GB2182556A - Foldable mattress - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable mattress comprises a core block 10, of foamed plastics material, having four parallel hinges 11, 12, 13, 14, each defined by a V-shaped groove in each opposite face of the block. The hinges are disposed in pairs 11, 12; 13, 14 each pair being about one third from the nearer end of the block, dividing the block into five sections, so that the mattress can be folded in a variety of ways, and disposed symmetrically so that the mattress can be reused after inversion or reversal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Foldable mattress This invention relatesto foldable mattresses, part icularlyforbedswhichcan be disposed to support an occupant in more than one posture.

Foldable beds are usually used in hospitals for example, to allow patients to occupy a number of alternative positions, whilst supported by the mattress. Such positions include fully prone, that is the usual bed arrangement, seated upright with the mattress providing a backrest and supportforlegs and buttocks, and a 'Z' configuration - inclined backrest upwardly sloping seat portion, and horizontal or downwardly sloping leg support, the knees often being higherthan the base ofthe spine. Such a variety of postures may be required in orthopaedic and othertreatment,to provide supportfor injuries orfor examination and treatment purposes, as well as a cycle of prone sleep, and sitting up when awake for other patients.

It iswell known to make such a mattress from a plurality of generally rectangular pads of polyurethane foam, covered with an impermeable cover and joined by hinges formed by stitching the covers.

Two such pads joined together can for exampleform a mattress capable of providing aiternative prone and sitting positions. A three pad mattress can further be used in the 'Z' configuration. Such known mattresses have some drawbacks it is generally desirableto prevent fluids such as body wastes, including urine and perspiration from reaching the foam pads, not only for hygenic reasons but also because such fluids, particularly when unpredictably modified by drug residues, frequently attack the material ofthe pad chemically and cause deterioration ofthe pad. The mattress cover is made of impermeable material forthis reason.However,the known pads being joined together by hinges formed using stitching through the cover, it is difficult if not impossible to prevent access of fluids by capilliary action along the threads ofthe stitching through the holes nec essarilymade in forming the stitching. Furthermore, such mattresses, becausethe pads are notsymmetrical cannot be reused after local soiling byturning the mattress around or over.

An object of this invention is to provide a mattress for a foldable bed which avoids the problems of sealing ofthejoints between sections, and in a preferred embodiment, is both reversible and invertable,for four-fold use.

According to the invention a foldable mattress is characterised in that it comprises a mattress core consisting of a single blockoffoamed plastics material, embodying at least one hinge defining a fold line dividing the block into two or more sections, said one or more hinges each comprising a groove formed in at least one face ofthe block, along said fold line.

The hinge is preferrably defined by a groove of Vshaped cross-section cut in opposite faces ofthe block along thefold line, and said grooves are preferably formed by cutting from the mattress core block, although they may be more expensively preformed by individually moulding core blocks.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mattress core is provided with four hinges, in pairs approximately one third and two thirds along the length ofthe core block. This provides a mattress which is symmetrical from end to end and top to bottom so that the mattress can equally well be used with either end towards the head or foot of the bed, and either side upwards.

The grooves are preferrably V-shaped in crosssection as this is the easiest form to cut, and is quite satisfactory from the point of view of folding, but could if desired be rectangular, curved, U- shaped or flat bottomed in cross-section for example.

The mattress core is preferrably covered in a single impermeable cover without stitching along the hinges, and the cover may conform to the contour of the grooves, or provide a loose web which is taut when the hinge is flat orfolded at a reflexangle, being preferrably also a stretchable material, and enters the groove when the hing isfolded at an obtuse or acute angle. Closure of the cover after insertion of the core pad is preferrably effected by welding and not by stitching. When the core pad is individually moulded, a skin may beformed on the padwhich performs the function of the cover.

Any number of hinges may be provided as desired fora particular use, and may extend longitudinally as well as or instead of latterally.

A preferred embodiment of thefoldable mattress according to the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure lisa plan view of the upper surface of a foldable mattress core a forafoldable mattressac- cordingtotheinvention; Figure2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the mattress with the mattress core of Figure 1; and Figure3and4aresectional views illustrating by way of example two ways of folding the mattressfor use.

Afoldable mattress corefora foldable mattress ac- cording to the invention for a foldable bed comprises a core block 10 of polyurethane foam of generally rectangular plan, tapering slightly towards each end, and of elongated rectangular cross-section. The core is provided with four parallel hinges 11,12, 13, and 14, each defined by V-sectioned grooves or channels 1 la, 12a, 13a, and 14a respectively in the uppersur- face ofthe block 10, and 1 1b, 12b, 13b and 14b respectively in the lower surface of the block 10.

Groove 11aisalignedwith groove 11b, 12awith 12b, etc.. The hinges are spaced in groups oftwo, hinges 11 and 12 in one grouptowardsthe end 15 of block 10, and hinges 13, l4towardsthe opposite end 16of block 10. The hinges divide the block 10 into a first end section 17, a centre section 18, and a second end section 19. Between the pair of hinges 11,12 is a narrow intermediate section 20, and between the hinges 13,14 is a similar intermediate section 21. As shown in the drawing, the core block 10is symmetrical about each of its three axes, i.e. from end to end, from sideto side, and in its upper and lowersurfaces.

The mattress core block 10 is in use covered by an impermeable cover 22 (Figure 2) which after cover ing of the block 10 is closed by a welded seam 23, this ensuring a seal which cannot be entered by unhygenic and chemically deletrious fluids and body wastes.

The mattress can be folded on any one or more of the hinges 11 - 14. Forexample, if end 15 is atthe head of a bed, the mattress can be folded along hinge 12 to enable a sitting position to be assumed (Figure 3), sections 17 and 20 forming a back rest, and sections 18,21, and 19 remaining flatto provide a leg support. In a configuration, e.g. for examination ortreatment purposes (Figure 4), the mattress may befolded in the same sense on hinge 12, and in the opposite sense on hinge 14, sections 17 and 20 providing a back support, sections 18 and 21 a buttock and thigh support, inclined upwardlyfrom hinge 12, and section 19 a lower leg support inclined downwardlyfrom hinge 14. Itcan also of course be laid flat as shown in Figure 2 for a prone posture. Each hinge 11 - 14can be flexed in either sense, and block 10 is symmetrical from end to end. The mattress can thus be used with either side up and either end 15 or 16 at the head ofthe bed, so that it is possible to use it in four orientations.

Claims (6)

1. Afoidable mattress comprising a mattress core consisting of a single block of foamed plastics material, characterised in that it embodies at least one hinge defining afold linewhich dividestheblock into at least two sections, each said hinge comprising a groove formed in at least one face ofthe block, along the respective fold line.

2. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein each hinge is defined by a pair of V- shaped cross-section grooves, one formed in each opposite face ofthe block along the respective fold line.

3. Amattress according to Claim 1 or2,wherein the core blockisformedwithfour hinges in pairs approximately one third and two thirds along the length ofthe core block, the hinges being disposed symmetrically.

4. A mattress according to any preceding Claim wherein the core block is covered in a single imper meable cover, without stitching at or near the fold lines.

5. A mattress according to Claim 4, wherein the cover is welded to close the cover aboutthe core block.

6. Afoldable mattress substantially as here inbefore described, with reference to and as illustra- ted in the accompanying drawings.