Mattress (for Whole Body) Patents (Class 5/690)
  • Publication number: 20030110569
    Abstract: An illustrative eye surgery stretcher includes a head rest configured to support a patient's head, a head frame configured to support a patient's shoulders, a back frame configured to support a patient's back, and a seat frame configured to support a patient's seat. The head rest is adjustably movable relative to the head frame. The head frame is adjustably movable relative to the back frame. The back frame is adjustably movable relative to the seat frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Jonathan D. Turner, D. Scott Manlove
  • Publication number: 20030109908
    Abstract: A support surface for general skin cooling, or reducing the incidence and promoting the healing of bedsores, includes:
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Charles A. Lachenbruch, Richard I. Barnett
  • Patent number: 6574815
    Abstract: An attachment gusset with ruffled corners and method and machinery for manufacture provides a gusset formed of a continuous strip of material which is pleated at corners or turns in direction of the gusset to form ruffles which are attached to an adjacent layer of material. The ruffled gusset lies substantially flat against adjacent layers of material to which it is attached in a pressed state, and can be expanded to accommodate dimensional structures, such as cushioned pads. The number and spacing of pleats can be adjusted according to the radius of the corners or turns in the gusset. In a method of construction of the gusset, the pleats are formed as the material to which the gusset is attached is turned relative to the sewing point of attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Sealy Technology LLC
    Inventors: William Freeman, Robert Wagner, Gerald J. Sproesser
  • Patent number: 6557198
    Abstract: A bed assembly provides an enlarged sleeping surface area as compared to a standard Queen sized bed. Specifically, in the disclosed bed assemblies, the sleeping surface area is about 64 inches to about 68 inches wide and about 77 inches to about 82 inches long. This can be accomplished by providing both a mattress and a foundation having the appropriate, enlarged sleeping surface area, or by combining an enlarged mattress with a foundation having at least one standard Queen size surface. The mattress and foundation can be fit into a bed frame made of a suitable size to fit the bottom surface of the foundation (i.e., either “enlarged” or standard Queen size). Preferably, the enlarged sleeping surface of the bed may be between about 65 inches to about 67 inches wide and about 78 inches to about 80 inches long. This enlarged sleeping surface area provides a more comfortable and restful sleep for two occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick F. Gladney, Kurtis A. Ling
  • Patent number: 6523198
    Abstract: A mattress system includes a mattress unit having a plurality of self-contained mattress modules supported on a frame unit that is accommodated on an electric bed unit. The mattress modules are interchangeable, removable and replaceable whereby a bed can be customized for the particular needs of a patient and can also be changed as required for patient care and comfort. Also included in the mattress system is a bedpan, located beneath the central mattress modules. The bedpan can be utilized by removing the center mattress module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Barbara E. Temple
  • Patent number: 6519798
    Abstract: A bed assembly provides an enlarged sleeping surface area as compared to a standard Queen sized bed. Specifically, in the disclosed bed assemblies, the sleeping surface area is about 64 inches to about 68 inches wide and about 77 inches to about 82 inches long. This can be accomplished by providing both a mattress and a foundation having the appropriate, enlarged sleeping surface area, or by combining an enlarged mattress with a foundation having at least one standard Queen sized surface. The mattress and foundation can be fit into a bed frame made of a suitable size to fit the bottom surface of the foundation (i.e., either “enlarged” or standard Queen size). The enlarged sleeping surface of the bed may be between about 65 inches to about 67 inches wide and about 78 inches to about 80 inches long. This enlarged sleeping surface area provides a more comfortable and restful sleep for two occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick F. Gladney, Kurtis A. Ling
  • Publication number: 20030028970
    Abstract: A bed assembly provides an enlarged sleeping surface area as compared to a standard Queen sized bed. Specifically, in the disclosed bed assemblies, the sleeping surface area is about 64 inches to about 68 inches wide and about 77 inches to about 82 inches long. This can be accomplished by providing both a mattress and a foundation having the appropriate, enlarged sleeping surface area, or by combining an enlarged mattress with a foundation having at least one standard Queen sized surface. The mattress and foundation can be fit into a bed frame made of a suitable size to fit the bottom surface of the foundation (i.e., either “enlarged” or standard Queen size). The enlarged sleeping surface of the bed may be between about 65 inches to about 67 inches wide and about 78 inches to about 80 inches long. This enlarged sleeping surface area provides a more comfortable and restful sleep for two occupants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Rick F. Gladney, Kurtis A. Ling
  • Patent number: 6502259
