Support cushions and methods for active ventilation of same

Abstract

A support cushion is provided for moving an amount of air through the support cushion. The support cushion includes a body supporting layer having a removable portion, an upper base layer defining one or more air conduits In fluid communication with the removable portion, a lower base layer defining a cavity, and a bottom layer. A fan is positioned within the cavity such that the fan is in fluid communication with the one or more air conduits defined by the upper base layer. The fan is thus capable of drawing air from the top surface of the body supporting layer, through the removable portion, through the one or more air conduits in the upper base layer, and exhausting the air into the bottom layer. Methods of actively ventilating a support cushion are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support cushion, comprising:
 a body supporting layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the body supporting layer including one or more porous foam inserts;   an upper base layer positioned adjacent to the second surface of the body supporting layer, the upper base layer defining one or more air conduits extending through the upper base layer and in fluid communication with the one or more porous foam inserts;   a lower base layer positioned adjacent to the upper base layer opposite the body supporting layer, the lower base layer defining a cavity extending through the lower base layer;   a bottom layer positioned adjacent to the lower base layer opposite the upper base layer; and   a fan positioned within the cavity defined by the lower base layer.   
     
     
         2 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , further comprising a comfort layer positioned adjacent to the first surface of the body supporting layer, the comfort layer including a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. 
     
     
         3 . The support cushion of  claim 2 , wherein the comfort layer defines a plurality of channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the comfort layer, the plurality of channels in fluid communication with the one or more porous foam inserts. 
     
     
         4 . The support cushion of  claim 3 , wherein the bottom layer is comprised of a porous material. 
     
     
         5 . The support cushion of  claim 4 , wherein the porous material is selected from the group consisting of porous foams, knitted spacer fabrics, textiles, and composite materials. 
     
     
         6 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing for the fan, the housing positioned within the cavity defined by the lower base layer. 
     
     
         7 . The support cushion of  claim 6 , further comprising an air filter positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The support cushion of  claim 6 , further comprising a sleeve positioned around the housing and with in the cavity of the lower base layer. 
     
     
         9 . The support cushion of  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve is comprised of a material configured to provide a frictional connection between the housing and the lower base layer. 
     
     
         10 . The support cushion of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve is comprised of a flame retardant material. 
     
     
         11 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the body supporting layer, the upper base layer, and the lower base layer are comprised of a flexible foam. 
     
     
         12 . The support cushion of  claim 11 , wherein the body supporting layer is comprised of a visco-elastic foam. 
     
     
         13 . The support cushion of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible foam comprising the body supporting layer has a porosity less than that of the one or more porous foam inserts. 
     
     
         14 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the body supporting layer has a density less than that of the upper base layer, the lower base layer, or both. 
     
     
         15 . The support cushion of  claim 2 , wherein the comfort layer is comprised of a visco-elastic foam. 
     
     
         16 . The support cushion of  claim 15 , wherein the body supporting layer is comprised of a visco-elastic foam, and wherein the comfort layer has a density less than that of the body supporting layer. 
     
     
         17 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power supply for supplying electrical current to the fan; and   a controller for controlling the electrical current supplied to the fan from the power supply.   
     
     
         18 . The support cushion of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to allow power to be supplied to the fan for a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         19 . The support cushion of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more temperature sensors for providing thermal feedback to the controller, the one or more temperature sensors operably connected to the body supporting layer. 
     
     
         20 . The support cushion of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more pressure sensors for providing pressure feedback to the controller, the one or more pressure sensors operably connected to the body supporting layer. 
     
     
         21 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover configured to surround the body supporting layer, the upper base layer, the lower base layer, and the bottom layer. 
     
     
         22 . The support cushion of  claim 21 , wherein the cover is comprised of a flame retardant material. 
     
     
         23 . The support cushion of  claim 21 , wherein the cover is comprised of a textile. 
     
     
         24 . A mattress assembly, comprising:
 a body supporting layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;   an upper base layer positioned adjacent to the second surface of the body supporting layer, the upper base layer defining one or more air conduits extending through the upper base layer and in fluid communication with the body supporting layer;   a lower base layer positioned adjacent to the upper base layer opposite the body supporting layer, the lower base layer defining a cavity extending through the lower base layer;   a bottom layer positioned adjacent to the lower base layer opposite the upper base layer; and   a fan positioned within the cavity in the lower base layer.   
     
     
         25 . The mattress assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the body supporting layer includes one or more porous foam inserts positioned over the e one or more one or more air conduits defined by the upper base layer. 
     
     
         26 . The mattress assembly of  claim 24 , further comprising an adjustable foundation positioned below the bottom layer. 
     
     
         27 . A method of actively ventilating a support cushion, comprising:
 providing a support cushion including
 a body supporting layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, 
 an upper base layer positioned adjacent to the second surface of the body supporting layer, the upper base layer defining one or more air conduits extending through the upper base layer and in fluid communication with the body supporting layer, 
 a lower base layer positioned adjacent to the upper base layer opposite the body supporting layer, the lower base layer defining a cavity extending through the lower base layer, 
 a bottom layer positioned adjacent to the lower base layer opposite the upper base layer, and 
 a fan located within the cavity defined by the lower base layer; and 
   supplying power to the fan, such that the fan draws air from the first surface of the body supporting layer, through the upper base layer and the lower base layer, and into the bottom layer and away from the body supporting layer of the support cushion.