Edge support for a bendable mattress-innerspring
By using coil springs in both longitudinal rows and transverse columns, along with a central edge reinforcement component, the problem of effective support for low-cost flexible edge supports in bending mattresses is solved, achieving a smooth and quiet bending process and stable edge support.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510348435.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-02-25
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-25
AI Technical Summary
In the existing technology, there is a need in the low-cost segment for a flexible edge support solution that does not use thermal welding, so that the bendable mattress can bend around the lateral axis while maintaining effective edge support.
Multiple coil springs are arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse columns and connected by an upper connecting line. Multiple center edge reinforcement members are combined with the coil springs. The center edge reinforcement members are adjacent to and longitudinally spaced from the coil springs to induce an accordion-like fold when bent, providing stable edge support.
It achieves effective support from the edge support components in both flat and bent states of the mattress at a low cost, and the bending process is smooth and quiet, avoiding the sudden spring repositioning problem in existing technologies.
Smart Images
Figure CN122623912A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention generally relates to mattresses for bedding. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a bendable mattress spring with edge support, the mattress spring being bendable about a lateral axis and including edge support. Background Technology
[0002] Bedding mattresses typically include some form of edge support, which increases the usable surface area for sleeping. Such edge supports can minimize "rolling out" as a person moves closer to the edge of the bed.
[0003] Some mattresses have edge supports that are heat-welded to the mattress base slats. Because the edge supports and base slats effectively become a single, integral part of the finished mattress, this creates a "unicased" construction.
[0004] With the increasing prevalence of adjustable bases in the bedding industry, there is a demand for mattresses that can bend around a lateral axis while still maintaining some form of effective edge support. In some mattress models, this requirement has been addressed using a "flexicased" system, where individual "flex keys" are heat-welded to the mattress base slats, forming a "unicased" system that allows the mattress to hinge.
[0005] However, recently, there has been a demand in the low-cost segment for mattresses that enable hinged or bendable designs, requiring flexible edge support solutions that do not use thermally welded unicased constructions.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an improved, lower-cost flexible mattress with edge support springs. Summary of the Invention
[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome and / or mitigate one or more disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide consumers with a useful or commercial option.
[0008] In one aspect, though not necessarily the only or most extensive, the invention lies in a bendable mattress with internal springs having edge supports, comprising:
[0009] Multiple coil springs arranged in vertical rows and horizontal columns define a sleep surface;
[0010] The upper connecting line connects the upper part of the coil spring in one row to the upper part of the coil spring in the adjacent row; and
[0011] Multiple center-edge reinforcing members;
[0012] Each of the multiple central edge reinforcing members:
[0013] a) Maintain proximity to at least two coil springs in a single row; and
[0014] b) The inner spring is longitudinally spaced from the adjacent central edge reinforcement members so that it can bend about the transverse axis during use, thereby making the sleeping surface a bent surface, while the adjacent central edge reinforcement members remain spaced apart from each other; and
[0015] During the bending of the internal spring, the central edge reinforcement causes the upper part of a series of coil springs to fold in an accordion-like manner relative to the upper part of the adjacent series of coil springs.
[0016] Optionally, the central edge reinforcement members are symmetrically positioned on each side of the inner spring, such that the longitudinal positioning of each central edge reinforcement member on one side of the inner spring is the same as the longitudinal positioning of each central edge reinforcement member on the opposite side of the inner spring.
[0017] Alternatively, during the bending of the internal spring, by preventing some of the upper connecting wires from moving downward into the central edge reinforcement, the central edge reinforcement causes an accordion-like fold in the upper part of some of the coil springs.
[0018] Optionally, each central edge reinforcement member is C-shaped.
[0019] Alternatively, each center edge reinforcement member is initially cylindrical and is stretched into a “C” shape during the assembly of the internal springs while each center edge reinforcement member remains adjacent to at least two coil springs in a single row.
[0020] Optionally, each central edge reinforcement member is spaced apart from the adjacent edge reinforcement member by the width of at least one of the multiple coil springs.
[0021] Optionally, the height of each central edge reinforcing member is approximately equal to the height of one of the coil springs in the plurality of coil springs.
[0022] Optionally, each central edge reinforcement member has an elongated middle portion that extends between at least two coil springs along the side of the nearest edge of the coil spring away from the inner spring.
[0023] Optionally, each central edge reinforcement member is made of polyethylene.
[0024] Optionally, the mattress internal springs also include corner reinforcement members, wherein each corner reinforcement member extends from the end coil spring in the edge column across the end coil spring in the column adjacent to the edge column.
[0025] Optionally, the mattress springs may also include a plurality of straight-edge reinforcement members that extend accordingly between the edge columns or rows of the coil springs and the columns or rows adjacent to the edge columns or rows.
[0026] Optionally, multiple coil springs also define the lower surface, and the mattress in-springs also include a lower connecting wire that connects the lower portion of one row of coil springs to the lower portion of the coil springs in an adjacent row.
[0027] Optionally, each central edge reinforcement member is longitudinally spaced from the adjacent central edge reinforcement member by an edge coil spring.
[0028] Optionally, each central edge reinforcement member is longitudinally spaced from the adjacent central edge reinforcement member by more than one edge coil spring.
[0029] Optionally, the upper connecting line includes a spiral bracing wire that wraps around the upper part of one row of coil springs and around the upper part of the coil springs of the adjacent row. Attached Figure Description
[0030] To aid in understanding the present invention and to enable those skilled in the art to put it into practice, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] Figure 1 This is a top perspective view of a bendable mattress with edge support springs according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top-down perspective view of the springs inside the bendable mattress, but all the coil springs and tension lines have been removed.
[0033] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top-view perspective view of the springs inside a bendable mattress, including... Figure 2 As shown, all coil springs and tension wires have been removed, and the inner spring is bent around a transverse axis passing through the middle of the inner spring.
[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A close-up top view of a portion of the springs inside the mattress, illustrating a sample with only nine coil springs arranged in three vertical rows and three horizontal columns.
[0035] Figure 5 It is similar to Figure 3 The configuration shown is in a bent configuration. Figure 1 A close-up top-view perspective diagram of a portion of the springs inside a mattress.
[0036] Figure 6 This is a close-up top perspective view of a portion of the mattress internal springs in a bent configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0037] This invention relates to a bendable mattress internal spring with edge support members. Elements of the invention are illustrated in simplified outline form in the accompanying drawings, but only those specific details necessary for understanding embodiments of the invention are shown so as not to obscure this disclosure with excessive detail that would be obvious to those skilled in the art according to this specification.
[0038] In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, upper and lower, longitudinal and transverse, above and below, top and bottom, vertical and horizontal, etc., are used only to distinguish one element or method step from another, and do not necessarily require the specific relative position or order described by the adjective. Words such as "comprising" or "including" are not used to define an exclusive set of elements or method steps. Rather, such words define only the minimum set of elements or method steps included in a particular embodiment of the invention.
[0039] According to one aspect, the present invention is a bendable mattress inner spring with edge support members, comprising:
[0040] Multiple coil springs arranged in vertical rows and horizontal columns define a sleep surface;
[0041] The upper connecting line connects the upper part of the coil spring in one row to the upper part of the coil spring in the adjacent row; and
[0042] Multiple center-edge reinforcing members;
[0043] Each of the multiple central edge reinforcing members:
[0044] a) Maintain proximity to at least two coil springs in a single row; and
[0045] b) The inner spring is longitudinally spaced from the adjacent central edge reinforcement members so that it can bend about the transverse axis during use, thereby making the sleeping surface a bent surface, while the adjacent central edge reinforcement members remain spaced apart from each other; and
[0046] During the bending of the internal spring, the central edge reinforcement causes the upper part of a series of coil springs to fold in an accordion-like manner relative to the upper part of the adjacent series of coil springs.
[0047] Advantages of some embodiments of the invention include enhanced edge support for mattresses, which remain effective both when the mattress is flat and defines a generally flat sleeping surface and when the mattress is folded and defines a curved sleeping surface.
[0048] Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the accordion-like folding caused by the upper part of some rows of coil springs relative to the upper part of the coil springs of adjacent rows allows the inner springs to bend more smoothly and quietly.
[0049] Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the present invention enables enhanced edge support at a relatively low cost.
[0050] Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the enhanced edge support of the present invention is relatively stable because some of the edge reinforcement members are located inside the inner spring, rather than along the outer periphery of the inner spring.
[0051] Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the enhanced edge support of the present invention is designed for low-cost manufacturing because the edge support members do not require separate connectors or adhesives to hold them in place on the internal spring.
[0052] Those skilled in the art will understand that not all of the above advantages need to be included in all embodiments of the present invention.
[0053] Figure 1 This is a top perspective view of a bendable mattress inner spring 100 with edge supports according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inner spring 100 includes a plurality of coil springs 105 arranged in longitudinal rows 110 and transverse columns 115. As shown, the top of the inner spring 100 defines a sleeping surface similar to that of a typical bedding mattress known in the prior art, which is covered and customized with various fillings and fabric portions during final manufacturing and sometimes during use.
[0054] An upper connecting line in the form of a spiral tie wire 120 connects the upper part of the coil spring 105 in row 110 to the upper part of the coil spring 105 in adjacent row 110. (See...) Figure 4 (Close-up view of some of the coil springs 105 and helical tie wires 120). As described herein, the edge coil spring 105 is defined as a coil spring 105 positioned immediately adjacent to the outer edge of the inner spring 100.
[0055] The lower connecting line, which is also in the form of a spiral tie line 120, connects the lower part of the coil spring 105 in row 110 to the lower part of the coil spring 105 in the adjacent row 110.
[0056] The central third of the outer edge row 125 of the coil spring 105 includes an edge support in the form of a plurality of center edge reinforcement members 130. Each center edge reinforcement member 130 is shown connected to two coil springs 105 in its respective edge row 125. Furthermore, each center edge reinforcement member 130 is shown to be longitudinally spaced apart from the adjacent center edge reinforcement members 130 by a row 115 of coil springs 105.
[0057] Furthermore, the elongated middle portion of each center edge reinforcement 130 is positioned away from the edge of the inner spring 100 and between the first longitudinal row 110 and the second longitudinal row 110 of the coil spring 105. This helps to shield and protect the center edge reinforcement 130 from damage during use.
[0058] Each of the end thirds of the outer edge row 125 of the coil spring 105 includes an edge support in the form of a straight edge reinforcement 135 and a corner reinforcement 140. Thus, the center edge reinforcement 130, the straight edge reinforcement 135, and the corner reinforcement 140 provide reinforced bedding edges at both ends and sides of the in-wall spring 100. Since the additional edge supports work in conjunction with and regulate the spring response of the coil spring 105 located at all edges and corners of the in-wall spring 100, this allows for a comfortable and consistent vertical spring response across the entire sleeping surface.
[0059] Figure 2 This is a top perspective view of the built-in springs 100 of the bendable mattress, but all coil springs 105 and tension lines 120 have been removed. As shown, the sides and ends of the built-in springs 100 include edge supports using a combination of a center edge reinforcement 130, a straight edge reinforcement 135, and corner reinforcements 140.
[0060] Those skilled in the art will understand that, according to some embodiments, all center edge reinforcement members 130, straight edge reinforcement members 135, and corner reinforcement members 140 can be made of the same material, such as polyethylene. Furthermore, to reduce costs, the center edge reinforcement members 130 and corner reinforcement members 140 can be the same product, such as longitudinally cut polyethylene cylinders, then stretched into a “C” shape as illustrated. This stretching is also advantageous because each stretched end of the “C” shape can effectively grip the side of the coil spring 105, and therefore no fasteners or adhesives are required to hold the mounted center edge reinforcement members 130 and corner reinforcement members 140 in place.
[0061] Furthermore, the straight edge reinforcement members 135 can be easily held in place by tightly mounting them between the first longitudinal row 110 and the second longitudinal row 110 of the coil spring 105. The thickness of each of the center edge reinforcement member 130, the straight edge reinforcement member 135, and the corner reinforcement member 140 can be adjusted to tune the appropriate edge support response for each edge of the inset spring 100.
[0062] Figure 3 This is a top-view perspective view of the internal springs of a bendable mattress 100, where, for example... Figure 2 As shown, all coil springs 105 and tension wires 120 are removed, and the inner spring 100 is bent around a transverse axis passing through the middle of the inner spring 100. Thus, the inner spring 100 is adapted to the transverse bending to allow, for example, the headboard to be raised significantly above the feet. As is known in the prior art, such bending typically occurs using a remotely controlled electric motor (not shown) mounted below the inner spring 100.
