Mattress and bolster system

Abstract

An inflatable mattress and bolster assembly in which the mattress frame receives a series of individual inflatable air cells to form the mattress. Side bolsters are secured to the opposite long sides of the mattress frame by means of retaining straps. The air cells have end tabs that pass through holes in the side bolsters and attach the air cells to the long sides of the mattress frame. An inflatable safety rail is mounted on top of each of the side bolsters for added patient safety. The air cells, side bolsters and safety rails are all independently inflated so that they can be separately adjusted for firmness.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to an air mattress and bolster system and more particularly to a bolster system that aids in reducing injuries to a patient as a result of the patient striking the bed rails or from rolling out of bed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are various types of air mattresses that have a series of air tubes or air bladders to support a person. In some embodiments the air bladders have blower means to alternatively increase and decrease the air pressure in the bladders or to provide a constant air pressure to the bladders. This is used for therapeutic treatment to the patient. One such example is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,766. This system uses bolsters on the sides to assist in keeping the patient from rolling off the side of the bed and to protect the patient from injuries resulting from striking the bed rails. However, there are shortcomings in how the bolster is secured in place relative to the mattress.

In other systems, the air mattress is provided with various inflatable zones so that some areas can be more firm and other areas less firm depending on the needs of a patient. The blower and associated control system also provide a means for maintaining a desired pressure in selected portions of the mattress when the person sits on an edge of the mattress. In some designs these bolsters can be inflated and have their own air supply systems for maintaining the desired air pressure and firmness. One such device is illustrated in U.S. 6,240,584. However, this device does not adequately secure the side bolsters to the mattress system to significantly restrict the patient from rolling off the bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The combination air mattress and bolster system has a series of vertically oriented alternating pressure mattress air cells stacked adjacent to each other horizontally across a tub. The tub is substantially rectangular with opposite long sides and opposite short sides. The number of air cells determines the length of the mattress. When a sufficient number of air cells are placed next to each other they form an air mattress. Each of the air cells has a pair of tabs at each of its ends. A side bolster is disposed along both of the long sides of the tub. On the top of the bolster is a top rail or safety rail that is inflated independently of the bolster. The tabs on the air cells pass through openings or holes in the side bolsters and fasten to fasteners on the long sides of the tub. This secures one end of the air cells to one long side of the tub and the other end of the air cells to the opposite long side of the tub. A strap or web of material extends over the top rail and has its lower end fastened to the bottom of the tub. This secures the side bolsters adjacent to the long sides of the tub. Thus, when the patient rolls toward one side of the mattress, the side bolsters and top rail are pulled toward the patient making it more difficult for the patient to roll out of bed.

The air cells, the side bolsters, and the top rail are all filled independently from each other. This allows each to be monitored independently and filled to different pressures and firmness. This unique system provides many advantages in manufacturing, inventory control, and patient safety, over the prior art air mattresses.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Thus it is an object of the invention to provide an air mattress and bolster system that has alternating pressure mattress air cells that extend horizontally across the mattress and have end tabs that support the air cells vertically. It is a related object to have the tabs pass through the side bolsters and attach to the mattress tub.

Yet another object is to have the side bolsters drawn toward the patient when the patient gets closer to the side bolsters, thus assisting in keeping the patient from rolling off of the bed.

Still another object is to have the side bolsters independently inflated from the alternating pressure mattress air cells which allow the pressure in the bolsters and the air cells individually controlled. An advantage of this is that it allows the side bolsters to be inflated to a much higher pressure than the air cells, which otherwise would make the air cells too firm to be comfortable.

Yet another object is to provide a separately inflated top rail above the side bolster to assist in keeping the patient in the bed. This further assists in keeping the patient from rolling out of bed.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent when reading the Description of the Drawings and Description of the Preferred Embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the inventive mattress and bolster system.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged perspective view of the corner of the side bolster and manifold of the encircled area identified in FIG. 1 as FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view with portions removed illustrating how the tabs extending from the alternating pressure mattress cells attach to the tub.

FIG. 1C is a cross sectional view with portions removed taken along line 1C-1C of FIG. 1 illustrating the connection of the tabs to the tub.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the mattress and bolster system with a portion of the top sheet and waterproof cover removed to expose the alternating pressure mattress cells.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 with portions removed illustrating the orientation of the alternating air cells and the effect of applying a downward force on the air cells.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional end view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 illustrating the orientation of the alternating air cells, side bolsters and tub.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the side bolster.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view with portions removed of a corner of the mattress and bolster system with the air cells removed, illustrating a means for securing the side bolster to the tub.

FIG. 6A is cross sectional view taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 6 further illustrating a means to fasten the side bolster to the tub.

FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of another means to fasten the side bolster to the tub.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the fastening mechanism illustrated in FIG. 7 for attaching one end of the bolster retaining strap around a tab.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an air mattress and bolster system 10 of the present invention. Although the term “air” is often used to describe the fluid contained in the air mattress and bolster system other gasses may also be used and the term “air” is meant to encompass all such equivalent gasses. The main components of the air mattress and bolster system 10 are a tub 12, a plurality of alternating pressure mattress air cells 14 (referred to herein as “APM cells”), a left side bolster 16, a right side bolster 18, and a waterproof cover 20. Although the description herein refers to APM cells, other air cells that are of a constant pressure or the same pressure throughout can be utilized. The tub 12 is preferably made of a rigid or semi-rigid vinyl material to retain the rectangular shape of the air mattress and bolster system 10 when completely assembled. The tub 12 has a length or long side 22 and a width or short side 24. At a bottom 13 of the tub 12 is placed a foam pad 26. On top of the foam pad 26 are placed the plurality of APM cells 14 and the left and right side bolsters 16, 18 respectively. The waterproof cover 20 is placed over the entire assembled mattress and bolster system and secured to the tub 12 as will be described in greater detail herein.

To clearly understand how the mattress and bolster system 10 is assembled, we need to closely look at the individual components. FIGS. 5 and 6 more clearly illustrate the left side bolster 16. The right side bolster 18 is identical except turned 180 degrees when installed. The left side bolster 16 has left top rail 28 that extends across the top of side bolster 16. It also wraps around the top edges and extends down opposite ends 30, 32 to the bottom of the bolster 16. The top rail defines a segregated air chamber that extends along the opposite sides 30, 32 and across the top of the bolster. There is a top rail air valve 34 (see FIGS. 1A and 5) that is connected to a compressed air supply (not illustrated) from which the top rail is inflated to the desired pressure and firmness. It should be noted that there is a top rail air valve 34 at both ends 30, 32 so that the top rail 28 can be inflated from either end. Also, it allows a bolster to be used on either side of the mattress by just rotating the bolster 180 degrees. This reduces inventory by using one bolster on either side of the mattress. The right side bolster 18 has a right side top rail 29 that functions and operates in the same manner as the left side.

The left side bolster 16 has three longitudinally extending air cells or chambers, namely a top cell 36, a center cell 38 and a bottom cell 40. The three air cells are manufactured so that they are fluidly connected at one or more areas such as illustrated as passageways 42 in FIG. 5. There is a side bolster valve 44 mounted at both ends of the left side bolster 16 that is connected to an compressed air supply so that the three air cells 36, 38, and 40 can be inflated. In this manner, all three air cells 36, 38 and 40 are simultaneously inflated to the same pressure and firmness. There is an APM manifold 45 placed at the bottom of the left and right side bolsters 16, 18. This may be attached to the bottom of the bolster by means of a flexible material 47 that is part of or separately connected to the bolsters 16, 18. Disposed along the length of the APM manifold 45 are a series of APM manifold valves that connect to the APM cells 14. The APM manifold 45 is used to inflate the APM cells 14 as will be described herein.

When the mattress system 10 is used by a patient, it is important that the side bolsters 16, 18 remain securely positioned adjacent to the long sides 22 of the tub 12. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6A, there is a web of material 46 that has one end attached to the long side of the tub 22 by means of a snap 48 or other commonly used fastener. The other end of the web 36 is attached to the bottom 13 of the tub 12 preferably by means of stitching 50. However, other attachment means that will accomplish the desired purpose may also be used. In order to maintain the web 46 in place as it passes over the top rail 28, there is a strap loop 52 located on the top of the top rail 28 through which the web 46 passes. This securing system assists in preventing the bolster 16 from unwanted movement away from the long sides 22 of the tub 22. In the alternate embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A, the bottom of the web 46 is connected to a tab 54 on the APM cells. This will be described in greater detail where the APM cells are more fully described.

There is a plurality of through holes 56 disposed in the side bolster 16. The through holes 56 are arranged in two parallel rows with the top row of through holes numbered 56A and the bottom row of through holes numbered 56B. The number of through holes 56A or 56B should be equal to or greater than the number of APM cells 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, if there are twenty APM cells 14, there preferably will be at least twenty through holes 56A and twenty through holes 56B in the side bolster 16. Although the holes 56 pass through the side bolster 16 they are sealed around their perimeter so that no air in the side bolster 16 leaks out of the through holes 56. The sealing can be accomplished by conventional methods such as glue or welding, or with the use of grommets to reinforce the through holes 56.

As seen in FIG. 1, the APM cells 14 are stacked vertically adjacent to each other to form the mattress that supports the patient. The length of the mattress is easily adjusted by adding or subtracting the number of APM cells 14. For example, if the APM cells have a cell diameter of four inches, and one uses twenty cells, the length of the mattress will be eighty inches.

As seen in FIG. 1, each of the APM cells 14 have upper tabs 54A and lower tabs 54B that extend out from each of the ends of the cell. Tabs 54A and 54B are essentially identical to each other. At the ends of the tabs 54A and 54B are tab fasteners or tab snaps 58. The tabs 54A and 54B pass through a reinforcing strap 59 before being received by complementary fasteners or snaps 60 that are mounted on the long side 22 of the tub 12. At the bottom of each APM cell 14 is a valve or inlet that is connected to an APM manifold valve 49. As seen in FIG. 1, every other APM cell 14 is connected to the APM manifold located along the bottom of the left side bolster 16 and every other APM cell 14 is connected to the APM manifold located along the bottom of the right side bolster 18. In this manner one-half of the APM cells 14 are inflated from the left APM manifold 45 and one-half of the APM cells 14 are inflated from the right APM manifold 45.

When the air mattress and bolster system 10 is assembled, foam pad 26 is first inserted into the tub 12. The web 46 is passed through the strap loop 52 and fastened with the snap 48. Then the left side bolster 16 and right side bolster 18 are inserted into the tub 12. Each of the individual APM cells 14 inserted into the tub. The APM cell is connected to the APM manifold so that the cells can be inflated. The tabs 54A and 54B are passed through the through holes 56A and 56B respectively, through reinforcing strap 59 and snapped or attached to their respective fastener or snap 60. In this manner the APM cells 14 are securely and directly attached to the long sides 22 of the tub 12 without being attached to the left or right side bolsters 16, 18. At the same time, the web 46 independently securely positions the left and right side bolsters 16, 18 adjacent to the long sides 22 of the tub 12.

In the alternate embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A, the web of flexible material 46 does not have its lower or bottom end fastened to the tub bottom 13. Rather, the end of the web 46 has a snap 62 at its end so that the web 46 loops around the tab 54 and snaps onto itself. In this manner the web 46 creates a loop around the tab 54 to securely attaché the bottom end of the web 46 to itself, while providing a secure means to retain the side bolsters 16, 18 adjacent to the long side 22 of the tub 12. In this alternate embodiment, the web 46 is completely removable from the tub 12 for shipment and storage, as opposed to the previous embodiment in which the web 46 has one end always secured to the bottom 13 of the tub 12.

One or more air pumps or supply sources can be used to inflate and maintain the proper air pressure and firmness in the APM cells 14, the top rails 28, 29 and the left and right side bolsters 16, 18. As seen in FIG. 1A, there is a separate air feed or valve 34 for the top rail 28, 29. There is also a separate APM manifold air feed or valve 64 that is used to inflate the APM cells 14 that are connected by means of the APM manifold valves 49 to the APM manifold 45. As previously described, there is a side bolster valve 44 on each of the left and right side bolsters 16, 18 so that each bolster can be inflated separately if desired. As the side bolsters are filled from a different source than the APM cells, they can be monitored separately and independently inflated and deflated. If the air pressure in the side bolster falls to a predetermined level, the pump is turned on and the side bolster is inflated to the proper pressure. If the system is unable to maintain the proper pressure in the bolster, an alarm sounds advising the care giver that there is a loss of pressure in the system. As seen in FIG. 3, air is free to flow between adjacent air chambers in the APM cells as a patient lies on the waterproof cover 20. Depending on the position of the patient and the pressure points, the air in the APM cells 14 either flows from the top air chamber to the lower, equalizes between both chambers, or flows from the lower chamber to the upper chamber.

In use, when the patient lies on the APM cells 14, and moves toward one of the long sides 22, the tabs 54 pull on the long side 22 of the tub 12. This is turn pulls the long side 22 of the tub 12 and the attached side bolster 16, 18 with its respective top rail 28, 29 toward the patient. This movement of the side bolsters assists in keeping the patient in the bed rather than making it easier for the patient to roll over the top rail and out of the bed. Furthermore, by adding the top rail as an integral part of the side bolsters, yet filling it from its own separate air source, allows the top rails to be inflated to a different pressure and firmness than the side bolsters to which they are attached. This allows the top rails to be inflated and deflated independently of the bolsters.

Thus there has been provided a combination air mattress and bolster system that fully satisfies the objects and advantages set forth herein. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mattress and bolster assembly comprising:

a mattress frame having a front side, a back side, a left side, a right side, a frame bottom and an open top, the mattress frame being substantially rectangular;

a plurality of inflatable air cells positioned adjacent to each other in the mattress frame for forming a supporting air mattress, the air cells having opposite ends that are disposed adjacent to the left and right sides respectively of the mattress frame when they are positioned in the mattress frame;

at least one tab extending from each of the opposite ends of the air cells;

fastening means on each tab for attaching the tab to a side of the mattress frame;

an inflatable left side bolster and inflatable right side bolster, each bolster having a front that faces inward toward the center of the mattress frame and a back that faces the left and right side respectively, a top and a bottom, the left side bolster positioned adjacent to the left side and the right side bolster positioned adjacent to the right side and the bottom of the bolster disposed adjacent to the frame bottom of the mattress frame;

the tab extending from each of the opposite ends passing through the left and right side bolsters and fastened to the left side and right side respectively to securely attach the air cells to the mattress frame,

whereby when a vertical weight is applied to the inflatable air cells, the air cells are compressed and pull the tabs and the bolster to which the tabs are attached toward the center of the frame.

2. The mattress and bolster assembly of claim 1 wherein the left and right side bolsters have a plurality of holes passing through the bolster from the front to the back, the holes receiving the tabs which pass there through.

3. The mattress and bolster assembly of claim 2 and further comprising complementary fastening means on the left and right sides for receiving in releasable locking relationship the fastening means on the tabs.

4. The mattress and bolster of claim 2 and further comprising an inflatable top air chamber disposed above the top of the left and right side bolsters respectively, the top air chamber creating a heightened bolster for assisting in keeping a person from rolling over the bolster and off of the mattress.

5. The mattress and bolster of claim 4 and further comprising a strap for securing the left and right side bolsters against the left and right sides respectively of the mattress frame.

6. The mattress and bolster of claim 5 wherein the strap has one end attached to the mattress frame side and the other end attached to the bottom of the frame.

7. The mattress and bolster of claim 5 wherein the strap has one end attached to the mattress frame side and the other end is attached to the tab extending from the air cell.

8. The mattress and bolster of claim 2 wherein there are a pair of tabs extending out from each end of the air cells, with one of the tabs being an upper tab and the other being a lower tab, each tab passing through a hole in the bolster and then being secured to the frame by means of the fastening mean.

9. The mattress and bolster of claim 4 and further comprising a separate air inlet valve for inflating separately the left and right side bolsters, the top air chamber and the air cells to achieve the desired air pressure in each of the left side bolster, the right side bolster, the top chambers and air cells.

10. The mattress of claim 3 wherein the fastening means comprises snaps on the tabs and frame sides.

11. A mattress and bolster assembly comprising:

a mattress frame having opposite left and right long sides,

a plurality of inflatable air cells positioned adjacent to each other in the mattress frame for forming a supporting air mattress, the air cells having opposite ends that are disposed adjacent to the opposite left and right long sides respectively of the mattress frame;

at least one fastening tab extending from each of the opposite ends of the air cells;

fastening means on each tab for attaching the tab to either the left or right long sides of the mattress frame;

a left side bolster and right side bolster, the left side bolster positioned adjacent to the left long side and the right side bolster positioned adjacent to the right long side;

the fastening tab extending from each of the opposite ends of the air cell and passing through openings in the left and right side bolsters and fastened to the left and right long side respectively to securely attach the air cells to the mattress frame,

whereby the application of a vertical weight to the inflatable air cells causes the air cells to compress and apply a tensile force to the tabs and the bolster to which the tabs are attached.

12. The mattress and bolster assembly of claim 11 and further comprising complementary fastening means on the left and right long sides for receiving in releasable locking relationship the fastening means on the tabs.

13. The mattress and bolster of claim 11 and further comprising an inflatable top air chamber disposed above the top of the left and right side bolsters respectively, the top air chamber creating a heightened bolster for assisting in keeping a person from rolling over the bolster and off of the mattress.

14. The mattress and bolster of claim 11 and further comprising a strap for securing the left and right side bolsters against the left and right long sides respectively of the mattress frame.

15. The mattress and bolster of claim 14 wherein the mattress frame further comprises a mattress frame bottom and wherein the strap has one end attached to the mattress frame long side and the other end attached to the mattress frame bottom.

16. The mattress and bolster of claim 14 wherein the strap has one end attached to the mattress frame long side and the other end is attached to the tab extending from the air cell.

17. The mattress and bolster of claim 11 wherein there are a pair of tabs extending out from each end of the air cells, with one of the tabs being an upper tab and the other being a lower tab, each tab passing through a hole in the bolster and then being secured to the frame by means of the fastening mean.

18. The mattress and bolster of claim 13 and further comprising separate air inlet valves for individually inflating the left and right side bolsters, the air cells and the top air chamber to achieve the desired air pressure in each of the left side bolster, the right side bolster, the top air chambers and air cells.

19. The mattress and bolster of claim 12 wherein the fastening means and complementary fastening means comprise snaps and snap posts.