Patent Publication Number: US-10765223-B2

Title: Multi-purpose portable mattress extender

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to extending the usefulness of a bed&#39;s area. More particularly, the invention relates to a fixed or adjustable placement device that is capable of being positioned anywhere along a mattress to be an extension of it. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It has always been a problem for people who sleep on their sides or with other people or pets, to have enough space without their extremities hanging over the existing bed. Waking up in pain or discomfort is a daily routine for many people. There has always been a need for more space. 
     There is also at least one secondary need. Storage space. End tables can be costly and/or take up a lot of space. 
     Certain extenders have been developed for the mattress extensions along various surfaces. The devices are usually made of foam and are placed between the mattress and side rail or foot board to help reduce dangerous gaps between a larger box spring and a smaller mattress. 
     However, these extenders are made to close gaps in mattresses that do not extend all the way to the side of the bed, not for comfort or storage. 
     Therefore, a need exists in the field for a novel mattress extension device and/or apparatus capable of extending a mattress in any direction along the perimeter of a bed for uses such as, but not excluding mattress extension and/or storage capabilities. 
     A further need exists for a mattress extension device that is able to accommodate mattresses of different widths and/or heights. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides relief for people whose body parts hang over the existing mattress by extending it out further from its source with a mattress pad or any like substance. In essence, turning a twin bed into a queen, a queen into a king, etc., for affected body parts. And in another embodiment of the present invention, a wood or composite replacement for the mattress pad provides a place for items like clocks, valuables and other unspecified items to be placed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a view of one example of a height adjustable or non-adjustable mattress extension device that does not allow for the bed to be made while it is in place, according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a height adjustable or non-adjustable mattress extension device that allows for the bed to be made while device is in place according to various embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when use in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
     Multi-purpose portable mattress extension placement devices, apparatuses, and methods for positioning them along the perimeters of existing beds are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
     The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing preferred embodiments.  FIG. 1  depicts an exploded perspective view of the elements that may comprise a multi-purpose portable mattress extension device (the “device”) according to various embodiments of the present invention. In preferred embodiments, each of the elements of the device are configured with at least one “lip”  10 , which is part of, or connected to, the “tray”  11 . The tray  11  is intended to be a resting place for a mattress pad or any like substance. And in another embodiment of the present invention, a wood or composite replacement for the mattress pad provides a place for items like clocks, valuables and other unspecified items to be placed. The tray  11  is part of, or connected to, an adjustable, or non-adjustable “arm”  12 . The arm  12  is part of, or connected to, the “slab”  13 . The slab  13  slides in between the mattress and box spring allowing the multiple components of the device (the “elements”) to slide freely along the perimeter of the bed. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of the elements that may comprise a multi-purpose portable mattress extension device (the “device”) according to various embodiments of the present invention. In preferred embodiments, each of the elements of the device are configured with at least one “lip”  10 , which is part of, or connected to, the “tray”  11 . The tray  11  is intended to be a resting place for a mattress pad or any like substance. And in another embodiment of the present invention, a wood or composite replacement for the mattress pad provides a place for items like clocks, valuables and other unspecified items to be placed. The tray  11  is part of, or connected to, an adjustable, or non-adjustable “arm”  12 . The arm  12  is part of, or connected to, the “gutter”  15 , which allows for a gap for the bed to be made while the device is in use. The gutter  15  is part of, or connected to, a “descending stabilizing arm”  14 . The descending stabilizing arm is part of, or connected to, the “slab”  13 . The slab  13  slides in between the mattress and box spring allowing the multiple components of the device (the “elements”) to slide freely along the perimeter of the bed. 
     While preferred materials for elements have been described, the device is not limited by these materials. Wood, plastics, rubber, foam, metal alloys, aluminum, and other materials may comprise some or all of the elements of the mattress extending devices and apparatuses in various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.