Beds – Bedsteads – Having bottom
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-09
2003-06-17
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3677)
Beds
Bedsteads
Having bottom
C005S255000, C005S257000, C005S260000, C005S719000, C005S716000, C267S103000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06578213
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to bedding, and more particularly to an improved testable and stackable bedding foundation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a continuing search for a higher quality, more durable mattress and box spring combination that has a longer service life and can be manufactured more efficiently and for less cost. One example of an improved box spring design is one in which the wire core assembly within the box spring is testable and stackable with other wire core assemblies. Such stackability substantially reduces the cost of storing and/or shipping numerous wire core assemblies.
In known box spring-mattress combinations, box springs are generally used to provide predominately static support for a mattress and user, and the mattress is used to provide most, if not all, of the resilient support for the user. For example, the mattress deforms and conforms to the load presented by the shape and weight of the user, and the mattress resiliently returns to its original shape when the load of the user is removed. The box spring usually experiences little, if any, deformation under the load of the user.
A common practice in the design of a box spring or mattress support is to attempt to match the resiliency characteristics of a box spring with the resiliency of a mattress to provide a more comfortable sleeping surface. Heretofore, that has been difficult to accomplish using a box spring which has a testable, stackable wire core assembly because of the limited flexibility of known nestably flexible box springs such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,434.
Consequently, there is a need for an improved box spring and particularly an improved testable, stackable box spring in which the resiliency and load bearing capability of the box spring can be better matched to the resiliency and load bearing capability of a mattress, thereby creating an improved mattress-box spring combination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved nestably stackable box spring that provides better support for a mattress. The box spring of the present invention has a resilient load bearing capability that can be advantageously matched to the resiliently load bearing capability of a mattress. Further, the resilient load bearing capability of the box spring of the present invention is especially useful in improving the edge load bearing capability of a mattress-box spring combination. Therefore, the box spring of the present invention provides a higher quality, more durable, testable, stackable box spring that is potentially more efficient to manufacture.
According to the principles of the present invention and in accordance with the described embodiment, the invention provides a nestably stackable assembly for use in a bedding foundation. The assembly has a rectangular border wire with parallel sides and ends. Transversely spaced, parallel and longitudinally extending support wires are connected at their ends to the border wire ends. The support wires are formed so as to be generally corrugated along their lengths with peaks and valleys. The peaks are flattened at their tops, and the flattened tops are generally coplanar with a plane defined by the border wire. The valleys are vertically displaced beneath and intermediate of said flattened tops. Longitudinally spaced and transversely extending, upper connector wires are connected to the sides of border wire, and the upper connector wires are connected along their lengths to the flattened tops of the peaks of the support wires. The valleys have flat bottoms, and adjacent pairs of the flat bottoms of the valley are interconnected by flexible connectors. The flexible connectors of the nestably stackable assembly are attached to a rigid, generally wooden, base of the bedding foundation.
In one aspect of the invention, the flexible connectors are resilient; and the bedding foundation resiliently absorbs loads in partnership with a mattress. Such a box spring construction is especially useful in providing additional support along the edges of the mattress.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein.
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L&P Property Management Company
Mitchell Katherine
Swann J. J.
Wood Herron & Evans L.L.P.
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