Including Plural, Separately Inflatable, Distinct Gas Containing Compartments Patents (Class 5/710)
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Patent number: 11850198Abstract: A dynamic support apparatus. The dynamic support apparatus includes a cushion, at least one actuator wherein the at least one actuator defines an interior volume and wherein the interior volume may be configured to be at least partially filled with a fluid, and a support disposed in the interior volume wherein the support configured to support an occupant when the interior volume is not filled with the fluid such that the support is sufficient to support the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Alexander D. Streeter, N. Christopher Perry
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Patent number: 11786395Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and systems that conduct temperature-controlled air through one or more enclosed chambers that are placed adjacent to a patient to help control the patient's temperature without blowing air directly on the patient. In some embodiments, the enclosed chamber has an air inlet and an air outlet and a defined air flow pathway therebetween. Air exiting the device can be directed away from the patient. The devices can include a crush-resistant but flexible air-flow layer of material inside the enclosure that allows air flow even when a patient is laying on the device. A cushioning layer can also be included overlaying the air-flow layer. The flowing air can be any desired temperature to help warm or cool a patient. The patient can be a human or animal, for example.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Inventor: Eugene Lloyd Hiebert
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Patent number: 11701279Abstract: A dynamic support apparatus. The dynamic support apparatus includes a cushion, at least one actuator wherein the at least one actuator defines an interior volume and wherein the interior volume may be configured to be at least partially filled with a fluid, and a support disposed in the interior volume wherein the support configured to support an occupant when the interior volume is not filled with the fluid such that the support is sufficient to support the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Alexander D. Streeter, N. Christopher Perry
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Patent number: 11541795Abstract: An inflatable system includes a first bladder configured to contain gas and a second bladder configured to contain gas. The first bladder includes a top wall, a bottom wall opposite of the top wall, a sidewall extending between and connected to perimeter edges of the top and bottom walls, and a plurality of tethers extending between and connected to interior surfaces of the top and bottom walls. The second bladder includes a top wall, a bottom wall opposite of its top wall, a sidewall extending between and connected to perimeter edges of its top and bottom walls, and a plurality of tethers extending between and connected to interior surfaces of its top and bottom walls. The bottom wall of the first bladder is secured to the top wall of the second bladder.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Louis D. Thole, Conner J. Stormer, Daniel W. Booth, Wonhee M. Kim, David Acosta
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Patent number: 11357683Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a bed frame having a head end and a foot end and control circuitry carried by the bed frame. The control circuitry receives information about conditions of the patient support apparatus. A light is coupled to the bed frame adjacent the foot end and is coupled to the control circuitry. The light is in a first state when the patient support apparatus is operating normally and the light is in a second state when the control circuitry detects an alert condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: John A. Bobey, Stephen L. Douglas, Eric R. Meyer, Jonathan H. Mueller, Robert Petrosenko, Stephen R. Schulte, Andrew F. Skinner, Michael Z. Sleva, Richard B. Stacy, Daniel K. Stevens, Mayur Yermaneni
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Patent number: 11324336Abstract: The present disclosure provides an air cushion bed, which includes an upper air cushion, a lower air cushion, and a pull belt body. The pull belt body is disposed between the upper air cushion and the lower air cushion, and is supported by the pull belt body. The pull belt body includes an annular belt body and longitudinal belt bodies, the annular belt body is disposed along four sides of the upper air cushion and the lower air cushion, and the annular belt body is further connected to the upper air cushion and the lower air cushion, the longitudinal belt bodies are disposed between the upper air cushion and the lower air cushion, and two ends of the longitudinal belt bodies are connected to the upper air cushion and the lower air cushion, the annular belt body includes a first sealed bag body structure spaced from the longitudinal belt bodies.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: FUZHOU NIANYUE INVESTMENT CONSULTING CO., LTDInventor: Huan Chen
