Abstract: A system and method which facilitates the reliable collection of data during a single appointment through a plurality of queries configured to obtain responses or present further queries as necessary to ultimately obtain all of the information required for generating a report in a format which satisfies the applicable standards.

Abstract: A mattress top assembly for a mattress includes a pad filled with cushioning material and a plurality of connector straps attached along the head, foot, arid side edges of the pad and removably connected to the side wall of the mattress. The mattress includes one part of a cooperable fastener generally midway between top and bottom surfaces, on the side walls of the mattress, for detachable connection of each of the straps thereto.

Abstract: An air mattress and method adapted to provide firm posture support and comfort, and to be supported on a flat surface. The mattress comprises a low pressure bag having a size and shape adapted to support a person during rest. A high pressure bag is adapted for inflation to a pressure higher than that of the low pressure bag and is of a size and shape to provide posture support as desired. An enclosure shell is adapted to enclose the high and low pressure bags with the second high pressure bag being disposed below the low pressure bag and at approximately the longitudinal center of the low pressure bag.

Abstract: An inner spring mattress with firmness adjusting air bladders, the inflation pressure of which defines the mattress firmness. A plurality of inflatable bladders are disposed within the mattress. The bladders may span the entire width of the mattress. Alternatively, the width of the mattress may be divided in two using two bladders placed end-to-end providing independent firmness control for both sides of the mattress. Still further, bladders may be grouped together to form firmness zones, and the entire process may be computer controlled.

Abstract: A pressure control apparatus includes an air pump which is pneumatically connected to an air mattress, with an air pressure sensor in the mattress for detecting the current air pressure within the mattress. A central control unit is interconnected with the pressure sensor and the air pump and is programmable to add or remove air from the mattress to control the pressure within the mattress. A plurality of position sensors in the mattress will detect the posture and/or position of an occupant of the bed and transmit this information to the control unit. The control unit can then determine the actual position of the occupant and adjust the air pressure within the air mattress accordingly.

Abstract: A fluid-filled mattress with firmness adjusting air bladders is provided wherein the individual bladders may be individually inflated and deflated to provide precise firmness adjustment. Further, a computer control of the bladders may be utilized to adjust the firmness of the air bladders.

Abstract: An inflatable pillow top includes a fabric case with an inflatable bladder contained therein. The inflatable bladder is coextensive with the fabric case, and the mattress upon which it is secured. The bladder may be inflated by a conventional air pump with a pressure control, or it may be self-inflating. The self-inflating bladder includes a compressible foam material filling the bladder and having memory to return to an expanded condition. An inlet valve on the bladder permits air to enter the bladder as the foam material expands, thereby filling the bladder with air. An exhaust valve is provided to permit adjustment of the air pressure within the bladder.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for a bed includes at least one heating element, mounted in a resting surface on a mattress of the bed for warming at least a first are(a of the resting area. A temperature sensor is located to detect the temperature of the first area of the resting area, and transmits the information to a central control unit. The central control unit includes a central processing unit which is interconnected with both the heating element and the temperature sensor to adjust the temperature in the first, area of the resting area as desired. The central control unit is also connected to a timer to permit programming of temperature changes as desired. An occupant sensor in the resting surface of the mattress will detect the presence and absence of an occupant, and transmit this information to the central control unit for processing.

Abstract: The cervical pillow of the present invention includes an elongated air tight casing with a resilient cushion mounted at one side thereof. An inlet valve in the casing permits air flow into the cushion portion. A conduit extending from the cushion portion into an air chamber in the remainder of the cervical pillow permits air flow into the air chamber. An electric pump is mounted within the cushion to pump air into the air chamber, and thereby pressurize the cervical pillow. A relief valve is mounted in one end of the air chamber to permit selective release of air from the air chamber. A cervical pillow is attached to a standard head support pillow along a longitudinal side of both pillows.

Abstract: A water mattress construction is provided with a tray providing a cavity adapted to support a liquid filled bladder, with at least one lumbar support member positioned intermediate the bladder and the tray, the lumbar support being slidably adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the tray.

Abstract: A spring insert for a waterbed mattress includes a plurality of spring bellows units arranged in upright relation within the mattress. Each bellows unit has a top wall and pleated sidewall which is collapsible from a normal expanded height to a shortened compressed height wherein the internal volume of the bellows unit is substantially reduced. Each bellows unit furthermore has a bleeder opening through one wall so that a compression load exerted on the bellows unit through the mattress top wall is resisted by both spring action and hydraulic action of the bellows units. The bellows units may be interconnected to form upper and lower sections arranged in stacked relation. Stacked pairs of upper and lower bellows units may be arranged in fluid communication to define joint hydraulic chambers.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress includes a spring insert having a plurality of open ended bellows spring units arranged in upright relation within the mattress. The pleated peripheral side wall of each bellows spring unit enables it to be collapsible from a normal expanded height to a shortened compressed height wherein the internal volume is substantially reduced. Each bellows spring unit is spring biased to its normal expanded height. The bellows spring units are snap fit into holes a spacer panel which serves to position the bellows spring units relative to one another a valve cover sheet may overlay one or both ends of the bellows spring units and have holes registered with the open ends of the bellows units to impart a hydraulic action to them in addition to their inherent spring force.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress liner tray includes a bottom wall, headwall, footwall and opposite sidewalls integrally formed into an open-topped water retaining tray. Each sidewall is formed with a spring portion which is compressible under a downward load but which is spring biased to expand to its normal height upon removal of the downward load so as to provide the support characteristics of a soft side waterbed. The bottom wall may be contoured to form riser sections for varying the support for different body parts of a sleeper. Longitudinal channels extend across the riser sections to afford drainage thereacross.

Abstract: A water mattress construction including a bladder-holding tray, which includes a plurality of corners which include deflection capabilities. Each corner includes a suspended floor portion which includes a gap thereunder to allow the suspended floor portion to deflect downwardly upon force encountered on or about the top of the corner of the tray, such as when a user sits on it.

Abstract: A spring insert for a waterbed mattress includes a plurality of spring bellows units arranged in upright relation within the mattress. Each bellows unit has a top wall and pleated sidewall which is collapsible from a normal expanded height to a shortened compressed height wherein the internal volume of the bellows unit is substantially reduced. Each bellows unit furthermore has a bleeder opening through one wall so that a compression load exerted on the bellows unit through the mattress top wall is resisted by both spring action and hydraulic action of the bellows units. The bellows units may be interconnected to form upper and lower sections arranged in stacked relation. Stacked pairs of upper and lower bellows units may be arranged in fluid communication to define joint hydraulic chambers.

Abstract: A bed covering corner securement system consisting of a three sided corner apparatus having an inner and outer surface, a generally horizontal semirigid base and two upright semirigid sides. The sides and base form a corner section of a cube for receiving a corner of a waterbed mattress. A bed covering retention device is mounted on the inner surface of the corner apparatus. Suitable bed covering retention devices include either one or more bed covering securing slots or a frictional securement device. The system is used by placing the corner apparatus underneath a corner of the waterbed mattress where the weight of the mattress presses down on the base of the apparatus to secure it in place. Bed coverings are then secured by engagement with the bed covering retention device.

Abstract: A bed covering securement system for a waterbed mattress includes a friction strip secured to the bed covering engagement surface of the peripheral sidewall of a waterbed liner. The friction strip is of a shape and material such that the coefficient of friction between the strip and bed coverings is greater than the coefficient of friction between the liner sidewall and bed coverings.

Abstract: A waterbed draining system utilizes a vacuum relief valve operatively associated with a waterbed mattress bladder, or alternatively with the drain hose or water pump, to automatically provide air flow into the bladder upon the vacuum pressure within the bladder exceeding a predetermined level. The vacuum relief valve automatically bleeds air back into the bladder as needed to effect more complete drainage than was heretofore possible with conventional systems and without any need for operator assistance.

Abstract: An improved waterbed mattress includes a bladder having a layer of insulation material extending substantially from end to end and side to side therein, which insulation material has a plurality of generally upright holes opening through the top and bottom surfaces thereof for improved heat transfer from the warmed body of water below the insulation material to the top surface of the bladder 12. The holes are preferably arranged in a pattern having a greater density of holes toward the foot end of the mattress and a decreased density of holes toward the head end of the mattress.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress includes a spring insert comprising a plurality of spring bellows units arranged in upright relation within the mattress. Each bellows unit has a top wall and pleated sidewall which is collapsible from a normal expanded height to a shortened compressed height wherein the internal volume of the bellows unit is substantially reduced. Each bellows unit furthermore has a bleeder opening through one wall so that a compression load exerted on the bellows unit through the mattress top wall is resisted by both spring action and hydraulic action of the bellows units. The bellows units may be confined within flexible covers defining secondary hydraulic chambers. The size, position and hydraulic characteristics may be varied for different degrees of support at different positions on the mattress.