US20220287469A1 - Adjustable mattress side rails - Google Patents
Adjustable mattress side rails Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220287469A1 US20220287469A1 US17/691,009 US202217691009A US2022287469A1 US 20220287469 A1 US20220287469 A1 US 20220287469A1 US 202217691009 A US202217691009 A US 202217691009A US 2022287469 A1 US2022287469 A1 US 2022287469A1
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- Prior art keywords
- recess
- main body
- side rail
- mattress
- insert
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- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 description 11
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 10
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920000079 Memory foam Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001903 high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004700 high-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001179 medium density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004701 medium-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000008210 memory foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000428 triblock copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003028 elevating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007407 health benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004904 shortening Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders, bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
- A47C21/02—Holders for loose bed elements, e.g. sheet holders; bed cover holders
- A47C21/026—Pillow holders; Mattress holders
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to internal side edges, or side rails, for mattresses and, more specifically, to side rails for mattresses that may be used with adjustable beds. Even more specifically, this disclosure relates to side rails with main bodies that impart lateral structure to a mattress of which they are a part and compressible inserts that facilitate adjustment of the mattress while maximizing contact between a bottom of the mattress and an upper supporting surface of an adjustable bedframe. This disclosure also relates to mattresses, to adjustable beds, and to associated methods.
- Adjustable beds provide for adjustment of the mattresses thereon and of each individual laying on the mattress.
- An adjustable bed typically bends at two or more locations across its width to provide three sections that may be oriented for a variety of purposes.
- an upper, or head, section of a mattress on an adjustable bed may be oriented to position an individual's head and back in a somewhat upright orientation, in more reclined orientations, or in a substantially horizontal orientation.
- a lower, or foot, section of a mattress on an adjustable bed may be oriented to position an individual's feet between inclined, horizontal, and reclined orientations.
- An intermediate section of the mattress on an adjustable bed may provide a transition between the head section and the foot section.
- adjustable beds have found wide use in hospitals, care centers, and at other locations where individuals may need assistance in sitting up as they convalesce, where it may be desirable to occasionally change an individual's orientation as he or she lays in bed, or for other purposes.
- Individuals also use adjustable beds at home, as they many people enjoy laying in non-flat orientations as they rest or sleep.
- adjustable mattresses to provide certain additional benefits in helping them obtain a good night's rest, as well as health benefits, including, without limitation, the ability to improve breathing during sleep (e.g., by elevating the individual's head, neck, and back, etc.).
- the side rails of the mattress are compressed at locations where the top of the mattress is bent concavely and stretched at locations where the top of the mattress is bent convexly.
- Conventional mattresses resist such bending, compression, and stretching somewhat.
- the bottom of a conventional mattress usually does not conform well to the upper supporting surface of an adjustable bedframe, particularly at corners where the upper supporting surface of the adjustable bedframe is bent concavely, where the bottom of the mattress remains suspended above the concavely bent upper supporting surface of the adjustable bedframe.
- a side rail of an adjustable mattress has a configuration that enables its bottom edge and, thus, a bottom of a mattress of which it is a part, to conform to bends in an upper supporting surface of an adjustable bedframe.
- a side rail according to this disclosure may include a main body with at least one upper recess and at least one lower recess, an upper insert within the at least one upper recess, and a lower insert within the at least one lower recess.
- the side rail may include a plurality of upper recesses and corresponding upper inserts and/or a plurality of lower recesses and corresponding lower inserts.
- Each upper recess may extend downwardly into a top edge of the main body, partially into the height of the main body, and across an entirety of a width of the main body.
- Each lower recess may extend upwardly into a bottom edge of the main body, partially into the height of the main body, and across an entirety of a width of the main body.
- an upper recess may have the shape of a triangular prism, a substantially triangular prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), a trapezoidal prism, a substantially trapezoidal prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), or the like.
- a lower recess may have the shape of a triangular prism, a substantially triangular prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), a trapezoidal prism, a substantially trapezoidal prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), a rectangular prism, a substantially rectangular prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), or the like.
- each upper recess and each lower recess in the main body of a side rail may enable the upper recess and/or lower recess to accommodate bending of a mattress of which the side rail is a part, as well as enable a bottom of the mattress to maintain optimal contact with an upper supporting surface of an adjustable bedframe that carries the mattress. More specifically, each upper recess may be located at a position where an upper supporting surface of the adjustable bedframe and, thus, a top of a mattress thereon are expected to be bent at a concave angle. Each lower recess may be located at a position where the upper supporting surface of the adjustable bedframe and the top of the mattress thereon are expected to be bent at a convex angle.
- the main body may comprise a material having a rigidity that imparts the side rail with sufficient structural integrity to laterally support a remainder of the mattress of which the side rail is a part.
- the material of the main body may also be compressible to prevent it from detracting from the overall compressibility and comfort provided by the mattress of which the side rail is a part.
- An upper insert may be provided in each upper recess of the side rail, while a lower insert may be provided in each lower recess of the side rail.
- Each upper insert may substantially fill its corresponding upper recess.
- each upper insert may have a shape or configuration that complements, is the same as, or is substantially the same as a shape or configuration of the upper recess in which the upper insert is positioned.
- Each upper insert may be secured within its corresponding upper recess in a suitable manner (e.g., with a suitable cement or other adhesive material, etc.).
- Each lower insert may substantially fill its corresponding lower recess.
- each lower insert may have a shape or configuration that complements, is the same as, or is substantially the same as a shape or configuration of the lower recess in which the lower insert is positioned.
- Each lower insert may be secured within its corresponding lower recess in a suitable manner (e.g., with a suitable cement or other adhesive material, etc.).
- a shape of each upper insert and each lower insert and a material from which each upper insert and each lower insert is formed may enables the side rail to readily flex when the mattress of which it is a part is bent in a corresponding direction.
- the shape and material of each upper insert may enable the side rail to readily flex when a top of the mattress is bent concavely at a location where the upper insert is located.
- the shape and material of each lower insert may enable the side rail to readily flex when a top of the mattress is bent convexly at a location where the lower insert is located.
- each upper insert may be a triangular prism, a substantially triangular prism, or the like
- shape of each lower insert may be a triangular prism, a substantially triangular prism, a trapezoidal prism, a substantially trapezoidal prism, a rectangular prism, a substantially rectangular prism, or the like.
- each upper insert and each lower insert may be readily compressible, but have sufficient rigidity to impart the side rail with acceptable structural integrity.
- each upper insert and each lower insert may comprise a compressible, resilient material.
- the compressible, resilient material may comprise a foam.
- this disclosure includes mattresses that include side rails according to this disclosure.
- the side rails of such a mattress may, along with a base, a head rail, and a foot rail, define a foundation for a cushioning element of the mattress. More specifically, the elements of the foundation may define a receptacle for the cushioning element.
- the cushioning element may comprise coil springs, pressurizable bladders, memory foam, or any other suitable cushioning element for a mattress, or a combination of cushioning elements.
- such a mattress may include a gel cushion, such as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein.
- a gel cushion may include a plurality of resiliently compressible interconnected or intersecting walls defining an array of interconnected, resiliently buckling columns, with a void in each column. Stated another way, the interconnected or intersecting walls may define an array of hollow columns, or voids.
- Such a gel cushion may be formed from any of a variety of compressible, resilient materials, including cushioning foams and elastomeric materials, such as the extended A B A triblock copolymers disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,413,458, 6,797,765, and 7,964,664, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein.
- the mattress may include a cover over the foundation, cushioning element, and any gel cushion over the foundation and cushioning element.
- adjustable beds are disclosed.
- An adjustable bed of this disclosure includes an adjustable bedframe and a mattress that includes side rails according to this disclosure.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a side rail that may be included in an adjustable mattress
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the upper recesses and upper inserts of the embodiment of the side rail shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the side rail shown in FIG. 1 , with the top edge of the side rail bent concavely between the two upper recesses and upper inserts shown in FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4A is a perspective view another embodiment of a side rail that may be included in an adjustable mattress
- FIG. 4B is a top view of the embodiment of the side rail shown in FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 4C is a side view of the embodiment of the side rail shown in FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 4D is an end view of the embodiment of the side rail shown in FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 5A is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a side rail that may be included in an adjustable mattress
- FIG. 5B is a top view of the embodiment of the side rail shown in FIG. 5A ;
- FIG. 5C is a side view of the embodiment of the side rail shown in FIG. 5A ;
- FIG. 5D is a bottom view of the embodiment of the side rail shown in FIG. 5A ;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of an embodiment of a mattress that includes the embodiment of the side rail shown in FIGS. 4A-4D .
- the side rail 10 includes a main body 20 with a top edge 22 , a bottom edge 24 , a head end 26 , and a foot end 28 .
- One or more upper recesses 30 may open to the top edge 22 of the main body 20 and extend toward the bottom edge 24 of the main body 20 .
- One or more lower recesses 40 may open to the bottom edge 24 of the main body 20 and extend toward the top edge 22 of the main body 20 .
- An upper insert 60 may be provided in each upper recess 30 .
- a lower insert 70 may be provided in each lower recess 40 .
- a height of the main body 20 and, thus, of the side rail 10 extends between the top edge 22 and bottom edge 24 of the main body 20 .
- the main body 20 also includes an interior surface 21 , which faces an interior of a mattress (not shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 ) of which the side rail 10 is a part, as well as an exterior surface 29 , which is opposite from the interior surface 21 and faces outwardly when the side rail 10 is assembled with other components of the mattress. Both the interior surface 21 and the exterior surface 29 extend between the top edge 22 and the bottom edge 24 of the side rail 20 .
- a width of the main body 20 and, thus, of the side rail 10 extends between the interior surface 21 and exterior surface 29 of the main body 20 .
- the main body 20 may be formed from a material having a rigidity that imparts the side rail 10 with sufficient structural integrity to laterally support a remainder of the mattress (not shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 ) of which the side rail 10 is a part.
- the material of the main body 20 may also be compressible to prevent it from detracting from the overall compressibility and comfort provided by the mattress of which the side rail 10 is a part.
- the main body 20 may comprise a so-called “structured foam,” which may comprise a compressible foam material with an indentation load deflection (ILD) rating of about 35 to about 65 (e.g., 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, etc.).
- ILD indentation load deflection
- an ILD rating is the amount of pressure, converted to weight in pounds, it takes to indent a circular area of 50 square inches (i.e., lbs/50 in 2 ) over a four inch thick piece of the structured foam by 25% (i.e., one inch).
- the main body 20 may comprise a high density polyethylene (HDPE) foam.
- HDPE high density polyethylene
- Each upper recess 30 may extend downwardly into the top edge 22 of the main body 20 , partially into the height of the main body 20 , and across an entirety of the width of the main body 20 .
- Each upper recess 30 may include: a base 32 adjacent to but spaced apart from the bottom edge 24 of the main body 20 ; a head surface 34 extending at a non-perpendicular angle to the top edge 22 , from the top edge 22 to the base 32 and toward the foot end 28 of the main body 20 ; and a foot surface 36 extending at a non-perpendicular angle to the top edge 22 , from the top edge 22 to the base 32 and toward the head end 26 of the main body 20 .
- the base 32 of the upper recess 30 may be defined by a junction between the head surface 34 and the foot surface 36 of the upper recess 30 .
- that junction may be radiused (e.g., it may comprise an arc of a circle, etc.) or otherwise rounded.
- the base 32 of the upper recess 30 may be elongated.
- An elongated base 32 may be substantially parallel to the bottom edge 24 of the main body 20 .
- Each upper recess 30 may be positioned at a location along the length of the main body 20 of the side rail 10 where the top of the mattress (not shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 ) is expected to be bent concavely.
- each upper recess 30 may be positioned at a location that will be superimposed over a joint between a head section and an intermediate section of an adjustable bedframe (not shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 ).
- a plurality of upper recesses 30 may be positioned locations that will be superimposed with an area on both sides of a joint between the head section and the intermediate section of the adjustable bedframe.
- the upper recesses 30 are positioned between or at a transition between a head portion 12 of the side rail 10 and an intermediate portion 14 of the side rail 10 .
- the side rail 10 may include a main body 20 with a plurality of upper recesses 30 .
- the side rail 10 may include two upper recesses 30 .
- the main body 20 ′ may include four upper recesses 30 ′. Regardless of how many upper recesses 30 are included, they may be grouped together.
- each lower recess 40 in the bottom edge 24 of the main body 20 of the side rail 10 extends upwardly from the bottom edge 24 into the main body 20 , partially into the height of the main body 20 , and across an entirety of the width of the main body 20 .
- Each lower recess 40 may include: a top 42 adjacent to but spaced apart from the top edge 22 of the main body 20 ; a head surface 44 extending at an angle (e.g., a non-perpendicular angle, a perpendicular angle, etc.) to the bottom edge 24 , from the bottom edge 24 to the top 42 of the main body 20 and, in embodiments where the angle is a non-perpendicular angle, toward the foot end 28 of the main body 20 ; and a foot surface 46 extending at an angle (e.g., a non-perpendicular angle, a perpendicular angle, etc.) to the bottom edge 24 , from the bottom edge 24 to the top 42 and, in embodiments where the angle is a non-perpendicular angle, toward the head end 26 of the main body 20 .
- an angle e.g., a non-perpendicular angle, a perpendicular angle, etc.
- the top 42 of the lower recess 40 may be defined by a junction between the head surface 44 and the foot surface 46 of the upper recess 40 . In some embodiments, that junction may be radiused or otherwise rounded. Alternatively, the top 42 of the lower recess 40 may be elongated. An elongated top 42 may be substantially parallel to the top edge 22 of the main body 20 .
- Each lower recess 40 may be positioned at a location along the length of the main body 20 of the side rail 10 where the top of the mattress (not shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 ) is expected to be bent convexly.
- each lower recess 40 may be positioned at a location that will be superimposed over a joint between an intermediate section and a foot section of an adjustable bedframe (not shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 ).
- a plurality of lower recesses 40 may be positioned at locations that will be superimposed with an area on both sides of a joint between the intermediate section and the foot section of the adjustable bedframe.
- the lower recess 40 is positioned between or at a transition between the intermediate portion 14 of the side rail 10 and a foot portion 16 of the side rail 10 .
- the side rail 10 may include one or more lower recesses 40 .
- the side rail 10 may include a single lower recess 40 .
- the main body 20 ′ may include two lower recesses 40 ′. Regardless of how many lower recesses 40 are included, they may be grouped together.
- An upper insert 60 may be provided in each upper recess 30 of the main body 20 of the side rail 10 .
- Each upper insert 60 may substantially fill its corresponding upper recess 30 and include a top edge 62 that is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the top edge 22 of the main body 20 , a base 64 adjacent to the base 32 of the corresponding upper recess 30 , a head surface 66 adjacent to the head surface 34 of the corresponding upper recess 30 , and a foot surface 68 adjacent to the foot surface 36 of the corresponding upper recess 30 .
- each of the base 64 , head surface 66 , and foot surface 68 of the upper insert 60 may contact and be secured to (e.g., with a suitable cement or other adhesive material, etc.) its corresponding base 32 , head surface 34 , and foot surface 36 of the corresponding upper recess 30 .
- a shape or configuration of each upper insert 60 may complement, be the same as, or be substantially the same as a shape or configuration of the upper recess 30 in which the upper insert 60 is positioned.
- a lower insert 70 may be provided in each lower recess 40 of the main body 20 of the side rail 10 .
- Each lower insert 70 may substantially fill its corresponding lower recess 40 and include a bottom edge 72 that is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the bottom edge 24 of the main body 20 of the side rail 10 , a top 74 adjacent to the top 42 of the corresponding lower recess 40 , a head surface 76 adjacent to the head surface 44 of the corresponding lower recess 40 , and a foot surface 78 adjacent to the foot surface 46 of the corresponding lower recess 40 .
- each of the top 74 , head surface 76 , and foot surface 78 of the lower insert 70 may contact and be secured to (e.g., with a suitable cement or other adhesive material, etc.) its corresponding top 42 , head surface 44 , and foot surface 46 of the corresponding lower recess 40 .
- a shape or configuration of each lower insert 70 may complement, be the same as, or be substantially the same as a shape or configuration of the lower recess 40 in which the lower insert 70 is positioned.
- a shape of each upper insert 60 and each lower insert 70 and a material from which each upper insert 60 and each lower insert 70 is formed may enable the side rail 10 to readily flex when the mattress (not shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 ) of which it is a part is bent in a corresponding direction.
- the shape and material of each upper insert 60 may enable the side rail 10 to readily flex when a top of the mattress is bent concavely at a location where the upper insert 60 is located.
- the shape and material of each lower insert 70 may enable the side rail 10 to readily flex when a top of the mattress is bent convexly at a location where the lower insert 70 is located.
- each upper insert 60 and each lower insert 70 may comprise a compressible, resilient material.
- the compressible, resilient material may comprise a foam.
- the compressible, resilient material of each upper insert 60 and each lower insert 70 may be more readily compressible than the compressible, resilient material of the main body 20 to which the upper insert 60 and lower insert 70 are secured.
- an ILD rating of the compressible, resilient material of each upper insert 60 and each lower insert 70 of a side rail 10 may be less than an ILD rating of the compressible, resilient material from which the main body 20 of the side rail 10 is formed.
- An ILD rating of the compressible resilient material may be 18 to about 24 (e.g., 18, 20, 22, 24, etc.).
- each upper insert 60 and/or each lower insert 70 may be formed from a medium density polyethylene (MDPE) foam.
- MDPE medium density polyethylene
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show each upper recess 30 with an upper insert 60 therein and each lower recess 40 with a lower insert 70 therein, one, more than one, or all of the upper recesses 30 and/or lower recesses 40 may lack a corresponding upper insert 60 or lower insert 70 and, thus, remain open, comprising a relief cut in the main body 20 of the side rail 10 .
- FIG. 3 shows how the upper inserts 60 of an embodiment of a side rail 10 may compress and, thus, give way more readily than the main body 20 of the side rail 10 .
- the top edge 22 of the main body 20 of the side rail 10 is bent concavely at a location where two upper recesses 30 and their corresponding upper inserts 60 are located. While the upper inserts 60 compress from between their head surfaces 66 and their foot surfaces 68 , shortening their top edges 62 , the top edge 22 of the main body 20 remains substantially unbent and otherwise unaffected.
- the upper recesses 30 and the upper inserts 60 therein control the location at which the bottom edge 24 of the main body 20 bends and limits the distance along a length of the bottom edge 24 along which bending occurs.
- FIGS. 4A-4D The embodiment of side rail 10 ′ depicted by FIGS. 4A-4D includes a main body 20 ′ with four upper recesses 30 a ′, 30 b ′, 30 c ′, 30 d ′ (each also referred to as an upper recess 30 ′) and two lower recesses 40 a ′ and 40 b ′ (each also referred to as a lower recess 40 ′).
- An upper insert 60 a ′, 60 b ′, 60 c ′, 60 d ′ (each also referred to as an upper insert 60 ′) is secured in place within a corresponding upper recess 30 a ′, 30 b ′, 30 c ′, 30 d ′.
- a lower insert 70 a ′, 70 b ′ (each also referred to as a lower insert 70 ′) is secured in place within a corresponding lower recess 40 a ′, 40 b′.
- the four upper recesses 30 ′ and corresponding upper inserts 60 ′ are grouped together at a location where a top of a mattress (not shown in FIGS. 4A-4D ) of which the side rail 10 ′ is a part will be bent concavely (e.g., between or at a transition between a head region and an intermediate region along the length, or height, of the mattress, etc.).
- the upper recesses 30 ′ may be positioned between or at a transition between a head portion 12 ′ of the side rail 10 ′ and an intermediate portion 14 ′ of the side rail 10 ′.
- the two lower recesses 40 ′ and corresponding lower inserts 70 ′ are grouped together at a location where a top of the mattress of which the side rail 10 ′ is a part will be bent convexly (e.g., between or at a transition between an intermediate region and a foot region along the length, or height, of the mattress, etc.).
- the lower recesses 40 ′ may be positioned between or at a transition between the intermediate portion 14 ′ of the side rail 10 ′ and a foot portion 16 ′ of the side rail 10 ′.
- FIGS. 4A-4D show a side rail 10 ′ with each upper recess 30 ′ including an upper insert 60 ′ therein and each lower recess 40 ′ including a lower insert 70 ′ therein, one, more than one, or all of the upper recesses 30 ′ and/or lower recesses 40 ′ may lack a corresponding upper insert 60 ′ or lower insert 70 ′ and, thus, remain open, comprising a relief cut in the main body 20 ′ of the side rail 10 ′.
- FIGS. 5A-D depict yet another embodiment of a side rail 10 ′′.
- the side rail 10 ′′ includes a main body 20 ′′ with at least one upper recess 30 ′′ (five upper recesses 30 a ′′, 30 b ′′, 30 c ′′, 30 d ′′, 30 e ′′ are depicted) in the top edge 22 ′′ of the main body 20 ′′.
- the side rail 10 ′′ includes at least one lower recess 40 ′′ (a single lower recess 40 ′′is depicted) in a bottom edge 24 ′′ of the main body 20 ′′.
- each upper recess 30 ′′ and lower recess 40 ′′ may have the same or substantially the same dimensions. Alternatively, the dimensions of the upper recess(es) 30 ′′ and lower recess(es) 40 ′′ may differ from each other.
- the upper recesses 30 ′′ and/or lower recesses 40 ′′ of the side rail 10 ′′ may be grouped. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D , a first group 31 A′′ of upper recesses 30 a ′′, 30 b ′′, 30 c ′′ may be located between or at a transition between a head region 12 ′′ and an intermediate region 14 ′′ of the side rail 10 ′′. A second group 31 B′′ of upper recesses 30 d ′′, 30 e ′′ may be positioned between or at a transition between the intermediate region 14 ′′ of the side rail 10 ′′ and a foot region 16 ′′ of the side rail 10 ′′.
- the lower recess 40 ′′ may also be positioned between or at a transition between the intermediate region 14 ′′ and the foot region 16 ′′, closer to the foot end 28 ′′ of the main body 12 ′′ of the side rail 10 ′′ than the second group 31 B′′ of upper recesses 30 d ′′, 30 e ′′.
- the lower recess 40 ′′ may be positioned at an intermediate location along the length of the foot portion 16 ′′ of the side rail 10 ′′.
- FIGS. 5A-5D show a side rail 10 ′′ with each upper recess 30 ′′ and lower recess 40 ′′lacking an insert and, thus, remaining open, comprising a relief cut in the main body 20 ′′ of the side rail 10 ′′, one, more than one, or all of the upper recesses 30 ′′ and/or lower recesses 40 ′′ may include an insert.
- FIGS. 4A-4D and FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate specific shapes and dimensions for the embodiments of side rails 10 ′ and 10 ′′ depicted thereby and the elements of the depicted embodiments of the side rails 10 ′ and 10 ′′, including the main body 20 ′, 20 ′′, each upper recess 30 ′, 30 ′′, upper insert 60 ′, 60 ′′, lower, recess 40 ′, 40 ′′, and lower insert 70 ′, 70 ′′.
- FIGS. 4A-4D and FIGS. 5A-5D provide specific shapes and dimensions for each of the features of the illustrated side rails 10 ′ and 10 ′′, the details provided by FIGS. 4A-4D and FIGS. 5A-5D are merely representative.
- FIG. 6 an embodiment of a mattress 100 is depicted with a side rails 10 ′ (see also FIGS. 4A-4D ) positioned along each side 102 of the mattress 100 .
- the side rails 10 ′ along with a base (not shown), a head rail (not shown), and a foot rail (not shown), may define at least part of a foundation 110 of the mattress 100 .
- the foundation 110 may define a receptacle (not shown) for at least one cushioning element (not shown) of the mattress.
- the cushioning element (not shown) of the mattress 100 may comprise coil springs (not shown) (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2019/0150632 A1, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein), one or more pressurizable bladders (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 11,213,139, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein), memory foam, and/or any other suitable cushioning element for a mattress, or a combination of cushioning elements.
- An intermediate layer 120 may be positioned over the foundation 110 .
- a top cushioning element 130 may be positioned over the intermediate layer 120 .
- the top cushioning element 130 may comprise a gel cushion (not shown).
- the gel cushion of the top cushioning element 130 may include a plurality of resiliently compressible intersecting or interconnected walls defining an array of interconnected, resiliently buckling columns, with a void in each column, as described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750. Stated another way, the interconnected or intersecting walls may define an array of hollow columns, or voids.
- Such a gel cushion may be formed from any of a variety of compressible, resilient materials, including cushioning foams and elastomeric materials, such as the extended A-B-A triblock copolymers described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,413,458, 6,797,765, and 7,964,664. While such a gel cushion may extend to the periphery of the inner assembly of the mattress 100 , such a gel cushion may be surrounded by foam edge pieces 135 . Although not shown in FIG. 6 , the depicted inner assembly of the mattress 100 may be enclosed within a mattress cover.
- a side rail 10 ′ of the mattress 100 is shown in a bent arrangement, in which a top 104 of the mattress 100 and the top edge 22 ′ ( FIGS. 4A-4C ) of the main body 20 ′ of the side rail 10 ′ are bent concavely at a location between a head region 106 of the mattress 100 and an intermediate region 107 of the mattress 100 .
- the upper inserts 60 ′ of the side rail 10 ′, especially upper inserts 60 a ′ and 60 b ′, are shown in compressed states.
- top 104 of the mattress 100 and the top edge 22 ′ of the main body 20 ′ of the side rail 10 ′ are bent convexly at a location between the intermediate region 107 and a foot region 108 of the mattress 100 .
- the lower inserts 70 ′ of the side rail 10 ′, particularly the lower insert 70 a ′, is in a compressed state.
- FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of an adjustable bed 200 , with the mattress 100 resting upon an adjustable bedframe 210 .
- the adjustable bedframe 210 may include a support surface 212 that includes a plurality of support elements 214 , 216 , and 218 . More specifically, the support surface 212 may include a head support element 212 , an intermediate support element 214 , and a foot support element 216 . As illustrated, at least one concavely bending joint 215 may be located between the head support element 212 and the intermediate support element 216 . At least one convexly bending joint 217 may be located between the intermediate support element 216 and the foot support element 218 .
- the adjustable bedframe 210 may comprise the PURPLE POWERBASE adjustable bedframe available from Purple Innovation, LLC, of Lehi, Utah. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2018/0168359 A1, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein.
- a bed according to this disclosure may include any other embodiment of adjustable bedframe with support elements and joints that differ from those (in number, location, etc.) shown in FIG. 6 , as well as a mattress with side rails that include upper and lower recesses and upper and lower inserts that are positioned for use with the arrangement of support elements and joints of the adjustable bedframe.
Abstract
Description
- A claim for priority to the Mar. 9, 2021 filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/158,753, titled ADJUSTABLE MATTRESS SIDE RAILS (“the '753 Provisional Application”), is hereby made pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). The entire disclosure of the '753 Provisional Application is hereby incorporated herein.
- This disclosure relates generally to internal side edges, or side rails, for mattresses and, more specifically, to side rails for mattresses that may be used with adjustable beds. Even more specifically, this disclosure relates to side rails with main bodies that impart lateral structure to a mattress of which they are a part and compressible inserts that facilitate adjustment of the mattress while maximizing contact between a bottom of the mattress and an upper supporting surface of an adjustable bedframe. This disclosure also relates to mattresses, to adjustable beds, and to associated methods.
- Adjustable beds provide for adjustment of the mattresses thereon and of each individual laying on the mattress. An adjustable bed typically bends at two or more locations across its width to provide three sections that may be oriented for a variety of purposes. By way of example, an upper, or head, section of a mattress on an adjustable bed may be oriented to position an individual's head and back in a somewhat upright orientation, in more reclined orientations, or in a substantially horizontal orientation. As another example, a lower, or foot, section of a mattress on an adjustable bed may be oriented to position an individual's feet between inclined, horizontal, and reclined orientations. An intermediate section of the mattress on an adjustable bed may provide a transition between the head section and the foot section.
- Conventionally, adjustable beds have found wide use in hospitals, care centers, and at other locations where individuals may need assistance in sitting up as they convalesce, where it may be desirable to occasionally change an individual's orientation as he or she lays in bed, or for other purposes. Individuals also use adjustable beds at home, as they many people enjoy laying in non-flat orientations as they rest or sleep. In addition, many people have found adjustable mattresses to provide certain additional benefits in helping them obtain a good night's rest, as well as health benefits, including, without limitation, the ability to improve breathing during sleep (e.g., by elevating the individual's head, neck, and back, etc.).
- As a mattress is adjusted, or bent, by an adjustable bedframe, the side rails of the mattress are compressed at locations where the top of the mattress is bent concavely and stretched at locations where the top of the mattress is bent convexly. Conventional mattresses, however, resist such bending, compression, and stretching somewhat. As a result, the bottom of a conventional mattress usually does not conform well to the upper supporting surface of an adjustable bedframe, particularly at corners where the upper supporting surface of the adjustable bedframe is bent concavely, where the bottom of the mattress remains suspended above the concavely bent upper supporting surface of the adjustable bedframe.
