Plastic mattress foundation having a sculpted exterior surface

Abstract

A mattress foundation is constructed substantially of plastic material. The foundation is defined by a semi-rigid cavity including a generally flat top surface, at least one downward depending sidewall, and at least a portion of an outer surface of the sidewall having a pattern formed thereon. Optional ground support members retain the foundation in a substantially horizontal orientation. An outer surface of one or more of the ground support members has a pattern formed thereon. An outer surface of an optional headboard may have a pattern formed thereon. A portion of an upper side of the top surface may have a pattern formed thereon. The pattern formed on the sidewall, the top surface, the ground support, or the headboard may give a quilted appearance to the foundation. The pattern may be three-dimensional or substantially flat. The pattern may be integral with the foundation or attached thereto.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of the following applications: utility patent application Ser. No. 10 / 617,946 (filed on 11 Jul. 2003), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 395,449, filed on 11 Jul. 2002; design patent application 29 / 192,103 (filed on 17 Oct. 2003); design patent application 29 / 192,104 (filed on 17 Oct. 2003); design patent application 29 / 192,105 (filed on 17 Oct. 2003); and utility patent application filed on 16 Apr. 2004, claiming priority to all of the above applications, titled “Plastic Mattress Foundation Having a Sculpted Exterior Surface,” having named inventor Richard F. Gladney, having an attorney matter number SMCY-P02-085, and Express Mail Label EV324844407US. The contents of all of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Today, foundations for mattresses are typically constructed of a combination of materials, including wood...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the braces are designed to connect with, and structurally reinforce, the foundation in a snap-on, snap-off fashion; this can be accomplished, for example, by a tongue-and-groove, dovetail, or other functionally equivalent mating arrangements known in the art. To further increase the structural integrity of the foundation, the tongue and groove shapes are designed to prevent outward deflections of the foundation under load weights.

[0013] To lighten the weight of the plastic foundation, to increase its pliability for sleeping comfort, to improve its structural integrity under load weights, or for any combination of these, and other, reasons, the top surface and / or side walls of the foundation may optionally be ribbed, resulting in air spaces formed therein. Some portions of the top surface and / or the sidewalls may be designed to have one or more continuous, uninterrupted regions of plastic material, tying together opposing sidewall portions; this may be beneficial in terms of structural integrity, aesthetics, and a combination of these and / or other reasons.

[0020] To improve the mobility of the foundation, casters may be installed on, or integrally formed with, the foundation, for ease of rolling and transport. The casters may be disposed at select locations along the edges of, or on, one or more of the sidewalls, depending on the desired orientation of the foundation during transport. If a foundation is to be transported vertically, for example, then the casters may be connected with a sidewall, disposed perpendicularly to the surface of the sidewall.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the plastic material is recyclable, so that if the owner of the mattress foundation or foundation-frame combination assembly wishes to dispose of the same, he or she would be able to do so without having to incur the fees that many municipalities charge for disposal of such items of furniture.

Problems solved by technology

Use of plastic in mattress foundations has been limited.

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