U.S. patent application number 10/459037 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-23 for inflatable bed support.
This patent application is currently assigned to Banyan Licensing LC. Invention is credited to Davis, E. Scott, Leventhal, Robert, Thomas, Paul.
Application Number | 20030196270 10/459037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33551328 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030196270 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leventhal, Robert ; et
al. |
October 23, 2003 |
Inflatable bed support
Abstract
An inflatable bed support which is composed of a bladder which
when inflated defines three longitudinally extending side walls
disposed in a triangular configuration. To support the bladder in
the desired triangular configuration, there is provided an interior
baffle mounted within the bladder which in one embodiment comprises
a pair of longitudinally extending panels disposed in a V-shaped
arrangement and joined to the side walls. In another embodiment,
one or more transverse panels form the baffle, either alone or in
conjunction with the V-shaped panels. The bed support may be used
to form an assembly which may be assembled to the head end portion
of a bed mattress and serves to adjustably lift the head end
portion.
Inventors: |
Leventhal, Robert; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Thomas, Paul; (San Pedro, CA) ;
Davis, E. Scott; (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
Banyan Licensing LC
|
Family ID: |
33551328 |
Appl. No.: |
10/459037 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10459037 |
Jun 11, 2003 |
|
|
|
10116230 |
Apr 4, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/660 ; 5/615;
5/634 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 20/048 20130101;
A47C 27/087 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/660 ; 5/615;
5/634 |
International
Class: |
A47C 020/00; A47C
031/00 |
Claims
In the claims:
1. An inflatable bed support, comprising: an inflatable bladder
comprising a flexible air impermeable sheet material which when
inflated defines three longitudinally extending side walls disposed
in a triangular configuration when viewed in transverse cross
section, and two opposite end walls which are transverse to said
side walls, interior baffle means mounted within the bladder for
supporting the bladder in said triangular configuration when the
bladder is inflated, said baffle means comprising at least one
panel joined between the interior of two adjacent side walls of the
bladder, and an air delivery system comprising an opening
communicating with the interior of the bladder.
2. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 1 wherein said
baffle means comprises a pair of longitudinally extending panels
which are disposed in a V-shaped arrangement when viewed in
transverse cross section, with each panel being joined to the
interior of two adjacent side walls of the bladder.
3. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 2 wherein said
baffle means further comprises at least one transverse panel
positioned within said bladder and joined to the interior of at
least two of the side walls.
4. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 3 wherein the one
transverse panel is located at a medial location along the
longitudinal length of the bladder to divide the interior into two
chambers of substantially equal size.
5. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 4 wherein the one
transverse panel is joined to the interior of the three side walls
of the bladder so as to hermetically seal the two chambers from
each other, and wherein the air delivery system comprises separate
openings communicating with each of the chambers.
6. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 3 wherein the one
transverse panel is joined to the interior of the side walls or
includes one or more openings therethrough so as to permit the
passage of air between the two chambers at a restricted flow rate,
and wherein the air delivery system comprises a single opening
communicating with one of the chambers.
7. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 1 wherein said
baffle means comprises at least one transverse panel positioned
within said bladder and joined to the interior of at least two of
the side walls.
8. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 7 wherein the one
transverse panel is located at a medial location along the
longitudinal length of the bladder to divide the interior into two
chambers of substantially equal size.
9. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 8 wherein the one
transverse panel is joined to the interior of the three side walls
of the bladder so as to hermetically seal the two chambers from
each other, and wherein the air delivery system comprises separate
openings communicating with each of the chambers.
10. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 8 wherein the
one transverse panel is joined to the interior of the side walls or
includes one or more openings therethrough so as to permit the
passage of air between the two chambers at a restricted flow rate,
and wherein the air delivery system comprises a single opening
communicating with one of the chambers.
11. The inflatable bed support as defined in claim 1 further
comprising a tubular cover configured to slip over and encase one
end portion of a bed mattress and being sized to overlie one of
said side walls of said bladder, and a casing which is joined to
the casing and which closely encloses the bladder when it is
inflated, and wherein the bed support may be positioned so that the
casing and enclosed bladder underlie and lift one end portion of
the bed mattress.
12. An inflatable assembly for adjustably lifting one end portion
of a bed mattress, comprising an inflatable bladder comprising a
flexible air impermeable sheet material which when inflated defines
three longitudinally extending side walls disposed in a triangular
configuration when viewed in transverse cross section, with said
side walls including a base side wall and an upwardly inclined side
wall, interior baffle means mounted within the bladder for
supporting the bladder in said triangular configuration when the
bladder is inflated, an air delivery system comprising an opening
communicating with the interior of the bladder, a casing sized to
closely receive the bladder when inflated, and a tubular cover
configured to slip over and encase the one end portion of a bed
mattress and being sized to overlie said upwardly inclined side
wall of said bladder, with said cover being secured to the casing
so as to prevent relative movement therebetween.
