CA2077738A1 - Enhanced non-electrical reversible thermal cushion for a mattress or other body support surface - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An individually reversible thermal cushion includes at least one resilient layers, an insulating layer adjacent to the resilient layer or between resilient layers. The insulating layer has a reflective surface. A PVC top sheet and bottom sheet contain the resilient layer and the insulating layer. The resilient layer is made from polyurethane foam having a density of at least 1.8 lbs/cubic foot, and has a convoluted surface on at least one side, on which the domes have a diameter of approximately 2.5 inches at their base. The resilient layer may also be urethane foam, and/or polyester fiber stitched together in an appropriate quilted pattern. The reflective surface is aluminum vacuum deposited on one side of a polyethylene film laminated to a polyethylene film laminated to a polyurethane foam.
The PVC top and bottom sheets may be vacuum formed to the contours of the resilient layer.

Description

SEP 4 '9Z 17:31 FRO~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON PR6E.006 BA~G~OUND OE TH~ ~V~NTIQN
A. Field of the I~vention The pres~nt in~ention relates to a non-electrical re~er~iblo thermal cu~h$on, and more ~pecific~lly, to a reversible thermal cushion which cover~, rests on, or r~8t8 in~ide a matt~e~6 or other body suppor~ ~urface or system.
B. ~e~cription Q~ the Related A~t There is a growing demand in the marketplac~ for waterbeds.
Dealorc and consumer~ are concerned about safety of electric heater~ that are sometim~s placed in these waterb~ds. A further concern i~ the recent disclosure of potential health hazards related to eleatromagnetic fi~ld radiation generated by the ~lectric resistance heater~ u~ed in waterbeds. Additionally, it i~ de~irable to ~oid the energy cost- a~ociated with the electricity reguired to operate ~he he~ter.
An unheated waterbed po6es t~o ma~or problem~. ~irst, the watQr fill of the wate~bed will ~ottle to the ambient temperature of the roQm. At a typiaal room tQmpQrature of 70 to 72~, a waterbed, becau6e of it~ relati~Qly high specific heatr will draw body heat to the point that a pe~on in the bed wil.l become uncomfortably cold, ~nd ~n th~ ca~e o~ aged or d~bilitated u6er6 can cau~e hypothonmi~.
Secondly, moi~ture in the ~ir will ~ondense on the surface of the mattre~s if it i~ at or below the dew point temperature. The d~w point tamperature near the mattress tends to be high becau6e o f the combination o f environmental condition6 and wat~r ~apor emi~ted by pQrsons ~loeping on th- ~ed. Condens2tion, once for~d, tands to ~uild up m~king t~e sheets and bedding feel damp ; , ,..................... : : : ~

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SEP 4 '9Z 17:31 FRO~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON PR6E.007 2~77738 .~d clammy. In extreme C~8Q8, the condQnsation build~ enough to seep between the mattres~ and the walls of the fram~, where it cannot rapidly evaporate and thu creat~s condition~ for growth of mildew and odor~. !
Prior attempts have boon made to 801VC these problem~. T~e~e attempts h~ve not been altogether successful, becau~e of condens~tion problem~ or the inability of th~ ln~ulation to breath thu~ causing ballooning of the mattress. Other att~mpt~ to sol~e the problem have xeaulted in ~uilting or laminating insulation material into th~ mattrQs~ cover. ~owQver, quilting rosults in m~ny needle hola6 which allow mo~stur~ to permeate the in~ulation laye~. Qu~ltlng or la~lnatlng of the in~ulating layex directly lnto the quiltod cov~r al80 result6 in mak~ng the thermal ~urfac~
non-roversible ant thus the users cannot alter it~ therm~l characteri~tics. ~herefore, lt iB deRirable to provide an improved thormal cover for an unhe~ted waterbed mattre~s and other ~upport suxfaae~ whero warmth i8 des~red, and in the case of a w~torbed, mu~t ~ impervious to molsture to prevent conden~ation.
Inner3pring, foam and alr mattresses aro not ca~able of being heat~d ln the ~ame way as a watQrbed mattree~. Primarily, user~
of 6uch mattro~es rely on lectric blanket~ for heating.
Electric blanket~, while con~uming le~6 power than a waterbed m~ttres~ heater, can pre--nt problems ~uch a~ overheating, electric shock an~ enersy costs, and al~o produce an electro~agnetic field. ~h~refore, it i8 àl60 de~irable to ha~e a xever~ible thermal au~hion to ~over the~e typH~ of mattre~es.
Often two people sh~re a mat~ress surface. People ~ometimes sensta tomporature diffsrently. Consequ-ntly~ it iB desirabl~ to ..
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` SEP 4 '92 17:31 FRO~ FINNEG~N HENDERSON PRGE.008 2~77738 ~
,rovide a system 80 that either persan can ind~vidually have their choice of te~perature control. It i8 al~o desirable that the thermal cushion be positioned to provlde comfortable body support, and further enhance the support provided by ot~er ma~tres~
component~ 6uch as water~ inn~r~pring~ and foam-Additionally, there i6 a growing demand in th~ markQtplacefor cu~tomized m~ttreB8e~ th~t can be modified ~nd ad~u~ted to the 3 weight and shape of one or more indi~idual6 61eeping on the same bed. There i~ al~o a growing demand in the marketplace for ~aterbed m~ttre6~e~ th~t pro~ide f1rmer baak support than tho~e p~e~iously offered. Thero ~8 al~o a gro~ing demand in the market-place for inner~pring mattresses that h~ve more flexible ~urfaces that contour and conform to the shape and weight of ~n individual'~ body~ Cu~tomiz~d ~irmne66 and back 6upport for 1 or 2 people sleeping on a mattress ~g a growin~ market.
The ability to change the firmne~s and back support witho~t repl~aing ~n entire ma~tre~ is al80 important. Consumers will ~ometime~ ~eep a mattress for as long a~ 10 or 20 years. During that time the weight and shape o~ thelr bodies often vary based on weight gainod or 106t~ Waterbeds whil~ they provLde a natural contouring ~urface that can mold to tho contour of an individuals welght and shape often do no~ provide the fir~noss and back ~upport nece~ary for proper slQep~ng posture. Many con6umers who h~d previously bought waterbeds have replaced thQm because they felt the m~ttre~ses ~agged or ~ecame ~ofter and did not provide them w~th the same firmness, gupport and comfort as when they orlglnally purchased the w~ter mnttre~.

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SEP 4 '92 17:32 FRO~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON P~GE.009 ~7 J3$
The demand for firm~r b~ck ~upport in a water mattress i~ I
very strong. The dem~nd i8 also 6treng for more com~ortable li innerspring mattres~es which predominant~y con~ist of ~teel coils ~a~tened together. The construction of the~e type of coil system~
do not permit the natu~al contouring effect on an individual~
body shape or weiyht. A~ a re~ult of t~is, ~he contouring comfort derived from sleeping on a w~terbed i8 not achieved on most innerspring mettresses and likewise the firmne~s nece~6ary for proper back support ~nd comfort 1~ not provided in ~ waterbed mattre88 .
Certain innerspring constructSons currently availabls provide lndi~idual coils which do contour to the shspe ~nd wei~ht of an individual. Howover, theso ¢oils havo had a tendency to ~ag and not be re6ilient in te~ms of continuing to provide ~irmne~ and ~upport neoessary to keep a consumer happy for a long period of time. This i8 very ~imilar to th~ so~t ~agginq feel of many waterbQd mattres~os.
SUMMARY OF THE INYENTION
It is an ob~ect of the inv~ntion to provide an improved r-versible th-rmal cushion for variou~ sleeping and seating 6urfaces. It i8 a further ob~oct of the in~ention to provide rever~ible the~m~l cushion for a waterbed mattre~s, ~nd a cushion which inhibit~ condensation.
It i8 also an ob~ect of the invention to provide a reversible therm~l cu~hion arrangement ~hich gives two people individ~al choic-~ of tamperature control.
It i~ al~o an ob~ct of the present invention to provide a stronger, mor~ uni~orm and aomfortable support.
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S~P 4 ~9Z 17:3Z FRO~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON PRGE.010 2077 l 38 It is also an ob~ect of the present invention to provide a suporior surface feel with underlying finmn~ss and a soft surfaco.
It ~ al~o an ob~ect of the prQs~nt inv~ntion to prov~de an arrangament which eliminates th~ effsct of a materi~l cover which pull~ in from a larger area aro~nd the port~ on wh~ch is depre~sed by a p~r~on's weight.
It i8 ~1BO an ob~ct of the pre~ent ~nvontion to provide ~
feeling of firmmess to enhance a waterbed ~urface, whilo providing a feeling of ~urface plushnes~ to a more fir~ feeling innerspring, air, or foam mattress.
It ~ also an ob~ect of the present invention to provide posture support ~y8tem that i~ reversible ~nd can offer various d-gre~ of firmne~ by revQrsing the top and bottom s$de of the ~ystom on the top of the entire mattre~ or on the top of eithor side of the mattress. It also includes a non-electrical thermal ~ystem whiah can be ad~usted on either side of the mattre~s. The invention also ha~ the adYantage of offering both tho natural contouring comort of a waterbed mattre~s on ~he top ~urface and tho firmness of inner~pring support undernoath.
It ls an ob~ect of this invention to provide the irmne~s normally found in an innerspr~ng and the natural contouring comfort usually found in a waterbod m~ttro~ in one unique m~ttress. It i6 also an ob~ective o this invention to provide the con~umer with a customized ~ttress that is preferable to the con~umor regaxdle~ of which 6ide of the bod they are sleeping on.
It i6 al~o thQ ~ntention o~ th~6 invention to offer the consumer tho ability to adjust the firmn~ss on ei~her ~ido of th~ bed by - ;;
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:, . :. ~ , SEP q '92 17:33 FRO~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON PRGE.011 2~77738 imply rever~ing, ~hanging or replacing the po~ture support systQm.
It i8 also an ob~ective of thi~ in~ention to pro~ide con6umer~ with the opportunity to change the firmne6~ without havin~ to replace the entire m~ttress. ~t i6 also an ob~ective of thi~ invention to provide the consumer wl~h the cho~ce of ~ non-olectrical heating ~ystem that can be ad~u~table on e~ther ~de of the bed as part of their customized preference.
Inner~pring mattresses require 6pecial box ~pring con~truction often different from the innerspring support sy~tem which as6ists the longevity and comfort le~el of the inner~pring.
The innor6prlng unit however i8 the most critical 6ur~ace for comfort and BUpport. Thi~ invention eliminates the need for more oxpen~i~e box ~prlngs and provides for a mo~t comforta~le naturing aontouring top ~urfsc- supported unde~neath with either a light weight weter~pring ~ystom or box spring foundation construction normally ~ound only on innerspr~ng top mattr0s~es.
Additional ob~ect6 and advantage~ of the invention will be ~et forth in part in the description which follow~, a~d in part will be obviou~ from the descr~pt~on, or may be learnod by practice of the invention. Th~ ob~ects and ad~antage~ of the inv~ntion will be roalized and attained by mean6 of the element~
~nd combination~ particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
In accordance with the invention, as embodied and broadly d~6cr~bed herein, a rever~ible thermal cushion co~prises at lea6t one re~ilient layor, a re1-ctive surface, and means for containing the re~lient layer~ and the reflecti~e gurface.
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' SEP 4 '92 17:33 FRO~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON PRGE.01Z
2~77~38 Preferably, the resili~nt layor compri8e8 polyurethan~ fo~m, and the foam is convoluted on at lea~t one ~ide ~ith domes ha~ing a di~meter of approxi~ately 2.5 inche~ at their base. Prefer~bly, the polyurethane foam ha~ ~ den~ity of at least 1.8 lb~.~cubic foot. The resili~nt layer may also b~ comprised of foam, and/or polyester fiber stitched togeth~r ~n an appropriate guilt pattern.
Each side of the cusion m~y have a different re~iliency ~o that tho rosil~ency or other chara~t~ristic of the mattress can be ad~u~ted by reever~ing t~e cu3hion or replacing it ~ith a different cushion. For oxample, if more than on- rQ~ nt layer is used, the layer~ may con~i6t of mRter~als of different r~iliencies.
Further preferably, the reflectivQ surface comprises metal vacuu~ depo~ited on one ~ide o a polyothylene film laminated to a polyurethane layer. Al~o, th~ retaining meanQ ~ pr~ferably impervious to water, and may be vacuum formed to the contours of the convoluted foam or guilted pattern of the stitched foam and~or f~ber ¢ombination. According to one ~pect of the invention, the mattro~ may includ- ~t least two sido-by-side indiv~dually reversible thermal cushion~, oach corresponding to an area of the mattre~s gen~r~lly usod to ~upport a ~inqlo per~on. In ~uch an arrangement tho r~ver~ibility of the cushion~ can ~llow for each per60n to individu~}ly ad~ust the the~mal and resiliency characteristics oS hl~ or her 1de of the mattross.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing goneral de-~cript~on and th~ follouing detailing description ar~ exemplary - , ,~.

