US20150282631A1

US20150282631A1 - Temperature Control Pad

Info

Publication number: US20150282631A1
Application number: US14/679,134
Authority: US
Inventors: Jim Creamer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-08
Filing date: 2015-04-06
Publication date: 2015-10-08

Abstract

The present invention is an improved temperature control pad that is positioned underneath a mattress to heat, cool, or scent the same. The temperature control pad includes a rectangular pad that is similarly sized to a conventional mattress forming an interior volume therein. The interior volume includes a plurality of tubes disposed within. The tubes have a plurality of apertures that are configured to disperse air therethrough. The upper surface of the rectangular pad is permeable to air allowing air to rise therethrough. The rectangular pad is connected to a control unit through an air hose, wherein the control unit includes a control circuit and a blower assembly configured to direct air therethrough and to the rectangular pad. The temperature control pad further comprises a remote control that is electrically connected to the control circuit that allows the user to control the fan speed, temperature and release of fragrance.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/976,565 filed on Apr. 8, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bedroom accessories. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved temperature control pad that is configured to be placed underneath a conventional mattress to heat, cool or scent the same.
Many parts of the world experience heat waves, and people have trouble sleeping when it is just too hot. Research has shown that there seems to be an ideal temperature for sleep and when this temperature is very high, it takes longer to fall asleep, and once sleep is achieved, it is broken up or fragmented and there is less dreaming. There are tricks to keep a bedroom cooler like using blinds to keep sunlight out or keeping windows closed if the temperature outside is much hotter than inside. People will also have their air conditioning on in their dwellings. However, it is often not enough nor cost effective to continuous run the air conditioning.
Additionally, there is a problem with multiple people sleeping in a house. People sleeping in the same circumstances may have a totally different night's sleep; one sleeper sweats through the night; the other one shivers through the night. Based on a plurality of factors such as perception and tolerance of cold, metabolism and body size, sleepers can be generally divided into two categories: warm sleepers and cold sleepers. Many people that usually sleep hot are often naturally warm sleepers or because they experience hot flashes or night sweats. Other people have the opposite problem of sleeping cold and complain about being cold despite sleeping in the same situation as a warm sleeper.
The present invention provides a temperature control pad that is designed to help a sleeper stay warm or cool at night while sleeping. The temperature c control pad includes a rectangular pad that is placed underneath a conventional mattress. The rectangular pad includes an interior volume having a plurality of tubes disposed within. The plurality of tubes have a plurality of apertures that are configured to disperse air therethrough and permeate through an upper surface of the rectangular pad. The rectangular pad is connected to a control unit through an air hose, wherein the control unit includes a control circuit and a blower assembly configured to direct air therethrough and to the rectangular pad. The control unit is electrically connected to a control panel that allows a user to control a fan speed, a temperature, and a release of fragrance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to heating and cooling mechanisms for mattresses. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some devices provide a device for heating, cooling, and emitting a fragrance into bedding, whereby the airflow is provided into a vented bladder that is positioned on the upper surface of a mattress. Other prior art devices provide a mattress with cooling airflow that is pumped through the mattress itself and cools an individual sleeping on the mattress. These devices, however, do not disclose a rectangular pad that is adapted for placement beneath an existing mattress, whereby fragranced, cooled or heated air circulate through the rectangular pad to heat, cool or provide fragrance to the mattress. The foregoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,069 to Miller is a device for heating, cooling and emitting fragrance into bedding on a mattress of a bed which provides a vented bladder placed upon the mattress under the bedding of the bed. An air hose extends between the vented bladder and the forced air producing mechanism, to carry hot, cool, or scented air from the forced air producing mechanism to the vented bladder into the bedding. The vented bladder comprises an inflatable tubular trunk having a plurality of perforated branches extending therefrom. A coupler on free end of the inflatable tubular trunk connects to a first end of the flexible air hose. However, the Miller device is configured to lay over the bed, while the current device is a rectangular pad placed underneath the mattress.
Similarly, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2008/0028536 to Hadden-Cook is an air mattress pad that allows cooled airflow to be pumped therein and escapes through the air mattress upper surface. The air mattress pad is designed to be placed on top of an existing bed mattress such that a bed occupant would experience the cooling airflow as desired to reduce the effect of night sweats and hot flashes. The air mattress pad is embedded with a single spiral pattern air tube. However, the Hadden-Cook device does not describe a device that is placed underneath a mattress that has heated, cooled, or scented air forced therethrough.
U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2013/0031722 to Wong is an air-conditioning bed having a bed frame, a mattress placed and supported thereon, and a head panel located at one end of the bed frame. The mattress is associated with a first air-conditioning system for providing air after being conditioned to the region adjacent to the body of the user of the bed, forming an air-conditioned space. The head panel is associated with a second air-conditioning system for providing air after being conditioned to the region adjacent to the head of the user. The first and second air-conditioning systems include a thermoelectric module. The mattress body has air channels arranged in the mattress body to communicate with the thermoelectric modules. However, distinguishable from the current device, the Wong device does not disclose a rectangular pad that is configured to be placed underneath a bed to provide heated, cooled, or scented air.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,687 to Ward is a heating and cooling device for temperature condition an air supply for an air mattress. The Ward device comprises a first air passage for channeling a first air flow; a second air passage for channeling a second air flow; an inlet fan for drawing air into the first air passage; an exhaust fan for drawing air through second air passage; and a plurality of heat exchangers for exchanging heat between air in first air passage and air in second exhaust air passage. The first air passage comprises a tubular channel having an inlet at a first end and only one outlet. The inlet fan is positioned at the first end and the outlet is at a second end of the passage, such that said air flow is channeled through the inlet fan and entirety of air passage while encountering a plurality of heat exchangers and out of said outlet. The Ward device is a device for controlling temperature of airflow to an air mattress device, while the current invention is a device that is placed underneath an existing mattress to provide filtered and cooled or heated air.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,592 to Ichigaya provides a futon with cooling flow passages that are in a substantially parallel and planar configuration adjacent to the portion of the futon on an elastic member which contacts a body of a person. The Ichigaya device has an inlet for drawing air into the cooling flow passages; an outlet for discharging the air from the cooling flow passages; a plurality of electromotive fans; and a flow connecting passage provided between the electromotive fan and the cooling flow passages. The air flows through the cooling flow passages substantially parallel to the body, thereby cooling the body. However, the Ichigaya device does not disclose an external rectangular pad that is placed underneath an existing mattress.
The devices disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks. These devices are limited for disclosing heating or cooling devices that are designed to be placed on top of an existing air mattress or built into a mattress or futon. The present invention overcomes these limitations by disclosing a device that provides scented, heated, or cooled air dispersed through a rectangular pad that is placed underneath the existing mattress. The rectangular pad forms an interior volume that includes a plurality of tubes disposed within. The tubes have a plurality of apertures along its length, which are configured receive air from a control unit having a control circuit and a blower assembly. The plurality of apertures are also configured to disperse air therethrough, wherein air permeates through an upper surface of the rectangular pad to provide heated, cooled, or scented air to a mattress. It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to heating and cooling mechanisms for mattresses. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of heating and cooling mechanisms for air mattresses now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved temperature control pad wherein the same is adapted to be placed underneath an existing mattress and provide fragrance filtered and heated or cooled air.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved temperature control pad that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved temperature control pad for heating, cooling and releasing fragrance to a mattress.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved temperature control pad that comprises a rectangular pad placed underneath a mattress substantially the size of a conventional mattress.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved temperature control pad that is connected to an air hose, wherein air is forced through a blower assembly electrically connected to a control circuit before being forced through to the rectangular pad.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved temperature control pad, wherein the rectangular pad includes a plurality of tubes having a plurality of apertures along the length of each tube configured to disperse air therethrough.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved temperature control pad wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a transparent overhead view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the control circuit and blower assembly of the control unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the control panel for operating and changing parameters of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the electrically connected remote control for operating and changing parameters of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the temperature control pad. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used underneath a mattress to provide fragranced and cooled or heated air around the bed. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a transparent view of the temperature control pad 20 for heating, cooling and releasing fragrance underneath a mattress. The temperature control pad 20 comprises a rectangular pad 21 having an upper surface 90, a coextensive lower surface, an upper end 51, a lower end 52, and opposing sides 53 forming an interior volume. The temperature control pad 20 is configured to be placed under a mattress and is similarly sized to different sizes of conventional mattresses. The interior volume comprises a plurality of tubes 22 disposed within in rows. The plurality of tubes 22 comprise a plurality of apertures 23 along the length of each tube 22 that are configured to disperse air therethrough. The plurality of tubes 22 are joined together at a first connecting end 24 on the upper end 51, wherein the plurality of tubes 22 and the first connecting end 24 are in air communication.
The first connecting end 24 may further comprise a flange having female threaded elements, wherein an air hose 43 having a first end 43A and a second end 43B is attached thereon on said first end 43A. The first end 43A may further comprise male threaded elements that align with female threaded elements of the flange configured to removably fasten said first end 43A to the flange of the first connecting end. The second end 43B of the air hose is attached to a second connecting end of a housing 60 having at least one side 61 forming a defined interior chamber. The defined interior chamber stores a control unit comprising a control circuit electrically connected to a blower assembly. The housing 60 also includes an air inlet port wherein air is first received therethrough to be directed through a blower assembly, and an air outlet port that is configured to force air to the air hose 43 and rectangular pad 21.
Preferably, the rectangular pad 21 includes at least four preferred embodiments that are substantially sized to match a conventional twin size, full size, queen, size, and king size mattress, respectively. The rectangular pad 21 is of relatively thin profile so as to not unduly increase the height a mattress sits above the floor surface. Preferably, the rectangular pad 21 is composed of polyvinyl chloride, however, other embodiments are alternatively composed of other durable and air impermeable material, such as textile reinforced urethane plastic. When air is dispersed through the plurality of apertures 23 along the length of each tube 22, the rectangular pad 21 may slightly inflate, however, due to the relatively thin profile, the height of the mattress off the floor surface is not significantly altered.
However, the upper surface 90 is composed of an air permeable material configured to allow air therethrough to cool, heat or scent a mattress thereover. Due to the differential pressure between the interior volume of the rectangular pad 21 and the ambient environment, air within the rectangular pad 21 is forced towards the upper surface 90 and permeate therethough.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic diagram of the control unit 60 comprising a control circuit 25 electrically connected to a blower assembly 70. Air from the ambient environment is first directed through an air inlet port 26 and then forced through the blower assembly 70. The blower assembly 70 comprises an air filter 27, which is configured to remove solid particulates from the air, such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria. Preferably, the air filter 27 is composed of fibers with a static electric charge which can attract dust particles, however, other embodiments are alternatively composed of air filters 27 of other suitable fibrous materials. After air is directed through the air filter 27, air is forced through a fan 28 that is electrically connected to the control circuit 25. The control circuit 25 is configured to activate the fan 28 and the speed of the fan can be controlled by a user.
The fan 28 forces air through a reversible heat pump 29 that comprises a means for heating or cooling air therethrough, wherein the control circuit 25 is also electrically connected to the reversible heat pump 29, thereby allowing the control circuit to activate and control the reversible heat pump 29. Preferably, reversible heat pump 29 is an air source reversible heat pump however, other appropriate and conventional reversible heat pumps are alternatively used.
In some embodiments, the blower assembly 70 further comprises a fragrance source stored in a fragrance container 62, a solenoid valve 31, and a scent venturi 33, wherein heated or cooled air is scented with the fragrance source. The control circuit 25 is electrically connected to the solenoid valve 31 that is configured to control allow the user to control the release and strength of a fragrance source through the scent venturi 33. The heated, cooled, or scented air is then directed through an air outlet port 34 and towards the second connecting end 41 to be dispersed through the air hose and the rectangular pad, wherein air is forced through the plurality of apertures along the length of each tube and dispersed therethrough. The air then permeates through the upper surface of the rectangular pad to provide heated, cooled, or fragranced air to the mattress thereover.
As previously stated, the control circuit 25 is electrically connected to the fan 28, the reversible heat pump 29, and the solenoid valve 31, thereby activating, deactivating and controlling the same elements. In addition, the control circuit 25 is electrically connected to a power source, preferably a conventional outlet, to activate and deactivate the temperature control pad 20. The control circuit 25 is further configured to be user-controlled by a remote control 35 and a control panel. The control circuit 25 further comprises a transceiver 65 that is configured to be in electric communication with a second transceiver 65 of a remote control 35.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown a pair of overhead views of the remote control 35 and the control panel 42. The control panel 42 is placed on an exterior of the housing 60, wherein the control panel 42 is in electrically communication with the control circuit. The control panel 42 comprises an array of depressible buttons for adjusting various settings: an on/off button 37 for activating and deactivating the control circuit; a temperature control button 38 for increasing and decreasing the temperature of air passing through the reversible heat pump; a fan speed button 39 for controlling a speed of the fan; and a scent control button 40 for controlling the solenoid valve, thereby controlling the release of the fragrance source through the scent venturi. Preferably, the control panel 42 comprises depressible buttons, however other suitable means of controlling the control circuit are composed in other embodiments.
The remote control 35 is also in electric communication with the control circuit, preferably in wireless communication with one another. The remote control 35 also comprises an array of buttons for adjusting various settings: an on/off button 37 for activating and deactivating the control circuit; a temperature control button 38 for increasing and decreasing the temperature of air passing through the reversible heat pump; a fan speed button 39 for controlling a speed of the fan; and a scent control button 40 for controlling the solenoid valve, thereby controlling the release of the fragrance source through the scent venturi. The depressible buttons are a preferably means for controlling the control circuit, however, other embodiments comprise other suitable means for controlling the control circuit.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A temperature control pad that is placed underneath a bed to allow a user to heat, cool, or scent their bed, comprising:

a rectangular pad that is designed to be placed underneath a bed having an upper surface, a coextensive lower surface, an upper end, a lower end, and opposing sides forming an interior volume;

said interior volume comprising a plurality of tubes disposed within in rows;

said upper end comprising a first connecting end configured to attach an air hose thereto;

wherein said plurality of tubes are joined together and connected to said first connecting end;

said air hose attached to a second connecting end on a housing having at least one side forming a defined interior chamber;

wherein said housing further comprises an air inlet port and an air outlet port;

said defined interior chamber stores a control unit comprising a control circuit in electric communication with a blower assembly;

wherein air is configured to be received through said air inlet port, forced through said blower assembly and then through said outlet port towards said air hose and said plurality of tubes disposed within said interior volume;

said blower assembly comprising an air filter, a fan, and a reversible heat pump;

wherein said control circuit is electrically connected to said fan and said reversible heat pump of said blower assembly;

said control circuit also electrically connected to a power source;

said side of said housing comprising a control panel configured to allow a user to control a fan speed, a temperature, a scent control, and a power activation.

2) The temperature control pad that is placed underneath a bed to allow a user to heat, cool, or scent their bed of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tubes comprising a plurality of apertures along the length of each tube configured to disperse air.

3) The temperature control pad that is placed underneath a bed to allow a user to heat, cool, or scent their bed of claim 2, wherein said plurality of apertures along each said tube is in air communication with said air inlet port, said air outlet port, and said flexible hose.

4) The temperature control pad that is placed underneath a bed to allow a user to heat, cool, or scent their bed of claim 3, wherein said upper surface is composed of an air permeable material configured to allow for air dispersed through said plurality of apertures to rise and heat, cool, or scent the bed of the user.

5) The temperature control pad that is placed underneath a bed to allow a user to heat, cool, or scent their bed of claim 1, wherein:

said blower assembly further comprises a fragrance container storing a fragrance source, a solenoid valve, and a scent venturi configured to scent air forced therethrough;

wherein said solenoid valve is designed to control a release of said fragrance source;

wherein said control circuit is electrically connected to said solenoid valve;

and wherein said fragrance source is dispersed through said scent venturi.

6) The temperature control pad that is placed underneath a bed to allow a user to heat, cool, or scent their bed of claim 5, wherein said control panel is in electric communication with said control circuit and comprises an array of depressible buttons configured to control various settings including:

an on/off button for activating and deactivating said control circuit;

a temperature control button for controlling said heat pump, thereby controlling a temperature of air blown through said plurality of apertures;

a fan speed button for controlling a speed of said fan;

a scent control button for controlling said solenoid valve, thereby controlling the release of said fragrance source.

7) The temperature control pad that is placed underneath a bed to allow a user to heat, cool, or scent their bed of claim 1, wherein said control circuit further comprises a transceiver configured to be in electric communication with a second transceiver on a remote control.

8) The temperature control pad that is placed underneath a bed to allow a user to heat, cool, or scent their bed of claim 7, wherein:

said remote control further comprising said array of depressible buttons configured to control various settings including:

said power switch, said temperature control switch, said fan speed switch, and said scent control switch.