the second cover such that the top pad is configured to rotate about the bottom body along the edge, wherein the manifold valve, the check valve, and the pressure relief valve and the air distribution system are located on a side of the fall mat proximate the hinge.

14. A fall mat comprising:

a top pad; and

a bottom body that is self inflatable;

wherein the bottom body and the top pad are securable in an adjacent position where a bottom surface of the top pad abuts a top surface of the bottom body top pad and the bottom body share a plane; and

wherein the bottom body is detachable from the top body and is compressible and roll-able into a compressed and rolled up position, and wherein the top pad is securable about the compressed and rolled up bottom body.

15. The fall mat of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of self inflating cells housed within a cover of the bottom body.

16. The fall mat of claim 15, further comprising an air distribution system and a valve in communication with the plurality of self-inflating cells wherein the valve is exposed to the ambient environment.

17. The fall mat of claim 15, wherein the plurality of self inflating cells each has an outer envelope having an elasticity and resilience such that the at least one self inflating cell has a tendency to expand to a full volume state when the valve is in an open state.

18. The fall mat of claim 17, wherein the plurality of self inflating cells extend across an entire length of the bottom body, the plurality of elongated self-inflating cells oriented in an adjacent fashion to define a support surface.

19. The fall mat of claim 15, wherein the bottom body further includes a bottom layer of polyurethane beneath the plurality of self inflating cells.

20. The fall mat of claim 14, further comprising hook and loop material configured to secure the top pad in the adjacent position above the bottom body, and further configured to secure the top pad about the compressed and rolled up bottom body.

21. The fall mat of claim 15, wherein the top pad is polyethylene foam.

22. The fall mat of claim 14, wherein the top pad is housed within a first cover, and wherein the bottom body is housed within a second cover.

23. The fall mat of claim 14, wherein the top pad is connected to the bottom body along an edge with a hinge such that the top pad is rotatable about the bottom body along the edge.

24. The fall mat of claim 16, wherein the valve is a manifold valve that is changeable between an open position and a shut position, and wherein the fall mat further comprises a check valve and a pressure relief valve.

25. The fall mat of 24, wherein the air distribution system includes a conduit having a diameter greater than ¼ an inch and less than ½ an inch.

26. The fall mat of claim 24, further comprising a first cover surrounding the at least one self-inflating cell and a second cover surrounding the top pad and a hinge located along an edge of the bottom body and the top pad, the hinge connecting the first cover and the second cover such that the top pad is configured to rotate about the bottom body along the edge, wherein the manifold valve, the check valve, and the pressure relief valve and the air distribution system are located on a side of the fall mat proximate the hinge.

27. A fall mat comprising:

a top pad surrounded by a first cover;

a bottom body that includes a second cover surrounding a plurality of self-expanding cells and a protective bottom layer that is located under the plurality of self-expanding cells;

wherein the top pad and the bottom body are connected along an edge at a hinge such that the top pad is rotatable about the bottom body along the hinge.