Inflatable device for adjusting the support and comfort of a mattress

Abstract

Apparatus for adjusting the firmness, support, or sag of a mattress includes an inflatable device having a substantially convex cross-sectional shape that is thicker in the center region and gradually thinner toward the edges, a material and constitution for maintaining the convex shape under the weight of the mattress and a person, and a set of dimensions large enough to adjust firmness, support, or sag for the majority of an area of the mattress used by the person.

1 . Apparatus for adjusting firmness, support, or sag of a mattress, comprising: 
 a) a substantially convex cross-sectional shape that is thicker in the center region and gradually thinner toward the edges;    b) a material and constitution for maintaining the convex shape under the weight of the mattress and a person; and    c) a set of dimensions large enough to adjust firmness, support, or sag for the majority of an area of the mattress used by the person.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a substantially oval, elliptical, rectangular, diamond, rounded rectangular, rounded diamond, or rounded shape.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is inflatable to achieve adjustability to the level of firmness, support, or sag.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein baffles comprising a flexible material are attached inside the apparatus to both the top and the bottom thereof, preventing the further expansion of the apparatus at those points, with shorter pieces of said flexible material located toward the edges to keep the edges thinner, and with longer pieces of said flexible material located in the center areas to allow the center areas to expand thicker when inflated.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of hollow chambers inside the apparatus are attached to both the top and the bottom thereof, preventing the further expansion of the apparatus at those points, with shorter hollow chambers comprising a flexible material located toward the edges to keep the edges thinner, and with longer hollow chambers comprising a flexible material located in the center areas to allow the center areas to expand thicker when inflated.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein separate inflatable chambers of varying diameters are connected in such a way to form the convex shape, wherein chambers having a larger diameter are arranged near a center of said apparatus, and progressively smaller diameter chambers being arranged toward the edge thereof.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for adding adjustability of firmness, support, or sag to a mattress, comprising: 
 a) a plurality of inflatable chambers;    b) a substantially convex cross-sectional shape, after inflation, that is thicker in the center region and gradually tapered toward the edges;    c) an arrangement and shape of the chambers for maintaining the convex shape under the weight of the mattress and a person;    d) a set of dimensions large enough to adjust firmness, support, or sag for the majority of an area of the mattress used by the person; and    e) an adjustability of firmness, support, or sag controlled by degree of inflation of said chambers.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of chambers are inflatable by way of at least one inflation opening.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of chambers are separate, with each chamber inflatable by way of a separate inflation opening.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein baffles comprising a flexible material are attached inside the apparatus to both the top and the bottom thereof, preventing the further expansion of the apparatus at those points, with shorter pieces of said flexible material located toward the edges to keep the edges thinner, and with longer pieces of said flexible material located in the center areas to allow the center areas to expand thicker when inflated.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein a plurality of hollow chambers inside the apparatus are attached to both the top and the bottom thereof, preventing the further expansion of the apparatus at those points, with shorter hollow chambers comprising a flexible material located toward the edges to keep the edges thinner, and with longer hollow chambers comprising a flexible material located in the center areas to allow the center areas to expand thicker when inflated.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein separate inflatable chambers of varying diameters are connected in such a way to form the convex shape, wherein chambers having a larger diameter are arranged near a center of said apparatus, and progressively smaller diameter chambers being arranged toward the edge thereof.  
   
   
       13 . A method of providing adjustability of firmness, support, or sag to a mattress comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing an inflatable apparatus and inflating it so that it attains a substantially convex shape;    b) inflating the apparatus to a desired degree for a desired level of firmness, support, or sag to the mattress;    c) placing the apparatus under the mattress; and    d) positioning the apparatus so that it supports the majority of an area of the mattress used by a person.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the apparatus is placed between a mattress and a box spring.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mattress is a king-size mattress.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mattress is a queen-size mattress.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mattress is a double-size mattress.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mattress is a twin-size mattress.