Beds – Mattress – With distinct movable sections
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-09
2001-05-29
Grosz, Alexander (Department: 3628)
Beds
Mattress
With distinct movable sections
C005S740000, C005S953000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237173
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a mattress for use in connection with convertible furniture, such as futons. More specifically, the present invention relates to a foam mattress that includes a hinge section that allows the mattress to remain in the upright, seating position without sliding off of the furniture frame.
In presently available convertible furniture, such as futons, the furniture includes a frame that is movable between an upright, seating position and a horizontal, sleeping position. The convertible furniture includes a mattress enclosed within a decorative covering that is placed on the furniture frame and acts as a cushion for the seat and back when the convertible furniture is in the upright position and functions as a mattress when the convertible furniture is in the horizontal, sleeping position.
Currently, the two most common types of futon mattresses are formed from either cotton or wool batting or foam, or a combination thereof, to provide the required cushioning when the mattress is positioned in either the upright position or the sleeping position. Currently, futon mattresses having a polyurethane foam core are the most popular due to their light weight and superior cushioning capabilities.
Although foam core futon mattresses have proven to be very comfortable, one problem that does exist is the desire for the foam core to return to the flat, horizontal sleeping position when it is bent upon itself in the upright, sitting position. Thus, when the mattress is folded onto itself while in the upright position, the foam positioned within the bend of the mattress has a tendency to urge the mattress back into the horizontal position, thus causing the mattress to slide off of the furniture frame.
Therefore, a need exists for a convertible furniture mattress that includes a hinge section that allows the mattress to retain its position when the convertible furniture frame is in the upright, seating position. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mattress that provides the required cushioning for the furniture while also including the hinge section that allows the mattress to be folded upon itself. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mattress that retains its folded position yet is able to rebound back to its full height in the sleeping position for the comfort of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an articulated mattress for use with convertible furniture, such as a futon. The articulated mattress of the present invention includes a foam core that is comprised of a seat section and a back section joined to each other by a hinge section. Specifically, the hinge section is adhesively attached between the inside edges of both the back section and the seat section.
Both the seat section and the back section are formed from a polyurethane foam, such as is conventionally used in currently available convertible furniture mattresses. In accordance with the invention, the hinge section is formed from a visco-elastic foam, commonly referred to as memory foam. Visco-elastic foam generally retains its shape as it is compressed.
When the articulated mattress of the present invention is moved from the horizontal, sleeping position to the upright, sitting position, the mattress flexes along the hinge portion. The visco-elastic foam that forms the hinge portion compresses and generally retains its compressed shape. The inherent properties of the visco-elastic foam allows the articulated mattress to remain in the upright, sitting position without the hinge section causing the mattress to spring back into its horizontal, sleeping position.
The articulated mattress of the preferred embodiment includes both a top foam layer and a bottom foam layer. The top foam layer is adhesively attached to the top face surface of the back section, the hinge section, and the seat section. The bottom foam layer is adhesively attached to the bottom face surface of the back section, the hinge section and the seat section. The bottom and top foam layers increase the comfort of the articulated mattress and reduce the difference in feel between the polyurethane foam of the back and seat sections and the visco-elastic foam of the hinge section.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2830306 (1958-04-01), Wagner et al.
patent: 4985951 (1991-01-01), Lacotte et al.
patent: 5657500 (1997-08-01), Messina
patent: 5669094 (1997-09-01), Swanson
patent: 5953778 (1999-09-01), Hiatt
patent: 6052851 (2000-04-01), Kohnle
Barton Mark S.
Schlichter Mark E.
Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
August Lotz Co., Inc.
Grosz Alexander
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