A system for evaluating failure of a used mattress includes a test device and computerized test device control module. The test device includes a plunger arm, a control motor attached to a first end of the plunger arm and configured to selectively extend and retract the plunger arm, and a platen attached to an end of the plunger arm distal from control motor. The control module includes a computerized processor, operating programming to evaluate the failure of the mattress. The programming includes controlling extension of the plunger arm, monitoring firmness in the mattress based upon force applied by the platen on the mattress and displacement of the plunger arm, monitoring a threshold firmness value for comparison, comparing the threshold firmness value to the monitored firmness, and generating a result of the comparison indicating the failure of the mattress.

A firmness controlling apparatus for use in a bed arrangement or a seating arrangement is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rigid frame having two opposed sides, and at least one non-elastic flexible elongate element extending between the two opposed sides. Each end of the non-elastic flexible elongate element is directly or indirectly connected to one of the opposed sides, and at least one of the ends is indirectly connected via an elastic flexible elongate element. A plurality of elongate springs are provided and extend in a flat or curved plane, the ends of each elongate spring being attached to one of the at least one non-elastic flexible elongate elements at two separated connections. A retraction device is arranged to tighten and slack the non-elastic flexible elongate element(s) between the two separated connections, thereby adjusting the distance between the two separated connections of each non-elastic flexible elongate element, and thereby controlling the curvature and height of the elongate springs.

This invention is a device which creates adjustable acoustic and/or thermal zones in a bed to address sleep issues such as bed partner snoring and hot flashes. Adjustable acoustic bed zones can be created with a flexible movable partition which longitudinally spans a bed from an arch at the head of the bed to an arch at the foot of the bed. Adjustable thermal bed zones can be created with inflow and outflow flexible longitudinal air tubes which are inserted into a space between layers of bedding.

A tension device integrated into a pillow or cushion that allows the user to manually adjust the internal arrangement and thus the thickness and firmness of the pillow by pulling on one or more cords that are attached at various locations inside or on the outside of the pillow and run through at least a portion of the interior of the pillow. The cord(s) attach to a portion of the inside or outside of the pillow, then traverse the interior of the pillow to exit a different side of the pillow than the one to which they are attached. The user then pulls on the cord(s) pulling one side of the pillow towards another and then secures the free ends of the cord(s) when the desired firmness is achieved.

In systems and methods for adjusting the firmness of a mattress assembly and/or modulating the pressure in a mattress assembly, a mattress assembly includes: a two-dimensional array of bladders; at least one pump that is in fluid communication with the bladders to provide air and/or fluid to the bladders; multiple valves that are interposed between the pump and the bladders to control the flow of air and/or fluid to or from the bladders; a pressure sensor operably connected to one or more of the bladders; and a controller in communication with the pump, the valves, and the pressure sensors. The controller is configured to selectively actuate the pump and one or more of the valves, while receiving feedback from the pressure sensors, in order to adjust the firmness of the mattress assembly and/or modulate the pressure in the mattress assembly.

A bed includes environmental control components, which may be temperature control components and pressure adjustment components in some embodiments. The environmental control components may be configured to provide different sleep environments based on identity of sleepers using or expected to use the bed. A controller may determine a number of sleepers for the bed, identify the sleepers, and determine if there is an expectation of later arrival of sleeper in determining a configuration for the environmental control components in providing a sleep environment for the bed.

A bed includes components to control pressure of a sleep surface, for example based on sleep position and sleep stages of a user. In some embodiments target pressures for the sleep surface are iteratively adjusted over multiple sleep sessions so to achieve improvements in sleep states and/or sleep quality for the user.

The present invention relates to a supporting module (100) for use in an adaptive sleep system and to a sleep system comprising such supporting modules, the resistance (resilience) of which can be adapted in a simple manner to the anatomy and/or posture of a user. The supporting module (100) for an adaptive sleep system comprises an uppermost supporting element (110), at least two drive shafts (140, 140), at least two leaf springs (130, 130) positioned parallel to one another, each leaf spring (130, 130) including a first and a second end, each first end being connected to the first supporting element, and each second end being in contact with an adjacent drive shaft (140, 140) via a coupling element (150), wherein the position of the second end of a leaf spring (130, 130) with respect to the adjacent drive shaft (140, 140) determines the deformation resistance of this leaf spring (130, 130), and wherein the coupling element (150) has been configured to transmit the rotational motion of at least one drive shaft (140, 140) to the leaf spring (130, 130), in order to modify the position of the second end of the leaf spring (130, 130) with respect to the adjacent drive shaft (140, 140).

A mattress with adjustable hardness comprises at least one resilience supplying module, at least one air bag module and a lining provided for the resilience supplying module and the air bag module to be placed therein. The lining is provided with a plurality of lattice-like units, each lattice-like unit defining a mounting space therein. The resilience supplying module is provided with a plurality of elastic bodies respectively provided in one of the mounting spaces. The air bag module is provided with a plurality of air bag units respectively provided in one of the mounting spaces. In this case, the air bag units may be inflated consistently, and the expanded volume of each of the air bag units after inflation may be limited to be uniform by the corresponding lattice-like unit. Thus, the problem of incapability of being kept evenness after inflation in the conventional practice is solved.

A system for evaluating failure of a used mattress includes a test device and computerized test device control module. The test device includes a plunger arm, a control motor attached to a first end of the plunger arm and configured to selectively extend and retract the plunger arm, and a platen attached to an end of the plunger arm distal from control motor. The control module includes a computerized processor, operating programming to evaluate the failure of the mattress. The programming includes controlling extension of the plunger arm, monitoring firmness in the mattress based upon force applied by the platen on the mattress and displacement of the plunger arm, monitoring a threshold firmness value for comparison, comparing the threshold firmness value to the monitored firmness, and generating a result of the comparison indicating the failure of the mattress.