US4829616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air control system for air bed
Assignee: Sleep Number Corp
•
Filing: 1987-09-14
•
Granted: 1989-05-16
•
Expires: 2007-09-14
Abstract
Abstract An air supply and control apparatus has an air pump to supply air under pressure to air mattresses of an air bed. A hand control having a pair of valves functions to control the operation of the air pump to supply air to the air mattresses and vent air from the air mattresses. A second embodiment of the air supply and control apparatus has a motor driven impeller for supplying air under pressure to air mattresses. Solenoids having two coils operate valves to allow air to flow to the air mattress or vent air from the air mattress to adjust the firmness of the mattresses. A normally closed switch is opened when the solenoid opens the valve. The switch turns off one coil of the solenoid. The other coil remains energized to hold the valve open. Hand controls having switches are electrically coupled to the motor and solenoids to control the operation thereof. A third embodiment of the air control apparatus has air pump and valve assembly operable with a hand control to selectively direct air under pressure to an air mattress and vent air from the air mattress. The air mattress and air control apparatus is incorporated into a sofa bed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:55
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C27/00; A47C27/08; A47C27/10; A47C27/081; A47C27/082; A47C27/083; F; F04; F04D; F04D25/00; F04D25/02; F04D25/08; F04D25/084; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
381 words
An apparatus for supplying air under pressure to an air mattress and regulating the pressure of the air in the air mattress comprising: pump means operable to supply air under pressure, electric powered means for operating the pump means, hose means connecting the pump means with the air mattress for carrying air from the pump means to air mattress, control means connected to the hose means for controlling the flow of air to and from the air mattress, said control means having valve means selectively operable to an open position to allow air to flow from the pump means to the air mattress and to a closed position to block the flow or air from the air mattress, solenoid means operable to move the valve means from the closed position to the open position, said solenoid means having a movable plunger connected to the valve means and first and second coils for generating a common magnetic field to move said plunger and valve means to the open position, normally closed first switch means connected to the first coil, rectifier means connected to the first switch means and second coil to provide DC power to the first switch means and second coil, said first switch means when closed coupling said DC power to said first coil whereby said first and second coils are energized thereby moving said plunger and valve means to the open position, second switch means for connecting the rectifier means to the electric motor, second coil, and first switch means to energize said first and second coils and move the valve means from the closed position to the open position and to energize said electric motor whereby the impeller moves air into the air mattress, said first switch means being opened by said plunger when the valve means is in the open position to de-energize said first coil, said plunger and valve means held in the open position by the continued energization of the second coil, said second switch means having actuator means movable to a position for connecting the rectifier means to the first coil and first switch means to energize said first an second coils and move the valve means from a closed position to an open position to allow air to vent from the air mattress.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
381 words
An apparatus for supplying air under pressure to an air mattress and regulating the pressure of the air in the air mattress comprising: pump means operable to supply air under pressure, electric powered means for operating the pump means, hose means connecting the pump means with the air mattress for carrying air from the pump means to air mattress, control means connected to the hose means for controlling the flow of air to and from the air mattress, said control means having valve means selectively operable to an open position to allow air to flow from the pump means to the air mattress and to a closed position to block the flow or air from the air mattress, solenoid means operable to move the valve means from the closed position to the open position, said solenoid means having a movable plunger connected to the valve means and first and second coils for generating a common magnetic field to move said plunger and valve means to the open position, normally closed first switch means connected to the first coil, rectifier means connected to the first switch means and second coil to provide DC power to the first switch means and second coil, said first switch means when closed coupling said DC power to said first coil whereby said first and second coils are energized thereby moving said plunger and valve means to the open position, second switch means for connecting the rectifier means to the electric motor, second coil, and first switch means to energize said first and second coils and move the valve means from the closed position to the open position and to energize said electric motor whereby the impeller moves air into the air mattress, said first switch means being opened by said plunger when the valve means is in the open position to de-energize said first coil, said plunger and valve means held in the open position by the continued energization of the second coil, said second switch means having actuator means movable to a position for connecting the rectifier means to the first coil and first switch means to energize said first an second coils and move the valve means from a closed position to an open position to allow air to vent from the air mattress.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the pump means has a rotatable impeller and the electric powered means is an electric motor having a drive shaft, said impeller being connected to said drive shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including: biasing means operable to bias the valve means to the closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including: tubular means having an annular end surrounding an air inlet passage, said valve means including a member engageable with said annular end to close said inlet passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including: biasing means surrounding the plunger and engageable with said member to bias the member into engagement with the annular end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including: casing means having internal chamber means, said pump means and control means being located within said chamber means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: said casing means has an internal wall dividing the chamber means into a first chamber and a second chamber, said wall having an opening to allow air to flow between said chambers, said pump means being located in said first chamber and operable to pump air through said opening into the second chamber, said valve means being located in said second chamber, said hose means being connected to the casing means in air communication with the second chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: the pump means has a rotatable impeller aligned with the opening and the electric powered means is an electric motor drivably connected to the impeller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including: gate means movable to a first position to allow air to be pumped by the pump means into the air mattress and a second position to allow air to be pumped by the pump means out of the air mattress, and control means operable to move the gate means between the first and second positions thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the control means includes a second solenoid means connected to the gate means and electrically connected to the second switch means whereby operation of the second switch means operates said second solenoid means to move the gate means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
343 words
An apparatus for supplying air under pressure to an air mattress and regulating the pressure of the air in the air mattress comprising: casing means having a first internal chamber, a second internal chamber, first openings allowing ambient air to flow into the first chamber, a second opening allowing air to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, and tubular connector means open to the second chambr, hose means connecting the air mattress to the connector means for carrying air to and from the air mattress, a rotatable impeller located in said first chamber operable to move air from the first chamber through the second opening into the second chamber, and electric motor operable to rotate the impeller means, valve means located in said second chamber operable to close the opening to the tubular connector means, solenoid means connected to the valve means operable to open said valve means, said solenoid means having a movable plunger connected to the valve means and first and second coils for generating a common magnetic field to move said plunger, a normally closed first switch connected to said first coil, rectifier means connected to the first switch and second coil, second switch means for connecting the rectifier means to the electric motor and first switch to energize said first and second coils and move the valve means from a closed position to an open position and to energize said electric motor whereby the impeller moves air through the hose mean into the air mattress, said first switch means being opened by said plunger when the valve means is in the open position to de-energize the first coil, said plunger and valve means being held in the open position by the continued energization of the second coil, said second switch means being movable to a position for connecting the rectifier means to the first switch and second coil to energize said first and second coils and move the valve means from the closed position to open position to allow air to vent from the air mattress.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
343 words
An apparatus for supplying air under pressure to an air mattress and regulating the pressure of the air in the air mattress comprising: casing means having a first internal chamber, a second internal chamber, first openings allowing ambient air to flow into the first chamber, a second opening allowing air to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, and tubular connector means open to the second chambr, hose means connecting the air mattress to the connector means for carrying air to and from the air mattress, a rotatable impeller located in said first chamber operable to move air from the first chamber through the second opening into the second chamber, and electric motor operable to rotate the impeller means, valve means located in said second chamber operable to close the opening to the tubular connector means, solenoid means connected to the valve means operable to open said valve means, said solenoid means having a movable plunger connected to the valve means and first and second coils for generating a common magnetic field to move said plunger, a normally closed first switch connected to said first coil, rectifier means connected to the first switch and second coil, second switch means for connecting the rectifier means to the electric motor and first switch to energize said first and second coils and move the valve means from a closed position to an open position and to energize said electric motor whereby the impeller moves air through the hose mean into the air mattress, said first switch means being opened by said plunger when the valve means is in the open position to de-energize the first coil, said plunger and valve means being held in the open position by the continued energization of the second coil, said second switch means being movable to a position for connecting the rectifier means to the first switch and second coil to energize said first and second coils and move the valve means from the closed position to open position to allow air to vent from the air mattress.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 11 including: biasing means operable to bias the valve means to the closed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 11 including: tubular means having an annular end surrounding an air inlet passage, said valve means including a member engageable with said annular end to close said inlet passage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 13 including: biasing means surrounding the plunger engageable with said member to bias the member into engagement with the annular end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said electric motor is located in said first chamber, and said impeller is located in general vertical alignment with said second opening whereby on rotation of the impeller by motor air is pumped through said second opening into the second chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 11 including: gate means movable to a first position to allow air to be pumped by the pump means into the air mattress and a second position to allow air to be pumped by the pump means into the air mattress and a second position to allow air to be pumped by the pump means out of the air mattress, and control means operable to move the gate means between the first and second positions thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the control means includes second solenoid means connected to the gate means and electrically connected to the second switch means whereby operation of the second switch means operates said second solenoid means to move the gate means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
314 words
An apparatus for selectively supplying air under pressure to an air mattress and venting air from the air mattress comprising: pump means operable to supply air under pressure, electric powered means for operating the pump means, hose means connecting the pump means with the air mattress for carrying air from the pump means to an air mattress, control means connected to the hose means for controlling the flow of air to and from the air mattress, said control means having first valve means operable to selectively allow air to flow from the pump means to the air mattress and block the flow of air from the air mattress, solenoid means operable to move the first valve means from a closed position to an open position, said solenoid means having a movable plunger connected to the first valve means and first and second coils for generating a common magnetic field to move said plunger, first normally closed switch means connected to the first coil, rectifier means connected to the switch means and second coil to provide DC power to the first and second coils, second switch means for connecting the rectifier means and electric motor to a source of AC power to energize said first and second coils and move the first valve means from a closed position to an open position and to energize said electric motor whereby the impeller moves air into the air mattress, said first switch means being opened by said plunger when the first valve means is in the open position thereby de-energizing the second coil, said first coil remaining to hold the valve means in its open position, second valve means movable to position to allow said impeller to vent air from the air mattress when the electric motor is energized and the first valve means is open, and means for moving said second valve means to said position.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
314 words
An apparatus for selectively supplying air under pressure to an air mattress and venting air from the air mattress comprising: pump means operable to supply air under pressure, electric powered means for operating the pump means, hose means connecting the pump means with the air mattress for carrying air from the pump means to an air mattress, control means connected to the hose means for controlling the flow of air to and from the air mattress, said control means having first valve means operable to selectively allow air to flow from the pump means to the air mattress and block the flow of air from the air mattress, solenoid means operable to move the first valve means from a closed position to an open position, said solenoid means having a movable plunger connected to the first valve means and first and second coils for generating a common magnetic field to move said plunger, first normally closed switch means connected to the first coil, rectifier means connected to the switch means and second coil to provide DC power to the first and second coils, second switch means for connecting the rectifier means and electric motor to a source of AC power to energize said first and second coils and move the first valve means from a closed position to an open position and to energize said electric motor whereby the impeller moves air into the air mattress, said first switch means being opened by said plunger when the first valve means is in the open position thereby de-energizing the second coil, said first coil remaining to hold the valve means in its open position, second valve means movable to position to allow said impeller to vent air from the air mattress when the electric motor is energized and the first valve means is open, and means for moving said second valve means to said position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including: biasing means operable to bias the first valve means to the closed position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including: tubular means having an annular end surrounding an air inlet passage, said valve means including a member engageable with said annular end to close said inlet passage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 20 including: biasing means surrounding the plunger and engageable with said member to bias the member into engagement with the annular end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including: casing means having internal chamber means, said pump means and control means being located within said chamber means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein: said casing means has an internal wall dividing the chamber means into a first chamber and a second chamber, said wall having an opening to allow air to flow between said chambers, said pump means being located in said first chamber and operable to pump air through said opening into the second chamber, said first valve means being located in said second chamber, said hose means being connected to the casing means in air communication with the second chamber, and said second valve means being located within said casing means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the second valve means is a movable gate having openings to allow air to flow through said gate, and said means for moving the second valve means is a solenoid connected to the gate, said solenoid whereby the second switch means is operable to energize said solenoid and electric motor so that the impeller draws air out of the air mattress.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus for selectively supplying air under pressure to an air mattress and vent air from the air mattress comprising: first means operable to supply air under pressure, second means connecting the first means to the air mattress for carrying air from the first means to the air mattress and allowing air to be vented from the air mattress, control means connected to the second means for controlling the flow of air to and from the air mattress, said control means having first valve means operable to selectively allow air to flow from the first means to the air mattress and block the flow of air from the air mattress, first solenoid means operable to move the first valve means from a closed position to an open position, means for supplying power to said first solenoid means to energize said first solenoid means, gate means movable to a first position to allow ambient air to flow to the first means and to the air mattress when the first valve means is open and movable to a second position to draw air from the air mattress when the first valve means is open, and second solenoid means connected to the gate means operable to move the gate means between the first and second position during operation of the first means.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus for selectively supplying air under pressure to an air mattress and vent air from the air mattress comprising: first means operable to supply air under pressure, second means connecting the first means to the air mattress for carrying air from the first means to the air mattress and allowing air to be vented from the air mattress, control means connected to the second means for controlling the flow of air to and from the air mattress, said control means having first valve means operable to selectively allow air to flow from the first means to the air mattress and block the flow of air from the air mattress, first solenoid means operable to move the first valve means from a closed position to an open position, means for supplying power to said first solenoid means to energize said first solenoid means, gate means movable to a first position to allow ambient air to flow to the first means and to the air mattress when the first valve means is open and movable to a second position to draw air from the air mattress when the first valve means is open, and second solenoid means connected to the gate means operable to move the gate means between the first and second position during operation of the first means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatus of claim 25 including: switch means actuated in a first mode to connect the first means and first solenoid means to a source of power whereby the first valve means is open, the gate valve means is in its first position, and the first means delivers air under pressure to the air mattress and actuatable to a second mode to connect the first means, first solenoid means, and second solenoid means to a source of power whereby the first valve means is open, the gate means is in its second position, and the first means draws air from the air mattress.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein: the first means is a pump having an electric motor, said control means including switch means connected to the electric motor, the first solenoid means, and the second solenoid means, said switch means operable to selectively connect the electric motor and first solenoid means to a power source to supply air to the air mattress, and connect the electric motor, first solenoid means, and second solenoid means to a power source to draw air from the air mattress.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 27 including: DC power supply means for the first and second solenoid means, said switch means being connected to the DC power supply means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 25 including: first biasing means operable to bias the first valve means to a closed position, and second biasing means operable to bias the gate means to the first position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
104 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein: said first solenoid means has a first coil and a second coil, a normally closed switch connected to said first coil, a DC power supply means connected to said switch and the second coil, and switch means operable to actuate the DC power supply means whereby the first and second coil means generate a common magnetic field to actuate the first solenoid means to open the first valve means, said normally closed switch being opened when the first valve means is open thereby de-energizing said first coil, said second coil remaining energized to hold the first valve open.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
293 words
An air control system for use with a sofa bed selectively foldable to a seating position and a bed position, said sofa bed having a frame movable between a seat position and a bed position, air mattress means positioned on said frame, said air mattress means being inflatable with air when in the bed position and deflated when in the seat position comprising: apparatus for selectively supplying air under pressure to the air mattress means and withdraw air form the air mattress means, said apparatus having first means operable to supply air under pressure, second means connecting the first means to the air mattress means for carrying air from the first means to the air mattress means allowing air to be vented from the air mattress means, control means connected to the second means for controlling the flow of air to and from the air mattress means, said control means having first valve means operable to selectively allow air to flow from the first means to the air mattress means and block the flow of air from the air mattress means, first solenoid means operable to move the first valve means from a closed position to an open position, means for supplying power to said first solenoid means to energize said first solenoid means, gate means movable to a first position to allow ambient air to flow to the first means and to the air mattress means when the first valve means is open and movable to a second position to draw air from the air mattress means when the first valve means is open, and second solenoid means connected to the gate means operable to move the gate means between the first and second position during operation of the first value means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
293 words
An air control system for use with a sofa bed selectively foldable to a seating position and a bed position, said sofa bed having a frame movable between a seat position and a bed position, air mattress means positioned on said frame, said air mattress means being inflatable with air when in the bed position and deflated when in the seat position comprising: apparatus for selectively supplying air under pressure to the air mattress means and withdraw air form the air mattress means, said apparatus having first means operable to supply air under pressure, second means connecting the first means to the air mattress means for carrying air from the first means to the air mattress means allowing air to be vented from the air mattress means, control means connected to the second means for controlling the flow of air to and from the air mattress means, said control means having first valve means operable to selectively allow air to flow from the first means to the air mattress means and block the flow of air from the air mattress means, first solenoid means operable to move the first valve means from a closed position to an open position, means for supplying power to said first solenoid means to energize said first solenoid means, gate means movable to a first position to allow ambient air to flow to the first means and to the air mattress means when the first valve means is open and movable to a second position to draw air from the air mattress means when the first valve means is open, and second solenoid means connected to the gate means operable to move the gate means between the first and second position during operation of the first value means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
The air control system of claim 31 including: a side arm, said control means including switch means mounted on the side arm connected to the first means and first and second solenoid means for controlling the power supply to said first means and first and second solenoid means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
105 words
The air control system of claim 31 including: switch means actuable in a first mode to connect the first means and first solenoid means to a source of power whereby the first valve means is open, the gate means is in its first position, and the first means delivers air under pressure to the air mattress means and actuable to a second mode to connect the first means, first solenoid means, and second solenoid means to a source of power whereby the first valve means is open, the gate means is in its second position, and the first means draws air from the air mattress.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
87 words
The air control system of claim 31 wherein: the first means is a pump having an electric motor, said control means including switch means connected to the electric motor, the first solenoid means, and the second solenoid means, said switch means operable to selectively connect the electric motor and first solenoid means to a power source to supply air to the air mattress means, and connect the electric motor, first solenoid means, and second solenoid means to a power source to draw air from the air mattress.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The air control system of claim 34 wherein: DC power supply means for the first and second solenoid means, said switch means being connected to the DC power supply means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The air control system of claim 31 including: first biasing means operable to bias the first valve means to a closed position and second biasing means operable to bias the gate means to the first position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
106 words
The air control system of claim 31 wherein: said first solenoid means has a first coil and a second coil, a normally closed switch connected to said first coil, a DC power supply means connected to said switch and the second coil, and switch means operable to actuate the DC power supply means whereby the first and second coil means generate a common magnetic field to actuate the first solenoid means to open the first valve means, said normally closed switch being opened when the first valve means is open thereby de-energizing said first coil, said second coil remaining energized to hold the first valve open.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-15 | 1992-11-14 | 1993-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-15 | 1996-11-14 | 1997-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-15 | 2000-11-14 | 2001-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |