MATTRESSES WITH EXTENDED LENGTH HANDLES

Abstract

A mattress having a top surface, a bottom surface which is opposite of and parallel to the top surface, and a right side wall, a left side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, the right, left, bottom and top side walls being perpendicular to and extending between the top and bottom surface of the mattress. A single extended length mattress handle is attached horizontally along a substantial length of each opposing side wall of the mattress. The extended length mattress handles are sewn onto the mattress at two or more connection points and preferably at three or more points or areas on each mattress side wall. In one embodiment, the length of the mattress handles is less than the length of the side wall to which it is attached. In a second embodiment, the length of the mattress handles is greater than the length of the mattress and the handle wraps around each corner and extends onto the adjacent end wall or walls. The extended length and horizontal arrangement of the handles facilitates easier gripping and handling of the mattress.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

There are no applications related to this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to mattresses and sleep systems and sleep sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mattresses have been manufactured with handles attached to the vertical side panel or “border” upholstery material which covers the side of the mattress; between the top and bottom surfaces. Such border mounted handles are most commonly in the form of rope or elastic cord or strip of material, with the ends extending through grommets in the border material and knotted or stapled inside the mattress or sewn directly to the border material. Conventionally there has been provided two handles, approximately six to eight inches in length, on each long side of the mattress, spaced at approximately one third and two thirds of the length of the mattress. The handles are most commonly oriented horizontally or parallel with the resting surface of the mattress, but can also be oriented vertically; transverse to the top and bottom surfaces of the mattress. Mattresses have also been made with handles on the head and foot ends of the border.

With the increased size and weight of mattresses over the years, handles are a necessity to enable efficient handling and adjustment of position on a foundation. Providing only two relatively short length handles per side limits this ability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The mattresses of the present: invention provide an upholstery assemblage which includes handles of extended lengths for improved handle construction and increased ease of handling and adjustment. In one representative embodiment, a mattress core, in combination with one or more padding layers, is covered with an upholstery layer that envelops the mattress core and one or more padding layers. The mattress has a top surface, a bottom surface which is opposite and parallel to the top surface, a left side wall, a right side wall, a top side wall and a bottom side wall, the left, right, top and bottom side walls being perpendicular to and extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The mattress further includes at least two mattress handles horizontally disposed and attached along at least two apposing side walls of the mattress, the at least two mattress handles having a length that extends along a substantial length of the side wall or border of the mattress to which it is attached. The at least two mattress handles are each attached to the mattress at two or more attach merit points or areas, and each preferably attached to the border at at least three attachment point or areas.

In a second representative embodiment, a mattress comprises a top surface, a bottom surface which is opposite and parallel to the top surface, and a border which is perpendicular to and extends between the top and bottom surface creating a substantially rectangular structure. The border includes a left side wall, a right side wall, a top side wall and a bottom side wall. A first handle is attached at afirst end to a first end of the mattress border, extending along the right wall of the mattress border and attached at a second end to an opposite end of the mattress border. A second handle is attached at a first end to the first end of the mattress border, extending along the left side wall of the mattress border and attached at the opposite end of the mattress border.

These and other embodiments of the disclosure and inventions are further described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the Mattress with Horizontal Handles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the Mattress with Horizontal Handles of FIG. 1, which is identical to the opposite side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the Mattress with Horizontal Handles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the Mattress with Horizontal Handles of FIG. 3, which is identical to the opposite side view thereof.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the Mattress with Horizontal Handles of FIG. 3, which is identical to the opposite end view thereof.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a third embodiment of the Mattress with Horizontal Handles of the present invention, which is identical to the opposite side view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

The mattress 100 according to the present invention is generally square or rectangular shaped having a substantially planar top surface and a substantially planar bottom surface which is opposite and parallel to the top surface, and four substantially planar side walls that are parallel to and extend between the top and bottom surfaces of the mattress. The top and bottom side walls 12, also referred to herein as “end walls”, are the head and foot ends of the mattress, are parallel. The right and left side walls 10 (or “longitudinal sides”) are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the top and bottom side walls 12. The side walls 10 and 12 are formed by a separate piece of material referred to as a “border”, which is an upholstery or quilt material which is wrapped around the perimeter of the mattress core, or padding or other materials which surround the mattress core. The extended length mattress handles described herein are attached to the border which forms side walls 10 and 12, either by stitching or other fastening means.

The outer surfaces of the mattress are formed by one or more layers of quilt material or quilt package, also referred to as “ticking”, “upholstery” or “upholstery tick” which is sewn together to enclose the inner components of the mattress such as an innerspring and internal layers of padding, foam or other components. The mattress core may be in the form of an innerspring comprising a plurality of coil springs arranged in a matrix and attached to one another with helical lacing wire. Alternatively, the mattress core may be comprised of one monolithic piece of foam or have several foam layers. The present disclosure and related inventions is applicable to all different types and sizes of mattresses, including upholstered mattresses with different types of cores, i.e., spring, foam or wire and foam combinations.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, at least two single extended length mattress handles or straps 14 are generally horizontally disposed and attached to at least two opposing side walls of the mattress, preferably the left and right sides 10, and may extend to the adjacent end walls 12 as further described. The length of each of the extended length handles, as measured horizontally from one end to an opposite end as the handle is attached to the border, is longer than any mattress handles of this type of which the Applicants are aware, and is generally greater than about 10 inches, and can be greater than 20 inches, greater than 30 inches, greater than 40 inches, greater than 50 inches, greater than 60 inches, greater than 70 inches, greater than 80 inches. and greater than a total length of the sides 10 of a mattress, as further described herein. In a particular embodiment an extended length handle length is less than the length of the side mattress wall 10 to which the handle 14 is attached, and is of a length of approximately 50-55 inches. As used herein, the term “extended length handle” refers to and means a mattress handle of the type described which has a length or linear extent along a side wall or border of a mattress wherein the total length of the handle is within a range that includes lengths greater than approximately eight or ten inches and equal to or greater than an entire length of one longitudinal side of the mattress to which it is attached. In a representative embodiment of the disclosure, an extended length mattress handle has a total length of preferably greater than about six inches, and more preferably greater than about eight inches, and even more preferably greater than ten inches, and up to and including the lengths described herein.

The first and second opposing ends 16 and 18 of each handle are attached to a side wall 10 of the mattress 100. The handle body 14 is further attached to the mattress 100 at several additional connection or attachment points 20 along the corresponding side wall 10 of the mattress 100. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment points 20 may be comprised of thread which is stitched through the handle and mattress wall in a pattern or defined area, as shown for example in FIG. 1, having a square box with an X stitch pattern inside the box. This stitch pattern gives the attachment sufficient strength to affix and maintain the attachment of the handle 14 to the side wall 10 of the mattress 100. Other stitch patterns are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “attachment point” refers to and includes an area of stitching which extends through the handle and into the boarder of the mattress. The sewing equipment used to attach the handles to the mattress are capable of sewing any number of different stitch patterns or defined areas of stitching. The stitch patterns may even be customized with for example, a company logo or other such indicia. Also, the stitch patterns at each attachment point or area may be varied or non-repeating. In a preferred embodiment, there are approximately seven distinct or spaced-apart attachment points or areas along the length of the handle, creating approximately six equally sized horizontal handles 22 or segments at which a user may grasp the handle 14 on at least two opposing side of the mattress. The handles 14 can be made of the same quilting fabric as the outer fabric material a the mattress, or of any material which can be formed as a handle and sewn to the mattress border.

In a second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a single extended length mattress handle 24 or strap is horizontally disposed and attached along at least two opposing, parallel side walls of the mattress 100, preferably the left and right sides 10. The length of each handle 24 is greater than the length of the side wall 10 to which the handle 24 is attached. This allows each of the opposing ends 16, 18 of each handle 24 to wrap around opposing corners 28 of the mattress 100 and extend along the adjacent side wall. This excess creates an extra handle 26 or segment at the outer edge of each adjacent side wall, such as at the edge of the top and bottom side walls 12 of the mattress 100. Attachment points 20 are located at the opposing ends 16, 18 of the mattress handles (located on each adjacent side wall), at each mattress corner 28, and at several additional points 20 along the side wall 10 of the mattress 100. This configuration creates two handles 26, one each at the top and bottom side wall 12 and several adjacent handles 22 or gripping points along the left and right side walls 10 of the mattress 100. For a twin or full Mattress with a length of approximately 75-76 inches, there will be one attachment point on each adjacent side wall, one at each corner; and six more equally spaced attachment points along the length of the mattress, creating approximately nine equally sized handles along each long side, or the left and right sides of the mattress. A king or queen sized mattress, approximately 80 inches in length, would contain one extra attachment point which would create approximately ten equally sized handles along each long side of the mattress. In a preferred embodiment, as described above, the attachment of the handles 24 to the mattress 100 may be by thread sewn in a box shape with an ‘X’ stitch pattern inside the box to provide sufficient attachment strength. Other stitch patterns may also be used. The handles are made of the same quilting fabric as the outer surface of the mattress so that they easily blend with the aesthetics of the mattress.

In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, a single extended length mattress handle 24 or strap is horizontally disposed and attached along all four sides of the mattress. The handle is initially attached at one point along one side of the mattress and wraps around all four sides of the mattress until it reaches the initial attachment point. The initial attachment point may be at one corner of the mattress or it may be at a specific point along one of the mattress sides. Attachment points 20 are located at each mattress corner 28 and at several additional points 20 along each side wall 10 of the mattress 100. This configuration creates equally sized and spaced handles along the left and right side walls 10 and the top and bottom side wall 12. For a twin or full sized mattress (length 75-76 inches long), six equally spaced attachment points will be attached along each long side, or left and right side, of the mattress, creating approximately nine equally sized handles. A king or queen sized mattress (length 80 inches long) would contain one extra attachment point which would result in approximately ten equally sized handles along each long side or the mattress:

Attachment of the horizontal handles along the sides of the mattress may be sewn on by hand or by an automated process, as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,579, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Extending a single extended length mattress handle along the entire length of two sides of the mattress provides a gripping position at practically any point along the length of the mattress. The horizontal placement of the handles also better facilitate movements such as lifting or turning of the mattress.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifitations may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Other features and aspects of this invention will be appreciated by thOse skilled in the art upon reading and comprehending this disclosure. Such features, aspects, and expected variations and modifications of the reported results and examples are clearly within the scope of the invention where the invention is limited solely by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A mattress comprising:

a mattress core;

one or more upholstery layers;

one or more quilting layers that envelop the mattress core and the one or more upholstery layers;

the mattress having a top surface, a bottom surface which is opposite and parallel to the top surface, a left side wall, a right side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, the left, right, top and bottom Side walls being perpendicular to and extending between the top and bottom surfaces;

an extended length mattress handle attached to each of the opposing side walls of the mattress, the extended length mattress handles having a length that is less than a length of the side wall to which it is attached,

wherein the at least two mattress handles are each attached to the respective mattress side wall at three or more attachment points.

2. The mattress of claim 1 wherein each extended length mattress handle extends a substantial length of the respective mattress side wall.

3. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the length of each of the extended length mattress handles is greater than 10 inches.

4. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the each of the extended length mattress handles are attached to the mattress at three or more attachment points.

5. The mattress of claim 1, wherein one extended length mattress handle is attached to the right side wall and one extended length mattress handle is attached to the left side wall.

6. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the mattress comprises four extended length mattress handles, a first Mattress handle being attached to the right side wall, a second mattress handle being attached to the left side wall, a third mattress handle being attached to the bottom side wall, and a fourth mattress handle being attached to the top side wall.

7. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the at least two mattress handles are attached to the mattress at five or more attachment points.

8. The mattress of claim 6, wherein the five or more attachment points create at least four handles.

9. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the at least two mattress handles are sewn onto the mattress.

10. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the at least two mattress handles are attached to the mattress by stitching which extends through the extended mattress handles into the mattress side wall.

11. A mattress comprising:

a top surface, a bottom surface which is opposite and parallel to the top surface, and a border which is perpendicular to and extends between the top and bottom surface creating a substantially rectangular structure;

the border comprising a left side wall, a right side wall, a top side wall and a bottom side wall,

a first extended length handle being attached at a first end to the top side wall of the mattress border, extending along the right side wall of the mattress border and attached at a second end to the bottom side wall of the mattress border;

a second extended length handle being attached at a first end to the top side wall of the mattress border, extending along the left side wall of the mattress border and attached at a second end to the bottom-side wall of the mattress border.

12. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the first extended length handle is attached to the right side wall of the mattress border at three or more attachment points.

13. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the second extended length handle is attached to the left wall of the mattress border at three or more attachment points.

14. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the first and second extended length handles are attached to the right and left side walls of the mattress at approximately 10 attachment points.

15. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the first and second extended length handles are attached to the right and left side walls of the mattress at approximately 11 attachment points.

16. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the first extended length handle is additionally connected to the mattress proximate to an intersection of a first end wall and a right side wall of the mattress border and proximate to an intersection of the second end wall and the right side wall of the mattress border and at three or more connection points along the right side wall of the mattress border.

17. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the second extended length handle is additionally connected to the mattress proximate to an intersection of a first end wall and a left side wall of the mattress border and proximate to an intersection of a second end wall and the left side wall of the mattress border and at three or more connection points along the right side wall of the mattress border.

18. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the first extended length handle and the second extended length handle are attached respectively to the right side wall and the left side wall at one or more connection points or areas and wherein the first extended length handle and the second extended length handle are equally spaced along the respective length of the right and left side walls of the mattress border.

19. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the first and second extended length handles are made of the same fabric as the mattress border.

20. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the first and second extended length handles are horizontally disposed.

21. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the first and second handles are sewn onto the mattress border.

22. A mattress comprising:

a mattress core;

one or more upholstery layers;

a quilt layer over the one or more upholstery layers;

a border which surrounds a perimeter of the mattress core and the one or more upholstery layers, the border being perpendicular to and attached along an edge to the quilt layer, and having a first and second longitudinal sections, a head section which extends between the first and second longitudinal sections at a first end of the mattress core, and a foot section which extends between the first and second longitudinal sections at a second end of the mattress core;

an extended length mattress handle attached to each of the first and second longitudinal sections of the border, each extended length mattress handle being attached to the border at three separate locations along a length of the extended length mattress handle.

23. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 10 inches.

24. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 12 inches.

25. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 14 inches.

26. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 20 inches.

27. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 30 inches.

28. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 40 inches.

29. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 50 inches.

30. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 60 inches.

31. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 70 inches.

32. The mattress of claim 22 wherein the extended length mattress handles have a length greater than 80 inches.