US-20260123765-A1 - AIR MATTRESS ASSEMBLY AND METHOD THEREFOR

US20260123765A1US 20260123765 A1US20260123765 A1US 20260123765A1US-20260123765-A1

Abstract

An air mattress assembly includes an air mattress and an inflatable pillow insert that may be removably positioned in a cavity in the air mattress. The inflatable pillow insert may be selectively inflated to accommodate an abdominal region of a user while resting in a prone position during various stages of pregnancy and/or postpartum. In one embodiment, the air mattress assembly includes a cooling gel layer that may provide cooling benefit to a user. In another embodiment, the air mattress assembly includes a memory foam layer that may provide additional cushioning benefit to a user. In all embodiments, the air mattress assembly may provide support and comfort to a user while resting in a prone position. A user may also rest in other positions on the assembly, as may be desired.

Inventors

Harry C Watters

Assignees

Star W Professional Services LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241107

Claims (20)

1 . An air mattress assembly comprising, in combination: an air mattress comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidewall surface, the top surface having a cavity formed therein; and an inflatable pillow insert configured to be removably positioned in the cavity, the inflatable pillow insert configured to be adjustably inflated.
2 . The air mattress assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is defined by a circumferential wall and a floor.
3 . The air mattress assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air mattress comprises four sidewall surfaces.
4 . The air mattress assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable pillow insert further comprises a sidewall and a stem coupled to the sidewall, the stem configured to be positioned in a channel of the air mattress.
5 . The air mattress assembly of claim 4 , wherein the stem further comprises a base and a body, wherein the base is sloped in the direction of the body, and wherein the stem is coupled to the sidewall of the inflatable pillow insert at the base of the stem.
6 . The air mattress assembly of claim 4 , wherein the channel is positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface, the channel having a first opening positioned in the at least one sidewall surface and a second opening positioned in the circumferential wall, wherein the channel is configured to receive the stem therein.
7 . The air mattress assembly of claim 1 wherein the air mattress further comprises an opening formed along the at least one sidewall surface.
8 . The air mattress assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of air valves, wherein a first air valve is positioned in the opening of the at least one sidewall surface, and wherein a second air valve is positioned in an opening of a distal end of a stem of the inflatable pillow insert.
9 . The air mattress assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air mattress further comprises a plurality of ridges, wherein a first ridge is formed along an outer perimeter of the top surface, and a second ridge is formed along an outer perimeter of the bottom surface.
10 . The air mattress assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air mattress further comprises a plurality of corner portions, wherein each corner portion is juxtaposed between adjacent lengthwise sidewalls and widthwise sidewalls of the air mattress.
11 . The air mattress assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cavity and the inflatable pillow insert are each cylindrical in shape.
12 . The air mattress assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cooling gel layer, the cooling gel layer comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, an interior region defined by the top surface and the bottom surface, the interior region configured to contain a cooling gel, and an opening, wherein the opening is configured to correspond to outer dimensions of the inflatable pillow insert, wherein the bottom surface of the cooling gel layer is configured to contact the top surface of the air mattress.
13 . The air mattress assembly of claim 12 , wherein the cooling gel layer further comprises a plurality of perforations formed along the top surface and the bottom surface.
14 . The air mattress assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a memory foam layer, the memory foam layer comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, and an opening, wherein the opening is defined by a circumferential edge, and wherein the opening is configured to correspond to outer dimensions of the inflatable pillow insert, wherein the bottom surface of the memory foam layer is configured to contact the top surface of the air mattress.
15 . An air mattress assembly comprising, in combination: an air mattress comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewall surfaces, the top surface having a cavity formed therein; a channel formed in the air mattress, the channel juxtaposed between the top surface and the bottom surface; an inflatable pillow insert comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall, and a stem coupled to the sidewall, wherein the stem is configured to be positioned in the channel of the air mattress; wherein the inflatable pillow insert is configured to be removably positioned in the cavity, the inflatable pillow insert configured to be adjustably inflated; and a cooling gel layer comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, an interior region defined by the top surface and the bottom surface, the interior region configured to contain a cooling gel, and an opening, wherein the opening is configured to correspond to outer dimensions of the inflatable pillow insert; wherein the bottom surface of the cooling gel layer is configured to contact the top surface of the air mattress.
16 . The air mattress assembly of claim 15 , wherein the cavity is defined by a circumferential wall and a floor, wherein the floor is configured to contact the bottom surface of the inflatable pillow insert when the inflatable pillow insert is positioned in the cavity.
17 . The air mattress assembly of claim 15 , wherein the cooling gel layer further comprises a plurality of perforations formed along the top surface and the bottom surface.
18 . An air mattress assembly comprising, in combination: an air mattress comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewall surfaces, the top surface having a cavity formed therein; a channel formed in the air mattress, the channel juxtaposed between the top surface and the bottom surface; an inflatable pillow insert comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall, and a stem coupled to the sidewall, wherein the stem is configured to be positioned in the channel of the air mattress; wherein the inflatable pillow insert is configured to be removably positioned in the cavity, the inflatable pillow insert configured to be adjustably inflated; and a memory foam layer comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, and an opening, wherein the opening is configured to correspond to outer dimensions of the inflatable pillow insert; wherein the bottom surface of the memory foam layer is configured to contact the top surface of the air mattress.
19 . The air mattress assembly of claim 18 , wherein the opening of the memory foam layer is defined by a circumferential edge.
20 . The air mattress assembly of claim 18 , wherein the cavity is defined by a circumferential wall and a floor, wherein the floor is configured to contact the bottom surface of the inflatable pillow insert when the insert is positioned in the cavity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates generally to air mattresses and methods therefor and, more particularly, to an air mattress assembly that supports a pregnant user while in a prone position, and methods therefor. BACKGROUND During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes many changes that can be uncomfortable. For instance, during pregnancy, it is often difficult for a woman to find a comfortable sleeping position. This is particularly true as the pregnancy progresses and a woman's abdominal region expands. Physicians generally recommend that a pregnant woman sleep on her side—preferably on her left side—because this position places the least amount of pressure on the inferior vena cava and also promotes increased blood flow among internal organs and the developing fetus. If a woman is not comfortable in this position, sleeping on her right side is recommended as an alternative. Conversely, it is not recommended for the woman to sleep on her back, particularly during the later stages of pregnancy, because studies have shown that doing so can lead to various problems, including backaches, breathing problems, digestive issues, hemorrhoids, low blood pressure, and decreased blood circulation. Further, sleeping on her stomach may be discouraged because doing so can be practically uncomfortable on the woman's expanded abdominal region and, as well, can lead to neck and shoulder problems, and can generally cause soreness, stiffness, and pain. This guidance can be disappointing and also frustrating for pregnant women who naturally are stomach sleepers, or who would prefer to sleep on their stomachs at times, but find they cannot do so comfortably during pregnancy. A solution to the aforementioned problems was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,040 issued to Bianchi-Holm. The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,040 may be utilized to support a pregnant user while in a prone position. However, the apparatus disclosed in Bianchi-Holm has some limitations. For example, while the apparatus includes a central portion that can be inflated to accommodate an abdominal region of a pregnant user, said central portion is an integral part of the overall apparatus and is not removable. As a result, in the event that irreparable damage occurs to any portion of the apparatus, the entire apparatus will require replacement, which can be expensive. Furthermore, the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,040 provides an air mattress body having an overall substantially tubular design, which some users may find undesirable and/or uncomfortable, particularly for use long term as a sleeping apparatus. Another common issue facing women during pregnancy is a general feeling of being overheated. This is typically a result of natural hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, as well as increased blood supply to the skin. When feeling overheated, pregnant women may have a general sense of feeling warmer, have night sweats, and experience overall discomfort. A need therefore exists for an air mattress assembly that enhances a user's overall comfort while in a prone position during pregnancy, that can accommodate changing dimensions of the user's abdominal region during various stages of pregnancy and postpartum, that comprises multiple components that may be replaced if necessary without requiring replacement of the entire assembly, and that can provide a cooling benefit for the user. The present disclosure addresses the aforementioned problems as well as provides other, related advantages. SUMMARY In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an air mattress assembly is disclosed. The air mattress assembly comprises, in combination: an air mattress comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidewall surface, the top surface having a cavity formed therein; and an inflatable pillow insert configured to be removably positioned in the cavity, the inflatable pillow insert configured to be adjustably inflated. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an air mattress assembly is disclosed. The air mattress assembly comprises, in combination: an air mattress comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewall surfaces, the top surface having a cavity formed therein; a channel formed in the air mattress, the channel juxtaposed between the top surface and the bottom surface; an inflatable pillow insert comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall, and a stem coupled to the sidewall, wherein the stem is configured to be positioned in the channel of the air mattress; wherein the inflatable pillow insert is configured to be removably positioned in the cavity, the inflatable pillow insert configured to be adjustably inflated; and a cooling gel layer comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, an interior region defined by the top surface and the bottom surface, the interior region configured to contain a cooling gel, and an opening, wherein the op