Patent Application
20230017015
This document describes devices, systems, and methods related to mattresses with air chambers.
In general, a bed is a piece of furniture used for sleeping and relaxing. Many modern beds include a soft mattress on a bed frame. The mattress may include springs, foam material, and/or air chambers to support the weight of one or more users. Various features and systems have been used in conjunction with beds, including pressure adjustment systems for adjusting firmness of one or more users of the bed.
The document generally relates to mattresses with multiple interconnected air chambers that can be spaced by foam or some other intermediary structure other than the air chambers. More specifically, the document relates to air mattress systems with a plurality of air chambers that can be stacked and positioned in such a way to provide support and sleeper spine alignment through a full range of firmness pressure settings.
Pressure distribution and support (e.g., spine alignment) can be impacted in differing ways when a firmness is increased or decreased for an air mattress system. In some air mattress systems, when air pressure is decreased in air chambers of the mattress, the mattress can become more comfortable but spine alignment can be reduced. Reduced spine alignment can cause decompression in portions of the user's body, which can negatively impact the user's sleep quality.
Some embodiments described herein include an air mattress system, which can have adjustable stacked air chambers designed to increase or decrease surface firmness while providing spine alignment and comfort for the user. The air chambers can be stacked and configured in a way to allow for improved pressure distribution while also targeting a supportive result for one or more users of the mattress system. For example, in some embodiments, two air chambers can be stacked at a shoulder region of the mattress system while maintaining one air chamber near the waist region. This configuration can be advantageous to provide for more support, pressure adjustment, spinal alignment, and/or user comfort preferences. Stacking chambers in the shoulder region of the mattress system can be advantageous to provide additional support to the shoulder region. In other embodiments, air chambers can be stacked wherever the user desires to have additional or more support and/or adjustability in pressure. For example, one user can prefer stacking air chambers near a hip or waist region of the mattress system to provide more support and adjustment to the hip or waist region. In some embodiments, the user can prefer stacking air chambers that extend substantially across an entire length of the mattress system.
In some embodiments, the stacked air chambers can be fluidly connected such that they share a common pressure. Moreover, in some embodiments, all the air chambers in the mattress system, whether or not they are stacked, can be fluidly connected to share a common pressure. In some embodiments, all the air chambers can be separately adjustable and therefore not share a common pressure. In some embodiments, for example, the air chamber at the waist region can be fluidly connected to one or more of the stacked air chambers at the shoulder region and can be independent of the other air chambers at the shoulder region such that the other air chambers at the shoulder region can be set to different pressures.
In some embodiments, a first air chamber can extend from a head region to a foot region of the mattress system. Above or below the first air chamber, one or more additional air chambers can be stacked in regions of interest of the mattress system. For example, a second air chamber can be stacked in the shoulder region of the mattress system to provide additional support and pressure adjustment in the shoulder region of the mattress system. As another example, a third air chamber can be stacked in the hip region of the mattress system to provide additional support and pressure adjustment in the hip region of the mattress system. In some embodiments, the first and second air chambers can be positioned in the mattress system as mentioned above but the third air chamber can be excluded. Instead, one or more foam inserts can be positioned next to the second air chamber, in the hip region of the mattress system. The foam inserts can extend from the second air chamber to the foot end of the mattress system. As described above, any of the first, second, and third air chambers can be fluidly connected such that they share a common pressure. In some embodiments, only some of the first, second, and third air chambers can be fluidly connected such that they share a common pressure.
In the mattress systems described herein, space between air chambers can be filled with a foam insert or other similar material and/or structure. In some embodiments, multiple foam inserts can be positioned between the air chambers. In some embodiments, one or more foam inserts can also be positioned between each of the air chambers and the head and/or foot ends of the mattress system. As an example, foam inserts can be positioned between a first air chamber in the shoulder region and a second air chamber in the hip region of the mattress system. A third air chamber can extend a length of the mattress system, from the head end to the foot end of the mattress system, and can be positioned directly on top of the first and second air chambers and the foam inserts. Thus, foam inserts may not be positioned between stacked air chambers. As another example, foam inserts can be positioned between the first air chamber in the shoulder region and the second air chamber in the hip region of the mattress system. A third air chamber can be stacked on top of the first air chamber in the shoulder region of the mattress system. Additional foam inserts can be positioned next to the third air chamber and extend from the third air chamber to the foot end of the mattress system, over the second air chamber and the foam inserts. In some embodiments, instead of stacking foam inserts, foam inserts of greater height can be positioned in mattress system where air chambers are not stacked.
