GB2579407A

GB2579407A - Improvements in and relating to mattresses

Info

Publication number: GB2579407A
Application number: GB1819587.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Turner Steven
Original assignee: Silentnight Group Ltd
Current assignee: Silentnight Group Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-30
Filing date: 2018-11-30
Publication date: 2020-06-24
Also published as: GB201819587D0

Abstract

A mattress 100 comprising first 110 and second 120 base mattress components and an upper component 130 arranged to be coupled to the first and second base mattress components. The upper and base components may be coupled in a semi-permanent manner, and the upper component may be separately couplable to the first and second base components. The coupling means preferably comprise a zip 140 which extends along at least two sides of the upper component and at least one side of each base component. Each of the base components may have different comfort properties, such as firmness. The base components may be mutually couplable. The upper component is preferably the same width as both of the base components combined.

Description

Improvements in and relating to Mattresses The present invention relates to mattresses. In particular it relates to mattresses of the type comprising a base mattress component, which is supplemented with a 'topper' or upper component, positioned proximal to a person sleeping on the mattress.

Prior art mattresses of a size to accommodate two persons -known typically as double, queen-sized, king-sized, super-king-sized or emperor-sized -typically have symmetrical construction and properties, in the sense that a degree of firmness, for instance, is the same on both the left and right side of the mattress, meaning that both users of the mattress experience the same comfort level.

This can pose a problem in cases where one user prefers a firm mattress while the other user prefers a soft mattress, for instance. In the prior art, there is no readily applicable solution to this problem.

It is known to provide single mattresses which can be joined together to form a larger mattress, but such prior art "zip-link" systems create an undesirable join along the centre line of the larger mattress which can be uncomfortable for the occupants.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to address problems in the prior art, whether mentioned herein or not.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mattress comprising first and second base mattress components and an upper component arranged to be coupled to the first and second base mattress components.

In an embodiment, the upper component is arranged to be coupled to the first and second base mattress components in a semi-permanent manner.

In an embodiment, the upper component is separately couplable to the first and second mattress components.

In an embodiment, the upper component and each of the first and second base mattress components are provided with one half of a complementary zip arrangement.

In an embodiment, one half of the complementary zip arrangement provided on the upper component extends along at least two sides of the upper component.

In an embodiment, the one half of the complementary zip arrangement provided on each of the base mattress components extends along at least one side of the respective base mattress components.

In an embodiment, the first and second base mattress components have a differing comfort property.

In an embodiment, the differing comfort property is firmness.

In an embodiment, the first and second base mattress components are arranged to be mutually couplable.

In an embodiment, an overall width of the upper component is substantially the same as the overall width of the first and second base mattress components combined.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a base mattress component comprising means to couple with an associated upper component for a mattress.

In an embodiment, the base mattress component is approximately half the width of the associated upper component.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper component for a mattress, comprising means to couple to a base mattress component.

In an embodiment, the upper component is approximately twice the width of the associated base mattress component.

In an embodiment, the means to couple comprises one half of a zip arrangement arranged to engage with a complementary other half of a zip arrangement on the associated part.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an end view of a mattress according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a mattress according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 1 and 2 shows end and perspective views, respectively, of a mattress 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mattress 100 is intended to sit atop either a bed frame or divan base (not shown) in the usual way.

The mattress 100 comprises first and second base mattress components 110, 120. Each of these corresponds to a sleeping position for a user of the mattress. In other words, a first user will lie above the first component 110 and a second user will lie above the second component 120.

The first and second base mattress components 110, 120 may each have different qualities or properties. Such qualities or properties may include a degree of firmness. They may also include a different constructional style or material. For instance, either component can vary in firmness and/or can be constructed using different mattress technologies, such as traditional springs, pocket springs or memory foam, for instance.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a mattress 100 can be configured with two base mattress components 110, 120, each one being suited to the needs or requirements of a different user.

To complete the mattress, an upper component 130 or topper is provided. It is known in the prior art to provide toppers for use with prior art mattresses, but there are often used to either protect the mattress underneath or to soften an overly firm mattress, In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper component 130 is a truly integral part of the overall mattress 100 and cooperates with the two base mattress components 110, 120 to provide a required degree of user comfort. By selection of a suitable base component and upper component from a range of different types, it is possible to configure a mattress 100 which is suitable even for widely differing user requirements.

The base mattress components 110, 120 may be couplable together by one of a variety of mechanisms including, for instance, a zip mechanism, a hook and eye arrangement (e.g. Velcro (RTM)), flexible strip magnets or press-studs. However, the two base mattress components may simply lie next to one another and be held in close proximity by the upper component 130 as will be described shortly.

Figure 2 shows how the upper component 130 couples to base mattress component 120 by means of a zip arrangement 140. A zip arrangement is preferred, since it offers ease of use as well as security. The upper component 130 is provided with, along each of its long ends, one half of a zip arrangement which is arranged to couple with a complementary other half of a zip arrangement provided on an upper and outer edge of each base mattress component. In use, the two base mattress components 110, 120 are arranged alongside each other and coupled, if required. Then, the upper component 130 is placed atop the base mattress components and the zip arrangement 140 on each side is engaged, thereby securing the upper component 130 to the lower base mattress components 110, 120.