I SEP 4 '92 17:33 FRO~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON PRGE.013 .Id explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the ~nvention a~
claimed.
BRI~E DESCRIPTIO~ OF T~ DRANING~
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the ~p~ciicatlon, illu~trate ~everal embodLments of th~ invention and tog~ther with the description, serve to explain the principl~ of ths ~n~ention.
Figure 1 deplcts a typLcal ~ot-sid~ waterbed incorporating the invention.
Figure 2 depicts a typical hard-s~de ~at~rbed lncorporating th~ invention.
Figure 3 deplct- ono e~bodiment ~ a revers~ble thermal cushion of the preB~nt inv~ntion.
Figure 4 depicts ~ 6econd embodiment of a r~versible thermal cushion of the present invention.
Flgure 5 depicts a build-up of a quilted insert ~f a com~ination of polyester ~ib~r and polyurethane foam of the pre6ent invention.
~ igure 6 depicts a cont~ining cover o~ the present invention.
Flgure 7 d~picts A vacuum orm-d containin~ cover of th~
pre~ent invention.
Figure~ 8A, 8B and 8C depict mattre~s pads for either hard-~lde wsterbed~, or conventional mattresse~ which incorporate the present invention. .
Figure 9 depict~ a variable innerspring-iAsert mattress which incorporate6 the present inventio~.
~ igure ~0 depict~ a convent~onal inner~pring m~ttre incorporating the invention a6 an intogral part.

S~P 4 '9Z 17:34 FROM FINNEGRN HENDERSON PRGE.014 ~igur9 11 d~pict3 a foam mattre~s according to thQ inv~ntion.
D~TAIL~D DESCRIPTION QF ~HE P~EFERBED EMBODIM~NT
R~ference ~ill now be made in detail to th~ presently preferred embodiment~ of the inventio~, examples of which are illustrated in the accomp~n~ing drawings~ Where~er possible, the same referen¢e numb~rs will be used throughout the draw~ng to refer to the 8ame or like parts.
A typical waterbed includes a frame, water bladder or cylinder~ and tiaking cover. The frame may either b~ a ~oft-s~de frame, e.g., one ~ade of ~oam, or ~ h~rd-side frame, e.g., one made of wood.
Figure 1 depict~ a typlcal ~o~t-~ide waterbed 10. The top tl~king p~nel 12 may be qu~lt~d with a co~binat$on of fiber or foam. ~icking p~nel 12 is di~po3ed with a mating zipper tewn into it~ perimeter. The mattress has a lightly quilted side wall 14 which ha~ a m~ting zipper half 8ewn in it~ perimeter. Side wall 1~ i3 fixed to a bottom shoet 16 of fabric which unde~lies the ontire upper ~tructuro. Foam walls 18 provide outer ~ide ~tructure for the mattress. A safety lin~r 20 of PVC ~heeting fits withln the caY~ty of t~- frame and overwrap~ the top and outer ~urface~ of th- foam walla. 31adder8 or cylinder~ 22 hold water, and are ad~ustable in firmneS~ by increRsing and decreaslng thR amount of w~ter held therein. Accordin~ to the invention, rever~ ~ ble thermal cu~hlons lSa and 15b are located bet~een bladdors 22 and ticking panel 12. Cu~hions 15a snd 15b are extend to co~er both w~ter bladders 22 and foam wslls 18, and pre~ent ~erson lying on th~ bQd from feeling ~ difference in support ~t the loc~tion where tha bladders and the foam come togethor.

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S~P ~ '92 17:34 FRO~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON PRGE.015 Figure 2 depict~ a typical hsrd-~ide wat~rbed 24. In thi~
ca~e, a quilted ticking panel 26 holds in place reversibl~ thermal cu~hion~ 15a and 15b according to the invention. The quilted ticking panel 26 and side ~11 28 of the unit have mating zipper 30 permitting easy acce~s to water bladder 22. ~oard~r walls 28 of the cover are ~ewn into fabric bottom 32 which underline~ the entire 8y8tem. A safety liner 34 i~ de~igned to catch and ~old w~ter content~ of the mattre~ in the evant of any leakage.
In accord~nce with the invention, a ~eversible thermal cushion includes ~ resilient layer. A~ embodied h~r~in and shown in Figure 3, each rever~ible thermal cushion 15 ha~ xQsilient layer 36 pref-rably made of polyurethane foam. However, the reoeilient layer may be made of other material~, such as fi~ers, sprlngs and cotton, a6 known in the art.
Preferably, the poly~rothane foam of th~ resilient layer has a den~ity of at lea~t 1.8 lb~. per c~bic foot, and an indention load deflection of not more than 30 lb~. The foam i~ proferably at l~a~t 1 inch thick and ha~ a convoluted surface with dome~ 38 on one ~ide. Preforably the domos o~ the convoluted ~urface have ~ d~ameter of approxlmately 2.5 inches at th-ir b~se. Preferably, ba~o section 4n i9 at lea~t O.SO inche# thick and the domes 38 are at lea~t .50 inche~ tall. $n tho fur~her preferr~d embodiment ~hown in ~igure 4, the cu~hions may have a 3-inch layer of foam with ~ con~oluted ~urfac- on both sides. The 3-inch foam layer may be made by putting two 1-1/2 inch foam sections 36 ~ack to back.
Aacording to on~ a~pect of the invention, the resll~nt layQr i~ quilted. As ~hown in Figure 5, the re8ilient lay~r 36a i8 , , . .

SEP ~ '9Z 17:34 FRO~ FINNEG~N HENDERSON P~GE.016 2~7~738 ,~iltad and includes quilted urethane qu~lting foam 69 and/or polye~ter filler ~0 held together in a guilted pattern by ~titche 71 6~n through a light welght, non woven fabric, 71A.
In accordance with the invention, a reversible ther~al cu~hion includes an insulating layer. Aa Qmbodiod herein and shown in Figure 3, the in~ulating layer 42 compri~s a polyethylene fil~ which has alumlnum ~or other re~lective material) vacuum d~poa~ted on one sid~ o~ the film. The film i8 preferably .0025 inches thick. The coated side of the polyethylene film iB laminated to a layer of polyurethane foam of between l/B inch and 1/16 inch ~n thickne~s. The preferable method of laminat$ng 18 by adhesive. In~ulating l~y~r 42 thereby created has the ad~antage of being flexible, not making n crinkling~ or othor noi~o~, and preventing bunching, tearing, stretching and broa~ing when a person lies thereon. In Fig. 3, insulating layer 42 i~ ~rranged next to thQ resilient layer 36 such that the reflect~ surface (i.e.~ the polyethylene) faces away from the re~ilient layer.
In the 3-inch re~illent layer embodLment shown in Figure 4, the ~n~ulating layer 42 may b- ~and~ich~d between the two 1-1/2 inch foam sections. Alternati~ely, insulating layer 42 may be located next to the re~ilient layer 36 such that the reflective surfaco faceR away from the resiliQnt layer, a6 in the 1-1/2 inch foam embodiment.
A reversible thermal cu8hion o f th4 lnvention can, in cold weather, be arranged such that tho revQrsibl~ thermal cushion i~
placod with the r~flective 6urface faclng a per~on lying on ths b~d. So placed, the rever~ible thermal cu~hion reflects the .. ,: - ~ , ~ .:

