Abstract:
A bedding product ( 5 ) comprises a mattress ( 10 ) and padding ( 20 ) and an inflatable bladder assembly ( 30 ). The bedding product ( 5 ) may have a plurality of inflatable members ( 31, 32 ) located underneath select portions of the padding ( 20 ). The bedding product ( 5 ) may have a sensor ( 41 ) adapted to detect a sound associated with human snoring and an air supply system ( 50 ) operatively coupled to the sensor ( 41 ) and adapted to control a supply of air to one of the inflatable members ( 31, 32 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/684,860, which is fully incorporated herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to bedding products. More specifically, it is directed to a bed adapted to stop the snoring of one or more persons sleeping thereon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various ways have been developed to prevent snoring. Snoring may disturb persons sleeping in the same room or on the same bed as the person snoring. From time to time, snoring can become so loud that it may even awaken the snoring person or others in the same room or bed. Some may deal with a snorer by waking him/her up to cause the snoring to stop, but this causes the snorer&#39;s sleep to be interrupted. Furthermore, after going back to sleep, snoring may start again, often shortly afterwards. 
     Snoring may occur when soft tissue in the back of a person&#39;s mouth relaxes during sleep, especially when a person sleeps on his or her back. The relaxation of the tissue may partially block the airway, which causes the body of the person to react by breathing harder, which in turn causes vibration of the tissue that results in a snoring sound. In some cases it has been determined that the snoring sounds do not occur if and as long as the person concerned sleeps in a particular position, such as lying on his or her side. Fewer people tend to snore when lying on their side, as the soft tissue may not obstruct the airway in the same manner as when the person is lying on his or her back. 
     German Patent No. 1198005, for example, teaches a device including a padded board having the same length as the upper part of a person&#39;s body and which may be hinged along the longitudinal axis of the board. The board may be equipped with a locking device that locks the part of the board that can be lifted up at an angle of between 60 degrees and 90 degrees. Such a device may be equipped at both ends with loops through which one leg and one arm are disposed so that the sleeping person is forced into the side position by the part that is lifted up. This type of device, however, may not be conducive to restful sleep since the sleeping person is pinned in a side position and is not able to turn around. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,089,130 teaches a device adapted to be mounted on a bed in which the head of the sleeping person is put on a head support that can be tilted and is equipped with a vibrator. Snoring sounds are detected by a microphone and are fed as a control signal to a control system that then activates the vibrator. By actuation of the vibrator, the head of the sleeping person is shaken up and down so that he/she wakes up, thereby causing the snoring to cease. Such a device also has the disadvantage of interrupting the sleep of the person, often numerous times throughout the night. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,533 teaches a device for interrupting the snoring of a sleeping person as soon as the snoring begins. The device includes a microphone which picks up the snoring noise emitted by an individual and compares the intensity of the snoring noise detected by the microphone to a threshold level. In the event the detected noise is above the threshold, a sound device is actuated which does not awaken the subject, but does subconsciously cause a change in behavior in the subject. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,360 discloses a device for preventing the snoring of a sleeping person which again does not wake the person. The device includes a box having a microphone which picks up the snoring noise emitted by an individual and filters out other sounds. In the event the snoring continues for more than a specified period of time, i.e., thirty seconds, a vibrator is actuated which does not awaken the subject, but does influence him/her to change his or her sleeping position. 
     The use of these devices does not provide that the snorer will change his or her sleeping position to stop the snoring. Therefore there is a need for a bedding product and associated method suitable to stop a person&#39;s snoring by changing his or her sleeping position without substantially disturbing his/her sleep. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other problems in the prior art are addressed by this invention which, in one embodiment, includes a bedding product comprising a mattress, a topper above the mattress, and an inflatable bladder assembly located between the mattress and topper, the inflatable bladder assembly comprising two inflatable bladders. The product further comprises a sensor assembly adapted to detect a sound associated with human snoring, and an air supply system operatively coupled to the sensor assembly and adapted to control a supply of air to at least one of the inflatable members. The topper may be made of foam, fiber or springs or any combination thereof. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the bedding product comprises a mattress, padding on top of the mattress, at least one inflatable bladder assembly situated between the mattress and the padding, each of the inflatable bladder assemblies comprising at least one fabric sleeve having at least one inflatable member inside the sleeve. The product further comprises a sensor assembly adapted to detect a sound associated with human snoring and an air supply system operatively coupled to the sensor assembly and adapted to control a supply of air to at least one of the inflatable bladder assemblies. 
