U.S. patent application number 13/789300 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for systems and methods for mattress lifting to aid bed-making.
The applicant listed for this patent is Billy Walter Ward. Invention is credited to Billy Walter Ward.
Application Number | 20130232698 13/789300 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49112704 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130232698 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ward; Billy Walter |
September 12, 2013 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MATTRESS LIFTING TO AID BED-MAKING
Abstract
Sheets on a mattress having a sleeping surface and a lower
surface disposed opposite the sleeping surface may be changed using
a fluid container. The fluid container has an outer surface
including a resilient material that may be displaced in response to
a pressure similar to the pressure of fluid contained in the fluid
container. The fluid container is provided with a predetermined
quantity of fluid and disposed such that the resilient outer
surface is adjacent to a portion of an outer perimeter of the lower
surface of the mattress. The resilient outer surface is displaced
by a volume, allowing a portion of a sheet to be inserted between
the outer surface and the lower surface of the mattress. The outer
surface is allowed to refill the displaced volume and thereby
engage the portion of the sheet against the lower surface of the
mattress.
Inventors: |
Ward; Billy Walter;
(Gloucester, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ward; Billy Walter |
Gloucester |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49112704 |
Appl. No.: |
13/789300 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61634925 |
Mar 8, 2012 |
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/659 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 21/028 20130101;
A47C 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/659 |
International
Class: |
A47C 21/00 20060101
A47C021/00 |
Claims
1. A system for changing sheets on a mattress having a sleeping
surface and a lower surface disposed opposite the sleeping surface,
comprising: a fluid container including an outer surface arranged
adjacent to a portion of an outer perimeter of the lower surface of
the mattress when the fluid container contains a predetermined
quantity of fluid; the outer surface of the fluid container
including a resilient material capable of being displaced in
response to a pressure similar to the pressure of fluid contained
in the fluid container; and the outer surface of the fluid
container engaging against a surface adjacent to the outer surface
of the fluid container with a pressure similar to the pressure of
fluid contained in the fluid container when the fluid container
contains at least the predetermined quantity of fluid.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a pump for providing
fluid to the fluid container, and at least one vent in the fluid
container providing fluid communication to the pump and allowing
release of a fluid.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid container occupies a
first volume when the fluid container contains the predetermined
quantity of fluid and a second smaller volume when the contained
fluid has been released.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein a first portion of the outer
surface and a second portion of the outer surface are
discontiguous.
5. The system of claim 3, further comprising at least one resilient
strap for holding the fluid container to the mattress.
6. The system of claim 3, wherein the fluid container supports the
mattress at a predetermined height while occupying the first
volume, wherein the predetermined height is greater than a height
at which the mattress is supported while the fluid container
occupies the second volume.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the predetermined height is no
greater than four inches.
8. The system of claim 3, wherein each surface of the fluid
container lies substantially underneath the lower surface of the
mattress when the fluid container occupies the second volume.
9. The system of claim 2, further comprising a hose connected to a
surface of the fluid container not adjacent to the lower surface of
the mattress, the hose providing fluid communication between the
pump and the fluid container.
10. The system of claim 2, further comprising a gauge to measure at
least one of a volume and a pressure of fluid in the fluid
container.
11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a controller to
adjust the amount of fluid provided by the pump based on the output
of the gauge.
12. The system of claim 10, further comprising an indicator of a
change in a status of at least one of the volume and the pressure
of fluid in the fluid container.
13. The system of claim 2, further comprising an indicator to
identify the operational status of the pump.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a liquid.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a gas.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined quantity is
the quantity of gas required to inflate the fluid container to a
predetermined pressure.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid container includes at
least one vent to release gas.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein one or more vents are located
adjacent to the lower surface of the mattress.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one vent is a
relief valve.
20. The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature
controller to control the temperature of the fluid.
21. The system of claim 1, wherein the outer surface engages
against the lower surface of the mattress.
22. A method for changing sheets on a mattress having a sleeping
surface and a lower surface disposed opposite the sleeping surface,
comprising: providing a fluid container including an outer surface,
the outer surface of the fluid container including a resilient
material capable of being displaced in response to a pressure
similar to the pressure of fluid contained in the fluid container;
disposing the fluid container such that the outer surface of the
fluid container is adjacent to a portion of an outer perimeter of
the lower surface of the mattress when the fluid container contains
a predetermined quantity of fluid; providing the fluid container
with at least the predetermined quantity of fluid; displacing the
outer surface of the fluid container containing the resilient
material by a volume; inserting a portion of a sheet into the
volume displaced from the outer surface; and allowing the outer
surface to refill the displaced volume and engage the sheet against
a surface adjacent to the outer surface.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: lifting the
mattress to a first predetermined height by providing the fluid
container with the predetermined quantity of fluid; and returning
the mattress to a second predetermined height by releasing the
contained fluid.
24. The method of claim 22, further comprising measuring at least
one of a volume and a pressure of fluid in the fluid container.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising indicating a
predetermined change in a status of at least one of the volume and
the pressure of fluid in the fluid container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/634,925, filed on Mar. 8, 2012, entitled
"Systems and Methods for Mattress Lifting to Aid Bed-Making," the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The systems and methods described herein relate, among other
things, to beds, and particularly to changing bed sheets.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Bed making typically includes removing and replacing sheets
and other bed materials such as blankets, bed covers and pillow
cases. In some cases, a water-resistant layer may also be used to
protect the mattress from fluids. Bed materials may be placed on a
mattress in a desired order and held in place by friction, but at
least bottom sheets and water-resistant layers require stronger
attachment if they are to stay in place. Such items may be attached
by placing a portion of the item between the mattress and the
foundation on which the mattress lies. The weight of the mattress
tends to increase the friction holding these objects in place, even
while a person may be moving on top of the mattress. But placing a
portion of an item between a mattress and its foundation requires
pushing the object between the mattress and foundation. The
friction between the mattress and the foundation then resists the
tucking gesture, often requiring lifting a corner of the mattress
to tuck in the sheet.
[0004] Unfortunately, even healthy, younger people may find bed
making difficult, especially when the bed includes a heavy modern
mattresses such as a latex mattress. Those with physical
disabilities and the elderly may find it impossible to tuck in a
sheet. But there are almost 40 million people aged 65 or older in
the United States, almost 13% of the population, and there are
projected to be more than 72 million older persons in the U.S. by
2030. While health care providers may aid those with physical
disabilities and the elderly, bed making often requires such a
health care provider to lift a corner of the mattress with a bent
back, contributing to the prevalence of back injuries in health
care and hotel service work.
[0005] As such, there remains a need for improved systems and
methods for lifting a mattress when making a bed.
SUMMARY
[0006] It is a realization of the inventor that a fluid container
with a resilient surface capable of being displaced in response to
a pressure similar to the pressure of fluid contained in the fluid
container may allow a user to change the sheets on a bed without
requiring the user to lift the mattress. Placing such a fluid
container beneath a mattress and providing it with an appropriate
quantity of fluid may reduce the force required to insert an object
beneath the mattress. Rather than lifting a heavy mattress up, a
user may displace a small volume of fluid contained in the fluid
container by pressing down, allowing the user to insert a sheet or
any other item beneath the mattress. As the user's hand is
withdrawn, the fluid returns to the displaced volume, engaging the
sheet against the mattress. The fluid container thereby allows the
user to change sheets by leaning forward rather than lifting up,
and thus reduces both the effort required and the risk of injury
entailed in changing the sheets.
[0007] Accordingly, in one aspect, the systems and methods
described herein relate to changing sheets on a mattress having a
sleeping surface and a lower surface disposed opposite the sleeping
surface. A fluid container including an outer surface is arranged
such that when the fluid container contains a predetermined
quantity of fluid, the outer surface is adjacent to a portion of an
outer perimeter of the lower surface of the mattress. The outer
surface of the fluid container includes a resilient material
capable of being displaced in response to a pressure similar to the
pressure of fluid contained in the fluid container, and engages
against a surface adjacent to the outer surface of the fluid
container with a pressure similar to the pressure of fluid
contained in the fluid container when the fluid container contains
at least the predetermined quantity of fluid. The fluid container
may be provided with at least the predetermined quantity of fluid
and the outer surface of the fluid container containing the
resilient material displaced by a volume. A portion of a sheet may
be inserted into the displaced volume and the outer surface allowed
to refill the displaced volume and engage the sheet against a
surface adjacent to the outer surface. In some implementations, a
pump may provide fluid to the fluid container, and the fluid
container may include at least one vent providing fluid
communication to the pump and allowing release of a fluid.
[0008] In some implementations, the fluid container may occupy a
first volume when the fluid container contains the predetermined
quantity of fluid and a second, smaller volume when the contained
fluid has been released. In some such implementations, the fluid
container may support the mattress at a predetermined height while
occupying the first volume, wherein the predetermined height is
greater than the height at which the mattress is supported while
the fluid container occupies the second volume. In some such
implementations, the predetermined height may be no greater than a
predetermined limit, which may be four inches. In some
implementations where the fluid container may occupy a first or a
second, smaller volume, each surface of the fluid container may lie
substantially underneath the lower surface of the mattress when the
fluid container occupies the second volume. In some implementations
where the fluid container may occupy a first or a second volume, a
first portion of the outer surface and a second portion of the
outer surface may be discontiguous. In some implementations where
the fluid container may occupy a first or a second volume, at least
one resilient strap may hold the fluid container to the
mattress.
[0009] In some implementations with a pump, a hose may be connected
to a surface of the fluid container which is not adjacent to the
lower surface of the mattress, the hose providing fluid
communication between the pump and the fluid container. In some
implementations with a pump, an indicator may identify the
operational status of the pump.
[0010] In some implementations with the pump, a gauge may measure
at least one of a volume and a pressure of fluid in the fluid
container. In some such implementations, a controller may adjust
the amount of fluid provided by the pump based on the output of the
gauge. In some implementations with the gauge, an indicator may be
provided to identify a change in a status of at least one of the
volume and the pressure of fluid in the fluid container.
[0011] In some implementations, the fluid may be a liquid. In such
implementations, the liquid may be stored in a storage unit, or
liquid may be drawn from and returned to a plumbing system.
[0012] In some implementations, the fluid may be a gas. In some
such implementations, the predetermined quantity of fluid is the
quantity of gas required to inflate the fluid container to a
predetermined pressure. In some implementations where the fluid is
a gas, the fluid container includes at least one vent to release
gas. In some such implementations, one or more vents are located
adjacent to the lower surface of the mattress. In some
implementations with a vent, at least one vent is a relief
valve.
[0013] In some implementations, a temperature controller is
provided to control the temperature of the fluid.
[0014] In some implementations, the outer surface of the fluid
container engages against the lower surface of the mattress.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The systems and methods described herein are set forth in
the appended claims. However, for the purpose of explanation,
several embodiments are set forth in the following figures.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bed-making system;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a bed-making system in which a
sheet is being tucked in;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a bed-making system;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a bed-making system;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a bed-making system;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a bed-making system;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a bed-making system featuring
valves;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a bed-making system featuring
vents;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a bed-making system;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a bed-making system with a
chambered fluid container;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a bed-making system with fluid
container restraints; and
[0027] FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a bed-changing method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0028] In the following description, numerous details are set forth
for the purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in
the art will realize that the embodiments described herein may be
practiced without the use of these specific details and that the
embodiments described herein may be modified, supplemented, or
otherwise altered without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0029] The systems and methods described herein relate, in certain
embodiments, to changing sheets on a mattress having a sleeping
surface and a lower surface disposed opposite the sleeping surface.
A fluid container with a resilient outer surface is disposed
beneath the mattress such that the outer surface of the fluid
container is adjacent to a portion of the perimeter of the lower
surface of the mattress when the fluid container is provided with
fluid. Users may displace a small volume of fluid contained in the
fluid container to insert an item beneath the mattress. As users
withdraw their hands, the fluid returns to the displaced volume,
engaging the sheet against the mattress.
[0030] FIG. 1 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 100. As depicted, system 100 includes a fluid container 102
disposed between a mattress 104 and a foundation 110. Fluid
container 102 is a container capable of holding at least a
predetermined quantity of fluid. For clarity, fluid container 102
is depicted as being vertically separated from mattress 104,
foundation 110, and sheet 112, but in practice, a portion of an
outer surface of fluid container 102 is adjacent to a lower surface
106 of mattress 104 when fluid container 102 contains a
predetermined quantity of fluid. In some implementations, the
predetermined quantity of fluid is the volume of fluid container
102 filled with gas at a predetermined pressure. Mattress 104 has a
sleeping surface 108 and a lower surface 106 disposed opposite
sleeping surface 108. Foundation 110 is an object supporting fluid
container 102 and mattress 104, and may be a box, a bed frame, a
set of box springs, a floor, or other suitable object. In some
implementations, foundation 104 may include safety devices such as
a railing to mattress 104 from sliding off of fluid container 102.
Sheet 112 may be a bedsheet, a fitted sheet, or any other object
that may be tucked under mattress 104. Pump 114 may control the
volume of fluid contained in fluid container 104 through hose 116,
which may be detachable or permanently attached to fluid container
102 and provides fluid communication between fluid container 102
and pump 114. Gauge 118 may measure the volume of fluid in fluid
container 102, the pressure of the fluid in fluid container 102, or
both. Gauge 118 may be connected to a controller 120, which may
control the output of pump 114 based on the output of gauge 118.
Temperature controller 122 may control the temperature of fluid in
fluid container 104.
[0031] Fluid container 102 may include an air mattress, a water
bed, or some other suitable fluid container with an outer surface
that may include a resilient material capable of being displaced in
response to a pressure similar to the pressure of fluid contained
in fluid container 102. In some implementations, fluid container
102 may be integrated with mattress 104, with foundation 110, or
both. As described in relation to FIG. 2, when a hand is inserted
between the resilient outer surface of fluid container 102 and a
substantially solid surface such as lower surface 106, the hand may
displace a volume of fluid container 102 substantially equal to the
hand. Fluid container 102 may be filled with a fluid at 0.1 pounds
per square inch (PSI), 0.25 PSI, 0.5 PSI, or some other suitable
pressure. As depicted, an outer surface of fluid container 102
engages sheet 112 against lower surface 106, but in some
implementations an outer surface of fluid container 102 may engage
sheet 112 against foundation 110. In some implementations, there
may be more than one fluid container 102, or fluid container 102
may be composed of two or more chambers. In some of the latter
implementations, chambers may be in fluid communication with each
other through valves that a user may open or close.
[0032] Pump 114 may be a squirrel-cage blower, an air compressor, a
bicycle pump, a foot pump, or some other pump suitable for
providing fluid to fluid container 102. Pump 114 may provide the
predetermined quantity of fluid to fluid container 102 through hose
116, and may be placed in a condition to allow escape of fluid from
fluid container 102 or to pump fluid out of fluid container 102.
Fluid container 102 may occupy a first volume while containing the
predetermined quantity of fluid and a second, smaller volume when
the contained fluid has been released. When fluid container 102
occupies such a first volume, it may support mattress 104 at a
predetermined height greater than the height at which mattress 104
is supported while the fluid container occupies the second volume.
In some implementations, the predetermined height may be chosen to
reduce the risk to small children, which may be less than or equal
to 4 inches. In some implementations, fluid container 102 support
mattress 104 at a height greater than 2.5 inches only if fluid
container 102 is provided with fluid at a pressure chosen to reduce
risk to young children, which may be 2.5 PSI, 5 PSI, or some other
suitable pressure. In some implementations, fluid container 102 may
include two chambers, a low-pressure chamber adjacent to mattress
104 and a height-controlling chamber disposed between the first
chamber and the foundation. In such implementations, the
low-pressure chamber may contain fluid at a pressure below 1 PSI
and occupy a volume no greater than 2.5 inches thick, while the
height-controlling chamber may at the same time contain fluid at a
pressure above 5 PSI or some other suitable pressure and support
the first chamber at a height greater than four inches. In certain
implementations, there may not be a pump 114, in which case fluid
container 102 may be permanently or semi-permanently sealed with
the predetermined quantity of fluid. In some implementations, there
may be an audible or visual indicator of the status of pump 114. In
some implementations, pump 114 may provide fluid at a pressure such
that the rate at which pump 114 supplies fluid to fluid container
102 decreases based on the amount of fluid contained in fluid
container 102.
[0033] Gauge 118 may be a piston pressure gauge, a capacitive
pressure gauge, a flow meter, a strain gauge, a height sensor, or
some other gauge suitable for determining the quantity of fluid
pump 114 has provided to fluid container 102. Gauge 118 may measure
one or more of a volume and a pressure of fluid in fluid container
102. The volume of fluid container 102 may be measured by summing
the volume of fluid provided to fluid container 102 and subtracting
the volume of fluid released from fluid container 102, or by an
indirect measurement such as weighing the fluid container 102 and
dividing the measured weight by the density of the contained fluid.
In some implementations, measurements generated by gauge 118 may be
used as the criteria for activity of an indicator device. As
illustrative examples of such implementations, an alarm may sound
or a light may flash if gauge 118 detects a pressure above a
predetermined threshold, or if there is a predetermined change of
pressure within a predetermined time interval consistent with a
sleepwalker leaving the bed. In some implementations, there may not
be a gauge 118. In some implementations, gauge 118 may be further
configured to detect a respiration rate or a heart rate of a bed
user through fluctuations in the pressure applied to the fluid
container 102.
[0034] Controller 120 may be a switch, a timer, a dedicated or
programmable circuit, or some other suitable mechanism for
controlling the operation, power, or duty cycle of pump 114. As
depicted, controller 120 may receive measurements from gauge 118
and control pump 114 accordingly, such as by reducing the flow
generated by pump 114 as the pressure in fluid container 102
increases. In some implementations, controller 120 may act without
user input, such as by causing fluid container 102 to be inflated
and deflated on a predetermined schedule. In some other
implementations, controller 120 may control pump operation based on
user input from a user interface. As an illustrative example of
such implementations, a user may select a desired mattress height
using a knob or other suitable control, and controller 120 may
respond by operating pump 114 to bring mattress 104 to the
designated height. In some implementations, controller 120 may only
allow direct user control, such as a switch that the user may use
to toggle pump 114 between on and off, or between fill, empty, and
off. In some implementations, controller 120 may prevent accidental
or unauthorized use of pump 114, such as by requiring a key, a
combination, a password, or some other suitable mechanism to reduce
the likelihood of accidental or unauthorized use of pump 114.
[0035] Temperature controller 122 may include a resistive heater, a
water cooler, a Peltier heating and cooling system, or some other
suitable device for altering the temperature of a fluid, and an
output control such as a switch, a dial, an integrated temperature
control circuit, or some other suitable device for controlling the
energy consumption of temperature controller 122. As depicted,
temperature controller 122 controls the temperature of the fluid in
fluid container 102, and may receive feedback from one or more
thermocouples or other suitable temperature measurement devices
used to maintain the fluid at a user-defined or predefined
temperature. In some implementations, temperature controller 122
may be integrated with pump 114, and may control the temperature of
the fluid supplied to fluid container 102 by pump 114.
[0036] System 100 aids in bed-making by reducing the force required
to insert a portion of sheet 112 beneath lower surface 106 of
mattress 104. A user may displace a resilient portion of the outer
surface of fluid container 102 with a pressure similar to the
pressure of the fluid in fluid container 102. If fluid container
102 is provided with at least a predetermined quantity of fluid,
whether using pump 114 or otherwise, the resilient portion of the
outer surface of fluid container 102 will engage against an
adjacent surface. Thus, the user may displace a resilient portion
of the outer surface of fluid container 102, insert a portion of
sheet 112 into the displaced volume, and then allow the resilient
portion of the outer surface to engage the sheet against the
adjacent surface, allowing bed-making without the user personally
lifting mattress 104.
