Zipper mattress attachment
11497322 ยท 2022-11-15
Assignee
Inventors
- Natalie Negus (Minneapolis, MN, US)
- David Smith (Minneapolis, MN, US)
- Matthew Griffith (Buffalo, MN, US)
Cpc classification
A47C31/023
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A47C27/001
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A47C27/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A system can include a zipper that connects a mattress to a bed foundation. For example, the zipper can extend from a head end to a foot end of an adjustable foundation. For another example, a zipper can connect to a mattress along a seam of the mattress and/or to a foundation along a seam of a foundation. For another example, a first zipper can connect the mattress core to a second zipper and the second zipper can connect a foundation to the first zipper. For another example, first and second zippers can be substantially vertically aligned.
Claims
1. A bed system comprising: an adjustable foundation; a mattress positioned on the adjustable foundation, wherein the mattress has a head end and a foot end; and a zipper that extends along longitudinal sides of the mattress from the head end to the foot end of the mattress and connects the mattress to the adjustable foundation, wherein the zipper terminates near the head end and the foot end of the mattress, wherein the zipper comprises a first zipper tape attached along a seam of an underside of the mattress and a second zipper tape attached along a seam of a top of the adjustable foundation, wherein the first and second zipper tapes include first and second teeth, respectively, and the second teeth are configured to engage the first teeth.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the zipper connecting the mattress to the adjustable foundation is configured to retain the mattress to the adjustable foundation when the adjustable foundation is actuated to raise at least one of the head end and the foot end of the mattress.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable foundation provides at least one articulation point, and wherein the zipper extends across the at least one articulation point.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the adjustable foundation comprises a platform with at least a head panel, a middle panel, and a foot panel, wherein at least one panel is raised or lowered when the adjustable foundation is actuated, and wherein the articulation point is positioned between the head panel and the middle panel such that the zipper extends along a portion of the head panel, across the articulation point, and along a portion of the middle panel.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an air chamber within the mattress, wherein a second zipper connects the air chamber to an interior portion of the mattress.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the zipper connecting the mattress to the adjustable foundation is substantially vertically aligned in a stack with the second zipper connecting the air chamber to the interior portion of the mattress.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the second zipper is attached along a seam of a bottom of the air chamber.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mattress cover surrounding the mattress, wherein the zipper is attached to the mattress cover and configured to couple the mattress cover to the top of the adjustable foundation at a bottom of the mattress.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the zipper is attached along a seam of an exterior underside of the mattress cover at a location spaced inward from a perimeter of the mattress.
10. The system of claim 5, wherein the second zipper is attached at a corner of the air chamber.
11. The system of claim 5, further comprising an upside down foam tub positioned above the air chamber, wherein the upside down foam tub has an opening at a bottom of the upside down foam tub sized to receive the air chamber in the upside down foam tub.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable foundation further comprises: an actuator; and a controller operably connected to the actuator and configured to drive the actuator to actuate at least one portion of the adjustable foundation between a lower position and an upper position.
13. The system of claim 5, further comprising an air controller having a pump fluidly connected to the air chamber, wherein the air controller is configured to adjust a fluid pressure within the air chamber.
14. A bed system comprising: an adjustable foundation having first and second foundation fabric portions connected at a first seam that is spaced inward from a perimeter of the adjustable foundation; a mattress positioned on the adjustable foundation, wherein the mattress has a head end and a foot end, wherein the mattress further has first and second mattress fabric portions connected at a second seam that is spaced inward from a perimeter of mattress; and a zipper that extends from the head end to the foot end of the mattress and connects the mattress to the adjustable foundation, wherein the zipper comprises a first zipper tape attached along the second seam and a second zipper tape attached along the first seam, wherein the first and second zipper tapes include first and second teeth, respectively, and the second teeth are configured to engage the first teeth, wherein the first zipper tape is attached to the underside of the mattress at the second seam that is spaced inward from the perimeter of the mattress by sewing the first zipper tape into the second seam and wherein the second zipper tape is attached to a top of the adjustable foundation at first seam that is spaced inward from the perimeter of the adjustable foundation by sewing the second zipper tape into the first seam.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(8) Over time, a mattress can fall off or slide around on a foundation, such as an adjustable foundation. To overcome this concern, one or more zippers can be used to attach the mattress to the foundation. Accordingly, the mattress can be coupled (i.e., zippered) to the foundation. As a result, the mattress can remain in place on the foundation. The mattress can also be easily moved from or on the foundation by undoing the zipper. In embodiments of a bed system that has an adjustable foundation, the adjustable foundation can be used to selectively raise and lower a head and/or a foot of the mattress. In some embodiments, a mattress can be relatively heavy and/or flexible so as to naturally contour to the adjustable foundation's shape under force of gravity when one or more portions of the adjustable foundation are articulated. In other embodiments, a mattress can be relatively light weight and/or stiff so as to bend less under the force of gravity when one or more portions if the adjustable foundation are articulated. For either embodiment (and particularly for embodiments that have a mattress that is relatively light weight and/or stiff), a zipper attachment mechanism can be used to hold the mattress to the foundation during articulation such that the shape of the mattress can more closely follow the shape of the foundation.
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(10) The mattress 102 defines a mattress top 108, a mattress bottom 110, and a mattress perimeter 112. In some embodiments, the seams 107 of the mattress 102 can be positioned on one, more, or all of the mattress top 108, the mattress bottom 110, and the mattress perimeter 112. For example, in some embodiments the mattress 102 can have some of the seams 107 around the mattress perimeter 112. Such seams 107 can connect one piece of fabric to another piece of fabric. In some embodiments, the seams 107 can be functional, aesthetic, or both. In some embodiments, the mattress 102 can have seams 107 on the mattress bottom 110. Such seams can be hidden from view when the mattress 102 is positioned on the foundation 104.
(11) The foundation 104 has a foundation perimeter 120. The foundation 104 can include a platform 114 and legs 116. The platform 114 can define a foundation top 118. In some embodiments, the platform 114 can be made from a wood material, including but not limited to wood (such as medium density fiberboard or plywood), or other materials suitable for the application. The platform 114 can be covered in fabric, batting, or other materials.
(12) The platform 114 of the foundation 104 can have one or more panels (e.g. a head panel, a foot panel, and one or more middle panels). In some embodiments, the foundation 104 can be an adjustable foundation configured to raise and lower one or more panels of the platform 114, which, in turn, raise or lower portions of the mattress 102. The adjustable foundation can be actuated via a controller and/or manually actuated by a user.
(13) The mattress 102 can be connected (i.e., coupled) to the foundation 104 by a zipper 122. In some embodiments, the mattress 102 can be coupled to the foundation 104 by multiple zippers 122. In the embodiment of
(14) In other embodiments, the zipper 122 extends at a length shorter than the full length of the mattress 102. Further, in other embodiments, the mattress 102 can be coupled to the foundation 104 by a single, continuous zipper.
(15) The zipper 122 can be configured to attach the mattress 102 to the foundation 104 and to hold the mattress 102 in place on the foundation 104. In embodiments in which the foundation 104 is an adjustable foundation, the zipper 122 can retain the mattress 102 in place when the foundation 104 raises and/or lowers one or more panels of the platform 114, which further raises and/or lowers one or more portions of the mattress 102. Moreover, in such embodiments, the zipper 122 can extend substantially a full length, from a location near the head end of the mattress 102 to a location near the foot end of the mattress 102, across one or more articulation points of the mattress 102 and the foundation 104. Portions of the mattress 102 and the foundation 104 that bend during actuation can be considered articulation points. For example, in embodiments when the platform 114 of the foundation has multiple panels, a joint between two adjacent panels can be considered an articulation point. Therefore, the zipper 122 can be able to retain the mattress 102 to the foundation 104 when the foundation 104 is actuated and one or more portions of the mattress 102 are raised and/or lowered in response to one or more panels of the platform 114 being raised and/or lowered.
(16) In some embodiments, the zipper 122 can be hidden from sight. As a result, additional covers and/or fabric may not be required to hide the zipper 122 from sight. The zipper 122 can be arranged and sewn into the seam 107 of the mattress 102 such that the zipper 122 is not visible. When the zipper 122 is sewn into the seam 107, the zipper 122 can take advantage of strength already existing in the seam 107. Therefore, the zipper 122 can be less likely to come undone or break when retaining the mattress 102 to the foundation 104. This can be especially advantageous when the foundation 104 is adjustable and one or more panels of the platform 114 and one or more portions of the mattress 102 are raised and/or lowered.
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(18) In other embodiments, the seams 142 can extend along a portion of the perimeter of the foundation top 118. The zippers can attach to the foundation top 118 at the seams 142 as described above. In addition or alternatively, the zippers can extend along a portion of the foundation top 118 that has no seam.
(19) In other embodiments, the zippers 122 need not be attached at seams. For example, in some embodiments the zippers 122 can be sewn to fabric at a location that does not include a seam. In other embodiments, the foundation cover 119 can be omitted and the zippers 122 can be attached to the foundation 104 via other suitable mechanisms, such as screws, bolts, rivets, or adhesive.