     The air supply system of the product may deliver a first supply of air to the first bladder upon a detection of a sound associated with human snoring by the sensor assembly. Upon a second detection of the sound associated with human snoring by the sensor assembly, the first air bladder may deflate and the air supply system may deliver a second supply of air to the second air bladder. When the sensor assembly ceases detecting the sound associated with human snoring, the second air bladder may deflate. The product may be adapted to independently control respective air flow into any of the air inflatable members. 
     The product may be adapted to independently control respective air flow into any of the air inflatable members. The product may be adapted to receive at least two persons sleeping contemporaneously thereon. The sensor assembly may be adapted to distinguish respective snoring sounds coming from the at least two persons. The air supply system may be configured to respond differently to respective snoring sounds coming from the at least two persons. The air supply system may be adapted to cause deflation of the inflatable members. The inflatable bladders may be movable. 
     The product may further include a mattress that may be a foam mattress, an air mattress or a mattress comprised of at least some springs or any combination thereof. The mattress may be a pocketed spring mattress, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,003, which is fully incorporated by reference herein. The present invention is not intended to limit the interior of the mattress. The product may include an upholstered covering surrounding the mattress, topper and inflatable bladder assembly or assemblies. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objectives and advantages will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description of embodiments of the invention and from the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partially disassembled view of a bedding product containing a mattress, a topper, an inflatable bladder assembly, an air supply system and a sensor assembly; 
         FIG. 1A  is a partially disassembled view of the bedding product of  FIG. 1  on top of a box spring or foundation. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an inflatable bladder assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the bedding product of  FIG. 1  showing the inflatable bladder assembly and a person lying on the bedding product; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the bedding product showing two inflatable bladder assemblies and two persons lying on the bedding product; 
         FIG. 5A  is cross-sectional view of the product shown in  FIG. 3  with all inflatable members deflated; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the product shown in  FIG. 3  showing a first inflatable member in an inflated condition; 
         FIG. 5C  is cross-sectional view of the product shown in  FIG. 3  showing a person rolling over in response to the inflatable member in the inflated condition; 
         FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional view of the product shown in  FIG. 3  showing a second inflatable member in an inflated condition; and 
         FIG. 5E  is a cross-sectional view of the product shown in  FIG. 3  showing a person rolling over in response to the inflatable member in the inflated condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings, particularly to  FIG. 1 , a bedding product  5  comprising a mattress  10  is shown on top of a bedding foundation  7 . The bedding foundation  7  is not part of the invention and may be any known foundation, such as a box spring. The mattress  10  has a generally planar top surface  14  in a top plane P 1  and a parallel generally planar bottom surface  16  in a bottom plane P 2 . The mattress  10  is not intended to be limited to any particular mattress. It may be comprised of at least some springs (pocketed or unpocketed), fiber, foam, or may be an air mattress or any other type of mattress known to a person skilled in the art. 
