MATTRESS

Abstract: The invention relates to an inflatable mattress, comprising a first group of elements (1) and a second group of elements (2). Both groups consist of adjacently disposed, elongate, pliable elements (1a, 2a), each element comprising a bag-like compartment (1b, 2b) which is at least partly filled with air. The first and the second group of elements (1, 2) have been arranged one on top of the other in such a manner that the elements (1a, 1b) of the element groups are disposed transversely of the longitudinal direction (A - A) of the mattress. The first and the second group of elements (1, 2) are substantially separate from each other and they are disposed one on top of the other within a bag-like cover (4).

Description: MATTRESS The present invention relates to an air mattress defined in the preamble of the appended patent claim 1. Chronic patients who are confined to bed for long periods of time or permanently and cannot turn or move their limbs themselves are a problem in nursing. Lying on conventional mattresses this kind of patients are bound to develop bed sores. Bed sores complicate nursing of the patient and provide e.g. an entrance to infections. In order to avoid bed sores the patients must be turned or moved to different positions by the nursing personnel every 2 - 3 hours. Further, for example moving and turning patients with multiple handicaps may be impossible in practise. To overcome the above problem, an air mattress is disclosed in Finnish patent publication 77364. This mattress comprises a number of adjacent, elongate bag-like elements which are inflatable with gas such as air. These elements have been arranged transversely of the longitudinal axis of the mattress. The elements have been connected to each other in a string-like fashion one following the other. It is a characteristic feature of the air mattress that the successive elements have been arranged so as to have longitudinal connecting seams of the elements at predetermined points spaced apart in the bottom part of the mattress, and the areas between said seams are formed as cross-sectionally loop-like structures directed upwards from the bottom of the mattress. In an embodiment of the mattress, below the successive ele¬ ments and between the connecting seam joints in the lower part, there is located a second set of elongate, bag-like elements, which can be inflated with air or the like. The pressure in either set of the elements is set constant and the pressure in the other set of elements is adjustable. The air pressure in one set of the elements is adjusted so that the pressure of gas corresponds to the surrounding air pressure when the elements of the mattress are free from strain. The pressure in the elements of the mattress rises in a way known per se depending on the weight of the body or part of the body on the mattress so that the supporting and pliable upper surface of the mattress conforms to the body or the part of a body and thus evens out the surface pressure directed to the body or the part of the body over the whole body and the part of the body. The surface pressure of the skin of a person lying on a mattress of the kind described above stays at each point of the skin pressed against the mattress at a level which allows undisturbed capillary circulation of blood. This is important in hospital environment particularly as was already stated above. It is hot necessary to change the position of a patient lying on a mattress of this kind simply because no bed sores are developed. The mattress is comfortable to the patients and it does not cause additional problems. Conven- tional beds are easy to provide with this kind of mattresses if desired. The object of the present invention is to provide an inflata¬ ble mattress which is structurally simpler than prior art mattresses, and which is suitable for mass production, and accrues more reasonable production costs than before. The characteristic features of the air mattress of the invention are defined in patent claim 1. The air mattress according to the invention comprises a first group of elements and a second group of elements, the elements in each group being elongate, adjacent and pliable elements each comprising a bag-like compartment at least partly inflated with gas such as air, and the first and the second group of elements being disposed one on top of the other in such a way that the elements of the element groups are transversal relative to the longitudinal direction of the mattress. According to the invention the first and the second element group are substantially separate from each other and they are disposed one on top of the other inside a bag-like cover or a like assembling means. An advantage provided by the invention is that both the groups of elements are separate and may thus be replaced irrespective of each other for example when one separate element is damaged. A further advantage is that the structure of the mattress is simpler than that of prior art mattresses whereby also the production costs are lower. In an embodiment of the air mattress, the first element group comprises a connecting portion connected to the elements and having a connecting duct via which the compartments of the elements communicate with each other. The advantage provided by this embodiment is that no separate connecting hoses or T- connections between the elements are needed but they are replaced by said connecting portion. In an embodiment of the air mattress the connecting portion is provided in the edge of the first element group substan¬ tially in a rectangular angle against the longitudinal direction of the elements. Providing the connecting portion in the edge of the element group and at the same time in the long side of the mattress is advantageous in view of the manufacture and it also secures even distribution of gas such as air via the connecting portion to the compartments of the elements. In an embodiment of the air mattress the connecting portion of the first element group has been provided with a connecting member having a connecting tube provided with a valve via which connecting member the first element group is connectable to a gas source such as air pump, air tank or a corresponding means. In this way the air supply hoses with the T-pieces previously used and connected to the gas source have been replaced. In this case the structure is simple and reliable. In an embodiment of the air mattress the elements of the first element group have been connected each separately and/or in predetermined groups via ducts and further via valves to a gas source in a way which allows measuring the gas pressure in each separate element and/or element group and adjusting it suitable and maintaining the pressure at this level when the mattress is being used. In an embodiment of the air mattress the second element group has been divided in a manner known per se in the longitudinal direction of the mattress at least in three sections of element groups, each section comprising a connecting portion provided with a connecting duct, said connecting portion being connected with the elements of the group so that the element compartments communicate with each other via the connecting duct. The structure is essentially the same as the one of the first element group and provides the same advantages. In an embodiment of the invention the connecting portion of each group has been arranged in the edge of the element group section essentially at a rectangular angle against the longitudinal direction of the elements. The arrangement provides the same advantages as the corresponding arrangement of the first elements. In an embodiment of the air mattress the connecting portion of each element group has been provided with a connecting member with a connecting tube having a valve arranged therein via which the element group in guestion is connectable to a gas source such as air pump or a corresponding means. In an embodiment of the air mattress the elements of each element group are separate from each other and connected to each other via connecting portions. Also further advantages provided by the invention may be stated. The mattress according to the invention is easy to assemble in production and, particularly, the number of valves and connecting pieces to be connected thereto is small. Thus, the number of spots liable to be damaged and leak has been reduced compared to conventional mattresses. In the following the invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a mattress according to the invention as seen from the top left and partly in section; Fig. 2 illustrates a section from line B - B of the mattress in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrated schematically the first group of elements as seen from the top; Fig. 4 illustrates schematically the second group of elements also as seen from the top; Fig. 5 illustrates schematically the cross section of another embodiment of a mattress according to the invention; and Fig. 6 illustrates schematically the cross section of another embodiment of a mattress according to the invention. The air mattress in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a first element group 1 and a second element group 2. The elements la of the first element group 1 are adjacent elongate elastic elements each comprising a bag-like compartment lb which is at least partly inflated with gas such as air when the mattress is being used. Correspondingly, the elements 2a of the second element group 2 are parellel, elongate and elastic elements comprising a bag-like compartment 2b inflatable with gas such as air. The first element group 1 and the second element group 2 are essentially separate in relation to each other. They have been disposed one on top of the other and in a way to have the elements la, 2a of the element groups 1, 2 in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction A - A of the mattress. The first and the second element group 1, 2 have been disposed inside a bag-like cover 4. As illustrated in Fig. 3 the first element group has been formed to a uniform mattress portion. This has been effected by connecting a connecting portion 5, having a connecting duct 6 therein, to the elements la. Via the connecting duct 6 the compartments lb of the elements communicate with each other. Thus, the same pressure prevails in all the compartments lb of the compartments la when they have been suitably inflated with air. Most preferably the connecting portion 5 has been disposed in the edge of the first element group 1 essentially at a rectangular angle against the longitudinal direction of the elements la and at the same time in the direction of the longitudinal direction A - A of the mattress. The connecting portion 5 of the first element group 1 has been provided with an connecting member 7. The connecting member 7 comprises a connecting tube 8 and a valve 9 provided therein. The compartments lb of the first element group 1 are connectable via the connecting tube 8 of the connecting member 7 and the connecting duct 6 of the connecting portion 5 to a gas source such as an air pump, a compressed air tank or a corresponding means. The second element group 2 has been divided by know methods in the longitudinal direction A - A of the mattress in three element group sections 21, 22, 23, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Each section 21, 22, 23 comprises a connecting portion 10, 11, 12 comprising a connecting duct 13, 14, 15, respectively. The connecting portions 10, 11, 12 have been connected to the elements 2a of the corresponding section 21, 22, 23 so that via the connecting duct 13, 14, 15 the compartments 2b of the section elements communicate with each other. Each section 21, 22, 23 of the second element group 2 thus forms a separate mattress section the same way as the first element group 1 alone. Preferably, the connecting portion 10, 11, 12 of each section 21, 22, 23 has been provided in the edge of the element group section essentially at a rectangular angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the elements 2a and at the same time in the longitudinal direction A - A of the mattress. The connecting portion 10, 11, 12 of each of the element group section 21, 22, 23 has been provided with a connecting member 16, 17, 18. The connecting member 16, 17, 18 comprises a connecting tube 24, 25, 26 having a valve 27, 28, 29 provided therein. The compartments of the element group sections 21, 22, 23 are connectable via the connecting tube 24, 25, 26 of the connecting member and the connecting portion 13, 14, 15 to a gas source such as an air pump, a compressed air tank or a corresponding means. The elements la, lb of the first element group 1 and corres¬ pondingly of the element group sections 21, 22, 23 of the second element group 2 are separate elements in relation to each other. The have been connected with connecting portions 5; 10, 11, 12 to each other. The elements la, lb may be. secured to each other at their free ends with securing means such as a strap 20 which is preferably detachable as illustra¬ ted in Figs. 3 and 4. Further, the element group section 21, 22, 23 may be secured to each other at the sides of the connecting portions 10, 11, 12 with detachable securing means 30, Fig. 4. Further, the first element group 1 may be secured with corresponding securing means 19 (cf. Fig. 1) to the second element group 2, such as element group sections 21, 22, 23. The securing means 19, 20, 30 may be Velcro tapes, strings, bands, quick-connecting means or the like. The essential feature is that the securing means 19, 20 30 are easy to unlock and relock in order to secure the different parts of the mattress, i.e. element groups and element group sections to each other. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing figures the element groups 1, 2 have been arranged in the air mattress according to the invention so that the connecting portions 5, 10, 11, 12 are located at the same longitudinal side of the mattress. However, they may be located at different sides of the mattress. The first and the second element groups 1, 2 of the air mattress of the invention are inflated with air or with other gas suitable for this purpose. The second element group 2 provided in the top part of the air mattress has been divided, in three groups as described above whereas the first element group 1 forming the bottom part is uniform. The air pressure in the first element group 1 is adjusted constant by supplying air from an appropriate air source via the connecting member 7 to the connecting portion 5 and further to the compartments lb of the elements la. When the desired constant air pressure has been reached in the first element group the valve 9 of the connecting member 7 is closed. The compartments 2b of the elements 2a of the second element group 2, i.e. the element group sections 21, 22, 23, are inflated in the corresponding way. The gas pressure in the element group sections is adjusted appropriate and it is kept at this level when the mattress is being used. The element groups sections 21, 22, 23 are located so that the first group section 21 is located under the head of the person lying on the mattress, the second section 22 under the center portion of the person's body and the third section 23 under the legs. The air pressure in each group is adjusted suitable according to the person lying on the bed. These air pressures are adjusted so that in each element group section 21, 22, 23 the pressure in the gas or air cushion carrying the body of the person is minimized and the contact area of the body or a part of the body is maximized. This method has been described more closely in Finnish patent publication no. 77364. By this method the carrying and resilient surface of the element group conforms to the body, all its prominent parts and ridges, and at the same time evens out the surface pressure directed to the body over the whole body or the part of the body. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings the gas pressure in the second element group 2 is preferably adjusted to approx. 15 - 25 cm H 2 0 when the mattress is inflated. The gas pressure in the element 2a depends on the part of the body placed on that second element group section 21, 22, 23; the pressure under the back and the buttocks is higher than that under the head or the legs. The pressure in the first element group 1 is adjusted to a suitable constant reading, preferably close to a pressure of one atmosphere. The first element group is inflated with air via the connec¬ ting member 7. For example an air pump is connected to the connecting member 7 for supplying air via the connecting tube 8 of the connecting member 7 when the valve 9 has been opened and via the connecting duct 6 of the connecting portion 5 to the compartments lb or the elements la. While using the first element group the pressure e.g. in the connecting tube 8 is observed and when it has reached the desired level the supply of air is stopped and the valve 9 closed. Subsequently the air pump can be detached from the connecting member 7. The section 21, 22, 23 of the second element group may be inflated to a desired pressure via connecting members 16, 17, 18 in a corresponding way. Alternatively the pressures in the element groups 1, 2 may be set in the opposite way whereby the element group 1 is preferably divided into groups in the way described above in connection with the element group 2. Then, according to an embodiment of the invention, the upper element group 2 consists of separate elements in such a way that the gas pressure is measurable and adjustable separately in each element or a small group of elements. As certain parts of the body (such as bony protrusive parts: heel, sacrum, shoulder blades and the back of the head) are particularly liable to develop bedsores or if the patients already have bedsores developed in unfavourable conditions, it is an advantage if the pressure directed to this critical spot can be minimized. This can be effected for example by reducing the pressure in the element under the heel, for example, and increasing the pressure in adjacent elements. Adjustment of the gas pressure in this upper element group may be effected in this case in the way described in Finnish patent publication no. 77364 by using external hoses which is opposite to the embodiment examples described above. The first and the second group of elements have been disposed inside a bag-like cover 4 as described above. The bag-like cover preferably comprises a zipper 31 or a corresponding means provided at least partly around the mattress in the sides thereof in such a manner that by opening the zipper at least the connecting members 7, 13, 14, 15 of the groups of elements 1, 2 may be taken out if necessary for supplying air into the element groups 1, 2. Alternatively the zipper 31 may be replaced by some other securing means. The bag-like cover 4 may alternatively be replaced by some other kind of means retaining the element groups 1 and 2 together. Thus the cover 4 may be for example a basin-like means the top portion of which, i.e. the portion on top of the element groups 1, 2, is open. In this case, no zipper 31 or the like securing