Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SINGLE COVER PASSIVE MATTRESS SPINNER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a system for facilitating maneuvering
a
mattress in a horizontal plane with respect to a foundation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0002] A conventional bed includes a foundation, such as a box spring,
platform or
bottom mattress, and a top mattress. For example, box spring is normally
supported
by a bed frame and, in turn, carries a top mattress, which ends up being
suspended
about 13-16 inches from the floor. The top mattress (hereinafter "mattress")
may be
placed on top of the box spring or alternatively placed upon any other type of
foundation. The mattress is held in place by friction and its weight.
[0003] Various types of mattresses are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
7,617,556
and 7,644,671 disclose conventional mattresses. Such conventional mattresses
include
a "casing" which is formed from material for holding the internal components
of the
mattress. The casing includes a bottom panel and four (4) vertical panels
connected to
the periphery of the bottom panel forming an open top container. In one such
conventional mattress, a spring core is disposed in the container and rests
against the
bottom floor and fits snugly against the vertical panels. One or more layers
of foam
padding is placed on top of the spring core and covered with a top cover which
is
secured to the vertical panels.
[0004] In other known mattresses, a foam core is used in place of the spring
core.
Other known mattresses are known to include a so-called "pillow-top". The
pillow top
is generally formed as a comforter secured to the top cover and filled with
cotton or
some type of fibrous material.
[0005] A problem with the various types of mattresses, as discussed above, is
that
over time the mattress materials lose their resiliency causing body
depressions to
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
develop. In order to even out the wear in the mattress, it is known to rotate
the
mattress in the horizontal plane to relocate the body depressions, as shown
for
example, in FIGS. 1 and 2. Depending on the size of the mattress, one or two
people
may be required to rotate the mattress. For example, king and queen size
mattresses
may likely require two people to rotate the mattress, as shown in FIG. 1,
while full
and twin size mattresses can likely be rotated by a single person, as shown in
FIG. 2.
[0006] Mattresses are relatively heavy items. The weight of a mattress varies
as a
function of the coil core, the gauge of the coil and the type of foam material
used. An
average king size mattress weighs between 85 and 115 pounds. High end king
size
mattresses with latex or memory foam can weigh as much as 300 pounds.
[0007] In order to rotate a mattress, the mattress must first be lifted and
then rotated,
as such, rotating a mattress is hard work. Depending on the weight of the
mattress,
rotating a mattress can be virtually impossible for some people, such as
senior
citizens, as well as people that are handicapped or disabled and others.
[0008] In order to address this problem, mattresses with removable pillow tops
have
been developed. An example of such a mattress is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,414,882. The '882 patent discloses a mattress with a pillow top that is
secured to the
top cover of the mattress by way of a zipper. With such a configuration, the
pillow top
can be relatively easily rotated by unzipping the pillow top, rotating it and
zipping the
pillow top back in place. While such a configuration enables body depressions
in the
pillow top to be relocated, it has no effect on body depressions that result
in the
mattress itself. Thus there is a need for a system to facilitate rotation of a
mattress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Briefly, the present invention relates to a system for facilitating
maneuvering
of a mattress, such as rotation of the mattress in a horizontal plane with
respect to a
foundation, such as a box spring or a fixed or adjustable base or platform
(hereinafter
individually or collectively referred to as a "foundation"). In order to
facilitate
rotation, a cover is provided having a slick surface on one side and a non-
slick surface
on an opposing side. As used herein, a slick surface is a surface that has a
lower
coefficient of friction as compared to a non-slick surface.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
[0010] In one embodiment, a cover is provided that can be used to facilitate
maneuvering of a mattress supported by a foundation. The cover includes a
horizontal panel formed from one or more layers of material. The horizontal
panel
has a first side and an opposing side, the first side including a slick
surface, The
horizontal panel is configured to be disposed between an underside of the
mattress
and a top side of the foundation. The cover also includes an attachment device
for
securing the horizontal panel relative to the mattress or alternatively to the
foundation.
In a first mode of operation the attachment device secures the horizontal
panel relative
to one of the underside of the mattress or the top side of the foundation, and
in a
second mode of operation, the attachment device secures the horizontal panel
to
another of the underside of the mattress or the top side of the foundation to
facilitate
maneuvering of the mattress with respect to the foundation.
[0011] In another embodiment, a cover is provided that can be used to
facilitate maneuvering of a mattress supported by a foundation, where the
foundation
is covered by a bed skirt. The cover includes a horizontal panel formed from
one or
more layers of material. The horizontal panel has a first side and an opposing
side, the
first side including a slick surface. The horizontal panel is configured to be
disposed
between an underside of the mattress and a top side of the bed skirt covering
the
foundation so that the first side of the horizontal panel is in contact with
an underside
of the mattress. The cover also includes an attachment device for securing the
horizontal panel relative to the mattress or alternatively to the bed skirt
and the
foundation. In a first mode of operation, the attachment device secures the
horizontal
panel relative to the underside of the mattress and in a second mode of
operation, the
attachment device secures the horizontal panel and the bed skirt to the
foundation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Specific examples have been chosen for purposes of illustration and
description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the
specification.
[0013] These and other advantages of the present invention will be readily
understood
with reference to the following specification and attached drawing wherein:
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing illustrating two people lifting a
mattress carried
by a foundation in an attempt to rotate the mattress in a horizontal plane in
a
conventional manner.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a two-cover embodiment illustrating one
person
rotating a mattress in accordance with the present invention, shown with the
mattress
carried by a foundation and also shown with the mattress partially rotated.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of the invention
illustrating a conventional foundation and a conventional mattress and two
covers in
accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 illustrating one of the covers shown in
FIG. 3
installed on the mattress and one cover installed on the foundation,
[0018] FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated
in FIG.
3, partially in section, illustrating one of the covers installed on the
mattress and one
cover installed on the foundation and shown in a rotate configuration in which
the
slick surfaces of the two covers are in contact with each other, securing the
bed skirt
into position prior to rotating.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of an application of the invention
illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 in which the bottom cover is to be placed over a bed
skirt to
secure the bed skirt with respect to the sides of the foundation.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a partial side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated
in FIG.
6, shown with one of the covers installed on the mattress and the other cover
installed
over the bed skirt on the foundation illustrating a rotate configuration in
which both
slick surfaces are in contact with each other while the bed skirt is held in
place.
[0021] FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 but shown with both covers installed on the
mattress, illustrating a normal configuration in which a non-slick surface of
the
bottom cover is in contact with the surface of the bed skirt.
[0022] FIG. 9 is an alternative application of the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 6-8
in which the bed skirt is used to hide both covers in a normal configuration,
shown in
a rotation configuration.
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
[0023] FIG. 10 is a partial elevational view of the application illustrated in
FIG. 9 in a
normal configuration in which the bed skirt is pulled down over the foundation
hiding
both of the covers.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a partial elevational view of the box spring illustrated in
FIG. 10,
partially in section, shown in a normal configuration.
[0025] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the two-cover embodiment illustrating
one
person rotating a mattress in accordance with the present invention shown with
the
mattress carried by a platform and also shown with the mattress partially
rotated.
