Body support comfort device

Abstract

An adjustable, inflatable surface comfort device to be used with shaped body support devices or as a stand alone comfort device such as a mattress. The surface comfort device comprises an inflatable bladder having a shape and size to substantially cover at least one support surface of a shaped body support device so as to conform to and provide a comfort layer to the body support device. According to one embodiment, a self-sealing valve is coupled to a port of the inflatable bladder, and is constructed and arranged to enable all of inflation, deflation, and comfort control of the surface comfort device.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 412,075 which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 371,960, filed Apr. 11, 2002, and provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 374,878, filed Apr. 23, 2002, the contents of which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an inflatable surface comfort device which may be used with body support devices or as a stand alone comfort device, for example, a mattress. DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART [0003] It is to be understood that a body support structure or body support device, as used herein, includes, for example, a chair seat, a chair back, a head rest, a leg or foot support device, or any other structure or device that is used for, for example, sitting, reclining, lying down, or supporting a pers...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One problem with these foam layer devices is that the foam layer must be thin to accommodate shaped devices, and foam is a compressible material which compacts at a point where pressure is applied.

Thus, the thin layer of foam typically does not equally distribute the applied pressure or weight and typically provides at least one pressure point and discomfort point to the user of the thin foam device.

Another problem with foam devices is that the performance of foam degrades over time and can vary with environmental conditions.

In addition, the thin foam device 100 does not supportively conform to a surface or subject applying pressure to the thin foam device.

Further, the thin foam device may not typically conform to the body support device that it is used with.

However, one problem with some inflatable devices is that they may not be self-sealing, thus requiring a user to fumble with a valve when inflating the device.

These valves are clumsy, are not self-sealing and thus are difficult to adjust an amount of fluid in the device.

Another problem with some inflatable devices is that the inflatable devices are not intended to be used with shaped or cushioned surfaces, and instead are intended to be used on a flat surface.

However, an inflatable mattress would not work well with and would not conform with a shaped surface.

However, the problem with device 10 is that it is not shaped to be used with a shaped surface.

In addition, the device 10 is typically not sized to be compatible with the body support structure.

However, the thickness of the device and the size of the device make it impractical to be used with a shaped surface such as the surface 12 of the seat 13.

In addition, when the device is not fully inflated, it tends to move around the surface 12 and provide an unbalanced cushioning.

Thus, the device 10 is ergonomically incompatible with a shaped surface such as the surface 12 and, does not overspread the entire surface 12, and can be unstable to use with a shaped surface.

Further, the device 10 may not have a mechanism for adjusting an amount of fluid within the device 10, to adjust an amount of support or comfort that the device 10 provides.

For example, the device may have a stem valve as discussed above which requires fumbling with the valve and the mating cover in order to inflate or adjust the amount of fluid in device 10, and therefore there is no easy adjustment mechanism to adjust the amount of fluid in the device 10.

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