Mattress Cover With Integrated Spring Strips for Easy Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for attaching bottom spring cushioning in upholstered furniture, such as zigzag springs and cushion belts, are expensive and labor-intensive, and the integration of spring strips into furniture structures often results in uneven support and difficulty in accessing the underlying surface for cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A cover with a receiving device for bottom spring cushioning made from fiber-reinforced plastic spring strips, where the strips are integrated into a pocket arrangement on the cover's back side, allowing for easy installation and removal, and providing a defined and supportive cushioning system without the need for direct fastening to the furniture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional zigzag springs or cushion belts are used for bottom spring cushioning, then the furniture structure provides support function, but the installation process becomes expensive and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport functionVSAvoidinstallation cost and labor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom spring cushioning is divided into multiple independent spring strips that can be separately manufactured and then integrated into the cover. Each spring strip is a discrete component made from fiber-reinforced plastic material, allowing for modular installation and replacement without requiring complex assembly of traditional spring systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring strips are integrated directly into the cover structure through a receiving device, merging the cushioning function with the cover itself. This eliminates the need for separate installation steps and reduces labor requirements while maintaining the support function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If spring strips are integrated into the cover structure, then installation is simplified, but the support uniformity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsupport uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving device in the cover is designed with specific local features that ensure uniform distribution and positioning of the spring strips. The structure provides localized support points that are evenly spaced and oriented, guaranteeing uniform support across the entire surface while maintaining integration simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional bottom spring cushioning is used, then the furniture structure is stable, but the underlying surface is difficult to access for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring strips are extracted from the traditional fixed furniture structure and integrated into the removable cover instead. This allows the cover with its integrated cushioning to be easily removed and rolled up, providing full access to the underlying surface for cleaning while maintaining structural stability when in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If fiber-reinforced plastic spring strips are used, then the material durability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial durabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring strips are made from fiber-reinforced plastic material, combining the durability of fibers with the moldability of plastic. This composite material allows for direct molding of complex spring strip geometries, reducing manufacturing steps compared to traditional metal spring fabrication while achieving superior durability and resistance to corrosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution simplifies the installation and maintenance of spring cushioning, enhances comfort and support, and improves the transportability of furniture by allowing the mattress or cushion to be rolled up with the integrated spring strips, while maintaining a neat and accessible design.

Implementation Method 1

spring strip is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material with a preferably pultruded fiber core and a plastic jacket which surrounds the fiber core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10646048B2Cover for a mattress or a cushion as well as a mattress or cushion with such a cover

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 OKE GROUP

AI summary

A cover (8) for a mattress (6) or a cushion (3) of a piece of furniture (1) with a utilized side (10) and a back side (11), wherein on the back side (11) there is a receiving device for bottom spring cushioning (12) which has spring strips (15), wherein at least one spring strip (15) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material with a preferably pultruded fiber core (16) and a plastic jacket (17) which surrounds the fiber core (16). It is provided that on opposite sides of the jacket (17) one jacket side (18) at a time sticks out for an enlarged support surface of the spring strip (15).