[0026] FIG. 13 is an alternate embodiment of the invention in which slick
surfaces are
integrated into the mattress and box spring, shown with the mattress removed
from
the box spring and fastener strips integrated into the corners of the mattress
and
foundation.
[0027] FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13 but shown with the mattress placed on the
foundation illustrating integrated fastener strips aligned with one another.
[0028] FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, illustrating cooperating removable
fastener strips
attached to the integrated fastener strips in order to secure the mattress to
the
foundation.
[0029] FIG. 16 is a partial elevational view illustrating one corner of a
mattress
disposed on a foundation illustrating integrated fastener strips aligned on
each corner
of the foundation and mattress, shown with a cooperating removable fastener
strip
removed.
[0030] FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16 but shown with the cooperating removable
fastener strip attached to the integrated fastener strips on the mattress and
foundation.
[0031] FIG. 18 is an isometric view of an alternative fastener configuration
for
securing a mattress to a foundation, illustrating a mattress disposed on the
foundation
in which the integrated fastener is disposed around the periphery of the
foundation
and the mattress.
[0032] FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 18 but shown with a cooperating removable
fastener
strip attached to the integrated fastener strips on the mattress and the
foundation.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
[0033] FIG. 20 is similar to FIG. 19 but illustrating a bed skirt which
incorporates a
removable fastening strip attached to the integrated fastening strips on the
mattress
and foundation.
[0034] FIG. 21 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a two cover embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 in which the mattress cover is a protective cover
having at
least one slick surface, shown with the protective cover removed from the
mattress
and the mattress suspended relative to the foundation.
[0035] FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21 but shown with the protective cover
installed on
the mattress.
[0036] FIG. 23a is a partial isometric view of a material blank for use as a
cover with
the present invention, shown with fold lines on adjacent edges and an obtuse
angle
cutout at one comer.
[0037] FIG. 23b is similar to FIG. 23a but illustrating an elastic material
joining the
strips defined by the fold lines and bridging the cutout.
[0038] FIG. 24a is similar to FIG. 24a but illustrates a cutout at other than
an obtuse
angle.
[0039] FIG. 24b illustrates the material blank illustrated in FIG. 24a with an
integrated fastener strip on the strips defined by the fold lines shown with a
cooperating removable fastener strip partially attached to the integrated
fastener strip.
[0040] FIG. 24c is similar to FIG. 24b but shown with the cooperating
removable
fastener strip completely attached to the integrated fastener strip.
[0041] FIG. 25 is an isometric drawing illustrating an embodiment of the
invention
over a platform utilizing a single cover, shown with one comer turned up.
[0042] FIG. 26 is similar to FIG. 25 shown with the cover fully attached to
the
platform illustrating a maneuvering mode of operation.
[0043] FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate rotation of a mattress in accordance with
the present
invention relative to the platform with the cover illustrated in FIG. 26.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
[0044] FIG. 29 is an isometric drawing of a mattress on a fixed or adjustable
platform
with a single cover in which the cover, illustrated in FIG. 26 is partially
turned up and
attached to the mattress.
[0045] FIG. 30 is similar to FIG. 29 but illustrating the cover fully attached
to the
mattress illustrating a normal mode of operation.
[0046] FIG. 31 is an isometric view of an adjustable platform, shown in a flat
sleeping position.
[0047] FIG. 32 is similar to FIG. 31 but shown with a single cover in
accordance with
the present invention attached to the adjustable platform.
[0048] FIG. 33 is an isometric view of a one-cover embodiment as illustrated
in FIG.
32 which illustrates rotation of a mattress in accordance with the present
invention
relative to the adjustable platform.
[0049] FIG. 34 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a single cover
formed
from multiple plies illustrating a slick surface that covers a portion on one
side of the
cover and is at least partially surrounded by a non-slick surface. In
accordance with
the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 35a is a section view of the cover illustrated in FIG. 34, shown
with the
side panels folded up for attachment to an underside of a mattress.
[0051] FIG. 35b is similar to FIG. 35a but shown with the side panels folded
down
for attachment to a foundation.
[0052] FIG. 36 is a plan view of another alternate embodiment of a single
cover
formed from multiple plies illustrating a non-slick surface that covers a
portion of one
side of the cover and is at least surrounded by a slick surface in accordance
with the
present invention.
[0053] FIG. 37a is a section view of the cover illustrated in FIG. 36, shown
with the
side panels folded up for attachment to an underside of a mattress.
[0054] FIG. 37b is similar to FIG. 37a a but shown with the side panels folded
down
for attachment to a foundation.
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
[0055] FIG. 38 is a partial sectional view of bonded multiple ply material
used as a
cover.
[0056] FIG. 39 is a partial sectional view of a cover formed from multiple
plies
material tacked together at one or more tack points so that the multiple plies
function
as a single piece of material.
[0057] FIG. 40 is an elevational view of a mattress supported by a foundation
shown
with a cover as illustrated in FIGS. 34-37b disposed therebetween, shown in
with the
side panels folded up for attachment to the sides of the mattress in a
maneuvering
mode of operation.
[0058] FIG. 41 is similar to FIG. 40 but shown with the side panels folded
down for
attachment to the sides of a foundation in a normal mode of operation.
[0059] Figure 42 illustrates a portion of a horizontal panel of the present
technology
including at two layers of material.
[0060] Figure 43 illustrates the portion of a horizontal panel of Figure 42,
with an
attachment point attaching the two layers of material.
[0061] Figure 44 illustrates one example of a cover of the present technology
having
a horizontal panel that includes two layers of material, in a first mode of
operation.
[0062] Figure 45 illustrates the cover of Figure 44 in a second mode of
operation.
[0063] Figure 46 illustrates another example of a cover of the present
technology
having a horizontal panel that includes two layers of material, in a first
mode of
operation.
[0064] Figure 47 illustrates the cover of Figure 46 in a second mode of
operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0065] The present invention relates to mattress maneuvering systems for
facilitating
maneuvering of a mattress with respect to a foundation, such as rotation of a
mattress
in a horizontal plane with respect to the foundation or sliding a mattress off
of the
mattress foundation for the purposes of removing and re-installing a fresh
bedskirt.
Various embodiments of the invention are described and illustrated. In all
8
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
embodiments, surfaces between the mattress and the foundation are selectively
placed
in engagement with each other. The surfaces may be provided by a single cover
or
two separate covers. Alternatively, some embodiments have no covers, i.e.
coverless
embodiments, and instead have embedded surfaces in the mattress and/or the
foundation. In coverless embodiments, the mattress and the foundation may be
secured together in a first, normal mode of operation to prevent unintended
movement
of the mattress.
Single Cover Embodiments
[0066] There are multiple embodiments of the single cover mattress maneuvering
system. Single covers may be used to facilitate maneuvering of a mattress,
such as
rotation of the mattress in a horizontal plane with respect to a foundation.
In one
embodiment, a slick surface is embedded in a top surface of the foundation. In
other
embodiments, the relatively higher coefficient of friction of the surface of
either the
underside of the mattress or a top surface of the foundation may provide
resistance to
mattress movement.
Embedded Slick Surface
[0067] In addition to the embodiments discussed below which require two
covers,
alternate embodiments are discussed below which require only one cover. For
example, one of the covers 20, 22 (FIGS. 3-11) may be eliminated, and a slick
surface
may be embedded into a top surface of the foundation, or an underside of the
mattress. In one exemplary embodiment, the foundation includes an integral or
embedded slick surface facing upwardly and that is configured to be in contact
with
an underside of the mattress. In an embodiment in which the slick surface is
embedded in a top surface of the foundation, a single cover 20, as described
below,
may be attached to the underside of the mattress such that the slick surface
faces
downwardly and the non-slick surface of the cover is in contact with the
underside of
the mattress. In a maneuvering mode of operation, the slick surface of the
cover 20 is
in contact with the slick surface integrally formed in the top surface of the
foundation.
Once the mattress is rotated and in the desired location, the cover 20 is
attached to the
foundation so that the two slick surfaces are in contact with each other and
the non-
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
slick surface is in contact with underside of the mattress defining a normal
mode of
operation. Alternatively, the slick surface can be embedded into mattress.
Alternative Single Cover Embodiment
[0068] In some embodiments, a single cover can be used with either two (2)
slick
sides or one slick side and one non-slick side. In such an embodiment, the
inherent
surface coefficient of friction and friction of either the underside of the
mattress 28 or
a top side of the foundation may provide resistance to movement. In an
embodiment
with a cover having two slick surfaces, the cover is attached to either the
underside of
the mattress 28 or a top side of the foundation and remains in place during
both a
maneuvering mode and a normal mode. Additional means, as discussed below, are
provided to secure the mattress with respect to the box spring or mattress to
prevent
unintended movement of the mattress.
[0069] An alternative embodiment having a single cover utilizes a cover having
a
slick side and a non-slick side, the cover is attached to either an underside
of the
mattress or a top side of the foundation. In this embodiment, the inherent
surface
coefficient of friction of either the underside mattress or a top side of the
foundation
may provide resistance to movement. For example, in a first. normal mode of
operation, the cover may be attached to an underside of the mattress so that
its non-
slick side faces outwardly and contacts the top surface of the foundation to
prevent
unintended movement of the mattress with respect to the foundation. In a
second,
maneuvering mode of operation, the cover is attached to a top side of the
foundation
so that the slick surface is in contact with the underside mattress and the
non-slick
side is in contact with a top side of the foundation. The mattress is rotated
and the
cover is re-attached to the mattress.
[0070] Other exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below and
illustrated in FIGS. 25-33. FIGS. 25-30 illustrate an embodiment of the
invention on a
fixed platform. FIGS. 31-33 illustrate an embodiment of the invention on an
adjustable platform.
[0071] As illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, the cover, generally identified with
the
reference numeral 100, includes a horizontal pane1102, which may be
rectangular,
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
substantially rectangular, or another shape. An attachment device may be used
to
attach the horizontal pane1102 to the sides of a foundation 106 or mattress
112. The
attachment device may be implemented as a side panel 104, as discussed below,
or
various other means, also discussed below and virtually any means for
removably
attaching the horizontal pane1102 of the cover 100 with respect to the sides
of the
foundation 106 or mattress 112. The horizontal pane1102 of the cover 100 is
formed
to fit the foundation, such as a fixed platform 106 or an adjustable platform
108 (FIG.
31).
[0072] Various embodiments of horizontal panel 102 and the side panel 104 for
both
the single cover and two cover embodiments. For example, the side panels 104
can be
formed from a continuous piece of material and attached to at least a portion
of the
periphery of the horizontal panel potion 102. Alternatively, the side panels
104 can be
discontinuous and formed from multiple pieces of material and attached to at
least a
portion of the periphery of the horizontal panel 102.
[0073] In addition, one or more side panels 104 can at least be partially
formed from
the horizontal panel 102. In other words, the horizontal panel 102 may be
sized to
cover the underside of a mattress 112 (FIG. 27) and one or more side panels
104. The
horizontal panel 102 and one or more of the side panels 104 may be formed from
the
same or different materials including conventional bedding fabrics and
conventional
decorative bedding fabrics. Both the horizontal panel 102 and the side panels
104 may
be formed from one or more any stretchable or non-stretchable fabric.
[0074] In embodiments in which the side panel potion(s) 104 are formed
separately
from the horizontal panels 102, the side panels 104 may be attached to the
horizontal
panel 102 by various conventional methods, such as stitching, bonding, heat
sealing,
sonic welding. Moreover, side panels 104 can be attached to the periphery of
the
horizontal panel 102 to form a single ply cover as illustrated, for example in
FIG. 3 or
a multiple ply cover as illustrated in FIGS. 35,35a, 35b, 36, 36A and 36B in
which a
portion of the side panels 209 overlap the horizontal panel forming a multiple
ply
portion. In one embodiment, the side panel 104 may be continuous around the
periphery of the horizontal panel 102. In that exemplary embodiment shown, at
least a
portion of the horizontal panel 102 or the entire horizontal panel 102 may be
formed
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
to include a slick surface 109 formed on at least a portion of one side 109
and may be
formed to include a non-slick surface on at least a portion or the opposing
side 111.
[0075] The horizontal panel 102 of the cover 100 may be formed from a 70Dx70D
7210 nylon ripstop material or other material with similar non-elastic
properties. The
size of the horizontal panel 102 may be selected to be the same size as the
horizontal
portion 111 of the platform 106.
[0076] At least a portion of one side of the horizontal panel 102 may be
coated to
form a slick surface 109. The slick side surface 109 may be provided by way of
various coatings including a silicone coating or other coating providing a
similar co-
efficient of friction. The coating is optional on the side 109. The inherent
surface
roughness of the material may be used alone as the side 109. At least a
portion of the
other side of the horizontal panel 102 may be formed with a non-slick surface
110.
The non-slick surface 110 may be provided by various coatings including a
polyurethane coating or a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating or other coating
having a
similar co-efficient of friction. Alternatively, one or more materials which
inherently
have a slick side and a non-slick side may be used without any coatings.
[0077] As mentioned above, the side panel 104 may be formed from various any
stretchable or non-stretchable fabric. For example, the side panel 104 may be
formed
from elastic materials including 90 gram, 2-way stretch 100% polyester
material,
otherwise known as Jersey Knit or other materials having similar elasticity
properties.
One side of the side panel 104 may optionally be coated with a non-slick
coating,
such as 1-2 mil of polyurethane or PVC. The optional coating is applied to a
side that
will be in contact with the mattress platform 106.
[0078] The side panel 104 is attached around at least a portion of the
perimeter
periphery of the horizontal panel 102 in order to attach the horizontal panel
102 to the
sides of the foundation, for example, the platform 106 or 108 (FIG. 31) as
shown. In
certain embodiments, the side panel 104 may be formed with a width generally
equal
to at least a portion of the width of the vertical portions forming the
foundation, for
example, the platform 106 or 108 (FIG. 31).
