Ventilating Cover Or Mat

Abstract

A ventilating cover composed of a great number of adjacent uniform polygonal elements, each element comprising at least one internal channel extending between two opposite end faces and having at least one hole in its top surface connecting the upper surface of the element with the internal channel, connecting means being provided in two perpendicular directions such that the internal channels of adjacent elements communicate with each other.

Description

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

My invention relates to a ventilating cover or mat for e.g., mattresses, to support the human body, the mat being constructed from uniform polygonal elements. Such a mat provides generally an adequate support for the body but has, however, the drawback that transpiration and moist secretion of the human body are not sufficiently drained away.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of my invention to provide a mat which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks. To this end, each of the elements of the mat has a substantially flat upper surface, while parallel to the upper surface in each of the elements at least one channel extending between two end faces, is provided at least one connecting hole is made between the upper surface and the channel and finally a flexible connecting member is applied between at least two adjacent elements which are always situated in such a way with respect to each other that the channels communicate with one another.

It is a further object of my invention that no condensation of moist air will occur in the vicinity of the human body. Another object consists in that air can flow through the continuous channels whereby the body is cooled and also sufficiently aired. As a consequence the skin will nowhere be isolated from the atmosphere and infections will not so easily set in. The upper face of the cover composed of a multitude of flat elements provides plenty of points of contact with the body so that nowhere locations of increased pressure will arise.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a part of the cover according to the invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 shows two embodiments of an element; and

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the cover.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 a part of a cover 1 is represented. This cover is constructed from elements 2. Each element 2 (FIG. 2) has a flat upper surface 3 and a channel 4 extending parallel to this surface between two opposite end faces. A connecting hole 5 is made in the upper face whereby the upper surface 3 is connected with the channel 4. The elements 2 are positioned such that the channels 4 of the various elements communicate with each other. Apertures 7 are bored in the upright side faces 6 so that a wire or string 8 (FIG. 1) can be passed therethrough.

Two wires 8 extend through each element 2 and keep the various elements against each other in such a manner that transverse to the direction of the wire rows of elements are formed, while adjacent rows are staggered with respect to each other. In order to increase the rigidity of the cover or mat, wires may also be applied in the longitudinal direction of the channels 4.

Another embodiment is represented in FIG. 3. In this case the element is box-shaped, with the same dimensions from the element as represented in FIG. 2. However, this embodiment is also closed on the underside which enhances the rigidity. The internal channel now consists of a cavity 9.

FIG. 4 represents how a cover or mat can be constructed from hexagonal elements. The connecting wires extend through the elements at angles of 120.degree. with respect to each other.

The upright side faces 6 are perpendicular to the upper surface 3. A cross section through the element represented in FIG. 2 shows a U-profile. It is advisable to manufacture the elements from a non-elastical insulating material which is preferably both tough and hard.

Preferably elements with dimensions to the size of 1 or 2 cm (3/8 to 1.0 inch) are used so that an adaption of the cover to any curved surface is possible.

One of the advantages of this cover consists consequently in its flexible adaptation. This is possible on account of the great quantity of small elements or blocks which are loosely connected in juxtaposition by a nylon wire which does not cause any friction and allows sufficient tension. It is also conceivable to keep the elements together by causing them to adhere to a sheet of fabric or plastic material whether provided with holes or not. Under these circumstances the nylon wire 8 can be omitted.

With a patient lying in bed there is always the problem of airing or ventilating. This is very important and in the cover according to my invention airing is possible due to the interconnected air channels 4 to 9 which ensure that no condensation occurs on the surface of the human body; the night wear of the patient does not stick to the body and irritation or red spots on the skin do not set in.

A patient can also be much simpler nursed. In use of the cover the operation of turning a patient on his side can be easily performed by one person this is so because a bed sheet can so easily glide on the cover.

The cover can moreover be cleaned simply which is of importance when it is used in hospitals. The cover is preferably made of a synthetic material which is more or less tough and hard.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A mat for a mattress, the mat being intended to support a human body above the mattress so as to allow ventilation between the body and mattress, the mat comprising:

a. a plurality of polyhedral elements, each element having:

I. a substantially flat, polygonal upper surface,

Ii. a channel beneath said upper surface and extending between two side faces of said element, and

Iii. a connecting hole between said upper surface and said channel, and

b. a flexible connecting member for binding said elements together into a unitary assembly, said channel in each element communicating with channels in adjacent elements, and said upper surfaces of said elements being contigious to form a substantially continuous mat surface.

2. A mat according to claim 1, characterised in that the flexible connecting member consists of a wire and each element has at least one bore, which is parallel to the upper face of the element, through which the wire extends.

3. A mat according to claim 2, characterised in that each element has at least two bores, the corresponding number of connecting wires of each element cooperating with bores of double the number of adjacent elements.

4. A mat according to claim 2, characterised in that each of the elements is shaped as a rectangular box and is provided with two parallel bores perpendicular to the direction of the channel, each connecting wire fitting with some play into the bore, and the cover being composed of rows of elements which are situated transverse to the direction of the wire, adjacent rows of elements being staggered with respect to each other.

5. A mat according to claim 2, characterised in that each of the elements is hexagonal and is provided with bores which are staggered by 120.degree..

6. A mat according to claim 1, characterised in that the channel in each of the elements has a U-profile with two upright sides which stand perpendicular to the upper face of the element.

7. A mat according to claim 1, characterised in that the elements are manufactured from a non-elastic insulating material.

8. A mat according to claim 1, characterised in that the flexible connecting member consists of a flexible sheet glued to the elements.