Patent ID: 8893338

Claim:
A method of alternating inflation of at least two groups of individual inflatable air cells in an air cell mattress or cushion comprising a plurality of inflatable air cells to form an alternating pattern of inflated cells wherein the alternating inflation and deflation of each group of cells results in a staggered checkerboard pattern of inflated and deflated cells for the relief of pressure points on the anatomy of a user of the mattress or cushion, the method comprising the steps of; Inflating a first group of cells; Inflating a second group of cells; deflating the first group of cells at a predetermined rate of deflation over a predetermined period of time, while the second group of cells remains inflated for the same said predetermined period of time; re-inflating said first group of cells at a predetermined rate of inflation over a predetermined period of time, while the second group of cells remains inflated; deflating the second group of cells at a predetermined rate of deflation over a predetermined period of time, while the first group of cells remains inflated for the same said predetermined period of time; re-inflating said second group of cells at a predetermined rate of inflation over a predetermined period of time, while the first group of cells remains inflated; and repeating said steps of deflating and re-inflating alternate groups of cells.