A mattress

Abstract

There is provided a mattress (100) including a torso portion (120) connected at opposing ends to a head portion (130) and a limb portion (140), the torso portion (120) having a first thickness and the limb portion (140) having a second thickness. The first thickness of the torso portion (120) is generally greater than the second thickness of the limb portion (140) so as to provide a variety of cushioned sections. The head, torso and limb portions (120, 130, 140) and the connections (102) between them aid transformation between a collapsed condition and a substantially elongated condition (110) of the mattress (100).

Description

[0001] A MATTRESS

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims priority from South African provisional patent application number 2024 / 01850 filed on 5 March 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0004] FIELD

[0005] The present disclosure relates to mattresses. More specifically, present disclosure relates to mobile mattresses.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] The outdoor industry has constantly been developing to find new and innovative solutions to make an adventurous lifestyle more leisurely. One of the biggest challenges for outdoor adventures is packing and storage space. The amount of space available typically depends on a vehicle, luggage, attachments, pouches, bags, and the like. Even though it may be desired to pack up your entire kitchen when you are going camping, for instance, it is just not practical. In addition to bringing the essentials such as cooking utensils, appliances, hygienic products, etc., a traveller typically wants to bring toys and equipment which would be ideal for outdoor adventures.

[0008] Therefore, it is desired for equipment to be as small and lightweight as possible so it can easily be carried or transported. In some instances, equipment types are combined so that only one piece of equipment is needed instead of two or three. This is how the spork, a utensil combination of a spoon and a fork, was invented. One essential piece of equipment for travelling and, specifically, the outdoors is a mattress. There are various kinds of mattresses such as foam foldable camping mattresses, inflatable mattresses, stretchers, yoga mattresses, and the like, all of which present their own problems. For instance, the foldable camping mattress is comfy, but very large and will typically be left behind when, for example, going on a hike. The inflatable mattress is compact when not blown up and can easily be transported. However, a user would require a pump to blow it up or blow it up with the mouth, the latter making camping and hiking less desirable. Inflatable mattresses are also susceptible to punctures and may deflate during the night when the air temperature cools down. The yoga mattress is ideal for travelling as it can be compact, even for hiking. However, it is very thin and when sleeping on hard terrain such as dry ground and rocky areas, the torso and hip section might become sore and even bruised. The applicant considers there to be room for improvement.

[0009] The preceding discussion of the background is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a mattress comprising: a torso portion connected at opposing ends to a head portion and a limb portion, the torso portion having a first thickness and the limb portion having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness of the torso portion is generally greater than the second thickness of the limb portion so as to provide a variety of cushioned sections, and wherein the head, torso and limb portions and the connections between them aid transformation between a collapsed condition and a substantially elongated condition of the mattress.

[0012] At least one of the connections may be a folding section aiding the portion of the mattress connected to the torso portion to fold towards or unfold from the torso portion.

[0013] The torso portion may be divided into a plurality of torso segments, each torso segment connected by a folding section.

[0014] The folding section between two torso segments may be configured to transform the torso portion from a substantially planar condition to a partially collapsed condition which may replicate at least a seat and a backrest of a chair.

[0015] The collapsed condition may be a rolled up condition of the mattress.

[0016] The head portion may include a chamber and an opening providing access to the chamber. At least one wall of the chamber may be deformable such that the head portion becomes a pillow when the chamber is stuffed.

[0017] The mattress may include a securing arrangement configured to releasably secure the mattress in the collapsed condition. The securing arrangement may comprise hook and loop fasteners. The securing arrangement may comprise at least one strap and release buckle. The connection between the head portion and the torso portion may include an aperture configured to accept the strap and release buckle, e.g., so that the strap may be transferred through the aperture.

[0018] The torso portion may at least partially consist of a material with a density higher than that of the head portion and limb portion.

[0019] The opening may be indicated by a bottom side of the head portion, torso portion, and limb portion. The securing arrangement may be attached to the bottom side.

[0020] The aperture in the connection between the head and torso portions may be configured to expose a piece of the strap and release buckle at a top side opposite the bottom side.

[0021] The torso portion may be thicker near the head portion and a cross-section of the torso portion may taper down towards the limb portion.

[0022] The mattress may include an attachment device located at the top side of the head portion configured to attach a releasable material layer to the head portion to cover the head opening.

[0023] Embodiments of the technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a mattress in an elongated condition in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 is a top view of the mattress of Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the mattress of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 4 is a side view of the mattress of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of the mattress of Figure 1 in a chair condition; Figure 6 is a side view of the mattress of Figure 5;

[0031] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional view of the mattress of Figure 1 in a collapsed condition;

[0032] Figure 8 is a front view of the mattress of Figure 7;

[0033] Figure 9 is a top view of the mattress of Figure 7;

[0034] Figure 10 is a rear view of the mattress of Figure 7;

[0035] Figure 11 is a left-side view of the mattress of Figure 7; and

[0036] Figure 12 is a right-side view of the mattress of Figure 7.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

[0038] A mattress including a torso portion, a head portion, and a limb portion is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the torso portion is connected to the head portion and the limb portion at opposing ends. The torso portion includes a first material layer with a first thickness. The limb portion includes a second material layer with a second thickness. The first thickness of the torso portion is generally greater than the second thickness of the limb portion and limb portion providing a variety of cushioned sections. In other words, cushioned sections of varying thicknesses may be provided. A user may, therefore, flatten the mattress such that it is in an elongated condition and lie down such that the torso portion of the mattress is supporting the user’s torso and hip. The user’s limbs, such as legs, may then be supported by the limb portion of the mattress. The user’s head and / or neck may be supported by the head portion.

[0039] The torso portion may be firm enough to sufficiently support the user's torso and hips such that the user’s bones and joints may be cushioned and protected against potentially hard terrain. The torso portion may, therefore, prevent aches, pains, and bruises from occurring when sleeping on hard terrain. The thickness of the torso portion is also generally greater than the thickness of the head portion. However, it may be that the head portion and limb portion have different thicknesses. It may also be that the head portion and the limb portion have the same thickness. The torso portion may be thicker near the head portion and a cross-section of the torso portion may taper down towards the limb portion. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the connections between the head, torso, and limb portions may be arranged to aid the transformation of the mattress between a collapsed condition and the elongated condition. The connections may, therefore, be folding sections. The collapsed condition may be any condition where the mattress is more compact compared to the elongated condition. For example, the collapsed condition may be a rolled-up condition, a single-plane folded condition, a multiple-plane folded condition, a partially rolled-up or bent condition, or a combination of the mentioned conditions, etc. The mattress, including a thicker torso portion, may ensure that the mattress is compact enough to transport with, for example, a backpack, sling bag, by hand, or the like, while ensuring comfort when the user’s weight rests on the torso portion.

[0040] The torso portion may further be divided into a plurality of torso segments. Each of the torso segments may be connected by a connection as described earlier. The connection connecting two torso segments may be a folding section. The folding section between two torso segments may aid in transforming the torso portion into the collapsed condition. The folding section between two torso segments may further be configured to transform the torso portion from a substantially planar condition to a partially collapsed condition. The partially collapsed condition may replicate at least a seat and a backrest of a chair.

[0041] One of the limb, torso, or mattress portions may include an internal chamber for inserting items, clothes, objects, padding or materials. The chamber may be used for extra storage when transporting the mattress. The chamber may also be filled with cushioning material to provide additional cushioning when supporting the user’s weight. The cushioning material may be any material insertable into the chamber such as clothing, foam, feathers, a pillow, a sponge, a cloth, a material bag, or the like. A section of the portion including the chamber may be deformable such that, when housing the cushioning material, the section of the appropriate portion of the mattress deforms to increase in thickness. The head portion may include the chamber.

[0042] The mattress may, furthermore, include a securing arrangement for releasably securing the mattress in the collapsed condition. The securing arrangement may include any one or more or a combination of a sleeve, a strap, a belt, a release buckle, a bag, hook and loop fasteners, or the like. There may also be a plurality of securing arrangements for releasably securing the mattress in the collapsed condition. The one or more securing arrangements may be attached to a portion of the mattress.

[0043] A three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a mattress (100) in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated in Figure 1. The mattress (100) includes a torso portion (120), a head portion (130), and a limb portion (140). The torso portion (120) has a first thickness and the limb portion (140) has a second thickness. The first thickness of the torso portion (120) is generally greater than the second thickness of the limb portion (140). “Generally greater” may be understood as meaning that the overall thickness of the torso portion (120) is greater than the overall thickness of the limb portion (140). Therefore, the first thickness is uniform across the length of the torso portion (120) and at least a part of the limb portion (140) is tapered such that one end is as thick as the torso portion (120) and the other end is more narrow.

