Climate-controlled topper member for beds

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10675198-B2
Application number	US-201715790729-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2017
Priority date	Aug 31, 2009
Publication date	Jun 9, 2020
Grant date	Jun 9, 2020

Abstract

According to certain arrangements, a conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, a lower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interior chamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the spacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interior chamber and to help with the passage of fluids within a portion of interior chamber. The conditioner mat can be configured to releasably secure to a top of a bed assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A climate controlled fluid conditioner mat comprising:
an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings;
a lower layer that is substantially fluid impermeable;
a first fluidly-distinct chamber between the upper and lower layers;
a second fluidly-distinct chamber between the upper and lower layers;
a first fluid passage in fluid communication with the first fluidly-distinct chamber and configured to direct fluid to the first fluidly-distinct chamber, the first fluid passage between the upper and lower layers;
a second fluid passage in fluid communication with the second fluidly-distinct chamber and configured to direct fluid to the second fluidly-distinct chamber, the second fluid passage between the upper and lower layers,
a fluid impermeable zone between the upper and lower layers and between the first and second fluid passages, the fluid impermeable zone configured to substantially block fluid flow within the fluid impermeable zone;
a first fluid module comprising a first fluid transfer device configured to deliver fluid to the first fluid passage; and
a second fluid module comprising a second fluid transfer device configured to deliver fluid to the second fluid passage,
wherein the first and second fluid passages extend longitudinally along opposite sides of the climate controlled fluid conditioner mat and are at least partly separated by the fluid impermeable zone that substantially blocks fluid flow between the first and second fluid passages,
wherein the first fluidly-distinct chamber is configured to generally distribute fluid within the first fluidly-distinct chamber that exits through the plurality of openings along the upper layer,
wherein the second fluidly-distinct chamber is configured to generally distribute fluid within the second fluidly-distinct chamber that exits through the plurality of openings along the upper layer, and
wherein the first and second fluid passages are formed by the upper and lower layers, the first and second fluid passages extending between the upper and lower layers into the climate controlled fluid conditioner mat such that the upper and lower layers direct fluid between the upper and lower layers in the climate controlled fluid conditioner mat to the first and second fluidly-distinct chambers.

2. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid passages are at opposite edges of the lower layer.

3. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , further comprising a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit, the first fluid conduit connected between the first fluid module and the first fluid passage, and the second fluid conduit connected between the second fluid module and the second fluid passage.

4. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 3 , further comprising a first fluid inlet fitting and a second fluid inlet fitting, the first fluid inlet fitting establishing fluid communication between the first fluid passage and the first fluid conduit, and the second fluid inlet fitting establishing fluid communication between the second fluid passage and the second fluid conduit.

5. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid modules are positioned along a side of the climate controlled fluid conditioner mat.

6. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid modules are positioned within a fluid box, the fluid box positioned along and adjacent a side of the climate controlled fluid conditioner mat.

7. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower layers comprise at least one of a plastic or a fabric.

8. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the lower layer comprises a layer of foam.

9. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the upper layer comprises a layer of foam.

10. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid module is configured to deliver fluid at a first temperature to the first fluidly-distinct chamber, and the second fluid module is configured to deliver fluid at a second temperature to the second fluidly-distinct chamber.

11. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 10 , wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are the same.

12. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 10 , wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are different in the first fluidly-distinct chamber and the second fluidly-distinct chamber.

13. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluidly-distinct chambers each comprise spacer material configured to distribute fluid within the respective first and second fluidly-distinct chambers.

14. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluidly-distinct chambers each comprise a bag that fluidly separates the first fluidly-distinct chamber from the second fluidly-distinct chamber.

15. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the climate controlled fluid conditioner mat is generally the same at the first and second fluidly-distinct chambers and the fluid impermeable zone.

16. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower layers are separate members that are attached to each other.

17. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the fluid impermeable zone is formed by at least one of the upper layer or the lower layer.

18. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the fluid impermeable zone at least partially forms at least one of the first fluid passage or the second fluid passage.

19. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 18 , wherein the fluid impermeable zone extends from an edge of the lower layer to at least one of the first fluid passage or the second fluid passage to at least partially form at least one of the first fluid passage or the second fluid passage.

20. The climate controlled fluid conditioner mat of claim 19 , wherein the fluid impermeable zone extends from the edge of the lower layer to the second fluid passage, and wherein the second fluid passage extends past the fluid impermeable zone in the climate controlled fluid conditioner mat, the second fluid passage extending past to the second fluidly-distinct chamber.

21. A conditioner mat comprising:
an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings;
a lower layer that is substantially fluid impermeable;
a first fluid zone between the upper and lower layers;
a second fluid zone between the upper and lower layers;
a first fluid passage in fluid communication with the first fluid zone and configured to direct fluid to first fluid zone, the first fluid passage between the upper and lower layers;
a second fluid passage in fluid communication with the second fluid zone and configured to direct fluid to second fluid zone, the second fluid passage between the upper and lower layers,
a non-fluid zone between the upper and lower layers and between the first and second fluid passages, the non-fluid zone configured to substantially inhibit fluid flow within the non-fluid zone; and
a fluid module configured to deliver fluid into at least one of the first fluid passage or the second fluid passage,
wherein the first and second fluid passages are at least partly separated by t

Assignees

• Gentherm Inc

Inventors

• Brykalski Michael J
• Marquette David
• Terech John
• Vidojevski Robert

Classifications

• A47C21/044 Primary

  with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps · CPC title

• A61G7/057 Primary

  Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor {(ventilation openings in mattresses A47C21/042; pneumatic or hydraulic mattresses A47C27/08)} · CPC title

• A61G7/05784

  with ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators · CPC title

• A61G7/05769

  with inflatable chambers · CPC title

• A61G2203/46

  for temperature · CPC title