U.S. patent number 3,846,857 [Application Number 05/345,605] was granted by the patent office on 1974-11-12 for multi-section variable density mattress.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Neurological Research and Development Group Incorporated. Invention is credited to Clifford Weinstock.
United States Patent |
3,846,857 |
Weinstock |
November 12, 1974 |
MULTI-SECTION VARIABLE DENSITY MATTRESS
Abstract
A mattress possessing particular utility in hospitals and
nursing homes reduces the incidence and severity of bed sores,
improves muscle tone and reduces back ache. The mattress features
plural sections of foam whose densities and degrees of
compressibility vary, so that regulated pressures will be applied
to different sections of the body for maximum comfort. The mattress
may be turned to change the pressure points on the body
periodically as the need arises. The mattress is employed in
conjunction with a foam padded base or underlay having a relatively
rigid component.
Inventors: |
Weinstock; Clifford (Pompano
Beach, FL) |
Assignee: |
Neurological Research and
Development Group Incorporated (Scranton, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
26927153 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/345,605 |
Filed: |
March 28, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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233687 |
Mar 10, 1972 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/727; 5/722;
5/740 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
27/15 (20130101); A47C 27/148 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
27/14 (20060101); A47C 27/15 (20060101); A47c
027/08 (); A47c 027/22 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/91,345,355,DIG.2
;297/457,DIG.1,DIG.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nunberg; Casmir A.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.
233,687 filed on the 10th day of March, 1972, now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A mattress made of foam having three distinct sections, said
distinct sections being integral and coextensive with each other,
said foam material of the first zone having a first density and
compressibility factor at 4 inches in the order of 22 to 30 lbs.
per cubic foot, said second zone being adjacent to said first zone
and having a second density and second compressibility factor, said
second zone having a first and second portion, said first portion
having a compressibility factor at 4 inches in the order of 37 to
60 lbs. per cubic foot, and said third zone adjacent to said second
zone and having a third density and compressibility factor at 4
inches in the order of 22 to 30 lbs. per cubic foot, and said
second portion of said second zone having a compressibility factor
at 4 inches in the order of 22 to 30 lbs. per cubic foot.
2. The mattress of claim 1, in which the material of first zone and
third zone have identical density and compressibility factors
different from that of the second zone in the order of 1.4-2.2 lbs.
per cubic foot said density of said first portion of said second
zone being in the order of 1.85-2.9 lbs. per cubic foot, whereby
the various densities and compressibility factors of said foam
cooperate to form a mattress having therapeutic support qualities
to the users thereof.
3. A mattress made of foam having three distinct sections, said
distinct sections being integral and coextensive with each other,
said foam material of the first zone having a first density and
compressibility factor at 4 inches in the order of 23 to 30 lbs.
per cubic foot, said second zone being adjacent to said first zone
and having a second density and second compressibility factor, said
second zone having a first and second portion, said first portion
having a compressibility factor at 4 inches in the order of 38 to
55 lbs. per cubic foot, and said third zone adjacent to said second
zone and having a third density and compressibility factor at 4
inches in the order of 24 to 30 lbs. per cubic foot, and said
second portion of said second zone having a compressibility factor
at 4 inches in the order of 23 to 30 lbs. per cubic foot.
4. The mattress of claim 3, in which the material of first zone and
third zone have identical density and compressibility factors
different from that of the second zone in the order of 1.6-1.85
lbs. per cubic foot said density of said first portion of said
second zone being in the order of 2.2-2.75 lbs. per cubic foot,
whereby the various densities and compressibility factors of said
foam cooperate to form a mattress having therapeutic support
qualities to the users thereof.
5. A mattress made of foam having three distinct sections, said
distinct sections being integral and coextensive with each other,
said foam material of the first zone having a first density and
compressibility factor at 4 inches in the order of 23 to 29 lbs.
per cubic foot, said second zone being adjacent to said first zone
and having a second density and second compressibility factor, said
second zone having a first and second portion said first portion
having a compressibility factor at 4 inches in the order of 45 to
55 lbs. per cubic foot, and said third zone adjacent to said second
zone and having a third density and compressibility factor at 4
inches in the order of 23 to 29 lbs. per cubic foot, said second
portion of said second zone having a compressibility factor at 4 in
the order of 23 to 29 lbs. per cubic foot, and said material of
first zone and third zone having identical density and
compressibility factors different from that of the second zone in
the order of 1.6 to 1.75 lbs. per cubic foot, said density of said
first portion of said second zone being in the order of 2.6 to 2.75
lbs. per cubic foot, whereby the various densities and
compressibility factors of said foam cooperate to form a mattress
having thereapeutic support qualities to the users thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A definite need exists for an improved bed mattress particularly in
hospitals and nursing homes where some patients are confined to the
bed for long periods of time. Also in the home, certain individuals
with chronic back complaints experience the need for a mattress
which would tend to ease such complaints.
