INFLATABLE DEVICE, METHOD AND SYSTEM

Abstract

An inflatable device includes an inflatable bladder configured to inflate when the entirety of the inflatable bladder is located under a mattress, an air compressor configured to inflate the inflatable bladder when the inflatable bladder is located under the mattress, at least one tube fluidically connecting the air compressor to the inflatable bladder, and a least one user interface in operable communication with the air compressor. The at least one user interface is configured to initiate the air compressor and inflate the inflatable bladder.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to bed systems. More particularly, the subject matter relates to an inflatable system for facilitating the changing of bed sheets on a mattress.

BACKGROUND

Bedding, including sheets, covers, blankets or the like, must be changed or removed periodically for cleaning. To properly change the bedding, it is often the case that the mattress needs to be lifted up in order to properly wrap fitted sheets around and under the corners of the mattress. Depending on the weight, size and stiffness of the mattress, such a task may pose difficulties to some individuals. As such, a system that precludes the need to perform this lifting manually would be well received in the art.

SUMMARY

A first aspect relates to an inflatable device comprising: an inflatable bladder configured to inflate when the entirety of the inflatable bladder is located under a mattress; an air compressor configured to inflate the inflatable bladder when the inflatable bladder is located under the mattress; at least one tube fluidically connecting the air compressor to the inflatable bladder; and a least one user interface in operable communication with the air compressor, the at least one user interface configured to initiate the air compressor and inflate the inflatable bladder.

A second aspect relates to a method of changing bedding comprising: inflating an inflatable bladder located below a mattress to displace the mattress vertically and provide a space between a bottom of the mattress and a surface the mattress sits; changing bedding on the mattress; and deflating the inflatable bladder after the changing to return the bottom of the mattress to contact the surface.

A third aspect relates to a bed system comprising: a box spring; a mattress configured to sit on the box spring; an inflatable bladder configured to inflate when the entirety of the inflatable bladder is located between the mattress and the box spring; an air compressor configured to inflate the inflatable bladder when the inflatable bladder is located between the mattress and the box spring; at least one tube fluidically connecting the air compressor to the inflatable bladder; a least one user interface in operable communication with the air compressor, the at least one user interface configured to initiate the air compressor and inflate the inflatable bladder; and a cover configured to envelope at least one of the box spring and the mattress, wherein the inflatable bladder is attached to a side of the cover such that the inflatable bladder is located between the mattress and the box spring after the cover envelopes the at least one of the box spring and the mattress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter disclosed herein is distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an inflatable system prior to inflation, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts the inflatable system of FIG. 1 after inflation, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the inflatable system prior to inflation after being fitted around a box spring, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts perspective view of the inflatable system and box spring of FIGS. 1-3 with a mattress located on top of the box spring prior to inflation, in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 5 depicts perspective view of the inflatable system and box spring of FIGS. 1-3 with a mattress located on top of the box spring after inflation, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an inflatable system 100 prior to inflation, in accordance with one embodiment. The inflatable system 100 includes an inflatable bladder 110, an air compressor 112, a connecting tube 114, a user interface 116 and a cover 118. The inflatable system 100 is configured to be located beneath a mattress. For example, in the event that a bed system includes a mattress and a box spring, the inflatable system 100 may be located between the mattress and the box spring, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and described herein below. When located under a mattress, the inflatable system may be configured to vertically displace the mattress in order to provide a space between a bottom of the mattress and a surface upon which the mattress sits. This spacing may provide for more convenient changing of bedding, such as bed sheets, without requiring a person to manually lift the mattress to wrap fitted sheets around and under the corners of the mattress. The inflatable system 100 may then be configured to deflate once the bedding has been changed.

As shown, the inflatable system 100 includes the inflatable bladder 110 that is configured to inflate when located under a mattress to raise the mattress vertically. The inflatable bladder 110 is a serpentine bladder that extends in a loop or circuit. As shown, the inflatable bladder 110 includes a rectangular shape having four corners 120, 122, 124, 126 and four straight segments 128, 130, 132, 134. The segments 128, 130, 132, 134 may extend parallel to a border of a mattress when located under a mattress. Various sizes of segments are contemplated so that the inflatable system 100 may be specifically dimensioned for use with standardized mattress sizes. For example, inflatable systems 100 are contemplated for traditional king size mattresses, California king size mattresses, queen size mattresses, full size mattresses or even twin size mattresses. The inflatable bladder 110 may be dimensioned with smaller segments 128, 130, 132, 134 than the side edges of a mattress under which the inflatable bladder 110 is designed to raise. This may provide for a space between the edges of the mattress and the inflatable bladder 110 sufficient to pull fitted sheets under the corner of the mattress when changing bedding. The inflatable bladder 110 may be made of an inflatable material that can withstand the internal pressures caused by the weight of the mattress when the inflatable bladder 110 is in an inflated state and thereby raising the mattress. For example, the inflatable bladder may be made of anti-burst PVC plastic designed for pliability, expandability and/or resilience.

The air compressor 112 is shown located on a side edge of inflatable system 100. The air compressor 112 may be a cordless battery powered air compressor, or may require a cord and outlet for power (not shown). The air compressor 112 may be configured to force air into the inflatable bladder 110 through the connecting tube 114. The air compressor 112 may be configured to automatically deliver air to the inflatable bladder 110 until the inflatable bladder 110 reaches a predetermined amount of air pressure. The air compressor 112 may include an internal tank that retains pressurized air for use when a person activates the inflatable system 100 via the user interface 116.

The connecting tube 114 is configured to connect the air compressor 112 to the inflatable bladder 110. The connecting tube 114 may be any type of fluidic tubing configured to transport air from the air compressor 112 to the inflatable bladder 110. In other contemplated embodiments, the air compressor 112 may be directly connected to the inflatable bladder 110 without the need for a separate connecting tube 114. In the embodiment shown, the air compressor 112 is located proximate a side edge of a box spring after the cover 118 envelopes the box spring, thus necessitating the connecting tube 114 for delivering air from the air compressor 112 to the inflatable bladder 110.

The user interface 116 is shown attached proximate to the air compressor 112. The user interface 116 is configured to be located on a side edge of the box spring, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, after the cover 118 envelopes the box spring. Thus, the user interface 116 is located on a side surface of the cover 118. The user interface 116 includes a first button 136 and a second button 138. The first button 136 is configured to inflate the inflatable bladder 110 while the second button 138 is configured to deflate the inflatable bladder 110. Other features of the user interface 116 are contemplated which may include a screen or other display configured to display the pressure within the inflatable bladder 110, or the time during which the inflatable bladder 110 will remain inflated before automatically deflating. The user interface 116 may be programable or include selectable settings for timing and/or pressure. Various controls are contemplated which may be controlled by the user interface 116 in order to direct inflation settings of the inflatable system 100 by an operator.

The inflatable system 100 may further include a control system operably connected to the user interface 116. The control system may include at least one feedback sensor and an air release timing system. The feedback sensor may be one or more pressure sensors (not shown) located within the inflatable bladder 110 or at a valve located at an input channel of the inflatable bladder 110 where the connecting tube 114 connects to the inflatable bladder 110. The feedback sensor may be configured to sense the internal pressure within the inflatable bladder 110 and may be in operable communication with the air compressor 112 in order to activate or de-active the air compressor 112.

While not shown, one or more check valves or pressure relief valves may be included in the inflatable system 100 for maintaining the pressure within the inflatable bladder 110. For example, a one way check valve may be located at a connection between the connecting tube 114 and the inflatable bladder 110. The check valve may be a releasable valve that opens when the control system determines that the inflatable bladder 110 should be deflated. Pressure relief valve(s) may further be employed to ensure that the inflatable bladder 110 does not exceed a maximum internal pressure.

The cover 118 may be a fabric cover, a plastic cover (e.g. polyethylene) or the like. The cover 118 may be dimensioned to cover or envelope a box spring or a mattress. In the event that the cover 118 envelopes a box spring during use, the inflatable bladder 110 is located on a top surface of the box spring. In the event that the cover 118 envelopes a mattress during use, the inflatable bladder 110 would be located on a bottom surface of the mattress. Whatever configuration for use, the user interface 116 and the air compressor 112 may be located on a side surface of the box spring and/or mattress for ease of access by an operator.

FIG. 2 depicts the inflatable system 100 of FIG. 1 after inflation, in accordance with one embodiment. As shown, the inflatable system 100 includes the inflatable bladder 110 in the fully inflated state. The inflatable bladder 110 may include the inflatable material stitched on or otherwise attached to the cover 118 of the inflatable system 100. The inflatable bladder 110 may extend or protrude from a surface of the cover 118 an amount that ensures that a mattress resting on the inflatable system 100 is also raised vertically an amount sufficient to enable a person to easily change the mattress sheets including pulling sheet corners around and under the corners of a mattress.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the inflatable system 100 prior to inflation after being fitted around a box spring 200, in accordance with one embodiment. As shown, the box spring 200 may be a standard box spring of any size. In other embodiments (not shown), the inflatable system 100 may envelop two box springs located next to each other to support a larger size mattress. Whatever the embodiment, the box spring 200 may be any support surface upon which a mattress rests and which the inflatable system 100 may be dimensioned to envelope.

FIG. 4 depicts perspective view of the inflatable system 100 and the box spring 200 of FIGS. 1-3 with a mattress 300 located on top of the box spring 200 prior to inflation, in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 5 depicts perspective view of the inflatable system 100 and the box spring 200 of FIGS. 1-3 with the mattress 300 located on top of the box spring 200 after inflation, in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the mattress 300 rests on the box spring 200 naturally, without any space therebetween. Thus, the inflatable bladder 110 and the inflatable system 100 may take up little or no noticeable space between the mattress 300 and the box spring 200 when installed. However, on a side wall of the box spring, the user interface 116 and air compressor 112 is located, as shown. Thus, when a user presses the first button 136 on the user interface 116, the mattress may automatically raise 300 to the position shown in FIG. 5 as the inflatable bladder 110 becomes inflated. This may enable a person to more easily change the bedding and sheets.

While the inflatable system 100 has been shown and described herein above as a jacketed device, other embodiments are contemplated. For example, the inflatable system 100 may not include a cover and may simply include a bladder and user interface that is positioned between a mattress and a box spring. In still other embodiments, a box spring is contemplated having an integrated inflatable system permanently attached or otherwise integrated thereto. Thus, a novel box spring is contemplated employing the features of the inflatable system 100. Alternatively, a mattress system is contemplated having an integrated inflatable system permanently attached or otherwise integrated to a bottom side. Still further, it is contemplated to utilize the inflatable system 100 shown in FIGS. 1-2 by enveloping a bottom of a mattress, with the inflatable bladder 110 located on the downward facing surface the surface upon which the mattress rests. Thus, the inflatable system 100 may be configured to envelope either a bottom of a mattress, or a top of a box spring, whatever a person chooses.

Methods of changing bedding are also contemplated. For example, a method of changing bedding includes inflating an inflatable bladder located below a mattress to displace the mattress vertically and provide a space between a bottom of the mattress and a surface the mattress sits. The method may then include changing bedding on the mattress and then deflating the inflatable bladder after the changing to return the bottom of the mattress to contact the surface. The method still further may include activating at least one user interface of the bedding to inflate the inflatable bladder before changing the bedding and deflating the inflatable bladder by pressing the at least one button configured to deflate the inflatable bladder. Alternatively, the method may include automatically deflating the inflatable bladder after a predetermined period of time has passed since the inflating. The method may also include sensing the internal pressure within the inflatable bladder with a feedback pressure sensor and determining a proper amount of inflation by the air compressor from the sensing.

Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either the articles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” and their derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or” when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms. The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish elements and are not used to denote a particular order.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An inflatable device comprising:

an inflatable bladder configured to inflate when the entirety of the inflatable bladder is located under a mattress;

an air compressor configured to inflate the inflatable bladder when the inflatable bladder is located under the mattress;

at least one tube fluidically connecting the air compressor to the inflatable bladder; and

at least one user interface in operable communication with the air compressor, the at least one user interface configured to initiate the air compressor and inflate the inflatable bladder.

