Folding cushion - Patent Review 4774735

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable, deflatable and foldable cushion comprising:

a first and a second plastic sheet member;

each said first and said second plastic sheet members having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;

said front edges, said back edges, said first side edges and said second side edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members, respectively, sealed together to provide a fluid tight chamber between said first and said second plastic sheet members to receive an inflating fluid;

a first folding means extending from said front edge to said back edge of said first plastic sheet member thereby dividing said first plastic sheet member into a first portion and a second portion and for providing a first hinge line on said first plastic sheet member to enhance the folding memory of said first plastic sheet member along said first hinge line;

a second folding means extending from said front edge to said back edge of said second plastic sheet member thereby dividing said second plastic sheet member into a first portion and a second portion and for providing a second hinge line on said second plastic sheet member to enhance the folding memory of said second plastic sheet member along said second hinge line;

a first transverse folding means extending from said first side edge to said second side edge of said first plastic sheet member for providing a first transverse hinge line on said first plastic sheet member normal to said first hinge line to enhance the folding memory of said first plastic sheet member along said first transverse hinge line;

a second transverse folding means extending from said first side edge to said second side edge of said second plastic sheet member for providing a second transverse hinge line on said second plastic sheet member normal to said second hinge line to enhance the folding memory of said second plastic sheet member along said second transverse hinge line; and

a valve means positioned in one of said first and said second plastic sheet members for permitting fluid communication of said inflating fluid into said chamber to define an inflated cushion and for further permitting fluid communication of said inflating fluid out of said chamber to define a collapsed and deflated cushion to enable in use said first folding means and said second folding means to be simultaneously folded along said first hinge line and said second hinge line, respectively, such that said first side edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members are proximate said second side edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members to form a flat, partially folded and deflated inflatable cushion and to further enable said first transverse folding means and said second transverse folding means to be simultaneously folded along said first and said second transverse hinge lines, respectively, such that said back edges of said first and said second plastic members are proximate said front edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members to form a flat, completely folded and deflated inflatable cushion.

2. The cushion of claim 1 further including a partition member disposed within said chamber to form a proximate chamber and a distal chamber within said chamber;

said partition further including a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end; and

said first end and said second end of said partition member sealingly interconnect each said first and second sheet members, respectively, for maintaining a substantially parallel relationship of said first and second plastic sheet members when the cushion is inflated by said inflating fluid.

3. The cushion of claim 2 further including an aperture formed in said partition to enhance fluid communication of said inflating fluid between said proximal chamber and said distal chamber of said chamber.

4. The cushion of claim 2 further including a sixth folding means disposed on said partition and extending from said third end to said fourth end of said partition for providing a sixth hinge line to enhance the folding memory of said partition along said sixth hinge line and to enhance the collapsibility of the cushion when the cushion is being deflated in use.

5. The partition of claim 2 wherein said partition further includes a first and a second notch formed at said third end and said fourth end, respectively, for receiving in use a portion of said first interconnecting member and said second interconnecting member proximate said third end and said fourth end of said partition member, respectively, when the cushion is being deflated to thereby enhance the flatness of the cushion when completely collapsed and deflated.

6. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said folding means comprise a channel formed in said plastic sheet members to enhance the folding memory of said sheet members.

7. The cushion of claim 1 further including a hold down means for securing and maintaining the cushion in a deflated, collapsed and folded position.

8. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said first and second plastic sheet members further include a seventh and an eighth folding means, respectively;

said seventh folding means being parallel and spaced apart relative to said first folding means and further providing an seventh hinge line extending from said front edge to said back edge of said first plastic sheet member to enhance the folding memory of said first plastic sheet member along said seventh hinge line and to provide a third portion of said first sheet member; and

said eighth folding means being parallel and spaced apart relative to said second folding means and further providing an eighth hinge line extending from said front edge to said back edge of said second plastic sheet member to enhance the folding memory of said second plastic sheet member along said eighth hinge line and to provide a third portion of said second sheet member to enable said first portions of said first and said second plastic sheet members to be simultaneously folded along said first and said second hinge lines provided by said first and said second folding means such that said first side edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members are proximate said seventh hinge line of said first plastic sheet member and to enable said third portions of said first and said second plastic sheet members to be simultaneously folded along said seventh and said eighth hinge lines provided by said seventh and eighth folding means such that said second side edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members are proximate said second hinge line provided by said second folding means of said second sheet member.

9. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said valve means further includes a sound generating means activated by the inflating fluid when the cushion is being deflated.

10. The cushion of claim 1 wherein each said folding means further includes a plurality of channels forming each hinge line to enhance collapsibility and foldability of the cushion.

11. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said first transverse folding means and said second transverse folding means each include a plurality of channels forming said first transverse hinge line and said second transverse hinge line, respectively, to enhance foldability of said first sheet member and said second sheet member, respectively.

12. An inflatable, deflatable and foldable cushion comprising:

a first and a second plastic sheet member having an outer surface and an inner surface;

said first and said second plastic sheet members having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;

a front interconnecting member having a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end;

said first end and said second end of said front interconnecting member sealingly interconnect said front edges of each said first and said second plastic sheet members, respectively;

a back interconnecting member having a first end, a second end a third end and a fourth end;

said first end and said second end of said back interconnecting member sealingly interconnect said back edges of each said first and said second plastic sheet members, respectively;

a first side interconnecting member having a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end;

said first end and said second end of said first interconnecting member sealingly interconnect each said first side edges of each said first and said second plastic sheet members, respectively;

a second side interconnecting member having a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end;

said first end and said second end of said second interconnecting member sealingly interconnect each said second side edges of each said first and said second plastic sheet members, respectively;

said third end of said front interconnecting member sealingly interconnected with said third end of said first interconnecting member;

said fourth end of said first interconnecting member sealingly interconnected with said third end of said back interconnecting member;

said fourth end of said back interconnecting member sealingly interconnected with said fourth end of said second interconnecting member;

said third end of said second interconnecting member sealingly interconnected with said fourth end of said front interconnecting member such that when inflated said inner surfaces of said first and said second plastic sheet members are in a substantially parallel spaced apart relationship and said front interconnecting member and said back interconnecting member are in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship and said first and said second interconnecting members are in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship to define a fluid tight chamber to receive an inflating fluid;

a third folding means extending from said third end of said back interconnecting member to said fourth end of said back interconnecting member for providing a third hinge line disposed on said back interconnecting member to enhance the folding memory of said back interconnecting member along said third hinge line;

a fourth foling means extending from said third end of said first side interconnecting member to said fourth end of said first interconnecting member for providing a fourth hinge line disposed on said first interconnecting member to enhance the folding memory of said first interconnecting member along said third hinge line;

a fifth folding means extending from said third end of said second side interconnecting member to said fourth end of said second interconnecting member for providing a fifth hinge line disposed on said second interconnecting member to enhance the folding memory of said second interconnecting member such that upon deflation of the cushion said third, fourth and fifth folding means permit the collapse of said inner surface of said first plastic sheet member onto said inner surface of said second plastic sheet member thereby forming a flat and collapsed cushion;

a valve means for permitting fluid communication of said inflating fluid into said chamber to define an inflated cushion and for further permitting fluid communication of said inflating fluid out of said chamber in order to provide a collapsed deflated cushion such that said first and said second plastic sheet members collapse to define a deflated flat cushion;

a first folding means extending from said front edge to said back edge of said first plastic sheet member thereby dividing said first plastic sheet member into a first portion and a second portion and for providing a first hinge line on said first plastic sheet member to enhance the folding memory of said first plastic sheet member along said first hinge line;

a second folding means extending from said front edge to said back edge of said second plastic sheet member thereby dividing said second plastic sheet member into a first portion and a second portion and for providing a second hinge line on said second plastic sheet member to enhance the folding memory of said second plastic sheet member along said second hinge line;

a first transverse folding means extending from said first side edge to said second side edge of said first plastic sheet member for providing a first transverse hinge line on said first plastic sheet member normal to said first hinge line to enhance the folding memory of said first plastic sheet member along said first transverse hinge line;

a second transverse folding means extending from said first side edge to said second side edge of said second plastic sheet member for providing a second transverse hinge line on said second plastic sheet member normal to said second hinge line to enhance the folding memory of said second plastic sheet member along said second transverse hinge line such that said first portion of said first and said second plastic sheet members may be simultaneously folded along said first and said second hinge lines of said first and second plastic sheet members, respectively, such that said first side edges of said first and said second plastic members are proximate said second side edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members to form a flat, partially folded and deflated inflatable cushion and to further enable said first and said second transverse hinge lines to be simultaneously folded to enable said back edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members to be positioned proximate said front edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members to thereby form a flat, completely folded and deflated cushion.

