Surface mounted, motorized upper body lift assembly for alleviating discomfort while lying down

Abstract

A surface-mounted motorized upper body lift, or Inclinator assembly has two frames that are connected to each other by hinges so as to form a wedge shape can be selectively adjusted. The adjustment is made by the user with the application of a remote control, which activates a motor to result in the adjustment of a linear actuator which is attached at either end to the interfacing portions of the two frames. The frame contacting the body of the user is covered by a platform attached to the frame, with a cushion providing protection and comfort attached in turn to the platform. By adjusting the angle between the two frames, the Inclinator assembly provides a wide variety of user-configurable options in order to allow a user to select the configuration that is most comfortable to the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of provisional application 61 / 400,647 filed on Jul. 30, 2010.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention generally concerns lifts to elevate the upper body, and in particular, motorized lifts used for the prevention or alleviation of pain, discomfort and complications to the circulatory, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, neurologic, integumentary and musculoskeletal systems of the human body caused by lying supine.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]Symptoms of ailments specific to the aforementioned systems of the human body may be:[0005]temporary in nature, that is caused by a trauma, illness or surgical procedure, and thus require attention during a rehabilitative process[0006]chronic in nature, that is needing to be managed consistently over the long term[0007]The body response to the alteration of positions is due to gravity, which affects the respiratory, circulatory, n...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0047]This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by an inclining upper-body lift that is formed by a static frame joined to an inclining “lift platform” in a hinged seam. A motor and linear actuator assembly is operated by an attached remote control. The lift platform has hook and loop tape attachments which secure a padded cushion to the top surface. For stability, adjustable straps are attached to the frame for attachment around the desired surface, and non-skid pads are attached to the underside of the frame which contacts that surface. For storage and portability, the assembly is set in a closed position at the lowest angle. The Inclinator may be easily moved within the home by the patient or caregiver to provide access to visitors, entertainment, activities or privacy, and rests easily on any stable surface such as a couch, chaise lounge, bed or the floor. This allows patients to maintain desired / required elevation levels while the bedroom and linens are being cleaned, as well as privacy in the bedroom when a common area in the house is noisy or not conducive to patient rest, rehabilitation or examination / procedures.

[0049]The Inclinator assembly is lightweight, portable and durable to withstand the effects of handling on traditional forms of public transportation, making it unique and ideal for use in various locations both home and away. The Inclinator assembly is intended and appropriate for use on any stable surface or piece of furniture where the user is engaged in sleeping, resting, reading, laptop computing, watching TV, eating, conversing, etc . . . for either short or long periods of time, including overnight.

[0050]Compared to existing products, the Inclinator assembly exhibits superior portability, flexibility, durability and user-set adjustability, thereby making the Inclinator assembly much more amenable to use in both medical and recreational applications in most types of environments. Because the Inclinator assembly is lightweight, sturdy, durable and of the size / shape allowable as check-through luggage in air travel, users are, for the first time, able to transport a solution that is less expensive, smaller, lighter and portable, where previously no solution existed.

[0051]In general, the Inclinator assembly provides relief and prevention of pain and discomfort experienced by persons seeking relief from such issues related to lying supine. The Inclinator assembly offers an alternative to costly or insufficient products available to persons who have a range and variety of issues with unsatisfactory existing products, or who have issues that have yet to be addressed by a product such as the Inclinator assembly. The Inclinator assembly is lightweight, portable, adjustable and does not impede on the comfort or space of a second occupant in the user's bed. The range of motion and quiet motorized operation of the Inclinator assembly provides the user with many positions as desired to either alleviate or prevent pain and discomfort caused by performing activities such as sleeping, reading, watching TV, etc . . . while lying supine. The Inclinator assembly offers relief to persons who desire, or are required to, maintain a position of upper body elevation, whether due to a medical condition, as the result of a traumatic injury, as part of a post-operative recovery / rehabilitation program or to provide comfort during sleeping, resting or recreational activities. Users of the Inclinator assembly are no longer limited to solutions that are intended and appropriate for use only in a hospital setting or in a static position within the home or rehabilitation facility.

[0052]The Inclinator assembly can be made available in various heights, widths, lengths and ranges of motion so as to provide a range of models that suit all body types, sizes and user activities. Even with the use of the “standard” model of the Inclinator assembly, having dimensions to accommodate the “average” person, the versatility and adjustability of the Inclinator assembly allows the user a significant degree of customization to configure the Inclinator assembly to provide each person with the most comfortable configuration that simultaneously maximizes relief and minimizes the introduction of new, or exacerbation of existing, pain, discomfort, or other physical symptoms.

Problems solved by technology

Some innerspring mattresses do not work well when inclined and may cause back pain, making a further case for application of a fixed support surface, rather than a commercially available standard bed mattress not intended for elevation.

Blood from the heart pumps powerfully into the head without gravity's resistance, increasing intracranial pressure, and blood returning from the brain to the heart must do so without gravity's assistance, causing a back-up of blood in the brain.

Extended periods of time lying flat increased brain pressure and therefore accompanying migraines, glaucoma, Meniere's disease, and other problems associated with a pressurized, congested brain.

In addition, fluid accumulation (edema) caused by this pressure within the brain tissue, can carry associated hypoxia and hypoglycemia.

While the hospital bed does provide for elevation of the upper body, it is neither intended, nor practicable, for home use.

There is a variety of lifts intended for the elevation of the body that are inflatable, requiring either placement of such a product between the box-spring and mattress of a standard bed configuration in order to elevate the upper body, or on top of a sleeping surface, but limited to the repositioning of the entire body.

While initially providing workable solutions, these products are ineffective due to:the inability of most users suffering pain or discomfort caused by an injury to lift the existing mattress, hold up the mattress while placing the lift atop the box-spring or platform frame, then placing the mattress back in its original position.properties of current mattresses whereby they are designed firmer, taller and less flexible for increased comfort above that of older mattresses, but preventing the mattress from flexing / lifting as intended by the lift.the placement of such lifts affecting not only the user's side of the bed, but impeding on a second occupant of the same bed.the unacceptable noise level created by any such product which utilizes an air-filled bladder operating with high noise levels while inflating, thus disturbing the sleep of both the user of any such inflatable solution and any other person in the same room, same bed, or in an adjoining room.

A similar effect occurs with products which rely on a foam, or other commonly used support materials, but are of insufficient density to maintain the desired, and ergonomically correct, postural support and position.

Even advanced products of this type, while potentially configurable or allowing for placement at several discrete positions, do not allow for infinite angle placements in a continuous range.

Such adaptation, however, would be ineffective to meet those needs, for several reasons.

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