U.S. patent application number 11/460018 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for modular bedding system and method of assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to L&P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY. Invention is credited to Niels S. Mossbeck.
Application Number | 20070283501 11/460018 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38820387 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070283501 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mossbeck; Niels S. |
December 13, 2007 |
Modular Bedding System and Method of Assembly
Abstract
A three-piece combination bedding system made from a plurality
of differing foundations, a plurality of differing support base
elements and a plurality of differing comfort layers. By selecting
one of each of the three different pluralities, many different
combinations of bedding systems may be created having many
different firmness or comfort levels to suit individual consumer
preferences and price points.
Inventors: |
Mossbeck; Niels S.;
(Carthage, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP
2700 CAREW TOWER, 441 VINE STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Assignee: |
L&P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
COMPANY
South Gate
CA
|
Family ID: |
38820387 |
Appl. No.: |
11/460018 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60804484 |
Jun 12, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/727 ; 5/690;
5/716 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/727 ; 5/690;
5/716 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/00 20060101
A47C027/00 |
Claims
1. A modular bedding system comprising: a plurality of foundations,
at least some of said foundations having a rigid border portion; a
plurality of support base elements, at least some of said support
base elements including a resilient flexible core surrounded on its
sides by an upholstered fabric covering material; a plurality of
comfort elements; and said bedding system being operative to create
a modular bed by selection of one of said plurality of foundations,
selection of one of said plurality of support base elements and
placement of that selected one support base element atop said
selected one foundation, and selection of one of said plurality of
comfort elements and placement of that one selected comfort element
atop said one selected support base element.
2. The bedding system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of support
base elements are roll packed, said selected one support base
element being adapted to be unrolled before placement atop said
selected one foundation.
3. The bedding system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of comfort
elements are roll packed, said selected comfort element being
adapted to be unrolled before placement atop said one selected
support base element.
4. The bedding system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of differing
support base elements includes at least one having a resilient
flexible core containing rows and columns of metal springs.
5. The bedding system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the
support base elements are of differing heights.
6. The bedding system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the
foundations are of differing heights.
7. The bedding system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the
comfort elements are of differing heights.
8. The bedding system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the
foundations are collapsible.
9. The bedding system of claim 1 wherein the support base elements
and comfort elements are adapted to be secured together.
10. A modular bedding system comprising: a plurality of
foundations; a plurality of differing resilient characteristic
support base elements, each of said support base elements including
a resilient flexible core surrounded on its sides by an upholstered
fabric covering material, said differing resilient characteristic
being the result of differing materials contained within the
interior of the flexible core of at least selected ones of said
plurality of support base elements; a plurality of differing
resilient characteristic comfort elements, each of said comfort
elements including an upholstered fabric covering on the top and
side border surfaces, said differing resilient characteristic of
said comfort elements being the result of differing materials
contained within the interior of at least selected ones of said
plurality of comfort elements; and said system being operative to
create a modular bed by selection of one of said plurality of
foundations, selection of one of said plurality of support base
elements and placement of said selected one support base element
atop said selected one foundation, and selection of one of said
plurality of comfort elements and placement of that one selected
comfort element atop said one selected support base element.
11. The bedding system of claim 10 wherein said plurality of
support base elements are roll packed, said selected one support
base element being adapted to be unrolled before placement atop
said selected one foundation.
12. The bedding system of claim 10 wherein said plurality of
comfort elements are roll packed, said selected comfort element
being adapted to be unrolled before placement atop said one
selected support base element.
13. The bedding system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of
differing support base elements includes at least one having a
spring core containing metal springs.
14. The bedding system of claim 10 wherein at least some of the
support base elements are of differing heights.
15. The bedding system of claim 10 wherein at least some of the
foundations are of differing heights.
16. The bedding system of claim 10 wherein at least some of the
comfort elements are of differing heights.
17. The bedding system of claim 10 wherein at least some of the
foundations are collapsible.
18. The bedding system of claim 10 wherein the support base
elements and comfort elements are adapted to be secured
together.