[0063] As shown, because each central edge reinforcement 130 is longitudinally spaced from its adjacent central edge reinforcement 130, the sleeping surface can become a flexed surface when the tops of the central edge reinforcement 130 remain spaced apart from each other. In such a flexed or bent configuration, the mattress internal springs 100 thus remain able to provide effective edge support.
[0064] Figure 4 This is a close-up top view of a portion of the mattress's internal springs 100, illustrating a sample of only nine coil springs 105 arranged in three longitudinal rows 110 and three transverse columns 115. It also illustrates four spiral tension lines 120 that connect the tops of the coil springs 105 together.
[0065] As described in detail below, when the sleeping surface of the mattress inner spring 100 is bent, each spiral tension line 120 near the lateral bending axis of the inner spring 100 acts as a hinge and allows the upper part of some of the coil springs 105 in the lateral rows 115 to fold accordion-like relative to the upper part of the coil springs 105 in the adjacent lateral rows 115.
[0066] Figure 5 It is similar to Figure 3The diagram shows a close-up top perspective view of a portion of the mattress springs 100 in a folded configuration. Each rectangle represents a center edge reinforcement member 130, each zigzag line represents a coil spring 105, and each dashed line represents a spiral tension line 120. The accordion fold described above is clearly illustrated, wherein during the folding of the mattress springs 100, the upper portion of one top side of some of the coil springs 105 in the transverse rows 115 (and the corresponding spiral tension line 120 surrounding that top side of the spring 105) moves upward relative to the upper portion of the other top side of the coil springs 105 in the same transverse row 115 (and the adjacent spiral tension line 120).
[0067] refer to Figure 4 Further clarification is possible. Figure 5 Accordion-style folding, wherein during the bending of the internal spring 100, some of the spiral tension lines 120 will move upward (i.e., away from) the accordion. Figure 4 (page), while at the same time, the adjacent spiral tie line 120 will move downwards (i.e., into) Figure 4 (See the page). The central edge reinforcement 130 causes this accordion-like fold by, for example, preventing some of the spiral tie lines 120 from moving downward into the central edge reinforcement 130.
[0068] Furthermore, according to some embodiments of the invention, the central edge reinforcement members 130 are symmetrically positioned on each side of the inner spring 100 such that the longitudinal positioning of each central edge reinforcement member 130 on one side of the inner spring 100 is the same as the longitudinal positioning of each central edge reinforcement member 130 on the opposite side of the inner spring 100. During bending of the inner spring 100, this symmetrical positioning of the central edge reinforcement members 130 around the longitudinal centerline of the sleeping surface guides the accordion-like folding described above, wherein each spiral connecting line 120 is caused to move either upward or downward in the same direction along its entire lateral length.
[0069] Therefore, the symmetrical positioning of the central edge reinforcement 130 around the longitudinal centerline of the sleep surface causes the coil spring 105 to behave identically at both ends of the spiral connecting line 120, thereby minimizing the risk of sudden repositioning of the coil spring 105 and the connecting line 120 during bending of the inner spring 100.
[0070] Such abrupt repositioning can occur in existing bendable mattress designs when the ends of the transverse rows of coil springs are out of sync across the mattress. In this case, at some point during bending, one end of the spring row may "spring up" to align with the other end. This repositioning is highly undesirable because it is often both audible and felt by the user.
[0071] Figure 6 This is a close-up top perspective view of a portion of a mattress inner spring 600 in a bent configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The only difference between inner spring 100 and inner spring 600 is that, in inner spring 600, each center edge reinforcement 130 is not spaced apart from adjacent center edge reinforcement 130 by the width of at least one coil spring 105. Instead, in inner spring 600, each center edge reinforcement 130 is positioned immediately adjacent to another center edge reinforcement 130. However, given a suitable inner spring design, all center edge reinforcements 130 in a single longitudinal row 110 are sufficiently longitudinally spaced to allow the inner spring to bend unimpeded about the transverse axis.
