BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to mattresses and particularly to mattresses for use with adjustable bed frames.
Prior mattresses typically exhibit a “bridging effect” when an adjustable bed frame is arranged so that the head and foot support sections are elevated. The mattress rises above the carriage and causes difficulty in using the adjustable features of the bed frame to place the mattress in a desired position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mattress according to the present invention for use with an adjustable bed frame having a carriage, a head support section and a thigh support section connected to the carriage and a foot support section connected to the thigh support section comprise a foam layer; a rigid planar retainer member fastened to an underside portion of the foam layer; a fabric layer arranged to cover the retainer member; and apparatus connected to the retainer member for fastening the retainer member to the carriage.
The mattress according to the present invention preferably has a plurality of channels formed in the foam layer and arranged to allow airflow through the foam layer. A fan may be mounted in the foam layer to force air through the channels. Loudspeaker system components may also be mounted in the channels,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing the bridging effect that typically occurs with prior art mattresses;
FIG. 2 shows the desired configuration of mattress when the head and foot sections are elevated.
FIG. 3 shows a mattress connected to an underlying frame;
FIG. 4 shows suitable locations for connected the mattress of FIG. 3 to a frame;
FIG. 5 shows a problem that occurs when a mattress is connected to a frame using only an adhesive;
FIG. 6 shows a portion of a mattress connected to a board that is then covered with a layer of a fabric;
FIG. 7 shows apparatus for connected a mattress to a board and having a passage for loudspeaker wires;
FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross sectional view showing a mattress having air passages, an input fan and an exhaust fan and loudspeakers installed in the air passages;
FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 showing placement of tweeter and woofer loudspeakers
FIG. 10 is an end view of the mattress of FIGS. 8 and 9;
FIG. 11 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the mattress of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10; and
FIG. 12 shows apparatus for mounting a fan to a mattress
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional mattress 20 is placed upon a typical adjustable bed frame 22 having a head support section 24 and a thigh support section 26 hingedly connected to opposite sides of a carriage 28. A foot support section 30 is attached to the thigh support section. Such bed frames typically include a mattress retainer 32 at the end of the foot support section 30 to prevent the mattress 20 from sliding off the frame 22 as it is adjusted from one position to another. Raising the head support section 24 and the thigh support section 26 causes the mattress to rise above the carriage 28.
FIGS. 2 and 4 show a first board 34 connected to the mattress 20 above the carriage 28 and a second board 36 mounted to the mattress above the foot support section 30. A fabric layer 38 covers the boards 34 and 36 and essentially the entire bottom side 40 of the mattress 20.
FIG. 3 shows apparatus for connecting the mattress to the carriage 28. A passage 42 is formed in the base platform that comprises the carriage 28 and a passage 44 is formed in the board 34. A strap 46 is fastened to the bottom side carriage using any suitable fastening means such as nails or screws. The strap passes through the passages 42 and 44 and is also fastened to the topside of the board 34.
FIG. 5 illustrates a problem that occurs if the mattress 20 is merely glued to the board 34. Flexing the mattress 20 causes a portion of it to pull away from the board. Complete separation is likely to occur eventually.
FIG. 6 shows the fabric 38 fastened to the mattress 20 and to the board 34. The fabric provides a shear-resistant force that prevents the mattress 20 from peeling away from the board 34.
Referring to FIG. 7, the board 34 may be connected to the carriage 28 using a nut 50 that has a flange 52 at one end. The nut 50 is has an elongate cylindrical threaded portion 54 that passes through a passage 56 in the board 28. Screws 58 or other suitable fasteners secure the flange 52 to the bottom side of the board 34. A bushing 60 having a flange 62 has a cylindrical portion 64 that passes through a passage 66 in the carriage 28. Screws 68 or other suitable fasteners secure the flange 62 to the topside of the carriage 28. A hollow bolt 70 extends through the bushing and is then threaded engaged with the nut 50. The bolt 70 has a lengthwise passage 72 that may by used to pass speaker wiring 74 through the carriage 28 and the board 34 to speakers mounted inside the mattress 20.
FIGS. 8-11 show a mattress 76 formed to have a central foam portion 78, a top layer 80 that is preferably formed of a viscoelastic material, a bottom layer 82 and side and end layers. The central portion 80 has a plurality of passages 84 therein that are preferably generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mattress 76. The passages 84 are arranged so that there is fluid communication between adjacent passages. A fan 86 is mounted inside a passage 84A at the foot end of the mattress 76, and a similar fan 88 is mounted in a passage 84B at the head of the mattress 76. The fans 86 and 88 may be of a type that is prevalent in small computers. The fan 86 may be arranged to blow air into the passages 84 while the fan 88 is arranged to function in an exhaust mode. Air flow through the mattress 76 aids in keeping the mattress at a uniform temperature, which has been found to provide increased comfort to a person using the mattress.
Referring to FIG. 10, massage motors 90 and 92 and speakers 94 and 96 may also be mounted in the passages 84. FIG. 9 shows a suitable location for a woofer 98 that may be included in the speaker system.
FIG. 12 shows apparatus that is essentially the same as that of FIG. 7 with the differences being the omission of the bushing 60 and making the passage 72 have a diameter large enough to mount the fans 86 and 88 to the mattress 76.
Patent Grant
7810194
