MATTRESS-RETENTION DECKING
A mattress-retention system is provided that maintains a mattress in place on an adjustable bed base. The base has a decking with sections that articulate to move the mattress into any of a variety of support positions. The decking is typically covered with a fabric. A pattern of micro-hook strips is coupled to the fabric, facing outwardly towards the mattress. The pattern of micro-hook strips may be contained within only one section, but may also be contained in other sections, or may cross-over multiple sections. This pattern of micro-hook strips interacts with the mattress to retain it in place.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/163,497, filed on Jan. 24, 2014, entitled “MATTRESS-RETENTION DECKING.” The teachings of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/163,497 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention generally relates to a decking having material for securing a mattress on an automated articulating bed. More particularly, the invention relates to a mattress-retention decking having a pattern of securing strips used to prevent a mattress from moving on the base of an automated bed during articulation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAutomated, articulating beds are increasing in popularity and use. In a typical adjustable bed, a base with a series of connected panels is moved into a variety of positions. The mattress rests on top of this base. It is desirable to prevent the mattress from moving with respect to the base, to keep the mattress in the correct position on the bed. A variety of methods are used to prevent a mattress from shifting past the edge of an automated bed foundation. Traditional mattress-retention methods include foot retainer bars, snaps, zippers, buckles, bars, clips, and pockets. Many of these methods help prevent a mattress from moving with respect to the base, during base articulation, such as during articulation of a Power Foundation from Leggett & Platt®. One of the main drawbacks of many of these retention methods is that they may be unsightly to a user, and may complicate the use of traditional bedding materials such as sheets or blankets on the bed. Most consumers would prefer the adjustable bed to look as much like a “normal” non-adjustable bed as possible.
Accordingly, a need exists for a reliable mattress-retention mechanism for use with an automated bedding system, which addresses the foregoing and other problems.
BRIEF SUMMARYA mattress-retention decking is provided that prevents a mattress from moving on an automated or adjustable bed during articulation. In one embodiment, a mattress-retention decking includes a fabric having a series or pattern of micro-hook retaining strips arranged on the decking. The micro-hook material is selected to correspondingly detachably couple to the underside of a mattress to be used on the adjustable bed. The pattern of the micro-hook strips is selected to efficiently use the micro-hook material, while providing the desired level of mattress retention. Once installed, the mattress-retention decking maintains the mattress in place relative to the adjustable bed base, while being hidden from view, and without any alteration or additional mechanisms on the mattress.
Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
A mattress-retention decking is described below for use in maintaining a mattress 14 in place on an adjustable bed base 12. As shown in
As shown in
Another exemplary pattern 32 is shown on the right side of
Another exemplary pattern 34 is shown on the left side of
A final exemplary pattern 36 is shown on the right side of
While particular patterns are shown for the strips 26 in
With the fabric 28 installed on deck 16, the mattress 14 is held in place with respect to the deck 16 by the micro-hook strips 26 arranged in one of the patterns shown in
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages, which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A mattress-retention system, for retaining an adjustable mattress on an adjustable bed frame, comprising:
- an articulating decking having a head end, a foot end, and a plurality of sections operable to position the mattress in a plurality of positions; and
- at least one strip of micro-hook material coupled to at least one of the plurality of sections of the decking, said at least one strip of micro-hook material adapted to couple said at least one plurality of sections of the decking to an adjustable mattress placed on said articulating decking, without any additional materials added to the adjustable mattress.
2. The mattress-retention system of claim 1, further comprising a pattern of the strips of micro-hook material coupled to at least one of the plurality of sections of the decking.
3. The mattress-retention system of claim 2, wherein the pattern of the strips of micro-hook material is coupled to a plurality of the sections of the decking.
4. The mattress-retention system of claim 3, wherein the decking includes a head section, a seat section, a thigh section and a foot section, and wherein the pattern of the strips of micro-hook material is positioned in the thigh and foot sections.
5. The mattress-retention system of claim 3, wherein the decking includes a head section, a seat section, a thigh section and a foot section, and wherein the pattern of the strips of micro-hook material includes a strip of micro-hook material within each section and extending from one side of the decking to the other side.
6. The mattress-retention system of claim 3, wherein the decking includes a head section, a seat section, a thigh section and a foot section, and wherein the pattern of the strips of micro-hook material includes a pair of parallel strips of micro-hook material within each of the thigh section and foot section, with each of the strips extending from one side of the decking to the other side.
7. The mattress-retention system of claim 1, further comprising a fabric coupled to the decking, wherein the micro-hook material is disposed on and coupled to an exposed surface of the fabric.
8. A mattress-retention fabric for maintaining a mattress on a bed base, comprising:
- a deck covering material, used to cover an articulating deck of an adjustable bed base, having a head end and a foot end; and
- at least one strip of micro-hook material coupled to the deck covering material in a location corresponding to a desired area of the articulating deck for mattress retention,
- wherein said strip of micro-hook material operates to couple said deck covering material to a mattress placed on said articulating deck, without any additional materials added to the adjustable mattress.
9. The mattress-retention fabric of claim 8, wherein the articulating deck has a plurality of sections, further comprising a pattern of the strips of micro-hook material coupled to the fabric in a position usable to cover at least one of the plurality of sections of the decking.
10. The mattress-retention fabric of claim 9, wherein the pattern of the strips of micro-hook material is coupled to the fabric in a position usable to cover two or more of the plurality of sections of the decking.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 8, 2016
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2016
Inventors: ERIC BERNARD HEEKE (HICKORY, NC), JACOB J. NEUENSWANDER (CARTHAGE, MO), WILLIAM ROBERT ROHR (JOPLIN, MO), GUY RUFF (MOCKSVILLE, NC), ZACHERY STEVEN SPENCER (CONOVER, NC)
Application Number: 15/018,100