Mattress retainer

Abstract

A mattress retainer for use with an adjustable bed having a rectilinear foot-region frame section with a planar upper surface substantially operates to “clip” this frame section, extending upwards at the foot of the adjustable bed to retain the mattress. Preferably made from a contiguous piece of bent metal, the mattress retainer (1) ships inverted in position on the foot-region frame section of a modular adjustable bed, and (2) is erected to operational position upon the bed by one person without use of tools.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 11/______ filed an even date herewith for MODULAR USER-ASSEMBLED ADJUSTABLE, AND HIGH-LOW ADJUSTABLE, BEDS to the selfsame inventor of the present application. The contents of the related patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally concerns mattress retainers, being structures that maintain mattresses upon beds, and particularly upon adjustable beds where the mattress may slip off elevated sections of the bed.

The present invention particularly concerns mattress retainers (1) for adjustable beds that are (2) compatibly shipped and erected with the modules of a modular user-assembled adjustable bed.

2. Background of the Invention

A number of U.S. patents, and patent applications, show mattress retainers for adjustable beds. The problem that is solved is than when the upper surface of an adjustable bed is adjusted in contour then a mattress that rests upon this surface (and any person(s) upon the mattress) may slide in position, including off the frame of the bed. A mattress retainer serves to hold the mattress in acceptable position during all contour adjustments of the adjustable bed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,353,550 to Antinori for a Retainer system for adjustable beds is directed to a mattress retainer system for adjustable beds which includes a mattress-retention bracket housed within a pocket of a mattress accessible in an upward direction through an opening along a bottom edge of the mattress. The pocket is formed by attaching a separate piece of material along a bottom edge of the mattress at one or both of opposite head/foot ends thereof and permitting an overlying downwardly projecting portion of a peripheral covering of the mattress to remain free thereby defining the opening into the pocket.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,321,811 to Rawls-Meehan for Methods and systems of adjustable bed position control shows an adjustable bed that may include providing a plurality of values that may define a range of available positions for an adjustable bed; receiving a request to save a position of the adjustable bed as a user selected position; determining which of the plurality of values may represent a current position of the adjustable bed to provide a current position value; storing an association of the current position value with the user selected position, forming a store position value; receiving a request to return the adjustable bed to the user selected position; adjusting the adjustable bed to a position corresponding to the store position value. Of relevance to the present invention, the disclosed method and system includes shipping a rest facility with a mattress retainer bracket attached upside down at a final location; and receiving the rest facility and orienting the mattress retainer bracket in an upright position at the final location.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,579 Piana, et al., for a Mattress retainer bracket shows a mattress retainer for use with adjustable beds. The mattress retainer can be secured to an upper surface of a mattress support, between the mattress support and a mattress positioned thereon. In one embodiment, the mattress support is configured to engage a taped edge border of the mattress to thereby constrain movement of the mattress relative to the mattress support when the mattress support is articulated to raise and/or lower various portions of the mattress. The mattress retainer includes a channel formed on an outboard edge for receiving the taped edge border of the mattress. The taped edge border can be clamped within the channel to thereby fix the position of the mattress relative to the mattress support.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,170 to Antinori for a Retainer system for adjustable beds is directed to a mattress retainer system for adjustable beds which includes a mattress-retention bracket housed within a pocket of a mattress accessible in an upward direction through an opening along a bottom edge of the mattress. The pocket is formed by attaching a separate piece of material along a bottom edge of the mattress at one or both of opposite head/foot ends thereof and permitting an overlying downwardly projecting portion of a peripheral covering of the mattress to remain free thereby defining the opening into the pocket.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,797 to Long, et al., for an Adjustable bed system shows an adjustable bed system is contained within a truck sleeper compartment. The adjustable bed system includes: a base frame; an upper-body frame system and a lower-body frame system, with each frame system being pivotally attached at one end to the base frame and pivotable from a horizontal position to a position which is at an acute angle with the horizontal position; a first adjustable-linkage system adjustably connecting the upper-body frame system to the base frame; and a second adjustable-linkage system adjustably connecting the lower-body frame system to the base frame.

In the Long, et al., patent a lower-body support surface is releasably fastened to first and second frame elements with a lower-body support surface including a mattress retainer being located at the footer end of a support surface, and attached to the support surface along its lower-facing side.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,425 to Davis for a Mattress retainer for adjustable bed is directed to a bed having a generally rectangular foundation and mattress, an air chamber located beneath having a plurality of sections, and at least one air chamber under a portion of the mattress, a controller for regulating the amount of air in the air chamber, and a mattress retainer placed between the mattress and the foundation comprising a tongue and extending toward the foot of the bed a sufficient distance to make contact with both the mattress and the foundation to increase the friction sufficiently to prevent slippage of the mattress when the heat is raised.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,873,731 and 4,839,932 both to Williamson for an Adjustable bed system both show an adjustable bed system comprising inflatable bags under a hinged mattress support frame with necessary air blowers to raise or lower a head end and leg end of the mattress. The total unit being portable and adapted to fit any size bed. A cloth mattress retainer may be sewed to the canvas bag covering the inflatable bags.

United States Patent Application No. 20080134431 also to Piana for a Bed with an Apparatus for Securing an Adjustable Base Support to a Mattress discloses a bed having an adjustable base support with an adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, a mattress positioned on top of the adjustable based support, and a mattress retainer disposed under the mattress between the adjustable base support and the mattress. The mattress retainer holds the mattress in a constrained position in relationship to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base support panel is adjusted between raised and lowered positions.

United States Patent Application No. 20080127418 to Rawls-Meehan is a lead one of a large series of patent applications directed to METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF AN ADJUSTABLE BED ane relating to an adjustable bed that may include one or more articulating portions, and may include one or more components, including an air inflatable mattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, a programmable logic controller, a remote memory storage facility, a remote storage location of user preferences, a cell phone remote control, a modular control device, an air purification facility, a power outlet controller, a Bluetooth remote control, an ultra wide band remote control, a wireless USB remote control, and the like.

Of relevance to the present invention, it is known to ship a mattress retainer bracket in an upside down position.

United States Patent Application No. 20080071200 also to Rawls-Meehan but now for Methods and systems of mounting a vibration motor to an adjustable bed relates to an adjustable bed that may include a motor, including a housing with a flange, an adjustable mattress support having a lateral surface, and an opening with a perimeter disposed within the lateral surface; at least one bracket coupled to the mattress support providing a lateral support surface inside the perimeter of the opening, the lateral support surface shaped and sized to laterally support the flange such that the motor is positioned to impart vibration to a mattress on the mattress support; and a resilient material disposed between the flange and the lateral support surface to provide mechanical insulation there between. This application again shows shipping with a mattress retainer bracket attached upside down, and then orienting the mattress retainer bracket in an upright position at the final location

United States Patent Application No. 20080000027 to Clenet for an Adjustable bed frame shows a bed frame with a lower support structure having a head end and a foot end and a carriage arranged for translational movement on the lower support structure. An upper support structure is mounted on the carriage. The upper support structure includes a seat and an upper body support section pivotally connected thereto. A support arm is pivotally connected between the lower support structure and the upper body support section. An actuator is connected to the lower support structure. A lever arm is connected between the actuator and the carriage. Application of force from the actuator to the lever arm moves the carriage on the lower support structure. The support arm is arranged such that movement of the carriage toward the head end of the lower support structure produces a lifting moment on the upper body support section. The frame conventionally includes a mattress retainer mounted to the upper frame section to prevent a mattress positioned on the upper support structure from moving off the upper support structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a mattress retainer for a bed, more particularly an adjustable bed, and still more particularly a modular user-assembled adjustable bed.

When used with a most-preferred user-assembled modular adjustable bed, the preferred embodiment of the mattress retainer is fully compatible with both (1) shipping of the modular sections of the adjustable bed, temporarily fitting most preferably in a reversed position about the same foot-region frame section to which it will ultimately mount to retain the mattress, and (2) user erection of the modular adjustable bed which can be realized—with the mattress retainer as well as with the rest of the bed—by one single person without use of tools.

The preferred mattress retainer is of unitary construction, being mode of, most preferably, a single bent piece of metal, normally steel tube of, most preferably, square cross section. The mattress retainer so made is readily cleaned and sanitized in all sections. Indeed, as a unitary structure it is remarkably devoid of holes or cracks or crevasses or any surface features whatsoever, and may readily be cleaned by a hand-held cloth that is drawn along the tubular retainer.

The most preferred embodiments of the retainer are first as a relatively larger retainer for the foot section, and the foot of the mattress, of the adjustable bed. Other, relatively smaller, embodiments of the retainer can be fitted to the sides of the foot section of the adjustable bed, therein to retain the foot region of the mattress from slipping sideways off the bed. These smaller embodiments of the retainer are particularly effective with bed frames that are upholstered, and slippery to a mattress resting upon the upper surface.

The mattress retainer can mount, if desired, a fabric cover in its portions that are upstanding so as to server to retain the mattress upon the bed.

The mattress retainers are all compatible with each other in any combination, and may be selectively mounted and dismounted as requirements for, access to, and placement of the adjustable bed may change.

1. The Mattress Retainer in General

A mattress retainer of the present invention is for mountable and removable use with an adjustable bed having (1) a rectilinear foot-region frame section with (2) a planar upper surface upon rests the corresponding foot section of a mattress. The mounted mattress retainer basically operates to selectively “clip” this foot-region frame section, extending upwards at the foot region of the adjustable bed to retain the mattress upon the frame.

Mattress retainers in accordance with the present invention may be configured to retain the mattress from slipping off the foot, or to either side, of the adjustable bed. In essence the mattress of the adjustable bed may be selectively retained when, where and as required in its foot region, and should any retainer no longer be required or desired, it is simply removed.

The mattress retainer is preferably made from a contiguous piece of bent metal. It ships inverted in position on, most preferably, the foot-region frame section of a modular adjustable bed. It is erectable to operational position upon the bed by one person without use of tools.

2. The theory of a Mattress Retainer in Accordance with the Present Invention

For such an historically common object having such a mundane purpose as does a mattress retainer, the present invention contemplates a rather audacious, and highly effective, solution, Namely, a unitary tubular steel structural element (1) “clips” the foot region of the bed frame at each of two spatially separated locations, and then (2) rises upwards from and at each “clipped” location and (3) extends between the two locations so as to present a barrier at a side edge of a mattress that rests upon the bed frame, and upon the bed frame's foot region.

This design is arguably audacious because it is unusual to see a “clipped” affixation something of volume so large as is are the generally thick rectilinear sections of an adjustable bed.

The design is effective because, in subtending a goodly portion of two surfaces of the foot region of the bed frame, and also of the mattress that is retained, it offers the same stability and effective retention as was previously realized by substantial bold-on units. However, the “bed-frame-clip-type” mattress retainer of the present invention may readily be affixed and removed by hand, and by one person, without the use of any tools.

3. The Mattress Retainer of the Present Invention in Greater Detail

In one of its aspects the present invention may be considered to be embodied in a mattress retainer for use with a bed having a substantially rectilinear frame sections that have and present substantially planar upper surfaces upon which rests a mattress that is retained upon the bed.

The mattress retainer so deployed consists of a contiguous piece of tubular metal. This tube is bent so as to clip a section of the bed frame in two spaced-parallel regions, each spaced-parallel clip extending from an edge of the clipped section of the bed frame so as to act against top and bottom surfaces of the bed frame equivalently as a common paper clip would act to compressively clip a thick sheaf of papers. These two “clip” sections are connected by an upstanding “U”-shaped section between the two-spaced parallel clips that engages a mattress upon the bed at the edge of the clipped section, and that keeps the mattress from sliding off the section and off the bed.

This mattress retainer can be used at a foot of a foot-region frame section of the adjustable bed, there serving to prevent the mattress from sliding off the foot region of the bed. It can be used at either side of the foot-region frame section of the adjustable bed, there serving to prevent the mattress from sliding off the side of the foot region of the bed. It can even be used at a head of a head-region frame section of the adjustable bed, there serving to prevent the mattress from sliding off the head of the bed.

In another of its aspects, the present invention can be considered to be embodied in a mattress retainer for use with an adjustable bed where the bed has a substantially rectilinear foot-region frame section having and presenting a substantially planar upper surface upon which resides a foot region of the mattress. The retainer serves to retain the mattress upon this foot region.

So used and adapted the mattress retainer consists of a contiguous piece of bent metal, preferably steel tubing of round or, most preferably, square cross-section. This bent metal piece is disposed partially upon the foot-region frame section, partially under the foot region of the mattress, and partially upstanding at the foot of the mattress. So positioned and disposed it there retain the mattress upon the fame.

An embodiment that retains the mattress from slipping off the foot of the foot section of the adjustable bed is symmetrical about an imaginary vertical plane along a longitudinal centerline of the bed. An embodiment that retains the mattress from slipping off the sides of the foot section of the adjustable bed is symmetrical about an imaginary vertical orthogonal to a longitudinal centerline of the bed.

In detail, each symmetrical half of the bent metal piece (1) proceeds from a vertically upstanding extension contacting the rectilinear foot region frame section in a position opposite to the foot of the bed, to (2) extend rearward under the foot frame section to the foot edge of the bed, there (3) proceeding upwards and around the foot edge region of the foot frame section and then (4) forming a substantial loop directionally first away from and then back to the foot of the bed and its foot frame section. Finally, each symmetrical half of the bent metal piece (5) extends first upwards and then laterally centrally so as to, in combination with the symmetrical half, produce a mechanically stable upstanding barrier at the foot of any mattress upon the foot frame section of the bed. The barrier serves to retain the mattress upon the foot frame section and upon the bed.

The mattress retainer is preferably for use with an adjustable bed wherein the foot-region frame section is an adjustable section of the adjustable bed.

It is more preferably for use with an adjustable bed that is modular, in which use the mattress retainer is shipped with the foot-region frame section of the modular adjustable bed. Most preferably the retainer is reversed relative to mattress surface of the foot-region frame section during this shipping.

In greater detail, the substantial loop formed by the piece of bent metal that constitutes the mattress retainer—the loop that proceeds directionally first away from, and then back to, the foot of the bed and its foot frame section—is more particularly in the substantial shape of a single loop of a paper clip. In this contour it can be analogized that each symmetrical half of the bent metal piece serves to clip the foot-region frame section of the bed.

These and other aspects and attributes of the present invention will become increasingly clear upon reference to the following drawings and accompanying specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the mattress retainer of the present invention shown in isolation,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the various embodiments of the mattress retainer of the present invention—a first of which embodiments was previously seen in FIG. 1—fitted in operational positions upon an adjustable bed that is shown in phantom line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to a mattress retainer that is particularly for use on an upper surface of a bed is adjusted in contour, or adjustable bed. A mattress that rests upon this surface—and any person(s) upon the mattress—may slide in position, including off the frame of the bed.

To prevent this undesired movement a mattress retainer serves to hold the mattress in acceptable position during all contour adjustments of the adjustable bed.

A first preferred embodiment of the mattress retainer 1 of the present invention is shown in perspective view in FIG. 1. The retainer is symmetrical about an imaginary point A′ of an imaginary vertical plane A, and about the plane A itself. The head of the bed frame (shown in FIG. 2), and the bed, is in the direction of arrow B. The foot of the bed frame, and the bed, is in the direction of arrow C.

Each symmetrical half of a bent metal retainer has vertically upstanding extensions 11a, 11b contacting a rectilinear foot-region frame section in positions opposite to the foot of the bed frame (shown in FIG. 2). The base of these extensions 11a, 11b extend rearwards, and in the direction of arrow C, in respective members 12a, 12b. These members 12a, 12b will lie under the foot-region frame section 51 of the bed 5 (shown in FIG. 2), and bend upwards and around the foot-edge-region of the foot-frame-section 51 at 13a, 13b. The members then continue respectively as 14a, 15a, 16a, and as 14b, 15b and 16, to form a substantial loop that is in direction first away from—i.e., in the direction of arrow B—and then back towards—i.e., in the direction of arrow C—the foot of the bed and of the bed's foot frame section 51 (shown in FIG. 2). At this point through members 16a and 16 two spaced-apart, spaced-parallel, “clips” have been formed embracing, and “clipping” the foot-region frame section 51 of the bed 5 (shown in FIG. 2).

Finally, each symmetrical half extends first upwards in members 17a, 17b and then towards each other laterally centrally, and in union with the other symmetrical half, via the member 18.

The combination of all members produces a mechanically stable upstanding barrier 17a, 18, 17b at the foot of any mattress upon the foot frame section 51 of the bed 5. This barrier serves to retain the mattress upon the foot frame section 51 and upon the bed 5.

The first preferred embodiment of the mattress retainer 1 of the present invention, previously seen in FIG. 1, is shown in diagrammatic perspective view fitted in operational position upon the foot fame section 51 of an adjustable bed 5 in FIG. 2. The bed 5, and its foot frame section 51, are both shown in phantom line for not being part of the mattress retainer of the present invention.

The first preferred embodiment of the mattress retainer 1 of the present invention, previously seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is shown accompanied by second embodiments 2, 3 of the mattress retainer that serve to retain the mattress (not shown) from slipping off the sides of the foot frame region 51 (shown in FIG. 2) of the adjustable bed 5 (shown in FIG. 2).

Also shown in FIG. 22 is a mattress retainer for a head frame region 54 of the adjustable bed 5. It will be understood that sections 51-54 of the adjustable bed 5 are moveable in angle relative to one another, and that this is the reason that a mattress (not shown) needs be maintained from slipping off the bed 5.

The first preferred embodiment of the mattress retainer 1 of the present invention, previously seen in FIGS. 1-3, is fitted in reverse position to the foot-region frame section 21 of the modular adjustable bed 5 (both previously seen in FIG. 2 and again shown in phantom line) during shipping of this modular foot-region section 51 of the adjustable bed 5.

Clearly the concept of “clipping” the foot-region frame-section of an adjustable bed could be realized by members other than 14a, 15a, 16a and 14b, 15b, 16b shown in FIG. 1. Still other contours could be accorded to other members consistent with their functions. According to these variations, and still others within the skill of a practitioner of the bed, and adjustable bed, and modular adjustable bed arts, the present invention should be considered in accordance with the following claims, only, and not solely on accordance with those embodiments within which the invention has been taught.

Claims

1. A mattress retainer for use with a bed having a substantially rectilinear frame sections that have and present substantially planar upper surfaces upon which rests a mattress that is retained upon the bed, the mattress retainer comprising:

a contiguous piece of tubular metal bent so as to clip a section of the bed frame in two spaced parallel regions, each spaced-parallel clip extending from an edge of the clipped section of the bed frame so as to act against top and bottom surfaces of the bed frame equivalently as a common paper clip would act to compressively clip a thick sheaf of papers; and

an upstanding “U”-shaped section between the two-spaced parallel clips that engages a mattress upon the bed at the edge of the clipped section, and that keeps the mattress from sliding off the section and off the bed.

2. The mattress retainer according to claim 1 for use at a foot of a foot-region frame section of the adjustable bed; wherein the retainer serves to prevent the mattress from sliding off the foot region of the bed.

3. The mattress retainer according to claim 1 for use at a side of a foot-region frame section of the adjustable bed; wherein the retainer serves to prevent the mattress from sliding off the side of the foot region of the bed.

4. The mattress retainer according to claim 1 for use at a head of a head-region frame section of the adjustable bed; wherein the retainer serves to prevent the mattress from sliding off the head of the bed.

5. A mattress retainer for use with a bed having a substantially rectilinear foot-region frame section having and presenting a substantially planar upper surface upon which resides a foot region of the mattress that is retained, the mattress retainer comprising:

a contiguous piece of bent metal partially disposed the foot-region frame section, partially under the foot region of the mattress, and partially upstanding at the foot of the mattress to retain the mattress upon the fame, and symmetrical about an imaginary vertical plane along a longitudinal centerline of the bed, with each symmetrical half of the bent metal piece proceeding from a vertically upstanding extension contacting the rectilinear foot region frame section in a position opposite to the foot of the bed, extending rearward under the foot frame section to the foot edge of the bed, there proceeding upwards and around the foot edge region of the foot frame section and then forming a substantial loop directionally first away from and then back to the foot of the bed and its foot frame section, finally extending first upwards and then laterally centrally so as to, in combination with the symmetrical half, produce a mechanically stable upstanding barrier at the foot of any mattress upon the foot frame section of the bed, retaining the mattress upon the foot frame section and upon the bed.

6. The mattress retainer according to claim 5 for use with an adjustable bed wherein the foot-region frame section is an adjustable section of the adjustable bed.

7. The mattress retainer according to claim 6 for use with an adjustable bed that is modular, the mattress retainer being shipped with the foot-region frame section of the modular adjustable bed.

8. The mattress retainer according to claim 7 for use with the adjustable bed that is modular wherein the mattress retainer is reversed relative to mattress surface of the foot-region frame section during shipping of the modular adjustable bed.

9. The mattress retainer according to claim 7 for use with the adjustable bed that is modular wherein the mattress retainer is assembled to the foot-region frame section of the modular adjustable bed by one person without use of tools.

10. The mattress retainer according to claim 5

wherein the substantial loop formed by the piece of bent metal directionally first away from, and then back to, the foot of the bed and its foot frame section is more particularly in the substantial shape of a single loop of a paper clip;

wherein it can be analogized that each symmetrical half of the bent metal piece serves to clip the foot-region frame section.