Method and apparatus for supporting a body
OwnerRobert G. Jarmoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A body support that can prevent bed sores (decubiti) has a first frame with a first plurality of parallel bands, and a second frame with a second plurality of parallel bands. The first plurality of bands is interdigitated with the second plurality of parallel bands. A driver can reciprocate the first plurality of parallel bands, and the second plurality of parallel bands. The driver produces relative motion between the first and the second plurality of parallel bands. A replacement band can be attached end to end with a selected one of the bands of the first and the second plurality of parallel bands. Then the selected one of the bands can be pulled in a direction to insert the replacement band into a position originally occupied by the selected one of the bands.
Claims24
A body support for providing a beneficial effect comprising:
- a first frame having a first plurality of parallel bands;
- a second frame having a second plurality of parallel bands, said first plurality of bands being interdigitated with said second plurality of parallel bands, said bands being connected to said first and said second frame at end portions thereof, with central portions of at least some of the bands being free from attachment to said first and said second frame;
- and
- a driver for reciprocating (1) said first plurality of parallel bands, and (2) said second plurality of parallel bands, said driver producing relative motion in the vertical direction between said first and said second plurality of parallel bands.
A method employing a first plurality and a second plurality of parallel bands in separate respective frames to support a body while preventing bed sores, comprising the steps of:
- connecting end portions of said bands to said frames with central portions of at least some of said bands free from attachment to said frames;
- interdigitating said first plurality of bands with said second plurality of parallel bands;
- and
- vertically reciprocating (1) said first plurality of parallel bands, and (2) said second plurality of parallel bands by producing relative motion between said first and said second plurality of parallel bands.
A method employing a replacement band, a first plurality of parallel bands and a second plurality of parallel bands to support a body while preventing bed sores, comprising the steps of:
- interdigitating said first plurality of bands with said second plurality of parallel bands;
- producing relative motion between said first and said second plurality of parallel bands;
- attaching the replacement band end to end with a selected one of the bands of the first and the second plurality of parallel bands;
- and
- pulling the selected one of the bands in a direction to insert the replacement band into a position originally occupied by the selected one of the bands.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.