Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6282735
-
Patent Number
6,282,735
-
Date Filed
Monday, August 23, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 4, 200122 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Trettel; Michael F.
- Santos; Robert G.
Agents
- Rose McKinney & Evans LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 005 606
- 005 928
- 005 709
- 005 710
- 005 713
- 005 724
- 005 727
- 005 699
- 005 926
- 005 604
- 005 695
- 005 671
- 005 925
- 005 739
- 005 740
- 004 480
- 001 482
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A hydrotherapy mattress assembly which includes an air-over-foam core, a base for receiving the air-over-foam core, and a top cover overlying the air-over-foam core. The top cover provides a patient support surface and includes a drain trough. The drain trough is coupled to a drain which extends through the air-over-foam core and the base, so that liquids can be drained from the patient support surface.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mattress assembly and particularly, to a mattress assembly for use on a hospital bed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mattress assembly that can be used to provide hydrotherapy to a patient lying or sitting on the mattress assembly.
The treatment of bedridden patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities can require that they be washed after urination or bowl movement and otherwise washed on a periodic basis. The washing of bedridden patients is frequently performed using sponge baths. While sponge baths are somewhat effective, they are not as effective as emersion or spray baths. In the case of bedridden patients immersion or spray baths can be impractical.
The present invention provides for a mattress assembly which can be used to provide hydrotherapy to a bedridden or non-ambulatory patient.
According to other features, characteristics, embodiments and alternatives of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds below, the present invention provides a hydrotherapy mattress assembly which includes an air-over-foam core, a base for receiving the air-over-foam core, and a top cover which covers the air-over-foam core and provides a patient receiving surface. The top cover is provided with a drain trough which extends through a central portion of the top cover. The apparatus also includes a liquid drain coupled to the drain trough. The air-over-foam core is provided with a through-hole through which the liquid drain extends.
The present invention further provides a hydrotherapy mattress having a liquid drain system which includes an air-over-foam core having a through-hole located in a central location thereof, and a base for receiving the air-over-foam core. The base includes a drain passage. The apparatus also includes a top cover for covering the air-over-foam core. The top cover provides a patient receiving surface. The apparatus further includes a drain trough located in the top cover, and a drain coupled to the drain trough and extending through the through-hole in the air-over-foam core and through the drain passage in the bottom of the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present invention will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:
FIG. 1
is perspective view of a mattress assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is an exploded perspective view of a mattress assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a top plan view of the air-over-foam core structure of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 4
is a side elevation view of the air-over-foam core structure of the mattress assembly of FIG.
4
.
FIG. 5
is a top plan view of the top coverlet of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 6
is a side elevation view of the top coverlet of the mattress assembly of FIG.
5
.
FIG. 7
is an end elevation view of the top coverlet of the mattress assembly of FIG.
5
.
FIG. 8
is a perspective view of the trough and drain assembly of
FIGS. 5-7
.
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the drain assembly of FIG.
8
.
FIG. 10
is a cross-sectional view which depicts one manner of coupling the trough and drain assembly to the top coverlet.
FIG. 11
is a bottom plan view of the inner cover of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 12
is a side elevation view of the inner cover of the mattress assembly of FIG.
11
.
FIG. 13
is an end elevation view of the inner cover of the mattress assembly of FIG.
11
.
FIG. 14
is a top plan view of the perimeter inflater of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 15
is a side elevation view of the perimeter inflater of the mattress assembly of FIG.
14
.
FIG. 16
is an end elevation view of the perimeter inflater of the mattress assembly of FIG.
14
.
FIG. 17
is a top plan view of the base assembly of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 18
is a side elevation view of the base assembly of the mattress assembly of FIG.
17
.
FIG. 19
is an end elevation view of the base assembly of the mattress assembly of FIG.
17
.
FIG. 20
is a perspective view of the bottom storage cover of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is directed to a hydrotherapy bed which includes a hydrotherapy mattress assembly. The hydrotherapy mattress assembly includes a base that can be supported on a standard stationary or articulating bed frame, a table, or other support surface. The hydrotherapy mattress assembly includes an air-over-foam core which is received in the base, and a top cover which overlies the air-over-foam core. The top cover which can be made from a liquid-impervious material defines a patient supporting surface and includes a drain trough. The drain trough in coupled to a drain which can extend downward though the air-over-foam core and out the base.