- One attempted solution has been to provide mattress-retaining brackets at the head and foot ends of adjustable bedframes. Due to their locations, such brackets are unable to influence bending at intermediate locations along the length of the mattress. Other attempted solutions have been to provide weakened regions (e.g., cutouts, accordion-like features, etc.) along the internal side edges, or side rails, of the mattress. Although weakened regions reduce the mattress's resistance to bending, they also reduce the structural integrity of the side rails.
- In various embodiments, a side rail of an adjustable mattress according to this disclosure has a configuration that enables its bottom edge and, thus, a bottom of a mattress of which it is a part, to conform to bends in an upper supporting surface of an adjustable bedframe.
- A side rail according to this disclosure may include a main body with at least one upper recess and at least one lower recess, an upper insert within the at least one upper recess, and a lower insert within the at least one lower recess. In some embodiments, the side rail may include a plurality of upper recesses and corresponding upper inserts and/or a plurality of lower recesses and corresponding lower inserts.
- Each upper recess may extend downwardly into a top edge of the main body, partially into the height of the main body, and across an entirety of a width of the main body. Each lower recess may extend upwardly into a bottom edge of the main body, partially into the height of the main body, and across an entirety of a width of the main body. Without limitation, an upper recess may have the shape of a triangular prism, a substantially triangular prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), a trapezoidal prism, a substantially trapezoidal prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), or the like. A lower recess may have the shape of a triangular prism, a substantially triangular prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), a trapezoidal prism, a substantially trapezoidal prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), a rectangular prism, a substantially rectangular prism (accounting for more radiused or truncated corners, curvatures in surfaces, etc.), or the like.
- The shape, dimensions, and location of each upper recess and each lower recess in the main body of a side rail may enable the upper recess and/or lower recess to accommodate bending of a mattress of which the side rail is a part, as well as enable a bottom of the mattress to maintain optimal contact with an upper supporting surface of an adjustable bedframe that carries the mattress. More specifically, each upper recess may be located at a position where an upper supporting surface of the adjustable bedframe and, thus, a top of a mattress thereon are expected to be bent at a concave angle. Each lower recess may be located at a position where the upper supporting surface of the adjustable bedframe and the top of the mattress thereon are expected to be bent at a convex angle.
- The main body may comprise a material having a rigidity that imparts the side rail with sufficient structural integrity to laterally support a remainder of the mattress of which the side rail is a part. The material of the main body may also be compressible to prevent it from detracting from the overall compressibility and comfort provided by the mattress of which the side rail is a part.
- An upper insert may be provided in each upper recess of the side rail, while a lower insert may be provided in each lower recess of the side rail. Each upper insert may substantially fill its corresponding upper recess. Thus, each upper insert may have a shape or configuration that complements, is the same as, or is substantially the same as a shape or configuration of the upper recess in which the upper insert is positioned. Each upper insert may be secured within its corresponding upper recess in a suitable manner (e.g., with a suitable cement or other adhesive material, etc.). Each lower insert may substantially fill its corresponding lower recess. Thus, each lower insert may have a shape or configuration that complements, is the same as, or is substantially the same as a shape or configuration of the lower recess in which the lower insert is positioned. Each lower insert may be secured within its corresponding lower recess in a suitable manner (e.g., with a suitable cement or other adhesive material, etc.).
- A shape of each upper insert and each lower insert and a material from which each upper insert and each lower insert is formed may enables the side rail to readily flex when the mattress of which it is a part is bent in a corresponding direction. For example, the shape and material of each upper insert may enable the side rail to readily flex when a top of the mattress is bent concavely at a location where the upper insert is located. As another example, the shape and material of each lower insert may enable the side rail to readily flex when a top of the mattress is bent convexly at a location where the lower insert is located. Without limitation, the shape of each upper insert may be a triangular prism, a substantially triangular prism, or the like, while the shape of each lower insert may be a triangular prism, a substantially triangular prism, a trapezoidal prism, a substantially trapezoidal prism, a rectangular prism, a substantially rectangular prism, or the like.
- The material from which each upper insert and each lower insert is formed may be readily compressible, but have sufficient rigidity to impart the side rail with acceptable structural integrity. By way of example only, each upper insert and each lower insert may comprise a compressible, resilient material. The compressible, resilient material may comprise a foam.
- In another aspect, this disclosure includes mattresses that include side rails according to this disclosure. The side rails of such a mattress may, along with a base, a head rail, and a foot rail, define a foundation for a cushioning element of the mattress. More specifically, the elements of the foundation may define a receptacle for the cushioning element. The cushioning element may comprise coil springs, pressurizable bladders, memory foam, or any other suitable cushioning element for a mattress, or a combination of cushioning elements.
- Additionally, such a mattress may include a gel cushion, such as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein. Such a gel cushion may include a plurality of resiliently compressible interconnected or intersecting walls defining an array of interconnected, resiliently buckling columns, with a void in each column. Stated another way, the interconnected or intersecting walls may define an array of hollow columns, or voids. Such a gel cushion may be formed from any of a variety of compressible, resilient materials, including cushioning foams and elastomeric materials, such as the extended A B A triblock copolymers disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,413,458, 6,797,765, and 7,964,664, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein.
- In addition, the mattress may include a cover over the foundation, cushioning element, and any gel cushion over the foundation and cushioning element.
- As another aspect, adjustable beds are disclosed. An adjustable bed of this disclosure includes an adjustable bedframe and a mattress that includes side rails according to this disclosure.
- Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosure, should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the preceding disclosure, the description that follows, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a side rail that may be included in an adjustable mattress; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the upper recesses and upper inserts of the embodiment of the side rail shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the side rail shown inFIG. 1 , with the top edge of the side rail bent concavely between the two upper recesses and upper inserts shown inFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4A is a perspective view another embodiment of a side rail that may be included in an adjustable mattress; -
FIG. 4B is a top view of the embodiment of the side rail shown inFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 4C is a side view of the embodiment of the side rail shown inFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 4D is an end view of the embodiment of the side rail shown inFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a side rail that may be included in an adjustable mattress; -
FIG. 5B is a top view of the embodiment of the side rail shown inFIG. 5A ; -
FIG. 5C is a side view of the embodiment of the side rail shown inFIG. 5A ; -
FIG. 5D is a bottom view of the embodiment of the side rail shown inFIG. 5A ; and -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of an embodiment of a mattress that includes the embodiment of the side rail shown inFIGS. 4A-4D . - With reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , an embodiment of aside rail 10 for an adjustable mattress (not shown inFIG. 1 orFIG. 2 ) is depicted. Theside rail 10 includes amain body 20 with atop edge 22, abottom edge 24, ahead end 26, and afoot end 28. One or moreupper recesses 30 may open to thetop edge 22 of themain body 20 and extend toward thebottom edge 24 of themain body 20. One or morelower recesses 40 may open to thebottom edge 24 of themain body 20 and extend toward thetop edge 22 of themain body 20. Anupper insert 60 may be provided in eachupper recess 30. Alower insert 70 may be provided in eachlower recess 40. - A height of the
main body 20 and, thus, of theside rail 10 extends between thetop edge 22 andbottom edge 24 of themain body 20. Themain body 20 also includes an interior surface 21, which faces an interior of a mattress (not shown inFIG. 1 orFIG. 2 ) of which theside rail 10 is a part, as well as anexterior surface 29, which is opposite from the interior surface 21 and faces outwardly when theside rail 10 is assembled with other components of the mattress. Both the interior surface 21 and theexterior surface 29 extend between thetop edge 22 and thebottom edge 24 of theside rail 20. A width of themain body 20 and, thus, of theside rail 10 extends between the interior surface 21 andexterior surface 29 of themain body 20. - The
main body 20 may be formed from a material having a rigidity that imparts theside rail 10 with sufficient structural integrity to laterally support a remainder of the mattress (not shown inFIG. 1 orFIG. 2 ) of which theside rail 10 is a part. The material of themain body 20 may also be compressible to prevent it from detracting from the overall compressibility and comfort provided by the mattress of which theside rail 10 is a part. In a specific embodiment, themain body 20 may comprise a so-called “structured foam,” which may comprise a compressible foam material with an indentation load deflection (ILD) rating of about 35 to about 65 (e.g., 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, etc.). An ILD rating is the amount of pressure, converted to weight in pounds, it takes to indent a circular area of 50 square inches (i.e., lbs/50 in2) over a four inch thick piece of the structured foam by 25% (i.e., one inch). In a specific embodiment, themain body 20 may comprise a high density polyethylene (HDPE) foam. - Each
upper recess 30 may extend downwardly into thetop edge 22 of themain body 20, partially into the height of themain body 20, and across an entirety of the width of themain body 20. Eachupper recess 30 may include: a base 32 adjacent to but spaced apart from thebottom edge 24 of themain body 20; ahead surface 34 extending at a non-perpendicular angle to thetop edge 22, from thetop edge 22 to thebase 32 and toward thefoot end 28 of themain body 20; and afoot surface 36 extending at a non-perpendicular angle to thetop edge 22, from thetop edge 22 to thebase 32 and toward thehead end 26 of themain body 20. Thebase 32 of theupper recess 30 may be defined by a junction between thehead surface 34 and thefoot surface 36 of theupper recess 30. In some embodiments, that junction may be radiused (e.g., it may comprise an arc of a circle, etc.) or otherwise rounded. Alternatively, thebase 32 of theupper recess 30 may be elongated. Anelongated base 32 may be substantially parallel to thebottom edge 24 of themain body 20. - Each
upper recess 30 may be positioned at a location along the length of themain body 20 of theside rail 10 where the top of the mattress (not shown inFIG. 1 orFIG. 2 ) is expected to be bent concavely. For example, eachupper recess 30 may be positioned at a location that will be superimposed over a joint between a head section and an intermediate section of an adjustable bedframe (not shown inFIG. 1 orFIG. 2 ). Alternatively, a plurality ofupper recesses 30 may be positioned locations that will be superimposed with an area on both sides of a joint between the head section and the intermediate section of the adjustable bedframe. As illustrated byFIGS. 1 and 2 , theupper recesses 30 are positioned between or at a transition between ahead portion 12 of theside rail 10 and anintermediate portion 14 of theside rail 10. - The
side rail 10 may include amain body 20 with a plurality ofupper recesses 30. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , theside rail 10 may include twoupper recesses 30. In the embodiment ofside rail 10′ shown inFIGS. 4A-4D , themain body 20′ may include fourupper recesses 30′. Regardless of how manyupper recesses 30 are included, they may be grouped together. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , eachlower recess 40 in thebottom edge 24 of themain body 20 of theside rail 10 extends upwardly from thebottom edge 24 into themain body 20, partially into the height of themain body 20, and across an entirety of the width of themain body 20. Eachlower recess 40 may include: a top 42 adjacent to but spaced apart from thetop edge 22 of themain body 20; ahead surface 44 extending at an angle (e.g., a non-perpendicular angle, a perpendicular angle, etc.) to thebottom edge 24, from thebottom edge 24 to the top 42 of themain body 20 and, in embodiments where the angle is a non-perpendicular angle, toward thefoot end 28 of themain body 20; and afoot surface 46 extending at an angle (e.g., a non-perpendicular angle, a perpendicular angle, etc.) to thebottom edge 24, from thebottom edge 24 to the top 42 and, in embodiments where the angle is a non-perpendicular angle, toward thehead end 26 of themain body 20. The top 42 of thelower recess 40 may be defined by a junction between thehead surface 44 and thefoot surface 46 of theupper recess 40. In some embodiments, that junction may be radiused or otherwise rounded. Alternatively, the top 42 of thelower recess 40 may be elongated. An elongated top 42 may be substantially parallel to thetop edge 22 of themain body 20. - Each
lower recess 40 may be positioned at a location along the length of themain body 20 of theside rail 10 where the top of the mattress (not shown inFIG. 1 orFIG. 2 ) is expected to be bent convexly. For example, eachlower recess 40 may be positioned at a location that will be superimposed over a joint between an intermediate section and a foot section of an adjustable bedframe (not shown inFIG. 1 orFIG. 2 ). Alternatively, a plurality oflower recesses 40 may be positioned at locations that will be superimposed with an area on both sides of a joint between the intermediate section and the foot section of the adjustable bedframe. As illustrated byFIG. 1 , thelower recess 40 is positioned between or at a transition between theintermediate portion 14 of theside rail 10 and afoot portion 16 of theside rail 10. - The
side rail 10 may include one or more lower recesses 40. In the embodiment depicted byFIGS. 1 and 2 , theside rail 10 may include a singlelower recess 40. In the embodiment ofside rail 10′ shown inFIGS. 4A-4D , themain body 20′ may include twolower recesses 40′. Regardless of how manylower recesses 40 are included, they may be grouped together. - An