13. The inflatable assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said
baffle means comprises a pair of longitudinally extending panels
which are disposed in a V-shaped arrangement when viewed in
transverse cross section, with each panel being joined to the
interior of two adjacent side wall of the bladder.
14. The inflatable assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein said
baffle means further comprises at least one transverse panel
positioned within said bladder and joined to the interior of at
least two of the side walls.
15. The inflatable assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said
baffle means comprises at least one transverse panel positioned
within said bladder and joined to the interior of at least two of
the side walls.
16. The inflatable assembly as defined in claim 12 further
comprising a relatively rigid plate positioned between said casing
and said cover so as to overlie said upwardly inclined side wall
and further support the same.
17. An assembly including an inflatable bladder which is configured
for adjustably lifting one end portion of a bed mattress, said
assembly comprising a casing sized to closely enclose the bladder
when inflated, and a tubular cover configured to slip over and
encase the one end portion of a bed mattress, and with said cover
being secured to the casing so as to prevent relative movement
therebetween.
18. The assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein the casing is
configured to define an inclined side wall when the bladder is
inflated, and wherein the cover is positioned to overlie the
inclined side wall of the casing.
19. The assembly as defined in claim 18 further comprising means to
rigidify the inclined side wall of the casing and support the same
in a generally flat configuration.
20. The assembly as defined in claim 19 wherein the means to
rigidify the inclined side wall of the casing comprises a
relatively rigid plate positioned between the casing and the cover.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/116,230 filed on Apr. 4, 2002
which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to an inflatable bed
support of triangular configuration and which is adapted to be
positioned upon one end of a bed, or positioned under one end
portion of a bed mattress. The support thus serves to raise the
head or feet of a user while lying upon the bed.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Adjustable beds have found widespread use beyond
nonambulatory patients and are used in many homes among persons of
all age groups, in particular beds that raise the head and/or feet.
Among the devices used to raise the head or feet are inflatable air
bladders intended for use with conventional beds. A number of
patents disclose bladders for this purpose. For example, U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,392,412 and 3,606,623 to Aymer provide a bedrest having an
inflatable bellows placed under a mattress and filled with
compressed air. The bladder is filled with air by a conventional
electric motor which is activated by a switch to turn the motor on
and off.
[0006] Another adjustable bed rest is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
3,667,075 which discloses a bellows assembly placed under the
mattress wherein the mattress is raised either at the head section
or under the knee to different heights through the expandable
bellows. The bellows assembly is activated by a motor containing
three position switches that are manually turned upwardly to
actuate respective spool valves. When the switches are turned
downwardly, they operate respective solenoid valves.
[0007] The Cammack patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,783, discloses an
inflatable bladder that is triangular in shape. The bladder in
Cammack includes flexible elements which extend from adjacent the
apex to adjacent a sidewall of the triangle designed to limit the
expansion of the bladder. These flexible elements of specific
length are designed to reinforce maintenance of the general shape
of the bag in its generally triangular shape. The control mechanism
has two double acting rocker buttons associated respectively with
valve outlets. Upon depression of a rocker button in one direction,
the motor is energized at the same time that the valve outlet is
opened, allowing air to be delivered to the air bag through a hose.
The same rocker button rocked in the opposite direction enables air
to be removed from the bag.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,522 to Walker discloses a foundation
that has a first open top housing or recess located below a
backrest plate. A first lift air bag is located in a first recess.
When expanded, the first air bag has a generally triangular
configuration so as to elevate the backrest plate in a generally
upward inclined position. A second air lift bag is located adjacent
the leg portion of the structure. When expanded, this has a
generally trapezoidal configuration. An air mattress is located on
top of the foundation and the air mattress is adapted to bend with
the transverse plates when the plates are elevated with the first
and second lift air bags. A hand control is used to control the
operation of a pump to change the air pressure in the mattress and
also to change the air pressure in the first and second lift air
bags. The controller has air operated switches for regulating a
pump to supply air to air mattresses and lift air bags. Switches
also control separate solenoid valves that are used to direct to
the air mattress and lift bags.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved inflatable bed support of the described type, and which
has provision for maintaining a triangular configuration in
use.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
device for raising and lowering the head end and/or the foot end of
a mattress that includes a triangular shaped inflatable bladder and
a hand held microprocessor controller.
