Adjustable Contour Mattress System

Abstract

An adjustable contour mattress is provided with a multiplicity of zones each having a mattress height independently adjustable by a respective electro-mechanical actuator. The actuators are disposed within the mattress between a lower panel member and an upper mattress layer. A control unit is connected to the actuators for operating them to alternately raise and lower respective zones of the upper mattress layer. A remote control is operatively connected to the control unit and includes command input elements enabling an individual user to selectively operate the actuators independently of other ones of the actuators, whereby the user can adjust heights of the zones independently of one another.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a mattress having an adjustable contour.[0002]Standard off-the-shelf mattresses and pillows are not designed to satisfy individual needs for contour and hardness and accordingly fail to provide adequate support to the spine and neck of the user. In particular, many elderly people have trouble finding a mattress and pillow on the market which would fit 100% their needs for relief from shoulder pain, neck pain, back pain resulting from improper support to their body because of the less-than-optimum contour and hardness of their mattresses.[0003]The prior art includes air-bag-type mattresses for pressure sore relief and with low contact pressure for comfort. There are also adjustable bed support frames (like those commonly used in hospitals) available on the market.[0004]However, there is no tailor made mattress and pillow available in the market place for adapting a mattress to fit individual needs in the manner of tailor made...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention aims to provide a manually adjustable electro-mechanical mattress that allows the user to adjust and change the contour of the mattress and pillow to get the best support he or she wishes.

[0009]An adjustable contour mattress system in accordance with the present invention comprises a support frame, a mattress, a multiplicity of actuators, a control unit and a remote control. The support frame has at least one lower panel member along a bottom periphery of the frame, while the mattress has an at least partially resilient upper layer and is provided with a multiplicity of height-adjustable zones. The actuators equal in number to the mattress zones and are disposed within the mattress between the lower panel member and the upper layer. The control unit is operatively connected to the actuators for operating same to alternately raise and lower respective zones of the upper layer. The remote control is operatively connected to the control unit and includes command input elements enabling an individual user to selectively operate the actuators independently of other ones of the actuators, whereby the user can adjust heights of the zones independently of one another. The control of zone height may be effectuated in real time, that is, while the user is on the mattress. Alternatively, or additionally, user adjustment of mattress zone height may be implemented via electronic storage of user-adjusted mattress contours and subsequent operation of mattress height actuators pursuant to the stored mattress contour. Typically, mattress contour adjustment is effectuated while the user is lying on the mattress. Contour adjustments may be stored as “canned” contours per user direction.

Problems solved by technology

Standard off-the-shelf mattresses and pillows are not designed to satisfy individual needs for contour and hardness and accordingly fail to provide adequate support to the spine and neck of the user.

In particular, many elderly people have trouble finding a mattress and pillow on the market which would fit 100% their needs for relief from shoulder pain, neck pain, back pain resulting from improper support to their body because of the less-than-optimum contour and hardness of their mattresses.

However, there is no tailor made mattress and pillow available in the market place for adapting a mattress to fit individual needs in the manner of tailor made shoes and clothing.

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