U.S. patent application number 12/105178 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for mattress shaping apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to JONES UNLIMITED. Invention is credited to Michael F. Jones.
Application Number | 20080256715 12/105178 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39870734 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080256715 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Michael F. |
October 23, 2008 |
MATTRESS SHAPING APPARATUS
Abstract
A mattress shaping device that is placed below a mattress to
allow a sleeper to customize the shape of substantially the entire
mattress. The mattress shaper having a plurality of individually
inflatable cells that may correspond with integral inlets that are
accessible while the shaping device is placed underneath the
mattress.
Inventors: |
Jones; Michael F.; (Tacoma,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AXIOS LAW GROUP. PLLC
1525 FOURTH AVENUE, SUITE 800
SEATTLE
WA
98101
US
|
Assignee: |
JONES UNLIMITED
Tacoma
WA
|
Family ID: |
39870734 |
Appl. No.: |
12/105178 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60912409 |
Apr 17, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/659 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 20/048
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/659 |
International
Class: |
A47C 21/06 20060101
A47C021/06 |
Claims
1. A mattress shaping device for placement under a mattress: a
plurality of individually inflatable cells formed by bonding
together a first and second impermeable membrane, the cells having
a top and bottom surface and substantially the same shape; and a
plurality of inlets respectively corresponding and integrally
connected to the plurality of individually inflatable cells
allowing the cells to be individually inflated for the shaping of
the mattress, the inlets being accessible while the device is
located under the mattress.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the inlets converge beyond the
outer peripheries of the cells.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein channels are integrally disposed
between the inlets and corresponding cells.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the channels have a brace for
maintaining an open airway between the inlets and corresponding
cells.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first membrane material is
thicker than the second membrane material.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first membrane material is
harder than the second membrane material.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one filler is located
between the mattress and the device, the filler is selected from a
group consisting of a pad having a periphery substantially
corresponding to the periphery of the mattress, an elongated strip
positioned between adjacent cells, an individually inflatable tube
positioned between adjacent cells, a third impermeable membrane
bonded to the peripheries of the first and second impermeable
membranes and creating an additional individually inflatable
cell.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a top surface and
the top surface is substantially continuous.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the outside surface of the device
has enhanced frictional characteristics to prevent slippage.
10. The device of claim 17, wherein the bottom surface of the cells
have enhanced frictional characteristics that increases the
friction between the device and box spring.
11. A mattress shaping device for the shaping of substantially an
entire mattress: a plurality of individually inflatable cells
formed by bonding together a first and second impermeable membrane
and the device having a periphery; the periphery of the device
substantially corresponding to the periphery of the mattress; and a
plurality of inlets respectively corresponding to the plurality of
individually inflatable cells and allowing the cells to be
individually inflated for shaping of the mattress.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the inlets converge beyond the
outer peripheries of the cells.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein channels are integrally
disposed between the inlets and corresponding cells.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the channels have a brace for
maintaining an open airway between the inlets and corresponding
cells.
15. The device of claim 11, wherein the first membrane material is
thicker than the second membrane material.
16. The device of claim 11, wherein the first membrane material is
harder than the second membrane material.
17. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one filler is located
between the mattress and the device, the filler is selected from a
group consisting of a pad having a periphery substantially
corresponding to the periphery of the mattress, at least one
elongated strip positioned between adjacent cells, at least one
individually inflatable tube positioned between adjacent cells, a
third impermeable membrane bonded to the peripheries of the first
and second impermeable membranes and creating an additional
individually inflatable cell.
18. The device of claim 11, wherein the device has a top surface
and the top surface is substantially continuous.
19. The device of claim 11, wherein the outside surface of the
device has enhanced frictional characteristics to prevent
slippage.
20. A mattress shaping device for the shaping of substantially an
entire mattress: a plurality of individually inflatable cells
formed by bonding together a first and second impermeable membrane
and the device having a periphery; the periphery of the device
substantially corresponding to the periphery of the mattress; and
the cells are permanently sealed after fluid is introduced within
the cells.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein the volume of fluid introduced
within the cells is pre-determined.