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Patent number: 11299389Abstract: Saddle with passively morphing interface panels and method of use, wherein passively morphing interface panels morphs in surface profile to be reshaped upon contact with a supporting surface of a horse's dynamic back and of horses of varying sizes and shapes, so that a direct load path is created from the riders concentrated downward weight on a chassis through a pair of symmetrically opposed line of contact edges, aligned with tilted sagittal plane sections through the horse's back surface, and making contact with the midline area of opposed pair of elements made of rigid materials that are caused to tip out of plane until moment forces are balanced, which occurs when the element's entire length makes contact with the supporting horse's back causing the elements interface's surface profile to be reshaped, without directed input, to momentarily match the varying supporting surface profiles of a horse's dynamic back.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Inventor: Donald Nelson Fenaroli
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Patent number: 11291599Abstract: Inflatable mattress apparatus includes a mattress provided with a plurality of inflatable cells (A, B); a manifold unit (V1-V4) connected to the plurality of cells, wherein the manifold (V1-V4) couples the cells into a plurality of individual sets of cells; and a control unit connected to the manifold, the control unit being operable to provide substantially simultaneous inflation and deflation of cells (A, B) in each set of cells over a period, and time offset inflation and deflation of cells in different sets of cells. The apparatus can provide the same benefits of a 1 of 2? system with reduced movement of the entire surface at any point in the cycle, less air moving at any given time and thus a reduction in the audible noise produced in any pump supplying the air and the associated airflow in the mattress. The arrangement provide other benefits too.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: HUNTLEIGH TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventor: Michael David Newton
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Patent number: 11273093Abstract: A lightweight deflating rectangular bag made of a leak and puncture resistant mattress film with a plastic two-way valve for lowering of caskets for entombment in below-floor level “Westminster” crypt locations. The deflating bag is configured to lower a casket, in a safe, dignified, and simple manner, into a subterranean crypt for final entombment, while family members, relatives, and friends observe during this important moment in the funeral service.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: ENSURE-A-SEAL, INC.Inventors: David A. Yearsley, Marc R. Yearsley
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Patent number: 11266119Abstract: A bed for at least one animal is provided. The bed includes a strip of belting having a front end, a back end, and opposing sides, an animal bed having a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The first fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a first width extending between a first side and a second side of the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a second width extending between a first side and a second side of the second fluid chamber. A first fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the first chamber, and a second fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the second chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are fluidly isolated from one another. A method of preparing for use a bed for at least one animal is also provided. In addition, a system for using a bed for at least one animal is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Advanced Comfort Technology, Inc.Inventor: Dean R. Throndsen
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Patent number: 11147725Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a manifold valve assembly engaged to an inflatable apparatus, such as a cushion to prevent pressure ulcers, for example. The manifold valve assembly is also in communication with a processing device to determine an optimal immersion level for a user seated on the inflatable apparatus. Additionally the processing device, in communication with the manifold valve assembly may save optimal immersion or air pressure levels for comparison to future checks of cushion pressure and send that to a user interface at the processing device. The assembly and processing device may also save and dis play a history of pressure checks.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: ROHO, INC.Inventors: Leane Darnold, Kevin Meier, Ross Peyton, Glenn Fournie, David Hopp
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Patent number: 11090216Abstract: A therapeutic massage system includes a cushion and a controller unit operably connected by tubing. The cushion has a therapy pad coupled to a support pad. The support pad includes a plurality of compartments that may be filled with microbeads or other supportive material that self-adjusts to conform to the contours of an individual's body. The therapy pad includes a plurality of selectively inflatable and deflatable channels. The controller unit includes a processor operably connected to a diverter for controlling the delivery of air to and exhausting of air from the channels of the therapy pad. The massage system can be customized to provide user-specific treatment.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Eva Medtec, Inc.Inventor: Irene Waldridge
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Patent number: 11064813Abstract: The disclosure discloses a softness-adjustable mattress, including an outer lining, an outer lining zipper, and a bottom lining, wherein the bottom lining is positioned on the outer lining, the outer lining zipper is positioned between the outer lining and the bottom lining, a lying-down mechanism is mounted on an inner lower wall face of the outer lining, and an inflation mechanism is mounted on the lying-down mechanism. The beneficial effects of the disclosure is having the characteristic of being quickly mounted and dismounted; through an air cushion the overall comfort degree of the mattress can be enhanced, and can prevent the integral mattress shape from collapsing; the air cushion can be inflated by the inflation controller at all times, thereby ensuring the stability of the air cushion; users can lie down on the wavy cotton, which improves the users' comfort degree and brings convenience to people's life.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: ZHEJIANG XIANGNENG SLEEP TECHNOLOGY STOCK CO., LTD.Inventors: Cunwei Fu, Feng Guo
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Patent number: 11058226Abstract: A pump is disposed within an inflatable chamber of an inflatable bed. The pump is recessed within the inflatable chamber and is offset from a faceplate, which in turn is connected to a portion of the inflatable bed. This arrangement results in less strain applied onto a peripheral panel of the inflatable chamber thereby maintaining the structural integrity of the inflatable bed.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.Inventors: Yaw Yuan Hsu, Zhi Xiong Huang
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Patent number: 10986937Abstract: An improved structure of inflatable bed includes: an inflatable mattress having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a lateral side structure that has upper and lower edges respectively connected to edges of the upper and lower surfaces so that the inflatable mattress is formed with an air charging space, the lateral side structure including a first charging valve in communication with the air charging space, the air charging space being provided therein with a Drop-stitching construction fabric having upper and lower ends respectively connected to the upper and lower surfaces; and an inflatable frame including at least one inflatable tubular body and outer layer cloth covering the inflatable tubular body. The inflatable tubular body includes a second charging valve. The inflatable frame is positioned on a bottom side of the inflatable mattress. The inflatable frame includes elastic braided bands to prevent undesired outward expansion of the inflatable frame after inflation.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Evermax Eco Industry Ltd.Inventor: Ta-Sen Wen
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Patent number: 10980352Abstract: An air mattress including a plurality of air cell groups including air cell groups corresponding to the back area, the buttock area and the thigh area of a person lying on the air mattress, each of which groups being made of a plurality of air cells, the air cells group corresponding to the back area and the thigh area including a lower section and a upper section, the upper section being stacked on the lower section, an air supply/release pump, and an air tube connecting the air cell groups corresponding to the back area and the thigh area to the air supply/release pump and connecting the air cell group corresponding to the buttock area to the air supply/release pump in an independent system for each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshinori Ishibashi, Rika Matsumiya, Kenta Ohno
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Patent number: 10838391Abstract: Disclosed is a system for swapping springs present in a product. A data receiving module receives metadata associated to a spring. The metadata comprises a pitch, vector coordinates and alike. A comparison module compares the pitch associated to the spring with a predefined threshold value thereby categorizing each spring into one of a category including a utilized spring category and an underutilized spring category. A determination module determines an underutilized spring, amongst the underutilized spring category, based on at least one of the vector coordinates and the pitch, when the spring is categorized in the utilized spring category. Subsequent to determining the underutilized spring, the swapping module swaps the spring with the underutilized spring by using a control mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Inventors: Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal, Ashita Dhir, Mahesh Kaladaikurchi Subramaniam, Venkat Sharan Tirumalai Vinjumur
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Patent number: 10675198Abstract: According to certain arrangements, a conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, a lower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interior chamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the spacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interior chamber and to help with the passage of fluids within a portion of interior chamber. The conditioner mat can be configured to releasably secure to a top of a bed assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATEDInventors: Michael J. Brykalski, David Marquette, John Terech, Robert Vidojevski
