Abstract: There is provided a bed with air adjustable elevation components having a generally rectangular foundation, a mattress having a plurality of sections, and an air chamber under each section of the mattress that is to be raised. The contour and shape of the mattress is controlled by inflating and deflating the each air chamber to elevate and incline the section of the mattress. The mattress is formed of connecting sections including a back section, a buttock section adjacent the back section. Adjacent the buttock section is an upper leg section and adjacent upper leg section is lower leg section. The sides of upper leg section and lower leg section abutting each other are formed at an angle such that when the leg sections of the mattress are in a non-elevated position a V-shaped cut out area is formed between the two sections. The air chambers are connected to a pump and a controller is provided to easily inflate and deflated the chambers, together or separately, with compressed air.

Abstract: A mattress assembly generally designed for use in hospitals and the like which is structured to effectively and comfortably support a patient during a period of recovery from a predetermined surgical procedure. The mattress assembly includes an elongated support platform having a corresponding dimension to that of a conventional hospital or like medical-type mattress and includes an opening formed therein and preferably extending therethrough. The opening is disposed in aligned, at least partially receiving relation to a predetermined portion of the patient's body directly involved in an invasive surgical procedure such as prostate surgery. More specifically, the opening is disposed, dimensioned and configured to receive and maintain portions of the patient's body, including external body parts, in an at least partially protected orientation and specifically out of supported engagement with a remainder of the support platform of the mattress.

Abstract: The invention modulates the air volume in foam cores of cushioning support devices and any other support apparatus using foam or similar materials. The foam core can be incrementally modulated to realize an infinite number of comfort levels as to softness and support firmness. The core consists of self-inflating open-cell flexible polyurethane foam and is completely sealed within an enclosure fitted over it, with one or more valves installed in the side walls which communicate with the outside air. Through the valves air is selectively withdrawn from the foam core, allowing the foam's density to increase. The invention uses relatively inexpensive foam, but through air volume modulation achieves a tactile feel of supreme softness for the user, without giving up the necessary firmness to support the body, as happens with very soft foam (bottoming-out or hammock-effect). When air is extracted from a self-inflating foam core, the surface of the core will soften uniformly while maintaining its support firmness.

Abstract: An apparatus convertible to a chair or table comprises a support structure; first and second pairs of wheels rotatably supporting the support structure; and a platform supported by the support structure. The platform includes a seat support and a back support. The platform is positionable between a chair configuration and a table configuration. The first pair of wheels have inboard and outboard positions. The first pair of wheels are in the inboard position when the platform is in the table configuration. The first pair of wheels are in the outboard position when the platform is in the chair configuration.

Abstract: A patient support system having multiple patient support layers for reducing and preventing the development of bed sores in bedridden patients. A top patient support surface is provided by an anti-shear cover layer. The anti-shear cover layer being operable to reduce lateral shear forces experienced by a patient moving across the patient support surface. One or more fluid pouches or bladders are provided to form a fluid bladder layer for reducing normal pressures and forces experienced by the patient The fluid bladder layer being releasably or integrally secured to the top surface of an inflatable air mattress. Means are provided operable to secure the anti-shear cover layer and fluid bladder layer in overlapping relation to the inflatable air mattress. Also provided is a means for adjusting the temperature of the fluid contained within the fluid bladder layer.

Abstract: A mattress system, sofa, cushioned seat, and the like, having top surface made from rigid material which is divided into plurality of polygonal columns or spherical shapes and configured into a geometrical pattern in various size and shape which has the transversal width and the longitudinal length adding or reducing according to the user's preference. The top surface elements are correspondingly supported by plurality of resilient elements, which are pneumatic in general, adjustable to provide the preferable comfort, desirous top surface contour and prescriptive pressure at particular spots. The top surface elements and resilient elements are individually replaceable and exchangeable. The mattress, sofa, cushioned seat and the like can be retrofit or modified three dimensionally.

Abstract: A bed mattress assembly is disclosed. The bed mattress assembly includes at least one bed mattress unit having a frame to be coupled with at least a buffer pad. At least one cover fitted over the buffer pad is capable of being releasably clamped by a plurality of clamping elements so as to retain the cover in position relative to the frame. At least one of the claming elements extends over the joint between two adjacent bed mattress units, allowing the two adjacent bed mattress units to be jointed into an integral structure.

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.

Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic support pillow which includes a contoured top layer, a plurality of supporting layers, each having tongue-and-groove structures to enable the contoured layer to be removably supported by one or more additional supporting layers.

Abstract: A seating system which includes a seating unit formed with a plurality of openings in the seat and back. Each of these openings is designed for selectively receiving a specially designed seat pad. The inventive seat pad includes a base portion suitable for being disposed over the opening and a stem portion for being disposed through the opening, such that the seat pad unit is fixably retained in the opening.