19. A modular bedding system comprising: a plurality of
foundations; a plurality of support base elements having differing
resilient characteristics; a plurality of comfort elements having
differing resilient characteristics; and said bedding system being
operative to create a modular bed by selection of one of said
plurality of foundations, selection of one of said plurality of
support base elements and placement of said selected one support
base element atop said selected one foundation, and selection of
one of said plurality of comfort elements and placement of that one
selected comfort element atop said one selected support base
element.
20. The bedding system of claim 19 wherein at least some of said
comfort elements including an upholstered fabric covering on the
top and side border surfaces, said differing resilient
characteristics of said comfort elements being the result of
differing materials contained within the interior of at least
selected ones of said plurality of comfort elements.
21. The bedding system of claim 19 wherein at least some of said
support base elements including a resilient flexible core
surrounded on its sides by an upholstered fabric covering material,
said differing resilient characteristics being the result of
differing materials contained within the interior of the flexible
core of at least selected ones of said plurality of support base
elements.
22. The bedding system of claim 19 wherein said plurality of
support base elements are roll packed, said selected one support
base element being adapted to be unrolled before placement atop
said selected one foundation.
23. The bedding system of claim 19 wherein said plurality of
comfort elements are roll packed, said selected comfort element
being adapted to be unrolled before placement atop said one
selected support base element.
24. The bedding system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of
differing support base elements includes at least one having a
spring core containing metal springs.
25. The bedding system of claim 19 wherein at least some of the
foundations are collapsible.
26. The bedding system of claim 19 wherein the support base
elements and comfort elements are adapted to be secured
together.
27. A method of assembling and creating a bed from a plurality of
foundations, a plurality of differing resilient characteristic
support base elements and a plurality of differing resilient
characteristic comfort elements, at least some of said foundations
having a rigid border portion, at least some of said support base
elements including a resilient flexible core surrounded on its
sides by an upholstered fabric covering material, and at least some
of said comfort elements including an upholstered fabric covering
on its top and side border surfaces; said method comprising:
selection of one of said plurality of foundations; selection of one
of said plurality of support base elements and placement of that
selected one support base element atop said selected one
foundation; and selection of one of said plurality of comfort
elements and placement of that one selected comfort element atop
said one selected support base element.
28. A method of assembling and creating a bed from a plurality of
foundations, a plurality of support base elements, and a plurality
of roll packed comfort elements, at least some of said foundations
having a rigid border portion, at least some of said support base
elements including a resilient flexible core surrounded on its
sides by an upholstered fabric covering material, and at least some
of said comfort elements including an upholstered fabric covering
on its top and side border surfaces; said method comprising:
selection of one of said plurality of foundations; selection of one
of said plurality of support base elements and placement of that
selected one support base element atop said selected one
foundation; and selection of one of said plurality of comfort
elements, unrolling of that one selected comfort element, and
securement of said one selected comfort element atop said one
selected support base element.
29. A method of assembling and creating a bed from a plurality of
differing foundations, a plurality of differing roll packed support
base elements and a plurality of differing roll packed comfort
elements, at least some of said foundations having a rigid border
portion, at least some of said support base elements including a
resilient flexible core surrounded by an upholstered fabric
covering material, and at least some of said comfort elements
including an upholstered fabric covering on its top and side border
surfaces; said method comprising: selection of one of said
plurality of foundations; selection of one of said plurality of
support base elements, unrolling of that one selected support base
element, placement of that selected one support base element atop
said selected one foundation; selection of one of said plurality of
comfort elements, unrolling of that one selected comfort element
and placement of that one selected comfort element atop said one
selected support base element.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/804,484 filed Jun. 12, 2006 entitled
"Modular Bedding System and Method of Assembly", which is fully
incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a modular bedding system
comprising a bedding foundation, a support base and a comfort
element selected from a plurality of different foundations, support
bases and comfort elements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Presently, there are many different bedding systems created
and utilized throughout the world. One of the most popular of those
systems, and the one most commonly seen in the United States,
comprises a bedding foundation or box spring, atop which there is
placed a mattress with the foundation and mattress usually being
sold as a pair with common or matching upholstered coverings.
[0004] In Europe, and in many parts of Asia, one popular bedding
system comprises a wooden foundation having a spring core covered
by an insulator pad, plus urethane foam, with a cover to which is
physically attached an innerspring unit containing conventional
spring cores. This foundation, with its attached spring unit, is
then covered with a unitary cover. In use, such a system is usually
complemented with a separate foam or quilted pad to complete the
bedding system.
[0005] Another type of bedding system popular in Europe comprises a
wooden frame with flexible wooden slats spanning the frame and atop
which is placed a conventional two-sided mattress having a urethane
foam core or a latex core or a core of conventional innersprings.
Alternatively, the two-sided mattresses may be placed upon a
conventional adjustable bed base which is either motorized for
purposes of adjusting the headrest relative to the body supporting
portion of the base or has a ratchet mechanism for accomplishing
that adjustment. These two-sided mattresses generally have urethane
foam or latex or fiber filling materials on the top and bottom
sides of the mattress and within the covering material to enhance
the comfort factor of the mattress.
[0006] The manufacture and transport of these different styles of
bedding systems throughout the worldwide market for these products
creates logistical problems relative to the manufacture and
transport of the bedding system to the various marketplaces in
which the systems are sold. Furthermore, the logistical problems
are multiplied by the need to provide consumers with mattresses of
differing physical characteristics, such as differing firmness,
softness, comfort, etc. to meet individual consumers'
requirements.
[0007] It has therefore been an objective of this invention to
provide a bedding system which minimizes these logistical problems
while still providing a variety of comfort and price point bedding
systems.
[0008] Still another objective of this invention has been to
standardize the components from which the bedding system is
manufactured, but provide a variety of physical differences, such
as firmness, quality, comfort and price points within those
individual components such that a consumer may select from among
those individual components and obtain a bed having a desired
comfort level or comfort feel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with this invention, a modular bed is made
from a three-piece combination of a foundation, a support base or
so-called support base element, and a comfort layer or so-called
comfort element. Any combination or portion of the three elements
of the modular bed may be secured together in any desired
fashion.
[0010] The modular bed is made from a modular bedding system
comprising a plurality of bedding foundations, a plurality of
support base elements and a plurality of comfort elements or
layers. At least some of the foundations have a rectangular base or
frame, preferably a wooden frame, which may have a foam or spring
interior or may utilize conventional wooden or plastic slats
spanning the frame. At least some of the foundations may have a
resilient flexible core surrounded on its sides by an upholstered
fabric covering material. Another type of foundation which may be
included as one of the foundations of the modular bedding system is
a collapsible or foldable box spring or foundation such as those
disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/842,820
and 11/423,584, both of which are fully incorporated herein.
[0011] The support base element, which in many respects acts as a
mattress (but does not have the traditional foam, fiber and quilt
covering materials), rests atop the foundation. At least some of
the support base elements have a resilient flexible spring core
comprising aligned rows and columns of springs. Regardless of the
material of the core, the core may be covered with an upholstered
fabric covering material on the sides and over a portion of the top
and bottom of the support base element. This fabric upholstered
covering material is preferably attached to a non-skid decking
material. Some of the support base elements may include a pocketed
spring core in which each spring is individually pocketed, as is
known in the art. The support base elements used in the modular
bedding system of the present invention may be different heights
and/or comprise different interiors, thereby imparting different
resilient characteristics to the support base elements. At least
some of the support base elements are made of differing heights
although comprising the same interior to vary the firmness of the
support base element or layer. The support base elements have
different degrees of firmness depending upon the composition or
make-up of the support base elements. At least some of the support
base elements may be roll packed at the manufacturing facility and
shipped as consumer-ready products.
[0012] The comfort layer or element may be made of different
materials and/or may be different heights. Such a comfort element
may be in the form of a thin quilted pad 20 or 30 millimeters in
thickness up to a thick luxury pad of approximately 75 millimeters
in thickness containing memory urethane foam, latex, or even short
pocketed coil springs, as well as fiber pads or combinations of
these elements. At least some of the comfort elements are made of
differing heights although comprising the same interior to vary the
firmness of the comfort element or layer. This comfort element may
also be roll packed at the manufacturing facility and shipped as a
consumer-ready product.
[0013] The comfort layer or element may be removably secured to one
of the support bases using any number of known devices including
zippers. The modular bedding system is operative to create a
modular bed.
[0014] One advantage of this three-piece combination modular
bedding system is that it may be customized to easily fit
individual wants and needs in terms of comfort, firmness, softness,
etc. Furthermore, the consumer is able to exchange the comfort
element or comfort layer without having to replace the support base
and foundation and similarly is able to replace the support base
without having to replace the foundation. Generally, the foundation
will last longer than the support base, and the support base will
last longer than the comfort layer or comfort element.
[0015] From the retailers' perspective, bedding systems
manufactured from this type of three-piece combination creates a
wide variety of price points and bedding types with a minimum of
inventory. Furthermore, when the support bases and comfort elements
are roll packed, as they may be when made in accordance with this
invention, a large inventory of varying products may be maintained
in inventory while requiring for relative little floor space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These and other objects and advantages of this invention
will be more readily apparent from the following description of the
drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular bed made in
accordance with this invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of some of the components from
which the modular bed of FIG. 1 may be selected and
constructed;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the foundation
portion of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the support base
element portion of FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the comfort
element portion of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of the
combination of components from which the modular bed of FIG. 1 may
be assembled illustrating the manner in which those components may
be displayed and merchandised;
[0023] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a modular bed
using additional components of the bedding system of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the underside of the comfort
element of FIG. 7;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a collapsible bedding
foundation which may be used in the bedding system of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the modular bed of FIG. 7
showing the comfort element partially secured to the support base
element; and
[0027] FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the encircled area 10A of
FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] With reference first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a
modular bed 10 manufactured from a three-piece combination of a
bedding foundation 12, a support base element 14, and a comfort
element 16. Each component of this three-piece combination is a
modular component selected from a plurality 18 of foundations 12
(see FIG. 2), a plurality 20 of support base elements 14, and a
plurality 22 of comfort elements 16. In FIG. 2, only three of the
plurality of foundations 12 are illustrated and similarly, only
three of the plurality of support base elements 14 are illustrated.
In FIG. 2, four comfort elements 16 are illustrated in the
plurality 22 of comfort elements 16, but this number is arbitrary
and could, as well, be much greater in number. In practice, by way
of example, in order to make modular bed 10, one foundation 12 is
selected, one support base element 14 is selected, and one comfort
element 16 is selected. The selected support base element 14 is
then placed atop the selected foundation 12 followed by a comfort
element 16 placed atop the support base element 14 to create a
complete modular bed 10 manufactured from modular components, 12,
14 and 16.
[0029] With reference now to FIG. 3, there are illustrated three
different foundations, 12, 12a and 12b, which may be utilized in
the practice of this invention. All of these foundations are, per
se, well known in the bedding industry and consequently, have not
been illustrated and described in detail herein. The first of these
foundations comprises a conventional wooden frame 24 interiorly of
which there is a core 26 comprising a plurality of conventional
coil springs 28, insulator pad 30 covering the top and bottom
surfaces of these coil springs and a non-skid fabric covering 32
covering the top insulator pad 30. Any type of springs of any
desired density or height may be used inside the core 26. An
upholstered fabric covering 34 covers the sides of the wooden frame
24 and extends over a portion of the top and beneath a portion of
the bottom of the wooden frame 24. This upholstered covering 34
extends inwardly from the outer edge of the wooden frame 24 for a
short distance as, for example, 75 millimeters, and is attached, as
by sewing, to the periphery of the non-skid fabric deck 32.
[0030] The second of the plurality of foundations 18 illustrated in
FIG. 3 is a conventional slatted base foundation 12a having a
rectangular wooden frame 36 between the opposite sides of which
extend a plurality of wooden slats 38. The top surfaces of these
slats 38 are located in the top plane of the frame 36 and define
the top surface of the slatted base 12a. This too is a conventional
form of base or foundation for supporting a mattress and, per se,
is well known to the bedding trade.
