Pressure adjustable foam support apparatus

Abstract

A pressure adjustable foam support apparatus includes a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core. A flexible, airtight cover encloses the core. An air passageway in formed through the covering in pneumatic communication with the foam core. The passageway carries a valve for alternately permitting and blocking passage into and out of the core through the passageway. The valve is opened to exhaust air from and at least partially collapse the core and to allow a core that is at least partially collapsed to draw in air through the passageway and expand. The valve is closed to maintain a selected air pressure within the core whereby corresponding levels of density and firmness are exhibited by the core. At least one level of density and firmness provides the core with a viscoelastic feel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pressure adjustable foam support apparatus comprising: 
 a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core;    a flexible airtight covering that encloses said core;    an air passageway formed through said covering in pneumatic communication with said foam core, which passageway carries a valve for alternately permitting and blocking passage of air into and out of said core through said passageway, said valve being opened to exhaust air from and at least partially collapse said core and to allow a core that is at least partially collapsed to draw in air through said passageway and expand, said valve being selectively closed with said core in one of a plurality of fully inflated and partially collapsed states to maintain a selected air pressure within said core, whereby corresponding levels of density and firmness are exhibited by said core, at least one such level of density and firmness providing said core with a viscoelastic feel.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a vacuum pump communicably engagable with said passageway such that opening said valve and operating said vacuum pump exhausts air from said foam core through said passageway to at least partially collapse said core.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said foam core has a density of 1.2-2.5 pounds per cubic foot and an indention force deflection value of 22-45 in a fully inflated condition.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said core includes a normal cellular structure in a fully inflated condition and a modified cellular structure in said partially collapsed condition, which modified cellular structure is caused by a reduction in air pressure in said core.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said passageway includes a first pipe portion disposed within said covering and a second pipe portion attached communicably and extending transversely to said first pipe portion, said second pipe portion extending through and being pneumatically communicable with air exteriorly of said covering.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a baffle disposed adjacent said passageway intermediate said foam core and said cover to restrict said cover from being sucked into said passageway by operation of said vacuum pump.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said foam core includes at least two interengaged foam components disposed within said covering.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  in which each said foam component includes a respective density and indention force deflection (IFD) that is different from that of the other said foam component.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said foam core includes polyurethane foam.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  in which said vacuum pump is attached to said passageway exteriorly of said covering.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2  in which said vacuum pump is attached to said passageway interiorly of said covering.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said core is collapsible such that it includes density of at least 3 lbs/ft 3  and an indention deflection force valve of less than 15.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 3  in which said core is collapsible such that it includes density of at least 3 lbs/ft 3  and an indention deflection force valve of less than 15.  
     
     
         14 . A method of producing a body supporting apparatus, which apparatus includes selected levels of density and firmness, said method comprising: 
 providing a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core;    enclosing said foam core in a flexible airtight covering;    providing an air passageway through said covering and in pneumatic communication with said foam core, which passageway carries a valve for alternately permitting and blocking the passage of air into and out of said core through said passageway;    opening said valve and selectively exhausting air from said core and introducing air into said core through said passageway to adjust the air pressure within said core until said core achieves selected levels of density and firmness; and    closing said valve to maintain said core at said selected levels of density and firmness.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  in which air is exhausted from said core by opening said valve and by pumping air from said core outwardly through said passageway.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein selectively exhausting and introducing air modifies the cellular structure of said foam to achieve the selected levels of density and firmness.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  in which said foam core has a density of 1.2-2.5 pounds per cubic foot and an indention force deflection value of 22-45 in a fully inflated condition.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further including adjusting the air pressure in said core until a density of at least 3 lbs/ft 3  and an indention force deflection valve of below 15 are achieved.  
     
     
         19 . A pressure adjustable foam support apparatus comprising: 
 resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core;    a flexible, airtight covering that encloses said core;    an air passageway formed through and covering in pneumatic communication with said foam core; and    a pump communicably engagable with said passageway for selectively introducing air into said core and exhausting air from said core through said passageway to adjust the air pressure within said core, the pressure within said foam core being adjustable to provide said foam core with a viscoelastic feel.