Modular foam mattress

• US 6,286,166 B1
• Filed: 06/17/1999
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Stolpmann, James R., Henley, Alan W.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/334,984
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 569/8, 572/2, 572/3, 572/7, 573/8, 573/9, 574/0, 548/3, 590/6, 592/6, 593/2, 548/4, 549/7, 549/9, 569/9, 549/6
• US Class Current: 5/722
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/001 with several cushions, mattresses or the like, to be put together in one cover
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/144 inside the mattress or cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/148 of different resilience
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/15 consisting of two or more layers A47C27/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/20 with springs moulded in, or situated in cavities or openings in foamed material

Abstract

A mattress includes a cover defining an interior region and a plurality of foam modules located in the interior region of the cover. Each of the plurality of foam modules is separately removable from the interior region and has a central foam portion and first and second side foam portions coupled to and extending along opposite sides of the central foam portion to provide a module width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress.

Claims

1. A mattress comprising:

a cover having an interior region and a bottom surface;

a foam base having a head end and a foot end;

a foot foam section located adjacent to the foot end of the base;

a head foam section located adjacent to the head end of the base;

a seat foam section located between the foot and head foam sections;

a plurality of fasteners configured to couple the foot, head and seat foam sections to the base,

at least one pocket formed on the bottom surface of the cover; and

a magnet located in each of the at least one pockets.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of fasteners include a plurality hook and loop fastener portions coupled to the base and the foot, head and seat foam sections.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shear cover configured to be located over the foot, head and seat foam sections, the shear cover having a low coefficient of friction so that the cover is permitted slide relative to the foot, head and seat foam sections.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a fire barrier located over the foot, head and seat foam sections, the shear cover being located over the fire barrier.

5. A mattress comprising:

a cover having an interior region, a head end, and a foot end;

a foot foam section located adjacent to the foot end of the cover, the foot foam section having a head end formed to include a first angled edge surface, the foot foam section including side foam portions extending along opposite sides of the foot foam section and a central foam portion located between the side foam portions, the side foam portions having a density greater than the central foam portion;

a head foam section located adjacent to the head end of the cover, the head foam section having a foot end formed to include a second angled edge surface; and

a seat foam section located between the foot and head foam sections, the seat foam section having a foot end formed to include a third angled edge surface and a head end formed to include a fourth angled edge surface, the first angled edge surface being configured to engage the third angled edge surface and the second angled edge surface being configured to engage the fourth angled edge surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the central foam portion includes a foot base portion, a heel section located on the foot base portion and a calf section located above the foot base portion adjacent to the heel section, the calf section having a density greater than the heel section.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the heel section has an ILD of about 7 to about 10 and the calf section has an ILD of about 17 to about 21.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the calf section includes the first angled edge surface configured to abut the third angled surface formed on the seat foam section.

9. A mattress comprising:

a cover having an interior region, a head end, and a foot end;

a foot foam section located adjacent to the foot end of the cover, the foot foam section having a head end formed to include a first angled edge surface;

a head foam section located adjacent to the head end of the cover, the head foam section having a foot end formed to include a second angled edge surface; and

a seat foam section located between the foot and head foam sections, the seat foam section having a foot end formed to include a third angled edge surface and a head end formed to include a fourth angled edge surface, the first angled edge surface being configured to engage the third angled edge surface and the second angled edge surface being configured to engage the fourth angled edge surface, the seat foam section including a central foam portion having a top surface formed to include a plurality of transversely extending notches and first and second side foam portions located on opposite sides of the central foam portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the seat central foam portion has an ILD of about 23 to about 27 and the side foam portions have an ILD of about 35 to about 40.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the central foam portion of the seat foam section includes the third and fourth angled surfaces located at opposite ends, the third and fourth angled surfaces being configured to engage the complementary first angled surface formed on the foot foam section and the second angled surface formed on the head foam section, respectively.

12. A mattress comprising:

a cover having an interior region, a head end, and a foot end;

a foot foam section located adjacent to the foot end of the cover, the foot foam section having a head end formed to include a first angled edge surface;

a head foam section located adjacent to the head end of the cover, the head foam section having a foot end formed to include a second angled edge surface, the head foam section including a central foam portion having a top surface formed to include a plurality of transversely extending notches and first and second side foam portions located on opposite sides of the central foam portion; and

a seat foam section located between the foot and head foam sections, the seat foam section having a foot end formed to include a third angled edge surface and a head end formed to include a fourth angled edge surface, the first angled edge surface being configured to engage the third angled edge surface and the second angled edge surface being configured to engage the fourth angled edge surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the head center foam portion has an ILD of about 17 to about 21 and the first and second side foam portions have an ILD of about 35 to about 40.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the head central foam portion has a foot end formed to include the second angled edge surface which is configured to engage the fourth angled edge surface formed on the head end of the seat foam section.

15. A mattress comprising:

a cover having an interior region, a head end, and a foot end, the cover including a top cover portion having four corners, each of the four corners including a vertical seam extending downwardly from a location adjacent a top surface of the top cover to a bottom edge of the top cover and a generally horizontal seam adjacent to the top surface of the top cover to form a substantially T-shaped seam;

a foot foam section located adjacent to the foot end of the cover, the foot foam section having a head end formed to include a first angled edge surface;

a head foam section located adjacent to the head end of the cover, the head foam section having a foot end formed to include a second angled edge surface; and

a seat foam section located between the foot and head foam sections, the seat foam section having a foot end formed to include a third angled edge surface and a head end formed to include a fourth angled edge surface, the first angled edge surface being configured to engage the third angled edge surface and the second angled edge surface being configured to engage the fourth angled edge surface.

16. A mattress having a head end and a spaced apart foot end defining a length dimension and spaced apart first and second sides defining a width dimension, the mattress comprising:

a cover defining an interior region; and

a plurality of foam modules located in the interior region of the cover, each of the plurality of foam modules being separately removable from the interior region and having a central foam portion and first and second side foam portions coupled to and extending along opposite sides of the central foam portion to provide a module width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, and each module having a module length dimension less than the length dimension of the mattress, the first and second side foam portions each having a firmness greater than a firmness of the central foam portion so that the first and second side foam portions of the plurality of modules cooperate to define first and second borders extending along the first and second sides of the mattress, respectively, between the head end and the foot end of the mattress.

17. The mattress of claim 16, further comprising a foam base located in the interior region of the cover below the plurality of foam modules.

18. The mattress of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of fasteners configured to couple the plurality of foam modules to the base.

19. The mattress of claim 16, further comprising a shear cover configured to be located over the plurality of foam modules, the shear cover having a low coefficient of friction so that the cover is permitted slide relative to the plurality of foam modules.

20. The mattress of claim 19, further comprising a fire barrier located over the plurality of foam modules, the shear cover being located over the fire barrier.

21. The mattress of claim 16, wherein the cover includes a bottom surface formed to include at least one pocket, and further comprising a magnet located in each of the at least one pockets.

22. The mattress of claim 16, wherein the first and second side foam portions have a density greater than the central foam portion.

23. The mattress of claim 16, wherein the plurality of foam modules include a foot foam section located adjacent to a foot end of the mattress, a head foam section located adjacent to the head end of the mattress, and a seat foam section located between the foot and head foam sections.

24. The mattress of claim 23, wherein the central foam portion of the foam foot section includes a foot base portion, a heel section located on the foot base portion and a calf section located above the foot base portion adjacent to the heel section, the calf section having a density greater than the heel section.

25. The mattress of claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of foam modules includes a central foam portion having a top surface formed to include a plurality of transversely extending notches.

26. The mattress of claim 16, wherein a first foam module of the plurality of foam modules is formed to include an angled edge surface, and a second foam module of the plurality of foam modules is also formed to include an angled edge surface configured to engage the angled edge surface formed on the first foam module.

27. A mattress having a head end and a spaced apart foot end defining a length dimension and spaced apart first and second sides defining a width dimension, the mattress comprising:

a cover defining an interior region;

a first foam section located in the interior region of the cover and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the first foam section being formed to include a first angled edge surface;

a second foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the first foam section and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the second foam section being formed to include a second angled edge surface configured to engage the first angled edge surface formed on the first foam section; and

a foam base located in the interior region of the cover below the first and second foam sections.

28. The mattress of claim 27, further comprising a plurality of fasteners configured to couple the first and second foam sections to the base.

29. The mattress of claim 27, wherein the first foam section is located adjacent the foot end of the mattress, the second foam section is located adjacent the first foam section, and further comprising a third foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the head end of the mattress, the third foam section having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress.

30. A mattress having a head end and a spaced apart foot end defining a length dimension and spaced apart first and second sides defining a width dimension, the mattress comprising:

a cover defining an interior region;

a first foam section located in the interior region of the cover and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the first foam section being formed to include a first angled edge surface;

a second foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the first foam section and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the second foam section being formed to include a second angled edge surface configured to engage the first angled edge surface formed on the first foam section; and

a shear cover configured to be located over the first and second foam sections, the shear cover having a low coefficient of friction so that the cover is permitted slide relative to the first and second foam sections.

31. A mattress having a head end and a spaced apart foot end defining a length dimension and spaced apart first and second sides defining a width dimension, the mattress comprising:

a cover defining an interior region, the cover including a bottom surface formed to include at least one pocket, and a magnet located in each of the at least one pockets;

a first foam section located in the interior region of the cover and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the first foam section being formed to include a first angled edge surface; and

a second foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the first foam section and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the second foam section being formed to include a second angled edge surface configured to engage the first angled edge surface formed on the first foam section.

32. A mattress having a head end and a spaced apart foot end defining a length dimension and spaced apart first and second sides defining a width dimension, the mattress comprising:

a cover defining an interior region;

a first foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the foot end of the mattress and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the first foam section being formed to include a first angled edge surface;

a second foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the first foam section and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the second foam section being formed to include a second angled edge surface configured to engage the first angled edge surface formed on the first foam section; and

a third foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the head end of the mattress, the third foam section having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, and the third foam section including a central foam portion having a top surface formed to include a plurality of transversely extending notches and first and second side foam portions located on opposite sides of the central foam portion.

33. The mattress of claim 32, wherein the center foam portion has an ILD of about 17 to about 21 and the first and second side foam portions have an ILD of about 35 to about 40.

34. The mattress of claim 32, wherein the central foam portion has a foot end formed to include a third angled edge surface configured to engage a fourth angled edge surface formed adjacent a head end of a second foam section.

35. A mattress having a head end and a spaced apart foot end defining a length dimension and spaced apart first and second sides defining a width dimension, the mattress comprising:

a cover defining an interior region;

a first foam section located in the interior region of the cover and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the first foam section being formed to include a first angled edge surface, the first foam section including side foam portions extending along opposite sides of the foot foam section and a central foam portion located between the side foam portions, the side foam portions having a density greater than the central foam portion; and

a second foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the first foam section and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the second foam section being formed to include a second angled edge surface configured to engage the first angled edge surface formed on the first foam section.

36. The mattress of claim 35, wherein the central foam portion includes a foot base portion, a heel section located on the foot base portion and a calf section located above the foot base portion adjacent to the heel section, the calf section having a density greater than the heel section.

37. The mattress of claim 36, wherein the heel section has an ILD of about 7 to about 10 and the calf section has an ILD of about 17 to about 21.

38. The mattress of claim 36, wherein the calf section includes a the first angled edge surface configured to abut the second angled surface formed on the second foam section.

39. A mattress having a head end and a spaced apart foot end defining a length dimension and spaced apart first and second sides defining a width dimension, the mattress comprising:

a cover defining an interior region;

a first foam section located in the interior region of the cover and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the first foam section being formed to include a first angled edge surface; and

a second foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the first foam section and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the second foam section being formed to include a second angled edge surface configured to engage the first angled edge surface formed on the first foam section, the second foam section including a central foam portion having a top surface formed to include a plurality of transversely extending notches and first and second side foam portions located on opposite sides of the central foam portion.

40. The mattress of claim 39, wherein the central foam portion has an ILD of about 23 to about 27 and the side foam portions have an ILD of about 35 to about 40.

41. A mattress having a head end and a spaced apart foot end defining a length dimension and spaced apart first and second sides defining a width dimension, the mattress comprising:

a cover defining an interior region;

a first foam section located in the interior region of the cover and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the first foam section being formed to include a first angled edge surface; and

a second foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the first foam section and having a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress, the second foam section being formed to include a second angled edge surface configured to engage the first angled edge surface formed on the first foam section, the first and second foam sections being separately removable from the interior region and each have a central foam portion and first and second side foam portions coupled to and extending along opposite sides of the central foam portion, and each of the first and second foam sections having a length dimension less than the length dimension of the mattress, the first and second side foam portions each having a firmness greater than a firmness of the central foam portion so that the first and second side foam portions cooperate to define first and second borders extending along the first and second sides of the mattress, respectively, between the head end and the foot end of the mattress.

42. A mattress cover comprising:

a top cover portion formed from a liquid impervious material, the top cover portion having a top surface, and a bottom edge, and four corners, each of the four corners including a generally horizontal seam located at a location spaced apart from the top surface, and a generally vertical seam extending downwardly from the horizontal seam to the bottom edge so that the generally vertical seam and the generally horizontal seam meet to form a substantially T-shaped seam.

43. The mattress cover of claim 42, wherein seams are formed by RF welding.