Mattress and bolster system

Abstract

An inflatable mattress and bolster assembly in which the mattress frame receives a series of individual inflatable air cells to form the mattress. Side bolsters are secured to the opposite long sides of the mattress frame by means of retaining straps. The air cells have end tabs that pass through holes in the side bolsters and attach the air cells to the long sides of the mattress frame. An inflatable safety rail is mounted on top of each of the side bolsters for added patient safety. The air cells, side bolsters and safety rails are all independently inflated so that they can be separately adjusted for firmness.

1 . A mattress and bolster assembly comprising:
 a mattress frame having a front side, a back side, a left side, a right side, a frame bottom and an open top, the mattress frame being substantially rectangular;   a plurality of inflatable air cells positioned adjacent to each other in the mattress frame for forming a supporting air mattress, the air cells having opposite ends that are disposed adjacent to the left and right sides respectively of the mattress frame when they are positioned in the mattress frame;   at least one tab extending from each of the opposite ends of the air cells;   fastening means on each tab for attaching the tab to a side of the mattress frame;   an inflatable left side bolster and inflatable right side bolster, each bolster having a front that faces inward toward the center of the mattress frame and a back that faces the left and right side respectively, a top and a bottom, the left side bolster positioned adjacent to the left side and the right side bolster positioned adjacent to the right side and the bottom of the bolster disposed adjacent to the frame bottom of the mattress frame;   the tab extending from each of the opposite ends passing through the left and right side bolsters and fastened to the left side and right side respectively to securely attach the air cells to the mattress frame,   whereby when a vertical weight is applied to the inflatable air cells, the air cells are compressed and pull the tabs and the bolster to which the tabs are attached toward the center of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The mattress and bolster assembly of  claim 1  wherein the left and right side bolsters have a plurality of holes passing through the bolster from the front to the back, the holes receiving the tabs which pass there through. 
     
     
         3 . The mattress and bolster assembly of  claim 2  and further comprising complementary fastening means on the left and right sides for receiving in releasable locking relationship the fastening means on the tabs. 
     
     
         4 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 2  and further comprising an inflatable top air chamber disposed above the top of the left and right side bolsters respectively, the top air chamber creating a heightened bolster for assisting in keeping a person from rolling over the bolster and off of the mattress. 
     
     
         5 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 4  and further comprising a strap for securing the left and right side bolsters against the left and right sides respectively of the mattress frame. 
     
     
         6 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 5  wherein the strap has one end attached to the mattress frame side and the other end attached to the bottom of the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 5  wherein the strap has one end attached to the mattress frame side and the other end is attached to the tab extending from the air cell. 
     
     
         8 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 2  wherein there are a pair of tabs extending out from each end of the air cells, with one of the tabs being an upper tab and the other being a lower tab, each tab passing through a hole in the bolster and then being secured to the frame by means of the fastening mean. 
     
     
         9 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 4  and further comprising a separate air inlet valve for inflating separately the left and right side bolsters, the top air chamber and the air cells to achieve the desired air pressure in each of the left side bolster, the right side bolster, the top chambers and air cells. 
     
     
         10 . The mattress of  claim 3  wherein the fastening means comprises snaps on the tabs and frame sides. 
     
     
         11 . A mattress and bolster assembly comprising:
 a mattress frame having opposite left and right long sides,   a plurality of inflatable air cells positioned adjacent to each other in the mattress frame for forming a supporting air mattress, the air cells having opposite ends that are disposed adjacent to the opposite left and right long sides respectively of the mattress frame;   at least one fastening tab extending from each of the opposite ends of the air cells;   fastening means on each tab for attaching the tab to either the left or right long sides of the mattress frame;   a left side bolster and right side bolster, the left side bolster positioned adjacent to the left long side and the right side bolster positioned adjacent to the right long side;   the fastening tab extending from each of the opposite ends of the air cell and passing through openings in the left and right side bolsters and fastened to the left and right long side respectively to securely attach the air cells to the mattress frame,   whereby the application of a vertical weight to the inflatable air cells causes the air cells to compress and apply a tensile force to the tabs and the bolster to which the tabs are attached.   
     
     
         12 . The mattress and bolster assembly of  claim 11  and further comprising complementary fastening means on the left and right long sides for receiving in releasable locking relationship the fastening means on the tabs. 
     
     
         13 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 11  and further comprising an inflatable top air chamber disposed above the top of the left and right side bolsters respectively, the top air chamber creating a heightened bolster for assisting in keeping a person from rolling over the bolster and off of the mattress. 
     
     
         14 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 11  and further comprising a strap for securing the left and right side bolsters against the left and right long sides respectively of the mattress frame. 
     
     
         15 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 14  wherein the mattress frame further comprises a mattress frame bottom and wherein the strap has one end attached to the mattress frame long side and the other end attached to the mattress frame bottom. 
     
     
         16 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 14  wherein the strap has one end attached to the mattress frame long side and the other end is attached to the tab extending from the air cell. 
     
     
         17 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 11  wherein there are a pair of tabs extending out from each end of the air cells, with one of the tabs being an upper tab and the other being a lower tab, each tab passing through a hole in the bolster and then being secured to the frame by means of the fastening mean. 
     
     
         18 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 13  and further comprising separate air inlet valves for individually inflating the left and right side bolsters, the air cells and the top air chamber to achieve the desired air pressure in each of the left side bolster, the right side bolster, the top air chambers and air cells. 
     
     
         19 . The mattress and bolster of  claim 12  wherein the fastening means and complementary fastening means comprise snaps and snap posts.