U.S. patent application number 11/990933 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-02 for air mattress.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOLTEN CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Syunji Hama, Hidekazu Okazaki, Hiroshi Oonishi.
Application Number | 20090165212 11/990933 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37771427 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090165212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oonishi; Hiroshi ; et
al. |
July 2, 2009 |
Air mattress
Abstract
An objective of the invention is to provide an integral air
mattress capable of preventing caving-in. To achieve the above
objective, the present invention provides an air mattress
consisting of three sheets 1 to 3 stacked and airtightly sealed at
their circumferential portions, the mattress comprising:
first-layer air cells 6a and 6b consisting of tubular air cells
formed widthwise by the first and second sheets 1 and 2; and
second-layer air cells 8 consisting of tubular air cells formed
widthwise by the second and third sheets 2 and 3, wherein the
first-layer air cells 6a and 6b and the second-layer air cells 8
are arranged so as not to overlap in the longitudinal direction.
The overlying first-layer air cells 6a and 6b are set at low
pressure so as not to cause bedsores easily, while the underlying
second-layer air cells 8 are set at high pressure so as not to
cause caving-in easily.
Inventors: |
Oonishi; Hiroshi;
(Hiroshima, JP) ; Hama; Syunji; (Hiroshima,
JP) ; Okazaki; Hidekazu; (Hiroshima, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING, 1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
MOLTEN CORPORATION
HIROSHIMA
JP
|
Family ID: |
37771427 |
Appl. No.: |
11/990933 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
August 9, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2006/315754 |
371 Date: |
February 2, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/710 ;
5/713 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/087 20130101;
A47C 27/10 20130101; A47C 27/081 20130101; A61G 7/05776
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/710 ;
5/713 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/10 20060101
A47C027/10; A47C 27/08 20060101 A47C027/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 25, 2005 |
JP |
2005-244176 |
Claims
1. An air mattress consisting of three sheets stacked and
airtightly sealed at their circumferential portions, the mattress
comprising: first-layer air cells consisting of tubular air cells
formed widthwise by the first and second sheets; and second-layer
air cells consisting of tubular air cells formed widthwise by the
second and third sheets, side surface members being interposed and
joined between their respective side edges of the second and third
sheets, the side surface members each including two side surface
sheets joined on their respective side edges such that the joined
portion faces inward, wherein the first-layer air cells and the
second-layer air cells are arranged so as not to overlap in the
longitudinal direction; and wherein the underlying second-layer air
cells are maintained roughly at a predetermined internal pressure,
while the overlying first-layer air cells are set at a lower
pressure than the second-layer air cells.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The air mattress according to claim 1, wherein the first-layer
air cells are classified into two alternately arranged systems,
such that the two systems are alternately inflated and deflated
independently of each other, while the second-layer air cells are
maintained roughly at a predetermined internal pressure.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to comfortable and safe air
mattresses.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] It is often the case that conventional air mattresses are
provided in the form of an integral air mattress structured by the
welding of front and back sheets thereof at each edge (see, for
example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
7-308242 (FIG. 2)
[0004] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3290159 (FIG. 5)
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] In the case of using the air mattress as described above to
prevent bedsores, the internal pressure of the air mattress is
regulated to be low to enhance body pressure dispersion
performance. In such a case, if the internal pressure becomes
excessively low, caving-in might occur.
[0006] Also, in the cases of the edge structures as shown in FIG. 2
of Patent Document 1 and FIG. 5 of Patent Document 2, when the air
mattress is filled with air, its side surfaces are roundly
inflated, and therefore a problem might occur where the buttocks
slip off the air mattress easily when they are placed at the edge
of the air mattress while attempting to rise therefrom.
[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such
a problem, and an objective thereof is to provide an integral air
mattress capable of preventing caving-in, thereby allowing the
buttocks to be stabilized at the edge of the air mattress.
Solution to the Problems
[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention
provides an air mattress consisting of three sheets stacked and
airtightly sealed at their circumferential portions, the mattress
comprising: first-layer air cells consisting of tubular air cells
formed widthwise by the first and second sheets; and second-layer
air cells consisting of tubular air cells formed widthwise by the
second and third sheets, the side surface members each including
two side surface sheets joined on their respective side edges such
that the joined portion faces inward,
[0009] wherein the first-layer air cells and the second-layer air
cells are arranged so as not to overlap in the longitudinal
direction; and
[0010] wherein the underlying second-layer air cells are maintained
roughly at a predetermined internal pressure, while the overlying
first-layer air cells are set at a lower pressure than the
second-layer air cells.
[0011] In addition, the first-layer air cells are classified into
two alternately arranged systems, such that the two systems are
alternately inflated and deflated independently of each other,
while the second-layer air cells are maintained at a predetermined
internal pressure.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The air mattress of the present invention has a dual layer
structure in which the first-layer air cells and the second-layer
air cells are arranged so as not to overlap in the longitudinal
direction, and therefore it is possible to regulate the first-layer
air cells and the second-layer cells independently of each other so
as not to cause bedsores easily, while preventing caving-in.
