Pnuematic mattress systems
First Claim
1. A pneumatic bed overlay comprising:
- a plurality of hollow rigid ribs, each said rib having an approximately hexagonal cross section shape, said ribs being closely arranged side by side and hingedly interconnected at adjacent edges by a tightly interlaced plurality of flexible and substantially non-stretchable straps so as to prevent significant translational displacement between adjacent said ribs while allowing relative rotation to the extent of the sum of the angles formed between the respective opposing upper sides and opposing lower sides of adjacent said ribs, anda plurality of pneumatic cushions attached to the top side of each of said ribs so as to provide a cushioned surface.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pneumatic mattress system includes a plurality of rigid ribs position side-by-side and hingedly interconnected so as to form a continuous overlay basis which is flexible in one direction. A plurality of pneumatic cushions is attached to each rib so as to provide a cushioned surface. The pressure of the pneumatic cushions is controlled by a main pressure control system which includes a main supply conduit with a pressurized inlet and an exhaust, both controlled by a control unit, and a pressure sensor. The pneumatic cushions are connected through a number of tubes located within the ribs to a rib control system which selectively connects them to the main supply conduit. By synchronized control of the pressure of the main supply conduit and the rib control system, the pressure within each cushion can be measured and controlled independently. The system may be used to provide a localized water-bed-type effect over zones defined in relation to a subject'"'"'s body position, and to superimpose a floating hole effect for cyclic pressure release of selected areas.
202 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A pneumatic bed overlay comprising:
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a plurality of hollow rigid ribs, each said rib having an approximately hexagonal cross section shape, said ribs being closely arranged side by side and hingedly interconnected at adjacent edges by a tightly interlaced plurality of flexible and substantially non-stretchable straps so as to prevent significant translational displacement between adjacent said ribs while allowing relative rotation to the extent of the sum of the angles formed between the respective opposing upper sides and opposing lower sides of adjacent said ribs, and a plurality of pneumatic cushions attached to the top side of each of said ribs so as to provide a cushioned surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A pneumatic mattress system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of pneumatic cushions deployed so as to form a substantially continuous surface over at least a region of the mattress; (b) a plurality of tubes, each of said tubes communicating pneumatically with at least one of said pneumatic cushions; and (c) a main pressure control system including; (i) a main supply conduit, (ii) a valve-controlled pressurized inlet to said main supply conduit, (iii) a valve-controlled exhaust from said main supply conduit, (iv) a plurality of local valves for selectively connecting between said main supply conduit and each of said tubes, and (v) a control unit for controlling said inlet, said exhaust and said local valves so as to control each of said pneumatic cushions substantially individually. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification