U.S. patent application number 11/404180 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for mattress elevating foundation apparatus.
Invention is credited to Bruce H. Goodman.
Application Number | 20060230539 11/404180 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37107018 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060230539 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goodman; Bruce H. |
October 19, 2006 |
Mattress elevating foundation apparatus
Abstract
A bed elevating box spring foundation method and apparatus for
use between a mattress and a bed frame. The bed elevating
foundation apparatus is made of an outer substantially rigid frame
and has opposite spaced apart first and second ends. The first end
has a first height and the second end has a second height with the
first height being greater than the second height. The bed
elevating box spring foundation apparatus also has a top surface
that extends substantially in a single angularly extending plane
with respect to the ground surface. The box spring is inserted or
otherwise disposed between the supported mattress and the
underlying bed frame whereby the mattress first end is elevated
above the mattress second end in a single angularly extending plane
with respect to the ground surface. In one form, the box spring
foundation includes a wedge-shaped foam member and in another
includes a set of springs of varying heights.
Inventors: |
Goodman; Bruce H.; (Shaker
Heights, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael E. Hudzinski, Esq.;Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & McKee, LLP
Seventh Floor
1100 Superior Avenue
Cleveland
OH
44114-2579
US
|
Family ID: |
37107018 |
Appl. No.: |
11/404180 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60671136 |
Apr 14, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/660 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 21/06 20130101;
A47C 23/043 20130101; A47C 19/045 20130101; A47C 27/14
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/660 |
International
Class: |
A47C 31/00 20060101
A47C031/00 |
Claims
1. A box spring selectively insertable between an associated
mattress and bed frame, the bed frame being supported on a
substantially horizontal support surface, the box spring having
opposite spaced apart first and second ends, opposite spaced apart
parallel sides, and top and bottom surfaces, the first end having a
first height extending between the top and bottom surfaces and the
second end having a second height extending between the top and
bottom surfaces with the first height being greater than the second
height, the top surface extending substantially in a single
angularly extending plane with respect to the support surface, the
mattress having opposite spaced apart mattress first and second
ends, the mattress being supported by the top surface of the box
spring at an angle with respect to the support surface whereby the
mattress first end is elevated above the mattress second end.
2. The box spring according to claim 1 wherein the box spring is
formed of a substantially rigid wooden outer frame.
3. The box spring according to claim 1 wherein the box spring is
formed of steel components including a set of steel springs having
a range of height and arranged in the box spring to provide said
single angularly extending plane.
4. The box spring according to claim 1 wherein said first height is
about 10 inches and wherein said second height is about 6
inches.
5. A bed system comprising: a mattress; a bed frame; and a box
spring having opposite spaced apart first and second ends, opposite
spaced apart parallel sides, and top and bottom surfaces, the first
end having a first height extending between the top and bottom
surfaces and the second end having a second height extending
between the top and bottom surfaces with the first height being
greater than the second height, the top surface extending
substantially in a single angularly extending plane with respect to
the support surface, the mattress having opposite spaced apart
mattress first and second ends, the mattress being supported by the
top surface of the box spring at an angle with respect to the
support surface whereby the mattress first end is elevated above
the mattress second end.
6. A method of elevating a mattress relative to an associated
support surface comprising: providing a mattress having opposite
spaced apart mattress first and second ends; providing a bed frame;
providing a box spring having opposite spaced apart first and
second ends, opposite spaced apart parallel sides, and top and
bottom surfaces, the first end having a first height extending
between the top and bottom surfaces and the second end having a
second height extending between the top and bottom surfaces with
the first height being greater than the second height, the top
surface extending substantially in a single angularly extending
plane with respect to the support surface, the mattress having
opposite spaced apart mattress first and second ends; and,
disposing said box spring between said mattress and said bed frame
such that said mattress is supported by the top surface of the box
spring at an angle with respect to the support surface whereby the
mattress first end is elevated above the mattress second end.
7. A wedge-shaped member selectively insertable between an
associated mattress and a substantially horizontal support surface,
the wedge-shaped member having opposite spaced apart first and
second ends, opposite spaced apart parallel sides, and top and
bottom surfaces, the first end having a first height extending
between the top and bottom surfaces and the second end having a
second height extending between the top and bottom surfaces with
the first height being greater than the second height, the top
surface extending substantially in a single angularly extending
plane with respect to the support surface, the mattress being
supported by the top surface of the box spring at an angle with
respect to the support surface whereby a first end of the mattress
is elevated above a opposite second end of the mattress.
8. The box spring according to claim 7 further including a
wedge-shaped foam member on a rectangular substantially rigid frame
member.
9. In combiination: a mattress; and, a wedge-shaped foundation
having opposite spaced apart first and second ends, opposite spaced
apart parallel sides, and top and bottom surfaces, the first end
having a first height extending between the top and bottom surfaces
and the second end having a second height extending between the top
and bottom surfaces with the first height being greater than the
second height, the top surface extending substantially in a single
angularly extending plane with respect to the bottom surface, the
mattress having opposite spaced apart mattress first and second
ends, the mattress being supported by the top surface of the
foundation at an angle with respect to the bottom surface of the
foundation whereby the mattress first end is elevated above the
mattress second end.
10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the first height
is greater than the second height from about 2 inches to about 8
inches.
11. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the first height
is greater than the second height by 4 inches.
12. The combination according to claim 9 further including a bed
frame supporting the foundation relative to an associated surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/671,136, filed Apr. 14, 2005, the teachings of
which are included herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present application relates in general to inclined sleep
surfaces and, more specifically, to bed elevating methods and
apparatus including a box spring that is insertable between a bed
mattress and a bed frame, whereby the mattress is elevated at a
substantially angularly extending plane that supports one end of
the mattress at a height higher than the opposite end of the
mattress relative to the bed frame.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,726 teaches an adjustable bed frame with
a mattress tilting assembly having upper and lower support frames.
The upper support frame is designed to carry a conventional box
spring and a conventional mattress and is pivoted to the lower
support frame so that the head portion of the mattress is raised
higher than the foot portion. Lock means are positioned between the
upper and lower frames for providing stability when the upper frame
is in a raised position. Means are also provided so that the frame
members may be adjusted to accommodate mattresses of different
widths.
[0004] One problem associated with providing the mattress tilting
function in the bed frame, however, is that the approach requires
the use of separate rails, slats, supporting legs or operating
levers. The bed frames are typically comprised of metal members
and, thus, are heavy, expensive, and difficult to install.
[0005] Another approach is taught in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. US 2004/0168257. As suggested there, a full-body
mattress with an integrated incline is provided for prevention of
conditions which may have a negative impact on health and for
improvement of the health and comfort of a user. The full-body
mattress has a first end with a first height, a second end opposite
the first end with a second height, a top surface disposed between
the first end and second end, and a bottom surface opposite the top
surface. The first height is less than the second height. At least
a portion of the top surface is inclined at an angle, the angle
being located in a plane defined by a length and height of the
full-body mattress. The bottom surface is not parallel with the
inclined portion of the top surface so that the user's head can be
elevated relative to the user's feet during use.
[0006] It is difficult, however, to provide a mattress of the type
described above primarily because of the properties inherent in the
nature of mattress construction. Essentially, mattresses typically
do not have rigid frames. Thus, the overall asymmetric construction
property of mattresses of the type above must be provided by soft
components within the mattress making them unstable, difficult to
manufacture, or impractical.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
bed elevating box spring apparatus is provided. The box spring
foundation is formed of a substantially rigid outer frame having an
overall truncated wedge shape. The foundation is selectively
insertable between the mattress and bed frame for providing a
single angularly extending plane for elevating one end of the
mattress higher than the opposite end of the mattress relative to
the bed frame and underlying ground surface.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the bed elevating box spring foundation apparatus is a truncated
wedge-shaped steel box spring. There, a series of increasingly
taller springs or modules are arranged within the steel box spring
to provide an upper single angularly extending plane for supporting
the mattress relative to the bed frame.
[0009] In accordance with yet a further aspect of the invention,
the bed elevating box spring foundation includes an otherwise
standard flat steel box spring attached with an upper foam
wedge-shaped member to provide an overall truncated wedge shape and
an angularly extending planar top surface for supporting a mattress
in a tilted orientation. There, standard flat steel box springs can
be used and simply modified with a wedge-shaped foam member for use
as a bed elevating box spring foundation apparatus having the
overall function and characteristics of the invention.
[0010] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the
bed elevating box spring foundation apparatus includes a wood
foundation using a wood buildup portion of the foundation wherein
angled pieces of wood are cut and arranged to define an inclined
surface for supporting the mattress in a single angularly extending
plane relative to the bed frame and ground surface.
[0011] In accordance with yet a further aspect of the invention, a
method is provided for elevating one end of a mattress higher than
the opposite end of the mattress relative to a bed frame and
underlying ground surface. The method includes selectively
disposing a substantially truncated wedge-shaped box spring
apparatus between an otherwise conventional mattress and bed frame
or other support surface. The method has the effect of raising one
end of the mattress relative to the opposite end in a single
angularly extending plane.