    Abstract: A cushion bed with a flushing device. The bed includes a containing cushion that is adhered to the upper part of the air cushion and shaped as a tilted groove, being removable, and including a sensor. When discharge from a patient falls on the surface of the containing cushion, a sensor senses this and a water pump is activated, so that water can be spurted through both the water-spurting head to flush the discharge on the surface of the containing cushion, and the other water-spurting head installed on top of the containing cushion cleanses the excretory organs of the patient. The inventive device provides the patients in the persistent vegetative state with the convenience of urinating and defecating in bed, and with the functions of keeping the excretory organs of the patient clean and not prone to bacteria growth or infection, and sanitizes the bed cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Chi-An Chang
  • Publication number: 20030000020
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a permeable mattress, or permeable pillow, which includes a base (1). Cushioning support (3) are attached to the top of the base in a distributed manner, to support a mesh (4) which supports a person, or person's head. Adjacent to the mesh there may be one or more layers of each, or any, of the following; permeable fabric, permeable foam, permeable fibres or perforated rubber. The mattress may be covered in a layer of permeable fabric (6). Any of the layers may be removably attached to the mattress assembly. In a further embodiment of the invention, beneath the base of the mattress, or integral with the base, there may be provided a spill tray that has a contoured structure, to guide fluids such that they flow under gravity into a collecting bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Neville John Sharples
  • Publication number: 20020184712
    Abstract: A bed construction having a one-sided mattress assembly supported on a rigid foundation. The one-sided mattress assembly includes a core of pocketed coil springs having a layer of resiliently compressible material covering the upper surface thereof and having a bottom surface constructed of a substantially rigid material without a compressible layer. The core of coil springs is attached to the bottom surface around its periphery. The foundation has a rigid inner construction and a noncompressible top layer. The bed construction reduces the amount of compressible padding in the mattress by one-half and consequently the mattress is capable of exhibiting a substantial reduction in the amount of permanent deflection in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Rick F. Gladney, Kurtis Ling, Douglas D. Kinde
  • Publication number: 20020178503
    Abstract: A mattress (900) provides a user with three-dimensional firmness zoning, the mattress (900) cooperating with a mattress shell (720). The mattress (900) includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending resilient blocks (910) being independently movable relative to one another, an inflatable bladder (914) positioned to lie upon the top side of at least one of the blocks (910), and a topper (912) positioned to lie upon the inflatable bladder (914), the topper including opposite ends configured for attachment to the shell (720).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, James R. Stolpmann, Roger D. Dalton, Steven R. Westerfeld
  • Patent number: 6460209
    Abstract: A mattress (900) provides a user with three-dimensional firmness zoning, the mattress (900) cooperating with a mattress shell (720). The mattress (900) includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending resilient blocks (910) being independently movable relative to one another, an inflatable bladder (914) positioned to lie upon the top side of at least one of the blocks (910), and a topper (912) positioned to lie upon the inflatable bladder (914), the topper including opposite ends configured for attachment to the shell (720).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, James R. Stolpmann, Roger D. Dalton, Steven R. Westerfeld
  • Patent number: 6408470
    Abstract: An improved maternity mattress has a recess formed therein which accommodates a woman's expanding abdomen as a pregnancy progresses. The recess may be filled in by a plurality of stackable pads with each pad having approximately the same thickness. A sliding cover sized to allow for selectively covering and uncovering the hole is preferably controlled by an electrically powered mechanism, and may also be used to vary the diameter of the opening to the cavity. A control panel having switches for operating the sliding cover is preferably made of an expandable, flexible electrically insulating material such as rubber. A locking mechanism is provided to insure that the sliding cover remains closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Lee Powers
  • Publication number: 20020059681
    Abstract: A bed assembly provides an enlarged sleeping surface area as compared to a standard Queen sized bed. Specifically, in the disclosed bed assemblies, the sleeping surface area is about 64 inches to about 68 inches wide and about 77 inches to about 82 inches long. This can be accomplished by providing both a mattress and a foundation having the appropriate, enlarged sleeping surface area, or by combining an enlarged mattress with a foundation having at least one standard Queen sized surface. The mattress and foundation can be fit into a bed frame made of a suitable size to fit the bottom surface of the foundation (i.e., either “enlarged” or standard Queen size). The enlarged sleeping surface of the bed may be between about 65 inches to about 67 inches wide and about 78 inches to about 80 inches long. This enlarged sleeping surface area provides a more comfortable and restful sleep for two occupants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Rick F. Gladney, Kurtis A. Ling
