This invention is directed to air support sleep systems, and particularly to a multi-compartment high-profile mattress having a base support module and an upper air posturizing module wherein a pair of individually elevatable air posturizing module sections provide posturizing support in a variety of sleeping and inclined positions.
In the past, air sleep systems have been provided in which one or more air chambers is enclosed in a single module with foam blocks constituting the sidewalls of the unit to prevent sagging such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,546. A thin foam overlay is usually placed over the air chambers. While providing a good sleep surface, complete edge-to-edge adjustability using air is not provided because the foam block sidewalls usually occupy about a six inch space on the sides, or about 12″ at overall width. The construction normally results in a mattress about 6″ to 8″ high when the foam overlay is placed over the air chambers. In an attempt to meet the increasing popularity of thicker, high-profile mattresses, additional layers of foam have been stacked upon the air chambers within the mattress casing. However, this has resulted in what is known as “hammocking.” Hammocking occurs when the cushioning overly deflates or compresses so that the body assumes a hammock position which strains the lower back. Because the air chambers are now further below the foam layers, the posturizing affect of the adjustable air chambers is less, becoming negligible. In addition, the taller sides of the high-profile mattress casing results in the sides of the mattress sagging and bowing out. The foam and other mattress layers are no longer encased in position and become wobbly resulting in an overall unstable mattress support. The softer and more plush foam cushioning above the air chambers eventually loses its resilience and ability to properly support the person. Posturizing, which is the support of the back in its proper position, has not been reliably achieved in the prior air sleep systems, particularly the high-profile system. Basically, the idea of posturizing is to remove all gaps between the person's body and the sleeping surface without hammocking. Therefore, the need to provide a high-profile mattress, i.e., one that is about 15″ in height, using adjustable air chambers is a problem requiring much attention.
Examples of other prior air mattress structure include U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,152 B1 which shows a variable firmness mattress structure in a single module which includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending air bladders whose firmness may be selected individually. U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,209 B1 discloses an air mattress structure wherein an inflatable bladder is positioned upon a plurality of longitudinally spaced foam blocks which are independently moveable relative to one another. U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,718 B1 discloses an air mattress structure which includes a plurality of inflatable air bladders tethered together. U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,763 B2 discloses an air mattress having an approved side bolster system.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air support sleep system wherein proper sleep and other posture support is provided using a pair of individually movable posturizing module sections.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an air posturing module and base module which may be used with a power base to incline the modules to provide an air posturing support surface for sleeping as well as reading, watching television, and the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide an air support sleep system having an overall high-profile design wherein an upper, low-profile air posturizing module is supported on an integral, lower mattress base module.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an air support sleep system having a multi-compartment mattress case which includes an upper low-profile fabric encasement and a lower base support encasement wherein an air posturizing assembly is enclosed in the upper encasement and a base foundation assembly enclosed in the lower fabric encasement to provide a high-profile mattress design.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air support sleep system which may be set up and taken down for transportation and storage having an upper mattress air posturizing module enclosed in an upper fabric encasement with two individually moveable module sections, and a lower mattress base module enclosed in a lower fabric encasement having two individually moveable base module sections corresponding to and supporting said posturizing module sections.
The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing an air support sleep system having an air posturizing sleep surface to provide proper sleep posture comprising an upper mattress air posturizing module having an adjustable air posturizing sleep surface. The module includes an air posturizing assembly having a pair of inflatable air chamber providing the adjustable air posturizing sleep surface, and a first mattress case encasing the air posturizing assembly. An access opening in the first mattress case provides access to the interior of the mattress case for installation and removal of the air chamber and for servicing the air chamber. A first releasable closure for the access opening provides opening and closing of the access opening. A mattress base module supports the mattress air posturizing module and includes a resilient foam foundation assembly for providing mattress cushioning. A second mattress case encases the foam foundation assembly. The mattress air posturizing module and the mattress base module provide a high-profile mattress design with an upper adjustable air posturizing sleep surface.
The posturizing module includes an adjustable air posturizing sleep surface; and first and second individually adjustable air chambers arranged side-by-side. A first individually elevatable module section includes a length of the first air chamber; and a second individually elevatable module section includes a length of the second air chamber. A third non-elevatable module section includes a length of each of the first and second air chambers. An operator is provided for moving the first and second module sections individually to a desired elevated position whereby an air posturizing sleep surface is provided having first and second upper individually elevatable and air adjustable posturizing sections, and a non-elevatable, air adjustable lower posturizing surface.
In another aspect, a mattress base module may be provided for supporting the air posturizing module which includes a resilient foam foundation assembly for providing mattress cushioning. The module includes a medial split along a length thereof defining individually elevatable first and second base module sections supporting the first and second module sections of the posturizing module, respectively. The operation raises and lowers the first and second module sections of the posturizing module and the base module individually.
The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof.
The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail.
As can best be seen in
As can best be seen in
As can best be seen in
Referring now in more detail to upper mattress, low-profile air posturizing module B, it can be seen that the air posturizing assembly, designated generally as 52 is included in upper fabric encasement 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the air posturizing assembly includes a pair of air chambers 54 and 56 arranged side-by-side and resting on middle fabric cover layer 22 within encasement peripheral sidewall 28. The air chamber is 2″ to 3″ in height in order to prevent hammocking. The air chambers may be made from any suitable material such as a thermo plastic urethane. The air posturizing chambers combined with the comfort layer and lower foam supporting base provide an overall comfort and firm support surface. As can best be seen in
Thus, it can be seen that a highly advantageous construction can be had achieving the objectives of the invention by providing a high-profile air sleep system having a low-profile air module which provides an adjustable posturizing surface on top of a base support module comprised of foam. This minimizes hammocking. The base module can be provided in a desired height profile so that the overall height combination of the low-profile module and the base support module results in a high-profile mattress design in keeping with modern trends. A comfort layer is overlaid on the air chambers for additional comfort. The upper low-profile air module may also be provided with a quilted top for additional comfort. Originally it was thought one had to have firmness in the sleeping support surface, however, now one can actually have a plush sleeping surface and still have low back support. The combination of these two elements is achieved according to the invention, together with sleeping surface comfort and support.
Referring now to
An operator, generally designated as E, is provided for raising and lowering first and second posturizing sections 64a, 64b, and said first and second base sections 66a, 66b individually, to desired inclined positions, and may include conventional power base units 70 and 72. Typically, such units include an electric drive arrangement, as can best be seen in
Preferably, posturizing module B′ includes a split resilient overlay 60′ disposed on top of air chambers 54, 56 generally coextending with the air chambers, as can best be seen in
A releasable fastener 84 is provided for securing posturizing and base modules B′ and C′ together so that the modules provide an integral mattress design with an upper adjustable air posturizing sleep surface 10′. Each releasable fastener 84 includes a first fastener part 86 carried by posturizing module B′, and a second fastener part 88 carried by base module C′. Releasable fastener 84 is constructed and arranged such that posturizing and base modules may shift relative to one another while secured together during elevation to reduce bunching. For this purpose, first fastener part 86 may include an elongated band 86a having ends secured to base module C′ creating a loose loop 86b in between. Second fastener part 88 may include an elongated strap 88a which loops around band 84b and fastens on itself, such as by using Velcro loop and hook material at 88b. Preferably, mattress base module C′ has a height profile greater than a height profile of mattress air posturizing module B′ to provide a high-profile design with a low-profile air posturizing module.
As can best be seen in
First mattress case 12′ includes an access opening providing access to an interior of said mattress case for installation and removal of air chambers 54, 56, and for servicing the air chambers. A first releasable closure 16′ is provided for opening and closing the access opening which zips from one side of slit 12c around to the other end of the slit (
Operator E raises and lowers first posturizing sections 64a, 66a, and second posturizing and base sections 64b, 66b, individually.
A second releasable closure 18′ is provided for the mattress base module having a first closure part affixed around a periphery of top cover layer 24′ of the first mattress case and a second closure part affixed around a periphery of sidewall 30 of the second mattress case. The releasable closure extends around the case from one side of the split to the other. Foundation assembly 40′ includes a plurality of individual resilient foam blocks 44 positioned edge-to-edge and enclosed in said mattress case 14′. The foam blocks include individual fabric covers reducing sticking between contacting edges of the blocks in edge-to-edge relationship to maintain a uniform cushioned support surface. The foundation assembly also includes resilient generally rectangular bolsters 42 surrounding an outside periphery of the foundation blocks to provide foundation support around at least side edges of said mattress base module.
Accordingly, posturizing module B′ includes a pair of posturing sections 64a, 64b which may be adjusted in their firmness by air and may be adjusted in their inclination by the power base. Posturizing module sections 64a, 64b include mattress case sections 12a, 12b, and upper portions of air chambers 54, 56 and, optionally, foam overlay sections 67a, 67b. An air adjustably stationary module section 64a is defined below line 63 of the posturizing module. Stationary section 64c commonly includes the lower, remaining portion of air chambers 54, 56 encased in mattress case section 12c. Corresponding base sections 66a, 66b encased in split mattress base case 14′ support and cushion posturizing sections 64a, 64b. Thus, it can be seen that an advantageous construction can be had to provide for a pair of individually adjustable posturing sleep surfaces according to the invention.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/967,461, filed on Oct. 18, 2004, now abandoned; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/389,173, filed on Mar. 14, 2003, issued on Oct. 19, 2004, as U.S. Pat. No. 6,804,848 B1, on which priority is claimed and which disclosures are incorporated by reference.
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6212718 | Stolpmann et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10389173 | Mar 2003 | US |
Child | 10967461 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10967461 | Oct 2004 | US |
Child | 11173543 | US |