13. The cushion of claim 12 further including a partition member disposed within said chamber to form a proximate chamber and a distal chamber;

said partition member further including a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end; and

said first end and said second end of said partition member sealingly interconnect each said first and second sheet members, respectively, for further maintaining said parallel relationship of said first and second plastic sheet members when the cushion is inflated.

14. The partition of claim 12 further including an aperture formed in said partition to enhance fluid communication of said inflating fluid between said proximal chamber and said distal chamber of said chamber.

15. The partition of claim 14 further including a sixth folding means extending from said third end to said fourth end of said partition for providing a sixth hinge line to enhance the folding memory of said partition along said sixth hinge line and to enhance the collapsibility of the cushion.

16. The partition of claim 12 wherein said partition further includes a first and a second notch formed at said third end and said fourth end, respectively, for receiving in use a portion of said first interconnecting member and said second interconnecting member proximate said third end and said fourth end of said partition member, respectively, when the cushion is being deflated to thereby enhance the flatness of the cushion when completely collapsed and deflated.

17. The cushion of claim 12 wherein each said third folding means, said fourth folding means and said fifth folding means are formed in said outer surface of said back interconnecting member, said first interconnecting member and said second interconnecting member, respectively, to enhance the inwardly foldability and collapsibility of said back interconnecting member, said first interconnecting member and said second interconnecting member thereby enhancing the foldability and collapsibility of the cushion when deflated.

18. The cushion of claim 12 wherein said first folding means is formed in said outer surface of said first plastic sheet member and said second folding means are formed in said inner surface of said second plastic sheet member to enhance the foldability of said first portions of said first and said second plastic members along said first and second hinge lines of said first and said second plastic sheet members.

19. The cushion of claim 12 wherein each said folding means further includes a plurality of channels to form each said hinge line to enhance collapsibility and foldability of the cushion.

20. The cushion of claim 12 wherein said first folding means providing said first hinge line is a first channel formed in said outer surface of said first plastic sheet member and said second folding means providing said second hinge line is a second channel formed in said inner surface of said second plastic sheet member thereby further enhancing the foldability of the cushion when said first portions of said first and said second plastic sheet members are simultaneously folded along said first and said second hinge lines of said first and second plastic sheet members, respectively.

21. The cushion of claim 12 wherein said third, fourth and fifth folding means provide said third, fourth and fifth hinge lines are third, fourth and fifth channels formed in said outer surface of said back interconnecting member, said first interconnecting member and said second interconnection member, respectively, to inwardly bias said interconnecting members when in use the cushion is being deflated.

22. The cushion of claim 12 wherein said first and second plastic sheet members further include a seventh and an eighth folding means, respectively;

said seventh folding means being parallel and spaced apart relative to said first folding means and further providing an seventh hinge line extending from said front edge to said back edge of said first plastic sheet member to enhance the folding memory of said first plastic sheet member along said seventh hinge line and to provide a third portion of said first sheet member; and

said eighth folding means being parallel and spaced apart relative to said second folding means and further providing an eighth hinge line extending from said front edge to said back edge of said second plastic sheet member to enhance the folding memory of said second plastic sheet member along said eighth hinge line and to provide a third portion of said second sheet member to enable said first portion of said first and said second plastic sheet members to be simultaneously folded along said first and said second hinge lines provided by said first and said second folding means such that said first side edges of said first and said second plastic sheet members are proximate said seventh hinge line of said first plastic sheet member and to enable said third portions of said first and said second plastic sheet members to be simultaneously folded along said seventh and said eighth hinge lines provided by said seventh and eighth folding means such that said second side edges of said first and said second plastic members are proximate said second hinge line provided by said second folding means of said second sheet member.

23. The cushion of claim 22 wherein each said seventh folding means is a seventh channel formed in said outer surface of said first plastic sheet member and said eighth folding means is an eight channel formed in said inner surface of said second plastic sheet member to enhance foldability of said first and said plastic sheet members along said seventh and said eighth hinge lines, respectively.

24. The cushion of claim 12 wherein said valve means further includes a sound generating means activated by the inflating fluid when the cushion is being deflated.

25. The cushion of claim 12 wherein said third end and said fourth end of each of said front interconnecting member, said back interconnecting member, said first interconnecting member and said second interconnecting member are concavely shaped to further enhance an inwardly folding direction of said back interconnecting member, said first interconnecting member and said second interconnecting member.

26. The cushion of claim 12 further including a hold down means for securing and maintaining the cushion in a deflated, collapsed and folded position.

27. The cushion of claim 12 wherein said first transverse folding means and said second transverse folding means each include a plurality of channels forming said first transverse hinge line and said second transverse hinge line, respectively, to enhance foldability of said first sheet member and said second sheet member, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an inflatable cushion and more particularly to a cushion which is foldable along folding means to permit easy deflated storage and portability.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

The prior art provides inflatable cushions which, once inflated, seemingly defy easy deflection into a flat and foldable condition. Thus, the storage of present inflatable cushions, and the like, requires more volume than would be required if the inflatable cushion could be essentially deflated of the inflating fluid and folded.

What is needed is an inflatable cushion which provides for easy and substantially complete removal of the inflating fluid.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion which is foldable along folding means to permit easy deflated portability and storage.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a folding means which provides hinge lines which enhance the removal of the inflating fluid when the cushion is being deflated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a folding means positioned in the side interconnecting members and back member which promotes a collapsed state when deflated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cushion which upon deflation can be repeatedly folded along hinge lines to consistently form a small folded cushion after each inflation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion which may be deflated and easily folded into a flat and storable condition.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion having folding means which provide hinge lines along which the memory of the plastic material comprising the inflatable cushion is enhanced to enable easy and repeatable folding of the inflatable cushion along the folding means when in a deflated state.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion which attains and maintains a flat and compressed storable state when deflated and folded along the memory enhanced folding means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable and inflatable cushion which is easily inflated to form a cushion suitable for sitting.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion which includes advertising indicia disposed thereon for advertising a product, service or the like.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion with a valve means including a sound generating means activated by the inflating fluid when the cushion is being deflated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inflatable cushion with folding means which provide hinge lines for enhancing the folding memory along the hinge line to enable an aligned foldable cushion when the cushion is in a collapsed and deflated condition.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the present invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more pertinent features and application of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims take in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An inflatable, deflatable and foldable cushion of the present invention is defined by the appended claims with a specific embodiment shown in the figures. For purposes of summarizing the invention, the invention relates to an inflatable, deflatable and foldable cushion comprising a first and a second plastic sheet member with the first and the second plastic sheet members each having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The front edges, back edges, first side edges and second side edges of the first and the second plastic sheet members, respectively, are sealed together in order to provide a fluid tight chamber between the first and second plastic sheet members. The fluid tight chamber in use receives an inflating fluid, such as air or the like. A first folding means extends from the front edge to the back edge of the first plastic sheet member. The first folding means divides the first plastic sheet member into a first portion and a second portion and further provides a first hinge line on the first plastic sheet member. The first hinge line extends from the front edge to the back edge of the first plastic sheet member. A second folding means extends from the front edge to the back edge of the second sheet member to divide the second plastic sheet member into a first portion and a second portion and further provides a second hinge line on the second plastic sheet member. The second hinge line preferably extends from the front edge to the back edge of the second plastic sheet member. A first transverse folding means extends from the first side edge to the second side edge of the first plastic sheet member. The first transverse folding means further provides a first transverse hinge line on the first plastic sheet member normal to the first hinge line. Preferably, the first transverse hinge line extends from the first side edge to the second side edge of the first plastic sheet member. A second transverse folding means extends from the first side edge to the second side edge of the second plastic sheet member. The second transverse folding means provides a second transverse hinge line on the second plastic sheet member normal to the second hinge line. A valve means is positioned in one of the first and second plastic sheet members. The valve means permits fluid communication into the chamber to define an inflated cushion and also permits fluid communication out of the chamber in order to provide a collapsed and deflated cushion. The collapsed and deflated cushion enables the each folding means to be simultaneously folded along the respective hinge lines. Thus, the first folding means and second folding means of the first and second plastic members, respectively, may be simultaneously folded along the first hinge line and second hinge line, respectively, such that the first side edges become proximate the second side edges of the first and second plastic sheet members. This folding maneuver forms a flat, partially folded and deflated inflatable cushion and further enables the first transverse folding means and the second transverse folding means to be simultaneously folded such that the back edges of the first and second plastic members become proximate the front edges of the first and second plastic sheet members to form a flat, completely folded and deflated inflated cushion.

Preferably, the cushion further includes a partition member disposed within the chamber to form a proximate chamber and a distal chamber. The partition further includes a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end. The first end and second end of the partition member sealingly interconnect each first and second sheet members, respectively. The attached partition member maintains the parallel relationship of the first and second plastic sheet members when the cushion is inflated. Preferably, the partition member further includes an aperture formed in the partition to enhance fluid communication of the inflating fluid between the proximate chamber and the distal chamber of the chamber. Preferably, the partition member includes a sixth folding means which extends from the third end to the fourth end of the partition member. The sixth folding means of the partition member enhances the collapsibility of the cushion. Preferably the folding means which includes the first folding means, second folding means, first transverse folding means, second transverse folding means and sixth folding means eah comprise a channel formed in the surface of the first and second plastic sheet members to enhance the folding memory of the first and second sheet members. Preferably, the sixth folding means comprises a channel formed in the surface of the partition member to further enhance the collapsibility of the first sheet member and second sheet member when the cushion is being deflated.

In a further embodiment of the invention comprises a first and a second plastic sheet member having an outer surface and an inner surface. The first and second plastic sheet members each further include a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. A front interconnecting member having a first end, a second end, a third end, and a fourth end is disclosed. The first end and second end of the front interconnecting member sealingly interconnects the front edges of each of the first and second plastic sheet members, respectively. The sealed interconnection can be made by methods known in the art such as thermal welding. A back interconnecting member with a first end, a second end, a third end, and a fourth end is disclosed. The first end and second end of the back interconnecting member sealingly interconnects the back edges of each of the first and second plastic sheet members, respectively. A first interconnecting member with a first end, second end, third end and fourth end is disclosed. The first end and second end of the first interconnecting member sealingly interconnect each first side edges of the first and second plastic sheet members, respectively. A second interconnecting member with a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end is disclosed. The first end and second end of the second interconnecting member sealingly interconnect each second side edge of each first and second plastic sheet members, respectively. The third end of the front interconnecting member is sealingly interconnected with the third end of the first interconnecting member. The fourth end of the first interconnecting member is sealingly interconnected with the third end of the back interconnecting member. The fourth end of the back interconnecting member is sealingly interconnected with the fourth end of the second interconnecting member. The third end of the second interconnecting member is sealingly interconnected with the fourth end of the front interconnecting member such that when inflated, the inner surfaces of the first and second plastic sheet members are in a substantially parallel spaced relationship and said front interconnecting member and the back interconnecting member are in a substantially and parallel and spaced relationship and the first and second interconnecting members are in a substantially parallel and spaced relationship to define a fluid tight chamber to receive an inflating fluid. A third folding means provides a third hinge line which is disposed on a back interconnecting member. The third folding means extends from the third end of the back interconnecting member to the fourth end of the back interconnecting member. Preferably the third hinge line extends from the third end of the back interconnecting member to the fourth end of the back interconnecting member. A fourth folding means for providing a fourth hinge line is disposed on the first interconnecting member and extends from the third end of the first interconnecting member to the fourth end of the first interconnecting member. A fifth holding means is disposed on the second interconnecting member and extends from the third end of the second interconnecting member to the fourth end of the interconnecting member to form a fifth hinge line such that upon deflation of the cushion, the third, fourth and fifth folding means permit the collapse of the inner surface of the first plastic sheet member onto the inner surface of the second plastic sheet member thereby forming a flat and collapsed cushion. A first folding means which extends from the front edge to the back edge of the first plastic sheet member divides the first plastic sheet member into a first portion and a second portion and further provides a first hinge line on the first plastic sheet member. preferably, the first hinge line extends from the front edge to the back edge of the first plastic sheet member. A second folding means extends from the front edge to the back edge of the second plastic sheet member to divide the second plastic sheet member into a first portion and a second portion. The second folding means further provides a second hinge line on the second plastic sheet member to enable the first portion of the first and second plastic sheet members to be simultaneously folded along the first and second hinge lines of the first and second plastic sheet members, respectively, such that the first side edges of the first and second plastic sheet members become proximate the second side edges of the first and second plastic sheet members to thereby form a flat, partially folded and deflated cushion. A first transverse folding means extends from the first side edge to the second side edge of the first plastic sheet member. The first transverse folding means further provides for a first transverse hinge line on the first plastic sheet member normal to the first hinge line. A second transverse folding means extends from the first side edge to the second side edge of the second plastic sheet member. The second transverse folding means further for a second transverse hinge line on the second plastic sheet member normal to the second hinge line such that in use the first and second transverse hinge line may be simultaneously folded to enable the back edges of the first and second plastic sheet members to become proxomate the front edges of the first and second sheet members to form a flat, completely folded and deflated inflatable cushion. A valve means for permiting fluid communication into a chamber to define an inflated cushion and for further permitting fluid communication out of the chamber in order to provide a collapsed and deflated cushion such that the first and second sheet members collapse to define a deflated, flat cushion.

Preferably, the cushion further includes a partition member disposed within the chamber to form a proximate chamber and a distal chamber. The partition member further includes a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end. The first end and second end of the partition member sealingly interconnect the first and second sheet members, respectively, for maintaining the parallel relationship of the first and second sheet members when the cushion is inflated. Preferably, the partition further includes an aperture formed therein to enhance fluid communication of the inflating fluid between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber of the chamber. Preferably, the partition further includes a sixth folding means disposed on the partition member and extending from the third end to the fourth end in order to enhance the collapsibility of the cushion is considered the extent with which the inner surface of the first sheet member collapses upon the inner surface of the second sheet member. Preferably, the partition further includes a first and a second notch formed at the third end and fourth end, respectively, for receiving in use a portion of the first interconnecting member and second interconnecting member proximate the third end and fourth end of the partition, respectively, when the cushion is being deflated. The first and second notches enhance the flatness of the cushion when completely collapsed and deflated. The first and second notches receive the plastic material of the first and second interconnecting member which is proximate the third end and fourth end of the partition member. The reception of the plastic material by the first and second notches enhances the flatness of the cushion when completely collapsed and deflated. Preferably, the partition member is parallel to and attachedly sealed to the first and second sheet members proximate the first and second transverse hinge lines.

Preferably the third folding means, fourth folding means and fifth folding means are disposed on the outer surface of the back interconnecting member, the first interconnecting member and second interconnecting member, respectively, to enhance the inwardly foldability of the back interconnecting member, the interconnecting member and the second interconnecting member to enhance the flatness of the cushion when in a deflated state.

In a further embodiment, the cushion further includes the first folding means being disposed on the outer surface of the first plastic sheet member and the second folding means being disposed on the inner surface of the second plastic sheet member to enhance the foldability of the first portions of the first and second plastic sheet members along the hinge lines of the first and second plastic sheet members. In a further embodiment of the invention, the folding means further includes a plurality of hinge lines juxtapositioned to enhanced foldability along the hinge lines. The plurality of hinge lines is most useful where the sheet and interconnecting members are relatively thick. Thus, each folding means, as described above, optionally includes a plurality of channels to form each hinge line formed in the interconnecting, partition, and sheet members to further enhance collapsibility and foldability of the cushion. The number of channels which comprise the plurality of channels is related to the thickness of the sheet material of the member the channels are formed in. Thus,