[0044] It should be appreciated that the first thickness does not have to be uniform along the length of the torso portion (120). Similarly, the second thickness does not have to taper from one end of the limb portion 9140) to the other such that at least a section of the limb portion (140) becomes more narrow. It may be that the first and second thicknesses are generally uniform, somewhat irregular, or vary along the length of the torso portion (120) and / or limb portion (140). However, it is important to understand that at least a majority of the limb portion (140) is smaller than at least a majority of the torso portion (120).

[0045] The torso portion (120) is connected to the head portion (130) and the limb portion at respective and opposing ends of the torso portion (120). Connections (102) between the torso portion (120), head portion (130), and limb portion (140) aid transformation of the mattress (100) between a collapsed condition (1 12) and a substantially elongated condition (1 10). Each connection (102), as illustrated in Figure 1 , is a folding section which may aid the portion of the mattress connected to the torso portion (120) to fold towards or unfold from the torso portion (120). The folding section may be elastic, a section of the mattress (100) that is thinner than the rest, a flexible material, a piece of fabric, or the like. It may also be that at least one of the connections (102) is a detachable connection configured to releasably attach each portion (120, 130, 140) of the mattress (100) to another. In another embodiment, the mattress may be continuous in which a torso portion, a head portion, a limb portion, and the connections between the portions are continuous. In such an embodiment, the mattress may, for example, taper from one end towards another, or from the torso portion toward the end of the limb portion such that the thickness of the torso portion gradually declines toward the end of the limb portion. Similarly, it may be that the thickness of the torso portion may gradually decline towards the end of the head portion. There may be another embodiment in which the thickness of the torso portion does not gradually decline, but instead, it declines in a stepped manner.

[0046] The torso portion (120) is divided into a plurality of torso segments (122) by a connection (102). The deformable torso portion (120) may ease transforming the mattress between the collapsed (112) and elongated (1 10) conditions. It should be appreciated that the head portion (130) and limb portion (140) may also include connections dividing them into head segments and limb segments, respectively.

[0047] Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4 respectively illustrate an exemplary top view, bottom view, and side view of the mattress (100). Figure 2 illustrates a top side of the mattress, Figure 3 illustrates a bottom side of the mattress, and Figure 4 illustrates a left side of the mattress. The mattress (100) includes a plurality of securing arrangements (150) for releasably securing the mattress (100) in the collapsed condition (1 12). Each securing arrangement includes a flexible strap and release buckle. The release buckle includes a male buckle and a female buckle. When connected, the female buckle receives the male buckle and prongs of the male buckle engage with catches of the female buckle to secure the male buckle to the female buckle. To free the male buckle from the female buckle, the prong must be manually displaced from the catches while removing the male buckle from the female buckle. It should be appreciated that the securing arrangement shown is only for exemplary purposes and the may include various other formations and engagements as mentioned previously.

[0048] The securing arrangement (150) is attached to the mattress (100), specifically to the head portion (130). However, the securing arrangement (150) may be attached to the torso portion (120) or the limb portion (140). It may also be that the securing arrangement is releasably attached to any portion (120, 130, 140), or that the securing arrangement (150) is separate from the mattress (100). The mattress (100) includes three securing arrangements (150); two outer securing arrangements (152) and a centre securing arrangement (154). The outer securing arrangements (152) are attached to the sides of the head portion (130). The centre securing arrangement (154) is attached to the centre of the head portion (130).

[0049] The centre securing arrangement (154) is separated such that a female buckle (154A) and strap extend from the end of the head portion (130) and a male buckle (154B) and strap extend from the connection (102) between the head portion (130) and the torso portion (120). More specifically, the strap including the male buckle (154B) is attached to the head portion (130) at an attachment zone (132). The torso portion (120) may include an aperture (124) near the attachment zone (132) so that the strap and buckle (154B) may be transferred through the aperture (124) to be exposed at either the top side or the bottom side of the mattress (100). The torso portion (120) further includes side strap apertures (126) for transferring the straps with male buckles (152B) through the side strap apertures (126) and exposing the strap and buckle (152A) at the top or bottom side of the mattress (100). The apertures may serve a double purpose of hiding the straps with male buckles (152B, 154B) underneath the mattress (100) when a user rests his or her body on the mattress (100), or so that the mattress can be folded or rolled up along the top or bottom side to expose the securing arrangement (150) for securing the mattress in the collapsed condition (112).