[0011] It is also an object of the invention to provide an
inflatable assembly which can be assembled to an end portion of a
bed mattress and which is adapted for lifting the one end portion
of the bed mattress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention
are achieved by the provision of a bed support which comprises a
bladder fabricated of a flexible air impermeable sheet material
which when inflated defines three longitudinally extending side
walls disposed in a triangular configuration when viewed in
transverse cross section. Opposite end walls close the ends of the
bladder. Also, the bladder includes interior baffle means for
supporting the bladder in the triangular configuration when
inflated, and in one embodiment the baffle means comprises a pair
of longitudinally extending panels disposed in a V-shaped
arrangement with each panel being joined to the interior of two
adjacent side walls of the bladder.
[0013] In another embodiment, the baffle means comprises at least
one transverse panel positioned within the bladder and joined to
the interior of at least two of the side walls. In still another
embodiment, the baffle means comprises both the V-shaped panels and
the transverse panel, both as described above.
[0014] The bed support also includes an air delivery system which
includes an opening communicating with the interior of the
bladder.
[0015] The benefit of the interior baffle means is that once the
bladder is inflated, the baffle means will cause the bladder to
form into an appropriate triangular shape. Without this baffle
means, even though the overall structure of the bladder is intended
to be triangular when it is inflated, the shape cannot be as
precisely controlled without the baffle means and the resultant
bladder may form into a circle or an oblong shaped object of
non-triangular shape. The interior baffle means therefore enables
the structure to form more precisely into the desired triangular
shape in order to perform more effectively when positioned upon or
inserted under the mattress at the head location of the bed.
[0016] As a further aspect of the invention, the bed support as
described above may be used as part of an inflatable assembly for
being joined to and adjustably lifting one end portion of a bed
mattress. In this configuration, the bladder is closely received in
a fabric casing, and a tubular fabric cover is provided which is
configured to slip over and encase the one end portion of the bed
mattress. The cover is sized to overlie an upwardly inclined side
wall of the bladder, and the cover is secured to the casing so as
to prevent relative movement therebetween.
[0017] A microprocessor based hand controller enables an individual
to inflate or deflate either the bladder under the head area or the
bladder under the knee area of the bed to any desired amount with a
simple control. In addition, the hand controlled microprocessor
permits computer programming so that the mattress can be
automatically raised and lowered to different levels during
different periods of time. An additional feature is that one does
not need to simply continue to hold the switch down in order to
raise or lower the bladder portion but instead can press a simple
button after the entire hand controlled microprocessor has been
preprogrammed so that any one of a number of different adjustments
can be made and these can be made at any given time and preset to
any given time and interval.
[0018] Thus, with the present invention there is provided a bed
support for raising and lowering the head and/or leg area of a bed
that is easy to install, simple in operation, and may be used with
a conventional bed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Having thus described the invention in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
schematic in nature and not necessarily drawn to scale, and
wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable bed showing a
bed support of the invention at the head of the bed in an elevated
position, and also showing a second bed support positioned to
underlie the knees of a user;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the triangular shaped
bladder of the present invention with the near end wall
removed;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the triangular shaped
bladder taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with part of one side wall
broken away, as of a second embodiment of the bladder;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, with part of one side wall
broken away, of a further embodiment of the bladder;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.
5;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the head end
portion of a bed having an assembly which includes the bladder of
the present invention joined to and underlying the end portion of
the mattress;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG.
7; and
[0028] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but also illustrating the
use of a reinforcing panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0030] Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a
bed 10 for use with the present invention. The bed 10 is generally
rectangular and has conventional box springs or other suitable
foundation 12, and a mattress 14. In other words, the bed used with
the present invention may be a conventional bed. The mattress 14
has a head/back portion 15 and a leg/foot portion 13.
[0031] An inflatable bed support 16 having an air supply tube 18
for inflating and deflating the bed support is provided for raising
and lowering the head portion 15 of the mattress. As shown in FIG.
1 there is also provided a second inflatable bed support 17 placed
to underlie the knees of the user. It should be understood that the
two bed supports 16 and 17 may be placed under the mattress 14 as
illustrated, or upon the mattress. Also, the bed supports 16 and 17
are of like configuration as further described below, but with the
support 16 being larger than the support 17.
[0032] As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bed support 16
includes a bladder, which is a triangular shaped structure when
inflated and contains an interior baffle 21. More particularly, the
bladder comprises a flexible air impermeable sheet material which
when inflated defines three longitudinally extending side walls
disposed in a triangular configuration when viewed in transverse
cross section, note FIG. 3. The bladder is closed by opposite end
walls 22, 23 to form a hermetically closed chamber.
[0033] An air delivery system is provided for delivering
pressurized air into the interior of each bed support 16 and 17.
The air delivery system includes an opening 24 in the end wall 22
of the bladder, and which is connected via an air supply tube 18 to
an air pump motor 19 that is controlled by hand held control switch
20. For purposes of the present invention, the air pump motor 19
and control switch 20 may be of conventional design. In a preferred
embodiment however, the pump and switch as described in copending
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/116,230 filed Apr. 4, 2002 may be
employed. The disclosure of the referenced copending application is
expressly incorporated herein by reference.
[0034] The interior baffle 21 is mounted within the bladder for
supporting the bladder in the triangular configuration when
inflated. The baffle 21 comprises a pair of longitudinally
extending panels which are disposed in a V-shaped arrangement when
viewed in cross section (note FIG. 3), with each panel joined to
the interior of two adjacent side walls of the bladder.
[0035] The panels of the baffle 21 have a longitudinal length which
is slightly shorter than the longitudinal length of the side walls
of the bladder 16, so as to be spaced from the end walls 22, 23 and
thereby permit air flow around both ends of the baffle within the
bladder.
[0036] The benefit of this interior bladder is that once the
bladder is inflated, the baffle will cause the bladder to form into
an appropriate triangular shape. Without this baffle, even though
the overall structure of the device is intended to be triangular
when it is inflated, the shape cannot be as precisely controlled
without the baffle and the resultant bladder will form into
possibly a circle or an oblong shaped object of non-triangular
shape. The interior baffle therefore enables the structure to form
more precisely into the desired triangular shape in order to
perform a more effective lifting when inserted under the
mattress.
[0037] The bladder and the panels of the baffle may be fabricated
of a variety of flexible air impermeable sheet materials, such as
the plastic sheet materials commonly used in the construction of
swimming pool toys. Such materials also facilitate the fabrication
of the bladder, since the sides may be heat sealed to the ends of
the bladder and to the panels of the baffle 21. Furthermore, the
dimensions of the inflatable bladder may vary depending upon the
size of the bed intended to be elevated. Preferably, however, the
inflatable bed support is of a longitudinal length approximate the
width of the bed on which it is used.
[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the bed support of
the present invention at 16a. In this embodiment, the baffle
includes a transverse panel 25a positioned within the bladder and
joined to the interior of at least two, and preferably all three of
the side walls, by a heat seal or the like. Also, in the
illustrated embodiment, the panel 25a is located at a medial
location along the longitudinal length of the bladder to divide the
interior into two chambers of substantially equal size. Further, by
heat sealing the panel 25a to all three walls of the bladder, the
two chambers will be hermetically sealed from each other. This
improves the stability of the bed support for the user,
particularly in the case of a double bed where the weight is not
uniformly distributed along the length of the support. Where the
two chambers are hermetically sealed from each other, the air
delivery system comprises separate openings 24a communicating with
each of the chambers through one of the side walls of the
bladder.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment at 16b similar to that of FIG. 4,
but where the panel 25b is not sealed about the entire periphery to
the side walls of the bladder. Specifically, and as seen in FIG. 6,
the corners of the panel 25b are separated from the bladder side
walls to form passages. Thus only one air opening 24b is required,
and the air is free to flow between the chambers at a slow or
restricted rate. As an alternative to the open corners, the panel
25b may have one or more small openings (not shown) therethrough
which permit restricted air flow between the chambers.
[0040] While a single transverse panel is illustrated in FIGS. 4
and 5, it will be appreciated that more than one panel may be
employed, particularly in the case of bed supports sized to fit
mattresses of double bed or larger size.
[0041] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate further embodiments of the invention
and wherein the bed support 16 forms part of an assembly 30 for
adjustably lifting one end portion of a bed mattress. In the
illustrated embodiment, the assembly 30 comprises a bed support 16a
as described above, but which is configured to form a right
triangle rather than an isosceles triangle as in the embodiments of
FIGS. 1-6. The bed support 16a is received in a fabric casing 31
which is sized to closely encase the bed support 16a when it is
fully inflated. Also, there is provided a tubular fabric cover 32
which is configured to slip over and encase the head end portion of
the mattress 14. The cover 32 is sized to overlie an upwardly
inclined side wall of the bladder of the support 16a, and the cover
32 is secured to the casing 31 so as to prevent relative movement
therebetween.
[0042] The cover 32 may be secured to the casing 31 by stitching or
the like, and in a preferred embodiment the stitching forms a
pocket which is open at the upper end so as to be adapted to
receive a reinforcing relatively rigid flat plate 34 so as to be
positioned between the casing 31 and cover 32 and overlie the
upwardly inclined side wall of the bladder and reinforce the
same.
[0043] The illustrated embodiment of the cover 32 includes a closed
upper end which overlies the end of the mattress, but it will be
understood that the cover may take the form of a sleeve with both
ends being open. Also, it will be understood that the casing 31 may
include suitable zippers or Velcro.RTM. closures (not shown) to
permit the cover to be removed from the bladder for periodic
cleaning.
[0044] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are
not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms
are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *