Abstract: A leg set for a bed is provided by lengths of tubular material having ends at right angles to the centerline of the tube. The upper end of the tube length is notched so the vertically oriented supports for the bed can be slipped into the notches. The notches are deep enough, and the diameter of the tube is sufficient, to provide lateral stability. The vertically oriented supports may be the structural members of the box for a soft sided waterbed, may be supports for the deck of a full flotation waterbed, or may be a support for any other form of mattress.

Abstract: A frame for a soft sided waterbed has four rails of foam covered with vinyl or other water impervious sheet. The cover sheet extends completely around each foam rail, and a central portion extends across the frame to the opposite foam rail. A reinforcing sheet can be coextensive with the central portion if needed. The cover sheet is then sealed to itself at each foam rail, so the frame defines a waterproof safety liner integrally therewith. The cover sheet may have holes in each corner, on the bottom of the frame, so the foam rails can be removed and reinserted. This allows the frame to be shipped in "knocked-down" condition and assembled by the user.

Abstract: A rail for forming a full flotation water bed has a lower member of wood or the like placed on its edge to achieve height, and a flange fixed to the lower member to provide flexural strength and the desired width for the upper, cushion member. The upper cushion member is fixed to the transition member and provides a soft surface on the rails while contributing to the total height of the rail. The rail is then covered with a sheet material for aesthetic purposes. A bed frame made of the new rails may have long longitudinal rails to provide extensions to receive a headboard. In the extensions, blocks rest on the transition member and extend to the top of the cushion member for supporting the headboard. Transverse rails may be conventional rails, or the new rails of the present invention.

Abstract: A frame for a waterbed has a lower portion of each rail formed of wood or other generally rigid material, and an upper portion formed of foamed plastic or other padding material. The lower portion provides the strength to withstand the outward forces of the water mattress, while the padding of the upper portion provides comfort for sleeping or sitting on the edge of the bed. The bottom of the rails have a flange fixed thereto. The lower portions of the rails, at their ends, have alignment devices to align the rails, and clamps fixed to the flanges fix rails together so the rails are easy to assemble into a complete frame.

Abstract: A mattress has a layer of generally straight levers embedded therein in at least one layer. As a heavy portion of the body pushes down on one end of levers, the opposite end pushes up to support an adjacent portion of the body. The levers may be spring material to render the reaction less severe. The ends of the levers are preferably connected together in groups by flexible strands. The strands maintain the organization within a layer, but allow movement in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the sleeping surface of the mattress. More than one layer of levers can be used when desired.

Abstract: A water bed frame has four rails to define a container for a water mattress, and at least the side rails include flanges fixed to the rails and extending beneath the water mattress. The flanges may be fixed to the bottom surface of the beam making up the rail, or may be received within a groove parallel to the bottom surface of the beam. The flanges provide a wider rail area to prevent the rails from falling off the deck, the weight of the mattress on the flanges tends to hold the frame stationary with respect to the deck, and the flanges provide sufficient strength to prevent bowing of the side rails from the outward force exerted by the water mattress. All four of the rails may include flanges if desired.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress is formed to include an inner waterproof bladder and an outer waterproof bladder. The two bladders are sealed together only at the fill valve for the inner bladder, so the rest of the two bladders are independent of each other; or, the bladders may be completely unconnected. The sleeping surface of the mattress may be embossed; and, preferably, both the inner and outer bladders will be embossed. The outer bladder may be of transparent material so that leakage of the inner bladder can be easily detected.

Abstract: A hybrid mattress has a rail that includes a flexible foam member and a rigid supporting member. The rigid supporting member engages the lower outside of the foam to provide support and prevent bowing. A groove in the outer surface of the foam receives a flange on the inside of the rigid member, and the two mate closely so that mattress coverings can be clamped between the two.

Abstract: A hydraulic unit for a waterbed mattress is provided, along with a method for constructing the unit. The usual lower sheet having a plurality of chambers is covered with the usual upper sheet, and the fibrous bat is placed over the upper sheet. The assembly can be welded together, and plastic from the lower and upper sheets encases the fibrous bat to hold the bat to the hydraulic unit. The upper sheet, which is normally thin, should have about the same thickness as the lower sheet to prevent degradation. Otherwise, the upper sheet can remain thin, and a porous sheet is interposed, so the plastic from the lower and upper sheets flows through the porous sheet and encases the fibrous bat without degrading the thin upper sheet.