GB2197785A

GB2197785A - Mattresses

Info

Publication number: GB2197785A
Application number: GB08727131A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kurt Kienlein
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-11-25
Filing date: 1987-11-19
Publication date: 1988-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2007-11-19
Also published as: GB8727131D0; SU1526566A3; AU8044587A; AU594520B2; ES2008743A6; KR890003334A; IT8622441A1; DE8717971U1; IT1198154B; GB2197785B; IT8622441A0; CN87107987A; IN168825B; KR970001912B1; DE3731828A1; CN1011854B; CA1285080C

Description

2197785 i Improvements Relating to Mattresses understood that,

convenience, horizontal.

This invention relates to mattresses and particularly concerned with the form of the surface which the user lies or reclines. It should although this specification will, refer to a mattress as generally flat the same principles are applicable the cushioning of a reclining chair or sofa, example.

More specifically, the invention is concerned with a mattress whose support surface is a layer moulded in durable resilient flexible material with transverse ribs which slant in different directions according to their position lengthwise of the mattress. Such a mattress is described in DE PS 30 10 122.

However. that is not particularly comfortable, as the ribs present a relatively small surface area with which contact is made, giving high local pressures. Also, ventilation for the person lying on it is poor, and the neck or cervical vertebra support arrangement is unstable.

It is the aim of this invention to improve these features.

According to the present invention there is provided is on be for and to for is a mattress with a support layer moulded in resilient, flexible material, this layer having two sets of upwardly projecting transverse ribs, the sets extending from an intermediate position of the mattress for lumbar support to respective ends and the ribs in each set sloping towards the associated end, wherein upper edges of the ribs are flanged, partially to span the spaces between the ribs, and the ends of those spaces are closed by resilient members extending along the sides of the mattress.

Preferably, the ribs will progressively vary in thickness from the intermediate position, which will conveniently divide the length of the mattress in the approximate ratio 2:3.

The support layer may be of composite construction with sections of different density along its length. There may be just two such sections, and the densities will preferably be in the range PNG 35 to RGF 100.

The underside of the support layer will generally be bonded to another layer of resilient flexible material, and this other layer may be of composite construction with a central zone of different density from the remainder, conveniently extending over about one fifth of the mattress length.

This other layer may itself have bonded to its underside a third layer also of resilient flexible material and capable of serving as a support layer when the mattress is inverted.

The resilient side members will preferably extend over the height of all these layers, but be bonded only to said other and said third layers. This avoids restricting movement of the ribs.

A neck support member may also be provided. This will conveniently be of generally T-section or mushroom shaped in cross-section, the stem being insertable between adjacent ribs. The upper end of the stem may be indented on one side to receive a flange of a rib, but preferably it will be so indented on both sides.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a mattress, Figure 2 a longitudinal section of a mattress, Figure 3 is a cross-section of the mattress, and Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional detail of the mattress showing ribs and a neck support member. 0 The mattress is generally rectangular in plan and has an upper layer 14 of durable resilient material with transverse ribs 1 on which the user lies. Flanges 2 are integrally moulded with the ribs 1 along their upper edges and partly cover the spaces 3 between the ribs, as -4best seen in Figure 4. The head of the mattress is at 4 and the foot at 5.

The flanges can be provided on one or both sides of the ribs, the latter giving a greater surface area on which to lie since the spaces 3 would be virtually bridged. At the position marked "S" there is a dividing rib of generally trapezoidal cross-section, with the longer parallel side uppermost (in fact it is indented), and on either side of this the ribs 1 are set at an incline parallel to the nearest side of the dividing rib. The ribs are of constant height but thickness, which may gradually increase or decrease starting from the position S. The latter is about two fifths of the mattress length from the head end 4 and the zone on which it is centred is for supporting the user's lumbar region.

In order to increase comfort, the portion 6 of the layer 14, which extends over about three fifths of the mattress length from the head end 4, is constructed from a material with a density different f:ci.. the remaining portion 7 which extends to the foot. end 5. The densities can be selected to suit the person intended to use the mattress and be within the range of RG 35 to RG 100.

As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, the mattress is bounded by end and side members 8 up to the height of variable the ribs 1, and the side members in particular aid ventilation. They are also resilient and as the ribs flex a bellows effect is produced. The air in the spaces 3 cannot escape sideways and so its flow is upwards towards the'recumbent user.

The upper layer 14 is bonded to an intermediate layer 9 with a central support core 10 extending over approximately one fifth of the mattress length. The layer 9 is also manufactured from durable resilient material, and the density of the core 10 may be higher than that of the other portions of the intermediate layer.

A lower layer 11, also of durable resilient material, is bonded to the underside of the layer 9.

This layer 11 can be used for lying on, with the mattress turned over.

The end and side members 8 extend over the entire height of the mattress and are bonded to the layers 9 and 11. This bonding and that between the layers, is at discrete points indicated by an x in Figures 1 and 3. While the ends of the layer 14 are bondecl to the end members 8, the sides of that layer, and especially the ends of the ribs 1, are not bonded to the side members 8 as otherwise the flexure of the ribs would be restricted or even suppressed.

A neck support member 12 is provided and can be set at selected positions to suit the user's stature, in particular the distance between the lumbar region and the cervical vertebra region. The member 12 is generally T-shaped or mushroom shaped in cross-section, its stem 13 being insertable into any space 3 between the ribs 1.

At the transition where the stem 13 joins the head of the neck support member 12 the stem thickness is reduced, forming grooves 17, and a flange 2 engages in 10 one of these positively to hold the member 12 in place. If the ribs are double flanged, both grooves 17 will be engaged. But even if they are single flanged it is advisable to provide two grooves 17, as no attention need then be paid to which way round the member 12 should be set.

For protection and comfort, the mattress will generally be encased in an elastic or stretch cover 15 with a top. of cotton fabric, covering or changing being made easy by a slide fastener 16.

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Claims

1. A mattress with a support layer moulded in resilient, flexible material, this layer having two sets of upwardly projecting transverse ribs, the sets extending from an intermediate position of the mattress for lumbar support to respective ends, and the ribs in each set sloping towards the associated end, wherein upper edges of the ribs are flanged, partially to span the spaces between the ribs, and the ends of those spaces are closed by resilient members extending along the sides of the mattress.

2. A mattress as claimed in Claim 1, ribs progressively vary in thickness intermediate position.

3. A mattress as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said intermediate position divides the length of the mattress in the approximate ratio 2:3. #

4. A mattress as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said support layer is of composite construction, with sections of different density along its length.

5. A mattress as claimed in Claim 4, wherein there are two such sections.

wherein the from said -8

6. A mattress as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein the densities are in the range R'-735 to PG 100.

7. A mattress as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the underside of the support layer is bonded to another layer of resilient flexible material.

8. A mattress as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said other layer is of composite construction with a central zone of different density from the remainder.

9. A mattress as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the central zone extends over about one fifth of the length of the mattress.

10. A mattress as claimed in Claim 7,8 or 9, wherein the underside of said other layer is bonded to a third layer of resilient flexible material which can serve as a support surface when the mattress is inverted

11. A mattress as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the resilient side members extend over the height of all said layers, but are bonded only to said other and said third layer.

12. A mattress as claimed in any preceding claim, and further comprising a neck support member locatable by engagement with said ribs.

13. A mattress as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said neck support is of generally T-section or mushroom shaped in crosssection, the stem being insertable 1 between adjacent ribs.

14. A mattress as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the upper end of the stem is indented to receive a flange of a rib.

15. A mattress as claimed in Claim 14, wherein both sides of the stem are so indented.

16. A mattress substant ially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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