U.S. patent application number 10/689685 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for ventilation mattress.
Invention is credited to Wu, Hsiang-Ling.
Application Number | 20050086739 10/689685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50896089 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050086739 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu, Hsiang-Ling |
April 28, 2005 |
Ventilation mattress
Abstract
A ventilation mattress is constructed to include an outer bag,
the outer bag having air vents in a top fabric sheet layer thereof
and an air inlet, a flexible tube connected to the air inlet of the
outer bag, an electric fan installed in the flexible tube and
adapted to draw currents of air into the inside of the outer bag, a
fabric stuffing member formed of interwoven spandex fibers and
stuffed in the outer bag, a flexible pad provided at the bottom
side of the fabric stuffing member, the flexible pad having springy
support members connected between top and bottom cover layers
thereof for enabling air to circulate through the flexible pad
between the air inlet and the air vents at the outer bag.
Inventors: |
Wu, Hsiang-Ling; (Yungho
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
50896089 |
Appl. No.: |
10/689685 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/423 ;
5/726 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/007 20130101;
A47C 31/116 20130101; A47C 21/044 20130101; A47C 7/748 20130101;
A47C 7/744 20130101; A47C 21/048 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/423 ;
005/726 |
International
Class: |
A47C 027/00 |
Claims
What the invention claimed is:
1. A ventilation mattress comprising an outer bag, said outer bag
comprising a top fabric sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer
peripherally sealed to said top fabric sheet layer, at least one
air inlet respectively extended out of said top fabric sheet layer
and said bottom fabric sheet layer, and a plurality of air vents
formed in-said top fabric sheet layer in communication with said at
least one air inlet; at least one flexible tube respectively
connected to said at least one air inlet of said outer bag; at
least one electric fan respectively installed in said at least one
flexible tube and adapted to draw currents of air into the inside
of said outer bag; a fabric stuffing member stuffed in said outer
bag between said top fabric sheet layer and said bottom fabric
sheet layer, said fabric stuffing member being formed of interwoven
spandex fibers and having open spaces for circulation of air
through said at least one air inlet and the air vents of said outer
bag; and a flexible pad provided at a bottom side of said fabric
stuffing member inside said outer bag, said flexible pad comprising
a top cover layer, a bottom cover layer, a plurality of springy
support members connected between said top cover layer and said
bottom cover layer, an air passage defined in between said top
cover layer and said bottom cover layer around said springy support
members, and a plurality of air vents in said top cover layer in
communication between said air passage and the air vents in the top
fabric sheet layer of said outer bag
2. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of membrane type pressure switch adapted to
turn on said at least one electric fan when received a pressure and
to turn off said at least one electric fan when receives no
pressure.
3. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 2, further
comprising a time delay switch adapted to delay the acting of the
off action of said membrane type pressure switch for a
predetermined length of time when said membrane type pressure
switch receives no pressure.
4. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at
least one electric fan each is a cooling fan.
5. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at
least one electric fan each is respectively incorporated with
electric heater means to provide hot air.
6. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a semiconductor cooler chip mounted in said air
inlet.
7. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at
least one electric fan each has an air input port, a grille mounted
in said air input port, and an air filter mounted in said
grille.
8. A ventilation mattress comprising: an outer bag, said outer bag
comprising a top fabric sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer
peripherally sealed to said top fabric sheet layer, at least one
air inlet respectively extended out of said top fabric sheet layer
and said bottom fabric sheet layer, and a plurality of air vents
formed in said top fabric sheet layer in communication with said at
least one air inlet; at least one electric fan respectively
connected to said at least one air inlet of said outer bag and
adapted to induce currents of air into the inside of said outer
bag; and a fabric stuffing member stuffed in said outer bag between
said top fabric sheet layer and said bottom fabric sheet layer,
said fabric stuffing member being formed of interwoven spandex
fibers and having open spaces for circulation of air through said
at least one air inlet and said air vents.
9. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 8, further
comprising a plurality of membrane type pressure switch adapted to
turn on said at least one electric fan when received a pressure and
to turn off said at least one electric fan when receives no
pressure.
10. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 8, wherein said at
least one electric fan each has an air input port, a grille mounted
in said air input port, and an air filter mounted in said
grille.
11. A ventilation mattress comprising: an outer bag, said outer bag
comprising a top fabric sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer
peripherally sealed to said top fabric sheet layer, at least one
air inlet respectively extended out of said top fabric sheet layer
and said bottom fabric sheet layer, and a plurality of air vents
formed in said top fabric sheet layer in communication with said at
least one air inlet; at least one electric fan respectively
connected to said at least one air inlet of said outer bag and
adapted to induce currents of air into the inside of said outer
bag; and a flexible pad stuffed in said outer bag, said flexible
pad comprising a top cover layer, a bottom cover layer, a plurality
of springy support members connected between said top cover layer
and said bottom cover layer, an air passage defined in between said
top cover layer and said bottom cover layer-around said springy
support members, and a plurality of air vents in said top cover
layer in communication between said air passage and the air vents
in the top fabric sheet layer of said outer bag.
12. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 11, further
comprising a plurality of membrane type pressure switch adapted to
turn on said at least one electric fan when received a pressure and
to turn off said at least one electric fan when receives no
pressure.
13. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 11, wherein said
at least one electric fan each has an air input port, a grille
mounted in said air input port, and an air filter mounted in said
grille.
14. A ventilation mattress comprising: a seat covering formed of a
bag and integral with a chair, said bag comprising a top fabric
sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer peripherally sealed to
said top fabric sheet layer, at least one air inlet respectively
extended out of said top fabric sheet layer and said bottom fabric
sheet layer, and a plurality of air vents formed in said top fabric
sheet layer in communication with said at least one air inlet; at
least one electric fan respectively connected to said at least one
air inlet of said bag of said seat covering and adapted to induce
currents of air into the inside of said bag of said seat covering;
and a fabric stuffing member stuffed in said bag of said seat
covering between said top fabric sheet layer and said bottom fabric
sheet layer, said fabric stuffing member being formed of interwoven
spandex fibers and having open spaces for circulation of air
through said at least one air inlet and said air vents.
15. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 14 further
comprising a flexible pad provided at a bottom side of said fabric
stuffing member inside said outer bag, said flexible pad comprising
a top cover layer, a bottom cover layer, a plurality of springy
support members connected between said top cover layer and said
bottom cover layer, an air passage defined in between said top
cover layer and said bottom cover layer around said springy support
members, and a plurality of air vents in said top cover layer in
communication between said air passage and the air vents in the top
fabric sheet layer of said outer bag.
16. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
at least one electric fan each has an air input port, a grille
mounted in said air input port, and an air filter mounted in said
grille.
17. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 14, further
comprising a plurality of membrane type pressure switch adapted to
turn on said at least one electric fan when received a pressure and
to turn off said at least one electric fan when receives no
pressure.
18. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 17, further
comprising a time delay switch adapted to delay the acting of the
off action of said membrane type pressure switch for a
predetermined length of time when said membrane type pressure
switch receives no pressure.
19. A ventilation mattress comprising: an outer bag, said outer bag
comprising a top fabric sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer
peripherally sealed to said top fabric sheet layer, an air inlet,
an air outlet, and a plurality of air vents formed in said top
fabric sheet layer in communication with air inlet; an electric fan
installed in said air inlet and adapted to draw currents of air
into the inside of said outer bag; a fabric stuffing member stuffed
in said outer bag between said top fabric sheet layer and said
bottom fabric sheet layer, said fabric stuffing member being formed
of interwoven spandex fibers and having open spaces for circulation
of air through said air inlet and the air vents of said outer bag;
a flexible pad provided at a bottom side of said fabric stuffing
member inside said outer bag, said flexible pad comprising a top
cover layer, a bottom cover layer, a plurality of springy support
members connected between said top cover layer and said bottom
cover layer, an air passage defined in between said top cover layer
and said bottom cover layer around said springy support members,
and a plurality of air vents in said top cover layer in
communication between said air passage and the air vents in the top
fabric sheet layer of said outer bag; a meshed frame device mounted
inside said outer bag at one side, said meshed frame device
defining an air circulation chamber adapted to guide air from said
air inlet and the inside space of said fabric stuffing member
toward the inside space of said flexible pad and said air
outlet;and a semiconductor cooler chip, said semiconductor cooler
chip having a cold side disposed in said air inlet and a hot side
disposed in said air outlet.
20. The ventilation mattress as claimed in claim 19, further
comprising an induced-draft fan installed in said air outlet and
adapted to draw hot air out of said outer bag.
21. A ventilation mattress comprising: an outer bag, said outer bag
comprising a top fabric sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer
peripherally sealed to said top fabric sheet layer, an air inlet,
an air outlet, and a plurality of air vents formed in said top
fabric sheet layer in communication with said air inlet; an
electric fan installed in said air inlet and adapted to draw
currents of air into the inside of said outer bag; a fabric
stuffing member stuffed in said outer bag between said top fabric
sheet layer and said bottom fabric sheet layer, said fabric
stuffing member being formed of interwoven spandex fibers and
having open spaces for circulation of air through said air inlet
and the air vents of said outer bag; a flexible pad provided at a
bottom side of said fabric stuffing member inside said outer bag,
said flexible pad comprising a top cover layer, a bottom cover
layer, a plurality of springy support members connected between
said top cover layer and said bottom cover layer, an air passage
defined in between said top cover layer and said bottom cover layer
around said springy support members, and a plurality of air vents
in said top cover layer in communication between said air passage
and the air vents in the top fabric sheet layer of said outer bag;
and a semiconductor cooler chip, said semiconductor cooler chip
having a cold side disposed in said air outlet and a hot side
disposed in said air inlet.
22. A ventilation mattress comprising: an outer bag, said outer bag
comprising a top fabric sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer
peripherally sealed to said top fabric sheet layer, an air inlet,
an air outlet, and a plurality of air vents formed in said top
fabric sheet layer in communication with said air inlet; an
electric fan installed in said air inlet and adapted to draw
currents of air into the inside of said outer bag; a fabric
stuffing member stuffed in said outer bag between said top fabric
sheet layer and said bottom fabric sheet layer, said fabric
stuffing member being formed of interwoven spandex fibers and
having open spaces for circulation of air through said air inlet
and the air vents of said outer bag; and a semiconductor cooler
chip, said semiconductor cooler chip having a cold side disposed in
said air inlet and a hot side disposed in said air outlet.
23. A ventilation mattress comprising: an outer bag, said outer bag
comprising a top fabric sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer
peripherally sealed to said top fabric sheet layer, an air inlet,
an air outlet, and a plurality of air vents formed in said top
fabric sheet layer in communication with said air inlet; an
electric fan installed in said air inlet and adapted to draw
currents of air into the inside of said outer bag; a fabric
stuffing member stuffed in said outer bag between said top fabric
sheet layer and said bottom fabric sheet layer, said fabric
stuffing member being formed of interwoven spandex fibers and
having open spaces for circulation of air through said air inlet
and the air vents of said outer bag; and a semiconductor cooler
chip, said semiconductor cooler chip having a cold side disposed in
said air outlet and a hot side disposed in said air inlet.
24. A ventilation mattress comprising: an outer bag, said outer bag
comprising a top fabric sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer
peripherally sealed to said top fabric sheet layer, an air inlet,
an air outlet, and a plurality of air vents formed in said top
fabric sheet layer in communication with said air inlet; an
electric fan installed in said air inlet and adapted to draw
currents of air into the inside of said outer bag; a flexible pad
stuffed inside said outer bag, said flexible pad comprising a top
cover layer, a bottom cover layer, a plurality of springy support
members connected between said top cover layer and said bottom
cover layer, an air passage defined in between said top cover layer
and said bottom cover layer around said springy support members,
and a plurality of air vents in said top cover layer in
communication between said air passage and the air vents in the top
fabric sheet layer of said outer bag; and a semiconductor cooler
chip, said semiconductor cooler chip having a cold side disposed in
said air inlet and a hot side disposed in said air outlet.
25. A ventilation mattress comprising: an outer bag, said outer bag
comprising a top fabric sheet layer, a bottom fabric sheet layer
peripherally sealed to said top fabric sheet layer, an air inlet,
an air outlet, and a plurality of air vents formed in said top
fabric sheet layer in communication with said air inlet; an
electric fan installed in said air inlet and adapted to draw
currents of air into the inside of said outer bag; a flexible pad
stuffed inside said outer bag, said flexible pad comprising a top
cover layer, a bottom cover layer, a plurality of springy support
members connected between said top cover layer and said bottom
cover layer, an air passage defined in between said top cover layer
and said bottom cover layer around said springy support members,
and a plurality of air vents in said top cover layer in
communication between said air passage and the air vents in the top
fabric sheet layer of said outer bag; and a semiconductor cooler
chip, said semiconductor cooler chip having a cold side disposed in
said air outlet and a hot side disposed in said air inlet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a mattress and, more
particularly, to a ventilation mattress, which uses an electric fan
to provide currents of air through air vents in the top layer of
the outer covering for ventilation. The ventilation mattress can be
made in any of a variety of forms for use as a seat mattress, sofa
mattress, or bed mattress.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Straws and bamboo strips are commonly used for making
cooling mattresses for the advantage of being highly ventilative.
Lying or sitting on a cooling mattress during a hot weather is
comfortable at the initial stage. However, a cooling mattress
absorbs heat energy from the surrounding and the user's body when
in use, its cooling effect is gradually diminished with the time in
which the user sits or lies on the cooling mattress.
[0005] There are also known seat and bed mattresses formed of
strings of ball or block elements. These seat and bed mattresses
have open spaces in between the ball or block elements for
ventilation. However, when sitting or lying on a seat or bed
mattress of this design, the user's body will block the open
spaces, and the seat or bed mattress becomes hot within a short
time.
[0006] In order to eliminate the aforesaid drawbacks, a seat
mattress with enforced currents of air is developed. A seat
mattress of this design comprises a hard inner layer, a breathing
leather covering covered the hard inner layer, and an electric fan.
The hard inner layer has air guide grooves adapted to guide air in
a particular direction. The leather covering has air holes for
exhaust of air. The electric fan is controlled to induce currents
of air into the inside of the seat mattress. This design of seat
mattress still has drawbacks. Because currents of air are guided in
a particular direction, the ventilation effect is limited. Further,
because the inner layer is a hard member, it is not comfortable to
sit on the seat mattress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention has been accomplished under the
circumstances in view. According to one aspect of the present
invention, the ventilation mattress comprises an outer bag stuffed
with a fabric stuffing member for ventilation. According to another
aspect of the present invention, the fabric stuffing member is
formed of interwoven spandex fibers and having open spaces for
circulation of air through the at least one air inlet and the air
vents. According to still another aspect of the present invention,
a flexible pad is provided at the bottom side of the fabric
stuffing member to improved the flexibility and ventilation of the
ventilation mattress. According to still another aspect of the
present invention, high-performance fans are installed to draw air
into the outer bag for circulation. According to still another
aspect of the present invention, membrane type pressure switches
are provided inside the outer bag and adapted to turn on the
high-performance fans when the user sitting on the ventilation
mattress, or to turn off the high-performance fans when the user
left the ventilation mattress. According to still another aspect of
the present invention, electric cooling fans or electric fans with
electric heater means may be alternatively used. According to still
another aspect of the present invention, semiconductor cooler chips
may be used with the high-performance fans.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view, partially cutaway, of a part of
a ventilation mattress according to the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale of a part of
the ventilation mattress according to the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the ventilation
mattress compressed according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates the ventilation mattress made in the form
for use with a sofa according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates the ventilation mattress installed in a
sofa according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view in section in an enlarged scale of
FIG. 5.
[0014] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 4 but showing a double-sided
adhesive tape used instead of mounting holes and screws.
[0015] FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 4 but showing hook and loop
materials used instead of mounting holes and screws.
[0016] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an alternate form of
ventilation mattress according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates the ventilation mattress of FIG. 9
installed in a chair.
[0018] FIG. 11 is an elevational view, partially cutaway, of
another alternate form of the present invention, showing the
ventilation mattress installed in a rack for bed.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a cutaway view of still another alternate form of
the present invention, showing the ventilation mattress formed
integral with a sofa.
[0020] FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12 but showing high-performance
fans disposed at the bottom and back sides of the sofa.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of FIG. 13.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view in an enlarged scale
of a part of FIG. 13, showing the ventilation mattress compressed
according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 14 but showing the air inlets of
the ventilation mattress connected to the air inlets at the bottom
and back sides of the sofa.
[0024] FIG. 17 is an exploded view, partially cutaway, of a part of
still another alternate form of the ventilation mattress according
to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the ventilation mattress
shown in FIG. 17.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a sectional view of still another alternate form
of the ventilation mattress according to the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a part of still another
alternate form of the present invention, showing two fabric
stuffing members arranged in a stack inside the outer bag of the
ventilation mattress.
[0028] FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a part of still another
alternate form of the present invention, showing two flexible pads
arranged in a stack inside the outer bag of the ventilation
mattress.
[0029] FIG. 22 is a sectional view of still another alternate form
of the present invention, showing only one fabric stuffing member
arranged inside the outer bag of the ventilation mattress.
[0030] FIG. 23 is a sectional view of still another alternate form
of the present invention, showing only one flexible pad arranged in
a stack inside the outer bag of the ventilation mattress.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1.about.4, a ventilation mattress 1 is
shown comprising an outer bag 11, a fabric stuffing member 13 put
in the outer bag 11, a flexible pad 16 provided at the bottom side
of the fabric stuffing member 13 inside the outer bag 11, an air
inlet 12 formed in one side of the outer bag 11, a flexible tube 14
extended from the air inlet 12, and a high-performance fan 15
provided at one end of the flexible tube 14 remote from the air
inlet 12. The fabric stuffing member 13 is three-dimensional device
formed of interwoven spandex fibers 132, having open spaces 1321 in
it for ventilation. The outer bag 11 is formed of top and bottom
fabric sheet layers 131, having small air vents 111 in the top side
(top fabric sheet layer). The flexible pad 16 comprises a top cover
layer 161, a bottom cover layer 162, a plurality of springy support
members 163 connected between the top cover layer 161 and the
bottom cover layer 162, an air passage 164 defined in between the
top cover layer 161 and the bottom cover layer 162 around the
springy support members 163, and a plurality of air vents 165 in
the top cover layer 161 in communication between the air passage
164 and the air vents 111 in the top side of the outer bag 11. The
fan 15 comprises an air output port 151 connected to the flexible
tube 14, an air input port 152 in communication with the air output
port 151, a grille 153 covering the air input port 152, an air
filter 1531 mounted in the grille 153, a battery chamber 155, a set
of battery cells 1551 mounted in the battery chamber 155, a battery
lid 1552 covering the battery chamber 155, and a power cord 154 for
connection to an electric socket to obtain the necessary working
voltage. The fan 15 can obtain the necessary working voltage either
from the set of battery cells 1551, or city power supply via the
power cord 154. When starting the fan 15, electric currents are
caused to flow from the air output port 151 into the air inlet 12
and then the open spaces 1321 in the interwoven spandex fibers 132
of the fabric stuffing member 13, and then to circulate through the
air passage 164 and air vents 165 of the flexible pad 16, and then
to flow out of the outer bag 11 through the air vents 111. Further,
a membrane type pressure switch 112 is provided at the inner
surface of the top fabric sheet layer 131 of the outer bag 11 and
adapted to switch on/off the fan 15 when the user sits on or leaves
from the ventilation mattress 1.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1 again, a time delay switch 159 is
provided to delay the acting of the off action of the membrane type
pressure switch 112 for a predetermined length of time so that the
fan 15 is maintained functioning if the user simply leaves from the
ventilation mattress 1 for a short time, preventing frequent on/off
action of the fan 15.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the ventilation mattress 1 can be
made to fit a sofa, having a plurality of air inlets 12, a
plurality of flexible tubes 14 respectively extended from the air
inlets 12, and a plurality of high-performance fans 15 respectively
fastened to the flexible tubes 14. Each fan 15 has a plurality of
mounting holes 156 for fastening to a fixed place with screws
1561.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a double-sided adhesive tape 157
(see FIG. 7), or hook and loop materials 158 (see FIG. 8) may be
used to fix each fan 15 to a fixed place instead of the aforesaid
mounting holes 156 and screws 1561.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 show an alternate form of the
present invention. This embodiment of ventilation mattress 3 is
suitable for mounting on a chair 4. According to this embodiment,
the ventilation mattress 3 comprises an outer bag 31 having air
vents 311, a fabric stuffing member 13 put in the outer bag 31, an
air inlet 32 formed in one side of the outer bag 31, a flexible pad
16 provided at the bottom side of the fabric stuffing member 13
inside the outer bag 11, a flexible tube 14 connected to the air
inlet 32, and a high-performance fan 15 provided at one end of the
flexible tube 14 remote from the air inlet 22. The flexible pad 16
comprises a top cover layer 161, a bottom cover layer 162, a
plurality of springy support members 163 connected between the top
cover layer 161 and the bottom cover layer 162, an air passage 164
defined in between the top cover layer 161 and the bottom cover
layer 162 around the springy support members 163, and a plurality
of air vents 165 (not shown) in the top cover layer 161 in
communication between the air passage 164 and the air vents 111 in
the top side of the outer bag 11. The fan 15 is similar to the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1.about.8 with the exception of the added
electric power cord 1541, which is connectable to the socket for
cigarette lighter in a motor vehicle.
[0036] FIG. 11 shows still another alternate form of the present
invention. According to this embodiment, the ventilation mattress 5
is designed for mounting on a rack for bed 6. The ventilation
mattress 5 comprises an outer bag 51 having air vents 511, a fabric
stuffing member 13 put in the outer bag 51, a set of air inlets 52
formed in one side of the outer bag 51, a flexible pad 16 provided
at the bottom side of the fabric stuffing member 13 inside the
outer bag 51, flexible tubes 14 respectively connected to the air
inlets 52, and high-performance fans 15 respectively installed in
the flexible tubes 14 at one end remote from the air inlet 52. The
flexible pad 16 is same as that shown in FIG. 2, comprising a top
cover layer 161, a bottom cover layer 162, a plurality of springy
support members 163 connected between the top cover layer 161 and
the bottom cover layer 162, an air passage 164 defined in between
the top cover layer 161 and the bottom cover layer 162 around the
springy support members 163, and a plurality of air vents 165 in
the top cover layer 161 in communication between the air passage
164 and the air vents 111 in the top side of the outer bag 11. When
the fans 15 started, induced currents of air are evenly distributed
through the fabric stuffing member 13 and the flexible pad 16 and
the air vents 511.
[0037] Further, a semiconductor cooler may be used with its cold
side facing the air path between each fan and the inside space of
the ventilation mattress and its hot side disposed outside the
ventilation mattress (this design is practical for use in summer
season). Alternatively, the semiconductor cooler may be used with
its hot side facing the air path between each fan and the inside
space of the ventilation mattress and its cold side disposed
outside the ventilation mattress (this design is practical for use
in winter season).
[0038] Referring to FIG. 12, the ventilation mattress may be
directly formed integral with a sofa 2. According to this
embodiment, the fabric stuffing member 13 is put in between the
lining 21 and outer covering 22 of the cushion of the sofa 2, and
the flexible pad 16 is provided at the bottom side of the fabric
stuffing member 13 inside the outer covering 22. The outer covering
22 of the cushion of the sofa 2 has air vents 23. When the fans 15
started, induced currents of air flow through the open spaces in
the fabric stuffing member 13 and the flexible pad 16 to the
outside of the sofa 2 via the air vents 23 of the outer covering
22.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 13.about.16, the ventilation mattress is
directly formed integral with the sofa 2, having air inlets 17 and
25 respectively extended from the lining 21 of the cushion of the
sofa 2 to the bottom side and/or back side of the sofa 2 and a
high-performance fans 15 installed in the bottom air inlet 17 and
25 at the back and bottom sides of the sofa 2. Further, the
flexible pad 16 has a bottom air inlet 166 adapted to guide air
from the bottom air inlet 17 in the lining 21 of the cushion of the
sofa 2 for ventilation through the air passage 164 and air vents
165 of the flexible pad 16, the fabric stuffing member 13 and the
air vents 23 in the outer covering 22 of the sofa 2.
[0040] The ventilation mattress works subject surrounding
temperature status. When used in a room where a cooler is
functioning, the fans 15 draw cooling air to circulate through the
ventilation mattress. When used in a space where an air conditioner
provides hot air, the fans 15 draw hot air to circulate through the
ventilation mattress. The invention can also be made in such a
manner that the fans 15 draw hot air out of the ventilation
mattress in direction from the air vents 111 toward the inside of
the fabric stuffing member 13
[0041] FIGS. 17 and 18 show still another alternate form of the
present invention. According to this embodiment, the ventilation
mattress 1 comprises an outer bag 11, a fabric stuffing member 13
put in the outer bag 11, a flexible pad 16 provided at the bottom
side of the fabric stuffing member 13 inside the outer bag 11, a
flexible tube 14 extended from the outer bag 11 at one side and
defining therein an air inlet 12 and an air outlet 121, a meshed
frame device 19 mounted inside the outer bag 11 at one side remote
from the flexible tube 14 and defining an air circulation chamber
191 for guiding air from the air inlet 12 and the inside space of
the fabric stuffing member 13 toward the inside space of the
flexible pad 16 and the air outlet 121, a high-performance fan 15
provided at one end of the flexible tube 14 remote from the outer
bag 11 and adapted to draw currents of air into the air inlet 12, a
semiconductor cooler chip 18 mounted in the flexible tube 14 and
having its cold side 181 disposed in the air inlet 12 and its hot
side 182 disposed in the air outlet 121, and membrane type pressure
switches 112 are provided at the inner surface of the top fabric
sheet layer 131 of the outer bag 11 and adapted to switch on/off
the fan 15 when the user sits on or leaves from the ventilation
mattress 1, and a time delay switch 159 adapted to delay the acting
of the off action of the membrane type pressure switches 112 for a
predetermined length of time so that the fan 15 can be maintained
functioning if the user simply leaves from the ventilation mattress
1 for a short time, preventing frequent on/off action of the fans
15. The fabric stuffing member 13 is three-dimensional device
formed of interwoven spandex fibers 132, having open spaces 1321 in
it for ventilation between the air inlet 12 and the air circulation
chamber 191. The outer bag 11 is formed of top and bottom fabric
sheet layers 131, having small air vents 111 in the top side (top
fabric sheet layer). The flexible pad 16 comprises a top cover
layer 161, a bottom cover layer 162, a plurality of springy support
members 163 connected between the top cover layer 161 and the
bottom cover layer 162, an air passage 164 defined in between the
top cover layer 161 and the bottom cover layer 162 around the
springy support members 163 for ventilation between the air
circulation chamber 191 and the air outlet 121. The fan 15
comprises an air output port 151 connected to the flexible tube 14,
an air input port 152 in communication with the air output port
151, a grille 153 covering the air input port 152, an air filter
1531 mounted in the grille 153, a battery chamber 155, a set of
battery cells 1551 mounted in the battery chamber 155, a battery
lid 1552 covering the battery chamber 155, and a power cord 154 for
connection to an electric socket to obtain the necessary working
voltage. The fan 15 can obtain the necessary working voltage either
from the set of battery cells 1551, or city power supply via the
power cord 154. Therefore, when started, the fan 15 draws currents
of air into the inside space of the fabric stuffing member 13
toward the air circulation chamber 191 over the cold side 181 via
the air inlet 12, enabling cold air to pass out of the ventilation
mattress 1 through the air vents 111, and at the same time hot air
is guided out of the ventilation mattress 1 through the air outlet
121.
[0042] FIG. 19 shows still another alternate form of the present
invention. This embodiment is substantially similar to the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 with the exception that the
outer bag 11 has only one air inlet 12 without the aforesaid air
outlet 121; the semiconductor cooler chip 18 has its cold side 181
disposed in the air inlet 12 and its hot side 182 disposed outside
the outer bag 11.
[0043] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the fans used
can be cooling fans for use in hot weather, or fans with electric
heater means for use in cold weather; the ventilation mattress can
be made having only the fabric stuffing member 13 (see FIG. 22) or
the flexible pad 16 (see FIG. 23) stuffed in the outer bag 11, or
having two fabric stuffing members 13 arranged in a stack inside
the outer bag 11 (see FIG. 20), or having two flexible pads 16
arranged in a stack inside the outer bag 11 (see FIG. 21).
Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the
appended claims.
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