SLEEP APPARATUS INCLUDING SLEEP SURFACE WITH TORSO-REST

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to beds. Herewithin, the term bed and sleep apparatus, unless otherwise noted, shall be used interchangeably to refer to beds, chairs, medical chairs, treatment chairs, medical tables, treatment tables, and other types of furniture or apparatuses, flat or adjustable, that provide a sleep surface—meaning a generally horizontal area on which a body may be supported in ventral, lateral, and/or dorsal decubitus positions. For purposes of simplicity, beds of the prior art, whether adjustable or non-adjustable, may also be collectively referred to herein as “conventional beds”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At least part of a sleep apparatus may be generally padded, cushioned, or compressible in order to provide comfort. A sleep apparatus may accommodate at least one user. A sleep apparatus may comprise a frame, platform, mattress, divan, box spring, bedstead, piece of furniture, other support, or other apparatus. A sleep apparatus may, in part, comprise an exoskeleton and/or endoskeleton. As used herein, the top-most, generally ceiling-facing surface of a sleep apparatus is referred to as a “sleep surface”.

A sleep apparatus may comprise at least a mattress. A mattress may comprise at least a comfort layer to inhibit impingement of body parts in contact with said mattress. It may also comprise, under the comfort layer(s), one or more support layers, the general job of which is to promote proper spinal and body alignment. A support layer typically comprises coils (i.e., springs), foam, latex, wool, horsehair, other natural fibers, other artificial fibers, or any combination thereof. A support layer may also comprise an inflatable air bladder, an inflatable water bladder, or other means. Likewise, a comfort layer may comprise the same. When a mattress is the top-most part of a sleep apparatus that a body generally contacts, then the top-most, generally ceiling-facing surface of the mattress is referred to herein as a “sleep surface.”

The human body is not, and cannot be, optimally ergonomically supported during sleep by either the generally two-dimensional surfaces of flat (i.e., non-adjustable) beds or the three-dimensional, articulating surfaces of adjustable beds. Additionally, the human body cannot be supported ergonomically upon, and within the perimeter of, the sleep surface of conventional beds.

Conventional beds suffer a common design flaw, which causes conventional beds to provide inadequate support. Whereas conventional beds may prove generally adequate for supporting torsos during sleep, they prove ergonomically inadequate for supporting the head, neck, and/or extremities. As a result, users not only suffer needless aches, pains, misalignments, subluxations, and injuries to at least joints and soft tissues, but also experience snoring, sleep apnea, and impaired deep sleep, leading to suboptimal functioning of the immune, cognitive, emotional, and/or endocrine systems, which in turn may promote multiple sequalae, including chronic disease.

In addition, conventional beds promote wrinkling in and of the face. Sleep wrinkles are the fine lines and deep folds that result due to repeatedly sleeping in a position that causes the face to come in contact with a surface, as occurs with sleeping on one's side, stomach, or combination thereof. Ironically, even sleeping on one's back may cause sleep wrinkles, due to gravity's promotion or exacerbation of folds in facial skin.

Furthermore, adjustable, medical chairs (herein referred to interchangeably as “medical”, “treatment”, “procedure”, and “adjustable” chairs) are those in which dentists, massage practitioners, and medical professionals seat or lie patients while performing work. Some such chairs generally have widths sufficiently narrow to enable, when reclined in generally horizontal position, the upper extremities of a prone patient's body to generally flank and to extend below the level of the surface on which at least the patient's thorax rests. This makes them ideal for accommodating a prone body. Despite this, however, adjustable chairs and massage tables are generally not sold, and consumers generally do not purchase them, for use as beds for overnight sleep. There are many reasons for this.

One drawback to adjustable chairs and massage tables is their narrowness. This narrowness is all at once a virtue and a primary drawback, with respect to being useful for prolonged sleep. More particularly, if the width of a medical chair's backrest is sufficiently narrow to be flanked by the arms of a prone body, then it's also: (a) too narrow to support the arms of a body in supine position (the arms fall off and toward the floor), (b) too narrow for a sleeping body to roll, spread out, or change position, and (c) too narrow, non-ergonomic, and uncomfortable to deliver adequate restfulness.

A second drawback to adjustable chairs and massage tables is their short length. These implements are designed to conserve space within the environment within which they exist. The square footage of a workspace is precious. So, the table or chair for accommodating patients/clients is as narrow and short as possible, which renders that same table or chair inadequate for comfort and utility during prolonged sleep.

A third drawback to adjustable chairs and massage tables is their lack of cushioning and support. They lack a comfort layer sufficiently cushioned for prolonged sleeping, and they lack a support layer sufficient for proper spinal alignment.

