Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SELF-CENTERING BED MATTRESS
Background of the Invention
The present invention seeks to provide a reversible self-
centering mattress and a coacting mattress foundation.
In accordance with the present invention, the mattress may be
of the innerspring type or may consist of an integral slab of foam
rubber, either solid or honeycombed. The mattress foundation may
include a fabricated frame with suitable padding, or may simply
consist of rigid styrofoam or the like.
In accordance with the invention, the self-centering mattress
and mattress foundation can be made in all customary sizes, single,
double, queen or king size. In the latter instance, the foundation
can be divided for passage around corners on stairways and the like.
The invention in one broad aspect pertains to a self-
centering mattress structure comprising a mattress foundation having
a top downwardly tapering cavity, and a mattress provided on its
opposite faces with substantially identical tapering projections
each adapted to be received nestingly in the cavity of the mattress
foundation in self-centering relationship therewith.
More particular y, the invention comprehends a self-centering
mattress structure comprising a mattress foundation having a top
cavity including sloping donwardly convergent side walls, and a
mattress having on each side thereof a tapering projection including
marginal sloping side walls which converge away from a median plane
through the mattress. Each tapering projection is adapted to
interfit in nested centering relationship with the cavity of the
mattress foundation with the sloping side walls of the cavity in
engagement with the marginal sloping side walls of each mattress
tapering projection.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art during the course of the
following detailed description.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a self-centering
mattress and mattress foundation according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view in cross section
through the mattress foundation taken on line 2 - 2 of Figure 1.
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Figure 3 is an exploded vertical section, partly in
elevation, taken through the self-centering mattress and
mattress foundation.
l Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through
¦ a mattress and mattress foundation according to a modification of
the invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a two-part foundation
for a king size mattress.
¦ Detailed Description -
¦ Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals
¦ designate like parts, a reversible self-centering bed mattress 10
and a coacting mattress foundation 11 are shown in drawing
Figures 1 and 3. The mattress 10 may include conventional inner
springs 12 held within a conventional envelope 13. The top and
bottom faces of this envelope are preferably covered by insulator
pads 14 and foam sheets 15. Slabs 16 of honeycombed foam rubber
or the like are placed on the outer faces of the sheets 15 and
cover the latter. The slabs 16 are covered by preferably
quilted decorative fabric 17 and mattress ticking 18 defines the
margin of the bed mattress.
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Each fabric-covered foam slab 16 has an inclined marginal
surface 19 extending continuous.ly around its four sides and
corners. This inclined marginal surface forms on each major
side of the mattress a relativel.y shallow tr~ncated rectangular
S tapered projection or wedge whose marginal edges converge away
from a median horizontal plane through the mattress. The
tapered projections on each side of the mattress are of uniform
and equal thicknesses so that the mattress is symmetrical in
cross section as shown in Figure 3. The tapering projections
formed by the slabs 16 impart to the mattress 10 its self-
centering capability and reversibility in conjunction with the
mattress foundation 11.
The foundation 11 may have a fabricated rigid frame
comprising longitudinal and transverse lumber sections 20 and 21
joined at the four corners of the foundation by post elements 22.
Horizontal cross braces 23 are provided at the head and foot ends
of the foundation and preferably at one or more intervening
points to render the foundation stable in its support of the
mattress 10.
Right triangular marginal lumber sections 24 mounted atop
the upper braces 23 and lumber sections 20 and 21 include
interior sloping downwardly converging surfaces 25 which collect-
ively define a tapered rectangular cavity having roughly the same
height and marginal configuration as the two described tapered
projections on the opposite sides of the mattress 10.
The wooden frame of the mattress foundation 11 is covered
as shown in Figure 3 by a flexible pad 26, a foam sheet 27, and
decking 28. The pad 26 and decking extend around the right
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triangular members 24, Figure 3, and the vertical sides of the
foundations 11 are preferably covered with mattress ticking 29,
as shown.
In lieu of the innerspring mattress 10, the sel~-centering
mattress may be formed from a unitary slab 30 of foam rubber, as
shown in Figure 4, having upper and lower marginal inclined
surfaces 31 forming on the opposite sides of the mattress 30 two
oppositely tapering self-centering projections. In lieu of the
fabricated mattress foundation 11, a mattress foundation 32,
Figure 4, may be formed from rigid foam material, such as rigid
styrofoam. In such case, the foundation 32 is recessed in its
top to form a downwardly tapering shallow rectangular cavity 33
of the proper uniform depth and area to accept either tapering
projection of the mattress 30 in self-centering relationship.
In the case of a king size mattress, the styrofoam
mattress foundation as shown in Figure 5 may be constructed in
two separable sections 32a and 32b formed in their tops to
provide the downwardly tapering rectangular cavity or well to
receive a self-centering mattress. The two foundation sections
32a and 32b can be transported separately through narrow passages
where a single king size foundation might not pass. The two
foundation sections are held in assembled relationship with the
mattress by a surrounding bed frame, not shown.
In either form of the invention, a reversible symmetrical
self-centering mattress is provided for placement on a mattress
foundation having a tapered cavity or well of the proper size and
tapering depth to receive a mating truncated tapered projection
on either side of the mattress The interfitting relationship of
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these mattress projections with the tapered well of the mattress
foundation renders the bed mattress self-centering when either
side of the mattress is placed on the foundation.
It is to be understood that the form of the invention
herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred
example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size
and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departin~
from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined
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