Functional mattress

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) formed of a mattress (2) and an associated device (3), wherein: the mattress has a groove (4) which is open on a sleeping face, and the associated device is designed to at least partially obstruct said groove when placed in said groove.

Description

[0001] FUNCTIONAL MATTRESS

[0002] Scope of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of mattresses.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] When a couple sleeps together with one on the other's arm, it causes compression of the blood vessels and nerves in the arm, causing pain that necessitates a change of position after a few dozen minutes.

[0006] The radial nerve contributes to the sensory innervation of the hand. It is primarily a motor nerve that allows extension and supination.

[0007] If the person whose arm is under the other arm does not change position, they may experience radial nerve palsy, often called lovers' palsy. This paralysis is reversible.

[0008] One aim of the invention is to provide a mattress that overcomes this drawback.

[0009] Description of the invention

[0010] To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, an assembly consisting of a mattress and an associated device is proposed, in which:

[0011] • The mattress has an open groove on one sleeping surface, and

[0012] • the associated device is designed to at least partially obstruct said groove when placed in said groove.

[0013] The groove is partially embedded in the mattress thickness. It does not extend to the side opposite the sleeping surface. Of course, when the mattress has two sleeping surfaces, for example, a summer side and a winter side, one or more grooves may be present on one or both sides.

[0014] Also, the set has a configuration in which the mattress has a groove in which to pass the arm, and a configuration in which the groove is at least partially filled for a classic bed.

[0015] In one embodiment, the associated device has a conformation complementary to the groove, the associated device completely obstructing said groove when placed in the groove. In another possibility, the associated device has a surface flush with the sleeping surface when placed in the groove.

[0016] According to another possibility, the associated device has a part that protrudes on the sleeping surface.

[0017] Advantageously, the assembly according to the first aspect of the invention may include a system for attaching the associated device to the mattress.

[0018] In one embodiment, the associated device is inflatable.

[0019] For this purpose, the assembly may also include an inflation motor arranged to inflate the associated device.

[0020] In one possibility, the inflation motor can be housed in the associated device.

[0021] According to another possibility, the inflation motor can be located remotely from the associated device, the associated device being equipped with an inflation port designed to be fluidly connected to the inflation motor.

[0022] The mattress can be equipped with an inflation tube opening into the groove and designed to be connected to the inflation port.

[0023] The mattress may contain the inflation motor inside.

[0024] Alternatively, the mattress can be equipped with an inflation port fluidically connected to the inflation line.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the invention, a fitted sheet in two or more pieces is proposed for a mattress set according to the first aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements, of which one or more pieces are provided to cover the mattress or mattresses of said set, the other piece or pieces being provided to cover the associated device or devices of said set.

[0026] Description of the figures

[0027] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] • Figure 1 is a schematic top view of an assembly according to the invention, • Figure 2 illustrates on its upper part a schematic side view of the assembly of Figure 1, and illustrates on its lower part a magnification of a detail of the upper part,

[0029] • Figure 3 illustrates in its upper part a first configuration of the set of Figure 1 and illustrates in its lower part a second configuration of the set of Figure 1,

[0030] • Figure 4 illustrates different attachment systems for the assembly shown in Figure 1,

[0031] • Figure 5 illustrates a fitted sheet for the set shown in Figure 1,

[0032] • Figure 6 is a schematic view of an assembly according to the invention,

[0033] • Figure 7 is a schematic view of an assembly according to the invention,

[0034] • Figure 8 is a schematic view of another assembly according to the invention,

[0035] • Figure 9 is a schematic view of another assembly according to the invention,

[0036] • Figure 10 a schematic view of another assembly according to the invention.

[0037] Description of the implementation methods

[0038] The embodiments described below are not exhaustive; variants of the invention may include only a selection of the described features, hereinafter isolated from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art. This selection includes at least one feature, preferably functional, without structural details, or with only a portion of the structural details if this portion alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0039] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a set 1 is proposed consisting of a mattress 2 and an associated device 3.

[0040] The mattress has a length, also called the longitudinal direction, and a width, also called the transverse direction. The longitudinal and transverse directions define a plane parallel to the sleeping surface of the mattress. The mattress also has a thickness, in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0041] The mattress has a groove 4 on one sleeping surface 5. As can be seen in Figure 1, the groove 1 is partial in the transverse direction. In other words, the groove does not extend to the lateral edges of the mattress. Because the groove is partial, the mattress is more comfortable when sitting on the lateral edges of the mattress at the level of the grooves, as there is only one compartment instead of three. The mattress according to the invention helps maintain the height of the edges of the mattress and the associated device for longer periods (preventing sagging or compression) in the event of repeated pressure on the edges.

[0042] The associated device 3 is secured by 5 surfaces and is therefore only mobile along one axis, the axis perpendicular to the sleeping surface. This prevents the associated device from coming out of the groove or sliding sideways if friction forces are applied along the device's major axis when the individual turns over. It also prevents the mattress from being quickly damaged by forces exerted on the fasteners.

[0043] According to another embodiment, the groove could open only onto a medial edge in the case of a double bed with two mattresses placed side by side (described below).

[0044] The associated device 3 can be of exactly complementary shape to that of the groove 4, as is particularly visible in Figure 2.

[0045] As can be seen in Figure 2, groove 1 is partial depending on the thickness of the mattress.

[0046] The associated device is designed to at least partially obstruct said groove when placed in said groove.

[0047] The associated device is, for example, a cushion.

[0048] The associated device could consist of one or more complementary parts. One or more associated devices or cushions can thus be placed in the groove.

[0049] Also, the assembly has a configuration in which the mattress has a groove designed to allow the arm to pass through, and a configuration in which the groove is at least partially filled to allow for normal sleeping, as can be better seen in Figure 3.

[0050] Groove 4 is made along the transverse direction of the bed. Other directions are possible, as illustrated by groove 4' in Figure 1. The grooves can be of different dimensions, different shapes, straight or not, transverse or at different angles.

[0051] The mattress 2 may have one or more grooves 4. The associated device 3 fills the groove 4 completely or partially. It may be made of any material (one or more), hollow or solid, of any shape, of any dimensions, inflatable or not.

[0052] With reference to Figure 4, different attachment systems 6, 6', 6" of the associated device 3 on the mattress are shown. The attachment system 6 prevents the associated device 3 from falling off during mattress transfer.

[0053] Various types of fastening systems are available, such as a knot, Velcro, zipper, buttons, etc. Materials may vary.

[0054] A fastening system 6 is provided between the mattress 2 and the associated device 3 by means of ties starting from the mattress 2 and surrounding the associated device 3, the ties being tightened by knots.

[0055] A 6' attachment system is planned between mattress 2 and the associated device 3 using two Velcro strips starting from the sleeping surface of mattress 2 and preventing the removal of the associated device 3 when they are attached to each other.

[0056] A 6” attachment system is planned between the mattress 2 and the associated device 3 using hook and loop fasteners placed on the associated device 3 and in the groove 4.

[0057] With reference to Figure 5, a fitted sheet 7 according to the invention is illustrated. The fitted sheet 7 comprises two or more pieces 7', 7”, 7”', etc. One or more of the pieces 7' are provided to cover the mattress or mattresses 2 of the assembly.

[0058] Piece 7' has one or more parts which follow the shape(s) and dimensions of groove(s) 4 on mattress 2. This piece can be made of one or more fabrics, especially for groove 4.

[0059] Part 7' may have one or more large holes of the same shape as groove(s) 4, particularly in the case of a waterproof fitted sheet.

[0060] Part 7' may have one or more large holes in the bottom(s) of groove(s) 4, to allow communication between groove(s) 4 in case of a tunnel allowing the passage of an arm (described below).

[0061] Part 7' may have a small extension in the bottom or bottoms of groove 4, to line the walls of the tunnel which allows the passage of an arm.

[0062] Part 7' may have small holes to allow the attachment system 6 to function properly, as well as holes to allow an inflation system (described below) to pass through.

[0063] The other part(s) 7”, 7”, etc. are intended to cover the associated device(s) 3, 3’, 3’a, etc. The associated device 3 may be inflatable.

[0064] According to an embodiment described with reference to Figure 6, assembly 1 may include an inflation motor 8 arranged to inflate the associated device 3.

[0065] As shown, the inflation motor 8 is located at a distance from the associated device 3, the associated device having an inflation port intended to be fluidly connected to the inflation motor.

[0066] More specifically, the inflation motor 8 is located within the mattress 2.

[0067] Assembly 1 further includes a conduit 9 opening into groove 4 and intended to be connected to the inflation port. The conduit 9 may be crush-resistant. Otherwise, the conduit 9 passes through a crush-resistant sheath 10.

[0068] The associated device 3 does not completely detach from the mattress 2, therefore inflates and deflates inside the groove 4.

[0069] Anti-leak systems 11 can be disposed on an air intake end of the inflation motor 8, on an associated device and the ends of a conduit.

[0070] According to a variant of the invention not shown, the inflation motor 8 can be distant from the mattress 2, the mattress then having an inflation orifice.

[0071] According to a variant of the invention not shown, the inflation motor 8 can be fitted to the associated device 3.

[0072] According to a variant of the invention not shown, the inflation port of the associated device 3 can be provided with an overpressure valve.

[0073] The associated device 3 can be detached from the mattress 2.

[0074] With reference to Figure 7, it can be noted that different forms of associated 3' and 3” devices are possible.

[0075] The 3' device is inflatable and has a part that protrudes in the form of a quilt or other shapes when inflated.

[0076] The 3" device is not inflatable and can be configured in a way that complements the 3' device, creating a stack of associated devices. Therefore, when the 3' device inflates, the stack may protrude onto the sleeping surface.

[0077] In the same groove 4, one or more associated devices 3, 3”, etc. can be placed. The associated devices according to the invention can be equipped with one or more pieces of fabric, arranged towards the outside of the mattress when they are positioned in the groove, so that they can be extracted more easily from the groove.

[0078] Several devices 3, 3' or 3”, etc. can be completely separated, glued completely or partially (on a surface, a point, an edge, etc.).

[0079] Several devices 3, 3' or 3", etc. can be on the same mattress, both together, as well as separately.

[0080] Figure 8 illustrates the case of a double bed made up of two mattresses placed side by side, 2a and 2b. The groove can be formed and positioned across the two mattresses by two half-grooves, 4a and 4b, thus touching the medial edges without extending onto the lateral edges of the two mattresses. The groove can be filled by two or more associated devices, 3a and 3b, etc., or by a single associated device, 3c.

[0081] In a variant shown in Figure 9, the device associated with a mattress 2' is composed of three juxtaposed pieces 3'a, 3'b, 3'c. As illustrated in the figure, the middle piece 3'b can for example have a hole in the form of a tunnel through which the arm can pass.

[0082] In a variant shown in Figure 10, it is proposed that a mattress 200 has two grooves 400a, 400b separated by a central portion 200' of the mattress. The central portion has a predetermined width and includes a tunnel that communicates with the two grooves. Thus, an arm can pass through the tunnel.

[0083] Rigid and inflatable mattresses are well known. Although it targets both types of mattresses, the present invention will find particular advantages for rigid mattresses.

[0084] Of course, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Demands 1. Assembly (1) consisting of a mattress (2) and an associated device (3), in which: - the mattress has a groove (4) open on one sleeping surface (5), the groove being partial in the thickness of the mattress and along its transverse direction, and - the associated device is designed to at least partially obstruct said groove when placed in said groove.

2. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the associated device (3) has a conformation complementary to the groove (4), the associated device totally obstructing said groove when placed in the groove.

3. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the associated device has a surface flush with the bedding face (5) when placed in the groove.

4. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein the device is provided with a part which protrudes on the sleeping face (5).

5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an attachment system (6) for the associated device (3) on the mattress (2).

6. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the associated device (3) is inflatable.

7. Assembly according to the preceding claim, further comprising an inflation motor (8) arranged to inflate the associated device.

8. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the mattress is equipped with an inflation conduit (9) opening into the groove (4) and intended to be connected to the inflation port.

9. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the mattress (2) comprises the inflation motor (8).

10. Assembly according to claim s, wherein the inflation motor is distant from the mattress, the mattress being provided with an inflation orifice fluidly connected to the inflation conduit (9).

11. Fitted sheet (7) in two or more pieces (7', 7”, 7”') intended for a mattress assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, of which one or more pieces (7') are intended to cover the mattress(es) (2) with one or more parts which line the groove(s) (4) of said assembly, the other piece(s) (7”, 7”') being intended to cover the associated device(s) (3, 3', 3'a) of said assembly.