This invention relates to beds.
Traditional mattress designs only allow a sleeper to lay flat, causing discomfort, aches and pains for a large percentage of the population due to the lack of three-dimensional space needed to conform to the shape of the human body. The traditional flat mattress design often results in poor support for neck, shoulder, and back muscles and joints, preventing full comfort for side and stomach sleeping positions, as well as causing overlapping space requirements when sharing a mattress with another sleeper.
For the foregoing reason there is a need for beds that allow three-dimensional movement of a user's shoulders, arms and neck, greatly increasing comfort by supporting the body in the proper locations, allowing space in the proper locations as well as providing multiple support layers to accommodate for the overlapping of an additional sleeper's limbs in the channel's three-dimensional space.
The present invention is directed to a bed that maintains the rectangular shape of traditional mattresses only for its footprint or from plan-view, but comprises a channel or negative space formed in the upper torso area of the bed to accommodate three-dimensional movement of the user. The negative space is configured and dimensioned to receive the arms and shoulder of the user and is formed into the foundation of the bed. In addition, auxiliary components of the bed, such as pillows and sheets can also be placed in the negative space. The foundation also comprises an upper torso region, and transition region in which an angled wall descends to a flat, lower torso region. A cushion can be placed on top of the lower torso region. The cushion also has a sloped wall corresponding with the angled wall of the foundation. An upper layer can be placed on top of the foundation and cushion layer for added comfort. A cutout is formed in the upper layer to correspond with the negative space so that the negative space is accessible through the upper layer. Specially designed channel pillows and a support layer are provided to place inside the negative space to provide support for the user.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
With reference to the
The foundation 104 makes up the base of the bed 100 and has resilient, highly supportive properties. For example, the foundation 104 can be made up of foam, wood, metal, and other material typically used for foundation of a bed, or any combination thereof. The foundation 104 comprises a top surface 110, a bottom surface 112 opposite the top surface 110, a head end 114 adjacent to the top surface 110 and the bottom surface 112, a foot end 116 opposite the head end 114 and adjacent to the top surface 110 and the bottom surface 112, a first side 140 adjacent to the head end 114, the foot end 116, the top surface 110, and the bottom surface 112, and a second side 142 opposite the first side 140 and adjacent to the head end 114, the foot end 116, the top surface 110, and the bottom surface 112. The top surface 110 and bottom surface 112 are generally flat, horizontal, and parallel to each other except as described in more detail below. As shown in
As shown in
The foundation 104 also has a transition region 124 where the upper torso region 120 transitions into the lower torso region 122 moving from the head end 114 to the foot end 116. In some embodiments, the transition region 124 comprises a vertical wall perpendicular to the top surface 110 and the bottom surface 112, thereby creating and abrupt transition from the upper torso region 120 to the lower torso region 122. In some embodiments, the transition region 124 comprises an angled wall 126 between the top surface 110 at the upper torso region 122 and the top surface 110 at the lower torso region 122. Thus, while the top surface 110 is generally parallel to the bottom surface 112, a portion of the top surface 110 of the foundation 102 in the transition region 124 may not be parallel to the bottom surface 112 of the foundation 102. As such, in the preferred embodiment, the foundation 104 has a top surface 110 that has a flat, horizontal upper torso region 120 parallel to the bottom surface 112 that begins at the head end 114 and remains flat up to the transition region 124, and merges into the angled wall 126 creating a sloped transition region 124, and transitions into the top surface 110 of the lower torso region 122 that is again flat and parallel to the bottom surface 112 and remains flat and parallel to the bottom surface 112 from the transition region 124 to the foot end 116, as shown in
The upper torso region 120 further defines the negative space 102. The negative space 102 is a hollow space or channel defined by a floor 130 and at least one sidewall 132. As such, the negative space 102 can be of many different shapes, such as circular, oval, square, rectangular, and the like. Preferably, the negative space 102 has generally a box-shape or rectangular cuboid shape. As such, the negative space is defined by a floor 130 and four sidewalls 132a-d. The area of the negative space 102 can occupy about 35 percent to about 75 percent of the area of the top surface 110 of the area upper torso region 120. Preferably, the area of the negative space 102 can occupy about 45 percent to about 65 percent of the area of the top surface 110 of the upper torso region 120. More preferably, the area of the negative space can occupy about 50 percent to about 60 percent of the area of the top surface 110 of the upper torso region 120. For example, in some embodiments, the area of the negative space occupies about 55 percent of the area of the top surface 110 of the upper torso region 120.
In some embodiments, a portion of the sidewall 132d that is nearest to the transition region 124 or the angled wall 126 may have a recessed wall 132e thereby creating an additional cutout 133 within the negative space 102. Specifically, a bottom portion of the sidewall 132d may have a recessed wall 132e that is moved closer to the angled wall 126 or the transition region 124 of the foundation 104. Therefore, a rectangular cutout 133 is formed underneath the top surface 110 of the foundation 104 in the upper torso region 120. Preferably, the cutout 133 extends the full length L5 of the negative space 104. This cutout 133 creates an additional space for the arms of the user who have inserted their arms into the negative space.
In the preferred embodiment, the foundation layer 104 at the head end 114 has a thickness T1 ranging from about 4 inches to about 20 inches. Preferably, the thickness T1 of the foundation layer 104 at the head end 114 is about 8 inches to about 16 inches. More preferably, the thickness T1 of the foundation layer 104 at the head end is about 11 inches to about 14 inches.
The thickness T2 of the foundation layer 104 at the foot end 116 can range from about 2 inches to about 8 inches. Preferably, the thickness T2 of the foundation layer 104 at the foot end 116 can range from about 4 inches to about 6 inches. For example, the thickness T2 of the foundation layer 104 at the foot end 116 can be about 5 inches.
The length L2 of the upper torso region 120 ranges from about 16 inches to about 30 inches. In other words, the transition region 124 can start at about 16 inches to about 30 inches from the head end 114 of the foundation 104. Preferably, the length L2 of the upper torso region 120 is about 21 inches to about 28 inches. More preferably, the length L2 of the upper torso region 120 is about 24 inches to about 26 inches.
The transition region 124 has a length L3 that can range from about 4 inches to about 16 inches. For example, the length L3 of the transition region 124 has a length L3 that can range from about 10 inches to about 14 inches. In some embodiments, the length L3 of the transition region 124 can range from about 11 inches to about 13 inches. In some embodiments, the length L3 of the transition region 124 can range from about 4 inches to about 8 inches. For example, the length L3 of the transition region 124 can be from about 5 inches to about 6 inches. In the stepped angled wall embodiment, each step 127 can be defined by its rise (vertical rise) and run (horizontal run). As such, the length L3 of the transition region 124 can be the sum of the runs of all of the steps within the transition region 124. Therefore, by way of example only, if there is only one step 127 as shown in
The lower torso region 122 has a length L4 that can range from about 31 inches to about 51 inches. Preferably, the length L4 of the lower torso region 122 has a length L4 that can range from about 36 inches to about 48 inches. Most preferably, the lower torso region 122 has a length L4 that can range from about 42 inches to about 46 inches.
As shown in
To improve the comfort level of the bed 100, the bed 100 further comprises a cushion layer 106. In the preferred embodiment, the cushion layer 106 is trapezoid shaped and is configured to cover the transition region 124 and the lower torso region 122 of the foundation 104, and has softer, memory-style supportive properties. As such, the cushion layer 106 has a first side 150, a second side opposite the first side 152, a top surface 154 adjacent to the first side 150 and the second side 152, a bottom surface 156 parallel to the top surface 154 and adjacent to the first side 150 and second side 152, an upper torso side 144 adjacent to the top surface 154, the bottom surface 156, the first side 150 and second side 152, and a foot side 146 opposite the upper torso side 144 and adjacent to the top surface 154, the bottom surface 156, the first side 150 and second side 152, wherein the foot side 146 is adjacent and perpendicular to the top surface 154 and the bottom surface 156, but is non-parallel to the upper torso side 144. Therefore, the cushion layer 106 is more specifically a right trapezoid shape. Specifically, the upper torso side 144 has a slanted wall 148 that is slanted at the same angle as the angled wall 126 of the foundation 104. In some embodiments, the slanted wall 148 can be stepped to match a stepped transition region 124 as shown in
In some embodiments, to further improve the comfort, the bed 100 can further comprise an upper layer 108 that covers the entire top area defined by the cushion layer 106 and the foundation 104. The upper layer 108 can have the softest, most plush materials of the bed 100. The upper layer 108 comprises a head end 160, a foot end 162 opposite the head end 160, a first side 164 adjacent to the head end 160 and the foot end 162, and a second side 166 opposite the first side 164 and adjacent to the head end 160 and the foot end 162 of the upper layer 108. The length L6 and width W4 dimensions of the upper layer 108 (see
In order to support the upper torso of a user, the support layer 172 is placed on the floor 130 of the negative space to bolster the foundation layer 104 intersecting with the cushion layer 106 in a gradating shape. This trapezoidal shape allows the foundation layer 104 to gradually increase support towards the wall 132d at the foot of the negative space 102, enabling even support for the user's upper torso (most commonly the heaviest area of the body), while preventing the excessive compression of the areas closest to the negative space 102.
The intersecting trapezoids of the foundation layer 104 and the cushion layer 106 allow for the foundation layer 104 to replace the cushion layer 106, meeting the upper layer 108 for the remaining three walls 132a-c around the negative space 102 in order to further bolster support for the negative space 102.
With reference to
The channel pillows 170a, 172b are stacked on top of each other and on top of the support layer 172 to produce the correct amount of support to the user's head while the shoulders and/or arms are immersed in the negative space 102. The two layers of channel pillows 170a, 170b allow the user three levels of depth on which to rest their shoulders and arms within the negative space 102. These levels accommodate for different size users and all sleeping positions, while relieving pressure that would otherwise be applied by the traditional flat mattress design.
Preferably, the channel pillows 170a-d are stacked in pairs. For wider beds, such as queen, king, and California-king sizes, at least four channel pillows 170a-d may be used, two pairs on each side of the bed—two channel pillows 170a, 170b for the user on the left, and two channel pillows 170c, 170d for the right. Each channel pillow 170a-d has a head end 174 and a shoulder end 176. The head end 174 of a channel pillow 170a-d is aligned along the head end 114 side of the foundation 104 and is where the top of the head of the user would be closest to in proper usage, and the shoulder end 176 of a channel pillow 170a-d is aligned along the transition region 120 side of the foundation 104, and is where the shoulders of the users would be closest to in proper usage.
In some embodiments, a first channel pillow 170a can be connected to a second channel pillow 170b immediately below the first channel pillow 170a with a connector 180. For example, with reference to
The connector 180 can be any kind of strap, such as an elastic strap. Multiple straps 180a, 180b can be used to keep the stacked channel pillows aligned and in place throughout the night. Even more connectors 180a-d can be used for more channel pillows 170a-d. In a preferred embodiment, the connectors 180a, 180b may be arranged non-parallel to each other. For example, the connectors 180a, 180b can be attached to the top channel pillow 170a or bottom channel pillow 170b near the corners at the should end 176. The opposite sides of the connectors 180a, 180b near the head end 174 can be angled towards each other as shown in
In some embodiments, the connectors 180 can be the mating fasteners without the need of a strap. For example, the bottom surface of the top channel pillow 170a can have a large patch of one mating fastener 182 (the hook or loop) of a hook and loop fastener, and the top surface of the bottom channel pillow 170b can have the complementary mating fastener 184 (loop or hook, respectively) of the hook-and-loop fastener. Because of the large surface area of the connector 180, the stacked channel pillow pair 170a, 170b resists lateral movement. With mating fasteners 182, 184 that cannot be presented as a large patch, the multiple mating fasteners 182, 184 can be strategically placed apart from each other to resist lateral movement of the top channel pillow 170a relative to the bottom channel pillow 170b, such as in the corners or along opposite edges of the channel pillow.
Pillow cases 190 are typically used with pillows. As such, pillow cases 190 (see
In some embodiments, one large pillow case 190 can accommodate two stacked channel pillows 170a, 170b. In this embodiment, the two channel pillows 170a, 170b can be stacked on top of each other then slid into the large pillow case. Optionally, the channel pillows 170a, 170b can be stacked and connected to each other as described above, then slid into the large pillow case 190.
With reference to
In the preferred embodiment, the composition of the channel pillows 170a-d can supply the same amount of vertical support as lower torso region of the bed. The thicknesses of the channel pillows 170a-170d can be configured such that when two channel pillows 170a, 170b are stacked on top of each other, the top 173 of the upper pillow 170a is generally flush with the top surface 167 of the upper layer 108, thereby enabling the bed 100 to maintain the flat plane of a traditional mattress when desired for back sleepers, while allowing lateral leeway for side and stomach sleepers. As this flat plane is maintained, a user's preferred head pillow can be placed on top of the channel pillows 170a, 170b. In some embodiments, the channel pillows 170a-d can be configured to rise slightly above the upper layer 108.
The bed 100 can further comprise a sheet 200 to cover at least the upper layer 108 and the negative space 102. Preferably, the sheet 200 is configured to reach all the way down to the bottom 112 of the foundation 104 Preferably, the sheet 200 is a fitted sheet that is contoured with additional material to create a pocket 202 that substantially covers the negative space 102 to allow proper coverage, ample room for movement of the user without adding unnecessary pressure on the channel walls, and to enable cleaning. As such, the fitted sheet 200 comprises a pocket 202 dimensioned similarly to the size and shape (i.e. length and width) of the negative space 102. The sheet 200 can be placed on top of the upper layer 108. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the height of the pocket would be substantially similar to the sum of the depth D of the negative space 102 and the thickness T4 of the upper layer 108 so that when the sheet 200 is placed on top of the upper layer 108, the pocket 202 can reach the floor 130 of the negative space 102.
Existing online mattress companies have proven a model for shipping memory foam mattresses in a compressed form directly to customers, who simply remove the packaging, allowing the full-size mattress to take shape from within packaging of much smaller dimensions. This technique makes it possible for these companies to eliminate brick and mortar mattress stores, save cost on delivery and installation, as well as have a direct relationship with customers.
The bed 100 of the present invention can be manufactured, packaged and delivered in this fashion, allowing the same benefits as existing companies, while introducing to customers the added advantages described herein.
The bed 100 of the present invention can stand alone as a complete bed due to the foundation layer 104. Because the dimensions of the foundation layer 104 are configured to match standard mattress sizes, the bed 100 can also be used with commercially available bed frames as well.
By way of example only, a king-size bed 100 of the present invention can have a total thickness of about 14 inches in height as measured from the bottom 112 of the foundation layer 104 to the top 167 of the upper layer 108, and be about 76 inches wide and about 80 inches long.
The negative space 102 can have a depth D of 10 inches from the top surface 110 of the foundation 104 at the upper torso end 120, a width W2 of about 16 inches and a length L5 of about 68 inches centered width-wise, and positioned 4 inches from the head end 114 of the foundation layer 104, and 4 inches from each side 140, 142 of the foundation layer 104. Ideally, in use, the transition region side of the negative space 102 is located just below the armpit of an average adult user when the top of the head of the user is positioned approximately about 6 to about 8 inches from the head end 114 of the bed 100. The position and dimensions of the negative space 102 allows the user's shoulder and arm to immerse into the negative space 102 when the arms are extended at least about 90 degrees from the torso in a side-sleeping position.
The foundation layer 104 has a thickness T1 of about 11 inches at the head-end 114 of the bed 100, and gradates or steps to a thickness T2 of about 5 to about 7 inches high (as measured at the foot-end 116 of the bed) over about a 5-inch to about a 12-inch transition region 124, which starts at about 26 inches from the head-end 114 of the bed 100 and terminates at the lower torso region 122, and the lower torso region 122 extends to the foot-end 116 of the bed 100. The width W1 of the foundation layer 104 is about 76 inches.
The cushion layer 106 has a thickness T3 of about 4 inches to about 6 inches at the foot-end 116 of the foundation 104, and extends from the foot end 116 until about 42 inches from the foot-end 116 of the bed 104 where it meets the foundation layer 104 and gradates over the same 5 to 12-inch sloped section where it ends at the top 110 of the upper torso region 120 of the foundation layer 104. The width W3 of the cushion layer is about 76 inches.
The upper layer 108 has a thickness T4 of about 3 inches, a width W4 of about 76 inches, and a length L6 of about 80 inches with a cutout 168 matching the position and dimensions (length and width) of the negative space 102.
The support layer 172 in the negative space has a thickness T5 of about 2 inches, a length L7 of about 68 inches, and a width W5 of about 16 inches to match the length and width dimensions of the negative space 102.
In the embodiment with a stepped transition region 124, the foundation 104 can have one, two, three, four, or five steps 127 in between the top surface 110 of the foundation 104 at the upper torso region 120 and the top surface 110 of the foundation 104 at the lower torso region 122. In other words, the transition region 124 of the foundation can comprise one, two, three, four, or five steps 127. In such an embodiment, the cushion layer 106 has the same complementary steps 129 to correspond and match with the steps 127 of the foundation 104. The stepped transition region 124 essentially descends from the top surface 110 at the upper torso region 120 to the top surface 110 at the lower torso region 122 causing the top surface 110 at the lower torso region 122 to be lower than the top surface 110 at the upper torso region 120.
In use, the user can lay the foundation 104 on the floor or within a bed frame. The cushion layer 106 is then placed on top of the foundation 104 with the slanted wall 144 of the cushion layer 106 placed against the angled wall 126 of the foundation 104. The upper layer 108 can be placed on top of the foundation 104 and the cushion layer 106 so that the cutout 168 of the upper layer 108 aligns with the negative space 102 of the foundation. The upper layer 108 covers the foundation 104 and the cushion layer 108 while leaving the negative space 102 open and accessible. A sheet 200 can be placed on top of the upper layer and fitted around the upper layer 108. In some embodiments, the sheet 200 can be fitted all the way down to the foundation 104. The pocket 202 of the sheet is placed into the negative space 102. A support layer 172 can be placed inside the negative space. Depending on the size of the bed, one pair of channel pillows 170a, 170b (one stacked on top of the other), or two pairs of channel pillows 170a-d (one pair 170a, 170b stacked next to a second pair 170c, 70d) can be placed on top of the support layer 172 inside the negative space. In some embodiments, the top of the channel pillows can be aligned substantially flush with the top 167 of the upper layer 108. In some embodiments, the top of the channel pillows can rise above the top 167 of the upper layer 108. Optionally, the user can place traditional pillows on top of the channel pillows 170a-d.
When the user lies down on the bed 100 on his or her side or stomach, the user's arms can be inserted in between the wall 132d that defines the negative space 102 and the channel pillows 170a-d into the negative space for comfortable position of the arms.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.
This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/926,502, filed Jul. 10, 2020, titled “Bed with Negative Space,” which application is incorporated in its entirety here by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16926502 | Jul 2020 | US |
Child | 17071754 | US |