Liquids, such as patient cleaning solutions, disinfectant solutions, medical solutions, etc, can be applied to the patient supporting surface and drained therefrom through the drain trough and drain. For example, patients supported by the hydrotherapy mattress assembly could be washed by a hand-held spraying means, and the residual liquid could be drained away through the drain trough and drain.
According to additional embodiments of the invention, the mattress assembly can include a perimeter inflater positioned over the air-over-foam core. When inflated, the perimeter inflater can contain liquids by forming a barrier at the periphery of the mattress assembly.
The hydrotherapy mattress assembly can also include an inner cover between the top cover and the air-over-foam core. The inner cover can be made of a material having a low coefficient of friction and thereby allow for independent movement of a patient with respect to the air-over-foam core. For example, the use of an inner cover having a low coefficient of friction would allow the air-over-foam core to articulate with an underlying articulating bed support, while allowing a patient supported on the top cover to slide rather than move with the articulating motion.
The hydrotherapy mattress assembly can also include a bottom storage cover which can be coupled to the top cover and used to store the mattress assembly.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a mattress assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the mattress assembly
1
of the present invention forms a “stand-alone” structure which can be positioned and supported on a bed frame or table. As “assembled” in
FIG. 1
, the elements of the mattress assembly
1
which are visible include a base assembly
2
having handles
3
and a top coverlet
4
. The base assembly
2
and top coverlet
4
can be coupled together along periphery or side edges by a zipper
5
. The top coverlet
4
provides an upwardly facing sleeping surface
6
configured to support a patient.
The mattress assembly
1
includes longitudinally extending, transversely spaced-apart sides
7
and transversely extending, longitudinally spaced-apart ends
8
as shown in FIG.
1
. Sides
7
of mattress assembly
1
are longer than ends
8
. Thus, mattress assembly
1
has a rectangular shape. However, the present invention is applicable to mattresses which have other than rectangular shapes.
FIG. 2
is an exploded perspective view of a mattress assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. The mattress assembly
1
includes a number of elements which are received between the top coverlet
4
and the base assembly
2
. These intermediate elements include inner cover
9
, perimeter inflater
10
, air-over-foam core structure
11
, and bottom storage cover
12
.
FIG. 3
is a top plan view of the air-over-foam core structure of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 4
is a side elevation view of the air-over-foam core structure of the mattress assembly of FIG.
3
. The air-over-foam core structure
11
includes a plurality of lower support elements
13
and a plurality of upper support elements
14
which are supported by the lower support elements
13
as depicted in FIG.
4
. The lower support elements
13
are transversely extending foam blocks and the upper support elements
14
are somewhat cylindrically shaped air bladders. Hereinafter, the lower support elements
13
will be referred to as foam blocks
13
and the upper support elements
14
will be referred to as air bladders
14
. The air-over-foam core structure
11
further includes a layer of material
15
that underlies foam blocks
13
.
The air bladders
14
and foam blocks
13
of the air-over-foam core structure
11
are secured to the layer of material
15
as will now be described. Air-over-foam core structure
11
includes a plurality of square-shaped sleeves
16
, each of which includes an interior region and each of which are anchored to layer of material
15
by, for example, radio frequency (RF) welding. Each sleeve
16
includes open ends that allow foam blocks
13
to be inserted into interior region of the respective sleeves
16
. Each foam block
13
includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of side surfaces extending between top and bottom surfaces and a pair of end surfaces extending between top and bottom surfaces. Each sleeve
16
includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels extending between top and bottom panels.
Sleeves
16
are sized so that foam blocks
13
fit snugly within their interior regions. Thus, top, bottom, and side panels of sleeves
16
engage top, bottom, and side surfaces of foam blocks
13
, respectively. Engagement between panels of the sleeves
16
and surfaces of the foam blocks
13
causes foam blocks
13
to resist transverse shifting within sleeves
16
. In addition, securing sleeves
16
to layer of material
15
prevents longitudinal shifting of foam blocks
13
. Thus, sleeves
16
hold foam blocks
13
in their respective positions relative to layer of material
15
. The length of foam blocks
13
is such that foam blocks
13
extend substantially between sides
7
of mattress assembly
1
and the length of each sleeve
16
is substantially equivalent to the length of foam blocks
13
so that the end surfaces of foam blocks
13
are aligned with open ends of sleeves
16
. Each sleeve
16
is made from a material having a low coefficient of friction, such as urethane coated nylon twill, to provide foam blocks
13
with an anti-friction shear coating. Layer of material
15
is also made from a material having a low coefficient of friction.
Although sleeves
16
completely surround the surfaces of foam blocks
13
, it is within the scope of the invention for air-over-foam core structure
11
to include sleeves
16
that are U-shaped having a top panel and a pair of side panels that extend downwardly from the top panel to attach to layer of material
15
so that bottom surfaces of foam blocks
13
engage layer of material
15
. In addition, although each sleeve
16
includes two open ends, it is within the scope of the invention as presently perceived for air-over-foam core structure
11
to include sleeves
16
having only one open end.
The firmness and support characteristics provided by each foam block
13
depend in part upon the indention load deflection (ILD) of the foam from which each foam block is made. The ILD is a well-known industry-accepted index indicating the “firmness” of material such as urethane foam and other foam rubber materials. The ILD correlates to the amount of force required to compress a piece of foam by twenty-five percent with an industry standard indenter having a specified area. It is within the scope of the invention as presently perceived to provide air-over-foam core structure
11
in which each foam block
13
has the same ILD or to provide air-over-foam core structure
11
in which the ILD of at least one foam block
13
is different from the ILD of at least one other foam block
13
. For example, the ILD's of the foam blocks
13
15
which support air bladders
14
of respective back, seat, thigh, and foot zones
17
,
18
,
19
, and
20
(
FIG. 3
) may vary from one another. In addition, it is within the scope of the present invention for each foam block
13
to be comprised of portions having varying ILD's.
According to one embodiment the air-over-foam core structure
11
can be provided with foam blocks
13
each having firm end portions with an ILD of about forty-four and a soft middle portion with an ILD of about seventeen. The firm end portions can be sized so as to support the respective overlying header bladders
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
to provide a mattress structure having more firmness along sides thereof. The end portions of the foam blocks
13
can be bonded to respective middle portions with an adhesive such as, for example, an acetone heptane and resin base spray.
Air-over-foam core structure
11
includes a plurality of tethers
25
that connect respective transversely extending air bladders
14
to layer of material
15
. Tethers
25
extend downwardly from air bladders
14
between side panels of respective pairs of sleeves
16
and attach to layer of material
15
by, for example, RF welding. The tethers
25
can be formed integrally with transversely extending air bladders
14
. Alternatively, the tethers
25
can be separate pieces that attach to both the air bladders
14
and the layer of material
15
.
The tethers
25
can be made of an anti-friction shear material having a low coefficient of friction, such as urethane coated nylon twill. Each pair of adjacent sleeves
16
can contact tethers
25
positioned therebetween. Because sleeves
16
and tethers
25
are made of an anti-friction shear material having a low coefficient of friction, the foam blocks
13
and associated sleeves
16
are able to compress and uncompress with a minimal amount of friction being created by tethers
25
. In addition, air bladders
14
can be made of an anti-friction shear material having a low coefficient of friction which allows air bladders
14
to compress and uncompress with a minimal amount of friction therebetween. The minimal amount of friction between sleeves
16
and tethers
25
allows each foam block
13
to compress and uncompress individually with minimal interference from adjacent foam blocks
13
. Similarly, the minimal amount of friction between air bladders
14
allows each air bladder
14
to compress and uncompress individually with minimal interference from adjacent air bladders
14
.
Securing foam blocks
13
and air bladders
14
to layer of material
15
allows air-over-foam core structure
11
to be moved as a single unit with foam blocks
13
and air bladders
14
remaining held in the proper positions relative to one another and relative to layer of material
15
.
Air-over-foam core structure
11
defines a mattress structure that may be used with a bed or table including an articulating deck (not shown) having pivotable head, seat, thigh, and leg sections. As the deck articulates, the mattress structure bends along with the deck sections. In the mattress assembly
1
, top coverlet
4
includes an upper surface that frictionally engages a user lying on sleep surface
6
so that, when mattress structure bends during articulation of the deck, top coverlet
4
tends to move with the user rather than moving with air-over-foam core structure
11
. Thus, providing shear inner cover
9
between top coverlet
4
and air-over-foam core structure
11
minimizes the rubbing of mattress structure against the user during articulation of the deck.
As indicated in
FIG. 3
, one or more air bladders
14
can extend beyond the last foam block
13
at the “head” and/or “foot” end of the air-over-foam core structure. At the “foot” end of the air-over-foam core structure, a foam block
13
′ having an extended width can be used.
The foam block and bladder construction facilitates folding the resulting mattress structure for shipping or storage. In this regard, the plurality of laterally extending foam blocks
13
in mattress structure define fold locations between each adjacent foam block
13
, thus the mattress structure may be folded in many different ways.
Air bladders
14
of air-over-foam core structure
11
include a pair of back section header bladders
21
, a pair of seat section header bladders
22
, a pair of thigh section header bladders
23
, and a pair of foot section header bladders
24
. Header bladders
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
extend longitudinally relative to mattress structure defined by the air-over-foam core structure
11
and are arranged in end-to-end relation along respective sides of air-over-foam core structure
11
as shown best in FIG.
3
. Header bladders
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
each include a cylindrical portion and a pair of end portions. The rest of the plurality of air bladders
14
extend transversely between respective header bladders
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
and are arranged in side-by-side relation between ends of air-over-foam core structure
11
. Each of the transversely extending air bladders
27
includes a cylindrical portion and a pair of end portions. Each end portion of the transversely extending air bladders
27
is attached to respective cylindrical portions of the associated header bladder
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
, for example, by RF welding. A fluid port (not shown) is formed through each end portion of the transversely extending air bladders
27
and through the respective cylindrical portion of the associated header bladder
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
so that an interior region of each header bladder
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
is in fluid communication with an interior region of each of the transversely extending air bladders
27
attached thereto.
Header bladders
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
and the transversely extending air bladders
27
associated therewith are sized so as to be supported by the respective deck sections of the articulating deck with which mattress structure is used. Thus, back section header bladders
21
and the associated transversely extending air bladders
27
provide the mattress structure with a back zone
17
, shown in
FIG. 3
, which is supported by the underlying foam blocks
13
and the back section of the articulating deck. Similarly, seat, thigh, and foot section header bladders
22
,
23
, and
24
and the associated transversely extending air bladders
27
provide the mattress structure with seat, thigh, and foot zones
18
,
19
, and
20
, respectively, which are supported by respective underlying foam blocks
13
and the seat, thigh, and foot sections, respectively, of the articulating deck.
The mattress structure defined by the air-over foam core structure
11
includes a plurality of air tubes
28
that are routed to each of header bladders
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
. The air tubes
28
are lead out from the mattress assembly
1
(
FIG. 2
) and connected to an air pressure control device
29
(
FIG. 2
) which includes an air pump or compressor or source of pressurized air, pressure sensors and means to control the inflation and pressure of the air bladders
14
.
Air-over-foam core structure
11
may include a plurality of vent valves
30
that can each be manually opened to fluidly couple a respective one of each of header bladders
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
to the atmosphere which results in rapid deflation of all air bladders
14
. In illustrated embodiments, vent valves
30
are VARILITE® release valves, Model No. 04227, and hat flanges Model No. 04226.
A gap
31
is provided in the array of air bladders
14
. The gap
31
is position centrally along the lateral direction of the air-over foam core structure
11
in the seat section
18
. The gap
31
is formed by including two half air bladders
27
′ for each of the air bladders
27
in the seat section
18
with a space or gap
31
located between respective half air bladders
27
′. In addition to utilizing half air bladders
27
′ in the seat section
18
, one or more of the adjacent air bladders
27
in the head section
17
and/or the thigh section
19
can be used to extend the gap
31
into these sections. Tethers
32
located between the ends of the half air bladders
27
′ and layer of material
15
can be used to maintain the relative position of the half air bladders
27
′. The gap
31
in the array of air bladders
27
′ allows the drain pipe
44
and/or drain trough
37
of the drain assembly
43
to pass through the air-over foam core structure
11
. A similar gap can be provided in the underlying foam blocks to allow drain pipe
44
of drain trough
37
to extend therethrough. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the foam block(s) which are located directly beneath the drain pipe
44
of drain trough
37
can include a through-hole or can be made of two half-block portions having a space or gap therebetween through which the drain pipe
44
or a drain connection can extend.
