Abstract:
An apparatus and method for facilitating making beds of all sizes with one or more flat bed sheets by minimizing lifting of the mattress so that flat bed sheets and/or blankets can be tucked between the upper mattress and the box spring or platform without lifting the top mattress. The apparatus includes an inflatable volume that is configured to provide additional levitation height to facilitate cleaning between the mattress and the foundation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/987,007, filed on May 1, 2014, hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an improvement of a system and method for facilitating making beds of all sizes with one or more flat bed sheets by way of an inflatable volume incorporated into a foundation which provides increased levitation height to further facilitate bed making and facilitate cleaning between the mattress and the foundation along the periphery. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    A conventional bed includes a box spring or bottom mattress or platform and a top mattress, Top mattresses are relatively heavy items. The weight of a mattress varies as a function of the coil core, the gauge of the coil and the type of material or foam material used. An average king size mattress weighs between 65 and 115 pounds. High end king size mattresses with latex or memory foam can weigh as much as 300 pounds (mattressdirectonline.com). 
         [0006]    Hotel and motel chains as well as healthcare facilities which include hospitals, nursing homes and extended care facilities (hereinafter “commercial facilities”) are known to only use flat bed sheets in their facilities due to the lower cost of flat bed sheets relative to fitted bed sheets and the desire to maintain fewer items in their respective inventories. As such, in order to properly make the beds in such facilities with flat bed sheets, housekeeping personnel need to lift the top mattress, which can be quite heavy, as discussed above. More particularly, in such facilities beds are made with a top bed sheet and a bottom bed sheet and a blanket. Both the top bed sheet and the bottom bed sheet are flat bed sheets. 
         [0007]    In order to properly make the bed, the top and bottom bed sheets are tucked in between the top mattress and the box spring. More specifically, the bottom bed sheet is placed on the bed so that an equal amount of the bed sheet hangs off each side of the bed and an equal amount of the bed sheet hangs off the head and foot regions of the bed. The excess is tucked in at the head and foot regions of the bed to form so palled “hospital corners”. Next, the excess portions of the bottom bed sheet are tucked in next between the mattress and the box spring. The top bed sheet is then placed on top of the bottom bed sheet and placed and tucked in the same manner as the bottom bed sheet with hospital style corners except the head region is left open. In other words, only the foot and side pardons of the top bed sheet are tucked between the mattress and the box spring. Next, a blanket is paced on the bed and may be tucked in the same manner as the top bed sheet. 
         [0008]    in order to tuck the top and bottom bed sheets between the mattress and the box spring, the top mattress must normally be lifted. As mentioned above, mattresses can weigh up to 300 pounds. In order to make a bed, a housekeeping employee may need to lift a mattress up to ten (10) times per bed-four (4) times for the bottom bed sheet and three (3) times for the top bed sheet and the blanket. Assuming that each housekeeping employee in a hotel, motel or healthcare facility makes at least 20-30 beds in a single shift, each housekeeping employee would typically lift a mattress at least 150-200 times per shift. Since bed making is a daily chore, housekeeping employees probably lift mattresses  150 - 200  times per shift on a daily basis. 
         [0009]    Such sustained and repetitive lifting leads to employees developing back problems, resulting in employees missing work or, in severe cases, being placed on disability. Measures have been taken to mitigate such health problems. For example, simply using fitted bed sheets for the lower bed sheet reduces the number of times the mattress is to be lifted by 40. However, fitted bed sheets do not provide the “hospital corners” that the lower bed sheets that hospitals are known for. Moreover, even using fitted bed sheets for the bottom bed sheet still requires a housekeeping employee to lift mattresses at least 90-160 times per day using the example above, 
         [0010]    The use of fitted had sheets is not without its drawbacks. For example, fitted bed sheets cost more than flat bed sheets. Also, frequent washing of bed sheets in commercial facilities tends to wear out the elastic in fitted bed sheets. As such, fitted bed sheets used in such facilities need to be replaced in applications in commercial facilities more frequently than straight bed sheets. 
         [0011]    In addition to bed making, the housekeeping staff must also clean between the mattress and the box spring or platform (hereinafter “foundation”) along the periphery of foundation. This task also requires lifting heavy mattresses. 
         [0012]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2012/0260432 A1 discloses a bed maker apparatus. The bed maker apparatus includes an inflatable volume incorporated into the underside of a mattress or into a foundation, in a bed making mode, the inflatable volume is inflated, which, in turn, raises or levitates the mattress with respect the foundation. Although the bed maker apparatus disclosed in the &#39;432 publication facilitates bed making, the configuration of the inflatable volume only allows only a limited lift of the mattress when the inflatable volume is fully inflated. As such, cleaning between foundation and the mattress along the periphery can be cumbersome. 
         [0013]    Thus, there is a need for further minimizing or eliminating the need facilitate cleaning between the foundation and the mattress along the periphery in addition to facilitate bed making. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Briefly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for facilitating making beds of all sizes with one or more flat bed sheets by minimizing lifting of the mattress so that flat bed sheets and/or blankets can be tucked between the upper mattress and the box spring or platform without having to lift the top mattress. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes an inflatable volume that is configured to provide additional levitation height to facilitate cleaning between the mattress and the foundation. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]    These and other advantages of the present invention will be readily understood with reference to the following specification and attached drawing wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a top layer of an inflatable volume which includes an exemplary and optional adjustable air valve without air exit holes and before assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an inflatable volume illustrating the top layer and a bottom layer separated from each other wherein the top layer is formed into the shape of a shoe box lid and including an adjustable air valve and a plurality of air exit holes. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable volume fully inflated and shown connected to an air pump by way of a conduit. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the top and bottom layers of the inflatable volume, shown with the inside edge of the corner cut outs of the top layer secured together and with the top layer separated from the bottom layer. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the inflatable volume illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the inflatable volume illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the fabrication of the corners of the top layer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The apparatus described herein relates to a bed maker, as generally described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2012/0260432, hereby incorporated by reference. In this embodiment, the configuration of the inflatable volume allows for a greater levitation height than the bed maker disclosed in the &#39;432 publication to facilitate cleaning between the mattress and the foundation along the periphery. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the inflatable volume includes a top sheet  20  and a bottom sheet  22 . The top  20  and the bottom layers  22  may be formed from various materials including nylon ripstop or various other materials as set forth in the &#39;432 publication. In addition, the top  20  and bottom  22  layers may include various coatings. The top layer  20  may be formed with a slick surface, of higher coefficient of friction than the opposite side of the inflatable volume, to facilitate mattress rotation with or without the assistance of the inflatable volume  36 . One or both of the top layer  20  and the bottom layer  22  may be made from a stretchable material, such as, so called “four way” stretch materials, for example, TPU laminated or Polyurethane coated Rayon or spandex nylon or polyester blend materials. 
         [0025]    Notched corner cut-outs, generally identified with the reference numeral  24 , may be formed in the four corners of the top layer  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the edges of these notch cut-outs, generally identified with the reference numerals  26  and  28 , are stitched or otherwise fastened together so that when the inflatable volume is fully assembled and inflated, the top layer  20  will take the outer shape of a shoe box lid, or dress shirt box top. The shoe box lid forms a top surface  21  and a plurality of side panels  23 . 
         [0026]    In addition to the notches  26 , the top layer  20  may be formed with an extending tab  30  along one side of the top layer  20 . Although shown on one end of the top layer  20 , the tab  30  can be formed on any of the sides of the top layer  20 . The tab  30  is complementary to a tab  32  formed on the bottom layer  22 , The bottom layer  22  may be formed with the same general shape as the top layer  20  but without the notches  26 . The top  20  and bottom  22  layers are stitched or otherwise fastened together along the entire periphery of one or both of the top  20  and bottom  22  layers except for the tabs  30  and  32  to form an inflatable volume  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The tabs  30  and  32  are fastened together along their respective edges to form an air inlet  34  for the inflatable volume  36 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Additional tabs (not shown) may optionally be formed in the top layer  20  and the bottom layer  22  except to allow for fluid communication between the air source and inside of the inflatable volume or to form an air exit port. 
         [0027]    At least one air exit port is required in the inflatable volume  36 . The air exit port may be formed from one or more air exit holes, generally identified with the reference numeral  38 , in the top layer  20 . The air exit port may also include an adjustable air valve, for example, a zipper  40  or other adjustable mechanism, shown formed in the top layer  20 , for adjusting the exit air flow from the inflatable volume  36 . The inflatable volume  36  may also include a combination of one or more air exit holes  38  as well as one or more optional adjustable air valve  40 , as shown in  FIG. 3  or an air exit port formed by way of the tabs, as discussed above. 
         [0028]    One or more attachment points  42  may optionally be provided within the inflatable volume  36 . The attachment points  42  are formed by fastening the top layer  20  to the bottom layer  22  within the periphery of the inflatable volume  36 . The attachment points  42  may be formed by stitching or other conventional means for fastening two layers of material together. As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the attachment points  42  are shown in the center of the inflatable volume  36 . However, one or more attachment points  42  may be formed in other locations or formed by various stitch patterns. 
         [0029]    As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the side panels  23  formed in the top layer  20  allow the top surface  21  of the top layer  20  to be raised to a desired height by adjusting the adjustable air valve  40 . In particular, the inflatable volume  36  can be raised from a minimum height to a maximum height. The minimum is defined with no or very little air pressure within the expandable volume  36 . The maximum height is the height in which the side panels  23  of the inflatable volume  36  allow to a fully extended vertical position, and the attachment point  42 . The configuration of the inflatable volume  36  enables a mattress (not shown) to be lifted to a greater height than the various embodiments of the inflatable volumes, disclosed in the &#39;432 publication to facilitate cleaning between a mattress and a foundation or tucking of a blanket or comforter of thicker profile requiring more clearance between mattress and box spring to tuck while requiring little to no lift of the mattress to do so. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , an inflatable volume  36  is shown secured to an optional conduit  44  and an air pump  46 . One end of the conduit  44  is attached to the air inlet  34  ( FIG. 5 ) and the other end is attached to the air pump  46 . The air pump  46  is driven by an electric or DC motor (not shown) that is selectively operable by way of a switch  48 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inflatable volume  36  is inflated and allowing air to exit the air exit holes  38  and the adjustable air valve. 
         [0031]    The inflatable volume  36 , as described herein, may be formed to be the same size as a foundation (not shown) and a mattress (not shown) and integrated into a top side of the foundation or an underside of a mattress, as generally shown in the &#39;432 publication. The inflatable volume  36  may also be integrated into an encasement for a mattress or foundation (not shown) as also disclosed in the &#39;432 publication. The inflatable volume  36 , as described herein, may also be integrated into a removable cover with side panels (not shown), for example, at least a portion of continuous or non continuous stretchable or elastic side panels, secured to the periphery of the inflatable volume to enable the inflatable volume to be selectively secured to the underside of a mattress or a top side of a foundation. 
         [0032]    Lastly, the inflatable volume  36  may include a separate rider cover (not shown), for example, as shown in  FIGS. 30 and 32  of the &#39;432 publication with the reference numeral  218 . As shown in the &#39;432 publication, the rider cover is used to create an air cushion between the inflatable volume  36  and the rider cover for the purpose of mattress rotation, levitation, or sliding (herein referred to as “maneuvering”), and may also be used to hold an optional bed skirt in place about the foundation during said maneuvering. 
         [0033]    The inflatable volume  36 , as described herein, is multifunctional. In particular, it can be used for bed making and lifting a mattress high enough to facilitate cleaning between the mattress and the foundation, With a suck surface for on a top side of the top layer  20 , the inflatable volume  36  can be used to facilitate mattress rotation with and without an air assist. 
         [0034]    Alternate embodiments of the inflatable volume are contemplated in which one or both of the layers are formed from a stretchable material, as discussed above. The stretchable material allows for even greater mattress levitation relative inflatable volumes formed from non-stretchable material. In one such alternate embodiment of the inflatable volume, the top layer may be formed without notches and thus will have the same configuration bottom layer. More particularly, both the top and bottom layers in such an embodiment may be formed to have the same size and may both be formed with the configuration of the bottom layer  22 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Further alternative configurations include the inside edges of one of more corner cutout notches remaining unattached to each other, thereby forming an alternative air exit hole configuration. Alternately, the inflatable volume may be formed in different shapes, such as circular or rectangular shapes, in which the top layer and the bottom layer are the same size or different sizes, as defined by stitching or continuous attachment of the top and bottom layers at least along the outside perimeter of the inflatable volume, such as the inflatable volumes illustrated in the &#39;432 publication. 
         [0035]    Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.