Mattress structure

• US 6,460,209 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2000
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Stolpmann, James R., Reeder, Ryan A., Westerfeld, Steven R., Dalton, Roger D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Santos, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US09/484,710
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 569/0, 570/6, 570/7, 572/2, 572/3, 572/7, 573/7, 573/8, 574/0, 573/0, 573/9, 569/1, 592/5, 592/6
• US Class Current: 5/690
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05776 with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/922 with hook and loop type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/926 Low friction, e.g. slippery material

Abstract

A mattress (900) provides a user with three-dimensional firmness zoning, the mattress (900) cooperating with a mattress shell (720). The mattress (900) includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending resilient blocks (910) being independently movable relative to one another, an inflatable bladder (914) positioned to lie upon the top side of at least one of the blocks (910), and a topper (912) positioned to lie upon the inflatable bladder (914), the topper including opposite ends configured for attachment to the shell (720).

Claims

1. A mattress apparatus for providing a user with three-dimensional firmness zoning, the mattress apparatus comprising:

a mattress shell having a top cover, a bottom cover, a head end, a foot end, and side panels extending from the bottom cover toward the top cover between the head and foot ends,

a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending resilient blocks having a top side, a bottom side configured to face the bottom portion of the shell, and opposite ends extending between the top and bottom sides, the resilient blocks being independently movable relative to one another,

an inflatable bladder positioned to lie upon the top side of at least one of the blocks, and

a topper positioned to lie upon the inflatable bladder, the topper including opposite ends configured for attachment to the head and foot ends of the shell and sides configured for attachment to the side panels.

2. The mattress apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve defining spaced-apart pockets holding the blocks therein, the sleeve positions the blocks adjacent one another and permits individual compression of the blocks so that each resilient block moves in a vertical direction independently of adjacent blocks.

3. The mattress apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is formed to include slots that define openings into the pockets and the slots are sized to receive the blocks therethrough.

4. The mattress apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of sleeves positioned to lie adjacent one another.

5. The mattress apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sleeves are coupled together.

6. The mattress apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sleeve includes a top member and an opposite bottom member coupled to the top member and the top and bottom members cooperate to define openings into pockets that are sized to receive the blocks therethrough.

7. The mattress apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is adapted to extend between the head end and foot end of the mattress shell.

8. The mattress apparatus of claim 1 wherein the topper is made of foam material.

9. The mattress apparatus of claim 1, wherein the topper includes straps configured to extend about the inflatable bladder and at least one of the resilient blocks to hold the topper upon the inflatable bladder.

10. The mattress apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resilient blocks, the inflatable bladder and the topper are positioned to lie between the top cover and the bottom cover of the mattress shell.

11. The mattress apparatus of claim 1 wherein the topper is configured to compress when a force is applied to the topper by a user positioned to lie on the mattress apparatus.

12. A mattress apparatus for providing a user with three-dimensional firmness zoning, the mattress apparatus comprising:

a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending resilient blocks having a top side, a bottom side, and opposite ends extending between the top and bottom sides, the resilient blocks being independently movable relative to one another,

an inflatable bladder positioned to lie upon the top side of at least one of the blocks, and

a topper positioned to lie upon the inflatable bladder, the topper being made of foam material configured to compress when a force is applied to the topper by a user positioned to lie on the mattress apparatus.

13. The mattress apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a mattress shell having a top cover, a bottom cover, a head end, a foot end, and side panels extending from the bottom cover toward the top cover between the head and foot ends, and the topper, the adjustable bladder, and the resilient blocks are positioned to lie between the top cover and the bottom cover.

14. The mattress apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a pillow top overlying the resilient blocks, the inflatable bladder, the topper, and the top cover of the mattress shell.

15. The mattress apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a sleeve defining spaced-apart pockets holding the blocks therein, the sleeve positions the blocks adjacent one another and permits individual compression of the blocks so that each resilient block moves in a vertical direction independently of adjacent blocks.

16. A mattress including a first layer containing first and second regions having first and second different compressibilities, respectively, the first and second regions being oriented in the mattress with respect to each other so that the first region supports a first region of the body of a person reclining on the mattress and the second region supports a second region of the body of the person, the mattress further including a second layer oriented over the first layer and including a bladder for containing a fluid and a port through which the fluid can be introduced into the bladder to alter the firmness of the second layer.

17. The mattress of claim 16 wherein the fluid includes a compressed gas or mixture of gases.

18. The mattress of claim 17 wherein the fluid includes compressed air.

19. The mattress of claim 16 wherein the first layer is divided into at least three regions, a head/torso region having a first compressibility, a seat region having a second and different compressibility, and a leg region having a compressibility different from at least one of the first and second compressibilities.

20. The mattress of claim 19 wherein the first layer is divided into at least four regions, a head/torso region having a first compressibility, a lumbar region having a second and different compressibility, a seat region having a compressibility different from at least one of the first and second compressibilities, and a leg region having a compressibility different from at least one of the first and second compressibilities.

21. The mattress of claim 20 wherein the first layer is divided into at least five regions, a head/torso region having a first compressibility, a lumbar region having a second and different compressibility, a seat region having a compressibility different from at least one of the first and second compressibilities, a thigh region having a compressibility different from at least one of the first and second compressibilities, and a lower leg region having a compressibility different from at least one of the first and second compressibilities.

22. The mattress of claim 19 wherein at least one of the regions includes vertically adjacent materials having two different compressibilities presenting a first compressibility to a person reclining on the at least one of the regions during a first interval of compression and a second compressibility to the person on the at least one of the regions during a second interval of compression.

23. The mattress of claim 16 further including a region of compressible material surrounding the first layer, the surrounding region having a lower compressibility and greater firmness than at least one of the first and second compressibilities.

24. The mattress of claim 23 wherein the surrounding region has a lower compressibility and greater firmness than both of the first and second compressibilities.

25. The mattress of claim 16 further including anti-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

26. The mattress of claim 25 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

27. The mattress of claim 26 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

28. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein at least one of the regions includes vertically adjacent materials having two different compressibilities presenting a first compressibility to a person reclining on the at least one of the regions during a first interval of compression and a second compressibility to the person on the at least one of the regions during a second interval of compression.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 further including anit-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

32. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein at least one of the regions includes vertically adjacent materials having two different compressibilities presenting a first compressibility to a person reclining on the at least one of the regions during a first interval of compression and a second compressibility to the person on the at least one of the regions during a second interval of compression.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 further including anti-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

36. The apparatus of claim 17 further including a region of compressible material surrounding the first layer, the surrounding region having a lower compressible and greater firmness than at least one of the first and second compressibilites.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the surrounding region has a lower compressibility and greater firmness than both of the first and second compressibilities.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 further including anti-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

41. The apparatus of claim 18 further including a region of compressible material surrounding the first layer, the surrounding region having a lower compressibility and greater firmness than at least one of the first and second compressibilities.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the surrounding region has a lower compressibility and greater firmness than both of the first and second compressibilities.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 further including anti-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

46. The apparatus of claim 19 further including a region of commpressible material surrounding the first layer, the surrounding region having a lower compressibility and greater firmness than at least one of the first and second compressibilities.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the surrounding region has a lower compressibility and greater firmness than both of the first and second compressibilities.

48. The apparatus of claim 46 further including anti-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

51. The apparatus of claim 20 further including a region of compressible material surrounding the first layer, the surrounding region having a lower compressiblity and greater firmness than at least one of the first and second compressibilities.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the surrounding region has a lower compressibility and greater firmness than both of the first and second compressibilities.

53. The apparatus of claim 51 further including anti-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

56. The apparatus of claim 21 further including a region of compressible material surrounding the first layer, the surrounding region having a lower compressibility and greater firmness than at least one of the first and second compressibilities.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the surrounding region has a lower compressibility and greater firmness than both of the first and second compressibilities.

58. The apparatus of claim 56 further including anti-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

59. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

61. The apparatus of claim 22 further including a region of compressible material surrounding the first layer, the surrounding region having a lower compressibility and greater firmness than at least one of the first and second compressilities.

62. The apparatus of claim 61 wherein the surrounding region has a lower compressibility and greater firmness than both of the first and second compressibilities.

63. The apparatus of claim 61 further including anti-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

64. The apparatus of claim 63 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

65. The apparatus of claim 64 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

66. The apparatus of claim 19 further including anti-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

67. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

68. The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

69. The apparatus of claim 20 further including anit-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

70. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

71. The apparatus of claim 70 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

72. The apparatus of claim 21 further including anit-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

73. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

74. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.

75. The apparatus of claim 22 further including anit-shear material between the first and second regions permitting relative movement up and down of the first and second regions with respect to each other as a person reclines on the mattress.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the anti-shear material includes a sleeve for receiving one of the first and second regions.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 wherein the anti-shear material includes sleeves for receiving both of the first and second regions.