EP2257201B1

EP2257201B1 - Assembly for adapting a support surface in a wave shape

Info

Publication number: EP2257201B1
Application number: EP08873635.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johannes Cornelis Maria Neggers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-28
Filing date: 2008-12-04
Publication date: 2017-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-04
Also published as: WO2009120064A2; US20110107520A1; AU2008353532A1; JP2011516117A; WO2009120064A3; EP2257201A2; MX2010010653A; NL1035218C1; CA2719926A1; CN102014700A; EA201001559A1

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly of an element defining a lying or support surface, such as a foam layer forming a core of a mattress, and a device associated with the element for adapting the form of the lying or support surface in waves, wherein the device comprises at least one selectively expandable and/or compressible body.
In known mattresses a lying surface is defined on a mattress. It is usually the intention that the support surface is substantially level or two-dimensional. By way of exception a pillow is provided only for the head of a user, although no modification at all is hereby made to the form of the mattress.
A substantially completely flat support surface, as defined by a mattress, is however in many cases undesirable or can have adverse or even harmful effects. For instance in situations in which the user has a condition such as kyphosis, stenosis, hernia etc., a flat lying or support surface can exacerbate symptoms or in any case result in irritation, bedsores as a result of prolonged pressure load on limited numbers of points on a body of a user, and so on.
It is known that determined mattresses can be manufactured from selected materials, whereby the mattresses are given the ability to adapt to the contour form of a user. This is therefore a reactive adjustment, which has however not yet provided a satisfactory solution for the users with one of the stated conditions.
An assembly of the above defined type with a device for adapting the lying or support surface, precisely for the purpose of providing a more adequate solution herefor, is for instance known from WO 88.01158 . This known assembly comprises inflatable plastic bags which are positioned on a mattress, with a thin, pliable covering or lining layer thereover.
This known configuration has a number of drawbacks.
In a situation with empty (non-inflated) plastic bags - which can be compared to elongate balloons for inflating - the plastic of these bags lies separately on a part of the lying or support surface defined on the mattress. The moisture-regulating action of the core material of a mattress, which material is usually intended specifically for this purpose, is impeded to just as great an extent as the surface of the mattress core is covered by the empty plastic bags. The edges of the empty bags can therefore be easily discerned and felt in disruptive and irritating manner through the thin, pliable cover layer, and this has a significant adverse effect on the comfort.
It is also the case that, in an inflated state of the bags, these bags are, or at least must be made, rigid and hard in order to provide a desired measure of support. Due to the bags being insufficiently inflated a user will otherwise simply subside onto the lying or support surface defined by the conventional mattress below the bags. The hardness of the inflatable bags is not damped or made less noticeable by the thin, pliable cover layer. It will thus be apparent that, when a person sits or lies thereon, the hardness of these inflatable bags is high and the comfort low during use thereof. In addition, when a user lies on a thus known mattress and wishes to get off the bed, he or she has to clamber over a considerable obstacle formed by the hard inflated bags in order to get out of bed. These hard inflated bags do not yield, precisely because they are highly inflated in order to provide some measure of support, although at the same time an obstruction is thus created to getting off the mattress in an acceptable manner.
It is noted that an assembly is known from EP-A-1.541.109 in which inflatable elements are placed beneath a thin mat which can perhaps be designated as a mattress. However, in order to enable setting of a wave shape with the inflatable bags under the mat and to ensure that this wave shape is imparted to the lying or support surface on the top of the mat, it will necessarily be given a very thin form. As a result the comfort of this assembly with the device in expanded or deflated state will always leave something to be desired.
Further, the disclosures of FR-2.873.006 and GB-2.288.329 and FR-2.508.884 are acknowledged here, since relative to each of these disclosures, like WO-88/01.158 , the features in at least the characterizing portion of the appended independent claim are novel.
The present invention has for its object to enable realization of a pro-active adaptation of a support surface, in particular in combination with a mattress, which is usually flat.
The objects of the present invention are achieved by means of an assembly as defined in the main claim of the appended set of claims. The hinge configuration ensures that the mattress core in particular and the mattress in general adjusts itself to the wave shape defined with the device or the body, so that a greater thickness of the mattress core of the mattress is provided in order to be able to continue to provide a desirable measure of comfort, and moreover also a sufficient moisture regulation, despite the presence of the added device.
This configuration can moreover provide a solution to snoring by users. If they lie with their back against a folded-up edge of the mattress when falling asleep, there is a limited chance of them coming to lie on their back, a position which is known to be conducive to snoring.
The device can be expanded and compressed cyclically or at intervals. The recumbent position of a person on a thus designed mattress with a device according to the invention is thus regularly varied in forced manner, which can provide a very favourable solution to bedsores. When devices are arranged along mutually opposite edges of the element, a gentler or quicker reciprocal rocking movement can even be realized in order to counter even further the danger of bedsores.
This does not detract from the fact that users in whom symptoms have not already manifested themselves can also benefit from an assembly according to the invention, for instance if it is made available to them in the form of a mattress. Even in a preventive way the invention can already have a very favourable effect.
According to the invention a greater part of the thickness of the core layer of the mattress lies over or on the device with the expandable body which may take the form of an inflatable device. As a result of the thus achieved levelling action of this core layer the operation of the assembly is not lost due to a (too) low pressure in the inflatable device, and the intended wave shape can also be formed at a pressure lower than a maximum pressure, this in contrast to the known configurations. In addition, users can also get off the mattress more easily since more yield occurs above the device, which may be inflated to a greater or lesser extent, when the user exerts a pressure thereon locally, for instance with his/her backside or upper legs.
Yet further according to the present invention, the pivotable configuration of the element comprises at least one incision extending upward from the body of the device to a position below the lying or support surface, and the element is adaptable locally at the body to the form defined by the body, wherein the incision extends sideways parallel to the lying or support surface forming a leg extending beneath the body. In these embodiments the mattress core, for instance of foam material, is provided with incisions in said manner. An elegant and simple design of the hinge configuration is thus realized.
By applying in a preferred embodiment a body of substantially wedge-shaped cross-section in a position of use it is possible to realize an adaptation of a support surface with a suitable choice of the wedge shape when the device is placed on or under the support surface. It is thus possible to place the wedge-shaped body under a mattress, or also on a mattress, but then preferably with a suitable means for preventing displacement relative to the mattress, such as a velcro fastening, wherein such a fixation could also be applied in the case of positioning in the mattress as according to the present invention. The wedge-shaped body is, according to the present invention, incorporated in the mattress.
Confidential tests have shown that it is not only people with disorders who can benefit from the devices according to the present invention. People without symptoms of a physical nature also perceive the adaptation of the support surface of for instance a mattress as a more comfortable improvement.
The present invention has various preferred embodiments, several of which are defined in the dependent claims in the appended set of claims.
The present invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of the accompanying drawing, in which the same and similar parts, components and features are designated with the same reference numerals, and which shows an embodiment only by way of example. In the drawing:

