U.S. patent application number 11/398442 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for mattress extension system.
Invention is credited to Scot Wright.
Application Number | 20070234482 11/398442 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38573499 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070234482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright; Scot |
October 11, 2007 |
Mattress extension system
Abstract
A mattress extension system for providing an extended mattress
support surface adjacent to one or both sides of a treatment
mattress such as a low air loss mattress or the like. The preferred
embodiment of the present invention contemplates a base board
having a width equivalent to the total width of the support surface
desired, with first and second mattress pads engaged to opposing
edges of the base board so as to form a compartment therebetween to
receive the treatment mattress. The base board may further be
hinged in one or more places along its width for providing
adjustable patient support, or for storage or transportation.
Inventors: |
Wright; Scot; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOSEPH T. REGARD, LTD PLC
PO DRAWER 429
MADISONVILLE
LA
70447-0429
US
|
Family ID: |
38573499 |
Appl. No.: |
11/398442 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/722 ; 5/600;
5/618; 5/690 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/10 20130101;
A47C 20/045 20130101; A47C 27/082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/722 ;
005/600; 005/618; 005/690 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/00 20060101
A47C027/00 |
Claims
1. A mattress extension unit, comprising: a base board having first
and second sides, first and second edges, a medial area, a width, a
length, an under side, and a top side; first and second,
longitudinally aligned mattress cushions situated along the length
of said top side of said base board, said mattress cushions spaced
relative to one another to form a gap to receive a mattress having
first and second edges, such that said first and second mattress
cushions adjoin the first and second edges of the mattress,
respectively, to form a contiguous support surface above said base
board.
2. The mattress extension unit of claim 1, wherein said mattress
cushions are formed of foam.
3. The mattress extension unit of claim 2, wherein said mattress
cushions are covered.
4. The mattress extension unit of claim 3, wherein said top side of
said base board between said first and second mattress cushions is
covered.
5. The mattress extension unit of claim 4, wherein said base board
is hinged upon its width.
6. The mattress extension unit of claim 5, wherein there is further
provided a pivotal support member mounted to said base board to
selectively raise or lower said base board in the vicinity of said
hinged portion.
7. The mattress extension unit of claim 6, wherein said pivotal
support member is situated to raise said first end of said base
board.
8. The mattress extension unit of claim 6, wherein said pivotal
support member is situated to raise a medial area of said base
board.
9. The mattress extension unit of claim 2, wherein the mattress has
a thickness, and wherein said mattress pads have a thickness about
equal to said mattress.
10. The mattress extension unit of claim 9, wherein said first and
second mattress cushions are situated adjacent to said first and
second edges of said base board, respectively.
11. A method of utilizing a treatment mattress having a width, a
length, and a thickness, comprising the steps of: a) providing a
support surface having a length and a width; b) providing a
baseboard having first and second sides, first and second ends, a
medial area, a width, a length, an under side, and a top side; c)
providing first and second, longitudinally aligned mattress
cushions having about the thickness of the treatment mattress,
situated along the length of said top side of said base board; d)
spacing said mattress cushions spaced relative to one another to
form a gap to receive said mattress, such that said first and
second mattress cushions would adjoin the first and second edges of
the mattress upon insertion of the mattress, respectively, to form
a contiguous support surface above said base board and said support
surface.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein after step "d" there is further
provided the addition step "e" of positioning a patient such that
an affected area of said patient is supported by said treatment
mattress.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein step "e" further includes the
additional step "e(1)" wherein said patient places an un-affected
area of said patient upon one of said mattress cushions.
14. The method of claim 14, wherein said support surface in step
"a" comprises the box springs of a bed in a home health care
environment, and wherein said treatment mattress comprises a low
air loss mattress.
