MATTRESS AND HIDDEN COMPARTMENT COMBINATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A mattress and hidden compartment combination system includes a mattress that has a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The perimeter edge includes a head edge, a foot edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The mattress has a cavity therein extending downwardly through the top surface and extending into the interior space. The cavity is spaced from the first and second lateral edges. A housing is positionable in the cavity of the mattress and is accessible from above the mattress. A control assembly is mounted in the housing. A power input is electrically coupled to the control assembly and a control input is in communication with the control assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/984,419 filed Dec. 30, 2015.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to mattress with hidden compartment devices and more particularly pertains to a new mattress with hidden compartment device for allowing a person to utilize a generally conventional mattress for sleeping but wherein the mattress includes a hidden compartment accessible through a top side of the mattress within which articles may be stored and hidden and wherein the compartment may be utilized for controlling remote electronic devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a mattress that has a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The perimeter edge includes a head edge, a foot edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The mattress has a cavity therein extending downwardly through the top surface and extending into the interior space. The cavity is spaced from the first and second lateral edges. A housing is positionable in the cavity of the mattress and is accessible from above the mattress. A control assembly is mounted in the housing. A power input is electrically coupled to the control assembly and a control input is in communication with the control assembly.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded top isometric view of a mattress and hidden compartment combination system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic box diagram view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is top perspective view of a mattress of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10 thereof, a new mattress with hidden compartment system embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10, the mattress and hidden compartment combination system 10 comprises a mattress 12 having a top surface 14, a bottom surface 16 and a perimeter edge 18 extending between the top 14 and bottom 16 surfaces. The perimeter edge 18 includes a head edge 20, a foot edge 21, a first lateral edge 22 and a second lateral edge 23. The mattress 12 is generally conventional and will typically include a plurality of layers of cushioning material to achieve a desired compressibility to restitution ratio and will further include an outer covering to encase the plurality of layers. The mattress 12 has a cavity 24 therein extending downwardly through the top surface 14 and may extend through the bottom surface 16. The cavity 24 is spaced from the first 22 and second 23 lateral edges and is adjacent to the head edge 20. More particularly, the cavity 24 is equally spaced from the first 22 and second 23 lateral edges and may extend into, i.e. through, the head edge 20 and will typically be, at most, less than 1.5 feet from the head edge 20.

A housing 30 is positionable in the cavity 24 of the mattress 12 so that the housing 30 is accessible from above the mattress 12. The housing 30 includes a main body 31 having a bottom wall 32 and a perimeter wall 33 that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall 32. The perimeter wall 33 includes a front wall 34, a rear wall 35, a first side wall 36 and a second side wall 37. A lid 38 is pivotally coupled to the main body 31 and is positionable in a closed position restricting access to an interior of the main body 31 or in an open position allowing access to the interior. The lid 38 has an upper surface 39 having a well 40 therein configured for storing articles. The lid 38 may be formed by a base wall 41 and a peripheral wall 42 extending upwardly from the base wall 41 such that the peripheral wall 42 bounds the well 40. The peripheral wall 42 may have an upper edge 43 that is even with or positioned below a top edge 44 of the perimeter wall 33. Alternatively, the peripheral wall 33 may extend upwardly from the main body 30 and form a “box” positioned on top of the main body 30. A biasing member 45 may be included which is mechanically coupled to the main body 31, or more particularly the perimeter wall 33, and the lid 38. The biasing member 45 biases the lid 38 into the open position. The biasing member 45 may comprise a pneumatic or spring actuated piston and cylinder, for example, though any biasing assembly used for opening a door or cover may be utilized. The upper edge 43 may include one or more cord receiving notches 46.

The housing 30 further includes a top cover 50 including a rigid panel 51 that is hingedly coupled to the lid 38, or main body 31, and covers the lid 38 when the top cover 50 is in a closed. A cushioning portion 52 may be attached to and covers the rigid panel 51. The cushioning portion 52 has an upper surface that is substantially flush with the top surface 14 and matches a covering of the mattress 12 to visually obscure the housing 30 as it is positioned in the mattress 12. In this manner, the housing 30 is substantially hidden in a manner that a person would not notice its location unless that location was already known to the person.

Additional useful attachments for the housing 30 may include drink container holders, not shown, which are collapsible into or against the housing 30 such that they extend outwardly away and/or up from the housing 30 when needed. Such drink container holders may include integrated heated or cooling systems. Furthermore, the housing 30 itself may include a refrigerated compartment for holding items that are required to be kept cold such as medications though the refrigerated compartment may be used for retaining food or beverages cooler than ambient temperature. The refrigerated compartment may be kept in the main body 31 or within the cover 50 and would including a cooling unit 75 electrically coupled to the control assembly 60 so that it may be adjusted to a desired temperature by a user of the system 10.