22. The device of claim 20, wherein the fluid is introduced within
the cells via respectively corresponding inlets and the cells are
sealed by the sealing of the inlets.
23. The device of claim 22, wherein the inlets converge beyond the
outer peripheries of the cells.
24. The device of claim 22, wherein channels are integrally
disposed between the inlets and corresponding cells.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein the channels have a brace for
maintaining an open airway between the inlets and corresponding
cells.
26. The device of claim 20, wherein the first membrane material is
thicker than the second membrane material.
27. The device of claim 20, wherein the first membrane material is
harder than the second membrane material.
28. The device of claim 20, wherein at least one filler is located
between the mattress and the device, the filler is selected from a
group consisting of a pad having a periphery substantially
corresponding to the periphery of the mattress, at least one
elongated strip positioned between adjacent cells, at least one
individually inflatable tube positioned between adjacent cells, a
third impermeable membrane bonded to the peripheries of the first
and second impermeable membranes and creating an additional
individually inflatable cell.
29. The device of claim 20, wherein the device has a top surface
and the top surface is substantially continuous.
30. A method for shaping a mattress comprising the steps of:
inserting a device underneath the mattress, the device comprising a
first and second impermeable membrane bonded together to form a
plurality of individually inflatable cells having substantially the
same shape, wherein the periphery of the device substantially
corresponds to the periphery of the mattress; individually
inflating at least one individual cell for shaping of the mattress.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to bedding. More
specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus for altering
the shape of a mattress.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A mattress is a mat or pad, usually placed atop a bed,
usually used for sleeping. Though a mattress may be placed directly
on the floor, it is often placed atop a platform (such as a bed or
a metal spring foundation). Modern mattresses usually contain
either an innerspring core or materials such as latex,
viscoelastic, other polyurethane-type foams and the like. The core
of the mattress generally supports a sleeper's body. Modern spring
mattress cores, often called "innersprings," are made up of steel
coil springs, or "coils."
[0003] A quality mattress can often provide up to eight to ten
years of good support and comfort, although many different factors
determine the lifespan of a mattress. A broken or worn out mattress
can exhibit deformities, which may make a worn out mattress
uncomfortable to sleep on. According to the U.S. trade association
of mattress manufacturers, the average price of a mattress in 2002
was $600. The market value of the wholesale mattress industry
reached $6.4 billion in 2005, according to the trade group
International Sleep Products Association. Clearly, many deformed
mattresses are replaced each year, at great cost.
[0004] There are various devices that allow a sleeper to defer the
purchase of a new mattress, devices that may flatten out a sagging
mattress by adding additional support to the center, sagging
region. Some such solutions make use of multi-chambered pneumatic
devices. However, such solutions are limited in that they are
designed only to correct centrally sagging mattresses, ignoring the
desires of sleepers who might want to customize, rather than merely
flatten, the shape of their sleeping surface.
[0005] A sleeper may want to customize the shape of his or her
sleeping surface for many reasons. For example, a sleeper may
simply find it more comfortable to sleep with his or her head
and/or feet elevated to a certain degree. Alternatively, a sleeper
with certain medical conditions may be advised to sleep with his or
her head or legs elevated above the heart.
[0006] Further complicating matters, two persons who sleep on the
same bed together may not share the same preferences or needs. For
example, one sleeper may have been advised to sleep with his leg
elevated, while his sleeping partner may prefer to sleep on a flat
surface or with her head elevated.
[0007] Mattresses come in varying degrees of firmness and softness.
They come in sizes from twin to California King. They are made from
many different materials. Yet the sleeping surface of most
mattresses comes in only one "shape," namely, flat. Thus, most
mattresses may not meet the needs of a sleeper who prefers or needs
a differently shaped sleeping surface.
