Patent Application
20210307520
The present invention relates to an apparatus for lying or sleeping in the side position and/or face down otherwise known as the prone position.
Everyone has to sleep. Sleep is vitally important to achieving optimal health. The body regenerates itself during sleep. A healthy spine is also crucial to optimal health. Achieving proper spinal alignment is crucial to a healthy spine. On an ordinary flat, horizontally positioned mattress, it can be difficult to get the spine in proper alignment in the side and prone sleeping positions. Side sleeping can cause back and shoulder pain. Sleeping and lying face down or prone can put extra strain on the neck and back.
Nearly every day a new study or news piece talks about how important sleep is for human health. Many factors effect one's sleep and the quality and length of that sleep. There are several positions in which one can sleep. Sleeping on one's back and side are typically the most comfortable and most mattresses and sleep accessories are designed for people that sleep in these positions. Prone sleepers, people that sleep on their stomach, have little or no options when it comes to mattresses and products that would enable them to comfortably lie or sleep in such a position for a long period of time.
When people sleep on their stomach with their head in an awkward and unhealthy positioning, it can cause stress to their spine and nervous system. A great majority of our healing and recovery happens when we sleep. The goal is to have your spine in a neutral position, unstressed due to these factors.
The issues with lying on your side to sleep are the same as with stomach sleeping, plus some additional stressors to the shoulder. People tend to toss and turn all night due to pain and pressure from their mattress and positioning.
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There are currently no mattresses, massage tables or sleeping surfaces available that can be adapted for normal, prone, and side resting positions. The present invention is meant for sleeping, resting, massage, and in some embodiments can also accommodate multiple people on one mattress with each individual being able to rest in their own desired position.
The present invention is an apparatus designed for lying and sleeping comfortably in any position but specifically can be adapted for side and/or prone positions. The apparatus includes a specially designed mattress, made of a cushioned material, mattress frame and headboard for accommodating multiple positions.
The present invention presents with a mattress as one main body with additional specially designed pillows and accessories for support. Sections at the top of the mattress can be removed and interchanged with other accessory pieces for comfort in the side or prone positions. The superior or head portion of the mattress can also be raised or lowered. Optionally, the headboard portion moves to provide additional airflow while resting.
A standard mattress is a rectangular surface for supporting the resting body. When you think of this bed, think of a puzzle, with every piece adapting to your sleeping quality and health. This rectangular piece has removable portions in the two corners at the head portion of the bed as well as a cushion that is removable from the head portion. While sleeping supine, all the pieces are intact like a regular mattress. Then switching to a side sleeping position, you would take out one of the side pieces and add either the side sleeper or the cuddler, a piece shaped to allow for comfortable contact with a sleeping partner while resting in the side position. As a prone bed, all the removable pieces would be out to accommodate that position; it would also include an air purifier under the bed to create fresh air to breathe while you sleep.
It is the object of the present invention for a person to position themselves comfortably while lying down or sleeping.
It is the object of the present invention for a person to lie or sleep in the supine position comfortably and/or for optimal spinal position and health. This can be achieved by leaving the entire main body of the mattress intact with the main accessory pieces.
It is the object of the present invention for a person to lie or sleep on either side of the body comfortably and/or for optimal spinal position and health. It is also the object of the present invention for a person to lie of sleep on their side with optimal shoulder comfort. This positioning can be achieved by taking the facial cushion of the mattress with the option of placing the cushion between the legs for optimal spinal alignment. The two pieces next to the head portion of the main body can also be removed completely or interchanged with optional accessory pieces to allow for the desired shoulder and hand comfort.
It is the object of the present invention for a person to lie or sleep on their stomach, also referred to as the prone position, comfortably and/or for optimal spinal position and health. This positioning is achieved by removing the facial insert to the head portion of the main body of the mattress and having the option to remove the two pieces directly next to the head portion for the hands and arms to rest in a lower position.
In its most complete form the device comprises: 1) a main body portion; 2) and interchangeable and adaptable cushions.
An additional option for the device is an adjustable head board and mattress frame to achieve the desired level of airflow while sleeping or positioning in the prone position.
The term mattress as used herein is meant to mean: a rectangular shaped padded or cushioned surface for supporting the reclining body.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments additional variations and modifications exist within the scope of the spirit of the invention as described.
Although the disclosed invention has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principals and application of the present invention. Those having skill in the art would recognize that various modifications to the exemplary embodiments may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention.
Moreover, it should be understood that various features and/or characteristics of differing embodiments herein may be combined with one another. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the scope of the invention.
Furthermore, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from considerations of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a scope and spirit being indicated by the claims.
Finally, it is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the,” include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent, and vice versa. As used herein, the term “include” or “comprising” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of an item or items is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the recited item(s).
One example of the device in its simplest form is a mattress, for a single occupant, similar to the twin size bed, with the main body portion with the head and foot end, removable face cushion that can be converted into a cushion placed between the legs. The interchangeable cushions alongside the face portion can be removed to accommodate a prone position. Cushions specifically designed for side sleeping and shoulder pressure relief can also be placed alongside the head section of the main body portion. The device can be made from any type of material used for mattresses, including but not limited to types of foam, latex, cotton or air inflatable material.
Other examples of the device are a larger bed, designed to accommodate more than one occupant and the modifications to the upper or head portion can vary several ways. This bed has a main body portion which includes one or more head portions positioned toward the side of the bed and also can have an open space toward the midline next to the head portion to be adapted for side sleeping using a pillow-like piece that is concave in shape along the bottom side to allow for cushion for the head but also keep a space underneath for the arm and shoulder to rest without uncomfortable pressure to the shoulder. On the opposite side of this open space can be either another head portion for a prone sleeper or a softer cushion with the lower portion having a beanbag type material to accommodate a side sleeper where the loose beanbag type material can reduce the shoulder pressure.
The concave shaped pillow used for head support and relief of shoulder pressure can also be adapted for a reclined position for reading or watching television.
Another example of the present invention is where the entire mattress and adaptable pieces are made of a material that can be inflated and deflated. This would be for use in a camping setting or even as a guest mattress in the home.
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/828,323 titled Convertible Mattress for Prone and Side Position filed on Apr. 2, 2019.
