IP Library › Patent Application 19249825
Patent Application
App. No. 19/249,825

UNIVERSAL AIR SURFACE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
19/249,825
Abstract

A universal air surface may include a plurality of inflatable air chambers disposed in parallel arrangement with each other, wherein a first side wall and a second side wall of the plurality of inflatable air chambers are asymmetrically to each other about a central axis of the plurality of inflatable air chambers to accommodate a manifold routed adjacent to a first lower end wall of the plurality of inflatable air chambers. A first void is formed between the first lower end wall of the plurality of inflatable air chambers, a bed frame, and a first side rail. A second void is formed between the second lower end wall, the bed frame, and a second side rail; wherein a first cross sectional area of the first void is greater than a second cross sectional area of the second void. Methods of routing the manifold within the first void are disclosed.

Claims (61)

1 . A universal air surface comprising:

a plurality of inflatable air chambers disposed in parallel arrangement with each other, wherein each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers comprises:

a top wall;

a bottom wall disposed opposite the top wall;

a head side wall connected between the top wall and the bottom wall;

a foot side wall disposed opposite the head side wall, the foot side wall connected between the top wall the bottom wall;

a first side wall connected between the top wall, the bottom wall, the head side wall, and the foot side wall, wherein the first side wall comprises:

a first upper end wall connected to the top wall and extending downwardly from the top wall; and

a first lower end wall connected between the first upper end wall and the bottom wall, wherein the first lower end wall forms a first angle with the bottom wall, wherein the first lower end wall is connected to the first upper end wall at a first height above the bottom wall; and

a second side wall connected between the top wall, the bottom wall, the head side wall, and the foot side wall, wherein the second side wall comprises:

a second upper end wall connected to the top wall and extending downwardly from the top wall; and

a second lower end wall connected between the second upper end wall and the bottom wall, wherein the second lower end wall forms a second angle with the bottom wall, wherein the second lower end wall is connected to the second upper end wall at a second height above the bottom wall, wherein the first height is greater than the second height.

2 . The universal air surface of claim 1 , wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle.

3 . The universal air surface of claim 2 , wherein the first angle is between about 110 degrees and 115 degrees.

4 . The universal air surface of claim 3 , wherein the first angle is about 112 degrees.

5 . The universal air surface of claim 1 , further comprising a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers; wherein the manifold is disposed proximate the first lower end wall.

6 . The universal air surface of claim 1 , wherein a first void is formed between the first lower end wall, a bed frame, and a first side rail connected to the bed frame.

7 . The universal air surface of claim 6 , wherein the first void is configured to accommodate a manifold having a maximum manifold diameter between about 3.25 inches and 3.5 inches.

8 . The universal air surface of claim 6 , wherein a second void is formed between the second lower end wall, the bed frame, and a second side rail connected to the bed frame; wherein a first cross sectional area of the first void is greater than a second cross sectional area of the second void.

9 . The universal air surface of claim 1 , further comprising a receiving sleeve demountably connected to the plurality of inflatable air chambers.

10 . The universal air surface of claim 9 , further comprising an exterior cover demountably connected to the plurality of inflatable air chambers.

11 . A universal air surface comprising:

a plurality of inflatable air chambers disposed in parallel arrangement with each other, wherein each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers comprises:

a top wall;

a bottom wall disposed opposite the top wall;

a head side wall connected between the top wall and the bottom wall;

a foot side wall disposed opposite the head side wall, the foot side wall connected between the top wall the bottom wall;

a first side wall connected between the top wall, the bottom wall, the head side wall, and the foot side wall, wherein the first side wall comprises:

a first upper end wall connected to the top wall and extending downwardly from the top wall; and

a first lower end wall connected between the first upper end wall and the bottom wall, wherein the first lower end wall forms a first angle with the bottom wall, wherein the first lower end wall is connected to the first upper end wall at a first height above the bottom wall; and

a second side wall connected between the top wall, the bottom wall, the head side wall, and the foot side wall, wherein the second side wall comprises:

a second upper end wall connected to the top wall and extending downwardly from the top wall; and

a second lower end wall connected between the second upper end wall and the bottom wall, wherein the second lower end wall forms a second angle with the bottom wall, wherein the second lower end wall is connected to the second upper end wall at a second height above the bottom wall, wherein the first height is greater than the second height, wherein the first angle is between about 110 degrees and 115 degrees.

12 . The universal air surface of claim 11 , further comprising a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers; wherein the manifold is disposed proximate the first lower end wall.

13 . A method of a routing a manifold adjacent to a plurality of inflatable air chambers comprising the steps of:

providing a bed frame having a first side rail and a second side rail opposite the first side rail;

providing a plurality of inflatable air chambers disposed in parallel arrangement with each other, wherein each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers comprises:

a top wall;

a bottom wall disposed opposite the top wall;

a head side wall connected between the top wall and the bottom wall;

a foot side wall disposed opposite the head side wall, the foot side wall connected between the top wall the bottom wall;

a first side wall connected between the top wall, the bottom wall, the head side wall, and the foot side wall, wherein the first side wall comprises:

a first upper end wall connected to the top wall and extending downwardly from the top wall; and

a first lower end wall connected between the first upper end wall and the bottom wall, wherein the first lower end wall is connected to the first upper end wall at a first height above the bottom wall; and

a second side wall connected between the top wall, the bottom wall, the head side wall, and the foot side wall, wherein the second side wall comprises:

a second upper end wall connected to the top wall and extending downwardly from the top wall; and

a second lower end wall connected between the second upper end wall and the bottom wall, wherein the second lower end wall is connected to the second upper end wall at a second height above the bottom wall, wherein the first height is greater than the second height;

connecting a manifold to each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers proximate the first lower end wall;

positioning the plurality of inflatable air chambers and the manifold on the bed frame between the first side rail and the second side rail;

inflating the plurality of inflatable air chambers;

compressing the first upper end wall against the first side rail;

compressing the second upper end wall against the second side rail;

forming a first void between the first lower end wall, the first side rail, and the bed frame; and

routing the manifold through the first void.

14 . The method according to claim 13 , further comprising the step of forming a second void between the second lower end wall, the second side rail, and the bed frame; wherein a first cross sectional area of the first void is greater than a second cross sectional area of the second void.

15 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the first lower end wall forms a first angle with the bottom wall, and the second lower end wall forms a second angle with the bottom wall, wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle.

16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the first angle is between about 110 degrees and 115 degrees.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the first angle is about 112 degrees.

18 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the first void is configured to accommodate a manifold having a maximum manifold diameter between about 3.25 inches and 3.5 inches.

19 . The method according to claim 13 , further comprising the step of inserting each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers into a receiving sleeve.

20 . The method according to claim 13 , further comprising the step of inserting the plurality of inflatable air chambers into an exterior cover.