[0008] Sleepers who can afford to buy a top quality mattress may be
able to purchase a mattress that allows them to adjust the shape of
the sleeping surface to their preference. Sleepers who are willing
to spend even more may be able to purchase a mattress that allows
them to adjust either side of the bed independently, to accommodate
differing preferences of two or more sleepers. However, the need or
desire for customizing the shape of one's sleeping surface is not
limited to those who can afford to spend a relatively large amount
of money on a mattress. While sleepers who are willing and able to
spend a relatively large amount of money on a mattress may have a
number of sleeping surface shape options, those who are more
thrifty, economical, frugal, or provident may have fewer options
than they would prefer, being limited in their ability to adjust to
their preference the shape of the mattress surface they sleep
on.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates the mattress shaper located between a box
spring and a mattress.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the mattress shaper.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates the mattress shaper elevating one end of
a mattress.
[0012] FIG. 4 is side view of the mattress shaper elevating one end
of a mattress.
[0013] FIG. 5 is side view of the mattress shaper being used to
elevate both ends of a mattress.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
of the shaper and filler.
[0015] FIGS. 7a-c illustrate cross-sectional views of embodiments
of a channel brace.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Reference is now made in detail to the description of the
embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While embodiments are
described in connection with the drawings and related descriptions,
there is no intent to limit the scope to the embodiments disclosed
herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives,
modifications and equivalents. In alternate embodiments, additional
devices, or combinations of illustrated devices, may be added to,
combined, or subtracted without limiting the scope to the
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0017] The mattress shaping device 200 ("mattress shaper")
described herein consists of a series of inflatable cells 205 and
gives sleepers the ability to customize the shape of virtually any
type of mattress. As shown in FIG. 1, a mattress shaper 200 may
typically be positioned between a box spring 330 and a mattress
310. As discussed in greater detail below, this positioning allows
a sleeper to customize to his or her preference the shape of the
mattress 310 by inflating or deflating the cells 205 of the
mattress shaper 200.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a mattress shaper 200
constructed of a top and bottom layers of impermeable membrane,
sized to fit neatly under a particular size of mattress 310 (e.g.
Twin, Queen, King, California King, etc.). The membrane may be
latex, plastic (e.g. polyvinyl chloride and the like), vinyl,
rubber, or any other durable material that would be suitable for
making an inflatable air mattress. The material may or may not be
textile-reinforced. The top membrane material may be more rigid
and/or harder and/or thicker than the bottom layer to help prevent
puncture from springs in the mattress and for other purposes such
as, but not limited to preventing the mattress from sagging into
the indentation of the internal seams. Conversely, in an
embodiment, the bottom membrane may be more rigid and/or harder
and/or thicker than the top layer to prevent puncture from springs
in the box spring and for other purposes. The membrane material may
have enhanced frictional characteristics that increase the friction
between the mattress shaper 200 and the mattress and between the
box spring and the mattress shaper. The layers of membrane may be
bonded together so as to form edge seams 265 and internal seams
260. The seams 260, 265 delineate a number of cells 205, each of
which is capable of being individually inflated. The edge seams 265
substantially correspond to the outer periphery of both the
mattress 300 and box spring 330, which enables the sleeper to shape
substantially the entire mattress.
[0019] In an embodiment, a cell 205 may be individually inflated by
introducing air or other fluid through an inlet 255 that conveys
the fluid to the cell 205 through an independent seamed channel
250. The inlets 255 may often be a conventional one-way valve,
similar to those used to inflate a standard air mattress. In an
embodiment, the inlets 255 may be integrally molded into the
membrane. In an embodiment, the inlets 255 may be discrete pieces
fitted into the membrane. The inlets 255 may be constructed and/or
affixed in any suitable manner. Any appropriate manner of
introducing fluid into the inlets 255 may be utilized. For example,
in an embodiment, the inlets 255 may interface with a pump. In an
embodiment, the inlets 255 may be mouth operated. In an embodiment,
cells 205 may be permanently sealed after a pre-determined amount
of fluid is introduced into the cells. In an embodiment, the cells
205 may not have an inlet. In an embodiment, the cells 205 may not
have a channel. In an embodiment, the inlets 255 may be permanently
sealed after a pre-determined amount of fluid is introduced into
the cells. Whatever means of introduction is utilized, introducing
a quantity of fluid into a cell 205 will cause that cell 205 to
inflate in proportion to the quantity of fluid introduced.
