US20010023512A1 - Check valve for mattress assembly - Google Patents
Check valve for mattress assembly Download PDFInfo
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- US20010023512A1 US20010023512A1 US09/873,540 US87354001A US2001023512A1 US 20010023512 A1 US20010023512 A1 US 20010023512A1 US 87354001 A US87354001 A US 87354001A US 2001023512 A1 US2001023512 A1 US 2001023512A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- check valve
- fluid
- sheets
- tube
- air
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
- A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
- A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
- A47C27/082—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type with non-manual inflation, e.g. with electric pumps
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
- A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
- A47C27/10—Fluid mattresses or cushions with two or more independently-fillable chambers
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/3584—Inflatable article [e.g., tire filling chuck and/or stem]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a mattress, a mattress overlay, or a mattress replacement assembly including an air cushion having air zones for supporting a person, and to a pressure control assembly for controlling the pressure of pressurized fluid contained by the air zones of the air cushion.
- mattresses Some mattresses, mattress overlays, or mattress replacement systems (hereinafter mattresses) are provided with air sacks to support a person and to provide adjustable firmness characteristics. These air mattresses include one, or several air sacks that are inflated to different pressures to adjust the firmness in selective regions or zones of the mattress.
- One such mattress is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,288, entitled PRESSURE CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR AN AIR MATTRESS, which is herein incorporated by reference.
- each air zone is in fluid communication with a manifold having an interior region that is maintained at a constant pressure.
- the constant pressure of the pressurizing fluid within the manifold may be the same as or may be different from the pressure of pressurized fluid within at least one of the air zones.
- the illustrated air cushion also includes first and second side bolsters filled with air that extend along opposite sides of the air cushion to help retain a person on the air cushion.
- a mattress assembly comprises an inflatable central support portion having a head end, a foot end, a first side and a second side, and first and second side bolsters coupled to the first and second sides, respectively.
- the first and second side bolsters each have at least two chambers extending along a longitudinal axis of the first and second side bolsters.
- At least one of the chambers is a manifold in fluid communication with the central support portion.
- the manifold is configured to be coupled to an air supply to supply air to the central support portion and the other chambers.
- the inflatable central support and the first and second side bolsters are formed from a plurality of separately inflatable zones.
- the plurality of zones include a head zone, a shoulder zone, a seat zone, and a foot zone.
- the illustrated first and second side bolsters each include a top chamber, a central chamber, and a bottom chamber.
- the central chamber of the first side bolster is illustratively the manifold extending along the first side of the central support portion.
- the central chamber of the first side bolster is in fluid communication which each of the plurality of zones of the central support portion.
- the zones of the top and bottom chambers of the of the first and second side bolsters are each in fluid communication with the central support portion through a restricted flow orifice.
- the zones of the central chamber of the second side bolster are coupled to the top chambers of the second side bolster through a restricted flow orifice.
- the bottom chambers in the shoulder zone of the of the first and second side bolsters are coupled to the central support portion by check valves which permit air flow from the central support portion into the bottom chambers in the shoulder zone.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mattress assembly of the present invention including an air cushion having a plurality of separate air zones, top coverlet, a bottom cover, and a blower configured to be coupled to the air cushion;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through a head zone of the air cushion
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken through a shoulder zone of the air cushion
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through a seat zone of the air cushion
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken through a foot zone of the air cushion
- FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the air cushion of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the air cushion
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a check valve of the present invention in an open orientation to permit air flow from a manifold into a central support portion of the air cushion;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the check valve of FIG. 8 illustrating the check valve in a closed position
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the air cushion illustrating a plurality of chambers within a side bolster located adjacent to a support zone of the air cushion.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a mattress assembly 10 including an air cushion 12 configured to be located between a top coverlet 14 and a bottom cover 16 .
- top coverlet 14 includes a top surface 18 and a side flap 20 .
- a zipper 22 extends around the coverlet 14 beneath the flap 20 .
- Zipper 22 is configured to be coupled to a zipper 24 of bottom cover 16 so that the flap 20 extends downwardly over zipper 24 .
- Zipper 24 is coupled to a side wall 26 of cover 16 which extends upwardly from a bottom surface 28 .
- Coverlet 14 and bottom cover 16 cooperate to define an interior region 30 for receiving the air cushion 12 .
- Buckles 32 are coupled to opposite sides of cover 16 to secure the mattress assembly 10 to a box spring or a support deck.
- bottom cover 16 includes tie straps 34 which may also be used to secure the mattress assembly 10 to a support deck.
- Air cushion 12 includes a side flap 43 adjacent each side bolster 42 and 44 . Snaps 45 are located on each flap 43 . Snaps 45 are configured to mate with snaps 47 on side wall 26 of bottom cover 16 . It is understood that other suitable fasteners, such as Velcro fasteners, ties, etc. may be used instead of snaps 45 and 47 .
- Air cushion 12 includes a central support portion 40 which provides a sleep surface for a person resting on the mattress. Air cushion 12 also includes side bolsters 42 and 44 located on opposite sides of the central support portion 40 . Air cushion 12 is illustratively divided into separate air zones including a head zone 46 , a shoulder zone 48 , a seat zone 50 , and a foot zone 52 . A hose fitting 54 is coupled to the side bolster 42 in the foot zone 52 . Fitting 54 is configured to be coupled to a connector 56 on air hose 58 . A connector 60 on the opposite end of hose 58 is configured to be coupled to an outlet 62 of a blower 64 . Connector 56 extends through an aperture 66 formed in bottom cover 16 and into the hose fitting 54 to supply air from the blower 64 to the air cushion 12 as discussed in detail below.
- Each of the air zones 46 , 48 , 50 , and 52 are separated by a solid divider wall 68 , 70 , and 72 as best illustrated in FIG. 6.
- the central support portion 40 further includes baffles 74 located within each zone. Baffles 74 include apertures 76 which permit air flow through the baffles 74 .
- First side bolster 42 includes a top chamber 80 , a bottom chamber 82 , and a central manifold 84 .
- Second side bolster 44 includes a top chamber 86 , a bottom chamber 88 , and a central chamber 90 .
- Top and bottom chambers 80 and 82 of side bolster 42 are divided into separate zones by dividers 68 , 70 , and 72 shown in FIG. 6.
- Manifold 84 extends continuously through the first side bolster 42 so that manifold 84 supplies air from the blower 64 to each of the separate air zones 46 , 48 , 50 , and 52 of the air cushion 12 .
- a split corrugated hose 92 extends through the manifold 84 to prevent opposite side walls of the manifold 84 from collapsing together to block air flow through one of the air zones.
- inlet air from blower 64 passes through hose 58 and hose fitting 54 into bottom chamber 82 of foot zone 52 .
- Bottom chamber 82 is in fluid communication with manifold 84 within foot zone 52 . Therefore, air flows through the manifold 84 along the entire side bolster 42 .
- the central support portion 40 has a thickness illustrated by dimension 94 .
- Side bolsters 42 and 44 have a thickness illustrated by dimension 96 which is greater than the thickness of the support portion 40 .
- the increased thickness of side bolsters 42 and 44 helps to maintain a person on the air cushion 12 .
- the top and bottom chambers of the side bolsters 42 , 44 simulate a rectangular shape and provide an increased sleep surface area compared to a single round side bolster chamber.
- air from manifold 84 passes into central support portion 40 through a check valve 98 in the direction of arrow 100 to supply the central support portion 40 with air from the blower 64 .
- Air from central support portion 40 passes through a restricted flow orifice 102 into top chamber 80 and through a restricted flow orifice 104 into bottom chamber 82 of side bolster 42 .
- air from central portion 40 passes through a restricted flow orifice 106 into top chamber 86 of side bolster 44 and through restricted flow orifice 108 into bottom chamber 88 of side bolster 44 .
- Air also passes from top chamber 86 to central chamber 90 of side bolster 44 through a restricted flow orifice 110 .
- orifices 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , and 110 all have a size of 1 / 8 inch.
- a dump valve 112 is coupled to central portion 40 to permit the head zone 46 to be deflated quickly.
- a test port 114 is also coupled to central support portion 40 . Test port 114 is configured to receive a needle to check the pressure within zone 46 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of the air cushion 12 in the shoulder zone 48 .
- Air from the manifold 84 passes through a check valve 116 into central support portion 40 in the direction of arrow 118 .
- Air from central support portion 40 flows into top chamber 80 of side bolster 42 through an orifice 120 .
- Air from central support portion 40 also passes through a check valve 122 into bottom chamber 82 of side bolster 42 in the direction of arrow 124 .
- air from central support portion 40 passes into top chamber 86 of side bolster 44 through a restricted flow orifice 126 .
- Air from chamber 86 passes into central chamber 90 through orifice 128 .
- Air also passes from central support portion 40 through a check valve 130 into bottom chamber 88 of side bolster 44 in the direction of arrow 132 .
- orifices 120 , 126 , and 128 have a dimension of 1 ⁇ 8 inch.
- Dump valves 131 and 133 are coupled to bottom chambers 82 and 88 , respectively, of shoulder zone 48 .
- Check valves 122 and 130 permit air to enter bottom chambers 82 and 88 , respectively. However, air cannot pass back through check valves 122 and 130 into the central support portion 40 . Therefore, these bottom chambers 82 and 88 within shoulder zone 48 remain at relatively high pressure to provide additional support in bolsters 42 and 44 within the shoulder zone. As the weight of the patient increases, the pressure within bottom chambers 82 and 84 within shoulder zone 48 also increases.
- FIG. 4 illustrates the configuration of the air cushion 12 within the seat zone 50 .
- Air manifold 84 is coupled to central support portion 40 by an orifice 134 .
- orifice 134 has a dimension of 3 ⁇ 8 inch. Therefore, the pressure within central support portion 40 of seat zone 50 is maintained at substantially the air manifold pressure. Air passes from central support portion 40 into top chamber 80 and bottom chamber 82 of side bolster 42 through restricted flow orifices 136 and 138 , respectively. Air also passes from central support portion 40 into top chamber 86 and bottom chamber 88 of side bolster 44 through restricted flow orifices 140 and 142 , respectively.
- Air passes from top chamber 86 to central chamber 90 of side bolster 44 through a restrictive flow orifice 144 .
- orifices 136 , 138 , 140 , 142 , and 144 each have a dimension of 1 ⁇ 8 inch.
- Dump valves 146 and 148 are coupled to bottom chambers 82 and 88 , respectively.
- a test port 114 is coupled to central support portion 40 .
- FIG. 5 A configuration of foot zone 52 of air cushion 12 is illustrated in FIG. 5.
- Air manifold 84 is coupled to central support portion 40 of foot zone 52 by a check valve 150 so that air flows from manifold 84 into central support portion 40 in the direction of arrow 152 .
- Air passes from central support portion 40 into top chamber 80 of side bolster 42 through restricted flow orifice 154 .
- Air also passes into top chamber 86 and the bottom chamber 88 of side bolster 44 through restrictive flow orifices 156 and 158 , respectively.
- orifices 154 , 156 , 158 , and 160 have a dimension of 1 ⁇ 8 inch.
- a dump valve 162 is coupled to central support portion 40 within foot zone 52 .
- a test port 114 is also coupled to central support portion 40 within foot zone 52 .
- Air pressure within each of the air zones 46 , 48 , 50 , and 52 is controlled by the number of micro holes 172 formed in a top surface 170 of each zone of the central support portion 40 .
- head zone 46 includes 12-16 micro holes 172
- shoulder zone 48 includes 20-24 micro holes
- seat zone 50 includes 12 micro holes
- foot zone 52 includes 36-48 micro holes.
- the number of micro holes 172 in each zone 46 , 48 , 50 , and 52 controls the pressure within the zone since the same manifold pressure from air manifold 84 is supplied to each zone.
- pressure within the zones 46 , 48 , 50 , and 52 can be established at a desired level by altering the size or number of micro holes 172 formed in top surface 170 of central support surface 40 .
- a separate orifice is coupled to the central support portion 40 in each zone to adjust the air flow out of the zone without micro holes being formed in the top surface 170 .
- bleeder valves 174 , 176 are coupled to a bottom surface 178 of air cushion 12 in communication with the head zone 46 and foot zone 52 . Bleeder valves 174 , 176 further reduce the pressure in head zone 46 and foot zone 52 . When bleeder valves 174 , 176 are used, micro holes 172 are not used to vent head zone 46 and foot zone 52 .
- the side bolsters 42 and 44 help retain a person on the central support portion 40 as the person moves toward an edge of the mattress. Since air flow out of the side bolsters 42 , 44 is restricted, air cannot rush to an opposite side of the air cushion 12 as the person moves toward a side of the air cushion 12 .
- the number of micro holes 172 is illustratively selected so that the seat zone 50 has the highest pressure. Shoulder zone 48 illustratively has the next highest pressure. Head zone 46 and foot zone 52 have the lowest pressures.
- the mattress assembly 10 of the present invention may be used as a mattress overlay or as a mattress replacement.
- the thickness of the mattress overlay is less than the thickness for a mattress replacement air cushion.
- the orifices 138 and 142 of seat zone 50 may be replaced with check valves such as illustrated by check valves 122 and 130 in FIG. 3 so that air is forced into bottom chambers 82 and 88 based on the weight of the patient. If such check valves are used, air cannot return from bottom chambers 82 and 88 of the seat zone 50 to the central portion 40 as discussed with regard to FIG. 3. Therefore, this embodiment would provide additional stiffness for the side bolsters 42 , 44 .
- FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a check valve 180 of the present invention.
- Check valve 180 is illustratively formed from two sheets 181 , 183 of high temperature urethane material having a thickness of about 0.008 inch. The thickness may be less if desired.
- the sheets are seam sealed to an air zone surface around a tube 182 by seams 184 .
- Tube 182 includes an angle cut end 185 to reduce the likelihood that the tube 182 will be sealed by a portion of manifold 84 .
- Seals such as RF welds are also provided at locations 186 and 188 to provide a generally T-shaped open region 190 between the sheets 181 , 183 of the valve 180 . Open region 190 has air outlet openings 191 which are not sealed by seams.
- Air can flow through the tube 182 in the direction of arrow 192 . Air the passes into region 190 as illustrated by arrows 194 in FIG. 8 and exits the valve 180 through openings 191 as illustrated by arrows 196 .
- the sheets 181 , 183 of valve 180 collapse and block air flow through the region 190 in the direction of arrows 197 to provide a check valve as shown in FIG. 9.
- Dimension 198 of valve 180 is illustratively 3.250 inches.
- Dimension 200 of valve 180 is illustratively 2.375 inches.
- Dimension 204 of valve 180 is illustratively 1.000 inch.
- Air cushion 12 includes a top sheet of material 210 and a bottom sheet of material 212 which extend across the entire width of the air cushion 12 .
- Baffles 74 are coupled to top sheet 210 and bottom sheet 212 by seams 214 and 216 , respectively.
- Air cushions 212 further include upper and lower interior sheets of material 218 and 220 which form the side bolsters 42 and 44 . Only one side bolster 42 is illustrated in FIG. 10.
- Upper sheet 218 is coupled to top sheet 210 by seam 222 .
- Sheet 218 is also coupled to top sheet 210 at a spaced-apart location 224 to define the top chamber 80 of bolster 42 .
- Sheets 210 , 212 , 218 , and 220 are all coupled together by seam 222 adjacent flap 43 .
- Lower sheet 220 is coupled to bottom sheet 212 by seam 228 .
- Lower sheet 220 is also coupled to upper sheet 218 by seam 184 .
- the check valve 180 is coupled to the top and bottom sheets 218 and 220 as shown in FIG. 10.
- Lower sheet 220 is also coupled to bottom sheet 212 at a location 230 spaced apart from seam 228 to define bottom chamber 82 of bolster 42 .
- Manifold 84 is formed between upper and lower sheets 218 and 220 between seams 184 , 224 , 226 , and 230 .
- Hose 92 extends through manifold 84 as shown in FIG. 10 to prevent the sheets 218 and 220 which form manifold 84 from collapsing against each other to seal the manifold 84 .
- Tube 92 is split along its length as shown by split 232 . Therefore, air can flow through the tube 92 and through the split portion 232 .
- tube 92 provides structural support within the manifold 84 to hold the manifold 84 open. It is understood that other structural support members such as springs, etc. which permit air flow through the support member may be used in accordance with the present invention.
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- Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
Abstract
A check valve adapted for use between first and second fluid chambers. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow from the second fluid chamber into the first fluid chamber.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/479,353 filed Jan. 7, 2000, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/115,116, filed Jan. 8, 1999, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
- The present invention relates to a mattress, a mattress overlay, or a mattress replacement assembly including an air cushion having air zones for supporting a person, and to a pressure control assembly for controlling the pressure of pressurized fluid contained by the air zones of the air cushion.
- Some mattresses, mattress overlays, or mattress replacement systems (hereinafter mattresses) are provided with air sacks to support a person and to provide adjustable firmness characteristics. These air mattresses include one, or several air sacks that are inflated to different pressures to adjust the firmness in selective regions or zones of the mattress. One such mattress is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,288, entitled PRESSURE CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR AN AIR MATTRESS, which is herein incorporated by reference.
- It is desirable for an air mattress to provide different pressure zones of support for a person on the mattress while maintaining sufficient pressure along opposite side edges of the mattress to provide support when the person sits or rests along one of the side edges. In the illustrated embodiment, each air zone is in fluid communication with a manifold having an interior region that is maintained at a constant pressure. The constant pressure of the pressurizing fluid within the manifold may be the same as or may be different from the pressure of pressurized fluid within at least one of the air zones. The illustrated air cushion also includes first and second side bolsters filled with air that extend along opposite sides of the air cushion to help retain a person on the air cushion.
