Beds – Mattress – Having confined gas
Patent
1994-09-15
1996-12-24
Milano, Michael J.
Beds
Mattress
Having confined gas
5708, A47C 2708
Patent
active
055863477
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention is concerned with a mattress for beds and cushions for sitting furniture equipped with an air system which reacts to load pressures.
Mattresses are especially suitable for beds when filled with air. They offer superior comfort when lying or sitting. A special characteristic of air mattresses is that the support capability is adjustable from soft to hard. Because of their adaptability, they are suitable for normal use as well as for therapeutic purposes.
Air is suitable as a support element and for maintaining the bed climate in a superior manner. Air cells are light weight. Air neither deteriorates nor does it need any chemical additions or any heating. The support capability of an air cell is adjustable in a stepless manner by compressing the air contained therein.
A disadvantage of air-filled mattresses or cushions has been that small amounts of air can escape through diffusion. These losses of air have to be resupplied to the air cell. So far, this has been accomplished in a manual manner or by using electric devices. These facts made commercially viable air-filled mattresses impossible to a large extent.
It is an object of the invention to create a mattress having an integrated during use self-refilling air system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNCTION
When a mattress or cushion is loaded with the body weight of a user, pressure is created in different zones. This pressure is intensified at the beginning of use or at the end of use, especially at the edges of the mattress, which results in pressing air from integrated pump body 1 into unpressurized reservoir 2. One-way valve 3 effects the flow of the air in only one direction. The air pushed from pump body 1 is compressed in reservoir 2 and stands by as a reserve. This compressed air reserve equalizes the pressure in air cell 4 up to the value which had been adjusted at pressure regulating valve 5 with the aid of a scale 6. This equalization occurs at the latest when the load is being removed from the mattress. When a load is being removed from an edge area, pump bodies 1, when returning to the initial position, suction ambient air through the one-way valve. The pump, therefore, is ready for a further feeding of air. The adjustable pressure reducing valve 5 together with the compressed air reservoir are instrumental in an exactly dosed feeding of the air cell 4. The scale allows for an exact adjustment of the desired pressure and, thereby, the needed support capability of the mattress. Consequently, the mattress is adjustable from soft to hard in a stepless manner.
The body weight of a person using the mattress and loading of edge zones, squeezes pump bodies 1 and thereby decreases their volume. The air contained in the pump bodies is pushed through air pipes 7 and through the one-way valve 3 into air reservoir 2 and is compressed therein. Thereby, the body weight of a person using the mattress sees to it that through the integrated air system, air under pressure is always present in air reservoir 2, which effects the replenishing and the even support capability of air cell 4. Neither time nor additional energy have to be expended in replenishing the air in the air cell. The air cell in the mattress, while undergoing spaced apart loadings of the system, is always filled to a desirable extent through the use of the mattress, meaning, as adjusted on scale 6.
Mattresses, equipped with air cells, substantially conform themselves to underlying supports which support the same. When using adjustable bottom mattresses, head and foot elevations as well as sitting positions are entirely possible.
The adaptable and body-friendly air cushion is suitable for a regular user as well as for therapeutic purposes because of its stepless adjustability from soft to hard. The anti-bedsore effect during prolonged confinement to bed is greatly appreciated. In addition, other desirable and therapeutic effects can be achieved, e.g., several air chambers with corresponding pressure regulating valves can be used. For therapeutic applications, special constructions of the
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Airlux AG
Milano Michael J.
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