Abstract A mattress for support of the human body in which the body engaging surface includes a large number of individual inflatable pads. The pads, forming either the entire mattress or an individual zone thereof are interconnected to a single fluid chamber providing a predetermined fluid pressure. In a mattress divided into zones, means are provided so that pressure in various zones may differ from each other. Moreover, the pressure in any zone or of the entire mattress may be varied at the user''s will, such that the hardness or softness of the mattress is adjustable. The individual inflatable pads include a bellows like flexible tube having a flattened closed end at the top and secured to a rigid base at the bottom through which fluid may be supplied to the pad. A restrainer, such as a chain, may be affixed within the pad to limit its elongation under pressure.
A fluid mattress comprising a flat rigid upper wall, a rigid lower wall and a rigid peripheral wall, said walls being joined together in fluid tight relationship to form a fluid chamber, a field of pressure expandable pads secured to said top wall, each of said pads comprising a bellows shaped tube having a closed upper end and an open lower end, and means within the bellows shaped tube for limiting the expansion thereof, the interior of each of said pressure expandable pads being in fluid communication with said fluid chamber, and means for applying fluid under pressure to said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A fluid mattress comprising a flat rigid upper wall, a rigid lower wall and a rigid peripheral wall, said walls being joined together in fluid tight relationship to form a fluid chamber, a field of pressure expandable pads secured to said top wall, each of said pads comprising a bellows shaped tube having a closed upper end and an open lower end, and means within the bellows shaped tube for limiting the expansion thereof, the interior of each of said pressure expandable pads being in fluid communication with said fluid chamber, and means for applying fluid under pressure to said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fluid mattress as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for applying fluid under pressure to said chamber includes means for applying said fluid at selectively variable pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A fluid mattress as defined in claim 1, together with divider means located within said rigid walls for dividing said fluid chamber into compartments and means for applying fluid under selectively variable pressure to each of said compartments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fluid mattress as defined in claim 1, together with a cover disposed about said pressure expandable pads and removeably secured to said peripheral wall.