US3009171A

US3009171A - Mattress

Info

Publication number: US3009171A
Application number: US748384A
Authority: US
Inventors: Murray J Rymland
Original assignee: COMFORT SPRING CORP
Current assignee: COMFORT SPRING CORP
Priority date: 1958-07-14
Filing date: 1958-07-14
Publication date: 1961-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 1978-11-21

Description

Nov. 21, 1961 M. .L RYMLAND 3,009,171

' MATTRESS Filed July 14, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Mummy J. fiYMLAA/D ATTORNEYS Nov. 21, 1 1 M. J. RYMLAND 3,009,171

MATTRESS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1958 INVENTOR MURRAY J. Run-Arm MW 1am fMw ATTORNEYS Nov. 21, 1961 M. J. RYMLAND MATTRESS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 14, 1958 INVENTOR MURRA Y J. R YMLAA/D W/WYLMWH/ ATTORNEYS United States Pate 3,009,171 MATTRESS Murray J. Rymland, Comfort Spring Corp, 2700 Hollins Ferry Road, Baltimore 30, Md. Filed July 14, 1958, Ser. No. 748,384 2 Claims. (Cl. 252) This invention relates to mattresses or the like of the so-called inner-spring type utilizing coil springs.

Conventional inner spring mattresses, due to their inherent resiliency or readily deformed characteristics, sometimes do not provide the necessary or desired comfort or posture support. For example, some people may prefer or need a mattress that will provide greater stiffness or rigidity in certain local areas or throughout the entire mattress. Accordingly, stifif boards or the like are some times used underneath the mattress but this has not always been found to be satisfactory particularly since the individual coil springs in the mattress are still free to be deformed throughout their entire lengths within the mattress.

It has been previously suggested to construct an innerspring mattress with a posture-aiding and stiff board or plate therein. In'such mattresses, there are provided an upper layer of coil springs, and a lower layer of coil springs with the board disposed between and separating these layers, the board and the upper and lower layers being coextensive with the area of the mattress. These mattresses have not been entirely acceptable commercially or therapeutically for various reasons. Among others, they require twice as many springs as other mattresses of the same length and width due to the use of the upper and lower layers of springs, as Well as other constructional features making them more expensive and difiicult to construct. Furthermore, since, the intermediate board covers the entire mattress and is permanently connected to the springs, the mattress is only adapted to provide comfort to users requiring additional stiffness throughout the entire length and width of the mattress. As is evident, the posture-aiding characteristics for mattresses required or preferred are not always the same for all people nor do they necessarily remain the same for each person.

Hence, an important object of my invention is to pr0- vide a novel construction for mattresses, of the type referred to, particularly adapted to overcome the foregoing and other disadvantages of prior practices.

Another object resides in the provision of a novel coil spring mattress arrangement designed to furnish optimum comfort to users irrespective of their special posture requirements or preferences.

A more specific object is to improve spring mattress constructions so that the mattress may be used in a normal, readily deformable condition yet may be conveniently altered, if desired, to provide areas of greater rigidity or stiffness either locally or throughout the entire length and width of the mattress, depending on the users needs or preferences.

In one aspect, the invention contemplates a spring mattress constructed of a plurality of coil springs connected together in substantial parallelism to define a plurality of spaced, parallel lines of springs, and including a stiff and planar member arranged between adjacent lines of said springs and extending parallel to said adjacent lines, said member being structurally independent of the means used to connect the springs together and in engagement with intermediate convolutions of corresponding and opposed springs in said adjacent lines. These adjacent parallel lines of springs may extend longitudinally, transversely and/or diagonally of the spring mattress. Additionally, other similar members may be similarly arrangedbetween other pairs of adjacent lines of springs. In the specific embodiment of the invention, as will be described in detail hereinafter, these members are adapted to be readily removed from the mattress and are of generally elongated, rectangular shape, of uniform width, and lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the axes of the springs.

It will be appreciated that additional objects of the invention relate to new structures and arrangements for spring mattresses whereby mattresses of superior versatility can be manufactured inexpensive without requiring any special machinery, skill, or procedure. In fact, they may be fabricated by existing machinery and techniques, if desired. Furthermore, these new structures and arrangements are of such character that they may be designed for convenient incorporation into existing and presently used spring mattresses.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The novel features of the invention may be best made clear from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an exemplary spring assembly embody-ing the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the spring assembly of FIGURE 1 and taken in the direction of arrows 2-2;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of another embodi- 'ment of the invention in the exemplary spring assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a portion of the assembly of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view taken in the direction of the arrows 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the exemplary spring assembly incorporating still another embodiment of the in vention;

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view taken generally along,

line '77 of FIGURE 6.

An exemplary spring cushion assembly 20 is shown in.

the drawings as being defined by a plurality of component helical or coil springs 22, constructed of Wire or the like in conventional manner. Although not shown, it will be understood that padding and a cover or upholstering for the spring cushion assembly will be provided. Spring cushion assemblies of this type are commonly utilized as mattresses for beds or convertible sofas, or as spring cushions for chairs, as is understood.

The springs 22 are shown as being arranged in sub-.

stantial parallelism along spaced and parallel longitudinal lines or rows 24 and transverse lines or files 26. The springs are shown as being connected together in this relationship by means of tie wires 28 and clips 30 engaged to overlapping arcuate portions of end convolutions 32 of the springs, for example, in accordance with the teachings of my prior Patent No. 2,630,586 ormy copending applications Serial .Nos. 495,309, filed March 18, 1955, now Patent No. 2,857,603, issued October 28, 1958, 596,589, filed July 9, 1956, 596,590, July 9, 1956. Suitable border structure, such as that disclosed in the applications Serial Nos. 596,589 and 596,590, may

be provided along the parallel and opposed edges or margins 34 of the spring assembly in engagement with the end convolutions of the springs in the adjacent border files, the delta-tip 36 on the ends of the tie wires providing border support for the other opposed margins adjacent the border rows, as disclosed in the 'applications Serial Nos. 495,309 and 596,590. x

description proceeds that other types of springs, for example, of cylindrical or conical outline may be utilized. An exemplary arrangement for connecting cylindrical springs together in a spring assembly is disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 604,381, filed August 16, 1956, now Patent No. 2,942,278, June 28, 1960, and an exemplary arrangement for connecting conical springs together to define a spring assembly is disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 634,366, filed January 15, 1957, now Patent No. 2,961,667.

In the exemplary assembly shown in the drawings, it will be observed that the spacing and arrangement of the springs 22 is such that there will also be provided spaced and parallel diagonal or inclined lines 38 of springs extending in one direction and diagonal or inclined lines 40 extending at an angle to the lines 38.

In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that a stiff planar member or members inserted into the spring assembly 20 in engagement with intermediate convolutions 42 of the springs 22 in adjacent rows 24, files 26 and/or

diagonal lines

38, 40, these members being entirely independent of and separate from the means, such as the tie wires 28 and clips 30, for connecting the springs together, and further preferably being constructed to be conveniently inserted into or removed from the spring assembly, as desired.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, such a member 44 is shown as being arranged between two adjacent files 26 of springs, and of a length approximating the length of the files, and a uniform width somewhat greater than the spacing between the axes of corresponding springs in the adjacent files. As indicated in FIGURE 2, the member 44 preferably is arranged in generally perpendicular relation ship to the axes of the springs, and may be in the position indicated in solid lines or in the positions indicated in phantom lines. In other words, the member 44 may be positioned at any desirable elevation intermediate the top and bottom end convolutions 32 of the springs.

As illustrated, member 44 is of elongated rectangular configuration and may be made of wood, metal or plastic, or any other material whereby it will have the properties of substantial stiffness and inflexibility to rigidity the engaged springs.

The member 44 may be arranged in the position shown by inserting it into the spring assembly 20 between corresponding intermediate convolutions 42 at the end of the adjacent files 26 between which it is desired to arrange the member, and then sliding it in a direction parallel to the files until the member 44 is entirely within the spring assembly. At this time. member 44 will be tightly and frictionally held in this position by reason of its engagement to the intermediate convolutions 42 as indicated in FIGURES l and 2.

To facilitate the initial insertion of the member 44 into the spring assembly 20, one or both ends thereof may be formed so that the corners thereof are partially cut away or rounded as indicated by numeral 46. Furthermore, the member 44 may be provided with notches 48 at one end thereof for reception of the engaged intermediate convolutions of the springs to serve as a lock preventing movement of the member 44 in a direction parallel to the files 26. Similar notches may be provided at other locations along the

edges

50, 52 of the member 44 as indicated by numerals 54, 56, 58.

It will be appreciated that when the member 44 is arranged in desired position between the files 26, for example as shown, the spring convolutions directly above the member 44 will act individually in response to loads applied thereto so as to fit the curves of the body, while the convolutions of the springs directly below the member 44 will act collectively as a result of any downward movement of the member 44. It will also be appreciated that by varying the stiffness of the member 44, or by changing its elevation in the spring assembly, the stiffness characteristics of the springs 22 engaged thereby will be likewise varied.

It is contemplated that members similar to member 44 may be also arranged between adjacent rows 24 of springs, and/ or between adjacent

diagonal lines

38 or 40 of springs in the spring assembly whereby the user may conveniently vary the stiffness characteristics of the spring assembly in virtually any manner and practically in all locations therein so as to satisfy his individual needs or preferences. FIGURES 3-5 illustrate a member 44' arranged between adjacent rows 24, while FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a member 44" arranged between adjacent diagonal lines 38, it being understood that member 44" may be similarly arranged between adjacent lines 40. As was the case with member 44,

members

44 and 44" may be arranged at any preferred elevation or elevations between the top and bottom end convolutions 32 of the springs to provide for further variation in the stiffness characteristics or posture supporting functions of the spring assembly.

As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, member 44 may be provided with notches 48' adjacent the curved or rounded corners 46' for locking engagement to the spring convolutions 42, the rounded corners 46 again facilitating insertion of the member into the rows.

The member 44", shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, also includes rounded corners 46" at one end and notches 48" for locking engagement with the intermediate convolutions 42.

It will be understood that the

members

44, 44' and 44" are designed so as to be conveniently inserted into or removed from the spring assembly 20 at any desirable locations and elevations depending on the location and nature of the stiffening or rigidifying function sought. Furthermore, the length of these members may be such as to extend throughout less than the entire length of the rows 24, files 26, or

diagonal lines

38 or 40 between which they are arranged.

In order to permit the insertion of the

members

44, 44, 44" into the spring assembly 20, or their removal therefrom, the cover or upholstering (not shown) for the spring assembly may be provided with some suitable means, such as a zipper or the like, whereby access to the interior of the spring assembly or mattress will be permitted around all sides.

As previously indicated, members similar to

members

44, 44, 44" may be similarly arranged between adjacent parallel lines of cylindrical or conical springs and in engagement with intermediate convolutions thereof in generally the same manner as that described hereinabove in connection with the hourglass-type springs 22.

It will be observed that the width of the members is such that they will fit securely between adjacent rows, files or diagonal lines of springs in the assembly by frictional engagement to the intermediate convolutions 42 and without requiring any special attachment, and they accordingly will advantageously be entirely independent of the means for interconnecting the springs, such as the tie wires 28 and clips 30, whereby they can be removed, if desired, and there will be provided a relatively free action of the stiff members during use, and independent spring action on each section of the assembly covered by such a member.

In some cases, it may be desirable to have the

membars

44, 44, 44 of a greater width than the transverse distance between the opposed and engaged intermediate convolutions whereby the springs will be somewhat tensioned or stretched laterally outwardly when engaged by these members, thus further providing against dislodgement or other undesirable movements of such members. And in this connection, these members may all be engaged to the springs at substantially corresponding intermediate points of the springs, as indicated in FIGURES 3-5, or at different points, as indicated in FIGURES 1, 2, 6 and 7.

Members

44, 44 and 44", as should be evident, may be inserted in the assembly 20 during or after construction of the assembly, and any number thereof may be arranged in the assembly in any beneficial and salutary manner, including an arrangement wherein they lie one on top of the other or at dillerent levels throughout the assembly to function so that the body will be supported in proper position, for example, in level spinal alignment.

The present invention will thus be seen to completely and eilectively accomplish the objects enumerated hereinabove. It will be realized, however, that various changes and substitutions may be made to the specific embodiments disclosed herein for the purpose of illustrating the principles of this invention, without departing from these principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An innerspring product such as a mattress or the like comprising a plurality of individual coil springs of wire-like elements, means connecting said springs together in substantial parallelism and in predetermined spaced relation in parallel lines to define a spring assembly, a stiff and planar member independent or said con- 5 meeting means disposed between adjacent lines of said springs in perpendicular relation to the axes thereof, and extending parallel to said adjacent lines in removable frictional engagement with intermediate convolutions of corresponding springs in said adjacent lines, said member having parallel lateral edges engaging said corresponding springs and having notches formed in said edges for receivirrg the Wire-like elements in at least some of the last named springs.

2. A spring assembly for use in an upholstered prodnot such as a mattress, a cushion, or the like including: a plurality of individual coil springs; means connecting said springs together at their end convolutions whereby said springs are in substantial parallelism and in predetermined spaced relation to define parallel lines of springs, a stiif and fiat board or the like of a substantially uniform width slightly greater than the spacing between the axes of corresponding springs in adjacent lines, said member being independent of said connecting means and further being removably mounted in said spring assembly in substantially perpendicular relation to the axes of said springs and in tight frictional engagement along its edges with intermediate convolutions of corresponding springs in adjacent lines.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS