Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title "A cushion" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: P/00/0II C:\NRPortbT\DCC\KXM\2913505 .DOC-29AM/2010 A CUSHION Cross Reference to Related Applications 5 The disclosure of the complete specification of Australian Patent Application No. 2005202896, as originally filed, is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field of the Invention 10 The present invention relates to a cushion. Background of the Invention A person can arrange an item of furniture such as a cushion or a beanbag in a manner that 15 facilitates comfortable television viewing, for example. However, such furniture items may not necessarily make suitable platforms for sleeping, where a flatter surface is generally desirable. Summary of the Invention 20 In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cushion including a cover and a mattress, the cover being shaped to receive and secure the mattress therein; and the mattress being resiliently compressible for arrangement within the cover. 25 Preferably, the mattress resiliently bears against an interior surface of the cover when secured therein and thereby resiliently supports the cover in an expanded condition of use. Preferably, the cushion is adapted to support the weight of a person when the cover is arranged in said expanded condition of use. 30 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in C:\NRPortb\DCC\KXM\2913505-1.DOC - 29/4/10 C :NRPortbl\DCC\KXM\2913505I.DOC-29/(4/2)10 -2 combination, a cover and a mattress, the cover being shaped to receive and secure the mattress therein; and the mattress being resiliently compressible for arrangement inside the cover, wherein the mattress resiliently bears against an interior surface of the cover when secured therein and is thereby adapted to resiliently support the cover in an expanded 5 condition of use. Preferably, the cover is adapted to support the weight of a person when arranged in said expanded condition of use. 10 Preferably, the mattress includes resiliently compressible pieces of material. Preferably, the resiliently compressible pieces of material can move with respect to each other. 15 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mattress, including a cover encasing resiliently compressible pieces of material, the mattress being resiliently compressible for insertion into a cover of a cushion so as to resiliently bear against an interior surface of said cover of said cushion and thereby resiliently support the cushion in an expanded condition of use. 20 Preferably, the mattress is resiliently compressible so as to support the weight of a person seated on the cushion when cushion is arranged in an expanded condition of use. Preferably, the resiliently compressible pieces of material can move with respect to each 25 other within the mattress. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling the above described cushion, including the steps of inserting the mattress into the cover and securing the mattress therein. 30 Preferably, the step of inserting includes the steps of: C:\NRPonbl\DCC\KXM\2913505 1 DOC - 29/4/10 C.RPonbl\DCC'KXM\29D3515_1 DOC-29/4/20IO -3 (a) folding the mattress so that diagonally opposite first and second corners overlay one another; (b) inserting one of the other two corners of the mattress into the cover; and (c) folding the mattress so that the remaining portion of the mattress is located inside 5 the cover. Preferably, the step of inserting includes the steps of: (a) folding the mattress so that its shape is substantially rectangular; (b) inserting one end of the substantially rectangular mattress into an opening in the 10 cover; and (c) inserting the remaining portion of the mattress inside the cover through said opening. Advantageously, movement of the resiliently compressible pieces of material with respect 15 to each other assists the step of inserting the mattress in the cover of the cushion. Advantageously, movement of the resiliently compressible pieces of material with respect to each other assists in supporting the cover in an expanded condition of use. 20 Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of non limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 25 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of a cushion; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side view of the cushion shown in Figure 1 arranged in a condition of use; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side view a cushion shown in Figure 1 arranged in another condition of use; 30 Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side view of a cover of the cushion shown in Figures I to 3; C:\NRPorbl\DCC\KXM\2913505-1.DOC - 29/4/10 C:\NRPonbl\DCC\KXM\29)3505 1 DOC-29/1!4/2010 -4 Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of a mattress of the cushion shown in Figures I to 3; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side view of the mattress shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the mattress shown in Figures 5 5 and 6 arranged in another condition of use; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the mattress shown in Figures 5 and 6 arranged in yet another condition of use; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the cushion shown in Figure 1 to 3 arranged in yet another condition of use; 10 Figure 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the cushion shown in Figure 1 to 3 arranged in yet another condition of use; Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the cushion shown in Figure 1 to 3 arranged in yet another condition of use; Figure 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the cushion shown in Figure 1 to 15 3 arranged in yet another condition of use; Figure 13 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the mattress shown in Figures 5 and 6 arranged in another condition of use; Figure 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the mattress shown in Figures 5 and 6 arranged in yet another condition of use; 20 Figure 15 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cushion shown in Figure 1 to 3 arranged in one condition of assembly; Figure 16 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cushion shown in Figure 1 to 3 arranged in yet another condition of assembly; Figure 17 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the cushion shown in Figure 1 to 25 3 arranged in yet another condition of assembly; and Figure 18 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view of the cushion shown in Figure 1 to 3 arranged in final condition of assembly. Detailed description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention 30 The cushion 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a furniture item that can be used in a similar C:\NRPorbI\DCC\KXM\2913505 I.DOC - 29/4/10 C WRPonrDCC\KXMU9I35J5 I DOC.29/4/2010 -5 manner to a beanbag. The cushion 10 is shaped to receive a body portion of a person and is resiliently compressible so as to support the weight of the person in a position suspended over a floor surface on which the cushion 10 is located. 5 The cushion 10 includes a cover 12 and a mattress 14 as shown in Figure 3. The mattress 14 is resiliently compressible and the cover 14 is shaped to receive and secure the mattress 14 therein. The cover 12 shown in Figure 4 includes a cylindrical wall 20 closed at both ends by top 10 and bottom faces 16, 18. The cover 12 is made of a flexible material and the shape of the 10 cushion is dependent on the manner in which the resiliently compressible mattress bears against inner surfaces of the cover 12. For example, when the mattress 14 is arranged within the cover 12, the sidewall 20 of the cover 12 is generally cylindrical in shape. However, when the mattress 14 is removed from the cover 12, the wall 20 is in a collapsed 15 state. The cover 12 is preferably made of suede or leather. The cover 12 is also preferably made of a material that is suitable for outdoor use of the cushion 10. The cover 12 is preferably durable and waterproof, or water resistant, for outdoor use. The cover 12 includes an opening 22 through which the mattress 14 can be inserted into, or 20 withdrawn from, the cover 12. The opening 22 extends laterally around the periphery of the wall 20. The opening 22 is large enough to allow the mattress 14 to be inserted into, or withdrawn from, the cover 12. The opening 22 includes a zipper 24 arranged along the extent of the opening 22. The zipper 24 is used to open and close the opening 22. The mattress 14 is secured within the cover 12 when the zipper 24 has closed the opening 22. 25 It would be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that the opening 22 could be opened and closed by any other suitable means. The opening 22 can alternatively be located at abutting portions of the top face 16 and the wall 20 of the cushion 10. Alternatively, the opening 22 is formed between adjacent 30 portions of the bottom face 18 and the sidewall 20 of the cushion 10. The opening 22 can alternatively be located in any suitable position on the cover 12 and can be of any suitable C:\NRPortbl\DCC\KXM\29135051 .DOC - 29/4/10 C \NRPonbl\DCC\KXM\2913505 EDOC-29104/20 10 -6 shape. The mattress 14 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is of a suitable size to accommodate the length and width of a person. The mattress 14 is resiliently compressible so as to support the 5 weight of a person. The mattress 14 is suitable for use as a bed. The mattress 14 includes a cover 26 that is filled with resiliently compressible shredded foam pieces (not shown). The resiliently compressible shredded foam pieces can move with respect to each other within the cover 26. The shredded foam pieces are loosely packed within the cover 12. The shredded foam pieces may be, for example, shredded polyurethane, or polypropylene, 10 foam pieces. The shredded foam pieces are preferably made of