Inflatable cellular mattress with alternating zones of inflated cells

Abstract

A cushion or mattress comprising a base and a plurality of linearly aligned individual air cells across the base. Groups of individual air cells can be interconnected and in fluid cooperation with an inflation source, such as a pump. In one aspect of the invention, the inflation of adjacent cells is staggered, for example, in a checkerboard-like inflation pattern that helps diffuse load over a wider area.

1 . A mattress for support of a user, comprising:
 a base and a plurality of linearly aligned individual air cells across the base, said air cells being divided into at least two normally isolated groups of individual air cells, said air cells in each at least two groups being interconnected, each group being in fluid cooperation with an inflation source wherein the alternating inflation and deflation of each group of cells results in a staggered pattern of cells to break up the pattern of pressure points on a user's anatomy.   
   
   
       2 . The mattress of  claim 1  wherein the staggered pattern of inflated cells is a checkerboard pattern of inflated cells. 
   
   
       3 . The mattress of  claim 1  further comprising a controller for controlling the alternating inflation and deflation of the groups of cells. 
   
   
       4 . A method of inflating alternating inflation of at least two groups of individual inflatable air cells to form an alternating pattern of inflated cells wherein the alternating inflation and deflation of each group of cells results in a staggered pattern to break up the pattern of pressure points on the user's anatomy comprising the steps of;
 Inflating a first group of cells;   Inflating a second group of cells;   deflating the first group of cells at a predetermined rate of deflation over a predetermined period of time, while the second group of cells remains inflated for same said predetermined period of time;   re-inflating said first group of cells at a predetermined rate of inflation over a predetermined period of time, while the second group of cells remains inflated;   deflating the second group of cells at a predetermined rate of deflation over a predetermined period of time, while the first group of cells remains inflated for same said predetermined period of time;   re-inflating said second group of cells at a predetermined rate of inflation over a predetermined period of time, while the first group of cells remains inflated; and   repeating said steps of deflating and re-inflating alternate groups of cells.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the inflated group of cells are inflated to an interface pressure of between the inflated cells and the user's anatomy of about 25 mmHG to about 200 mmHg. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the inflated group of cells are inflated to an interface pressure of between the inflated cells and the user's anatomy of about 25 mmHG to about 80 mmHg. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the inflated group of cells are inflated to an interface pressure of between the inflated cells and the user's anatomy of about 25 mmHG. 
   
   
       8 . A mattress for support of a user, comprising:
 a base and a plurality of linearly aligned individual inflatable air cells across the base, said inflatable air cells being divided into at least two normally isolated groups of individual air cells, said air cells in each at least two groups being interconnected, each group being in fluid cooperation with an inflation source wherein the alternating inflation and deflation of each group of cells results in a staggered pattern of cells to break up the pattern of pressure points on a user's anatomy; a pump for inflating the cells and a controller operatively associate with the pump for controlling the alternating inflation and deflation of the groups of cells.   
   
   
       9 . The mattress of  claim 6  further comprising a manifold between said pump and said inflatable air cells. 
   
   
       10 . The mattress of  claim 6  comprising at least two mattress sections each section having at least two groups of normally isolated groups of individual air cells. 
   
   
       11 . The mattress of  claim 6  further comprising side rails. 
   
   
       12 . The mattress of  claim 6  further comprising a underlying inflatable mattress.