upper insert 60 may be provided in eachupper recess 30 of themain body 20 of theside rail 10. Eachupper insert 60 may substantially fill its correspondingupper recess 30 and include atop edge 62 that is coplanar or substantially coplanar with thetop edge 22 of themain body 20, abase 64 adjacent to thebase 32 of the correspondingupper recess 30, ahead surface 66 adjacent to thehead surface 34 of the correspondingupper recess 30, and afoot surface 68 adjacent to thefoot surface 36 of the correspondingupper recess 30. An entirety of each of thebase 64,head surface 66, andfoot surface 68 of theupper insert 60 may contact and be secured to (e.g., with a suitable cement or other adhesive material, etc.) its correspondingbase 32,head surface 34, andfoot surface 36 of the correspondingupper recess 30. Thus, a shape or configuration of eachupper insert 60 may complement, be the same as, or be substantially the same as a shape or configuration of theupper recess 30 in which theupper insert 60 is positioned. - A
lower insert 70 may be provided in eachlower recess 40 of themain body 20 of theside rail 10. Eachlower insert 70 may substantially fill its correspondinglower recess 40 and include abottom edge 72 that is coplanar or substantially coplanar with thebottom edge 24 of themain body 20 of theside rail 10, a top 74 adjacent to the top 42 of the correspondinglower recess 40, ahead surface 76 adjacent to thehead surface 44 of the correspondinglower recess 40, and afoot surface 78 adjacent to thefoot surface 46 of the correspondinglower recess 40. An entirety of each of the top 74,head surface 76, andfoot surface 78 of thelower insert 70 may contact and be secured to (e.g., with a suitable cement or other adhesive material, etc.) its corresponding top 42,head surface 44, andfoot surface 46 of the correspondinglower recess 40. Thus, a shape or configuration of eachlower insert 70 may complement, be the same as, or be substantially the same as a shape or configuration of thelower recess 40 in which thelower insert 70 is positioned. - A shape of each
upper insert 60 and eachlower insert 70 and a material from which eachupper insert 60 and eachlower insert 70 is formed may enable theside rail 10 to readily flex when the mattress (not shown inFIG. 1 orFIG. 2 ) of which it is a part is bent in a corresponding direction. For example, the shape and material of eachupper insert 60 may enable theside rail 10 to readily flex when a top of the mattress is bent concavely at a location where theupper insert 60 is located. As another example, the shape and material of eachlower insert 70 may enable theside rail 10 to readily flex when a top of the mattress is bent convexly at a location where thelower insert 70 is located. - The material from which each
upper insert 60 and eachlower insert 70 is formed may be readily compressible, but have sufficient rigidity to impart theside rail 10 with acceptable structural integrity. By way of example only, eachupper insert 60 and eachlower insert 70 may comprise a compressible, resilient material. The compressible, resilient material may comprise a foam. The compressible, resilient material of eachupper insert 60 and eachlower insert 70 may be more readily compressible than the compressible, resilient material of themain body 20 to which theupper insert 60 andlower insert 70 are secured. For example, an ILD rating of the compressible, resilient material of eachupper insert 60 and eachlower insert 70 of aside rail 10 may be less than an ILD rating of the compressible, resilient material from which themain body 20 of theside rail 10 is formed. An ILD rating of the compressible resilient material may be 18 to about 24 (e.g., 18, 20, 22, 24, etc.). In a specific embodiment, eachupper insert 60 and/or eachlower insert 70 may be formed from a medium density polyethylene (MDPE) foam. - While
FIGS. 1 and 2 show eachupper recess 30 with anupper insert 60 therein and eachlower recess 40 with alower insert 70 therein, one, more than one, or all of theupper recesses 30 and/orlower recesses 40 may lack a correspondingupper insert 60 orlower insert 70 and, thus, remain open, comprising a relief cut in themain body 20 of theside rail 10. -
FIG. 3 shows how theupper inserts 60 of an embodiment of aside rail 10 may compress and, thus, give way more readily than themain body 20 of theside rail 10. As illustrated, thetop edge 22 of themain body 20 of theside rail 10 is bent concavely at a location where twoupper recesses 30 and their correspondingupper inserts 60 are located. While theupper inserts 60 compress from between theirhead surfaces 66 and their foot surfaces 68, shortening theirtop edges 62, thetop edge 22 of themain body 20 remains substantially unbent and otherwise unaffected. Moreover, theupper recesses 30 and theupper inserts 60 therein control the location at which thebottom edge 24 of themain body 20 bends and limits the distance along a length of thebottom edge 24 along which bending occurs. - The embodiment of
side rail 10′ depicted byFIGS. 4A-4D includes amain body 20′ with fourupper recesses 30 a′, 30 b′, 30 c′, 30 d′ (each also referred to as anupper recess 30′) and twolower recesses 40 a′ and 40 b′ (each also referred to as alower recess 40′). Anupper insert 60 a′, 60 b′, 60 c′, 60 d′ (each also referred to as anupper insert 60′) is secured in place within a correspondingupper recess 30 a′, 30 b′, 30 c′, 30 d′. Alower insert 70 a′, 70 b′ (each also referred to as alower insert 70′) is secured in place within a correspondinglower recess 40 a′, 40 b′. - The four
upper recesses 30′ and correspondingupper inserts 60′ are grouped together at a location where a top of a mattress (not shown inFIGS. 4A-4D ) of which theside rail 10′ is a part will be bent concavely (e.g., between or at a transition between a head region and an intermediate region along the length, or height, of the mattress, etc.). For example, theupper recesses 30′ may be positioned between or at a transition between ahead portion 12′ of theside rail 10′ and anintermediate portion 14′ of theside rail 10′. The twolower recesses 40′ and correspondinglower inserts 70′ are grouped together at a location where a top of the mattress of which theside rail 10′ is a part will be bent convexly (e.g., between or at a transition between an intermediate region and a foot region along the length, or height, of the mattress, etc.). For example, thelower recesses 40′ may be positioned between or at a transition between theintermediate portion 14′ of theside rail 10′ and afoot portion 16′ of theside rail 10′. - While
FIGS. 4A-4D show aside rail 10′ with eachupper recess 30′ including anupper insert 60′ therein and eachlower recess 40′ including alower insert 70′ therein, one, more than one, or all of theupper recesses 30′ and/orlower recesses 40′ may lack a correspondingupper insert 60′ orlower insert 70′ and, thus, remain open, comprising a relief cut in themain body 20′ of theside rail 10′. -
FIGS. 5A-D depict yet another embodiment of aside rail 10″. Theside rail 10″ includes amain body 20″ with at least oneupper recess 30″ (fiveupper recesses 30 a″, 30 b″, 30 c″, 30 d″, 30 e″ are depicted) in thetop edge 22″ of themain body 20″. In addition, theside rail 10″ includes at least onelower recess 40″ (a singlelower recess 40″is depicted) in abottom edge 24″ of themain body 20″. As depicted, eachupper recess 30″ andlower recess 40″ may have the same or substantially the same dimensions. Alternatively, the dimensions of the upper recess(es) 30″ and lower recess(es) 40″ may differ from each other. - The upper recesses 30″ and/or
lower recesses 40″ of theside rail 10″ may be grouped. As shown inFIGS. 5A-5D , a first group 31A″ ofupper recesses 30 a″, 30 b″, 30 c″ may be located between or at a transition between ahead region 12″ and anintermediate region 14″ of theside rail 10″. A second group 31B″ ofupper recesses 30 d″, 30 e″ may be positioned between or at a transition between theintermediate region 14″ of theside rail 10″ and afoot region 16″ of theside rail 10″. Thelower recess 40″ may also be positioned between or at a transition between theintermediate region 14″ and thefoot region 16″, closer to thefoot end 28″ of themain body 12″ of theside rail 10″ than the second group 31B″ ofupper recesses 30 d″, 30 e″. Alternatively, thelower recess 40″ may be positioned at an intermediate location along the length of thefoot portion 16″ of theside rail 10″. - While
FIGS. 5A-5D show aside rail 10″ with eachupper recess 30″ andlower recess 40″lacking an insert and, thus, remaining open, comprising a relief cut in themain body 20″ of theside rail 10″, one, more than one, or all of theupper recesses 30″ and/orlower recesses 40″ may include an insert. -
FIGS. 4A-4D andFIGS. 5A-5D illustrate specific shapes and dimensions for the embodiments of side rails 10′ and 10″ depicted thereby and the elements of the depicted embodiments of the side rails 10′ and 10″, including themain body 20′, 20″, eachupper recess 30′, 30″,upper insert 60′, 60″, lower,recess 40′, 40″, andlower insert 70′, 70″. AlthoughFIGS. 4A-4D andFIGS. 5A-5D provide specific shapes and dimensions for each of the features of the illustrated side rails 10′ and 10″, the details provided byFIGS. 4A-4D andFIGS. 5A-5D are merely representative. - Turning now to
FIG. 6 , an embodiment of amattress 100 is depicted with a side rails 10′ (see alsoFIGS. 4A-4D ) positioned along eachside 102 of themattress 100. The side rails 10′, along with a base (not shown), a head rail (not shown), and a foot rail (not shown), may define at least part of afoundation 110 of themattress 100. Thefoundation 110 may define a receptacle (not shown) for at least one cushioning element (not shown) of the mattress. - The cushioning element (not shown) of the