Dacron synthetic polyester. The cover 26 can be filled with polyester fibre, for example. The cover 26 can alternatively be filled with wool, fabric pieces or any other suitable material that permits deformation of the mattress for arrangement within the cover 12. The mattress 14 can be 15 deformed for insertion into the cover 12 as a result of the contents of the cover 26 being able to move with respect to each other. In one example of the cushion 10, the mattress 14 is a queen size mattress 14 filled with 14 kilograms of shredded polyurethane foam pieces. Alternatively, the mattress 14 is filled 20 with 9 kilograms of 6 denier fibre crumbed foam. The mattress 14 preferably includes an inner cover (not shown) that encases the shredded foam pieces. The inner cover is preferably made of nylon or polypropylene. The shredded foam pieces are preferably, 6 denier fibre crumbed foam. 25 The cover 26 is made of a woven fabric that is a blend of 50% polyester and 50% cotton. The cover 26 is, alternatively, made of microfibre; polyester fibre; or double knit polyester fibre. It would be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that the cover 26 could alternatively be made of any one of a number of suitable types of fabric. The cover 26 can 30 be made of a material that reduces creasing or wrinkling. The cover is made of double knit polyester, for example. Further, the cover 26 is preferably machine washable. C\NRPortbl\DCC\KXM\2913505I1 DOC -29/4/10 C:\4RPonbl\DCCKXM\29J3505 1.DOC-29/)4/2010 -7 In one example of the invention, the cushion 10 has a diameter of 48 inches; weighs 13.5 kilograms. The mattress 14 is 72 inches wide; 80 inches long and 10 inches thick. 5 The mattress 14 can be arranged within the cover 12 by performing the following steps: 1. Opening the zipper 26 of the cover 12. 2. Folding the mattress 14 in the manner shown in Figure 7 so that a first corner 28 of the mattress 14 overlies a second corner 30 of the mattress 14 10 that is diagonally opposite the first corner 28. The resultant shape of the mattress 14 is generally triangular, as shown in Figure 8. 3. Inserting a first corner 32 of the generally triangular mattress 14 into the cover 12 through the opening 22, in the manner shown in Figure 9, until the apex 34 of the generally triangular mattress 14 draws close to the opening 15 22. 4. Rotating the generally triangular mattress 14 in the manner shown in Figure 10 so that the apex 34 and the first corner 32 of the generally triangular mattress 14 is located inside the cover 12. 5. Folding the mattress 14 in the manner shown in Figure 11 so that a second 20 corner 36 of the generally triangular mattress 14 overlies the first corner 32 of the generally triangular mattress 14. The resultant shape of the mattress 14 is once again generally triangular and the mattress is largely located inside the cover 12, as shown in Figure 12. 6. Tucking the mattress 14 into the cover 12 and using the zipper 24 to close 25 the opening 22. The mattress 14 can be removed from the cover 12 by opening the zipper and pulling the mattress 14 through the opening 22. 30 The cushion 10 can be formed in any shape, whereby the cover 12 can receive and secure the mattress 14 therein. The cushion 10 may be formed in the shape of a cube, for C:\NRPortbl\DCC\KXM\2913505 L DOC -2914/10 C:ANRPorbl\DCC\KXM2913505 1.DOC-29/04/2010 -8 example. Alternatively, the mattress 14 can be arranged within the cover 12 by performing the following steps: 5 1. Opening the zipper 24 of the cover 12. 2. Folding the mattress 14 in half in the manner shown in Figure 13. The resultant shape of the mattress 14 is generally rectangular, as shown in Figure 14. 10 3. Arranging the cover 12 on a floor or ground surface (not shown) so that the zipper 26 is accessible from above the floor or ground surface. 4. Arranging a first end 40 of the mattress 14 so that it is adjacent the open zipper 24, as shown in Figure 15. 5. Inserting the first end 40 of the mattress 14 into the cover 12 through the 15 zipper 24, as shown in Figure 16. 6. Inserting the extent of the mattress 14 into the cover 12 by moving the mattress 14 in direction "X", as shown in Figure 17. 7. Using the zipper 24 to close the opening 22. 20 The mattress 14 can be removed from the cover 12 by opening the zipper 24 and pulling the mattress 14 out through the opening 22. While we have shown and described specific embodiments of the present invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. We desire it to be 25 understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular forms shown and we intend in the append claims to cover all modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", 30 and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of C:\NRPortbl\DCC\KXM\2913505-1.DOC - 29/4/10 C \NRPorMbJ\DCC\KXM\29135S5 1 DOC-29)412010 -9 any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common 5 general knowledge in Australia. C:\NRPonb\DCC\KXM\2913505-1 DOC -29/4/10