Abstract:
A bed mattress support apparatus and method includes a fluid filled bladder or multiplicity of bladders to vertically support a rigid platform. The rigid platform provides a suspended surface to support a mattress, foam pad, or other mattress-like device. A frame surrounds the bladder to prevent lateral movement of the bladder. Motion limiting features control vertical displacement of the platform.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to the benefit of the Feb. 6, 2008 filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/026,519, for “A Bed with Rigid Platform and Fluid Suspension”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Waterbeds, water mattress beds, and soft-sided waterbeds use a water bladder or a multiplicity of water tubes to provide compliant and body form fitting support while a person is sitting or lying on the water mattress. Additionally water mattresses provide varying degrees of wave motion when a person or persons move on the bed such as when they roll over from one side to the other while sleeping. These are all desirable attributes to encourage restful and comfortable sleep. 
     Other mattress designs, or standard mattresses, that do not use water employ foam, springs, memory foam, latex, and other compliant materials. Typically, these mattress designs are preferred by the majority of the population and specifically by those who either do not like the wave motion of water mattresses or are bothered with the nature of such mattresses characterized by sagging or lack of firmness. Often, people complain of back pain after sleeping on a water mattress especially if they prefer to sleep on their stomach and to some extent if they sleep on their side. 
     These standard mattresses have several compromises in achieving a device to provide comfortable and restful sleep to many. Specifically, there always exists a compromise between support and comfort. To achieve a higher level of comfort, designers make the mattress more compliant with softer foam, more compliant springs, soft “toppers” made of softer foam, and other methods. To achieve a higher level of support, designers increase the spring rate, durometer of the foam, avoid soft toppers, and other methods. This compromise affects those people the most who tend to prefer a stiffer mattress. Typically, these people are people who sleep on their stomachs or their sides. The resulting situation is one in which the mattress and bed system is non-compliant to motions and changes of position during the sleeping period. When such a motion takes place, the non-compliancy of the mattress support system often causes the sleeping person to awake partially or fully. 
     Many innovations and design trends in the mattress and sleep industry have tried to overcome this dilemma. In particular and recently, manufacturers are offering memory foam mattresses, air mattresses that are adjustable to an individual&#39;s need for compliancy, latex foam mattresses, a variety of different mattress toppers of many different materials, and others. None of these addresses the need for a mattress that is firm for proper support and has compliance to lessen the detrimental effect caused by the support system not reacting to motions and body position changes. 
     What is needed is a mattress and support system that allows for any type of mattress, mattress firmness, and comfort level and that also provides compliancy such that it provides a shock and force absorbing motion when a person changes position during sleep. 
     SUMMARY 
     A bed mattress support apparatus and method includes a fluid filled bladder or multiplicity of bladders to vertically support a rigid platform. The rigid platform provides a suspended surface to support a mattress, foam pad, or other mattress like device. 
     Several aspects of each of the features of the disclosed mattress support apparatus and method are possible. One aspect employs a single water filled bladder typically made from a flexible plastic film such as a bladder used in waterbed mattresses. The fluid filled bladder may be constructed of other flexible materials and may be filled with other fluids than water. Additionally, the suspension component may be a multiplicity of smaller bladders such as tubes. 
     The mattress support apparatus and method employs a frame that is functional and may be decorative as well. The design of this frame has infinite different configurations and many different material options; but one aspect includes first and second end panels and first and second side panels. Each of these end and side panels also includes a vertical motion limiting device to prevent the rigid platform and the mattress from excessive vertical movement. 
     The apparatus may also employ either a rigid tray or flexible membrane to provide flooding protection in the event that the bladder ruptures. 
     The rigid platform may also be constructed of many different materials and may have many different design configurations such as a homogeneous flat panel, honeycomb sandwich construction, other composite constructions, and other stiffening element designs. 
     Additionally, the mattress support apparatus and method is applicable to a design for a baby&#39;s or child&#39;s crib. The same construction methods and design elements apply. 
     The disclosed mattress support apparatus and method provide for a person&#39;s choice of mattress, mattress firmness, and mattress comfort characteristics while also providing for compliancy to motions of the sleeping or resting person. Additionally, this compliance provides wave like motions during and after such motions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The various features, advantages, and other uses of the present mattress support apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the mattress support apparatus without a frame and with a single bladder; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the mattress support apparatus without a frame and with a single bladder; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the mattress support apparatus without a frame and with a single bladder; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the mattress support apparatus without a frame and with multiple longitudinally arranged tube bladders; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the mattress support apparatus without a frame and with multiple longitudinally arranged tube bladders; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus without frame and with multiple longitudinally arranged tube bladders; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus without a frame and with multiple transversely arranged tube bladders; 
         FIG. 8  is a front cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus with a frame and a single bladder; 
         FIG. 9  is a side cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus with a frame and a single bladder; 
         FIG. 10  is a side cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus with double motion limiters, with a frame and a single bladder 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an end panel with a vertical motion limiting stop; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an end panel with a vertical motion limiting stop; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective and cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus with a frame and a single bladder; 
         FIG. 14  is a front cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus with a single bladder, and a frame with an integrated flood protection tray; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus with a single bladder, and a frame with an integrated flood protection tray; 
         FIG. 16  is a side cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus with a foam style motion limiter, and a single bladder; 
         FIG. 17  is a front cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus with a single bladder and frame with a raised bladder platform; and 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective cutaway view of the mattress support apparatus in a child&#39;s crib. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-18  of the drawing and to  FIGS. 1-3  in particular, there is depicted a bed mattress support apparatus  1  that employs a bladder  3  for containment of a fluid, a substantially rigid platform  2  disposed on top of the bladder  3 , and an optional cushion  4 , such as a standard bed mattress, an air mattress, or other similar device, such as a foam pad or a pillow. 
     The platform  2  may be constructed of any material and design that results in a rigid or semi-rigid flat panel that does not have excessive or noticeable flexure when a load approximating a sleeping person or persons is applied to it. Many different materials and construction methods will achieve this requirement. These include, but are not limited to, plywood, particle board, medium density and other fiberboards, fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastics, steel, aluminum, other metals, and composite sandwich constructions with any of these same materials combined with any of the same materials or others, such as cardboard, honeycomb material, etc. The platform  2  may have a solid construction, a honeycomb construction, and it can be formed of a single piece or multiple joined pieces. 
     The bladder or membrane  3  is constructed of a semi-rigid or flexible film material, such as vinyl, for example, that is formed into a three dimensional rectangular shaped, closed vessel that contains a liquid. It is understood that other shapes, sizes, and materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc., are possible. The bladder  3  also has an opening, not shown, that is closable in order to allow for the filling and draining of the fluid. The fluid contained by the bladder  3  is typically water; although other fluids are possible, such as air, various types of oil, salt water, oil and water mixtures, liquid foams, emollients, etc. 
     The bladder  3  and the platform  2  disposed on the top of the bladder  3  provide a compliant support or suspension while maintaining a rigid platform for a mattress  4  in which movements by a sleeping person or persons create motion of the platform  2  and mattress  4  relative to the surface on which the bladder  3  is placed or mounted. These motions are similar to typical waterbed and soft-sided waterbed motions in that a force from a moving person causes volumetric displacement of the bladder  3  fluid from one area to another area of the bladder  3 . However, the motion that the sleeping person feels is much different than other typical waterbed constructions as the force of the motion from the sleeping person is distributed over a much larger area as a result of the rigid platform  2  that is disposed between the mattress  4  and the bladder  3 . As a result, the motion caused by movement of the sleeping person in the apparatus  1  is less severe, has a tendency to dissipate sooner, and is always accompanied by a substantially rigid support from the platform  2  so that the feel and support of the mattress  4  is never compromised by a continually changing shape of its support means. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-7 , there is depicted another aspect of a bed mattress support apparatus  5 . This aspect employs the rigid platform  2  and the mattress  4  that are substantially identical to those described above. Additionally, this apparatus  5  employs the use of a multiplicity of fluid tubes  6  instead of the single bladder  3 . These fluid tubes  6  are constructed in a similar fashion and with the same materials as the single bladder  3 . Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , this aspect depicts longitudinal tubes that extend from near to the first end of the bed to near to the second end. Referring to  FIG. 7 , this aspect depicts transverse tubes that extend from near to the first side of the bed to near to the second side. It will be understood that in all of the aspects of the apparatus, a single bladder  3 , longitudinal tubes  6  or transverse tubes  6  are all possible configurations. Additionally, the bladder  3  or tubes  6  may contain motion limiting devices used to dissipate waves and energy of the moving fluid. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-7 , there is depicted a frame  7  to constrain the bladder  3  or the fluid tubes  6  and to constrain the bladder  3  or tubes  6  from substantial lateral movement. The frame  7  may be constructed from many different materials including wood, plastic, plasticized wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood composite fiber, etc. The frame  7  has closed first and second ends, first and second sides, and a bottom, and an open top. The frame  7  provides functionality to contain and position the fluid tubes  6 , to contain any spilled fluid from a potentially broken fluid tube  6 , and to limit the motion of the platform  2 . As the platform  2  moves due to forces such as from movement from or simply the weight of a sleeping person, it is limited and stopped when the motion becomes so great that the bottom of the platform  2  reaches and touches the top of an end or side of the frame  7 . Other motion limiting and fluid containment means are possible as will become apparent with the following description of additional aspects. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-13 , there is depicted another aspect of the bed mattress support apparatus  8  with another means for motion limitation and fluid containment. A bed mattress support apparatus  8  employs a frame  14  that contains the components that make up this type of motion control and fluid containment. The frame  14  has first and second ends  9  adjoined to first and second sides  10 . The ends  9  and the sides  10  may be made from many different materials including wood, plastic, fiberboard, particle board, fiberglass, aluminum, steel, other metals, carbon fiber, etc. 
     Affixed to the ends  9  and the sides  10  are one or a multiplicity of motion limiting stops  11 . Typically, there is at least one motion limiting stop  11  on each side  10  and end  9  though many different configurations are possible including the absence of motion limiting stops  11  on a particular side  10  or end  9 . The motion limiting stops  11  may be of many different sizes, shapes, such as square, rectangular, wedge-shaped, etc, and of many different materials. The wedge-shaped stops  11  shown by example only. 
     Affixed to the motion limiting stops  11  is an optional damping material  12 . This is employed to dampen the sound and vibration caused when the platform  2  impinges onto the motion limiting stop  11  and to create a “soft stop” arrangement whereby the deceleration to a stopped state of the platform  2  happens more gradually than if the platform impinged onto the motion limiting stop  11  without the damping material  12 . The damping material  12  may be made from polyurethane, rubber, latex, thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, cellulous foam, plastic, or other suitable materials. As can be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the damping material  12  may be a single piece or a multiplicity of smaller pieces as well as different sizes and shapes. Alternatively, the damping material  12  may be affixed to the platform  2  or to both the platform  2  and the motion limiting stop  11 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  depicts a variation of this aspect which employs multiple motion limiting stops  11  for each end  9  and side  10 . In all of the versions of motion limiting stops  11 , the motion limiting stops  11  may optionally be configured to be user adjustable to provide for more or less motion to the liking of the user. The adjustments include the vertical position of the motion limiting stops  11 , the amount of damping material  12 , and the number of individual damping material segments  12 . 
     This aspect employs a fluid-resistant, leak proof safety liner  13  typically made of flexible polyvinyl chloride film though many other materials are possible including polyethylene, vinyl, polypropylene, and other flexible film waterproof materials. The safety liner  13  is secured at its outer edges to the frame  1 A and/or to the motion limiting stops  11 . For example, the edges of the safety liner  13  are disposed in between the motion limiting  11  and the damping material  12  and are retained in place by this sandwich like construction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , there is depicted another aspect of motion limitation and fluid containment. The bed mattress support apparatus  15  employs a safety tray  18  onto which the bladder  3  is disposed. The safety tray  18  is rigid or semi-rigid and may be constructed by compression molding plastic. However, many other materials and fabrications means are possible including fiberglass, carbon fiber, plasticized wood or wood fiber materials, etc. The safety tray  18  has a closed bottom and stepped first and second sides and ends. The stepped sides and ends provide a substantially horizontal shelf and a substantially vertical outer side and end. One or a multiplicity of an optional damping material  12  may be affixed to the horizontal shelf. 
     This aspect also has an optional frame  19  including first and second ends  16  and first and second sides  17 . The ends  16  and the sides  17  may be made from many different materials including wood, plastic, fiberboard, particle board, fiberglass, aluminum, steel, other metals, carbon fiber, etc. The ends  16  and sides  17  are affixed to the outer sides and ends of the safety tray  18 . Many affixing means are possible including adhesives, rivets, bolt and nut, screws, a friction or slip-on arrangement, etc. Because the sides  17  and ends  16  are removable, this aspect allows many different aesthetic designs that form only the sides  16  and ends  17 . This allows for retail stores to have flexibility with stocking options and allows purchasers to change the color or style of their bed without purchasing an entire new assembly  15 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , there is depicted another aspect of a bed mattress support apparatus  20  with another means for motion limitation. A bed mattress support apparatus  20  employs a compressible motion limiting frame  21 . The motion limiting frame  21  can be constructed of a cellulous foam material and is formed as a single piece. Alternatively, the motion limiting frame  21  may be fabricated from multiple pieces which are fitted or joined together and may be made from alternative materials including polyurethane, silicone, thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, latex, open-cell foam, closed cell foam, and other compressible materials. Although not shown in  FIG. 16 , an optional damping material  12  may be affixed to the underside of the platform  2 . 
     The bed mattress support apparatus  20  may include an optional outer frame  22 . The outer frame  22  can be a single piece structure that surrounds the motion limiting frame  21 . Alternatively, the outer frame  22  may be made from a multiplicity of individual components. The outer frame  22  can be constructed of a fabric covered foam, or other material to give the aesthetic appearance of a typical standard mattress. Alternatively, the outer frame  22  may be constructed from many other materials. The outer frame  22  can also be integrated as part of the compressible foam frame  21  as a single piece, unitary component, or constructed as a stand alone structure separate from the compressible frame  21 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , there is depicted another aspect of the bed mattress support apparatus with a raised platform or base  25  to support the bladder  3 . The bed mattress support apparatus  8  employed in this configuration has a riser assembly  24 . The riser assembly  24  includes a substantially rigid platform  25 , onto which is disposed the rest of the mattress support apparatus  8 , and a multiplicity of longitudinal supports  26 . The raised platform  25  may be constructed from plywood, particle board, medium density and other fiberboards, fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastics, steel, aluminum, other metals, and composite sandwich constructions with these same materials combined with any of the same materials or others such as cardboard, honeycomb material, etc. The longitudinal supports  26  may also be constructed of these same materials. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , there is depicted another aspect of the bed mattress support apparatus in which the bed mattress suspension technology previously described is applied to a child crib  27 . The crib  27  employs a crib frame  28  to contain the suspension and platform system. The crib frame  28  has a multiplicity of legs  29 , first and second sides  30 , and first and second ends  31 . One of the first or second sides  30  and one of the first or second ends  31  are attached to each of the legs  29 . Many different materials including wood, wood fiber, plastics, metals, and others may be used to fabricate the legs  20 , the sides  30 , and the ends  31 . It will be understood that many design configurations exist for these components including configurations where the sides and the ends have openings or are constructed with spindles. 
     The crib  27  employs a rigid bottom support  32 . The rigid bottom support  32  is disposed onto the frame  28  typically in a vertical position above the floor and near the bottom of the ends  31  and the sides  30 . The bottom support  32  may be constructed from plywood, particle board, medium density and other fiberboards, fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastics, steel, aluminum, other metals, and composite sandwich constructions with these same materials combined with any of the same materials or others such as cardboard, honeycomb material, etc. 
     One or a multiplicity of motion limiting stops  11  and optional damping material  12  may be affixed to one of the sides  30  or the ends  31 . The motion limiting stops  11  and the damping material  12  are substantially similar to those previously described. Additionally, all of the other aspects of motion limiting and damping material configurations apply to this aspect as well. 
     A bladder  33  is disposed on the top of the bottom support  32 . This bladder  33  is substantially similar to the bladder  3  described previously except that it is configured for the smaller size of the crib  27 . Similar to other aspects, the crib  27  may be configured with fluid tubes  6  instead of the bladder  33 . 
     A platform  34  substantially similar to the platform  2  previously described is disposed onto the bladder  33 . A mattress, foam pad, pillow, or other soft device, not shown, may optionally be placed over the platform  34 .