mattress 100 may comprise coil springs (not shown) (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2019/0150632 A1, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein), one or more pressurizable bladders (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 11,213,139, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein), memory foam, and/or any other suitable cushioning element for a mattress, or a combination of cushioning elements. - An
intermediate layer 120 may be positioned over thefoundation 110. Atop cushioning element 130 may be positioned over theintermediate layer 120. Thetop cushioning element 130 may comprise a gel cushion (not shown). The gel cushion of thetop cushioning element 130 may include a plurality of resiliently compressible intersecting or interconnected walls defining an array of interconnected, resiliently buckling columns, with a void in each column, as described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750. Stated another way, the interconnected or intersecting walls may define an array of hollow columns, or voids. Such a gel cushion may be formed from any of a variety of compressible, resilient materials, including cushioning foams and elastomeric materials, such as the extended A-B-A triblock copolymers described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,413,458, 6,797,765, and 7,964,664. While such a gel cushion may extend to the periphery of the inner assembly of themattress 100, such a gel cushion may be surrounded by foam edge pieces 135. Although not shown inFIG. 6 , the depicted inner assembly of themattress 100 may be enclosed within a mattress cover. - In
FIG. 6 , aside rail 10′ of themattress 100 is shown in a bent arrangement, in which a top 104 of themattress 100 and thetop edge 22′ (FIGS. 4A-4C ) of themain body 20′ of theside rail 10′ are bent concavely at a location between ahead region 106 of themattress 100 and anintermediate region 107 of themattress 100. The upper inserts 60′ of theside rail 10′, especiallyupper inserts 60 a′ and 60 b′, are shown in compressed states. In addition, the top 104 of themattress 100 and thetop edge 22′ of themain body 20′ of theside rail 10′ are bent convexly at a location between theintermediate region 107 and afoot region 108 of themattress 100. The lower inserts 70′ of theside rail 10′, particularly thelower insert 70 a′, is in a compressed state. - In addition to illustrating an embodiment of a
side rail 10′ and an embodiment of amattress 100,FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of anadjustable bed 200, with themattress 100 resting upon an adjustable bedframe 210. The adjustable bedframe 210 may include asupport surface 212 that includes a plurality ofsupport elements support surface 212 may include ahead support element 212, anintermediate support element 214, and afoot support element 216. As illustrated, at least one concavely bending joint 215 may be located between thehead support element 212 and theintermediate support element 216. At least one convexly bending joint 217 may be located between theintermediate support element 216 and thefoot support element 218. Specifically, the adjustable bedframe 210 may comprise the PURPLE POWERBASE adjustable bedframe available from Purple Innovation, LLC, of Lehi, Utah. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2018/0168359 A1, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein. Of course, a bed according to this disclosure may include any other embodiment of adjustable bedframe with support elements and joints that differ from those (in number, location, etc.) shown inFIG. 6 , as well as a mattress with side rails that include upper and lower recesses and upper and lower inserts that are positioned for use with the arrangement of support elements and joints of the adjustable bedframe. - Although the preceding disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the claims that follow, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments of elements and features of the disclosed subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and of their elements and features, may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of any of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
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US17/691,009 US20220287469A1 (en) | 2021-03-09 | 2022-03-09 | Adjustable mattress side rails |
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US202163158753P | 2021-03-09 | 2021-03-09 | |
US17/691,009 US20220287469A1 (en) | 2021-03-09 | 2022-03-09 | Adjustable mattress side rails |
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US20220287469A1 true US20220287469A1 (en) | 2022-09-15 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/691,009 Pending US20220287469A1 (en) | 2021-03-09 | 2022-03-09 | Adjustable mattress side rails |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20220287469A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4304420A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3211590A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2022192458A2 (en) |
Citations (8)
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KR0131542Y1 (en) * | 1995-08-16 | 1998-12-15 | 오기형 | Sofa combined with a bed |
US20040261186A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-12-30 | Dreamwell, Ltd. | Methods for manufacturing encased mattresses |
WO2006053775A1 (en) * | 2004-11-20 | 2006-05-26 | Phiton Bv | Mattress for an adjustable lounger |
US7441290B1 (en) * | 2007-10-05 | 2008-10-28 | Gaymar Industries, Inc. | Mattress hinges to provide greater stability and lower shear |
EP3320886A2 (en) * | 2016-11-11 | 2018-05-16 | Apex Medical Corp. | Patient support structure, pressure relief module and non-powered pressure regulation method |
JP2018175673A (en) * | 2017-04-19 | 2018-11-15 | 株式会社プラッツ | Bendable mattress |
US10807811B2 (en) * | 2016-03-07 | 2020-10-20 | Purple Innovation, Llc | Mattress toppers, air tables for making mattress toppers, and related methods |
US20210059881A1 (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-04 | Stryker Corporation | Patient support apparatus with magnetorheological material |
Family Cites Families (4)
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DE19962537A1 (en) * | 1999-12-23 | 2001-07-26 | Ag Goldingen Cimosys | Adjustable upholstery device for seating and / or reclining furniture |
US7036173B2 (en) * | 2002-10-17 | 2006-05-02 | Dreamwell,Ltd. | Channel-cut cushion supports |
IL162012A (en) * | 2004-05-16 | 2010-11-30 | Aminach Bedding & Furniture Mfg Ltd | Infant support |
DE102017114135A1 (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2018-11-15 | De Werth Group Ag | Electromotive adjustable mattress |
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2022
- 2022-03-09 CA CA3211590A patent/CA3211590A1/en active Pending
- 2022-03-09 US US17/691,009 patent/US20220287469A1/en active Pending
- 2022-03-09 WO PCT/US2022/019635 patent/WO2022192458A2/en active Application Filing
- 2022-03-09 EP EP22767936.2A patent/EP4304420A2/en active Pending
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KR0131542Y1 (en) * | 1995-08-16 | 1998-12-15 | 오기형 | Sofa combined with a bed |
US20040261186A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-12-30 | Dreamwell, Ltd. | Methods for manufacturing encased mattresses |
KR20060130633A (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2006-12-19 | 드림웰, 리미티드 | Methods for manufacturing encased mattresses |
WO2006053775A1 (en) * | 2004-11-20 | 2006-05-26 | Phiton Bv | Mattress for an adjustable lounger |
US7441290B1 (en) * | 2007-10-05 | 2008-10-28 | Gaymar Industries, Inc. | Mattress hinges to provide greater stability and lower shear |
US10807811B2 (en) * | 2016-03-07 | 2020-10-20 | Purple Innovation, Llc | Mattress toppers, air tables for making mattress toppers, and related methods |
EP3320886A2 (en) * | 2016-11-11 | 2018-05-16 | Apex Medical Corp. | Patient support structure, pressure relief module and non-powered pressure regulation method |
US20180133079A1 (en) * | 2016-11-11 | 2018-05-17 | Apex Medical Corp. | Patient support structure, pressure relief module and non-powered pressure regulation method |
JP2018175673A (en) * | 2017-04-19 | 2018-11-15 | 株式会社プラッツ | Bendable mattress |
US20210059881A1 (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-04 | Stryker Corporation | Patient support apparatus with magnetorheological material |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
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EP-3320886-A2 ENG (Year: 2018) * |
KR-0131542-Y1 ENG (Year: 1998) * |
WO-2006053775-A1 ENG (Year: 2006) * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA3211590A1 (en) | 2022-09-15 |
EP4304420A2 (en) | 2024-01-17 |
WO2022192458A3 (en) | 2022-12-29 |
WO2022192458A2 (en) | 2022-09-15 |
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