MATTRESS WITH MICRO-COIL SUPPORTED LUMBAR ZONE

Abstract

A mattress including an inner spring assembly, a panel of micro-coils, and a quilted panel is disclosed. The innerspring assembly includes a plurality of spring elements and defines a support surface. The spring elements are arranged in rows defining upper, central, and lower spring structure areas. The panel of micro-coils is positioned over the support surface in the central spring structure area. The quilted panel includes a ticking material, a backing material, and a support material having a degree of compression provided between the ticking and backing materials. The ticking material, the support material and the backing material are all quilted together with an increased amount of stitching in a center section of the quilted panel aligned with the central spring structure such that the support material pre-compresses in the center section thereby defining a pocket. The panel of micro-coils is provided in alignment with the pocket.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63/483,656, filed Feb. 7, 2023 and U.S. Provisional Application 63/510,506, filed Jun. 27, 2023, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to mattress structures and in particular to a mattress spring structure with an improved lumbar zone support.

BACKGROUND

Some mattress technologies provide somewhat uniform support using a combination of inner springs and one or more foam layers provided under a mattress cover. However, uniform support presents a problem, because the weight distribution of the human body is not at all uniform. In fact, the lumbar region is where approximately 70 percent of the body weight of a sleeper lies. Although weight distribution of a sleeper is, of course, different from person to person, for a large majority, a sleeper's hips or buttocks will tend to sink excessively far into such mattresses as the foam layers breakdown from normal use over time. This problem is exacerbated when the mattress is used by two persons sleeping together.

This deficiency in support will tend to reduce the sleeper's comfort, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the person. However, a more important effect is that this deficiency in support may permit a person to sleep in a condition of postural misalignment. Spinal alignment, in a good sleeping posture, should be the same as that in a good standing posture. Thus a sleeper should be supported so that his or her spine will be laterally straight, and will be curved with no more (and no less) than normal lumber and thoracic arch and pelvic tilt. Distortions of this sleeping posture will produce immediate or gradual discomfort, and may also lead to backaches, or to vague discomforts which reduce the sleeper's overall level of health and well-being.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages of the prior art by providing an improved bedding structure, in which added lumbar support is provided under a quilted zoned topper that is used in making a mattress cover. This innovative structure includes a panel of micro-coils positioned only in a central region of the mattress and provides advantages of better postural support, and/or reduced manufacturing costs, and/or better in-service durability, and/or extra thermal insulation and padding and/or better comfort. This invention provides a method of offering variable support over the surface of a mattress by a simpler and therefore less expensive means.

According to at least one embodiment, a mattress is disclosed. The mattress comprises an innerspring assembly having a plurality of spring elements and defining a support surface, the spring elements arranged in rows defining upper, central, and lower spring structure areas, a panel of micro-coils positioned over the support surface in the central spring structure area, and a quilted panel. The quilted panel includes a ticking material, a backing material, and a support material having a degree of compression provided between the ticking and backing materials. The ticking material, the support material and the backing material all are quilted together by a stitching pattern providing an increased amount of stitching in a center section of the quilted panel aligned with the central spring structure area than adjacent head and foot sections of the quilted panel aligned with the upper and lower spring structure areas such that the support material pre-compresses in the center section thereby defining a pocket The quilted panel is provided over the panel of micro-coils such that the panel of micro-coils is provided in alignment with the pocket.

These and additional objects and advantages provided by the embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description and the accompanying Figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying Figures:

FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing shape and typical dimensions of a mattress with a quilted zoned topper according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mattress of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2 showing the construction of the mattress according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mattress of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2 showing the construction of mattress according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a mattress according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a mattress schematically showing an innerspring assembly and a strengthening structure according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a side view of a hinged mattress according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6B is a side view of the hinged mattress of FIG. 6A partially folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments. However, it should be understood that these classes of embodiments provide only a few examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily delimit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others.

The mattress 10 comprises a multilayer structure formed from a plurality of distinct layers. Specifically, the mattress 10 comprise an innerspring assembly 42, a panel of micro-coils 30, a quilted panel 12. The innerspring assembly 42 is includes a plurality of spring elements 40 and defines a support surface 45. Further, the plurality of spring elements 40 forming the innerspring assembly 42 are arranged in rows defining an upper spring structure area 74, a central spring structure area 72, and a lower spring structure area 76. The panel of micro-coils 30 is positioned over the support surface 45 in the central spring structure area 72. The quilted panel 12 includes a ticking material 22, a backing material 24, and a support material 26 having a degree of compression provided between the ticking material 22 and the backing material 24. The ticking material 22, the support material 26 and the backing material 24 are all quilted together by a stitching pattern providing an increased amount of stitching in a center section 14 of the quilted panel 12 aligned with the central spring structure area 72 than adjacent head 18 and foot 20 sections of the quilted panel 12 aligned with the upper spring structure area 74 and the lower spring structure area 76 such that the support material 26 pre-compresses in the center section 14 thereby defining a pocket 28. The quilted panel 12 is provided over the panel of micro-coils 30 such that the panel of micro-coils 30 is provided in alignment with the pocket 28.

Having generally described the mattress 10, the various components and layers of the mattress 10 will be disclosed in greater detail.

FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing shape and typical dimensions of a mattress 10 with a quilted panel 12 having a stitching pattern 13 according to the present invention. It is noted that the stitching pattern 13 provides a center section 14 of the quilted panel 12 that has more pattern stitching 16 then adjacent head and foot sections 18, 20. In one embodiment, the center section 14 represents approximately ⅓ of the mattress 10. In other embodiment, the center section 14 may range in size from about ¼ to about ½ of the mattress. In other words, the center section 14 can range in size from about ¼ to about ½ of the total area of the quilted panel 12 in top view. In the illustrated embodiment, the pattern stitching 16 is provided in a star pattern (e.g., 2.85″×2.85″) with a six inch jump between patterns, but in other embodiments may be any other pattern, such as for example, a circle pattern (e.g., 1.6″×1.6″), a swoop pattern (e.g., 3″×2″), with other jumps ranging from 3 to 9 inches depending on desired comfort. In still other embodiments, the pattern stitching 16 may be a ribbon pattern (e.g., 6″×3″), a 213 pattern (e.g., 6″×3″), or a 301 pattern (e.g., 12″×6″, or 6″×3″). It is to be appreciated that a smaller jump spacing will tend to provide firmer support with more compression of a support material 26 provided in the quilted panel 12, and wider spacing will provide a softer, more plush surface. The overall dimensions of the mattress 10 may be any standard mattress size, e.g., Twin, Full, Queen, King, and California King.

With reference to the FIGS. 2 and 3, the mattress 10 is shown in cross-section. The quilted panel 12 is formed from a sheet of upholstery ticking 22 stitched to a backing layer 24 along with a support material 26, such as a relatively thin and less dense foam or fill layer provided therebetween. To stitch the quilted panel 12, the ticking 22, the backing 24, and the support material 26 are fed into a conventional quilting machine, such as for example, a GI-4300-WCS class III computer driven double lock chain stitch quilter, made by Gribetz International, Inc., Sunrise, Fla. In one embodiment, the stitching is a top thread, such as for example, a 3-ply, 150 denier polyester, 475 total denier, and a bottom thread, such as a 2-ply, 150 denier polyester, 340 total denier, stitched with a needle having a #24 gauge with a stitch size of 6-9 per inch. In other embodiments, other thread types, gauges, and stitch sizes may be used. In one embodiment, the ticking 22 may be 100-150 end Damask, and the backing layer 24 a non-woven fabric, e.g. Accord™ or Vantex™ of 0.5 to 1.5 ounce weight, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, support material 26 is a polymer foam or fill layer, and in other embodiments may be any foam or fill layer that compresses when stitched to provide the quilted zoned pattern according to the present invention. Once the quilting has been done, the resulting quilted material is fed into a panel cutting machine, such as the OCS-90, by Gribetz, where panels of appropriate lengths (widths of finished products) are cut. The resulting quilted panels 12 may then be used in combination with the innerspring assembly 42 and the panel of micro-coils 30 to form the mattress 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, stitching the quilted panel 12 in the stitching pattern 13 results in the center section 14 aligned with the central spring structure area 72 having a narrower cross section than the head and foot sections 18, 20 aligned with the upper spring structure area 74 and the lower spring structure area 76 with the same foam or fill providing the support material 26. It is to be appreciated that by providing the center section 14 of the quilted panel 12 with at least 2 times the amount of pattern stitching 16 then in the adjacent head and foot sections 18, 20, the support material 26 is pre-compressed in the center section 14 to a greater degree than in the adjacent sections 18, 20, thereby forming a pocket 28. Within this formed pocket 28, directly adjacent and under the center section 14 of the quilted panel 12 and aligned with the central spring structure area 72, the panel of micro-coils 30 is provided. The panel of micro-coils 30 is sized and shaped to fill the pocket 28 in order to make the upholstery ticking 22 in the center section 14 the same height as in the head and foot sections 18, 20 to provide a level sleep surface.

The mattress 10 includes the panel of micro-coils 30 positioned over the support surface 45 in the central spring structure area 72. The panel of micro-coils 30 add support and responsiveness to the central spring structure area 72 of the mattress 10. The added support and responsiveness is desirable as such region supports a bulk of the body weight, thus providing more support for the heaviest parts of the sleeper's body and relieving pressure on the lower back. Inclusion of the panel of micro-coils 30 enhances the sleep surface by increasing coil counts with the micro-coils in addition to the innerspring assembly 42. The panel of micro-coils 30 also improve air circulation within the mattress 10 to deliver improved comfort for the sleeper.

According to one or more embodiments, the panel of micro-coils 30 is formed from a plurality of small spring coils arranged in a grid and encased in a non-woven fabric. The non-woven fabric forms an encasement of each spring coil individually. As seen in FIG. 4, the individual spring coils encased in the non-woven fabric form a cohesive sheet of regularly spaced spring coils. The individual spring coils forming the panel of micro-coils 30 may have a height and diameter each in the range of 0.5 to 2 inches. For example, in one or more embodiments, the individual spring coils forming the panel of micro-coils 30 may have a height of 1.5 inches and a diameter of 1.5 inches. Raw sheets of micro-coils 30 are commercially available as NANOCOIL from Legget & Platt (Carthage, MO). Further, in one or more embodiments, the spring coils may be formed from steel wire having a thickness of 14 gauge (2.1 millimeters) to 21 gauge (0.72 millimeters) to provide the desired stiffness.

In one or more embodiments, the panel of micro-coils 30 represents approximately ⅓ of the mattress 10. In other embodiment, the panel of micro-coils 30 may range in size from about ¼ to about ½ of the mattress 10. In other words, the panel of micro-coils 30 can range in size from about ¼ to about ½ of the total area of the quilted panel 12 and/or the mattress 10 in top view. As such, it is noted that the panel of micro-coils 30 does not extend across an entirety or substantial entirety of the mattress 10 and is limited to areas specifically for lumbar support.

In one or more embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 2 through 4, the mattress 10 includes one or more foam layers 50 positioned between the support surface 45 and the quilted panel 12. The one or more foam layers 50 provide comfort and support to the mattress 10 and may be manufactured for a variety of materials. In various embodiments, the one or more foam layers 50 positioned between the support surface 45 and the quilted panel 12 are formed from one or more of a cooling foam layer 52, a memory foam layer 54, and an open-celled foam layer 56. It will be appreciated that in accordance with various embodiments, the mattress 10 may include one, two, three, four, or more foam layers forming the one or more foam layers 50. The specific number of layers and the make-up of each layer may be determined based on the desired characteristics and parameters desired for the finished mattress 10. Further, while the cooling foam layer 52, the memory foam layer 54, and the open-celled foam layer 56 are disclosed as specific examples of potential layers forming the one or more foam layers 50, it will be readily appreciated that additional types of layers commonly utilized in the mattress industry may also be utilized including latex, poly foams, foam rubber, wool, and cotton batting.

In various embodiments, the one or more foam layers 50 have a total thickness ranging from ¼ inch to 6 inch, ½ inch to 4 inch, ½ inch to 2 inch or approximately ¾ inch, whereby the quilted panel 12 has an uncompressed overall thickness of approximately an inch. The individual layers of the one or more foam layers 50, including the cooling foam layer 52, the memory foam layer 54, and the open-celled foam layer 56, may be divided between the total thickness of the one or more foam layers 50. For example, an individual foam layer of the one or more foam layers 50 may have a thickness ranging from ½ inch to 1 inch or a thickness of ¾ inch. Further, in one or more embodiments, the one or more foam layers 50 extend substantially across the entire width and length of the mattress 10. However, it is noted that a particular layer of the one or more foam layers 50 may or may not be homogenous across the entire width and length of the mattress 10 and make have cuts, change in thickness, or change in composition in various regions.

In one or more embodiments, the cooling foam layer 52, may be formed from a gel memory foam which includes thermal gel or phase-changing gel. A gel memory foam is naturally cool to the touch. A phase-changing gel transitions from a solid to a liquid when the temperature of the phase-changing gel increases. Inclusion of thermal gel or phase-changing gel adsorbs heat reducing temperature rise of the mattress 10. Both of these gels are designed to draw heat away from the sleeper, resulting in a more comfortable surface temperature for the mattress 10.

In one or more embodiments, the memory foam layer 54 is a polyurethane foam. Further, in various embodiments, the memory foam 54 may have a density in the approximate range of 1.8 to 4.0 pounds per cubic foot, 2.0 to 4.0 pounds per cubic foot, 2.6 to 3.4 pounds per cubic foot, or approximately 3 pounds per cubic foot. In one or more embodiments, the memory foam layer 54 has an indentation load deflection ILD rating greater than 60.

In one or more embodiments, the open-cell foam layer 56 provides a ventilated foam layer which increases airflow through the layers of the mattress 10. Specifically, the open-cell structure may provided increased airflow and responds more rapidly to compression than traditional memory foam such as memory foam layer 54. Further, the open-cell foam layer 56 is a breathable which optimizes air flow and boosts temperature regulation. The open-cell foam 56 may be formed from the same materials as the memory foam layer 54 but include open-cells or air pockets that allow for ventilation and air flow throughout the mattress 10, which helps disperse heat.

In one or more embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 3, the mattress 10 may include an upper foam spacer layer 32 which is provided over the support surface 45 in the upper spring structure area 74 adjacent the panel of micro-coils 30 and a lower foam spacer layer 33 which is provided over the support surface 45 in the lower spring structure area 76 adjacent the panel of micro-coils 30. The upper foam spacer layer 32 and the lower foam spacer layer 33 provide layers to account for the height of the panel of micro-coils 30 and provide a level surface across the mattress 10 when fully assembled. The upper foam spacer layer 32 and the lower foam spacer layer 33 may be formed from any type of foam commonly utilized in the bedding industry. For example, the upper foam spacer layer 32 and the lower foam spacer layer 33 may be formed from poly foam, memory foam, or latex including the various particular foams disclosed as forming the one or more foam layers 50.

In accordance with various embodiments, one or both of the upper foam spacer layer 32 and the lower foam spacer layer 33 comprise a thickness of 0.25 inch to 2 inch, 0.5 inch to 2 inch, 0.25 inch to 1 inch, or 0.5 inch to 1 inch. Further, in one or more embodiments, the thickness of the upper foam spacer layer 32 and the lower foam spacer layer 33 may be constrained to be less than the thickness or height of the panel of micro-coils 30 such that the upper foam spacer layer 32 and the lower foam spacer layer 33 provide structures in the upper spring structure area 74 and the lower spring structure area 76 to account for the added height of the panel of micro-coils 30 in the upper central spring structure area 72. However, it is noted that the thickness of the upper foam spacer layer 32 and the lower foam spacer layer 33 does not need to match that of the panel of micro-coils 30 as the panel of micro-coils 30 extends into the pocket 28 of the quilted panel 12.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, an innerspring wrap 36 may be applied adjacent the support surface 45 under the panel of micro-coils 30 and the one or more foam layers 50, if present, and secured to a flange 36. In one or more embodiments, the innerspring wrap 36 may be formed from a non-woven fabric. The flange 36 at one end is stitched to binding tape or piping 38 at the edges of the mattress 10 and at the other is tied to spring elements 40 of the innerspring assembly 42 at the perimeter by hog rings 44 or other means.

In one or more embodiments and as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the innerspring assembly 42 includes a plurality of spring elements 40 held in an array by interconnection with crosswires 46 and at their terminal ends by lacing wires 48. The terminal ends of the spring elements 40 as well as the crosswires 46 are held in a common plane which defines supporting surfaces 45, both a top supporting surface and a bottom supporting surface, of the innerspring assembly 42 over which the quilted panel 12, the panel of micro-coils 30, the one or more foam layers 50, and the non-woven fabric 34, as present, are provided.

