Beds – Mattress – With distinct movable sections
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-08
2001-07-10
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Mattress
With distinct movable sections
C005S727000, C005S738000, C005S739000, C005S740000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256821
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mattresses generally, and more particularly, to an improved mattress system with improved variability of load responsive characteristics.
Current conventional mattresses are known which are composed primarily of foam material. These foam mattresses are useful, but they could be improved. The foam material used for mattresses comes in high resilience and low resilience types. Unfortunately, high resilience foams, such as latex or viscoelastic foams, are relatively expensive as compared to less resilient foams such as polyurethane foams. Mattresses made from the more desirable high resilience foams can easily become too expensive for general use.
Conventional foam mattresses have a uniform firmness throughout the mattress. There is, in general, no provision for a different firmness in the lumbar area or for different firmnesses for different sides of the mattress (such as would be desirable for two sleepers of different sizes using the mattress at the same time). Nor is there any provision for adjusting the firmness once the mattress is in the hands of the customer. Even making changes in the firmness at the factory is difficult and expensive.
In addition, conventional foam mattresses made from lower resilience foam must be turned frequently (every few months). This requires that both the top and the bottom of the mattress have a cover (preferably quilted), which increases the cost of the mattress.
Moreover, conventional foam mattresses are so large that special provisions must be made for shipping them to the distributor, and to the end user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects and advantages of the present invention are the provision of a foam mattress system with improved comfort.
A second object is the provision of such a foam mattress system which is readily adjustable in terms of firmness at the factory or by the end user if desired.
A third object is the provision of such a foam mattress system which is relatively economical.
A fourth object is the provision of such a foam mattress system which does not require frequent turning.
A fifth object is the provision of such a foam mattress system which provides increased manufacturing flexibility.
A sixth object is the provision of such a foam mattress system which may be shipped by conventional common carriers such as UPS.
In a first aspect of the present invention, a mattress system includes a first section of foam material forming the head section of a mattress, a second section of foam material forming the central section of the mattress, and a third section of foam material forming the foot section of the mattress. The second section of foam material has a load responsive characteristic different from the load responsive characteristic of the first and third sections.
In a second aspect of the present invention, a mattress system includes a first section of foam material forming the head section of a mattress, an adjustable, inflatable air chamber forming the central section of the mattress, and a second section of foam material forming the foot section of the mattress.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1528066 (1925-03-01), McEntire
patent: 3521311 (1970-07-01), Cohen
patent: 3745596 (1973-07-01), Copeland
patent: 4189798 (1980-02-01), Vessey
patent: 5056342 (1991-10-01), Prinz
patent: 5105488 (1992-04-01), Hutchinson et al.
patent: 5557813 (1996-09-01), Steed et al.
patent: 5960496 (1999-10-01), Boyd
Donahue, III Dennis J. M.
Thompson & Coburn LLP
Trettel Michael F.
Upchurch Gregory E.
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