Climate-controlled topper member for beds

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11045371-B2
Application number	US-202017083616-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 29, 2020
Priority date	Aug 31, 2009
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

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 bed system comprising:
a comfort layer configured to support a user and allow air flow between a comfort layer bottom and a comfort layer top;
an upper layer disposed proximate the comfort layer and defining a plurality of openings;
a lower layer at least partially abutted with the upper layer, wherein the lower layer and the upper layer define first and second interior spaces;
a first fluid distribution member positioned within the first interior space and configured to distribute air in a first zone in the bed system;
a second fluid distribution member positioned within the second interior space and configured to distribute air in a second zone in the bed system; and
one or more fluid delivery modules in fluid communication with the first and second interior spaces and configured to deliver air to the first and second interior spaces;
wherein air entering the first interior space is generally distributed within the first interior space by the first fluid distribution member before exiting through the plurality of openings of the upper layer,
wherein air entering the second interior space is generally distributed within the second interior space by the second fluid distribution member before exiting through the plurality of openings of the upper layer,
wherein the upper and lower layers are configured to form at least one fluid boundary, the at least one fluid boundary defining at least one non-fluid zone that separates the first and second zones and blocks air flow between the first and second zones, and
wherein each of the first fluid distribution member and the second fluid distribution member has a fluid distribution member top that is positioned below a bottom of the upper layer and a fluid distribution member bottom that is positioned above a top of the lower layer.

2. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more fluid delivery modules are configured to selectively heat or cool air that is delivered to the first and second interior space.

3. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the lower layer comprises foam, the lower layer including (i) an inner foam portion positioned between the first zone and the second zone to space the first zone from the second zone and (ii) an outer foam portion positioned between perimeter of the bed system and the first and second zones, wherein the inner and outer foam portions combine to define the first and second zones to each have a substantially rectangular shape, wherein the inner foam and the outer foam are connected as a single piece, and wherein the inner foam is made of a same material as the outer foam.

4. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid distribution members are more air permeable than the lower layer.

5. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the comfort layer is perforated with a plurality of openings that extend through the comfort layer from the comfort layer top to the comfort layer bottom to allow air flow between a comfort layer bottom and a comfort layer top.

6. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the comfort layer is one of multiple foam layers positioned above the upper layer.

7. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the comfort layer comprises viscoelastic foam, wherein the first and second fluid distribution members comprise open cell foam, and wherein the comfort layer has a greater surface area than a combined surface area of the first and second distribution members when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a top of the bed system.

8. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein a combined thickness of the upper layer and the lower layer in the first zone or the second zone is generally equal to a combined thickness of the upper layer and the lower layer in the non-fluid zone.

9. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid distribution members include a spacer material.

10. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid boundary is positioned generally away from a periphery of the upper and lower layers.

11. The bed system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first inlet that is in fluid communication with the first interior space; and
a second inlet that is in fluid communication with the second interior space.

12. The bed system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a first conduit having an end that is fluidly connected to at least one outlet of the fluid delivery module and an opposite end that is fluid connected to the first inlet; and
a second conduit having an end that is fluidly connected to the at least one outlet of the fluid delivery module and an opposite end that is fluid connected to the second inlet.

13. The bed system of claim 12 , further comprising:
a first fitting mounted to the first inlet and configured to fluidly connect to the opposite end of the first conduit; and
a second fitting mounted to the second inlet and configured to fluidly connect to the opposite end of the second conduit.

14. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery module includes a heating device configured to heat the air that is delivered to the first or second interior space.

15. The bed system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery module includes a cooling device configured to cool the air that is delivered to the first or second interior space.

16. The bed system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor.

17. The bed system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an occupant detection sensor.

18. The bed system of claim 2 , wherein the lower layer comprises foam, the lower layer including (i) an inner foam portion positioned between the first zone and the second zone to space the first zone from the second zone and (ii) an outer foam portion positioned between perimeter of the bed system and the first and second zones, wherein the inner and outer foam portions combine to define the first and second zones to each have a substantially rectangular shape,
wherein the first and second fluid distribution members are more air permeable than the lower layer,
wherein the comfort layer is one of multiple foam layers positioned above the upper layer, and perforated with a plurality of openings that extend through the comfort layer from the comfort layer top to the comfort layer bottom to allow air flow between a comfort layer bottom and a comfort layer top, and
wherein the comfort layer comprises viscoelastic foam, wherein the first and second fluid distribution members comprise open cell foam, and wherein the comfort layer has a greater surface area than a combined surface area of the first and second distribution members when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a top of the bed system.

19. The bed system of claim 18 , wherein a combined thickness of the upper layer and the lower layer in the first zone or the second zone is generally equal to a combined thickness of the upper layer and the lower layer in the non-fluid zone.

20. The bed system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first inlet that is in fluid communication with the first interior space;
a second inlet that is in fluid communication with the second interior space;
a first conduit having an end that is fluidly connected to at least one outlet of the fluid delivery module and an opposite end that is fluid connected to the first inlet; and
a second conduit having an end that is fluidly connected to the at least one outlet of the fluid delivery module and an opposite end that is fluid connected to the second inle

Assignees

• Sleep Number Corp

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

• A61G2203/46

  for temperature · CPC title

• A61G7/05769

  with inflatable chambers · CPC title

• A61G7/05784

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