Abstract: The invention is drawn to an apparatus for supplying fluid, such as air, under pressure to a fluid accommodating means such as an air mattress and automatically adjusting the fluid pressure. The apparatus has a coupling device which attaches the apparatus to the air mattress. A housing encloses a motor, an impeller, a two-way valve and a solenoid. The solenoid opens the two-way valve to allow inflation or deflation of the air mattress. The motor is reversible and the impeller is used to force fluid into or out of the mattress. A controller is used to inflate and deflate the mattress. The controller can be attached to the apparatus or it can be a remote control.

Abstract: A composite mattress made of both high resilience foam and low resilience foam. The base is made of the low resilience foam. The sleep surface is made of the high resilience foam. Edge supports are provided to prevent bottoming out. The sleep surface covers the base and the edge supports.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to an apparatus for supplying fluid, such as air, under pressure to a fluid accommodating means such as an air mattress and automatically adjusting the fluid pressure. The apparatus has a coupling device which attaches the apparatus to the air mattress. A housing encloses a motor, an impeller, a two-way valve and a solenoid. The solenoid opens the two-way valve to allow inflation or deflation of the air mattress. The motor is reversible and the impeller is used to force fluid into or out of the mattress. A controller is used to inflate and deflate the mattress. The controller can be attached to the apparatus or it can be a remote control.

Abstract: An improved method of distributing products to stores of a members-only chain includes using a vendor to provide for approval and physical distribution of products sequentially to stores of the chain and local retailers in each market of the chain for providing sales, storage and delivery services for products sold in the chains members-only stores.

Abstract: A composite mattress made of both high resilience foam and low resilience foam. The base is made of the low resilience foam. The sleep surface is made of the high resilience foam. Edge supports are provided to prevent bottoming out. The sleep surface covers the base and the edge supports.

Abstract: An airbed mattress includes a valve for controlling inflation of the mattress. The valve is normally biased to a closed position to prevent changes in the mattress' level of inflation. The valve may be opened by introduction of an air pump. The valve and air pump are designed to operate cooperatively by employment of an adaptor to facilitate the introduction of the air pump. The valve has an air passageway which contains an internal airflow control assembly. The control assembly operates to open the valve to passage of air upon introduction of the air pump and adaptor as well as effecting the closing of the valve when the air pump and adaptor are withdrawn. The valve also may have an extension adapted for a releasable connection with an air pump and adaptor for holding the valve open.

Abstract: An airbed mattress includes a valve for controlling inflation of the mattress. The valve is normally biased to a closed position to prevent changes in the mattress' level of inflation. The valve may be opened by introduction of an air pump. The valve and air pump are designed to operate cooperatively by employment of an adaptor to facilitate the introduction of the air pump. The valve has an air passageway which contains an internal airflow control assembly. The control assembly operates to open the valve to passage of air upon introduction of the air pump and adaptor as well as effecting the closing of the valve when the air pump and adaptor are withdrawn. The valve also may have an extension adapted for a releasable connection with an air pump and adaptor for holding the valve open.

Abstract: An air mattress includes a first inflatable compartment having a length and width, when inflated, sufficient to support a human body. The first compartment having a top, a bottom, and sides and is composed of at least two layers of vinyl, one layer of vinyl forming the top of the compartment and the second forming the bottom. A second inflatable compartment is disposed on the top of the first inflatable compartment and is secured to the first compartment along a portion of the first inflatable compartment. The second compartment extends generally the length and width of the top of the first compartment and is of a size, when inflated, sufficient to support a human body. The second compartment is composed of at least two layers of vinyl distinct from the two layers of vinyl forming the first compartment.

Abstract: An air mattress includes a first inflatable compartment having a length and width, when inflated, sufficient to support a human body. The first compartment is composed of at least two layers of vinyl, one layer of vinyl forming the top of the compartment and the second forming the bottom. A second inflatable compartment extends generally the length and width of the first compartment and is attached to the first compartment through a perimeter seal that is recessed from the periphery of the air mattress. The second compartment is tufted and so contain a layer of resilient material.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a body portion comprising a vertical portion and a horizontal portion connected to the vertical portion. A reception slot is defined in the vertical portion. A plurality of first contacts are formed in the reception slot. A plurality of second contacts expose from the horizontal portion.

Abstract: A mattress system includes a first section of foam material forming the head section of a mattress, a second section of foam material forming, the central section of the mattress, and a third section of foam material forming the foot section of the mattress. The second section of foam material has a load responsive characteristic different from the load responsive characteristic of the first and third sections. The central section may be replaced by an inflatable air chamber.

Abstract: An air mattress system includes a plurality of inflatable air chambers operatively connected to form an air mattress, a reversible air pump operatively connected to the air chambers, and a manually operable control operatively connected to the air pump for controlling the operation of the air pump. The manually operable control has at least a first setting for operating the air pump in a first direction for inflating the air chambers and at least a second setting for operating the air pump in a second direction for deflating the air chambers. Preferably, at least one inflatable air chamber is disposed below the plurality of air chambers to form a foundation for the air mattress. A gauge is included for measuring the air pressure in at least one of the air chambers, the gauge having a display for displaying the measured air pressure to a user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tablet, particularly a pharmaceutical dosage form, which contains an encapsulating agent comprising a modified starch which is prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of a starch molecule after the preparation of a starch derivative containing a hydrophobic group or both a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic group, particularly octenyl succinic anhydride starch hydrolyzed by .beta.-amylase or glucoamylase. Such starch allows for good compressibility and hardness of a pharmaceutical dosage form. In addition, the starch may consistently allow for high load and retention of a variety of active agents as well as oxidative resistance.

Abstract: A mattress system includes a first section of foam material forming the head section of a mattress, a second section of foam material forming the central section of the mattress, and a third section of foam material forming the foot section of the mattress. The second section of foam material has a load responsive characteristic different from the load responsive characteristic of the first and third sections. The central section may be replaced by an inflatable air chamber.

Abstract: A latching system for mating electrical connectors includes a guide ferrule provided on a shell of a first connector for receiving an appropriate guide post on the mating electrical connector. A latch member pivotally mounted on the guide ferrule includes a latch end latchingly engageable with a groove in the guide post. A housing of resilient dielectric material is overmolded about portions of the shell and includes an integral spring portion for biasing the latch member in its latch position.

Abstract: An air bed includes first and second air-tight enclosures disposed side by side in a first plane. Each of the first and second air-tight enclosures is independently inflatable and has substantially the same length and width, the first and second air-tight enclosures together having a first cross-sectional area in the first plane. An inflatable foundation is disposed below the first and second air-tight enclosures in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The inflatable foundation has a cross-sectional area in the second plane at least as great as the first cross-sectional area. The inflatable foundation is independently inflatable with respect to the first and second air-tight enclosures. The first and second air-tight enclosures and the inflatable foundation are secured together by a circumferential belt, with the first and second air-tight enclosures fixed in place with respect to the inflatable foundation.

Abstract: A latching system for a mating electrical connector assembly includes a shell having a forward connecting section for connection with a complementary connector in a mating direction. A latch member extends in the mating direction and includes a latch end movable between a latch position in latching engagement with a latching surface on the complementary connector and a release position disconnected from the complementary connector. The latch member includes an actuator end for moving the latch end. A housing of resilient dielectric material is overmolded about portions of the shell and the latch member and includes an integrally molded actuator button for engaging and moving the actuator end of the latch member and, in turn, moving the latch end of the latch member to its release position. The latch member extends axially through a ferrule and is pivotally mounted therewithin. A resilient O-ring is mounted within the ferrule to bias the latch member in its latch position.

Abstract: A tube for a waterbed includes a generally cylindrical tube body having a top, a bottom, and a pair of side walls extending from the top to the bottom. The tube body defines a longitudinal axis of the tube. First and second tube ends in combination with the tube body form a watertight enclosure. A fill valve is provided through which the watertight enclosure may be at least partially filled with water. Metering walls are disposed in the watertight enclosure generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube, each pair of metering walls defining a tube section therebetween. The metering walls extend across the tube body from one side to the other and are sealed to each side wall. The metering walls have a top portion that is spaced from the top of the tube body to permit the metered flow of water from one tube section to another. They may also have a bottom portion that is spaced from the bottom of the tube body.

Abstract: A cover for a waterbed mattress includes a top layer suitably sized to cover the waterbed mattress and an inner backing layer of substantially the same overall outline as the top portion disposed so that the top layer lies over the backing layer. A bottom is spaced away from the top layer and the inner backing layer so as to provide a cavity for a water mattress, with the bottom disposed below the cavity and the inner backing layer being disposed above the cavity. The top layer is divided into at least three sections, each section extending substantially across the top layer. The first section is fixedly secured to the inner backing layer by stitches disposed in a first stitching pattern while the other two sections are fixedly secured to the inner backing layer by stitches disposed in a second stitching pattern. It is preferred that one of the stitching patterns be a continuous wave stitching pattern and that the other be a tack and jump stitching pattern.

Abstract: A water mattress includes a closeable vinyl envelope for receiving water, the vinyl envelope having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides, the sides being disposed in opposing pairs. A plurality of double-walled members extend from the top to the bottom of the envelope inside the cavity. Each double-walled member has a top connecting web extending across the top thereof and two walls depending from the connecting web, the connecting web being secured to the top of the envelope. Each double-walled member is also secured to the bottom of the envelope and extends longitudinally substantially from one side of the envelope to the opposing side of the envelope. It is preferred that each double walled member wall include an intermediate elastic section so that each of the double walls may stretch to a limited extent when force is applied thereto by water in the mattress. A pneumatic mattress of similar construction is also disclosed.