Inflationary sleeping.

• Position: What's New? - New collapsable air mattress bed from Aero Products International Inc.

* By now, the concept of an inflatable mattress that can serve as a spare bed is no longer a new one. Insofar as the people being put up on it, though, there are many who are not exactly crazy about sleeping on the floor, especially those who have trouble getting down and then up again. So much for the idea of breaking one out when the in-laws come visiting.

With that in mind, Aero Products International, Inc., Wauconda, Ill., one of the pioneers in the field, has come up with a welcome alternative. The Raised AeroBed is just what its name suggests--an inflatable bed that no longer requires getting down to ground level. Instead, it is about two feet high once inflated, approximately the height of a regular bed. Outside of this desirable improvement, it boasts all the advantages of the original inflatables: light weight, portability, easy three-minute inflation with the plug-in electric pump that comes with it, and 60-second deflation once it's no longer required. Moreover, side baffles give it stability so it can't tip over.

Add in a quilted mattress pad to intervene between sleeper and rubberized mattress, a dust ruffle to make it prettier, and the fact that standard bedding fits precisely, and you've got a perfect solution to putting up extra guests once the couch and/or spare bedroom are booked. A duffel bag serves both for storage and transportation, so that the bed can be tucked away in a closet, basement, or attic until needed, or carried to the site where it is to be used.

The Raised AeroBed comes in three sizes: twin ($199.99), full ($249.99), and queen ($299.99).

Also in those sizes is the new and improved Deluxe AeroBed, which has all the convenience and quality of the original, but has added a breathable, all-natural cotton cover and a powerful recessed pump, thus allowing for use on standard bed frames, waterbed frames, sofa beds, and the floor. The stain-protected, cotton-laminated, heavy-duty PVC provides a comfortable sleep surface that is durable and easy to clean. Moreover, it supports up to 650 pounds without sagging, bowing, or swaying. The Deluxe runs $159.99...