Fittings for a box spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current box spring configurations lack a stable vertical surface for securely connecting air supply conduits, making it difficult to incorporate an inflatable air bladder without affecting the air supply when maneuvering a mattress.
Innovation Solution
The integration of fittings on the vertical and horizontal surfaces of the box spring, along with an interior conduit, provides a continuous air flow path from an external source to an inflatable volume, allowing for a stable connection and independent maneuvering of the mattress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air supply conduit is connected directly to the mattress, then the mattress can be inflated to facilitate maneuvering, but the conduit and air supply are maneuvered along with the mattress causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent segments: the mattress with its inflatable bladder that can be maneuvered, and the fixed air supply system with conduit and pump. The bladder disconnects from the conduit during maneuvering, allowing the mattress to be moved without affecting the stable air supply connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable bladder acts as an intermediary between the mattress and the air supply conduit. It provides the necessary inflation for maneuvering while being separable from the conduit, thus mediating between the need for mattress mobility and conduit stability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the box spring uses a soft cover for vertical walls, then the box spring is comfortable and flexible, but it cannot provide a stable surface for conduit connection
Solution Approach 1:
The connection point is moved from the vertical dimension (side wall) to the horizontal dimension (top surface). The conduit connects to the top surface of the box spring where the foundation is rigid and stable, avoiding the problem of soft vertical walls while still providing access for air supply.
3Ease of operation
If the air supply system is integrated into the mattress, then maneuvering is facilitated, but the air supply is affected when the mattress is moved
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into a movable component (inflatable bladder attached to mattress) and a fixed component (conduit and air pump). This allows the bladder to move with the mattress for easy maneuvering while the conduit remains stationary to maintain stable air supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply conduit and pump are extracted from the mattress structure and placed in a fixed external location. Only the essential inflatable bladder remains attached to the mattress, separating the maneuvering function from the air supply infrastructure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables the mattress to be maneuvered without affecting the external air source, providing a stable and efficient air supply to the inflatable bladder.
Implementation Method 1
the inflatable air volume is inflated in order to facilitate maneuvering of the mattress
Implementation Method 2
a conduit is attached to the inflatable air volume on one end and an air supply is connected to the opposing end of the conduit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to fittings and an interior conduit to providing a continuous air flow path from a vertical wall of the box spring to a horizontal surface of the box spring to selectively supply to an inflatable volume integrated into a top surface of the box spring. Fittings are provided on a vertical wall for connection to an external source of air. Another set of fittings are provided on a top surface of the box spring for connection to an inflatable bladder. A conduit inside the box spring is connected to an interior nozzle on each of the fittings to provide a continuous flow path from the fittings on the vertical to the fittings on the horizontal surface. The side wall fittings allow an external source of air to be supported or alternatively provide a stable connection for a conduit. With such a configuration, a mattress being supported by a box spring can be maneuvered under the influence of the inflatable bladder without affecting the external source of air.