  • Publication number: 20020040502
    Abstract: A mattress comprises a sealed outer casing within which is mounted a resilient support formed by a composite foam core. At least an upper portion of the resilient support is formed by a visco-elastic foam. A vent is provided in a side wall of the casing and is covered by a filter which prevents ingress of bacteria into the cover A flap is mounted on the cover and in use extends down over the vent to prevent the filter being damaged by fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: David Woolfson
  • Patent number: 6353953
    Abstract: A resin-made cushioning element 1 which is of one-piece construction includes upstanding and downstanding portions 2a and 2b alternately arranged in regular manner to form a matrix having four peripheries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masao Tanaka, Shunji Kawando, Toru Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 6343394
    Abstract: A mattress (10) with interactive elastic elements, comprising a number of hollow polyhedrons (11) with an octagonal base, made of an elastic and/or yielding material, arranged in longitudinal rows (12), interconnected and held in position within each row (12) by linings (30) made of a textile material enclosing the individual rows (12) of polyhedrons (11) or by guide bars (13) attaching to them by coupling devices (14) arranged on two lateral faces (15) opposing each other. Under the weight of an outstretched body (30) on the surface (21) of the mattress (10), each elastic polyhedron (11) compresses while bulging out transversally and exerting a pressure on the adjacent elastic elements (11), thus expanding them in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Esperides S.r.l.
    Inventor: Stefano Gandolfi
  • Publication number: 20010054200
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to support at least a portion of a body thereon. The apparatus includes a cover having an interior region, a base located within the interior region, and a three dimensional engineered material located within the interior region above the base. The three dimensional engineered material and the base cooperate to provide support for the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Romano, Sohrab Soltani, Michael V. Bolden
  • Publication number: 20010047550
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a protecting and immobilising element of the mattress-like type consists in providing containing means (2, 20) and a layer of flexible material (3, 21) inside them, with the peripheral edges (4, 22) of the flexible layer (3, 21) protruding from the containing means (2, 20). Anchoring means (5) and a first netting structure (6, 23) are also arranged inside the containing means (2, 20) so that the netting structure (6, 23) is in direct contact with the flexible layer (3, 21) and the anchoring means (5) pass through the netting structure at predetermined positions (12, 25). The containing means (2, 20) are then filled with a filling material (7) comprising solid and/or fluid elements, and a second netting structure (8) is superposed on the filling material. Finally, by superposing, at least partially, the peripheral edges (4, 22) of the flexible layer (3, 21), a closed cover is produced from which the ends (11, 27) of the anchoring means (5) protrude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Francesco Ferraiolo
  • Patent number: 6295674
    Abstract: A foldable springless mattress for a sleeper sofa has a hard but bendable bottom insulator pad, a first flexible foam layer adhered on top of the insulator pad, an all-natural latex rubber layer adhered on top of the first flexible foam layer, and a composite panel adhered on top of the rubber layer. The composite panel includes an intermediate layer of antimicrobial-treated fibers quilted together with a second flexible foam layer and a moisture-resistant damask fabric. This damask fabric covers all surfaces of the mattress. A process of making the foldable springless mattress includes the steps of providing the insulator pad, adhering the first flexible foam layer on top of the pad, adhering the rubber layer on top of the first flexible foam layer, and adhering the composite panel on top of the rubber layer. The composite panel is formed preliminarily by quilting the layer of antimicrobial-treated fibers together with the second flexible foam layer and the damask fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Sleeper Solutions
    Inventors: Sharon Lynne Smith-McKelvey, J. Scott Holliday
  • Patent number: 6272707
    Abstract: A support pad includes a low density layer of an air and water permeable three-dimensional matrix composed of a mat of polymeric material. The layer preferably has a smooth and planar contour on the top face, and a “peak and valley” contour on the bottom face. A pad may be maintained over the top face of the low density layer. Sheeting may be placed over at least the top face of the low density layer and the pad to provide a more comfortable surface for an individual to rest upon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Colbond Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robrecht, Harold Ward, Donald D. Farnsworth
  • Patent number: 6269504
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to support at least a portion of a body thereon. The apparatus includes a cover having an interior region, a base located within the interior region, and a three dimensional engineered material located within the interior region above the base. The three dimensional engineered material and the base cooperate to provide support for the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Romano, Sohrab Soltani, Michael V. Bolden
  • Patent number: 6263532
    Abstract: A cover for a tight top mattress includes an upper panel, a lower panel and a border panel. A zipper connects the border panel to either the upper or lower panel. At least one of the upper of lower panels is a quilted foam and fabric assembly which is dimensioned and configured as a pillow top. The upper, lower and border panels define an enclosure for closely fitting and receiving the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Simmons Company
    Inventor: R. Scott Miller
  • Patent number: 6230351
    Abstract: A seat cushion which increases the surface area contacting the patient's skin, and which conforms evenly to the skin over the skin/surface interface. A seat cushion includes a flat layer of foam that is temperature sensitive and which has rate-dependent deflection which provides maximal hysteric dampening and maximal tissue/surface interface contact. Different stiffnesses of foam are used under key areas to allow support and at the same time to allow the tissue to reach mechanical equilibrium. The maximal surface contact will apply constant low pressure to the tissues, thus reducing the shear force and the risk of tissue injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Robert C. Kohnle
  • Patent number: 6226821
    Abstract: A mattress includes a head section, a seat section and first and second outer leg support sections. The seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections are configured to define a central opening therebetween. The mattress further comprises a removable center leg support section configured for movement between a first use position located within the central opening to provide a portion of the mattress and a second storage position detached from the mattress and located below the mattress. A drip flap is coupled to the seat section and first and second outer leg support sections of the mattress. The drip flap is configured to extend downwardly below a bottom surface of the mattress adjacent the central opening of the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Jonathan D. Turner
  • Patent number: 6196156
    Abstract: A bedding article for a domestic animal comprising an outer textile casing defining a geometric shape for supporting a domestic animal, an inner filling, and a microbe-inhibiting agent or property applied to at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling. The bedding article may be fabricated in various shapes, designs, and styles; e.g., rectangular, circular, elliptical, with or without upstanding side walls, etc. A process for applying the microbe-inhibiting agent or property to at least one on the outer textile casing and the inner filling is provided. Application methods include spraying, dipping, brushing, and rolling the microbe-inhibiting agent or property onto at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Seefar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Denesuk, Eugenie V. Uhlmann, Maryclay Smith, Erin Hingst
  • Patent number: 6182315
    Abstract: A 3-layer venting mattress structure comprised of a steel fiber layer sandwiched by net layers sewn on its periphery. Both upper and lower net layers are made of fiber or non-woven with interlaced mesh for venting purposes. The steel layer between the fiber layers is made of high-strength steel yarn lop-sided woven in a spiral and continuous fashion to provide a mattress that allows excellent air permeability and tensile strength with sufficient capability to withstand local area loads. Therefore, the present invention solves the poor ventilation problem of the prior art, achieves the evenly distributed load susceptibility of the mattress, and provides an innovative type of space arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Seven States Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng Long Lee
  • Patent number: 6141808
    Abstract: A mat member is divided into a plurality of mat members and those divided mat members are individually wrapped in a middle bag respectively, to form middle mats 7 and 8 and these middle mats 7 and 8 are adjacently wrapped in an outer bag to form a finished mat. Whereby, the middle mats 7 and 8 wrapped in the outer bag 9 are individually separated, which is made easily to take out and accommodate in the outer bag and causes to lighten the burden of a nurse for removing or putting the finished mat, and since the finished mat comprises the middle mats wrapped in double i.e. in middle bags individually and in an outer bag, any excreta is not penetrated to the mat members, by which instant cleaning of the finished mat can be carried out to lighten the burden of the sick and the nurse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Akado Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Akado
  • Patent number: 6115861
    Abstract: A support assembly for a mattress, the support assembly comprising compressible blocks having individual degrees of firmness, and a sleeve defining spaced-apart pockets holding the blocks therein, the sleeve positioning the blocks adjacent one another and the sleeve being composed of a material having a slippery outer surface permitting individual compression of the blocks so that each compressible block moves in a vertical direction independently of adjacent blocks to enable at least two-dimensions of firmness zoning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: PaTMark Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, James R. Stolpmann, Roger D. Dalton, Steven R. Westerfeld
  • Patent number: 6115859
    Abstract: The body of a mattress comprises a cocoon thread bundle of long fibers formed by reeling cocoon threads off cocoons and separating them one from another. The body the mattress also has inner layers sandwiching the bundle. The body is quilted at appropriate positions and covered by a suface cloth made of woven fabric, and the periphery of the body is fastened by a retention cloth. The mattress has touch different from, for example feather mattress and serves to reduce yarn breakage of the cocoon long-fibers which are used as the stuffing. The stuffing can be easily produced without fail by a process comprising the steps of reeling cocoon threads off boiled cocoons and winding them around a take-up reel, fusing the wound cocoon threads at appropriate positional, and cutting the fused bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha MaPePe Unit
    Inventor: Yasuo Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6061857
    Abstract: This invention, the hugging mattress, consists of addition of two holes to any of the otherwise conventional mattress designs. Said holes go all the way through the mattress and are rectangular or oblong and situated near each end of the mattress at the approximate shoulder and thigh positions. The function of the holes is to extend the normal pleasures of a mattress to allow hugging ones bedmate for extended periods of time or even all night long without the crushing weight one now feels on his arm. The hugging mattress will come with insertable plugs to make it a conventional mattress when the owner doesn't feel like hugging or when for safety such as when children may jump on a bed. It will also be accompanied by a bottom fitted sheet with pockets to fit the said holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Ronald Arthur Deneau
  • Patent number: 6060407
    Abstract: A polymeric material in a grid configuration comprising an integral uniplanar or substantially uniplanar oriented grid formed from orientable thermoplastic polyester, polyamide or polyurethane elastomer. Such grid is used for load support systems in furniture, bedding and automotive applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Atlantech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Skochdopole, David M. Daugherty
  • Patent number: 6055689
    Abstract: A modular mattress having a plurality of innerspring modules with a peripheral border strip extending around the outer periphery of the mattress between top and bottom mattress covers through a releasable connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Frank G. Cavazos
  • Patent number: 6052851
    Abstract: A mattress which increases the surface area contacting the patient's skin, and which conforms evenly to the skin over the skin/surface interface. A mattress includes a flat layer of foam that is temperature sensitive and which has rate-dependent deflection which provides maximal hysteric dampening and maximal tissue/surface interface contact. Different stiffnesses of foam are used under key areas to allow support and at the same time to allow the tissue to reach mechanical equilibrium. The maximal surface contact will apply constant low pressure to the tissues, thus reducing the shear force and the risk of tissue injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Robert C. Kohnle
  • Patent number: 6009579
    Abstract: The combination includes a featherbed and a relatively thin, down-filled top member which has a peripheral outline substantially identical to that of the featherbed. The top member is positioned on the upper surface of the featherbed. Attachment elements such as straps, ties and/or buttons or even a cover member are used to removably secure the top member in place on the upper surface of the featherbed and to prevent the top member from shifting position on the featherbed during use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Company
    Inventor: Samuel B. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6003178
    Abstract: An anatomic mattress has an external structure, and an internal structure located interiorly of the external structure, the internal structure including an upper part and a lower part, the lower part being formed as a continuous lower plate while the upper part being formed by a plurality of individual upper plates connected with the lower plate, by a plurality of projections located between the lower plate and each of the upper plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Carlos Alberto Montoni
  • Patent number: 5970547
