GB2187087A

GB2187087A - Adjustable mattress support

Info

Publication number: GB2187087A
Application number: GB08604953A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Swinburne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-02-27
Filing date: 1986-02-27
Publication date: 1987-09-03
Also published as: GB8604953D0

Abstract

A ventilating and adjustable mattress support placed between a mattress and the top surface of a base having only limited area of contact with the bottom of the mattress thus leaving a substantial area of the bottom of the mattress free for water vapour diffusion can be adjusted into an upper (13) or lower (12) position dependent on whether the system is being used for sleeping or seating. The mattress support adjusted into the sleeping mode provides a ventilated space under the mattress for the purpose of elimination of condensation. The invention is particularly applicable to caravans, boats and bunk type beds. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ventilating and adjustable mattress support This invention relates to a ventilating and adjustable mattress support. Sleeping berth systems generally consist of some of the items known as night attire, sheet, blanket, duvet, eiderdown, sleeping bag, mattress, palliasse, cushion. These items are supported by a base. In sleeping spaces particularly where the space is of a confined nature there is often a necessity to use the area taken by the sleeping berth for additional or alternative purposes. Thus in the case of a caravan the area taken by a sleeping berth is used for seating on the top and for storage underneath. Bunks in boats have similar multiple use. In bedrooms sleeping berth systems often contain underneath storage in the form of drawers.In some rooms part of the floor area is used to a limited height resulting in such items as an enclosure for headroom for a stairwell, a storage cupboard, an enclosure for service meters, a compartment for service system equipment such as circulating pumps, electric control units, water storage. Sleeping systems utilize the tops of such enclosures as a base.

Whilst sleeping a human discards water as a vapour from the body through the mouth, nose and skin. From the mouth and nose this passes into the immediate atmosphere of the living space. In a normal well ventilated space this water vapour passes into the outside atmosphere without excessive condensation.

The water from the skin diffuses upwards and downwards through the porous materials of the sleeping berth system. The water vapour diffusing upwards passes into the immediate atmosphere and is dispersed. The water vapour diffusing downwards in the case of a conventional bed standing on legs on the floor passes into the atmosphere underneath and is dispersed. In the case of a typical sleeping berth in a caravan where the mattress sits on the top surface of a storage compartment the downward diffusion takes place until a "vapour barrier" is reached in the form of the solid top of the storage compartment. A similar situation arises in the case of a boat, a combination sleeping system with drawer units and a mattress placed on the top surface of an enclosure used as a base. Despite normal insulation condensation frequently occurs at this interface.The resulting capillary attraction causes a build up of dampness which rises through the mattress, bedding and night attire to the discomfort of the sleeping occupant both in damp feeling and lack of insulation.

According to the present invention there is provided a ventilating and adjustable mattress support located between a mattress and the top surface of a base having only limited area of contact with the bottom of the mattress and thus leaving a substantial area of the bottom of the mattress free for water vapour diffusion. The mattress support has to be of sufficient mechanical strength to allow for the additional stress of multiple seating that occurs in daytime. The mattress support is adjustable in height having a lowered position for daytime seating and an elevated position for nighttime sleeping in which position a ventilated space is provided under the mattress.

The mattress support might consist of a frame to which is afixed such items as wire mesh, straps, laths, cords. It might consist of a frame to which is afixed such items as springs, elastic components. It might have sufficient mechanical strength and have limited area of contact with the bottom of the mattress as would be achieved by such construction as grid formation, heavyweldmesh.

A number of elevators are provided in conjunction with the mattress support and the base to provide height adjustment having a lowered position for daytime seating and an elevated position for nighttime sleeping in which position a ventilated space is provided under the mattress. The elevators might take the form of blocks or struts and they can be fixed or hinged to the mattress support or the base. Alternatively they can take the form of loose blocks or struts with locating features provided in either or both of the mattress support and the base.

Alternatively they might take the form of such items as cams, levers, screws, jacks. In all cases the design of the elevators must be such as not to reduce the ventilated space to an appreciable extent.

A lightweight guard might be provided to prevent such items of a sleeping berth system as a sheet interfering with the ventilation space.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a mattress support frame without the mesh fitted for purpose of clarity in the lowered position for daytime seating on top of a caravan storage compartment.

Figure 2 shows in perspective a mattress support frame without the mesh fitted for purpose of clarity in the elevated position for nighttime sleeping on top of a caravan storage compartment.

Figure 3 shows in perspective a mattress support frame with the mesh fitted and two hinged elevators show in the elevated position and one hinged elevator shown in the lowered position.

Figure 4 shows in perspective a mattress support frame with the mesh fitted in the elevated position for nighttime sleeping on top of a caravan storage compartment.

Referring to the drawing a caravan is normally supplied with a storage compartment 10 with either a lid on the top or let down flaps in the front face. A mattress is supplied to fit on the top and this also serves as a seat cushion. Further bedding is left for personal choice. The invention requires the additional supply of the mattress support frame 11 to which is fastened hinged elevators 12 and 13. The mattress support frame 11 is covered with wire mesh 14 of adequate strength for multiple seating as well as sleeping and also allowing substantial free space for the bottom of the mattress to breathe.

This mattress support frame 11 with mesh 14 is placed on top of the storage compartment 10. For daytime use the hinged elevators are placed in the lowered seating position 12. The mattress is placed on top of the mesh and the whole assembly is at the correct height for seating. For nighttime use the hinged elevators are placed in the elevated sleeping position 13. This elevation forms an undermattress ventilated space 15 with the elimination of under mattress condensation.

Claims

1. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support located between a mattress and the top surface of a base having only limited area of contact with the bottom of the mattress and thus leaving a substantial area of the bottom of the mattress free for water vapour diffusion. The mattress support has to be of sufficient mechanical strength to allow for the additional stress of multiple seating that occurs in daytime. The mattress support is adjustable in height having a lowered position for daytime seating and an elevated position for nighttime sleeping in which position a ventilated space is provided under the mattress.

2. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the mattress support consists of a frame to which is affixed such items as wire mesh, straps, laths, cords.

3. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the mattress support consists of a frame to which is affixed such items as springs, elastic components.

4. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the mattress support has sufficient mechanical strength and has limited area of contact with the bottom of the mattress as would be achieved by such construction as grid formation, heavyweldmesh.

5. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support as claimed in any preceding claims wherein a number of elevators are provided in conjunction with the mattress support and the base to provide height adjustment having a lowered position for daytime seating and an elevated position for nighttime sleeping in which position a ventilated space is provided under the mattress.

6. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the elevators take the form of blocks or struts and are fixed or hinged to the mattress support or the base.

7. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the elevators take the form of loose blocks or struts with locating features provided in either or both of the mattress support and the base.

8. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the elevators take the form of such items as cams, levers, screws, jacks.

9. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a lightweight guard is provided to prevent such items of a sleeping berth system as a sheet interfering with the ventilation space.

10. A ventilating and adjustable mattress support as described herein with reference to Figures 1--4 of the accompanying drawing.