PLATFORM EXTENSION

Abstract

A platform extension for a bed or sleeping platform, the extension including fastening means to present a platform beside a bed with an aperture at a displaced position relative to a side of a bed in use, the platform configured and/or orientated to present the aperture relative to a plane of a bed upon which the extension is associated in use. Thus, when arranged with a bed or sleeping platform a sleeper can lay stomach down with an aligned spine rather than with a head turned to allow them breath. Furthermore, when required the sleeper can sleep on their back or side retaining flexibility in use of the bed.

Description

This invention relates generally to a platform extension and more particularly but not exclusively to a platform extension to be associated with a bed or other sleeping platform.

Most domestic homes have a bed for sleeping. Such beds have a base of some form with a mattress on top. The mattress may have different levels of hardness and for some individuals an effective bed may be formed without a mattress as essentially a sleeping platform raised above ground level. Most people sleep on their side, their back or on their stomach. Thus, with a substantially flat mattress and possibly a pillow or two it is difficult for an individual to lie in an ideal orientation with a straight back.

Unfortunately adaptation of a bed or sleeping platform to specifically address user orientation problems is difficult. It will be understood that there are a large number of traditionally sized and configured bed and mattress combinations which would require adaption. Furthermore, not all users of a bed or sleeping platform would want to have the adaptation or a particular user may only want to use the adaption to provide an aligned spinal orientation part of the time. Space may be limited and clearly the ease and cost of adaption may be important.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a platform extension for a bed or sleeping platform, the extension including fastening means to present a platform beside a bed with an aperture at a displaced position relative to a side of a bed in use, the platform configured and/or orientated to present the aperture relative to a plane of a bed upon which the extension is associated in use.

Also in accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a platform arrangement including a bed and a platform extension as outlined above.

Possibly, the aperture is oval. The aperture may have a compliant periphery. Possibly the periphery is compliant through a foam or inflatable edge. Possibly, the platform is shaped to be secured in use to the side at one end of a bed. Possibly, the aperture has an elongate shape with the aperture in the direction of greatest width angled relative to a side of a bed in use. Possibly, the extension can be associated with wedge inserts to alter the angular relationship between the extension and a bed in use.

Possibly, the aperture may be formed from a base hole and an associated aperture insert. The aperture insert may define an angle of association of the aperture with a bed in use. Possibly, the aperture may be defined by a plurality of insert composite parts secured about the periphery of a hole in the platform. Typically, the composite parts include a forehead part, cheek parts and an upper chest part each selected from a respective group of such parts. Possibly, the composite parts are interchangeable and/or respectively adjustable. Possibly, the aperture is inflatable.

Possibly, the fastener means comprises straps and/or a clamp and/or a Velcro® coupling. Possibly, the fastener means includes reciprocal parts to form an interlocking relationship.

Possibly, at least part of the aperture is raised relative to a horizontal plane of a bed in use. Possibly, the platform is substantially in alignment with a horizontal plane of a bed in use. Possibly, the platform has a slightly curved or inclined portion between the aperture and an edge of the platform away from a fastening edge of the platform juxtaposed with a bed in use.

Possibly, the platform is supported by legs or a boxed base structure.

Possibly, the platform has an overlap pad. Possibly, the platform has two overlap pads either side of an upper and a lower surface of a bed in use. Possibly, a filler strip is provided in use between the platform and bed. The filler strip may be T shaped.

Possibly, the platform is cushioned.

Possibly, a part of the platform to be presented in use towards a bed has a cover flap. The cover flap may be configured in terms of width and thickness to bridge a gap between the platform and a bed whereby the gap is effectively masked. Possibly, the cover flap is biased by a cover bias means such as an elastic strap towards projection across the gap between the platform and a bed in use. Possibly, the cover bias is provided by material shape memory and/or reinforcement sprung elements and/or Velcro® fastener retainers.

Possibly, the aperture has a functional end away from a top surface of the platform around the aperture in use. The functional end may mount a display or TV or clock viewable through the aperture. Possibly, the aperture in the platform includes a vent element. Possibly, the aperture includes an electrical fan to circulate air within the aperture.

Possibly, an end of the aperture is closed with fabric or a plastics material away from a top surface of the platform around the aperture in use. Possibly, the fabric or plastics material is a black-out material.

Possibly, the aperture has at least one suspended or floating ring to provide an engagement periphery for the aperture. There may be a plurality of effectively concentric suspended or floating rings. Possibly, suspension mountings for the rings allow multi-axial movement.

Possibly the platform extension forms part of a storage unit with a shelf and/or a drawer below the platform.

Possibly, a mattress is provided with at least part of the mattress configured to overlay the platform extension.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a bed arrangement with a platform extension in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a sleeper with a first embodiment of an aperture in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a sleeper with a second embodiment of an aperture in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a so-called stomach sleeper on a bed with a platform extension in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a so-called side sleeper on a bed with a platform extension in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a so-called back sleeper on a bed with a platform extension in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a platform extension in accordance with aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is series of depictions of a platform extension as fastened to a bed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; and,

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a multiple adjustment aperture in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

Comfort when sleeping is highly important in terms of the ease of falling to sleep as well as the quality of that sleep. Unfortunately, sleeping on a relatively flat surface such as a mattress is not ideal. The human body is not flat itself and comfort particularly for so-called stomach or downward facing sleepers would be improved by having as straight and aligned a spine as possible. Stomach sleepers on a mattress must turn their head to one side and typically have an upturned neck causing twisting of the spine. However, the alternative of sleeping on your back has problems of snoring and possibly still of neck upturn/twist whilst sleeping on one's side is unstable if straight and has a spinal twist if not.

The best position might be to lie in the stomach down orientation but also with the face presented down so there is no or less neck twist. Unfortunately, such a sleeper orientation means on a mattress it is difficult to breath. It is known to provide massage beds and chairs where the user is facing down but it would be inconvenient to make a mattress with such configuration and there would still be the large number of existing mattresses which would either become redundant or could not be readily adapted. Furthermore, building up the mattress will be inconvenient and stop the choice of side or back sleeping orientations is desired.

In most bedrooms the bed is the largest piece of furniture will little room other than for bedside tables and cabinets. Aspects of the present invention utilise the potential space used by such bedside tables or cabinets to accommodate a platform extension for a bed. The platform extension may include shelves and drawers as with a normal beside cabinet but the main functionality is to provide a side extension projecting from a side of the bed at one end. The platform extension includes an aperture for a user's head to allow them to face down with a straighter spine and still breathe.

FIG. 1 provides a schematic plan view of bed arrangement 1 including a platform extension 2 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As indicated above the extension 2 can replace a standard bedside table or cabinet so the platform upper part of the extension 2 has a table width X similar to a standard bedside table whilst the extension 2 has a length Y such that the extension 2 extends to a mid-part of a bed 3. The platform extension 2 is referred to as such in order to describe extensions which are padded or cushioned for consistency with a mattress of the bed 3 or are harder surfaces more typical of a bedside cabinet or table or a sleeping platform found in some cultures. In any event, the extension 2 is presented separately to the bed/sleeping platform and so must be secured by appropriate fastening means such as straps, clamps, reciprocal interference/interlocking parts and Velcro® fasteners, separately or in combinations. The bed 3 and extension 2 should not separate in use.

As will be described later the platform extension 2 provides an angle so that a sleeper can use an aperture 4 in the extension 2. The aperture 4 is normally padded for user comfort. The aperture 4 can be round or oval to match a user's face shape. Furthermore, to further improve comfort adjustable pads or parts can be presented in a composite fashion to define the aperture in use. The composite aperture will normally have a forehead part, a left cheek, a right cheek and an upper chest part. By such an approach contact area with a user's face is maximised whilst leaving the nasal and oral passages clear for breathing. It will be understood that greater contact area will spread a user's head weight more evenly and limit any potential pinching and rub discomfort. By allowing a stomach down sleeper to effectively lie flat with his or her head straight and not turned to one side or the other. For normal use pillows 5a, 5b can be placed on the bed 2 for use as required but also when required in accordance with aspects of the present invention a user can effectively roll towards the platform extension 2 to sleep downwards and flat with an aligned spine.