- In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a mattress assembly comprises an inflatable central support portion having a head end, a foot end, a first side and a second side, and first and second side bolsters coupled to the first and second sides, respectively. The first and second side bolsters each have at least two chambers extending along a longitudinal axis of the first and second side bolsters. At least one of the chambers is a manifold in fluid communication with the central support portion. The manifold is configured to be coupled to an air supply to supply air to the central support portion and the other chambers.
- Also in the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable central support and the first and second side bolsters are formed from a plurality of separately inflatable zones. The plurality of zones include a head zone, a shoulder zone, a seat zone, and a foot zone. The illustrated first and second side bolsters each include a top chamber, a central chamber, and a bottom chamber. The central chamber of the first side bolster is illustratively the manifold extending along the first side of the central support portion. The central chamber of the first side bolster is in fluid communication which each of the plurality of zones of the central support portion. The zones of the top and bottom chambers of the of the first and second side bolsters are each in fluid communication with the central support portion through a restricted flow orifice. Illustratively, the zones of the central chamber of the second side bolster are coupled to the top chambers of the second side bolster through a restricted flow orifice. Also illustratively, the bottom chambers in the shoulder zone of the of the first and second side bolsters are coupled to the central support portion by check valves which permit air flow from the central support portion into the bottom chambers in the shoulder zone.
- Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of an illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
- The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mattress assembly of the present invention including an air cushion having a plurality of separate air zones, top coverlet, a bottom cover, and a blower configured to be coupled to the air cushion;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through a head zone of the air cushion;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken through a shoulder zone of the air cushion;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through a seat zone of the air cushion;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken through a foot zone of the air cushion;
- FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the air cushion of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the air cushion;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a check valve of the present invention in an open orientation to permit air flow from a manifold into a central support portion of the air cushion;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the check valve of FIG. 8 illustrating the check valve in a closed position; and
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the air cushion illustrating a plurality of chambers within a side bolster located adjacent to a support zone of the air cushion.
- Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a
mattress assembly 10 including anair cushion 12 configured to be located between a top coverlet 14 and abottom cover 16. Illustratively, top coverlet 14 includes atop surface 18 and aside flap 20. Azipper 22 extends around the coverlet 14 beneath theflap 20.Zipper 22 is configured to be coupled to azipper 24 ofbottom cover 16 so that theflap 20 extends downwardly overzipper 24.Zipper 24 is coupled to aside wall 26 ofcover 16 which extends upwardly from abottom surface 28. Coverlet 14 andbottom cover 16 cooperate to define aninterior region 30 for receiving theair cushion 12.Buckles 32 are coupled to opposite sides ofcover 16 to secure themattress assembly 10 to a box spring or a support deck. In addition,bottom cover 16 includestie straps 34 which may also be used to secure themattress assembly 10 to a support deck. -
Air cushion 12 includes aside flap 43 adjacent eachside bolster flap 43. Snaps 45 are configured to mate withsnaps 47 onside wall 26 ofbottom cover 16. It is understood that other suitable fasteners, such as Velcro fasteners, ties, etc. may be used instead ofsnaps -
Air cushion 12 includes acentral support portion 40 which provides a sleep surface for a person resting on the mattress.Air cushion 12 also includesside bolsters central support portion 40.Air cushion 12 is illustratively divided into separate air zones including ahead zone 46, ashoulder zone 48, aseat zone 50, and afoot zone 52. Ahose fitting 54 is coupled to theside bolster 42 in thefoot zone 52. Fitting 54 is configured to be coupled to aconnector 56 onair hose 58. Aconnector 60 on the opposite end ofhose 58 is configured to be coupled to anoutlet 62 of ablower 64.Connector 56 extends through anaperture 66 formed inbottom cover 16 and into the hose fitting 54 to supply air from theblower 64 to theair cushion 12 as discussed in detail below. - Each of the
air zones solid divider wall central support portion 40 further includesbaffles 74 located within each zone. Baffles 74 includeapertures 76 which permit air flow through thebaffles 74. -
First side bolster 42 includes atop chamber 80, abottom chamber 82, and acentral manifold 84.Second side bolster 44 includes atop chamber 86, abottom chamber 88, and acentral chamber 90. Top andbottom chambers side bolster 42 are divided into separate zones bydividers first side bolster 42 so thatmanifold 84 supplies air from theblower 64 to each of theseparate air zones air cushion 12. A split corrugatedhose 92 extends through the manifold 84 to prevent opposite side walls of the manifold 84 from collapsing together to block air flow through one of the air zones. - As shown in FIG. 5, inlet air from
blower 64 passes throughhose 58 and hose fitting 54 intobottom chamber 82 offoot zone 52.Bottom chamber 82 is in fluid communication withmanifold 84 withinfoot zone 52. Therefore, air flows through the manifold 84 along the entire side bolster 42. - Referring now to FIG. 2, the configuration of the
head zone 46 of theair cushion 12 is illustrated. Thecentral support portion 40 has a thickness illustrated by dimension 94. Side bolsters 42 and 44 have a thickness illustrated bydimension 96 which is greater than the thickness of thesupport portion 40. The increased thickness of side bolsters 42 and 44 helps to maintain a person on theair cushion 12. The top and bottom chambers of the side bolsters 42, 44 simulate a rectangular shape and provide an increased sleep surface area compared to a single round side bolster chamber. - In
head zone 46, air from manifold 84 passes intocentral support portion 40 through acheck valve 98 in the direction of arrow 100 to supply thecentral support portion 40 with air from theblower 64. Air fromcentral support portion 40 passes through a restrictedflow orifice 102 intotop chamber 80 and through a restrictedflow orifice 104 intobottom chamber 82 of side bolster 42. In addition, air fromcentral portion 40 passes through a restrictedflow orifice 106 intotop chamber 86 of side bolster 44 and through restrictedflow orifice 108 intobottom chamber 88 of side bolster 44. Air also passes fromtop chamber 86 tocentral chamber 90 of side bolster 44 through a restrictedflow orifice 110. Illustratively,orifices dump valve 112 is coupled tocentral portion 40 to permit thehead zone 46 to be deflated quickly. Atest port 114 is also coupled tocentral support portion 40.Test port 114 is configured to receive a needle to check the pressure withinzone 46. - FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of the
air cushion 12 in theshoulder zone 48. Air from the manifold 84 passes through acheck valve 116 intocentral support portion 40 in the direction of arrow 118. Air fromcentral support portion 40 flows intotop chamber 80 of side bolster 42 through anorifice 120. Air fromcentral support portion 40 also passes through acheck valve 122 intobottom chamber 82 of side bolster 42 in the direction ofarrow 124. In addition, air fromcentral support portion 40 passes intotop chamber 86 of side bolster 44 through a restrictedflow orifice 126. Air fromchamber 86 passes intocentral chamber 90 throughorifice 128. Air also passes fromcentral support portion 40 through acheck valve 130 intobottom chamber 88 of side bolster 44 in the direction ofarrow 132. Illustratively,orifices valves bottom chambers shoulder zone 48. -
Check valves bottom chambers check valves central support portion 40. Therefore, thesebottom chambers shoulder zone 48 remain at relatively high pressure to provide additional support in bolsters 42 and 44 within the shoulder zone. As the weight of the patient increases, the pressure withinbottom chambers shoulder zone 48 also increases. - FIG. 4 illustrates the configuration of the
air cushion 12 within theseat zone 50.Air manifold 84 is coupled tocentral support portion 40 by anorifice 134. Illustratively,orifice 134 has a dimension of ⅜ inch. Therefore, the pressure withincentral support portion 40 ofseat zone 50 is maintained at substantially the air manifold pressure. Air passes fromcentral support portion 40 intotop chamber 80 andbottom chamber 82 of side bolster 42 through restrictedflow orifices central support portion 40 intotop chamber 86 andbottom chamber 88 of side bolster 44 through restrictedflow orifices top chamber 86 tocentral chamber 90 of side bolster 44 through arestrictive flow orifice 144. Illustratively,orifices valves bottom chambers test port 114 is coupled tocentral support portion 40. - A configuration of
foot zone 52 ofair cushion 12 is illustrated in FIG. 5.Air manifold 84 is coupled tocentral support portion 40 offoot zone 52 by acheck valve 150 so that air flows frommanifold 84 intocentral support portion 40 in the direction ofarrow 152. Air passes fromcentral support portion 40 intotop chamber 80 of side bolster 42 through restrictedflow orifice 154. Air also passes intotop chamber 86 and thebottom chamber 88 of side bolster 44 throughrestrictive flow orifices 156 and 158, respectively. Air flows fromtop chamber 86 tocentral chamber 90 of side bolster 44 through restrictedflow orifice 160. Illustratively,orifices dump valve 162 is coupled tocentral support portion 40 withinfoot zone 52. Atest port 114 is also coupled tocentral support portion 40 withinfoot zone 52. - Air pressure within each of the
air zones micro holes 172 formed in atop surface 170 of each zone of thecentral support portion 40. Illustratively,head zone 46 includes 12-16micro holes 172,shoulder zone 48 includes 20-24 micro holes,seat zone 50 includes 12 micro holes, andfoot zone 52 includes 36-48 micro holes. The number ofmicro holes 172 in eachzone air manifold 84 is supplied to each zone. Therefore, pressure within thezones micro holes 172 formed intop surface 170 ofcentral support surface 40. In another embodiment, a separate orifice is coupled to thecentral support portion 40 in each zone to adjust the air flow out of the zone without micro holes being formed in thetop surface 170. As shown in FIG. 7,bleeder valves bottom surface 178 ofair cushion 12 in communication with thehead zone 46 andfoot zone 52.Bleeder valves head zone 46 andfoot zone 52. Whenbleeder valves micro holes 172 are not used to venthead zone 46 andfoot zone 52. - The side bolsters42 and 44 help retain a person on the
central support portion 40 as the person moves toward an edge of the mattress. Since air flow out of the side bolsters 42, 44 is restricted, air cannot rush to an opposite side of theair cushion 12 as the person moves toward a side of theair cushion 12. The number ofmicro holes 172 is illustratively selected so that theseat zone 50 has the highest pressure.Shoulder zone 48 illustratively has the next highest pressure.Head zone 46 andfoot zone 52 have the lowest pressures. - The
mattress assembly 10 of the present invention may be used as a mattress overlay or as a mattress replacement. Typically, the thickness of the mattress overlay is less than the thickness for a mattress replacement air cushion. If desired, such as in a mattress replacement situation, theorifices seat zone 50 may be replaced with check valves such as illustrated bycheck valves bottom chambers bottom chambers seat zone 50 to thecentral portion 40 as discussed with regard to FIG. 3. Therefore, this embodiment would provide additional stiffness for the side bolsters 42, 44. - FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a
check valve 180 of the present invention.Check valve 180 is illustratively formed from twosheets tube 182 byseams 184.Tube 182 includes an angle cutend 185 to reduce the likelihood that thetube 182 will be sealed by a portion ofmanifold 84. Seals such as RF welds are also provided atlocations open region 190 between thesheets valve 180.Open region 190 hasair outlet openings 191 which are not sealed by seams. Air can flow through thetube 182 in the direction ofarrow 192. Air the passes intoregion 190 as illustrated byarrows 194 in FIG. 8 and exits thevalve 180 throughopenings 191 as illustrated byarrows 196. Thesheets valve 180 collapse and block air flow through theregion 190 in the direction ofarrows 197 to provide a check valve as shown in FIG. 9.Dimension 198 ofvalve 180 is illustratively 3.250 inches.Dimension 200 ofvalve 180 is illustratively 2.375 inches.Dimension 204 ofvalve 180 is illustratively 1.000 inch. - Additional details of the
air cushion 12 are illustrated in FIG. 10.Air cushion 12 includes a top sheet ofmaterial 210 and a bottom sheet ofmaterial 212 which extend across the entire width of theair cushion 12. Baffles 74 are coupled totop sheet 210 andbottom sheet 212 byseams Air cushions 212 further include upper and lower interior sheets ofmaterial -
Upper sheet 218 is coupled totop sheet 210 byseam 222.Sheet 218 is also coupled totop sheet 210 at a spaced-apartlocation 224 to define thetop chamber 80 of bolster 42.Sheets seam 222adjacent flap 43.Lower sheet 220 is coupled tobottom sheet 212 byseam 228.Lower sheet 220 is also coupled toupper sheet 218 byseam 184. Illustratively, thecheck valve 180 is coupled to the top andbottom sheets -
Lower sheet 220 is also coupled tobottom sheet 212 at alocation 230 spaced apart fromseam 228 to definebottom chamber 82 of bolster 42.Manifold 84 is formed between upper andlower sheets seams -
Hose 92 extends throughmanifold 84 as shown in FIG. 10 to prevent thesheets manifold 84.Tube 92 is split along its length as shown bysplit 232. Therefore, air can flow through thetube 92 and through thesplit portion 232. In other words,tube 92 provides structural support within the manifold 84 to hold the manifold 84 open. It is understood that other structural support members such as springs, etc. which permit air flow through the support member may be used in accordance with the present invention. - Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain illustrated embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (15)
1. A check valve for use in a mattress assembly including an inflatable central support portion and a manifold in fluid communication with the central support portion, the manifold being configured to be coupled to an air supply to supply air to the central support portion, the check valve comprising:
a top sheet;
a bottom sheet disposed substantially parallel to the top sheet;
a tube positioned intermediate the top sheet and the bottom sheet, the top sheet and the bottom sheet sealed around the tube to provide an air inlet located within the manifold; and
the top and bottom sheets cooperating to define at least one air opening located within the central support portion.
2. The check valve of , wherein the at least one air opening is configured to permit air flow in a first direction from the manifold into the central support portion, while preventing air flow in a second direction from the central support portion into the manifold.
claim 1
3. The check valve of , wherein the top and bottom sheets cooperate to define two air openings located within the central support portion.
claim 1
4. The check valve of , wherein the tube has an angled end surface.
claim 1
5. A check valve adapted for use between first and second fluid chambers, the check valve comprising:
a first sheet;
a second sheet sealed to the first sheet to define a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet positioned within the second fluid chamber wherein fluid pressure within the second fluid chamber forces the first and second sheets toward the other of the first and second sheets, thereby preventing fluid flow from the second fluid chamber into the first fluid chamber; and
a tube positioned intermediate the first and second sheets, the first and second sheets sealed around the tube to provide an fluid inlet in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, wherein fluid supplied from the tube forces the first and second sheets away from the other of the first and second sheets, thereby permitting fluid flow from the first fluid chamber into the second fluid chamber.
6. The check valve of , wherein the first and second sheets cooperate to define two fluid openings located within the second fluid chamber.
claim 5
7. The check valve of , wherein the tube has an angled end surface.
claim 5
8. The check valve of , wherein the first fluid chamber comprises a manifold being configured to be coupled to an air supply to supply air to the second fluid chamber, and the second fluid chamber comprises an inflatable central support portion of a mattress assembly.
claim 5
9. A check valve comprising:
a first planar sheet;
a second planar sheet disposed substantially parallel to the first sheet;
a tube disposed intermediate the first and second sheets, the first and second sheets sealed around the tube to prevent fluid flow between the first and second sheets and the tube; and
at least one outlet formed by the first and second sheets and positioned in spaced relation to the tube, the at least one outlet configured to permit fluid flow in a first direction from the tube to the at least one outlet, while preventing fluid flow in a second direction from the at least one outlet to the tube.
10. The check valve of , wherein the tube is in fluid communication with a first fluid chamber.
claim 9
11. The check valve of , wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with a second fluid chamber, and the first and second sheets are disposed within the second fluid chamber wherein fluid pressure within the chamber tends to force the first and second sheets into sealing engagement.
claim 10
12. The check valve of , wherein the tube maintains the first and second sheets in spaced relation.
claim 9
13. The check valve of , wherein the first and second sheets are formed of a urethane material.
claim 9
14. The check valve of , wherein the tube has an angled end surface.
claim 9
15. The check valve of , wherein the at least one outlet comprises a pair of openings disposed substantially perpendicular to the tube.
claim 9
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/873,540 US6418579B2 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2001-06-04 | Check valve for mattress assembly |
US10/152,436 US6568013B2 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2002-05-21 | Fluid mattress assembly with check valves |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11511699P | 1999-01-08 | 1999-01-08 | |
US09/479,353 US6240584B1 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2000-01-07 | Mattress assembly |
US09/873,540 US6418579B2 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2001-06-04 | Check valve for mattress assembly |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/479,353 Continuation US6240584B1 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2000-01-07 | Mattress assembly |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/152,436 Continuation US6568013B2 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2002-05-21 | Fluid mattress assembly with check valves |
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US20010023512A1 true US20010023512A1 (en) | 2001-09-27 |
US6418579B2 US6418579B2 (en) | 2002-07-16 |
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US09/873,540 Expired - Fee Related US6418579B2 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2001-06-04 | Check valve for mattress assembly |
US10/152,436 Expired - Fee Related US6568013B2 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2002-05-21 | Fluid mattress assembly with check valves |
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US09/479,353 Expired - Lifetime US6240584B1 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2000-01-07 | Mattress assembly |
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US10/152,436 Expired - Fee Related US6568013B2 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2002-05-21 | Fluid mattress assembly with check valves |
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US (3) | US6240584B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1143831A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6240584B1 (en) | 2001-06-05 |
US6418579B2 (en) | 2002-07-16 |
US6568013B2 (en) | 2003-05-27 |
WO2000040124A1 (en) | 2000-07-13 |
CA2355964A1 (en) | 2000-07-13 |
EP1143831A1 (en) | 2001-10-17 |
CA2355964C (en) | 2006-04-04 |
JP2002534140A (en) | 2002-10-15 |
US20020133883A1 (en) | 2002-09-26 |
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