Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: MATTRESS FOUNDATION WITH VIBRATOR
This invention relates to a mattress ~oundation of the rigid "platform'r
type, which provides horizontal support for a mattress along a normally
stationary top surface. It can be used for support of conventional
innerspring or padded mattresses, foam mattresses, and waterbed
mattresses.
Foundations of the platform type are used by many people who desire
a firm mattress support. Because of their rigid nature, plat-forms are not
susceptible to the fatigue and wear encountered during use of boxsprings.
A platform, if properly constructed ~ will retain its normal horizontal
configuration throughout its expected life. Platform foundations are also
economical since they can be produced as a fixed frame assembly without
incorporating springs. This substantially minimizes both labor and material
costs in comparison to the construction costs involved in production of
conventional boxspring foundations.
This invention relates specifically to the incorporation of an
electro-mechanical vibrator unit into a platform foundation. Such vibrator
units have been previously incorporated within innerspring foundations by
attaching the vibrator unit to the upper grid of the boxspring assembly.
Operation of the vibrator unit imparts vibratory movement to the grid and
the supporting springs, and in turn is thereby imparted to the mattress
and user resting upon such a foundation.
It has been found impractical to mount a vibratory unit directly to a
rigid platform. First, the rigidity of the platform suppresses most of the
vibratory movement. More importantly, vibration tends to damage the
structure of a rigid platform by loosening the joints and connections
between the various platform components.
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The E~resent invention combines a plateorm structure with a vibrator-y
unit in such a manner as to isolate the vibratory movemènt from the rigid
platform frame. It retains the cost advantages of other platform
assemblies, while providing the added accessory of a vibratory unit. It is
capable of successfully imparting the desired amount of vibratory movement
to a mattress supported upon it.
Preferred and alternate embodiments of this invention are illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a partial exploded view of a first embodiment of the
invention;
Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the platform foundation with a
portion of its upper layers broken away;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a second form of the
invention; and
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially along
line 4-4 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 1 illustrates the basic construction of a first embodiment of the
invention, also shown in perspective ln Fig. 2. Figs. 3 and 4 show a
second form of the invention.
Figs. 1 and 2 disclose a foundation having a f'ull area platform
surface. It includes a rigid wood or metal -frame 10 covered by a
stationary layer of fiberboard, cardboard, plywood or other substantially
rigid sheet material shown at 11. The sheet of material 11 is glued or
fastened across the top of frame 10. It presents a continuous horizontal
top surface fixed to the frame.
The frame 10 illustrated in the drawings is constructed of wood
boards, including horizontal transverse top slats which d;rectly engage and
support the underside of sheet 11. Any suitable type of' box frame
structure can be substituted for that specifically illustrated.
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A first lay~r of resilicnt rnaterial, illu~tratcd a~3 a sheet l~ of foamed
resin, overlies and completely covers the upper surface o~ sheet 11~ The
resilient sheet 12 can be made of urethane foam, or other compatihle
resilient foam of natural or synthetic origin. It might also be a layer of
fibrous padding or a combination of resilient materials. It simply rests on
the upper surface of sheet 11 and is preferably not at tached to it,
although attachment of sheet 12 to sheet 11 can be accomplished by
adhesives should this be desired.
Overlying the top surface of the foam sheet 12 is a metal grid 13.
Grid 13 is illustrated as being an open planar grid freely resting on the
first layer of resilient material at 12.
~rid 13 is unattached to the frame lG or sheet 11. It is typically
made from intersecting wires welded to one another. While it is somewhat
flexible perpendicular to its area, grid 13 is substantially rigid in its
structural plane, which is arranged horizontally in the illustrated
assembly. Grid 13 can be constructed from conventional material used in
the mattress foundation industry for attachrnent of coils across the top of a
boxspring unit. ;rid 13 can be made from other sheet materials, such as
perforated particleboard; and can be molded or formed from resin
materials. The purpose of grid 13 as used herein is to transmit vibrations
throughout the hori~ontal axea of the foundation upper sur~ace.
Grid 13 is covered by a seconcl layer 1'l of sheet foam material, which
can be identical to the layer 12 or again can be any suitable padded
material. It should be capable of frictionally engaging the open grid 13
and suitably padding the metal grid 13 to assure that grid 13 will not show
through the outer foundation cover.
Grid 13 has a vibrator unit 15 fixed to it. The location of the
vibrator unit 15 within the area of grid 13 is not of vital consequence, but
it is preferably located toward the "head" of the foundation so as to
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provide a center of' vibration beneath -the bodies of those using it. It can
be located at the transverse center of the foundation y or toward one side
(as illustrated).
The vibrator unlt 15 is of a type conventionally used today in the
vibration of boxspring foundations. It includes a rotational electric motor
with an internal eccentric weight that im~parts horizontal vibratory
movement to the unit 15. This is transmitted directly onto the grid 13, to
which unit 15 is fixed by clamping screws. The vibrator unit 15 is
typically provided with an electric cord (not shown) for attachment to a
10 suitable source of electric power.
The vibrator unit 15 is loosely and freely received within apertures
17 vertically aligned and formed through the foam sheet 12 and planar
sheet 11 across frame 10. The unit 15 is located within the enlarged
apertures 17 so as to remain physically clear of contact with the frame lU.
This positioning is assured by the sandwiching of grid 13 between the
resilient sheets 12, 14 in the completed assembly. Contact of frame 10 by
the vibrator unit 15 is undesirable, since it would result in a high noise
level and possible damage to the structure of' frame 10.
The foundation is completed by a fabric cover of conventional ticking.
20 This cover envelops and is fitted over the top and sides of frame 10, the
resilient foam sheets 12, 14, and grid 13. The co~rer is fastened to the
frame 10 about its bottom surface 18. Surface 1g is a peripheral bottom
surface formed on the frame 10 parallel to its top surface across the sheet
11. Such cover assemblies are well known in the foundation industry.
The foundation can be completed by provision of a layer of light sheeting
(not shown) across the bottom of frame 10.
The described assembly is capable of imparting vibrational movement
across the full top area of the foundation without ~ribrating the rigid frame
10. Grid 13 is resiliently isolated from the frame 10 by the interposed
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foam sheets :L?~, 14. G~id 13 therefore "floats" ~eely across the fr~ e 10
and can vibrate wi~hout restriction or possible dama~e to the .~tructural
frame elements. Vibratory movement is efficiently imparted across the top
surface of cover 16, and can be transmitted from the foundation to any
suitable mattress (not shown) resting upon it. This foundation is
particularly adaptable to waterbeds, which typically require the strength
of a rigid platform for vertical support. E-lowever, the foundation can be
used in conjunction with any type of mattress, inclucling innerspring
mattresses, fiber filled mattresses ~ foam mattresses or mattresses
constructed of a combination of these or other similar resilient materials.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a slightly modified form of the invention. The
frame 20 again is illustrated as being constructed from wood boards in a
box-type configuration. However, the positioning of the transverse upper
slats is interrupted along the length of the foundation to provide space for
one or more intermediate transverse rows oE upright yieldable springs 23.
Springs 23 are operably connected between frame 20 and an open metal
grid 25 identical to the previously-describecl grid 13. The remaining areas
of frame 20 are covered by substantially rigid planar sheets 21, 22 which
are fixed to the upper surfaces of frame 20 across the head and foot OI
the foundation.
l~oam sheets 24 are loosely interposed between grid 25 ancl the upper
surfaces of sheets 21, 22 to resiliently isolate gricl 25 from the supporting
horizontal platform surfaces of the foundation. A second continuous layer
of resilient material, shown as a foam sheet 26, overlies grid 25 about its
complete horiz.ontal area. A vibrator unit 27, identical to the previously
described vibrator unit lS, is fixed to grid 25 in the area of the springs
23. The foundation is completed by a cover 28.
This second embodiment comprises a hybrid foundation wherein a
portion of the foundation area is of rigid platforrn construction, and its
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remaining area is providecl by conventional boxsprîng construction. This
boxspring area provides yieldable s~pport across a selected portion ot the
foundation area. It might be located beneath the heavier portions of the
bodies resting upon the completed bed assembly. Since the springs 23 are
fastened to grid 25, they yieldably locate grid 25 relative to frame 20,
permitting limited horizontal movement in addition to yieldable vertical
movement. Again, grid 25 is otherwise unattached to frame 20 and is free
to vibrate in a horizontal plane in response to operation o-f the vibrator
unit 27.
It is to be understood that any type of upright springs might be
used between grid 25 and frame 20 in the open portion of the platform.
While a specific type of conventional spring is illustrated, coil springs can
be utilized as well.
In both forms of the invention, the foundation basically includes a
rigid frame having continuous horizontal top surface areas. A first layer
of resilient material overlies the top surface area of the frame. The open
grid rests freely on this first layer of resilient material and is unattached
to the rigid supporting frame. The vibrator unit is fixed to the grid and
is physically clear oE contact with the rigid structural fraroe.
The foundation provides platform support for a covering mattress of
any desirable configuration. The electrical vibrator unit is capable of
transmitting vibrations from the foundation to a supported mattress (not
shown). Vibratory movement can be sa-fely and effectively imparted from
this platform foundation to the mattress assembly without the risk of
resulting structural damage to the platform frame. This provides a
practical and economical foundation for support of a mattress, while
including the vibratory feature desired by many users.
It is to be understood that the above descriptions are provided for
general illustration only, and that modifications can be made to the
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foundation within the general scope of the structure shown. ~or instance,
different and additional padding layers can be interposed between the grid
and the final cover, which might moctify the resiliency of the foundation,
but would not essentially change the resilient suspension of the vibrated
metal grid.
