US 4,890,344 · Granted 1990-01-02
The Pump That Made Air Beds Actually Comfortable
Imagine an air mattress that you can make firmer or softer just by pressing a button on a remote control instead of manually pumping it. This patent describes a smart pump system with valves that automatically add or remove air from an air bed based on what you want, making it adjust itself to your comfort level.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a system that combines an electric air pump with motorized valves controlled by hand switches. What's protected here is the specific method of using solenoids (electromagnets) with dual coils to hold valves open or closed, allowing air to flow into or out of the mattress chambers. The system also covers how the pump, valves, and hand control switches are electrically connected to work together as one integrated unit.
Why it matters
Before this patent, air beds required manual pumping or simple on-off switches. This invention introduced automatic pressure adjustment through electronic solenoid control, making air beds far more user-friendly. By incorporating this system into furniture like sofa beds, manufacturers could offer consumers genuinely adjustable firmness without the hassle of manual valves. The technology represents a shift from passive air furniture to actively managed comfort systems.
Real-world use
When you sit on a modern adjustable air mattress or air sofa and press buttons to make it firmer or softer, you are using the electronic valve control system described in this patent.
Original USPTO abstract
An air supply and control apparatus has an air pump to supply air under pressure to air mattresses of an air bed. A hand control having a pair of valves functions to control the operation of the air pump to supply air to the air mattresses and vent air from the air mattresses. A second embodiment of the air supply and control apparatus has a motor driven impeller for supplying air under pressure to air mattresses. Solenoids having two coils operate valves to allow air to flow to the air mattress or vent air from the air mattress to adjust the firmness of the mattress. A normally closed switch is opened when the solenoid opens the valve. The switch turns off one coil of the solenoid. The other coil remains energized to hold the valve open. Hand controls having switches are electrically coupled to the motor and solenoids to control the operation thereof. A third embodiment of the air control apparatus has air pump and valve assembly operable with a hand control to selectively direct air under pressure to an air mattress and vent air from the air mattress. The air mattress and air control apparatus is incorporated into a sofa bed.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 4,890,344
- Filing date
- 1989-01-31
- Grant date
- 1990-01-02
- Assignee
- Walker Robert A
- Inventor(s)
- WALKER; ROBERT A.
- CPC class
- A47C27/10
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