Abstract: Active comfort controlled bedding systems include a variable firmness control and/or variable climate control. The active comfort controlled bedding systems generally include a plurality of air bladders, each one of the plurality of air bladders includes a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within a respective air bladder. A control unit configured to selectively operate a pump and valves to sequentially adjust a pressure in two or more of the plurality of the air bladders having an applied load of an end user thereon to provide a repeating pattern within the two or more plurality of the air bladders, wherein the repeating pattern is defined by a pressure increase and subsequent decrease in a selected one of the plurality of the air bladders followed by a pressure increase and subsequent decrease in a selected other one of the plurality of the air bladders to provide a massaging action.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of preformed components which are quickly and easily affixed in engagement with each other, a final construction is realized which peripherally surrounds any desired mattress configuration in cooperating association therewith. In this way, a new foam plastic product is achieved which is capable of being quickly and easily mounted to mattress constructions peripherally surrounding the mattress and providing an enhanced side support system. In this way, any desired mattress size or configuration is capable of being peripherally surrounded with a foam support assembly for enhancing the mattress construction and configuration. Furthermore, by employing the present invention, a rapid, convenient, and virtually labor free assembly is realized.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of preformed components which are quickly and easily affixed in engagement with each other, a final construction is realized which peripherally surrounds any desired mattress configuration in cooperating association therewith. In this way, a new foam plastic product is achieved which is capable of being quickly and easily mounted to mattress constructions peripherally surrounding the mattress and providing an enhanced side support system. In this way, any desired mattress size or configuration is capable of being peripherally surrounded with a foam support assembly for enhancing the mattress construction and configuration. Furthermore, by employing the present invention, a rapid, convenient, and virtually labor free assembly is realized.

Abstract: A mattress configured to support a patient including a foot section having a leg portion, a heel pressure relief portion, and a raised calf support portion positioned intermediate the leg portion and the heel pressure relief portion.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a waterbed with at least one water-filled mattress, which forms a substantially flat bed surface when in an unloaded state and which is held inside a frame consisting of beams of foamed plastics. On the inside of the waterbed, at least one beam is convexly curved, proceeding upward in an arc from a carrier plate and continuing as a flat surface at the top, underneath the surface of the bed. The mattress, on the side facing the beam, has a concave recess conforming to the arc of the beam and has an extension of rectangular cross section, which covers the top surface of the beam, the extension preferably extending all the way to, and being flush with, the top outside edge of the beam.

Abstract: A rigid corner piece for maintaining the square appearance of a mattress having foam sides. The corner piece anchors two of the foam pieces together to form a butt joint. The corner piece is constructed and arranged to be relatively undetectable by a person sitting on the side of the bed. The corner piece preferably defines a groove into which the two foam pieces may be placed at a relatively right angle to each other.

Abstract: Cooling pads, mattresses, and limb-conforming sleeves reduce a person§s temperature by evaporative and/or conductive cooling. An open cell foam pad defines an internal air flow passages proceeding according to serpentine or other desired routing. The pad is wetted, and a blower circulates air through the air flow passage and evaporatively cools the pad by removing warm water vapor. By contacting the cooled structure, the person is conductively cooled. The pad also employs evaporative cooling if water is permitted to seep from the foam pad onto the person§s skin and subsequently evaporate. Another cooling device is a multi-layer evaporative cooling mattress. The mattress comprises an open cell foam structure having a person-receiving side and a base side. At the person-receiving side lies an absorbent layer with internal liquid delivery lines, and optionally having an outer film applied thereto.

Abstract: A pressure reduction mattress construction for a liquid or gel bed having a flexible basin forming a cavity with inclines head and foot for surrounding and supporting a liquid or gel filled flotation bladder that is anchored to the head of the basin. The inclines made of a soft yielding material allow the head or foot of the bed to be easily raised as the liquid or gel moves toward the center of the bed. The head incline also serves to provide a soft yielding surface to support a patient after liquid or gel has naturally moved to the sacral area. The entire structure is then covered with a flexible and yielding hospital fabric cover, giving the bed the appearance of a conventional hospital mattress. An optional heater pad may be used with a fiber filled sacral/pelvic bladder placed over the heater pad.

