Abstract:
The present invention may be used for support of a human on a cushion. A mattress apparatus may have a base member of generally rectangular shape with four upstanding peripheral side walls. A plurality of bars may be disposed on the base member in a rectangular matrix configuration and the plurality of bars may have a separation space longitudinally and laterally between adjacent bars. A gas member of generally elongated tubular shape may be positioned longitudinally in each of the longitudinal separation spaces with each of the gas members having a gas conduit connected to a first pressurized gas source. Lateral gas tubes that may be of generally rectangular shape may be positioned transversally of the longitudinal gas tubes with a first end of each lateral gas tube connected to the first pressurized gas source or to a second pressurized gas source. A bed sheet covering the base member to enclose the top of the mattress apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to apparatus and methods for support of a person or patient in a bed or other body support device. The new apparatus may have a generally rigid, semi-ridged or resilient bar support matrix on a base element that may have four side walls. There may be gas inflatable longitudinal gas tubes positioned in separation spaces between the bars, and there may be gas inflatable lateral gas tubes positioned over the bars and the longitudinal gas tubes. 
     A variety of beds and mattresses may be known for use by medical patients, immobile persons and persons needing cushion support; however, bed sores remain defiant and continue to develop and rest or sleep disorders are still a problem. Treatment of bed sores after they develop may be very difficult to treat and may fail to heal or may re-occur in many or a majority of cases. Various mattresses with inflatable cushions, chambers and tubes as well as sand blowing sacks, water beds and the like may be known. Mattresses that may have resilient support blocks on a platform surface may also be known. These mattresses may be very complex, difficult to use and clean and otherwise prove to be generally unusable by care givers and the general public. They may also not help users a majority of the time because they may not effectively remove pressure to a desired level and duration to inhibit skin and deep tissue damage or provide adequate cushioned support. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to apparatus for support of a human on a cushion. A mattress apparatus may have a base member of generally rectangular shape with four upstanding peripheral side walls. A plurality of bars may be disposed on the base member in a rectangular matrix configuration and the plurality of bars may have a separation space longitudinally and laterally between adjacent bars. A gas member of generally elongated tubular shape may be positioned longitudinally in each of the longitudinal separation spaces with each of the gas members having a gas conduit connected to a first pressurized gas source. Lateral gas tubes that may be of generally rectangular shape may be positioned transversally of the longitudinal gas tubes with a first end of each lateral gas tube connected to the first pressurized gas source or to a second pressurized gas source. A bed sheet may be used to cover the base member to enclose the top of the mattress apparatus. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective exploded view of a human cushion apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side partial perspective view of a human cushion apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of a human cushion apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of longitudinal gas members in a human cushion apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective and cross-sectional view of longitudinal gas members with tube blocks attached according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top plan view of lateral gas tubes in a human cushion apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top plan view of flexible tubes in a human cushion apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top plan view of a bed sheet with sheet attached according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description represents the best currently contemplated modes for carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a mattress apparatus  10  may be of generally rectangular shape and be sized to fit on a standard bed frame or hospital bed frame (not shown). While a bed mattress may be used to disclose the apparatus, other configurations of mattresses or cushions such as for chairs, gurneys, operating tables, vehicle seats (automobiles), and the like may use the apparatus structure when sized for such applications. The number of bars  24 , gas members  30  and lateral gas tubes  44  may vary based on the application. The mattress apparatus  10  may have a base member  16  or floor with peripheral side walls  12 . The side walls  12  and base member  16  may be formed of foam, rubber, sponge, or like material that may be generally resilient to function as a support cushion type structure. The top surface  14  of the side walls  12  may have vertical breaks, slits or indentations to allow flexibility of the mattress apparatus  10 . The side walls  12  may be approximately 2 inches wide and 2 inches tall; however, both may vary depending on application. The size of the mattress apparatus  10  may depend on the size of the bed frame or other cushion support structure. The base member  16  may be two or more inches thick and may have a porous structure for ease of cleaning and drying. The side walls  12  may have openings to accommodate gas tube insertion into the mattress for inflation or other purposes. 
     The mattress apparatus  10  may have a matrix of upwardly extending bars  24  that may generally have the form of a rectangular box or brick shape or imperfect diamond shape disposed on the base member  16 . The bars  24  may be arranged in rows and columns having separation or space  26  between each of approximately 2 to 3 inches, but may vary further depending on a particular application. The bars  24  may also be approximately 2 to 3 inches in height and width, but may vary further depending on a particular application. The bars  24  may be formed of foam, rubber, sponge, gel or like material that may be generally resilient to function as a support cushion type structure. The bars may also be formed with a base of rigid material such as wood, metal and the like with a cushion material attached on top of the base. The bars  24  may be formed or molded with the base member  16 , or otherwise attached. The bars  24  may be 6 to 8 inches long with additional length variations depending on the mattress structure and the application. A central longitudinal row  25  of bars  24  may be approximately 4 inches wide or wider by 6 to 8 inches long or longer depending on location and the cushion application. The central row  25  of bars  24  may have one or more bars  27  hollowed, troughed, reduced in height or recessed to accommodate bony prominences of a user&#39;s body. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , a gas member  30  in the form of an elongated tube or bar shape that may be constructed of rubber, plastic or like material may be disposed longitudinally in the mattress apparatus  10  in the space  26  between the bars  24 . The gas members  30  may have a gas conduit  34  attached at one end for connection to a pressurized gas source  36 , for example, air, for inflating the gas members  30  that may be longitudinal gas tubes  30  and may have a gas exhaust port  37  controlled by gas source  36  for deflation of the gas tubes  30 . 
     The longitudinal gas tubes  30  may be formed of a flexible, elastic material that defines a gas tight enclosure. The gas tubes  30  may have bars  40  similar to bars  24  attached on an upper surface  42  of the gas tubes  30 . The attachment surface of the bars  40  may be shaped to conform to the upper surface  42  when the gas tubes  30  may be inflated. The bars  40  may be attached to the gas tubes  30  spaced to span the lateral spaces  28  between the bars  24 . To maintain orientation and reduce interference between bars  24  and bars  40  as bars  40  may be raised and lowered as the gas tubes  30  may be raised and lowered as the gas tubes  30  may be inflated, cooperating projections  38  or sleeves may be attached to the bars  24 ,  40 . Placing the gas tubes  30  between bars  24  may inhibit mushrooming of the gas tubes  30 . The gas tubes  30  may be inflated to raise bars  40  approximately 2.5 inches or higher to elevate them above the fixed bars  24  to change pressure support on a user&#39;s body. The gas tubes  30  may be hollow cylindrical shape or other cross-sectional form such as rectangular, oval or multifaced. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6  lateral gas tubes  44  that may be of generally elongated rectangular form or other suitable shape may be positioned on the bars  24  and the longitudinal gas tubes  30  with bars  40  depending on the pressure condition of the longitudinal gas tubes  30 . The lateral gas tubes  44  may have a gas conduit  46  connected to a pressurized gas source  48  and an exhaust port  47  controlled by gas source  48  for inflating and deflating the gas tubes  44 . The lateral gas tubes  44  may be formed of a flexible, elastic material that defines a gas tight enclosure. The lateral gas tubes  44  may have an upper support surface  45  that may be relatively broader than the upper surface  42 . The gas tubes  44  may be approximately 6 inches wide or wider and inflate approximately 2 to 3 inches in height. The gas tubes  44  may collapse to a thin height profile and be approximately the length of the width of the mattress apparatus  10 . The gas tubes  44  may be spaced approximately 4 inches or more apart. An approximately central lateral gas tube  43  may be approximately 8 inches wide and may inflate to approximately 2 to 3 or more inches in height. The gas tube  43  may have various size and shape apertures  50  to accommodate bony prominences, such as sacrum, trochanters and ischial bones, of user&#39;s bodies. The gas tubes  44  may also have apertures  50  that may be rectangular or other form. The gas tubes  43 ,  44  may be removably attached by hook and loop or other fasteners. 
     In use, the mattress apparatus  10  may have each of the tubes  30 ,  43 ,  44  connected to the same or a separate controllable gas source, such that each tube  30 ,  43 ,  44  may be inflated and deflated independently. Other embodiments may have groups of tubes  30  or  43 ,  44  connected to a controllable gas source. For example, the longitudinal gas tubes  30  may be alternately connected to a common gas source to allow inflating and deflating the tubes  30  in an alternating method for therapy of a patient, such as to reduce the formation of bed sores. The tubes  30  may also be connected to a gas source with the outer tubes  30  controllable independent of the interior tubes  30 . This may aid in moving a patient back and forth in a bed. The lateral gas tubes  43 ,  44  may also be connected in groups to a controllable gas source, for example, the tubes  44  located under the upper torso of a patient may be controlled separately from the tubes  44  located under the lower body or leg portion of a patient. The tubes  30  and lateral gas tubes  43 ,  44  may be inflated and deflated for 15 minutes to 4 hours or more to allow maximizing relief to body pressure areas and to improve sleeping to users. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the mattress apparatus  10  may have flexible tubes  60 , formed of for example plastic, placed longitudinally in the space  26  between the bars  24  adjacent the gas tubes  30 . The tubes  60  may have a diameter of approximately ½ inch. The tubes  60  may have graduated size gas apertures  62  proportional based on distance from a gas pressure source  64  to facilitate relatively even gas escape flow along the lengths of the tubes  60 . The tubes  60  may be connected to a supply tube  66  of approximately % to 2 inches diameter that may be connected to the gas pressure source  64  and that may be positioned at one end of the mattress apparatus  10 . 
     The gas pressure source  64  may be an air flow fan that may be electronically controlled and that may deliver ambient, cool or warm air. There may be a fluid container  68  attached to the supply tube  66  for containing fluids to be entrained with the gas flow. This may allow use of perfumes, aromatic oils, water and the like. This may mask odors and supply moisture to the mattress apparatus  10  and may keep portions of a user&#39;s body free from sweat and body fluids. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , a bed sheet  70  may be positioned over the base member  16  and elements positioned therein to present the appearance of a standard mattress. The bed sheet  70  may be formed or coated for hydrophobic and friction reducing properties. The bed sheet  70  may also have antimicrobial properties and the like hygienic and health properties in the material. The bed sheet  70  may be in the form of an enclosed casing that may be closed with a zipper or other closure. There may be a sheet  72  detachably attached to the upper surface  74  of the bed sheet  70  to approximately cover the upper surface  74 . The sheet  72  may be relatively thick, soft and airy as well as porous and non-abrasive. The sheet  72  may be thick enough to reduce the user&#39;s sensing of the deflated apparatus  10  and the bars  24 . A suitable material may be lamb wool, cotton or like material. The sheet  72  may be attached by zipper, hook-and-loop or other suitable fastener. The bed sheet  70  may have attached straps or other attachment devices to attach the mattress apparatus  10  to a bed frame or other structure. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to the illustrated embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.