Patent Publication Number: US-8978185-B1

Title: Mattress pad or mattress topper with an oval support portion

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The following description relates to a mattress pad or topper, and in particular, a mattress pad or topper having an oval support portion. 
     A mattress topper or pad is configured for fitting on or over a mattress. A mattress topper or pad may include a padded surface configured for positioning on top of a mattress so that a user may lie on the padded surface. The mattress topper or pad may also include four sides or straps depending from the padded surface, the fours sides or straps configured to fit around corresponding sides or corners of the mattress to hold the mattress pad or topper in place. 
     The padded surface may be formed by inserting a padding material between first and second layers of fabric or other material. The padded surface may be stitched into a boxed pattern. The padding material may be used to provide either a soft or firm feel for the user lying on the padded surface. For example, the padding material may be soft material, which may provide additional cushioning or padding on a firm mattress. Alternatively, the padding material may be firmer material that can add firmness or support to a softer mattress. 
     In addition, for further comfort or support, a user may incorporate additional items. For example, the user may seek additional support to, for example, maintain spinal alignment. Currently, a user may use a pillow or pillows for this purpose, and place the pillow or pillows under their head, neck, or torso. 
     However, it may be difficult for a user to position the pillow or pillows in a desired manner, and maintain the desired position while they are sleeping. In addition, it may be difficult for the user to move without having to reposition the pillow or pillows. Further still, additional support items may lose their shape, and thus, their supporting properties, during use. Even further, because the pillow or other additional support portions may closely contact and/or support a portion of the user, the user may experience uncomfortable temperatures due to lack of air flow between the user and the pillow or other support portion. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a mattress pad or mattress topper having a support portion forming a contoured surface configured to support a desired portion of the user&#39;s body. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, there is provided a mattress pad or topper including a main body having a length, an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral surface. The main body includes a gusset portion having an arcuate profile at the upper surface defining a support portion and at least one adjoining portion adjoined to the gusset portion, wherein the upper surface at the arcuate profile projects beyond the upper surface at the adjoining portion. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps, and processes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of an example of a mattress pad or topper according to an embodiment disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the mattress pad or the mattress topper of  FIG. 1  with a user in a first position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the mattress pad or the mattress topper of  FIG. 1  with a user in a second position; and 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the mattress pad or the mattress topper of  FIG. 1  with a user in a third position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described one or more embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered illustrative only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any specific embodiment described or illustrated. 
       FIG. 1  is perspective view of an example of a mattress pad or mattress topper  10  according to an embodiment disclosed herein. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mattress pad or mattress topper  10  includes a main body  12 . The main body  12  extends in a length direction ‘1’, a width direction ‘w’ and a thickness direction T and is formed having a first length L 1  in the length direction ‘1’, a first width W 1  in the width direction ‘w’ and a first thickness T 1  in the thickness direction. 
     The main body  12  also includes an upper surface  14  configured for positioning of a user thereon, a lower surface  16  opposite to the upper surface  14 , configured for positioning adjacent to or abutting a mattress, a peripheral surface  18  extending about a periphery of the main body  12  between the upper surface  14  and lower surface  16 . A padding material (not shown) may be received between the upper surface  14  and the lower surface  16 . The upper surface  14  may be formed as a layer or layers of at least one material. Similarly, the lower surface  16  may be formed as a layer or layers of at least one material. The peripheral surface  18  may be formed as a strip of material extending between the upper surface  14  and lower surface  16 , having one side or edge stitched or otherwise fastened to the upper surface  14  and another side or edge stitched or otherwise fastened to the lower surface  16 . Alternatively, the upper surface  14  and lower surface  16  may be stitched or otherwise fastened directly to each other. In this configuration, that peripheral surface  18  may be formed by a portion of one of or both of the upper surface  14  and lower surface  16 . A padding material may be interposed between the upper surface  14  and the lower surface  16  to space the upper surface  14  apart from the lower surface  16  in the thickness direction ‘t’. 
     The main body  12  may be a single unit including a gusset portion  20  and an adjoining portion or portions  22  connected to the gusset portion  20 . Alternatively, the gusset portion  20  and adjoining portion or portions  22  may be formed separately and joined together. The gusset portion  20  is positioned along a portion of the first length L 1  of the main body  12  and extends at least partially across the first width W 1  of the main body  12 . In one embodiment, the first length L 1  extends in the length direction ‘1’ from a first end  24  to a second end  26 , and the gusset portion  20  is positioned between, and spaced from, each of the first end  24  and the second end  26 . Thus, the gusset portion  20  may extend a second length L 2 , shorter than the first length L 1 . In addition, the first width W 1  extends from a first side  28  to a second side  30  of the main body  12 . In one embodiment, the gusset portion  20  is formed having a second width W 2  extending from the first side  28  to the second side  30 . Accordingly, in one embodiment, the width of the gusset portion  20 , i.e., the second width W 2 , may be equal to the width of the main body  12 , i.e., the first width W 1 . 
     The gusset portion  20  may also be formed having a second thickness T 2 . In one embodiment, the thickness T 2  of the gusset portion  20  varies along the length L 2  of the gusset portion  20 . For example, the gusset portion  20  may be formed having a generally arcuate or curved profile along its length L 2  such that the gusset portion  20  generally extends outwardly on the upper surface  14  relative to the adjacent portion of the padding surface  12  to define a support portion  31 . Thus, the second thickness T 2  of the gusset portion  20 , is, on average, greater than the first thickness T 1  of the adjoining portions  22  of the main body  12 . In one embodiment, the gusset portion  20 , at the upper surface  14 , is oval or generally oval in profile when viewed in the width direction ‘w’. That is, moving along the upper surface  14 , in the length direction ‘1’, an oval or generally oval profile is formed by the gusset portion  20 . It is understood that the terminology “oval” and “generally oval” above refer to segments of an oval or generally oval shape, and not necessary a complete oval or generally complete oval shape. Further, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and that the gusset portion  20  may be formed having different profiles. For example, the gusset portion  20  may be formed having a circular or generally circular profile, or other arcuate shapes. 
     In one embodiment, the gusset portion  20  may be formed having a mesh material extending about the upper surface  14 , lower surface  16  and the peripheral surfaces  18  (i.e., the peripheral surfaces at the first side  28  and the second side  30 ). The mesh material may be, for example, polyester or other similar material. It is understood, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the mesh material at these portions. For example, other similar materials, for example, lightweight and breathable materials may be used instead. The material at the gusset portion  20  may be the same as, or different from, the material at the upper surface  14 , lower surface  16  and peripheral surface  18  at the adjoining portions  22 . 
     The gusset portion  20  may be formed having more than one internal channel  32 , each channel  32  containing a padding material (not shown). The channels  32  may be formed by separators  34  extending in the width direction ‘w’ within the gusset portion  20 . For example, the gusset portion  20  may include two internal separators  34  spaced apart in the length direction ‘1’ and extending in the width direction ‘w’, to form three channels within the gusset portion  20 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the separators  34  may be spaced apart in the width direction ‘w’ and extend in the length direction ‘1’. 
     The padding material within each channel may be, for example, a fiber, either natural or synthetic, or other similar material. The separators  34  and channels  32  are configured to limit displacement of the padding material in each channel  32 . Accordingly, the gusset portion  20  having the internal channels  32  may resist or limit deformation while generally maintaining the desired shape or profile at the upper surface  14 . 
       FIGS. 2-4  illustrate examples of a user position on the mattress pad or topper  10  described in the embodiments above. Referring to  FIG. 2 , in one example, a user may be in a supine position. In this position, the gusset portion  20  is configured to serve as, for example, a lower back support for the user. That is, the gusset portion may project upwardly on the upper surface  14 , relative to the upper surface  14  at the adjoining portions  22  and supportingly contact the user&#39;s lower back. The profile of the gusset portion  20 , for example, the generally oval profile, may be generally maintained due to the padding material being disposed in the internal channels  32  of the gusset portion  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the user may be in a prone position. In this position, the gusset portion  20  may supportingly containing the user&#39;s abdominal region. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the user may be positioned in a generally lateral recumbent position. In this position, the gusset portion  20  may supportingly contact a lateral or side portion of the user&#39;s abdomen, above the user&#39;s hips, and near the user&#39;s oblique area. In this example, support from the gusset portion  20  may be useful for aligning or maintaining alignment of the user&#39;s spine. 
     In the embodiments above, a user may position themselves relative to a generally fixed support, i.e., the gusset portion  20 . In the event the user desires to change their position, they need only adjust their position relative to the gusset portion  20 , without having to further adjust the gusset portion  20 . Further, as noted above, the gusset portion is configured to substantially retain its shape during use by way of internal channels  32  having padding material positioned within the channels  32  (see  FIG. 1 ). Further still, because the gusset portion is formed around all sides by a mesh or other lightweight and/or breathable material, increased air flow through the gusset portion  20  may be recognized. Accordingly, due to the increased airflow, a comfortable temperature may be maintained between the portion of the user&#39;s body in contact with the gusset portion  20  and the gusset portion  20 . 
     It is understood that the mattress pad or topper  10  may include depending sides configured to fit around corresponding side of a mattress (not shown). Alternatively, or in combination with the depending sides, the mattress pad or topper  10  may include a plurality of securing band configured to fit around corresponding corners of the mattress. The depending sides and the securing bands are configured to maintain the mattress pad or topper  10  in position on the mattress. 
     It should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.