[0012] The embodiments of the present invention provide numerous
benefits particularly in connection with symptoms associated with
medical conditions including acid reflux, snoring, and poor
circulation. It is believed that sleeping in the position provided
by the embodiments of the present application help many symptoms of
these combinations by allowing users to lie from head to toe at a
slightly declining slope which, preferably, is barely noticeable.
The inclined sleep surface provided by embodiments of the invention
provide a desirable arrangement to people who suffer from
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who heretofore have
attempted to prop their heads with extra pillows to discourage the
backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. In accordance with the
present application, the inclined sleep surface puts the entire
body at an angle, helping discourage the backflow of acid. Further,
the elevated foundation has the potential of helping prevent
retraction of the tongue into the back of the throat thus blocking
airways, one of the most common causes of snoring. The inclined
sleep surface provided by the embodiments of the present
application can help lessen both the frequency and intensity of
snoring, resulting in a better night's sleep for the end user.
Further, the symptoms of cramping, fatigue, swelling, and tired
legs can be assisted by sleeping on an inclined surface of the
present application which helps increase blood flow to these areas
helping ease the discomfort associated with poor circulation.
[0013] These and other advantages and benefits of the embodiments
of the present application will become apparent to those skilled in
the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a typical embodiment
of a bed elevating apparatus inserted between a mattress and bed
frame;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bed elevating box spring
foundation apparatus of the present application;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an elevational side view of a further embodiment
of a bed elevating box spring apparatus inserted between a mattress
and a bed frame;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view showing the bed
elevating box spring foundation of FIG. 3 in a stage of partial
manufacture;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of the foundation of
FIG. 3 shown in a further stage of partial manufacture;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic view showing the bed
elevating box spring foundation of FIG. 3 shown in a final stage of
manufacture; and,
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic view of a bed elevating
box spring foundation apparatus in accordance with a further
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the bed elevating apparatus 1 providing
an inclined sleep surface is shown inserted between a mattress 2
and a bed frame 4 that are all supported at a ground surface 17.
The bed elevating apparatus 1, mattress 2, and bed frame 4 together
form a bed system 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. In its preferred form, the bed elevating apparatus is a
wedge shaped box spring or a wedge-shaped foundation.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bed elevating apparatus 1 has
spaced apart first and second ends 10 and 11, respectively, and top
and bottom surfaces 12 and 13, respectively. The top surface 12
extends at an angle 15 relative to the horizontally extending
support surface 17. Specifically, the top surface 12 extends at an
angle 15 in a substantially single angularly extending plane with
respect to the support surface 17 from the first end 10 to the
second end 11. The box spring foundation bed elevating apparatus 1,
when inserted into the bed system 5, raises the mattress first end
20 to a height above the support surface 17 that is higher than the
mattress second end 21. The box spring apparatus 1 thereby supports
the top surface 22 of the mattress 2 to lie at the same angle 15 in
a substantially single angular plane with respect to the underlying
support surface 17 from the mattress first end 20 to the mattress
second end 21.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the first end 10 of the box spring 1 has
a first height 25 and a second end 11 has a second height 16. In a
preferred form of the subject box spring, the first dimension 25
can take on any height but, preferably, is a height within a range
of about 2 inches to 8 inches taller than the second height 16 of
the second end 11. Additionally, the box spring apparatus 1 has
approximate dimensions of 60 inches wide by 80 inches long by about
5 inches high. In a preferred form, the first height 25 is about 10
inches and the second height 16 is about 6 inches. Any degree of
incline can be use, however, as desired. Preferably, however, the
first dimension 25 is about 4 inches higher than the second
dimension 16.
[0024] The subject box spring 1 provides a method and means for
elevating the mattress first end 20 in a substantially single
angular plane with respect to the bed frame 4 and support surface
17. The bottom surface 13 of the bed elevating apparatus is flat
and, therefore, it can be placed directly onto the floor or any
underlying support surface 17 and, from that position, support the
mattress 8 at the desired inclined pitch.
