Recessed sleeping surface

• US 5,963,998 A
• Filed: 08/21/1996
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael R. Kidder
• Original Assignee: Racing Strollers Inc.
• Inventors: Carew, Joann Williams, Carew, James M
• Primary Examiner(s): Trettel, Michael F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONLEY, FREDRICK C
• Application Number:
  US08/701,201
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 5/655, 5/900, 5/424, 5/425, 5/485, 5/727, 5/722, 5/723, 5/732
• US Class Current: 5/655
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/144 inside the mattress or cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/20 with springs moulded in, or situated in cavities or openings in foamed material
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 15/001 Mattresses
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 15/008 in beds, play-pens or cradles

Abstract

A mattress with permanently attached bumper side walls which form a recess for protecting children at risk of falling off the bed. Also provided is an inset which transforms the mattress to a common flat sleeping surface.

Claims

1. A method for using a dual sleeping surface mattress constructed to provide one sleeping surface which restricts the movement of an individual sleeping thereon, comprising:

a) providing a mattress body and a mattress inset, said mattress body being usable with and without said mattress inset, said mattress body being reversible between upward and downward facing orientations, with a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward side walls, and a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward end walls, said outward side walls and end walls defining a periphery of said mattress, said mattress body having;

a flat and horizontal first body surface facing upward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and extending about said periphery of said mattress body along said outward side walls and end walls of said mattress body, said first horizontal body surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon;

a flat and horizontal second body surface opposite said first horizontal body surface and facing downward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and upward when said mattress body is in said downward facing orientation, said second horizontal body surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon and extending substantially fully between said outward side walls and end walls of said mattress body;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward side walls extending downward into said mattress body from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, said inward side walls positioned inward from and substantially parallel to said outward side walls to form a pair of spaced apart peripheral barriers extending substantially the fall length of said mattress body, said inward side walls being a pliant and soft material suitable to cushion the sleeping individual;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward end walls, extending downward into said mattress body from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, and transverse to said inward side walls, said inward end walls positioned inward from and substantially parallel to said outward end walls to form a pair of spaced apart peripheral barriers extending substantially the full width of said mattress body, said inward end walls being a pliant and soft material suitable to cushion the sleeping individual; and

an upward facing, externally exposed flat and horizontal first sleeping surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon, recessed downward from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and defined by said inward side walls and said inward end walls, with said inward side walls, said inward end walls, and said recessed first sleeping surface defining an unobstructed, upwardly open recess in said mattress body having an uncovered upward opening providing unobstructed access to said recessed first sleeping surface from above when said mattress body is used in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset, said recessed first sleeping surface being of sufficient surface area to accommodate the fall body of the sleeping individual thereon and said inward side walls and said inward end walls being of sufficient height to restrict movement of the sleeping individual on said recessed first sleeping surface beyond said periphery of said mattress body, said pairs of peripheral barriers and said recessed first sleeping surface having a construction without sufficiently sized opening therebetween to prevent the sleeping individual on said recessed first sleeping surface from extending an arm, leg or head between said barriers and said recessed first sleeping surface; and

said mattress inset being selectively and removably positionable within and out of said recess and sized to substantially fill said recess when used with said mattress body by being positioned within said recess, said mattress inset having;

a first flat and horizontal inset surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon and sized to extend substantially fully between said inward side walls and end walls when said mattress inset is positioned within said recess; and

a second horizontal inset surface sized to be positionable adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface when in position within said recess, said first and second horizontal inset surfaces being spaced apart by a distance such that when said mattress inset is positioned within said recess said first horizontal inset surface is substantially coplanar and contiguous with said first horizontal body surface to define together a combined flat surface extending substantially to said periphery of said mattress body, with said combined flat surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and said second horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said downward facing orientation defining an exposed flat and horizontal second sleeping surface larger than said recessed first sleeping surface for receiving the sleeping individual thereon when said inset is positioned within said recess;

b) placing said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess;

c) moving the individual downward through said upward opening of said recess from above and into said recess toward said recessed first sleeping surface with said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess and with said upward opening uncovered; and

d) after moving the individual through said upward opening of said recess, placing the individual on said recessed first sleeping surface in a position for sleeping.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

lifting the individual from said recessed sleeping surface;

moving the individual upward through said upward opening of said recess and out of said recess;

placing said mattress inset within said recess with said second horizontal inset surface positioned adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface;

selecting one of said upward facing and downward facing orientations for said mattress body, and if not in said selected orientation, moving said mattress body to said selected orientation; and

placing the individual in a position for sleeping on said combined flat surface if said selected orientation is with said mattress body in said upward facing orientation, and on said second horizontal body surface if said selected orientation is with said mattress body in said downward facing orientation.

3. A method for using a dual sleeping surface mattress, constructed to provide one sleeping surface which restricts the movement of an individual sleeping thereon, comprising:

a) providing a mattress body and a mattress inset, said mattress body being usable with and without said mattress inset, said mattress body being reversible between upward and downward facing orientations, with a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward side walls, and a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward end walls, said outward side walls and end walls defining a periphery of said mattress, said mattress body having;

a first horizontal body surface facing upward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and extending about said periphery of said mattress body along said outward side walls and end walls of said mattress body;

a flat and horizontal second body surface opposite said first horizontal body surface and facing downward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and upward when said mattress body is in said downward facing orientation, said second horizontal body surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon and extending substantially fully between said outward side walls and end walls of said mattress body;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward side walls extending downward into said mattress body from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, said inward side walls positioned inward from and substantially parallel to said outward side walls to form a peripheral barrier extending substantially the full length of said mattress body;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward end walls, extending downward into said mattress body from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, and transverse to said inward side walls, said inward end walls positioned inward from and substantially parallel to said outward end walls to form a peripheral barrier extending substantially the full width of said mattress body; and

an upwardly facing, externally exposed first sleeping surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon, recessed downward from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and defined by said inward side walls and said inward end walls, with said inward side walls, said inward end walls, and said recessed first sleeping surface defining an unobstructed, upwardly open recess in said mattress body having an uncovered upward opening providing unobstructed access to said recessed first sleeping surface from above when said mattress body is used in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset, said recessed first sleeping surface being of sufficient surface area to accommodate the full body of the sleeping individual thereon and said inward side walls and said inward end walls being of sufficient height to restrict movement of the sleeping individual on said recessed first sleeping surface beyond said periphery of said mattress body; and

said mattress inset being selectively and removably positionable within and out of said recess and sized to substantially fill said recess when used with said mattress body by being positioned within said recess, said mattress inset having;

a first horizontal inset surface; and

a second horizontal inset surface sized to be positionable adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface when in position within said recess, said first and second horizontal inset surfaces being spaced apart by a distance such that when said mattress inset is positioned within said recess said first horizontal inset surface is substantially coplanar with said first horizontal body surface to define together a flat surface extending substantially to said periphery of said mattress body, with said second horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said downward facing orientation defining an exposed second sleeping surface larger than said recessed first sleeping surface for receiving the sleeping individual thereon when said mattress inset is positioned within said recess;

b) placing said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess;

c) moving the individual downward through said upward opening of said recess from above and into said recess toward said recessed first sleeping surface with said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess and with said upward opening uncovered; and

d) after moving the individual through said upward opening of said recess, placing the individual on said recessed first sleeping surface in a position for sleeping.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

lifting the individual from said recessed sleeping surface;

moving the individual upward through said upward opening of said recess and out of said recess;

placing said mattress inset within said recess with said second horizontal inset surface positioned adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface;

selecting one of said upward facing and downward facing orientations for said mattress body, and if not in said selected orientation, moving said mattress body to said selected orientation; and

placing the individual in a position for sleeping on said first horizontal inset surface if said selected orientation is with said mattress body in said upward facing orientation, and on said second horizontal body surface if said selected orientation is with said mattress body in said downward facing orientation.

5. A method for using a dual sleeping surface mattress, constructed to provide one sleeping surface which restricts the movement of an individual sleeping thereon, comprising:

a) a mattress body and a mattress inset, said mattress body being usable with and without said mattress inset, said mattress body being positionable in upward and downward facing orientations, with a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward side walls, and a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward end walls, said outward side walls and end walls defining a periphery of said mattress, said mattress body having;

a first horizontal body surface facing upward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and extending about said periphery of said mattress body along said outward side walls and end walls of said mattress body;

a flat and horizontal second body surface opposite said first horizontal body surface and facing downward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and upward when said mattress body is in said downward facing orientation, said second horizontal body surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon and extending substantially fully between said outward side walls and end walls of said mattress body;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward side walls extending downward into said mattress body from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, said inward side walls positioned inward from said outward side walls to form a peripheral barrier extending substantially the fall length of said mattress body;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward end walls, extending downward into said mattress body from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, and transverse to said inward side walls, said inward end walls positioned inward from said outward end walls to form a peripheral barrier extending substantially the fall width of said mattress body; and

an upwardly facing, externally exposed first sleeping surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon, recessed downward from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and defined by said inward side walls and said inward end walls, with said inward side walls, said inward end walls, and said recessed first sleeping surface defining an unobstructed, upwardly open recess in said mattress body having an uncovered upward opening providing unobstructed access to said recessed first sleeping surface from above when said mattress body is used in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset, said recessed first sleeping surface being of sufficient surface area to accommodate the full body of the sleeping individual thereon and said inward side walls and said inward end walls being of sufficient height to restrict movement of the sleeping individual on said recessed first sleeping surface beyond said periphery of said mattress body; and

said mattress inset being selectively and removably positionable within and out of said recess and sized to substantially fill said recess when used with said mattress body by being positioned within said recess, said mattress inset having;

a first horizontal inset surface; and

a second horizontal inset surface sized to be positionable adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface when in position within said recess, said first and second horizontal inset surfaces being spaced apart by a distance such that when said mattress inset is positioned within said recess said first horizontal inset surface is substantially coplanar with said first horizontal body surface to define together a flat surface extending substantially to said periphery of said mattress body, with at least one of said combined flat surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation or said second horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said downward facing orientation defining an exposed second sleeping surface larger than said recessed first sleeping surface for receiving the sleeping individual thereon when said mattress inset is positioned within said recess;

b) placing said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess;

c) moving the individual downward through said upward opening of said recess from above and into said recess toward said recessed first sleeping surface with said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess and with said upward opening uncovered; and

d) after moving the individual through said upward opening of said recess, placing the individual on said recessed first sleeping surface in a position for sleeping.

6. The method of claim 5, farther comprising:

lifting the individual from said recessed sleeping surface;

moving the individual upward through said upward opening of said recess and out of said recess;

placing said mattress inset within said recess with said second horizontal inset surface positioned adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface;

selecting one of said upward facing and downward facing orientations for said mattress body, and if not in said selected orientation, moving said mattress body to said selected orientation; and

placing the individual in a position for sleeping on said exposed second sleeping surface.

7. A method for using a sleeping mattress, constructed to provide one sleeping surface which restricts the movement of an individual sleeping thereon, comprising:

(a) a mattress body and a mattress inset, said mattress body being usable with and without said mattress inset, said mattress body being positionable in an upward facing orientation, with a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward side walls, and a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward end walls, said outward side walls and end walls defining a periphery of said mattress and projecting upward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, said mattress body having;

a first horizontal body surface facing upward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and extending about said periphery of said mattress body along said outward side walls and end walls of said mattress body;

a second body surface opposite said first horizontal body surface and facing downward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward side walls extending downward into said mattress body from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, said inward side walls positioned inward from said outward side walls to form a peripheral barrier extending substantially the full length of said mattress body;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward end walls, extending downward into said mattress body from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, said inward end walls positioned inward from said outward end walls to form a peripheral barrier extending substantially the full width of said mattress body; and

an upwardly facing, externally exposed first sleeping surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon, recessed downward from said first horizontal body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and defined by said inward side walls and said inward end walls, with said inward side walls, said inward end walls, and said recessed first sleeping surface defining an unobstructed, upwardly open recess in said mattress body having an uncovered upward opening providing unobstructed access to said recessed first sleeping surface from above when said mattress body is used in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset, said recessed first sleeping surface being of sufficient surface area to accommodate the full body of the sleeping individual thereon and said inward side walls and said inward end walls being of sufficient height to restrict movement of the sleeping individual on said recessed first sleeping surface beyond said periphery of said mattress body; and

said mattress inset being selectively and removably positionable within and out of said recess and sized to substantially fill said recess when used with said mattress body by being positioned within said recess, said mattress inset having;

a first horizontal inset surface; and

a second horizontal inset surface sized to be positionable adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface when in position within said recess, said first and second horizontal inset surfaces being spaced apart by a distance such that when said mattress inset is positioned within said recess said first horizontal inset surface is substantially coplanar with said first horizontal body surface to define together a flat surface extending substantially to said periphery of said mattress body;

b) positioning said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess;

c) moving the individual downward through said upward opening of said recess from above and into said recess toward said recessed first sleeping surface with said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess and with said upward opening uncovered; and

d) after moving the individual through said upward opening of said recess, placing the individual on said recessed first sleeping surface in a position for sleeping.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

lifting the individual from said recessed sleeping surface;

moving the individual upward through said upward opening of said recess and out of said recess;

placing said mattress inset within said recess with said second horizontal inset surface positioned adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface;

selecting one of said upward facing and downward facing orientations for said mattress body, and if not in said selected orientation, moving said mattress body to said selected orientation; and

next, placing the individual on said now upward facing one of said first horizontal inset surface and said second body surface.

9. A method for using a sleeping mattress, constructed to provide one sleeping surface which restricts the movement of an individual sleeping thereon, comprising:

a) a mattress body and a mattress inset, said mattress body being usable with and without said mattress inset, said mattress body being positionable in an upward facing orientation, with a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward side walls, and a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, outward end walls, said outward side walls and end walls defining a periphery of said mattress and projecting upward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, said mattress body having;

a first body surface facing upward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and extending about said periphery of said mattress body along said outward side walls and end walls of said mattress body;

a second body surface opposite said first body surface and facing downward when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward side walls extending downward into said mattress body from said first body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, said inward side walls positioned inward from said outward side walls to form a peripheral barrier extending substantially the full length of said mattress body;

a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, inward end walls, extending downward into said mattress body from said first body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation, said inward end walls positioned inward from said outward end walls to form a peripheral barrier extending substantially the fall width of said mattress body; and

an upwardly facing, externally exposed first sleeping surface constructed of a soft cushioning material suitable to receive the sleeping individual thereon, recessed downward from said first body surface when said mattress body is in said upward facing orientation and defined by said inward side walls and said inward end walls, with said inward side walls, said inward end walls, and said recessed first sleeping surface defining an unobstructed, upwardly open recess in said mattress body having an uncovered upward opening providing unobstructed access to said recessed first sleeping surface from above when said mattress body is used in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset, said recessed first sleeping surface being of sufficient surface area to accommodate the full body of the sleeping individual thereon and said inward side walls and said inward end walls being of sufficient height to restrict movement of the sleeping individual on said recessed first sleeping surface beyond said periphery of said mattress body; and

said mattress inset being selectively and removably positionable within and out of said recess, said mattress inset having;

a first inset surface; and

a second inset surface sized to be positionable adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface when in position within said recess, said first and second inset surfaces being spaced apart by a distance such that when said mattress inset is positioned within said recess said mattress inset substantially fills said recess;

b) positioning said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess;

c) moving the individual downward through said upward opening of said recess from above and into said recess toward said recessed first sleeping surface with said mattress body in said upward facing orientation without said mattress inset in said recess and with said upward opening uncovered; and

d) after moving the individual through said upward opening of said recess, placing the individual on said recessed first sleeping surface in a position for sleeping.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

lifting the individual from said recessed sleeping surface;

moving the individual upward through said upward opening of said recess and out of said recess;

placing said mattress inset within said recess with said second inset surface positioned adjacent to said recessed first sleeping surface;

selecting one of said upward facing and downward facing orientations for said mattress body, and if not in said selected orientation, moving said mattress body to said selected orientation; and

next, placing the individual on said now upward facing one of said first inset surface and said second body surface.