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Patent number: 10674832Abstract: An air bed system including a plurality of peripheral devices and a pump unit configured to adjust a firmness of an air mattress, the pump unit including a pump. The system further includes a controller configured to execute instructions that cause the pump unit to wirelessly pair with at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices. The pump unit is configured to receive at least one control signal addressed to the at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices, and transmit the at least one control signal to the addressed device.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Sleep Number CorporationInventors: Aran Patrick Brosnan, Yi-ching Chen, John McGuire
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Patent number: 10631658Abstract: The invention relates to a mattress (110) made of elastic foam or rubber material and comprising individually controllable air chambers (120, 120a) that are inserted in the transverse direction and are equipped with at least one pressure measurement sensor, the pressure in the air chambers (120, 120a) being adjustable based on an algorithm which is used by a control device and which correlates with sleep quality calculations also made by the control device and/or which follows the principle of the changing pressure sensed. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignees: DESCANSARE SLEEP LAB S.L.Inventor: Hans Malzl
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Patent number: 10631660Abstract: A support pad comprises a first surface layer, a second surface layer and an airbag structure. The first surface layer is disposed on the first surface of the support pad. The second surface layer is disposed on the second surface of the support pad and connected to the first surface layer. An edge of the first surface layer is connected to an edge of the second surface layer to cover the airbag structure. The airbag structure has a plurality of hollowed portions and a first connecting portion of the first surface layer is connected to a second connecting portion of the second surface layer through a space provided by the hollowed portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Inventor: Chih-Hui Cheng
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Patent number: 10532352Abstract: An integrated sample analysis system is disclosed. The sample analysis system contains (1) a sample preparation/analysis module having sample purification device comprising a monolith that binds specifically to nucleic acids and a sample analysis device comprising a microarray enclosed in a reaction chamber having a hydrophilic interior surface; (2) a temperature control module comprising a thermocycler having a thermally conductive temperature-control bladder; and (3) an imaging device capable of capturing an image of the microarray in the reaction chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2019Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Akonni Biosystems, Inc.Inventors: Christopher G. Cooney, Phillip Belgrader, Arial Bueno, Steve Garber, Nitu Harshendu Thakore, Peter Qiang Qu
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Patent number: 10507149Abstract: A nursing bed including a bed body, provided with a plurality of combined bed boards, at least one of the plurality of combined bed boards being provided with one or more pressure sensors, and a comparator, connected to the one or more pressure sensors. The comparator is configured to compare pressure data transmitted by the one or more pressure sensors with a predetermined pressure value and output a warning signal when the pressure data transmitted by the one or more pressure sensors is greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure value. A timer, is connected to the comparator, and with respect to each of the pressure sensors, configured to start timing when the warning signal is received and output an alarm signal when a preset time is reached, and an alarm device, is connected to the timer, and configured to give an alarm after the alarm signal is received.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.Inventor: Jinglu Bai
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Patent number: 10398235Abstract: A multi-chamber inflatable mattress includes a main air chamber, upper and lower peripheral air chambers, and an upper air chamber. The main air chamber includes internal tensioning structures which cooperate with a bottom mattress panel and a lower intermediate panel to provide a generally box-shaped, mattress-sized inflatable structure upon pressurization. A second, upper intermediate panel cooperates with a top mattress panel to define an upper air chamber which defines the sleeping surface. The main air chamber receives pressurized fluid directly from a valve, while the lower and upper peripheral air chambers are in direct fluid communication with the main air chamber but not the valve. The upper air chamber is in direct fluid communication with the upper peripheral air chamber, but not the main chamber or valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.Inventors: Hua Hsiang Lin, Yaw Yuan Hsu
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Patent number: 10244871Abstract: A cushion is provided, including: a first recoverable layer, having a first flow passageway; a second recoverable layer, having a second flow passageway; a separation layer, located between the first and second recoverable layers, one of two ends of the separation layer having a passage, the first flow passageway, the passage and the second flow passageway forming a circulation flow passageway, the first and second recoverable layers being connected with the separation layer; a outer layer, encompassing and being connected with the first recoverable layer, the second recoverable layer and a side portion of the separation layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Inventor: Chun-Fu Kuo
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Patent number: 10231554Abstract: A mattress includes a generally rectangular prismatic foam body, having a length, a width, and a thickness, having a top surface, a plurality of slits in the top surface of the foam body extending across the width of the body to divide the top surface into a plurality of adjacent slats. An elongate chamber extends through the body, parallel to and aligned with each slit. At least one fluid filled cell disposed in each of the elongate chambers to support the edges of adjacent slats.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Inventors: Dennis M. Boyd, Carla Williams
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Patent number: 10182661Abstract: This disclosure describes, among other things, techniques for waking a user by changing the user's sleep environment. In one example, a method includes receiving, at a central controller of an air mattress system, at least one user alarm setting, generating, via the central controller, at least one instruction based on the received user alarm setting, and transmitting, from the central controller, the at least one instruction to a first component of the air mattress system to adjust a feature of the first component.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Sleep Number Corporation and Select Comfort Retail CorporationInventors: Rob Nunn, Wade Daniel Palashewski, Matthew Wayne Tilstra, Stacy Stusynski, Steven Young, Carl Hewitt
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Patent number: 10060810Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the operation of an air cushion includes an air cushion with the inside provided with a plurality of patterns filled with air; a part for sensing the air pressure inside the air cushion so as to output a corresponding air pressure sensing signal; a part for sensing the temperature inside the air cushion so as to output a corresponding temperature sensing signal; a photographic part arranged in the lower part of the air cushion for photographing the plurality of patterns so as to output an image of each pattern; and a control unit for determining the air pressure inside the air cushion by measuring the force exerted on the air cushion in the Y-direction based on the temperature, air pressure and contact area, and by measuring the force exerted on the air cushion in the X-direction based on the displacement of the contact area.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial TechnologyInventors: Suwoong Lee, Soono Kwon, Youngjin Kim
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Patent number: 9888784Abstract: A traveling wave air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress comprised of a array of laterally disposed, longitudinally spaced air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for a human body, and an air pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for periodically introducing into a sequence of the air bladder cells a time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary pressures in the cells from quiescent pressures, the air pressure variations resulting in a soliton-like traveling wave of body support force variation which travels longitudinally over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave pattern may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Inventor: William Lawrence Chapin
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Patent number: 9867748Abstract: An air mattress include a plurality of air cell groups including a plurality of bladder-shaped cells and lined up with respect to the lengthwise direction of the air mattress so as to support at least a head area, shoulder area, back area, buttock, thigh area, knee area, and heel area of a person lying on the air mattress, an air supply/release pump; and an air tube connecting the bladder-shaped cells and the air supply/release pump in one or a plurality of independent first systems for each of the air cell groups out of the air cell groups and one or a plurality of independent second systems for each of specific bladder-shaped cells out of the plurality of air cell groups. Each of the air cell groups corresponding to the back area, buttock area, and thigh area includes a lower section of bladder-shaped cells and an upper section of bladder-shaped cells.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeda, Shuichi Aoki, Shinji Ueki, Kenta Ohno
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Patent number: 9814642Abstract: The present invention relates to a mattress system in which a ultra low pressure plenum is positioned within the mattress system. In one embodiment, the ultra low pressure plenum is a bladder which is sandwiched between layers of a foam material. A plurality of ultra low pressure plenums formed as columns extending longitudinally or laterally along the length of the mattress system can be used.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: MOLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE ABInventors: William Purdy, Robert Purdy
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Patent number: 9782015Abstract: The present disclosure provides a support for people with distended abdominal areas such as, but not limited to, individuals who are overweight or pregnant. Further, the support apparatus may be used by people suffering from back problems, as the raised area surrounding the opening in the support raises the pelvis and is intended to remove pressure from the lumbar spine and other areas of a person's midsection.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Inventors: Logan Zanki, Kathleen Zanki
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Patent number: 9782286Abstract: A full body elevator includes an inflatable upper body elevator having a sloped backrest panel and a generally flat, horizontal butt rest panel extending from the backrest panel; and an inflatable lower body elevator having a leg portion with a leg support panel sloping from the butt rest panel and a foot portion with a foot support panel selectively inflatable and extendable with respect to the leg portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Inventor: Thomas W. Davis, III
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Patent number: 9655456Abstract: A mattress includes a generally rectangular prismatic foam body, having a length, a width, and a thickness, having a top surface, a plurality of slits in the top surface of the foam body extending across the width of the body to divide the top surface into a plurality of adjacent slats. An elongate chamber extends through the body, parallel to and aligned with each slit. At least one fluid filled cell disposed in each of the elongate chambers to support the edges of adjacent slats.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Inventors: Dennis M. Boyd, Carla Williams
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Patent number: 9622589Abstract: An air mattress with an internal pump, includes a plurality of air cell groups lined up in a lengthwise direction of the air mattress, each of which groups is made from a plurality of bladder-shaped cells, all of the bladder-shaped cells of said air cell groups being rod-shaped cells extending in a widthwise direction of the air mattress, and being lined up in the lengthwise direction of the air mattress, an air supply/release pump, an air tube linking said air cell groups and said air supply/release pump in a system for each air cell group of two or more air cell groups out of said air cell groups, a connector for connecting said air supply/release pump and said air tube detachably, and a controller for controlling the pressure within the bladder-shaped cells for each of the air cell groups among the air cell groups.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD.Inventors: Katsuyoshi Nomura, Shinji Ueki, Makoto Tanaka, Takayuki Masukawa
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Patent number: 9414978Abstract: The present invention is plurality of telescoping tubes which are supported by air pressure. The telescoping tubes are used as a support system for a bed, and namely, a hospital bed. The telescoping tubes have a spring system in areas where air pressure is not required, and air pressure may be controlled in a precise manner so as accommodate the patient in a specific manner. A laminate or fitted sheet with a plurality of apertures may be fitted on the top of the tubes so as to provide added support and to absorb bed soiling. The telescoping tubes either as a whole bed or in part, may be easily placed into a sanitizing system that extends the life of the bed and reduces the transmission of communicable diseases.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Inventor: Sarkis Agajanian
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Patent number: 9376777Abstract: An inflatable device is disclosed. The inflatable device includes an airtight inflatable mat. The airtight inflatable mat has a first surface member, a second surface member and at least one side member. A plurality of support structures is substantially evenly disposed internally within the airtight inflatable mat. Each support structure is generally parallel to each other and is coupled to the first surface member and the second surface member of the airtight inflatable mat. Furthermore, a plurality of fastening mechanisms is disposed on the at least one side member of the airtight inflatable mat. The fastening mechanisms are positioned on a plane substantially centrally located between the first surface member and the second surface member, and each fastening mechanism is configured for removably connecting with another fastening mechanism disposed on a side member of another airtight inflatable mat.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: SDS Asia Limited, BVI #1748971Inventor: Leroy L. Peterson
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Patent number: 9279510Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising an electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a valve housing defining an opening through which fluid can be provided to the inflatable device, a flexible diaphragm assembly that is configured to self-seal the opening with sufficient fluid pressure in the inflatable device and to open under sufficient fluid pressure from a fluid moving device, to provide fluid through the opening to and seal the inflatable device. The assembly further comprises an electromechanical device including an actuating arm, having a first position in which the actuating arm urges open the self-sealing valve and a second position in which the actuating arm does not act upon the self-sealing valve, so as to regulate an amount of fluid within the inflatable device. With this arrangement, a small, low power, low duty cycle electromechanical device can be used.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Inventor: Robert B. Chaffee
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Patent number: 9247827Abstract: A multi-chamber inflatable mattress includes a main air chamber, upper and lower peripheral air chambers, and an upper air chamber. The main air chamber includes internal tensioning structures which cooperate with a bottom mattress panel and a lower intermediate panel to provide a generally box-shaped, mattress-sized inflatable structure upon pressurization. A second, upper intermediate panel cooperates with a top mattress panel to define an upper air chamber which defines the sleeping surface. The main air chamber receives pressurized fluid directly from a valve, while the lower and upper peripheral air chambers are in direct fluid communication with the main air chamber but not the valve. The upper air chamber is in direct fluid communication with the upper peripheral air chamber, but not the main chamber or valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2015Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Intex Recreation Corp.Inventors: Hua Hsiang Lin, Yaw Yuan Hsu
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Patent number: 9162870Abstract: A linear fluidic actuator comprising an upper actuation deformable surface suitable to induce a displacement in an actuation direction L and a wall delimiting an internal cavity wherein the shape of the actuator is a pillar; the wall, the cavity and the upper surface of a base form the lower part of said pillar, where h1 is the highest dimension of the internal cavity at rest according to the actuation direction L; a part forms the upper part of said pillar where the upper surface of said upper part is the upper actuation deformable surface, the bottom surface of said upper part closes the upper part of the cavity so as to form an upper surface of said cavity and where h2 is the distance at rest from the top of the upper surface of the internal cavity to the upper actuation deformable surface; the height ratio h1/h2 is comprised between 0.2 and 10; a fluidic inlet is provided and suitable for introducing a fluid in the internal cavity.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE)Inventors: Benjamin Rousseau, Thierry Bonnin, Jean Taboury, Raymond Mercier, Sylvain Perrot
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Patent number: 9049943Abstract: An inflatable cell that is inflatable with a fluid, such as air, comprises a flexible casing that is closed at its ends, the casing defining, between its walls, at least one inflatable chamber; and at least one fluid insertion means for inserting fluid into the chamber and at least one fluid removal means for removing fluid from said chamber, these insertion and removal means being bonded in substantially airtight manner to at least one end of the casing; and at least one link means for linking the cell to another identical cell, which link means are integral with or secured to the casing. A method of manufacturing such a cell and a support device of the mattress type that is manufactured on the basis of assembling together such cells are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Hill-Rom Industries SAInventors: Jean-Luc Caminade, Jean-Marie Basilio, Olivier Coupard
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Publication number: 20150128352Abstract: An adaptable surface system including a plurality of individually adjustable surface units and a plurality of pressure sensors. Each pressure sensor corresponds to one of the adjustable subsurface units and is positioned to measure an amount of pressure exerted upon the subsurface unit. The system also includes a controller that receives a first pressure value from a pressure sensor, compares the value to a threshold, and adjusts the height of the first subsurface unit based on the comparison. The controller also receives a second pressure value from a second pressure sensor, compares the second pressure value to the threshold, and adjusts the height of a second subsurface unit based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventor: George Papaioannou
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Publication number: 20150128354Abstract: A resting body support, such as a mattress or an encasement for a resting body support, comprising a sensor layer is disclosed which may incorporate a mattress adjustment system. The system may comprise at least one pressure detection mat comprising a plurality of sensors arranged in a matrix and at least one processor configured to monitor a plurality of pressure values detected by each of said sensors; and at least one active mattress comprising a plurality of cells, the cells being controlled by an inflation control unit that is connected to said processor, and operable to individually adjust the level of inflation of said plurality of cells based on said plurality of pressure values.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: ENHANCED SURFACE DYNAMICS, INC.Inventors: Lior Greenstein, Amir Ben Shalom, John S. Ehlinger, Efrat Zaritzky
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Patent number: 9021638Abstract: A mattress including a plurality of cells aligned and disposed on a body pressure working surface of a substrate that supports a human body; and a pressure control member that changes a height of each cell by adjusting a pressure in a fluid chamber formed within the cell. The cells are configured such that as the each cell is inflated by fluid supplied to the fluid chamber within the cell, the height of the each cell increases and a width dimension of the each cell in a direction of alignment decreases, and that peripheral portions of adjacent cells in the direction of alignment are overlapped with each other prior to cell inflation.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Sumitomo Riko Company LimitedInventor: Akitsugu Misaki