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
10079] The function of the side panel 104 is to hold the horizontal panel 102
in place
during normal and maneuvering modes of operation of the mattress 112 when the
side
panels 104 are disposed adjacent to the sides of the mattress 112 or
alternatively
disposed adjacent the sides of the foundation. In one embodiment, the side
panels 104
may be formed from a stretchable material, such as elastic. In such an
embodiment,
the side panel potions 104 exert a compression force against the sides of the
mattress
112 or alternatively exert a compression force against the sides of the
foundation to
hold the horizontal panel 102 in place. Other means can be used to hold the
horizontal
panel 102 in place relative to the foundation or alternatively with respect to
the sides
of the mattress. For example, various fasteners including Velcro fasteners,
snaps,
buttons and the like can be used. Also, straps can be used. All such devices
are
considered to be within the broad scope of the invention.
Single Ply Cover
[0080] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 25-32, a single cover 100 is
illustrated, which may be made from a single ply or multiple plies. The
horizontal
panel 204 and the side panels 209 are each a "ply," as the term is used
herein. A
single ply refers to embodiments in which the side panels 209 and the
horizontal panel
204 are connected in a manner that they do not substantially overlap, such as
in
embodiments where the side panels 104 are be continuous around the periphery
of the
horizontal panel 102. In general, the cover 100 includes a slick surface 109
on at least
a portion of one side of the horizontal panel 102 and a non-slick surface 110
on at
least a portion of an opposing side of the horizontal panel 102. Each side
109,110 may
be formed such that the entire side 109,110 is formed with a slick surface or
a non-
slick surface.
[0081] It should be understood that the horizontal panel 204 and the side
panels 209
may each be made of one or more layers of material. The one or more layers of
material may be connected, at their peripheries and/or within their
peripheries, so that
they function as a single sheet of material. In some examples, a cover of the
present
technology, such as cover 100, may have at least one ply that is formed from
one or
more layers of material. For example, the horizontal panel 204 may be made of
at
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
least two layers of material. In some such examples, the first side 109 is
part of one
layer of material and the opposing side 110 is part of a second layer of
material.
Multiple Ply Covers
[0082] Two different embodiments of multiple ply covers, for example, as
illustrated
in the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 34-37b. The terms "multiple ply" and
"multiple plies" as used herein refer to a cover in which there is partial
overlapping of
the side panels 209 with respect to the horizontal panel 204. These multiple
ply
embodiments can be used in any of the single cover and two cover mattress
rotator
systems discussed herein.
[0083] Referring first to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 35a and 35b, this
embodiment illustrates that at least a portion of the cover 200 is formed from
two (2)
or more plies of material. In particular, the cover 200 includes a generally
horizontal
panel 204 and one or more side panels 209. As best shown in FIGS. 35a and 35b,
the
horizontal panel 204 and the side panels 209 are formed from separate pieces
of
material. FIGS. 35a and 35b illustrate that a portion of the side panels 209
overlaps
the horizontal panel 204 forming a multiple ply in a portion of the cover 200.
FIG. 34
illustrates one side of the multiple ply cover 200. As shown best in FIGS. 35a
and
35b, the side panels 209 overlap a portion of the horizontal panel 204. In the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 34, 35a and 35b, one side 205 of the
horizontal panel 204, i.e., the side with no overlap of the side panels 209 is
formed
with a slick surface. An opposing side 203 of the horizontal panel 204 is
formed with
a non-slick or slick surface. Both sides of the side panels 209 may be formed
with
non-slick surfaces. The non-slick and slick surfaces can be formed with or
without a
coating.
[0084] As shown in Figures 35a-37b, the side panels 209 extend and overlap the
horizontal panel 208. In such examples, the extended portion of the side
panels 209
would be under the mattress, instead of being along a side of the mattress. In
alternative examples, the horizontal panel may extend to overlap the side
panels. One
such an example is shown in Figure 5.
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
[0085] FIG. 34 best illustrates an exemplary method for securing the side
panels 209
to the horizontal panel 204. As shown, the overlapping portions of the side
panels 209
may be stitched to the horizontal panel 204 by way of one or more stitch
patterns. For
example, two stitch patterns are shown. Other stitch patterns as well as other
means
for attachment are contemplated. For example, the side panels 209 may be
attached to
the horizontal panel 204 by way of being bonded, heat sealed, sonic welded,
fastened,
woven as well as any other conventional method for joining two pieces of
material.
For example, FIG. 38 illustrates an embodiment in which the overlapping
portion of
the side panel 214 is bonded to the horizontal panel 208. FIG. 39 illustrates
another
embodiment in which the overlapping portion of the side panel 214 is tacked to
the
horizontal panel 208 at one or more tack points 215. In an exemplary
alternative
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 36, the cover, generally identified with the
reference
numeral 208', includes an exemplary location for the non-slick portion. In
particular,
the non-slick portion, identified with the reference numeral 210, is disposed
away
from the edges of a rectangular panel, generally identified with the reference
numeral
212 (FIG. 37). Although a generally rectangular shape is shown for the non-
slick
surface 210, other shapes are contemplated to be within the broad scope of the
invention.
[0086] As shown in FIGS. 35a 35b, the entire surface of one side of the cover
200,
generally identified as a horizontal panel 207, sized to cover a mattress, a
box spring
or a platform is attached or integrally formed with a side panel 209.
Similarly, as
shown in FIGS. 37a and 37b, the entire surface of one side of the cover 208',
namely
the rectangular panel 212 may be sized to cover a mattress, a box spring or a
platform
and attached or integrally formed with a side panel 214.
[0087] Various embodiments of the side panels 209, 214 are contemplated. For
example, the side panel 209 (FIG. 35a) and the side panel 214 (FIG. 37a) may
be
made from a stretchable or non-stretchable material. The side panel 214 may
also be
formed from the same or different material as the horizontal panel and may be
made
from any of the materials described herein. Alternatively, the side panels 214
can be
made from decorative material, for example, material that blends with the
material
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
used by the mattress factory to encase the mattress. All such embodiments are
contemplated.
[0088] In addition, the side panels 209, 214 may be disposed around the entire
periphery of the rectangular panels 207, 212 or a portion of it. The side
panels 209,
214 may also be formed from the same material as the rectangular panels 207,
212,
respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 23a-24c, and described below. In
addition, the
side panels 209, 214 may be formed with continuously connected corners, for
example, as shown in FIG. 25, or alternatively formed with open corners 25 as
shown
FIG. 23a and FIG. 24a. The open corners may be secured together by various
conventional fastener methods, such as elastic strips 27 (FIG. 23b) or
alternatively
virtually any other fastener system, such as a Velcro fastener strip system
29 and 31.
Other types of methods are contemplated for securing the corners 25 and 25',
such as
loop and button systems and zippers, (not shown).
[0089] The corners 25 and 25' can also be sewn together. In this embodiment,
the
weight of the mattress in conjunction frictional forces between the non-slick
surfaces
on the cover relative to the inherent surface friction of the box spring or
platform may
be used to maintain the cover in place while the mattress is being rotated
relative to
the box spring or platform. In yet another embodiment, a draw string (not
shown), as
discussed below, may be provided along the bottom edge of the side wall 209 to
secure the cover 200 relative to the mattress, box spring or platform.
