An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.

A multi-chamber inflatable mattress includes a main air chamber, upper and lower peripheral air chambers, and an upper air chamber. The main air chamber includes internal tensioning structures which cooperate with a bottom mattress panel and a lower intermediate panel to provide a generally box-shaped, mattress-sized inflatable structure upon pressurization. A second, upper intermediate panel cooperates with a top mattress panel to define an upper air chamber which defines the sleeping surface. The main air chamber receives pressurized fluid directly from a valve, while the lower and upper peripheral air chambers are in direct fluid communication with the main air chamber but not the valve. The upper air chamber is in direct fluid communication with the upper peripheral air chamber, but not the main chamber or valve.

An inflatable device for turning or positioning a person in a bed. The inflatable device includes an inflatable body formed by a top sheet and a bottom sheet disposed beneath the top sheet to define a cavity configured to be inflated such that the top sheet forms a top wall of the cavity and the bottom sheet forms a bottom wall of the cavity. The device further includes at least one port having a port opening in fluid communication with the cavity and configured to provide an air input for air for inflating the cavity, wherein the at least one port comprises an elastic member for adjusting a size of the port opening.

An air mattress includes a first air cell, a second air cell, a plurality of third air cells, and a body-lifting air cell. The second air cell includes a first air chamber, a second air chamber, and a structurally-weakened region. The body-lifting air cell is below the second air cell and at least one of the third air cells. The body-lifting air cell is inflated by an air source controlled by a control system. When the body-lifting air cell is inflated, a vertical distance between the top of second air cell and the bottom of air mattress is greater than a vertical distance between the top of first air cell and the bottom of air mattress. When the body-lifting air cell is inflated, the second air cell has a lower structural strength than the other air cells to have a cushioning effect against external forces.

An improved structure of an inflatable cushion includes: a top layer constituting a surface of the inflatable cushion, a bottom layer constituting an undersurface of the inflatable cushion, and a side layer constituting a circumference of the inflatable cushion such that the inflatable cushion defines an interior space. Longitudinal stretch bands and lateral stretch bands are arranged in the interior space in such a way that portions of the longitudinal stretch bands are jointed to the top layer to form first connection sections and portions of the lateral stretch bands are jointed to the bottom layer to form second connection sections. The lateral stretch bands and the longitudinal stretch bands intersect each other and the first connection sections and the second connection sections oppose each other in a vertical direction.

An air bed system including a plurality of peripheral devices and a pump unit configured to adjust a firmness of an air mattress, the pump unit including a pump. The system further includes a controller configured to execute instructions that cause the pump unit to wirelessly pair with at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices. The pump unit is configured to receive at least one control signal addressed to the at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices, and transmit the at least one control signal to the addressed device.

The present invention relates to a mattress system in which a ultra low pressure plenum is positioned within the mattress system. In one embodiment, the ultra low pressure plenum is a bladder which is sandwiched between layers of a foam material. A plurality of ultra low pressure plenums formed as columns extending longitudinally or laterally along the length of the mattress system can be used.

A mattress includes an inflatable lumbar support spanning across a top surface of the mattress in a position corresponding to the lumbar back area of a user when in a sleeping position. The apparatus further utilizes an electrical pump to inflate the tube to a desired firmness. A means to heat the tube for additional comfort and therapeutic benefit is also provided. The means to heat the tube as well as the inflatable connection are capable of being removable to enable repositioning or portability of the tube and means to heat the tube.

The inflatable pad includes an inflatable frame having a length and width that defines a pad area suitable for supporting a person lying thereon. A plurality of internal support members are configured to support the weight of a person lying thereon and elevate the person above the ground. The inflatable pad includes non-supporting regions that require less fill volume than regions that support primary support regions such as the hips and shoulder.

Disclosed herein is a valve assembly disposed on a top surface of an air mattress and connected to a built-in air pump. The built-in air pump can comprise: a tube-like construction defining an inner cavity between the top surface and the bottom surface; a compression spring located within the inner cavity and attached to the top surface and the bottom surface; a bellow connected to a side surface of the tube-like construction, the bellow providing an air pathway from the inner cavity to the interior volume of the air mattress; a top end cap attached to a top portion of the compression spring and abutting the top surface; and a bottom end cap attached to a bottom portion of the compression spring and abutting the bottom surface.