[0050] The head portion (130) includes an internal chamber and a closable opening (134) located at the bottom side, as illustrated in Figure 3. The opening (134) may provide access to the chamber. The chamber may be used for extra storage when transporting the mattress (100). The chamber may also be filled with cushioning material to provide additional cushioning when supporting the user’s weight. A section of the head portion (130) may be deformable such that, when housing the cushioning material or an item, the section deforms to increase thickness of the head portion (130), as illustrated in Figure 4. In other words, at least one wall of the chamber may be deformable such that the head portion (130) may become a pillow when the chamber is stuffed with cushioning material. The closeable opening (134) may be closed with a closing arrangement which may prevent items or cushioning material housed within the chamber from escaping the chamber. The closing arrangement, as illustrated in Figure 4, is a separable fastener or zipper. However, there may be various different closing arrangements such as buttons, press studs, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.

[0051] The head portion (130) may be connected to the torso portion (120) more towards the top side than towards the bottom side of the mattress (100). This connection (102) may prevent unnecessary space between a user’s head and the head portion (120) when a user a lying on the top side of the mattress (100). The connection (102), therefore, ensures that less cushioning material is needed to expand the head portion (120) to ensure that it contacts the user’s head. The closing arrangement located at the bottom side of the mattress (100) and head portion (120) prevents the closing arrangement from contacting the user’s head in use. The user’s head or neck will not be irritated, hurt, or bruised by the closing arrangement as it is located at the bottom side and not the top side.

[0052] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary three-dimensional view of the mattress (100) folded into a partially collapsed or chair condition (1 14). Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary side view of the mattress (100) folded into the chair condition (1 14). The connections (102) are biased to fold the portions (120, 130, 140) of the mattress (100) in the same direction. Biasing the connections (102) to fold towards the top side is achieved by positioning the connections (102) more towards the top side than towards the bottom side. As mentioned earlier, the connections (102) may be folding sections which aid the portions (130, 140) of the mattress to fold towards or unfold from the torso portion (120). The connection (102) between the torso segments (122) may also be a folding section aiding in folding or unfolding one torso segment (122) towards or from another. Therefore, the folding section between the torso segments (122) may be configured to transform the torso portion (120) from a substantially planar condition to the chair condition that replicates at least a seat and a backrest of a chair. Two connection surfaces (128) of the torso segments (122) will contact and restrict a folding action when there is an attempt to fold the torso segments (122) towards the bottom side. The connection (102) between the torso portion (120) and the limb portion (140) is, in this manner, similar to the connection (102) between the torso segments (122).

[0053] The limb portion (140) includes a thicker segment (144) and a thinner segment (146). The thicker segment (144) may taper down from the thickness of the torso portion (120) to the thickness of the thinner segment (146). It may also be that the thinner segment (146) tappers down at least somewhat from the thickness of the thicker segment (144) to a smaller thickness. There may also be a folding zone (142) separating the thicker segment (144) from the thinner segment (146). The folding zone (142) may be identified by the end of the tapering thicker segment (144) and the start of a uniform thinner segment (146). The limb portion (140), in use, may be folded such that the thicker segment (144) rests on the torso segment (122) further away from the head portion (130). The limb portion (140) may also be folded such that the thinner segment (146) rests against the torso segment (122) closer to the head portion (130). The thicker segment (144) and the further torso segment (122) may be a seat of the chair and the thinner segment (146) and closer torso segment (122) may be a backrest of the chair.

[0054] It should be appreciated that it is not necessary for the limb portion (140) to have thicker and thinner segments. In another embodiment, the limb portion (140) may have a uniform thickness, and any of the closer or further torso segments (122) may be used, together with the folded limb portion (140), as a seat or backrest. In another embodiment, both the thicker and thinner portions may have a uniform thickness.

[0055] Figures 7 to 12 illustrate an exemplary collapsed condition (1 12) of the mattress (100). Figure 7 is an exemplary three-dimensional view. Figures 8, 9 and 10 are exemplary front, top and rear views, respectively. Figures 11 and 12 are left and right views, respectively. The collapsed condition (1 12), in this instance, is a rolled-up condition. However, it should be appreciated that the mattress (100) may have various other collapsed conditions such as a folded condition and a partially folded and partially rolled-up condition. The head portion (130) may include an attachment means or an attachment device located at the top side of the head portion (130). The attachment means or attachment device may be configured to attach a releasable material layer (136) to the head portion to cover the closable opening (134). The releasable material layer (136) may include soft material increasing comfort for when a user’s head rests thereon. Furthermore, the releasable material layer (136) may include an absorbent material for absorbing liquids such as sweat or drool, in use, when the user’s head rests thereon. Referring now to Figures 1 1 and 12 which illustrate the side views of the exemplary mattress (100). The mattress (100) is folded from the limb portion (140) end towards the head portion (130) end, with the limb portion (140) end in the centre of the collapsed condition (1 12). The mattress (100) is also rolled up such that the head portion (130) can enclose the limb portion (140) and the torso portion (120). Therefore, the head portion (130) may also function as a cover for the mattress (100) in the collapsed condition (112). The mattress (100) is rolled up such that the securing arrangements (150) are exposed. The securing arrangements (150) may then cover the rolled- up mattress (100) and the two connecting ends of the securing arrangement (150) may be connected to secure the mattress (100) in the collapsed condition (1 12).

[0056] When rolling the mattress (100) up towards the bottom side, the two connecting surfaces (128) of the torso segments (122) remain flat against one another. This may be achieved by the connection between the torso segments (122) being positioned more towards the top side of the mattress (100). If the mattress (100) were rolled up towards the upper side, the two connecting surfaces (128) would separate creating wasted space. The collapsed condition (112) of the mattress (100) rolled towards the top side is less compact than the collapsed condition of the mattress (100) rolled towards the bottom side.

[0057] It should also be appreciated that the type of material used is not important as the mattress may consist of one or a plurality of materials. Each of the head portion, torso portion, and limb portion consists of materials with different densities, or they may have the same density. In an embodiment with different densities, the torso portion must consist of a material with a density higher than that of the head portion and the limb portion. What is important is that the thickness of the torso portion is generally greater than the thickness of the limb portion. More specifically, the thickness of the torso portion may be generally greater than the thickness of both the limb portion and the head portion. The different thicknesses may achieve a more compact collapsed condition without sacrificing body-supporting comfort, compared to a mattress with a generally uniform thickness.

[0058] The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.

[0059] The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the present disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of any accompanying claims.

[0060] Finally, throughout the specification and any accompanying claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A mattress comprising: a torso portion connected at opposing ends to a head portion and a limb portion, the torso portion having a first thickness and the limb portion having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness of the torso portion is generally greater than the second thickness of the limb portion so as to provide a variety of cushioned sections, and wherein the head, torso and limb portions and the connections between them aid transformation between a collapsed condition and a substantially elongated condition of the mattress.

2. The mattress as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the connections is a folding section aiding the portion of the mattress connected to the torso portion to fold towards or unfold from the torso portion.

3. The mattress as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the torso portion is divided into a plurality of torso segments, each torso segment connected by a folding section.

4. The mattress as claimed in claim 3, wherein the folding section between two torso segments is configured to transform the torso portion from a substantially planar condition to a partially collapsed condition that replicates at least a seat and a backrest of a chair.

5. The mattress as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the head portion includes a chamber and an opening providing access to the chamber, and wherein at least one wall of the chamber is deformable such that the head portion becomes a pillow when the chamber is stuffed.

6. The mattress as claimed in any one of the previous claims, including a securing arrangement configured to releasably secure the mattress in the collapsed condition.

7. The mattress as claimed in claim 6, wherein the securing arrangement comprises hook and loop fasteners.

8. The mattress as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the securing arrangement comprises at least one strap and release buckle.

9. The mattress as claimed in claim 8, wherein the connection between the head portion and the torso portion includes an aperture configured to accept the strap and release buckle.

10. The mattress as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the torso portion at least partially consists of a material with a density higher than that of the head portion and limb portion.1 1 . The mattress as claimed in claim 5, wherein the opening is indicated by a bottom side of the head portion, torso portion, and limb portion, and wherein a securing arrangement is attached to the bottom side.

12. The mattress as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein an aperture in the connection between the head and torso portions is configured to expose a piece of a strap and release buckle at a top side opposite the bottom side.

13. The mattress as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the torso portion is thicker near the head portion and a cross-section of the torso portion tapers down towards the limb portion.

14. The mattress as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, including an attachment means located at the top side of the head portion configured to attach a releasable material layer to the head portion to cover the head opening.

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