CA2189972A1 - Portable, integrated, universally adjustable position control system - Google Patents

Abstract

A position controlling system (20) that comprises a position control means (21) combined with a support pad (33) with said control means (21) being constructed for arcuately moving the support pad (33), with the position control means (21) and pad (33) being surrounded by a cover (34) to form a portable, unitary, adjustable support assembly. In the preferred embodiment the moveable adjustable support assembly is constructed with an expandable shroud (37) integrally connected to the cover (34) in association with the position control means (21) for expanding in response to the arcuate movement of the position control means (21) while being automatically retracted into a folded configuration when the control means (21) is returned to its original position. In addition, the invention incorporates a single air flow control assembly (22) which is capable of directly controlling two distinct adjustable support assemblies, each of which uses separate control means (23). Individuals with queen or king size beds can use two distinct adjustable support assemblies (21) for separate and independent control while using a single air flow control assembly (22).

Description

WO 9al31170 ' ' 2 ~ 8 9 9 7 2 r~ cJOS~
PORTABLE, INTEGRATED, UNIVERSALLY
ADJUSTABLE POSITION CONTROL SYSTEM
TECElNlCAL FIELD
This invention relates to adjustable support systems and, more ~ ,ul~l~, S to a urliversally adjustable, portable self-contained support system enabling multi-position adjusting for both the back and/or legs of the user.

WO 95/31170 ~ 8 9 q 7 2 r~

BACKGROUND ART
In order to meet a continuinS consumer demand for comfort when individ-uals are in a prone or Iying position, whether Iying in bed, on ~ couch, on a floor, or any other location, numerous prior art ~ol~LIu~ Liull~ haYe been developed.
S Typically, these prior art ~;.",r".,.,.,.....~ comprise either very expensive, complex movable bed frame ,U~ lU~Liul-~ or iUleA~ , adjustable back rests or fixed position inflation devices. However, no .l.~d~ priced system exists which is able to provide the comfort of a bed system, without its cost or ~u~ y while also providing a system which is capable of being used in any desired location.
The ill~ l . bæk rests, while often usable in various locations, merely have fixed positions or movable cushion or pad ~:UI~Llu~Liull~ which attempt to provide comfort by elevating am individual ' s back at a desired angle to the ground or to the bed on which the structure is mounted. While providing some comfort, these systems are incapable of providing the fuU-body support and range of posi-15 tions which con-sumer ~ s are seeking. C. ~ u~ , although numerous prior art ~UIID~IU~LiOI~ have been developed, none of these prior art cushions, pads, or adjustable bæk rests, have been capable of satisfying or meeting the consumer ~ s needs and wamts.
As an alternate to these bæk rest ~oll~LIu-,~iu--s, other prior art products 20 have been developed for use in bed to enable the consumer to be partially elevated, with the back of the user supported in order to watch television or read more r L~lbl~ Typically, these ~UIl~Llu~Liul-~ employ air-inflation systems which either lie on top of the bed or are placed between the mattress and the box spring. However, these systems have similarly proved to be inc~apable of meeting25 the consumer ~ s needs.
In particular, the prior art systems which lie on top of the bed must be removed prior to sleeping due to the bulkiness of the systems and the di~,o~lru caused by the systems when not in use. The air inflation systems constructed forbeing placed ,.,11....~, l1, the mattress raise the entire mattress during their use.

WOgS/31170 21 89 972 r~ c~O.~

However, these systems, also, are removed by the consumer when Iying flat, due to the discomfort caused by their bulk when not in use. t'~ r~ ly, these prior art inflation systems have been incapable of meeting the consumer ~ uil~"u~ llLa.
r~ ul~ these prior art air inflation systems have been specifically 5 limited to being used either on or under a mattress. However, although additional comfort is realized when in the raised position, these systems are incapable of providing a system which is cu--l~ t~ portable and enables its use in any desired location or in any desired surface, such as on the floor, couch or outdoors. Conse-quently, these prior art systems are extremely limited, and incapable of providing 10 the full range of support and comfort the consumer is seeking.
The other prior art systems presently available, in an attempt to provide consumer ' s with complete comfort while in bed, are extremely expensive, motor-controlled, movable frame CUIIDL1U~ UIIS having complex structures causirlg the mattress DU~Ul L llæ frame to move or articulate in various directions upon com-15 mand. A'lthough these systems are capable of moving the mattress supported ûnthe frame in a plurality of alternate positions and c~, r~,. ~, l ;~ .. .~ these prior art systems are limited in their ability, due to their inherent high cost as well as berng usable only in a single location. Clearly, these prior art CUIIDL1U~;~;UIID are incapa-ble of being moved to any desired location, as is desired.
Another inherent drawbæk with these expensive frame moving complex structures is their complete inability to attain a CUIIDLIU,L;UII usable for a king-size or queen-srze bed where both partners can i~ ~7 ~ ly and separately control the elevation of their back or leg DUIJIJUI Lillæ zones. Only by buying two separate systems are ill~;7;dual~7 able to approach ;".1. ~ control. However, such a l~ u~ lcll~ causes illlividudls to incur sllhstSlnt7sllly added expense, while still not satisfying the consumer ~ s needs and desires for an efficient, portable, self-con-tained, slr~-lct~hl~, (;UIIDIlU~,~iUl~ which is l~laull~l/l.~ priced.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a multi-~vaiLiwld7Lll~7 universally adjustable support system which is portable, self-WO 95/31170 ~ PCIIUS95/O5833 contained, unitary in ~o~ U~;Lioll and enables multi-purpose use with both conve-nience and comfort.
Arlother object of the present invention is to provide a multi-p..~ f~
Ull ~ adjustably support system having the ~ L~liàL;~ features descnbed S above, which is illl~A~ _ to ,-- ...r~ while being s~ ly equivalent to eApensive, . ~. 1.1;~ ~. .~ 111~ .1 l .. ,:. Ally operated bed raising systems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide the universally adjust-able support system having the ~ a~L~ features descnbed above which is àULrI~ IIL1Y l;~IL~ SIIL to be easily carried to any desired location for enabling the 10 user to obtain the adjustable beneficial . l, ~ in any desired location or on any desired support surfæe.
A further object of the present invention is to provide the universally adjustable support sy~tem having the . ~ ;- features descnbed above which can also be p - .,lly installed on a bed for use, when desired, while also being15 retained on the bed when not m use, without in any way interfering with the consumer ~ s normal sleep habits.
Other and more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear ~ ~t~ ..

WO 95/31170 . r~
2~ ~972 SUMMARY OF TEIE INVENTION
In the present invention, the prior art drawbaclAs and difficulties are . ' ' by providing a cu.. ~ L~I~ intr gr~tr-~i portable, position controlling system which comprises a unitary, - 1,, ' le portable, self-contained, support 5 assembly which ill~,Ul,UUI.~ two separate and i, -lr~ adjustable sections irltegrally contained therein. In one section, typically used to support the back of the user, the support assembly is arcuately pivotable into virtually any desiredposition for sul-~u-Lil~ ;";"e the user in a particular elevated position. In another section, the support assembly is able to be elevated into a plurality of10 alternate ~",ri~,.".l;""~ in order to support the legs of the user in a raised positiorL
By providimg a fully integrated unitary co..~LIu~.Liu-l~ a ~u~ L LI l~ portable,urliversally adjustable support system is obtained which cam be used in any desired location and on any desired surface. If desired, the support system of the present 15 invention can be ~ ."ly installed on a bed to provide the user with the desired alternate positions when Iying in bed, while also enabling the user to sleep with complete comfort on the system when in a fully horizontal position. As a result, a system is attained which does not have to be removed after use once imstalled on a bed, providing the benefits of prior art eApensive ~ while 20 attainirlg all of these ~ I "~ in a ~UIlllJdldliV~vly ill~A~ CUII~LlU~vLiUII~One principal rr~ Ul~Ul<ltv~ into the fully intrgrPtrrl adjustable support system of the present invention is the unitary, adjustable, portable, self-contained support assembly. This support assembly ill~bl~u~ in a single, fully enclosed, unitary UUII~LlU~,IiUll, a support pad, a bladder control frame assembly for 25 raising and lowering the bæk ~U,U~JUl Lillg portion of the support pad, and an inflatable panel member for raising and lowering the leg ~U~IJUl Lil~g portion of the support pad. In addition, all of the cu~ are fully enclosed within the unitary support assembly to assure complete portability of the support assembly amd placement in any desired location for obtaining the comfortable pf~;li..,.;"~
30 provided thereby.

21 ~72 WO95/31170 r~,l"J.,,..~-In addition, the support assembly comprises shroud means peripherally :~U~lUUlldillg and :~UIJlJUl~ retaining and enclosing the bladder controlled frame assembly. In this way, the frame assembly is able to achieve its arcuate pivoting movement within the support assembly, without being outwardly vislble. In addi-5 tion, the shroud also ill~ul~ulaLu~ elastic means formed thereon for gthe shroud in a compact ~.".1;~ ;-... and assuring that any excess material is not ViSIbIe~ F~IILII~IIUUIC~ the elastic means also assures that the air inflated bladder of the bladder control frame system is easily returned from a fully expanded configu-ration to a fully contracted cullfi~ul~.Liùll, due to the elastic forces of the shroud 10 assisting in forcing air out of the bladder, when so desired.
Another feature of the present invention is the ~11,, ."~.~,"1 of a lUU.~
adjustable support system which is capable of being used by individuals having king or queen-size beds, with each individual being capable of complete ;".1~ . ."
control without affecting their partner. In the support system of this invention, 15 individuals are able to select their own personally desired position for elevating either the back ~u~yulLllg portion or the foot supporting portion of the supportassembly, while having virtually no effect on their partner. In prior art systems, no such dual l"~fl.. "1~ ~1 control was possible without ~JUIL.Il~illg two separate, expensive systems.
In the present invention, separate, ;"~ rl ,l movably adjustable, self-contained support assemblies are employed, with both support assemblies being movably adjustable by employing separate control means. In addition, both control means and both support assemblies are illL~ I~ ullll~,~lcd to a single air flow control assembly. As a result, a minimum of expensive ~ . are employed and a dual, inrit~p~nf~nt, fully adjustable position controlling system is attained for king size and queen size beds.
The invention .I~ul~ill61~ comprises the features of ~UIl~Llu~ Liull, combina-tions of elem~nts and ~ ,,..,~. . "l of parts which will be ~ "L,l;i;. .~ in the~;UI~LIU~LiOII~ I~CI~,;IIdrLCI set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated 30 in the claims.

WO95/31170 ~ F~

- 7 i~ q7r2 THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller .",~ l;..g of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed d~ UIiul~ taken in r.. ~ "with the a~u...lucU,y;ll~ drawings in which:
FIGU;RE 1 is a y~ l~y~,~ Livti view of the integrated, portable, position w.ltlullillg system of the present invention ~u~ u~ iuJ for use on a king-size or queen-size bed to provide ;"~ movable, ~ to both users thereof;
FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation view of the unitary, portable, self-contained support assembly of the position ~:u"~-ulli--~ system depicted in a partially elevated position;
FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the unitary, ? ~ , self-contained support assembly of the position controlling system of the present inYention positioned on a CUll._llLiu--al twin-size bed;
FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view, partially in crn~r 5~1iull, of the urlitary, self-containe~ support assembly of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section, depicting the ~u~ u~.lio~ of the unitary, ~ Ct~ self-contained support assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the dual frame members i~l~ ulluulut~ ~ into the support assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 7 is a side elevation view of the dual frame members of FIGURE
6;
FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the bladder controlled frame assembly ill~u~yvlcll~l into the unitary, adjustable, portable, self-contained support assembly of the presenl invention;
FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the bladder controlled frame assembly of FIGURE ~;

2~ 8997 WO 95/31170 ~ .'C~o.lJ

F~GURE 10 is a side elevation view depicting the bladder controlled frame assembly of FIGURE 8 in a fully inflated ~
FIGURE 11 is a ~ .u~. li._ view of the bladder controlled frame assembly of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 12 is a top plan view of the inflatable panel member il~ u~ul~t~,l irlto the unitary, adjustable, portable, self-contained support assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 13 is a front elevation view of the inflatable panel member of FIGURE 12 depicted in a fully inflated ~....1;~,,~.,~;.....
FIGURE 14 is a side elevation view of the fully inflated panel member depicted irl FIGURE 13;
FIGU~E 15 is a side elevation view of the air flow control assembly which forms a part of the integrated, portable, position controlling system of the present invention;
FIGURE 16 is a front elevation view of the air flow control assembly of FIGURE 15;
FIGURE 17 is a front elevation view of the air flow control assembly of F~GURE 15 with the upper portion of the housing removed;
FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of the air flow control assembly of FIGURE
17;
FIGURE 19 is a rear elevation view of the fan blade assembly housing formirlg a part of the air flow control assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 20 is a top plan view, partially in cross-section and partially broken away, of the motor assembly i~ )l,UUl~ d into the air flow control assem-bly of the present invention;
FIGURE 21 are top plan views, partially in cross-section and partially broken away, showing the air control valve assemblies which form a part of the air flow control assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 22 is a front elevation view of the air control valve assemblies of FIGURE 21;

~WO95/31170 21 89972 I~ C~o~
FIGURE 23 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of one of the ai} control valve assemblies of FIGURE 21;
FIGURE 24 is a side elevation view of an alternate e...bo~ -L of the bladder assembly of the present invention, with the bladder depicted fully inflated;
S FIGURE 25 is a rear view of the bladder assembly of FIGURE 24;
FIGURE 26 is an end view of an alternate ~ I~o~ of the motor assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 27 is a cross-sectional, side elevation view of the motor assembly of FIGURE 26, taken along line 27-27 of FIGURE 26;
FIGURE 28 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the unitary, self-contained, adjustable support assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 29 is a side elevation view depicting a further alternate embodi-ment of the ur~itary, self-contained, adjustable support assembly of the presentinvention;
FIGURE 30 is a ~ D~liV~i view, depicting a still further alternate embodi-ment of the unitary, adjustable, self-contained support assembly of the present imvention;
FIGU~E 31 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section, of another alternate ~ .o.l "~ .l of the unitary, self-contained support assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 32 is 1~ lD~ . Liv~ view depicting an alternate (,..,I)o~ 1 of the inflatable bladder assembly of the present imvention, depicted as a self-contained support system;
FIGURE 33 is a p. lD~ ~Liv~ view of an alternate ~ullD~lu~liull of an air flow 25 control assen1bly of the present invention;
- FIGURE 34 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the air flow control assembly of FIGURE 33;
FIGURE 35 is a side elevation view of a seat raising system ill~UllJUl~lLiulg the inflatable bladder ~ull~Llu-,Liùll of the present invention;

WO95/31170 ' 21~9~72 r ~ o~ ~

FIGURE 36 is a top plan view of the seat raising system of FIGURE 35, with the top support plate removed; and FIGU~E 37 is a side elevation view of the seat raising system of FIGURE
35.

wo g~/31170 ~ 2 1 8 9 9 7 2 r~~ 3!it-DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In FIGURES 1-5, integrated, portable, position controlling system 20 of the present invention is fully depicted. As shown therein, portable position controlling system 20 comprises unitary, self-contained, fully ?~ tAhl~ portable support 5 assembly 21, an air flow control a3sembly 22, and control means 23. Unitary adjustable support a3sembly 21 of position cu--L~ g system 20 is Cull~Llu~ d forease of portability and use in any desired location and on any desired support surface. In this way, the adjustable comfort provided by the present invention can be enjoyed anywhere desired.
Although the flexibility and portabili~y of self-contained, unitary, adjustable support assembly 21 represents a principal unique aspect of position controllingsystem 20 of the present invention, its use and ~ \ on a cv..~...Liv-lal bed structure is one principal use for the present invention with which consumers _re able to realize ' "~, enhanced bed elevating ~ iLi. ~ previously unob-tainable. ~ , this particular ~ is depicted Illlou~Lvu~ the drawings as the eA~ample for the use of this invention. However, this use of support a3sembly 21 represents a single ~ for support assembly 21 and is shown for exemplary purposes only, and i3 not intended, in any way, to limit thescope of the present invention.
In FIGURE 1, one of the principal features achieved in using the present invention on c~ iU.Ial beds is fully depicted. As shown therein, position Cvl~ system 20 of the present invention provides complete, ;..~
self-controlled elevation to both the back-~ul.l,vl ~i-.g portion and the leg-support-ing portion of support assembly 21 to i~Jividuals having a king-size or queen-size - 25 bed without affecting their partner ~ s side of the bed. In the prior art, no reason-ably-priced system exists which allows individuals with king-size or queen-size beds to separately and ;"~ control both a back ~ul~VILil~g portion and a foot supporting portion of the bed while ha~lng no effect on their partner.

WO95/31170 '' ~ t ~` 2~ 89972 r~ c~O~ ~

In the present invention, the illdf~y.,lld~ llL control is achieved by employingtwo separate support assemblies 21, 21 with both support assemblies being ly i,lt~l~.ullllf~L~,~ to a single air flow control assembly 22. In this way, am integrated position controlling system 20 is achieved which reduces costs by 5 f" ' ' ,, ~ " of e~ . l In addition, the present invention enables mdividuals with king-srze and queen-size beds tû individually enjoy the benefits of . vl~lrul ~alJL, position ~ of both the bæk-supporting portion and the leg-supporting portion of support assemb]y 21, while ha ing absolutely no effect or movement over their partner ' s separate and ;~ l support assembly 21.
Each unitary, fully adjustable support assembly 21 is operated by . I,"~ r.l;
air flow into bladder members mounted within support assembly 21. In the preferred t,lllbo ' t, one of the bladder members is WllD~lUl,t~l to enable theback-supporting portion of support assembly 21 to be pivotally adjusted into anydesired position within an arc of about 80. As a result, the user is able to movably position support assembly 21 rnto any desired position from culll~h t~l~hori70ntai to aimost vertical. The second bladder member is ~0. D~lU~t~1 to enable the leg-supporting portion of support assembly 21 to be elevated and retained in a plurality of alternate positions ranging from ~:ul~yL,t~ l~ horizontal to a raised level of about 10 inches above hnri7nnt~i In order to assure complete, ;"~ movement of each support assembly 21 upon demand, separate sets of air delivery hoses 30 and 31 are provided. Each pair of air delivery hoses 30 and 31 are separately connected to each of the two support assemblies 21, 21, thereby attaining t~le desired result, with a minimum of expensive ~ t~
Finally, two separate control means 23, 23 are i~ lr~ intercon-nected to air flow control assembly 22. As is fully detailed below, each controlmeans 23 is coll~ll ul l~ J to enable the user to activate air flow control assembly 22 to enable either the back supporting portion or the leg-supporting portion of one support assembly 21 to be raised or lowered as desired. In this way, an individual using one of the support assemblies 21 is capable of activating air flow control ~ WO9~i/31170 2~ ~9972 r~l,o~ ~c~o~3 assembly 22, .o cause that support assembly 21 to be movably adjusted into any desired elevated position.
As is evident from FIGURE 1, even when one support assembly 21 is activated and moved in a desired elevated position by one individual, that position S is æhieved l;u .lp~,t.,l~ ;"~ v~ y of the second support assembly 21 and without having any effect on the adjacent support assembly 21. In this way, a fully itlt~ ltl'~l, position controlling system 20 is achieved which provides complete, dual control thereof.
By referring to FIGURES 2, 3, 4, and 5, the ~;UI~LIu,Liul~ details for 10 attaining the unitary, p~lj..Ct~hlP, portable, self-contained support assembly 21 of this invention can best be ~ "~ l,-orl In the preferred Clllbud;lll~ , support assembly 21 comprises an elongated support pad or cushion 33 which defines the overall size and shape of support assembly 21. In addition, support assembly 21 also comprises a covering or layer of material 34 which overlies elongated support 5 pad 33 and p~ lly surrounds and envelopes elongated support pad 33. In addition, cover 34 shields support pad 33 from being seen, as well as shielding all of the remaining ~ mounted in ~ J~ with pad 33 from being seen.
One ~.. ,1,..--- ..1 mounted in ~ with elongated support pad 33 is bladder controlled frame assembly 35, which is mounted at one end of support 20 pad 33 in direct, overlying, covering contact with one surfæe thereof. At theopposed end of elongated support pad 33, inflatable panel member 36 is mounted with one surface thereof being in overlying, covering, contacting ~ ,. 1 .l withone surface of support pad 33.
The final ~.. 1,.. , 1 employed to complete the l;Ull~llu~Liull of support assembly 21 is shroud 37, which is mounted to cover 34 in a manner which periph-erally surrounds and envelopes bladder control frame system 35. As is more fullydetailed below, shroud 37 comprises elastic biasing means formed therewith, which normally maintains shroud 37 in a fully retracted position, while also enabling shroud 37 to expand in response to the IIIU.~ L of bladder corltrolled frame system 35.

WO 95/31170 ~ = 2 ~ 8 9 9 7 2 PCI`/US95/05833 As best seen in FIGURE 5, the unitary, sf~-lct~hlP portable, self-contained support assembly 21 of the present invention is preferably constructed by peripher-ally ~UllUU..dillg cover 34 about elongated support pad 33, with cover 34 peripher-ally ~U~IVUUIdillg and overlying cllhst~rftifflly all surfaces of elongated support pad 5 33, except for the bottom surface at both ends of support pad 33. In these two uncovered areas, the free portion of cover 34 forms flaps 40 amd 41.
In the ~:ulbLl~lioll of support assembly 21, inflatable panel member 36 is placed in overlying contacting ~ with flap 41 and, in the preferred , ~o-l .. ~ physica ly attached to flap 41 along the side edges of panel member 0 36. Then, flap 41 is afffxed to the open ends of cover 34. In this way, inflatable panel member 36 is securely sealed within support assembly 21 in intimate, secured, ~U~ OlldblC contacting ~ with one surface of elongated support pad 33.
The assembly of the opposed end of support assembly 21 is completed by 5 inserting bladder control frame assembly 35 in direct, overlying, contacting, :~U~J~JUI~illf~" '''!;'`~' ''''~''f with the exposed surface of pad 33. Then, bladder control frame assembly 35 is sealingly enclosed with elongated support pad 33 by mount-ing shroud 37 between the remaiming open edges of cover 34 and flap 40. Once this assembly is ~f~TrfrlPtPr. support assembly 21 of this present invention is 20 attained and the unitary, fully adjustable, portable, self-contained support assembly of this invention is provfded.
By employing the ;ull~u-,~iull detai'fed above, the resulting position collllulli.lg system 20 is capable of being easily carried for placement on any desired surface, in order to enable the comfort enhancing qualities provided by 25 position controlling system 20 to be enjoyed anywhere. For purposes of illustra-tion, FIGURES 3 and 4 depict position controlling system 2û mounted on a iollal twin-size bed for enjoyment by a single individual, with the bed shown in pha ftom as .~,..,l.. .- -.~ a mattress 42, a box spring 43, and a frame 44.
In using pûsition control system 20 of the presf nt invention, an individua 30 lies down on cover 34, with elongated support pad 33 providing the supporting WO9~/31170 , 2~ 89~72 F~

cushioning for the individual. Of course, when support assembly 21 is positionedon a ~U..~ Liu-lal bed, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, further supporting comfort is provided by mattress 42 and box spring 43.
With unitary, adjustable support assembly 21 plæed in overlying covering 5 ~ with the top surface of mattress 42, the user merely lies down on covering layer 34 and elongated support pad 33, and grasps control means 23 in order to ætivate position .~v..Llollii-g system 20. If elevation of the back of the user is desired, the à~ UlJlia~t; button on control means 23 is pressed, causmg air flow control assembly æ to be activated into forcing air to flow through hose 30.
10 This air flow then causes bladder control frame assembly 35 to be inflated. As bladder control frame assembly 35 is inflated, the entire bæk ~u~u. Ii--g portion of pad 33 of support assembly 21 is raised into any desired position, between 0and 80.
At arly time the desired elevated position is reached, the user merely 15 removes activation pressure from control means 23, causing the air flow to stop.
In this way, the user is able to quickly and easily position the bæk ~u~u~Li..g position of pad 33 of support assembly 21 in any desired angular ,, l .. .;
relative to the flat horizontal surface of mattress 42. One such arcuately raised position for support pad 33 of support assembly 21 is shown in FIGURE 4.
Whenever the user wishes to return to the horizontal p~sition, the user merely presses the à~lu~ L~ button on control means 23, which causes bladder control frame assembly 35 to ~.( liy become deflated. In the preferred ~l~od;,.-. llL of the present inventlon, as is further detailed below, the air is removed from bladder control frame assembly 35 ~ ly, without requiring the motor to be ætivated. It has been found that weight of the user coupled withthe elastic forces inherent in the ~:u--~l- u~iUII of shroud 37 enables bladder control frame assembly 35 to be quickly and efficiently moved from a fully raised position to its horizontal position.
In addition to assisting arld forcing the air out of bladder control frame assembly 35, the elastic biasing means formed in shroud 37 also assure that shroud WO 9S/31170 2 1 8 9 9 7 2 r~ c~o~ ~

37 ~ y contræts from its fully extended position, depicted in FIGU~E 4, to a fully contræted position, wherein shroud 37 is virtually unseen due to its rl."~ into a compact, integrated, ~:UUpCld~ lL~ with bladder control frame assembly 35. This position is depicted in FIGURE 3. In FIGURE
5 2, shroud 37 is depicted partially expanded contræted due to the elastic biasing means formed therein. This position would be realized during the raising or lowering of support assembly 21.
When the lower, leg supporting portion of support assembly 21 is to be elevated, the user presses the ~ Uj~lidl~ buttons on control means 23 to activate 10 the inflation of panel member 36. As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, air flow delivery hose 31 extends from air flow control assembly 22 in ~ ... with hose 30. Hose 30 is mounted in illL.,-~ "L~ l with bladder control frame assembly 35, while hose 31 is connected to rnterior tubing 38, the 1~ end of which is positioned with the inlet to bladder control frame assembly 35. Tube means 3815 is mounted wlthin cover 34, extendmg along a surface of support pad 33 to ' ' ~,Uliil~ '1 with inlets 45 and 46 of inflatable panel member 36.
As a result, once an individual activates controller 23 for raising the leg supporting portion of support assembly 21, air flow control assembly 22 is ætivat-ed, causing air to flow through tube 31 amd tube 38 to panel member 36. Upon 20 receipt of this air flow, panel member 36 is inflated, causing pad 33 to be moved away from flap 41. This movement causes the legs of the user to be raised by thesupporting surfæe of pad 33, as depicted in FIGURE 4.
In the preferred cllll,o-lilllc.l~, as depicted in FIGURES 3 and 4, strap meams 39 are mounted at the opposed corners in :l~cori:~hon with panel member 25 36. In the preferred ~,IllI,o.'iilll.,llL, a ~ -l', elastic shrap is employed which is wrapped about mattress 42 in order to secure the ends of pad 33 to mattress 42.
Of course, if desired, separate fastenable shraps can be employed, as opposed tousing a ~UIlLiil~luu~ strap.
Strap ~leans 3g are preferably employed in order to assure that the ends of 30 pad 33 are prevented from being excessively lifted away from mathress 42 during ~ WO 95/31170 2 1 8 9 9 7 2 r~ csO~

the inflation of panel member 36. It has been found that by ill~ul~ulalillg straps - 39 along at least the corners of pad 33, this unwanted lifting is eliminated and a more cU...ru. ~1~, a~cth~ti~ y pleasing result is achieved.
In order to best l ~ l the overall operation of int~gr~t~-l portable, 5 position wntrolling system 20 of the present invention, the details of ~:UII:~IU~,~iUII
of both bladder control framc assembly 35 and inflatable panel member 36 should be ...- l ~l .o~l By referring to FIGURES 6-11, along with the following detailed disclosure, the details of w--~LIu~iull, and operation of bladder control rrame assembly 35 can best be ~ - ,oll The principal cr~ of bladder control frame assembly 35 are outer, Uffhaped frame member 50, inner U-shaped frame member 51, and bladder 52.
In the preferred c..-~odi---~, U-shaped frame members 50 and 51 are intercon-nected to each other at both of their opposed t~ ",;,.~l;"l; ends by bolt means 53.
Preferably, bolt means 53 enable outer U-shaped frame member 50 to be freely 15 photable relative to ilmer frame member 51 about the axis defined by bolt means 53.
In the preferred l " ~ frame members 50 and 51 are ~u~ u~
and --~ u~ ,1 to possess a nested, ill~ ...r;~ .. wherein both frame members 50 and 51 lie in the same plane. This position and .. r;~, .,.l;u 20 is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.
In addition, a spacer 54 is preferably mounted coaxially with each of the bolt means 53 to maintain U-shaped frame members 50 and 51 at a fi~ced spaced distance relatrve to each other. This spaced distance is preferably .. ~ to be greater than the normal width of an individual ~ s finger or thumb. By assuring 25 this spacing between frame members 50 and 51, accidental pinching or unwanted capture of any individual ' s fingers should be avoided.
In FIGURES 8-11, the j~ "-- -~ r~ mounted, controlled . ll~ of bladder 52 with frames members 50 and 51 can best be seen. In the preferred wll~llu- ~ioll, bladder 52 comprises an enlarged sealed interior chamber having 30 frame engaging outer surfaces 57 and 58. In order to securely retain and control-2 ~
WO9~/31170 . ~ ,.'C~o~3 lably moYe U-shaped frame members 50 and 51 in the desired arcuate path, frame retaining sleeves 59 are affixed to outer surfaces 57 and 58 of bladder 52. Prefera-bly, three ;~ 1 frame retaining sleeves 59 are mounted on eæh frame engaging surface 57 and 58 in order to securely retain each of the separate legs of U-shaped fran~e members 50 and 51. In this way, smooth, twist-free arcuate movement of frame members 50 and 51 is provided.
The ~UIl~LI~ iull of bladder 52 is completed by securely affixing air-delivery conduit 60 to frame engaging surfæe 57 of bladder 52. In the preferred construc-tion, conduit 60 is sealingly connected at one end thereof to the internal sealed 10 zone of bladaer 52, with its opposed end being ~U~ lUl,~U;I for ready illL~ l~Ullll~
ed .- Ir.. ~ I with air delivery tube 30. In this way, once the air flows through tube 30, the air is channeled directly into the sealed interior of bladder 52, thereby causing bladder 52 to inflate.
As sho~vn in FIGURES 10 and l1, during the inflation process, bladder 52 15 will expand causing outer frame member 50 to arcuately pivot relative to inner frame member 51. This arcuate pivoting motion of frame member 50 is caused since imner frdme member 51 is positioned directly on the sup~orting surfæe suchas mattress 42 as shown in FlGURE 10. In the preferred, ' - " t, bladder 52 is Cu,~ lu~ d to enable outer frame member 50 to pivot through an arc up to a 20 maximum of about 80. However, as fully discussed above, the inflation of bladder 52 can be ha~ted at any time by the user in order to retain frame member 50 elevated at any position ranging between 0 and 80. In FIGURES 10 and 11, the fully inflated raised position of outer frame member 50 is shown.
When unitary, adjustable, self-contained support assembly 21 o~ this inven-25 tion, with bladder control frame system 35 mounted therein, is used in ~ " ~overlying covcring ~ l with mattress 42, it is preferred that strap means 62 are employed. In the preferred ~u~ ru~iull, elongated strap means 62 are securely affLxed to both ~.1l....,.l;l.~ ends of inner frame member 51 and extend therefrom, with conventional fastening means mounted at the opposed ends of 30 strap means 62, in order to enable the strap means to be securely il~t~ullllc~d ~ WO9~/~1170 2 ~ ~9~72 with each otner. In this way, strap means 62 can be wrapped about mattress 42 tosecurely hold bladder controlled frame system 35, as well as unitary support assembly 21 within which bladder control frame assembly 35 is affixed, to mattress 42. As a result, the entire unitary support assembly 21 is prevented from sliding 5 on the surface of mattress 42, thereby assuring c~ ùll~ long-term, trouble-free mounted illt~ of support assembly 21 with mattress 42.
The ~UII 7~1 U~,liUII of bladder controlled frame system 35 is completed 'oy securely affixing a plura,ity of support straps 65 between opposed, facing legs of U-shaped frame member 50. As clearly shown in FIGURES 8, 10 and 11, the opposed i.. ;., .;;.,~ ends of each elongated strap 65 is securely affixed to the opposed facing legs of U-shaped frame member 50, with straps 65 extendirlg in " ~ parallel ~ ' ;l' across frame engaging surface 58 of bladder 52.
Although straps 65 can be positioned in a plurality of a'lternate locations, it is preferred that strap receiving zones be cut out from frame retaining sleeves 59 m 15 order to enable straps 65 to be mounted irl parallel l~ with each other along the length of frame retainirlg sleeves 59 of bladder 52.
By securely mounting a plurality of elongated support straps 65 in the malmer detailed above, with each of the e~ongated straps 65 being securely aff~ed at their opposed ends to maintain each of the straps 65 relatively stiff or taut, any 20 unwanted t~isting or skewed 111U._17~ of frame membe. 50 relative to frame member 51 durirlg the inflation process or use is avoided. In addition, elongated straps 65 provides a secure, firm ,7~II D 1 ~ lly lllu .~ -free support surface for pad 33 and t'r.e user ~ s weight thereon. Ful ~ lul~, it has been foulsd tllat elongated support straps 65 a'lso assure that bladder 52 is inflated in a more 25 efficient malmer, and any unwanted ballooning of bladder 52 within U-shaped frame member 50 is prevented by the resistance provided by straps 65.
In FIGURES 24, and 25, an alternate CUIID7LIU~,l;UII for the inflatable bladder of the present invention is depicted. In this L,lll71)U~ 7 bladder 152 comprises an overall size and shape which defines the sea'led chamber to be 30 inflated for controlling the movement of U-shaped frame members 50 and 51.
_ _ , _ _ _ .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . .. ..

21 ~9~72 wo g~/31170 ~ - - r."~,,,J.cs As delailed above in reference to bladder 52, bladder 152 ill~Ul~UlaL~i. an air deliwry conduit 60 sealingly aff~ed to one surface of bladder 152. Conduit 60 preferably is sealmgly connected at one end thereof to the internal sealed zone of bladder 152 with the opposed end of conduit 60 being positioned for easy inter-5 connected; ~ ~ with air delivery tube 30. In this way, once the air flowsthrough tube 30, the air is channeled directly into the sealed interior of bladder 152, causing bladder 152 to inflate.
In order to securely mount bladder 152 to frame members S0 and S1, a plurality of elongated straps 154 are mounted along two adjacent surfaces of 10 bladder 152. In the preferred ~ " t, straps 154 are mounted in substantial-ly aligned parallel l~ on the desired surface of bladder 152, with each strap being sccurely affixed to the bladder surface at a plurality of points along its length thereof, or along its entire length.
In the preferred .,I~II,o~ lL, each strap 154 is heat sealed in at least three 15 spaced locations 157 along its length directly to bladder 152. In this way, an integral, mounted ~ of straps 154 to bladder 152 is attained. If desired, any alternate fastening method may be employed to securely mount straps 154 to bladder 152, without departing from the scope of this invention.
As shown in FIGURE 25, each elongated strap 154 colnprises frame leg 20 holder lSS formed at each l.. i ~i.. g end in a 51-h~t~nt~ 1y open, hollow, ~.Li~ shaped ~.,..ri~,...,.~i..,- In this way, the legs of frame members S0 and 51 are easily inserted and securely retained by holders 155.
Irl addition, in order to assure the secure mounted i..t~ .- ,g,.~;, , .l of bladder 152 with frame members S0 and S1, additional frame engaging sleeves 156 25 are mounted along the ~. . .i., l i.l~ edge of the surface of bladder 152 to which straps 154 are securely mounted. In this way, bladder 152 is capable of being securely mounted to both the side legs and il.~ portion of each frame member S0 and S1 in secure, movement controlling ~ to assure the desired arcuate controlled movement thereof.

wo g5/3ll70 2 1 8 q 9 7 2 In FIGURE 32, a further alternate clllbo~i...~,.ll of the air inflatable System of the present invention is depicted. In this ~ ,.holl;,.. l inflatable elevation system 180 is depicted ill~,Ul~UUl~lLil~g an inflatable bladder 185 and a hand-holdable air flow control assembly l9Q the ~UII~IU-,~iUII of which is detailed below.
S Bladder 185 defines the sealed chamber to be inflated and comprises the overall size and shape desired for attaining the particular degree of elevation.
If desired, a frame assembly having the ~:UII~lUl,~iUIl detailed above is mounted to the slanted, adjacent interior walls of bladder 185. The ill~,UlUVICl~iV
of a front assembly provides additional strength and rigidity to bladder 185, while also providing controlled arcuate IIIU._IIICII~ of the ~ol~ surfaces of bladder 185. Alt~,llla~ , as generaily l~,l,lc,~ 1 in FIGURE 32, the top and/or bottom surface of bladder 185 may il~cul,uvl~ a stiffening board 186 to stiffen the surface and prevent unwanted bulging of bladder 185 as bladder 185 is inflated.
In the preferred ~ ,v~ bladder 185 ill~,Vl~ul.~t~,s a plurality of fastening means 187 mounted on stiffening board 186, about its outer peripheral edges. Aithough the use of fastening means 187 is optionai, the ;II~VI~JUI~I~;UII of fastening means is preferred to enable a cushion 188, depicted in phantom, to bemounted to siiffening board 186. Cushion 188 is preferred for providing a softersurface upon which an mdividual can culllrultdlJl~ rest amd be fully supported.
As is apparent from this disclosure, elevation system 180 may be employed separately as a highly portable, universally placeable supporting and position elevating system, which can be used on any desired surface in any desired location.
By inflating bladder 185 to a desired level, stiffening board 186 and support cushion 188, if employed, is raised to the desired arcuate distance for lifting the back of an individual and allowing that individual to rest in an elevated, more rul~d~lc location for l~ any particular activity.
In this ~,lllbo~ , the precise arcuate position, as well as the inflation and deflation of bladder 185, is easily achieved by employing air flow control assembly 190. As is fully detailed below, hand-holdable air flow control assembly 190 combines in a single, small, easily held package, both functions of the air flow WO95/31170 21 89972 .
-æ-control assembly and the controller. In this way, an easily employed, readily ~u~L~l~, elevation system is obtained.
In ord~r to provide a visual pleasing bladder assembly 185 and enhance the aesthetic image presented thereby, inflatable bladder 185 preferably ill~Ul,UUldt~ a S decorative outer surface which provides the desired enhanced visual d~,dudUlCc.
In this way, a visually pleasing inflatable elevation system 180 is attained in an easily produced, low cost ~;UIl~LIu~,Liùl~. All.,lll~ii._l~, if further visual enhance-ments are desired, bladder 185 may be peripherally enveloped by a covering or shroud which is cul~SL.u~c~ from suitablc, decorative material to provide a more10 finished, arsth~qtir~lly pleasing hl~,u~
By employing this cl~ " of the present invention, inflatable elevation system 180 is easily and ~;ull~ .lLly used in a wide variety of situations and locations. Due to its highly Lld l~vlLdl~lc cu..~L~u~.Liu.., elevation system 180 is easily moved to any location desired.
FU LI.~ I.. U.~, once placed in a desired location, air flow control assembly190, or air flow control assembly æ if preferred, is connected to a power sourceand, once activated, delivers the air flow to bladder 185 for inflating bladder 185 to any desired position. In this way, the surface of bladder 185 may be used directly to provide the desired, elevated support in a low cost, easily ,. ~... r 20 arld easily useable system.
In further alternate ~ l"~ of elevation system 180, elevation system 180 may be employed in . ' with an elongated support pad or cushion 33, which is preferably peripherally ~ulluulldcd and enveloped by a cover 34, asdefined above. By employing optional fastening means 187, elevation system 180 25 can be quickly and easily secured to cushion 33 and cover 34, by the fastening means, to attain an integrated, portable, position controlling system, as detailed above.
By referring to FIGURES 12, 13 and 14, along with the following detailed disclosure, the ~UIl~L. U~,~iUII and operation of inflatable panel member 36 can best 30 be ".,.1. ~l~,o~ In the preferred ~."I,C!~l; .. !11 panel member 36 comprises two WO9~;/31170 . 2t ~q72 cllhcfqntjqlly identically shaped layers 70 and 71 of air ill~ ViUU:j material which are placed in overlying, contacting ~ 1 with each other. In addition, layers 70 and 71 are heat sealed to each other, along sealing line 72, in order to form an internal air illJ~ ;Vu~ zone 73 between layers 70 and 71. In addition, inlets 455 and 46 are mounted to layer 70 within heat seal line 72, thereby providing an air inlet for inflating the air retaining interior zone 73 formed between layers 70 and 71.
In the preferred ~ , the interior air retaining zone 73 is formed as two sllhctqr~qlly equal sized, generally oval shaped chambers which are intercon-10 nected along one surfæe thereo In the preferred . lllI,odilll~ llL, an interiorpartition 74 is placed between layers 70 and 71 and sealed Ll~ v~ , in order to define mterior generally oval chambers 75 and 76 and assure the controlled inflation thereof.
In the preferred ~l..bo ' - ~ as clearly depicted in F~GURE 12, eæh of lS the chambers 75 and 76 is formed with each opposed end thereof having a shape, when unmflated, that c~lhctq--tlq1ly defines an ~ triangle with the apex thereof ~ a smoothly rounded and blended curve, which converges with the sides thereof. As shown in FIGURE 13, when inflated, each chamber 75 and 76 comprises a shape at eæh of its ends which for~ns a cone connected at its base 20 to a centrally disposed cylindrical shape, with the cone ll ...;..,.l;..~ with a smoothly rounded apex.
This particular shape has been found to be ~Li~ul~l.y import~mt in assuring the filling of chambers 75 and 76 in a manner which assures maximum inflation in the central portion of chambers 75 and 76 in order to attain the 25 desired result. By employing this l;UII~LIu._Liul~, inflatable panel member 36 achieves the fully inflated ~;ul~rill;ul.lliull depicted in FIGURE 13, with the principal inflation zone being centrally disposed along inflatable panel member 36, with the sides thereof providing a smooth, narrowing tapered cu~rl~;ulilLiull.
In FIGURE 14, inflatable panel member 36 is depicted fully inflated with 30 support pad ~3 and cover layer 34 shown in phantom. As is evident from FIG-_ _ _ , .. . . ......... .. . ... .... .. .

WO 95/31 170 2 1 8 9 9 7 2 J ~ ,'C50J j URE 14, the full inflation of panel member 36 causes chambers 75 and 76 to become fully enlarged which ~ u-l~l~ causes support pad 33 to be moved out Of ~ with flap 41 of cover 34. As a result, cover 34 and pad 33 are moved upwardly, away from flap 41 which is in contact with the surface on which 5 support member 21 has been placed.
Typically, the legs of the user are resting on pad 33 and cover 34 in the area overlying panel member 36. As a result, the inflation of panel member 36 causes the legs of the user to be raised, enhancing the comfort of the user by liftirlg the legs to any desired position between ~;u~ h,t~ horizontal and the fully 10 inflated position depicted in FIGURE 14.
In FIGURES 28, 29, 30 and 31, alternate ~;UIl~Llu. liu--s for attaining the imtegrated, portable, position ~;UIlLlulli--g system 20 of the present invention are shown. In these drawings, alternate f Ul~>LlU~LiU~I are detailed for securely mount-irlg the bladder controlled frame with unitary, self-contained, fully adjustable, 15 portable support assembly 21 or for achieving a fully integrated mattress assembly.
By referring to FIGURES 2-5, arld its associated disclosure, along with the follow-ing detailed disclosure, the ~ Uil~uiL;~ and variations of these additional embodi-ments can best be ~ f ~ Of l In FIGURE 28, unitary, self-contained, fully adjustable support assembly 21 20 is cull~ ;t~ in a manner similar tû the ~;UIl~Llu~Liull~ detailed above. In this ~ --'.o-l .. .~1 in order to improve the ease of CUllDLlU~,LiUII of support æsembly 21, zippers 2ao and 201 are mounted about the ends of support assembly 21.
In the preferred cull:~llu~liull of this f' ~ '- t, zipper 200 fJ ~l~h ~
surrounds the end of support assembly 21 within which bladder control frame 25 assembly 35 is mounted. In addition, zipper 201 is preferably mounted to the opposed end of support assembly 21, peripherally ~u.., ' the portions there of in which panel member 36 is mounted.
In the preferred CUll~llU~LiUll, one portion of zipper 200 is affixed directly to the side edge of cover 34 which p~ lly surrounds the portion of pad 33 30 mounted in contact with bladder control frame assembly 35. The other portion of WO95/31170 ~ 2 1 89q72 PCT/Us95/05833 zipper 200 is mounted to shroud 37 in order to enable shroud 37 to be rapidly affixed to cover 34 and pad 33 contained therein. FulL~ u-~i, in this embodi-ment, opposed edge of shroud 37 is mounted directly to nap 40 of cover 34.
By employing this Cu11;7LIu-;Liu--, bladder control frame assembly 35 is 5 quiclcly and easily mounted in ~ ; " with pad 33 amd cover 34 in order to form support assembly 2I. In addition, access to bladder control frame assembly 35 is easily attained merely opening zipper 200. As a result, both ease of assembly and ease of repair are rea'lr~ed.
In addition to ill-;U-~Ul~lLi~, zipper 200 with cover 34 at the upper end of I0 support Jssembly 21, this ~ I)c " a'lso i--~u-~u-~ ,s a zipper 201 mounted atthe opposed end of cover 34 between the side edge of cover 34 and flap 41. By ;..- ..~u."~ , zipper 201 periphera'lly 7ulluulldl..~, the lower portion of cover 34 and 1~ enclosing pad 33 therein, panel member 36 is easily installed in tne precisely desired position. In addition, if access to panel member 36 is I5 required for any purpose after ;~ ;.,.., such access is easily realized using zipper 201.
In FIGURES 29 and 30, a further alternate ~,.I.I,c " is depicted. In tnis ~ t, support assembly 21 is ~UI1;7llu.,t~d with pad 33 p ;~ lly 7Ul1-7UIl~i.lg and enclosed by cover 34. In addition, flaps 40 and 41 are stitched 20 directly to the side edge of cover portion 34 to ~ ly surround and enclose pad 33 therein.
In order to provide the enhanced benefit attained by this Cl117UO~;.Il~.l~ of the present mvention, a separate elevation control assembly 205 is employed. In t'nis preferred Cul~lu~,~iul~, elevation control assembly 205 il..,Ul~UlUt"s a ful]y 25 assembly bladder control frame assembly 35 which is periphera'lly ~,ulluull~cd and enclosed within shroud member 37. As with the ~mho~' detailed above, and discussed in reference to FIGURES 2-4, air delivery hose 30 is illL~ with bladder control frame assembly 35 to provide the desired air flow required for its operation. In addition, the opposed end of air delivery hose 30 is connected to an 30 air delivery control assembly (not shown).
.

.

wo 95~31170 2 ~ 8 9 9 7 2 Pf~ O~3 In the f l..bod;.l~ depicted in FIGURES 29 and 30, elevation control assembly 205 is completed by mounting fastening me_ns about the l~ ".;., .l;"g edge of shroud member 37 in order to enable elevation contrul assembly 205 to bequickly and easily securely affixed to cover 34 and pad 33 contained therein. ByS ~UIlDLlU~ g a separate and ;~ f ~ l elevation control assembly 205 within which bladder control frame assembly 35 is securely mounted, the final assembly and servicmg of bladder control frame assembly 35 is sllhsto~ y enhanced.
In order to complete the assembly of unitary, self-contained, fully adjust-able, portable support assembly 21, elevation control assembly 205 is affixed to10 cover 34 by employing the ~ùol -~; ,g~ fastening means mounted to cover 34 and control assembly 205. In this way, secure mounted inter-...",..~.."...,l of elevation control assembly 205 with cover 34 and pad 33 is attained and a fully ~ccf mh easily employ d, portable support assembly 21 is realized in a cost efficient ~UIID 11 u~,liu u.
In the preferred cUllDllu~liull of this alternate f l.ll" " t, portable support assembly 21 also ill~ul~ulat~.S a separate and ..,~ A~, .I leg lift control assembly 210. Leg lift control assembly 210 ill~ Ul~Ul.lt~ D inflatable panel member 36 which is ~ ly DUIIUUIIUfS;I and enclosed, ,.,1.,~ in its entirety, with a covering 211.
The ~u........... ~u.,liùll of leg lift control assembly 210 is completed by mounting fastening means about the outer peripheral edge of covering 211, with the fasten-ers selected for coop~ .~,Liv~ f .,g~. .. l with fastening means mounted to the lower end of cover 34. In this way, leg lift control assembly 210 is easily construct-ed as a separate unit and rapidly affL~ed to cover 34 in order to cûmplete the 25 ~UllDllU~Iiull of support assembly 21.
In the f l..l,ou;~ lll shown in FIGURE 29, the fastening means employed is a zipper, and cover 34 of portable support assembly 21 is shown illCOl~ulalillg zipper portion 206 peripherally DU~luU~ g the upper end of cover 34 and pad 33, and zipper portion 212 peripherally ~UIIUUII~ illg the lower end of cover 34 and30 pad 33. In addition, a cooperating, i.~ .l"~&i~lg zipper portion 20.7 is mounted to WO g~ 170 21 ~ 9 9 7 2 r~ C~dv~

control assembly 205, pP-irhPr~lly vu--uu-ldillg bladder control frame assembly 35 on three sides thereof. In addition, zipper portion 213 is attached to covering 211 of leg lift control assembly 21û, ~., ;I.I.~ .,.lIy ~u--uu -1i--~ the outer edge of CoYering 211, encircling panel member 36 on three sides thereof.
In this way, both control assembly 205 and leg lift control assembly 210 are able to be ~iu~ u~ t~,.~ ,...1. ~, .-1 .11~ and quickly and easily affixed to covering 34 of portable support assembly 21 by merely affixing the cuu~v.aLillg zipper portions to each other. As a result, assembly ease is realized, as well as rapid access to frame assembly 35 and panel member 36 whenever desired.
In the v.. bv~i u~ depicted in FIGURE 30, alternate fastening means are depicted. In this v...lvu ' t, elevation control assembly 205 and leg lift control assembly 210 ill~ Ul~Uldl~ hook/loop fasteners 215 p~P-irhPr~lly su-., " v each control assembly for mating ill..,l V.~ with ~_UUIJ~ldliug hooklloop fasteners mounted to cover 34 of portable support assembb 21.
As is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, zipper fasteners and hook and loop fasteners are merely examples of alternate fastening systems that can be employed, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Clearly, any fastening system desired can be used with equal efficacy to securely affr~ elevatior control assembly 205 and leg lift control assembly 210 to cover 34 20 in order to form the desired portable support assembly 21. ~ l". ..ll~, the ill~bl~Uld~iUII and use of any fastening system is w~ to be within the scope of the preser.t imvention.
By em710ying the ~Ullv~lU~iUllv shown in FIGURES 29 and 30, rapid assembly of portable, support assembly 21 is realized, reducing ~Jlu-lu~iull costs as 25 well as the retail price. r~L~ if any system failure is realized in either bladder control frame assembly 35 or panel member 36, these C'l"ll~ t~ can be quickly and easily accessed, by merely opening the fastening means in order to gain access to the desired area.
Fu ~ -u~, cleaning or l~--n-;P-inV of cover 34 is easily attained, if neces-30 sary, completely eli~ g any possibility that damage may ~ caused to bladder .. . . ... . . . .. .... .. .. .. _ . _ WO 9~/31170 PCI/IJS95/05833 control frame assembly 35 or panel member 36. If clearling is desired, elevationcontrol assembly 205 and leg lift control assembly 210 are ~u~ ,L~Iy removed from cover 34, thereby enablmg cover 34 to be easily cleamed without causing anyharm to the ,..~ l air inflatable ~ t` of portable support assembly 21.
S In FIGURE 31, a further alternate .,l~u " of the present invention is depicted. In this ~ o~ the entire support assembly is integrated into a Cu~ ,llLiullal mattress to form a fully _ 'j ' ', umitary, self-contained supporting mattress CUIID~IU~,LiUI- æl. In the ~..-I,o " depicted, cover æ4 p~-rirh~r~lly surrounds and encloses pad 33, bladder control frame assembly 35, and panel member 36. These c.,",l.. l~ are positioned on a generally ~;ull~llLiullal mattress to form jnt~gr~tt~rl adjustable support assembly æl.
Cover æ4 preferably ill~.Ull UI..~ a shroud 37, integrally formed therewith, irl order to provide the added material to enable the imtegrated support assembly to operate. In the ~ .I.o~i....l depicted, integrated, unitary, self-contained 15 mattress support ~ul~ilu~,Liull 221 is mounted on a supporting frame 43 and bed post 44.
As is evident from the ~ùll~LIu~,Liul~ depicted in FIGURE 31, a fully integrated Ill~LLl~ ,'s..l~pu. L structure is attained. However, this alternate embodi-ment is not limited to mattress (;ull~LIuuLiull~ and can be equally effective in other 20 support systems, such as water beds, sleep sofas, couches, etc. f~,. l.l. ll`y~ the Cl~ " depicted in FIGURE 31 is presented for exemplary purposes, and is not imtended to limit the present invention to the particular ~IllI>odilll.,llL depicted.
In FIGURES 15-23, the uul~LIu~Liu~l of air flow control assembly æ of the present invention is fully detailed. Throughout these drawings amd the detailed 25 disclosure associated therewith, air flow control assembly æ is depicted in the preferred ~UII~L- U.,Liùil employed for providing the desired air delivery to one, unitary, ~ ct~hl~-, portable, self-contained support assembly 21. However, as previously discussed in relation to FIGURE 1, two unitary support assemblies 21,21, may be e~nployed as part of the present invention. (~ 1" .lly, the following30 detailed disclosure and ~ ,UIII~J.:III.~;II~ drawings detail the cu--~L-u~Lio" variations 21 ~99~2 WO 95/31170 P~ .e70 7.7 required for enabling two support ~ s to be ;~ Iy operated with a minimum of cv.u~, As shown in FIGURES 15 and 16, air flow control assembly æ comprises an outer housing 80 formed by upper portion 81 and lower portion 82, which 5 portions are rnatir,gly . oll--vvtvd with each other. As shown in F~GURE 15,housmg 80 iUlWl~/Vldtv~7 two portals 83 and 84 through which hoses 30 and 31 aremounted in order to obtain the desired air flow for inflating support assembly 21.
In addition, as depicted in FIGURE 15, when air flow control assembly 22 is cull;7LluvLvv~ for use with two adjacent, unitary support assemblies 21, 21 as 10 depicted m FIGURE 1, portals 85 and 86 are also be formed in housing 80.
In order to provide the desired air flow for inflating both bladder controlled fr~me assembly 35 and panel member 36 of unita y, self-contained support assembly 21, housing 80 of air flow control assembly æ illvVllUUl~ltva a motor assembly 88 ;~nd flow vvl-~ullil-g valve ~ccPmhli~c 90 and 91. As depicted irl 15 FIGURE 18, when air flow control assembly 22 is vUllalluvtv~ for delivering the air flow to two ;..ri~ 1, adjacent, unitary support assemblies 21, 21, as depicted in FIGURE 1, a second set of air controlled valve ~c~m~ e 90~ 91 are mounted in housmg 80, as depicted in FIGU~E 18 in phantom.
In order to assure complete, trouble-free dv~v~7all~iliLy of air to motor assembly 88 when required, lower portion 82 of housing 80 iUlvVllUUldtva substan-tia'ily enlarged cut out zones 89 forrned therein. By illculluul~lul~ two enlarged cut out zones 89 in lower portion of housing 80, ambient air is easily drawn into housing 80 for delivery to motor assembly 88 with complete ease and without incurring any ]loise or possihility of blockage.
By referring to FIGURES 17 through 20, along with the following detailed disclosure, thv vUllaLIuvliull and operation of motor assembly 88 can best be ,....1~.~l(,o.1 As shown therein, motor assembly 88 comprises a vu-l.v.~Liullal electrical motor 95 which is retained within motor housing 96. In the preferred vullallu~Liull~ motor housing 96 peripherally surrounds and ~:u~ lvtvl~ envelopes , _ _ _ .. ,, .. , ., ., .. , .,, , . . . , . , . ,,,, . _ WO 95/3 1 1 70 I ~, I I IJ V Clt~

motor 95 in order to assist in reducing the noise typica~ly associated with motor 95 when activated.
In the typical ~;ulcthu,hOll, motor 95 comprises a rotationally driven shaft 97 to which pump fan blade assembly 98 is securely affL~ed for being rotationally driven thereby. In order to assure the proper position of rotationally driven f~m blade assembly 98, bus_ing 99 is mounted on shaft 97 between pump fan blade assembly 98 and motor 95.
In order to control amd properly channel the air flow achieved by the rotation of pump fan blade assembly 98, fan blade assembly 98 is ~
10 sulluul~ and sealingly contained within fan blade housmg 100 which is formed by inlet bearing portion 101 and outlet bearing portion 102. As depicted in FIGURE 17, inlet bearing portion 101 of housing 100 ;." ~ 5 a Cllh~t tr~hAl~y enlarged air inlet portal 103 through which the e~ternal air can flow from the ûutside i~LI~u~,ull~ directly into housmg 100 for bemg driven in the desired 15 direction by rotating fan blade assembly 98.
As shown in FIGURE 19, outlet bearing portion 102 of fan housing 100 comprises an outlet portal 104 through which the ajr flow generated by motor 95 and pump fam blade assembly 98 is ~ hAnn~ In this way, whenever motor assembly 98 is activated, the air from outside housing 80 is drawn into pump fan20 blade assembly 98 and delivered to outlet 104 for ~t ~ 1 delivery to support assembly 21, as detailed below.
As previously discussed, one of the principal objections found in most prior art CO..,.lu~,Liullt is the noise caused by the motor when the motor is running.This problem is not only fûund in position controlling system of the nature herein 25 descnbedt but has been generally found in any electrically driven motor. Thisproblem is typically caused by the inherent vibration caused by the motor duringits operation and the transmittal of these vibrations to the housing in which the motor is contained. However, in the present inventiont this cnntin~in~ previously unsolved complaint has been virtually eliminAt~ fl WO 95131170 2 ~ ~ q 9 ~2 r~

By referring to FIGURES 19 and 20, the unique s~r~nti~d ~ul~LIuvLiu.l of motor 95 to achieve a virtually vlbration free V~ U.~ L is clearly shown. As depicted therein, motor 95 is supported by frame 110 through which rotating shaft 97 passes. In most typical prior art Cu-l~Llu~Liull~, motor 95 is securely held by 5 attaching motor 95 to a support position within its housing or by affixing frame 110 to the housing. However, by employing this prior art CUII~LIU~1;OII~ it has beenfound that the vlbration caused by motor 95 is Llal~fv~lvd to the supporting housing, causing the ~ vlbration induced hum or noise which has plagued the industry.
In the present invention, this prior art problem is completely eliminated by s~ motor 95 and frame 110 in foam block 111 which is affixed to outlet bearing portion 102 of fan housing 100, while also p~ ulluullJmg and ~ul,~ulL~.~ holding frame 110 and motor 95. In the preferred Cull~Llu~.Liull, foam block 111 comprises a ~ toroidal shape and is securely mounted to the outside surfar,e of outlet bearing portion 102 of fam housing 100 by employing aplurality of ul.~ VIi~)llVldll~ bulluUII-l;llg retaining clips 112. Preferably, retaining clips 112 are either formed as an integral part of outlet bearing portion 102 of fan housing 100 or are individually securely bonded directly to the outside burface of outlet bearing portion 102.
When placed in the precisely desired position, retaining clips 102 peripher-ally surround and securely embrace foam blocks 111 which il~CUllJUld~v a centrally disposed open zone 114 which is ~:UII~llU~tv~ for peripherally :~UllUUllJillg and securely embracing annular portion 113 of frame 110. By employing this construc-tion, motor 95 with frame 110 is secure]y mounted and retained within peripheral-Iy bUlluu~ g housing 96 for secure, trouble-free operation, while foam block 111provides motor 95 with a vlbration absorbing, peripherally bulluulldl.l~ and supporting e.l~;lul-~lv.-l which prevents any vlbration of motor 95 to be trarlsmit-ted to housing 96 or housing 100. As a result, the .,I,jv~ l ;.", ~I~lr hum or noise typically associated with an operating motor is virtually ~.liTnins~trtl wo 95/31170 2 1 8 9 9 7 2 . ~I/UJ C5ds~
.

In FIGURES 26 and 27, an alternate motor assembly ~;ullaLlul liul~ is depicted. In this ~;ulla~lu~ Liull, motor assembly 160 comprises a Cull~ Li~
electrical motor 95 wkich is retained within motor housmg 161. As with the previous .!~o~ motor housing 161 p~ k "~lly surrounds and ~ t~
5 envelopes motor 95 m order to æsist in reducing the noise typically associated with motor 95, when activated.
As with the previous ~ t, motor 95 comprises a luL~iiulial~y driven shaft 97 to which pump fan blade assembly 98 is securely affixed for being rota-tionally driven thereby. In this el.-bo li---.,l.L, the p, 1,, of lu~iullally driven 10 fan assembly 98 is achieved using ~ull._llLiul-al washers and locking rings.
The wllaLlu- Liùll of motor assembly 160 is completed by p~-rirh~-r~lly aulluulldill~ and ~,I.._lv~ pump fan blade assembly 98 with a fan blade housing 162. Preferably, fan blade housing 162 comprises two matingly i--i~ and abutting portions 163 amd 164.
In this ,o.~ ' t, portion 16~L of fan blade housing 162 illWII.Uldt.,;~ an irllet portal 166 and an outlet portal 165 integrally formed thereon. In addition, portion 165 also i--~.~u-~ a plurality of ~ flanges 176 spaced about inlet portal 166 and positioned for supporting e ~ with motor 95.
As clearly shown in F:IGURE 26, motor housing 161 i~WIlJol~t~ i~ a 20 plurality of open zones 168 formed in the end wall of motor housing 161. In this way, air flow through motor housing 161 is easily achieved in order to assure motor 95 is ~...,Il,,,.,..,~ly being cooled during its operation.
In the preferred operation of this alternate ~..-IJ~ - t, when motor 95 is activated, shaft 97 is rotated causing pump fan blade assembly 98 to rotate there-æ5 with. The rotation of pump fan blade assembly 98 causes air to be drawn fromoutside of motor housing 161 into housing 161 through apertures 168. As the air is drdwn through apertures 168, the air flow passes over motor 95, thereby cooling motor 95 as the flow exits through portal 166 into fan blade housing 16æ The airflow is then forced by pump fan blade assembly 98 through huusing 162 and 30 pumped out from housing 162 through outlet portal 165 to support assembly 21.

wo 95/31170 2 ~ ~ 9 9 7 ~ r~l"~ ~Or By employing this cllll/od;.ll.,lll, ~;u~ Liol~al cooling fams typically associat-ed with the motor are eliminated and the noise associated with the cooling fans is also c' l~ In addition, motor 95 is able to rotate at a slower speed, thereby further reducing the noise level generated by prior art motors.
S I~U~ Ll~c~uui ;i, by employing this alternate . .ul~o " t, it has been found that motor 95 is capable of being, , ': '~ cooled through its normal operation.
By Col.~LI~ ~, motor housing 161 in the mamner detailed above, the motor irlduced air f~ow is drawn over the motor prior to bemg delivered to pump f~m blade assembly 98, thereby using this air flow to cool motor 95 during its normal operation.
In addition to being able to achieve a motor which is capable of operating at a slower speed, while also l 3 the need for a cooling fan and the noise associated therewith, this alternate ~ ~ ~ " further reduces the noise level associated with cu.-._--Liu .~.l motors by employing a unique mounting co..~L~u.,Liun.
15 In this ~ _~ " t, motor 95 is mounted at both of its opposed ends in a com-pletely, suspended ~ virtually isolating motor 95 from motor housing 161 and prev~nting any motor vlbration from being l"."~",;lt ~ to housing 161.
In this ~ the distal end of motor 95 is p~
and ~ul,l,u. Lillgly held by foam block 170. In the preferred ~iDli~LI u~,Liull, foam 20 block 170 comprises a sl~hct ~ntl~lly annular toroidal shape which is retained by a circular flarlge 171 formed as part of motor housing 161. By employing this cu.l,Llu~Liù..~ the distal end of motor 195 is ~;O~ t~ 11 suspended and effectively isolated from housing 161. As a result, any vibration that is caused during the operation of :notor 95 is easily absorbed by foam block 170, ~ Lill~ any 25 transferral of the v~bration to housing 161.
In addition, in this embodiment, motor 95 is also supported at its proximal end in a manner which also cllh5t 1nt~ y isolates motor 95 from housing 161, ~,u~ ..Li.ig the vibration of motor 95 from being Ll u~L.~ ~ to motor housing 161.
As shown in FIGURE 27, in the preferred ~ bodilu. l.l., the proximal end of 30 motor 95 is supported by mounting foam pads 175 to frame 110 of motor 95, in ~ , ..... ...

21 ~q972 ~ WO 95/31170 P~ J.. C.'I~50.~J
, -- .
position for having outwardly extending flanges 176 of portion 164 of pump fan blade housin& 162 being brought into mating, supporting contacting I ..~,,.~, ...~ ..
with pads 175. In this way, .,~ flanges 176 of fan blade housing 162 e~tend from the surface of portion 164 into i"Yt5'r~SP'l spaced, ~uO~IaLllæ
5 l~ , with frame 110 of motor 95. However, by --~ foam pads 175 between flanges 176 and frame 110, any vlbration of motor 95 during its use is not 1 to housmg 162 by f~anges 176. As a result, vbration induced noised is Stqr-tiAlly reduced to the point where it is virtually rlin,inot ,{
By employing this alternate uu-lDhu-,liol-, motor 95 is securely mounted 10 within pe~irher~lly DUIIUUIIdillg housing 161 for secure, trouble-free operation, while being ~ " 1; ~ suspended in its mounted position at both its proximal and distal ends by employing Du~olLl-~ly holding and retaining foam blocks 170 and 175. As ~ result, any vlbration of motor 195 is effectively isolated and absorbed by the foam DU~U~hllg C.. I ~ , preventing the vlbration of motor 95 from being ~ ' to motor housing 161 or fam blade housing 162. In this way, the uij~ hum or noise typically associated with an operating motor is virtually ~lim ~ot~
By referring to F~GURES 21, 22 and 23, along with the following detailed disclosure, the CUllDLlU~,liUll and operation of the unique, highly efficient and ~ si~, air control valve assemblies 90 and ~1 can best be In addition, as will be apparent from this disclosure, the air control valve assemblies 90 and 91, along with their associated cl. .~ , are capable of providing a ~ IIIA1~ repeatAble, safe and efficient controlled movement of the unitary, portable, support assembly 21 of this invention.
In the preferred ~ ll,. " t, air control valve assemblies 90 and 91 are c~ Llu~d by employing an identically sized and shaped housing 120. Housing 120 i--~u~u~L~ an interior chamber 121 which ~ lllr~ with an inlet portal 122, a first ûutlet portal 123, and a second outlet portal 124.
Preferably, portal 123 and portal 122 are 'l: ,.. .l`: ."~d for mating, locking,30 frictional i..~t;..:.~ c,. ,.,..,l with each other. In this preferred ~rJl-DL-u~Lio." portal WO 95/31170 2 1 8 9 ~ 7 2 ' ~ ' 123 comprises an outer diameter 5~lhstqnhAlly equivalent to the inner diameter of portal læ. As a result, two identically shaped housings 120, 120 are quickly andeasily ill~L l~ UllllCvL~ with each other by merely inserting portal 123 into portal læ. In addition, each housing 120 preferably ;IlCul~uldl~ s ~ n .-l; ~ tabs 125 5 positioned about portal 122 and Lr " v tabs 126 positione~ about portal 123.
As depicted in FIGURE 21, when two housings 120 OEe mounted in secure, frictional i~ b. v~ with each other, tabs 125 and 126 OEe placed in abutting contact with vach other, thereby assuring that housings 120, 120 OEe oriented inthe precisely desired position.
Eæh housing 120 is ~;ull~lU~t~ i to receive air flow thrûugh portal 122 and allow the air to flow through interior chamber 121, exiting through outlet portals 123 and 124. As a result, when two housings 120, 120 OEe mounted in secure, frictional i~ r~g~ ....l with eæh other, as depicted in FIGURE 21, air f~owing into the first housing 120 through open portal 1æ will be able to pass through 15 interior chamber 121 of the first housing 120 as well as through interior chamber 121 ûf the second housing by exiting outlet portal 123 of the first housing and _ l~ entering inlet portal 1æ of the second housing 120.
In this way, any desired number of housings can be quickly and easily matingly inte.-connected with each other to provide any desired number of air 20 conhrolled valve assemblies 90 and 91. As a result, the desired conhrolled air flow for a single support assembly or a double support assembly can be achieved quickly, easily, and ~UIII~VaIaL;~ A~
In order to ahain the desired, fully controllable valve assembly 90 or 91, each valve assembly ill, c).yu.ut~ ~ a piston 130 which comprises an elongated rod 25 131 which ICllllillaL~ S at one end thereof with a ~l1hctqnhqlly flat plate 132. In the preferred ~m~o~" t, elongated piston rod 131 is axially mo~able within housing 120, supported for this aAial movability by support arm 133.
In addition, spring means 134 is positioned on elongated rod 131 between support OEm ~33 and plate 132. In this way, spring means 134 c~ uu~l,y biases WO95131170 . _ 21 8qq72 r~

piston 130 with plate 132 being ~ d in its fully extended, rul~u-llllo~L position, outwardly from portal 124.
In order to enable piston 130 to be axially movable, from its fully extended position (E~IGURE 21) to its fully retracted position (FIGURE 23), the opposed S end of rod 131 is afIixed to solenoid 135. In this ~UI~L u~ liu~l, whenever solenoid 135 is activated, piston 130 is drawn toward solenoid 135 along the a~is of rod 131, causing plate 132 to be moved into biasing, ~ 1 c g ~ of spring means 134 between plate 132 and support arm 133.
In order to complete the Cullstl u-,liull of air control valve assembly 90, a 10 portal cover 138 is mounted in secure, sealed illt~ ,l with portal 124 of housing 120. In addition, portal cover 138 ill~ Ul~Ulc~ a tubular extension 139 integrally formed therewith which i~lCull~u~ a centrally disposed portal 140.
Portal 140 of tubular extension 139 is . . l~ , u--ub~l-u~
directly with ~ortal 124 of housing 120. In this way, outlet 124 of housing 120 is 15 effectively extended to portal 140.
In the preferred ellll)l ' t, tubular extension 139 comprises an outer diameter which is cull,ll u~t~ ~ for mating, secure mounted i~Lcl~ ,. l with air delivery hose 30. When hose 30 is mounted to tubular extension 139, the air exiting portal 124 of housing 20 is delivered to hose 30 for filling bladder control 20 frame system 35.
In its preferred ~;ù.-~l-u, liu--, plate 132 of piston 130 ill-,Ul~JUl~ a soft, )lr. layer 142 of air sealing material. In addition, portal cover 138 is '- ' to assure that the inside surface of portal cover 138 is ~ .
-~ in secure, contacting il.Lclr .~,. ,,. .~ ,l with ~;UIlI~JIC.~ lC layer 142 25 when piston 130 is in its normal, spring biased forward position. In this way, when solenoid 135 is not activated, portal 140 is normally ~ d in a closed or sealed ~.. ,.I;~".. l.. , preventing any air from flowing into hose 30. This position is clearly shown in FIGURE 21.
In addition, in order to further enhance and provide a safe, d~ l.d~lc, sealed closure of portal 40, portal cover 138 illcul~ulaL~ an ~ circular WO95/31170 `~ 89q7? r~

ridge 144 formed on the inside surface thereof for mating, cnnt~rtine~ sealing il~t~l~ .g. ~,. , .,l with ~u.~ sealing layer 142. In this way, the desired, sealed closure of portal 140 is assured.
As detailed herein, the Cu~ u~liull of air control Yalve assembly 90 and air 5 control valve assembly 91 are virtually identical, in order to obtain the cost reduc-tion benefits realized by ~L~..I~.Ii~,d, identical parts. As a result, air control valve assembly 91 is wll~llu~:tl~ virtually identical to the CUll~Llu Liull detailed above in reference to air control valve assembly 90. The only structural di~ ,cs ill~,Ul~JUl_'~,d into air control valve assembly 91 is the use of a portal cover 147 which differs only in tubular extension 148 being ~;ull~LIu~ Lu~ with a smaller diameter than tubular extension 139. Similarly, portal 149 defined by tubular e~tension 148 also comprises a smaller diameter.
Due to the fact that the air flow required for inflating panel member 36 is less than the air flow required for inflating bladder control frar~e system 35, the air delivery hose 31 comprises a smaller diameter than air delivery hose 30. As a result, tubular extension 148 comprises an outer diameter which coll~ oll.l~ to the inner diameter of hose 31, in order to enable hose 31 to be securely affixed to extension 148, thereby providing the desired air flow.
Since the exit portal 149 of portal cover 148 is smaller Ihan the exit portal of cover 138, the piston plate ~ uu~ with portal cover 14~ also preferably comprises a smaller diameter. In this way, all of the . . parts associated with portal cover 147 comprise CU~'U~ ` However, their construc-tion and operation is identical to the COII~lu~i~iOll and operation detailed above in reference to portal cover 138.
In order to attain a quickly and easily assembled wll~Llu~ liull wherein the air exiting from portal 104 of fan housing 100 is efficiently delivered to support assembly 21, a simple ill~ boss 150, shown in FIGURE 21, is em-ployed. Boss 150 is .~ f .~ d for secure, frictional illt. .~ with portal 122 of housing 120 while the opposed end of boss 150 is ~;UII~Llu~ for secure, frictional, locked il~t~ lr,.g ~" "- ,.l with exit portal 104 of fan housing 100. In this _ _ _ .... . . ..

WO g~/3117/) 2 1 8 9 ~ C~o~

way, the air exiting through exit portal 104 is efflciently deliYered directly to air control valve assemblies 90 and 91.
The final . required in order to complete this C~ u~ liull is plug 151 shown in FIGURE 21. Plug 151 is inserted in portal 123 of air control valve 5 assembly 91 in order to prevent any air from flowing out of portal 123. In this way, assurance is provided that the air flow is properly channeled only to the desired locations, and no air flow is lost to unwanted open portals.
As is now apparent from the preceding detailed diælosure, the present invention attains an air flow control assembly n which is CU~ Jalali~ inexpen-10 sively ~ r~ Gd while being capable of delivering all of the desired air flow toa single, unitary support assembly 21 of this invention. In addition, if two support assemblies 21 are desired, additional housings 120 are mounted to air control valve assemblies 90 and 91 in order to attain a second set of identically ~u~ LIu~ aircontrol valve assemblies 90 and 91. In this way, a second unitary support assembly 15 can be efflciently and ', ' l~ controlled without requiring a separate motor and without Iequiring expenshe ~ l air flow controlling ~
Using ~iu~ llLiullal, well-known wiring l~l-l-;,lu~,s and switch means, motor 95 and solenoids 135 are connected to operate on cull.--~Liullal~ household current. In addition, the control means detailed above are connected to motor 9520 and solenoids 135 using ~;U..._IIliUlldl, well-known t~llll;.lU"s and hardware to attain activation and dC~ livaliul~ whenever desired. In the preferred ~ull~Llu~ liull, - each control means has two separate rocker switches which are normally main-tained in the off pûsition. One rocker switch is employed to operate the inflation and deflation of bladder control frame assembly 35, while the other rocker switch 25 is cu..~lu, lcd to operate the inflation and deflation of panel member 36.
When the acthation of bladder control frame assembly 35 is desired, one of the rocker switches would be pressed which is connected to cause motor 95 to be activated while also causing solenoid 135 of air control valve assembly 90 to beacthated. As a result, solenoid 135 causes piston 130 to be moved out of sealed illl~ .. ,.. ~,~,.. ,l with ridge 144 of portal cover 13~, thereby opening portal 140.

WO95/31170 2~ 8~72 The air flow caused by the operation of motor 95 and its associated fan blade assembly causes air to enter air control valve assembly 90 arld exit through portal 140 into hose 30. As previously detailed, hose 30 is connected directly to air control frame assembly 35. As a result, all of the air flow caused by the 5 operation of motor 95 is directed into bladder control frame system 35, causmgframe member 50 to arcuately pivot relatively to frame member 51. As frame member 50 pivots, the bæk ~u~ul ~Ig portion of support assembly 21 is elevated into the precisely desired position.
Once the desired position has been reached, the user merely removes 10 ætivation pressure from the rocker switch, thereby causing the rocker switch to ~ ' u ~ go back to the off position. Once in the off position, motor 95 is stopped and solenoid 135 is dea~;~iva~ ~, causing piston 130 to return into sealed with ridge 144 of cover 138.
Due to the forces caused by spring 134 of air control valve assembly 90, 15 piston 130 sealingly closes portal 140, ~ b any air flow either into hose 30 from mterior chamber 121 or into interior chamber 121 from hose 30. As a result,the desired elevated position of support assembly 21 is ,..- .I .l.,. .1 Whenever deflation of support assembly 21 is desired, the user merely presses the rocker switch into its alternate active position which causes solenoid 20 135 of air control valve assembly 90 to be activated, opening portal 140. Once open, all of the air in bladder control frame assembly 35 is able to escape ~ackirlto the àLlllv*~ through portal 140 into valve housing 120, out of housing 120through portal 1æ and into fan blade housing 100. The air then exists from fan blade housing 100 through portal 103, thereby allowing the air to exit directly into 25 housing 80. With housing 80 being in c~ with the outside - air through enlarged cut out zones 89, the air from bladder control frame assembly 35 simply, easily, and ~ Illl IA~ exits through the delivery system back to ambient ~ul~vul~Jillg~.
As previously discussed in detail, the elastic forces of shroud 37 places com-30 pressive forces on bladder control frame assembly 35, thereby causing bladder 52 _ . _ .. . , . ... .. . .. . ... . . . . _ _ _ . . .

WO9~/'1170 2~ 8 9 .

of bladder control frame assembly 35 to be forced into its deflated position, o"~l~ forcing a,l of the air contained within bladder 52 outwardly through hose 30, Yalve assembly 90, fan blade housing 100 and housing 80. During the inflation of bladder controlled frame assembly 35, no inflation of panel member 36 5 is realized, since portal 149 of porta'l cover 147 is - ~ in sealed C~ -f ~ y, flow through portal 149 into hose 31 is prevent-ed.
Whenever the user desires inflation of panel member 36, the second switch of the control means is pressed into its first active position which is cu.~DLIu. Lud for 10 powering motor 95 and solenoid 135 of air control va'lve assembly 91. In a similar manner detailed above, the activation of solf noid 135 of air control valve assembly 91 causes the piston associated therewitn to be retracted from sealing ~ ,~;,.g, ...
with portal 149, opening portal 149 to the air flow caused by the operation of motor 95. t'l.. --.. l.. ll~, air is delivered through portal 149 to hose 31 and into 15 panel member 36, to cause the desired inflation thereof.
Although the air flowing through portal 149 from fan blade housing 100 has first passed through air control valve assembly 90, no air flow through portal 140 to the bladder controlled frame system 35 is possible since piston 130 is main-tained in secure, sealed, biased _l,g.~f,.. ~ ~l with portal cover 138, thereby sealing 20 portal 140 and preventing any air flow Lll~ Lll-uu~l.
Once the panel member 36 has been inf~ated to the desired level, the user merely removes the activation force from the rocker switch, which ~Iy stops motor 95 from operating and causes the piston of air control va',ve assembly 91 to be returned into sealed, closing .... ,,.~.. l with cover 147. This position is then . ~ .. d as long as the user desires.
Once deflation of panel member 136 is sought, the rocker switch is moved into i's alternate active position, which causes solenoid 135 to move the pistonassociated th~rewith to move into the open position, thereby allowing all of the air within panel member 136 to be forced in the reverse direction through portal 149, 30 air control valve assembly 90 and 91, blade housing 100, and housing 80.
-WOg~/31170 ~ 7 7~ r~

It has been found that no motor driven suction is required to withdraw the air from either bladder control frame assembly 35 or pamel member 36. As detailed abo~, the elastic forces of shroud 37 are sufficient to assure that thebladder control frame assembly is . , ' '~, deflated, when desired, without S requiring expensive ~ .. ;l c~ Similarly, by the user maely ,, his legs in position on support assembly 21, air withim panel member 36 is easily forced through the open lua~a~ aJ detailed above, until fully deflat-ed. Of course, once the panel member has been fully deflated, the user merely removes the ætivation force from the rocker switch, causing the rocker switch to10 move into its normally offposition and ~ fuu~l~ causing the piston of air controlled valve assembly 91 to be moved by the spring means associated there-with into its sealed ~ ,........ l with portal cover 147.
In FIGURES 33 and 34, an alternate l;u~ u~ Liu~l of an air flow control system is depicted. In this ( .. ,I,o.l;.,.. l a unique, fully integrslt~.~l hand holdable 15 air flow control âssembly 190 is detailed which integrates into a simgle, handholdable Cull~L u. lioll, the functions detailed above in reference to control means æ3 and air flow control assembly 2æ By providing the functions detailed above inreference to air flow control assembly 2æ as well as control means 23, in a single, compact, easily held arld Llaul~ult~ cull~LIuuLioll~ a unique, substântial advance 20 over prior art Cull~LIu-Liull~ iS realized.
In the preferred l....l~o.l; r-~l, int~ t~l, hand holdable, air flow control assembly 190 comprises an outer housing 191 which is preferably formed of an upper portion and a lower portion matingly il~ with each other.
Securely mounted within housimg 191 is a miniature ,UUllllJ/lllUlul 192. The overall 25 UIl~Ll u- liull of pump/motor 192 is generally known in the prior art and comprises a ...~ ...; . d ~ul~llu~Liull~ capable of combining these functions in a single,compact structure.
Air delivery portal 193 extends from pump/motor I92 and forms the portal through which the ~IUJ.,UI;~ air flow of IUU""U/,-,ULU~ 192 is delivered. Typically, 30 inlet holes are formed in the outer casing of pump/motor 192 to provide the air .. , . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. . . . . . . .. _ .. . _ _ _ WO95/31170 21 ~7~ r~ ~ ~

flow required by pulu~/lllvlul 192 for generating the desired ~ DU.i~. ~ air flow output.
Also mounted in housing 191 of air flow control ac~sembly 190 are two separate and; l. ~ switch means 194 and 195. In the preferred construc-S tion, both switch means 194 and 195 comprise three position switches, which areable to lt~n~nllcly actuate both electrical and l~-r~ 1 cn~ -r-" ~1~, when required. In addition, as clearlv shown in FIGURE 34, each switch means 194 and 195 illLUl~Ul~L~i two separate and ,~ 1 air flow portals 196 and 197.
I~y ref~rring to FIGURE 34, along with the following detailed discussion, 10 the air f~ow v.,.,.~ employed in air flow control assembly 190 can best be . .".l. . - ~ .o-l For purposes of clarity, dotted lines have been employed as D.,~ g tubing ~t L~ between the . . contained within air flow control assembly 190. As is evident to one of ordinaTy skill in the art, tubing is employed for ~..."l"~ l,.,~ the desired air flow. However, for purposes of clarity 15 and ease of ~ ;"", as well as ease Of l ' " e. dotted lines have been employed as l~ DL~ 6 the internal tubing i....~.l,u.,... l therein.
As shown in FIGURE 34, portal 193 of y~ v~ul 192 is comnected to tubing 198 which is comnected to portal 197 of switch means 194 and portal 197 of switch means l9S. As is evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, this dual 20 ~ is easily attained by employing a "Y" or "T" .... ~;..l. in tubing 198.
r~LIl~lluvl~ in order to provide the requisite air flow delivery to air flow tubes 30 and 31, for enabling bladder control frame assembly 35 and panel member 36 to be inflated or deflated, tubing 199 is cormected to portal 196 of switch means 194. The opposed end of tubing 199 e~its housing 190 and is 25 connected to tubing 30. In this way, the desired air flow is delivered to bladder control frame assembly 35.
Finally, in order to provide air flow to panel member 36, portal 196 of switch means 195 is connected to tubing 193 which is ~UllDL..~.L~ i for exiting from housing 191 where it is connected to air flow tube 31 for providing the desired air WO9S131170 2~ 972 r~ CcsO~
- 43 ~
flow to panel member 36. In this way, the desired controlled air flow for both bladder control frame assembly 35 and panel member 36 iS realized.
In its typical Cull~LIu~Liull, each switch means 194 and 195 comprise a rocker-type c~ oLlu~liull which is spring biased to provide a first activated position, S when one side of the switch means is pressed, and a second activating position, when the opposed side of the switch is pressed. If no activation force is applied, the switch remains in its normal mid position.
In the normal mid position, switch means 194 and 195 are ~ to maintain both air portals 196 and 197 thereof in a closed position with the 10 electrical contact in the OPEN position. In this way, no air flows through switch means 194 and 195 and the luul..~ ,Lu~ remains inactive.
When switch means 194 and 195 are activated mto their first position, the electrical contacts are closed, thereby causing power to be delivered to /llluLul 192~ activating I~UI ~.J~IIU~UI 192 to generate the ~/IL,o~Uli~ air flow 5 through portal 193. In addition, the, .1. ., ~I portion of switch means 194 and 195 ! ' '' ~ ~ opens and illt- -WIIII~,~ Lo air flow portals 196 and 197.
Whenever switch means 194 or switch meams 195 are activated mto this first position, ~UILI~illVIUl 192 iS activated, causing ~ air to be delivered through portal 193. This air flow is ~ through tubing 198 to portal 197 20 of switch meams 194 and portal 197 of switch meams 195. As ~ lly ' in FIGURE 34~ and discussed above, this is æhieved by ;.. ,.~ ;.,g a ~Y~ or "Ti' along the length of tubing 198 SO as to enable this air flow to beconnected to portal 197 of switch meams 194 and portal 197 of switch means 195.
As previously detailed, whenever switch means 194 iS activated into its first 25 alternate position, air flow portal 196 iS also opened and il~t~l~ullll~,~Ll d with - portal 197. As a result, the air flow entering portal 197 from pump~motor 192 passes through switch meams 194 and outwardly therefrom through air portal 196.
This air flow is then channeled through tubing 199 to air delivery hose 30 for inflating the bladder associated with bladder control frame assembly 35. In this30 way, by merely activating switch means 194 into its first alternate position, the wo 95/31170 2 ~ 8 9 q 7 2 ~ JL'~

desired movement of bladder control frame assembly 35 is æhieved and any desired elevated position sought by the user is easily attained.
Similarly, whenever switch means 195 is activated into its first alternate position, the air flow from activated pump motor 192 is delivered through portal197 to porhl 196 of switch means 195. Upon e~iting portal 196 of switch means 195, the air flow is conducted by tubing 203 to air delivery hose 31. As previously discussed, air delivery hose 31 is connected to panel member 36, causing panel member 36 to be inflated, thereby enabling the user to attain the desired elevation of the user ' s feet or legs.
Whenever deflation of bladder control fralne assembly 35 or panel member 36 is desired, switch means 194 or 195 are ætivated into their second alterrlateposition. When switch means 194 is ætivated into its second alternate position, air flow porhls 196 and 197 are both opened and ~. . "~ ~. .1 while the electricalconhcts are ~ in their open position. As a result, pump/motor 192 is not ætivated, but air flow is permitted through s~vitch means 194.
As a result of this CU~ u~.liu-l, wheneYer switch means 194 is activated into its second alternate position, the deflation of bladder control frame assembly 35 is athined. This deflation is realized by having the air within th~ bladder of bladder control frame assemb]y 34 flow from the bladder through flow tube 30 and tubing 199 into porhl 196 and out of porhl 197 of switch means 194 for delivery to pumpmotor 192. ' he venting air enters portal 193 of pump/motor 192 and passes through the pump/motor and out of the air hose on the side wall of motor 192.
In this way, all of the air contained within bladder control frame assembly 35 is allowed to vent to the ~Lulu~ , powered only by the weight of the individual on the frame assembly. Once the desired level of deflation has been attained, the activating pressure is removed from switch means 194, allowing switch means 194 to return to its normal position with portals 196 and 197 thereof in the CLOS~D position.
In a similar manner, panel member 36 is also deflated. In this instance, switch means 195 is activated into its second alternate position, thereby intercon-WOg5/31170 2`l 8~t972 ~ J

necbng portals 196 and 197 thereof, while ~ the elecbical contacts in the open posibon. As a result, the air contained within panel member 36 is able to fiow through tube 31 and bubing 203 into portai 196 of swit~h means 195 and out of portal 197 to portal 193 of l,ulll~."l-u~ul 192 through tubing 198. The air 5 entering pump/motor 192 is then ai]owed to vent from the pump/motor through its air hose. In ~his way, panel member 36 is able to deflate to any desired level.
Once this level has been reached, the activabon pressure is removed from switch means 195, thereby closing portal 196 and 197 thereo By referring to FIGURES 35, 36, and 37, a'~ong with the following detailed 10 disclosure, the ~;ù~ u~ ~iul~ and operation of the inatable bladder system of the present invenbon is detailed as applied in an alternate ~ In this .u-l~ of the present invention, a seat raising system 230 is obtained and is fully depicted and detailed herein. In dealing with many i~ iividu~is, illli~;.luals suffermg from various leg injuries, as well as older individuals, one 15 principai common difficulty is the inability to move from a seated posibon to a standing posibon. Although i~d;.;.luals with this medical problem are often capable of walking, either assisted or lln~PP;Pt~ri these individuals are incapable of lifbng IL~lll.?~ s from a seated position to a standing posibon.
Presently various raising or lifting systems are in existence in an attempt to 20 sabsfy this need. However, these presently existing systems are incapable of providing the precisely desired type of lifbng required, while still being manu-facb~red and sold at a l. ~O--~Ic, affordable cost.
In order to provide the precisely desired assistance required by inJ;~;Juals with this problem, the seat on which the individual is resbng cannot be merely 25 arcuately pivoted. It has been found that prior art systems capable of providing - oniy arcuate pivobng motion of the seat are incapable of raising the individual to a posibon whele the individual is capable of standing fully erect.
In order to move the individual from a seated position to a standing position, two separate and i~lc~ ...1~...1 direcbons of motion must be imparted to 30 the seat. This dual direcbon of motion consists of arcuate pivoting of the seat and , , . . . ., .,,,,, ,, . , .. , . , . ,,, . , . , . ....... , ., . . , . , . . _ ,, _, _ _ WO 95131170 2 '1 ~ 9 9 7 2 r~

horizontal upward movement of the seat. It has been found that it is necessary to raise the individual into a higher plane in addition to arcuately pivoting the individual forwardly. By having both arcuate pivoting motion and horizontal upward motion, the individual is moved into the required position and the individ-ual is able to stand and walk, in the manner attainable by that individual.
In view of this dual direction of motion ~ Ui7 ~ , in order to enable an individual to be moved from a seated position to a standing position, the presently existing prior art systems are extremely comple~t and very expensive. However, by employing the air inflatable bladder assembly of the present i}.vention, along with the unique movement control system detailed herein, this dual motion is attainedin a ~ Dll u. liull which is s .l~rt~ y less expensive than prior art systems.
In the present invention, uullllull~ seat raising syDtem 230 comprises a base plate, 2Jl which is il~ lu~a~ and is generally affixed to the chair to which CullLIulla~ seat raising system ~30 is mounted. In addition, system 230 also ~_ul~u~ ,;, a movable support plate ~32 which is capable of being moved through the desired combined arcuate and horizontal raising positions. In the preferred t, a cushion 233, shown in phantom, is aff~xed to support plate ~32 or is formed as a part thereof. By ill~ul~ulalill~, cushion ,'32, a softer, more comfort-able CUIIDlIU~ UII is realized.
As shown Ihluu~sllvuL the drawings, both base plate 231 and support plate 2J2 i-l~,VIlJUIai~ a front or leading edge 234, a rear edge 235, and side edges 236.
As is more fnlly detailed below, by employing controllable seat raising system 230, leading edge 234 of support plate 2J2 arcuately pivots relative to the leading edge of base plate 2J1, while also moving upwardly relative thereto.
In order to attain this desired, controlled dual-action motion, controllable seat raising system 2J0 ill~ul~,UIi.L- ~ a pair of movement control arms 240, 240, each of which are .;OO~)~ la~illvl.y mounted with a second pair of movement control arms 241, 241. In the preferred (;UII~Llu~liull, each ~uOp.,laLillg pair of movement control arms 240 and 241 are mounted in j~ rosed, spaced adjacent lvl ' with each other, along the one side edge 2J6 of base plate 23l and support plate wo 95/31170 2 ~ 8 9 ~ 7 2 P~I/IJ.-. .~c5"~

232. Eæh pair of ~ control arms 240 and 241 comprise elongated rod or charlnel members which extend ~ ly the entire length of side edge 236 and are mounted ~ parallel therewith.
Eæh control arm 240 is mounted for pivotal luu._..l.llL to an arm holding S bracket 242. In order to attain fixed, arcuate pivoting motion, SC~,UIC. _III means 243 is mounted through COo~ ; c aligned through holes formed in one end of moYement control arm 240 and arm holding bræket 242. In this way, each moYe-ment control arm 240 is mounted to base plate 231 for arcuate movement about the axis defined by ;,~ l means 243.
Eæh IIIU._III-~IL control arm 241 is mounted at one of its ends directly adjacent the front end 234 of support plate 232. Using a similar CUI~IU .L;OII~ one end of eæh luu._l.~el-L control arm 241 is formed with a th~rough hole therein and is mounted to arm holding bracket 244 by employing sc~u.. ~,.. L means 245. In this way, each IUU._Ill~ control arm 241 is securely affixed to support plate 232, 15 directly adjacent leading edge 234 thereof, for arcuate lllU._lll llL about the axis defined by fastening means 245.
With the first end of each movement control arm 240 pivotally mounted to base plate 241, the opposed end thereof, is mounted to support plate 232 for controlled, sliding IIIU._III~IIL relatiYe thereto. In order to attain this sliding 20 . J._ t, bracket 246 is securely aff~ed to support plate 232 with an elongated closed chalmel 247 formed in bracket 246. By securely affixing fastening means 248 to the free end of control arm 240, with the fastening means also extending through amd secured within channel 247, the otherwise free end of movement control arm 240 is capable of IllU._lll~,llL relative to support plate 232, within the 25 elongated ext~nt of ch~mnel 247.
By employing a similar Cull~Llu~uull, the otherwise free end of each control arm 241 is mounted to base plate 231 for controlled sliding IllU._lll~ .lL relative thereto. In order to attain this controlled movement, two brackets 250, 250 are mounted to ~ase plate 231 adjacent rear edge 234 thereof and positioned in 30 juxtaposed, spaced, co~ with one of the control arms 241, 241.

WO 9r7/31170 7~ 9 7 2 i~ L~S,vSo 7.7 - 48 ~
Each bræket 250 ill UlUUl~lt-~7 a closed, elongated channel 251 formed therein, which defines the distance through which control arm 241 is capable of moving. In crder to attain this desired controlled movement, the otherwise free end of the adjacent control arm 241 is mounted to fastening means 252 which 5 extends through cont;ol arm 241 and chamnel 251, with fastening means 252 being slidably engaged in channel 251. In this way, eæh control arm 241 is mounted to base plate 2;1 for controlled slidmg movement relatiYe thereto within the distance allowed by the length of channel 251.
In order to provide the desired force required for moving support plate 232 10 relative to base plate 231, controllable seat raising system 230 also illCul~Jvl~t~., inflatable bladder 255. As with the bladder Cu117Llu~ Liull~ detailed above, bladder 255 compriseS a ~u...~l~ t~ sealed . u~,Liu~ ,u~ , an interior chamber which expamds upon the receipt of air flow through air delivery hose 256. In order to provide th~ desired controlled air flow to bladder 255, air delivery hose 256 is 15 connected to air flow control assembly 22 or 190 (not shown), both of which are fully disclosed herein.
By activating the particular air flow control assembly employed, air is deliv-ered to bladder 255 through delivery hose 256, causing bladder 255 to inflate.
This forces support plate 2 ,2 to move in the precisely desired dual directions in a 20 cont olled manner, due to the CU11;7L7u~LiU-ls and integrated controlled IIlU.~ llL, provided by control arms 240 and 241, as well as the bræket ~ssemblies associated therewith. Of course, whenever support plate 232 is to be returned to its origina position, in j~ r~C~ spæed, parallel l~ Liull~ to base plate 231, the means associated wi h the air flow control assembly employed are activated for venting25 the air contained within bladder 255, thereby ~ lly returning support plate 232 to its ori~ina. position.
In order to attain the desired dual direction movement required for provid-mg an effective lifting system for 1.- ..1;. ~l,l,~d or injured individuals, pivot defining fastening means 260 is illt~ l~Ullll--Lill~,ly mounted to each pair of adjacent move-30 ment control a~ms 240 and 241. As best seen in FIGURE 35, coaxially aligned WO g5/31170 ~ l 8 ~ 9 7 2 through holes are formed in both pairs of IIIU._III~,.I~ control arms 240 and 241 in order to enable fastening means 260 to be inserted through the aligned through holes. In this way, each pair of control arms 240 and 241 are fastened to each other in ~
By mounting fastening means 260 in each pair of lllu._lll~,llL control arms 240 and 241, with the axis defined by both fastenmg means 260, 260 being identi-cal, the cuol) al ;1 ~g movement of control arms 240 and 241 amd its effect on the movement of support plate 232 causes support plate 232 to c;n~ t~n-o~cly move both upwardly and arcuately. By controllably p~ "; ~ fastening means 260 at a desired location along the length of control arms 240 and 241, the precisely desired upward lifting and forward pivoting of support plate 232 is attained. As a result, the requisite horizontal raising of support plate 232 relative to base plate 231, as well as its arcuate l..u._..l~llL, is achieved ~ v -l~ in an effcient, cost effective, manner. As a result, as bladder 255 is inflated, the precisely desired 15 .uu.. of support plate 232 relative to base plate 231 is realized.
By mounting fastening means 260 to control arms 240 and 241, m the malmer detailed above, a unique cu11.7Llu~Liull is attained which provides the desired dual direction of motion. The mounting of fastening meams 260 along the length of control arms 240 and 241 L l~l,l;~l,., a secondary, floating pivot a~is 20 which enables support plate 232 to move upwardly ~ ollcly with its arcuate pivoting motdon. As a result, the precisely required dual direction of motion isattained in an extremely cost effcient, elegantly simple""~ l COlL7LIU~,LiUII.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding ~ are efficiently attained and, since certain 25 changes may be made in the above Cu117Llu~Liu-- without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above d~ Liu~ or shown in the ac~u..llJall~;llg drawings have been illt~ L_~ a~ illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be ulld~,.."uud that the following claims are intended to cover 30 all of the ger~eric ând specific features of the invention herein described, and all WO 95131170 r~
7~ ~
- so -! ' ' ' of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall ~
Having descn~ed our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

Claims (23)

THE CLAIMS

1. A portable, self-contained, unitary, movably adjustable support assembly for enabling users to position a back-supporting portion thereof and/or a leg-support-ing portion thereof into any one of a plurality of alternate positions, said support assembly comprising:
A. a support pad for comfortable supporting the user;
B. cover means peripherally surrounding and enveloping the support pad;
and C. position control means a. removably mounted to the cover means in movement controlling relationship with a portion of the support pad;
b. constructed for moving the support pad when attached therewith through an arcuate distance of about 80° and securely support-ingly maintaining the support pad in any position between 0° and 80°, and c. responsive to a control signal to arcuately move the support pad when attached therewith away from a portion of the cover means until the desired raised position is reached and maintain the support pad in the raised position; and D. enclosure means a. peripherally surrounding enclosing, and visually obscuring a substantial portion of the position controlling means, b. expandable from a small, compact configuration to a fully ex-tended, open, exposed position, peripherally surrounding and visually obscuring the position control means throughout its arcuate movement, c. retractable collapsible from its fully extended position to its com-pact position when desired, as the position control means is moved into its original position, and d. incorporating first fastening means cooperatively associated therewith and constructed for secure, removable engagement with a portion of the cover means, thereby forming the portable, movably adjustable support assembly, whereby a completely portable, support assembly is achieved which is aesthetically pleasing, neat, and compact, while also being universally adjustable into any desired position in any desired location.

2. The portable, self-contained, unitary, movably adjustable support assembly defined in Claim 1, wherein said assembly further comprises:
E. a foot elevating system removably mountable to the cover means at an end of the pad opposite from the position control means and com-prising a. an inflatable panel incorporating two independent chambers in air communication interengagement with each other and con-structed for expanding upon being filled with air;
b. portal means mounted to each of said chambers for delivering air thereto;
c. an enclosure for peripherally surrounding and visually obscuring the inflatable pane; and d. fastening means mounted to the enclosure and positioned for secure, removable, engagement with a portion of the cover means for cooperation therewith.

3. The support assembly defined in Claim 2, wherein the first and second fastening means are further defined as comprising one selected from the group consisting of zippers and hook/loop fasteners.

4. A portable, integrated, universally adjustable position controlling system for enabling users to position a back-supporting portion thereof into any one of a plurality of alternate positions, said position controlling system comprising:
A. a portable, self-contained, unitary, easily assembled movably adjustable support assembly comprising a. a support pad for conformably supporting the user;
b. cover means peripherally surrounding and enveloping substan-tially the entire support pad;
c. position control means 1. securely mounted between the support pad and the cover means in movement controlling relationship with a por-tion of the support pad;
2. constructed for moving the support pad through an arcu-ate distance of about 80° and securely supportingly main-taning the support pad in any position between 0° and 80°; and 3. responsive to a control signal to arcuately move the sup-port pad away from a portion of the cover means until the desired raised position is reached and maintain the support pad in the raised position;
d. a shroud securely affixed to the cover means in peripherally sur-rounding, enclosing, visually obscuring relationship with the support pad and at least a portion of the position controlling means maintaining the position control means in contact with the support pad throughout the entire arcuate movement there-of; and e. first fastening means 1. interposed between the shroud and the cover means adjacent the pad 2. peripherally surrounding the position control means, and 3. providing ease of accessibility to the shroud interior for assembly and repair of the position control means; and B. an air flow control assembly a. constructed for drawing air from the ambient surroundings and delivering a continuous air flow to the position control means of the support assembly for causing said position control means to arcuately pivot, and b. incorporating valve means responsive to an activation signal for selectively opening and closing air flow passageways incorporated therein for assuring the delivery of the air flow to the desired location;
whereby a completely integrated, portable, position-controlling system is attained which is capable of being easily transported to any desired location and placed on any desired support surface for providing the user with complete adjustable movement of the support assembly by employing the air flow controlled assembly connected therewith, while also being easily assembled and repaired.

5. The portable, self-contained, unitary, movably adjustable support assembly defined in Claim 4, wherein said assembly further comprises:
C. an inflatable panel mounted between the support pad and the cover means at the end of the pad opposite from the position control means and comprising a. two independent chambers in air communicating interengagement with each other and constructed for expanding upon being filled with air, and b. portal means mounted to each of said chambers for delivering air thereto; and D. second fastening means affixed to the cover and peripherally surround-ing and enclosing the inflatable panel, whereby ease of installation and access to the panel is provided.

6. The portable, integrated, universally adjustable position controlling system defined in Claim 4, and further comprising C. a second portable, self-contained, unitary, easily assembled movably adjustable support assembly comprising a. a support pad for comfortably surrounding the user, b. cover means peripherally surrounding and enveloping substan-tially the entire support pad;
c. position control means 1. securely mounted between the support pad and the cover means in movement controlling relationship with a por-tion of the support pad;
2. constructed for moving the support pad through an arcu-ate distance of about 80° and securely supportingly main-taining the support pad in any position between 0° and 80°, and 3. responsive to a control signal to arcuately move the sup-port pad away from a portion of the cover means until the desired raised position is reached and maintain the support pad in the raised position;
d. a shroud securely affixed to the cover means in peripherally sur-rounding, enclosing, visually obscuring relationship with the support pad and at least a portion of the position controlling means maintaining the position control means in contact with the support pad throughout the entire arcuate movement there-of; and e. second fastening means 1. interposed between the shroud and the cover means adjacent the pad 2. peripherally surrounding the position control means, and 3. providing ease of accessibility to the shroud interior for assembly and repair of the position control means; and the air flow control assembly is further defined as also delivering air flow to the position control means of the second support assembly, thereby providing a fullyintegrated, position controlling system, whereby activation of the air flow assembly causes air to flow to one of the support assemblies for raising that support assembly to the desired position completely independently of the second support assembly.

7. A portable, self-contained, unitary, movably adjustable support assembly for enabling users to position a back-supporting portion thereof into any one of a plurality of alternate positions, said support assembly comprising:
A. air inflatable position control means a. comprising a support surface for comfortably supporting the user;
b. constructed for moving the support surface through an arcuate distance of about 80° and securely supporting maintaining the support surface in any position between 0° and 80°, and c. responsive to a control signal to arcuately move the support surface until the desired raised position is reached and maintain the support surface in the raised position; and B. a compact, easily used, hand holdable air flow control assembly a. constructed for drawing air from the ambient surroundings and delivering a continuous air flow to the position control means for causing said position control means to arcuately pivot, and b. incorporating valve means responsive to an activation signal for selectively opening and closing air flow passageways incorporated therein for assuring the delivery of the air flow to the desired location;
whereby a completely integrated, portable, position-controlling system is attained which is capable of being easily transported to any desired location and placed on any desired support surface for providing the user with complete adjustable movement of the support assembly by employing the air flow control assembly connected there-with.

8. The support assembly defined in claim 7, wherein said position control means is further defined as comprising a sealed, air-inflatable bladder incorporating a sealed air-retaining zone therein, with one surface of the bladder forming the user support surface.

9. The support assembly defined in Claim 8, wherein said bladder further comprises a decorative exterior surface for providing an overall aesthetically pleasing visual product.

10. The support assembly defined in Claim 8, wherein said sealed bladder member is further defined as being peripherally surrounded and enveloped by cover means for providing a further enhanced visual appearance.

11. The portable, self-contained, unitary movably adjustable support assembly defined in Claim 7, wherein said position control means is further defined as comprising:
d. two U-shaped frame members constructed for nested interengagement with each other when pivotally interconnected at their respective terminating ends, e. an air inflatable bladder 1. independently interconnected with each of said frame members on adjacent surfaces thereof, and 2. incorporating a sealed, air retaining zone formed therein, f. frame retaining means affixed to adjacent surfaces of the bladder and positioned for secure retained engagement with portions of each of the frame members, thereby assuring controlled inde-pendent movement of each of the frame members, while also preventing unwanted shifting of the bladder relative to the frame members, and g. air receiving portal means interconnected at a first end thereof in one surface of the bladder for communicating with the sealed, air-retaining zone therein, with a second end of the portal means being constructed for interconnection with air delivery means, whereby upon receipt of air through said portal means, the air retaining zone of said bladder inflates, causing at least one frame member to arcuately pivot relative to the other frame member.

12. The portable, self-contained, unitary, movably adjustable support assembly defined in Claim 11, wherein said position control means is further defined as comprising an air inflatable bladder which peripherally surrounds and envelopes said use of frame members.

13. The portable, self-contained, unitary, movably adjustable support assembly defined in Claim 8, wherein said support surface is further defined as comprising a rigid support panel for assuring secure supporting retention and movement of the user.

14. The portable, self-contained, unitary, movably adjustable support assembly defined in Claim 13, wherein said position control means further comprises fastening means mounted on said support surface, and further comprises cushion means removably mountable to said support surface and engageable with said fastening means.

15. A compact, portable, self-contained, hand holdable air flow control assembly comprising A. a housing constructed for ease of use and holding by a user in the user's hand;
B. a combined pump and motor mounted in the housing and responsive to an activation signal for drawing air from the ambient surroundings and delivering a continuous air flow to an outlet portal formed therein;
C. valve means mounted in the housing and responsive to an activation signal for selectively opening and closing air flow passageways formed therein for assuring the delivery of the air flow to the desired location;
and D. switch means mounted in the housing and constructed to provide the activation signals to the valves and the pump motor, whereby a completely integrated, portable, hand holdable air flow control assembly is attained which is capable of being easily used and moved.

16. The compact, portable, self-contained, unitary, hand holdable air flow control assembly defined in Claim 15, wherein said switch means is further defined as comprising a rocker switch responsive to an actuation force moving from an OFF
position to at least one ON position, with said switch means being further defined as incorporating therein the valve means for simultaneously activating the pump/motor, upon receipt of an activation force, while also connecting said air flow passageways connected thereto.

17. The compact, hand holdable air flow control assembly defined in Claim 16, wherein said switch means is further defined as comprising two alternate activat-ing positions wherein said second position is constructed for interconnecting said air flow passageways only, whenever an activation force has been received, placing the switch in said alternate position.

18. An integrated, universally adjustable position controlling system for enabling users to position a back-supporting portion portion thereof into any one of a plurality of alternate positions, said position controlling system comprising:
A. a self-contained, unitary, movably adjustable support assembly compris-ing a. a support base;
b. a support pad for comfortable supporting the user, c. cover means peripherally surrounding and enveloping substan-tially the entire support pad and support base;
d. position control means 1. securely mounted between the support pad and the sup-port base in movement controlling relationship with a portion of the support pad;
2. constructed for moving the support pad through an arcu-ate distance of about 80° and securely supporting main-taining the support pad in any position between 0° and 80°, and 3. responsive to a control signal to arcuately move the sup-port pad away from a portion of the support base until the desired raised position is reached and maintain the support pad in the raised position;
d. a shroud securely affixed to the cover means in peripherally sur-rounding, enclosing, visually obscuring relationship with the support pad and at least a portion of the position controlling means maintaining the position control means in contact with the support pad throughout the entire arcuate movement there-of;
B. control means connected to an air flow control assembly for providing a control signal and transmitting the control signal to an air flow control assembly; and C. an air flow control assembly a. constructed for drawing air from the ambient surrounding and delivering a continuous flow of air to the position control means of the support assembly for causing said position control means to arcuately pivot, and b. incorporating valve means responsive to the control signal for selectively opening and closing air flow passageways therein for assuring the delivery of the air flow to the desired location;
whereby a completely integrated, portable, position-controlling system is attained for providing the user with complete adjustable movement of the support assembly by employing the air flow control assembly connected therewith.

19. The self-contained, unitary, movably adjustable support assembly defined in Claim 18, wherein said assembly further comprises:
D. an inflatable panel mounted between the support pad and the support base at the end of the pad opposite from the position control means and comprising a. two independent chambers in air communicating interengagement with each other and constructed for expanding upon being filled with air, and b. portal means mounted to each of said chambers for delivering air thereto.

20. The position controlling system defined in Claim 18, wherein said support base comprises one selected from the group consisting of mattresses, boxsprings, water beds, couches, and rollaway beds.

21. A seat elevating system for assisting individuals in moving from a seated position to a standing position, said system comprising A. a first support plate constructed for being affixed to a support member for holding an individual in a seated position;
B. a second support plate mounted in juxtaposed spaced relationship with the first support plate and constructed for movement relative to said first support plate; and C. a movement control system a. mounted between the first support plate and the second support plate;
b. constructed for moving the second support plate both upwardly and arcuately forward relative to the first support plate; and c. responsive to an activation signal for initiating the upward and arcuate movement of said second support plate;
whereby a fully integrated seat elevation system is attained which is easily activated by the user and is capable of raising the user from a seated position to a fullystanding position.

22. The seat elevation system defined in Claim 21, wherein said movement control system is further defined as comprising d. a first pair of cooperating arm members interposed between said first support plate and said second plate, 1. a first end of the first arm of said first pair being pivotally mounted to the first support plate, 2. a first end of the second arm of said first pair being pivot-ally mounted to the second support plate, 3. the second end of the first arm being slidingly mounted to the second support plate, 4. the second end of the second arm being slidingly mount-ed to the first support plate, and 5. said first pair of arm members being further defined as pivotally mounted to each other with said pivot axis being located between the two opposed ends thereof; and e. an air inflatable bladder 1. mounted between the first support plate and the second support plate, 2. incorporating a sealed, air retaining zone formed therein, and 3. responsive to the receipt of air therein for expanding to cause the second support plate to move in response thereto;
whereby the inflation of the bladder causes the second support plate to move relative to the first support plate with the cooperating pair of arm members controlling the motion of the second support plate to cause the second support plate to simulta-neously pivot about the three cooperating pivot axes to achieve simultaneous move-ment upwardly and arcuately for forwardly.

23. The seat raising system defined in Claim 22 wherein said movement control system is further defined as comprising two seperate and independent pairs of arm members located on opposed sides of said support plates for providing con-trolled, smooth, raising and pivoting movement of said second support plate in response to inflation of said bladder.