Adjustable Contour Mattress System

Abstract

An adjustable contour mattress is provided with a multiplicity of zones each having a mattress height independently adjustable by a respective electro-mechanical actuator. The actuators are disposed within the mattress between a lower panel member and an upper mattress layer. A control unit is connected to the actuators for operating them to alternately raise and lower respective zones of the upper mattress layer. A remote control is operatively connected to the control unit and includes command input elements enabling an individual user to selectively operate the actuators independently of other ones of the actuators, whereby the user can adjust heights of the zones independently of one another.

1 . An adjustable contour mattress system comprising:
 a support frame having at least one lower panel member along a bottom periphery of said frame;   a mattress having an at least partially resilient upper layer and provided with a multiplicity of independent height-adjustable zones;   a multiplicity of actuators equal in number to said zones and disposed within said mattress between said lower panel member and said upper layer;   a control unit operatively connected to said actuators for operating same to alternately raise and lower respective zones of said upper layer; and   a remote control operatively connected to said control unit, said remote control having command input elements enabling an individual user to select heights of said zones independently of one another.   
     
     
         2 . The mattress system defined in  claim 1  wherein said actuators include mechanical linkages. 
     
     
         3 . The mattress system defined in  claim 2  wherein said actuators are electrically powered. 
     
     
         4 . The mattress system defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said actuators includes a motor with a speed reduction gear box operatively connected to a screw shaft for alternately rotating said shaft in opposite directions. 
     
     
         5 . The mattress system defined in  claim 4  wherein said screw shaft is linked to the driving gear box and a screw nut at each end. 
     
     
         6 . The mattress system defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said actuators includes a scissor linkage 
     
     
         7 . The mattress system defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said actuators includes at least one camming member. 
     
     
         8 . The mattress system defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said actuators includes a screw jack actuator. 
     
     
         9 . The mattress system defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said actuators includes a rack and pinion assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The mattress system defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said actuators includes a linear actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The mattress system defined in  claim 1  wherein said linear actuator is taken from the group consisting of a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, and a motorized ball screw linear actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The mattress system defined in  claim 1  wherein said remote control has command input elements enabling an individual user to select heights of said zones independently of one another. 
     
     
         13 . A method for adjusting a mattress, comprising:
 providing a mattress having a multiplicity of height-adjustable zones and a multiplicity of actuators equal in number to said zones and disposed in operative relationship with respect to said mattress to effectuate adjustment of mattress contour;   operating said actuators to elevate said zones to respective heights; and   operating a remote control to select the heights of individual ones of said zones, the operating of said actuators being in conformity with the heights of said individual ones of said zones as selected via the operating of said remote control.   
     
     
         14 . The method defined in  claim 13  wherein the operating of said remote control includes generating height-adjustment signals and automatically modifying stored data encoding the heights of said individual ones of said zones. 
     
     
         15 . The method defined in  claim 13  wherein the operating of said actuators includes operating a control unit to access a memory to extract mattress height data determined at least in part by the operating of said remote control.