Air mattresses primarily intended for hospitals, long-term care facilities and in-home use are described. The mattress includes multiple foam layers and an air sector having multiple resilient foam filled air cylinders. The air cylinders at different locations are filled with foam having different density (firmness); some are filled with multiple layers of foam. Each air cylinder has an air inlet connected to the atmosphere by an inlet valve and an air outlet. The air outlets are either connected to one or more restricted internal check outlet valves in a non-powered air mattress, or connected to a pump via hose connectors in a powered air mattress. The restricted outflow of air from the cylinders in a non-powered air mattress allows the patient to slowly settle into the supportive foam layers for optimal interface pressure distribution. The air cylinders re-inflate when the patient adjusts position or is vacated from the surface.
1. An air mattress comprising:
a plurality of layers of foam; and
eight air cylinders disposed below the plurality of layers of foam, at least one air cylinder being filled with 25 IFD 1.85 lb/ft 3 foam, at least one air cylinder being filled with three layers of 15 IFD 1.45 lb/ft 3 , 25 IFD 1.85 lb/ft 3 and 35 IFD 1.85 lb/ft 3 foam, at least one air cylinder being filled with 29 IFD 1.85 lb/ft 3 foam, and at least one air cylinder being filled with three layers of 25 IFD 1.85 lb/ft 3 , 29 IFD 1.85 lb/ft 3 and 35 IFD 1.85 lb/ft 3 foam and a booster layer of 36 IFD 1.50 lb/ft 3 foam.
2. An air mattress comprising:
a plurality of air cylinders forming an air sector, at least some of the air cylinders being filled with different density resilient foam;
a heel support assembly disposed adjacent the air sector, the heel support assembly including a heel support made of foam and a fiber filled heel pillow disposed on top of the heel support, wherein a lower surface of the heel support is located on a same plane as a lower surface of the plurality of air cylinders;
a U shaped rail made of foam surrounding the air sector and the heel support assembly; and
at least one foam layer disposed above the air sector and the heel support assembly.
3. The air mattress of claim 2 , wherein at least some of the air cylinders are each filled with two or more layers of different density resilient foam.
4. The air mattress of claim 2 , wherein each air cylinder includes an air inlet connected to the atmosphere by an air inlet valve and an air outlet, the air outlets of all air cylinders being connected together and to a restricted internal check outlet valve.
5. The air mattress of claim 2 , wherein each air cylinder includes an air inlet connected to the atmosphere by an air inlet valve and an air outlet, the air outlets of alternating air cylinders being connected together and to a restricted internal check outlet valve.
6. The air mattress of claim 2 , wherein each air cylinder includes an air inlet connected to the atmosphere by an air inlet valve and an air outlet, the air outlets of alternating air cylinders being connected together and to a hose connector, the hose connectors being adapted for connecting to a pump.