Patent ID: 6058537
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: A47C

Abstract:
A pressure control apparatus for controlling the air pressure within an air mattress of a bed, comprising:an air pump pneumatically connected to the mattress by an inlet valve that selectively provides air to the mattress, but prevents air from escaping thereghrough;a first air pressure sensor for sensing the air pressure within the mattress;control means having a central processing unit operatively connected to said first air pressure sensor and said air pump for receiving air pressure information from said first air pressure sensor and for selectively operating said air pump for changing the air pressure within the mattress;said mattress including an operable relief valve connected to the control means, and the control means being programmed to selectively open the relief valve to reduce pressure in the mattress to a predetermined level; andan occupant sensor in the mattress connected to the control means for detecting a presence and absence of a person on an upper surface of the mattress and transmitting information regarding the presence and absence of a person to the control means;said occupant sensor further comprising a plurality of position sensors independent of said air pressure sensor arranged on the mattress to detect the position of an occupant on the mattress, said position sensors connected to the control means and operable to transmit position information thereto, said control means programmed to process the position information and determine the posture or position of an occupant on the mattress.