IP Library Granted Patent US 8,621,687
Granted Patent B2
US 8,621,687 · App. 13/715,921 · Granted Jan 7, 2014

Topper member for bed

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,621,687
App. No.
13/715,921
Granted
Jan 7, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to certain arrangements, a conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, a lower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interior chamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the spacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interior chamber and to help with the passage of fluids within a portion of interior chamber. The conditioner mat can be configured to releasably secure to a top of a bed assembly.

Claims (30)

1. A conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly, comprising:

an upper layer being at least partially fluid permeable;

a lower layer;

at least one interior chamber defined between the upper layer and the lower layer;

at least one spacer material positioned at least partially within the at least one interior chamber, said at least one spacer material configured to maintain a shape of the at least one interior chamber and to help with the passage of fluids within at least a portion of the at least one interior chamber;

an inlet in fluid communication with the least one interior chamber;

at least one fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device, the at least one fluid module being in fluid communication with the inlet;

wherein the at least one fluid module selectively delivers fluid to the at least one interior chamber through the inlet;

wherein fluid entering the at least one interior chamber through the inlet is generally distributed within said at least one interior chamber before exiting through the upper layer;

wherein the conditioner mat is configured to be positioned on a bed assembly; and

wherein the upper and lower layers are configured to form at least one fluid boundary, the at least one fluid boundary at least partially fluidly separating adjacent zones of the at least one interior chamber.

2. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid module comprises at least one thermal conditioning device for selectively thermally conditioning a fluid being delivered to the at least one interior chamber.

3. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one spacer material comprises spacer fabric.

4. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the adjacent zones are in fluid communication with each other.

5. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the adjacent zones of the at least one interior chamber comprise a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone comprises a spacer material and the second zone comprises a generally fluid impermeable member, said second zone being configured to not receive fluid from the at least one fluid module.

6. The conditioner mat of claim 5 , wherein the generally fluid impermeable member comprises a foam pad.

7. The conditioner mat of claim 4 , wherein each of the adjacent zones comprises a spacer material, wherein both the first and second zones are configured to receive fluid from a single fluid module.

8. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the conditioner mat is configured to secure to a mattress or other support structure of a bed.

9. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid module is at least partially contained within a fluid box, said fluid box being in fluid communication with the inlet of the conditioner mat using at least one fluid conduit.

10. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid module is incorporated within, adjacent to or near the conditioner mat.

11. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the conditioner mat is configured to be placed on a mattress, pad or support member of a bed assembly, wherein the mattress, pad or support member comprises at least one of foam, gel, springs and a plurality of fluid-filled chambers.

12. The conditioner mat of claim 9 , wherein the conduit is at least partially incorporated within a guard rail of a bed assembly.

13. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the conditioner mat is configured to be positioned on top of a medical bed.

14. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the upper layer comprises a fluid permeable material.

15. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the upper layer comprises a plurality of openings through which fluid can pass.

16. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid boundary is formed by at least partially joining the upper and lower layer along at least a portion of the conditioner mat.

17. The conditioner mat of claim 16 , wherein the upper and lower layers are joined using stitching.

18. The conditioner mat of claim 4 , wherein the at least one thermal conditioning device comprises a thermoelectric device.

19. The conditioner mat of claim 4 , wherein the at least one thermal conditioning device comprises a convective heater.

20. The conditioner mat of claim 1 , wherein the conditioner mat is configured to be positioned on a bed for home use.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2021
From: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
To: SLEEP NUMBER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054989/0704 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2020
From: SLEEP NUMBER CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 053232/0689 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2020
From: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
To: SLEEP NUMBER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 053070/0080 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 23, 2020
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 053007/0920 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 28, 2019
From: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 049627/0311 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2017
From: BRYKALSKI, MICHAEL; MARQUETTE, DAVID; TERECH, JOHN; VIDOJEVSKI, ROBERT
To: AMERIGON INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 042323/0954 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 10, 2017
From: AMERIGON INCORPORATED
To: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 042324/0584 →