A fourth drawback to adjustable chairs and massage tables is their reliance on wipeable plastic or other manmade materials as an outer covering. Such coverings lack the hand (i.e., feel of a fabric) of comfortable fibers, such as cotton, hemp, wool, etc.

In short, no sleep apparatuses of the prior art, including treatment chairs and tables, accommodate all sleep positions optimally. That is, they fail to provide ergonomic rest. Whereas existing beds have too much breadth (across the transverse axis) to permit flanking of the upper extremities for optimal stomach-sleeping, existing medical chairs and massage tables have too little breadth to permit bodies to sleep supine and/or to move about naturally as needed.

Considering the foregoing, what's needed in the field of sleep is a sleep apparatus that does it all—one that features:

- (a) both the narrowness sufficient to be generally flanked by the upper extremities of bodies in prone position and the breadth sufficient to accommodate bodies that toss and turn, rest supine, or lie spread out;
- (b) the length to accommodate, head to toe, the outstretched body;
- (c) the support layer(s) and/or comfort layer(s) to properly cushion and support the body; and
- (d) an outer covering that is not only removable and washable but also sufficiently pleasant for bare skin to contact.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure teaches just such a sleep apparatus. More specifically, the subject disclosure teaches apparatuses and methods for achieving all of the aforementioned objectives.

To remedy the aforementioned inadequacies of conventional beds, the present invention teaches apparatuses and methods for sleeping in a manner to accommodate all body parts optimally and/or to inhibit or eliminate wrinkling of skin of at least the face.

To support a human body optimally, the design of conventional beds requires a paradigmatic shift. Whereas most beds of the prior art are designed to accommodate the entire human body upon and within the perimeter of the sleep surface, beds of the subject disclosure are designed to accommodate a sleeping body not only upon but also below the sleep surface and not only within but also beyond the perimeter or edge of a sleep surface. That is, some parts of a body may be accommodated within the perimeter of the sleep area and other parts of the same body may be simultaneously accommodated beyond (i.e., on the other side of) the edge of a sleep apparatus' sleep surface. Likewise, some parts of a body may be accommodated upon the sleep surface, and other parts of the same body may be simultaneously accommodated below or within the sleep surface. To reiterate, while beds of the prior art are designed to support the entirety of a body generally upon and within the geometric area of a bed's sleep surface, beds of the present invention are designed to support a human body upon, below, within, and beyond a bed's sleep surface. As used herein, the terms “area” or “surface area,” refers to the geometric area as defined by the perimeter of a bed's sleep surface.

The apparatuses and methods for beds and/or sleep surfaces of the present invention comprise at least three innovations:

- 1. Flanking is a novel method for supporting and orienting parts of the human body for superior sleep. Flanking is achieved when a body, in prone (i.e., ventral decubitus) position, is situated on at least an overhanging section of a sleep surface (i.e., a torso-rest) in a manner that permits at least part of both upper extremities to generally: (a) flank (i.e., bookend) said section; (b) extend generally below said section; and (c) come to rest, at least in part, below the level at which said body's ventral torso rests upon said section. It is also to be appreciated that, within this application, the term, flanking, is also used to describe when a body, in lateral decubitus position, is situated on at least a section of a sleep surface in a manner that permits at least part of one upper extremity to: (a) extend generally below the sleep surface of said section; and (b) come to rest at least generally below, along the sagittal axis, the level at which the body's torso rests upon said section.
- 2. Auxiliaries or auxiliary supports are devices for supporting portions of a body generally (a) across and/or beyond the general perimeter of a sleep surface and/or (b) below the body-contacting plane of a sleep surface. In some instances, auxiliaries may also be above, along the sagittal axis, the body-contacting plane of a sleep surface. Auxiliaries, unlike components of today's beds, may also be made operable to move in response to the body's movements. Auxiliaries include, but are not limited to, armrests, headrests, and legrests. Auxiliaries may be attached, removably, non-removably, movably, non-movably, or otherwise.
- 3. Novel Sleep Surfaces are sleep surfaces of dimension, shape, and/or configuration different than sleep surfaces characteristic of the prior art. Novel sleep surfaces are taught by the subject disclosure as structures to enable flanking for ergonomic positioning of the body and/or non-wrinkling accommodation of at least the face.

Used jointly or severally, flanking, auxiliaries, and/or novel sleep surfaces transform and improve the sleep experience in terms of comfort, health, restfulness, and beauty (i.e., with less wrinkling of skin of the face, neck, etc.). It is to be appreciated that a sleep surface may be originally manufactured to accommodate flanking and/or auxiliaries. Alternatively, a sleep surface may be modified after manufacturing to accommodate flanking and/or auxiliaries.

As taught by the present invention, the section of a sleep surface that may be flanked (i.e., be flankable) may be fixed in shape, configuration, or dimension. Alternatively, said section of a sleep surface may be operable to be manipulated, moved, folded, modified, elevated, rotated, lowered, removed, attached, or otherwise transformed in shape, configuration, position and/or dimension in order to become flankable (i.e., achieve flankability). Regardless how a sleep surface achieves flankability, it falls within the teachings of the subject disclosure.

Likewise, regardless how one or more auxiliaries may be situated or included to provide complementary and/or supplemental accommodation of portions of a body at rest upon a sleep surface, the auxiliaries fall within the teachings of the subject disclosure. For instance, headrests, armrests, rests for the upper extremities, rests for the lower extremities, and/or torso-rests may be fitted or retrofitted to a sleep apparatus either by a manufacturer, distributor, marketer, seller, or consumer. Alternatively, any part of a bed—sleep surface, headboard, mattress, box spring, bedstead, footboard, platform, frame, or other component—may be manufactured with one or more auxiliaries as part and parcel of the bed part.

Non-bed furniture or non-bed objects may also be furnished with or manufactured to be sold originally with one or more auxiliaries that may be placed sufficiently proximate to a sleep apparatus to support one or more body parts of a user of the sleep apparatus.

It is to be appreciated that auxiliaries may comprise different shapes, materials, and sizes for different purposes or for the same purpose. Auxiliaries may be provided as original equipment of sleep apparatuses or non-sleep apparatuses. Alternatively, auxiliaries may be provided as components to be retrofitted. Auxiliaries may be fixedly, removably, and/or movably attached. Auxiliaries may be movable in all directions and dimensions.

More specifically, movability of any auxiliary may include, but not be limited to, linear, angular, curvilinear, pivotal, or other motion relative to the transverse, longitudinal, and/or sagittal axes of the sleep apparatus to which it may be directly or indirectly attached or part. Furthermore, movability may permit, but not be limited to the pitch, roll, yaw, heave, sway, and surge of auxiliaries. Motion and/or adjustment of auxiliaries may be achieved by hand or other body part. Alternatively, auxiliaries may be movable or adjustable by motor, automation, or mechanization.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure, there is provided a bed comprising a sleep surface and an overhanging torso-rest substantially coplanar with the sleep surface. According to an aspect, the torso-rest is substantially contiguous with the sleep surface. According to another aspect, the torso-rest is unitary with the sleep surface. According to another aspect, the torso-rest is removably attached to the bed. According to another aspect, the torso-rest is movably attached to the bed.

According to an aspect, the torso-rest is cantilevered. According to another aspect, the torso rest is non-cantilevered. According to another aspect, the torso-rest is sufficiently sized and shaped to support at least a portion of a user's torso and to permit a portion of at least one of the user's upper extremities to be received under the torso-rest. According to another aspect, at least part of a width of the torso-rest approximates a distance between the axillae of a user.

According to an aspect, the torso-rest lies beyond the perimeter of the sleep surface. According to another aspect, the torso-rest lies within the perimeter of the sleep surface.

According to an aspect, the bed further comprises at least one auxiliary support for supporting at least one of a user's body parts situated at least partially off of the sleep surface. According to another aspect, the at least one auxiliary support comprises a headrest. According to another aspect, the at least one auxiliary support comprises at least one armrest. According to another aspect, the at least one auxiliary support is removably attached to the bed. According to another aspect, the at least one auxiliary support is movably attached to the bed. According to another aspect, the torso-rest and the at least one auxiliary support cooperate to reduce contact of skin, at least between the forehead and chin, with anything as a body rests on a bed.

Other features and advantages of the subject disclosure will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, there are shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the subject application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the subject disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a mattress including multiple torso-rests constructed in accordance with the subject disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a bed constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the subject disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bed of FIG. 3 with a user laying atop a sleep surface thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a torso-rest and auxiliary supports according to the subject disclosure shown supporting the upper extremities of a user;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a bed constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the subject disclosure with a user laying atop a sleep surface thereof;

FIG. 6A is a head-end view of the of a user lying atop the sleep surface of the bed of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bed constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the subject disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a side view of a user lying in lateral decubitus position on a bed constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the subject disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a user lying in lateral decubitus position on a bed constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the subject disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a user lying in a face-down prone position on a bed constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the subject disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bed constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the subject disclosure with a recess complement member omitted therefrom;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bed of FIG. 10 with the recess complement member received in a recess thereof;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the recess complement member of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13A is a side view of a bed constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the subject disclosure with a user lying atop a sleep surface thereof and with a headrest thereof in operative position;

FIG. 13B is similar to FIG. 13A with the headrest of the bed shown in a stowed position;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a conventional bed suitable for retrofitting with a torso-rest in accordance with the subject disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a box spring of the bed of FIG. 14 with the mattress of the bed removed;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a multi-component, torso-rest retrofitting apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the multi-component, torso-rest retrofitting apparatus of FIG. 16 resting atop the box spring of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a conventional bed retrofitted with multi-component, torso-rest retrofitting apparatus of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 with a torso-rest pad shown in exploded view with respect to a torso-rest cradle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Reference will now be made in detail to the various exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. The term “distal” shall mean away from the center of a body. The term “proximal” shall mean closer towards the center of a body and/or away from the “distal” end. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the identified element and designated parts thereof. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject application in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term “a,” as used in the specification, means “at least one.” The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

“About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

“Substantially” as used herein shall mean considerable in extent, largely but not wholly that which is specified, or an appropriate variation therefrom as is acceptable within the field of art. “Exemplary” as used herein shall mean serving as an example.

Throughout the subject application, various aspects thereof can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the subject disclosure. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the subject disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular exemplary embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure, a method for creating a sleep apparatus, with improved support for a body at least in prone position, comprises fixedly attaching, as a unitary, coplanar extension of the sleep surface of a standard-sized (twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king, etc.) mattress, a generally horizontal torso-rest that is:

- (a) sufficiently long (along the longitudinal axis) and wide (along the transverse axis) to support at least the upper portion of a prone human's torso, yet (ii)?? also sufficiently narrow (along the transverse axis) to enable at least a portion of the torso's upper extremities to generally flank (i.e., bookend) the torso-rest, and (iii) sufficiently shallow (along the sagittal axis) to permit the upper extremities to join, intersect, or rest beneath the torso-rest; and
- (b) aligned with the mattress, such that the head-end of the mattress attaches to the foot-end of the torso-rest, such that the center along the transverse axis of torso-rest is aligned with the center of the transverse axis of the mattress.

The bed or sleep apparatus according to the subject disclosure provides a body at least four ways to sleep. Firstly, a body may sleep prone, with torso resting on at least the torso-rest, and lower extremities resting on at least the mattress. Secondly, a body may also sleep supine, with torso resting on at least the torso-rest, and lower extremities resting on at least the mattress. Thirdly, a body may also sleep in lateral decubitus position, with torso resting on at least the torso-rest, and lower extremities resting on at least the mattress. Fourthly, the bed according to the subject disclosure also provides the roominess of a standard-sized mattress to accommodate sleeping as is now practiced within a mattress' standard perimeter.

It is to be appreciated that a torso-rest may be situated anywhere, including at the center, end, corner, or anywhere therebetween on any side of a mattress, including the head-end, foot-end, or sides.

It is to be appreciated also that a torso-rest may be used anywhere on a mattress of a non-standard size, dimension, or configuration.

It is also to be appreciated that any side or edge of a mattress may accommodate at least one torso-rest.

It is also to be appreciated that multiple torso-rests may be situated on any edge or side of a mattress—head-end, foot-end, or sides.

Though the surface for accommodating flanking (i.e., torso-rest) is, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, integral to a mattress, the subject disclosure contemplates that the torso-rest may extend from any component of a sleep apparatus or bed—including but not limited to the mattress, box spring, frame, platform, or bedstead.

Note also that a torso-rest according to the subject disclosure is generally, but is not limited to, tapered in shape. When tapered, it comprises a length generally greatest about the transverse center line and generally shortest furthest from said center line. In other words, the length of the torso-rest varies, generally decreasing with increasing distance, along the transverse axis, away from said center line. Without limiting any of the foregoing, the dimensions of a torso-rest may generally approximate no greater than 36 inches in width, 40 inches in length, and 36 inches in depth.

Another way to describe the torso-rest or surface to accommodate flanking is as an overhang that extends generally horizontally and generally co-planarly, from an edge of a sleep surface. The purpose of an overhang is to at least improve the utility and ergonomics of the sleep surface by creating a supplementary surface with a superior geometry—a geometry to permit a body to lie prone, with at least the lower extremities upon the mattress' sleep surface, at least a portion of the torso contacting the overhang, and the upper extremities flanking and resting at least in part below the generally top, ceiling-facing surface of the overhang. It is to be understood that this generally top, ceiling-facing surface of an overhang or torso-rest is within this disclosure referred to as the ceiling-facing surface of the torso-rest.

The subject disclosure provides an overhang or torso-rest to the geometry of a traditionally shaped (i.e., rectangular) bed or sleep apparatus, at least coplanar with the sleep surface of bed, wherein the torso-rest can be attached fixedly, removably, movably, non-movably, or otherwise. In addition, the torso-rest is sufficiently long and wide to support at least a portion of the torso of a body lying prone, but sufficiently narrow to permit the upper extremities of said torso to flank and at least rest at least in part below the ceiling-facing surface of the torso-rest.

The torso-rest may be any geometric shape so long as it be sufficiently long and wide to support at least a portion of the torso of a body lying prone, plus sufficiently narrow to permit the upper extremities of said torso to flank and at least rest at least in part below, along the sagittal axis, the vertical height of the ceiling-facing surface of the torso-rest.

The torso-rest may be fitted or retrofitted to a sleep apparatus either by the manufacturer, distributor, marketer, seller, or consumer. To facilitate this, a kit may be sold or otherwise provided with auxiliary supports and complementary parts for enabling a manufacturer, distributor, marketer, seller, or consumer to fit or retrofit a torso-rest to a sleep apparatus.

To augment bodily comfort and ergonomic soundness of sleep surfaces, a bed according to the subject disclosure may also comprise one or more auxiliary supports on which at least part of at least a user's upper extremities may contact, grasp, or rest (i.e., arm rest(s)). Similarly, a bed according to the subject disclosure may also comprise one or more auxiliary supports on which at least part of a user's head may contact or rest (i.e. headrest(s)). Similarly, a bed according to the subject disclosure may also comprise one or more auxiliary supports on which at least part of at least one of a user's lower extremities may contact or rest (i.e. legrest(s) and/or footrest(s)).

A torso-rest or overhang may also be described as a peninsular surface that is generally cantilevered or protruding. Hence, the subject disclosure provides a novel bed or sleep apparatus, comprising at least a generally cantilevered component or section on which at least a portion of at least a prone body's torso may rest and the body's upper extremities may at least generally flank.

The subject disclosure provides a bed system comprising at least a section that mimics the body's geometry. Just as the upper extremities hang to the left and right of the thorax of a standing body, the upper extremities, as specified in the present invention, may hang to the left and right of the section (i.e., torso-rest) on which a thorax may lie prone. The same is true for side-sleeping, during which the torso-rest may permit at least one arm to hang outside of and below the surface of the torso-rest. Definitionally, it is to be understood, when within this disclosure the torso-rest is said to be flanked by at least one upper extremity, it means that said at least one upper extremity occupies at least part of the space generally adjacent to said torso-rest. In other words, flanking by one arm, as used within this disclosure denotes when said one arm hangs beside the referenced torso-rest or other object.

It is also to be appreciated that every sleeping apparatus disclosed herein is as applicable for facilitating sleep in lateral decubitus position as it is at least for prone position.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a sleep apparatus or bed 100 according to the subject disclosure comprising a mattress 102, the mattress including a sleep surface 101 and a torso-rest 106 at its head-end. The torso-rest 106 is usable for flanking of a user's upper extremities (arms) as depicted in at least FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 6A, 9, 13A and 13B. According to this exemplary embodiment, the mattress 102 and torso-rest 106 are unitary (i.e., one-piece), and the torso-rest 106 is immovable. As with this and all other exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure, the top surface of the torso-rest is at least substantially coplanar and substantially contiguous with and, preferably, coplanar and contiguous with the sleep surface of the sleep apparatus.

It is to be appreciated that that the mattress 102 and the torso-rest 106 could also be made as separate components as opposed to being unitary, and the separate components could be removably, immovably, movably, and/or otherwise attached to one another. If movably attached, the torso-rest could be manipulated by hand, other body part, or a motor.

FIG. 2 shows various exemplary, although non-limitative, shapes of torso-rests 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d of mattress 102 of a sleep apparatus according to the subject disclosure. It is to be appreciated that multiple torso-rests 106a-106d may exist on any end, side, edge, or corner of a mattress 102. In addition, it is to be appreciated that, as depicted, torso-rests 106a-106d may be of any shape, size, or other variable, in order to achieve a desired function (e.g. to serve adults, children, or both adults and children).

FIG. 3 shows a sleep apparatus 100a comprising a mattress 102 with a sleep surface 101 and a void or recess 108 opening downward along the sagittal axis. Void 108 comprises a torso-rest 106 that extends toward the recess's headend. The torso-rest 106 and the void 108 are advantageously configured to permit at least part of the upper extremities of a body, lying prone, to flank the torso-rest 106 and come to rest at least at a level generally below that of the torso-rest 106.

It is to be appreciated that the void 108 may comprise no barrier between the upper extremities of said body and the floor, platform, or other support on which the bed may rest. Alternatively, void 108 may be more akin to a recess and comprise a barrier between the upper extremities of said body and the floor.

FIG. 3 also illustrates an exemplary auxiliary support in the form of a headrest 112. It is to be appreciated that the headrest 112, like any auxiliary support described herein, may be unitary with the sleep apparatus 100a or removably, non-removably, movably, non-movably, or otherwise attached thereto.

It is to be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, the headrest 112 can be attached to the torso-rest 106. It is also to be appreciated that another exemplary embodiment may comprise one or more armrests within or about a recess 108, for supporting at least portions of the upper extremities of a body lying prone upon a mattress 102 with at least a portion of its upper torso resting on the torso-rest 106.

FIG. 4 shows a sleep apparatus 100b, comprising a sleep surface 101 and void/recess 108 opening downward from the sleep surface along the sagittal axis. An upper edge of the void/recess 108 includes a torso-rest 106, upon which at least a portion of the torso of the prone body 1 rests. At least part of the upper extremities of the body 1 flank the torso-rest 106 and come to rest at least at a level generally below that of the torso-rest.

FIG. 5 shows a head 2 of a body 1 in prone position with the head cradled in a headrest 112, the upper extremities 5, 6 supported by the armrests 115, 116, and at least a portion of the torso supported by the torso-rest 106. A connector 113 attaches the headrest 112 to the torso-rest 106, a connector 117 attaches armrest 115 to sleep apparatus 100, and a connector 118 attaches armrest 116 to sleep apparatus 100.

FIGS. 6 and 6A show a body 1 lying prone upon a sleep surface 101 of a mattress 102 of a sleep apparatus 100c. The torso 4 of the body 1 rests at least on the torso-rest 106, the left and right upper extremities 5, 6 flank the torso-rest 106 and rest in the recess 108, and the lower extremities 9, 10 are supported at least on the sleep surface 101 of the sleep apparatus 100c. Note that the width of the torso rest 106 approximates a distance between the axillae of the user. Though this is the case within this exemplary embodiment, it may differ in other exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a sleep apparatus 100d including a headboard 110. A torso-rest 106 is attached to the headboard by a connector 119, a headrest 112 is attached to the headboard by connector 113, a left arm rest 115 is attached to the headboard by a connector 117, and a right armrest 116 is attached to the headboard 110 by a connector 118.

FIG. 8A shows a body 1 lying in lateral decubitus position on a mattress 102 of a sleep apparatus according to the subject disclosure. A head 2 rests on a headrest 112, which is connected to a torso-rest 106 by a connector 113. According to this exemplary embodiment, the torso-rest 106 is removably attached to the mattress 102. Torso 4 rests at least on the torso-rest 106. Part of a right upper extremity 6 flanks (i.e., occupies at least part of the space substantially immediately to the right of armrest 115) torso-rest 106 and rests on an armrest 115, which is removably attached by a connector 117 to the torso-rest. Left upper extremity 5 rests on at least the torso 4.

Note in FIG. 8A how far less skin of at least the face contacts a surface of any kind as compared to a conventional bed. This also is true when a body 1 rests prone with the head 2 resting upon headrest 112. This demonstrates at least one of the anti-aging and anti-wrinkling aspects taught by the present invention.

Anti-wrinkling aspects taught by the present invention may occur, as in this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8A and respectively in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8B, wherein solely the headrest 112 is used to support at least part of a user's head to reduce or obviate contact with said user's skin longitudinally above the shoulders.

In another exemplary embodiment, as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13B, anti-wrinkling aspects taught by the present invention may occur wherein solely the torso-rest is used to support at least part of a user's lower head to reduce or obviate contact with said user's skin longitudinally above the shoulders.

Anti-wrinkling aspects taught by the present invention may occur, as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 and respectively in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13A, wherein the torso-rest and the at least one auxiliary cooperate to reduce contact with skin of said user longitudinally above the shoulders.

FIG. 8B shows body 1 lying in lateral decubitus position on a mattress 102 of a sleep apparatus 100e according to the subject disclosure. A head 2 rests on a headrest 112, which is at least pivotably connected to a headboard 110 between an operative position supporting the head (as shown) and a stowed position in the headboard (not shown). According to this exemplary embodiment, a torso-rest 106 is unitarily attached to mattress 102. Torso 4 rests at least on the torso-rest 106. Part of a left upper extremity 6 rests on an armrest 116, which is at least pivotably connected to a headboard 110 between an operative position supporting part of a left upper extremity (as shown) and a stowed position in the headboard 110 (not shown). Right upper extremity 5 rests at least on the torso 4.

FIG. 9 shows a headrest 112 for accommodating at least a portion of at least the head 2 of a body 1 generally in prone position at least in part on a mattress of a bed according to the subject disclosure. FIG. 9 demonstrates how the subject disclosure promotes lesser contact with the face between the forehead 142 and chin 140. More particularly, the head 2 contacts the sleep apparatus in just two places. The chin 140 contacts the torso-rest 106 and the forehead 142 contacts the auxiliary support in the form of headrest 112, thereby preventing part or all of the skin 144 at least in between the forehead 142 and the chin 140 from contacting the sleep apparatus. In other words, the torso-rest 106 and at least one auxiliary support (e.g., headrest 112) cooperate to reduce the contact of the sleep apparatus or bed 100 (including a pillow) with the skin of at least the face. FIG. 9 also demonstrates how upper extremities bookend, i.e., flank, the torso-rest 106. The left upper extremity 5 descends to the left of and below torso-rest 106, and the right upper extremity (obscured) descends to the right and below torso-rest 106.

It is to be understood that the headrest 112 may be shaped, sized, configured, and/or operable to move differently, and as necessary, for the purpose of contacting the head, forehead, face, neck, cheeks, nose, eyes, chin and/or other body parts at, about, or above the shoulders in a manner capable of optimizing support and comfort with minimization of wrinkle-promoting contact. Variation of design of the headrest is taught by the present invention, particularly so that said headrest may accommodate the body parts at, about, or above the shoulders of a user, regardless whether a body is in ventral, lateral, dorsal, or other decubitus position.

FIG. 10 shows a sleep apparatus 100f comprising a headboard 110, a divan 104 with multiple feet 105, and a mattress 102. The mattress 102 includes a sleep surface 101 and a torso-rest 106 at its head-end, wherein said torso-rest 106 is usable for flanking by the upper extremities as depicted in at least FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 6A, 9, 13A and 13B. Recess area 108 exists to receive at least a portion of one or both upper extremities of a body (not shown) lying prone with at least upper torso upon torso-rest 106. In this embodiment, the mattress 102 and torso-rest 106 are unitary (i.e., one-piece) and the torso-rest 106 is immovable.

It is to be appreciated that a divan 104 could alternatively be a box spring or omitted altogether, so that a mattress 102 could rest directly on a floor, platform, frame, bedstead, or other sleep apparatus component.

FIG. 11 shows the sleep apparatus 100f of FIG. 10, except a removable complement 130 is present and occupies recess 108, thereby rendering the torso-rest 106 unusable for flanking by a user's upper extremities. The presence of removable complement 130 in recess 108 increases the generally coplanar geometric area of mattress 102. Removable complement 130 may, in this embodiment, be vertically lifted for removal from recess 108. Removable complement 130 may comprise the same materials as mattress 102 or by made of similar or dissimilar materials, depending on the characteristics desired. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), removable complement 130 may be otherwise evacuated from recess 108.

FIG. 12 shows the general construction of removable complement 130 of FIG. 11. As shown, the removable complement is generally rectangular prismoid in shape and is provided with a notch 150 sized and shaped to complementarily receive the torso-rest 106 as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13A shows a body 1 with the upper extremities (only left extremity 5 being shown) flanking a torso-rest 106. More specifically, a body 1 lies prone upon a sleep apparatus 100g with: a torso 4 resting at least on the torso-rest 106; a head 2 resting on a headrest 112; a left upper extremity 5 descending from the left of the torso-rest into recess 108 and coming to rest on the ceiling-facing surface of a box spring 104; a right upper extremity (obscured) descending from the right of the torso-rest into recess 108 and coming to rest on the ceiling-facing surface of box spring; and left lower extremity 9 and right lower extremity 10 resting on the sleep surface 101 of the mattress 102. According to this exemplary embodiment, the headrest 112 is at least in part anchored by, and rotates about, axel 114 of headboard 110 to move between usable (i.e., operative) position as seen in FIG. 13A and a stowed position as seen in FIG. 13B.

Note that auxiliary supports, such as headrest 112 and or armrests, may be anchored to any component or components of sleep apparatus 100f (or any of the other sleep apparatuses taught by the present invention), and said auxiliary supports may be operable to move at least between stowed and usable positions, said usable positions potentially being various and multiple. Said movement may be along, about, around, or otherwise relative to one or more of the longitudinal, transverse, and/or sagittal axes of a sleep apparatus 100. In addition, movement of an auxiliary support may be along, about, around, or otherwise relative to one or more of the longitudinal, transverse, and/or sagittal axes of the auxiliary support's attachment to a sleep apparatus. Also, note that, just as a headrest 112 of FIG. 13A differs from a headrest 112 of FIG. 9 in at least form, size, composition, and attachment to the sleep apparatus, auxiliaries of similar purpose may be provided in any form, size, composition, and/or attachment in order to (a) optimize the utility of a sleep apparatus and/or (b) maximally advantage a body 1 using a sleep apparatus in accordance with the subject disclosure.

In another exemplary embodiment, a mattress may rest upon a surface other than a box spring, and at least a portion of one or both of a user's upper extremities may rest on whatever one or more components (e.g. auxiliary supports) of a sleep apparatus that may be present for comfort or support of at least a portion of a left upper extremity and/or right upper extremity.

In yet an additional exemplary embodiment, the sleep apparatus may permit one or both of a user's upper extremities to hang unobstructed generally away from the body and toward the floor instead of, or as well as, permitting one or both extremities to rest on a surface of the sleep apparatus or on an auxiliary support.”

FIGS. 14 to 19 demonstrate an exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure for both (a) how a prior art sleep apparatus or bed may be retrofitted or modified to comprise a torso-rest 106 and (b) how a torso-rest 106 may be attached to the sleep apparatus. The components discussed may be sold jointly as a kit or severally to enable consumers to retrofit beds for more ergonomic rest in at least the ventral decubitus and lateral decubitus positions.

FIG. 14 shows a prior art sleep apparatus 100 (conventional) with a mattress 102 resting upon a box spring or divan 104. FIG. 15 is a replication of the view of the sleep apparatus 100 (conventional) of FIG. 14, except in FIG. 15 the mattress 102 has been removed. Only divan/box spring 104 remains.

FIG. 16 shows a multi-component, torso-rest retrofitting apparatus 132. As depicted in FIG. 16, the torso-rest retrofitting apparatus 132 comprises a horizontal planar platform 133, a torso-rest pad 106, and a connector 119 that connects torso-rest pad 106 with horizontal platform 133. The horizontal platform 133 is designed to fit between (a) a mattress 102 and whatever surface upon which the mattress rests (in this case divan/box spring 104), or (b) a box spring 104 and whatever surface upon which said box spring 104 rests. It is to be understood that the retrofitting depicted in FIG. 17 may in alternative embodiments be achieved in multiple various ways.

FIG. 17 shows the torso-rest retrofitting apparatus 132 resting upon a box spring 104, with mattress 102 (not illustrated) having been removed.

FIG. 18 shows a bed 100h, completely assembled, comprising a box spring 104, a mattress 102, and torso-rest retrofitting apparatus 132, which retrofitting apparatus 132 comprises of a horizontal platform (obscured, positioned between box spring 104 and mattress 102), a torso-rest pad 106′, and a connector 119.

It is to be understood that auxiliary supports, including but not limited to the torso-rest(s), arm rest(s), headrest(s), and lower extremity rest(s), may be anchored, connected, attached, and/or affixed directly or indirectly to, in, of, under, about, over, through, along, and/or around any of the sleep apparatuses taught by the present invention. It is to be understood that auxiliary supports may be held in and for workable association with respect to a sleep apparatus in virtually countless other ways. The apparatus and methods disclosed herein are included just for example, not as an exhaustive itemization of possibility.

FIG. 18 is similar to FIG. 18, except in FIG. 19 the torso-rest pad 106′ and the pad cradle 107, in which said pad 106′ may sit, have been exploded (i.e., separated in space), in order to demonstrate that they can be removably attached to one another, so that pad 106′ may be detached, washed, repaired, and/or replaced as needed. Notwithstanding, in another exemplary embodiment, torso-rest pad 106′ and pad cradle 107 may be non-detachable.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is to be understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Number	Date	Country
63555381	Feb 2024	US
63550042	Feb 2024	US
63626516	Jan 2024	US
63623448	Jan 2024	US
63596568	Nov 2023	US
63525452	Jul 2023	US
63506826	Jun 2023	US

SLEEP APPARATUS INCLUDING SLEEP SURFACE WITH TORSO-REST

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Provisional Applications (7)