In some embodiments, the mattress system can have two sections (e.g., left and right sections) to accommodate two users on the bed. Each of the sections can include a set of air chambers, which can be stacked as described herein, and one or more foam inserts. Pressure can then be adjusted for each section based on preferences of each of the two users.
Particular embodiments described herein include a mattress having a first air chamber, a second air chamber stacked beneath the first air chamber that is fluidly connected to the first air chamber, and a support stacked beneath the first air chamber and positioned between the second air chamber and a foot end of the mattress.
In some implementations, the mattress can optionally include one or more of the following features. For example, the mattress can also include a foam layer positioned at a top surface of the mattress above the first air chamber. The first air chamber can extend across a length of the mattress from a head end to the foot end of the mattress. Moreover, the second air chamber can be positioned at a shoulder region of the mattress.
As another example, the first air chamber and the second air chamber can have a common internal pressure. Decreasing the common internal pressure in the first air chamber and the second air chamber can cause the support stacked beneath the first air chamber and positioned between the second air chamber and the foot end of the mattress to increase support at a lumbar region of the mattress.
Sometimes, one or more additional supports can be positioned beneath the first air chamber and between at least one of (i) the second air chamber and a head end of the mattress, (ii) the second air chamber and the support, and (iii) the support and the foot end of the mattress. The mattress can sometimes include a third air chamber stacked beneath the first air chamber and positioned between the support and the foot end of the mattress, such that the third air chamber can be positioned at a hip region of the mattress. An additional support can also be positioned beneath the second air chamber and the support and configured to extend across a length of a bottom surface of the mattress.
As another example, the mattress can include a foam rail structure including a head portion, a foot portion, and first and second side portions, the foam rail structure stacked beneath the first air chamber and configured to extend around a perimeter of the mattress to surround the second air chamber and the support. The second air chamber can extend from a location adjacent to an inner surface of the head portion of the foam rail structure to a shoulder region of the mattress. The support can extend from a location adjacent to the second air chamber to a location adjacent to an inner surface of the foot portion of the foam rail structure.
Sometimes, the support can include a foam cushion. The support can also include a rectangular open cell foam cushion positioned between the second air chamber and the foot end of the mattress at a location exterior to the second air chamber.
As yet another example, the mattress can further include a first section extending longitudinally between a head end and the foot end of the mattress and extending laterally between a left side and a midline of the mattress, and a second section extending longitudinally between the head end and the foot end of the mattress and extending laterally between a right side and the midline of the mattress. The first section can include the second air chamber and the support, and the second section can include a third air chamber and a second support positioned between the third air chamber and the foot end of the mattress. The first air chamber can extend across a top surface of the first section and the second section. Sometimes, the second air chamber and the third air chamber can have a different internal pressure. Sometimes, the support within the first section can have a first firmness level and the second support within the second section can have a second firmness level, where the first firmness level is different than the second firmness level.
As another example, the mattress can further include a first section extending longitudinally between a head end and the foot end of the mattress and extending laterally between a left side and a midline of the mattress, and a second section extending longitudinally between the head end and the foot end of the mattress and extending laterally between a right side and the midline of the mattress. The first section can include the first air chamber, the second air chamber, and the support, and the second section comprises a third air chamber, a fourth air chamber, and a second support positioned between the fourth air chamber and the foot end of the mattress. The first air chamber can extend across a top surface of the first section and the third air chamber can extend across a top surface of the second section. Sometimes, the first air chamber and the third air chamber can be fluidly connected to share a first common pressure and the second air chamber and the fourth air chamber can be fluidly connected to share a second common pressure. The first common pressure can be different than the second common pressure.
One or more embodiments described herein include a mattress having a first air chamber, a second air chamber stacked beneath the first air chamber that is fluidly connected to the first air chamber, and a support stacked above the second air chamber and positioned between the first air chamber and a foot end of the mattress.
The mattress can include any one or more of the following features. The second air chamber can extend across a length of the mattress from a head end to the foot end of the mattress. The first air chamber can be positioned at a shoulder region of the mattress. The first air chamber and the second air chamber can have a common internal pressure. Moreover, one or more additional supports can be stacked above the second air chamber and positioned between at least one of (i) the first air chamber and a head end of the mattress, (ii) the first air chamber and the support, and (iii) the support and the foot end of the mattress. The mattress may also include a third air chamber stacked above the second air chamber and positioned between the support and the foot end of the mattress. The third air chamber can be positioned at a hip region of the mattress.