    Abstract: A modular mattress having a plurality of innerspring modules with a peripheral border strip extending around the periphery between the top mattress cover and the bottom mattress over. The border strip is connected to one or the other of the top or bottom mattress covers by sewing, and to the other by releasable connecting means such as a zipper. A fabric flange extends from the peripheral edge of both the top and bottom mattress covers, with a Velcro strip or the like along the free edge of each fabric flange. Each innerspring module has a side wall strip of material along its outwardly facing side wall with an upwardly extending flap having a cooperative Velcro strip along its free edge to releasably connect to the Velcro strip on the fabric flange of the top mattress cover, and a downwardly extending flap having a cooperative Velcro strip along its free edge to releasably connect to the Velcro strip on the fabric flange of the bottom mattress cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Frank G. Cavazos
  • Patent number: 5950264
    Abstract: Bedding articles which are encased (or of which all or part of the upholstery is enclosed) in an allergen barrier. The allergen barrier comprises an elastic stretch knit substrate laminated with a monolithic, hydrophilic, moisture-vapor permeable elastic film made from at least one polymer and having a thickness of no more than 1 mil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Allergy Control Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Wyner, Annette H. Miller
  • Patent number: 5896604
    Abstract: There is a support module for a posture support device such as a bed mattress. The module comprises upper and lower frames (3A, 3B) connected together by linkages (3C, 3D) which in use of the module within the support device are adapted upon activation by an external control (3H, 3J) to displace the frames (3A, 3B) between a collapsed configuration and a spaced apart configuration so that the posture support device can be adjusted between a soft support and a firm support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Leslie Hylton McLean
  • Patent number: 5787525
    Abstract: Proposed is a fabric mattress having a layered structure as a kind of health-promoting bedding goods, which comprises an upper fabric layer, a lower fabric layer and an intermediate fabric layer sandwiched between the upper and lower fabric layers, at least a part of these fabric layers being formed from fibers such as rayon fibers containing very fine particles of tourmaline in an amount of up to 7% by weight. This unique ingredient in the fibers has an effect to emit active electrons and far-infrared light which exhibit an invigorating effect on the human body cells of the person lying on the mattress to promote blood circulation so that even a patient lastingly lying on the bed never suffers from bedsores by using the mattress which can be constructed to have good air permeation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Life Energy Industry Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Sugihara, Mitsuo Suzuki, Marcos Masaki Komiya
  • Patent number: 5666682
    Abstract: A foam mattress pad of adjustable size has an initial predetermined length, width and thickness. The pad is provided with punched areas or holes, preferably in rows or columns forming a guide for cutting or tearing away strips of foam material to decrease the size dimensions of the pad. In a preferred embodiment, the holes are formed in rows or columns in the base of troughs between peaks of a convoluted surface of the mattress pad. The holes in the troughs may be separately punched or cut before or after the foam is convoluted. Preferably, the holes in the troughs are formed as the foam is cut by the band knife blade during one pass between convolute rollers. Longer projecting fingers are applied to some portions of the convolute roller to achieve the holes in the bases of the troughs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventors: Vincenzo A. Bonaddio, Jose DeJesus M. Contreras
  • Patent number: 5625914
    Abstract: An automatic mattress surface contour and support changing apparatus includes a wave-emitter assembly which emits waves and is worn by a person lying in bed. A wave-responsive mattress/control assembly responds to the waves of the wave-emitter assembly for adjusting top surface support characteristics of the wave-responsive mattress/control assembly. The wave-responsive mattress/control assembly includes a plurality of signal-responsive, adjustable-height support assemblies and a top layer covering and supported by the plurality of signal-responsive, adjustable-height support assemblies. The top layer provides a top support surface for supporting the person in bed. A plurality of wave sensor assemblies are ready to sense waves from a wave-emitter assembly when the wave-emitter assembly moves substantially close to one or more of the wave sensor assemblies. With one embodiment, each wave sensor assembly is connected to an associated signal-responsive, adjustable-height support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Patrick R. Schwab
  • Patent number: 5621934
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mattress, particularly an air mattress. It comprises a bottom element (1) and a number of elongated, bag-like mattress elements (2), which may be inflated with gas such as air and are adjacently attached in the bottom element (1) of the mattress, transversally to the lengthwise direction (D--D) of the mattress and in such a fashion that they form, when inflated with gas, loop-like members, resembling an overturned U-shape or the like in cross-section, and extending outwards from the bottom element. The mattress may also comprise a number of second elongated, air-inflatable or similar resilient bag-like mattress elements. In that case, the first mattress element is arranged to encompass, at least partly, the second mattress element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Kari Olkkonen, Simo Paltere