means is needed. The connecting members 1-, 16, 17, 18 of the element groups 1, 2 are easily reachable from the top. The element groups 1, 2 may be covered by a separate cover or a thin bedding mattress or the like. The invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof but it is clear that the invention may be modified in various different ways within the scope of protection defined by the appended patent claims. For example, the groups of elements may be placed so that the elements of one group fall partly between the elements of the other group (Fig. 5) because the elements are separate from each other. Further, the groups of elements may also form a honeycomb structure (Fig. 6) having several groups of elements disposed one on top of the other (1, 2, 32, 33) which may be secured to each other if desired as described above. The number of element groups disposed one on top of the other is not limited but several layers of element groups may be used to intensify the influence of the mattress. The size of the elements may be smaller in the top layers.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS 1. An air mattress, comprising at least a first group of elements (1) and a second group of elements (2), the elements (la, 2a) in each group being elongate, adjacent and pliable elements each comprising a bag-like compartment (lb, 2b) at least partly inflated with gas such as air, and the first and thie second group of elements (1, 2) being disposed one on top of the other in such a way that the elements (la, 2a) of the element groups are transversal relative to the longitudinal direction (A - A) of the mattress, characterized in that the first and the second element group (1, 2) according to the invention are substantially separate from each other and they are disposed one on top of the other inside a bag-like cover (4) or a like assembling means. 2. An air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that the first element group (1) comprises a connecting portion (5) connected to the elements (la) and having a connecting duct (6) via which the compartments (lb) of the elements communicate with each other. 3. An air mattress according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting portion (5) has been provided in the edge of the first group of elements (1) essentially at a rectangular angle against the longitudinal direction of the elements (la). 4. An air mattress according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the connecting portion (5) of the first element group (1) has been provided with a connecting member (7) comprising a connecting tube (8) and a valve (9) provided therein, the first element group (1) being connectable via the connecting member (7) to a gas source, such as air pump, or a correspon¬ ding means so as to be able to measure the pressure of the element group and to adjust it appropriate and to maintain it at this level when the mattress is being used. 5. An air mattress according to any of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the second group of elements 2 has been divided in a manner know per se in the longitudinal direction of the mattress at least in three element group sections (21, 22, 23), each group comprising a connecting portion (10, 11, 12) having a connecting duct (13, 14, 15), the connecting portions (10, 11, 12) being connected to the elements (2a) of the corresponding group section (21, 22, 23) so that via the connecting duct (13, 14, 15) the compartments (2b) of the elements of the group section (21, 22, 23) communicate with each other. 6. An air mattress according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting portion (10, 11, 12) of each group section (21, 22, 23) has been provided in the edge of the element group section essentially at a rectangular angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the elements (2a). 7. An air mattress according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the connecting portion (10, 11, 12) of each of the element group sections (21, 22, 23) has been provided with a connecting member (16, 17, 18) comprising a connecting tube (24, 25, 26) having a valve (27, 28, 29) provided therein, the corresponding element group section (21, 22, 23) being connectable via the connecting tube (24, 25, 26) to a gas source such as air pump or a corresponding means in such a manner that the pressure of each element group may be measured and adjusted appropriate and maintained at this level when the mattress is being used. 8. An air mattress according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elements (la, lb) in each of the element groups (1; 21, 22, 23) are separate from each other and connected by connecting portions (5; 10, 11, 12) to each other. 9. An air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements of the second element group (2) have been connected individually and/or in predetermined groups via ducts, such as hoses, and further via valves to a gas source in such a manner that the gas pressure in a separate element and/or element group may be measured and adjusted appropriate and may be maintained at this level when the mattress is being used. 10. An air mattress according to claim 9, characterized in that the first group of elements (1) has been divided in a manner known per se in the longitudinal direction of the mattress at least in three element group sections, each section comprising a connecting portion having a connecting duct, the connecting portion being connected to the elements of the corresponding section so that via the connecting duct the compartments of elements of the section communicate with each other; and that the connecting portion of each of the element group sections has been provided with a connecting member comprising a connecting tube having a valve provided therein, the corresponding element group sections being connectable via said connecting member to a gas source such as air pump or a corresponding means. 11. An air mattress according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are one group of elements or several groups of elements (32, 33) disposed between or on top of the first (1) and the second (2) group of elements.

Inventors: OLKKONEN KARI, OLKKONEN, KARI
Applicants: AHLSTROEM CONSUMER PROD, OLKKONEN KARI, AHLSTROM CONSUMER PRODUCTS LTD., OLKKONEN, KARI
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A47C27
IPC codes: A47C27