Massaging bed rest cushion with light

• US 6,814,709 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2001
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing Incorporated (Bebe Stores, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing Incorporated (Bebe Stores, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schwartz, Steven, Harris, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thanh, Quang D
• Application Number:
  US09/801,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20010052153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,343 Days
• Field of Search: 601/46, 601/89, 601/90, 601/91, 601/92, 601/93, 601/98-104, 601/49, 601/56, 601/57, 601/58, 601/59, 563/3, 590/4, 590/5, 591/5, 297/149, 297/217.3, 297/217.6
• US Class Current: 601/57
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/027 Back supports, e.g. for sitting in bed
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/003 Lighting, radio, telephone or the like connected to the bedstead
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/725 for illumination, e.g. lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0138 incorporated in furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0142 Beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0437 with stretched legs, like in a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/081 Back

Abstract

A cushion/backrest including an integrated reading lamp tethered at the end of a flexible member is disclosed for providing the user with a source of light for reading or watching television. The cushion may also include built in massage motors for providing the user with a massaging action to the back. Controls for adjusting the massaging action and the reading lamp may be incorporated in an armrest.

Claims

1. A bed cushion for supporting a person in a sitting position on an upper surface of a bed, comprising:

a back portion comprising a contoured forward surface and a generally planar rear surface, the surfaces separated by a padded interior;

at least one massage motor carried by the back portion;

a pair of padded armrests coupled to the back portion;

a light source for providing light for a user, the light source mounted to the back portion by an arm, wherein the back portion and the armrests have lower surfaces for resting on the upper surface of the bed; and

a speaker for generating sound waves, the speaker integral with the cushion.

2. The bed cushion of claim 1, wherein the arm is flexible.

3. The bed cushion of claim 2, further comprising a handle coupled to the flexible arm to allow a user to adjust the position of the light source.

4. The bed cushion of claim 1, wherein the cushion has a mass located between the massage motor and a location on the back portion where the light source is mounted and is formed of materials which provide vibration attenuation and isolation to protect filaments in the light source.

5. The bed cushion of claim 1, further comprising a control panel for altering the on/off status of the light source.

6. The bed cushion of claim 5, wherein the control panel comprises at least one switch for altering the on/off status of the light source, the switch being covered by a flexible membrane.

7. The bed cushion of claim 5, wherein the light source is coupled to the control panel by an electrical communication, the electrical communication enclosed within the interior of the cushion.

8. The bed cushion of claim 1, wherein an armrest comprises an actuator for adjusting the intensity of the light source.

9. The bed cushion of claim 1, wherein an armrest comprises a cup holder.

10. The bed cushion of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of massage motors carried by the back portion.

11. The bed cushion of claim 10, further comprising a controller for altering the on/off status of the massage motors.

12. The bed cushion of claim 10, wherein the massage motors are enclosed between the forward surface and the rear surface.

13. The bed cushion of claim 10, wherein the massage motors are carried in a pillow which is removably detachable to the back portion.

14. The bed cushion of claim 10, wherein the massage motors comprise pulsating transducers.

15. The bed cushion of claim 10, wherein the massage motors comprise vibrating massage motors.

16. The bed cushion of claim 10, wherein the massage motors comprise percussive or roller massage motors.

17. The bed cushion of claim 1, further comprising a removable lamp support housing for coupling the arm to the back portion.

18. The bed cushion of claim 1, further comprising a battery for supplying power to the light source.

19. The bed cushion of claim 1, wherein the back portion is reclineably adjustable relative to the armrests.

20. The bed cushion of claim 1, further comprising a telephone base station integral with the cushion.

21. The bed cushion of claim 1, wherein the speaker is electrically coupled to a telephone base station enclosed within the cushion.

22. The bed cushion of claim 1, wherein the padded interior comprises an inflatable bladder.

23. The bed cushion of claim 1, further comprising a heat source enclosed within the cushion.

24. The bed cushion of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter for generating output signals, the transmitter coupled to the arm.

25. The cushion of claim 1, and comprising a hand-held control panel connected via a wire.

26. A bed cushion for supporting a person in a sitting position on an upper surface of a bed, comprising:

a back portion comprising a contoured forward surface and a generally planar rear surface, the surfaces separated by a padded interior;

a plurality of massage motors enclosed between the forward surface and the rear surface;

a pair of padded armrests coupled to the back portion;

a light source mounted to the back portion for providing light for a user, wherein the back portion and the armrests have lower surfaces for resting on the upper surface of the bed; and

a speaker for generating sound waves, the speaker integral with the cushion.

27. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 26, wherein the massage motors comprise vibratory massage motors.

28. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 26, wherein the massage motors comprise percussive or roller massage motors.

29. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 26, wherein the massage motors comprise pulsating transducers.

30. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 26, wherein the light source is mounted to the back portion by a flexible arm.

31. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 30, further comprising a removable lamp support for mounting the arm to the back portion.

32. The cushion of claim 30, further comprising a transmitter for generating output signals, the transmitter coupled to the flexible arm.

33. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 26, wherein the cushion has a mass located between the massage motor and a location on the back portion where the light source is mounted and is formed of materials which provide vibration attenuation and isolation to protect filaments in the light source.

34. The cushion of claim 33, wherein the back portion is reclineably adjustable relative to the armrests.

35. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 26, wherein an armrest comprises a cup holder.

36. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 26, further comprising a control panel for altering the on/off status of the light source.

37. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 36, wherein the control panel comprises at least one switch for altering the on/off status of the light, the switch being covered by a flexible membrane.

38. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 36, wherein the light source is coupled to the control panel by an electrical connector, the electrical connector enclosed within the interior of the bed cushion.

39. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 26, further comprising a control panel for altering the on/off status of the massage motors.

40. The massaging bed rest cushion of claim 26, further comprising an actuator for adjusting the intensity of the light source.

41. The cushion of claim 26, further comprising a telephone base station integral with the cushion.

42. The cushion of claim 27, wherein the speaker is electrically coupled to a telephone base station enclosed within the cushion.

43. The cushion of claim 26, wherein the padded interior comprises an inflatable bladder.

44. The cushion of claim 26, further comprising a heat source enclosed within the cushion.

45. The cushion of claim 26, and comprising a hand-held control panel connected via a wire.

46. A massaging bed rest cushion for supporting a person in a sitting position on an upper surface of a bed, comprising:

a back portion comprising a contoured forward surface and a rear surface, the surfaces separated by a padded interior,

a plurality of massage motors enclosed between the forward surface and the rear surface;

a light source mounted to the back portion for providing light for a user;

a pair of padded armrests coupled to the back portion;

a heater enclosed within the cushion, wherein the back portion and the armrests have lower surfaces for resting on the upper surface of the bed; and

a speaker for generating sound waves, the speaker integral with the cushion.

47. A massaging bed rest cushion for supporting a person in a sitting position on an upper surface of a bed, comprising:

a back portion comprising a contoured forward surface and a rear surface, the surfaces separated by a padded interior,

a plurality of massage motors enclosed between the forward surface and the rear surface;

a light source mounted to the back portion for providing light for a user;

a heater enclosed within the cushion;

a pair of padded armrests coupled to the back portion;

a controller for altering the on/off status of the massage motors, wherein the back portion and the armrests have lower surfaces for resting on the upper surface of the bed; and

a speaker for generating sound waves, the speaker integral with the cushion.

48. A massaging bed rest cushion for supporting a person in a sitting position on an upper surface of a bed, comprising:

a back portion comprising a contoured forward surface and a rear surface, the surfaces separated by a padded interior,

a plurality of massage motors enclosed between the forward surface and the rear surface;

a light source mounted to the back portion for providing light for a user;

a controller for altering the on/off status of the massage motors;

a pair of padded armrests coupled to the back portion; and

an on/off device on the controller for altering the on/off status of the light source, wherein the back portion and the armrests have lower surfaces for resting on the upper surface of the bed; and

a speaker for generating sound waves, the speaker integral with the cushion.