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Patent number: 9015885Abstract: An air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress which comprised of an array of air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for the body of a human, and a pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for introducing into ordered patterns of air bladder cells a wave-like time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary quiescent pressure levels in the cells, the pressure wave resulting in a traveling wave of support force variation which travels over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave pattern may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Inventor: William Lawrence Chapin
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Patent number: 9009898Abstract: When pressure detected by a pressure sensor connected to a calibration standard cell has continuously fallen within a regulated pressure range at calibration for a regulated duration at calibration, zero-adjustment is performed based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor. Then, communication between the plurality of cells is created to perform internal pressure adjustment of the plurality of cells to a predetermined internal pressure value, based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor connected to the calibration standard cell and calibrate each of pressure sensors connecting to the plurality of cells, based on the adjusted internal pressure. With this scheme, it is possible to a mattress and the like that can perform zero-point adjustment efficiently by adjusting the zero point in the same manner even if the mattress is formed of a plurality of branches, without releasing the pressure sensor of each cell to atmospheric pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Paramount Bed Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisao Morimura, Makoto Tanaka, Shinsuke Watanabe
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Publication number: 20150089748Abstract: A pneumatic mattress having a plurality of pneumatic cells so connected that sets of them can be selectively and cyclically pressurised and exhausted in sequence to support a user, or permanently inflated. The mattress also including an air flow manifold within a cover around the cells for providing air flow to spaces between some of the pneumatic cells beneath of the cover. The cells are provided transversely of the mattress with longitudinal edge cells, and the air flow manifold is provided inwards of the longitudinal cells across the ends of the transverse cells. The cover is semi-permeable to allow moisture from the patient to be carried away by the air flow. Between the cells and the cover, a replaceable open weave or gauze layer of non-woven material is provided, allowing air flow from one inter-cell space to the next with the cover held from the cells by the gauze layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: LINET SPOL S.R.O.Inventors: Martin Toms, Brian Frank Pile, Ian Malcolm Ryall
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Publication number: 20150082548Abstract: A display for displaying the condition of an air mattress. The display comprises a plurality of arrays of elements organized in a hierarchy. Each element represents a pressure increment. Each array comprises a plurality of rows and a plurality columns. The elements in each row of an array being distinctive in appearance from the elements in the other rows of the array. A control that operates the elements to indicate the pressure beginning with the first column, of the first row, of the lowest array in the hierarchy.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: BOYD SPECIALTY SLEEPInventor: Dennis M. Boyd
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Patent number: 8973193Abstract: The present invention provides a method of optimizing a pressure contour of a pressure adjustable platform system by (a) measuring pressure in a plurality of bladders in the pressure adjustable platform system; (b) assessing whether a change in pressure in one or more of the plurality of bladders occurs; (c) determining whether a subject on the pressure adjustable platform system has adjusted position, moved or tossed; (d) generating an adaptive sleep algorithm; and (e) adjusting the pressure in one or more bladders.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Inventor: Richard N. Codos
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Patent number: RE47680Abstract: A medical air mattress has a mattress body, a lower bedspread, an upper bedspread and a guardrail unit. The mattress body is formed by multiple air cells parallel arranged in an air cell row. The upper bedspread covers the mattress body and has two guardrail sleeves formed on the upper bedspread. The guardrail unit has multiple guardrail air cells mounted respectively in the guardrail sleeves. Since the guardrail sleeves are formed on the upper bedspread, the guardrail sleeves from each opposite side of the upper bedspread will draw each other to maintain the guardrail sleeves in position when pressed. Therefore, the guardrail sleeves do not fall down when pressed to remain providing optimal protection purpose.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Picard Healthcare Technology (Dongguan) Co. Ltd.Inventors: Kuang-Neng Chiang, Hsui-Lun Liang