Expandable Mattress Assembly for Seamless Variable-Width Beds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variable width beds, particularly bariatric beds, face challenges in providing a seamless and comfortable sleeping surface when transitioning between narrow and wide widths, as existing expansion methods create seams that can lead to discomfort and bed sores over time.
Innovation Solution
A mattress design featuring a top section with a wider width than the base section, incorporating a wing portion that extends beyond the base section and a relief notch for seamless expansion, along with positionable expansion members that maintain a flat and seam-free surface in both configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mattresses are employed to achieve wide width, then the bed can accommodate large persons, but the mattresses must be swapped when width is changed which is difficult when the bed is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into a base section and a top section with wing portions that can be independently positioned. The top section can be folded down to create narrow width or extended laterally to create wide width, eliminating the need to swap entire mattresses while maintaining adaptability to different width requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If a narrow mattress is expanded to wide width using expansion members, then the bed width is increased, but a seam is created where the expansion member abuts the mattress which becomes uncomfortable over time
Solution Approach 1:
The top section of the mattress is designed to extend laterally beyond the base section, merging the sleeping surface continuity across what would traditionally be a seam location. The wing portions fold down to meet the base section edges, creating a unified, seamless surface that eliminates the harmful seam effect while maintaining width expansion capability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the top section extends beyond the base section to provide seamless surface, then the sleeping surface is smooth and seam-free, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wing portions are designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing them to fold down for narrow width or extend laterally for wide width. This dynamic configuration enables the mattress to adapt its structure to different width requirements while maintaining a relatively simple base design, balancing seam elimination with structural simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention encompasses a mattress (20) for a variable width bed. The mattress (20) has a top section (40) positioned on a base section (50, 60) with the top section (40) having a width greater than the width of the base section (50, 60), so that wing portions of the top section (40) extend beyond the sides of the base section (50, 60). The top section (40) may also have a pair of relief notches (140) defined therein with one relief notch (140) positioned generally above each side of the base section (50, 60). The mattress (20) cooperates with one or more expansion members (30) that are sized so that when placed at the side of the base section (50, 60) and below the wing portion of the top section (40) the sleeping surface of the mattress (20) will be substantially flat and substantially seam and crease free.