Air bed control
US5848450A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61G2203/34
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An airbed having multi-zone air mattress is provided having a control that can identify the configuration of any of a plurality of hand control units connected thereto and can interpret control functions differently based on the identified unit configuration. A plurality of normally closed valves seal pressures in each of the zones when power to an air pump is off while mattress zone pressures are constantly monitored and the measurements sent by the control through a communications port for monitoring of the motion or care of a user of the bed and for analysis and diagnosis. When pump power is on, the pressure in the zones is regulated at predetermined pressure settings ideal for the user. Deviations from ideal pressure cause a programmed controller to calculate inflation or deflation times for the respective zones that would be required to inflate or exhaust the zones to the desired pressures. Ideal pressures for individual users are automatically calculated by inflating the zones to initial pressures and sealing them. Then, a user reclines on the bed and pressures are measured. From the measured pressures, ideal pressure settings are calculated that will support the user in an i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.