Within the housing 30 a holster 53 may be attached to a bottom side of the lid 38 such that the holster 53 is positioned in an interior of the housing 30 when the lid 38 is in the closed position. The holster 53 has a generally conventional shape and structure used for holding a handgun and includes a receiving end 54 configured for receiving a firearm. The receiving end 54 is angled upwardly when the lid 38 is in an open position to facilitate gripping of a handle of the firearm. That is, when the lid 38 is opened, a handle of a handgun will be directed toward the person opening the lid 38 so that the handle may be gripped while a nozzle of the handgun is pointed downwardly away from the person.

A lock assembly 55 releasably locks the lid to the main body 30. The lock assembly 55 may include one or more of various, known lock devices used to secure the interior of the housing 30 from unauthorized access. For example, the lock assembly 55 may include a keypad for entering an alphanumeric code, a biometric actuated lock such as fingerprint 56, facial or retinal recognition devices, key actuated locks 57 (such for putting a numerical code), mechanical combination locks and the like. Should the lock assembly 55 include actuating means such as entering a code or scanning fingerprints, a user's face or retina, the lock assembly will include a power source. The lock assembly 55 may further include a tamper resistant setting wherein failure to correctly actuate the lock assembly 55 to an unlocked condition sets off an alarm which may include audible alarms and wireless signaling to a remote device, such as a cellular phone or computer.

A control assembly 60 is mounted in the housing 30. The control assembly 30 will include a conventional processor and memory storage module which can be programmed as needed for the various tasks to be performed by the system 10. The control assembly 60 will typically be electrically coupled to the lock assembly 55. A power input 61 is electrically coupled to the control assembly 60. The power input 61 will generally comprise a power plug 26 that is pluggable into a standard outlet of a dwelling and which extends into the housing 30 from the rear thereof. The power input 61 may further include a power backup source such as a battery that is stored within the housing and which is used should power from the dwelling fail.

A control input 62 is in communication with the control assembly 60. The control input 62 may include a plurality of input devices that are used alone or in conjunction with each other to actuate the control assembly 60 and thereby control the various functions of the system 10. The control input 62 may include an integrated actuation device that may further include a display screen. As such, the control input 62 may include a touch screen that is mounted on the lid and accessible when the top cover 50 is opened. The touch screen will display options as well as current settings and available options as programmed on the control assembly 60. The control input 62 may further include remote devices in wireless communication with the with the control assembly 60. A wireless transceiver 63 may be electrically coupled to the control assembly to allow communication with the remote devices by way of IEEE 802.11 WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, cellular data communications or other common wireless protocols. The remote devices may be programmed with applications to integrate with the control assembly 60 and such devices may include desktop computers, laptop computers, cellular phones, tablet computers and the like.

The wireless transceiver 63 allows the control assembly to communication with other systems within a dwelling or home. Many homes now are termed “smart homes” and include appliances and consumer goods which communicate with a home's wireless network and are controllable remotely with various interface devices (cellular phones, entertainment hubs, cloud based voice services, etc.). Some smart home systems include a centralized connection point though some smart home connection devices are stand alone devices. Regardless, the wireless transceiver 63 may be used to communicate with and control appliances and goods connected to the wireless network or may communicate directly with those appliances and goods configured to be wirelessly controlled. Thus, for example, should a person have a table lamp that is capable of being wirelessly controlled, the control assembly 60 may be used by way of the control input to turn the table lamp on or off. In this same manner the control assembly could be used to control virtually any aspect of a person's home including, as by way of examples, interior and exterior lighting, thermostat settings, cooking appliances, coffee makers, security systems, security cameras (and viewing security camera images on the display), garage door openers, entertainment systems (music, television, movie theaters), door locks, etc. The control assembly 60 may route signals to these smart home devices 64 for use by the user or receive signals for use on controlling other items and smart home devices. In an embodiment whereby the wireless transceiver 63 accesses information from wireless network related to home security the control assembly 60 routes at least a portion of the information to the display screen for the user. The information from the wireless network related to home security may include, but is not limited to video from security cameras, video from video doorbells, alarm status, fire alarm status, CO alarm status, water detection status, and emergency bulletin information.

A sound emitter 64 may be mounted on the housing and is electrically coupled to the control assembly 60. The sound emitter 64 may have a variety of uses including playing music, receiving feedback from the control assembly, used as an intercom with other wireless devices found within a home, a speaker for telephone conversations, an alarm signal and the like. The sound emitter 64 may be used as an alarm to awaken a user of the system at a preselected time (i.e. alarm clock feature of the control assembly) or if a security breach has been detected in the home and a wireless signal related to such is received by the control assembly. A microphone 65 may further be mounted on the housing and electrically coupled to the control assembly. The microphone 65, in tandem with the sound emitter 64, allows the system to be used as an intercom. Furthermore, the microphone may be used as an input device wherein a user of the system 10 simply speaks instructions and commands to the control assembly 60. The control assembly 60 may also be coupled to tactile response assemblies such as vibrating devices that may be used to signal a person on the mattress 12 and these tactile response assemblies may be used for either waking the person or alerting the person to other alarm conditions described above.

