Supporting device for bed

Abstract

A supporting device for a bed, placed on a bed plate, on top of or below a mattress, comprises a head-end inflatable bag, shaped like a triangular prism and placed at a determined position close to a head end of the bed plate, a foot-end inflatable bag, shaped like a triangular prism and placed at a determined position close to a foot end of the bed plate, and a compressor for inflating the head-end and foot-end inflatable bags. A person lying on the bed plate is supported by the head-end and foot-end inflatable bags on the upper body and the legs, respectively, assuming a sitting position upon inflating thereof and returning to a lying position upon deflating thereof.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a supporting device for a bed, particularly to a supporting device for a bed which is inflatable and deflatable and provides support for sitting and lying positions in the bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Humans spend one fourth to one third of there life in bed, in close contact with mattresses.

Even healthy people sometimes read or work in bed. Sick or handicapped people spend even more time in bed. During times in bed, it is important to change positions and to move. To do so, however, handicapped persons often need assistance, which is not always immediately available. Therefore, supporting devices for head and foot ends of beds have been brought on the market.

The following conventional supporting devices for head and foot ends of beds are available:

• • 1. devices with fixed support;
  • 2. devices with manually driven support; and
  • 3. devices with mechanically driven support, using oil pressure or gears.

The first two types of supporting devices have simple structures, but cannot be operated by sick or handicapped persons lying in bed. The third type of supporting devices can be operated by sick or handicapped persons lying in bed, but has a complex, heavy and costly structure.

A supporting device of the third type is usually fixed on a bed plate, which makes moving inconvenient, while a mattress is no more than an attachment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a supporting device for a bed which is simple, inexpensive and easy to move.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a supporting device for a bed which provides adjustable support for the upper body as well as the legs in sitting and sleeping positions.

For achieving above objects, the present invention has triangular bodies which are placed on top of or below a mattress at determined positions and are inflatable and deflatable.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the supporting device for a bed of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the supporting device for a bed of the present invention in another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, the supporting device for a bed of the present invention is used in conjunction with a bed plate 50 and placed on top of or below a mattress 10, comprising a head-end inflatable bag 20, a foot-end inflatable bag 30, and a compressor 40. By inflating and deflating the head-end and foot-end inflatable bags 20, 30, support or sitting and lying positions of a person is provided, respectively. In the following, a detailed description is given.

The mattress 10 is of flat shape and made of soft material, having a first, second, third and fourth pleat 11, 12, 13, 14 in a transverse direction, so that the mattress 10 is longitudinally divided into a first zone 15, a second zone 16, a third zone 17, a fourth zone 18, and a fifth zone 19.

The head-end inflatable bag 20 is placed at a determined position on a bed plate, above or below the mattress 10. If placed below the mattress 10, the head-end inflatable bag 20, upon being inflated, rises, taking along the first zone 15 of the mattress 10 up to a desired height for supporting the upper body.

The foot-end inflatable bag 30 is placed at a determined position on the bed plate, above or below the mattress 10. If placed below the mattress 10, the foot-end inflatable bag 20, upon being inflated, rises, taking along the third and fourth zones 17, 18 between the second and fourth pleats 12, 14 of the mattress 10 up to a desired height for supporting the legs.

The compressor 40 is mounted below the bed plate 50 and via conduits 41, 42 connected with the head-end and foot-end inflatable bags 20, 30, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 2, the head-end and foot-end inflatable bags 20, 30 are, in another embodiment of the present invention, connected with each other. Furthermore, the head-end and foot-end inflatable bags 20, 30 are preferably fastened to the bed plate or mattress 10 by gluing tape or other fixing elements to avoid shifting thereof.

Raising and lowering of supporting positions is achieved by inflating and deflating the the head-end and foot-end inflatable bags 20, 30, so that desired sitting or lying positions of a person are readily assumed.

Furthermore, a wired or wireless remote control device 60 allows easy control of desired sitting or lying positions by sick or handicapped persons.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A supporting device for a bed, placed on a bed plate, on top of or below a mattress, comprising:

a head-end inflatable bag, shaped like a triangular prism and placed at a determined position close to a head end of the bed plate;

a foot-end inflatable bag, shaped like a triangular prism and placed at a determined position close to a foot end of the bed plate; and

a compressor, connected to said head-end and foot-end inflatable bags via conduits, for inflating said head-end and foot-end inflatable bags;

wherein a person lying on the bed plate is supported by said head-end and foot-end inflatable bags on the upper body and the legs, respectively, assuming a sitting position upon inflating thereof and returning to a lying position upon deflating thereof.

2. The supporting device for a bed of claim 1, wherein said head-end and foot-end inflatable bags are placed below said mattress in fixed positions.

3. The supporting device for a bed of claim 1, wherein said head-end and foot-end inflatable bags are fixed on said bed plate.

4. The supporting device for a bed of claim 1, wherein said head-end and foot-end inflatable bags are connected with each other.