In this way, the entire mattress 100 is firmly and securely interconnected in a semipermanent way. By "semi-permanent", it is meant that as long as the zips 140 are engaged, the interconnection between the various components is secure and enduring. However, if it is desired to separate the components, the zips 140 can simply be disengaged. Other means of attaching the upper component to the base mattress components can be used including the techniques mentioned above for inter-connecting the base mattress components, namely a hook and eye arrangement (e.g. Velcro (RTM)), flexible strip magnets or press-studs.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the zip arrangement 140 can extend along more than the two sides described thus far. For instance, the zip arrangement can extend around the three outer edges of each particular base mattress component. This means that the zip arrangement extends around substantially the entire perimeter of the upper component.

Providing a zip arrangement as set out above, along at least two sides of the upper component and along at least one side of each base mattress component, facilitates relative rotation of the various components, which can help to extend the life of the mattress. For instance, by providing a zip arrangement along at least each long side of the upper component, it can be rotated 180 degrees, without moving the base mattress components at all. This preserves a particular user's comfort ratings, since their preferred base mattress component is not moved.

If the base mattress component is provided with a zip arrangement along each of its long sides, it can be rotated 180 degrees, meaning that the head end becomes the foot end, while still allowing the upper component to be attached.

As can be seen, the upper component and base mattress component can be independently rotated, helping to prolong the life of the overall mattress.

By means of the present invention, it is possible to construct a mattress 100 having fully customisable characteristics. For instance, a manufacturer may provide a wide variety of combinations from only a relatively small number of individual components. If a base mattress component is provided with three possible spring counts: 800,1000 and 2000 and with two different firmness ratings: soft or firm, and an upper component is provided with three different ratings: geltex, latex or eco-comfort breathe, the following combinations are possible: Base mattress Base mattress Upper component component spring component count comfort rating 800 soft geltex 800 firm geltex 1000 soft geltex 1000 firm geltex 2000 soft geltex 2000 firm geltex 800 soft Latex 800 firm Latex 1000 soft Latex 1000 firm Latex 2000 soft Latex 2000 firm Latex 800 soft Eco Comfort Breathe 800 firm Eco Comfort Breathe 1000 soft Eco Comfort Breathe 1000 firm Eco Comfort Breathe 2000 soft Eco Comfort Breathe 2000 firm Eco Comfort Breathe This allows great flexibility for customers wishing to customise a mattress 100 to their own specific requirements. It also has the added benefit that a retailer is able to demonstrate a greater number of possible mattress configurations using only a relatively small number of component parts. This results in savings in storage and requires less floor area in a shop to showcase the possible configurations.

Aside from the aforementioned advantages, there are other benefits associated with embodiments of the invention. One such advantage relates to ease of access when a mattress is delivered to a customer. It is becoming increasingly common to experience difficulty when delivering larger mattresses to a customers home. This is particularly so in multi-storey dwelling without lifts and limited stair access. As such, even if a customer did not wish to avail him or her self of the opportunity to customise the mattress with different properties on each side, purchasing a mattress according to an embodiment of the present invention would facilitate easy access and delivery.

Further, there are many potential customers who simply do not even consider the purchase of a larger mattress, fearing it will not be possible to deliver it successfully to its destination. Embodiments of the invention allow such potential customers to purchase and receive lamer mattresses with ease.

Another advantage is in the environmental area. Prior art mattresses are not particularly amenable to recycling, meaning that old mattresses are often disposed of in landfill sites.

Worse still, there is a growing issue with fly-tipping of mattresses. It has been estimated that there are over 175,000 fly-tipping incidents per annum in the UK which do not include domestic white goods and that many of these involve mattresses.

Embodiments of the present invention can be updated in part as required, obviating the need to dispose of the entire mattress, when only part of it may need refreshing. It is likely that the base mattress components 110, 120 will have a significantly longer lifespan (perhaps 2025 years) than the upper component 130 (which may last 7-8 years, typically), meaning that as the upper component wears out or otherwise needs replacing, the base mattress components, can be retained and re-used. It is likely that the bulk of the cost of the mattress 100 resides in the base mattress components 110, 120, so this represents an economic advantage to the user as well as an environmental advantage by reducing waste.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mattress comprising first and second base mattress components and an upper component arranged to be coupled to the first and second base mattress components.
2. The mattress of claim 1 wherein the upper component is arranged to be coupled to the first and second base mattress components in a semi-permanent manner.
3. The mattress of claim 1 or 2 wherein the upper component is separately couplable to the first and second mattress components.
4. The mattress of any preceding claim wherein the upper component and each of the first and second base mattress components are provided with one half of a complementary zip arrangement.
5. The mattress of claim 4 wherein the one half of the complementary zip arrangement provided on the upper component extends along at least two sides of the upper component.
6. The mattress of claim 4 or 5 wherein the one half of the complementary zip arrangement provided on each of the base mattress components extends along at least one side of the respective base mattress components.
7. The mattress of any preceding claim wherein the first and second base mattress components have a differing comfort property.
8. The mattress of claim 7 wherein the differing comfort property is firmness.
9. The mattress of any preceding claim wherein the first and second base mattress components are arranged to be mutually couplable.
10. The mattress of any preceding claim wherein an overall width of the upper component is substantially the same as the overall width of the first and second base mattress components combined.
11. A base mattress component comprising means to couple with an associated upper component for a mattress.
12. A base mattress component as claimed in claim 11, wherein the base mattress component is approximately half the width of the associated upper component.
13. An upper component for a mattress, comprising means to couple to a base mattress component.
14. The upper component of claim 13 wherein the upper component is approximately twice the width of the associated base mattress component.
15. The base mattress component or upper component of any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the means to couple comprises one half of a zip arrangement arranged to engage with a complementary other half of a zip arrangement on the associated part.