JP2011516117A - Assembly for adapting support surface to corrugation - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to an assembly, for example, an element for defining the shape of a base surface and a support surface such as a foam layer forming a core of a mattress, and an element for adapting the shape of the base surface and the support surface to a corrugation. And has at least one body that is selectively stretchable and / or compressible. The body is embedded within or disposed under a portion of the element that extends downwardly during use, and has a majority of the thickness of the element above it, the body Operates relative to the corrugations of the element to selectively produce corrugations at the substrate surface or support surface, which corrugations are connected to other parts of the element via pivotable components.

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembly having an element for determining the shape of a base surface and a support surface, such as a foam layer forming a core of a mattress, and an apparatus for using the shape of the base surface and the support surface together with an element for conforming to a corrugation. And the assembly has at least one body that is selectively stretchable and / or compressible.

  In known mattresses, the surface is defined on the surface. The support surface is usually substantially horizontal or two-dimensional. Even if no adjustment is made to the shape of the mattress, only the pillow is exceptionally used against the user's head.

  However, the substantially flat, support surface defined by the mattress is often undesirable and can have adverse and even detrimental effects. For example, if the user suffers from kyphosis, stenosis, hernia, etc., a flat base surface or support surface will exacerbate the symptoms, or pressure load will continue to be applied for a long time in a limited number of places on the body As a result, it causes pain and bedsores.

  A firm feel mattress is known to be made from selected materials, thereby providing the mattress with the ability to be contoured to the user. This is therefore a reflexive adjustment, but it has not yet solved the problem to the satisfaction of the above-mentioned users.

  In the above apparatus, an assembly having an apparatus for determining a base surface and a support surface in a desired shape for the purpose of solving the problem so as to be easier for the user to use is known from, for example, WO88.01158. Yes. The known assembly comprises an inflatable plastic bag disposed on a mattress with a thin, supple covering or covering layer thereon.

The known arrangement has a number of drawbacks.
An empty (non-inflated) plastic bag, which can be contrasted with an inflatable elongated balloon, lays apart on a mattress base surface or part of a support surface. Usually, the moisture adjustment in the core material of the mattress used for the purpose of moisture adjustment is prevented to the same extent as the surface of the mattress core covered with an empty plastic bag. The end of the empty bag is therefore easily recognizable and feels uncomfortable as it splits through a thin and supple cover layer, which has the exact opposite effect of comfort.

  In the inflated state of the bag, the bag should be rigid and stiff, or at least stiff and stiff to achieve the requirement to support. Because the bag is not sufficiently inflated, the user will easily sink on the underlying or support surface defined by the conventional mattress under the bag. The hardness of the inflated bag will not decay or may be less present on the thin supple cover layer. Thus, if a person sits or lies on the mattress, these inflated bags become stiffer and lose comfort during use. In addition, when a user lies on the above known mattress and tries to leave the bed, the user needs to overcome considerable obstacles due to the hard inflated bag to get out of the bed. Such a hard inflated bag is difficult to be deformed. This is due to the fact that the bag is inflated considerably in order to provide a supporting force, although it is an obstacle to get off the mattress within an acceptable range.

  EP-A-1.541.109 discloses an assembly comprising an expanded member under a thin mat, possibly provided as a mattress. However, it is necessary that the inflated bag under the mat has a very thin shape so that the corrugation of the mat can be adjusted and the corrugation is applied to the underlying or supporting surface above the mat. . Therefore, the assembly including this device always remains unsatisfactory in terms of comfort for the user in the expanded or contracted state.

  The present invention is generally flat and is used in particular with mattresses, and aims to allow positive adaptation of the support surface.

  The object of the invention is achieved by an assembly as defined in the main claim of the appended claims. The hinge-like configuration is adjusted to the normal mattress, in particular the mattress core, to the waveform defined by the device and the body, and in spite of the presence of additional devices that show disadvantages when considering the above two references. The mattress of the mattress becomes thicker so that it can continue to provide comfort and even sufficient moisture control.

  The above configuration can also solve the problem of user snoring. When the user falls asleep and lies with his back on the bent end of the mattress, the possibility of turning back to the back is limited, and such a posture is known as a snoring posture.

  The device can be expanded or compressed periodically or at intervals. A person lying on a mattress designed as described above with the device according to the present invention is regularly and forcibly changed in posture, preventing bed slips quite effectively. If the device is arranged along opposite ends of the mattress elements, a slow or fast repetitive rocking movement can be performed to more reliably avoid the risk of bed slipping.

  This does not diminish the benefits of the assembly according to the invention, even for users who are not symptomatic if they are available to the user, for example in the form of a mattress. Even as a precaution, the present invention provides a very favorable effect.