[0090] Various other embodiments of the side panels 209 are contemplated. The
side
panels 209 can be formed from as an elastic band, as discussed below.
Alternatively,
the side panels 209 can be eliminated altogether. In such an embodiment, the
rectangular panel 207 is attached directly to the mattress, box spring or
platform by an
appropriate fastener system, such as loop and button system, a zipper system
or a
Velcro fastener system. All such embodiments are considered to be within the
broad
scope of the invention.
[0091] FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate the different modes of operation of the
covers
illustrated in FIGS. 34-37. FIG. 40 illustrates a maneuvering mode of
operation. In
this mode of operation, the cover 200,208 is attached to the box spring or
platform
220. In this position, the slick surface 205, 212 will be in contact with the
underside
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
of a mattress 222. The non-slick surfaces will be in contact with a top
surface of the
box spring or platform 220. The mattress 222 is then rotated 180 degrees, for
example, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.
[0092] Once the mattress 222 is maneuvered in place, the cover 200, 208 is
returned
to a normal position as illustrated in FIG. 41. In this position, the cover
200,208 is
attached to the underside of the mattress 220. In this position, the slick
side 207, 212
of the cover 200, 208 is in contact with the mattress 222 and the side with
the non-
slick portions 201,210 is in contact with a top surface of the box spring or
mattress
220.
[0093] Mattress Maneuverings shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, in a maneuvering mode
of
operation, the cover 102 is attached to the platform 106 so that the non-slick
surface
110 of the cover 102 is in contact with the horizontal portion 111 of the
platform 106
defining a maneuvering mode of operation. If an optional coating, as discussed
above,
is applied to the side portion 104 of the cover 102, the optional coating (not
shown)
will be in contact with the vertical rails of the platform 106.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 27-30, operation of the single cover embodiment is
illustrated. FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate a maneuvering mode of operation. In a
maneuvering mode of operation, the cover 102 is attached to the platform 106
or 108
(FIG. 31). As mentioned above, in this mode of operation, the slick side 109
of the
cover 100 is in contact with the underside of the mattress 112. As such, a
user can
rotate the mattress relatively effortlessly, as indicated by the arrow 113.
[0095] FIG. 28 illustrates the mattress 112 in place after rotation. After the
mattress
112 is in place, the sides 104 of the cover 100 are attached to the mattress
112, as
shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, illustrating a normal mode of operation.
Adjustable Platform
[0096] FIGS. 31-33 illustrate the application of the single cover embodiment
to a bed
with an adjustable platform 108 (FIG. 31). An exemplary platform 108 is
illustrated in
FIG. 31. The adjustable platform 108 includes a plurality of sections 114,
116, 118
and 120 which are movable about the various axes 122, 124 and 126. Various
mechanical drives (not shown) are located beneath the platform 108 that enable
the
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
various sections to be adjusted by way of a controller (not shown). FIG. 31
illustrates
the adjustable platform 108 in a sleep position in which all of the adjustable
sections
114, 116, 118 and 120 are flat defining a sleep position.
[0097] The cover 100 functions on an adjustable platform 108 in the same
manner as
a fixed platform 106 (FIG. 25). In particular, the cover 100 is attached to
the
adjustable platform 109 with the adjustable platform in a sleep position. In a
maneuvering mode of operation, as generally illustrated in FIG. 32, the cover
100 is
attached so that the suck side 109 faces upwardly and contacts the underside
of the
mattress 112. The mattress 112 is rotated, for example, in the direction of
the arrow
114, relatively easily. Once the mattress 112 is in position, as shown in FIG.
30, the
cover 100 is attached to the mattress 112, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30
defining a
normal mode of operation.
Two Cover Embodiment
[0098] In a two cover embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-
11, the
slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; one cover for the
mattress
and one cover for the box spring or platform. One cover is provided with a
slick and
non-slick side. The other cover is provided with at least one slick side and
may have
two slick sides. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, one
cover
may be a protective cover that encapsulates the entire mattress and
permanently
exposes a slick surface relative to the box spring or platform. In another
alternate
embodiment, one cover may be provided that cooperates with a slick surface
that is
integrally provided on one or the other of the mattress or box spring or
platform. In
yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 12-20,
slick
surfaces may be provided on both the mattress and the box spring or platform.
In this
embodiment, in order to prevent movement of the mattress with respect to the
box
spring or platform, the mattress is secured relative to the box spring or
platform by
removable fasteners in a normal mode of operation.
[0099] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3-11 and 21-22 two (2) covers
are
provided which enable slick surfaces between the mattress and the box spring
or
platform to be selectively placed in contact with each other to reduce the
normal
friction therebetween to enable the mattress to be rotated in a horizontal
plane without
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
lifting the mattress. Alternate embodiments operate on the same principle but
require
only one separate cover that cooperates with a slick surface integrated into
one or the
other of the mattress or box spring or mattress. In yet other embodiments of
the
invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-20, the slick surfaces on the mattress
and box
spring or platform are constantly in engagement with each other when the
mattress is
placed on top of the box spring or platform. In these embodiments, one or more
fasteners are used to secure the mattress to the box spring or platform to
prevent
unintended movement therebetween in a normal mode of operation.
[00100] Referring first to FIGS. 3-5, the invention comprises a
first cover 20
and a second cover 22. The covers 20 and 22 each include a horizontal panel 24
and
26, respectively, configured to the size of a mattress 28 and a box spring 30.
Each of
the covers 20, 22 includes a side panel 32, 34, attached to at least a portion
of the
periphery of the panels 24, 26 respectively. The bands 32, 34, allow the
covers 20, 22
be removably secured to the mattress 28 and the box spring 30, as generally
shown in
FIG. 4.
[00101] The side panels 32, 34 as well as the horizontal panels
24, 26 may be
formed from stretchable or non-stretchable material. For example, an elastic
material,
for example, spandex and other stretchable materials, such as mesh or an
elastic band
can be used and attached to the horizontal panels 24, 26 respectively, for
example, by
sewing. Alternatively, the side panels 32, 34 can be formed from a mesh or
stretchable fabric. The side panels 32, 34 can be formed from the same
material or
different material as the horizontal panels 24, 26 and secured to the mattress
28 and
box spring or platform 30 by way of a drawstring (not shown) or other
attachment
method.
[00102] The side panels 32 and 34 may be formed as a continuous
side panel or
multiple separate side panels. These side panels 32 and 34 can be formed from
the
same or different material as the horizontal panels 24 and 26 and can be at
least
partially formed by the horizontal panels 24 and 26. In addition, side panels
32 and 34
may also be formed by less labor-intensive methods, as illustrated in FIGS.
23a-23b
and FIGS. 24a-24c. The methods illustrated in these figures, reduce the amount
of
sewing and thus the labor involved. For simplicity, only one cover 20 is
described and
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
illustrated. Referring first to FIGS. 23a and 23b, one corner of a cover
blank,
generally identified with the reference numeral 21, is illustrated for
simplicity. The
cover blank may be formed as a generally rectangular piece of material with
fold
lines, generally identified with the reference numeral 23, adjacent to each
edge of the
rectangular piece of material. As shown in FIG. 23a, a piece of material is
cut out of
each corner defining, for example, an obtuse angle. The cutout is identified
with the
reference numeral 25. The bands 32' are folded down as shown in FIG. 23b. A
piece
of flexible material, such as elastic, identified with the reference number
27, is used to
bridge the cutout 25. The flexible material 27 is secured to the ends of the
contiguous
bands 32'. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the
embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 23a and 23b significantly reduces the labor costs.