SEP 4 '9Z 17:35 FR~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON PRGE.017 ~,erson~s body he~t ~ack toward him or her, and increases the temperature of the area around the per~on by 2-4F a~ compared with no rever~iblo the~m~l cu~h~on. In addition to warmlng the porson, this tempor~ture increase mako~ conden~atio~ le~s likely.
In w~rm weather, th- cu~hion m~y be turned ov r ~o that the reflective layQr does not reflect heat back toward the per~on on the bed.
In bed6 designed for two p~ople, on~ aspect of the reversible th~rmal cushlon includes at loast two ~ide-by-~ide individually rever~iblo thermal cu6hion~ 80 that each person ly~ng on tho b~d has the option o ~-lecting whother or not they wi~h to avail th-mwelve~ Or the r-~lecti~e h-at. ~he individually reversible thermnl cu~h~on allow~ for individual control in beds dQ~igned for two people.
In accord~nce with the invention, tho revor~iblo thermal cushion has mean~ for containing the resiliont layer and tho inculatLng layer. A~ embodim~nt he~ein the containing mean~
inclùde~ two polyvinyl chlorid- t~PVC~) sheets 44 and 46 of preferably 8-10 ~il. gaugo. These ~heet~ are dielectrically heat ~ealed to each o~har around the ent~ro perimoter, as ~nown in the ~rt. Th- PVC ~hQQts havo the added ~dvantage of providing a two layer water and ~oisture barrior betwe~n a person lying on the mattr-~ and th- wator bladder. If ~uch water barrier i8 not neces~ary or de6$rod, then the containing mean~ may be made out of other matQr~als known in th- art, ~uch a~ cloth made of natural or ~ynthetic fib-r.
According to onc a~pect o~ the in~ention, mean~ for containing the re~ilient l~yer and thc reflective layer ~re . ~: ;: - . ', - ., .

SEP 4 '9Z 17:35 FROM FINNEGRN HENDERS~N PRGE.~18 207773~
~acuumed formed around the resilient layer and the refleative layer for containing the resilient layer and the reflective layer.
Such vacuumed forming pQrmit~ the containing mea~R to be ~ormed to the contoure of tho resLlient layer 80 a~ to more closely cover the resilient layer ~nd pro~ide greater comfort. It al~o eliminate~ the pull~ng ln of ths containing layer from a large ~rea around the portions ~here it i~ depr~ssed by the we~ght of a person. The vacuum forming Qffoctively provid~ a ~kin over each ra~sed area which only depre~se~ as th~t area i8 depre~eed.
~hown in Figure 7, ~heet~ 44 and ~6 are vacuum formed to the contours of the resilient layer ~o a~ to more clo~ely co~er the re~ilient lay rs and provld- gr-ater comfort.
Preferably, ao ~hown in Figure 6, holes 48 of 1/4-inch diameter are provided in the PVC sheets to allow layers 36 and 42 to br~athe. Theee holes al~o allow air to e~cape and pre~ent the containing mean6 from ballooning when a person lies on the revers~ble therm~l cushlon. C~merci~lly avallabl~ br~ather button~ can be ~ub~tituted for holee 48.
The aushion may ~180 ha~e ~e~ns for maintaining alignment of the in~ul~ting l~yer and the re~ilient layer compri~ing pla8tic or aluminum ri~ets 50 ~nd ua~hexs 52 (~hown in F~gure 3 and 4) loc~tod nbout th- p-rim ter o~ the convolutod foam panelQ and the in~ulatinq layer to keep tho6e layers in alignment. Other ali~nment maintaining mean8 can be used 5uch aR adhesively laminating or tying the layers together.
According to one a~pect of the invont~ on, there ie provided at least t~o rever~ible thermal cushions and ~ean~ for releasably ocuring the thermal cushions in a side-by-side configuration ~o ;; `-SE P 4 ' 92 1 7: 35 F R0~'1 F I NNE G~N HE NDE R50N PRGE . 01 9 _e to be individ~ally rem~vable a~d reversible. A~ ~hown in Figs.
8A and 8B, the means for securing i8 a ~attre~ pad 72 including two ~leev~ 74a and 74b for se~uring and ontaining reve~sible thermal cu6hionY 15a and 15~ re~pectively. Retainer sleeves 74a and 74b maintain cushions 15a and lSb ~n side-by-~ide alignment, permit aushions 15a and lSb to be individually remoY~d by sliding a select~d c~shion out of its resp~ctive sleev~, turning it ovar and insQrting it in a rever~ed oriQntation for a different thermal effect. In addition, the cbntinuouc layer of PVC beneath the ~leeves promotes greater aurace continuity . Mattress cover 72 includ~ flaps 76 which as~i~t in s~curing the m~tters ¢over in po~ition on a mattre6~. Alternatively, as shown ~n Fig. 8C, a mattres~ co~-r 72a having s}e-ve~ 74c and 74d can be ~itt-~d with corner attachments &uch as elastic strap~ 54 or other arrangQments whic~ can be placed around the corners of bedding such as inner spring, air or foam mattresses.
The rever6ible thermal cushion~ of the invention may be incorpor2ted into various other kinds of bedding. Figure 9 shows rev~r6ible thermal cushions in a novel inner~pring insert mattre66 56. Ti¢klng panel 12 cover~ the reversible thorm21 cushion~ lSa and 15b a¢cording to th- ~nvon~lon. ~o~m wall8 18 pro~ide a -~upport frame for $nner~pring in~-rt~ 58, 60 and 62. These in~erts may be de6igned to have different level6 o~ firmness. By exchanging one $nsert for another one of different firmne~s, a user can v~ry the firmnes~ of the mattre~ in different areas.
Foam, air, cotton, and ot~er resllient material~ known in the art may be sub6titut~d for the springs in in~ert~ 58, ~0, and 62.

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SEP 4 ' 92 1 7: 36 FROr1 F I NNEGRN HENDERSON PRGE . 1320 2077~38 Figure 10 ~how~ r~v~rsible thQrmal cushions according to th~
invention u6ed in a conventional inner~prlng mattre~s 64. Quilted p~nel 26 and lightly quilted sidewalls 28 form a cover for the ~nnerspring sy~tem 66. Rever~ible thermal cushions lSa and 15b are placed above the 6prings. Access to the insid~ of mattres~ 64 may be provid~d by zipp rs 30. Cus~ion~ 15a and 15b can be rover6ed by accessing the cushion ~ing zipper 30, or the entire mattress m~y be r~er~ed if both the to~ and bottom surfaces are quilt~d. In a mattre8s of thi~ type ~oam, air, cotton, and othe~
resiliQnt materials known ~n the art may be substituted for th~
springs.
Fi~ure 11 depicts a thermal mattress 68 according to the invention. ~h~rmal mattro88 68 iS similar to the rever6ible thermal cushion of the invention. Re~ilient layer 36 is made from polyurethane foam. Preferably, the o~m i~ convoluted on both the tOp and bottom surfaces. Further pr-ferably, the foam i~
approximately 5 inchQs thick. Insulating layor 42 i~ located ad~acent to the fo~m layer. ~h~ foam layer and the in~ulat~ng layer are contained together a~ a unit. In order to vary the thermal charaater$~tic~ of the mattr-~ zi~per 30 c~n be u~ed to acco~ the mattre~s, and reslllQnt layer 36 and foam layer 42 may be re~ersed, or the ontire mattress may be re~er~ed if both the top and bottQm ~urfaces are quilted, so that the reflective surface of the insulating layer ~aces away from a p~rson lying on the bed.
A reversible thermal cushion as described above in connection with a watsrbsd ~attres6 m~y b~ used in a variety of application~
~uch a~ innerspring mattres~es, foam mattre~ses, air mattresses, '' ': ; ':
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SEP ~ '9Z 17:36 FRO~ FINNEGRN HENDERSON PRGE.0ZI

futons, ~ttting surfaces, back cu~h~ons, headrest~, 81eeping bag in~erts, blankets, recliner~ with ~at and ma~age units, shoe inserts, carpet underlaying, ch~ir~, 8tadium cush~on~, motion f~rniture, sle~p ~ofa~, hideaway bods, and medical mAttre~s.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and ~ariations can be made in the rev~rsible thermal cushion of the present application and in the construction of thi~
cu~hion wi~hout departing from the sco~e or spirit of the invention.
Other embodi~ents of the in~ention will be apparent to tho~e `~
okilled in tbe ~rt from con~ideration of the speciication and practico o~ tho inv-nt~on disclosed herein. It is intondsd that th- spQcification and example8 ~e con6idered as exemplary only, with a truo ~cope and spirit of the invention ~eing indicated by the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. A mattress for supporting at least two people at predetermined side-by-side locations, the mattress comprising:
at least one resilient mattress section;
at least two side-by-side individually reversible thermal cushions positioned on top of the resilient mattress section to respectively correspond to the side-by-side predetermined locations where the people are to be supported, each cushion including a resilient layer, a reflective layer and means for containing the resilient layer and the reflective layer.

2. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the resilient mattress section is of the type selected from inner spring, foam, air or fiber.

3. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer includes a reflective metal layer.

4. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer includes a reflective metal layer on a plastic layer.

5. The mattress of claim 4, wherein the plastic layer is laminated to a foam layer.

6. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the means for containing the resilient layer and the insulating layer is impervious to water.

7. The mattress of claim 1, including a ticking layer between the reversible thermal cushions and the locations where the people are supported.

8. The mattress of claim 1, including a soft side frame having foam walls surrounding the resilient section, and wherein the reversible thermal cushions extend to cover both the resilient section and the foam walls.

9. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the resilient layer includes convoluted foam having convoluted domes with a diameter of approximately 2.5 inches at their base.

10. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the means for containing the resilient layer and the reflective layer is vacuum formed around the resilient layer and the reflective layer.

11. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the resilient layer is quilted.

12. The mattress of claim 1, including means for releasably securing the thermal cushions in the side-by-side locations.

13. The mattress of claim 12, wherein the securing means includes a mattress cover having sleeves for containing the thermal cushions in the side-by-side locations.

14. A reversible thermal cushion comprising:
at least one quilted resilient layer;
a reflective layer;
means for containing the resilient layer and the reflective layer.

15. A reversible thermal cushion comprising:
at least one resilient layer;
a reflective layer;
means vacuum formed around the resilient layer and the reflective layer for containing the resilient layer and the reflective layer.

16. A reversible thermal cushion comprising:
at least one resilient layer including convoluted foam with convoluted domes having a diameter of approximately 2.5 inches at their base;
a reflective layer;
means for containing the resilient layer and the reflective layer.

17. A reversible thermal cushion arrangement comprising:
a plurality of reversible thermal cushions comprising at least one resilient layer, a reflective layer, means for containing the resilient layer and the reflective layer; and means for releasably securing the plurality of thermal cushions in predetermined side-by-side locations.

18. The cushion arrangement of claim 17, wherein the securing means includes a mattress cover having sleeves for containing the thermal cushions in the side-by-side locations.

19. The cushion arrangement of claim 18 wherein the mattress cover includes flaps for securing the mattress cover to a mattress.

20. The cushion arrangement of claim 18 wherein the mattress cover includes straps for securing the mattress cover to a mattress.