Abstract: An improvement for a water bed includes a pair of water bed mattresses housed in a bed cover. There is a heat insulating foam or air bag sandwiched between the two water bed mattresses. Each water bed mattress has a plurality of transverse partitions to reduce water vibration and turbulence therein. The disclosed structure has the advantage of not only improving the stability, but also lengthening the durability of the water bed mattress. A plurality of longitudinal air tubes run through the transverse partitions and communicate with an air bag for providing a desired softness of the water bed mattresses to suit an individual user's requirements. Moreover, the disclosed water bed mattress is able to support a user's back bone comfortably, and minimize the quantity of water used for the mattress to reduce its weight.

Abstract: A mattress with an inflatable bladder and an outer border wall to support the outer edges of the bladder. The present invention employs foam block border walls that include foam border elements with either an upper or an upper and a lower surface sculpted to present convolutions preferably having generally sinusoidal shapes in vertical cross-section. The convolutions allow for a sensation of softness when being deformed, and allow for ventilation of the inner surface, while at the same time, the foam element can be made of a single piece of foam that is of sufficient stiffness to support the outer perimeter surface of the bladder within the mattress.

Abstract: A multi-layered pad primarily intended to prevent and treat decubitus ulcers. The pad includes at least first and second layers with the first layer being a bladder made up of separate, discrete pouches containing a viscous fluid. The second layer underlies the fluid bladder layer and is a pillared one of upstanding columns cut in a piece of foam. Each individual pouch is mechanically attached atop its underlying foam column. The attaching arrangement includes a connecting sheet of plastic film wherein the sheet is secured to the pouch and has a central opening in it that goes over and receives the top or head section of the column. The connecting sheet at its opening is received in a slit in the column's wall portion to further help maintain the pouch in place atop its column.

Abstract: A soft edging for a water bed formed by a hollow profile having two sides directed towards each other. The uppermost of these sides is an inwardly and downwardly directed surface which supports a foam rail. The lowermost of these sides is configured at an angle relative to a plate defining therebetween a continuous hollow space. A wedging-shaped component, connected to the foam rail by a flexible material, such as a strip of textile is clamped in the continuous hollow space.

Abstract: A water bed in accordance with the present invention comprises a water bed base and a plurality of water bed mattresses. The water bed base defines a number of container chambers into which an equivalent number of water bed mattresses are respectively removably inserted. Each container chamber is sealed and thus advantageously prevents any of the water bed mattresses which may be leaking water from leaking water outside of the water bed base. Further, the leaking water bed mattress, because it is removably inserted into the water bed base, may be individually replaced. Also, the water bed mattress has a plurality of air and water chambers, some having fluid baffles to restrict the free flow of fluids. Further, the water bed base has several air chambers. These chambers maintain the shape of the water bed while providing a regulator and an absorbing means of the pressure inside the water bed. Thus, user comfort is maximized.

Abstract: A mattress with an inflatable bladder and an outer border wall to support the outer edges of the bladder. The present invention employs foam block border walls that include foam border elements with either an upper or an upper and a lower surface sculpted to present convolutions preferably having generally sinusoidal shapes in vertical cross-section. The convolutions allow for a sensation of softness when being deformed, and allow for ventilation of the inner surface, while at the same time, the foam element can be made of a single piece of foam that is of sufficient stiffness to support the outer perimeter surface of the bladder within the mattress.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a multi-component mattress comprising a pillow top detachably connected to a mattress core. The mattress core comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, liquid impervious covers for the cylinders, a variety of foam cushions positioned on top of the so-encased cylinders, a resilient edging holding the cylinders in place and defining the outer perimeter of the mattress core, a moisture barrier, and a cover encasing the core members. Upon assembly, water is added to the cylinders. A unique feature of this mattress is that it is manufactured and sold in knock-down, ready-to-assemble form. This provides for compactness in shipping, ease of handling, and a substantial reduction in consumer cost. The mattress is used in combination with a planar support platform which also is disclosed.