CPC A61G 7/0573 (2013.01) [A47C 21/02 (2013.01); A47C 21/022 (2013.01); A47C 21/028 (2013.01); A47C 23/00 (2013.01); A47C 23/002 (2013.01); A47C 23/02 (2013.01); A47C 23/12 (2013.01)] | 22 Claims |
1. A mattress apparatus for preventing bed sores, the apparatus comprising: (a) a foundation layer which supports the mattress apparatus; (b) a dynamic layer comprising a plurality of mechanism panels, in which each mechanism panel has a plurality of rigid legs extending from a base to a deformable strip formed by a series of adjacently connected top bars on either side, wherein the base of each said mechanism panel is connected to extend orthogonally from said foundation layer; (c) a flexible webbing layer coupled to the top bars of the deformable strip in each of said mechanism panels, said flexible webbing layer is configured to retain the mechanism panels extending from the foundation layer in a parallel relationship to one another; (d) a compliant layer, or layers, covering over said flexible webbing to provide a desired level of padding; (e) wherein each said mechanism panel comprises a plurality of rigid element bistable mechanisms in which the plurality of rigid legs are connected through flexible joints to both said base and to said deformable strip formed by the connected top bars, and wherein said flexible joints are configured to allow angular changes in one axis of movement; (f) wherein each of said plurality of rigid element bistable mechanisms comprises a unit cell having first and second rigid legs, of the plurality of rigid legs, whose proximal ends are attached to joints at said base, with said rigid legs extending up with distal ends attached at joints at said deformable strip connected top bars, the rigid legs spaced in a trapezoidal shape, whereby movement of the deformable strip in a first direction causes the first rigid leg to create a peak in said deformable strip and the second rigid leg to create a valley in said deformable strip, while movement of the deformable strip in a second direction causes the first rigid leg to create a valley in said deformable strip and the second rigid leg to create a peak in said deformable strip which creates undulations in the top surface of the mattress; (g) a stop retained on the base between said first and second rigid legs, which limits the extent to which the first and second rigid legs can flex at their respective joints and that said deformable strip can move in said first direction and said second direction; and(h) wherein said dynamic layer of said mattress apparatus upon being moved between said first positional state and said second positional state, in response to application of horizontal force, alternates the pattern of pressure being applied to a body of an occupant received thereon, wherein pressure peak points become pressure valleys, and pressure valleys become pressure peak points, to prevent bed sores which can arise when the pattern of pressure peak points remains static.
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