The prior art contains quite a number of teachings pertaining to
sectional mattresses and mattresses having variable density
compoents but none of these prior art structures has proven to be
completely satisfactory in terms of satisfying the above needs of
bedridden hospital and nursing home patients, in particular.
Accordingly, the main objective of the invention is to provide a
mattress which is constructed to meet the needs of the art more
completely than any known prior art proposal. In accordance with
the invention, a multi-section mattress includes variable density
components to support the head, shoulders, back, hips and heels
with varying degrees of pressure on these parts of the body to
promote maximum comfort and to minimize the occurrence and severity
of decubitus ulcers or bed sores. In furtherance of this objective,
the mattress is employed in conjunction with and above a base which
is additionally padded with foam and the base is constructed in
sections so as to be compatible with standard articulated hospital
type beds. The base may be one piece or continuous for use upon a
conventional home bed.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent
during the course of the following detailed description, and among
these features are the economy of construction of the mattress and
base, comparable to the cost of a good-quality hospital mattress
and the durability of the composite mattress and foundation which
will last many years beyond the life of a conventional high quality
hospital mattress.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mattress and foundation
therefor embodying the invention shown in association with a
conventional hospital bed.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section through the
mattress and foundation taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical section through
the mattress and foundation taken on the plane of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic perspective views showing a
comparison of the invention and the prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals designate
like parts, the numeral 10 designates a sectional variable density
mattress in its entirety having a suitable fabric envelope or cover
11. This mattress embodies a head support block or slab 12 of an
open cell compressible foam plastic, such as foam polyurethane. In
a typical embodiment, the head slab 12 is 36 inches wide by 12
inches long and 6 inches thick. While these dimensions are not
extremely critical, they are the most desirable dimensions.
However, they may be varied in some cases. The preferred density of
the foam employed in the head slab 12 is approximately 1.75-1.85
lbs. per cubic foot. The compressibility of the slab 12 to a
thickness of about 4 inches from the relaxed thickness of 6 inches
can be expressed in terms of 24-30 lbs. loading on the entire upper
surface of the slab.
The midsection of the mattress 10 which supports the shoulders and
back of the user is composed of two superposed slabs 13 and 14,
each of which measures 36 inches wide by 44 inches long in the
embodiment shown and each of which is formed of open cell foam
polyurethane or equivalent material. The upper slab 13 is
preferably 4 inches thick and the lower slab is 2 inches thick. The
density of the upper slab is from 2.2-2.4 lbs. per cubic foot, and
the density of the lower slab 14 is from 1.75-1.85 lbs. per cubic
foot. The compressibility of the upper slab 13 in the same terms
specified for the slab 13 is approximately 38-50 lbs. and for the
lower slab 14 is approximately 24-30 lbs.
The mattress 10 further embodies a foot section or slab 15 of the
same foam plastic material measuring 36 inches wide by 24 inches
long by 6 inches thick. The particular foam used for the foot slab
15 preferably has a density of from 1.75-1.85 lbs. per cubic foot
and a compressibility of 24-30 lbs. in the same terms expressed
above for the other sections, namely the load necessary on the
entire area of the slab to compress a 6 inch slab approximately 2
inches.
It may be seen that the composit mattress 10 contains regions or
zones which differ in density and compressibility and each zone is
therefore capable of exerting a specifically different pressure or
resistance on a particular part of the anatomy of the user. With
the mattress positioned as in FIG. 2 and the head of the user
adjacent to the slab 12, the mattress will possess a first
supporting capability. It may be seen that if the mattress is
reversed head-to-foot, or if it is inverted, a second or new set of
resistance values will be provided and this is sometimes beneficial
in relieving the monotony to the patient and in changing the
degrees of pressure on different parts of the body, which in turn
can help relieve bed sores, fatigue and back ache. The mattress as
constructed, therefore, is very versatile.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a mattress was
constructed in which the density of the foam employed in the head
slab 12 is approximately 1.6-1.75 lbs. per cubic foot. The
compressibility of the slab 12 to a thickness of about 4 inches
from the relaxed thickness of 6 inches can be expressed in terms of
a 23-29 lb. loading on the entire upper surface of the slab. The
slab 12 is 36 inches wide and 18 inches long.
The midsection of the mattress 10 which supports the shoulders and
back of the user is composed of two superposed slabs 13 and 14,
each of which measures 36 inches wide by 33 inches long in the
embodiment shown and each of which is formed of open cell foam
polyurethane or equivalent material. The upper slab 13 is
preferably 4 inches thick and the lower slab is 2 inches thick. The
density of the upper slab is from 2.6-2.75 lbs. per cubic foot, and
the density of the lower slab 14 is from 1.6-1.75 lbs. per cubic
foot. The compressibility of the upper slab 13 in the same terms
specified for the slab 13 is approximately 45-55 lbs. and for the
lower slab 14 is approximately 23-29 lbs.
The mattress 10 further embodies a foot section or slab 15 of the
same foam plastic material measuring 36 inches wide by 30 inches
long by 6 inches thick. The particular foam used for the foot slab
15 preferably has a desnity of from 1.6-1.75 lbs. per cubic foot
and a compressibility of 23-29 lbs. in the same terms expressed
above for the other sections, namely the load necessary on the
entire area of the slab to compress a 6 inch slab approximately 2
inches.
It had been further determined that the head slab 12 may have a
range of densities of from 1.4-1.55 to 2-2.2 lbs. per cubic foot.
The slab 12 may have a range of compressibility in the same terms
as expressed above of from 22-38 lbs. per cubic foot. The range of
the density of the upper slab 13 if from 2.2-2.4 to 2.8-2.9 lbs.
per cubic foot. The range of compressibility for slab 13 is from
30-60 lbs.
The range of density and compressibility of slabs 14 and 15 is the
same as the figure given for slab 12 above.
An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a
foundation or base 16 to be used in conjunction with the mattress
10. This base 16, when used in conjunction with a hospital bed 17
such as the well-known Joerns hospital bed, is formed in sections
which correspond in length to the articulated sections 18, 19 and
20 of the bed 17 and to the intermediate fixed section 21.
Correspondingly, the foundation 16 has sections 22, 23, 24 and 25,
as shown. These sections have the same width as the mattress 10 and
the same overall length, the individual foundation sections being
formed lengthwise to fit the several sections of the hospital
bed.
Each foundation section 22 through 25 includes a preferably 1/2
inch thick plywood underlay 26, 27, 28 and 29 immediately above
which is a preferably 2 inch thick slab 30, 31, 32 and 33 of foam
polyurethane or the like having a density of about 2.5 lbs. per
cubic foot and a compressibility of 20-30 lbs. on the basis
described for the mattress components. Thus, it may be seen that
the foundation padding is somewhat softer and more readily
compressible than the softest sections of the mattress proper.
However, when the mattress is placed upon the foundation 16 for
use, the composite assembly which represents the total invention
gives a different effect than would be achieved if the mattress
alone were used without the foundation, or if it were used with a
different type of foundation, such as a felt pad or some sort of
box spring. In the total assembly, the foundation foam slabs or
pads supplement and add to the net supportive effect of the
mattress in such a way as to produce the greatest comfort and
beneficial effect for the user or patient. The several sections of
the foundation 16 are preferably enclosed in individual covers or
envelopes 34, 35, 36 and 37, as shown.
To further emphasize the mertis of the invention in comparison to
conventional extra firm solid mattresses, medium firm and regular
hospital mattresses, a comparison chart is shown below. In this
chart, the pressures exerted on different parts of the body are
indicated in millimeters of mercury.
__________________________________________________________________________
Invention MattressAll Units on Invention Foundation: Head Shoulders
hl,25 Lumbar Hips Heel
__________________________________________________________________________
Extra Firm S-ide 37 44 50 58 32 Medium Firm S-ide 31 36 42 51 26
Extra Firm Side 34 39 54 56 34 Reversed Head to Foot Medium Firm
Side 34 37 40 54 24 Reversed Head to Foot All units tested withut
foundation increased pressures by approximately 3 to 5 mm. of Hg.
Extra Firm Solid Mattress One Side 31 46 56 65 30 Repositioning and
turning mattress--reading remains the same. Medium Firm Solid
Mattress tc,19 One Side 35 47 48 53 35 Repositioning and turning
mattress--read-ing remains the same. Regular Hospital Mattress One
Side 43 52 58 68 35 Repositioning and turning mattress--reading
remains the same.
__________________________________________________________________________
The figures in the above chart are the results of a test using as a
subject a 6 foot tall, 185 pound person. Quite naturally, the test
results will differ for each person and in this respect it is to be
understood that the invention is capable of automatically
compensating to produce the most advantageous supportive pressure
on any person or body of sufficient adult size to span the
mattress. The figures in the comparison chart demonstrate that the
mattress, when utilized properly with the foundation 16, exerts the
minimum unit pressures on the various parts of the anatomy and
these pressures are significantly lower than the corresponding
pressures exerted by the conventional and hospital mattresses. The
test results also show that the parts of the anatomy requiring the
greatest degree of support, namely the back and hips, receive this
support with the invention and the parts requiring lesser
supporting pressure, namely the head and heels, are properly
accommodated.
With reference to FIG. 4, a prior art solid mattress such as a
regular hospital mattress is illustrated and it will be observed
how the body of the user depresses the prior art mattress unevenly
due to the fact that the mattress is unable to compensate for the
different weight regions of the body. FIG. 5, on the other hand,
shows the invention with its different density and compressibility
zones enabling the mattress and foundation assembly to support the
body without extreme deformation, the assembly automatically
exerting the necessary unit pressures on the different regions of
the body with the necessary differential to allow even support
along the full length of the body and minimum mattress compression
or deformation.
It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith
shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the
same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement
of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of
the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.
* * * * *