[00103] A second technique to reduce labor costs is illustrated in
FIGS. 24a-
24c. In this embodiment, the comers of the material blank 21' are cut to form
a cutout
25' that is not an obtuse angle. The exemplary cutout 25' is shown at roughly
a 900
angle. In this embodiment, a fastener strip 29 is affixed to each end of the
band 32",
adjacent the cutout 25'. A cooperating removable fastener strip 31 may be
attached to
the fastener strips 29 to secure the adjacent bands 32" together. The fastener
strips 29
and 31 may be Velcro or other type of fastener. The embodiment illustrated in
FIGS.
24a-24c allows the material blank 21' to be juxtaposed over the mattress 28 or
box
spring 30 with the removable fastener strips 31, as least partially removed,
for
example, as shown in FIG. 24b, and secured to the exposed cooperating fastener
strip
29, once the cover 20 is in place, as shown in FIG. 24c.
[00104] In accordance with an important aspect of the invention,
one cover 20,
22 has a "slick" side having a relatively low co-efficient of friction and a
non-slick
side having a relatively higher co-efficient of friction. The other cover 20,
22 has at
least one slick side and may have two slick sides. As such, when the slick
surfaces of
the two covers 20, 22 are selectively placed in contact with each other, the
mattress 28
can be rotated in a horizontal plane with minimal effort by one person in a
configuration defining a maneuvering mode of operation, as discussed in more
detail
below. The non-slick side is used to selectively be placed in contact with an
uncovered surface of the mattress 28 or an uncovered surface of the box spring
30 or
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
platform or bed skirt. The non-slick side provides a relatively high co-
efficient of
friction when in contact with either an uncovered surface of the box spring 30
or an
uncovered surface of the mattress 28 or bed skirt (FIG. 6) or platform (FIG.
12) in
order to reduce if not prevent unintended rotation of the mattress in a normal
configuration.
[00105] Referring to FIG. 4, a first cover 20 is attached to the
underside
mattress 28 so that its non-slick side is in contact with the mattress 28 and
its slick
side is facing downwardly. Similarly, the cover 22 is attached to the box
spring 30 so
that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring 30 and its slick
side is facing
upwardly. Alternatively, the covers 20, 22 may be provided with two slick
sides In
such an embodiment, one slick side is in contact with the mattress 28, box
spring 30,
respectively, and the other slick side is facing downwardly or upwardly,
respectively.
[00106] When the mattress 28 is then brought into contact with the
box spring
30, as generally illustrated in FIG. 5, the slick sides of the covers 20 and
22 will be in
contact with each other, enabling the mattress 28 to be rotated in a
horizontal position
with reduced effort by a single person defining a maneuvering mode of
operation.
[00107] Once the mattress 28 has been rotated and is in the
desired position, the
top cover 20 may be detached from the mattress 28 and attached to the box
spring 30
over the cover 22. This places the non-slick side of the cover 20 in contact
with an
uncovered surface of the mattress 28, thereby reducing unintended rotation of
the
mattress 28 with respect to the box spring 30. In this configuration, both
covers 20
and 22 are attached to the box spring 30. Alternatively, in embodiments in
which each
of the covers has a slick side and a non-slick side, once the mattress 28 is
in the
desired position, the bottom cover 22 can be detached from the box spring 30
and
attached to the mattress 28 over the cover 20, exposing the non-slick side of
the cover
22 to the box spring 30. In this configuration, both covers 20 and 22 are
attached to
the mattress 30.
Two Cover Bed Skirt Application
[00108] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate operation of the covers 20 and 22 in an
application in
which a bed skirt 36 is draped over the box spring 30, as generally shown in
FIG. 6.
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
Heretofore rotation of a mattress 28 with a bed skirt 36 draped over the box
spring 30
was a relatively cumbersome task. The present invention greatly simplifies
rotation of
the mattress 28 in such an application while keeping the bed skirt 36 in
place.
[00109] More specifically, in this application, the first cover 20 is attached
to the
underside of the mattress 28 so that its slick side is facing downward and its
non-slick
side (or alternatively its second slick side) is in contact with the mattress
28. The
second cover 22 is attached to the box spring 30 over the bed skirt 36 so that
its non-
slick side is in contact with the bed skirt 36 and its slick side is facing
upward, thereby
placing the slick sides of the covers 20 and 22 in contact with each other, as
shown in
FIG. 7. The mattress 28 can then be rotated with reduced effort, as generally
illustrated in FIG. 12.
[00110] After the mattress 28 is rotated to the desired position, the cover 22
is
detached from the box spring 30 and attached to the mattress 28 over the cover
20, as
shown in FIG. 8. This places the non-slick side of the cover 22 in contact
with the bed
skirt 36 to reduce if not prevent unintended rotation of the mattress 28. As
shown in
FIG. 8, the bed skirt 36 is uncovered and undisturbed since the cover 22 holds
the bed
skirt 36 in place during the rotation of the mattress 28.
[00111] FIGS. 9-11 are similar to FIGS. 6-8 and illustrate another application
in
which the bed skirt is used to hide the first and second covers 20 and 22 in a
normal
configuration. Referring to FIG. 9, the bed skirt 36 is disposed around the
mattress 28
so that its finished side is in contact with the mattress 28 and its
unfinished side is
facing outwardly. The first cover 20 is attached to the mattress 28 over the
bed skirt
36 so that its non-slick side is in contact with the bed skirt 36 and its
slick side is
facing downwardly. The second cover 22 is attached to the box spring 30 so
that its
non-slick side is in contact with the box spring 30 and its slick side is
facing
upwardly, thus placing the slick sides of the first and second covers 20 and
22 in
contact with each other. The mattress 28 can then be rotated in a horizontal
plane
virtually effortlessly by one person. Once the mattress 28 is in the desired
position,
the first cover 20 is detached from the mattress 28 and attached to the box
spring 30,
over the second cover 22, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This places the non-
slick side
of the first cover 20 in contact with the mattress 28, thereby reducing
unintended
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
rotation of the mattress 28. Once the first cover 20 is attached to the box
spring 30,
the bed skirt 36 is folded down over the box spring 30, thereby hiding both
the first
and second covers 20 and 22, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
Protective Cover
[00112] FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate an embodiment in which the first cover is
replaced with a protective cover 40, such as a protective cover, that
encapsulates the
mattress 28. The protective cover 40 is to size and shape of the mattress 28
to provide
a relatively snug fit. An opening 42 is provided along one edge of the
protective cover
40 to enable the mattress 28 to be placed inside the protective cover 40. A
conventional fastener, such as a zipper 44 may be used to close the opening
42. In this
embodiment, one surface 46 of the cover 40 is provided with a slick surface
46. The
mattress 28 and cover 40 is configured so that the slick surface 46 faces the
box
spring 30. The slick surface 46 of the cover 40 cooperates with the cover 22
attached
to the box spring 30 to facilitate rotation of the covered mattress 28 in a
maneuvering
mode. The cover 22 is as described above with a slick surface and a non-slick
surface.
