JP7374146B2 - Dynamic foam mattress suitable for use on hospital beds with varying lengths - Google Patents

Description

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) by U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/537,943, filed July 27, 2018, and The contents are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to mattresses for use in clinical environments. In particular, the present disclosure relates to non-powered mattresses that utilize self-regulating technology to control the interfacial pressure exerted on the surface of the mattress when a patient is riding on it.

Patient support devices, such as hospital bed frames, are increasingly including more sophisticated mechanisms for interlocking parts to make it easier to adjust and position the patient. Support surfaces/mattress supports on the frame are also being placed in increasingly complex positions. Movement of the mattress components relative to the frame can result in improper positioning of the mattress components from the patient's perspective. In some cases, internal components may shift inside the mattress cover, reducing the performance of the mattress.

The present disclosure includes one or more of the following features, alone or in any combination, which may include the features recited in the claims and/or patentable subject matter.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support device includes a foam frame, a bladder assembly, and a cover. The foam frame defines the space. The bag assembly is placed within this space. The bag assembly includes a plurality of foam-filled bags, each foam-filled bag being interconnected by a manifold such that when pressure within the bag assembly exceeds a predetermined limit, the bag It has a relief valve to release air from the assembly. A cover encloses the frame structure and the bladder assembly and is adapted to engage the articulated frame to control movement of a portion of the foam frame and bladder assembly in response to movement of the articulated frame. It is configured.

In some embodiments, the cover includes a plurality of protrusions extending from a bottom surface of the cover, and the protrusions enter receptacles formed in a portion of the articulated frame and are disposed at multiple locations. The cover is configured to be secured to the articulated frame.

In some embodiments, at least one of the protrusions is fixed to the foam frame, a second at least one of the protrusions is fixed to the bag assembly, and a second at least one protrusion is fixed to the cover. do not have.

In some embodiments, the bladder assembly is secured to the cover at a second location remote from the protrusion.

In some embodiments, the cover is configured to include a pocket that receives a portion of the bag assembly to secure the bag assembly to the cover in the second position.

In some embodiments, the bag assembly includes a plate that is raised relative to a non-plate portion of the bag assembly to interconnect the bag assembly and the cover at the second location.

In some embodiments, the bag assembly includes a sleeve formed in a cover of the bag assembly, and a plate is disposed within and movable relative to the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the plate is semi-rigid but flexible enough to fit within the pocket.

In some embodiments, the second protrusion is secured to the cover of the bag.

In some embodiments, the first protrusion is connected to a plate secured to the foam frame.

In some embodiments, the plate is secured to the foam frame by a sleeve such that the plate floats within the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the sleeve is secured to the foam frame by adhesive.

In some embodiments, the foam frame includes a perforated foot section that is variable in length.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a patient support apparatus includes a foam frame defining a space, a bladder assembly disposed within the space, and a cover enclosing the frame structure and the bladder assembly. . The bag assembly includes a plurality of bags filled with foam material. Each foam-filled bag is interconnected by a manifold. The manifold has a non-powered relief valve configured to release air from the bag assembly if pressure within the bag assembly exceeds a predetermined limit of the relief valve. There is. A cover encloses the frame structure and the bladder assembly and is adapted to engage the articulated frame to control movement of a portion of the foam frame and bladder assembly in response to movement of the articulated frame. It is configured.

In some embodiments, the cover may include a plurality of protrusions extending from a bottom surface of the cover, and the protrusions enter into a receptacle formed in a portion of the articulated frame to accommodate the plurality of protrusions. The cover is configured to secure to the articulated frame at points.

In some embodiments, at least one of the protrusions may be fixed to the foam frame, a second at least one of the protrusions may be fixed to the bag assembly, and a second at least one of the protrusions may be fixed to the bag assembly. The protrusion is not fixed to the cover.

In some embodiments, the bladder assembly may be secured to the cover at a second location remote from the protrusion.

In some embodiments, the cover may be configured to include a pocket that receives a portion of the bag assembly to secure the bag assembly to the cover in the second position.

In some embodiments, the bag assembly may include a plate that is raised relative to the non-plate portion of the bag assembly and interconnects the bag assembly and the cover at the second location. Good too.

In some embodiments, the bag assembly may include a sleeve formed in a cover of the bag assembly, and a plate may be disposed within the sleeve and movable relative to the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the plate may be semi-rigid and flexible enough to fit into the pocket.

In some embodiments, the second protrusion may be secured to the cover of the bag.

In some embodiments, the first protrusion may be connected to a plate secured to the foam frame.

In some embodiments, the plate may be secured to the foam frame by a sleeve such that the plate floats within the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the sleeve may be secured to the foam frame with an adhesive.

In some embodiments, the foam frame may include a perforated foot section that is variable in length.

In some embodiments, each foam-filled bag may include a first layer and a second layer.

In some embodiments, the plurality of bags filled with a first group of foam materials may have a first performance. The bag filled with the second group of foam materials may have a second performance different from the first performance. In some embodiments, this difference in performance may result in varying support for a patient supported by the patient support between the head and torso portions of the patient support.

In some embodiments, the bags may each include a transparent window formed in the wall of the bag's enclosure.

In some embodiments, the performance of a particular bag may be color coded, and the transparent window allows the user to identify the color of the bag and associate this color with the performance of the particular bag. It may be arranged so that it can be understood.

In some embodiments, some of the plurality of foam-filled bags are configured to open to allow atmospheric air to enter the respective bag when the pressure in the bag assembly becomes less than atmospheric pressure. It may also include a non-powered check valve.

Furthermore, other features alone or in combination with any other features, such as the features listed above and/or the features listed in the claims, may also include patentable subject matter. . Such other features will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the detailed description of the various embodiments, which illustrates the best mode presently known of implementing the embodiments.

The detailed description makes particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient support apparatus including a bed frame and a mattress supported on the bed frame. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the major components of the mattress shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially omitted detailed exploded view of the mattress shown in FIG. 1, shown upside down, to control the movement of the mattress components as the various members of the bed frame are moved; This shows how to secure the mattress components together. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the circled part in FIG. FIG. 5 is an assembled view of the mattress bag assembly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a top view of the bag assembly shown in FIG. 5. 7 is a right side view of the bag assembly shown in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 8 is a left side view of the bag assembly shown in FIG. 5, with the bag assembly turned upside down. 9 is a plan view of the bag of the bag assembly shown in FIG. 5; FIG. FIG. 10 is a side view of the bag of the bag assembly shown in FIG. 5, with a portion cut away to show the foam structure of the bag. FIG. 11 is a side view of another bag of the bag assembly shown in FIG. 5, with a portion cut away to show the foam structure of the bag. Note that the foam structure in FIG. 11 is different from the foam structure in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the foam frame of the mattress shown in FIG. 13 is a right side view of the core of the mattress shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a portion of the perforated foot section of the foam frame of the mattress shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 15 is a plan view of the perforated foot section of the foam frame of the mattress shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 16 is a right side view of the perforated foot section of the foam frame of the mattress shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a tab extending from the bottom cover of the mattress shown in FIG. 1 and configured to engage an opening in the deck member of the bed frame. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an opening formed in the head deck of the bed frame shown in FIG. 1 and configured to receive the knob shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a view showing an opening formed in the foot deck of the bed frame shown in FIG. 1 and configured to receive the knob shown in FIG. 17. 20 is a perspective view of the underside cover of the mattress shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, a patient support device 10 is illustratively implemented as a hospital bed 10. The view shown in FIG. 1 is a view seen from a position substantially on the left side of the hospital bed 10, on the foot end side. In order to determine the orientation, the description of the hospital bed 10 is based on the orientation in which the patient is placed supine on the hospital bed 10. Therefore, when the patient is placed supine on the hospital bed 10, the end closest to the patient's legs is the foot end 12 of the hospital bed 10. Hospital bed 10 has a head end 14 opposite a foot end 12. When the patient is lying supine on the hospital bed 10, the patient's left side is the left side 16, and the patient's right side is the right side 18. When referring to the longitudinal length of the hospital bed 10, we are referring to the direction approximately represented by a line extending between the head end 14 and foot end 12 of the hospital bed 10. Similarly, the lateral width of hospital bed 10 refers to the direction represented by a line extending approximately between left side 16 and right side 18.

Hospital bed 10 includes a base frame 20 that supports a lift system 22. A lift system 22 engages the base and top frame 24 such that the lift system 22 moves the top frame 24 vertically relative to the base frame 20 . Lift system 22 includes a head end connection 27 and a foot end connection 29. Links 27 and 29 are each independently operable and are operative to move hospital bed 10 to a tilted position when head end 14 of upper frame 24 is lower than foot end 12 of upper frame 24. be able to. The hospital bed 10 can also be moved to a reverse tilt position where the foot end 12 of the upper frame 24 is lower than the head end 14 of the upper frame 24.

Upper frame 24 supports load frame 26. The load frame 26 supports a head deck 28 that is movable relative to the load frame 26. The load frame 26 also supports an articulated seat deck 30 and a fixed seat deck 32, which are also movable relative to the load frame 26. Further, the load frame 26 also supports a foot deck 34 that is movable relative to the load frame 26 in an articulated manner. The exemplary embodiment foot deck 34 shown in FIG. 1 allows the foot deck 34 to be electrically pivoted as well as manually extended or retracted to change the length of the foot deck 34. You can also do it. In other embodiments, the motorized pivoting of the foot deck 34 may be eliminated and the accompanying movement may be performed manually or may follow the movement of the articulated seat deck 30. Additionally, in some embodiments, the expansion and contraction of the foot deck 34 may be powered by an actuator.

Foot deck 34 includes a first portion 36 and a second portion 38 that moves relative to first portion 36 to change the size of foot deck 34 . The second portion 38 moves generally longitudinally relative to the first portion 36 to change the longitudinal length of the hospital bed 10 by changing the longitudinal length of the foot deck 34.

A foot panel 40 is supported on the second section 38 and extends perpendicularly from the upper surface 42 of the second section 38 to form a bulkhead at the foot end 12 of the hospital bed 10. A head panel 44 is located on the upright structure 46 of the base frame 20 and extends vertically to form a bulkhead at the head end 14 of the hospital bed 10. A left head side rail 48 is supported from the head deck 28 and is movable between a raised position as shown in FIG. 1 and a lowered position as known in the art. The right head side rail 50 is also movable between a lowered position and a raised position shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, in the raised position, side rails 48 and 50 extend above the top surface 52 of the mattress 54 of the hospital bed 10 when the side rails 48 and 50 are in the raised position. In the lowered position, the upper edge 56 of the left head side rail 48 is below the upper surface 52.

Hospital bed 10 also includes a left foot side rail 58 and a right foot side rail 60, each supported directly on load frame 26. Side rails 48, 50, 58, 60 are each operable to lower to a position below top surface 52. It is noted that as the head deck 28 moves, the head side rails 48 and 50 move with the head deck 28 in order to maintain their relative position with the patient. sea bream. This is because the head side rails 48 and 50 are both supported by the head deck 28.

