Mattress pad

Claim 1

A mattress pad defined by a head end, opposed foot end and parallel sides extending therebetween adopted to prevent decubitus ulcers of a person laying thereon wherein there is a head section and a feet and legs section formed of polyurethane each having an upper surface of convolutions including peaks and valleys wherein air may pass around the convolutions throughout the area of the sections so that the extremities of a person resting upon said sections are in an elevated position, the improvement comprising: a torso bridge section extending between and uniting said head section and said feet and legs section and of a width extending between said parallel sides said bridge section being recessed having a top surface below the top of said peaks of said convolutions and having open sides; a torso support insert member of polyurethane inserted in said recess and extending between and to said sides, said member having a plurality of intersecting grooves that define air passages, at least some of said air passages extending to said sides, with a height complimentary with the top of said peaks and of a top surface configuration different than the tops of said head section and said feet and legs section, and said insert member being the same or a greater stiffness than the stiffness of said convolutions of said head section and said feet and legs section whereby the torso of said person may be supported to overlie said air passages without collapsing them; and the tops of said peaks of said head section and said feet and legs section being of complimentary horizontal heights.