An endoskeleton elastomer that variably impacts the mattress firmness head-to-toe is described. The elastomer fills voids cut into the foam using contour cutting or spherical cap-shaped cutouts. The elastomer is poured as a hot liquid into the voids, and cools to a solid elastomer. The specific incarnation involves the creation of a set of parallel inclusions at the center of the mattress or a set of spherical cap-shaped cutouts that help prop up the hip area to maintain proper spinal alignment by firming the center of the mattress. The depth, width, shape, spacing, elastomer durometer, and location (both head-to-toe and depth in the mattress) may be varied to impact firmness in any desired manner. The mattress may also include a series of horizontal-oriented cutouts that are cut into various portions of the mattress layers. These cutouts may extend along the width of the mattress and may be placed at portions of the top and portions of the bottom of the mattress.

Multi-layer cushion supports are described which may generally comprise a first support having a first contact surface for contacting a portion of a body and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first support defining a central chamber and a peripheral chamber surrounding the central chamber, wherein the first support is filled with a first gas or liquid and a second support attached to the first support along the first contact surface. The second support may be filled with a second gas or liquid which is relatively more viscous than the first gas or liquid. In particular, the first support may be filled with a volume of air and the second support may be filled with oil which is less than the volume of air.

This invention provides a mat, comprising: an upper surface; a lower surface; a porous structure located between said upper surface and said lower surface, said porous structure including silica gel. The mat according to this invention can be used as, for example, a pillow, seat cushion, back cushion or mattress, or part of a chair seat or chair back.

The present invention relates to beds having a support surface defined by a plurality of support members. According to some aspects the support members are sprung and the bed includes a damping system for example a damping arm, for damping vibrations of the springs. According to some aspects the support members have laterally extending pusher members arranged to engage with adjacent support members; the pusher members comprising damping material. According to some aspects the support members are received by a guide member made up of two parts arranged to retain a spring by engaging between the coils of the spring. The present invention also relates to bed frames comprising a plurality of movable side elements mounted for movement in a direction substantially normal to the body support surface. The side elements are resiliently urged towards an unloaded position. The present invention also relates to methods of manufacturing beds.

A posturized comfort layer for a bedding or seating product has different sections of different firmness due to different mini coil springs within the sections. The springs may be individually pocketed between two sheets of non-woven polypropylene fabric joined with circular or rectangular weld seams. Regardless of the shape of the weld seams, the different firmness of the different sections of the comfort layer may be due to different mini coil springs contained in the pockets. All pockets may have the same spring, the springs may be contained in different size weld seams to create pockets of different heights.

A cushioning structure may be provided that utilizes multiple layers of differing materials, each providing a different aspect of comfort, cooling, and support. In one aspect of the invention a first layer comprises an elastomeric gel supported in a foam structure. In another aspect an additional layer comprises a liquid gel-infused viscoelastic foam. In a further aspect, an additional layer comprises a high-density polyurethane foam. In a further aspect, an additional layer comprises a foamed latex.

An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a bottom member having a cushioning member, the bottom member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface. The bottom member has a rear edge adapted to be placed proximate a rear of the chair and a front edge opposite the rear edge. The apparatus further includes a top member having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the bottom member and a top surface opposite the bottom surface. The top member and the bottom member are connected to each other along at least one of the front and rear edges, and at least a portion of the top member is slidable with respect to the bottom member. The apparatus further includes a second cushioning member connected to a rear end of the apparatus and adapted to extend upward from the rear end.

The present invention provides systems, methods, and articles for temperature conditioning a surface. An article is formed from a first layer having a plurality of openings and a second layer having a corresponding plurality of openings. At least one interior chamber constructed and configured to retain a fluid without leaking is defined between an interior surface of the first layer and an interior surface of the second layer. At least one flexible fluid supply line delivers the fluid to the at least one interior chamber. At least one flexible fluid return line removes the fluid from the at least one interior chamber. At least one control unit that is operable to selectively cool or heat the fluid is attached to the at least one flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluid return line.

The present invention provides systems, methods, and articles for stress reduction and sleep promotion. A stress reduction and sleep promotion system includes at least one remote device and an article for temperature conditioning a surface. The stress reduction and sleep promotion system includes at least one body sensor, at least one remote server, and/or a pulsed electromagnetic frequency device in other embodiments.

A fluid fillable cushioning device comprises an enclosure comprising a top wall and a bottom wall, a cavity defined by the enclosure, a threaded inlet in the enclosure connected to the cavity, the cavity further defined by the threaded inlet, and a fastening mechanism extending from the enclosure, the fastening mechanism configured to fasten the cushioning device to a seat. In operation, fluid, such as water, is filled in the cavity of the cushioning device, and in some cases foam is also included in the cavity, providing a water and/or foam cushion for a user sitting on the cushioning device. When used on seat of a bicycle, where the user's body interacts with the cushioning device with significant pressure for extended period of time, the cushioning device provides customizable cushioning which feels like an extension of the body, and is exceptionally comfortable.