ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT MATTRESS ASSEMBLY

Abstract

There is provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention a mattress assembly comprising a plurality of foam members having varying densities with at least one inflatable bladder positioned in between the members. The inflatable bladder may be inflated or deflated by a user in accordance with the user's requirements.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/428,979 filed on Dec. 31, 2011 and is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mattresses, mattress toppers, mats and sleep systems. More particularly, it relates to systems that can be used to provide comfort and support. It also relates to a system that can be used to provide supplemental support to compensate for mattress sag.

2. Prior Art

Generally, there have been a variety of systems proposed for use to help in enhancing comfort and to support parts of the body. Devices of this type include mattress toppers positioned over the mattress as well as other devices positioned between a mattress and a box spring. The existing devices may be configured to elevate one part of a person's body or to provide different levels of support in different zones.

Different people have different body types and it often the case that the comfort enhancing sleep device that works best for one person's body is not the best device for a different person.

Additionally, existing mattresses often develop mattress sag or an indent after several years of use. Such a sag or indent may make the mattress uncomfortable or even unusable. Replacing the mattress with a new mattress is very expensive. Positioning a rolled up towel or pillow below the mattress may cure the sag, but it is rare for the towel or pillow to provide the optimum amount of adjustment.

SUMMARY

In view of the above referenced deficiencies in the prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a sleep system which can be in the form of a mat, a mattress topper or a mattress that provides an adjustment to conform to a user and may cure the defect of mattress sag.

The invention is directed to sleep systems comprising multiple foam members having different densities. The foam members may be releasably or permanently attached to one another.

The invention further includes at least one air filled bladder. A first bladder placed within the system provides added comfort and support. A second bladder may be placed in another position, such as approximately under the knees of a user, to provide additional comfort and support. A third bladder may be placed to provide support for the head. Additionally, the system, or a portion thereof, may be placed on an existing mattress to compensate for mattress sag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sleep system in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention, where the removable cover is revealed at the top;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sleep system in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view thereof, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a second cross-section view of and the sleep system in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the bladders in an inflated state; and

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a mattress topper system designed to compensate for a sagging mattress in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is shown an assembly 10, which may be, for example, a mat, a mattress or a mattress topper placed on top of a support S. The assembly 10 includes a head member 14, a body member 16 and a base member 18. All of the members 14, 16, 18 are constructed of various densities of foam, such as latex foam. The assembly may further include an additional three members 14a, 16a and 18a which correspond to the first three members. The additional three members are positioned opposite the first three members and may be employed to provide varying support levels for the opposite sides of the bed. (Where only the foam members 14, 16 and 18 are discussed it is presumed that the same is true for the corresponding members 14a, 16a and 18a.) Thus, two people having different body profiles may share a single assembly having foam densities specifically selected for their respective body profiles.

The foam members 14, 16, 18 preferably have densities based on the body weight(s) of the user(s), with the density of the base foam member 18 being greater than the density of the head member 14 and the body member 16. In the case of a standard weight, the densities are 4, 6 and 10 lbs per cubic foot, respectively. Preferably, each has a thickness of two inches in the case of a mattress topper, or thicker in the case of a mattress.

In alternative embodiments, polyurethane foam is used in place of latex foam and varying densities of either foam may be used are used in place of the preferred densities.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the head member 14 and body member 16 are positioned above the base member 18, which extends the entire length of the assembly. The head member 14 is relatively smaller than the body member 16 because the head member 14 is positioned to support the head and shoulders of a user, where the body member 16 is positioned to support the body and legs of the user. In order to allow the user's shoulders to sink deeper into the assembly, the head member 14 is constructed of lower density foam.

The head member 14, the body member 16 and the base member 18 are adhered to one another by an adherent, preferably a glue adherent. Alternatively, the members 14, 16, 18 may include hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® so that the members 14, 16, 18 are securely but releasably fastened to one another. The hook and loop fastener embodiment allows for individual members to be selectively switched or replaced, thereby assuring that different densities can be used to fit body weight and body parts such as shoulders, stomach, legs etc. This may be especially useful when it is desirable for particular body parts or regions to be more firmly or less firmly supported, such as when one is healing an injury or treating a medical condition.

An air inflatable bladder 22 is positioned between the base member 18 and body member 16 approximately centered along the height of the assembly 10. A second bladder 24 is positioned between the base member 18 and the head member 14. A third bladder 26 is positioned between the base member 18 and the body member 16 at the bottom end 20 of the assembly 10. In the preferred embodiment, corresponding fourth, fifth and sixth bladders (22a, 24a and 26a respectively) are positioned between the support S and the foam members 14a and 16a. (Where only the bladders 22, 24 and 26 are discussed it is presumed that the same is true for the corresponding bladders 22a, 24a and 26a.)

The bladders 22, 24, 26 are preferably plastic inflatable vessels having valve 29 for receiving and releasing air. While only one valve 29 is shown, it is preferable for each bladder 22, 24, 26 to include its own valve 29. The bladders 22, 24, 26 may be inflated in the manner of any inflatable object, using, for example, a bulb and valve of the type used on a blood pressure cuff, a more sophisticated approach, such an electrically powered air pump, or an air port and stopper similar to the type used to inflate a child's blow-up toy. In the first two cases a source of air is connected to the bladder with suitable polymer tubing. The pressure needed to inflate the bladder is relatively low, and filling can be accomplished by blowing air into the port. While support is provided, the inflated bladder is still soft enough to deform sufficiently to provide enhanced comfort to a user.

The adhesive used to secure the foam members 14, 16 and 18 together is applied minimally on the bladders 22, 24 and 26. Preferably, the adhesive is applied to the foam members 14, 16, 18 in the areas surrounding the bladders 22, 24, 26 providing a small boarder between the adhesive and the bladders 22, 24, 26. Nevertheless, a lesser amount of adhesive may be applied directly to the bladders 22, 24, 26. When the bladders 22, 24, 26 inflate (as shown in FIG. 4), the bladders 22, 24, 26 expand to inflated bladders 22′, 24′ and 26′. The inflation process moves the foam members 14, 16, 18 in accordance with a user's desired support level. The absence of adhesive on the bladders 22, 24, 26 protects the foam members 14, 16, 18 from damage caused by the movement of the bladders 22, 24, 26 relative to the foam members 14, 16, 18.

The bladders 22, 24 and 26 are preferably all of the same size to simplify stocking during manufacturing though they may be of different sizes for custom assemblies. The dimensions of the various bladders may be determined in order to provide optimal comfort. The bladders, as shown in FIG. 2, may be of rectangular, circular, oval and other shapes, as may be appropriate for providing comfort and support.

The assembly 10 of foam members 14, 16 and 18, the support S, and one or more of the bladders 22, 24 and 26 may be encased in a suitable removable cover 28. The cover 28 encases the member or bladder in the manner of a tightly fitting pillow or quilt cover, having a zipper or other closing apparatus. The cover 28 may be removed and washed separately, as required from time to time. Cover 28 is preferably constructed of Lyocell (commonly known as Tencel®). Openings may be provided in cover 28 for the valve 29 that provides air to the bladders 22, 24 and 26.

While the assembly 10 has been described with emphasis on a mattress topper on a mattress, it will be understood that implementation is also possible in a mattress or a mat.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is provided a second preferred embodiment of the present invention in form a mattress topper 30. The purpose of the mattress topper 30 is to compensate for sag or indent in a mattress M. The mattress topper 30 may be constructed in a conventional manner, as for example, of a single piece of foam with a suitable outer covering, or in accordance with the principles described above. A lower surface 32 of the outer covering may be configured with a hook and loop fastener system, as described above. A bladder 34, of the type described above, is placed between mattress topper 30 and mattress M. An outer surface of bladder 34 is configured with a hook and loop fastener system so that bladder 34 may be releasably fastened to the bottom surface 32 of the outer covering of mattress topper 30 at a selected position. The position is chosen so that bladder 34, when inflated, compensates for any sag in mattress M, in regions where mattress M has a surface that is not flat (i.e. that sags due to extended use). It will be understood that for a larger amount of sag, a greater degree of inflation of bladder 34 is used, while a lesser amount of air and a smaller degree of inflation may be used to compensate for a smaller amount of sag in the mattress M.

In certain cases, the bladder 34 alone, with the use of suitable releasable fasteners to keep it in place, can be effective when at least one bladder is placed between an existing mattress topper and a mattress to compensate for mattress sag. In particular, a bladder also can be used between a mattress and a box spring.

The mattress assembly of the present invention has been described with reference to a bed, but the assembly is also applicable to lounge chairs, beach chairs, traditional chairs, etc. When incorporated into a chair or similar support structure, the assembly is positioned above the support structure similarly to how the assembly 10 is positioned above the flat support surface S described herein.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.

Claims

1. A mattress assembly configured to support the body of at least one person, the assembly comprising:

a base member, having a base member density;

a plurality of foam members positioned above the base member, the foam members having densities, where the densities of the foam members are less than the base member density;

a first air filled bladder having a variable inflation level and a valve for varying the variable inflation level, the first air filled bladder positioned between the base member and one of the foam members.

2. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the foam members are adhered by hook and loop fasteners.

3. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the foam members are adhered by an adhesive.

4. The mattress assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second air filled bladder, positioned between the base member and a second one of the foam members.

5. The mattress assembly of claim 4, further comprising a third air filled bladder, positioned between the base member and a third one of the foam members.

6. The mattress assembly of claim 5, wherein the first air filled bladder is positioned corresponding to the location of a user's back, the second air filled bladder is positioned corresponding to the location of a user's knees, and the third air filled bladder is positioned corresponding to the location of a user's head and neck.

7. The mattress assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electric pump connected to the first air filled bladder.

8. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the density of the foam members is based on the user's body profile.

9. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the first bladder is secure to a fixed position by a fastener.

10. A mattress assembly configured to support the bodies of two persons of different body profiles, the assembly comprising:

a right base member, having a right base member density;

a left base member, having a left base member density different from the right base member density;

a plurality of foam members positioned above the base members, the foam members having densities, where the densities of the foam members are less than the base member density;

a first air filled bladder having a variable inflation level and a valve for varying the variable inflation level, the first air filled bladder positioned between the base member and one of the foam members.

11. A mattress sag repair assembly comprising:

a mattress topper having a fastener;

an inflatable bladder selectively fixed to the mattress topper by a corresponding fastener;

a valve adapted to control the inflation level of the inflatable bladder;

wherein the inflatable bladder is adapted to be positioned on a mattress at a point on the mattress that is sagging.

12. The mattress assembly of claim 3, wherein the adhesive is positioned around the bladder providing a small boarder between the adhesive and the bladder.