15. A method of treating a patient utilizing a treatment mattress
having a width, a length, and a thickness in a home health care
environment, comprising the steps of: a) removing the top mattress
from the patient's bed, providing an underlying support surface
having a length and a width; b) providing a baseboard having first
and second sides, first and second ends, a medial area, a width, a
length, an under side, and a top side; c) providing first and
second, longitudinally aligned mattress cushions having about the
thickness of the treatment mattress, situated along opposing edges
of the length of said top side of said base board; d) spacing said
first and second mattress cushions to form a gap to receive said
mattress; e) inserting said mattress in the gap between said first
and second mattress cushions, such that said first and second
mattress cushions adjoin the first and second edges of the mattress
when the mattress is inserted therein, respectively, to form a
contiguous support surface above said base board and said support
surface.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein after step "e" there is further
provided the addition step "f" of positioning a patient such that
an affected area of said patient is supported by said treatment
mattress.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein step "f" further includes the
additional step "f(1)" wherein said patient places an un-affected
area of said patient upon one of said mattress cushions.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein there is further included in
step "b" the additional step "b1" of providing a hinge along the
width of said baseboard.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein there is further included the
step "b2" of providing a pivotal support member mounted to said
base board in the vicinity of said hinge to selectively raise or
lower said base board in the vicinity of said hinged portion.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein there is further provided the
additional step "f" of pivotally adjusting said pivotal support
member to selectively raise said base board in the vicinity of said
hinged portion, to provide for patient comfort.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/667,274, filed Apr. 4, 2005.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to bed extension systems, and
in particular a system for increasing the width of a treatment
mattress, such as a low air loss mattress or the like, by providing
a base board situated under the treatment mattress having an
increased width, the increased width supporting first and second
mattress pads formed to engage the first and second sides of the
treatment mattress, respectively. The base board may be an hinged
along its width to allow adjustment for patient support.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Treatment mattresses such as low air loss mattresses are
provided to patients to provide increased circulation, as well as
to prevent decubitus ulcers (also known as pressure ulcers or bed
sores) on susceptible patients. These types of mattresses have been
found to be effective, but patients often refuse to utilize them in
a home care environment because Medicare will only cover the costs
for a 35'' wide mattress for patients up 250 pounds.
[0004] Such a mattress is rated for up to 300 pound capacity, and,
in larger patients, the relatively narrow width makes it
uncomfortable to remain upon for an extended period of time. As a
result, larger patients, in a home care environment, often quit the
relatively narrow mattress in favor of their own mattress. To
qualify for a larger width treatment mattress, a patient must
exceed 450 pounds, whereby the patient then qualifies for a wider,
bariatric mattress.
[0005] Also, in a home care environment, a hospital bed is required
to be brought into the home as the support surface, there being no
viable support for a low air loss mattress otherwise, an expensive
proposition.
[0006] Further, in such a configuration, the patient is no longer
able to share the bed with another. Also, for disabled patients who
are relatively immobile, such as paralyzed individuals, their bed
becomes a place where many items are kept such as medicine,
dressings, etc, but with the relatively narrow low air loss
mattress, this is not a convenient option.
[0007] The prior art has contemplated various mattress extenders to
extend the length of beds to accommodate taller individuals, as
well as side panels for water beds or the like, and side rails for
no-air loss mattresses. However, none would appear to teach,
contemplate, or suggest a system for extending the width of a
treatment mattress in the manner contemplated in the present
invention.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,064,278 issued 1962 teaches a longitudinal
bed extension for extending the width of a bed.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,432 teaches a "bottom wall" having side
panels to form a collapsible water mattress frame.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,547 teaches a "Mattress and boxspring
extender" including a side pad formed to engage the length of the
mattress held in place by a "tongue" 16 placed under the
mattress.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,775 teaches a frame of side and end
cushions to define the outer walls of a waterbed (in this case, a
waterbed). See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,325,551, 4,991,244, 4,998,310,
5,068,933, and 5,794,289, which teach variations on this
concept.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,813 teaches the use of foamblocks about
the periphery of a knock down mattress system, the blocks secured
via straps under the air mattress.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,666 teaches a "gap filling pad
disposable between a mattress and a bed rail" which is held in
place via straps.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,894 teaches a system for bolstering the
width of an air mattress utilizing first and second side blocks
secured via couplings under the mattress.
[0015] While the above patents may contemplate various systems for
extending the length of the mattress or the, none would appear to
suggest, teach, or otherwise contemplate a system for extending the
width of a treatment mattress as in the present invention.
GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention provides a system provides a system to
effectively extend the width of a treatment mattress in a safe,
reliable, easily implemented, and cost effective manner, and allows
the patients own bed to be used as the support surface for the
treatment mattress, dispensing with the expensive requirement of a
hospital bed being brought to the home.
[0017] Unlike the prior art, the invention comprises a width
extension system configured to integrate with an desired mattress
(preferably a treatment mattress such as a low air loss patient
support mattress or the like), in order to increase the width of
the overall bed surface, so that the mattress may be provide an
extended support surface from one or both sides of the
mattress.
[0018] This is particularly desirable when using the system in a
home health care environment, wherein the patient's box springs or
bed can being used as the platform for the treatment mattress (as
opposed to a hospital bed), as the present system can be
implemented to provide a combined treatment mattress/extension
support surface having about the width of the patient's bed.
[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
system has a relatively inflexible base formed of plywood or the
like, which may be hinged along its width to form first and second
(or more) hinged base portions (for storage or positioning), the
base having and upper face with first and second side edges.
[0020] One or both side edges on the upper face may have situated
thereon side mattress cushions, the mattress cushions having a
thickness and dimensions so as to form a space, gap or compartment
therebetween for the insertion of the low air loss mattress or the
like.
[0021] The present invention provides a means of extending the bed
surface integrated with the low air loss mattress so as to enable
the spouse or partner of the patient to likewise continue utilizing
the family bed, thereby minimizing disruption.
[0022] Further, patients which would otherwise be too large for the
relatively narrow (35'') treatment mattress may, when said mattress
is integrated with the present invention, place the affected
portion of their body on the treatment mattress, while utilizing
the mattress extension portion to support other portions of their
body.
[0023] As indicated, the base board may be hinged along its length
in one or more places to facilitate use in positionable hospital
beds or the like, allowing the patient to be propped up, etc. The
base board may also include support members to support the base in
the desired position. The support members may include a hand crank
or the like to allow positioning of the base board, or a air
bladder or other means may be utilized to lift the pivoted
portion.
[0024] The low air loss treatment mattress effectively prevents bed
sores and enhances circulation in a patient by varying the support
surface via change in air pressure or the like. This is an
alternative to manually repositioning the patient, which is
required when the patient is unable to do so on their own.
[0025] In the past, the patient or other user, especially in a home
health care environment, was often required to make a choice
between a narrow (35'') treatment mattress on an expensive hospital
bed or being non-compliant and utilizing their own bed. Foregoing
treatment, in the case of a non-compliant patient, can cause
further health problems and could result in the patient having to
be sent to the hospital, which greatly increases the cost of
patient treatment. Larger width treatment mattresses such as low
air loss, bariatric mattresses or the like are more expensive and
patients do not qualify under Medicare unless they are over 450
pounds.
[0026] The present system provides a hybrid solution to the problem
of narrow treatment mattresses, by allowing the patient to utilize
the treatment mattress to support the treatment area of the
patient, while providing an effective width extension with a
(non-treatment) mattress support surface for supporting other parts
of the patient, the patient's spouse, as well as items which the
patient desires to keep nearby.
[0027] The present system thereby fulfills the long felt but
unresolved need for a mattress width extension system for use in
conjunction with a treatment mattress, providing the patient with
an viable alternative to the prior art.
[0028] The present system further provides an alternative to
requiring the use of an expensive hospital bed as the support
surface, by providing a mattress extension unit formed to
accommodate the treatment mattress, while utilizing the patients
own box spring and frame as the support surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the
present invention, reference should be had to the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals,
and wherein:
[0030] FIG. 1 is an perspective view of the mattress extension unit
of the present invention situated upon the box springs and frame of
a bed in an exemplary home health installation.
[0031] FIG. 2 is an perspective view of the underside of the
mattress extension unit of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2A is an end view of a hinge of the invention of FIG.
2, wherein the base board is shown in a flat orientation..
[0033] FIG. 2B is an end view of the hinge of the invention of FIG.
2A, in a pivoted orientation.
[0034] FIG. 3 is an perspective view of the top side of the
mattress extension unit of FIG. 2, illustrating in phantom the
position and configuration of the mattress pads.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a view of the underside of the mattress extension
unit of FIG. 1, illustrating the position of the hinges and the
lifting members.
[0036] FIG. 5 is an perspective view of the mattress extension unit
of FIG. 1, illustrating a treatment mattress installed in the area
between the mattress pads, and a mattress cover lifted to reveal
the air bladders of a low air loss treatment mattress or the
like.
[0037] FIG. 6 is an end, frontal, perspective view of the invention
of FIG. 1 in a flat orientation upon the support, with a patient
partially situated upon the treatment mattress.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a side view of the invention of FIG. 1,
illustrating the base board in pivoted, hinged orientation at the
head and foot of the bed, with the lifting members supporting
same.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a side, close-up view of the invention of FIG. 7,
illustrating the base board pivoted at the foot of the bed, with
the lifting members supporting same.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a side, close-up view of the invention of FIG. 8,
illustrating the base board pivoted at the head of the bed, with
the lifting members supporting same.
[0041] FIG. 10 is a side view of an exemplary hand crank mechanism
for selectively raising or lowering a hinged portion of the base
board/mattress extension unit while the patient remains upon the
unit.
DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the preferred embodiment of the
extension unit 1 of the present invention comprises a base 2 formed
of relatively rigid material, for example, one half inch plywood or
the like, the base having a length L and width W sized to the
underlying support, in this case, the box spring 16 of the user's
bed in a home health application, such that the first end 7 is
situated at the head of the bed, and the second end 7' situated at
the foot of the bed.
[0043] As shown, the base has an underside 5 and a top side 6, and
may be hinged 3, 3' (shown on its underside) 3T, 3T' (shown on its
topside) along its width to form pivotally adjustable base sections
4, 4', 4'', 4''' which may be pivoted P for patient comfort,
treatment, or for folding for transport or storage.
[0044] The base board has first 8 and second 8' opposing side edges
situated generally above the side edges of the underlying support
(in this case, the box springs). Situated along said opposing side
edges, on the top side of the base sections are first 10, 10', 10''
and second 11, 11', 11'' sets of mattress cushions, each mattress
cushion having a length 13 and width 14, 14' to form a cushioned
area over the top side of the base sections (forming base board),
as well as forming an gap 15 or open area for insertion of a
mattress (for example, a treatment mattress as heretofore
described) therebetween.
[0045] The exposed top side and mattress cushions areas are covered
preferably with a cover 9 which is water resistant, anti-microbial,
and fire resistant which could comprise, for example, a nylon based
material.
[0046] Continuing with FIGS. 1 and 5, a mattress 25 such as a low
air loss mattress having a length 26 and width 26' about that of
the gap 15 formed between the first and second sets of mattress
cushions is inserted 28 into the gap. The mattress 25 has a
thickness 27, which ideally the mattress cushions emulate by having
about the same thickness 12, so as to provide a relatively
contiguous and smooth support surface. A mattress pad 30 or cover
may be provided over the mattress, or over both the mattress and
mattress cushions, as desired.
[0047] In the present example, the mattress comprises a low air
loss mattress including a air bladders 31 therein, which are
selectively filled or vented via compressor (which may be
controlled via controller 32) to vary the support of the patient
over time, enhancing circulation and preventing bed sores or the
like.
[0048] Continuing with FIG. 6, with the present invention, a
patient 40 in a home care environment is able to utilize the full
surface of their bed. Ideally, the patient can maintain any
potential problem areas 41 of their body on the mattress 25 for
treatment (such as by the low air loss mattress as described),
while utilizing the mattress cushions adjoining one or both sides
of the mattress for additional support.
[0049] The present invention therefore, in conjunction with a
treatment mattress, thereby facilitates the treatment benefits of a
low air loss mattress or the like, with the larger support area of
a standard bed.
[0050] Continuing with FIGS. 4 and 7-9, the present invention may
include hinges as previously described to facilitate pivoting of
the base boards along their length for adjusting the unit to
various angles for patient comfort, thereby emulating an adjustable
hospital bed for a fraction of the cost.
[0051] As shown, support members 18, 18' may be pivotally affixed
along the width of the base board at pre-determined points on the
underside, which support members are pivotally affixed 19, 19' at
their respective ends to adjustably support the base upon the
underlying support surface at various pitches, allowing the user to
pivot 23 the member to the desired position, effectively raising 20
or lowering 20' those portions of the base boards supported by the
support members, which could comprise, for example, the head
portion 21 and/or the knee portion 22 of the bed.
[0052] The pivotal engagement of the support members may be
racheted or otherwise adjustable as to position to facilitate
various positions. When pivoted 24 to their storage position
adjacent to the underside of the base board, the base board may lie
in a relatively flat manner.
[0053] In addition, a hand crank or other mechanical,
electromechanical, or pneumatic device could be used to position
the support members 18, 18', allowing one to vary the adjustment of
the pitch or angle of a select hinged portion of the base board
without the user having to leave the bed.
[0054] Further, other means, such as a pneumatic bladder or the
like, could be used to vary the position of the hinged base
sections by filling or emptying the underlying bladder with fluid,
such as via air compressor or the like.
Exemplary Specifications
[0055] Mattress: standard sized low air loss mattress 35'' wide and
80 long, between 7-9'' thick. The mattress typically includes a
control unit and air compressor which varies the air of bladders
therein to adjust the support of the patient over time.
Mattress Extension Unit
[0056] To accommodate a full sized bed, the unit would be 53'' wide
and 80'' long, and a queen bed would be 72'' wide and 80'' long,
each unit having a with a 35'' wide by 80'' longitudinal gap for
receiving the mattress.
[0057] The base of the unit could be formed of 1/2 plywood, for
example, although other materials and thickness could be utilized
satisfactorily, depending upon the application.
[0058] The cushions are ideally about the thickness of the mattress
they are to be used in conjunction with, and may be formed of
medium or high density foam, or some other material. In the queen
working embodiment of the present, there is further provided a
layer of 1'' memory foam for comfort, although this is not
required.
[0059] Both the cushions and the mattress inserted into the gap may
be covered with a mattress cover which may be padded or not,
depending upon the preference of the provider or user.
[0060] It is noted that the mattress need not be medially situated
between the first and second mattress cushions, and in some
embodiments, the mattress may be situated along a side of the unit,
with the mattress cushions engaging one side of the unit to the
opposing edge of the box springs or other support surface.
TABLE-US-00001 Listing of Elements Element Description 1 Extension
unit 2 Base L length W width 3, ` hinged 4, `, " base sections 5
underside 6 top side 7, ` first end (head), second end) foot 8
first and second edges 9 fabric nylon, water resistant,
anti-microbial, fire resistant cover 10, `, " first set of mattress
cushions 11, `, " second set of mattress cushions 12 thickness 13
length 14, ` width 15 gap or compartment forming insert area for
insertion of treatment mattress 16 situated upon a bedspring of a
patients bed 18, ` support members 19. ` pivotally affixed 20, `
raise, lower 21 head portion 22 knee area 23 pivoted 24 pivoted 25
low air loss mattress 26, ` length, width 27 thickness 28 inserted
29 support surface 30 mattress cover 31 bladders 32 control box 40
patient 41 treatment area
[0061] The invention embodiments herein described are done so in
detail for exemplary purposes only, and may be subject to many
different variations in design, structure, application and
operation methodology. Thus, the detailed disclosures therein
should be interpreted in an illustrative, exemplary manner, and not
in a limited sense. What is claimed is:
* * * * *