AU2017100342B9 - Adjustable mattress assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable mattress assembly (10) comprising a mattress body (11) that has an upper side, a bottom side, a head end (16), a foot end(18), right and left sides (20, 5 21) and is moveable between a flat position and an inclined position. A recess (28) is provided in the bottom side of the mattress body (11). A support frame (30) is housed within the recess (28) and an actuation mechanism (32) is mounted to the support frame (30) that comprises at least one actuator (64, 62) for moving the mattress body (11) between a flat position and an inclined position. 10 Figure 8

Description

ADJUSTABLEMATTRESSASSEMBLY FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a mattress assembly in which the assembly includes an actuation mechanism for moving the mattress between a flat and an inclined position.

BACKGROUND

Electronically operable adjustable bed bases or frames are well known. Such frames have a supporting platform set on a base. The supporting platform has a number of panels that are operatively connected to actuators for raising and lowering the panels. A mattress is placed on the supporting platform such that the head and/or foot end of the mattress may be selectively raised and lowered so as to alter the inclination of the head and foot ends.

This arrangement is considered the industry standard and there have been many different proposals relating to actuating mechanisms and the like.

The health benefits of electronically adjustable beds are also well known. A flat bed causes a person's body to shift into cramped positions and cause improper posture as they sleep. People with back or joint problems are made worse by sleeping on a flat bed. Sleeping on your side causes problems with breathing and circulation. Adjustable beds allow a person to sleep on their back and by inclining their upper body and lower body into a more comfortable position.

This inclination may keep pressure off the back, thereby alleviating back pain. Sleeping in an elevated position can also be of assistance in minimising snoring and sleep apnoea. It can also assist with circulation.

Patients suffering from swollen feet and legs may experience an enormous amount of pain and discomfort. By raising their knees, legs and feet provide maximum relief. Sleeping with elevated legs helps prevent fluid buildup and reduces pain. Those who have pulmonary edema should sleep with their head and chest elevated. The angle encourages the fluid to travel through the body without gathering in the legs, preventing weight gain and extreme pain.

The present inventor has recognised a problem with the current accepted standard electronically adjustable bed base. If a person wants to change from a conventional flat bed to an electric adjustable bed they must always replace their current bed base and mattress. This can be expensive and inconvenient. Further, conventional bed bases are generally part of a bedroom suite such that a new adjustable bed base will not usually blend in with the existing bedroom suite. This can provide a bar to a person whose health problems could be improved by an adjustable bed frame.

In some situations such as caravans, motorhomes, private homes, trailers, horse floats, nursing homes, relocatable homes that already have a built in bed base, it is not possible to install an electrically adjustable bed base. This may prevent a person in need of the health benefits of an adjustable bed from travelling in a motorhome or with a caravan.

The present disclosure is therefore related to an adjustable mattress that can be mounted on any conventional bed base.

DEFINITION

In the present description and claims, the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises".

SUMMARY

According to a broad aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an adjustable mattress assembly comprising:

a mattress body that has an upper side, a bottom side, a head end, a foot end, right and left sides and is moveable between a flat position and an inclined position;

a recess provided in the bottom side of the mattress body;

a support frame that when the mattress body is in the flat position the support frame is housed within the recess; and

an actuation mechanism mounted to the support frame that comprises at least one actuator for moving the mattress body between the flat position and the inclined position.

By housing the support frame and actuating mechanism within the mattress body, a dedicated adjustable bed base is not required. The disclosed mattress may be used on any flat surface such as a conventional slat type bed, ensemble base or motorhome, caravan or trailer home bed frame.

The recess suitably extends across substantially across the width and length of the mattress body such that the recess is delineated by right and left side walls, a head end wall, a foot end wall and a top wall. In this case, the actuation mechanism suitably includes a first actuator for raising and lowering the head end of the mattress body and a second actuator for raising and lowering the foot end of the mattress body.

In an alternative arrangement, for example, if it is only desired to raise and lower the head end, the recess may only be located within the head section of the mattress body and the assembly will only include a single head actuator. Such an alternative may be desired, if a user simply wishes to have the option of raising the head end of the bed to make reading, viewing television or other activities more comfortable.

Any suitable actuator mechanism may be used to move the body between the flat position and the inclined position.

Suitably, the support frame includes an upper articulated panel section that abuts or lies close to the top wall of the recces. One or more panels may be operatively connected to an actuator, suitably a hydraulic arm.

It may be appreciated that the mattress is adjusted by an actuation mechanism that is within the mattress body, rather than a conventional mattress simply sitting on top of an adjustable bed frame. A person of skill in the art will understand that such an arrangement provides a substantial contribution to the working of the invention.

The actuator(s) are suitably controlled by electronic motors.

The mattress assembly may include a CPU box for controlling the motors. Suitably the CPU may be remotely controlled by a wireless remote or cord remote. Hard wired control is also possible.

The mattress assembly may also include one or more vibrators for massage. Massage can further assist in increasing circulation. Suitably, the mattress assembly may have two, three, four, five, six or eight zones of massage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of one aspect of a mattress assembly as disclosed herein on a conventional slat type bed base;

Figure 2 is a side view of the mattress assembly and base as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the mattress assembly as shown in Figure 1 in the inclined position;

Figure 5 is a cross section of the mattress assembly as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the support frame and actuation mechanism of the mattress assembly as shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a view of the actuation mechanism in the inclined position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 and 2 show a mattress assembly 10 as described herein supported by a standard slat bed base 12. The mattress body is in the flat position. It will be appreciated that the bed base 12 and mattress assembly 10 look like any conventional type of bed and bed base assembly. The mattress body 11 has an upper surface 14 for supporting the body of a person, a head end 16, a foot end 18, right and left side walls 20, 21, a head end wall 22 and a foot end wall 24.

A second mattress 8 is also located on the bed base 12. The second mattress 8 may or may not be adjustable.

Figures 3 and 4 show the mattress body 11 in a position in which both the head end 16 and foot end 18 are inclined.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of the mattress assembly 10. The mattress body 11 is made from a memory foam material. The mattress body 11 has an upper body section, 26 and the respective side walls 20, 21, foot 24 and head end walls extend past the body 26 so as to define a recess 28 with a top wall 29.

A support frame 30 and actuation mechanism 32 are located within recess 28.

The support frame 30 has legs 34 at the head 16 and foot ends 18 of the mattress 10.

The support frame 30 has an upper support surface 36 that abuts top wall 29 such that the upper body section 26 of the mattress 10 rests on the support surface. The upper support surface 36 has four support platforms, a head platform 38, a central platform 40, a thigh platform 42 and a foot platform 44. Each platform is pivotally connected to an adjacent platform about pivot points 46, 48, 50.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the mattress assembly 10 showing how the actuation mechanism 32 is arranged within recess 28. In practice, the recess 28 will normally be closed, suitably by the same fabric that covers the mattress so as to provide the appearance of a conventional mattress. Suitably, an opening is provided and closed by a zipper or other closure so as to allow access to the actuation mechanism.

A first linear actuator in the form of a hydraulic arm 60 is operatively connected to the head platform 38. The hydraulic arm 60 is driven by an electric motor 62 mounted on the support frame 30. A second linear actuator in the form of a second hydraulic arm 64 is operatively connected to the thigh platform 42 and is driven by a second electric motor.

Figure 6 also shows that the head 38 and foot 44 platforms are provided with a vibrator 72 for massage.

The actuating mechanism is operated by remote control through a CPU box 74.

Figure 7 is a side view of the actuating mechanism when the mattress body 11 is in the same inclined position as shown in Figure 4. The mattress body 11 is shown in phantom. The mattress assembly 10 further includes a flexible fabric shroud 76 at the head end 16 so as to hide the internal part of the mattress assembly when in the raised position.

It may be seen in Figure 7 that because the upper support surface 36 and support platforms are located within the mattress body 11 that this allows the inner surface of the head end wall 22 to abut the upper end of the head platform 38. This can serve to resist downward movement of the mattress body 11 towards the foot end of a bed.

Such downward movement of a mattress towards the foot end of the frame when conventional adjustable bed frames are in the inclined position is a well-known problem. Generally, adjustable bed frames are provided with mattress retainer bars. These external bars can detract from the appearance of the bed.

It may be appreciated that the mattress assembly as disclosed herein can be placed on any flat surface. This is quiet distinct from a conventional foam mattress being simply placed on an adjustable bed base. An advantage of this arrangement is that relative movement of the mattress with respect to the actuating mechanism may be minimised or avoided.

The mattress assembly as disclosed herein can be placed on any conventional bed frame or base. This considerably widens the environments where an adjustable bed may be used. A person can keep their existing bed base or frame and simply change the mattress. A person may also be able to more easily hire or rent a mattress for a period of convalescence such as after surgery.

The mattress assembly may also be custom made in different larger or smaller sizes. There is also the option of a split system as shown in Figure 1 in which there are two mattresses assemblies on a single bed base such that two people can sleep in different positions. On the other hand, only one double, queen or king size mattress assembly may be used by two people, in which case both people sleep in the same inclined position.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention as disclosed and claimed herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims (5)

1. An adjustable mattress assembly comprising:

a mattress body that has an upper side, a bottom side, a head end, a foot end, right and left sides and is moveable between a flat position and an inclined position;

a recess provided in the bottom side of the mattress body;

a support frame that when the mattress is in the flat position the support frame is housed within the recess; and

an actuation mechanism mounted to the support frame that comprises a first actuator for moving the head end of the mattress body between a flat position and an inclined position and a second actuator for moving the foot end of the mattress between a flat position and an inclined position and when the mattress is in the flat position, the actuation mechanism is completely housed within the recess.

2. The adjustable mattress of claim 1, wherein the recess extends substantially across the width and length of the mattress body such that the recess is delineated by right and left side walls, a head end wall, a foot end wall and a top wall.

3. The adjustable mattress of claim 2, wherein the support frame comprises an upper articulated panel section that abuts or lies close to the top wall of the recess and at the panel section comprises at least one panel is operatively connected to the at least one actuator.

4. The adjustable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mattress further comprises a flexible fabric shroud at the head end so as to hide the recess from view when the head end of the mattress is in the raised position.

5. The adjustable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one actuator is electronically operable.