2 and 3, mattress 54 includes a core 68. Referring to FIGS. Core 68 includes a bladder assembly 70 that engages a foam frame 72. Foam frame 72 includes a perforated foot support 62 connected to a pair of longitudinal bolsters 74 and 76. The longitudinal bolsters 74 and 76 are connected to each other by a header 78 that extends laterally between the bolsters 74 and 76 at the head end 14 of the mattress 54. Core 68 also includes a foam top layer 64 and a foam bottom layer 66 that are secured together to form upper foam support 65 . The longitudinal bolsters 74 and 76 are such that the foot support 62, the bolsters 74 and 76, the header 78, and the foam support 65 together define a space 80 in which the bladder assembly 70 is disposed to form the core 68. It is fixed to a foot support 62 with a hole. Mattress 54 includes a lower cover 82 and an upper cover 84 that are fastened together as is known in the art. Additionally, mattress 54 also includes a fire barrier assembly 126 that is wrapped around the outside of core 68 to completely enclose core 68 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, bag assembly 70 includes eight bags 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108. These bags are arranged with the bag 108 on the foot end 12 side of the bag assembly 70 and the bag 96 on the head end 14 side. Each bag 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 includes an outer enclosure 110 of urethane-coated nylon, which provides an airtight enclosure. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the interior of each enclosure 110 is a two-layer foam structure. In FIG. 10, foam structure 112 includes a top layer 114 and a bottom layer 116. Foam layers 114 and 116 are secured together. The foam structure 112 is deformable under load and expands elastically to fill the space inside the enclosure 110. Similarly, referring to FIG. 11, a different foam structure 142 includes a top layer 144 secured to a bottom layer 146. To provide different performance characteristics for foam structures 142 and 112, the foam materials used for layers 144 and 146 are different for layers 114 and 146. In the exemplary embodiment, bags 96, 98, 100 include foam structure 112, whereas bags 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 include foam structure 142. Because of these differences, the head portion of the bag assembly 70 including the bags 96, 98, 100 has less support than the body portion of the bag assembly 70 including the bags 102, 104, 106, 107, 108. Conditions are different.

7, 10 and 11, each enclosure 110 is configured to include a transparent window 148 in a wall 150 thereof. Window 148 is located above the interface between layers 114 and 116 or layers 144 and 146 so that a user can see the material within enclosure 110. This allows the user to distinguish the contents of the enclosure 110 and determine which of the foam structures 112 and 142 is included in the enclosure 110. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the upper layer 114 or 144 and the lower layer 116 or 146 is a different color. Therefore, by comparing the colors visible through the window 148, an assembler can grasp the characteristics of a particular enclosure 110 and place a particular bag in the head portion as one of the bags 96, 98, 100. or as one of the bags 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 in the torso section.

On the left side 16 of each enclosure 110 is a pressure relief or check valve 118. Each check valve 118 is configured to open when the pressure applied to the valve 118 exceeds the relief pressure for that valve. In the arrangement of the bag assembly 70, the valves 118 are arranged such that when the internal pressure of any one enclosure 110 drops below atmospheric pressure, the corresponding valve 118 opens, allowing air from the atmosphere to flow into the respective enclosure 110. ing.

On the right side 18 of the bag assembly 70, each enclosure 110 includes a respective outlet 120. Each outlet 120 is connected to a manifold tube 122 such that any enclosure 110 is in fluid communication with each other via the outlet 120 and the manifold tube 122. Manifold tube 122 terminates in pressure check valve 124. Pressure check valve 124 is configured such that when the pressure within the manifold tube exceeds the relief pressure of check valve 124, check valve 124 opens to allow the pressure to vent to atmosphere. It should be appreciated that valve 118, which is a check valve, does not allow air to flow from enclosure 110 through valve 118 to the atmosphere. The only path for air to flow from the enclosure to the atmosphere is through manifold tubes 122 and pressure check valves 124. Similarly, the only path into any enclosure 110 is through the respective valve 118.

Therefore, the mattress 54 self-regulates to maintain the internal pressure of each of the bladders 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, and 108 at a pressure lower than the relief pressure of the check valve 124. When the valve 118 at the inlet of a particular bag 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 is operated in an unloaded state, air from the atmosphere flows into the respective bag 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, and 108 are quickly filled. This approach facilitates relatively quick adjustment of the internal pressure of the various bags 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 to control the support pressure for the patient.

If the patient is heavier than the bag assembly 70 can pneumatically support, the pressure in the manifold tube 122 and pressure check valve 124 is relieved, allowing each bag 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, The foam structure 112 at 107, 108 allows support for the patient. Thus, mattress 54 provides the benefits of an air mattress while protecting larger patients from bottoming out on the deck surface of hospital bed 10. The foam structure is also used to expand the enclosure 110 to create a vacuum that draws air through the valve 118 when a particular bag 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 is unloaded. It should be understood that the body 112 is helpful.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10, foam structures 112 and 142 have similar structures. However, in some embodiments, the characteristics of layers 114, 116 of foam structure 112 or layers 144, 146 of foam structure 142 in different bags 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 may be different. Further, in some embodiments, the foam structures 112, 142 may be a single layer or may include three or more layers.