  In accordance with the present invention, the mattress core layer extends over a device with a stretchable body in the form of an inflatable device, with a substantial thickness. As a result of this leveling action of the core layer, the operation of the assembly is not impaired by the pressure of the inflatable device being too low, even at pressures below the maximum pressure, as opposed to known configurations. Therefore, the intended waveform can be formed. In addition, the user may swell more or less when applying pressure locally on it, for example on the back or upper leg, but more flexible movement of the body on the device, You can easily get up from the mattress.

  In a more preferred embodiment, by applying a body having a substantially wedge-shaped cross-section in use, the support surface is selected while properly selecting the wedge-shaped shape when the device is placed above or below the support surface. It becomes possible to adapt. For this reason, it becomes possible to install the wedge-shaped body below or above the mattress. However, at this time, it is more preferable to be installed together with appropriate means for preventing misalignment with the mattress, for example, a fastener for fixing, and such fixing can be applied when being placed in or under the mattress. . Alternatively, the wedge-shaped body may be disposed between the support surface and the mattress or incorporated into the mattress.

  Private testing has confirmed that not only people with illness can benefit from a device according to the present invention. People without physical symptoms also recognize the above adaptation of the mattress support surface as a comfortable improvement, for example.

  The invention has a number of preferred embodiments, some of which are defined in the dependent claims of the appended claims. The body may be hollow. If the main body is hollow, there is an advantage that the amount of necessary material can be reduced. The hollow body is more easily expanded when appropriate means are connected to expand or contract the device.

  The corrugated portion of the element having the expanded body preferably forms an angle of 5 to 45 degrees with the other portions of the element in cross section. The angle to be confined may depend on the expansion state or expansion pressure inside the hollow body. The angle at which it is trapped may be related to the distance that the wedge-shaped stretcher extends from the end of the mattress (or at a distance from the end) into or under the mattress. For example, the confinement angle can be set to a desired or required value, for example by changing the pressure of the hollow body, so that the mattress support surface is in a user-friendly manner.

  Air or liquid can be used as means for inflating the body, and if the wedge-shaped body does not come into contact with the user lying on the mattress in use (but not limited to that), the gel can be used. Can be used. The wedge-shaped body may here be subdivided into chambers or compartments that can be separated or connected to each other for the desired pressure and hardness to support.

  The main body divided into such portions further increases the degree of freedom of the corrugation of the base surface or the support surface, for example, if the bed base can form a corrugation in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction where the main body portions are connected. May also help. This is attributed to the formation of a bend in the interior without producing the desired waveform in one embodiment having a single body. In particular, the split bodies can be individually stretched and / or compressed so that shape conformity can be maximized.

  If the wedge-shaped body is inflatable, the device can further include a pump that can be selectively activated to inflate the body. Such a pump can be controlled by operation, and can be operated by a user's operation, for example. For this purpose, the control is portable, for example, and can be performed by operating means that is selectively connected wirelessly to the pump via a microcomputer or other similar element, or via an antenna or the like. Infrared remote control is also possible. The user can indicate whether more air or the like should be pumped into the device of the present invention, or conversely (partially) shrunk.

  In a further possible preferred embodiment, the pump can be connected to be substantially fixed to the body. In this way, a highly reliable structure can be obtained. Here, the pump and the main body can be detachably connected to each other, and even if the hollow main body leaks or contracts, the pump can be easily reconnected after the repair in some cases. It belongs to the scope of the present invention. If the wedge-shaped body is equipped with compartments and chambers, each compartment can be selectively adjusted in each of these chambers separately or jointly according to instantaneous demands or initial use. Can be connected to a pump. It would be desirable to be able to selectively (partially) shrink the body. For this purpose, a controllable output valve is preferably connected to the main body, and the output valve is preferably controllable by the user of the device.

  In order to define the support surface in particular, in embodiments in which the body extends, for example, along the end of the mattress, it is preferable to arrange the (at least one) body on the other end facing it. Some kind of space is formed between the upstanding ends of the mattress, which are pressed upwards by the wedge-shaped body in that position. This wedge-shaped body is placed on or incorporated into the mattress. The body or bodies are integrated with the mattress. In particular, when the main bodies are connected to each other, the main bodies can form a mattress. In the latter case, even if it has a curved waveform or is not necessary in all embodiments, especially the connecting parts of the main body connected to each other shift obliquely or gradually shift to the wedge shape of the main body In doing so, a more selectively comfortable mattress may be placed on one or more bodies on the device to flatten many discontinuities in the underlying surface determined by the user. In embodiments having two selectively inflatable bodies, or at least a hollow body, both or more than two bodies can be connected to each other to an external pump or to the device's own pump. A valve or similar means may be provided to inflate or inflate one or both of the two bodies simultaneously. The same is possible if the body is subdivided into chambers or compartments, and these chambers or compartments are selectively or both connected to one or a shared pump. While this occurs through operation, it is preferable for the output valve to allow for individual expansion of each of the expandable bodies or compartments within the device. The valve member for connecting the pump to the at least one body is also connected to and controlled by the control unit, and the user preferably has the final setting means at hand.

