US2866433A

US2866433A - Bedding device

Info

Publication number: US2866433A
Application number: US539842A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph N Kallick; Lionel C Algoren
Original assignee: Sealy Inc
Current assignee: Sealy Inc
Priority date: 1955-10-11
Filing date: 1955-10-11
Publication date: 1958-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 1975-12-30

Description

Dec. 30, 1958 J. N. KALLlcK ETAL 2,866,433

BEDDING DEVICE:

Filed'oct. 11, 1955 f HyVENToR 1/225690/2 2V Mak, BYLw/Z' aren,

10%.( Wag/M i@ means shown in Figure 1;

This invention relates to improvements in bedding products such as mattresses and box springs. More particularly, the invention relates to bedding products incorporating nited drittes Patent means for lengthening their useful lives byencouraging v periodic re-positioning. f

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bedding device incorporating integral indicating means to show when the device was last re-positioned or when it should next be re-positioned in order to lengthen its useful-life. .Y i

Another object of the invention is to provide a bedding device such as a mattress or box spring having indicating means secured thereto for indicating when the mattress was last turned over or when the mattress or box spring was last turned end-to-end.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved combination of a mattress, incorporating a carrying handle, with re-positioning indicating means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved mattress, incorporating a breather `or vent, with re-positioning indicating means.

` Other objects, features and advantages of the invention willV be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sleeping device, such as a mattress, incorporating indicating meansv of two different types; u

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the indicating Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure ,4 is a second embodiment ofthe type of indicating means shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the other indicating means shown in Figure l; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of Figure 6.

Experience has shown that periodic re-positioning of sleeping units, such as mattresses, is important in order to lengthen the useful lives of such units. Mattresses which are always used in the same position gradually develop hollows in the regions of heaviest bodily `contact by the user. In addition, they tend to develop a sagging in the central portion. The gradual breaking down occurs as thevresult of the constant application of undue pressures in the same regions causing packing of the mattress padding and permanent set in the springs.

In recent years medical research has shown that it is important to maintain the body of the sleeper in as level a position as possible. Particularly, it is important that the spine of the sleeper `be maintained in a substantially straight line. After constant use of a mattress without re-positioning, the resulting hollows and sagging destroy the capacity of the mattress to maintain the sleeper level.

In order to prevent premature break down of the mattress so that its healthful sleeping qualities be maintained as long as possible, it is desirable to turn the mattress over periodically, for example, every month or two, and to turn the mattress end-to-end periodically, for example, every month or two alternately with turn-over re-positioning. Box springs which form foundations for mattresses are not ordinarily turned over, but it is beneficial to turn the springs end-to-end periodically, for example, every three months. A

Heretofore, the Amattress user has ordinarily relied upon memory to tell him when he last re-positioned his mattress. This practice results in irregular re-positioning, if any, and consequently the useful life of the mattress is seriously shortened. t t, t

A few mattress users have relied on written records as 'reminders of the necessity for mattress repositioning.

While the keeping of recordsl is ordinarily better than relying upon memory, this system is not desirable because the records are subject to being misplaced. y Furthermore such records are not kept adjacent the mattress'in a position to remind vthe user so that they are inherently unsatisfactory. v Y l The present invention provides a signiicant advancejin the sleeping unit art by combining with a mattress or other sleeping unit indicating means to show when the mattress was last re-positioned Aor when it should be next re-posirtioned. While the ordinary mattress user cannot be expected to understand the inner construction of a mattress, he can understand an indicator atiixed to the mattress which shows clearly the need and ,the time for periodic re-positioning. t

Figure l, the Amattress includes two parallel sleeping surfaces 11, two parallel end walls 12, and two parallel side walls 14, one of each being shown. VThe ticking 10a forming the sleeping surfaces 11 and the

walls

12 and 14.

isvpreferably of fabric or ilexible plastic. i

For lifting the mattress 10 a pair of carrying handles 15 are provided at each of the side walls 14 and are disposed in substantially spaced relation as shown; The handles 15 may be formed of heavy cord with each of lthe cord ends (not shown) extending through the side walls 14 and being anchored in the mattress body in any suitable manner (not shown). The handles ordinarily lie ilat against the side walls 14 but are connected with suiicient elasticity to allow. the user to pull them away from the side walls a sufficient amount to allow them to be easily grasped. The handles can be used for turning the mattress over an for shifting it end-to-end.

For venting the interior of the mattress 10 and for allowing it to breathe upon the application of or release of pressure on the top surface, a plurality of vents or breathing apertures 16 are provided.

According to the present invention, the mattress 1l) is provided with a calendar indicator 17 or a calendar indicator 18, or both. Oneof these calendar indicators may be utilized to indicate when the mattress was last turned, or when it should be turned again, and the other calendar indicator can be utilized to indicate when the mattress was last turned end-to-end, or when it should be again turned end-to-end.

The calendar indicator 17 is illustrated in detail in Figures 2 and 3. A graduated plate or dial 13 of elongated -planform is secured to the side wall 14 of Ithe mattress adjacent one of the handles 15. -The plate may be formed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, fabric, or the like. A portion of the plate 18 lies be.- tween the handle 15 and the-side wall, and the ends of the handle pass through apertures 19 formed in the oppositeend portions of the plate. Graduations 20 are printedlor otherwise formed on the plate and represent periodic time periods such as the twelve months ofthe year. The handle 15' retains.. or assistsr in retaining the the form of a slotted plate.

3 plate 18 in position and the extent of the handle determines the positioning of the graduations. A longitudinal slot 21 1s formed in the plate 18 generally parallel to .the handle 1,5and `an index or pointer 22 is slidably disposed in the slotand is adapted for being selectively positioned opposte the various graduations 20. For ease o f positioning, the slot21is provided with 4enlarged portions orlnotches 24 `opposite each of the graduations, In addition to the graduations 20, the plate 1,8 may contain other printed matter (not shown) yin `the nature of an explanation of the function of theindicator.

The index `22 is formed `as a spring pressed detent and `may include `a visible marker 25 and an attachment pin 26. rIfhe shank end of the pin 26 is ixedly secured to the `marker 25 in any suitable manner, and the shank extends through the slot 21 and Ais provided with a head 27 lat its opposite end. A light `compression spring 28 1s disposed'on the pin shank and acts between the head 27 and a washer 29 so that the marker 25 is resiliently held against `the plate 18 in any selected position along the slt 21.

The operation `of the indicator is very simple, involving `manipulation of Athe index 22 to any selected position to `indicate the time of last `re-positioning of the mattress or `the time `of next repositioning of the mattress. `,Of course, the indicator may be used for turn-over iindica- Ation or for end-,to-end turning indication.

A revised form of the type of indicator shown 'in Figures 2 and 3 is illustrated in detail in Figures 4 and 5 where the revised indicator is generally designated by the .reference numeral 17a. In this form, a plate or dial 18a is provided with calendar graduations 20a, much Athe same as -the plate 18. The graduated plate ,18a may `be formed of metal, plastic, fabric or any other suitable material, and is secured to the side wall 14 of the mattress inthe same position as the plate 18, partly under and generally co-extensivc with the mattress handle 15. An `index 22a is provided in the form of a ring which is slidably disposed about the handle 15. The index ring 22a is formed of metal, plastic, cord, or the like and is sufficiently tight about the handle to insure its remaining in any selected position adjacent the various graduations 20a.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5, the handle of the mattress may serve to retain the graduated plate against the mattress and serves as the indexing guide or criterion of the indicator as .does the handle in the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3. However, in the second embodiment the handle performs an additional function as the slide or track on which the index ring 22a moves,

The form of indicator designated by the reference numeral 18 is illustrated in detail in Figures 6 and 7.

'This embodiment of the invention is of circular planform and comprises a graduated plate or dial 30 secured to the side wall 14 of the mattress and an index 31 in The

plates

30 and 31 may be of the same size as shown. Both may be formed of metal, plastic or the like, but if desired, the dial 30 may be of flexible material such as fabric.

The index 31 overlies the dial 30 and is rotatably held thereagainst by means of a grommet 32 which is secured in a circular aperture 34 formed in the side wall 14 of the mattress ,10. A screen or mesh member 35 is secured within the grommet 32 and covers the aperture 34. The grommet 32 and the mesh or screen 35 form the mattress breathers or vents 16.

In order to provide means for indicating the time of last re-positioning or the time for next re-positioning of the mattress, the dial 30 is provided with graduations 36 printed or otherwise formed at spaced radial positions about the dial, and a slot or window 37 is formed in the index plate 31 and is adapted to expose the graduations 36, one at a time. The index 31 can be rotated to expose any selected one of the graduations 36 to indiate when the mattress was last turned or when it should be next turned. The index plate 31 is opaque or substantially opaque so that the covered graduations do not show through, and the plate may bear printed material in the form of instructions or the like.

In the various formsof the invention described above, advantage is taken of conventional accessories of the mattress for attaching the indicators. This feature is desirable if possible since it simplifies the construction and attachment of the indicators and utilizes `existing focal points.

It is, `of course, possible to attach the indicator apart from Lthe -mattress handles 15 or the mattress breathers `or vents 16. AIn the case of the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5` this would necessitate utilization of an auxiliary guide o1- track in place ofthe `handle 15.

It is readily apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention provides an improved combination of a sleeping unit with indicating means to insure periodic re-positioning of the sleeping unit in order to lengthen its useful life. One or two of the indicators of the same or different types may be used on various -sleeping units `to indicate the date of last tum-over or the date of next turn-over of the sleeping unit and/or the date of last end-to-end turning or the date of next endto-endturning of the sleeping unit. It is, of course, essential that the indicator be secured to the mattress in order that it provide an infallible means of indicating the need for re-positioning. An important feature of the invention is the utilization of existing mattress accessories to act as attachment means and as focal points for the indicating means.

Modications and variation may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim:

l. A bedding unit comprising a body portion adapted to support a human being in reclining position, an elongated carrying handle secured to said body portion, a dial having a plurality of graduations thereon secured to said body portion adjacent said handle with the graduations disposed in spaced relation lengthwise relative to said handle, and an index movably associated with said dial and adapted for manipulation lengthwise with respect to said handle for being selectively positioned with respect to said graduations.

2. A bedding unit comprising a body portion adapted to support a human being in reclining position, an elongated carrying handle secured to said body portion, a dial having a plurality of graduations thereon and secured to said body portion adjacent said handle with the graduations disposed in spaced relation lengthwise relative to said handle, and an index movably secured to said handle `and adapted for manipulation lengthwise on said handle for being selectively positioned in a plurality of indicating positions with respect to the graduations on said dial.

3. An improved bedding unit comprising a body portion adapted to support a human being in reclining position,` an elongated carrying handle secured to said body portion, an elongated dial secured to said body portion by means of said handle and disposed susbtantially coextensively with said handle, said dial having a plurality of graduations longitudinally spaced thereon within the longitudinal extent of said handle, and a ring member slidably disposed on said handle and adapted for being frictionally retained in any selected position thereon to act as an index with respect to said graduations.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,343,598 Unsworth June 15, 1920 1,880,089 Heidecorn sept. 27, 1932 2,122,855 Bombard et al. July 5, 1938