Air mattress
From ArticleWorld
The term Air Mattress usually refers to an inflatable mattress. There are mainly two types : one that is used for sleeping and one that is used as a water toy.
For sleeping
An air mattress is made of ordinary plastic or textile – reinforced plastic or even rubber. It is inflatable. The deflated form can be easily stored by rolling it up. It then requires very little space and can be carried or stored with ease. It is a viable option for extra bedding for guests at home and even for camping excursions. These mattresses can be blown up in the following ways :
- Orally through the mouth by a person (most difficult)
- By blowing into a valve
- with the help of a manual pump
- With a foot – powered pump
- With an electric pump (easiest)
There are various sizes available in the market, the standard ones being twin, full, queen and king sizes. Thus, the standard sheets easily fit. Some smaller and light – weight mattresses are also available which can best be used for camping and backpacking. They are commonly known as ‘sleeping pads’.
Some prefer using air mattresses for full – time use and special ruggedly built ones have been introduced in the market. They are mostly made of sturdy plastic- or rubber- impregnated fabrics and mounted on a special foundation. They come equipped with an electric pump and a firmness controller. For double beds, an added feature is a separate firmness control for each side of the bed. Such products are known as air beds, as distinguished from a camping mattress. Such beds are usually preferred by people who frequently change homes, because of its ease in transportation.
As a water toy
An air mattress may also be an inflatable toy used in the swimming pool. It is made up of an air sac called a “pillow” and a few (about four to six)tubes running throughout its length. It is called a “lilo” in UK. Its other names include “pool air mat”, “air mat”, “pool lounge”, or “float(ing) mat(tress)”. It is used in the swiiming pool to recline in, mainly for relaxation. It is not as durable as an air bed and may not stay in the inflated condition for more than a few hours at a time. Thus, it is impractical to use it as a bed.