[0025] With reference now to FIGS. 3-6, a further embodiment of the
invention is shown wherein a bed elevating apparatus 1' is provided
in a bed system 5' in the form of a wedge-shaped member 30 attached
with a standard box spring base 3 having a substantially
rectangular cross section. Preferably, the wedge-shaped member 30
is provided in the form of a high density foam 31. The foam 31 is
attached to the top flat surface 40 of a standard box spring 3 to
define an overall single angular plane for supporting the mattress
2 relative to the frame 4 and support surface 17. In that way, the
wedge-shaped member is integrated with the standard box spring base
3. In one preferred form, the foam 31 defines a height at one end
of about 4 inches and about 1 inch on the opposite end so that the
finished overall foundation has a height on a first end of
approximately 10 inches and a height on a second end of
approximately 6 inches.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows the bed elevating apparatus 1' in a stage of
partial assembly. More particularly, as illustrated there, a
standard box spring base defines a top flat surface 40 adapted to
receive the wedge-shaped member 30 which, as noted above, is
preferably a high density foam 31 having the general shape and
proportions described above. As can be appreciated by those skilled
in the art, FIG. 4 shows a standard box spring base 30 prior to
being covered with an outer quilted box spring cover. In that way,
at the stage of manufacture illustrated in the figure, the
wedge-shaped foam member 30 can be easily positioned on and then
adhered to the top flat surface 40 to form an integrated bed
elevating apparatus 1' according to an aspect of the present
application.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows the wedge-shaped member 30 partially adhered to
the top flat surface 40 of the box spring base 3. Various glues or
the like including hot melt glues, epoxies, and the like can be
used to adhere the bottom surface of the wedge-shaped member 30
with the top flat surface 40 of the box spring 3. As shown, a spray
gun device 32 is used to spray a fluidized glue over the top
surface area of the base 3 and/or the underside of the wedge member
30. It is to be appreciated that, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the
box spring is preferably formed of a substantially rigid wooden
outer frame. However, as understood by those skilled in the art,
other suitable materials can be equivalently used in the box spring
construction as well.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, a quilted box spring cover 33 is
attached to the foam 31 and box spring member 3 by wrapping the
quilted cover over the top surface and stapling the cover down to
the bottom edges of the foundation. In that way, the wedge-shaped
member 30 is integrated with the box spring 3 to collectively form
a bed elevating apparatus 1' having the characteristics and
advantages of the embodiments described above.
[0029] It is to be appreciated that any degree of incline can be
realized using the embodiments of the present invention described
above. However, in most cases, the preferred amount of incline will
vary from 2 to 8 inches difference between the first or head end of
the mattress support surface and the foot or second end
thereof.
[0030] In addition, it is to be appreciated that the methods and
apparatus described herein for elevating one end of a mattress
higher than the other end are applicable to all bed systems,
including those without a bed frame as such. More particularly, the
invention finds application in any bed system comprising a mattress
supported relative to a ground surface such as a floor or the like.
The bed elevating apparatus 1, 1' is selectively received between a
mattress 2 and any underlying support surface such as a floor, a
solid block frame such as a platform bed base, a frame comprised of
rails, headboard/footboard/rail systems, a wheeled structure, or
any other object which might be used for supporting the bed
system.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of a bed
elevating apparatus 1'' in accordance with the present application.
The bed elevating apparatus 1'' is configured for use in the bed
systems 5, 5' described above for insertion between a mattress and
a bed frame that are all supported at a ground surface. The bed
elevating apparatus 1'', the mattress and bed frame together form a
bed system. In its preferred form, the alternative embodiment bed
elevating apparatus 1'' is a wedge-shaped box spring 40 having
spaced apart first and second ends 50 and 51, respectively, and top
and bottom surfaces 52 and 53, respectively. The top surface 52
extends at an angle 55 relative to the horizontally extending
support surface below. Specifically, the top surface 52 extends at
an angle 15 in a substantially single angularly extending plane
with respect to the support surface from the first end 50 to the
second end 51. The box spring foundation bed elevating apparatus
1'', when inserted into the bed systems described above, raises the
first end of the mattress to a height above the support surface
that is higher than the mattress second end above the support
surface. In FIG. 7, the box spring apparatus 1'' includes a
plurality of spaced apart spring members 60 having varied heights
selected so that spring members 60 adjacent the first end 50 of the
box spring 1'' are taller than springs 60 adjacent the second end
51 of the support member 1''. Preferably, the springs 60 include a
set of steel springs having a range of height and arranged in the
box spring to provide the single angularly extending plane.
[0032] The exemplary apparatus have been described with reference
to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and
alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the
preceding detailed description. As an example, the apparatus shown
comprise mechanical members and resilient foam members but other
techniques and approaches are useful as well to provide an inclined
sleep surface including the use of various fluids contained within
shape-defining surrounding structures such as wedge-shaped air
mattresses and wedge-shaped waterbed constructions, and the like.
Combinations of mechanical and fluid systems are contemplated as
well. It is intended that the exemplary embodiments may be
construed including all such modifications and alterations insofar
as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *