BEDROOM MATTRESS APPLIANCE

Abstract

A mattress appliance has components that control the remote filling and emptying of an air bladder to levitate a bedroom mattress. The levitation provides access to the outer, lower portions of the mattress to facilitate the installation and removal of an elastic skirted fitted sheet, along with associated bedding, such as mattress pads, flat sheets and blankets. The air bladder is remotely controlled since its air inlet or connection for filling and emptying is not accessible under the mattress. The air bladder size is smaller in both length and width than the corresponding mattress size to provide the hand room needed for convenient access. The components include: an air bladder, an air pump, a solenoid air valve, an on/off switch for the air pump and the solenoid valve, a flexible hose from the air pump and solenoid valve to the air bladder, and an electrical supply cord to the switch.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a bedroom mattress appliance; and more particularly to a bedroom mattress appliance that lifts the mattress for changing its bedding, e.g., including taking off a fitted sheet for cleaning, and putting on a new fitted sheet.

2. Description of Related Arts

Currently, the corners of a mattress must be manually lifted, one at a time, to provide access to all the installation and removal of bedding, e.g., including an elastic skirted fitted sheet, a mattress pad, a flat sheet and one or more blankets.

Anybody who has performed the manual mattress lifting process knows that it can be tedious and frustrating, makes the installation and removal of bedding difficult, time consuming, exhausting, causes bedding to get torn, causes injury to hands, wrists, etc., is difficult for older and handicapped people, as well as many times resulting in a compromised installation requiring a subsequent reinstallation, etc.

In view of this, there is a need in the industry for a better way to install and remove bedding from a mattress resting on a bed frame.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned problems in the art, e.g., by providing a new and unique appliance using a combination of components that control the remote filling and emptying of an air bladder to levitate a bedroom mattress. The levitation provides access to the outer, lower portions of the mattress to facilitate the installation and removal of an elastic skirted fitted sheet, along with associated bedding, such as mattress pads, flat sheets and blankets.

The air bladder may be remotely controlled since its air inlet or connection for filling and emptying is not accessible under the mattress. The air bladder size will be smaller in both length and width than the corresponding mattress size to provide the hand room needed for convenient access.

The components necessary to make this new and unique appliance are, as follows:

• • 1. An air bladder,
  • 2. An air pump,
  • 3. A solenoid air valve,
  • 4. An on/off switch for the air pump and the solenoid valve, and
  • 5. A flexible hose from the air pump and solenoid valve to the air bladder
  • 6. An electrical supply cord to the switch

The connection of the flexible hose to the air bladder may preferably be permanent and secure to prevent an accidental disconnection under the mattress. For example, the flexible hose and air bladder may be configured as a one piece integral structure. However, embodiments are envisioned where the flexible hose has a connection that couples to an air inlet of the air bladder.

Two steps are necessary to use this new and unique appliance.

• • Step one: Switch ON the air pump and solenoid air valve. When the air bladder has risen to its design height, the user can then do the bedding tasks. In actuality, the user could certainly begin the bedding tasks while the mattress rises to its full height.
  • Step two: Upon completion of the bedding tasks, switch OFF the air pump and solenoid air valve and the mattress will lower itself back onto the bed.

Production and performance considerations may result in differing bladder shapes, e.g., including an H-shaped, a picture frame shaped and a rectangular-shaped.

The switch/power plug combination ensures that the switch is always accessible somewhere in the bedroom. This allows for the use of the appliance with any furniture arrangement, bed design or door location.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

According to some embodiment, the present invention may take the form of a mattress appliance for arranging between a mattress and a bedframe for lifting the mattress off the bedframe, featuring an air bladder and a combination of an air pump, a solenoid and an ON/OFF switch.

The air bladder has an air inlet or connection configured to receive air being pumped and inflate to lift the mattress off the bedframe; and provide the air to deflate and drop the mattress on the bedframe when the air is no longer being pumped.

In the combination of the air pump, the solenoid and the ON/OFF switch, the solenoid has a solenoid emptying valve and being coupled between the air pump and the air inlet or connection of the air bladder, the ON/OFF switch is configured to switch ON the air pump and solenoid, close the solenoid emptying valve, pump air to the air inlet of the air bladder, inflate the air bladder, and lift the mattress off the bedframe, and the ON/OFF switch is configured to switch OFF the air pump and solenoid, open the solenoid emptying valve, stop air being pumped to the air inlet of the air bladder, allow air to empty from the air inlet of the air bladder, deflate the air bladder, and drop the mattress on the bedframe.

The mattress appliance may include one or more of the following features:

The air bladder may be configured with an H-shape and dimensioned to lift each of four corner portions, a center portion and two side portions of the mattress.

The air bladder may be configured as a picture frame and dimensioned to lift each of four corner portions and each of four side portions of the mattress.

The air bladder and the flexible hose may be configured as a one piece integral structure.

The ON/OFF switch may be a combination switch and power plug.

The air bladder may include a flexible hose coupled to the solenoid.

The flexible hose is coupled on one end to the air inlet or connection and coupled on the other end to the solenoid.

The air bladder and the flexible hose are configured as a one piece integral structure.

The mattress appliance may also include a wireless remote controller and a wireless interface for remotely controlling the combination.

The combination may be configured with the wireless interface; the remote controller may be configured to activate and send wireless signaling to turn ON/OFF the combination; and the wireless interface may be configured to respond the wireless signaling to turn ON/OFF the combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The drawing includes FIGS. 1A-4B, as follows:

FIG. 1A is a diagram of an H-shaped mattress appliance for arranging underneath a mattress, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a diagram of a picture frame shaped mattress appliance for arranging underneath a mattress, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a mattress appliance in the form of an air bladder for arranging underneath a mattress, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a diagram of a mattress resting on a bedframe having a mattress appliance arranged inbetween that is an empty air bladder flat under the mattress, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a diagram of a mattress resting on a bedframe having a mattress appliance arranged inbetween that is an inflated air bladder under the mattress, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a diagram of a control arrangement for a mattress appliance having a combination switch (OFF) and power plug, a power cord, an air pump, a normally open solenoid valve in an open position and a flexible hose to connect to the mattress appliance, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a diagram of a control arrangement for a mattress appliance having a combination switch (ON) and power plug, a power cord, an air pump, a normally open solenoid valve in a closed position and a flexible hose to connect to the mattress appliance, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a wireless remote controller and a wireless interface for remotely controlling the combination of the air pump, the solenoid and the ON/OFF switch, or the combination of the switch and power plug, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

To reduce clutter, each Figure does not include every reference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, the present invention provides a mattress appliance generally indicated as 10 (FIG. 2) for arranging between a mattress M (FIGS. 1A-3B) and a bedframe B for lifting the mattress M off the bedframe B, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B. The mattress appliance 10 may include an air bladder 12 and a combination 13 (FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B) of an air pump 14, a solenoid 16 and an ON/OFF switch 18, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B.

The air bladder 12 has an air inlet or connection 25 configured to receive air being pumped by the air pump 14 and inflate to lift the mattress M off the bedframe B; and provide or empty the air to deflate and drop the mattress M back onto the bedframe B when the air is no longer being pumped by the air pump 14.

In the combination 13, the solenoid 16 may include a solenoid emptying valve 16a (FIGS. 4A, 4B) and be coupled between the air pump 14 and the air inlet or connection 25 of the air bladder 12, e.g., by a flexible hose 20. The ON/OFF switch 18 may be configured to switch ON the air pump 14 and solenoid 16, close the solenoid emptying valve 16a, pump air to the air inlet or connection 25 of the air bladder 12, inflate the air bladder 12, and lift the mattress M off the bedframe B. The ON/OFF switch 18 may be configured to switch OFF the air pump 14 and solenoid 16, open the solenoid emptying valve 16a, stop air being pumped to the air inlet or connection 25 of the air bladder 12, allow air to empty from the air inlet or connection 25 of the air bladder 12, deflate the air bladder 12, and drop the mattress M on the bedframe B.

The air bladder 12 may be configured with an H-shape (FIG. 1A) having two side legs 12a and a center leg 12b, and dimensioned to lift each of the four corner portions C, a center portion CP and each of the two side portions SP of the mattress M, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1A.

Alternatively, the air bladder may be configured as a picture frame (FIG. 1B) having two long legs 12c and two short legs 12d, and dimensioned to lift each of the four corner portions C and each of the two side portions SP of the mattress M, as shown in FIG. 1B.

By way of example, the ON/OFF switch 18 may be a combination switch and power plug, and may be coupled to the air pump 14 and the solenoid 16 by a power cord 22.

Air bladders like element 12 having air inlets or connections like 25 are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future. By way of example, and according to some embodiments of the present invention, the air bladder 12, the flexible hose 18 and the air inlet or connection 25 may be configured and formed as an integral unit for connecting to the solenoid 16. Alternatively, by way of further example, and according to some embodiments of the present invention, the air bladder 12 may be configured with the air inlet or connection 25 for connecting or coupling to the flexible hose 20.