[0031] The third foundation 12b illustrated in FIG. 3 is a
conventional adjustable base for supporting a mattress. This base
or foundation also comprises a frame (not shown), the sides of
which are encased within an upholstered covering 40. This
upholstered covering 40 extends inwardly from the sides of the
frame (not shown) for a short distance and is sewn or otherwise
attached to a non-skid fabric decking material 44. The decking
material 44 is preferably a non-woven fabric material having a
non-skid material applied thereto.
[0032] While only certain different styles of bed bases or bedding
foundations have been illustrated and described herein, persons
skilled in this art will appreciate that any number of differing
adjustable, non-adjustable bed bases may be used in the practice of
this invention.
[0033] With reference now to FIG. 4, there are illustrated three
different styles of support base elements, 14, 14a and 14b, which
may be used in the practice of this invention. These support base
elements may be likened to conventional mattresses except that they
generally include no soft comfort filling materials, such as
urethane foam or non-woven fabric padding, on the top of the
innerspring cores.
[0034] Each of the support base elements 14, 14a, 14b includes an
innerspring core assembly 50, 50a and 50b, respectively. In the
illustrated embodiment, the innerspring core assembly 50 of the
support base 14 comprises a plurality of interlaced knotted, or
so-called, Bonnell coil springs. This spring core per se is well
known in the bedding industry. The innerspring core assembly 50a of
the support base 14a comprises a plurality of interlaced or
interconnected unknotted coils or so-called LFK coil springs. This
spring assembly per se is also well known in the trade. And the
innerspring core assembly 50b of the support base 14b is comprised
of a plurality of pocketed coil springs contained within fabric
covering materials, as is conventional in the bedding industry. The
top and bottom surfaces of the innerspring core assemblies 50 and
50a are covered by a conventional flexible sheet of insulator
material 52, 52a, respectively. The innerspring core assembly 50b
of the support base 14b requires no insulator sheet of flexible
covering material since the springs are all contained within the
fabric encasement material which completely covers all of the
surfaces of the coil springs encased within the fabric pockets.
[0035] The top and bottom surfaces of the support base elements 14,
14a and 14b may be covered by a sheet of flexible decking material
54, 54a, 54b, respectively. This decking material is most commonly
a sheet of non-woven fabric material having a coating applied
thereto so as to prevent the support base element from sliding
relative to the foundation and the comfort layer 16, 16a, 16b, 16c
from sliding relative to the support base element.
[0036] The sides of each support base element 56, 56a and 56b are
covered by an upholstered fabric material which wraps around the
side surfaces of the support base element and extends inwardly a
short distance on the top and bottom surfaces as, for example, 75
millimeters, to a point at which the upholstered covering is sewn
or otherwise fixedly secured to the fabric decking 50, 54a, 54b,
respectively.
[0037] As mentioned hereinabove, these support base elements differ
from conventional mattresses in that they contain little or no
filling material, such as urethane foam, latex or fiber filling
materials between the insulator pads 52, 52a and 52b and the
decking material 54.
[0038] With reference now to FIG. 5, there are illustrated four
different styles or modifications of comfort elements or comfort
layers. These comfort elements 16, 16a, 16b and 16c are all quilted
elements encased on the top and sides and preferably, the bottom
within an upholstered fabric covering 60, 60a, 60b, 60c,
respectively. Alternatively, the bottom surface of the comfort
element may be covered by an unupholstered covering material as,
for example, a non-woven decking material, but it is preferred that
the bottom surface be of the same upholstered fabric as the top and
side surfaces such that the comfort element may be periodically
flipped over from one side to the other when it is assembled on a
bedding system.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the comfort element 16
contains a so-called memory foam 62. The comfort element 16a
contains a core of short pocketed coil springs 63 covered on the
top and bottom surfaces by a thin ply 64 of urethane foam or fiber
or a combination of the two and encased within the upholstered
fabric covering 60a. The third of the four comfort elements 16b
illustrated in FIG. 5 contains a latex foam core 66 contained
within the upholstered fabric covering 60b. And the fourth comfort
element 16c contains a standard polyurethane foam core 68 contained
within the upholstered fabric covering 60c. These core materials
are simply representative, though, of comfort filling materials
which may be used in the comfort element or comfort layer.
