US3388701A - Valve for air mattress - Google Patents

Valve for air mattress Download PDF

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Publication number
US3388701A
US3388701A US507478A US50747865A US3388701A US 3388701 A US3388701 A US 3388701A US 507478 A US507478 A US 507478A US 50747865 A US50747865 A US 50747865A US 3388701 A US3388701 A US 3388701A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
air
valve
cells
group
mattress
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US507478A
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English (en)
Inventor
Schreiber Peter
Breiling Hans Georg
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of US3388701A publication Critical patent/US3388701A/en
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses
    • A47C27/10—Fluid mattresses with two or more independently-fillable chambers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses
    • A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses of pneumatic type
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
    • A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
    • A61G7/05769—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers
    • A61G7/05776—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K11/00—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves
    • F16K11/02—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit
    • F16K11/06—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only sliding valves, i.e. sliding closure elements
    • F16K11/072—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only sliding valves, i.e. sliding closure elements with pivoted closure members
    • F16K11/074—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only sliding valves, i.e. sliding closure elements with pivoted closure members with flat sealing faces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K15/00—Check valves
    • F16K15/20—Check valves specially designed for inflatable bodies, e.g. tyres
    • F16K15/202—Check valves specially designed for inflatable bodies, e.g. tyres and with flexible valve member
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593—Systems
    • Y10T137/86389—Programmer or timer
    • Y10T137/86405—Repeating cycle
    • Y10T137/86413—Self-cycling

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an air mattress and especially to a valve for alternately inflating and deflating separate groups of air cells in the mattress.
  • Alternating pressure air mattresses which contain groups of air cells separate from each other and which are in a predetermined pattern, such as alternately inflated with air and deflated.
  • the body of the patient lying on the mattress consequently is not always in contact with the mattress with the same parts of his body. This means that it is possible to position the patients body on the mattress with respect to the position of the air cells in the mattress and which air cells are to be infiated.
  • the mattress can contain two or more separate groups of air cells. In a simple form of the invention, only two groups of cells are used which are separate from each other.
  • the groups of air cells can be evenly distributed across the mattress or arranged in any suitable manner.
  • Either motor or manually actuated pumps can be used to alternately fill the groups of air cells adjacent each other and such pumps are operated to uniformly supply air for alternately inflating or deflating the air from the air cells.
  • Apparatuses have been used in which two groups of air cells are connected to opposite sides of an electrically driven dual purpose air pump.
  • mattresses having alternately pressured air cells connected to a pressurized gas source in such a way that the inflation as well as the deflation of the cells is controlled by a valve.
  • the necessary maximum pressure is set by a relief valve.
  • the apparatus in one construction of this type has each group of air cells connected to a dual purpose valve so that, when the valve is in one position, a group of air cells communicates with the source of pressure, and when the valve is in another position, the air cells communicate with the surrounding atmosphere.
  • Magnetic valves have been used for this purpose which may be electrically controlled by the air in a control cylinder.
  • the object of this invention is to avoid the above disadvantages of the prior art systems.
  • This invention is an improvement over a mattress air cell system whose air cells are connected by two valves which alternately open and close with respect to the source of pressurized gas and with respect to the atmosphere so that the valve openable to the atmosphere is closed When the valve openable to the gas supply is opened and vice versa.
  • the valve means is so constructed so that it can be turned to the following four control settings:
  • the advantage of this invention is in that the patient always lies at the same level since the pressure in one group of cells does not drop until after the pressure in an adjacent group of cells has been increased to inflate the cells.
  • a further feature of the invention is in that each group of air cells is connected by a pipe, respectively, with adjacent pump chambers of a control apparatus.
  • a movable wall or a movable partition separating the pump chambers is connected to the valve for rotating or turning the same. This has the advantage in that the need for an electrical control mechanism is avoided.
  • FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view through the valve mechanism of this invention
  • FIGURES 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are schematic views taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 showing different positions of the valve;
  • FEGURES 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d are diagrammatic views of different positions for the drive mechanism of the valve.
  • FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 1.
  • a pressurized air source 1 such as compresed air, is connected through a pressure regulator 2 to the interior 3 of the valve mechanism.
  • This valve mechanism has a cylindrical housing 4, one end of which is closed by a valve seat 5 upon which a circular valve head 6 is adapted to slide by rotating or turning on the valve seat.
  • a semi-circular slot 7 extends through valve head 6.
  • the side of the valve head seated on the valve seat 5 is provided with a circular segment recess 8.
  • Valve seat 5 has sir-1 ports extending therethrough which, in a simple manner, are represented as being parallel to the central axis M of valve head 6.
  • the two outermost ports 9 and 16 which are radially equidistant from axis M are connected each, respectively, with one of the groups of air cells 11 and 12 schematically indicated as eing in a mattress.
  • the connecting pipes 13 and 14 are joined through branch pipes 15 and 16 to the ports 17 and 18 also equidistant from axis M.
  • Valve seat 5 is finally provided with ports 19 and 20 which open into the atmosphere and which are also equidistant from axis M.
  • Valve head 6 is joined to a cylindrical drive shaft 21,
  • This shaft has a cam groove 21a in its exterior surface into which is seated a cam pin 22a secured to a cylindrical portion 22 of a drive rod. Portion 22 is telescoped over shaft 21.
  • Valve head 6 is constantly urged by a compression spring 23 against the valve seat with the opposite end of the spring bearing against an abutment 24 mounted within the housing 4.
  • Cylindrical portion 22 is a part of a drive rod 25 Which extends through the end 26 of housing 4 and also through a head piece 27.
  • An accordion bellows 28 is secured between end 26 and head piece 27 and sealed gas tight.
  • Bellows 28 is separated by a partition 29 and urged to normally centered position by spring 30 and 31 which abut partition 29 and the end 26 and head piece 27, respectively.
  • Bellows 28 is thus separated into two chambers 32 and 34.
  • Chamber 32 is connected by pipe 33 to air cell group 11, while chamber 34 is connected by pipe 35 to air cell group 12 in the mattress.
  • the apparatus operates as follows, it being noted that the position of the apparatus in FIGURE 1 corresponds to the setting of the valve as shown in FIGURE 2a.
  • the port 9 communicates through slot 7 with the interior 3 of the valve so that air cell group 11 remains inflated.
  • the recess 8 has moved to place ports 18 and 20 into communication. Therefore, the compressed air in air cell group 12 escapes through pipe 16 and ports 18 and 20 into the Outer atmosphere. In the same manner, air escapes from bellows chamber 34 while the pressure in chamber 32 is retained. Partition 29 therefore is moved to the right and pushes rod 25 into the position represented in FIGURE 3c.
  • a cylindrical or conical slide valve can be used in place of the valve head 6. Also, a plurality of ports can be substituted for the continuous slot 7.
  • An air valve for a mattress having separate groups of air cells adapted to be alternately inflated and deflated by compressed air supplied through the valve, and in which the air supply to a group of cells is closed when the group of cells is open to the atmosphere, comprising a valve head rotatably and slidably mounted on a valve seat, said seat having two ports therein equally spaced from the center of the seat for the supply of air to said cells, and two ports for the passage of air from said cells into the atmosphere; said valve having port means corresponding to the ports in the valve seat for interconnecting the ports in the valve seat, and a recess for establishing communication between the ports for the passage of air from said cells into the atmosphere.
  • said bellows means comprising two bellows chambers, and pipe means for joining each chamber with its respective group of cells.
  • said drive means further comprising a shaft joined to said valve head, a cam gr ove in said shaft, and a cam pin secured to said rod and seated in said groove.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nursing (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
  • Multiple-Way Valves (AREA)
US507478A 1964-12-24 1965-11-12 Valve for air mattress Expired - Lifetime US3388701A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DED46136A DE1283464B (de) 1964-12-24 1964-12-24 Drehschieberventil fuer Druckwechselmatratzen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3388701A true US3388701A (en) 1968-06-18

Family

ID=7049514

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US507478A Expired - Lifetime US3388701A (en) 1964-12-24 1965-11-12 Valve for air mattress

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3388701A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
BE (1) BE674279A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
DE (1) DE1283464B (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
FR (1) FR1451943A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
GB (1) GB1118740A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
NL (1) NL6515732A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
SE (1) SE330068B (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3462778A (en) * 1966-02-25 1969-08-26 Gaymar Ind Inc Inflatable mattress and pressure system
WO1990008491A1 (en) * 1989-01-25 1990-08-09 Mediscus Products Limited Valve design
US6253402B1 (en) * 1998-10-09 2001-07-03 Joenne Lin Air bed structure capable of alternate lying thereon on either of one's sides
US6266833B1 (en) * 1998-10-09 2001-07-31 Joenne Lin Air bed structure capable of alternate aerating and lying thereon on one's side
US20080139876A1 (en) * 2005-07-19 2008-06-12 Apimeds, Inc. Apparatus For Examining and Curing Urinary Incontinence, and For Exercising Bio-Feedback of Women Vagina Muscles
US20140259432A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-18 Kap Medical, Inc. Patient support apparatus and method
EP2491287A4 (en) * 2009-10-21 2017-02-15 Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS Subsea valve actuator having visual manual position indicator connected to a manual override shaft
US11058226B2 (en) 2016-12-08 2021-07-13 Intex Marketing Ltd. Recessed air pump
US11549514B2 (en) 2017-11-27 2023-01-10 Intex Marketing Ltd. Manual inflation and deflation adjustment structure for a pump
RU217177U1 (ru) * 2022-11-22 2023-03-21 Владимир Викторович Михайлов Самовыравнивающийся ортопедический матрас
US11668310B2 (en) 2017-11-15 2023-06-06 Intex Marketing Ltd. Multichannel air pump

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3217981A1 (de) * 1982-05-13 1982-11-11 Helmut Dr.med. 2352 Bordesholm Völkner Pneumatische wendematratze zur entlastung druckgefaehrdeter gewebsbezirke bei liegenden kranken
GB2167293B (en) * 1984-11-26 1988-12-07 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Bedsore preventing apparatus
GB2233551B (en) * 1988-03-14 1992-01-08 Huntleigh Technology Plc Pressure controller
GB8805961D0 (en) * 1988-03-14 1988-04-13 Huntleigh Technology Plc Pressure controller
US5606754A (en) 1989-03-09 1997-03-04 Ssi Medical Services, Inc. Vibratory patient support system
GB2264860B (en) * 1992-03-09 1996-03-13 Huntleigh Technology Plc A pressure controlled inflatable pad apparatus
GB2275986B (en) * 1993-03-12 1996-12-18 Huntleigh Technology Plc Adjustable pressure relief valve
US5586346A (en) 1994-02-15 1996-12-24 Support Systems, International Method and apparatus for supporting and for supplying therapy to a patient
GB2430876A (en) * 2005-10-04 2007-04-11 Colin Davies Alternating pressure mattress
FR2949320B1 (fr) 2009-08-31 2012-11-16 Hill Rom Ind Sa Dispositif de basculement lateral
GB2503031A (en) * 2012-06-15 2013-12-18 Drake & Johnson Innovation Ltd Hand Massage Device
GB2542221B8 (en) * 2016-04-25 2021-06-16 Direct Healthcare Services Ltd Mattress system and connector
EP3930654B1 (en) 2019-02-26 2023-09-20 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient positioning apparatus and mattress

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2719986A (en) * 1950-12-16 1955-10-11 Air Mass Inc Hollow mattress and inflation control therefor
US3148391A (en) * 1961-11-24 1964-09-15 John K Whitney Support device
US3288133A (en) * 1964-03-31 1966-11-29 Hugh B Little Alternately inflatable supporting system for the human body

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE876760C (de) * 1950-10-26 1953-05-18 Draegerwerk Ag Luftmatratze
FR1177524A (fr) * 1957-06-25 1959-04-27 Matelas creux et commande de son gonflement
US2998817A (en) * 1959-08-07 1961-09-05 Gary Armstrong Stebbins Inflatable massaging and cooling mattress
GB959103A (en) * 1961-05-05 1964-05-27 Talley Surgical Instr Ltd A seat or bed for supporting the human body

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2719986A (en) * 1950-12-16 1955-10-11 Air Mass Inc Hollow mattress and inflation control therefor
US3148391A (en) * 1961-11-24 1964-09-15 John K Whitney Support device
US3288133A (en) * 1964-03-31 1966-11-29 Hugh B Little Alternately inflatable supporting system for the human body

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3462778A (en) * 1966-02-25 1969-08-26 Gaymar Ind Inc Inflatable mattress and pressure system
WO1990008491A1 (en) * 1989-01-25 1990-08-09 Mediscus Products Limited Valve design
US5272778A (en) * 1989-01-25 1993-12-28 The Mediscus Group Inc. Valve useful in low air loss beds
US6253402B1 (en) * 1998-10-09 2001-07-03 Joenne Lin Air bed structure capable of alternate lying thereon on either of one's sides
US6266833B1 (en) * 1998-10-09 2001-07-31 Joenne Lin Air bed structure capable of alternate aerating and lying thereon on one's side
US20080139876A1 (en) * 2005-07-19 2008-06-12 Apimeds, Inc. Apparatus For Examining and Curing Urinary Incontinence, and For Exercising Bio-Feedback of Women Vagina Muscles
US8360954B2 (en) * 2005-07-19 2013-01-29 Apimeds, Inc. Apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence, and for exercising bio-feedback of women vagina muscles
EP2491287A4 (en) * 2009-10-21 2017-02-15 Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS Subsea valve actuator having visual manual position indicator connected to a manual override shaft
US20140259432A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-18 Kap Medical, Inc. Patient support apparatus and method
US9801767B2 (en) * 2013-03-14 2017-10-31 Kap Medical, Inc. Patient support apparatus and method
US11058226B2 (en) 2016-12-08 2021-07-13 Intex Marketing Ltd. Recessed air pump
US11668310B2 (en) 2017-11-15 2023-06-06 Intex Marketing Ltd. Multichannel air pump
US11549514B2 (en) 2017-11-27 2023-01-10 Intex Marketing Ltd. Manual inflation and deflation adjustment structure for a pump
US11913462B2 (en) 2017-11-27 2024-02-27 Intex Marketing Ltd. Manual inflation and deflation adjustment structure for a pump
US12215703B2 (en) 2017-11-27 2025-02-04 Intex Marketing Ltd. Manual inflation and deflation adjustment structure for a pump
RU217177U1 (ru) * 2022-11-22 2023-03-21 Владимир Викторович Михайлов Самовыравнивающийся ортопедический матрас

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1451943A (fr) 1966-01-07
DE1283464B (de) 1968-11-21
SE330068B (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1970-11-02
GB1118740A (en) 1968-07-03
NL6515732A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1966-06-27
BE674279A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1966-04-15

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