Method and apparatus for sensing foot retraction in a mattress replacement system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A mattress for use on a bed frame having mattress support sections including a linearly extendable and retractable foot section, the mattress comprising:
- a cover having an interior region,at least one inflatable bladder situated in the interior region,a pneumatic controller configured to inflate and deflate the at least one inflatable bladder, anda sensor situated in the interior region such that a portion of the cover is situated beneath the sensor and between the sensor and the bed frame, the sensor being operable to signal the pneumatic controller that movement of a foot portion of the cover caused by movement of the bed frame to linearly extend or retract the foot section has been detected, the pneumatic controller operating to inflate or deflate the at least one inflatable bladder in response to receipt of the signal.
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Abstract
A patient support surface, such as a mattress, includes one or more sensors to sense movement of at least a portion of the mattress caused by extension or retraction of an associated mattress support section of a bed frame. A pneumatic control system adjusts inflation and/or deflation of at least one inflatable bladder of the mattress in response to a signal received from the one or more sensors.
51 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A mattress for use on a bed frame having mattress support sections including a linearly extendable and retractable foot section, the mattress comprising:
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a cover having an interior region, at least one inflatable bladder situated in the interior region, a pneumatic controller configured to inflate and deflate the at least one inflatable bladder, and a sensor situated in the interior region such that a portion of the cover is situated beneath the sensor and between the sensor and the bed frame, the sensor being operable to signal the pneumatic controller that movement of a foot portion of the cover caused by movement of the bed frame to linearly extend or retract the foot section has been detected, the pneumatic controller operating to inflate or deflate the at least one inflatable bladder in response to receipt of the signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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5. A mattress for use on a bed frame having mattress support sections including a linearly extendable and retractable foot section, the mattress comprising:
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a cover having an interior region, at least one inflatable bladder situated in the interior region, a pneumatic controller configured to inflate and deflate the at least one inflatable bladder, a sensor situated in the interior region and operable to signal the pneumatic controller that movement of a foot portion of the cover caused by movement of the bed frame to linearly extend or retract the foot section has been detected, the pneumatic controller operating to inflate or deflate the at least one inflatable bladder in response to receipt of the signal, wherein the sensor comprises a string potentiometer, wherein the pneumatic controller includes a valve box situated in the interior region and the string potentiometer includes a housing coupled to the valve box, and a mounting plate coupled to a foot end wall of the cover and the string potentiometer has a string extending from the housing and attached to the mounting plate.
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6. A mattress for use on a bed frame having mattress support sections including a linearly extendable and retractable foot section, the mattress comprising:
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a cover having an interior region, at least one inflatable bladder situated in the interior region, a pneumatic controller configured to inflate and deflate the at least one inflatable bladder, and a sensor situated in the interior region and operable to signal the pneumatic controller that movement of a foot portion of the cover caused by movement of the bed frame to linearly extend or retract the foot section has been detected, the pneumatic controller operating to inflate or deflate the at least one inflatable bladder in response to receipt of the signal, wherein the sensor comprises a string potentiometer, wherein the pneumatic controller includes a valve box situated in the interior region and the string potentiometer includes a housing coupled to the valve box, wherein the string potentiometer has a string extending from the housing and the string has an end coupled to a foot end wall of the cover.
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7. A mattress for use on a bed frame having mattress support sections including a linearly extendable and retractable foot section, the mattress comprising:
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a cover having an interior region, at least one inflatable bladder situated in the interior region, a pneumatic controller configured to inflate and deflate the at least one inflatable bladder, and a sensor situated in the interior region and operable to signal the pneumatic controller that movement of a foot portion of the cover caused by movement of the bed frame to linearly extend or retract the foot section has been detected, the pneumatic controller operating to inflate or deflate the at least one inflatable bladder in response to receipt of the signal, wherein the sensor comprises a string potentiometer, wherein the pneumatic controller includes a valve box situated in the interior region and the string potentiometer includes a housing coupled to the valve box, and a mounting plate coupled to a bottom layer of the cover near a foot end wall of the cover and the string potentiometer has a string extending from the housing and attached to the mounting plate.
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8. A mattress for use on a bed frame having mattress support sections including a linearly extendable and retractable foot section, the mattress comprising:
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a cover having an interior region, at least one inflatable bladder situated in the interior region, a pneumatic controller configured to inflate and deflate the at least one inflatable bladder, and a sensor situated in the interior region and operable to signal the pneumatic controller that movement of a foot portion of the cover caused by movement of the bed frame to linearly extend or retract the foot section has been detected, the pneumatic controller operating to inflate or deflate the at least one inflatable bladder in response to receipt of the signal, wherein the sensor comprises a string potentiometer, wherein the pneumatic controller includes a valve box situated in the interior region and the string potentiometer includes a housing coupled to the valve box, wherein the string potentiometer has a string extending from the housing and the string has an end coupled to a bottom layer of the cover near a foot end wall of the cover.
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Specification