Air pumps like element 14 are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

Solenoids like element 16 having solenoid valves like element 16a that open and close in response to some ON/OFF signaling are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

ON/OFF switches like element 18 that provide ON/OFF signaling are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

Air inlets or connections like element 25 either for coupling a flexible hose like element 20 to the air bladder 12, including permanently to prevent an accidental disconnection under the mattress M, or for coupling a flexible hose 20 to a combination of an air pump and a solenoid like elements 14 and 16 are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

Remote Controlled Operation

FIG. 5 shows a wireless remote controller 30 and a wireless interface 32 for remotely controlling the combination 13 of the air pump, the solenoid and the ON/OFF switch, or the combination 18 (FIGS. 4A, 4B) of the switch and power plug, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

In operation, the combination 13 (FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B) or the combination 18 (FIGS. 4A, 4B) may be suitably adapted or configured with the wireless interface 30; the remote controller 30 may be activated (e.g., by pressing an ON/OFF button (not shown)) to send wireless signaling S to turn ON/OFF the combination 13 (FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B) or the combination 18 (FIGS. 4A, 4B); and the wireless interface 32 may be configured to respond the wireless signaling to turn ON/OFF the combination 13 (FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B) or the combination 18 (FIGS. 4A, 4B).

One advantage this remote controlled embodiment is that the combination 13 (FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B) or the combination 18 (FIGS. 4A, 4B) may be arranged (e.g., behind or underneath a bed, or in an electric outlet behind the bed) out of sight and easily turned ON and OFF via the remote controller 30, instead of one needing to reach for the ON/OFF switch to turn ON the combination 13 (FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B) or the combination 18 (FIGS. 4A, 4B), then to reach again for the ON/OFF switch to turn OFF the combination 13 (FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B) or the combination 18 (FIGS. 4A, 4B) after the bedding is changed.

As one skilled in the art would appreciate, the combination 13 or 18 may be adapted or configured with the wireless interface 32 to receive the ON/OFF signaling S from the remote controller to turn ON and OFF the combination 13 or 18. Remote controllers and wireless interfaces like elements 30 and 32 are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

Claims

1. A mattress appliance for arranging between a mattress and a bedframe for lifting the mattress off the bedframe, comprising: an air bladder having an air inlet or connection configured to receive air being pumped and inflate to lift the mattress off the bedframe, and provide the air to deflate and drop the mattress on the bedframe when the air is no longer being pumped; anda combination of an air pump, a solenoid and an ON/OFF switch, the solenoid having a solenoid emptying valve and being coupled between the air pump and the air inlet or connection of the air bladder,the ON/OFF switch configured to switch ON the air pump and solenoid, close the solenoid emptying valve, pump air to the air inlet or connection of the air bladder, inflate the air bladder, and lift the mattress off the bedframe, andthe ON/OFF switch configured to switch OFF the air pump and solenoid, open the solenoid emptying valve, stop air being pumped to the air inlet or connection of the air bladder, allow air to empty from the air inlet or connection of the air bladder, deflate the air bladder, and drop the mattress on the bedframe.

2. A mattress appliance according to claim 1, wherein the air bladder is configured with an H-shape and dimensioned to lift each of four corner portions, a center portion and two side portions of the mattress.

3. A mattress appliance according to claim 1, wherein the air bladder is configured as a picture frame and dimensioned to lift each of four corner portions and each of four side portions of the mattress.

4. A mattress appliance according to claim 1, wherein the ON/OFF switch is a combination switch and power plug.

5. A mattress appliance according to claim 1, wherein the air bladder comprises a flexible hose coupled to the solenoid.

6. A mattress appliance according to claim 5, wherein the flexible hose is coupled on one end to the air inlet or connection and coupled on the other end to the solenoid.

7. A mattress appliance according to claim 5, wherein the air bladder and the flexible hose are configured as a one piece integral structure.

8. A mattress appliance according to claim 1, wherein the mattress appliance further comprises a wireless remote controller and a wireless interface for remotely controlling the combination.

9. A mattress appliance according to claim 8, wherein the combination is configured with the wireless interface;the remote controller is configured to activate and send wireless signaling to turn ON/OFF the combination; andthe wireless interface is configured to respond the wireless signaling to turn ON/OFF the combination.