[0072] Other embodiments of the invention include mattress-in-spring, wherein each central edge reinforcement 130 is longitudinally spaced from adjacent central edge reinforcements 130 by more than one edge coil spring 105.
[0073] Other examples of alternative features of the invention include embodiments in which each center edge reinforcement member is not “C”-shaped but shaped like brackets “[”. Other alternative embodiments include center edge reinforcement members comprising simple straight strips attached to the coil spring 105 by fasteners or adhesives, while maintaining longitudinal spacing from adjacent center edge reinforcement members.
[0074] Furthermore, according to some alternative embodiments of the invention, the spiral tie wire 120 can be replaced by an alternative type of connecting wire, which includes, for example, a separate loop connecting the top and bottom sides of adjacent coil springs 105.
[0075] Those skilled in the art will understand that various embodiments of the present invention can be made of a variety of materials, including various polymer or natural fiber materials for reinforcing members and various metals, metal alloys or composite materials for coil springs and connecting wires.
[0076] Throughout this specification, references to "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
[0077] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for the purpose of describing them to those skilled in the art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. Based on the above teachings, many alternatives and variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, although some alternative embodiments have been specifically discussed, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively readily developed by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, this specification is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the invention discussed herein, as well as other embodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the invention described above.
Claims
1. A flexible mattress inner spring with edge support, the flexible mattress inner spring comprising: Multiple coil springs arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse columns, the multiple coil springs defining a sleep surface; An upper connecting line connects the upper part of the coil spring in one row to the upper part of the coil spring in the adjacent row; as well as Multiple center-edge reinforcing members; Each of the plurality of central edge reinforcing members: a) Maintain proximity to at least two coil springs in a single row; and b) The inner spring is longitudinally spaced from adjacent central edge reinforcement members so that it can bend about a transverse axis during use, thereby making the sleeping surface a bent surface, while the adjacent central edge reinforcement members remain spaced apart from each other; and During the bending of the inner spring, the central edge reinforcement causes the upper portion of a series of coil springs to fold accordion-like relative to the upper portion of the adjacent series of coil springs.
2. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, The central edge reinforcement members are symmetrically positioned on each side of the inner spring, such that the longitudinal positioning of each central edge reinforcement member on one side of the inner spring is the same as the longitudinal positioning of each central edge reinforcement member on the opposite side of the inner spring.
3. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, During the bending of the inner spring, by preventing some of the upper connecting lines from moving downward into the central edge reinforcement member, the central edge reinforcement member causes an accordion-like fold in the upper part of some rows of the coil spring.
4. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, Each central edge reinforcement member is C-shaped.
5. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 4, wherein, Each center edge reinforcement member is initially cylindrical and is stretched into a "C" shape during the assembly of the internal springs while each center edge reinforcement member remains adjacent to at least two coil springs in a single row.
6. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, Each central edge reinforcement member is spaced apart from the adjacent edge reinforcement member by the width of at least one of the plurality of coil springs.
7. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, The height of each central edge reinforcing member is approximately equal to the height of the coil springs among the plurality of coil springs.
8. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, Each center edge reinforcement member has an elongated middle portion that extends between the at least two coil springs along the side of the nearest edge of the at least two coil springs that is away from the inner spring.
9. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, Each central edge reinforcement member is made of polyethylene.
10. The mattress internal spring according to claim 1, wherein the mattress internal spring further comprises corner reinforcing members, wherein, Each corner reinforcement member extends from the end coil spring in the edge column across the end coil spring in the column adjacent to the edge column.
11. The mattress spring of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of straight edge reinforcement members extending accordingly between the edge column or edge row of the coil spring and the column or row adjacent to the edge column or edge row.
12. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of coil springs also define a lower surface, and Also includes: A lower connecting line connects the lower part of the coil spring in one row to the lower part of the coil spring in the adjacent row.
13. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, Each central edge reinforcement member is longitudinally spaced from the adjacent central edge reinforcement member by an edge coil spring.
14. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, Each central edge reinforcement member is longitudinally spaced from the adjacent central edge reinforcement member by more than one edge coil spring.
15. The mattress with internal springs according to claim 1, wherein, The upper connecting line includes a spiral bracing line that wraps around the upper part of one row of the coil springs and around the upper part of the coil springs in the adjacent row.