(20) In some embodiments, the foundation 104 can define multiple passages 121A-B that extend through the foundation top 118. The passages 121A-B can be configured to allow passage of one or more hoses (not shown) through the foundation 104 and into the mattress 102. The passages 121A-B can be useful, for example, in embodiments where the mattress 102 is fluidically connected to an air source (not shown) in or under the foundation 104.
(21) In some embodiments, the foundation 104 can be an adjustable foundation and the platform 114 can include multiple panels 128A-128D, including a head panel 128A, a middle panel 128B, a leg panel 128C, and a foot panel 128D. Each of the panels 128A-D can be moved when the adjustable foundation is actuated. When each of the panels 128A-D are moved, one or more portions of the mattress 102 attached to the foundation 104 by the zipper 122 can also be moved accordingly. For example, if the head panel 128A of the platform 114 is raised, the mattress 102 is raised as well at a head portion of the mattress 102, and the mattress 102 remains coupled to the foundation 104 by the zipper 122.
(22) The foundation 104 can include an actuator (not shown) operably connected to each of the panels 128A-D of the platform 114 so as to actuate one or more of the panels 128A-D between raised and lowered positions in response to actuation by the actuator and a controller 150 operably connected to the actuator and configured to electronically drive the actuator to actuate one or more of the panels 128A-D between raised and lowered positions. In some embodiments, the one or more panels 128A-D can be actuated manually by the user with or without the controller 150. In other embodiments, the one or more panels 128A-D can be actuated automatically by the controller 150. The controller 150 can be configured to raise and/or lower one or more of the panels 128A-D from a predetermined minimum height to a predetermined maximum height. For example, using the controller 150, the user can raise the head panel 128A to a maximum height position while lowering the foot panel 128D to a minimum height position. Each of the panels 128A-D can be adjusted to a same height such that the user lays flat on top of the mattress 102.
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(25) The mattress bottom 110 is raised when the head panel 128A of the platform 114 (refer to
(26) In some embodiments, the zipper tape 124A can be attached directly to the mattress 102 (e.g. sewn to the mattress cover of the mattress 102) and the zipper tape 124B can be attached directly to the foundation 104 (e.g. to a cover of the foundation 104) without additional lengths of extension fabric in-between. In such embodiments, the zipper 122 can provide a relatively tight connection between the mattress and the foundation. For example, in embodiments where the zipper tapes 124A and 124B have a width of between about 1 and about 2 inches, then the zipper 122 can hold the mattress 102 to the foundation 104 with a gap of about 1 to about 2 inches. In other embodiments, the zipper tapes 124A and 124B can be narrower or wider for applications where tighter or looser connections are deemed desirable. In still other embodiments, one or more portions of fabric can be added as an extension where looser connections between the mattress 102 and the foundation 104 are deemed desirable.
(27) In some embodiments, the zipper 122 can be spaced inward from a perimeter of the mattress 102 and the foundation 104 by an amount suitable to substantially conceal the zipper 122 from view and suitable to allow for sheets to be tucked in between the mattress 102 and the foundation 104. For example, the zipper 122 can be spaced inward from a perimeter of the mattress 102 and the foundation 104 by between about 2 and about 4 inches.
(28) In some embodiments, the bed system 100 can include exactly two zippers 122 that connect the mattress 102 to the foundation 104. For example, a first zipper 122 can extend longitudinally along a left side of the bed system and a second zipper 122 can extend along a right side of the bed system.
(29) In some embodiments, the bed system 100 can include exactly one zipper 122 that connects the mattress 102 to the foundation 104. For example, the zipper 122 can follow a full (or nearly full) loop whereby the zipper 122 extends along a top portion, a left side, a bottom portion, and a right side of the bed system 100. In one example, the zipper 122 can extend along a left side of the bed system 100, turn and extend along a foot side of the bed system 100, turn and extend along a right side of the bed system 100, and turn and extend along a top side of the bed system 100. In some embodiments with a single zipper 122 connecting the mattress 102 to the foundation 104, the zipper 122 can be positioned under the mattress 102 at a location inward of the perimeter of the mattress so as to have a gap between the perimeter of the mattress 102 and the zipper 122.
(30) In some embodiments, the bed system 100 can have more than two zippers 122 that connect the mattress 102 to the foundation 104.
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(32) The mattress 102 can be placed on top of the platform 114 of the foundation 104.
(33) In some embodiments, the mattress 102 can include one or more air chambers 130 and one or more foam portions 132 covered in the mattress cover 106. The air chamber 130 can be an inflatable air chamber filled with air to provide support to one or more portions of the mattress 102. The amount of air in the air chamber can be adjusted by using an air controller having a pump or blower. As a result, fluid pressure in the air chamber 130 can be customized to change the firmness and/or support of the mattress 102. In some embodiments, the air chamber 130 can extend a full length of the mattress 102, from the head end to the foot end of the mattress 102. In other embodiments, the air chamber 130 can be placed in a particular portion of the mattress 102 (i.e., only at the head end and/or only at the foot end of the mattress 102). In yet other embodiments, multiple air chambers can be placed within the mattress 102 and each air chamber can be individually controlled/manipulated by the controller. In alternative embodiments, the air chamber 130 can be replaced with another type of mattress core suitable for the application.
(34) The air chamber 130 can be surrounded on one or more sides by one or more foam members 134. For example, in some embodiments the foam members 134 can include a top foam member 134 and a number of side foam members 134 that combine to form an upside down foam tub 132 that can be placed on top of the air chamber 130 within the mattress 102. In other embodiments, the mattress 102 can have one or more foam members that are sized, shaped, and positioned differently than as illustrated in
(35) The air chamber 130 can be formed of a layer of polymer material configured to substantially retain air and a layer of fabric configured to provide reinforcing strength. In some embodiments, such a combination of materials can be advantageous in making the air chamber 130 durable and substantially airtight. As a result, the combination of materials can substantially retain air within the air chamber 130 when weight is added on top of the mattress 102 and/or the mattress 102 is bent and/or articulated when the adjustable foundation is actuated.
(36) Still referring to
(37) In addition to the zipper 123 connecting the air chamber 130 to the mattress cover 106, the zipper 122 can further connect the mattress cover 106 to the foundation 104. The zipper 122 can couple the mattress 102, via the cover 106, to the foundation 104. The zipper 123 can be arranged adjacent the zipper 122 (i.e., vertically aligned) such that both zippers 122 and 128 act together to form a relatively strong connection between the air chamber 130 and the foundation 104. Moreover, if the zippers 122 and 128 are aligned along seams of the air chamber 130, the mattress cover 106, and the foundation 104, the zippers 122 and 128 can take advantage of the existing strength from the seams. As a result, the connection between the mattress 102 and the foundation 104 can be relatively strong, especially where the foundation 104 is an adjustable foundation and the foundation 104 is actuated.
(38) In some embodiments, the air chamber 130 can be omitted. For example, the mattress 102 can include a mattress core (that does not necessarily have any air chambers) inside the mattress cover 106. One or more zippers 128 can connect the mattress core to the mattress cover 106 and one or more zippers 122 can connect the mattress cover 106 to the foundation 104. Accordingly, a combination of one or more zippers 128 inside the mattress 102 and one or more zippers 122 outside of the mattress 102 can function to retain a mattress core (with our without an air chamber) in position on an adjustable foundation.
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(40) In some embodiments, a second zipper, the zipper 123, can be used to retain the air chamber 130 (or another mattress core that does not necessarily include an air chamber). For example, the zipper 123 can connect an exterior underside (i.e., bottom) of the air chamber 130 to an interior portion of the mattress cover 106. The zipper 123 can include zipper tapes 136A and 1366 that connect to corresponding zipper teeth 138A and 1386. The zipper tape 136A can connect the zipper teeth 138A to the mattress air chamber 130 (such as by being sewn to a bottom portion of the air chamber 130, in some embodiments). The zipper tape 1366 can connect the zipper teeth 1386 to the mattress cover 106 (such as by being sewn along a seam, in some embodiments). When the zipper 123 is zipped, the zipper teeth 138A can be connected to the zipper teeth 1386 such that the zipper 123 can connect the air chamber 130 to the mattress cover 106.
(41) This configuration of the zippers 122 and 128 can be beneficial in embodiments where the foundation 104 is an adjustable foundation. When the foundation 104 is actuated and one or more panels 128A-D comprising the platform 114 of the foundation 104 are raised and/or lowered, the one or more portions of the mattress 102 and one or more corresponding portions of the air chamber 130 move accordingly. For example, if the head panel 128A of the platform 114 is raised, then the corresponding portion of the mattress 102 is raised, as well as any part of the air chamber 130 that is located in that corresponding portion.
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(43) In some embodiments, the mattress cover 106 can define holes through which the zippers 202 extend between the air chamber 130 and the foundation 104. This can allow the zippers 202 to connect the air chamber 130 directly to the foundation 104 without additional intervening zippers. For example, the zipper 202 can extend a full distance between the air chamber 130 and the foundation 104 as opposed to using two zippers to span the same distance, such as shown in
(44) A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the shape, size, and location of various components of the mattress, foundation, and zipper can be modified as suitable for the application. Similarly, one or more features present on one or more of the various embodiments can be considered optional, and need not necessarily be included in all embodiments. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.