As another example, the mattress can also include a foam rail structure including a head portion, a foot portion, and first and second side portions, the foam rail structure configured to extend around a perimeter of the mattress. The foam rail structure can surround the first air chamber and the support. The foam rail structure can also surround the first air chamber, the second air chamber, and the support. The first air chamber can extend from a location adjacent to an inner surface of the head portion of the foam rail structure to a shoulder region of the mattress. The support can also extend from a location adjacent to the first air chamber to a location adjacent to an inner surface of the foot portion of the foam rail structure.
As yet another example, the mattress can include a first section extending longitudinally between a head end and the foot end of the mattress and extending laterally between a left side and a midline of the mattress, and a second section extending longitudinally between the head end and the foot end of the mattress and extending laterally between a right side and the midline of the mattress. The first section can include the first air chamber, the second air chamber, and the support, and the second section can include a third air chamber, a fourth air chamber, and a second support positioned between the third air chamber and the foot end of the mattress. The fourth air chamber can be stacked beneath the third air chamber and the second support. Moreover, the first air chamber and the fourth air chamber can be fluidly connected to share a first common pressure and the second air chamber and the third air chamber can be fluidly connected to share a second common pressure, such that the first common pressure can be different than the second common pressure.
One or more embodiments described herein can also include a mattress extending longitudinally between a head end and a foot end and extending laterally between a left side and a right side, the mattress having a first section extending longitudinally between the head end and the foot end and extending laterally between the left side and a midline of the mattress. The first section can include a first air chamber, a second air chamber stacked beneath the first air chamber, and a first support positioned between the first air chamber and the foot end of the mattress. The mattress can also have a second section extending longitudinally between the head end and the foot end and extending laterally between the right side and the midline of the mattress, the second section including a third air chamber, a fourth air chamber stacked beneath the third air chamber, and a second support positioned between the third air chamber and the foot end of the mattress.
The mattress can optionally include one or more of the following features. The first air chamber can be fluidly connected to the fourth air chamber so as to have a first common internal pressure in the first and fourth air chambers, and the second air chamber can be fluidly connected to the third air chamber so as to have a second common internal pressure in the second and third air chambers. Moreover, the first common internal pressure can be different than the second common internal pressure.
The mattress can also include a pump system having one or more air pumps fluidly connected to the first, second, third, and fourth air chambers. The pump system can inflate the first, second, third, and fourth air chambers. Sometimes, the mattress can include means for inflating the first, second, third, and fourth air chambers. Moreover, the mattress can include means for containing the first, second, third, and fourth air chambers, the first and second supports, and a foam layer positioned on top of each of the first, second, third, and fourth air chambers and the first and second supports.
One or more embodiments described herein can include a mattress having a first air chamber positioned on a first side of the mattress, a second air chamber positioned on a second side of the mattress, a first lower air chamber positioned under the first air chamber that is fluidly connected with the second air chamber, and a second lower air chamber positioned under the second air chamber that is fluidly connected with the first air chamber.
The mattress can include one or more of the following features. For example, each of the first air chamber, the second air chamber, the first lower air chamber, and the second lower air chamber can extend substantially an entire length of the mattress within a mattress cover.
Each of the first air chamber, the second air chamber, the first lower air chamber, and the second lower air chamber can also have substantially the same length. Sometimes, each of the first air chamber and the second air chamber can be fluidly independent and independently adjustable. Moreover, the mattress can have a relatively level top sleep surface even when pressure is adjusted in the first air chamber and the second lower air chamber but not in the second air chamber and the first lower air chamber.
One or more embodiments described herein also include a mattress having a first air chamber, and a second air chamber stacked beneath the first air chamber. The second air chamber can be fluidly connected to the first air chamber. The mattress can include any one or more of the abovementioned features.
The devices, system, and techniques described herein may provide one or more of the following advantages. For example, the disclosed embodiments provide for improved spine alignment, stability, and surface continuity. For example, as air chamber pressure is uniformly decreased for all the air chambers in the mattress system, hip and shoulder regions can sink into the mattress, all while core and lumbar regions can remain supported by the foam support between the air chambers. As the air chambers deflate, the user's body can sink into the mattress more at regions of the air chambers, which can result in the foam providing more support to the user in waist/lumbar regions of the user's body. This added increased support in the waist and lumbar regions can enable an improved spine alignment for the user. Moreover, the improved spine alignment can be advantageous to improve overall sleep quality of the user. With better spine alignment, users can experience better sleep and more comfort.
As another example, some disclosed embodiments can provide for a relatively even and uniform sleep surface across a mattress system. For example, a mattress for two sleepers can have two sides. Each side can have stacked air chambers that extend substantially a length of the mattress system. A first user on a first side can adjust pressure in air chambers on the first side such that the first side is less firm. A second user on a second side can adjust pressure in air chambers on the second side such that the second side is more firm. When both sides of the mattress system are adjusted to different pressure levels, the sleep surface on top of the mattress system may be uneven. The disclosed embodiments, therefore, can provide for cross fluid connection between a top air chamber on the first side with a lower air chamber on the second side and a top air chamber on the second side with a lower air chamber on the first side. With cross fluid connection, when the air chamber on the first side is reduced in pressure for example, the lower air chamber on the second side can similarly be reduced in pressure in order to balance out the difference in pressure such that the sleep surface can be relatively even across the mattress system. Moreover, such minor adjustments in pressure to the lower air chambers may not be felt by the users. A relatively even sleep surface of the mattress system can be aesthetically pleasing and also more comfortable to users on both sides of the mattress system.
As another example, some disclosed embodiments can provide for user customization of the air mattress system. The air chambers and foam inserts can be movably positioned within a rail structure of the mattress. As a result, the user can move a position or location of any of the air chambers and the foam inserts. The user can also stack air chambers or prefer not to stack air chambers. The user can also swap out any one of the air chambers and foam inserts with other air chambers and/or foam inserts. For example, the user can insert one or more foam inserts having different firmness levels. The user may desire a firmer foam insert rather than a less firm foam insert. In other words, components of the air mattress system can be interchangeable by the user with increased and/or decreased firmness depending on the user's comfort preferences. The user can also insert multiple foam inserts in one or more regions in the mattress, between one or more of the air chambers and one or both of the head end and the foot end of the mattress. As another example, the components of the air mattress system can be moved or shifted between different zones or regions of the mattress system to accommodate for different user heights and/or comfort preferences. The user can change where any of the air chambers and/or the foam insert(s) are positioned within the mattress system. For example, a taller user can move the second air chamber closer to the foot end of the mattress to accommodate for their height. A shorter user can move the second air chamber closer to the head end of the mattress (e.g. closer to the first air chamber).
As another example, an air mattress system can have two sections, each with air chambers and foam insert(s) that can be customizable by two users of the bed. Therefore, when two users are sleeping in the bed, each user can adjust pressure settings for their respective air chambers. Each user can also move the air chambers and foam inserts in each of their respective sections. The disclosed embodiments can provide for each user to adjust their comfortability preferences independent of the other user.
As another example, the air chambers can be a same size, which can be cost effective in manufacturing and production of the air mattress system. The user can also replace or swap out one or more of the air chambers with differently sized chambers. Doing so can accommodate to the user's comfort preferences. For example, the user can swap out an air chamber with a longer air chamber that extends from the hip region to the foot end of the mattress.
In embodiments where two (or more) air chambers are fluidly connected, a single pressure setting can be used when adjusting firmness of the mattress, which can provide a relatively simple system for a user to adjust mattress firmness. Using a single pressure setting can also provide for consistent spinal alignment (as opposed to allowing different pressure settings in each chamber which can result in one chamber being undesirably firm as compared to another chamber). Therefore, parts of the user's body can be balanced across the top surface of the mattress system. Moreover, fluid connection of the air chambers can provide for less costly manufacturing and greater ease in maintenance or fixing components of the system as described herein.
The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
This document generally relates to air mattress systems with foam or other suitable support and a plurality of air chambers that can be positioned and stacked in such a way to provide support and sleeper spine alignment through a range of firmness pressure settings.
Referring to the figures,
The rail structure 110 can be a foam structure positioned around a perimeter of the mattress system 100. The rail structure 110 can provide some shape and/or structural support to the mattress system 100. In some implementations, one or more additional foam layers can be inserted between the rail structure 110 and one or more of the chambers 102A and 106A at the head end 114 of the mattress system 100, as depicted and described further in reference to FIG. 6. The additional foam layers can be advantageous to help with positioning the chambers 102A and 106A farther away from the head end 114 of the mattress system 100. Such a configuration can be preferred by a user who is shorter in height in comparison to a taller user.
In some implementations, air chambers can be stacked inside the mattress system 100. For example, in a shoulder region of the mattress system 100, an additional, lower air chamber (e.g., refer to lower air chamber 1000A in
The first, second, third, and/or fourth foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B, respectively, can be made of foam or some similar type of cushioning material, such as synthetic support materials (e.g., polymer materials) or natural support materials. In some implementations, all the foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B can have a same firmness level. Any one or more of the foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B can also have different firmness levels, based on user preference or as otherwise suitable for the application. For example, foam inserts that are positioned around the lumbar region of the mattress system 100 can be more firm than foam inserts positioned around the foot region of the mattress system 100. Any one or more of the foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and/or 108B can also include a rectangular open cell foam cushion. Such a foam cushion can, for example, be positioned between the first and second air chambers 102A and 102B and/or the third and fourth air chambers 106A and 106B at a location exterior to both sets of chambers 102A and 102B and 106A and 106B. As depicted throughout the disclosure, the foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B can be positioned between the first and second air chambers 102A and 102B and the third and fourth air chambers 106A and 106B, respectively, so as to physically separate the first air chamber 102A from the second air chamber 102B longitudinally and the third air chamber 106A from the fourth air chamber 106B longitudinally. One or more of the foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B can have different or same firmness levels based on user preference.
One or more of the first, second, third, and fourth foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B can be insertable and moveable inside the rail structure 110. Therefore, any one or more of the foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B can be replaced, switched with other supports, and otherwise moved to different regions or locations within the mattress system 100 as desired by the user. In some implementations, one or more of the foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B can be attached to the rail structure 110. For example, one or more of the foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B can be attached to a rail structure 110 using laminate, glue, adhesives, buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and/or zippers. In some implementations, one or more of the foam inserts 104A, 104B, 108A, and 108B can removably attach to the rail structure 110 to retain it in place but also to provide customization of component arrangement within the mattress system 100.
The mattress system 100 can be sized in a number of suitable mattress sizes, including Full, Queen, and King sized beds. In some of such implementations, the mattress system 100 can include a first zone having the first air chamber 102A, the second air chamber 102B, the first foam insert 104A, and the second foam insert 104B. The mattress system 100 can also include a second zone having the third air chamber 106A, the fourth air chamber 106B, the third foam insert 108A, and the fourth foam insert 108B. The first zone can be used by a first user and the second zone can be used by a second user. In some implementations, such as with Full, Twin, or Single beds, the mattress system 100 may only include the first air chamber 102A, the second air chamber 102B, the first foam insert 104A, and the second foam insert 104B. The second air chamber 102B can be fluidly connected to the first air chamber 102A. Similarly, the fourth air chamber 106B can be fluidly connected to the third air chamber 106A in the mattress system 100 that is Full, Queen, and/or King sized. As a result, a single zone air pressure (e.g., common internal pressure) can be maintained between the first and second air chambers 102A and 102B and the third and fourth air chambers 106A and 106B, respectively. Maintaining the single zone air pressure can be advantageous to make controlling adjustability settings of the mattress system 100 easier for a user or users. Moreover, maintaining single zone air pressures can reduce manufacturing costs of the mattress system 100. For example, all air chambers can be produced in a same size having same pressure settings and adjustability features. As a result, if air chambers need to be fixed, swapped out, or otherwise replaced, maintenance costs can be lower and more affordable. Fixing any of the air chambers used in the mattress system 100 can be easier and faster.
Maintaining a single air pressure between the first and second air chambers 102A and 102B and the third and fourth air chambers 106A and 106B can further provide spine alignment and lumbar support. Therefore, when air pressure is adjusted, portions of the user's body can be aligned relatively well both before and after the pressure adjustment. As pressure is uniformly decreased from the first and second air chambers 102A and 102B, the foam inserts 104A and 104B will not deflate with the chambers 102A and 102B. Therefore, the foam inserts 104A and 104B provide continuous support to waist, and/or lower leg regions to maintain or even improve spine alignment and overall comfortability, even when the user desires to lower pressure levels of the chambers 102A and 102B in the mattress system 100. Therefore, decreasing the common internal pressure in the first and second air chambers 102A and 102B can cause the foam insert 104A positioned between the chambers 102A and 102B to maintain or even increase support at the lumbar region of the mattress system 100.
As shown in
Moreover, as depicted, the components of the mattress system 100 are arranged inside a perimeter formed by the rail structure 110. The rail structure 110 can be a foam structure (or other material suitable for the application) that can maintain the components described herein in place when the mattress system 100 is moved and used. The rail structure 110 can therefore be positioned around a perimeter of the mattress system 100.
The mattress can also include a mattress cover 112. The mattress cover 112 can cover the components described herein to also maintain the components in place. The mattress cover 112 can be made of one or more fabrics or other similar textile materials. The mattress cover 112 can enclose the entire mattress system 100. The mattress cover 112 can also contain one or more foam layers (not shown in
As depicted in
The air chambers 102A, 102B, 106A, and 106B can be the same size (or substantially the same size) as each other. This can be advantageous for simplicity and also lower cost for manufacturing, repair, and/or replacement, as well as for maintaining all portions of the body balanced and aligned while the pressure settings of the mattress system 100 change. In some implementations, as shown in
Referring to the
In some implementations, such as where the mattress system 100 has only the first and second air chambers 102A and 102B, the first air chamber 102A can be positioned at the shoulder region of the mattress system 100 and extend laterally between locations adjacent to inner surfaces of the first and second side portions 124 and 126 of the rail structure 110. The second air chamber 102B can be positioned at the hip region of the mattress system 100 and extend laterally between the locations adjacent to the inner surfaces of the first and second side portions 124 and 126 of the rail structure 110.
As depicted in
The air chamber 704 can extend across some, most, or all of a length of the mattress system 700A from the head end 712 to the foot end 714 of the mattress system 700A. In the embodiment illustrated in
The rail structure 702 can form a perimeter around the stacked air chamber 706A, the foam inserts 708A and 708B, and the foam base layer 716. The rail structure 702 can provide additional structural support to the mattress system 700 and maintain the stacked air chamber 706A, the foam inserts 708A and 708B, and the foam base layer 716 in place.
One or more of the components described in reference to the mattress system 700A in
In operation, pressure can be adjusted concurrently in the air chambers 704 and 706A. As pressure is increased, for example, in the air chambers 704 and 706A, the user can experience increased support and/or firmness in the shoulder region. As pressure is decreased in the air chambers 704 and 706A, the mattress 700A can provide an increasingly soft (less firm) mattress across a user's entire body because pressure decreases in air chamber 704. Further, this can allow the user's body to sink in at the shoulder region more than at the legs and hips because pressure also decreases in the air chamber 706A without substantially changing the firmness of the foam inserts 708A and 708B. Thus, reducing pressure in the air chambers 704 and 706A can allow a user to sink in more at the shoulder region than at other regions to reduce pressure while also maintaining spinal alignment of the user.
The first air chamber 706A can be positioned in the shoulder region of the mattress system 700B, at the head end 712 of the mattress system 700B. The foam insert 708A can be positioned between the first air chamber 706A and the second air chamber 706B. The second air chamber 706B can be positioned in the hip region of the mattress system 700B. The foam insert 708B can extend from the second air chamber 706B to the foot end of the mattress system 700B across a leg region of the mattress system 700B.
The air chamber 704 can extend across some, most, or all of a length of the mattress system 700B from the head end 712 to the foot end 714 beneath the top layer 710, the first and second air chambers 706A and 706B, and the foam inserts 708A and 708B. In the embodiment illustrated in
The rail structure 702 can form a perimeter around the top layer 710, the first and second air chambers 706A and 706B, the foam inserts 708A and 708B, the air chamber 704, and the foam base layer 716. The rail structure 702 can provide additional structural support to the mattress system 700B and maintain the components described herein in place.
One or more of the components described in reference to the mattress system 700B in
In operation, pressure can be adjusted concurrently in the air chambers 704, 706A, and 706B. As pressure is increased, for example, the user can experience increased support and/or firmness in the shoulder and hip regions. As pressure is decreased in the air chambers 704, 706A, and 706B, the mattress 700A can provide an increasingly soft mattress across a user's entire body because pressure decreases in air chamber 704, and further, can allow the user's body to sink in at the shoulder region and hip region more than at the legs and waist because pressure also decreases in the air chamber 706A (shoulders) and the air chamber 706B (hips) without substantially changing the firmness of the foam inserts 708A (legs) and 708B (waist). Thus, reducing pressure in the air chambers 704, 706A, and 706B can allow a user to sink in more at the shoulder and hips regions than at other regions to reduce pressure while also maintaining spinal alignment of the user.
Referring to the mattress system 700C in
The rail structure 702 can form a perimeter around the top layer 710, the air chamber 704, the stacked air chamber 706A, the foam insert 708A, and the foam base layer 716. The rail structure 702 can provide additional structural support to the mattress system 700 and maintain the components described herein in place.
One or more of the components described in reference to the mattress system 700C in
In operation, pressure can be adjusted concurrently in the air chambers 704 and 706A. As pressure is increased, for example, in the air chambers 704 and 706A, the user can experience increased support and/or firmness. As pressure is decreased in the air chambers 704 and 706A, the mattress 700A can provide an increasingly soft (less firm) mattress across a user's entire body because pressure decreases in air chamber 704, and further, can allow the user's body to sink in at the shoulder region more than at the legs and hips because pressure also decreases in the air chamber 706A without substantially changing the firmness of the foam insert 708A. Thus, reducing pressure in the air chambers 704 and 706A can allow a user to sink in more at the shoulder region than at other regions to reduce pressure while also maintaining spinal alignment of the user.
The first and second air chambers 706A and 706B can be positioned beneath the foam insert 708A. The first air chamber 706A can be positioned in the shoulder region of the mattress system 700 and can extend to the head end 712 of the mattress system 700E. The second air chamber 706B can extend from the first air chamber 706A to the foot end 714 of the mattress system 700E. The second air chamber 706B can therefore be positioned in the lumbar/hip/waist/leg region of the mattress system 700E.
The air chamber 704 can be stacked beneath the foam insert 708A and the first and second air chambers 706A and 706B, and can extend across some, most, or all of a length of the mattress system 700E, from the head end 712 to the foot end 714. In the example of
In the example configuration of
In other implementations, the first and second air chambers 706A and 706B can be fluidly connected to each other but not to the stacked air chamber 704. In other implementations, the first and second air chambers 706A and 706B can both be fluidly connected to the stacked air chamber 704.
One or more of the components described in reference to the mattress system 700E in
In operation, pressure can be adjusted concurrently in the air chambers 704 and 706A. Pressure can be separately adjusted in the second air chamber 706B. As pressure is increased, for example, in the air chambers 704 and 706A, the user can experience increased support and/or firmness. As pressure is decreased in the air chambers 704 and 706A, the mattress 700A can provide an increasingly soft (less firm) mattress across a user's entire body because pressure decreases in air chamber 704, and further, can allow the user's body to sink in at the shoulder region more than at the legs and hips because pressure also decreases in the air chamber 706A without substantially changing the firmness of the air chamber 706B. Thus, reducing pressure in the air chambers 704 and 706A can allow a user to sink in more at the shoulder region than at other regions to reduce pressure while also maintaining spinal alignment of the user. If the user desires to adjust air pressure in the air chamber 706B, firmness and/or spinal alignment can be further customized as appropriate for the user.
The air chamber 704 can be stacked beneath the top layer 710, the rail structure 702, and the air chamber 706A. The stacked air chamber 704 can extend across some, most, or all of the mattress system 700G, as described herein.
The configuration in
The configuration in
It can be realized that a user can customize their mattress system using any of the configurations depicted in
The pump 820 can include a motor 942, a pump manifold 843, a relief valve 844, a first control valve 845A, a second control valve 845B, and one or more pressure transducers 846. The pump 820 is fluidly connected with the first air chamber 102A via a first tube 848A and the third air chamber 106A via a second tube 848B. The first air chamber 102A can then be fluidly connected with the second air chamber 102B via a third tube 848D. The third air chamber 106A can be fluidly connected with the fourth air chamber 106B via a fourth tube 848C. The first and second control valves 845A and 845B can be controlled by the switching mechanism 838, and are operable to regulate the flow of fluid between the pump 820 and the first air chamber 102A and also between the pump 820 the third air chamber 106A. The tube 848D can fluidly connect the air chamber 102A to the air chamber 102B so that the pressure in the air chamber 102B is the same or substantially the same as the air pressure in the air chamber 102A. Accordingly, the pump 820 can adjust air pressure in air chambers 102A and 102B at substantially the same time to substantially the same pressure. The tube 848C can fluidly connect the air chamber 106A to the air chamber 106B so that the pressure in the air chamber 106B is the same or substantially the same as the air pressure in the air chamber 106A. Accordingly, the pump 820 can adjust air pressure in air chambers 106A and 106B at substantially the same time to substantially the same pressure.
In some implementations, the pump 820 and the controller 824 can be provided and packaged as a single unit. In some alternative implementations, the pump 820 and the controller 824 can be provided as physically separate units. In some implementations, the controller 824, the pump 820, or both are integrated within or otherwise contained within a bed frame or bed support structure that supports the mattress system 100. In some implementations, the controller 824, the pump 820, or both are located outside of a bed frame or bed support structure.
In some implementations, a separate pump can be associated with each air chamber of the air bed system or a pump can be associated with multiple chambers of the air bed system. Separate pumps can allow each air chamber to be inflated or deflated independently and simultaneously. Furthermore, additional pressure transducers can also be incorporated into the air bed system such that, for example, a separate pressure transducer can be associated with each air chamber.
In use, the processor 836 can, for example, send a decrease pressure command to one of the air chambers 102A and 102B and/or 106A and 106B, and the switching mechanism 838 can be used to convert the low voltage command signals sent by the processor 836 to higher operating voltages sufficient to operate the relief valve 844 of the pump 820 and open the control valve 845A or 845B. Opening the relief valve 844 can allow air to escape from the air chambers 102A and 102B via the respective air tubes 848A and 848D. Opening the relief valve 844 can also allow air to escape from the air chambers 106A and 106B via the respective air tubes 848B and 848C. During deflation, the pressure transducer 846 can send pressure readings to the processor 836 via the A/D converter 840. The A/D converter 840 can receive analog information from pressure transducer 846 and can convert the analog information to digital information useable by the processor 836.
As another example, the processor 836 can send an increase pressure command. The pump motor 942 can be energized in response to the increase pressure command and send air to the designated air chambers 102A and 102B and/or 106A and 106B through the respective tubes 848A and 848D and/or 848B and 848C via electronically operating the corresponding valve 845B or 845A. While air is being delivered to the designated air chambers 102A and 102B and/or 106A and 106B to increase the firmness of the chambers, the pressure transducer 846 can sense pressure within the pump manifold 843. Again, the pressure transducer 846 can send pressure readings to the processor 836 via the A/D converter 840. The processor 836 can use the information received from the A/D converter 840 to determine the difference between the actual pressure in the air chambers 102A and 102B and/or 106A and 106B and the desired pressure.
Generally speaking, during an inflation or deflation process, the pressure sensed within the pump manifold 843 can provide an approximation of the pressure within the respective air chamber that is in fluid communication with the pump manifold 843. An example method of obtaining a pump manifold pressure reading that is substantially equivalent to the actual pressure within an air chamber includes turning off pump 820, allowing the pressure within the air chambers 102A and 102B and/or 106A and 106B and the pump manifold 843 to equalize, and then sensing the pressure within the pump manifold 843 with the pressure transducer 846. Thus, providing a sufficient amount of time to allow the pressures within the pump manifold 843 and air chambers 102A and 102B and/or 106A and 106B to equalize can result in pressure readings that are accurate approximations of the actual pressure within air chambers 102A and 102B and/or 106A and 106B. In some implementations, the pressure of the air chambers 102A and 102B and/or 106A and 106B can be continuously monitored using one or more pressure sensors. In some implementations, the pressure of the air chambers 102A and 102B and/or 106A and 106B can be monitored via another method suitable for the application.
When both sides of the mattress system 1004 have relatively similar firmness, the mattress system 1004 can be relatively flat or even across the sleep surface. In some cases, one user can reduce firmness in the air chamber 102A while another user can increase firmness in the air chamber 106A. Without the cross fluid connection via the hoses 1002A and 1002B, the sleep surface of the mattress system 1004 may be uneven, such that the side of the mattress system 1004 having the air chamber 106A (which has been adjusted to be firmer) can be taller in height than the side of the mattress system 1004 having the air chamber 102A (which has been adjusted to be relatively less firm). This uneven sleep surface can be undesirable for users of the mattress system 1004 due to comfort and/or aesthetics and may reduce overall sleep quality of the users.
With cross fluid connection via the hose 1002B, for example when the user increases firmness in the air chamber 106A, firmness in the lower air chamber 1000A can similarly be increased to raise (or to help maintain) a height of the side of the bed having the air chamber 102A. The user may not feel the increased pressure of the lower air chamber 1000A since the less firm air chamber 102A is stacked on top of the lower air chamber 1000A, but both sides of the mattress system 1004 can have a relatively flat or even sleep surface. Likewise, when the user decreases firmness in the air chamber 102A, with cross fluid connection via the hose 1002A, firmness in the lower air chamber 1000B can similarly decrease to lower (or to help maintain) a height of the side of the bed having the air chamber 106A. The user may not feel the decreased pressure of the lower air chamber 1000B since it is stacked beneath the firmer air chamber 106A, but both sides of the mattress system 1004 can have a relatively flat or even sleep surface.
In some implementations, the mattress system 1004 may have the air chambers stacked as shown in
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosed technology or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular disclosed technologies. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment in part or in whole. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described herein as acting in certain combinations and/or initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. Similarly, while operations may be described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, in some embodiments the mattress 100 can include more or fewer foam structures and/or air chambers than those illustrated. Moreover, in some embodiments the mattress 100 can include additional features not depicted, such as coil springs, comfort layers, sensors, or other support structures.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/223,235, filed on Jul. 19, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63223235 | Jul 2021 | US |
