Rotatable Mattress

Abstract

The mattress use of the two piece design and square configuration of mattress allows the mattress to be manually rotate and flipped between at least eight distinct mattress orientations, which reduce wear on the mattress and extends the life of the mattress. The mattress includes a square main section and a separate smaller rectangular foot section that are positioned together and orientated so that the main section supports the bulk of the user's weight while foot section typically only supports the user's feet. The main section can be rotated in 90 degree and flipped in 180 degree increments relative to foot section to provide eight distinct mattress orientations.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/078,231 filed Nov. 11, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. This invention relates to mattress sets, and in particular a mattress using a two piece design that allows for multiple mattress rotations.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Over time, mattresses can wear unevenly and leave permanent body impressions from users sleeping in the same position every night. Mattress manufacturers typically recommend that mattresses by flipped four times a year, alternating between end-over-end and side-over-side rotation. Consequently, a conventional mattress has four rotational orientations.

The mattress of this invention use of the two piece design and a square configuration of one mattress section to allow the mattress to be manually rotate and flipped between at least eight distinct mattress orientations, which reduces wear on the mattress and extends the life of the mattress. The mattress includes a square main section and a separate smaller rectangular foot section that are positioned together and orientated so that the main section supports the bulk of the user's weight while the foot section typically only supports the user's feet. The main section can be rotated in 90 degree and flipped in 180 degree increments relative to the foot section to provide eight distinct mattress orientations. The two piece design allows for greater easy in transporting and turning the mattress.

The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may take form in various system and method components and arrangement of system and method components. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating exemplary embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The drawings illustrate the present invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mattress set using an exemplary embodiment of the mattress of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mattress of the FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the mattress of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the foundation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the mattress of FIG. 1 showing the first rotation position;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the mattress of FIG. 1 showing the second rotation position;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the mattress of FIG. 1 showing the third rotation position;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the mattress of FIG. 1 showing the fourth rotation position; and

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the mattress of this invention, which is designated generally as reference numeral 100. For convenience of illustration and explanation only, mattress 100 is depicted as having the dimensions of a typical dual-sided “queen” sized mattress with two separate sleeping areas 101 and 103 that represent where two individuals would lay. As shown, mattress 100 used a two piece design having a main section 110 and a foot section 120. Mattress 100 may be used separately, but is typically used as part of a mattress set that includes a conventional foundation or box spring 10. Mattress 100 rests atop a separate foundation 10 (commonly referred to as a “box spring”) and is dimensioned to match the dimension of foundation 10. Foundation 10 provides strength, stability and durability to the mattress set and gives resilience to the set and helps equalize the weight distribution of the mattress for increased durability.

As best shown in FIG. 2, mattress 100 consists of a square main section 120 and a rectangular foot section 110, which sits atop foundation 10. Main section 110 has a square configuration with two opposed sleeping surfaces 112 and four equal length sides 114. Foot section 120 has a rectangular configuration with two opposed sleeping surfaces 122, a pair of opposed long sides 124 and a pair of opposed short ends 126. Sides 114 of main section 110 align and abut against the long sides 124 of foot section 120 when supported atop foundation 10. Main section 110 and foot section 120 are positioned and orientated so that the main section supports the bulk of the user's weight while foot section 120 typically only supports the user's feet.

As shown in FIG. 1, main section 110 and foot section 120 are held together by a pair of straps 130 with hook and loop fasteners (not shown). In other embodiments, zippers, straps and buckles, ties, or any other suitable means may be used to hold the sections together. In certain embodiments, the main section and foot section need not be interconnect, but simply rest atop the foundation or other bed structure.

Main section 110 and foot section 120 are generally identical in construction. Main section 110 and foot section 120 of mattress 100 typically use a conventional “innerspring” mattress construction, although they may be made and constructed using suitable mattress form or style. While not illustrated in the drawings, a typical “innerspring” mattress includes an internal wire spring structure (the “innerspring”) encased by a variety of upholstery layers. The inner spring provides the load deflection, edge and center support for the mattress. The upholstery layers provide cushioning and comfort and generally include an insulator, a middle upholstery, and a cover quilt. The insulator covers the innersprings and the middle upholstery layers add cushioning support. The middle upholstery layers can consist of flat, convoluted or zoned convoluted polyurethane foam, shredded compressed polyester pads or compressed synthetic fiber layers. The cover quilt consists of the top few layers of foam and/or fabric sewn together with a bottom backing material to hold the stitching. The perimeter edges and corners of the mattress are taped and sewn.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate how mattress 100 can be rotated or turned between various mattress orientations. For simplicity and consistency of explanation, the terms “rotate” or “rotating” refer to rotating either the main section 110 or foot section 120 about a central rotational axis perpendicular to their sleeping surfaces 112 and 122, whereby different sides of the sections are aligned and placed together. The terms “flip” or “flipping” refers to rotating either section 180 degree about a central longitudinal or lateral axis of the section whereby one or the other of the sleeping surfaces 112 and 122 are facing upward.

FIG. 5 show mattress 100 in one orientation where side 114a of main section 110 aligns with the side 124a of foot section 120. FIG. 6 shows in a second orientation where main section 110 is rotated counter-clockwise 90 degrees so that main section side 114b aligns with foot section side 124a. FIG. 7 shows in a second orientation where main section 110 is rotated counter-clockwise another 90 degrees so that main section side 114c aligns with foot section side 124a. FIG. 6 shows in a second orientation where main section 110 is rotated counter-clockwise another 90 degrees so that main section side 114d aligns with foot section side 124a. As shown in FIGS. 5-8, main section 110 can be rotated in 90 degree segments relative to foot section 120 to provide four distinct mattress orientations. An additional four mattress orientations are available by flipping main section 110 so that the opposite sleeping surface is facing upward. The use of the two piece design and square configuration allows mattress 100 to be moved between eight distinct mattress orientations, which reduces wear on the mattress and extends the life of the mattress.

Although not generally necessary, foot section 120 can be rotated 180 degrees to increase the total number of mattress orientations by a factor of two or sixteen mattress orientations. Although mattress 100 is illustrated in the figures as a “queen” sized mattress, the teachings of this invention may be applied to any size or type of mattress. In addition, mattress 100 is illustrated as a “dual-side” mattress (having two sleeping surfaces 112 and 122) although the same teaching apply to foundation type mattress as while. “Foundation” type mattresses combine a foundation and mattress and have a single top sleeping surface and a hard bottom surface. Consequently, under the teachings of this invention, a “foundation” type mattress has half as many orientations since foundations cannot be “flipped.” Nevertheless, the teaching of this invention may be applied to most mattress designs to reduce uneven wear and minimize the formation of body impressions.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention having significant advantages has been provided. While the invention is shown in only a few of its forms, it is not just limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. The embodiment of the present invention herein described and illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A mattress comprising:

a square main section adapted for supporting the head and torso of a user and having a first planar surface and an opposed second planar surface and four opposed sides; and

a rectangular foot section adapted for supporting the feet of the user and having a first planar surface and an opposed second planar surface, a pair of opposed sides and a pair of opposed ends,

the main section and foot section configured to be selectively aligned and positioned relative to one another in one of four rotational orientations where one of the opposed sides of the main section aligns against one of the pair of opposed sides of the foot section in each rotational position.

2. The mattress of claim 1 wherein the main section is configured so that the main section can be aligned and positioned in one of two facing orientations where where one of the first planar surface and the second planar surface is facing upward and the other of the first planar surface and the second planar surface is facing upward in the other of the two facing orientations.