Because the bed 10 has a complex interlocking movement of several members, including the movement of the section 38 relative to the section 36 of the deck 34, the mattress 54 has adaptive means suitable for use in conjunction with this complex interlocking motion. There are several. For example, the longitudinal bolsters 74, 76 are each formed to include a series of relief slits 128 located at the intersection of the head deck 28 and the articulating seat deck 30 of the longitudinal bolsters 74, 76. has been done. The relief slit 128 increases the extent of the longitudinal bolsters 74 and 76 when the head deck 28 is raised. The provision of relief slits 128 removes a small amount of material, but allows the foam to swell at the location of the slits 128. In contrast, the interface between the articulating seat deck 30 and foot deck 34 is provided with a series of cutouts 130. The notch 130 is generally triangular in shape, with more material being removed toward the lower surface 132 of the longitudinal bolsters 74 and 76, and the notch 130 becoming progressively narrower toward the tip away from the lower surface 132. The cutout 130 allows the length of the longitudinal bolsters 74 and 76 to expand or contract at the interface between the articulating seat deck 30 and the foot deck 34. Removal of material at surface 132 causes the notch 130 to collapse as the foot deck 34 moves downwardly relative to the articulated seat deck 30 so that the material in the longitudinal bolsters 74 and 76 does not bulge. I can do it.

Bags 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 are each disposed within a respective sleeve 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170 of cover 172. Cover 172 allows for some relative movement of bags 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 during complex interlocking movements of the frame and deck members of bed 10; Sleeves 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170 are formed as a unitary structure such that the relationship between 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108 is maintained by cover 172. It is made of fabric sewn together. This prevents the bags 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107, and 108 from coming off and maintains proper orientation.

To control movement of the mattress 54 relative to the movable members of the bed 10, four tabs 174, 176, 178, 180 extend from the bottom surface 182 of the lower cover 82, as shown in FIG. The knobs 174, 176, 178, and 180 are similarly arranged, and details of the knob 174 are shown in FIG. Knob 174 includes a sphere 182 connected to a handle 184 extending from a base 186. The head deck 28 is formed to include a groove-like opening 188 as shown in FIG. The groove-like opening 188 is formed in a keyhole effect such that a wide portion 190 gradually narrows to a thinner portion 192. The channel opening 188 has a longitudinal axis 194 that extends laterally on the deck 28, and the channel opening 188 is positioned so that its wide portion is outside the deck 28. Disposed on the opposite outside of the deck is a second channel opening that is a mirror image of channel opening 188, but now knob 178 is disposed within channel opening 188 and knob 180 is a mirror image of channel opening 188. It is arranged in a groove. The natural tendency is for the tabs 178 and 188 to be pushed into the respective narrow portions 192 of the channel openings. An alternative keyhole opening 196 is provided in the second portion 38 of the deck 34 through the surface 42, as shown in FIG. A circular aperture 198 is disposed on the side of the second portion 38 proximal to the foot end 12, and the knobs 174 and 176 each have a circular aperture 198 in the respective keyhole aperture 196 such that the handle 184 is pushed into the slot 200. Enter opening 198. When knobs 174, 176, 178, 180 engage decks 28 and 34, respectively, movement of decks 28, 30, 34 is directed directly onto mattress 54 such that mattress 54 moves with decks 28, 30, 34. communicated.

Knobs 174 and 176 are secured to a plate 202 shown in FIG. 3, which is secured to a hole with nut 204 and washer 206 (see FIG. 4) with nut 204 engaged in threaded handle 208 of tabs 174 and 176. It is fixed to the foot end 12 of the open foot support 62. Plate 202 is placed in a sleeve 210 (see FIG. 14) that is secured to perforated foot support 62. Plate 202 is free to move in sleeve 210 in the direction of arrow 212 as desired.

Knobs 178 and 180 are secured to respective plates 214 and 216 shown in FIG. Cover 172 is formed to include a flap 218 to which plates 214 and 216 are secured when tabs 178 and 180 are secured by respective nuts 204. Plates 214 and 216 and flap 218 cooperate with each other to permit controlled movement of bladder assembly 70 relative to lower cover 82. Further, a sleeve 222 is formed at the bottom of the sleeve 170 of the cover 172 of the bag assembly 70, and a plate 220 disposed on the sleeve 222 also fixes the bag assembly 70 to the lower cover 82. Plate 220 includes two flanges 224 and 226 that enter pockets 228 and 230, respectively. Pockets 228 and 230 are formed in lower cover 82 by joining flaps of material 232, 234 to upper surface 236 of lower cover 82. Plate 220 is flexible so that flanges 224, 226 can slide under flaps 232, 234 and into pockets 228, 230. Thus, with flanges 224, 226 disposed within pockets 228, 230, bladder assembly 70 is secured to lower cover 82 at head end 14 by plates 214, 216 and tabs 178, 180; The foot end 12 of the bag assembly 70 is secured to the lower cover 82.

During movement of the decks 28, 30, 34, the mattress 54 is secured in its entirety by the tabs 174, 176, 178, 180, while the bag assembly 70 cooperates with the plates 214, 216 and the tabs 178, 180. It is maintained in place by flanges 224, 226 located in pockets 228, 230. Perforated foot section 62 is free to extend and retract relative to bladder assembly 70 as second portion 38 of deck 34 moves relative to first portion 36 . This helps control the position of perforated foot section 62 and bladder assembly 70 to place it on the appropriate portion of deck 28, 30, 32, 34. Referring now to FIG. 20, a flap 238 of fabric is joined to the surface 236 of the cover 82 such that a pocket 240 is formed in the area underlying the portion of the perforated foot section 62 of the cover 82. . A plate 242 is received within the pocket 240 and serves to reinforce the portion of the lower cover 82 that overlaps the interface between the first portion 36 and the second portion 38 of the deck 34. This prevents the lower cover 82 from shifting when the interface between the first portion 36 and the second portion 38 of the deck 34 moves.

Relative movement of decks 30 and 34 may cause the interface between perforated foot section 62 and bladder assembly 70 to flex. This deflection must be achieved without the foam member bunching up at the interface. Perforated foot section 62 includes a relatively soft foam material that provides comfort for the patient's heels on mattress 54. Foam structures 112 and 142 are relatively stiff to support the patient's hips and torso. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, in order to accommodate changes in body position and to reduce the "sinking" sensation experienced by the patient when shifting toward the foot end 12 of the bed 10 in order to exit the bed 10, Perforated foot section 62 is modified to include a foam block 244 beneath a cantilever member 246 extending from perforated body 248 of perforated foot section 62. The foam block 244 is of a density such that it is more rigid than the material of the body 248 and cantilever member 246. Foam block 244 is formed by removing material such that the bolsters 74 and 76 and the foam block form a solid block. Cantilevered member 246 overlaps bolsters 74 and 76 to provide a uniform top surface 250.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the lower cover 82 includes a plurality of structures formed on the lower surface 182, including four linen tie ties 270, 272, 274, 276 at the four corners. The linen fastening strings 270, 272, 274, and 276 are urethane-coated nylon cloth, and are sewn to the base fabric 286 of the lower cover 82 at the ends of the strings 270, 272, 274, and 276, respectively. Straps 270, 272, 274, 276 are configured to allow a user to secure the linen under mattress 54 by inserting a corner of the linen, such as a sheet, under the straps 270, 272, 274, or 276. Similarly, four handles 278, 280, 282, 284 are sewn into the base fabric and positioned to allow a user to carry the mattress 54. Two travel guards 288 and 290 can be placed on the knobs 174, 176 and 178, 180, respectively. Travel guards 288 and 290 include foam material and are removably secured to tabs 174, 176 and 178, 180, respectively, and cover tabs 174, 176, 178, 180 to protect tabs 174, 176, 178, 180 during transport of mattress 54. 180 is prevented from being damaged.

While this disclosure sets forth particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the subject matter as set forth in the claims below. Will.

Claims (20)

A foam frame that defines the space,
a bag assembly disposed within the space;
a cover enclosing the foam frame and the bladder assembly, the mattress comprising:
the mattress is adapted to engage an articulating frame;
The mattress further includes at least one protrusion, the at least one protrusion being secured to the bladder assembly and engaging the articulated frame to respond to movement of the articulated frame. to control movement of the bladder assembly, the bladder assembly being configured to allow the bladder assembly to move within a range relative to the foam frame when a member of the articulated frame moves. The mattress is engaged with said foam frame so as to be able to do so. The at least one protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions extending from a bottom surface of the cover, each of the plurality of protrusions entering a receptacle formed in a plurality of portions of the articulating frame at a plurality of locations. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the mattress is adapted to be secured to the articulating frame. 3. The mattress of claim 2, wherein the at least one protrusion secured to the bladder assembly is not secured to the foam frame. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the bladder assembly includes a plate that secures the bladder assembly to the cover. 5. The mattress of claim 4, wherein the cover includes a pocket that receives the plate of the bladder assembly to secure the bladder assembly to the cover. 6. The mattress of claim 5, wherein the bladder assembly further includes a bladder assembly cover having a sleeve formed therein, and wherein the plate is disposed within and movable relative to the sleeve. at least one component secured to the foam frame and configured to engage the articulated frame to control movement of a portion of the foam frame in response to movement of the articulated frame. It has two protrusions,
2. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the protrusion fixed to the foam frame is connected to a plate fixed to the foam frame. 8. The mattress of claim 7, wherein the plate secured to the foam frame is secured to the foam frame by a sleeve such that the plate moves within the sleeve. 9. The mattress of claim 8, wherein the sleeve securing the plate to the foam frame is secured to the foam frame by adhesive. 10. The mattress of claim 9, wherein the foam frame includes a perforated foot section of variable length. The bag assembly includes a plurality of foam-filled bags, each of the foam-filled bags being interconnected by a manifold, the manifold having a non-powered relief valve, and the relief valve having a non-powered relief valve within the bag assembly. configured to release air from the bag assembly when pressure exceeds a predetermined limit of the relief valve, each of the foam-filled bags including a first layer and a second layer; A mattress according to claim 1. The plurality of foam-filled bags in a first group have a first performance, and the foam-filled bags in a second group have a second performance different from the first performance, and the difference in performance is 12. A mattress according to claim 11, wherein the support for the patient supported by the patient support device varies between the head and torso portions of the mattress . The at least one protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions extending from a bottom surface of the cover, the plurality of protrusions entering a receptacle formed in a plurality of sections of the articulating frame and engaging the plurality of protrusions at a plurality of locations. 13. The mattress of claim 12, wherein the mattress is adapted to be secured to the articulating frame. 14. The mattress of claim 13, wherein the plurality of protrusions secured to the bladder assembly are not secured to the foam frame. 12. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the bladder assembly includes a plate that secures the bladder assembly to the cover. 16. The mattress of claim 15, wherein the cover includes a pocket that receives the plate of the bladder assembly to secure the bladder assembly to the cover. The bag assembly further includes a bag assembly cover having a sleeve formed therein, the plate being disposed within the sleeve, and the plate of the bag assembly being within a range relative to the remainder of the bag assembly. 17. The mattress of claim 16, wherein the mattress is movable relative to the sleeve for exercise. at least one component secured to the foam frame and configured to engage the articulated frame to control movement of a portion of the foam frame in response to movement of the articulated frame. It has two protrusions,
12. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the protrusion fixed to the foam frame is connected to a plate fixed to the foam frame. 19. The mattress of claim 18, wherein the plate secured to the foam frame is secured to the foam frame by a sleeve such that the plate moves within the sleeve. 10. The mattress of claim 9, wherein the foam frame includes a perforated foot section of variable length.

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