Mattress jack

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting a mattress so as to facilitate the bed making process and make changing bed linens less strenuous. The apparatus comprises an inflatable member disposed between a mattress and box springs of a bed and having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size and being formed of a predetermined material. A fluid communication means is engageable at a first end thereof with the inflatable member and an air pump is engageable with a second end of the fluid communication means for providing air for inflating the inflatable member. A power means is engageable with the air pump for providing power to operate the air pump and a switch means is engageable between the power means and the air pump means for activating and deactivating the air pump. A valve means is disposed in one of the fluid communication means and the pump means for controlling inflation and deflation of the inflatable member as desired.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/976,055 filed Sep. 28, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to an aid in the bed making process and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a mattress jack that automatically raises the mattress from the box springs so as to eliminate the need for a person or persons to physically lift and manipulate a heavy mattress during the bed making process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Homemakers must regularly clean and change the sheets and linens on the beds in their homes, a task that necessarily involves repetitive lifting and manipulating a heavy, bulky mattress during the bed making process. Most homemakers, both young and old, find that lifting a heavy mattress with one hand is next to impossible unless they have help. Even with two persons working together, making a bed is a strenuous task.

Likewise, hotel housekeepers at hotels, motels and inns must routinely change the linen on many beds every day. The stress and strain associated with the repetitive lifting of heavy mattresses during the bed making process eventually takes a toll on the worker in the form of lifting injuries, work loss, and even workmen's compensation insurance claims in the case of commercial establishments.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were an apparatus which could automatically elevate the mattress during the bed making process and thereby eliminate the need for homemakers and hotel or motel housekeepers to physically lift any mattress during the bed making process. Moreover, an automatic mattress lifting device enables a single person to do the job by herself/himself without then need for an assistant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for lifting a mattress so as to make changing bed linens less strenuous. The apparatus comprises an inflatable member disposed between a mattress and box springs of a bed and having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size and being formed of a predetermined material. A fluid communication means is engageable at a first end thereof with the inflatable member and an air pump is engageable with a second end of the fluid communication means for providing air for inflating the inflatable member. A power means is engageable with the air pump for providing power to operate the air pump and a switch means is engageable between the power means and the air pump means for activating and deactivating the air pump. A valve means is disposed in one of the fluid communication means and the pump means for controlling inflation and deflation of the inflatable member. A vent means is disposed one of in the air pump and the fluid communication means for venting the inflatable member as necessary.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can lift the mattress when needed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is air powered.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is inflatable.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can be sized to fit different size mattresses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is inflated by either an electric air pump or a manual air pump.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly when such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the inflatable apparatus for raising a mattress according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a mattress and box springs with the inflatable member shown in FIG. 1 disposed therebetween.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the mattress and box springs with an uninflated apparatus disposed therebetween.

FIG. 4 is block diagram of the operation of the apparatus as shown in the previous Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for lifting a mattress 2 so as to make changing bed linens less strenuous. The apparatus 10 comprises an inflatable member 4 that is disposed between a mattress 2 and a supporting structure 6 of a bed and having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size and being formed of a predetermined material. A fluid communication means 8 is engageable at a first end thereof with the inflatable member 4 and an air pump 12 is engageable with a second end of the fluid communication means 8 for providing air so as to inflate the inflatable member 4. A power means 14 is engageable with the air pump 12 for providing power to operate the air pump 12 and a switch means 16 is engageable between the power means 14 and the air pump 12 for activating and deactivating the air pump 12. A valve means 18 is disposed in one of the fluid communication means 8 and the air pump 12 for controlling inflation and deflation of the inflatable member 4. A vent means, generally designated 20, is disposed one of in the air pump 12 and the fluid communication means 8 for venting the inflatable member 4 as necessary.

It should be mentioned that such supporting structure 6 is generally a box spring 6; however, there some instances where something other than a box spring 6 is used as a supporting structure 6 for the mattress 2.

The air pump 12 is electrically controlled and the power means 14 is a voltage and amperage appropriate for the air pump 12. Generally this will be a standard 110 volt house circuit. Such switch means 16 is one of a foot pedal and a hand operated switch.

