MATTRESS LIFT SYSTEM

Abstract

An adjustable mattress lift system, positionable beneath a mattress for enabling users to adjust the mattress into a plurality of positions, includes an air pump motor, an upper extremity section and a lower extremity section. The upper extremity section includes at least two inflatable bladders. Each of the at least two inflatable bladders of the upper extremity section is separately connected to the air pump motor and independently inflatable by the air pump motor. The lower extremity section includes at least one inflatable bladder. The least one inflatable bladder of the lower extremity section is separately connected to the air pump motor and independently inflatable by the air pump motor from the at least two inflatable bladders of the upper extremity section.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/976,665 entitled “Mattress Lift and Support” filed on Apr. 8, 2014.

BACKGROUND

One or more aspects of the present invention relate, in general, to a mattress lift system and, more particularly to an mattress lift system positioned under a conventional mattress enabling adjustment of the upper extremity, lumbar and/or lower extremity of a user.

Conventional mattresses typically consist of a quilted or similarly fastened case, usually of heavy cloth, that contains springs and some type of foam rubber. Conventional mattresses are rigid and tend to sag after years of use. Over time, conventional mattresses need to be replaced because of, for example, sagging causing back pain or other similar issues.

SUMMARY

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the use of an adjustable mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more principles of the present invention.

In one aspect, an adjustable mattress lift system, positionable beneath a mattress for enabling users to adjust the mattress into a plurality of positions, comprises an air pump motor, an upper extremity section, and a lower extremity section. The upper extremity section includes at least two inflatable bladders. Each of the at least two inflatable bladders of the upper extremity section is separately connected to the air pump motor and independently inflatable by the air pump motor. The lower extremity section includes at least one inflatable bladder. The at least one inflatable bladder of the lower extremity section is separately connected to the air pump motor and independently inflatable by the air pump motor from the at least two inflatable bladders of the upper extremity section.

In another aspect, an adjustable mattress lift system may include a mid-section extending between the upper extremity section and the lower extremity section. In one embodiment, the mid-section may be adjusted to lengthen or shorten the distance between the upper and lower extremity sections. In one embodiment, a portion of mid-section may be folded under and retained by, for example, a plurality of snaps to shorten the distance between the upper and lower extremity sections. In alternative embodiments, the upper surface of the mid-section may include a plurality of fasteners, such as, for example, snaps, that correspond to a plurality of mating fasteners on the bottom surface of the upper extremity section and/or lower extremity section to change the lengthen or shorten the distance between these sections.

In another aspect, an adjustable mattress lift system may include a lumbar section positioned between the upper extremity section and the lower extremity section. The lumber section includes an inflatable bladder separately connected to the air pump motor from the inflatable bladders of the upper and lower extremity sections.

In yet another aspect, an adjustable mattress lift system may include a user interface including one or more sets of controls to provide commands to the air pump motor to inflate or deflate the inflatable bladders of the upper extremity section, the lower extremity section and the lumbar section. In one embodiment, the user interface may include a control for providing a pre-set command to inflate one or more of the inflatable bladders of the upper extremity section, the lower extremity section and the lumbar section to provide specific relief to a user on top of a mattress.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques described herein. Other embodiments and aspects are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more aspects are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and objects, features, and advantages of one or more aspects are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view illustrating a mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts another perspective view illustrating a mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view illustrating a mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 depicts a side view illustrating one example of an adjustable mid-section of a mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of an adjustable mattress lift system designed and constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments, or examples, illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe these. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended. Any alterations and further modification in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the adjustable mattress lift system invention relates.

Presented herein is an adjustable mattress lift system comprising, in one embodiment, multiple features that may be attached to or integrated with the system to, for example, enable a user to adjust a conventional mattress into multiple positions by converting a conventional mattress into an adjustable bed. For example, the adjustable mattress lift system may raise a user's head or upper extremity, lumbar and/or lower extremity by selectively inflating different sections of the mattress lift system.

Users of an adjustable mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention may adjust a conventional mattress to, for example, lift their lower extremities for increased blood circulation, lift their upper extremities to various degrees to assist with sleep apnea, snoring, acid reflux relief, and respiratory relief and to provide comfort in watching television, reading or using a laptop or lift both their lower and upper extremities for pressure relief. An adjustable mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspect of the present invention may provide a recovery aid for those who have experience upper or lower body surgery or injury. An adjustable mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention may also provide lumbar support by offering comfort and firmness and extend the life of a conventional mattress by preventing sagging or providing stability to sagging portions of a conventional mattress in certain locations.

An adjustable mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention is positioned beneath a conventional mattress and, in some circumstances, on top of a conventional box spring. In one embodiment, the system may be strapped to a box spring or a mattress to prevent from moving relative to the same. For purposes of this disclosure, the size of the adjustable mattress lift system may vary for use with different size mattress. An adjustable mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention may be used with, for example, twin, full, queen and king mattresses, and with various mattress sizes of different lengths.

In one example, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an adjustable mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. Adjustable mattress lift system 100 includes, for example, an upper extremity section 110, a lower extremity section 120, a mid-section 130 adjustably connecting upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120, and an air pump motor 150.

In one example, upper extremity section 110 may include three inflatable bladders 112, 114 and 116 Inflatable bladder 114 may share an inner wall with both inflatable bladder 112 and another inner wall with inflatable bladder 116. Each of the inflatable bladders 112, 114 and 116 is separately connected to air pump motor 150 by air tube or conduit 113, 115 and 117. Air tubes or conduits 113, 115 and 117 are used to inflate or deflate inflatable bladders 112, 114 and 116, respectively, for raising and lowering upper extremity section 110. Each inflatable bladder 112, 114 and 116 may be pie or triangular shaped when inflated and made from, for example, a flexible air-tight polymeric material known and used in the art such as, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane. When inflated, upper extremity section 110 lifts a mattress and provides support for, and lifts at an angle, a user's head, shoulders and upper back.

In one embodiment, lower extremity section 120 may include an inflatable bladder 122 Inflatable bladder 122 is separately connected to air pump motor 150 by air tube or conduit 124. Air tube or conduit 124 is used to inflate or deflate inflatable bladder 122 for raising and lowering lower extremity section 120 Inflatable bladder 122 may be pie or triangular shaped when inflated and made from, for example, any flexible air-tight polymeric material known in the art. In other embodiments, lower extremity section 120 may include two or more inflatable bladders that are separately connected to air pump motor 150 by separate air tubes or conduits. When inflated, lower extremity section 120 lifts a mattress and provides support for and lifts at an angle a user's legs and feet.

Mid-section 130 extends between and connects upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120. Mid-section 130 includes a first end 132 connected to upper extremity section 110 and a second end 134 connected to lower extremity 120. First and second ends 132 and 134 may connect to upper and lower extremity sections 110 and 120, respectively, by, for example, mating snaps, buttons, fabric hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, or other common fasteners known in the art. In alternative embodiments, the bottom surfaces of upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity 120 and the upper surface of mid-section 130 may be frictionally held in place, preventing these components from moving relative to each other.

In one aspect, the distance or length between upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120 may be adjusted shorter or longer by, for example, adjusting the connection(s) of mid-section 130 to upper extremity section 110 and/or lower extremity section 120. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, mid-section 130 has the ability to folded and retained to different lengths. In one example, mid-section 130 may be adjusted in increments of, for example, three inches. As illustrated in FIG. 4, an incremental portion of mid-section 130 may be folded under and snapped or otherwise retained 134 to hold the folded portion at the desired length. In an alternate embodiment, mid-section 130 may include a plurality of rows of snaps or fabric hook and loop fasteners on the upper surface near first end 132 and/or second end 134 of mid-section 130 that mate with or connect to a corresponding set of fasteners on the bottom surface of one or both of upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120. In an alternative embodiment, upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120 may be moved and positioned closer together or farther apart on top of mid-section 130 made from an anti-skid material. By adjusting the distance or length between upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120, mattress lift system 100 may accommodate people of different height by, for example, ensuring that upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120 are positioned accordingly to a user's height.

In one embodiment, air tubes or conduits 113, 115, 117 and 124 are selected to maximize air flow and offer flexibility. In one example, the tubes or conduits are constructed of thermoplastic polyurethane with integrated metal mesh that can sustain the weight of the mattress and not kink. Air tubes or conduits 113, 115, 117 and 124 may be removably attached to their respective inflatable bladders by, for example, elbow connectors facing down to ensure that the tubes or conduits extend below the mattress.

In alternative embodiments illustrated in FIG. 3, adjustable mattress lift system 100 may also include a lumbar section 180 positioned and moveable on top of mid-section 130 between upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120. In one example, lumbar section 180 includes an inflatable bladder 182 for providing comfort and firmness to a conventional mattress unaffected by upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120. Lumbar section 180 may also provide support to, and in some cases prevent sagging of, a center portion of an aging or worn conventional mattress. In one example, inflatable bladder 182 of lumber section 180 may be separately connected to air pump motor 150 and may be independently inflated by air pump motor 150 from the inflatable bladders of upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120.

Lumber section 180 may include one air bladder extending the entire length of mattress lift system 100 or, alternatively, only partially across the entire width of the system. In an alternative embodiment, lumber section 180 may include a plurality of bladders arranged side by side to provide different support for users spread across a mattress. In one example, lumber section 180 may include a first bladder on the right side of a queen mattress and a second bladder on the left side of the queen mattress. The first and second bladders may be different sizes and separately connected to and independently inflatable by air pump motor 150. The first and second bladders may also be arranged at different locations on top of mid-section 130 between upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120. The first and second bladders may be removeably attached to mid-section 130 by, for example, mating snaps, buttons, fabric hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, or other common fasteners known in the art. In yet another embodiment, lumber section 180 may be formed integral with mid-section 130.

Adjustable mattress lift system 100 may include a user interface. In one example, the user interface may be incorporated into air pump motor 150 or, alternatively, into a hand held remote 160, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Hand held remote may be either wired to air pump motor 150 or, alternatively, may communicate wirelessly with air pump motor 150.

User interface may include multiple controls for providing pre-set commands to the processor and air pump motor 150 in order to inflate or deflate certain sections of the system, including upper extremity section 110, lower extremity 120 and lumber section 180. For example, one set of controls may provide a command to inflate inflatable bladder 122 of lower extremity section 120 and another set of controls provides commands to inflate one or more of inflatable bladders 112, 114, 116 of upper extremity section 110. In another example, user interface may include a control for providing a command to inflate inflatable bladders 112 and 114 of upper extremity section 110 and inflatable bladder 122 of lower extremity section 120 to provide pressure relief. User interface may also include a control for providing a pre-set command to inflate only inflatable bladder 112 of upper extremity section 110 to assist with sleep apnea, snoring, and acid reflux relief. In yet another example, user interface may include a control for providing a pre-set command to inflate inflatable bladders 112, 114 and 116 of upper extremity section 110 to provide respiratory relief or comfort to a user in watching television, reading or using a laptop. Each of these examples may be specific preset positions controlled by the controls or buttons on a hand held remote.

In another example, user interface may include a set of controls to manually select a position for the mattress by, for example, continuously inflating or deflating some or all of the inflatable bladders of the system. For example, user interface may include a control that allows a user to manually change the position of a certain area of a mattress by continuous depression of an up or down arrow on the user interface to inflate or deflate certain inflatable bladders of the system. In one embodiment, user interface uses a series of switches that control air pump 150. In an alternative embodiment, mattress lift system 100 may include a processer located in a remote or in air pump motor 150 in communication with air pump motor 150. Processor may be used to control the operation of air pump motor 150 in response to, for example, commands from a user interface.

To ensure that the inflatable bladders of the adjustable mattress lift system are not over filled or damaged, adjustable mattress lift system may use a pressure regulating valve associated with each inflatable bladder. A pressure regulating valve will automatically cut off the flow of air at a certain pressure within the inflatable bladder to prevent over filling. By using an electronic pressure sensing valve, inflatable bladders used in adjustable mattress system 100 are not filled based on, for example, programmed time intervals. The valve can be customized to sense any level of pressure and stop air pump motor 150 when the inflatable bladder reaches that preset level. For example, an electronic pressure sensing valve may be designed to stop air pump motor 150 when an inflatable bladder is firm enough to hold the maximum weight needed by, for example, taking into account the material of the bladders. In one example, the electronic pressure sensing valve will shut off air pump motor 150 when the pressure inside of an inflatable bladder reaches 0.5 psi.

By using multiple inflatable bladders as part of upper extremity section 110, a user may fill one or more of the inflatable bladders to address certain conditions or for a pre-selected or pre-programmed position. In one example of an adjustable mattress lift system constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, inflatable bladder 112 of upper extremity section 110 may form an angle of approximately eight to ten degrees relative to the bottom surface of upper extremity section 110 when fully inflated to assist with acid reflux of a user on top of the mattress. In another example, all three inflatable bladders 112, 114 and 116, when fully inflated, may form an angle of approximately forty-five degrees to provide respiratory relief or to provide comfort in watching television, reading or using a laptop for a user on top of the mattress. In other examples, inflatable bladder 122 of lower extremity section 120 may form an angle of approximately thirty-five degrees relative to the bottom surface of lower extremity section 120 when fully inflated to, for example, raise a users feet above their heart. In yet another example, inflatable bladders 112 and 114, when fully inflated, may together form an angle of approximately twenty-five degrees to provide, in addition to a fully inflated inflatable bladder 122 of lower extremity 120, pressure relief. In yet another example, mattress lift system may inflate the bladders of upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120 so that a user would be a zero-gravity position with, for example, upper extremity section 110 and lower extremity section 120 together forming an angle of approximately one hundred and twenty eight degrees.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of one or more embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain various aspects and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. An adjustable mattress lift system, said mattress lift system positionable beneath a mattress for enabling users to adjust the mattress into a plurality of positions, said mattress lift system comprising:

an air pump motor;

an upper extremity section, said upper extremity section including at least two inflatable bladders, each of the at least two inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section being separately connected to said air pump motor and independently inflatable by said air pump motor; and

a lower extremity section, said lower extremity section including at least one inflatable bladder, the least one inflatable bladder of said lower extremity section being separately connected to said air pump motor and independently inflatable by said air pump motor from the at least two inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section.

2. The mattress lift system of claim 1, said mattress lift system further comprising a mid-section extending between said upper extremity section and said lower extremity section.

3. The mattress of claim 1, said mattress lift system further comprising a user interface, said user interface including at least two sets of controls for providing commands to said air pump motor, wherein one set of controls provides a command to inflate the at least one inflatable bladder of said lower extremity section and another set of controls providing commands to inflate one or more of the at least two inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section.

4. The mattress lift system of claim 1, said mattress lift system further comprising a processer in communication with said air pump motor for controlling the operation of said air pump motor.

5. The mattress lift system of claim 4, said mattress lift system further comprising an interface associated with said processor, said interface including at least two sets of controls for providing commands to said processor, wherein one set of controls provides a command to inflate the at least one inflatable bladder of said lower extremity section and another set of controls provides command to inflate one or more of the at least two inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section.

6. The mattress lift system of claim 5, wherein the interface includes a control for providing a command to said processor to inflate one or more of the inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section, said lumbar section and said lower extremity section to a predetermined level.

7. The mattress lift system of claim 1, wherein said air pump motor includes at least two stages.

8. The mattress lift system of claim 1, further comprising a lumbar section, said lumber section including an inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder of said lumber section separately connected to said air pump motor from the inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section and lower extremity section.

9. The mattress lift system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section being concurrently inflatable by said air pump motor.

10. The mattress lift system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section and the at least one bladder of said lower extremity section are capable of being concurrently inflated by said air pump motor.

11. The mattress lift system of claim 1, wherein said lower extremity section includes at least two inflatable bladders, each of the least two inflatable bladders of said lower extremity section being separately connected to said air pump motor and independently inflatable by said air pump motor from the other of the at least two inflatable bladders of said lower extremity section and the at least two inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section.

12. The mattress lift system of claim 3, wherein the interface allows a user to manually and continuously inflate one or more of the inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section and said lower extremity section.

13. The mattress lift system of claim 1, wherein said air pump motor includes a pressure sensing valve associated with each of the inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section and said lower extremity section, the pressure regulators preventing said air pump motor from over filling of the inflatable bladders.

14. The mattress lift system of claim 3, wherein the interface includes at least one control for deflating one or more of the inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section and said lower extremity section.

15. The mattress lift system of claim 1, wherein said air pump motor communicates with a pressure sensing valve associated with each inflatable bladder to ensure that the inflatable bladders are not over filled.

16. The mattress lift system of claim 2, wherein said mid-section configured to adjust a distance between said upper extremity section and said lower extremity section.

17. The mattress lift system of claim 16, wherein a portion of said mid-section is capable of being folded under and retained by a plurality of snaps to alter the distance between said upper extremity section and said lower extremity section.

18. An adjustable mattress lift system, said mattress lift system positionable beneath a mattress for enabling users to adjust the mattress into a plurality of positions, said mattress lift system comprising:

an air pump motor;

an upper extremity section, said upper extremity section including at least one inflatable bladders, the at least one inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section being connected to said air pump motor;

a lower extremity section, said lower extremity section including at least one inflatable bladder, the least one inflatable bladder of said lower extremity section being separately connected to said air pump motor and independently inflatable by said air pump motor from the at least one inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section; and

a mid-section extending between said lower extremity section and said lower extremity section, said mid-section configured to adjust a distance between said upper extremity section and said lower extremity section.

19. An adjustable mattress lift system, said mattress lift system positionable beneath a mattress for enabling users to adjust the mattress into a plurality of positions, said mattress lift system comprising:

an air pump motor;

an upper extremity section, said upper extremity section including at least one inflatable bladders, the at least one inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section being connected to said air pump motor; and

a lower extremity section, said lower extremity section including at least one inflatable bladder, the least one inflatable bladder of said lower extremity section being separately connected to said air pump motor and independently inflatable by said air pump motor from the at least one inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section; and

a lumbar section, said lumber section including an inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder of said lumbar section being separately connected to said air pump motor and independently inflatable by said air pump motor from the inflatable bladders of said upper extremity section and said lower extremity section.