  The assembly may have a sleeve or surface layer disposed around the assembly. At least a specific portion thereof that extends along the side surface from the base surface or the support surface to the lower portion has elasticity. Adaptable to changes in shape as the body or device expands or expands.

  In yet another possible embodiment according to the invention, the assembly according to the invention has a configuration in which the body is provided with bending means for making the body compact in the contracted state. The bending means has tension cables, which are preferably elastic. The device or body can be easily and properly compressed or shrunk without adversely affecting the material that significantly affects comfort.

  In a possible embodiment, the swivel element has at least one notch extending upwardly from the device to a position below the substrate surface or support surface, the element being in the device such that it has a shape defined by the device. Can be adapted locally. Additionally or alternatively, the swiveling element may have at least one incision extending downwardly from the substrate surface or support surface, the element in the device so as to have a shape defined by the device. Adaptable locally. In these embodiments, for example, a foam mattress core is provided with the opening in the manner described above. An elegant and simple design with a hinge-like structure is realized.

  The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the same or similar members, components and characteristic members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and are disclosed as examples only.

2 shows an example of installation of a device according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a use of another embodiment related to the embodiment according to the invention shown in Fig. 1; 1 shows an assembly of a device and a mattress according to the present invention. 6 shows a variation of the device and mattress assembly according to the present invention. 1 shows a single embodiment of a solid of the present invention. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the device in an assembly having an elastic sleeve or surface according to the present invention. 3 shows an embodiment of a mattress and device assembly with bending means according to the present invention. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a mattress and device assembly in which the device is embedded in the mattress according to the present invention. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a configuration in which at least one body or device according to the invention is divided into individual body parts. 10 is a side view showing a possible application of the assembly according to the invention in FIG. 6 shows a variation of the expandable device. Fig. 5 shows an assembly with another embodiment of the bending means.

  FIG. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention. This device is applied in combination with the mattress 2.

  The device 1 comprises a body 3 having a triangular cross-section (direction crossing the arrow E), which is wedge-shaped in the present embodiment and is itself hollow. The body 3 is inflatable and for that purpose the pump 4 is selectively activated. The pump 4 is connected via a conduit 5 to a hollow wedge-shaped body 3. As an example of the control unit, the pump 4 is selectively operated by a microcomputer 6 installed together with the antenna 7. The antenna 7 is wirelessly connected to a portable operating means 8 that is used by the user to selectively activate the pump 4.

  In another embodiment, a microcomputer 6 is used to measure the pressure inside the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 and to increase the pressure inside the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 based on the measured signal. Thus, a pressure gauge 9 is used to automatically and selectively operate the pump 4.

  A shut-off valve, plug or outlet valve 11 is attached to the other conduit 10. The outlet valve 11 can also be selectively actuated by the microcomputer 6. The outlet valve 11 is attached for the purpose of reducing the pressure inside the hollow wedge-shaped body 3. The outlet valve 11 may also be mounted between the pump 4 and the hollow wedge-shaped body 3.

  The hollow wedge-shaped body 3 may be mounted below the mattress 2 in the direction of arrow A, preferably above the base 12. This hollow wedge-shaped body 3 is inserted between the base 12 and the mattress 2.

  As indicated by arrows B, C, and D, the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 has many places suitable for attachment around the mattress, and can be disposed on or below the mattress 2.

  In a preferred embodiment, the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 is arranged on the long side of the mattress as indicated by arrows A and C. This is the state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows a variant of the wedge-shaped device 3 of FIG. 1, in which the device 3 ′ is formed by a series of three tubular hollow bodies 27, 26, 25 arranged outwardly and gradually thickening. It has been done.

  A frame 13 having a spring base 14 is disposed as shown in FIG. 3 (as in FIG. 2), and the mattress 2 is placed thereon. On both sides of the mattress 2, two hollow wedge-shaped bodies 3 are mounted on the surface of the mattress.

  2 and 3, the microcomputer 6 is omitted, but the pump 4 is preferably under the control of the microcomputer 6.

  The pump 4 is connected via a valve 16 to each of the two hollow wedge-shaped bodies 3 on either side of the mattress 2. The valve means is used in combination with a microcomputer 6 or a control unit embodied as another embodiment in order to be able to select a pump 4 connected to one of the two hollow wedge-shaped bodies 3. May be. It will be appreciated that the valve member 16 can give the pump 4 the choice of which of the two wedge-shaped hollow bodies 3 to connect. FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment in which the illustrated wedge-shaped body is divided into compartments by a thin film or partition wall 17. In order to make it possible to adjust the hardness, supportability and hardness of the respective compartments separated in this way both at the initial stage of use and after a certain period of time after use, It can be connected to the pump in the same manner as the two main bodies 3.

  FIG. 3 shows the assembly 18 of the mattress 2 and devices 3, 3 according to the invention having a hinge-like configuration. The apparatus comprises a wedge-shaped body 3 and a second wedge-shaped body 3 along both ends of the mattress 2. Along the side edges of the assembly 18, the device is placed on a support such as a box spring 17. In FIG. 4, the box spring 17 is replaced by an elongated frame 20. The mattress 2 has an incision 19 that bends easily and adapts to the shape defined by the wedge-shaped body 3 or the second wedge-shaped body 3 and forms a hinge-like configuration according to the invention. Yes. The corrugated portion 24 of the mattress 2 arranged laterally outside the notch 19 is connected so as to be fixed to the mattress 2 using, for example, stitching or velcro connection (not shown). Yes. In FIG. 3, a mattress 2 is a mattress having a foam core. On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows a spring-loaded mattress. In the case of a spring-loaded mattress, the intended gap 21 can be formed with the notch 19. As shown in more detail on the left side of FIG. 4, a recess 29 is provided in the upper surface 28 so that the configuration of the hinge portion formed as described above can be easily bent.

  FIG. 4 further shows how the gap 21 adapts the mattress 2 to the shape of the devices 3, 3 when the devices 3, 3 are arranged in the direction of arrow A under the mattress 2 with the notches 19. It shows. For this purpose, the corrugations 24 arranged on the outside of the mattress 2 can be easily lifted in the direction indicated by the arrow F so as to provide or secure a space for the main body 3. In FIG. 4, the gaps or cuts 19 are formed substantially over most of the mattress 2 in the thickness direction, but they may extend over the entire thickness direction.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a surface layer or sleeve 30 is placed around the mattress 2 and device 3 assembly. The surface layer 30 is at least flexible and preferably also elastic so that the dimension of the side 31 in the direction of arrow G can be adjusted (increased).

  FIG. 7 shows a possible embodiment of an assembly according to the invention with bending means based on a tension cable 32. The tension cable 32 extends from about half the height in the direction along the height of the side surface 33 of the main body 3 to the inclined surface 34, and is fixed to the tension cable 32 there. From this fixed part, this or another cable continues to the lowest point 35 of the corrugated part 24 of the mattress 2. When the body is deflated and air is released therefrom, the tension cable 32 functions so that the covering layer of the hollow body 3 is folded on itself.

  A point 37 facing upwards of the main body 3 is arranged together with a fixture 36 above a neighboring point 38 of the corrugated portion 24, which further improves the operation of the bending means.

  As a further addition or modification, the tension cable 32 may be elastic and is preferably fixed to the bottom point 39 of the stationary part 40 of the mattress 2 (or at least the core of the mattress 2). In addition to the compact folding of the main body 3, the non-elastic or elastic cable 32 prevents its side surface 33 from bulging excessively. This is also prevented by the stretchability of the surface layer 30 on the side wall 31 of the mattress 2 and device or body 3 assembly.

  FIG. 8 shows an embodiment having an additional or alternative configuration in which the body is embedded in the foam core 2 of the mattress 2 under the corrugations 24. Extending beneath the device or body 3 is a leg 41 of mattress core 2 material and has a locking projection 42 at the outer free end so that the device or body 3 is not inflated. , A receiving recess 43 in the corrugated portion of the core 2 of the mattress 2 is provided.

  9 and 10 show a further embodiment in which the device includes various body portions 3, 44, 45, 46. FIG. The corrugation of the base or support surface of the mattress 2 is controlled in a controlled manner after all body parts are fully inflated, for example with a single pump to the individual body parts or various branches. When each body part is individually inflated and compressed by a separate connection to one pump or various pumps with a separate valve in each body part so that individual contraction of the body part is possible. Can be adjusted and fine-tuned. Furthermore, by dividing the device into individual body parts 3, 44, 45, 46, additional corrugations extending in the longitudinal direction of the mattress 2, for example as shown in FIG. Can be formed. For example, instead of the gradually inclined waveform in the single main body 3 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, one main body 3 is bent here. As shown in FIG. 3, the divided main body portion forms a gentle corrugated surface as shown in FIG. 3, even if the base under the mattress 2 has a lateral corrugated shape as shown in FIG. Is possible.

  FIG. 11 shows an embodiment having another example 47 of an inflatable and compressible device. The device 47 has a layered structure of inflatable components 48 whose outer profile gradually decreases upward and the outer ends of each of the components 48 are aligned up and down. The need for bending means can be eliminated. This is because a device configuration 47 having a component 48 contracts flatly when the chamber in the component contracts.

  FIG. 12 shows an example in which the corner end 38 of the corrugated portion 24 is chamfered to produce a more gradual deformation at the outer surface of the assembly according to the present invention, although a relatively sharp corner is produced.

  A simpler embodiment of the bending means is incorporated in the embodiment diagram of FIG. Here, the tension cable is not arranged inside the apparatus, but is simply arranged between the apparatus and the corrugated part from the upper end corner outside the apparatus 3 to the corner 35 of the corrugated part 24. .

  In the illustrated embodiment, a covering layer is disposed at least around the wedge-shaped body 3. Such a covering layer can take the form of a removable sleeve 23. The sleeve 23 is in particular arranged to be fixed on the device 3 and is removable, for example made of smooth or at least sealable plastic, for example separately in a hospital washing line or washing machine. It is removable so that it can be cleaned.

  Upon review of the above, many additional or alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art, which depart from the content of the appended claims, particularly the single independent claim, or from the above statements. Unless otherwise noted, all are to be treated as examples of the invention. Various modifications are possible as alternatives to those specifically shown in the drawings, as already mentioned above. When a shorter, hollow, hard or filled wedge-shaped body is applied to the head end or leg end of the mattress, the user's leg can be moved up and / or The need for pillows can be reduced or eliminated. Although repeated throughout the text about expanding the body with air, the user can of course use other fluids such as water. The main body 3 does not need to be hollow, does not need to be expandable, may be filled with a gel or other substance, may be hardened, or may be formed from a foam or the like. FIG. 5 shows such an embodiment, the body is formed to be slightly or considerably shorter than the length of the bed, and can be used not only on the long side of the bed but also on the short side of the bed. . The main body 3 can also form a part of a normal bed or a water bed. For example, the main body 3 can be configured in a partition-like manner placed on a normal base surface. The apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a mode in which the apparatus according to the present invention is simply used in combination with a mattress, but can also be used in combination with, for example, a seat or a chair.

Claims (17)

An element such as a foam layer that forms the core of the mattress that defines the shape of the underlying and supporting surfaces;
A device used with an element for adapting the shape of the underlying surface or support surface to the corrugation,
The device has at least one body that is selectively expandable and / or compressible;
The body is embedded within or disposed under a portion of the element that extends below in use and has a majority of the thickness of the element above it;
The body operates to selectively provide a corrugation on the substrate surface or support surface to the corrugated portion of the element, the corrugated portion being connected to other parts of the element via pivotable components The assembly that has been.   2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the body has a substantially wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape when in use.   3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein in a state where the main body is expanded, the corrugated portion of the element has an angle of 5 ° or more and 45 ° or less in cross section with respect to another portion of the element.   4. An assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the body is inflatable.   Assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the body has at least two separate body parts along the end of the element.   6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the body portion is selectively expandable and deflated.   An assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pump connected to or connectable to the body and controllable by a control, the control being operated by a user Have   8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the operating means is portable and wirelessly connected with the pump during use.   9. An assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the pump is connected to be substantially fixed to the body.   An assembly according to at least claim 4, wherein a selectively controllable output valve is connected to the body.   An assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one second body along the other end of the element.   The assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a sleeve or a surface layer is arranged around the assembly, and at least a part of a portion along a side surface extending downward from the base surface or the support surface has elasticity.   An assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising bending means for compacting the body in the contracted state.   14. An assembly according to claim 13, wherein the bending means comprises a tension cable.   15. The assembly according to claim 14, wherein the tension cable has elasticity.   The assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivoting arrangement of the element comprises at least one incision extending upward from the device to a position below the substrate surface or support surface; The element is locally adaptable within the device to the shape defined by the device.   An assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivoting configuration of the element comprises at least one incision extending downward from the base surface or support surface, the element being defined by the device Can be adapted locally within the device to the shape to be achieved.

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