U.S. patent application number 13/561132 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-30 for bed mattress lift.
This patent application is currently assigned to DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffrey Todd Bethel, Trevor James Larsen, Jeffrey Norman Vahle. Invention is credited to Jeffrey Todd Bethel, Trevor James Larsen, Jeffrey Norman Vahle.
Application Number | 20140026318 13/561132 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49993435 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140026318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bethel; Jeffrey Todd ; et
al. |
January 30, 2014 |
BED MATTRESS LIFT
Abstract
An aspect provides a method for separating a mattress from an
underlying bedding component, including: actuating a fluid pump to
inflate one or more inflatable bladder components with fluid; the
one or more inflatable bladder components being disposed between
the mattress and the underlying bedding component such that on
inflation with the fluid, the one or more inflatable bladder
components separates the mattress and the underlying bedding
component. Other aspects are described and claimed.
Inventors: |
Bethel; Jeffrey Todd;
(Clermont, FL) ; Larsen; Trevor James; (Winter
Garden, FL) ; Vahle; Jeffrey Norman; (Windermere,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bethel; Jeffrey Todd
Larsen; Trevor James
Vahle; Jeffrey Norman |
Clermont
Winter Garden
Windermere |
FL
FL
FL |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Burbank
CA
|
Family ID: |
49993435 |
Appl. No.: |
13/561132 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/412 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 21/028 20130101;
A47C 19/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/412 |
International
Class: |
A47C 19/04 20060101
A47C019/04 |
Claims
1. A method for separating a mattress from an underlying bedding
component, comprising: actuating a fluid pump to inflate one or
more inflatable bladder components with fluid; the one or more
inflatable bladder components being disposed between the mattress
and the underlying bedding component such that on inflation with
the fluid, the one or more inflatable bladder components separates
the mattress and the underlying bedding component.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid includes one or more of
a liquid and a gas.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the underlying bedding component
is a box spring.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein actuating a fluid pump to inflate
one or more inflatable bladder components with fluid further
comprises operating a remote control device.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein short-range communication
includes one or more of broadcasting communication information to
the actuation element of the fluid pump and presentation of
readable communication information to a reading element associated
with an actuation element of the fluid pump.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid pump comprises an
active pump that actively pumps fluid.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid pump comprises a
container of compressed fluid that releases pressurized fluid.
8. A system for separating a mattress from an underlying bedding
component, comprising: at least one bedding component; and one or
more inflatable bladder components attached to the at least one
bedding component; the one or more inflatable bladder components
being disposed at a position such that, responsive to inflation of
the one or more inflatable bladder components with a fluid, the one
or more bladder components extend beyond a periphery of the at
least one bedding component to provide separation between the at
least one bedding component and another, separate bedding
component.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one bedding
component is a box spring, and further wherein the another,
separate bedding component is a mattress.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more inflatable
bladder components is integral to the box spring.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one bedding
component is a mattress, and further wherein the another, separate
bedding component is a box spring.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more inflatable
bladder components is integral to the mattress.
13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a fluid pump in fluid
communication with the one or more inflatable bladder
components.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein: the at least one bedding
component is a box spring, and further wherein the another,
separate bedding component is a mattress; and the fluid pump is
integral to the box spring.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein: the one or more inflatable
bladder components comprise a fitting configured for attachment to
the fluid pump; and the fluid pump is housed in a separate mobile
component and is attachable to the fitting to provide fluid
communication with the one or more inflatable bladder
components.
16. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more inflatable
bladder components comprise a single bladder component that is
substantially U shaped.
17. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more inflatable
bladder components comprise a plurality of inflatable bladder
components arranged at three sides of the at least one bedding
component.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein the fluid pump comprises an
active pump that actively pumps fluid.
19. The system of claim 13, wherein the fluid pump comprises a
container of compressed fluid that releases pressurized fluid.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] In changing bedding (sheets, covers and the like), lifting
or elevating bedding components (for example, lifting a mattress
with respect to an underlying box spring to change sheets) can be
challenging. The challenge is magnified in certain settings (hotel,
resort, cruise ship, et cetera), as professional housekeeping
employees may need to turn around many rooms in short order,
including changing sheets on many beds (for example, over 35 per
day). Moreover, the lifts per room are many, as in a typical
process, housekeeping employees repeatedly lift the bed mattress to
tuck the sheets between the mattress and box spring, three sides
for each bed, each working day. With little time to spare,
housekeeping employees want to perform such lifts, in addition to
other duties, quickly and efficiently.
[0002] Example solutions that have been proposed to address this
lifting problem essentially include use of rigid implements or
machinery to gain a mechanical advantage in making the lift.
However, each conventional solution has attendant limitations and
shortcomings.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] In summary, one aspect includes a method for separating a
mattress from an underlying bedding component, comprising:
actuating a fluid pump to inflate a bladder with fluid; the bladder
being disposed between the mattress and the underlying bedding
component such that on inflation with the fluid, the bladder
separates the mattress and the underlying bedding component.
[0004] Another aspect includes a system for separating a mattress
from an underlying bedding component, comprising: at least one
bedding component; and one or more inflatable bladder components
attached to the at least one bedding component; the one or more
inflatable bladder components being disposed at a position such
that, responsive to inflation of the one or more inflatable bladder
components with a fluid, the one or more bladder components extend
beyond a periphery of the at least one bedding component to provide
separation between the at least one bedding component and another,
separate bedding component.
[0005] The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain
simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail;
consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting.
[0006] For a better understanding of the embodiments, together with
other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is
made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention will be pointed
out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1(A-B) illustrates side views of an example bed lift
system.
[0008] FIG. 2(A-C) illustrates exploded side views of example bed
lift systems.
[0009] FIG. 3(A-D) illustrates top plan views of example inflatable
bladders.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an example method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] It will be readily understood that the components of the
embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures
herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations in addition to the described example embodiments.
Thus, the following more detailed description of the example
embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to
limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely
representative of example embodiments.
[0012] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" (or the like) means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus,
appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an
embodiment" or the like in various places throughout this
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment.
[0013] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific
details are provided to give a thorough understanding of claimed
embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,
however, that the various described embodiments can be practiced
without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods,
components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well-known
structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in
detail. The following description is intended only by way of
example, and simply illustrates certain example embodiments.
[0014] Conventional devices, such as rigid lifting devices for
lifting a mattress and thus separating it from an underlying
bedding component, such as a box spring, have significant
drawbacks. Such devices require manual manipulation by the user
and/or a complex array of parts. Thus, conventional approaches do
not significantly reduce the manual involvement of the user in
making the lift. Accordingly, the lifting remains problematic, as
best appreciated by considering certain situations such as in a
hotel or resort where repeated lifts of even reduced magnitude
still contribute significantly to housekeeping employee fatigue.
Moreover, complex mechanical contraptions heretofore proposed tend
to be overly expensive and complex, thus counseling against their
adoption.
[0015] An embodiment addresses these and other shortcomings of
conventional approaches by providing an inflatable component system
that simultaneously minimizes housekeeping employee manual
involvement to essentially nothing and reduces the additional
components necessary for completing the lifts. Thus, an embodiment
provides an efficient, cost effective mechanism for lifting bedding
components, such as causing separation between a mattress and box
spring in order to change sheets, or other activities that involve
accessing beneath the mattress.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1(A-B), side views of an example bed lift
system are illustrated. A first bedding component 101, such as a
mattress and a second bedding component 103, such as a box spring,
have disposed there-between a third component comprising an
inflatable bladder 102. The inflatable bladder 102 may be inflated
by provisioning a fluid (liquid or gas, for example air) thereto
via a fluid pump 104, as connected to inflatable bladder 102 via a
suitable line 106. The fluid pump 104 in turn may be actuated by a
remote mechanism, such as via operation of a remote control device
105.
[0017] In a non-inflated configuration, FIG. 1A, the inflatable
bladder 102 does not disrupt the first bedding component 101 or the
second bedding component 103. As such, the inflatable bladder 102
may be left in place in the non-inflated condition without
disturbing the normal bedding configuration. In one example, the
inflatable bladder 102 may reside 10 or 12 inches inside of the
perimeter of the bedding components (mattress/box spring). In an
inflated configuration, FIG. 1B, the inflatable bladder 102
inflates or fills with fluid, as for example provided via the fluid
pump 104. Responsive to inflation, the inflatable bladder 102
expands commensurate with the increased volume of fluid therein.
This expansion in turn provides a configuration in which the first
bedding component 101, such as a mattress, lifts or separates with
respect to the second bedding component 103, such as a box spring.
In such an inflated configuration, FIG. 1B, the underside of the
first bedding component 101, such as a mattress, is partially
exposed, allowing a housekeeping employee to readily change bedding
material, such as a fitted sheet (not shown) or when changing flat
(non-fitted) sheets.
[0018] The inflatable bladder component 102 may be formed of a
flexible/stretchable material such as rubber or other elastic or
synthetic type material such that, responsive to fluid provisioning
under pressure via fluid pump 104, the inflatable bladder 102
expands in a similar fashion to a balloon. Alternatively or
additionally, the inflatable bladder 102 may be less elastic or
non-elastic, as compared to a material such as rubber or other
comparable elastic or synthetic material. In such an embodiment,
the inflatable bladder 102 may achieve expansion or inflation via
filling without stretching to an appreciable degree, as for example
in the fashion that a fire hose lies flat until filled with
pressurized water, and changes shape or inflates under
pressure.
