AU784311B2 - Mattress assembly - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: Chiu Kuang Hsing Co., Ltd.

Fu-An Huang WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Mattress Assembly" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- "Mattress Assembly" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mattress assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a mattress assembly using a covering to cover a bed base, an air supply device, and a mattress. Thus, the mattress assembly can be detached for cleaning and can supply air for dissipating heat.

Description of the Related Art A typical mattress assembly comprises a covering with springs mounted therein and a bed base. It is not uncommon that drinks splash the covering or a child 10 might soil the covering. But the conventional mattress assembly could not be detached for cleaning the bed base and the covering. As a result, the bed base and the covering would moisture and thus mold, which would lead to growth of bacteria. Further, the conventional mattress assembly could not provide the back of a user with required ventilation/heat-dissipation if the user is suffering from S 15 eczema.

Fig. 1 of the drawings illustrates a conventional mattress assembly comprising a base 91, a cushioning layer 92, a latex layer 93, and a surface layer 94 sequentially superimposed on one another. The cushioning layer 92 is made of foam material having a high permeability and a low density. A face of the cushioning layer 92 contacting the base 91 includes a plurality of transverse grooves 921. The latex layer 93 comprises a plurality of latex strips 931 and separation plates 933. Rhombic vents 932 are defined in each latex strop 931.

Two adjacent ones of the latex strips 931 is separated by a separation plate 933 that includes openings 934 altemately disposed on two sides of the separation plate 933, each opening 934 being hexagonal. The surface layer 94 is mounted on top of the latex layer 93. When the latex layer 93 is pressed, the vents 932 shrink while the cushioning layer 92 moves downward. The air generated as a result of shrinkage of the rhombic vents 932 and of downward movement of the -3cushioning layer 92 exits through the separation plates 933. However, when liquid permeates the latex layer 93, detachment of the mattress assembly for subsequent cleaning or laundry is not easy. The liquid residing in the separation plates 933 would stink and mold as a result of moisture. Further, the back of a user lying on the mattress assembly could not obtain a good ventilating effect.

Fig. 2 illustrates another conventional mattress assembly comprising a fixed mattress 95, an air supply pipe 96, and a plurality of ventilating pipes 97. The fixed mattress 95 includes a head side 951 and a leg side 952. The air supply pipe 96 extends through the head side 951 for supplying air into the ventilating 10 pipes 97 that are mounted between the head side 951 and the leg side 952. The ventilating pipes 97 include a plurality of vents 971 through which air exits. The leg side 952 may prevent leakage of the air. Although a .oooo) S"ventilating/heat-dissipation effect is obtained, the problem of permeation of liquid still exists. Namely, the mattress assembly would mold as a result of permeation 15 of liquid. Detachment of the air supply pipe 96 is not easy. The residing liquid S* would still stink even if the fixed mattress is cleaned.

Summary of the Invention It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a mattress assembly that is hygienic and friendly to environment. The mattress assembly includes a 0oooo mattress with vents, a bed base with grooves for draining liquid, and a covering that can be easily detached for subsequent cleaning of the mattress and the bed base.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a mattress assembly that includes an air supply device mounted between the bed base and the mattress. Air from the air supply device flows through the vents of the mattress for ventilation/heat-dissipation purpose.

Accordingly, the invention resides in a mattress assembly comprising: a covering including a cloth covering; a mattress including a plurality of vents; and a bed base including a plurality of grooves in an upper side thereof; the mattress and -4the bed base being covered by the covering, the mattress being mounted on top of the bed base; the vents of the mattress and the grooves of the bed base being adapted to drain liquid permeating the covering, thereby allowing cleaning of the mattress and the bed base after removal of the covering.

In accordance with the present invention, the mattress assembly comprises a covering, a mattress, and a bed base. The covering includes a cloth covering with a zipper to allow easy opening/closing of the cloth covering. The mattress and the bed base are covered by the cloth covering. The mattress includes a S. plurality of vents communicated between the covering and the bed base. The bed base includes a plurality of grooves in an upper side thereof. When liquid permeates the covering, it passes through the vents and then accumulates in the grooves. The mattress assembly further includes an air supply device comprising S•a plurality of air supply tubes and a plurality of ventilating tubes extending in the grooves of the bed base. Air feeding from the air supply tubes flows through the S• 15 grooves of the bed base via the ventilating tubes and then exit the vents of the mattress for circulation.

Other objects, specific advantages, and novel features of the invention will **become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferable embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional mattress assembly.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another conventional mattress assembly.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a mattress assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a bed base and an air supply device of the mattress assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the mattress assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment A preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Fig. 3, a mattress assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention generally includes a covering 2, a mattress 3, a bed base 4, and an air supply device 5. The covering 2 includes a cloth covering 22 with a zipper 21 for opening/closing the covering 2 that houses the mattress 3, the bed base 4, and the air supply device 5. In use, the mattress 10 is placed on an upper side of a base 1. The mattress 3 includes a plurality of vents 31. An upper side of the bed base 4 includes a plurality of transverse grooves 41. The air supply device 5 is mounted to the bed base 4 for supply air into the transverse grooves 41. Thus, air is forced to pass through the transverse grooves 41 and exits the mattress 3 via the vents 31 for ventilation. A cabinet 6 is provided adjacent to the base 1 and the mattress 10 for mounting the air supply device Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the air supply device 5 extends between the mattress 3 and the bed base 4 for supplying air into an interior of the mattress 3 for S"circulation. The air supply device 5 includes a power switch 51, a pump 52, a plurality of soft air supply tubes 53, and a plurality of soft ventilating tubes 54.

The power switch 51 controls on/off of the pump 52 for feeding air. The soft air supply tubes 53 are communicated with the pump 52 and extend across the bed base 4. The soft ventilating tubes 54 are communicated with the soft air supply tubes 53 and extend in the transverse grooves 41.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, when the pump 52 feeds air, the air from the soft air supply tubes 53 flows through the transverse grooves 41 via the soft ventilating tubes 54. Then, the air flows upward and exits the mattress 3 through the vents 31. Thus, the mattress assembly in accordance with the present invention provides a ventilating effect as well as a heat-dissipating effect.

-6- Referring to Fig. 3, the zipper 21 of the covering 2 may be opened for removal of the mattress 3 and the bed base 4. Further, a thick quilt may be placed into the cloth covering 22 for winter use. Alternatively, a thin lining sheet may be placed into the cloth covering 22 for summer use. The cloth covering 22 is made of cotton, and the zipper 21 allows opening/closing of the cloth covering 22 and allows easy attachment for laundry or other cleaning.

Referring to Fig. 3, the mattress assembly in accordance with the present invention allows easy cleaning of the mattress 3 and the bed base 4 by means of covering the mattress 3 and the bed base 4 with a covering 2. The mattress 3 :10 provides vents 31 arranged in a matrix, and the bed base 4 provides transverse grooves 41 in the upper side thereof. In a case that permeation of liquid occurs, such as urine or drinks, the liquid may be accumulated in the transverse grooves S"41 and may drain through ends 411 of the transverse grooves 41. Thus, the liquid would not permeate interiors of the mattress 3 and the bed base 4.

15 Namely, the liquid would flow through the vents 31 to the bed base 4 and then drained through the ends 411 of the transverse grooves 41. All the user has to do is to detach the covering 2 from the mattress assembly 10 for laundry and to clean the mattress 3 and the transverse grooves 41 of the bed base 4 by cloth or water. No liquid would reside inside the mattress assembly 10. Thus, the mattress 3 and the bed base 4 in accordance with the present invention can be easily cleaned without the risk of stinky odor.

The covering of the conventional mattress assembly of Fig. 1 cannot be easily detached, and the surface layer 94 and the latex layer 93 cannot be thoroughly cleaned such that the mattress assembly would mold and stink as a result of moisture. Although the conventional mattress assembly of Fig. 2 provides ventilating pipes 97 for ventilation and heat-dissipation, the ventilating pipes 97 are fixed to the fixed mattress 95 thus could not be easily detached. As a result, cleaning would not be easy.

By contrast, the cloth covering 22 of the mattress assembly in accordance with the present invention has a zipper 21 to allow easy removal of the mattress 3 -7and the bed base 4. In a case that liquid permeates the mattress 3 and the bed base 4 through the cloth covering 22, the cloth covering 22 can be easily detached for laundry. Neither the liquid nor the stinky odor resides. The mattress 3 and the bed base 4 are made of latex or polyethylene and are thus soft, resilient, not easy to deform, and friendly to environment. In addition, vents 31 are provided in the mattress 3 and transverse grooves 41 are defined in the upper side of the bed base 4. Thus, the liquid would not permeate the mattress 3 and the bed base 4. The mattress 3 and the bed base 4 can be cleaned as soon as the covering 2 is removed. Further, the mattress assembly in accordance with 10 the present invention includes an air supply device 5 comprising air supply tubes 53 and ventilating tubes 54 for supplying air into an interior of the mattress assembly 10, thereby providing a ventilation/heat-dissipation effect. Further, hot air may be provided through the air supply tubes 53 and the ventilating tubes 54 S"for keeping the user warm when in winter.

15 Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (7)

1. A mattress assembly comprising: a covering including a cloth covering; a mattress including a plurality of vents; and *a bed base including a plurality of grooves in an upper side thereof; the mattress and the bed base being covered by the covering, the mattress being mounted on top of the bed base; the vents of the mattress and the grooves of the bed base being adapted to drain liquid permeating the covering, thereby allowing cleaning of the mattress and the bed base after removal of the covering. °l

2. The mattress assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an air a. a. supply device mounted on the bed base.

3. The mattress assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the air supply device includes a pump, a plurality of air supply tubes, and a plurality of ventilating tubes, the air supply tubes being communicated with the pump for feeding air into the ventilating tubes, the air supply tubes extending across the bed base, the ventilating tubes being communicated with the air supply tubes and extending in the grooves of the bed base.

4. The mattress assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cloth covering is made of cotton. -9- The mattress assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mattress and the bed base are made of one of latex and polyethylene.

6. The mattress assembly as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a quilt removably mounted in the covering for winter use.

7. A mattress assembly substantially as herein described.

8. A mattress assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. *I