[0037] FIG. 2 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 200 in which a sheet is being tucked in. Referring to FIG.
1, system 200 includes a fluid container 202 like fluid container
102, a mattress 204 like mattress 104, a foundation 206 like
foundation 110, and a sheet 208 like sheet 112. As depicted, a
user's hand 210 is displacing a portion of the resilient outer
surface of fluid container 202 while inserting a portion of sheet
206 between fluid container 202 and mattress 204. Sheet 208 is
thereby inserted beneath mattress 204 without lifting mattress 204.
As the user removes hand 210, the outer surface of fluid container
202 will refill the volume hand 210 is depicted as occupying,
engaging sheet 208 against mattress 204. Bed-making system 200 thus
allows a bed to be made without requiring users to lift mattress
204, and may allow a bed to be made using only one hand. In some
implementations, the resilient outer surface of fluid container 202
may be composed of or coated with a low-friction material, which
may include polyvinyl chloride vinyl plastic, silicone,
polytetrafluoroethylene, or some other suitable material that has a
lower coefficient of friction against hand 210 than does mattress
204 or foundation 206. The low-friction material may further reduce
the force required to insert sheet 208 and hand 210 between the
resilient outer surface of fluid container 202 and an adjacent
surface. In some such implementations, an outer surface of fluid
container 202 adjacent to mattress 204 may have a different
friction coefficient than an outer surface of fluid container 202
adjacent to foundation 206. Such implementations may reduce the
force required to insert sheet 208 while reducing the likelihood of
fluid container 202 slipping relative to an adjacent item.
[0038] FIG. 3 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 300. Referring to FIG. 1, bed-making system 300 is an
implementation of bed-making system 100, but omits certain elements
of bed-making system 100 for clarity. As depicted, outer surface
302 of fluid container 102 is substantially adjacent to the lower
surface 106, and may thus engage a sheet 112 against lower surface
106 near the outer perimeter of lower surface 106.
[0039] FIG. 4 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 400. Referring to FIG. 1, bed-making system 400 is an
implementation of bed-making system 100, but omits certain elements
of bed-making system 100 for clarity. As depicted, outer surface
402 of fluid container 102 is substantially adjacent to only the
outer perimeter of lower surface 106, and may thus engage a sheet
112 against the lower surface 106 near the outer perimeter of lower
surface 106.
[0040] FIG. 5 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 500. Referring to FIG. 1, bed-making system 500 is an
implementation of bed-making system 100, but omits certain elements
of bed-making system 100 for clarity. As depicted, portions 502A-D
(collectively, portions 502) of the outer surface of fluid
container 102 are adjacent to lower surface 106 of mattress 104,
but each portion 502 is discontiguous from the other portions 502.
As depicted, each portion 502 is substantially adjacent to one of
the four corners of lower surface 106, and thus fluid container 102
may engage a sheet against lower surface 106 at the four corners of
lower surface 106. Each portion 502 may be part of a single fluid
container 102, in which case each portion of the volume of the
fluid container 102 is in fluid communication with every other
portion of the volume of the fluid container 102. In some
implementations, each portion 502 is associated with a distinct
fluid container 102. In some implementations, portions 502 may be
different in one or more of size, shape, number, position, or
orientation. As an illustrative example of such implementations,
portions 502 may comprise four `L`-shaped surfaces, one at each
corner of lower surface 106.
[0041] FIG. 6 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 600. Referring to FIG. 1, bed-making system 600 is an
implementation of bed-making system 100. FIG. 6 depicts a
cross-sectional view of bed-making system 600, but omits certain
elements of bed-making system 100 for clarity. As depicted, outer
surface 602 of fluid container 102 is substantially adjacent to
only two edges of lower surface 106, and may thus engage a sheet
against lower surface 106 along two sides of the outer perimeter of
lower surface 106. As outer surface 602 is not in contact with
lower surface 106 in the middle of mattress 104, mattress 104 may
sag in the middle and therefore provide greater resistance to
lateral movement relative to a mattress 104 on a level surface. As
depicted, each portion of the volume of fluid container 102 is in
fluid communication with every other portion of the volume of fluid
container 102. As such, if outer surface 602 is displaced on one
side of mattress 104, the change in the volume of fluid container
102 is relatively smaller than it would be if fluid container 102
were physically divided into separate compartments. Thus, the
depicted outer surface 602 may be displaced with less pressure than
two or more separate fluid containers 102 with the same total
volume. In some implementations, one or more of the shape,
orientation, and surface area of outer surface 602 may be
modified.
[0042] FIG. 7 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 700 featuring valves. Referring to FIG. 1, bed-making system
700 is an implementation of bed-making system 100, but for clarity
FIG. 7 depicts only fluid container 102 and mattress 104. In
bed-making system 700, fluid container 102 includes valves 702 A-C,
collectively valves 702. Valves 702 are valves that may be switched
between allowing and preventing fluid flow, and may include ball
valves, quarter turn plug valves, or other suitable valves. A valve
702 may include an adapter allowing a hose 116 to connect to the
valve and thereby be placed in fluid communication with fluid
container 700. In some implementations, one or more valves 702 may
be a pressure relief valve, and may thus prevent fluid container
102 from being overfilled with fluid. In some such implementations,
one or more valves 702 may be a hole in an outer surface of fluid
container 102 positioned such that the hole is open only when fluid
container 102 contains a predetermined volume of fluid. As
depicted, valves 702A-B are each on a surface of fluid container
102 that is adjacent to neither a mattress 104 nor a foundation
110. Valve 702C is depicted as being disposed on an outer surface
of fluid container 102 opposite mattress 104. Thus if one valve 702
is not readily accessible by a user, a second valve may be. There
may be a different number of valves 702 than are here depicted, and
valves 702 may be disposed in different locations than are here
depicted.
[0043] FIG. 8 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 800 featuring vents. Referring to FIG. 1, bed-making system
800 is an implementation of bed-making system 100, but for clarity
FIG. 8 depicts only fluid container 102. In bed-making system 800,
fluid container 102 includes vents 802A-D disposed beneath a
mattress 104. Vents 802A-D are collectively referred to as vents
802. Vents 802 may be configured such that when fluid container 102
stores a gas at a predetermined pressure, vents 802 may release the
gas at the same rate as pump 114 provides the gas. In some
implementations, vents 802 may be pressure release valves. The gas
released by vents 802 may serve to warm or cool a mattress 104, and
in some embodiments may create an air bearing that reduces the
friction between fluid container 102 and mattress 104.
[0044] FIG. 9 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 900. Referring to FIG. 1, bed-making system 900 is an
implementation of bed-making system 100, but for clarity FIG. 9
depicts only fluid container 102. As depicted, fluid container 102
includes side walls 902. Referring to FIG. 1, side walls 902 are
outer surfaces of fluid container 900 that are adjacent to neither
mattress 104 nor foundation 110. As depicted, side walls 902 are
designed to bow inwards when the pressure of the fluid inside fluid
container 900 is lower than the pressure of the fluid outside fluid
container 900. Thus, when the fluid in fluid container 900 is
released, each surface of fluid container 900 may lie substantially
underneath lower surface 106 of mattress 104.
[0045] FIG. 10 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 1000 with a chambered fluid container. Referring to FIG. 1,
bed-making system 1000 is an implementation of bed-making system
100, but for clarity FIG. 10 depicts only fluid container 102. As
depicted, fluid container 102 includes chambers 1002A-C
(collectively chambers 1002) and valves 1004A and 1004B
(collectively valves 1004). Each chamber 1002 is a fluid container
that may be placed in fluid communication with or isolated from at
least one other chamber 1002 by the action of a valve 1004. Valves
1004 may be similar to the valves 702 depicted in FIG. 7, and may
be remotely controlled by the user or by controller 120 through one
or more cables kept under tension, electrical signals, or through
some other suitable method.
[0046] As depicted, chambers 1002 may be provided with different
quantities of fluid in order to stabilize a mattress 104. When
providing fluid to the depicted fluid container 102, chambers 1002A
and 1002C may be provided with fluid before chamber 1002B is
provided with fluid, which may cause mattress 1004 to sag over
chamber 1002B and thereby resist lateral motion. Likewise, when
releasing fluid from fluid container 102, fluid in chamber 1002B
may be released before fluid is released from chambers 1002A and
1002C. In certain implementations, chambers 1002 may differ in
number, size, shape, and orientation than the chambers 1002 here
depicted. Similarly, in some implementations there may be valves
1004 may differ in number or position from the valves 1004 here
depicted.
[0047] FIG. 11 is an illustrative block diagram of a bed-making
system 1100 with fluid container restraints. Referring to FIG. 1,
bed-making system 1100 is an implementation of bed-making system
100, but for clarity FIG. 11 depicts only fluid container 102 and
foundation 110. As depicted, fluid container 102 is detachably
coupled to foundation 110 with resilient bands 1102A and 1102B
(collectively, resilient bands 1102). Resilient bands 1102 may be
fixed to fluid container 102, and may secure fluid container 102 in
a position relative to foundation 110. In some implementations,
there may be a different number of resilient bands 1102 than are
depicted. In some implementations, resilient bands 1102 may be
positioned differently than depicted. Illustrative examples of such
implementations include orienting resilient bands 1102 along the
perpendicular axis, having resilient bands 1102 cross each other at
an angle, fixing one end of each resilient band 1102 to foundation
110 rather than fixing each end to fluid container 102, and fixing
one end of a resilient band 1102 to foundation 110 and the other
end to mattress 104. In some implementations, resilient bands 1102
may instead secure fluid container 102 to mattress 104.
[0048] FIG. 12 is an illustrative flow chart of a bed-making
process 1200. Referring to FIG. 1, bed-making method 1200 begins
with step 1201, which provides a fluid container 102. The outer
surface of fluid container 102 includes a resilient material
capable of being displaced in response to a pressure similar to the
pressure of fluid contained in the fluid container. Step 1202
disposes fluid container 102 such that the outer surface of fluid
container 102 is adjacent to a portion of an outer perimeter of the
lower surface 106 of a mattress 104 when the fluid container
contains a predetermined quantity of fluid. In step 1203, pump 114
provides fluid container 102 with at least the predetermined
quantity of fluid, in some implementations lifting the mattress 104
to a predetermined height. In some implementations, step 1203 may
be performed manually by a user. In some implementations, fluid
container 102 may be permanently sealed with the predetermined
quantity of fluid, in which case step 1203 will have been
accomplished with step 1201.
[0049] In step 1204, an object such as the user's hand is used to
displace a volume of the outer surface of fluid container 102, as
depicted in FIG. 2. In step 1205, a portion of a sheet or some
other object meant to be tucked underneath the mattress is inserted
into the volume displaced in step 1204. In step 1206, the
displacing object of step 1204 is removed, allowing the outer
surface of fluid container 102 to refill the displaced volume and
engage the sheet against a surface adjacent to the outer surface.
In some implementations, the fluid in fluid container 102 may then
be released, which return the mattress to its original height.
Process 1200 may then be complete.
[0050] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have
been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those
skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of
example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will
now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the
disclosure. For example, a fluid container may be used to allow
access to the lower surface of items other than mattresses, or one
or more fluid containers may be used to lift objects from one
height to another. An implementation of the systems and methods
described herein may be made independently of or combined with
another implementation. It should be understood that various
alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein
may be employed in practicing the disclosure. It is intended that
the following claims define the scope of the disclosure and that
methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their
equivalents be covered thereby.
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