Abstract: A mattress structure (30) having a plurality of side-by-side lower support elements (50), a layer of material (54) underlying the lower support elements (50), and a plurality of side-by-side upper support elements (52) overlying and being supported by lower support elements (50) is described. The upper support elements (52) are connected by a plurality of tethers (128) to the layer of material (54), with the tethers (128) extending between adjacent lower support elements (50). Each of one of the upper support elements (52) and lower support elements (50) is an inflatable air bladder with specified sets of air bladders defining tube set zones (142, 144, 146). The pressure of the zones (142, 144, 146) is controlled by an air pressure system (170).

Abstract: A pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief features at least two air bladders, and a foam outer layer covering the air bladders. Each air bladder consists of an impervious to air sheet material which surrounds an open celled compressible foam material. Attached to the air bladder is an air flow tube and attached to the air flow tube is a flow control element. When the flow control element is open air from the atmosphere is able to communicate with the interior of the open celled compressible foam material through the air flow tube in combination with the flow control element. The open celled compressible foam material is of such a characteristic that once it is deformed it tends to regain its original shape, thus filling the air bladder with air, if the flow control element is open.

Abstract: A pneumatic mattress includes a number of air envelopes and a base pad having two side portions secured to the air envelopes with a number of fastener nuts and fasteners which may solidly secure the air envelopes to the base pad. A number of couplers are engaged between the side portions of the base pad and the fasteners for reinforcing purposes. An air pump is coupled to the air envelopes with a number of air valves and one or more hoses. A relief valve is engaged in the hose for discharging the air in the air envelopes quickly.

Abstract: A patient support system having multiple patient support layers for reducing and preventing the development of bed sores in bedridden patients. A top patient support surface is provided by an anti-shear cover layer. The anti-shear cover layer being operable to reduce lateral shear forces experienced by a patient moving across the patient support surface. One or more fluid pouches or bladders are provided to form a fluid bladder layer for reducing normal pressures and forces experienced by the patient. The fluid bladder layer being releasably or integrally secured to the top surface of an inflatable air mattress. Means are provided operable to secure the anti-shear cover layer and fluid bladder layer in overlapping relation to the inflatable air mattress. Also provided is a means for adjusting the temperature of the fluid contained within the fluid bladder layer.

Abstract: A sectioned ergonomic bed mattress is disclosed. The mattress includes at least two sub-mattresses each with a top and a bottom cover. Each cover may have a color or pattern unlike any other of the covers such that a user can vary the appearance of the bed mattress by assembling the sub-mattresses in a number of permutations. A plurality of clamps is used to combine the sub-mattresses, and at least one clamp extends between two adjacent sub-mattresses.

Abstract: A mattress made of foamed plastic material with modulated rigidity, having an upper layer made of a plastic material with a composition based on an open cell polyurethanic foam with silicone, flameproofing, fungicide and bacteriostatic additives, having low elastic memory and being substantially inelastic, which is arranged on a lower layer which is composed of modular elements which are mutually assembled by joints of the mortise and tenon types.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary inflatable seating apparatus, systems and methods of use. In one embodiment, an inflatable seating apparatus (10) includes a first inflatable mattress (12) and a second inflatable mattress (14) rotatably connected to the first mattress by a hinge (16). The hinge has at least one passageway (20) to permit the passage of an inflating fluid between the first and second mattresses. The inflatable seating apparatus further may include a third inflatable mattress (22), forming a back of the seating apparatus, that is removably attached to the first mattress.

Abstract: A cushion having multiple pneumatic cells extending upward from a common impermeable base is directly attached to a flat rigid base which is fixedly attached to each of three subframes of a convalescent recliner. Male and female snap fasteners are suggested. The direct attachment of the cushion to the flat rigid base disposes the bottom of the common impermeable base flush with the top of the flat rigid base. Upper attachment elements are located upon the bottom of the common impermeable base which mate with lower attachment elements located upon the top of the flat rigid base. Both upper and lower attachment elements are located in a single fixed configuration. An absorbent elastic cover fits over the cushion, is readily removable, and has a hem which fits about the periphery of the bottom of the cushion, outside of the fixed configuration of upper fastening elements. An ischemic preventive support cushion which will not shift as a result of inclination is provided.

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.

Abstract: A mattress with permanently attached bumper side walls which form a recess for protecting children at risk of falling off the bed. Also provided is an inset which transforms the mattress to a common flat sleeping surface.

Abstract: The foam mattress assembly has a stack of foam mattress elements with one of their peripheral edges joined together such that the stack of foam mattress elements remains in a vertical stack. The containment system which keeps side-by-side mattress together consists of a head and foot containment block extending across the top and bottom respectively of a pair of adjacent mattresses. The head and foot containment blocks make up a portion of the sleeping surface and are of a sufficient size and strength to prevent lateral outward movement of the pair of adjacent foam mattresses. Bedding for the mattress assembly is secured around the outer edge of the mattress or around the outer edge of the containment system by using a retainer rope tensioned around the mattress to hold the bedding into a groove.

Abstract: A bed mattress provides a zippered border attachment providing access to a hidden compartment on the interior of the mattress. The border may be completely or partially separable from the top mattress cover to allow inspection of the spring unit or to access the interior space of the mattress. In the all-around zipper construction of one preferred embodiment, the outer covers are pre-assembled without expensive machinery and allow a large inventory to be maintained comprising different mattress components. The hidden compartment preferably has its own zipper closure and may be formed to have two or more inner pockets. A pair of handles may be provided on the exterior of the border at about the ends of the pocket to overlap the pocket seams and help hide the presence of the compartment.

Abstract: A mattress assembly including a bottom mattress section and a top, transfer mattress section is provided. The transfer mattress section includes lateral flaps which are coupled to the sides of the bottom mattress section by hook and loop type fasteners. Pull straps are secured to the flaps for moving the transfer mattress section, and a patient thereon, with respect to the bottom mattress section once the fasteners have been disengaged. The interface of the top and bottom mattress sections is low friction to facilitate sliding the top mattress section with respect to the bottom mattress section.

Abstract: A modular, adjustable maternity mattress designed to accommodate a pregnant woman at rest in a prone or side lying position; comprised of a sectioned base cushion and corresponding relocatable upper cushions as a head cushion, an inflatable abdominal cushion, and a leg cushion. The sectioned base cushion is shaped as a thin conventional mattress and is slightly longer than the overall length of the head, inflatable abdominal, and leg cushions joined end to end. The head and leg cushions are thick, flat, and generally squared, with wedge shaped medial ends (relative to the centrally located inflatable abdominal cushion) that slope downward and inward towards the base cushion and inflatable abdominal cushion respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the inflatable abdominal cushion is composed of a series of vertically tiered independently inflatable cells, the overall lengths of which increase as they ascend, and each cell having an inflator inlet and deflator outlet.

Abstract: A patient air mattress replacement system having a pair of air support layers with a hose assembly containing a plurality of supply tubes for providing air to the air support layers. The mattress includes an interface connection which connects the support layers to the hose assembly and valve fittings which prevent escape of air from at least one support layer when the hose assembly is disconnected from the interface connection.

Abstract: A tent is fabricated from a seamless spherical shell. The floor of the tent is established as a plane interiorly dividing the shell into two chambers. The floor peripherally contacts the inner surface of the shell, and is sealed against the inner surface of the spherical shell. The larger chamber serves as the living chamber, while a smaller air tight chamber is formed between the floor and the shell. The air tight chamber is provided with a valve communicating with the outside environment. When the tent is disassembled, and with the valve opened, the spherical shell will completely deflate and collapse. During erection of the tent, the air chamber valve remains open, and the shell's cap over the floor is manually pulled out away from the tent floor causing a vacuum to form in the smaller airtight chamber. Air immediately flows through the valve filling the air chamber, and by closure of this valve the air is trapped. The air cushions the floor to provide a self inflated air mattress.

Abstract: A mattress for recumbent prophylaxis, which has a plurality of support elements in sequence relative to one another, with each support element having at least two air-inflatable double chambers or inflatable members connected together by a fillet. Each double chamber or inflatable member has a bottom hollow body connected to an opposite, top hollow body by a common partition wall with at least one opening. The support elements are detachably connectable with one another and are arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mattress. Each of the bottom hollow bodies are connectable by a short connecting piece through hose connections to an air pump assembly in such a manner that the different chamber systems which are not communicating with one another can be acted upon with air alternately.

Abstract: A modular air mattress including three separate pieces, one to support the head region, the middle abdomen region, and the lower leg region of a human body, respectively. The mattress pieces include a low air loss ventilating air mattress piece and conventional, non-ventilating mattress pieces. The ventilating mattress piece is positioned to support a body region susceptible to bed sores, while the conventional mattress pieces are positioned to support non-bed-sore susceptible body regions. Each piece has means for releasably coupling to each of the other pieces so that the ventilating air mattress piece and conventional mattress pieces may be conveniently positioned, and securely coupled, in any longitudinal series. The releasable coupling means also facilitates easy and convenient replacement and/or rearrangement of the mattress pieces.