GB2456814A

GB2456814A - Mattress with air conditioning

Info

Publication number: GB2456814A
Application number: GB0801343A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark James Philip Brooker; John Colin Brooker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-25
Filing date: 2008-01-25
Publication date: 2009-07-29
Also published as: GB0801343D0

Abstract

A mattress 10 has a breathable upper surface and an air distribution means 16 provided within the mattress. An air conditioning unit 22 is connected to the air distribution means for percolating warm or cool air through the mattress. Treatments may be administered in the airflow. The mattress may optionally include audio speakers and vibration means. A controller 26 controls the function of the mattress 10.

Description

Mattress The present invention relates to a mattress.

A conventional mattress for placing on a bed can be constructed in various ways, but typically, a mattress core is made using a box or pocket spring construction.

Upholstered layers are provided over the springs and may include foams, for example latex, visco-elastic or polyurethane foams. Alternatively, a mattress core may be made substantially entirely from foam.

A problem of a conventional mattress is that the temperature of the mattress cannot be controlled in the same way as, for example, the temperature of the water in a water bed can be controlled. To remedy this, it is well known to provide an electrically heated blanket, which can be placed over the mattress and underneath a covering sheet. However, there is no way of cooling a mattress for use in hot environments.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mattress which reduces or substantially obviates the above mentioned problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a mattress comprising a breathable portion extending across a major face of the mattress, an air distribution means provided within a core of the mattress, the air distribution means being adapted to allow air to percolate through the breathable portion of the mattress.

The mattress has the advantage that air of a desired temperature can be directed through the mattress to keep a person lying on the mattress at a desired temperature.

Preferably the air distribution means is an apertured pipe.

Preferably the apertured pipe is connected to an air conditioning unit.

Treatments may be administered, carried by air passing through the air distribution means.

I

Vibration means may be provided in the mattress. The vibration means is intended to simulate massage.

Audio speakers may be provided in the mattress. An audio player and amplifier may be fitted within the mattress or may be externally connected.

Preferably a controller is provided for controlling air flow through the mattress. The temperature of the air may also be controlled by the controller. The controller may also control the vibration means and sound systems.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a mattress of the invention; and Figure 2 shows a further schematic perspective view of the mattress of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a mattress is indicated generally at 10. The mattress 10 is a sprung mattress with a breathable upper surface 12 for a person to sleep on and a lower surface 14 for resting on a bed or other supporting surface. A flexible pipe or hose 16, shown in dotted outline in Figure 1, is contained within the mattress between the upper and lower surfaces 12, 14 and extends back and fore across the mattress, substantially over the entire length of the mattress. The distal end 18 of the pipe 16 is closed, but apertures are provided in the side wall of the pipe 16 at spaced intervals.

The apertures allow air being passed into the pipe to escape into the core of the mattress 10. The apertures may be spaced at constant intervals or may be at variable intervals to allow more air to escape in one place than another within the core of the mattress 10.

The other end of the pipe 16 terminates at one side of the mattress in a socket 20. An air conditioning unit 22, which can be plugged into a mains electrical supply is connected to the socket by a further flexible hose 24. The air conditioning unit 24 is portable and the flexible hose 24 can be unplugged from the socket, as required. in use, the air conditioning unit 22 can be situated under a bed, on which the mattress 10 is placed. The flexible hose 24 also includes an electrical cable for supplying power to the mattress 10 and connects to a remote controller 26, connected to the socket 20 by means of a cable 28, which passes partly through the mattress.

In one embodiment of the mattress, the upper layer of the mattress under the upper surface 12 is made from foam and vibration means is set into the foam for creating the effect of a massage, as is known in the art. In another embodiment, audio speakers can also be built into the mattress 10. The speakers can optionally be connected to a sound system built into the mattress 10 or the air conditioning unit 22, or a socket can be provided on the controller 26 or air conditioning unit 22 for receiving a digital music signal from a digital music player, for example, an MP3 player or compact disc player. This allows a person lying on the mattress 10 to listen to music, or relaxing sounds such as sea shore recordings and whale song.

In use, the air conditioning unit 22 can be programmed to blow cool or warm air through the pipe 16. The air temperature is controlled by a thermostat. The air passes through the pipe 16, out of the spaced apertures and percolates through the mattress.

This has the effect of either cooling or heating, dependent on the setting and creates a comfortable sleeping environment. Perfumes, for example essential oils, and/or airborne medications can be administered to a person lying on the mattress by adding them to a filtration system in the air conditioning unit 22. Bed bugs can be eliminated using this method, for example, when the bed is not in use. This is advantageous for asthmatics.

The functions of the mattress 10 are controlled using the controller unit 26. For example, this controls turning the air supply on and off, the temperature, air flow-rate through the pipe 16, the vibration means and the sound system, if applicable. In one embodiment the controller 26 is wireless.

The mattress may also optionally be made double sided, that is, with different strength foam provided on either side of the mattress for different weights of person. In this case, both sides of the mattress are breathable.

Claims

1. A mattress comprising a breathable portion extending across a major face of the mattress, an air distribution means provided within a core of the mattress, the air distribution means being adapted to allow air to percolate through the breathable portion of the mattress.

2. A mattress as claimed in claim 1, in which the air distribution means is an aperthred pipe.

3. A mattress as claimed in claim 2, in which the apertured pipe is connected to an air conditioning unit.

4. A mattress as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, in which treatments can be administered carried in air passing through the air distribution means.

5. A mattress as claimed in any preceding claim, in which vibration means is provided in the mattress.

6. A mattress as claimed in any preceding claim, in which audio speakers are provided in the mattress.

7. A mattress as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a controller is provided for controlling air flow through the mattress.

8. A mattress substantially as claimed herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.