[0019] The inflatable bladder component 202 may be integrated into
the first bedding component 201, such as integrated into a mattress
on one or both sides, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The inflatable
bladder component 202 may additionally or alternatively be
integrated into the second bedding component 203, such as
integrated into a box spring on a side that interfaces with a
mattress, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Alternatively or additionally
the inflatable bladder component 202 may be provided as a separate,
stand alone component that is placed in between the first bedding
component 201 and the second bedding component 203, as illustrated
in FIG. 2C.
[0020] The inflatable bladder component 202 may be integrated into
one or more of the bedding components 201, 203 in a variety of
ways. During manufacture, the inflatable bladder component 202 may
be adhered to one or both of the bedding components 201, 203. Such
integration may be provided for example via a permanent bonding
process using an adhesive, or permanent fastener, or via
provisioning of a reversible attachment means, for example snaps,
VELCRO portions (mating portions would thus be provided on each of
the inflatable bladder 202 and the first bedding component 201 or
the second bedding component 103, in a suitable combination),
staples (for example, in an internal or border portion or component
of the inflatable bladder 202 not to be filled with fluid), ties or
the like. Moreover, a hybrid embodiment that balances integration
with stand alone bladder capabilities may be provided, such as via
fashioning a holding sleeve or like pocket for inclusion of a
separate inflatable bladder portion 202 within one or both of the
first bedding component 201 and the second bedding component 103.
It is also contemplated that bladder portion 202 may be fitted
underneath a fabric covering of bedding component 101 or 103 so
long as the fabric covering has sufficient ability to be distorted
from flat so that it allows the bladder portion to be inflated
sufficiently for a particular application. Likewise fluid pump 104
could be positioned within a hollow portion of a bedding component
103 (e.g., in a hollow box spring). In this manner a box spring or
mattress would appear to be conventional upon visual inspection as
the devices implementing the present invention would be hidden from
view. Alternatively, a stand alone inflatable bladder 202 may be
provided and simply fitted between bedding components 201, 203, as
illustrated in FIG. 2C.
[0021] The fluid pump 104 may take a variety of configurations. A
fluid pump 104 as described herein takes the meaning of a device
that provides pressurized fluid (liquid or gas) to the inflatable
bladder in response to actuation. An example fluid pump 104 is an
electric motor powered air pump. Another example of a fluid pump is
a reservoir of compressed air. Fluid pump 104 may be provided or
integrated with either bedding component 103/104, or provided as a
separate unit, or integrated with a separate device such as a
hospitality cart, vacuum cleaner, fan, or other available source
that can be adapted to provide a flow of pressurized fluid. It is
further contemplated that fluid pump 104 may be provided remotely
and centralized to support multiple bladders 102 in different rooms
with pressurized fluid being ported into individual rooms from the
centralized source. This might be practical, for example, in a
hospital or similar facility where pressurized gasses are already
ported to individual rooms and beds.
[0022] Suitable means for actuating the fluid pump 104 include but
are not limited to the following. A fluid pump 104 may be actuated
via a manual switch or a control valve. A fluid pump 104 may be
actuated via a remote control device 105. In the case of a remote
control device, a fluid pump 104 may be actuated by a hand held
remote control device 105 that can actively or passively provide
information to the fluid pump 104 for actuation.
[0023] Examples of actively providing information to the fluid pump
104 for actuation include but are not limited to transmitting
infrared or short-range wireless communication signal(s) to an
actuation component of the fluid pump 104. Alternatively,
information for actuating the fluid pump 104 may be provided
actively through another type of network connection, such as via a
wired or wireless network connection to an actuation component of
the fluid component. Embodiments may provide centralized control of
the system or components thereof via such networked connections.
For example a remote signal may be communicated via a network
connection to the fluid pump 104, via an actuation component
including a processor and memory storing program instructions for
pump actuation, which on receipt, causes the fluid pump to actuate
or cease operation.
[0024] Examples of passively providing actuation information to a
fluid pump 104 include but are not limited to providing
information, such as a bar code, that can be read by a scanning
component in communication with a fluid pump 104. Alternatively, an
RFID reader may be provided that is in communication with the fluid
pump 104, where an RFID device presented to the RFID reader causes
actuation of a fluid pump 104.
[0025] For its part, the inflatable bladder may take on a variety
of configurations, non-limiting (top plan view) examples of which
are illustrated in FIG. 3(A-D). In one example embodiment,
illustrated in FIG. 3A, an inflatable bladder 302A may be formed of
a unitary body with inflatable portion(s) or sub-component(s). The
example illustrated in FIG. 3A shows a unitary body 302A in which a
generally "U" shaped inflatable sub-component is provided. The "U"
shaped inflatable sub-component may take a variety of shapes,
including an "O", an "X" or other shapes that require less volume
to lift the mattress than a continuous bladder. The inflatable
sub-component may be fashioned from the same or different material
as that used for the non-inflatable portion, that is, the portion
in the middle region of the unitary body 302A.
[0026] The inflatable portion may be formed via pressing or bonding
the unitary body 302A such that fluid (gas or liquid) may only
enter the inflatable portion of the unitary body 302A (via an
appropriate valve or fitting) and be prevented from entering the
non-inflatable portion, such that the inflatable portion is
cordoned off from and not in fluid communication with the
non-inflatable portion. This arrangement has the advantage of
requiring less fluid volume (less than a bladder that does not
include non-inflatable portion(s)) to achieve appreciable inflation
of the inflatable bladder 302A.
[0027] In an alternative embodiment, the inflatable bladder
(302B-302D) may take the form of a unitary body without
sub-components or portions that are non-inflatable, as illustrated
in FIG. 3B-D. In FIG. 3B, an example inflatable bladder 302B is
formed of a single component that is inflatable and has a generally
"U" shaped configuration. The example inflatable bladder 302D
illustrated in FIG. 3D likewise takes the form of a unitary
inflatable body that has a generally "X" shaped configuration.
Alternatively, the inflatable bladder 302C may be formed from a
plurality of separate components, as illustrated in FIG. 3C. Thus,
the inflatable bladder 302C can be formed from two or more separate
components, if desired. Furthermore, the separate components may be
connected to one another, either with or without a means of fluid
communication there-between.
[0028] In an example method, illustrated in FIG. 4, a suitable
fluid pump is connected to an inflatable bladder 410. The
connection can be made ahead of time, such as for example via
integration of the fluid pump with one or more other system
components, such as via inclusion of an integrated fluid pump in a
box spring with an inflatable bladder at the time of manufacture.
Alternatively, a separate fluid pump, such as carried on a
housekeeping cart or provided via a vacuum cleaner attachment, may
be attached to a fitting of an inflatable bladder just prior to
each use. In any event, a connection is made between a suitable
fluid pump and an inflatable bladder.
[0029] Next, a user will actuate the fluid pump such that the fluid
pump may provide fluid to inflate the bladder 420. As described
herein, the fluid pump may be actuated in a variety of ways. For
example, if a compressed air cartridge is used, a simple release of
a valve or connection of a compressed air cartridge may actuate the
fluid pump. Likewise, a manual switch may be provided on the fluid
pump, such as a switch to actuate an electric motor that pumps
fluid into the inflatable bladder. Furthermore, other actuation
means may be employed, such as for example use of a remote control,
use of a bar code and bar code reader, an RFID arrangement, a
centralized actuation over a network connection, or the like. In
any event, a fluid pump is actuated to provide fluid to the
inflatable bladder for inflation.
[0030] Once the inflatable bladder is filled to an acceptable
amount, 430, the fluid pump may be stopped 440. By this it is meant
only that additional fluid is no longer required, although the
fluid pump may continue to be on or operable, for example operating
to maintain an acceptable pressure. Alternatively, if a one way or
reversible fitting/valve is employed, the fluid pump may be
literally stopped and shut off, as the fluid will be prevented from
reversing its course (that is, the fluid will not be able to escape
from the inflatable bladder without further action). The fluid flow
into the bladder component or components also may be stopped
automatically, for example via use of a pressure sensitive or
timing device.
[0031] With adequate separation of bedding components, such as
between a mattress and underlying box spring, a housekeeping
employee is better able to change the bedding 450. Once this task
has been accomplished, the inflatable bladder may be deflated 460.
The deflation of the inflatable bladder may be accomplished in a
variety of ways, such as via releasing a valve or fitting and
allowing the elasticity of the bladder to act to expel the fluid,
releasing a valve or fitting and allowing the weight of the bedding
component (mattress) to expel the fluid, or even actuation of a
fluid pump (or a separate fluid pump) to actively expel the fluid.
The release of the fluid may be actuated through a suitable control
arrangement, for example a remote control, a bar code reader, an
RFID arrangement, et cetera, and may even be a timed release (for
example, automatically deflating after 5-10 minutes).
[0032] From the foregoing it should be understood that embodiments
provide a convenient and cost effective way of separating or
lifting bedding components such that bedding materials may be
quickly and easily changed. The embodiments may be employed to
great advantage at least in settings where repetitive lifting of
bedding components is necessary and problematic.
[0033] This disclosure has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive
or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments were chosen and
described in order to explain principles and practical application,
and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as
are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0034] Although illustrative embodiments have been described
herein, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited
to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and
modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art
without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.
* * * * *