More particularly, in a maneuvering mode of operation, the cover 22 is
attached to the
box spring 30 so that its non-slick surface is in contact with the box spring
30 and the
slick surface faces upwardly in order to contact the slick surface of the
protective
cover 40. In this mode, the mattress 28 can be rotated with reduced effort in
a
horizontal plane. Once the mattress 28 has been rotated to the desired
position, the
cover 22 is attached to the mattress 28 causing its non-slick surface to be in
contact
with the box spring 30.
Coverless Embodiment
[00113] The embodiments discussed above are based on the use of one or more
covers which can be selectively configured in a maneuvering mode of operation
or
alternatively a normal mode of operation. In the embodiments illustrated in
FIGS. 13-
20, there are no covers. In these embodiments, slick surfaces 50 and 52 are
integrally
provided on the mattress 28 and box spring 30, respectively. In particular, as
best
shown in FIG. 13, the mattress 28 is formed with an integral slick surface 50
on it is
underside. Similarly, the box spring 30 can be formed with integral slick
surface 52
facing upwardly. As such, when the mattress 28 is properly placed on the box
spring
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
30, the slick surfaces 50 and 52 are in contact with each other. In such a
configuration, the mattress 28 can be freely rotated with respect to the box
spring 30.
[00114] In order to prevent movement of the mattress 28 with respect to the
box
spring 30 in a normal mode of operation, fastener systems, for example, Velcro
fasteners may be provided on the corners of both the mattress 28 and the box
spring
30. In particular, permanent fastener strips 54 are provided on the corners of
the
mattress 28, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 16. Similarly, permanent fastener
strips 56
are provided on the corners of the box spring 30. As shown in FIGS. 13, 4 and
16,
when the mattress 28 is correctly aligned with the box spring 30, the
permanent
fastener strips 54 are aligned with the permanent fastener strips 56. In order
to secure
the mattress 28 relative to the box spring 30, removable cooperating fastener
strips 58
are selectively attached to the permanent fastener strips 54 and 56 as shown
in FIGS.
15 and 17 defining a normal mode of operation. The removable fastener strips
58 are
simply removed in order to rotate the mattress 28 and replaced once the
mattress 28
has been rotated.
[00115] Two alternate embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 18-20. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, permanent fastener strips 60 and 62
are
located around the peripheries of the mattress 28 and the box spring 30,
adjacent to
the edges where the mattress 28 and the box spring 30 come together, as shown
in
FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 19, a cooperating removable fastener strip 64 is
attached to
the permanent fastener strips 60 and 62 on the mattress 28 and box spring 30,
respectively. In yet another alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 20, the
cooperating removable fastener strip 64 may be affixed to the inside of a bed
skirt 66.
With such a configuration, not only are the mattress 28 and box spring 30
secured
together, the configuration also allows a bed skirt 66 to be easily installed.
Cover Materials
[00116] In addition to the above, all of the horizontal panels as well as the
side
panels can be made from both stretchable and non-stretchable materials, such
as cloth,
and other materials that are bendable and amenable to being folded and stored
in
relatively small packages. The material for one cover 20, 22 may have a slick
surface
on one side and a non-slick surface on an opposing side. The non-slick side
surface
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
can be created on one side of a suck material by way of a coating or sewing or
fusing
a non-slick backing to one side of the non-slick material. Various
conventionally
available materials are suitable for the cover having a slick side and a non-
slick side.
For example, "20 Denier Heat Sealable (backside) 100% Nylon Rip Stop" material
is
suitable for use with the present invention or other materials with similar
coefficients
of friction on the slick and non-slick sides. Such material may be nylon, for
example,
100% nylon with a coating on one side, for example, urethane or other thermal
plastic
or heat sealable coating Such nylon rip stop material is known to come in
widths of
58-62 inches wide and weighs about 1.9 to 4.4 ounces per square yard. Such
material
can easily be pieced together to accommodate various mattress widths if
necessary.
[00117] Nylon rip stop material suitable for use with the--present invention
is
available from various sources, such as, Quest Outfitters of Sarasota, Fla.
(http://questoutfitters.com). Their nylon taffeta material is described in
detail at
http://questoutfitters.com/coated.html#HEAT SEALABLE, hereby incorporated by
reference. Suitable nylon taffeta material is also available from Rockywoods
in
Loveland, Colo. (http://www.rockywoods.com). Their nylon taffeta material is
described in detail at http://www.rocky woods.com/Fabrics-Hardware-Patterns-
Kits/Medium-W ei ght-Nylon-F abri cs/H eat- S ealable-70-D eni er-Ny lon-
Taffeta, hereby
incorporated by reference.
[00118] Non-woven materials may also be used for the cover 20, 22 having a
slick
side and a non-slick side. For example, Tyvek0 polyethylene non-woven fabric,
as
manufactured by the DuPont Corporation and described in detail at
http://www.2.dupont.com/Products and Services/en VN/nwn.html may be used.
Other materials having two slick sides can also be used, such as, silicone
impregnated
nylon rip stop, for example, as available from Seattle Fabrics. Inc.,
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html. Other materials can also be used
with a
coating applied to one side. Moreover, different materials can be used for
each cover
in an application.
[00119] Any component, such as a horizontal panel or side panel, of a cover of
the
present technology may be made from one or more layers of material. In
examples
where a single layer of material is used for a horizontal panel, the single
layer may be
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
made in any suitable manner. For example, the horizontal panel may be formed
from
a relatively slick material and may be coated on one side with a non-slick
coating
material, to provide a slick surface on one side and a non-slick surface on
the other
side. Alternately, the horizontal panel may be formed from a single layer of a
relatively non-slick material and may be coated on an opposing side with a
slick
coating material, to provide a non-click surface on one side and a slick
surface on the
other side. Alternately, the horizontal panel may be formed from a single
layer of
material and coated with a slick material on one side and coated with a non-
slick
material on an opposing side.
Multiple Layers of Material
[00120] Figures 42-47 illustrate examples of covers of the present technology
where
the horizontal panel is made of multiple layers of material.
[00121] Figures 42 and 43 illustrate a portion of a horizontal panel 300,
which
includes a first layer of material 302 and a second layer of material 304. It
should be
understood that at least two, or more than two layers of material may be used
in any
example having multiple layers of material.
[00122] The first layer of material 302 may have an outer side 306 and an
inner side
308. The outer side 306 of the first layer of material 302 may be configured
to
contact the underside of the mattress or the upper side of a foundation,
depending
upon the orientation in which the horizontal panel 300 is installed. The first
layer of
material 302 may include a slick surface 314 on at least a portion of the
outer side
306.
[00123] The second layer of material 304 may have an outer side 310 and an
inner
side 312. The outer side 310 of the second layer of material 304 may be
configured to
contact the upper side of the foundation or the underside of a mattress,
depending
upon the orientation in which the horizontal panel 300 is installed. The
second layer
of material 304 may include a non-slick surface 316 on at least a portion of
the outer
side 310.