2. The inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover configured to envelope at least one of a box spring and the mattress, wherein the inflatable bladder is attached to a side of the cover such that the inflatable bladder is located above the box spring or below the mattress after the cover envelopes the box spring or the mattress.

3. The inflatable device of claim 2, wherein the at least one user interface is configured to be located on a side edge of the box spring or the mattress after the cover envelopes the box spring or the mattress.

4. The inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising:

a feedback sensor configured to sense the internal pressure within the inflatable bladder, the feedback sensor in operable communication with the air compressor.

5. The inflatable device of claim 4, further comprising:

an air release timing system configured to deflate the inflatable bladder after a predetermined period of time has passed since initiating the air compressor, the air release timing system in operable communication with the air compressor.

6. The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the at least one user interface is at least one button configured to inflate the inflatable bladder, and wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one button configured to deflate the inflatable bladder.

7. The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is a serpentine bladder extending in a loop.

8. The inflatable device of claim 5, wherein the loop includes a rectangular shape with four corners and four straight segments such that the inflatable bladder extends parallel to a border of a mattress.

9. A method of changing bedding comprising:

inflating an inflatable bladder located below a mattress to displace the mattress vertically and provide a space between a bottom of the mattress and a surface the mattress sits;

changing bedding on the mattress; and

deflating the inflatable bladder after the changing to return the bottom of the mattress to contact the surface.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the inflatable bladder is a component of an inflatable device that includes an air compressor configured to inflate the inflatable bladder when the inflatable bladder is located under the mattress, at least one tube fluidically connecting the air compressor to the inflatable bladder, and a least one user interface in operable communication with the air compressor, the at least one user interface configured to initiate the air compressor and inflate the inflatable bladder, the method further comprising: activating the at least one user interface.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one user interface includes is at least one button configured to inflate the inflatable bladder, and wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one button configured to deflate the inflatable bladder, wherein the activating further comprising pressing the at least one button configured to inflate the inflatable bladder, the method further comprising deflating the inflatable bladder by pressing the at least one button configured to deflate the inflatable bladder.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the inflatable device includes a feedback sensor, the method further comprising: sensing the internal pressure within the inflatable bladder with the feedback sensor and determining a proper amount of inflation by the air compressor from the sensing.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising automatically deflating the inflatable bladder after a predetermined period of time has passed since the inflating.

14. A bed system comprising:

a box spring;

a mattress configured to sit on the box spring;

an inflatable bladder configured to inflate when the entirety of the inflatable bladder is located between the mattress and the box spring;

an air compressor configured to inflate the inflatable bladder when the inflatable bladder is located between the mattress and the box spring;

at least one tube fluidically connecting the air compressor to the inflatable bladder;

at least one user interface in operable communication with the air compressor, the at least one user interface configured to initiate the air compressor and inflate the inflatable bladder; and

a cover configured to envelope at least one of the box spring and the mattress, wherein the inflatable bladder is attached to a side of the cover such that the inflatable bladder is located between the mattress and the box spring after the cover envelopes the at least one of the box spring and the mattress.

15. The bed system of claim 14, wherein the at least one user interface is configured to be located on a side edge of the box spring or the mattress after the cover envelopes the box spring or the mattress.

16. The bed system of claim 14, further comprising:

a feedback sensor configured to sense the internal pressure within the inflatable bladder, the feedback sensor in operable communication with the air compressor.

17. The bed system of claim 16, further comprising:

an air release timing system configured to deflate the inflatable bladder after a predetermined period of time has passed since initiating the air compressor, the air release timing system in operable communication with the air compressor.

18. The bed system of claim 14, wherein the inflatable bladder is a serpentine bladder extending in a loop.

19. The bed system of claim 18, wherein the loop includes a rectangular shape with four corners and four straight segments such that the inflatable bladder extends parallel to a border of a mattress.