Modular air bed

A modular air support mattress comprising:

• an air support module having a common base pad of pliable material having an upper side and a lower side, a plurality of individually inflatable elements, each said element individually fastened to said upper side of said base pad, air hose means for connecting said inflatable elements to a supply of pressurized air for inflating said elements;
• and
• a coverlet enclosing said module, said coverlet having a coverlet bottom and a top cover removably attached to said coverlet bottom;
• said air support module being readily removable from said coverlet and accessible upon detachment of said top cover from said coverlet bottom, said base pad having a thickness much smaller than a diameter of said inflatable elements such that said pad with said inflatable elements fastened thereon can be folded or rolled to a compact condition for storage or transport.

An air support unit for use in a modular air support bed, comprising:

• a rectangular base pad having an interior pad of synthetic foam covered with sheeting of synthetic material, said base pad having a width and a longitudinal dimension between opposite ends;
• a plurality of individually inflatable tubes of thin synthetic material;
• first fastener means on each of said tubes engageable to second fastener means on one side of said base pad for releasably securing said tubes in closely adjacent mutually parallel relationship in a row extending from one to another of said opposite ends and said tubes extending approximately the full said width of said base pad;
• air hose means defining manifold means external to said inflatable tubes and interconnecting said tubes, and means for connecting said manifold means to a supply of pressurized air for inflating said tubes;
• an interior frame of synthetic foam removable from said coverlet, said frame defining a central cavity, said base pad with said inflatable tubes being contained in said central cavity;
• a coverlet closely fitted to and enclosing said frame and said module, said coverlet having a bottom, sides and a top cover removable for gaining access to said module;
• said base pad with said inflatable tubes secured thereto being readily removable from said central cavity, said base pad being configured and dimensioned to allow said pad with said inflatable tubes secured thereto to be folded rolled to a relatively compact package to thereby facilitate the carrying thereof.