Additionally, each of these core materials may be complemented or
supplemented by a fiber pad to add additional resilient padding
material to the comfort element.
[0040] With reference now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a
merchandising floor display which may be used in the marketing of
the modular bedding system 10. This display comprises a plurality
of foundations 12, 12a, 12b, all of which may be the same or all of
which may differ. Additionally, the display includes a plurality of
roll packed support bases 14, 14a, 14b displayed in a container 70
atop a conventional fork lift-style of wooden pallet 74. Similarly,
the comfort elements 16, 16a, 16b, 16c are roll packed and
displayed in a retail facility in a container 72 atop a
conventional fork lift-style of wooden pallet 74.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a modular bed
10' manufactured from a three-piece combination of a bedding
foundation 12', a support base element 14', and a comfort element
16'. As illustrated in FIG. 9, bedding foundation 12' may be moved
or collapsed from an erected condition shown in FIG. 10 into a
collapsed position shown in FIG. 9. Such a foldable box spring or
foundation is disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser.
Nos. 10/842,820 and 11/423,584, which are fully incorporated by
reference herein. As shown in FIG. 6, bedding foundation 12' may be
displayed and sold with any of the other bedding foundations
described above.
[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a support base element 14' which is
similar to but slightly different than the other support base
elements described above. Support base element 14' has a pair of
longitudinally extending, spaced linear half zippers 74 on the
upper surface 76 thereof between the upholstered covering 78 and
the fabric non-skid decking material 80. Although such half zippers
74 are illustrated as being in one location they may be at any
desired location and be any desired length or configuration. For
example, more than two half zippers 74 may be incorporated into the
support base element 14'. Any of the support base elements 14, 14a
or 14b may have such half zippers incorporated therein to aid in
securing and retaining one of the comfort elements to one of
support base elements.
[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates a comfort element 16' which is similar to
but slightly different than the other comfort elements described
above. Comfort element 16' has a pair of longitudinally extending,
spaced linear half zippers 82 on the lower surface 84 thereof.
Although such half zippers 82 are illustrated as being in one
location they may be at any desired location and be any desired
length or configuration. For example, more than two half zippers 82
may be incorporated into the comfort element 16'. Any of the
comfort elements 16, 16a, 16b or 16c may have such half zippers
incorporated therein to aid in securing and retaining one of the
comfort elements to one of support base elements.
[0044] FIGS. 10 and 10A illustrate the method of securing and
retaining comfort element 16' to support base 14'. The zipper
halves 74 and 82 are placed next to one another and a person pulls
the zipper handle 86 in the direction of arrow 88 to secure the
zipper halves 74 and 82 together, just like in any other
conventional zipper. If desired, any other method or device may be
used for securing a selected comfort element to a selected support
base element.
[0045] In order to assemble or create the three-piece combination
bedding system 10 of this invention, one bedding foundation 12,
12a, 12b, which may be a fixed or adjustable foundation, is
selected along with one support base 14, 14a, 14b and one comfort
element 16, 16a, 16b, 16c. The one selected support base 14 is
unrolled from its roll pack and placed atop the selected bedding
foundation 12. Similarly, the selected comfort element 16 is
unrolled and placed atop the previously unrolled support base 14.
Presumably, there would be support bases and comfort elements of
differing firmness and price points available in the displays 70,
72 for selection and incorporation into a bedding system having the
desired firmness, softness and feel characteristics desired by a
particular consumer.
[0046] In the event that after use, the consumer desires to replace
either the comfort element 16 or the support base 14, either
because of wear or because of a change in the desired firmness or
softness characteristics, that consumer may simply remove the used
comfort element or used support base and replace either or both
without having to replace the foundation.
[0047] One of the primary advantages of this invention resides in
the fact that it facilitates minimalization of floor space required
in a retail establishment while still providing a very large
inventory of possible bedding systems available for sale by that
retail establishment.
[0048] While I have described only a limited number of embodiments
of this invention, persons skilled in this art will appreciate the
changes and modifications which may be made without departing from
the spirit of this invention. Therefore, I do not intend to be
limited except by the scope of the following appended claims.
* * * * *