By appropriate configuration the aperture 4 will allow the face of a user to rest with the neck and spine in alignment and so not stressed. For comparison a conventional bed and pillow as indicated means that the head must be rotated by up to 90 degrees to breathe either to the left or right.

With a platform extension in accordance with aspects of the present invention the head, neck and spine can be supported in substantive alignment as the head is located in the plane of a mattress of an associated bed. FIG. 2 provides a schematic illustration of head, neck and spine alignment with a completely open hole type aperture 22 shown without a surrounding platform extension. Thus, a user's head 21, neck 23 and spine 24 are along a common axis 25. The aperture 22 provides a passage across the platform extension (not shown) for breathing so the user need not turn their head to do so. The aperture 22 is substantially in the same plane as the mattress to help achieve alignment.

An alternative composite pad configuration as a second embodiment of an aperture 32 is shown schematically in FIG. 3. Thus, angled pads 32a (forehead), 32b (cheeks) and chin/chest 32c are provided to define the aperture which again allows an alignment of head, neck and spine.

The pads 32a, 32b, 32c can be formed from soft foam or similarly responsive materials. The pads 32a, 32b, 32c can be static or adjustable upon a suitable mechanism for specific user requirements. Furthermore, as with a unitary aperture a range of sizes can be provided in a set for user choice. With a unitary aperture essentially different sized and shaped apertures will simply be fitted into a standard over-sized aperture as required by a user. With a composite aperture a user will select from a specific set for each of the forehead, left cheek, right cheek and chin pads dependent on their requirements and face shape. The parts or pads will then again be loaded and fixed into a standard aperture in the platform extension. The periphery of the aperture may be inflatable again for comfort and adjustability in terms of aperture height, angle and with composite pads forming the aperture distance between pads or parts to accommodate different head shapes, sizes and forehead/cheek angles.

A further benefit of providing a composite aperture is possibly better head weight distribution. With a whole unitary round or oval aperture the weight of the head is wholly taken by the face in contact with the ring of the aperture. With a composite aperture as illustrated in FIG. 3 a chin/chest pad 32c can be provided which when in engagement with a user's chest applies some load across the user's upper torso giving broader engagement for stability but also greater spread of load for comfort.

FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate the three conventional sleeping positions for good spine alignment. A platform extension in accordance with aspects of the present invention continues to allow sleeping in the two existing good spine alignment positions, on the user's side (FIG. 5) and on the user's back (FIG. 6) as well as the additional possibility of stomach or face down position (FIG. 4) made possible by the extension in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Thus, a platform extension in accordance with aspects of the present invention fastened to a bed in arrangement as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 allows the two existing good spine position as well as the stomach down position. The sleeper retains choice. The platform extension does not impinge upon the current degrees of freedom with a standard mattress unlike alternatives such as a raised mattress or raised padded area on a standard mattress.

In FIGS. 4 to 6 a bed arrangement 41 is provided with pillows 45 on a bed 43. A platform extension 42 is provided to one side 46 towards on an end 47 of the bed 43. In FIG. 4 the platform extension 42 allows a user 48a in a stomach down orientation to be angled into the bed 43 but with their face supported by an aperture 44 in the platform extension 42. The extension 42 extends sufficiently down the bed 43 to allow angling of the user. It will also be noted that the aperture is substantially oval with the direction of greatest width angled towards a point 49a in the bottom 49 of the bed away from the edge 46 so the user is adequately supported.

In FIG. 5 the user 48b is sleeping on their side with their head on a pillow 45 and away from the edge 46 possibly at about a distance 49a inward along the base 49. In FIG. 6 the user 48c is lying on their back again aligned inward of the edge 46 at possibly point 49a in the bottom 49 for stability. It will be noted that the angle of the side platform and so a sleeper is arranged such that the feet of the sleeper and a companion sleeper in the bed do not interfere with each other. The angle places the sleeper on the side platform with their feet short of mid-point (width-wise) of the bed.

Although described with the side platform on the left hand side of the bed in the arrangement that a side platform could also be located as an alternative on the right hand side or side platforms could be placed on both sides of the bed in an arrangement in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

It will be understood that the platform extension must be stable and supportive of the user when asleep. As shown in FIG. 7 a platform extension 72 can be stabilised by three or four legs about the platform and normally as shown at the corners. Thus, the platform extension can support a user and robustly present an aperture 74 to that user to allow a stomach down sleep configuration. The legs will be adjustable so that the aperture at least is present in a desired plane relative to the major or flat plane of the bed and in particular the top surface of the mattress of that bed. It will also be understood that the platform top surface and so aperture presenting surface may be located upon a boxed or similar structure but then smaller legs or feet or another mechanism will be need to provide the necessary height adjustment for positioning of the aperture relative to the mattress.

As indicated above a smooth and if possible near contiguous surface should be provided between the platform extension and the bed. Thus, it is possible to provide for a table top and face area (not the entire platform extension) to move towards the bed (mattress) to fill in any gap of say up to 10 centimetres. Five centimetre (or pre-cut) padded strips can also be used to pad the gap between extension cushioned area and the main bed mattress.

FIG. 8 provides plan views of a top lateral platform surface 81 slide and lateral slide plus pads 80 of a platform in accordance with aspects of the present invention on to a mattress 83. In FIG. 8a, a gap 82 is seen between the mattress 83 and the platform 81. In FIG. 8b, the platform 81 is slid in the direction of arrowhead 85 across the gap 82. In FIG. 8c, a buffer pad 80 is located to buffer and mask the differential between the mattress 83 and the platform 81. Lateral slide of the platform 81 can be ratcheted to allow a semi vice-like grip between the platform 81 and the mattress 83

In the space between the platform padding or mattress and the main bed mattress a “T” shaped padded filler strip will be placed to blend the two mattresses together and minimize any such discomfort found at the junction, that is to say the beaded edge of a standard mattress. The pad 80 and filler strip can be secured by a fastener such as Velcro®. Being T shaped the buffer pad or filler strip can be squeezed and clamped between the bed and platform extension. Lateral slide of a platform 81 table padded top can be ratcheted to allow for a semi vice-like grip between side table and mattress so that the mattress is gripped in a sandwich or by downward pressure. Alternative fastening means include press studs or poppers or zip fasteners with end cover.

A further approach is to provide a bespoke or specifically shaped mattress whereby a portion or part of the mattress overlays the platform extension so there is no potentially uncomfortable gap. However, such an approach with an existing bed will mean that a new mattress is needed for a bed and platform extension combination which may add to costs but in addition to comfort may aid location upon the bed etc.

Platform extension may have a strip of cushioned fabric “flap” (2 to 5 cm thick) to overlap the main mattress of the bed, where often this area isn't intended for sleeping and typically has a hard beaded corner.

The platform table “flap” can extend over the main mattress by 5 to 8 cm with enough length to mask the join between the main bed and side table.

The “flap” can be reinforced and spring loaded to prevent movement during use (i.e. by applying downward force on the main mattress edges) by a bias towards location over the gap or the flap could be attached by the use of a custom fitted bed sheet on the main mattress, which would have a Velcro strip along the edges, which can then be secured to the side platform table “flap”.

Room for a table lamp can be accommodated by leaving an area free from padded cover, or via a pullout extension to the side or front of the platform table or via a clipping method to the edge of the table.

Room for essential items which would normally be present on a side table can be accommodated on shelving underneath the main side platform table top.

An alarm clock or clock radio could be integrated into the side table platform, via a flat space left non-cushioned on the side-table surface or internal to the aperture defining a facial tube for breathing.

The area directly under the face region of the side table (if a cylindrical or deeply recessed area) could be used to accommodate an alarm clock display, music system (ear-phones) or TV/monitor screen and/or light which could be used to gradually illuminate to allow the occupant to gently wake up the occupant when in the face down position.

When in the face-down position the area below the face could be made well ventilated or even fan cooled. It could also be made “blacked-out” to minimize light levels by a fabric or plastics material closure, allowing shift workers the ability to fall asleep in low light conditions, even in the daytime.

The face down area could also be modified to fit medical apparatus such as oxygen masks or nebulisers.

Sleeping in a face-down position may also prove beneficial to people who snore or people with sleep apnoea.

Along with the side table mattress an accompanying items would be a Rhombus shaped Duvet, that is to say a duvet which isn't rectangular, but where the longer length is at the top (pillow) end of the bed, to allow for an extended overlap to accommodate and cover the platform side table/occupant. It will also be understood that facial contact areas, forehead parts, cheek parts, upper chest parts of the aperture as part of the side platform may also have fitted covers which can be removed for washing or for aesthetic user taste.

The face support area of an aperture can also be made “floating” using a gyroscopic connections of the padded areas defining the aperture in the platform table top. Such engagement surface floating will allow the user's head to float freely in a nodding (up-down) direction or a left-right (side to side) motion. This action could be regulated via a friction screw(s) to require more or less head movement force to achieve the change in head position.

FIG. 9 shows schematically an aperture 91 comprising substantially concentric rings 92, 93 presented upon swivel or pivot mountings 94, 95. Thus, the aperture can tilt dependent upon the mountings 94, 95 as required and limited by those mountings 94, 95.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A platform extension for a bed or sleeping platform, the extension including fastening means to present a platform beside a bed with an aperture at a displaced position relative to a side of a bed in use, the platform configured and/or orientated to present the aperture relative to a plane of a bed upon which the extension is associated in use.

2. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platform is shaped to be secured in use to the side at one end of a bed.

3. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aperture has an elongate shape with the aperture in the direction of greatest width angled relative to a side of a bed in use

4. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the extension can be associated with wedge inserts to alter an angular presentational relationship between the extension and a bed in use.

5. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aperture is formed from a base hole and aperture insert.

6. An extension as claimed in claim 8 wherein the aperture insert defines an angle of association of the aperture with a bed in use.

7. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aperture is defined by a plurality of insert composite parts secured about the periphery of a hole in the platform

8. An extension as claimed in claim 10 wherein the composite parts are interchangeable and/or respectively adjustable

9. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least the platform is substantially in alignment with a horizontal plane of a bed in use

10. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platform has a slightly curved or inclined portion between the aperture and an edge of the platform away from a fastening edge of the platform juxtaposed with a bed in use.

11. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platform is supported by legs or a boxed base structure.

12. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platform has an overlap pad.

13. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein a filler strip is provided in use between the platform and bed.

14. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein a part of the platform to be presented in use towards a bed has a cover flap

15. An extension as claimed in claim 24 wherein the cover flap is configured in terms of width and thickness to bridge a gap between the platform and a bed whereby the gap is effectively masked.

16. An extension as claimed in claim 24 wherein the cover flap is biased by a cover bias means such as an elastic strap towards projection across the gap between the platform and a bed in use

17. An extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aperture has a functional end away from a top surface of the platform around the aperture in use.

18. An extension as claimed in claim 34 wherein there is a plurality of effectively concentric suspended or floating rings.

19. A bed arrangement comprising a bed or sleeping platform combined with a platform extension as claimed in claim 1.

20. A bed arrangement as claimed in claim 38 wherein a mattress is provided with a part of the mattress shaped to overlay the platform extension from the bed or sleeping platform.