Patent Grant
7908694
This Non-Provisional Utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/099,605, filed on Sep. 24, 2008, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mattress cover apparatus in general, and more particularly to a mattress cover apparatus comprising seals for mattress control conduits.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Mattress covers generally provided to protect a mattress from any of a variety of contaminants such as dirt and dust, bodily fluids, microorganisms, and the like. Once a mattress is contaminated with microorganisms such as bedbugs, the mattress is generally considered unsanitary and thus discarded.
Bed covers are generally known for common mattresses. The inventor fabricates and distributes mattress covers as a business. The current mattress covers are formed in the fitted shape of the mattress, having a closure providing a means for placing the cover encasing the mattress.
A portion of beds utilizes a mattress that interfaces with a power source or a pneumatic source. Some examples include hospital beds, waterbeds, and air-adjustable mattresses. The means for controlling the functionality is provided via a functionality interfacing conduit, such as an electrical wire, a pneumatic line, and the like. The current mattress covers fail to provide a means for ensuring that mattresses having these types of functionality interface conduits are protected from microorganisms.
An elastomer is a polymer with the property of elasticity. The term, which is derived from elastic polymer, is often used interchangeably with the term rubber, and is preferred when referring to vulcanisates. Each of the monomers that link to form the polymer is usually made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and/or silicon. Elastomers are amorphous polymers existing above their glass transition temperature, so that considerable segmental motion is possible. At ambient temperatures rubbers are thus relatively soft (E˜3 MPa) and deformable.
Thus, what is desired is a means for protecting a mattress that interfaces with conduits from microorganisms using an inexpensive mattress cover.
The present invention is directed to a mattress cover apparatus, more specifically a mattress cover apparatus comprising:
One aspect of the present invention utilizes a pliant material fabricated of an elastomeric material, rubber or rubber-like material, a nylon material, and the like.
Another aspect of the present invention assembles the pliant seal to the mattress cover sandwiching the pliant material between a seal outer frame and a seal inner frame.
While another aspect assembles the outer frame and inner frame using a plurality of frame assembly pins affixed to one frame member and respective pin receiving apertures provided in the opposing frame member.
In another aspect deforms each frame assembly pin, securing the frame assembly pins in the respective pin receiving aperture.
Yet another aspect teaches the assembly of a mattress functionality interfacing conduit through a seal aperture, forming a sealed barrier between the exterior of the mattress cover and the interior of the mattress cover.
And another aspect utilizes a zipper, a dense hook and loop tape (commonly referred to as VELCRO), a tie or series of ties, and the like as the cover closure.
Wherein another aspect provides a waterproof lining applied to an interior side of the mattress cover material.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings, which follow.
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Turning to the drawings,
The seal assembly 110 comprises a seal outer frame 112 and a seal inner frame 120 sandwiching a seal membrane 114 there between. The seal membrane is preferably of a pliant material such as silicone. The seal outer frame 112 is preferably formed in a substantially flat donut or ring shape as illustrated. A plurality of frame assembly pins 118 extends rearward from a mating surface (rear as shown) of the seal outer frame 112. The seal inner frame 120 is also preferably formed in a substantially flat donut or ring shape as illustrated. A plurality of pin receiving apertures 122 is formed through the seal inner frame 120 in a pattern aligning with the plurality of the frame assembly pins 118. The seal outer frame 112 and seal inner frame 120 would be formed of a material that is compatible with he selected assembly process. A seal aperture 116 and a plurality of pin clearance apertures 115 disposed through the seal membrane 114. During the installation process, the installer would slide each mattress functionality interfacing conduit 108 through the seal aperture 116. The seal membrane 114 forms a microorganism barrier surrounding the mattress functionality interfacing conduit 108.
A sandwiching assembly is presented as an exemplary means for assembling the seal assembly 110; the embodiment places the plurality of frame assembly pins 118 through the pin clearance apertures 115, and assembled through the plurality of pin receiving apertures 122. The frame assembly pins 118 are secured within the pin receiving apertures 122 via any commonly known process, such as heat staking, ultrasonic welding, and the like. The cover material would have holes similar to the seal membrane 114 and would be placed on either side of the seal membrane 114 during the assembly of the seal assembly 110. The preferred embodiment positions the cover material between the seal membrane 114 and the seal inner frame 120. The seal outer frame 112 can include a frame registration lip 113 extending rearward from the perimeter of the seal outer frame 112 to a distance sufficient for the insertion of the mattress material, the seal membrane 114, and the seal inner frame 120. The frame registration lip 113 aids in alignment and retention of the seal inner frame 120. It is well understood that other assembly processes can be utilized, while maintaining the spirit and intent of the present invention.
The mattress functionality interfacing conduit 108 normally provides an easy path for microorganisms to contaminate a mattress. The sealed mattress cover assembly 100 provides a microorganism barrier surrounding the mattress, including a means providing a barrier around items such as the mattress functionality interfacing conduit 108. The present invention significantly reduces the risk of having to discard a mattress due to contamination.
The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1691629 | Kusterle | Nov 1928 | A |
| 3372407 | Weber, III | Mar 1968 | A |
| 4185341 | Scales | Jan 1980 | A |
| 6223369 | Maier et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6351864 | Karafa et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 20070283498 | Shelby | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61099605 | Sep 2008 | US |
