Pressure adjustable foam support apparatus

Abstract

The present invention concerns a mattress-like apparatus whose firmness is adjustable by the user. This goal is attained by enclosing the polyurethane foam core of the mattress within an airtight cover chamber, and varying the negative air pressure (vacuum) applied into it. As a result, the mattress is adjustable as to firmness measured in terms of Indentation Force Deflection (IFD, or spring-back force) and support (density).

1 - 11 . (cancelled).  
   
   
       12 . A mattress-like support apparatus comprising 
 a core of open-cell, self-inflating flexible polyurethane foam, said polyurethane foam core having an Indentation Force Deflection value within a range of 22 to 50 at standard atmospheric pressure; and    an airtight cover chamber enclosing said foam core, said airtight cover chamber having at least one valve arrangement for evacuating air;    characterized in that said mattress-like support apparatus is operated by the user at sub-atmospheric pressure, in that said foam core has a thickness of at least four inches at standard atmospheric pressure, and in that said Indentation Force Deflection value decreases while air pressure within said polyurethane foam core is lowered.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said polyurethane foam care has a density value within a range of 1.2 to 2.5 lbs per cubic foot at standard atmospheric pressure, and wherein said density value increases while air pressure within said polyurethane foam core is lowered.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said polyurethane foam core is vertically subdivided into at least two longitudinal or transversal core sections, and wherein said airtight cover chamber is replaced by separate individual airtight chambers for each core section, each individual airtight chamber having at least one valve arrangement for evacuating air.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said polyurethane foam core is vertically subdivided into at least two longitudinal or transversal core sections, and wherein said airtight cover chamber is subdivided into individual airtight chambers for each core section by internal airtight walls, each individual airtight chamber having at least one value arrangement for evacuating air.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the core sections has a different Indentation Force Deflection value at standard atmospheric pressure from the other core section or sections.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the core sections has a different Indentation Force Deflection value at standard atmospheric pressure from the other core section or sections.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said polyurethane foam core comprises two or more layers of self-inflating flexible polyurethane foam.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said polyurethane foam core sections comprise two or more layers of self-inflating flexible polyurethane foam.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the foam layers has a different Indentation Force Deflection value at standard atmospheric pressure from the other foam layer or layers.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the foam layers has a different Indentation Force Deflection value at standard atmospheric pressure from the other foam layer or layers.