APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR SINGLE-SIDED ZONED MATTRESS

ROTATION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[01] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/028,597, filed on February 14, 2008, in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

[02] Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention relate to the rotation of a single-sided zoned mattress. More particularly, methods and apparatuses consistent with this invention relate to a system and method in which a single-sided zoned mattress including a plurality of adjustable members can be conveniently rotated without losing the proper zoned effect.

2. Description of the Related Art

[03] Periodic mattress rotation is an effective way to extend the life of a mattress and to minimize body impressions that occur when the upholstery layers of a mattress conform to the contours of mattress occupants. Indeed, many mattress owners rotate and/or flip their mattress on a regular basis in order to better preserve the comfort and support characteristics of the mattress.

[04] In recent years, pillow-top mattresses and other single-sided mattresses having plush layers provided at a designated sleeping side of the mattress have become increasingly popular. While such single-sided mattresses cannot properly be flipped to extend their lifetime, since the designated sleeping side of such mattresses must face upward, single-sided

mattresses can still be rotated to extend their typical lifespan and preserve their comfort and support characteristics.

[05] Adjustable mattresses having a plurality of zones are also currently available and are becoming increasingly popular. Such conventional adjustable zoned mattresses allow the occupant to independently adjust each zone of the adjustable zoned mattress to a desired firmness. For instance, such an adjustable zoned mattress can provide different firmnesses to the occupant's head region, shoulders and upper-back region, lower-back and buttocks region, upper legs region, and lower legs and feet region, respectively.

[06] However, such conventional adjustable zoned mattresses make periodic mattress rotation problematic in several respects. First, connection outlets for conventional adjustable zoned mattresses are typically located in only one place on the adjustable zoned mattress. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the connection outlet 520 for the conventional adjustable zoned mattress 530 is located at the lower left corner of the head region of the adjustable zoned mattress 530. As shown in FIG. 6, the connection outlet 520 connects to a connection terminal 510 of the sense and control unit 500, which is, in turn, located next to the electrical outlet 540. Accordingly, if the conventional adjustable zoned mattress 530 is rotated 180 degrees to a rotated position, as shown in FIG. 7, then the connection outlet 520 of the adjustable zoned mattress 530 is no longer positioned conveniently with respect to the connection terminal 510 of the sense and control unit 500 (i.e., the connection outlet 520 is positioned across the room from the connection terminal 510).

[07] Second, the zones in such conventional adjustable zoned mattresses may be arranged asymmetrically to provide suitable comfort and support to a person's body. Thus, if such an asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress is rotated, then the rotation would result in the adjustable zoned mattress losing the proper zoned effect.

[08] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the aforementioned problem of losing the proper zoned effect when an asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress is rotated. FIG. 2 shows a cross-

sectional view of a conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200 in an initial position, and FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view the same conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200 after it has been rotated 180 degrees to a rotated position. [09] As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200 has five zones referenced as CA, CB, CC, CD and CE, respectively. Each of the zones CA, CB, CC, CD and CE comprises at least one inflatable member. As shown in FIG. 2, when the conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200 is in an initial position, all of the inflatable members in each of the respective zones CA, CB, CC, CD and CE are inflated to a desired pressure based on the person's personal preferences, scientifically derived, or other calculated means.

[10] For illustrative purposes, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the zones CA, CB, CC, CD and CE is assigned a different pressure level from 1 to 10, wherein 1 represents a lowest pressure level and 10 represents a highest pressure level. As shown in FIG. 2, when the conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200 is in an initial position, zone CA corresponds to the person's head region, zone CB corresponds to the person's shoulders and upper-back region, zone CC corresponds to the person's lower-back and buttocks region, zone CD corresponds to the person's upper legs region, and zone CE corresponds to the person's lower legs and feet region. As shown in FIG. 2, zone CA is controlled to have a pressure equal to 6, zone CB is controlled to have a pressure equal to 8, zone CC is controlled to have a pressure equal to 4, zone CD is controlled to have a pressure equal to 5 and zone CE is controlled to have a pressure equal to 7.

[11] Thus, zone CB, which corresponds to the person's shoulders and upper-back region, is provided with additional pressure so that zone CB is firmer than any of the other zones. In this way, zone CB provides the greatest firmness in the person's shoulders and upper-back region, while allowing the other zones CA, CC, CD and CE to be less firm. Such a zoned

effect could be employed, for instance, to address upper-back pain or soreness experienced by the occupant.

[12] However, if the conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200 described above with reference to FIG. 2 were rotated 180 degrees to a rotated position, as shown in FIG. 3, then such a conventional mattress would lose the proper zoned effect. In the rotated position of the conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200, shown in FIG. 3, zone CA now corresponds to the person's lower legs and feet region, zone CB corresponds to the person's upper legs region, zone CC still corresponds to the person's lower-back and buttocks region (similar to FIG. 2), zone CD corresponds to the person's shoulders and upper-back region, and zone CE corresponds to the person's head region. [13] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, the proper zoned effect of the conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200 is lost after it has been rotated. Among other differences from FIG. 2, the rotated conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200 shown in FIG. 3 no longer provides the greatest firmness in the person's shoulders and upper- back region, while allowing the other zones to be less firm. Quite to the contrary, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotated conventional asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress 200 now provides the greatest firmness in the person's upper legs region since zone CB (which previously corresponded to the person's shoulders and upper-back region in FIG. 2) now corresponds to the person's upper legs region.

[14] In view of the above disadvantages, and other disadvantages not specifically discussed above, there is a need for an apparatus that allows convenient rotation of a single- sided adjustable zoned mattress. In particular, there is a need for an apparatus that allows for a single-sided adjustable zoned mattress to be rotated such that, after being rotated, a connection outlet of the adjustable zoned mattress is still positioned conveniently with respect to the respective connection terminals. There is also a need for an apparatus that allows a

single-sided asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress to be rotated without losing the proper zoned effect of the asymmetric adjustable zoned mattress.

SUMMARY

[15] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sleep support system comprising: a sleep support member comprising an inflatable member, wherein the inflatable member communicates with a first connector and a second connector; and a control unit comprising a terminal; wherein the terminal is configured to be connected to the first connector, if the sleep support member is in a first position, and wherein the terminal is configured to be connected to the second connector, if the sleep support member is rotated to a second position.

[16] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of rotating a sleep support member, the method comprising: providing a sleep support member in a first position; wherein the sleep support member comprises an inflatable member; and wherein the inflatable member communicates with a first connector and a second connector; disconnecting the first connector from a terminal of a control unit; rotating the sleep support member so that the sleep support member is provided in a second position wherein the terminal is near the second connector; and connecting the second connector to the terminal. [17] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sleep support system comprising: a sleep support member comprising a plurality of zones; and a control unit comprising a terminal; wherein each of the zones provides adjustable support characteristics, wherein each of the zones communicates with a first connector and a second connector, wherein the terminal is configured to be connected to the first connector, if the sleep support member is in a first position, and wherein the terminal is configured to be connected to the second connector, if the sleep support member is rotated to a second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[18] The above and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail illustrative embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawing in which:

[19] FIG. 1 shows a top schematic view of an apparatus for single-sided zoned mattress rotation according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [20] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a conventional adjustable zoned mattress disposed at an initial position;

[21] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the conventional adjustable zoned mattress of FIG. 2 disposed at a rotated position (rotated 180 degrees from the initial position shown in FIG. 2); [22] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an apparatus for single-sided zoned mattress rotation according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention wherein the mattress 60 is disposed at an initial position,

[23] FIG. 5 shows a side view of an apparatus for single-sided zoned mattress rotation according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention wherein the mattress 60 is disposed at a rotated position (rotated 180 degrees from the initial position shown in FIG. 4), [24] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a conventional adjustable zoned mattress disposed at an initial position;

[25] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a conventional adjustable zoned mattress disposed at a rotated position (rotated 180 degrees from the initial position in FIG. 5); [26] FIG. 8 illustrates a view of an inflatable member according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

[27] FIG. 9 shows a top schematic view of an apparatus for single-sided zoned mattress rotation, wherein the apparatus comprises two separate variable surfaces, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS [28] Illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. [29] Related applications including U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/028,591 entitled "Apparatuses And Methods Providing Variable Support And Variable Comfort Control of a Sleep System and Automatic Adjustment Thereof and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/028,578, entitled "Apparatus and Methods for Evaluating a Person on a Sleep System" were filed on the same day as the present provisional application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. These provisional applications disclose sleep systems including at least one of a variable support layer or a variable comfort layer. The aforementioned variable support and variable comfort layers comprise inflatable members that are used to provide a variable sleep system in which different zones of the mattress can be controlled to have different support and comfort characteristics.

[30] Illustrative embodiments of the apparatus for rotation of a single-sided zoned mattress, as discussed in detail below, are applicable to innerspring sleep systems like those discussed in the aforementioned related provisional applications, which employ such inflatable members. Alternatively, the apparatus for single-sided zoned mattress rotation according to the present invention can be applied to a mattress that does not include innersprings, but instead uses only inflatable support layers to provide support. More generally, the present invention may be applied to any type of single-sided zoned mattress. [31] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of an apparatus 100 for single-sided zoned mattress rotation. The illustrative apparatus 100 includes a mattress 60 with a plurality of inflatable members or bladders 50 provided in a row along lengthwise in a longitudinal direction of the mattress 60 (i.e., from the head of the mattress 60 to the foot of the mattress 60). Each of the inflatable members 50 extends widthwise in a latitudinal direction with respect to the mattress 60. Each of the inflatable members 50 is filled with a fluid, such as air,

by a sense and control unit 500 (shown in FIGS. 4-7) including a pump/vacuum unit and a processor.

[32] As shown in FIG. 1, the inflatable members 50 are subdivided into a plurality of different zones A, B, C, D and E, which can each be set at different pressures to provide the mattress 60 with varying support and comfort characteristics. In this example, the first zone A includes four inflatable members 50a, the second zone B includes two inflatable members 50b, the third zone C includes three inflatable members 50c, the fourth zone D includes two inflatable members 50d, and the fifth zone E includes four inflatable members 50e. However, the invention is not limited to this illustrative configuration and a wide variety of configurations of inflatable members 50 may be employed consistent with the present invention. For instance, according to the present invention, each of the respective inflatable members 50 can comprise a single zone.

[33] According to an illustrative embodiment, a first connection outlet 20 is provided at one end of the mattress 60, and a second connection outlet 30 is provided at an opposing end of the mattress 60. As shown in FIG. 1, the first connection outlet 20 comprises connectors 70al, 70bl, 70cl, 70dl and 70el. On the other hand, the second connection outlet 30 comprises connectors 70a2, 70b2, 70c2, 70d2 and 70e2. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the inflatable members 50 within a respective zone connects to two respective connectors by tubing and/or valves 80. These connectors provide a fluid connection between each of the inflatable members 50 and the sense and control unit 500.

[34] In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the inflatable members 50a of the first zone A are connected to two connectors 70al, 70a2, the inflatable members 50b of the second zone B are connected to two connectors 70bl, 70b2, the inflatable members 50c of the third zone C are connected to two connectors 70cl, 70c2, the inflatable members 5Od of the fourth zone D are connected to two connectors 70dl, 70d2, and the inflatable members 50e of the fifth zone E are connected to two connectors 70el, 70e2.