Fig.'s 1-3 show application options of exemplary devices, of which fig. 1 most closely resembles prior art according to GB-2288329 ;
Fig. 4 shows an assembly according to the present invention, wherein the element is a mattress;
Fig. 5 shows an assembly according to the present invention with an embodiment of folding means.

Fig. 1 shows a view of a general working principle of device 1, adaptable to be according to the present invention when embedded in the mattress 2 as discussed below in relation to figures 2 and 3. This device is applied in combination with a mattress 2.
Device 1 comprises a body 3 which is of triangular cross-section (in the direction transversely of arrow E) and which in this example is wedge-shaped and per se hollow. Body 3 is inflatable, for which purpose a pump 4 can be selectively activated. Pump 4 is connected to hollow wedge-shaped body 3 via a conduit 5. Pump 4 can be selectively activated by means of a microcomputer 6 as an example of a control, which is equipped with an antenna 7. Antenna 7 is connected wirelessly to hand-held operating means 8, which is available to a user for selective activation of pump 4.
In another example, a pressure gauge 9 can be applied for measuring the pressure in the interior of the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 in order to activate pump 4 automatically and selectively on the basis of measurement signals and using microcomputer 6 for the purpose of increasing the pressure in the interior of the hollow wedge-shaped body 3.
A shut-off valve, tap or outlet valve 11 is arranged in another conduit 10. Outlet valve 11 can also be actuated selectively by microcomputer 6. Outlet valve 11 is intended for the purpose of decreasing the pressure in the interior of the hollow wedge-shaped body 3. Outlet valve 11 can also be arranged in conduit 5 between pump 4 and the hollow wedge-shaped body 3.
The hollow wedge-shaped body 3 can be arranged, in this example, under mattress 2 in the direction of arrow A, preferably on a base 12. The hollow wedge-shaped body 3 then comes to lie between base 12 and mattress 2.
Available and suitable around mattress 2 are various locations where a hollow wedge-shaped body 3 can be placed on or under mattress 2, as indicated with arrows B, C and D.
For example hollow wedge-shaped bodies 3 are arranged at the long sides of the mattress indicated with arrows A and C. This is the situation as shown in fig. 2.
Also arranged in fig. 2 is a frame 13 with a spring base 14, on which mattress 2 rests. On opposite sides of mattress 2 two hollow wedge-shaped bodies 3 are placed on the upper surface of the frame 13 with spring base 14.
In the embodiment of fig. 2 microcomputer 6 is omitted, although pump 4 is here preferably also under the control of microcomputer 6.
Pump 4 may be connected via a valve 16 to each of two hollow wedge-shaped bodies 3 on either side of mattress 2. The valve 16 can be used in combination with a control, embodied as microcomputer 6 or in other manner, in order to select to which of the two hollow wedge-shaped bodies 3 pump 4 must be connected. It is of course also possible that valve member 16 provides the option of connecting pump 4 to each of the two wedge-shaped hollow bodies 3. Fig. 1 shows an example, in which the shown wedge-shaped body is divided into compartments by means of a membrane or partition 17. Each of the compartments can be connected to the pump via a valve 18 in similar manner as bodies 3 in fig. 2 in order to enable adjustment of the firmness, support or hardness in each of the thus separated compartments, both initially and after a period of time during use.
Fig. 2 shows an assembly 18 not according to the invention of a mattress 2 and a device 3, 3 with a hinge configuration. The device comprises a wedge-shaped body 3 and a second wedge-shaped body 3 along opposite edges of mattress 2. Along the side edges of assembly 18 the device is placed on a carrier such as a box-spring 17. In fig. 3 box-spring 17 is replaced by a slat frame 20. Mattress 2 comprises incisions 19 so that it bends more easily so as to take on the form defined by wedge-shaped body 3 and second wedge-shaped body 3, and to thus form the hinge configuration. Laterally situated wave parts 24 of mattress 2 on the outer sides of incisions 19 can be fixedly connected to mattress 2, for instance by means of stitching, or can be connected thereto by means of for instance a velcro connection (not shown). In fig. 2 mattress 2 is a mattress with a foam core, while fig. 3 shows a spring mattress. It will be apparent that the intended gap 21 can also be formed with incisions 19 in the case of a spring mattress. Also shown in more detail on the left-hand side in fig. 3 is that recesses 29 are provided in top surface 28 in order to facilitate bending of the thus formed hinge configuration.
Fig. 3 further shows how a gap 21 adapting mattress 2 to the shape of device 3, 3 results when device 3, 3 is arranged in the direction of arrow A beneath mattress 2 with incisions 19. For this purpose the outward situated wave part 24 of mattress 2 can simply be lifted in the direction of arrow F so as to provide or make space for body 3. It is noted that in fig. 3 the gap or incisions 19 are arranged substantially over the greater part of the thickness of mattress 2, and further extend over the whole thickness.
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention the body being embedded in foam core 2 of mattress 2 beneath wave part 24. Extending beneath the device or body 3 is a leg 41 of the material of mattress core 2, with a locking protrusion 42 at the free outer end, which falls into a receiving recess 43 in the wave part of core 2 of mattress 2 in the unexpanded state of the device or body 3.
Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the corner edge 38 of wave part 24 is chamfered in order to bring about a more gradual progression of the outer side of the assembly according to the invention, where a relatively sharp corner would otherwise occur.
A simplified embodiment of the folding means is further incorporated in the view of the embodiment in fig. 5. A tensioning cable is here not arranged through the interior of the device, but simply from the outer top corner of device 3 to corner 35 on wave part 24 between the device and the wave part.
It is possible that the upward oriented point 37 of body 3 is arranged with a fastening on the adjacent point of wave part 24 in order to improve the operation of the folding means still further.
As a further addition or alternative, the tensioning cable can be elastic and then be fastened to a bottom point of a stationary part of mattress 2 (or at least the mattress core of mattress 2). In addition to compact folding of body 3, an inelastic or elastic cable also achieves that sides of the body 3 do not bulge excessively.
In the embodiments described above and shown in the figures a covering can be arranged round at least wedge-shaped body 3. Such a covering can take the form of a sleeve which can be detachable. Such a sleeve can in particular be arranged fixedly on device 3 and be removable, for instance be formed from a smooth or at least sealing plastic, or be releasable to enable separate cleaning thereof, for instance in a washing line or laundry of a hospital.
After examination of the foregoing, many additional and alternative embodiments will occur to the skilled person which must all be deemed as embodiments of the present invention unless they depart from the invention defined in the appended claims, in particular the single independent claim. Diverse possibilities have already been described in the foregoing as alternative to those shown specifically in the drawing. It can further also be noted here that when shorter hollow or solid or filled wedge-shaped bodies are applied at the head or foot end of a mattress, the feet of a user can be moved upward and/or the need for a pillow can be reduced or even obviated. Repeated reference is made in the foregoing to inflation of the bodies with air, but use can of course also be made of other fluids, for instance water or the like. Bodies 3 do not have to be hollow, let alone inflatable, but can be solid and filled with a gel or other substance, or be formed from foam or the like. The device can also be applied in a manner other than solely in combination with a mattress, for instance in combination with a seat, for instance of a chair, etc.

Claims

Assembly, comprising:
- an element (2) defining a lying or support surface, such as a foam layer forming a core of a mattress, and

- a device associated with the element (2) for adapting the form of the lying or support surface in waves,
which device comprises at least one selectively expandable and/or compressible body (3), wherein the body (3) acts on a wave part (24) of the element (2) so as to selectively bring about waves in the lying or support surface,
CHARACTERIZED IN THAT
the wave part (24) of the element (2) is connected via a pivotable configuration to other parts of the element (2), wherein the body (3) is embedded in a part (24) of the element (2) which is lower-lying during use and has above it at least a greater part (24) of the thickness of the element (2),
the pivotable configuration of the element (2) comprises at least one incision (19) extending upward from the body (3) to a position below the lying or support surface, and the element (2) is adaptable locally at the body (3) to the form defined by the body (3), wherein the incision (19) extends sideways parallel to the lying or support surface forming a leg (41) extending beneath the body (3).
Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body (3) is of substantially wedge-shaped cross-section in a position of use.
Assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the expanded state of the body (3) the wave part of the element (2) forms in cross-section an angle of between 5 and 45 degrees with the other parts of the element.
Assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the body (3) is inflatable.
Assembly as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, further comprising a pump (4) which is or can be connected to the body (3) and is controllable with a control (6), wherein the control (6) comprises an operating means to be actuated by a user.
Assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the operating means can be hand-held and is in wireless contact with the pump (4) during use.
Assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the pump (4) is connected substantially fixedly to the body (3).
Assembly as claimed in at least claim 4, wherein a selectively controllable outlet valve (10, 11) is connected to the body.
Assembly as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein a sleeve or ticking layer (30) is arranged round the assembly, at least parts of which extending along side surfaces running downward from the lying or support surface are elastic.
Assembly as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the body (3) comprises folding means for bringing the body into a compact form in a compressed state thereof, wherein the folding means comprise tensioning cables (35-37), and wherein the tensioning cables (35-37) are preferably elastic.