In one or more embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 5, the mattress 10 may include a border frame 70 comprising a metal rod defining an outer perimeter of the mattress 10. The border frame 70 provides a rigid framework to support the mattress 10 and provide edge support on the periphery of the mattress 10. Accordingly, the spring elements 40 of the innerspring assembly 42 may be secured to the border frame 70. Specifically, the spring elements 40 along the periphery of the mattress 10 and adjacent the border frame 70 may each be connected to the border frame 70 with known types of connectors (not shown) such as wire.

In one or more embodiments and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the innerspring assembly 42 includes a plurality of spring elements 40 individually held in an array by a plurality of fabric sleeves 60 individually encasing each spring element 40. Such arrangement may be known to one skilled in the art as encased-coil, encased spring, or Marshall coil. Further, the fabric sleeves 60 in an encased-coil system allow the spring elements 40 to act independently of one another, thereby minimizing movement across the mattress 10 In one or more embodiments, the spring elements 40 may include first spring elements 62 and second spring elements 64 to provided varied ease if compression. For example, the first spring elements 62 may be provided in the center of the mattress 10 and the second spring elements 64 may be provided along the lateral edges of the mattress 10. Such arrangement, with the second spring elements 64 being more rigid and/or formed from a thicker gauge steel, alleviates the feeling of rolling off the lateral edges of the mattress 10 as the ease of compression is reduced. Such arrangement may include one, two, three, or four rows of the second spring elements 64 along the lateral edges of the mattress 10 in accordance with various embodiments.

In one or more embodiments and with reference to FIG. 5, the mattress 10 may include a strengthening structure 80 provided between the support surface 45 and the panel of micro-coils 30 in the central spring structure area 72. The strengthening structure 80 causes a substantially uniform depression of spring elements 40 aligned with the strengthening structure in the central spring structure area 72 thereby eliminating any undesired upward pressure into the sleeper's back. The strengthening structure 80 may include a frame member 82 encircling a major portion of the central spring structure area 72, and a plurality of elongated support elements 84 located within said frame member 82 and received against the spring elements 40 encircled by the frame member 82. In one or more embodiments, frame member 82 is a unitary component having two longitudinal side segments joined to traverse segments to form a continuous encircling structure. The frame member 82 conveniently can be fabricated from a length of high carbon steel rod of, e.g., 6 or 9 gauge which is shaped into the rectangular plan profile shown, and the confronting rod opposite ends welded together to form a continuous loop.

The strengthening structure 80 includes the plurality of elongated support elements 84 located within said frame member 82 and received against the spring elements 40 encircled by the frame member 82. The elongated support elements 84, in one or more embodiments, may be a polyethylene coated 14 gauge wire, however, other gauges and bar-types may be suitably used for the purpose described herein. The elongated support elements 84 have opposing ends which connect to the frame member 82 at corners 86, such as by a weld or any other mounting means such as a ring or a wire wrap. Further, the elongated support elements 84 may be connected to the frame member 82 by hog rings, windings, or combinations thereof.

Although the quilted panel 12, the panel of micro-coils 30, and the one or more foam layers 50 are provided to both top and bottom sides of the mattress 10 in FIGS. 2 and 3, in other embodiments such as in FIG. 4, the various layers and materials may be provided to only one side of the mattress 10. According to such embodiments, the mattress 10 may include a support base 58 to provide a durable foundation for the side of the mattress 10 without the quilted panel 12, the panel of micro-coils 30, and the one or more foam layers 50. The support base 58 may be a foam material in one or more embodiments and may be a rigid wood or polymer panel in one or more further embodiments.

Furthermore, although the mattress 10 is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 as generally symmetrical or identical sequences of layers of material over the innerspring assembly 42, it is understood that other arrangements and sequences of materials, including non-identical or non-symmetrical layers of material relative to the opposed sides of the mattress could be employed within the scope of the invention. Moreover, additional supporting surfaces, for example, woven, non-woven, and foam layers may be provided in and around the innerspring assembly 42 in still other embodiments.

In one or more embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the mattress 10 is hinged to allow folding of the mattress 10. Specifically, the innerspring assembly 42 may be split into two or more distinct units affixed to a continuous top structure 90. The continuous top structure 90 includes the panel of micro-coils 30, the quilted panel 12, and the one or more foam layers 50, as present. As each of the structures forming the continuous stop structure 90 may be flexed and folded, the mattress 10 may be folded along the break in the inner spring assembly 42 between the two or more distinct units. FIG. 6A illustrates the mattress 10 in a flat arrangement and FIG. 6B illustrates the mattress 10 folded at hinge point 92. It will be appreciated that in one or more embodiments a hinge point 92 may be disposed at the connection between the upper spring structure area 74 and the central spring structure area 72 and another hinge point 92 may be disposed at the connection between the central spring structure area 72 and the lower spring structure area 76 such that the panel of micro-coils 30 and/or the strengthening structure 80 are not aligned with a hinge point 92. Folding the mattress 10 may be desirable for transport of the mattress 10 through tight passages as well as for transport and/or storage of the mattress 10.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described within without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described within provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” component includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It should be understood that any two quantitative values assigned to a property or measurement may constitute a range of that property or measurement, and all combinations of ranges formed from all stated quantitative values of a given property or measurement are contemplated in this disclosure.

As used here and in the appended claims, the words “comprise,” “has,” and “include” and all grammatical variations thereof are each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps.

Having described the subject matter of the present disclosure in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is noted that the various details disclosed within should not be taken to imply that these details relate to elements that are essential components of the various embodiments described within, even in cases where a particular element is illustrated in each of the drawings that accompany the present description. Further, it should be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, including, but not limited to, embodiments defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present disclosure are identified as particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these aspects.

Claims

1. A mattress comprising:

an innerspring assembly having a plurality of spring elements and defining a support surface, the spring elements arranged in rows defining upper, central, and lower spring structure areas;

a panel of micro-coils positioned over the support surface in the central spring structure area; and

a quilted panel having a ticking material, a backing material, and a support material having a degree of compression provided between the ticking and backing materials, the ticking material, the support material and the backing material all being quilted together by a stitching pattern providing an increased amount of stitching in a center section of the quilted panel aligned with the central spring structure area than adjacent head and foot sections of the quilted panel aligned with the upper and lower spring structure areas such that the support material pre-compresses in the center section thereby defining a pocket, wherein the quilted panel is provided over the panel of micro-coils such that the panel of micro-coils is provided in alignment with the pocket.

2. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the panel of micro-coils ranges in size from about ¼ to about ½ of a total area of the mattress.

3. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the innerspring assembly comprises a plurality of spring elements held in an array by interconnection with wires.

4. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the innerspring assembly comprises a plurality of spring elements held in an array by a fabric sleeve individually encasing each spring element.

5. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the mattress additionally comprises one or more foam layers positioned between the support surface and the quilted panel.

6. The mattress of claim 5, wherein the one or more foam layers positioned between the support surface and the quilted panel are formed from one or more of a cooling foam, an open-celled foam, and a memory foam.

7. The mattress of claim 1, wherein an upper foam spacer layer is provided over the support surface in the upper spring structure area adjacent the panel of micro-coils and a lower foam spacer layer is provided over the support surface in the lower spring structure area adjacent the panel of micro-coils.

8. The mattress of clam 7, wherein the upper foam spacer layer and the lower foam spacer layer comprise a thickness of 0.5 inch to 1 inch.

9. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the mattress further comprises a border frame comprising a metal rod defining an outer perimeter of the mattress.

10. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the mattress further comprises:

a strengthening structure provided between the support surface and the panel of micro-coils in the central spring structure area, said strengthening structure having a frame member encircling a major portion of the central spring structure area, and a plurality of elongated support elements located within said frame member and received against the spring elements encircled by the frame member.

11. The mattress of claim 9, wherein the mattress further comprises:

a strengthening structure provided between the support surface and the panel of micro-coils in the central spring structure area, said strengthening structure having a frame member encircling a major portion of the central spring structure area, and a plurality of elongated support elements located within said frame member and received against the spring elements encircled by the frame member.

12. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the mattress is hinged to allow folding of the mattress.

13. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the ticking material comprises an upholstery ticking.

14. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the backing material comprises a non-woven fabric.

15. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the support material comprises a polymer foam or fill layer.

16. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the stitching pattern is selected from a star pattern, a circle pattern, a swoop pattern, a ribbon pattern, a 213 pattern, and a 301 pattern.

17. The mattress of claim 6, wherein the mattress includes a memory foam layer.

18. The mattress of claim 17, wherein the memory foam layer is a polyurethane foam with a bulk density ranging from about 2.6 to about 4.0 pounds per cubic foot.

19. The mattress of claim 6, wherein the mattress includes a cooling foam layer.

20. The mattress of claim 6, wherein the mattress includes an open-celled foam layer.