Inflatable mattresses

Details Inflatable mattresses Inflatable mattresses

1996-08-23

1998-01-06

Grosz, Alexander

Beds

Mattress

Having confined gas

5713, A61G 7057, A47C 2710

Patent

active

057040842

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to inflatable mattresses.
Although the invention is primarily concerned with inflatable mattresses to provide yielding support for a recumbent human body, as used herein the term `mattress` is intended to include resilient cushions, seats and like body-support structures.
A mattress according to the invention may be used to support any form of load, including loads other than a human body.
The invention has particular application to the prevention and treatment of pressure sores, which is a major nursing problem.
EP-A-O 261 830 and EP-A-O 122 666 disclose inflatable mattresses, each comprising a plurality of inflatable cells formed of flexible sheet material disposed side by side in a row, with their upper ends exposed to form resilient support surfaces. In each case restraint means are provided to retain the inflatable cells in place.
The mattress of the present invention distinguishes from the disclosures of these references by providing inflatable cells formed and constructed so that when the mattress is loaded by placing a body on its resilient support surface, the flexible sheet material of the support surface is not subjected to significant tension.
By not subjecting the support surface material to significant tension, `hammocking` of the support surface material is avoided, and interface pressure between the loading body and the support surface material, which, in the case of a human body gives rise to pressure sores, is limited.


SUMMARIES OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention an inflatable mattress comprises a plurality of inflatable cells of elongated plan form, the cells being disposed side by side in a row, constraint means being provided for retaining the cells in position with their upper ends exposed whereby said upper ends form a resilient support surface, characterised in that when each cell is inflated, opposite sides of the cell are recessed at points spaced apart from each other along each side, so as to form pleats, whereby the flexible sheet material of the inflated sells is superfluous when the cells of the mattress are substantially unloaded, and non-superfluous when said cells are substantially loaded.
The invention also resides in a mattress cell per se.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an inflatable mattress comprises a plurality of inflatable cells of elongated plan form, the cells being disposed side by side in a row, first constraint means for retaining the cells in position with their upper ends exposed whereby said upper ends form a resilient surface, and second constraint means embracing at least one of the cells around its longitudinal axis, so as to change the yield characteristic of the cell, so that when a load is applied to the cell, the depth of cell immersion is lower than when said second constraint means is not present.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an inflatable mattress comprises a plurality of inflatable cells of elongated plan form, the cells being disposed side by side in a row, first constraint means for retaining the cells in position with their upper ends exposed whereby said upper ends form a resilient surface, and second constraint means embracing at least one of the cells around its longitudinal axis, so as to reduce the height of the cell, where it is embraced by the second constraint means.
The second constraint means allow the inflatable mattress to be `tuned` to suit the particular requirements of a recumbent body. For example, where the body has a tender heel, use of the second constraint means enables the heel to receive local support.
The second constraint means preferably comprise a sleeve of flexible sheet material which is fitted over the associated cell, before inflation thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view, in perspective of an inflatable mattress according to

REFERENCES:
patent: 4686722 (1987-08-01), Swart
patent: 4838309 (1989-06-01), Goodwin
patent: 4962552 (1990-10-01), Hasty
patent: 5022109 (1991-06-01), Pekar

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