As indicated in
FIG. 4
, the air-over foam core structure
11
includes four tether straps
26
(one shown) which are used to attach or anchor corresponding tether tabs
41
which are provided on the drain trough
37
as discussed below. Tether straps
26
can be connected to layer of material
15
directly or via vertical web elements. Tether straps
26
are positioned to be aligned with the ends of drain trough
37
and can include grommets which can be coupled to grommets
42
of the corresponding tether tabs
41
of drain trough
37
by tie elements, such as locking ties.
FIG. 5
is a top plan view of the top coverlet of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 6
is a side elevation view of the top coverlet of the mattress assembly of FIG.
5
.
FIG. 7
is an end elevation view of the top coverlet of the mattress assembly of FIG.
5
. The top coverlet
4
includes a top panel
33
and peripheral side panels
34
extending downwardly from top panel
33
. Top panel
33
cooperates with side panels
34
to define an interior region
35
which receives the inner cover
9
, which is in turn positioned over the air-over-foam core structure
11
.
The top panel
33
includes a cross slit
36
which is positioned centrally along the lateral direction of the mattress assembly
1
and over the seat section
18
of the mattress assembly
1
. The cross slit
36
includes an axis which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the mattress assembly
1
. The cross slit
36
is sized to receive a drain trough
37
. As depicted in
FIGS. 6 and 7
, the drain trough
37
extends below top panel
33
and includes a drain
38
which extends beneath the bottom edges of side panels
34
.
The top coverlet
4
is preferably made of a fabric which has been treated to be water impermeable and which has a low coefficient of friction, such as urethane coated nylon.
FIG. 8
is a perspective view of the trough and drain assembly of
FIGS. 5-7
. The drain trough
37
includes four arm portions
39
which form a cross-shaped structure. A continuous flange
40
extends outwardly from the upper edges of the arm portions
39
. As discussed below, flange
40
is used to couple the drain trough
37
to the top panel
33
of the top coverlet
4
. The bottoms of the arm portions
39
slope downward toward the center of the drain trough
37
as depicted in
FIGS. 6 and 7
. The ends of the arm portions
39
of the drain trough
37
include tether tabs
41
which extend from bottom surfaces thereof. Tether tabs
41
include grommets
42
which, as discussed above, can be coupled to corresponding grommets in tether straps
26
and used to attach or anchor drain trough
37
to air-over-foam core structure
11
.
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the drain assembly of FIG.
8
. The drain assembly
43
includes a drain tube or pipe
44
which extends from drain head
45
. The drain head
45
is coupled to the bottom of the drain trough
37
as indicated in
FIG. 8
so that fluids which are collected in the drain trough
37
can flow down the sloped bottoms of the arm portions
39
and into and through the drain assembly
43
. As depicted in
FIGS. 6 and 7
, the drain assembly
43
can have a fitting
46
on the drain pipe
44
by which the drain assembly
43
can be coupled to drain line (not shown) which extends beneath the mattress assembly
1
.
FIG. 10
is a cross-sectional view which depicts one manner of coupling the drain trough and drain assembly to the top coverlet. The drain trough
37
can be coupled to the top panel
33
of the top coverlet
4
by inserting the drain trough
37
into slit
36
until the flange
40
of the drain trough
37
contacts the top panel
33
. The overlapping edge of the flange
40
and the peripheral edge of the slit
36
can be bonded together by RF welding or other suitable means, including gluing.
FIG. 11
is a bottom plan view of the inner cover of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 12
is a side elevation view of the inner cover of the mattress assembly of FIG.
11
.
FIG. 13
is an end elevation view of the inner cover of the mattress assembly of FIG.
11
. Inner cover
9
includes a top panel
47
, peripheral side panels
48
extending downwardly from top panel
47
, and a fitted portion
49
appended to side panels
48
and extending at least partially beneath top panel
47
. Top panel
47
cooperates with side panels
48
and fitted portion
49
to define an interior region
50
which receives air-over-foam core structure
11
. Fitted portion
49
includes an inner peripheral edge
51
defining an opening
52
beneath top panel
47
allowing for movement of air-over-foam core structure
11
into and out of interior region
50
of inner cover
9
. In the illustrated embodiments, inner peripheral edge
51
of fitted portion
49
can be provided with either an elastic band or draw string or other suitable structure for drawing opening
52
of fitted portion
49
closed to facilitate wrapping inner cover
9
snugly around air-over-foam core structure
11
. The inner cover
9
is provided with a through-hole
53
through which drain pipe
44
of the drain assembly
43
can pass. In addition, four through-holes
59
are provided in inner cover
9
through which tether tabs
41
or drain trough
37
can pass so as to couple drain trough
37
to air-over-foam core structure
11
.