[35] According to the illustrative embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-5, the single- sided zoned mattress 60 can be rotated from an initial position (shown in FIG. 4) to a rotated position, which is 180 degrees from the initial position (shown in FIG. 5). Moreover, because the first connection outlet 20 is provided at one end of the mattress 60, and the second connection outlet 30 is provided at an opposing end of the mattress 60, one of the connection outlets 20 or 30 will be positioned conveniently with respect to the respective connection terminal 510 of the sense and control unit 500, regardless of whether the mattress 60 is disposed in the initial position (FIG. 4) or the rotated position (FIG. 5). [36] Additionally, according to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-5, the single-sided zoned mattress 60 can be rotated 180 degrees without losing the proper zoned effect characteristics of the mattress. For instance, when the mattress 60 is in the initial position (shown in FIG. 4), the inflatable members 50a of the first zone A are connected to a first terminal 1 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70al, the inflatable members 50b of the second zone B are connected to a second terminal 2 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70bl, the inflatable members 50c of the third zone C are connected to a third terminal 3 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70cl, the inflatable members 50d of the second zone D are connected to a fourth terminal 4 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70dl, and the inflatable members 50e of the fifth zone E are connected to a fifth terminal 5 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70el.

[37] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, all of the inflatable members in each of the respective zones A, B, C, D and E are inflated to a respective predetermined pressure based on the settings determined for the person. Such custom-determined settings can be determined, for example, using the apparatuses and methods disclosed in the related Provisional Application filed by the present inventors entitled, "Apparatus and Methods for Evaluating a Person on a Sleep System."

[38] For illustrative purposes, as shown in FIG. 4, the mattress 60 is configured to provide zoned support in a manner analogous to the example of the conventional mattress shown in FIG. 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the zones A, B, C, D and E is controlled to have a different pressure level from 1 to 10, wherein 1 represents a lowest pressure level and 10 represents a highest pressure level. As shown in FIG. 4, when the mattress 60 is in an initial position, zone A corresponds to the person's head region, zone B corresponds to the person's shoulders and upper-back region, zone C corresponds to the person's lower-back and buttocks region, zone D corresponds to the person's upper legs region, and zone E corresponds to the person's lower legs and feet region. According to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, zone A is controlled to have a pressure equal to 6, zone B is controlled to have a pressure equal to 8, zone C is controlled to have a pressure equal to 4, zone D is controlled to have a pressure equal to 5 and zone E is controlled to have a pressure equal to 7.

[39] As such, the inflatable members 50b in zone B, which corresponds to the person's shoulders and upper-back region, are provided with additional pressure so that zone B is firmer than any of the other zones. In this way, zone B provides the greatest firmness in the person's shoulders and upper-back region, while allowing the other zones A, C, D and E to be less firm.

[40] FIG. 5 shows the same mattress 60 discussed above with reference to FIG. 4, after the mattress 60 has been rotated 180 degrees. Specifically, in rotating the mattress 60, the connectors 70al, 70bl, 70cl, 70dl, 70el of the first connection outlet 20 are disconnected from the connection terminal 510. Thereafter, the mattress 60 is rotated 180 degrees so that the head and foot ends of the mattress 60 are reversed. The inflatable members 50 are then reconnected to the connection terminal 510 by the connectors 70a2, 70b2, 70c2, 70d2, 70e2 of the second connection outlet 30 provided at the other end of the mattress 60.

[41] In this rotated position shown in FIG. 5, the connections between the various zones of the mattress and the terminals of the connection terminal 510 have now been reversed. That is, in the rotated position, the inflatable members 50a of the first zone A are connected to the fifth terminal 5 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70a2, the inflatable members 50b of the second zone B are connected to the fourth terminal 4 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70b2, the inflatable members 50c of the third zone C are still connected to the third terminal 3 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70c2, the inflatable members 50d of the second zone D are connected to the second terminal 2 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70d2, and the inflatable members 50e of the fifth zone E are connected to the first terminal 1 of the connection terminal 510 by the connector 70e2.

[42] Thus, according to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the proper zoned effect of the mattress 60 is maintained even though the position of the mattress has been rotated 180 degrees. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the inflatable members 50b within zone D (rather than zone B when the mattress 60 is in the initial position as shown in FIG. 4) are provided with additional pressure so that zone D provides the greatest firmness in the person's shoulders and upper-back region, while allowing the other zones A, B, C, and E to be less firm. Accordingly, the rotated mattress 60 shown in FIG. 5, provides the same zoned effect to support the person's shoulders and upper-back as the mattress 60 provided in the initial position shown in FIG. 4.

[43] FIG. 8 illustrates a view of an inflatable member 50 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Although one illustrative shape and configuration of the inflatable member is shown in FIG. 8, the inflatable members 50 may assume other shapes and configurations consistent with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the inflatable members 50 comprises a valve 401.

[44] Although the illustrative embodiments described above relate to an apparatus for single-sided zoned mattress rotation, wherein each of the plurality of inflatable members 50 extends across the width of the mattress 60 (i.e., the zoned effect on the right side of the mattress is the same as the zoned effect on the left side of the mattress), the present invention is not limited to this specific configuration. As shown in FIG. 9, the present invention may also encompass an apparatus comprising two rows of inflatable members 50 that extend in a longitudinal direction of the mattress 65, wherein each of the inflatable members 50 extends over roughly half the width of the mattress 65. Accordingly, the present invention can be employed to rotate a variable sleep system comprising two separate variable surfaces while maintaining the proper zoned effect for both of the variable surfaces, thus providing optimal comfort and support characteristics to both a person and their sleeping partner. [45] According to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a first set of connection outlets 21 and 22 are provided at one end of the mattress 65 and a second set of connection outlets 31 and 32 are provided at an opposing end of the mattress 65. As shown in FIG. 9, the outlet 21 comprises connectors 71al, 71bl, 71cl, 71dl and 71el and the outlet 22 comprises connectors 72al, 72bl, 72cl, 72dl and 72el. The outlet 31 comprises 71a2, 71b2, 71c2, 71d2 and 71e2 and the outlet 32 comprises 72a2, 72b2, 72c2, 72d2 and 72e2. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the inflatable members 50 within a respective zone connects to two respective connectors by tubing and/or valves 80. These connectors provide a fluid connection between each of the inflatable members 50 and the sense and control unit 500. [46] In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 9, on one side of the mattress 65, the inflatable members 50al of the zone Al are connected to two connectors 7 IaI, 71a2, the inflatable members 50bl of the zone Bl are connected to two connectors 71bl, 71b2, the inflatable members 50cl of the zone Cl are connected to two connectors 71cl, 71c2, the inflatable members 50dl of the zone Dl are connected to two connectors 7 IdI, 71d2, and the inflatable members 50el of the zone El are connected to two connectors 7 IeI, 71e2.

[47] Further, as shown in FIG. 9, on another side of the mattress 65, the inflatable members 50a2 of the zone A2 are connected to two connectors 72al, 72a2, the inflatable members 50b2 of the zone B2 are connected to two connectors 72b 1, 72b2, the inflatable members 50c2 of the zone C2 are connected to two connectors 72c 1, 72c2, the inflatable members 50d2 of the zone D2 are connected to two connectors 72dl, 72d2, and the inflatable members 50e2 of the zone E2 are connected to two connectors 72el, 72e2. [48] According to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the single-sided zoned mattress 65 can be rotated from an initial position to a rotated position, which is 180 degrees from the initial position. Moreover, because the first set of connection outlets 21 and 22 are provided at one end of the mattress 65, and the second set of connection outlets 31 and 32 are provided at an opposing end of the mattress 65, one of the connection outlets 21 or 31 and one of the connection outlets 22 and 32 will be positioned conveniently with respect to the respective connection terminals of the sense and control unit 500, regardless of whether the mattress 65 is disposed in the initial position or the rotated position.

[49] Although the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 9 shows two connection outlets 21 and 22, according to the present invention the connection outlets 21 and 22 may comprise a single connection outlet. Similarly, although the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 9 shows two connection outlets 31 and 32, according to the present invention the connection outlets 31 and 32 may also comprise a single connection outlet.

[50] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of

the invention but by the appended claims and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.