[0013] Concretely, the overlaying first-layer air cells hold the
body of the user with low pressure, thereby making it possible to
prevent bedsores. Simultaneously, the underlying second-layer air
cells hold the body with higher pressure than the first-layer air
cells, thereby making it possible to prevent caving-in.
[0014] Furthermore, when the air mattress is filled with air, the
side surface portions have rectangular cross sections, allowing the
buttocks not to slip off easily when they are placed at the edge of
the air mattress while attempting to rise therefrom.
[0015] In addition, the first-layer air cells are classified into
two alternately arranged systems, such that the two systems are
alternately inflated and deflated independently of each other,
thereby making it possible to cyclically change the position at
which to support the body of the user to provide further bedsore
prevention. In this case also, the second-layer air cells are
regulated so as to be inflated with high pressure, thereby making
it possible to inhibit caving-in.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 A perspective view of an air mattress according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 A top view thereof.
[0018] FIG. 3 A schematic perspective view illustrating the bonding
relationship of first through third sheets.
[0019] FIG. 4 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A
in FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 5 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B
in FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0021] 1 first sheet [0022] 2 second sheet [0023] 3 third sheet
[0024] 4 circumferential portion [0025] 5 first-bonding portion
[0026] 6a first-layer-system-A air cell [0027] 6b
second-layer-system-B air cell [0028] 7 second bonding portion
[0029] 8 second-layer air cell [0030] 9 side surface product [0031]
9a, 9b side surface sheet [0032] 10 air mattress
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air mattress according to
an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top view
thereof; FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
bonding relationship of first through third sheets; FIG. 4 is a
schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2; FIG.
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG.
2; and the same or similar elements in the drawings are denoted by
the same characters.
[0035] The air mattress 10 according to the present embodiment
includes three flexible rectangular sheets, which are stacked
together, from the top: first sheet 1, second sheet 2, and third
sheet 3, and bonded at circumferential portions 4.
[0036] The first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2 are bonded at first
bonding portions 5, thereby forming first-layer-system-A air cells
6a and first-layer-system-B air cells 6b.
[0037] In addition, the second sheet 2 and the third sheet 3 are
bonded at second bonding portions 7, thereby forming second-layer
air cells 8.
[0038] The three sheets 1 through 3 are bonded at the
circumferential portions 4. In FIG. 2, the first bonding portions 5
at which to bond the first sheet 1 and the second sheet 2 are
indicated by bold lines, and the second bonding portions 7 at which
to bond the second sheet 2 and the third sheet 3 are indicated by
broken lines. The first and second bonding portions 5 and 7 are
each arranged so as not to overlap in the longitudinal direction.
In addition, sloping arced portions between right and left air cell
portions cause the bonding portions 5 and 7 not to overlap in the
front-rear direction, as in Patent Document 2.
[0039] Since the first and second bonding portions 5 and 7 are
bonded so as not to overlap with each other, the tubular air cells
6a, 6b, and 8 are formed with cross-sections not representing
perfect circle segments but oval segments as shown in FIG. 4. As a
result, the regulation as described below can be effectively
carried out, and the surface of the air mattress that contacts the
body during use is semioval, so that there is less surface
irregularity compared to typical tubular air mats, enhancing
reclining comfort.
[0040] In addition, the side surface portions are each formed by a
side surface product 9 obtained by welding two side surface sheets
9a and 9b once only on their respective side edges 9c as shown in
FIG. 5, and a non-welding material, such as an insulator or
suchlike (e.g., a polytetrafluoroethylene film), provided at
non-welded side edges 9d of the side surface sheets 9a and 9b, the
side surface product being disposed such that the welded portion 9c
faces inward between the side edge portions of the second sheet 2
and the third sheet 3, and the side surface portion has a
rectangular cross-section when filled with air.
[0041] Accordingly, when the air mattress 10 is filled with air,
the side surface portions have rectangular cross sections, allowing
the buttocks not to slip off easily when they are placed at the
edge of the air mattress while attempting to rise therefrom.
Particularly, in the present embodiment, the hatched portion shown
in FIG. 5 indicates the second-layer air cell 8 that has been
subjected to the side surface processing as described above, and
therefore is regulated so as to be always inflated with
high-pressure, allowing further stable rising action.
[0042] During use, the first-layer-system-A air cells 6a and the
first-layer-system-B air cells 6b are regulated so as to be
inflated with low pressure in order not to cause bedsores easily,
and the second-layer air cells 8 are regulated so as to be inflated
with high pressure in order not to cause caving-in easily.
[0043] As a result, portions of the air mattress 10 that are in
contact with the user are kept at low pressure so as to
satisfactorily disperse body pressure. In addition, even if the
first-layer air cells 6a and 6b at low pressure are heavily
depressed by rolling over in sleep, the first-layer air cells 6a
and 6b are supported with high pressure by the underlying
second-layer air cells 8, making it possible to inhibit
caving-in.
[0044] In another regulation method, the first-layer-system-A air
cells 6a and the first-layer-system-B air cells 6b are alternately
inflated and deflated independently of each other, thereby making
it possible to cyclically change the position at which to support
the body of the user to provide further bedsore prevention. In this
case also, the second-layer air cells 8 are regulated so as to be
inflated with high pressure, thereby making it possible to inhibit
caving-in.
* * * * *