Inner cover
9
is made from a material having a low coefficient of friction such as “parachute” material or any other material that will allow top coverlet
4
to slide relative to air-over-foam core structure
11
. In the illustrative embodiment, inner cover
9
may be made from nylon rip stop
30
denier, style #66938 or 1.5 mil polyurethane material. Top coverlet
4
can be made from any of a number of materials, but, in illustrated embodiments, top coverlet
4
is made from DARTEX™ TC-23/PO-93 urethane coated nylon fabric which allows for wipe-down cleaning. Bottom storage cover
12
is made from STAPH-CHEK® or WEBLON® reinforced vinyl laminate.
FIG. 14
is a top plan view of the perimeter inflater of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 15
is a side elevation view of the perimeter inflater of the mattress assembly of FIG.
14
.
FIG. 16
is an end elevation view of the perimeter inflater of the mattress assembly of FIG.
14
. The perimeter inflater
10
includes two end air bladders
54
and two side air bladders
55
which are coupled together to form a rectangular bladder which has a continuous internal fluid passageway. The bottoms of the end and side air bladders
54
,
55
are provided with a plurality of snap portions
56
which are arranged to be aligned with corresponding snap portions
57
provided on the header bladders
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
of the air-over-foam core structure
11
. The snap portions
56
,
57
are used to couple the perimeter inflater
10
to the air-over-foam core structure
11
. The perimeter inflater
10
is shaped and dimensioned to overlay header bladders
21
,
22
,
23
, and
24
.
The perimeter inflater
10
includes an air tube
58
which communicates with the interior thereof and which can be used to inflate and regulate fluid pressure within the perimeter inflater
10
. The air tube
58
can be coupled to air pressure control device
29
or to an additional, separate air pressure control device.
When the mattress assembly is used, the perimeter inflater
10
can be inflated to raise the peripheral edges of inner cover
9
and top coverlet
4
upward to contain fluids on the surface of the top coverlet
4
and to direct such fluids toward the drain trough
37
. Fluids which pass through drain trough
37
can be collected in a suitable waste container via gravity or suction. A constant low volume suction force can be applied to contain odors as well as fluids. A suitable waste container can be located beneath the bed assembly. Otherwise, non-hazardous fluids could be directed into an underground sewage system.
FIG. 17
is a top plan view of the base assembly of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 18
is a side elevation view of the base assembly of the mattress assembly of FIG.
17
.
FIG. 19
is an end elevation view of the base assembly of the mattress assembly of FIG.
17
. The base assembly
2
includes a head end member
60
, a foot end member
61
longitudinally spaced-apart from the head end member
60
, and transversely spaced-apart side members
62
which are attached to each of the head and foot end members
60
,
61
. Each of the head and foot end members
60
,
61
and the side members
62
are appended to a foam base
63
, and each includes inwardly facing side surfaces. The foam base
63
includes a top surface
64
. Each of the head and foot end members
60
,
61
and the side members
62
have upper surfaces which collectively define a continuous rectangular top surface
65
.
The foam base can be made of from relatively stiff foam rubber such as, for example, foam rubber having an ILD of
44
, and end members
60
,
61
and side members
62
are likewise preferably made from foam rubber having an ILD of
44
to provide mattress assembly
1
with relatively firm firmness and support characteristics around the perimeter thereof. Providing a base assembly
2
having relatively firm firmness and support characteristics around the perimeter of mattress assembly
1
will assist the user when entering or exiting sleeping surface
6
of mattress assembly
1
.
When air-over foam core structure
11
is received in base assembly
2
, bottom surface of the air-over-foam core structure
11
engages top surface
64
of base assembly
2
. Thus, base assembly
2
includes side members
62
and end members
60
,
61
that extend upwardly from top surface
64
of foam base
63
and include inwardly-facing side surfaces
66
engaging air-over-foam core structure
11
to prevent the air-over-foam core structure
11
from moving longitudinally or laterally relative to base assembly
2
. Likewise, air-over-foam core structure
11
is configured to conformingly nest in base assembly
2
.
The base assembly
2
includes a drain assembly
76
which includes upper and lower plates
68
(see
FIG. 18
) which can be coupled together by suitable mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts. The upper and lower plates
68
can include aligned through-holes
80
which are sized to receive a drain line connected to drain fitting
46
therethrough.
Handles
3
can be provided on the peripheral sides and ends of the base assembly
2
and used to lift the base assembly
2
. A plurality of anchoring straps
69
are provided along the bottom peripheral edge of the base assembly
2
. Anchoring straps
69
can be used to secure the base assembly
2
to the frame or support surface of a bed, cart, table, or other support device.
An anti-skid pad (not shown) can be RF welded, stitched, bonded, or otherwise appropriately attached to a portion of or the entire central region of the bottom of base assembly
2
. Such an anti-skid pad will function to frictionally engage the bed or table (not shown) on which mattress assembly
1
is used to inhibit movement of mattress assembly
1
relative to the bed or table, especially during articulation of the deck. Such an anti-skid pad can be made from textured rubber or other materials which would increase the frictional forces between the mattress assembly
1
and the bed or table.
FIG. 20
is a perspective view of the bottom storage cover of the mattress assembly of FIG.
2
. The bottom storage cover
12
is not part of actual mattress assembly
1
and is not received in interior region of mattress assembly depicted in FIG.
1
. Instead, bottom storage cover
12
cooperates with top coverlet
4
to define a storage cover for protecting mattress assembly
1
during storage. Bottom storage cover
12
includes a peripheral zipper
5
′ that engages zipper
5
on top coverlet
4
to attach bottom storage cover
12
to top coverlet
4
.
Bottom storage cover
12
includes a bottom panel
70
having a generally rectangular peripheral sides
72
extending upwardly from the bottom panel
70
, and a generally horizontal flange
73
extending outwardly from sides
72
. Flange
73
includes a generally rectangular outer peripheral edge and zipper
5
′ is attached to the edge of flange
73
as shown.
Once mattress assembly
1
is received in the interior region of bottom storage cover
12
and zipper
5
′ is closed in cooperation with zipper
5
to attach bottom storage cover
12
to top coverlet
4
, mattress assembly
1
can be easily stored and a different mattress core (not shown) can be used with base assembly
2
.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described by the claims which follow.
Claims
- 1. A hydrotherapy mattress comprising:a mattress core; a base configured to receive the mattress core; a top cover located over the mattress core and configured to provide a patient receiving surface, the top cover including an outer perimeter edge; a drain configured to extend through the top cover and the mattress core to drain fluids from the top cover; and a bladder located on the mattress core adjacent the outer perimeter edge of the top cover, the bladder being selectively inflatable to elevate a portion of the top cover adjacent the outer perimeter edge so that fluids on the patient receiving surface of the top cover are contained on the top cover and directed toward the drain.
- 2. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 1, wherein the mattress core comprises a plurality of foam core elements; and an array of air bladders supported on the plurality of foam core elements.
- 3. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 2, wherein the array of air bladders includes a plurality of header air bladders which are arranged on opposite sides of the mattress core, and a plurality of transverse air bladders which extend between the header air bladders.
- 4. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 1, wherein the base is formed to include a drain passage to permit the drain to pass through the base.
- 5. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 1, further comprising an inner cover positioned between the mattress core and the top cover.
- 6. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 5, wherein the inner cover is made from a material having a low coefficient of friction.
- 7. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 1, further comprising a drain trough including a plurality of elongated arm portions coupled to the top cover, each of the plurality of elongated arm portions being in fluid communication with the drain and configured to extend outwardly from the drain to facilitate drainage of fluids from the top cover into the drain.
- 8. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 7, wherein the drain trough includes four arm portions which are configured to form a cross-shaped structure.
- 9. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 8, wherein the four arm portions each have a bottom surface configured to slope toward a center of the drain.
- 10. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 1, wherein the top cover is liquid impervious.
- 11. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 1, wherein the mattress core includes a plurality of elongated side-by-side bladders configured to provide a substantially continuous support for a patient, at least two of the bladders being configured to define an opening extending in a direction transverse to the plurality of bladders, and further comprising drain trough having a first elongated trough section located between two adjacent bladders and a second elongated trough section located in the opening, the second elongated trough section being configured to intersect the first elongated trough section, the first and second elongated trough sections both being coupled to the top cover and configured to drain fluid from the top cover into the drain while maintaining the substantially continuous support of the mattress core.
- 12. A hydrotherapy mattress comprising:a mattress core including a plurality of elongated side-by-side bladders configured to provide a substantially continuous support for a patient, at least two of the bladders being configured to define an opening extending in a direction transverse to the plurality of bladders; a base configured to receive the mattress core; a top cover located over the mattress core and configured to provide a patient receiving surface; and a drain configured to extend through the top cover and the mattress core, the drain including a drain trough having a first elongated trough section located between two adjacent bladders and a second elongated trough section located in the opening, the second elongated trough section being configured to intersect the first elongated trough section, the first and second elongated trough sections both being coupled to the top cover and configured to drain fluid from the top cover into the drain while maintaining the substantially continuous support of the mattress core.
- 13. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 12, further comprising a bladder located on the mattress core adjacent an outer perimeter edge of the top cover, the bladder being selectively inflatable to elevate a portion of the top cover adjacent the outer perimeter edge so that fluids on the patient receiving surface of the top cover are contained on the top cover and directed toward the drain.
- 14. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 12, wherein the mattress core includes a plurality of foam core elements located below the plurality of elongated side-by-side bladders.
- 15. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 12, wherein the bladders includes a plurality of header bladders which are arranged on opposite sides of the mattress core, and a plurality of transverse bladders which extend between the header bladders.
- 16. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 12, wherein the base is formed to include a drain passage to permit the drain to pass through the base.
- 17. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 12, further comprising an inner cover positioned between the mattress core and the top cover.
- 18. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 12, wherein the drain trough includes four arm portions which configured to form a cross-shaped structure.
- 19. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 18, wherein the four arm portions each have a bottom surface configured to slope toward a center of the drain.
- 20. A hydrotherapy mattress comprising:a mattress core; a base configured to receive the mattress core; a top cover located over the mattress core and configured to provide a patient receiving surface; a drain configured to extend through the mattress core; and a drain trough including a plurality of elongated arm portions coupled to the top cover, each of the plurality of elongated arm portions being in fluid communication with the drain and configured to extend outwardly from the drain to facilitate drainage of fluids from the top cover into the drain.
- 21. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 20, wherein the mattress core includes a plurality of elongated side-by-side bladders configured to provide a substantially continuous support for a patient, at least two of the bladders being configured to define an opening extending in a direction transverse to the plurality of bladders, and the drain trough includes a first elongated arm portion located between two adjacent bladders and a second elongated arm portion located in the opening, the first and second elongated arm portions both being coupled to the top cover and configured to drain fluid from the top cover into the drain while maintaining the substantially continuous support of the mattress core.
- 22. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 20, wherein the mattress core comprises a plurality of foam core elements, and an array of air bladders supported on the plurality of foam core elements.
- 23. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 22, wherein the array of air bladders includes a plurality of header air bladders which are arranged on opposite sides of the mattress core, and a plurality of transverse air bladders which extend between the header air bladders.
- 24. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 20, wherein the base is formed to include a drain passage to permit the drain to pass through the base.
- 25. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 20, further comprising an inner cover positioned between the mattress core and the top cover.
- 26. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 20, wherein the drain trough includes four arm portions configured to form a cross-shaped structure.
- 27. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 20, wherein the plurality of elongated arm portions each have a bottom surface configured to slope toward a center of the drain.
- 28. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 20, wherein the top cover is liquid impervious.
- 29. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 20, wherein the mattress core includes a plurality of elongated side-by-side bladders configured to provide a substantially continuous support for a patient, at least two of the bladders being configured to define an opening extending in a direction transverse to the plurality of bladders, and the drain trough having a first elongated arm portion located between two adjacent bladders and a second elongated arm portion located in the opening, the second elongated arm portion being configured to intersect the first elongated trough section, the first and second elongated arm portions both being coupled to the top cover and configured to drain fluid from the top cover into the drain while maintaining the substantially continuous support of the mattress core.
- 30. The hydrotherapy mattress of claim 20, further comprising a bladder located on the mattress core adjacent an outer perimeter edge of the top cover, the bladder being selectively inflatable to elevate a portion of the top cover adjacent the outer perimeter edge so that fluids on the patient receiving surface of the top cover are contained on the top cover and directed toward the drain.
US Referenced Citations (30)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
17357 |
Mar 1882 |
DE |
374328 |
Jun 1932 |
GB |