A temperature sensor 66 may be mounted on the housing 30 or adjacent thereto and electrically coupled to the control assembly 60. The temperature sensor 66 may be used by the user of the system 10 to wirelessly control a thermostat setting within a house so that an ambient temperature of the room in which the mattress 12 is positioned is lowered or raised depending on user preferences. The control assembly 60 may therefore be used to set a desired ambient temperature. The temperature sensor 66 may further be used to determine if the mattress 12 itself has a temperature that is outside pre-selected parameters. If so, a built in mattress cooling and/or heating system may be actuated by the control assembly 60 to alter a temperature of the mattress itself.

A power output 67 is mounted in the housing 12 and is electrically coupled to the power input 61. The power output 67 may be provided in a number of configurations including low power outlets, high power outlets, wireless charging pads 68 (inductive charging assembly) and the like. If a wireless charging pad is utilized, it may be built into the lid 38 itself, for instance, so that a user need only set a compatible cellular phone in the well to charge the cellular phone. The power outlets may be comprised of USB outlets 69 as well as three pronged outlets to allow for all conventional plugs to be used with the system 10.

An accelerometer 70 may be mounted on the housing 30 and be electrically coupled to the control assembly 60 to help determine movement on the mattress 12 itself. The accelerometer 70 may be used for a variety of purposes including sleep monitoring and security functions. For security, the accelerometer 70 may be used to determine if there is movement on the mattress 12 during times when there should be none, such as during afternoon hours, and upon detecting such movement by the accelerometer 70, the control assembly 60 may wirelessly send a security breach signal to a cellular phone by way of a cellar signal or an internet connection of the house.

One or more light emitters 71 are in communication with the control assembly 60 and are provided to illuminate the housing 30 and/or areas adjacent to the mattress 12 as needed. For example, a light emitter 72 may be mounted in the well 40 and/or the interior of the housing 30 to illuminate those areas when the lid 38 or cover 50 is opened. The control assembly 60 may be actuated to select a light output of the light emitters 71 to dim or brighten each as needed or to turn the light emitters 71 on or off. Further, the light emitters 71 may be remote from the housing 30 such as adjacent to or under the mattress for illuminating areas around the mattress 12. The remote light emitters may be connected to the control assembly 60 in a wired fashion or simply in wireless communication with the control assembly. Light sensors 73 may also be in communication with the control assembly 60 to detect ambient light and thereafter control the light output of the light emitters 71 based on preselected parameters so that, for example, the light emitters 71 are not fully powered when turned on in a relatively dark room so that the light output is not blinding to the user of the system 10. Switches 74 mounted on the lid 38 may be used to control some or all of the light emitters 71.

FIGS. 6-9 include an embodiment wherein the lid 38 is positioned completely on top of the main body 31. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the control assembly 60 may be positioned within the interior of the main body 31 to prevent access thereto while the lid 38 is in a locked position. FIG. 7 includes a side key lock 57, such as a common barrel lock with a finger print reader 80 and a plurality of numeric selectors 81 to allow a code to be entered if the finger print reader 80 is not working or the system is being used by someone who does not have a stored finger print. This version further includes headphone jacks 82 that are electrically coupled to the control assembly 60 for allowing a person to listen to other devices, such as televisions, wirelessly in communication with the control assembly. FIG. 8 provides a power adaptor 84 that is electrically coupled to the control assembly 60 and which provides an outlet 85 for electrically plugging in a lamp 86 or other electric device for direct control thereof by the control assembly 60.

The embodiments in FIGS. 8 and 9 further include a fold line 88 which allows a portion of the top cover 50 to folded back to expose the fingerprint reader 80 and numeric selectors 81. This allows for easy access to lifting the lid 38 without having to lift a large portion of the top cover 50. As should be understood, the lock assembly 55 and all actuators therefore as well as switches 74 or all other tactile controls that are mounted on the housing 30, may either be mounted on the main body 31 or be part of the cover 50 or be mounted on both. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the lock controls are mounted on the main body 31 while switches 74 are positioned on the cover 50. Conversely, FIG. 7 includes an embodiment wherein the cover 50 supports the lock controls as well.

FIG. 10 includes an embodiment of the mattress 12 having a pair of cavities 90, 91 therein and an insert 93 that will be made of foam or other cushioned material similar to the material of the mattress 12 so that the user may select which cavity 90, 91 they will utilize for holding the housing 30. One cavity 90 will be adjacent the head edge 20 and one cavity will be adjacent to the foot edge 21. Each is centrally located relative to the first 22 and second 23 lateral edges. This allow the mattress 12 to be flipped over or rotated and still allow the housing 30 to be positioned adjacent to the person's head.

In use, the mattress 12 is used a conventional mattress for sleeping on and may have any selectable size though typically the mattress will have a king or queen size. The housing 30 allows a person to store valuables or weapons within the interior of the main body 31 while the well 40 in the lid 30 provides for storage of personal articles such as cellular phones, watches, keys and the like. The well 40 is also used for charging of small electronics. The control assembly 60 may be utilized for controlling a whole host of wirelessly equipped smart appliances and electronics as stated above as well as being used to monitor a security condition of a house in which the system 10 is deployed.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A mattress and security container combination system comprising:

a mattress having a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge extending between said top and bottom surfaces, said perimeter edge including a head edge, a foot edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, said mattress having a cavity therein extending downwardly through said top surface and extending into said interior space, said cavity being spaced from said first and second lateral edges;

a housing being positionable in said cavity of said mattress, said housing being accessible from above said mattress;

a control assembly being mounted in said housing;

a power input being electrically coupled to said control assembly; and

a control input being in communication with said control assembly.

2. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 1, further including a wireless transceiver being electrically coupled to said control assembly.

3. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 1, further including a sound emitter being mounted on said housing and being electrically coupled to said control assembly.

4. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 1, further including a temperature sensor being mounted on said housing and being electrically coupled to said control assembly.

5. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 1, further including a power output being mounted in said housing and being electrically coupled to said power input.

6. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 1, further including an accelerometer being mounted on said housing and being electrically coupled to said control assembly.

7. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 1, further including an alarm being in communication with said control assembly and being configured to awaken a person at a preselected time.

8. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 1, further including a light emitter being in communication with said control assembly, said light emitter being positioned remotely of said housing, said control assembly being actuated to turn said light emitter on or off.

9. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 2, further including a light emitter being in communication with said control assembly, said light emitter being positioned remotely of said housing, said control assembly being actuated to turn said light emitter on or off.

10. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes:

a main body having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall being attached to and extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said perimeter wall including a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall;

a lid being pivotally coupled to said main body and being positionable in a closed position restricting access to an interior of said main body or in an open position allowing access to said interior, said lid having an upper surface having a well therein configured for storing articles;

a top cover including a rigid panel being hingedly coupled to said lid and covering said lid when said top cover is in a closed, a cushioning portion being attached to and covering said top cover, said cushioning portion having an upper surface being substantially flush with said top surface, said cushioning portion matching a covering of said mattress to visually obscure said housing being positioned in said mattress;

a holster being attached to a bottom side of said lid such that said holster is positioned in an interior of said housing when said lid is in said closed position, said holster having a receiving end configured for receiving a firearm; and

a lock assembly releasably engages said lid to said main body in a closed position.

11. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 10, wherein said power output includes a power outlet, said power output including an induction charger mounted in said lid.

12. A mattress and security container combination system comprising:

a mattress having a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge extending between said top and bottom surfaces, said perimeter edge including a head edge, a foot edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, said mattress having a cavity therein extending downwardly through said top surface and extending into said interior space, said cavity being spaced from said first and second lateral edges and being adjacent to said head edge, said cavity being equally spaced from said first and second lateral edges;

a housing being positionable in said cavity of said mattress, said housing being accessible from above said mattress, said housing including: a main body having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall being attached to and extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said perimeter wall including a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall; a lid being pivotally coupled to said main body and being positionable in a closed position restricting access to an interior of said main body or in an open position allowing access to said interior, said lid having an upper surface having a well therein configured for storing articles; a top cover including a rigid panel being hingedly coupled to said lid and covering said lid when said top cover is in a closed; a lock assembly releasably engages said lid to said main body in a closed position;

a control assembly being mounted in said housing;

a power input being electrically coupled to said control assembly; and

a control input being in communication with said control assembly.

13. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 12, further including a wireless transceiver being electrically coupled to said control assembly.

14. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 12, further including a sound emitter being mounted on said housing and being electrically coupled to said control assembly.

15. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 12, further including a temperature sensor being mounted on said housing and being electrically coupled to said control assembly.

16. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 12, further including a power output being mounted in said housing and being electrically coupled to said power input.

17. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 12, further including an accelerometer being mounted on said housing and being electrically coupled to said control assembly.

18. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 12, further including an alarm being in communication with said control assembly and being configured to awaken a person at a preselected time.

19. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 12, further including a light emitter being in communication with said control assembly, said light emitter being positioned remotely of said housing, said control assembly being actuated to turn said light emitter on or off.

20. The mattress with a security container combination system according to claim 13, further including a light emitter being in communication with said control assembly, said light emitter being positioned remotely of said housing, said control assembly being actuated to turn said light emitter on or off.