Levitation devices are disclosed for use with beds. In one embodiment, the levitation device is configured to facilitate rotation of a mattress with respect to a box spring. In another embodiment, the levitation device is configured to facilitate making a bed which allows sheets and blankets to be tucked between the mattress and the box spring without the need to lift the mattress. In a third embodiment, the levitation device functions as a hybrid device and can be used for making a bed or rotating a mattress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating making beds of all sizes with one or more flat sheets by minimizing lifting of the mattress so that flat sheets and/or blankets can be tucked between the upper mattress and the box spring or platform without lifting the top mattress. 2. Description of the Prior Art.

A conventional bed includes a box spring or bottom mattress or platform and a top mattress. Top mattresses are relatively heavy items. The weight of a mattress varies as a function of the coil core, the gauge of the coil and the type of material or foam material used. An average king size mattress weighs between 85 and 115 pounds, High end king size mattresses with latex or memory foam can weigh as much as 300 pounds www.mattressdirectonline.com.

Hotel and motel chains as well as healthcare facilities which include hospitals, nursing homes and extended care facilities (hereinafter “commercial facilities”) are known to only use flat sheets in their facilities due to the lower cost of flat sheets relative to fitted sheets and the desire to maintain fewer items in their respective inventories. As such, in order to properly make the beds in such facilities with flat sheets, housekeeping personnel need to lift the top mattress, which can be quite heavy, as discussed above. More particularly, in such facilities beds are made with a top sheet and a bottom sheet and a blanket. Both the top sheet and the bottom sheets are flat sheets.

In order to properly make the bed, the top and bottom sheets are tucked in between the top mattress and the box spring. More specifically, the bottom sheet is placed on the bed so that an equal amount of the sheet hangs off each side of the bed and an equal amount of the sheet hangs off the head and foot regions of the bed. The excess is tucked in at the head and foot regions of the bed to form so called “hospital corners”. Next, the excess portions of the bottom sheet are tucked in next between the mattress and the box spring. The top sheet is then placed on top of the bottom sheet and placed and tucked in the same manner as the bottom sheet with hospital style corners except the head region is left open. In other words, only the foot and side portions of the top sheet are tucked between the mattress and the box spring. Next, a blanket is placed on the bed and may be tucked in the same manner as the top sheet.

In order to tuck the top and bottom sheets between the mattress and the box spring, the top mattress must normally be lifted. As mentioned above, mattresses can weigh up to 300 pounds. In order to make a bed, a housekeeping employee may need to lift a mattress up to ten (10) times per bed-four (4) times for the bottom sheet and three (3) times for the top sheet and the blanket. Assuming that each housekeeping employee in a hotel, motel or healthcare facility makes at least 20-30 beds in a single shift, each housekeeping employee would typically lift a mattress at least 150-200 times per shift. Since bed making is a daily chore, housekeeping employees probably lift mattresses 150-200 times per shift on a daily basis.

Such sustained and repetitive lifting leads to employees developing back problems, resulting in employees missing work or, in severe cases, being placed on disability. Measures have been taken to mitigate such health problems. For example, simply using fitted sheets for the lower sheet reduces the number of times the mattress is to be lifted by 40%. However, fitted sheets do not provide the “hospital corners” in the lower bed sheets that hospitals are known for. Moreover, even using fitted sheets for the bottom sheet still requires a housekeeping employee to lift mattresses at least 90-160 times per day using the example above.

The use of fitted sheets is not without its drawbacks. For example, fitted sheets cost more than flat sheets. Also, frequent washing of sheets in commercial facilities tends to wear out the elastic in fitted sheets. As such, fitted sheets used in such facilities need to be replaced in applications in commercial facilities more frequently than straight sheets.

Thus, there is a need for further minimizing or eliminating the need for housekeeping employees to lift mattresses while still providing “hospital corners” on the made beds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating making beds of all sizes with one or more flat sheets by minimizing lifting of the mattress so that flat sheets and/or blankets can be tucked between the upper mattress and the box spring or platform without lifting the top mattress. As such, during an active mode, flat sheets and blankets can be tucked between a mattress and box spring or platform virtually effortlessly without the need to lift the top mattress. The present invention thus increases the efficiency of the housekeeping staff leaving more time for the housekeeping staff to attend to the rest of the room.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to levitation devices that can be used for making beds and rotating mattresses in a horizontal plane.FIGS. 1-29relate to an active mattress spinner for rotating mattresses in a horizontal plane.FIGS. 30-43relate to a method for facilitating making a bed without the need to lift the top mattress.FIGS. 44 and 45illustrate alternate embodiments of the levitation device for both of the embodiments discussed above.

A system and method are disclosed for facilitating making beds of all sizes with one or more flat sheets by minimizing lifting of the top mattress so that flat sheets and/or blankets can be tucked between the upper mattress and the box spring or platform without lifting the top mattress. As used herein, box spring is to be understood to be a box spring or a platform.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a levitation device that can be centrally located between the mattress and the box spring. The levitation device is driven by an air source, such as an air pump or other source of air, and has a normal mode and an active mode. In a normal mode, the air source is off and the levitation device is relatively flat. In an active mode, the air source is on and the levitation device is expanded lifting the top mattress relative to the box spring. By centrally locating the levitation device relative to the mattress and the box spring, a portion of the mattress is lifted, thus relieving the weight of mattress along the edges. As such, during an active mode, flat sheets and blankets can be tucked between a mattress and box spring virtually effortlessly without the need to lift the top mattress. When the bed is made the air source is simply turned off allowing the mattress to be lowered onto the box spring.

As mentioned above, this embodiment is illustrated inFIGS. 30-43. In particular,FIGS. 30-37illustrate an embodiment in which the levitation device is embedded into one or the other of a mattress or a box spring.FIGS. 38,39,42and43illustrate an aftermarket embodiment in which the levitation device is formed as a single cover that can easily be installed on either the mattress or the box spring by a consumer or a commercial facility.FIGS. 40 and 41illustrate an alternative aftermarket device formed as two covers.

The invention described herein is useful when a bed is properly made, as discussed above, with one or more flat sheets. As used herein, flat sheets are defined to mean a rectangular sheet of cloth having a standard size for covering a standard mattress as described below.

US standard mattress sizes and US standard flat sheet sizes are provided below. It is to be noted that the principles of the invention are also applicable to non-US mattress and flat sheet sizes, as well as non-standard sizes and also apply to so-called “deep pocket” mattresses and flat sheets.

Referring first toFIGS. 30-37, a first embodiment of the BedMaker™ device is illustrated. In this embodiment, the levitation device may be embedded in either the underside of the mattress or the top side of the box spring. As defined herein, “embedded” is defined to mean permanently attached, for example, by stitching, or removably attached using a fastener system, such as a zipper or a Velcro® fastening system to the surface of a box spring or mattress. Moreover, although the various embodiments, illustrated inFIGS. 30-43, show the air flow from the levitation device in an upward direction, the principles of the invention are applicable to embodiments in which the air flow from the levitation device is in a generally downward or upward direction.

Referring first toFIG. 30, a top mattress201and a box spring203are shown. The levitation device is generally identified with the reference numeral200. The levitation device200includes an inflatable volume generally identified with the reference numeral202. As shown inFIG. 30, the inflatable volume may be formed with a circular shape, as shown inFIG. 30or rectangular or octagonal shapes, as shown inFIGS. 44 and 45, respectively or virtually any shape.

The inflatable volume202includes an air inlet nozzle204and one or more vent holes, generally identified with the reference numeral206. Four (4) vent holes are shown. More or fewer vent holes206could be used. The vent holes206are used to exhaust excess air from the inflatable volume202during an active mode when an air supply is applied to the air inlet nozzle204while maintaining the inflatable volume202in an expanded condition as shown inFIGS. 33 and 34.

One or more grommets or stitches208may be used to create one or more air pockets within the inflatable volume202. As best shown inFIG. 33, the grommet208creates a donut shaped air pocket defining air pocket portions210and212when an air supply is connected to the air inlet nozzle204(FIG. 30). These air pocket portions210,212lift the cover218and the upper mattress201. Even though the pocket portions210and212do not extend to the edges of the sides214and216, the mattress201tends to rise along the sides214and216.

Turning back toFIG. 30, the levitation device200includes the inflatable volume202and a cover218. As shown inFIGS. 30,33and34, air is applied to the air inlet nozzle204, as indicated by the arrow217(FIG. 33), for example, by way of an air pump250((FIG. 39) in order to fill up the pocket portions210and212as indicated by the arrows219(FIG. 34),220and222(FIG. 33). Excess air is vented through the vent holes208(FIG. 30) to create an air cushion under the cover218, as indicated by the arrows224and226(FIG. 34). This air cushion acting through the air pressure under the cover218may be used to support the upward force created by the expansion of the pockets210and212to lift the upper mattress214, as shown inFIGS. 33 and 34. With a continuous air supply, the cover218is configured as a sieve to leak excess air, for example, around the perimeter, as generally indicated by the arrows228(FIG. 30),230(FIG. 32) and 232(FIG. 34) when an air supply is connected to the air inlet nozzle204. The sieve is configured so that the leakage from the top cover218and the air flow from the vent holes208, for a given amount of air flow into the air inlet nozzle204, is sufficient to maintain the air pocket portions210,212(FIG. 33) in an expanded position, as best shown inFIG. 33. Once the bed is made, the air supply to the air inlet nozzle204(FIG. 30) is turned off. Subsequently, the air in the pockets is vented through the vent holes208and the sieve.

As mentioned above, the levitation device200includes an inflatable volume202and a cover218(FIG. 30). In an embedded embodiment, there are several embodiments for the inflatable volume. In one embodiment, the inflatable volume can be formed as a separate device and added to a standard box spring203. In this embodiment, the inflatable volume202is formed from two (2) sheets234,235of an air impermeable material, such as, PU coated nylon ripstop or PU/PVC coated nylon taffeta or material of similar or lesser air permeability. In this embodiment, the sheets are cut into an appropriate shape, such as a circle, as shown inFIG. 30, or other shapes, such as a rectangular or octagonal shape, shown inFIGS. 44 and 45, respectively or virtually any other shapes. Alternatively, the shape of the inflatable volume202can be created by sewing two (2) sheets together in a desired shape.

The air inlet nozzle204is also integrally formed in the sheets. The sheets are then fastened together in a desired shape, as discussed above, using a fastening method appropriate for the material used for the sheets, such as sewing for fabric sheets or for polymer based sheets, adhesives and/or heat sealing.

In an embodiment with an independent inflatable volume244(FIGS. 38-41), the inflatable volume can simply be placed on top of the box spring203so that air inlet nozzle204extends outwardly therefrom. Alternatively, the inflatable volume202(FIG. 30) may be secured to the underside of the cover218(FIG. 34) or secured to a top surface234of the box spring203. In both embodiments, the cover218is secured to the box spring203. As best shown inFIG. 32, the cover218is secured to the box spring203in such way to create a sieve by way of a plurality of air channels, generally identified with the reference numeral236. As mentioned above, the sieve functions to exhaust excess air from under the cover, as indicated by the arrows228(FIG. 30).

The cover218simply rests on the inflatable volume202(FIG. 30) to enable the air released from the vent holes206to collect in the air pocket portions238and240(FIG. 33), formed between the inflatable volume202and the underside of the cover218. The excess air in the air pocket portions238and240is expelled through the air channels236(FIGS. 32,34). As defined herein, excess air means air pressure beyond the amount of air pressure required to lift the top mattress201(FIG. 33).

Alternatively, the inflatable air volume202can be incorporated into the top cover218or incorporated into the top surface234(FIG. 30) of the box spring203. Incorporating the inflatable volume202can be accomplished in multiple ways. One way is to form the inflatable volume as an independent item from two sheets of material and to secure the inflatable volume202to either the cover218or the top surface234of the box spring203by suitable means, as discussed above.

Alternatively, the cover218or top surface234can be used to form a portion of the inflatable volume. In these embodiments, the cover218or top surface234of the box spring203is formed from an air impermeable material. In this embodiment, the inflatable volume202, is formed by cutting a piece of air impermeable material in the shape of the inflatable volume202and securing it to the top cover218or top surface234of the box spring203.

In addition to or in lieu of air impermeable material, a material may be used that is air permeable with a leakage rate comparable to leakage through the air channels236(FIG. 32). An exemplary material is nylon taffeta or polyester. In such an embodiment, the air channels236are eliminated and the top cover218is completely attached around the periphery of the box spring203.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIGS. 38,39,42and43. In this embodiment, the levitation device, generally identified with the reference numeral242includes an inflatable volume244and a cover246. This embodiment is an aftermarket item that can be installed after a bed is purchased. In this embodiment, the cover246is formed as a fitted sheet to allow it to be installed by a consumer or housekeeper in a commercial facility after a bed has been purchased. The levitation device242may be fabricated as discussed above or below. As shown inFIGS. 42 and 43, the cover246may be formed with a plurality of air channels248or alternatively, as discussed above. The embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 38,39,42and43operates in the same manner as the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 30-37. In particular, with reference toFIG. 43, air from the air supply250is received into the inflatable air volume244, as indicated by the arrows, generally indicated with the reference numeral252causing the pockets254within the inflatable air volume244to expand, thus lifting the cover218, which, in turn, lifts the upper mattress201, as shown and indicated by the arrows256and258. As discussed above, excess air is vented through the vent holes (not shown) and moves between the inflatable volume244and the cover248and out air channels260formed in the cover248, as indicated by the arrows262(FIG. 42), or alternatively as discussed above.

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIGS. 40 and 41. This embodiment is an after-market embodiment, generally identified with the reference numeral266and includes two covers268and270. Both covers268and270are formed as fitted sheets and are both installed either the upper mattress201with air blowing down, as shown inFIG. 40or on the box spring203with air blowing up, as shown inFIG. 41. The covers268and270may be formed as discussed below in connection withFIG. 5, or as discussed above. In this embodiment, excess air naturally escapes between the covers268and270, thus eliminating the need for sieves.

All of the embodiments discussed above with respect to the embodiments of the invention for facilitating making a bed operate in a similar manner and are explained with reference toFIGS. 35-37. Referring first toFIG. 35, portions of the mattress201around the edges lift when the air supply250(FIG. 43) is attached to the air inlet nozzle204(FIG. 30) and turned on defining an active mode.

As shown inFIG. 35, a sheet or blanket272is shown dangling from an edge of the mattress201. Next, as shown inFIG. 36. The free end of the blanket or sheet272is tucked between the mattress201and the box spring203. Since the weight of the mattress201is being supported by the levitation device200(FIG. 30) and the edges of the mattress are slightly lifted, a consumer or commercial housekeeper is able to easily and virtually effortlessly slide their hand in the direction of the arrow276between the mattress201(FIG. 36) and box spring203. As illustrated inFIG. 36, that action slightly lifts the edge214of the mattress201to enable the blanket or sheet272to be tucked between the top of the cover218(FIG. 30) and a bottom surface278(FIG. 37) of the mattress201. The lifting force of the levitation device200(FIG. 30), as indicated by the arrows280, holds the sheet or blanket272in place as the user's hand274is removed, as indicated by the arrow282(FIG. 37).

As shown inFIG. 31, the user proceeds down the opposing side edges214and216as well as the foot end edge215tucking in a sheet or blanket274. As the user proceeds down the sides edges214and216and the foot end edge215, the portions of the blanket or sheet274are held in place. The tucking continues until the blanket or sheet274is completely tucked between the mattress201and the box spring203. The corners, generally identified with the reference numeral286may be tucked in either before or after the side edges214-216.FIG. 31illustrates an exemplary application in which the corners on the foot end215of the bed are tucked in last.

As shown inFIG. 32, while the bed is being made, excess air is being expelled in the direction of the arrows, generally identified with the reference numeral288, in a manner as discussed above. When the bed is made, the air supply250(FIG. 39) is turned off, defining a normal mode. In this mode, the mattress201rests firmly on the box spring203. The air supply250and its conduit290may be disconnected from the air supply nozzle204(FIG. 30).

An important aspect of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 40 and 41is that it is multi-functional and thus forms a hybrid device. More specifically, the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 40 and 41can be used to facilitate making a bed, as discussed above or alternatively to rotate a mattress. In order to take advantage of this aspect of the invention, both covers268and270are attached to one or the other of the mattress201or the box spring203, defining a bed making mode, as discussed above. By flipping the cover270so that the cover270is attached to one or the other of the mattress201and the box spring203and the cover268is attached to the other of mattress201or the box spring203, the invention can be used to rotate the mattress201, as discussed below, defining a mattress rotation mode.

Levitation Device

The levitation device200includes an inflatable volume202configured in a circular pattern, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 30. The principles of the invention are also applicable to alternative patterns. For example,FIG. 44illustrates a levitation device300with an inflatable volume302with a rectangular pattern.FIG. 45illustrates a levitation device310with an inflatable volume312with an octagonal pattern.

Since the levitation devices300and310are essentially the same except for the pattern for the inflatable volume, only the levitation device300is described. Referring toFIG. 44the levitation device300is formed with an inflatable volume302and air inlet nozzle304, shown in phantom. The inflatable volume302includes one or more vent holes, as shown in phantom and generally identified with the reference numeral306and one or more grommets308or stitched, as discussed above. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inflatable volume302is covered with a cover and formed as single cover aftermarket device, similar to the levitation device shown inFIG. 38, attached to a box spring203.

The materials used for the hybrid embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 40 and 41are the same as discussed below. The materials for the embedded embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 30-37may be as set forth below may be PU coated nylon ripstop and/or PV coated nylon taffeta. The materials for the aftermarket embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 38 and 39may be as set forth above

FIGS. 1-29relate to device for facilitating rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a box spring or a platform. A first embodiment of the device is illustrated inFIGS. 5-8. In this embodiment, in order to facilitate rotation of the mattress with respect to the box spring, slick surfaces between the mattress and the box spring or platform are selectively placed in contact in order to reduce the normal friction therebetween. The slick surfaces are provided by two (2) separate covers; a first cover for the box spring or platform and a second cover for the mattress. The first cover is provided with a slick surface and non-slick surface. In order to further facilitate rotation, a second cover includes a slick surface on one side which also includes part of a levitation device. The other side of the second cover may be formed with a slick or a non-slick surface. The levitation device creates an air column or cushion between the covers on the mattress and the box spring under the influence of an air supply which lifts the mattress and allows the mattress to be rotated in a horizontal plane virtually effortlessly. Once the mattress has been rotated to the desired position, the air supply is removed and the first cover is attached to the underside of the mattress so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring or platform or bed skirt and its slick side is in contact with the slick side of the other cover and the levitation device defining a normal mode of operation.

In a rotate mode of operation, the first cover is attached to the box spring or platform or bed skirt so that its non-slick surface is in contact therewith. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIGS. 16-23, the first cover may be integrally incorporated into the box spring or a slick surface may be integrally formed on the platform that forms part of the platform bed. In that embodiment, in order to prevent movement of the mattress with respect to the box spring or platform, the mattress is secured relative to the box spring or platform by removable fasteners in a normal mode of operation, as shown inFIGS. 19-23.

As best shown inFIG. 5, the first cover, identified with the reference numeral22includes a rectangular panel26, configured to the size of a box spring30. The cover22may include a stretchable band34, attached to the periphery of the panel26. The band34, allows the cover22to be removably secured to the box spring30, as generally shown inFIG. 6. The sides of the cover may be formed to be 9″ deep and made of a PU coated polyester 1-way stretch (horizontal) material that fits tight around the mattress or box spring.

The second cover, as best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4and generally identified with the reference numeral120, includes a panel124, configured to the size of a mattress28(FIG. 16). The cover120includes a stretchable band132, attached to the periphery of the panel124. The band132, allows the cover120to be removably secured to the underside of the mattress28, as generally shown inFIG. 6.

The panel124and the band132portion of the cover120are similar to the cover22except that the cover120additionally includes an integrally formed levitation device. More particularly, an expandable air volume or bladder is formed in a portion of the cover120. The expandable volume may consist of a top layer121being secured, for example, by sewing or other means, over a portion of the panel124. As shown, the top layer121may be formed from the same material as the panel124and formed in virtually any shape, as discussed above, such as a circular shape, and generally centrally located with respect to the cover120. The top layer121and the panel124are formed with a slick surface facing outwardly. The other side of the cover120may be formed with either a slick surface or a non-slick surface.

The expandable volume includes an air intake nozzle123(FIG. 3) and one or more air discharge holes, generally identified with the reference numerals131and133. A grommet129(FIG. 4) or other fastening means to attach a center point of the top cover121to the panel124, such as heat sealing, stitching, glue or the like, may be centrally located with respect to the top layer121and used to secure a one point on the top cover121to the panel124and create the expandable volume which includes the air channels, identified by the reference numeral143to create the air flow as illustrated by the arrows135and137from the nozzle123to the discharge holes131and133.

As shown inFIG. 4, once air is applied to the air intake nozzle123(FIG. 3), the expandable volume is inflated as shown and an air column to be formed adjacent the grommet129. The air column lifts or levitates a surface in contact with the air column, such as a cover, whether or not embedded in the mattress28, which, in turn, lifts a portion of the mattress28and relieving some of the weight along the periphery of the mattress28. In as much as the slick surface of the cover22is in contact with the slick surfaces of the top cover121and the slick surface of the panel124, the mattress28(FIG. 5) is virtually effortlessly rotated, as generally illustrated inFIG. 2. Once the mattress28has been rotated to the desired position, the cover22is attached to the mattress28causing its non-slick side to be contact with the box spring30.

The bands132and34(FIGS. 3 and 5) may be formed from an elastic material, for example, spandex and other stretchable materials, such as mesh or an elastic banding and attached to the panels124and26respectively, for example, by sewing. Alternatively, the bands32,34(FIG. 5) can be formed from a mesh or stretchable fabric. The bands132and34(FIG. 5) can be formed from the same material as the panels124(FIG. 3),26and secured to the mattress28and box spring or platform30by way of a drawstring (not shown) or other attachment method.

The bands132and34may also be formed by less labor intensive methods, as illustrated inFIGS. 28a-28bandFIGS. 29a-29c. The methods illustrated in these figures, reduce the amount of sewing and thus the labor involved. For simplicity, only one cover22is described and illustrated. However, these teachings also apply to the band132and panel124of the cover120. Referring first toFIGS. 28aand28b, one corner of a cover blank, generally identified with the reference numeral21, is illustrated for simplicity. The cover blank21is formed as a generally rectangular piece of material with fold lines, generally identified with the reference numeral23, adjacent to each edge of the rectangular piece of material. As shown inFIG. 28a, a piece of material is cut out of each corner defining, for example, an obtuse angle. The cut-out is identified with the reference numeral25. The bands34′ are folded down as shown inFIG. 28b. A piece of flexible material, such as elastic, identified with the reference number27, is used to bridge the cut-out25. The flexible material27is secured to the ends of the contiguous bands34′. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 28aand28bsignificantly reduces the labor costs.

A second technique to reduce labor costs is illustrated inFIGS. 29a-29c. In this embodiment, the corners of the material blank21′ are cut to form a cut-out25′ that is not an obtuse angle. The exemplary cut-out25′ is shown at roughly a 90 degree angle, In this embodiment, a fastener strip29is affixed to each end of the band34″, adjacent the cut-out25′. A cooperating removable fastener strip31may be attached to the fastener strips29to secure the adjacent bands34″ together. The fastener strips29and31may be a Velcro® fastener or other type of fastener. The embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 29a-29callows the material blank21′ to be juxtaposed over the mattress28or box spring30with the removable fastener strips31, as least partially removed, for example, as shown inFIG. 29b. and secured to the exposed cooperating fastener strip29, once the cover20is in place, as shown inFIG. 29c. angle. In this embodiment, a fastener strip29is affixed to each end of the band34″, adjacent the cut-out25′. A cooperating removable fastener strip31may be attached to the fastener strips29to secure the adjacent bands34″ together. The fastener strips29and31may be Velcro or other type of fastener. The embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 29a-29callows the material blank21′ to be juxtaposed over the mattress28or box spring30with the removable fastener strips31, as least partially removed, for example, as shown inFIG. 29b. and secured to the exposed cooperating fastener strip29, once the cover20is in place, as shown inFIG. 29c.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the cover22(FIG. 5) may have a “slick” side having a relatively low co-efficient of friction and a non-slick side having a relatively higher co-efficient of friction. The other cover120which includes a portion of the levitation device has at least one slick side and may have two slick sides. As such, when the slick surfaces of the two covers120and22are selectively placed in contact with each other, the mattress28can be rotated in a horizontal plane with minimal effort by one person in a configuration defining a rotate mode of operation, as discussed in more detail below. The non-slick side of the cover22is used to selectively be placed in contact with an uncovered surface of the box spring30. The non-slick side provides a the uncovered surface of the box spring30, platform or bed skirt36in order to reduce if not prevent unintended rotation of the mattress in a normal configuration.

Various materials, such as cloth, and other materials that are bendable and amenable to being folded and stored in relatively small packages, are suitable for the panels124,26for the covers10,22. The material for one cover120,22need only have a slick side and a non-slick side. The non-slick side can be created on one side of a slick material by way of a coating or sewing or fusing a non-slick backing to one side of the non-slick material. Various conventionally available materials are suitable for the cover having a slick side and a non-slick side. For example, “30 Denier Heat Sealable (backside) 100% Nylon Rip Stop” material is suitable for use with the present invention or other materials with similar coefficients of friction on the slick and non-slick sides. Such material may be nylon, for example, 100% nylon with a coating on one side, for example, urethane or other thermal plastic or heat sealable coating. Such nylon rip stop material is known to come in widths of 58-62 inches wide and weighs about 1.9 to 4.4 ounces per square yard. Such material can easily be pieced together to accommodate various mattress widths if necessary.

Nylon rip stop material suitable for use with the present invention is available from various sources, such as, Quest Outfitters of Sarasota, Fla. questouffitters.com . Their nylon taffeta material is described in detail at questouffitters.com/coated,html#HEAT SEALABLE , hereby incorporated by reference. Suitable nylon taffeta material is also available from Rockywoods in Loveland, Colo. www.rockywoods.com. Their nylon taffeta material is described in detail at www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Hardware-Patterns-Kits/Medium-Weight-Nylon-Fabrics /Heat-Sealable-70-Denier-Nylon-Taffeta, hereby incorporated by reference.

No-woven materials may also be used for the cover120,22having a sack side and a non-slick side. For example, Tyvek® polyethylene non-woven fabric, as manufactured by the DuPont Corporation and described in detail at www2.dupont.com/Products_and_Services/enVN/nwn.html may be used. Other materials having two slick sides can also be used, such as, silicone impregnated nylon rip stop, for example, as available from Seattle Fabrics, Inc., www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.htm. Other materials can also be used with a coating applied to one side. Moreover, different materials can be used for each cover in an application.

Referring first toFIGS. 5-8, a first cover22is attached to a box spring30so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring30and its slick side is facing upwardly. The second cover120which includes a portion of the levitation device is attached to the underside of a mattress28. In a rotate mode of operation, the cover22is attached to the box spring30so that its rough side is in contact with the box spring30and its slick side is facing upwardly so that its slick side is in contact with the slick surfaces121and124of the cover120. In a normal mode of operation, the cover22is attached to the mattress28so that its rough side contacts the box spring28and its slick side contacts the slick surfaces121and124of the cover120, thereby reducing unintended movement of the mattress28relative to the box spring30or bed skirt36or platform.

A small air supply127is connected to the air intake nozzle123by way of a conduit125, as generally shown inFIG. 3. Since the force required to lift the mattress28is proportional to the pressure multiplied by the area of the mattress28, the area of the top cover121may be divided into the total weight of the mattress28by the amount of pressure required by the air pump160. As shown, the diameter of the top cover121may be selected to be slightly less than the width of the mattress28, as shown, for example, inFIG. 3.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15. In this embodiment, a conduit125′ between the air intake nozzle123(FIG. 3) and the air pump127may be partially incorporated into the mattress28.FIG. 16illustrates yet another alternate embodiment in which includes an embedded conduit125″ the mattress28in that it is in fluid communication with the interior of the expandable volume and is connected to the air supply pump127(FIG. 3) external to the cover120by way of a connector131.

FIGS. 9-13illustrate one application of the covers120and22in which a bed skirt36is draped over the box spring30, as generally shown inFIG. 9. Heretofore rotation of a mattress28with a bed skirt36draped over the box spring30was a relatively cumbersome task. The present invention greatly simplifies rotation of the mattress28in such an application. More specifically, in this application, the cover120is attached to the underside of the mattress28so that its non-slick side or non-slick side, i.e. side not including the top cover121, is in contact with the mattress28and its slick side, i.e. side including the top cover121, is facing downward. The other cover22is attached to the box spring30over the bed skirt36so that its non-slick side is in contact with the bed skirt36and its slick side is facing upward, thereby placing the slick sides of the covers120and22in contact with each other, as shown inFIG. 9. The mattress28can then be rotated virtually effortlessly, as generally illustrated inFIG. 2.

After the mattress28is rotated to the desired position, the cover22is detached from the box spring30and attached to the mattress28over the cover120, as shown inFIG. 10. This places the non-slick side of the cover22in contact with the bed skirt36to reduce if not prevent unintended rotation of the mattress28. As shown inFIG. 10, the bed skirt36is uncovered and undisturbed since the cover22holds the bed skirt36in place during the rotation of the mattress28.

FIGS. 11-13are similar toFIGS. 9 and 10and illustrate another application in which the bed skirt36is used to hide the covers120and22in a normal configuration. Referring toFIG. 11, the bed skirt36is disposed around the mattress28so that its finished side is in contact with the mattress28and its unfinished side is facing outwardly. The cover120is attached to the mattress28over the bed skirt36so that its non-slick side is in contact with the bed skirt36and its slick side is facing downwardly. The other cover22is attached to the box spring30so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring30and its slick side is facing upwardly, thus placing the slick sides of the covers120and22in contact with each other. The mattress30can then be rotated in a horizontal plane virtually effortlessly by one person. Once the mattress28is in the desired position, the cover120is detached from the mattress28and attached to the box spring30, over the other cover22. This places the non-slick side of the cover120in contact with the underside of the bed skirt that is in contact with the mattress28, thereby reducing unintended rotation of the mattress28. Once the cover120is attached to the box spring30, the bed skirt36is folded down over the box spring30, thereby hiding both the first and second covers120and22, as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13.

FIGS. 24 and 25illustrate an embodiment in which the cover120is replaced with a protective cover40, such as a waterproof cover, that encapsulates the mattress28. The cover40is formed with a portion of the levitation device, as illustrated inFIG. 24and discussed above. The protective cover40is to size and shape of the mattress28to provide a relatively snug fit. An opening42is provided along one edge of the protective cover40to enable the mattress28to be placed inside the protective cover40so that the levitation device is facing downwardly. A conventional fastener, such as a zipper44may be used to close the opening42. In this embodiment, one surface46of the cover40is provided with a slick surface46as is the top cover121′ of the levitation device or top surface of the box spring22(FIG. 24).

With reference toFIG. 24, the mattress28and the cover40are configured so that the slick surface46faces the box spring30. The cover22is formed with a slick surface and a non-slick surface. The cover22is attached to the box spring30so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring30and its non-slick side is facing upwardly. The slick side46of the cover40cooperates with the slick side of the cover22to facilitate rotation of the covered mattress28in a rotate mode. The cover22is as described above with a slick surface and a non-slick surface. More particularly, in a rotate mode of operation, the cover22is attached to the box spring30so that its non-slick surface is in contact with the box spring30and the slick surface faces upwardly in order to contact the slick surface of the protective cover40. In this mode, the mattress28can be effortlessly rotated in a horizontal plane once the air pump127(FIG. 3) is turned on to fill and continue to feed the expandable air column with air creating a levitation effect.

In addition to the embodiments discussed above which require two covers, alternate embodiments are discussed below in which one or both of the covers120and22are integrally formed in the mattress or box spring30, respectively. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 16-23, one or both of the covers120and22may be eliminated and integrally formed in the mattress28or box spring30. For example, assume that the cover120is integrally formed on the underside of the mattress28. In this embodiment, the cover22is attached to the box spring30so that its non-slick surface is in contact with the box spring30and its slick surface faces upwardly in a rotate mode of operation. Once the mattress is rotated to the desired position, the cover22is attached to the mattress28so that its rough surface is in contact with the box spring30and its slick surface is in contact with the slick surfaces121′ and124′ of the cover120′ in a normal mode of operation.

Alternatively, as illustrated inFIGS. 16-18, both covers120′ and22′ can be integrally formed in the mattress28and box spring30, respectively with their respective slick surfaces in constant contact. In this embodiment, the slick surfaces121′ and124′ of the cover120′ and the slick surface of the cover22′ is attached to the underside of the mattress28such that the slick surface faces downwardly and is in contact with the underside of the mattress28. In a rotate mode of operation, the slick surface of the cover120′ is in contact with the slick surface integrally formed in the box spring30.

In order to prevent movement of the mattress28with respect to the box spring30in a normal mode of operation, fasteners, for example, Velcro® fasteners, may be provided on the corners of both the mattress28and the box spring30. In particular, permanent fastener strips54are provided on the corners of the mattress28, as shown inFIGS. 16,17and19. Similarly, permanent fastener strips56are provided on the corners of the box spring30. As shown inFIGS. 17 and 19, when the mattress28is correctly aligned with the box spring30, the permanent fastener strips54,56on the mattress28are aligned with the permanent fastener strips56on the box spring30. In order to secure the mattress28relative to the box spring30, removable cooperating fastener strips58are selectively attached to the permanent fastener strips54and56as shown inFIGS. 18 and 20defining a normal mode of operation. The removable fastener strips58are simply removed in order to rotate the mattress28and replaced once the mattress28has been rotated.

Two alternate embodiments are illustrated inFIGS. 21-23. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 22, permanent fastener strips60and62are located around the peripheries of the mattress28and the box spring30, adjacent to the edges where the mattress28and the box spring30come together. As shown inFIG. 22, a cooperating removable fastener strip64is attached to the permanent fastener strips60and62on the mattress28and box spring30, respectively. In yet another alternate embodiment as shown inFIG. 23, the cooperating removable fastener strip64may be affixed to the inside of a bed skirt66. With such a configuration, not only are the mattress28and box spring30secured together, the configuration also allows a bed skirt66to be easily installed.

FIGS. 26 and 27illustrate an application of the invention on a platform bed, generally identified with the reference numeral70. In this embodiment, the cover120′ is incorporated on the underside of a mattress28with the intake nozzle123terminated to one edge of the mattress28. In this embodiment, the mattress28sits directly on a platform72, which is formed with a slick surface74which cooperates with the slick surfaces121′ and124′ of the cover120′. In a rotate mode of operation, air from an air supply (not shown) is applied to the intake nozzle123which causes the mattress28to levitate. The headboard76may be removed from the platform74or alternatively the mattress may be slid out away from the headboard and the mattress28before being rotated to its desired position. The air supply is then removed and the mattress returns to a rest position on the platform72and the headboard76is replaced in a normal mode. The mattress28is then secured to the platform74by a conventional fastener system.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the present invention can be utilized with only the cover120. In this embodiment, the invention relies on the surface of the box spring30to cooperate with the levitation device. Also, the cover22can be provided with either two (2) slick sides or a slick side and a non-slick side. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.