U.S. patent application number 11/609162 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for bed with an apparatus for securing an adjustable base support to a mattress.
This patent application is currently assigned to BOYD FLOTATION, INC.. Invention is credited to Joe Piana.
Application Number | 20080134431 11/609162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39496245 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080134431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Piana; Joe |
June 12, 2008 |
Bed with an Apparatus for Securing an Adjustable Base Support to a
Mattress
Abstract
A bed is disclosed having an adjustable base support with an
adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered
positions, a mattress positioned on top of the adjustable based
support, and a mattress retainer disposed under the mattress
between the adjustable base support and the mattress. The mattress
retainer holds the mattress in a constrained position in
relationship to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base
support panel is adjusted between raised and lowered positions.
Inventors: |
Piana; Joe; (Corona,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMPSON COBURN, LLP
ONE US BANK PLAZA, SUITE 3500
ST LOUIS
MO
63101
US
|
Assignee: |
BOYD FLOTATION, INC.
Maryland Heights
MO
|
Family ID: |
39496245 |
Appl. No.: |
11/609162 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/411 ;
5/691 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 21/026
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/411 ;
5/691 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/00 20060101
A47C027/00; A47C 17/00 20060101 A47C017/00 |
Claims
1. A bed comprising: an adjustable base support with an adjustable
panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions,
a mattress positioned on top of the adjustable base support, and a
mattress retainer disposed under the mattress between the
adjustable base support and the mattress, the mattress retainer
holding the mattress in a constrained position in relationship to
the adjustable base support as the adjustable base support panel is
adjusted between raised and lowered positions.
2. The bed of claim 1 wherein the mattress retainer comprises a
loop and a generally "j"-shaped bracket, the bracket having an
elongated portion with proximal and distal ends and an engagement
portion with proximal and distal ends, the engagement portion
proximal end being spaced from the elongated portion proximal end
by an end wall, the end wall defining a space between the elongated
portion and the engagement portion that is dimensioned to enable
the engagement portion to engage the loop.
3. The bed of claim 2 wherein the loop is formed on an underside of
the mattress, and the bracket is secured to a top surface of the
adjustable base support.
4. The bed of claim 3 wherein the bracket is secured to the
adjustable base support with the elongated portion proximal end
generally oriented away from an edge of the adjustable base support
and the elongated portion distal end generally oriented toward the
edge of the adjustable base support.
5. The bed of claim 3 wherein the bracket is secured to the
adjustable base support inboard of an edge of the adjustable base
support a distance sufficient to not substantially detract from a
comfort level of a user positioned adjacent the edge of the
adjustable base support.
6. The bed of claim 3 wherein the loop is sewn to the underside of
the mattress.
7. The bed of claim 2 further comprising a second loop and second
bracket positioned across a width of the bed on an opposite
longitudinal edge of the bed, the second bracket being generally
"j"-shaped, the second bracket having an elongated portion with
proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal
and distal ends, the engagement portion proximal end being spaced
from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall, the end
wall defining a space between the elongated portion and the
engagement portion that is dimensioned to enable the engagement
portion to engage the second loop.
8. The bed of claim 2 wherein the bracket is of monolithic
construction.
9. The bed of claim 2 wherein the bracket is made of a resilient
material such that the space between the elongated portion and the
engagement portion is compressible under load.
10. The bed of claim 1 wherein solely the mattress retainer holds
the mattress in the constrained position in relation to the
adjustable base support.
11. A bed comprising an adjustable base support with an adjustable
panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions,
a mattress positioned on top of the adjustable base support, and a
mattress retainer holding the mattress in a constrained position
relative to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base
support panel is adjusted between raised and lowered positions, the
mattress retainer comprising a bracket and a loop engaging the
bracket, the bracket being formed on one of either the mattress or
the adjustable base support and the loop being formed on the other
of either the mattress or adjustable base support.
12. The bed of claim 11 wherein the loop is formed on an underside
of the mattress and the bracket is secured to a top surface of the
adjustable base support.
13. The bed of claim 11 wherein the bracket is generally "j"-shaped
with an elongated portion having proximal and distal ends and an
engagement portion having proximal and distal ends, the engagement
portion proximal end being spaced from the elongated portion
proximal end by an end wall, the end wall defining a space between
the elongated portion and the engagement portion that is
dimensioned to enable the engagement portion to hook the loop.
14. The bed of claim 13 wherein the bracket is secured to the
adjustable base support with the elongated portion proximal end
generally oriented away from an edge of the adjustable base support
and the elongated portion distal end generally oriented toward the
edge of the adjustable base support.
15. The bed of claim 13 further comprising a second loop and a
second bracket positioned across a width of the bed on an opposite
longitudinal edge of the bed, the second bracket being generally
"j"-shaped, the second bracket having an elongated portion with
proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal
and distal ends, the engagement portion proximal end being spaced
from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall, the end
wall defining a space between the elongated portion and the
engagement portion that is dimensioned to enable the engagement
portion to engage the second loop.
16. The bed of claim 11 wherein the bracket is of monolithic
construction.
17. The bed of claim 11 wherein the bracket is made of a resilient
material such that the space between the elongated portion and the
engagement portion is compressible under a load.
18. The bed of claim 11 wherein solely the mattress retainer holds
the mattress in the constrained position in relation to the base
support.
19. An adjustable base support having an adjustable panel adapted
for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, the adjustable
base support having a top side and a bracket secured to the top
side inboard of an edge of the base support, the bracket having a
general "j"-shape including an elongated portion with proximal and
distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal and distal
ends, the engagement portion proximal end being spaced from the
elongated portion proximal end by an end wall, the end wall
defining a space between the elongated portion and the engagement
portion, the space being dimensioned to enable the engagement
portion to engage a loop formed on an underside of a mattress when
a mattress is attached to the adjustable base support in assembling
the bed, thereby holding the mattress in a fixed position relative
to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base support panel
is adjusted between raised an lowered positions.
20. The adjustable base support of claim 19 further comprising a
second generally "j"-shaped bracket secured to the top side of the
adjustable base support across a width of the bed on an opposite
longitudinal edge of the bed, the bracket including an elongated
portion with proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion
with proximal and distal ends, the engagement portion proximal end
being spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end
wall, the end wall defining a space between the elongated portion
and the engagement portion, the space being dimensioned to enable
the engagement portion to engage a second loop formed on the
underside of the mattress.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention pertains to a bed with an apparatus
for securing an adjustable base support to a mattress.
[0003] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0004] Adjustable beds are known in the art and provide improved
comfort for the user by permitting the user to selectively adjust
the sleeping surface to different positions. Generally, these
adjustable beds comprise an adjustable base support mounted on a
bed frame with a mattress supported on the adjustable base support.
The adjustable base support generally includes one or more
adjustable panels. A typical construction for the adjustable base
support may include between three and five adjustable panels. The
adjustable panels are adjustable from a horizontal or lowered
position to various raised positions which correspond to various
raised and lowered positions of the mattress, thereby providing a
comfort position for the bed that may be adjusted as desired by the
user. The adjustable panels may be adjusted manually, for instance,
via a hank crank operatively connected to individual panels, or
more typically, via linkages actuated by motors provided in a base
of the bed frame.
[0005] When the adjustable base support panels are adjusted to
raised and/or lowered positions, the mattress has a tendency to
shift or slide along its length or longitudinal axis on the
adjustable based support unless it is constrained. In the past,
mattresses used on adjustable beds have been constrained by a plate
or a rail disposed at the foot of the bed frame that extends
upwardly alongside the foot of the mattress. Besides detracting
from the aesthetic appearance of the bed, the plate or rail also
creates a barrier at the foot of the bed which may be uncomfortable
to persons who are sitting on the edge of the mattress. Therefore,
what is needed is a mattress retainer for use with adjustable beds
which overcomes these and other drawbacks of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a mattress retainer suited
for use with adjustable beds to constrain movement of a mattress
relative to an adjustable base support when (a) panel(s) of the
adjustable base support is(are) adjusted to raised and lowered
positions.
[0007] In one aspect of the invention a bed is provided. The bed
comprises an adjustable base support with an adjustable panel
adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, a
mattress positioned on top of the adjustable base support, and a
mattress retainer disposed under the mattress between the
adjustable base support and the mattress. The mattress retainer
holds the mattress in a constrained position in relationship to the
adjustable base support as the adjustable base support is adjusted
between raised and lowered positions.
[0008] The mattress retainer may comprise a loop and a generally
"j"-shaped bracket where the bracket has an elongated portion with
proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal
and distal ends. The bracket engagement portion proximal end may be
spaced from the bracket elongated portion proximal end by an end
wall that defines a space between the elongated portion and the
engagement portion with a dimension to enable the engagement
portion to engage the loop. The loop may be formed on an underside
of the mattress, and the bracket may be secured to a top surface of
the adjustable base support.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, a bed is provided with
an adjustable base support with an adjustable panel adapted for
adjustment between raised and lowered positions, a mattress
positioned on top of the adjustable base support, and a mattress
retainer holding the mattress in a constrained position relative to
the adjustable base support as the adjustable base is adjusted
between raised and lowered positions. The mattress retainer
comprises a bracket and a loop engaging the bracket. The bracket is
formed on one of either the mattress or the adjustable base support
and the loop is formed on the other of either the mattress or
adjustable base support.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, the bracket may be
secured to the adjustable base support with the elongated portion
proximal end generally oriented away from an edge of the adjustable
base support and the elongated portion distal end generally
oriented toward the edge of the adjustable base support.
[0011] The bed may further comprise a second loop and a second
bracket positioned across a width of the bed on an opposite
longitudinal edge of the bed. In accordance with this aspect of the
invention, the second bracket has a general "j"-shape with an
elongated portion having proximal and distal ends and an engagement
portion having proximal and distal ends. The engagement portion
proximal end may be spaced from the elongated portion proximal end
by an end wall that defines a space between the elongated portion
and the engagement portion with a dimension to enable the
engagement portion to engage the second loop.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, an adjustable base
support for a bed is provided. The adjustable base support has an
adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered
positions. The adjustable base has a top side and a bracket secured
to the top side inboard of an edge of the adjustable base support.
The bracket has a general "j"-shape including an elongated portion
with proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with
proximal and distal ends. The engagement portion proximal end is
spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall. The
end wall defines a space between the elongated portion and the
engagement portion. The space is dimensioned to enable the
engagement portion to engage a loop formed on an underside of a
mattress when a mattress is attached to the adjustable base support
in assembling the bed, thereby holding the mattress in a fixed
position relative to the adjustable base support as the adjustable
base support panel is adjusted between raised and lowered
positions.
[0013] Further objects and features are revealed in the following
detailed description of the embodiments and in the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a bed with a panel of a
adjustable base support in a raised position and a mattress held in
a constrained position relative to the adjustable base support by a
mattress retainer disposed between the mattress and the adjustable
base support;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the mattress retainer as
shown in detail area 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the adjustable base
support of the bed of FIG. 1 with two brackets comprising the
mattress retainer secured to a top surface of the adjustable base
support inboard of opposite longitudinal edges of the base
support;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the bracket of FIG.
3;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the bracket of FIG. 4; and
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the bracket of FIG. 4.
[0020] Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] A bed 20 equipped with a mattress retainer as disclosed
herein is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bed 20 comprises an
adjustable base support 22 having at least one panel 24 that may be
raised and lowered via linkages (not shown). A mattress 26 is
placed over the adjustable base support 22 and held in a
constrained position with a mattress retainer 30 as the adjustable
base support panel(s) 24 is(are) adjusted between raised and
lowered positions. The mattress retainer 30 is disposed under the
mattress 26 between the adjustable base support 22 and the
mattress. The mattress retainer 30 may solely constrain the
mattress in position on the adjustable base support.
[0022] FIG. 2 provides further detail of an embodiment of the
mattress retainer 30 comprising a bracket 32 secured to a top
surface 34 of the adjustable base support 22 and a loop 36 formed
in an underside 38 of the mattress 26. The loop 36 may be a fabric
loop sewn directly into the mattress underside 38. In an
alternative embodiment (not shown), the relative position of these
components may be reversed such that the bracket is formed on the
underside of the mattress and the loop is formed on the top surface
of the adjustable base support. The mattress retainer 30 may also
include other releasable locking mechanisms in addition to the
bracket and loop arrangement shown in the drawings, for instance, a
hook and a loop, a hook and a sleeve, or a pivoting connection such
as a ball and socket. FIG. 2 shows only one bracket and loop.
However, as shown in FIG. 3, two brackets and two cooperating
loops--one on each side of the bed--may be used as a mattress
retainer.
[0023] FIG. 3 provides further detail of the adjustable base
support 22 and the brackets comprising the mattress retainer
secured to the adjustable base support. The adjustable base support
22 has longitudinal edges 40,42 (left and right in FIG. 3)
separated by a width 44 of the adjustable base support. Each of the
brackets comprising the mattress retainer is secured to the
adjustable base support inboard of its respective longitudinal
edges 40,42 of the adjustable base support. Each bracket 32 may be
positioned toward a top (or head) 46 of the adjustable base
support, for instance, thirty-two (32) inches from the top of the
adjustable base support which is generally over eighty (80) inches
long. Preferably, the brackets are positioned sufficiently inboard
of the edges 40,42 so as to not detract from the appearance and
comfort of the mattress when a user rests near the longitudinal
edge of the mattress.
[0024] As discussed above, the mattress retainer 30 may be employed
in pairs comprising like brackets. Because the brackets are the
same, only one bracket will be described in detail. FIGS. 4, 5 and
6 provide detail on the bracket 32. The bracket has a general
"j"-shape including an elongated portion 52 with opposite proximal
and distal ends 54,56 and an engagement portion 58 with opposite
proximal and distal ends 60,62 separated by an end wall 64. As
shown in FIG. 2, the elongated portion 52 is secured to the
adjustable base support 22 and the engagement portion 58 is adapted
for releasably attaching the bracket 30 to the loop 36 of the
mattress 26, as will be described in greater detail below. The
length of the elongated portion 52 is sized sufficiently to allow
it to be firmly secured to the adjustable base support 22. As shown
in FIG. 5, two holes 66 are provided adjacent the distal end 56 of
the elongated portion to accept mechanical fasteners such as lug
nuts to allow the bracket to secured directly into a load bearing
member of the adjustable base support. In addition to providing an
access area for installation of the mechanical fasteners, the
elongated portion length, width and thickness are sized to
withstand bending and twisting forces from the mattress as it is
adjusted between raised and lowered positions, and used by the
user.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, bracket end wall 64 creates a
space 68 between the elongated portion 52 and the engagement
portion 58 having a dimension that corresponds to a thickness of
the loop 36. The engagement portion 58 may have a tongue 70 at its
distal end 62 to facilitate directing the engagement portion distal
end through the loop. The tongue may lock the engagement portion
distal end to the elongated portion thereby securing the loop in
the space, for instance, via a nib on the tongue that engages a
detent on the elongated portion (not shown). The bracket may be
made from a resilient material to allow compression of the space 68
when the mattress is loaded thereby ensuring a positive and secure
connection between the engagement portion and loop. Preferably, the
elongated portion, end wall and engagement portion are formed
integrally, and more preferably, the elongated portion, end wall
and engagement portion are formed monolithically. For instance, the
bracket may be made from a 12 gauge steel flat stock, or other
relatively strong and resilient material, such as plastic or PVC.
Other cross sectional shapes and materials may be used to reduce
the bending moment and flexing that may be induced in the mattress
when it is loaded.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, the bracket 32 may be secured to the
adjustable base support 22 with the elongated portion proximal end
54 generally oriented away from the longitudinal edges 40,42 of the
adjustable base support and the elongated portion distal end 56
generally oriented toward the edges of the adjustable base support.
This arrangement orients the bracket with its open end outward
toward the longitudinal sides 40,42 of the adjustable base support,
thereby allowing viewing of the engagement of the engagement
portion 58 and the loop 36 from an edge of the bed without
obstruction from the bracket end wall 64. The bracket orientation
may also be reversed.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, when installing the mattress 26
on the adjustable base support 22, the mattress is positioned over
the adjustable base support such that the loop 36 on the mattress
underside 38 is aligned with the bracket 32. The mattress 26 is
lifted up and away from the adjustable base support 22 in the area
of the mattress retainer 30 to provide access to the loop 36 and
bracket 32. The mattress is lifted such that the loop 36 is
directed over the bracket engagement portion 58 for each bracket
and loop. The mattress 26 is then released allowing the space 68 to
be compressed under the weight of the mattress and thus securing
the engagement portion through the loop.
[0028] By providing two brackets on the adjustable base support and
two loops on the mattress, a wide mattress may be constrained in
position relative to the adjustable base support. However, a
mattress retainer comprising one bracket and one loop may also be
positioned toward the center of a relatively narrow mattress to
provide the same level of constraint. For instance, the mattress
retainer may comprise one loop and one bracket that are sized to
extend across a width of the bed sufficient to provide the
appropriate level of constraint. The mattress retainer may also
comprise one bracket with a relatively long engagement portion that
cooperates with a plurality of loops spaced apart at various
positions across a width of the mattress. The mattress retainer may
also be provided at an edge corresponding to the width of the bed,
for instance, the top or head. The mattress retainer may also
comprise multiple brackets and cooperating loops positioned at
various locations on the adjustable bed support and mattress.
[0029] Various other changes to the embodiments described herein
may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art. However,
those changes and modifications should be considered as part of the
invention which is limited only by the scope of the claims appended
hereto and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *