# US 12,213,921 B2 · Inflatable mattress with longitudinally oriented stringers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,213,921 B2 - Document ID: US12213921B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/517,618 - Filed: 2023-11-22 - Published: 2024-03-14 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-20 - Assignees: D.T. Davis Enterprises, Ltd. - Applicants: D.T. Davis Enterprises, Ltd. - Inventors: David T. Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12213921B2 ## CPC - A61G 1/013: foldable or collapsible (A61G1/017 takes precedence) - A47C 27/081: {of pneumatic type} - A47C 27/087: {with means for connecting opposite sides, e.g. internal ties or strips} - A61G 1/048: Handles - A61G 7/001: {with means for turning-over the patient} - A61G 7/1021: {Inflatable cushions} - A61G 7/1028: {by a support moving on air cushion} - A61G 7/1036: {facilitating loading and unloading of the patient, e.g. using flaps or additional tilting} - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS ## Abstract A transfer mattress includes a top panel; a bottom panel; an outer stringer having a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel such that a portion of the outer stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the mattress body is inflated; and an inner stringer positioned between the central longitudinal axis and the outer stringer and having a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel such that a portion of the inner stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the mattress body is inflated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A transfer mattress, comprising: a top panel having a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends from the proximal edge to the distal edge; a bottom panel having a plurality of perforations and a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, the perimeter of the bottom panel coupled to the perimeter of the top panel to define a mattress body; an outer stringer having a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel such that a portion of the outer stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the mattress body is inflated; and an inner stringer positioned between the central longitudinal axis and the outer stringer and having a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel such that a portion of the inner stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the mattress body is inflated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transfer mattress of claim 1, wherein the portion of the outer stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel and the portion of the inner stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel are angled from the top panel in a direction away from the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The transfer mattress of claim 1, further comprising a second inner stringer and a second outer stringer, the second inner stringer and the second outer stringer located on an opposite side of the central longitudinal axis from the inner stringer and the outer stringer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The transfer mattress of claim 3, wherein when the transfer mattress is inflated, a distance between the inner stringer and the second inner stringer is between approximately 25% and approximately 35% of a width of the transfer mattress. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The transfer mattress of claim 3, wherein the inner stringer and the second inner stringer are symmetrically located about the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The transfer mattress of claim 1, wherein the outer stringer is longer than the inner stringer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The transfer mattress of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the superior edge of the inner stringer is not parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the transfer mattress. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The transfer mattress of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the inferior edge of the inner stringer is parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the transfer mattress. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The transfer mattress of claim 1, wherein the outer stringer and the inner stringer fold toward the central longitudinal axis when the mattress body is deflated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The transfer mattress of claim 1, further comprising: a first connector coupled to the mattress body; and a second connector spaced from the first connector and coupled to the mattress body; wherein a longitudinal distance between the first connector and the second connector is the same when the transfer mattress is inflated as when the transfer mattress is deflated, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured to couple an accessory to the transfer mattress. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The transfer mattress of claim 10, wherein the first connector and the second connector are snaps. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The transfer mattress of claim 1, further comprising a length of hook and loop fastener coupled to the top panel and extending along and adjacent to the superior edge of either the outer stringer or the inner stringer. ### Claim 13 A method of rolling a patient, comprising: providing a transfer mattress comprising: a top panel having a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends from the proximal edge to the distal edge; a bottom panel having a plurality of perforations and a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, the perimeter of the bottom panel coupled to the perimeter of the top panel; and an inner stringer and an outer stringer on each side of the central longitudinal axis, wherein a portion of each of the inner stringer and the outer stringer are substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis, wherein a portion of the outer stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the transfer mattress is inflated, and a portion of the inner stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the transfer mattress is inflated; positioning a patient on the top panel of the transfer mattress; inflating the transfer mattress; applying a downward force on the top panel on a first side of the patient; and applying a lifting force to the transfer mattress on an opposite side of the patient. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the downward force is applied between the outer stringer and a perimeter edge of the transfer mattress. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein when the transfer mattress is inflated a distance between the inner stringer and the second inner stringer is between approximately 25% and approximately 35% of a width of the transfer mattress. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the outer stringer is taller than the inner stringer. ### Claim 17 A mattress system comprising: a transfer mattress comprising: a top panel having a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends from the proximal edge to the distal edge; a bottom panel having a plurality of perforations and a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, the perimeter of the bottom panel coupled to the perimeter of the top panel to form a mattress body; an outer stringer having a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom pane such that a portion of the outer stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the mattress body is inflated; an inner stringer positioned between the central longitudinal axis and the outer stringer and having a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel such that a portion of the inner stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the mattress body is inflated; a first connector coupled to the mattress body; a second connector spaced from the first connector and coupled to the mattress body, wherein a longitudinal distance between the first connector and the second connector is the same when the transfer mattress is inflated as when the transfer mattress is deflated; and an accessory releasably coupled to the first connector and the second connector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The mattress system of claim 17, wherein the mattress body further comprises a perimeter band and the perimeter of the bottom panel is coupled to the perimeter of the top panel via the perimeter band. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The mattress system of claim 17, wherein the accessory is selected from the group consisting of a patient turning chamber, a microclimate measurement layer, an interface pressure measurement layer, an infection control identification layer, a disposable absorbent cover, a therapeutic pad, a flexible body litter with carry handles, a non-absorbent sanitary cover, a washable absorbent cover, a disposable cover, at least one cushion, an inflatable mattress with a pressure control valve, and an inflatable mattress with pulsating pressure control. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The mattress system of claim 17, wherein: a first longitudinal distance is defined between the first connector and the proximal edge of the top panel and a second longitudinal distance is defined between the first connector and the distal edge of the top panel, the first longitudinal distance after inflation of the transfer mattress is the same as the first longitudinal distance before inflation of the transfer mattress, and the second longitudinal distance after inflation of the transfer mattress is the same as the second longitudinal distance before inflation of the transfer mattress.