The predetermined shape of the inflatable member 4 includes any arbitrary and appropriate shape including an oval, circle, octagon, hexagon, elliptical, rectangle, “X” or “H” shape. The predetermined shape may be customized to fit a particular mattress. It is presently preferred that such shape of the inflatable member 4 a generally rectangular shaped donut or a rectangular “life-boat” shaped tubular device with more or less flat upper and lower surfaces.

The predetermined material used to form the inflatable member 4 is one of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, plastic or similar pliable material to be selected based on the desired physical characteristics and availability. The selected material must be a durable material that is ideal for inflatable products. It is presently preferred that such material be synthetic rubber. Such apparatus 10 further includes a non skid surface which serves to keep the apparatus 10 in place between the mattress 2 and the box springs 6. Also, the apparatus 10 may be further secured to the mattress and/or box springs by using attachment devices such as snaps, clips plus shock-cords or hook and loop material (Velcro).

The switch means 16 has an inflating position and a deflating position. When the switch 16 is in the inflating position the air pump 12 pumps air to fill the inflatable member 4 to the desired level. When the switch is turned off the valve means 18 prevents air from leaving the inflatable member 4. After use the switch means 16 is turned to the deflating position and air in the inflatable member 4 is removed by the air pump 12 or by means of an exhaust valve. Once deflated the inflatable member 4 becomes flat and is not noticeable between the mattress 2 and box springs 6 as is seen in FIG. 3.

Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus (mattress jack) that is a unique inflatable device that is positioned between the mattress and box springs of a bed. Although the apparatus can be made in a variety of shapes, it is presently preferred that the apparatus is rectangular in shape since most mattresses and box springs are also rectangular. The shape of the inflatable member is that of a rectangular donut or similar to an inflatable life raft minus the bottom portion. An uninflated apparatus is installed between the mattress and box springs. When activated an electric air pump inflates the apparatus which automatically raises the mattress from the box springs. The air pump has an electric cord which can be plugged into any 110 volt house circuit. A switch means controls the air pump and controls inflation or deflation of the apparatus. The switch means can be either a foot pedal or a hand operated switch that is placed in a convenient location near the bed. The apparatus is constructed of a durable plastic, natural rubber, synthetic rubber or similar pliable material and has a non-skid surface which serves to keep the apparatus in place between the mattress and box springs at all times whether in the inflated or deflated mode.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for lifting a mattress so as to eliminate a need for physically lifting and manipulating a heavy mattress during the bed making process, thereby making changing bed linens less strenuous, said apparatus comprising:

(a) an inflatable member disposed between a mattress and a supporting structure of a bed and having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size and being formed of a predetermined material;

(b) a fluid communication means engageable at a first end thereof with said inflatable member;

(c) an air pump engageable with a second end of said fluid communication means for providing air for inflating said inflatable member;

(d) a power means engageable with said air pump for providing power to operate said air pump;

(e) a switch means engageable between said power means and said air pump means for activating and deactivating said air pump;

(f) a valve means disposed in one of said fluid communication means and said air pump for controlling inflation and deflation of said inflatable member; and

(g) a vent means disposed one of in said air pump and said fluid communication means for venting said inflatable member as necessary.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said air pump is electrically controlled.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said switch means is one of a foot pedal and a hand operated switch.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said power means is a voltage and amperage appropriate for said air pump.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said power means is a standard 110 volt house circuit.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape of said inflatable member is one of an oval, a circle, an octagon, a hexagon, a rectangle, an elliptical shape, an X shape and a H shape.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined shape of said inflatable member is a generally rectangular shaped donut.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined material is one of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and plastic.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined material is synthetic rubber

10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said inflatable member further includes a non skid surface which serves to help prevent said inflatable member from sliding between such mattress and such box springs.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said switch means includes a deflating position.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said air pump deflates said inflatable member through said vent means when said switch is turned to said deflating position.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said supporting structure is a box spring.