     A topper pad or topper  20  is located on top of mattress  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the topper  20  may be purchased separately from the mattress  10  and replaced as needed. The topper  20  may be secured to the mattress  10  in any known manner, such as with a zipper or hook and loop fasteners (Velcro®). An inflatable bladder assembly  30  is located between the topper  20  and the mattress  10 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the topper  20  and an inflatable bladder assembly  30  may be incorporated into the mattress  10 . For example, an upholstered covering  8  (shown in  FIG. 1A ) may encase the mattress  10 , topper  20  and inflatable bladder assembly  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the bedding product  5  has a height H defined as the distance between the top and bottom surfaces of the covered product  5 . Similarly, the product  5  has a transverse dimension or width W defined between opposed side surfaces  22  and a longitudinal dimension or length L defined as the distance between the opposed end surfaces  24  of the product  5 . The longitudinal dimension is illustrated as being larger than the transverse dimension of the product  5  although the longitudinal and transverse dimensions may alternatively be identical, such as in a square product. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the bedding product  5  has an inflatable bladder assembly  30  comprising two parallel air bladders  31 ,  32  inside a fabric sleeve  35 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , fabric sleeve  35  has two compartments  36  for receiving and retaining air bladders  31 ,  32  with a separation  37  therebetween. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , air bladders  31 ,  32  of inflatable bladder assembly  30  are spaced from each other and extend in a longitudinal direction at select locations across the width W of the bedding product  5 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the inflatable pneumatic members or air bladders  31 ,  32  extends a length approximately between the shoulders and hips of the person  25  lying on the product  5 . The length of the air bladders  31 ,  32  may be varied according to the size of the bed and/or the person anticipated to sleep on the bed. In one embodiment, the width of the inflatable bladder assembly  30  is approximately the width of a person&#39;s waist, but also may be varied according to the size of the bed and/or the person intended to sleep on the bed. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a bedding product  5   a  comprising a mattress  10   a  intended for two persons  25   a ,  25   b  and two inflatable bladder assemblies  30   a ,  30   b . Although four inflatable pneumatic members  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  are illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the bedding product  5   a  may have any number of inflatable pneumatic members at any desired locations. Although this embodiment is illustrated having two inflatable pneumatic members per each of two sections  72 ,  74  of product  5   a , the bedding product  5   a  may also be manufactured with any number of inflatable pneumatic members per section and/or include more than two sections. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an air supply system  50  generally includes an air pump  50  supplying air to each of the air bladders  31 ,  32  in bedding product  5  while a sensor assembly  40  controls the functionality and air distribution from the pump  51  into the inflatable bladders  31 ,  32 .  FIG. 1  further shows a power supply or source  43  supplying electrical power to the sensor assembly  40  and air pump  51 . Air supply lines  52  fluidly connect the air pump  51  to each of the bladders  31 ,  32 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , sensor assembly  40  comprises a microphone  41  and a processor  43 . Microphone  41  is suitable to detect and distinguish sounds, such as those produced by conventional human snoring. Microphone  41  is positioned proximate bedding product  5  to detect sounds  6  made by a person  25  lying on bed  10 . Processor  42  is suitably connected to microphone  41 , such that processor  42  may receive a signal from microphone  41  and send, when a specific set of logic conditions is met, respective electric signals to an air pump  51  and to a set of valves  53  located between air pump  51  and air bladders  31 ,  32 . 
     In one aspect of this embodiment, valves  53  independently control air flow to each of the bladders  31  and  32 , such that a specific set of instructions from processor  42  may, for example, include inflating each of the bladders  31 ,  32  to a different degree or, alternatively inflating some of the bladders while not inflating others. Alternatively, valves  53  may jointly (i.e., not independently) control all of the inflatable bladders in one specific section of bed  5  so that a set of instructions may comprise, for example, inflating both bladders  31   a ,  32   a  of bed  5  while maintaining both of the bladders  31   b ,  32   b  in a deflated condition or inflated to a different level relative to bladders  31   a ,  32   a . A remote control unit (not pictured) may permit, for example, calibration of the processor  42  to different sounds received by the microphone  41  and programming of the reaction to a specific set of sounds. A remote control unit may further allow individual or joint energizing and deenergizing of the microphone  41 , processor  42 , air pump  51  or valves  53  to block or override their automated operation, if desired. 
     Although four bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  are depicted (see  FIG. 4 ), the product  5  may have any number of bladders or other type of inflatable pneumatic members at any desired locations. Although one configuration of bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  is depicted, the bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  may assume other shapes and configurations. The bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  may be constructed from a variety of materials, such as neoprene, butyl rubber and the like. Optionally, the bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  may be covered exteriorly with a cloth cover (not shown) to reduce noise resulting from their operation or interaction with springs, such as squeaking. Air supply system  50  controls the flow of air via air supply lines  52  fluidly connected to each of the bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b . An air pump  51  powered by a power source  43  provides air through the supply line  52  to the bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b.    
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary position of two individuals  25   a ,  25   b  lying on product  5   a  and an exemplary length of inflatable members  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b . Two bladders  31   a ,  32   b  lie under one side of a person  25   a . Two bladders  31   b  and  32   b  lie under the other side of another person  25   b . Bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  may have a length substantially shorter than length L of mattress  10  and be longitudinally located proximate the torso of a person. While  FIG. 4  depicts bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  of a length substantially shorter than the length L of mattress  10 , bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  may alternatively have any suitable length, such that the bladders may exert a sufficient force against a selected portion of a person when inflated. Bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  may, for example, have a length substantially equal to that length L of mattress  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5A-5E , the three conditions of bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  depicted in  FIG. 4  are shown along with their intended effect on a person  25  sleeping on product  5 .  FIG. 5A  shows person  25  sleeping, face up, generally centered across the width W of product  5  and bladders  31  and  32  in a deflated condition. Symbolically depicted sensor assembly  40  may detect a snoring sound  6  coming from person  25 . Upon recognizing the sound, sensor assembly  40  may send respective signals to air pump  51  and one or more of valves  53  ( FIG. 1 ) of air supply system  50  to inflate one or more of the bladders  31 ,  32 .  FIG. 5B  shows an exemplary event, in which the processor or controller  42  has sent signals, as described above, to valves  53  to cause air to flow into and thereby inflate bladder  31 , while maintaining bladder  32  in a deflated condition. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5B and 5C , inflation of bladder  31  causes an upward motion of a portion of the topper  20  of product  5 , thereby creating a bump and inducing person  25  to at least partially rotate from his original position depicted in  FIG. 5A , in the general direction of arrow  4 . 
       FIGS. 5D and 5E  show another exemplary event, in which, upon recognizing a snoring sound, sensor assembly  40  has sent signals to the controller  42 , as described above, which controls valves  53  to control flow of air into inflatable bladder  32  of product  5 , while maintaining bladder  31  in a deflated condition. Inflation of bladder  32  causes an upward motion of a portion of the padding  20  and upholstery (not shown) of product  5 , thereby creating a bump and inducing person  25  to at least partially rotate from his original position depicted in  FIG. 5A , in the general direction of arrow  3 . 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 5A-5E  depicts an operation in which only one bladder, such as bladder  31 , is inflated at a time. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that multiple bladders may be inflated at once and that the bladders may be inflated to a different degree or level from that depicted herein. In an embodiment containing more than two inflatable bladder assemblies or more than a first and second air bladder per assembly, for example, one bladder may be inflated to 50% of its capacity, while the remaining bladder may be inflated to 80% of its capacity. In another aspect of this embodiment, sensor assembly  40  may send corresponding signals to the air supply system  50  to bleed the bladders  31 ,  32  from an inflated condition, thereby returning product  5  to its original, horizontal condition as best depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of a product  5   a  of a width greater than width W of product  5  may, for example, correspond to what is commonly known in the art as a “queen size” bed or alternatively a “king size” bed. Product  5   a  is wide enough to hold more than one person, such as persons  25   a ,  25   b  and may include two pairs of bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b  disposed in a fashion similar to that of product  5 , wherein each pair lies below one side of a torso of each person  25   a ,  25   b . Sensor assembly  40  (as seen in  FIG. 1 ) controls air supply system  50 , which controls flow of air into and out of bladders  31   a ,  32   a ,  31   b  and  32   b . A sensor assembly  40  may be capable of recognizing two distinct sets of snoring sounds associated with each of the two persons  25   a ,  25   b  that sleep on product  5 . Upon recognizing a snoring sound  6  coming, for example, from person  25   a , such sensor assembly would send respective signals to air supply system  50  to cause inflation of respective bladder supporting a section of the mattress  10  where person  25   a  normally sleeps. Alternatively, sensor assembly  40  may comprise two microphones (not shown) respectively, located proximate each person  25   a ,  25   b  and connected to one or more processors (not shown), such that each microphone corresponds to one specific set of bladders associated with a section of the mattress  10 . In such an alternative embodiment, the sensor assembly  40  would not be required to recognize the snoring sound of a specific person  25   a ,  25   b  over the other, nor would it be required to send a signal to air supply system  40  to inflate a specific bladder under padding  20  over which a specific person is expected to lie. 
     Accordingly, many further embodiments, applications and modifications of the invention will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.