[00124] The at least two layers of material of the horizontal panel 300 may be
attached to each other at one or more attachment points 318. The one or more
26
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
attachment points may be along the peripheries of the layers of material, or
within the
peripheries of the layers of material. The one or more attachment points may
be
formed by any suitable method, including without limitation stitching,
bonding, heat
sealing, sonic welding, fasteners, and any other suitable method for joining
two pieces
of material.
[00125] Figures 44 and 45 illustrate a cover 400 of the present technology
having a
horizontal panel 402 made of at least two layers of material, and an
attachment device
404. The attachment device as shown includes one or more side panels 416. The
cover may be a single ply cover, in which the horizontal panel 402 and the one
or
more side panels 416 are attached in a manner that they do not substantially
overlap.
The attachment device 404 may be configured in accordance with any of the
attachment devices described herein. Similarly, the one or more side panels
416 may
be configured in accordance with any of the embodiments of side panels
described
herein.
[00126] The horizontal panel 402 has a first layer of material 406 and a
second layer
of material 408, and may have a structure similar or identical to horizontal
panel 300
of Figures 42-43. The first layer of material 406 has an outer side 410, at
least a
portion of which may include a slick surface 412. The second layer of material
408
has an outer side 414. The side panels may be selectively secured to the
mattress in a
first mode of operation, and to the foundation in a second mode of operation.
[00127] Figure 44 illustrates the cover 400 in a first mode of operation,
which is a
normal mode of operation in which the mattress rests on the foundation and the
bed is
used normally. In the first, normal mode of operation, the cover 400 is
configured
and located such that the horizontal panel 402 is between the mattress and the
foundation, with the outer side 410 of the first layer of material 406 being
in contact
with an underside of the mattress. The outer side 414 of the second layer of
material
is in contact with the foundation. The one or more side panels 416 are in
contact with
the sides of the mattress and secure the cover to the mattress.
[00128] Figure 45 illustrates the cover 400 in a second mode of operation,
which is a
maneuvering mode of operation in which the mattress may be maneuvered, such as
being rotated, with respect to the foundation. In the second, maneuvering mode
of
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
operation, the cover 400 is configured and located such that the horizontal
panel 402
remains between the mattress and the foundation, with the outer side 410 of
the first
layer of material 406 being in contact with an underside of the mattress. The
outer
side 414 of the second layer of material is in contact with the foundation.
The one or
more side panels 416 are in contact with the sides of the foundation and
secure the
cover to the foundation.
[00129] In an alternate embodiment, the outer sides of the first and second
layers
may be reversed, such that a slick surface may be provided on the outer side
414 of
the second layer of material 408. In such an example, the selective securing
of the
cover 400 may also be reversed, with the one or more side panels 416 being
secured
to the foundation in a normal mode of operation, as shown in Figure 45, and
the side
panels being secured to the mattress in a maneuvering mode of operation, as
shown in
Figure 44.
[00130] Figures 46 and 47 illustrate a cover 500 of the present technology
having a
horizontal panel 502 made of at least two layers of material, and an
attachment device
504. The attachment device 504 as shown includes one or more side panels 516.
The
attachment device 504 may be configured in accordance with any of the
attachment
devices described herein. Similarly, the one or more side panels 516 may be
configured in accordance with any of the embodiments of side panels described
herein.
[00131] The cover 500 may have multiple plies, such that a promotion of the
horizontal panel 502 and a portion of the one or more one or more side panels
516
overlap. The overlap has a width W, which may vary and may extend around at
least
a portion of the circumference of the horizontal panel 502. As shown, a
portion of the
one or more side panels 516 extends and overlaps a portion of the horizontal
panel
502. In such examples, the extended portion of the one or more side panels 516
would be under the mattress between the mattress and the foundation. In
alternative
examples, a portion of the horizontal panel 502 may extend to overlap one or
more of
the side panels 516. In such examples, the extended portion of the horizontal
panel
502 would be in contact with the side panels of the mattress.
28
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
[00132] The horizontal panel 502 has a first layer of material 506 and a
second layer
of material 508, and may have a structure similar or identical to horizontal
panel 300
of Figures 42-43. The first layer of material 506 has an outer side 510, at
least a
portion of which may include a slick surface 512. The second layer of material
508
has an outer side 514. The side panels may be selectively secured to the
mattress in a
first mode of operation, and to the foundation in a second mode of operation.
[00133] Figure 46 illustrates the cover 500 in a first mode of operation,
which is a
normal mode of operation in which the mattress rests on the foundation and the
bed is
used normally. In the first, normal mode of operation, the cover 500 is
configured
and located such that the horizontal panel 502 is between the mattress and the
foundation, with the outer side 510 of the first layer of material 506 being
in contact
with an underside of the mattress. The outer side 514 of the second layer of
material
is in contact with the foundation. The one or more side panels 516 are in
contact with
the sides of the mattress and secure the cover to the mattress.
[00134] Figure 47 illustrates the cover 500 in a second mode of operation,
which is a
maneuvering mode of operation in which the mattress may be maneuvered, such as
being rotated, with respect to the foundation. In the second, maneuvering mode
of
operation, the cover 500 is configured and located such that the horizontal
panel 502
remains between the mattress and the foundation, with the outer side 510 of
the first
layer of material 506 being in contact with an underside of the mattress. The
outer
side 514 of the second layer of material is in contact with the foundation.
The one or
more side panels 516 are in contact with the sides of the foundation and
secure the
cover to the foundation.
[00135] In an alternate embodiment, the outer sides of the first and second
layers
may be reversed, such that a slick surface may be provided on the outer side
514 of
the second layer of material 508. In such an example, the selective securing
of the
cover 500 may also be reversed, with the one or more side panels 416 being
secured
to the foundation in a normal mode of operation, as shown in Figure 47, and
the side
panels 516 being secured to the mattress in a maneuvering mode of operation,
as
shown in Figure 46.
29
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
[00136] It
should be understood that the examples of covers 400 and 500
illustrated in Figures 44-47 may also be used then the bed includes a bed
skirt. In
such examples, the cover 400 or 500 can be used to facilitate maneuvering of
the
mattress supported by a foundation, where the foundation is covered by a bed
skirt.
The horizontal panel 402, 502 may be configured to be disposed between an
underside of the mattress and a top side of the bed skirt covering the
foundation so
that the first side of the horizontal panel is in contact with an underside of
the
mattress. In the first mode of operation, the attachment device secures the
horizontal
panel relative to the underside of the mattress and in a second mode of
operation, the
attachment device secures the horizontal panel and the bed skirt to the
foundation.
[00137] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention
are
possible in light of the above teachings. For example, materials for the
covers and
slick surfaces other than those mentioned above can be which have similar co-
efficient of friction characteristics. Thus, it is to be understood that,
within the scope
of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically
described above.
[00138] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specific
examples
have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications
may be
made without deviating from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. It is
therefore
intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative
rather than
limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including
all
equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim
the claimed
subject matter.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-15