[0020] FIGS. 7a-c illustrate embodiments of the channel 250 having
a rigid or semi-rigid channel brace 750, 755 and 760 (respectively)
that maintain an open channel. FIG. 7a illustrates an embodiment of
a channel brace 750 in the form of an elongated structure with an
upright piece and a transverse piece that form the shape of a cross
that is inserted into the channel 250. Channel brace 750 may be
used for maintaining an open channel when pressure applied in the
direction of the top or bottom or either side of the channel.
[0021] FIG. 7b illustrates an embodiment of a channel brace 755 in
the form of a tube that is inserted into the channel. Channel brace
755 may be used for maintaining an open channel when pressure
applied to the channel in any direction.
[0022] FIG. 7c illustrates an embodiment of a channel brace 760 in
the form of an elongated structure with an S-shaped cross section
that is inserted into the channel 250. Channel brace 760 may be
used for maintaining an open channel when pressure applied to the
channel in any direction. Channel brace 760 has an advantage of
maintaining an open channel while also allowing for flexibility of
the channel.
[0023] The channel brace may be more rigid than the impermeable
membrane material. The channel brace may be a reinforcement
structure inserted into the channel or may be integrally formed
within the channel. The channel brace may be a tube, a spiral
insert or any rigid or semi-rigid structure and the like that
maintains an open channel and allows air or fluid to pass through
the channel while the mattress shaper 200 is positioned below a
mattress 310.
[0024] When the mattress shaper 200 is positioned beneath a
mattress 310, the portions of the mattress in the vicinity of an
inflated cell will rise relative to other portions of the mattress,
thereby altering the shape of the sleeping surface 305. By
controlling the relative degrees to which different cells 205 are
inflated, the shape of the sleeping surface 305 may be customized
to a high degree. In many embodiments, an individual cell 205 may
be capable of being inflated to a height of six-eight inches or
more. However, lesser adjustments may be satisfactory to many
sleepers.
[0025] By placing the mattress shaper 200 beneath a mattress 310
and inflating different cells 205 to varying degrees, the shape of
the sleeping surface 305 may be altered. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, by inflating the row of cells 210 beneath the head
end of the mattress 310, the shape of the sleeping surface 305 may
be altered so that the sleeper's head is elevated. Similarly, as
shown in FIG. 5, by inflating both the row of cells 210 beneath the
head end 315 of the bed and the row of cells 220 under the foot 320
end of the bed, the shape of the sleeping surface 305 may be
altered so that the both the sleeper's head and the sleeper's feet
are elevated.
[0026] In an embodiment, each cell 205 may be inflated while the
mattress shaper 200 is positioned beneath a mattress 310 because
the fluid inlets 255 are placed at the edges of the mattress shaper
200 such that they protrude out from underneath the mattress 310.
However, other methods of introducing a fluid into each cell may be
used in other embodiments. For example, an embodiment may eliminate
the channels 250 by placing an inlet directly on the face of each
cell 205. In an embodiment, each cell 205 may be connected to a
pump.
[0027] In an embodiment, twelve inlets 255, twelve channels 250,
and twelve cells 205 are arranged in three rows 210-220 and four
columns 230-245. This embodiment may be particularly suitable for a
Queen or King size mattress shaper 200 because such mattresses 310
are often shared by two sleepers and allows each sleeper to
individually adjust one side of the sleeping surface 305 to his or
her preference. For example, a sleeper may adjust the shape of the
right side of the sleeping surface by adjusting the inflation of
the cells in the two rightmost columns 240, 245. At the same time,
a second sleeper may adjust the left side of the sleeping surface
into a different shape by adjusting the inflation of cells in the
two leftmost columns 230, 235. Other embodiments may employ
different inflation schemes and/or cell arrangements, including,
but not limited to, both more and fewer cells 205 and corresponding
fluid inlets 255. The top view of the cells may be the shape of a
parallelogram, rectangle, oval, triangle, circle and the like. In
an embodiment, the cells may be the same shape. In an embodiment,
the cells may be the same size. In an embodiment, the cells may be
different shapes. In an embodiment, the cells may be different
sizes.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows internal seams 260 formed between adjacent
cells when the layers of membrane are bonded together. The internal
seams 260 may create an indentation between the cells when the
cells are inflated. A seam filler 610 may be placed in an internal
seam between two adjacent cells to increase the mattress shaping
characteristics such as preventing the mattress from sagging into
the indentation of the internal seams. The indentations between the
cells may cause a discontinuous and abruptly curved top surface of
the mattress shaper 200 which may consequently cause the sleeping
surface 305 to be discontinuous and abruptly curved which may be
unwanted by the sleeper. The seam filler 610 placed in the seams
will cause the top surface of the sleeping shaper 200 to be
substantially continuous and uniform, which in turn, will cause the
sleeping surface 305 to be substantially continuous and uniform for
the sleeper. In an embodiment, a plurality of seam fillers 610 may
be placed in a plurality of internal seams 260. The length of the
seam filler 610 may substantially extend the length of a cell or
may be longer than the length of a cell or may substantially extend
the entire length or width of the mattress shaper 200. The seam
filler 610 may be made of latex, viscoelastic, other
polyurethane-type foams and the like.
[0029] In an embodiment, the seam filler 610 may be inflatable and
placed in an internal seams 260 of the mattress shaper 200. After
the mattress shaper 200 is inflated to customize the shape of the
mattress, the seam filler 610 may then be inflated to increase the
mattress shaping characteristics such as preventing the mattress
from sagging into the indentation of the internal seams. The seam
filler 610 may be a plurality of individual inflatable cells or may
be a single inflatable cell. The seam filler 610 may be inflated in
the same manner as the cells of the device. The inflatable seam
filler may be latex, plastic (e.g. polyvinyl chloride and the
like), vinyl, rubber, or any other durable material that would be
suitable for making inflatable tubes.
[0030] In additional embodiments, the top view of the filler may be
the shape of a parallelogram, rectangle, oval, circle and the like.
The cross-sectional shape of the seam filler may substantially
corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the indentation between
adjacent cells. The seam filler may be releasably attached to the
mattress shaper by a snap, button, quick-disconnect, hook and loop,
hook, clip, adhesive and the like. The seam filler material may be
thicker and/or more rigid than the membrane material. The outside
surface of the seam filler may have enhanced frictional
characteristics that increases the friction between the seam filler
and the mattress 310 and increases the friction between the seam
filler and the mattress shaper 200. The seam filler may be a foam
pad that is located between the device and the mattress. The pad
having a periphery substantially corresponding to the periphery of
the mattress.
[0031] In an embodiment, a third impermeable membrane may be bonded
to the outer seam of the mattress shaper 200 and consequently
creating an additional individually inflatable top cell located
between the top impermeable membrane and the third impermeable
membrane. After the mattress shaper 200 is inflated to suit the
sleeper's mattress shaping needs, the inflatable top cell may then
be inflated to further increase the mattress shaping
characteristics of the device 200 such as preventing the mattress
from sagging into the internal seams.
[0032] The inflatable top cell may be inflated in the same manner
as the cells of the device. The third impermeable membrane may be a
thicker and/or more rigid material than the impermeable layer
material of the device 200. The third impermeable membrane may have
enhanced frictional characteristics that increases the friction
between the membrane and the mattress.
[0033] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent
implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments
shown and described without departing from the scope of the present
invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or
variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is
manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the
claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *