Patent Publication Number: US-11389007-B2

Title: Active mattress spinner

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a system for facilitating the rotation of a top mattress in a horizontal plane with respect to a box spring or lower mattress or platform and more particularly to a system which allows rotation of a top mattress in a horizontal plane with minimal effort in order to relocate worn or depressed portions of the mattress in order to even out the overall wear of the mattress. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A conventional bed includes a box spring or bottom mattress or platform and an upper mattress. The box spring is normally carried by a bed frame which, in turn, carries a top mattress, which ends up being suspended about 13-16 inches from the floor. The top mattress (hereinafter “mattress”) may be placed on top of the box spring or alternatively placed upon a platform forming a platform bed. In both applications, the mattress is held in place by friction and its weight. 
     Various types of mattresses are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,617,556 and 7,644,671 disclose conventional mattresses. Such conventional mattresses include a “casing” which is formed from material for holding the internal components of the mattress. The casing includes a bottom panel and four (4) vertical panels connected to the periphery of the bottom panel forming an open top container. In one such conventional mattress, a spring core is disposed in the container and rests against the bottom floor and fits snugly against the vertical panels. One or more layers of foam padding is placed on top of the spring core and covered with a top cover which is secured to the vertical panels. 
     In other known mattresses, a foam core is used in place of the spring core. Other known mattresses are known to include a so-called “pillow-top”. The pillow top is generally formed as a comforter secured to the top cover and filled with cotton or some type of fibrous material. 
     A problem with the various types of mattresses, as discussed above, is that over time the mattress materials lose their resiliency causing body depressions to develop. In order to even out the wear in the mattress, it is known to rotate the mattress in the horizontal plane to relocate the body depressions, as shown for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Depending on the size of the mattress, one or two people may be required to rotate the mattress. For example, king and queen size mattresses may likely require two people to rotate the mattress, as shown in  FIG. 1 , while full and twin size mattresses can likely be rotated by a single person, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     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 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 (http://www.mattressdirectonline.com). 
     In order to rotate a mattress, the mattress must first be lifted and then rotated, As such, rotating a mattress is hard work. Depending on the weight of the mattress, rotating a mattress can be virtually impossible for some people, such as senior citizens, as well as people that are handicapped or disabled and others. 
     In order to address this problem, mattresses with removable pillow tops have been developed. An example of such a mattress is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,882. The &#39;882 patent discloses a mattress with a pillow top that is secured to the top cover of the mattress by way of a zipper. With such a configuration, the pillow top can be relatively easily rotated by unzipping the pillow top, rotating it and zipping the pillow top back in place. While such a configuration enables body depressions in the pillow top to be relocated, it has no affect on body depressions that result in the mattress itself. Thus there is a need for a system to facilitate rotation of a mattress. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention relates to a device for facilitating rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a box spring or a platform. In order to facilitate rotation, 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 may be provided by two (2) separate covers; one cover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring or platform. A first cover is provided with a slick and non-slick surface. In order to further facilitate rotation, a second cover includes a slick surface on one side and forms 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 cushion between 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, 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 this 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. In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, a portion of the levitation device may be built into the mattress. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       These and other advantages of the present invention will be readily understood with reference to the following specification and attached drawing wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric drawing illustrating two people lifting a conventional mattress carried by a box spring in an attempt to rotate the mattress in a horizontal plane. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of one person rotating a conventional mattress carried by a box spring incorporating the present invention, shown with the mattress partially rotated. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a levitation device for use with the present invention shown partially integrated onto a slick side of a cover. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational view of a portion of the levitation device illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of the invention illustrating a conventional box spring and a conventional mattress and two covers in accordance with the present invention, shown with a portion of the levitation device integrated into one cover. 
         FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 5  illustrating one of the covers shown in  FIG. 5  installed on the mattress and one cover installed on the box spring. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , partially in section, illustrating one of the covers installed on the mattress and one cover installed on the box spring and shown in a rotate configuration in which the slick surfaces of the two covers are in contact with each other. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric view of an application of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7  in which the bottom cover is to be placed over a bed skirt on the box spring securing it in place. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , shown with one of the covers installed on the mattress and the other cover installed on the box spring illustrating a rotate configuration in which both slick surfaces are in contact with each other. 
         FIG. 10  is similar to  FIG. 9  but shown with both covers installed on the mattress, illustrating a normal configuration in which a non slick surface of the bottom cover is in contact with the surface of the bed skirt. 
         FIG. 11  is an alternative application of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10  in which the bed skirt is used to hide both covers in a normal configuration, shown in a rotation configuration. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial elevational view of the application Illustrated in  FIG. 11  in a normal configuration in which the bed skirt is pulled down over the box spring hiding both of the covers. 
         FIG. 13  is a partial elevational view of the box spring illustrated in  FIG. 10 , partially in section, shown in a normal configuration. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the system illustrated in  FIG. 2  which includes an internal air pump built into the mattress, also illustrating the air conduit for supplying to an expandable air volume which forms a portion of the levitation device. 
         FIG. 15  is similar to  FIG. 14  but illustrating an embodiment with an external air pump. 
         FIG. 16  is an alternate embodiment of the invention in which slick surfaces are integrated into the mattress and box spring along with a portion of the levitation device, shown with the mattress removed from the box spring and fastener strips integrated into the corners of the mattress and box spring. 
         FIG. 17  is similar to  FIG. 16  but shown with the mattress placed on the box spring illustrating integrated fastener strips aligned with one another. 
         FIG. 18  is similar to  FIG. 17 , illustrating cooperating removable fastener strips attached to the integrated fastener strips in order to secure the mattress to the box spring. 
         FIG. 19  is a partial elevational view illustrating one corner of a mattress disposed on a box spring illustrating integrated fastener strips aligned on each of the box spring and mattress, shown with a cooperating removable fastener strip removed. 
         FIG. 20  is similar to  FIG. 19  but shown with the removable fastener strip attached to the integrated fastener strips on the mattress and box spring. 
         FIG. 21  is an isometric view of an alternative fastener configuration for securing the mattress to the box spring, illustrating a mattress disposed on a box spring in which the integrated fastener is disposed around the periphery of the box spring and the mattress. 
         FIG. 22  is similar to  FIG. 21  but shown with a cooperating removable fastener strip attached to the integrated fastener strips on the mattress and the box spring. 
         FIG. 23  is similar to  FIG. 22  but illustrating a bed skirt which incorporates a removable fastening strip attached to the integrated fastening strips on the mattress and box spring. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention in which the mattress cover is a protective cover having at least one slick surface, shown with the protective cover removed from the mattress and the mattress suspended relative to the box spring. 
         FIG. 25  is similar to  FIG. 24  but shown with the protective cover installed on the mattress. 
         FIG. 26  is similar to  FIG. 25  but illustrating a cover in accordance with the present invention installed on a platform forming a platform bed. 
         FIG. 27  is similar to  FIG. 26  but showing the mattress with the cover in accordance with the present invention lifted from the platform. 
         FIG. 28 a    is a partial isometric view of a material blank for use as a cover with the present invention, shown with fold lines on adjacent edges and an obtuse angle cut-out at one corner. 
         FIG. 28 b    is similar to  FIG. 28 a    but illustrating an elastic material joining the strips defined by the fold lines and bridging the cut-out. 
         FIG. 29 a    is similar to  FIG. 28 a    but illustrates a cut-out at other than an obtuse angle. 
         FIG. 29 b    Illustrates the material blank illustrated in  FIG. 29 a    with an integrated fastener strip on the strips defined by the fold lines shown with a cooperating removable fastener strip partially attached to the integrated fastener strip. 
         FIG. 29 c    is similar to  FIG. 29 b    but shown with the removable fastener strip completely attached to the integrated fastener strip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates 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 invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 5-8 . In this embodiment of the invention, 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 in  FIGS. 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 in  FIGS. 19-23 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the first cover, identified with the reference numeral  22  includes a rectangular panel  26 , configured to the size of a box spring  30 . The cover  22  includes a stretchable band  34 , attached to the periphery of the panel  26 . The band  34 , allows the cover  22  to be removably secured to the box spring  30 , as generally shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The second cover, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and generally identified with the reference numeral  120 , includes a panel  124 , configured to the size of a mattress  28 . The cover  120  includes a stretchable band  132 , attached to the periphery of the panel  124 . The band  132 , allows the cover  120  to be removably secured to the underside of the mattress  28 , as generally shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The panel  124  and the band  132  portion of the cover  120  are similar to the cover  22  except that the cover  120  additionally includes an integrally formed levitation device. More particularly, an expandable air volume or bladder is formed in a portion of the cover  120 . The expandable volume may consist of a top layer  121  being secured, for example, by sewing or other means, over a portion of the panel  124 . As shown, the top layer  121  may be formed from the same material as the panel  124  and formed in a circular shape and generally centrally located with respect to the cover  120 . The top layer  121  and the panel  124  are formed with a slick surface facing outwardly. The other side of the cover  120  may be formed with either a slick surface or a non-slick surface. 
     The expandable volume includes an air intake nozzle  123  ( FIG. 3 ) and a plurality of air discharge holes, generally identified with the reference numerals  131  and  133 . A grommet  129  or other fastening means to attach a center point of the top layer  121  to the panel  124 , such as heat sealing, stitching, glue or the like, may be centrally located with respect to the top layer  121  and used to secure a point on the top layer  121  to the panel  124  and create the air channels, identified by the reference numeral  143  to create the air flow as illustrated by the arrows  135  and  137  from the nozzle  123  to the discharge holes  131  and  133 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , once air is applied to the air intake nozzle  123 , the top layer  121  is raised as shown and an air column to be formed adjacent the grommet  129 . The air column lifts or levitates the center portion of the mattress  28  by way of an air cushion. In as much as the slick surface of the cover  22  is in contact with the slick surfaces of the top layer  121  and the slick surface of the panel  124 , the mattress  28  is virtually effortlessly rotated, as generally illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The bands  132  and  34  ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ) may be formed from an elastic material, for example, spandex and other stretchable materials, such as mesh or an elastic bandina and attached to the panels  124  and  26  respectively, for example, by sewing. Alternatively, the bands  32 ,  34  can be formed from a mesh or stretchable fabric. The bands  132  and  34  can be formed from the same material as the panels  24 ,  26  and secured to the mattress  28  and box spring or platform  30  by way of a drawstring (not shown) or other attachment method. 
     The bands  132  and  34  may also be formed by less labor intensive methods, as illustrated in  FIGS. 28 a -28 b    and  FIGS. 29 a -29 c   . The methods illustrated in these figures, reduce the amount of sewing and thus the labor involved. For simplicity, only one cover  22  is described and illustrated. However, these teachings also apply to the band  132  and panel  124  of the cover  120 . Referring first to  FIGS. 28 a  and 28 b   , one corner of a cover blank, generally identified with the reference numeral  21 , is illustrated for simplicity. The cover blank  21  is formed as a generally rectangular piece of material with fold lines, generally identified with the reference numeral  23 , adjacent to each edge of the rectangular piece of material. As shown in  FIG. 28 a   , a piece of material is cut out of each corner defining, for example, an obtuse angle. The cut-out is identified with the reference numeral  25 . The bands  34 ′ are folded down as shown in  FIG. 28 b   . A piece of flexible material, such as elastic, identified with the reference number  27 , is used to bridge the cut-out  25 . The flexible material  27  is secured to the ends of the contiguous bands  34 ′. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 28 a  and 28 b    significantly reduces the labor costs. 
     A second technique to reduce labor costs is illustrated in  FIGS. 29 a -29 c   . In this embodiment, the corners of the material blank  21 ′ are cut to form a cut-out  25 ′ that is not an obtuse angle. The exemplary cut-out  25 ′ is shown at roughly a 90 degree angle. In this embodiment, a fastener strip  29  is affixed to each end of the band  34 ″, adjacent the cut-out  25 ′. A cooperating removable fastener strip  31  may be attached to the fastener strips  29  to secure the adjacent bands  34 ″ together. The fastener strips  29  and  31  may be Velcro or other type of fastener. The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 29 a -29 c    allows the material blank  21 ′ to be juxtaposed over the mattress  28  or box spring  30  with the removable fastener strips  31 , as least partially removed, for example, as shown in  FIG. 29 b   . and secured to the exposed cooperating fastener strip  29 , once the cover  20  is in place, as shown in  FIG. 29   c.    
     In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the cover  22  has 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 cover  120  which 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 covers  120  and  22  are selectively placed in contact with each other, the mattress  28  can 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 cover  22  is used to selectively be placed in contact with an uncovered surface of the box spring  30 . The non-slick side provides a the uncovered surface of the box spring  30 , platform or bed skirt  36  in 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 panels  24 ,  26  for the covers  20 ,  22 . The material for one cover  20 ,  22  need 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, “20 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. (http://questoutfitters.com). Their nylon taffeta material is described in detail at http://questoutfitters.com/coated.html#HEAT SEALABLE, hereby incorporated by reference. Suitable nylon taffeta material is also available from Rockywoods in Loveland, Colo. (http://www.rockywoods.com). Their nylon taffeta material is described in detail at http://www.rockvwoods.com/Fabrics-Hardware-Patterns-Kits/Medium-Weight-Nylon-Fabrics/Heat-Sealable-70-Dener-Nylon-Taffeta, hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Non-woven materials may also be used for the cover  20 ,  22  having a slick side and a non-slick side. For example, Tyvek® polyethylene non-woven fabric, as manufactured by the DuPont Corporation and described in detail at http://www2.dupont.com/Products_and_Services/en_VN/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., http://www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html. 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 to  FIGS. 5-8 , a first cover  22  is attached to a box spring  30  so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring  30  and its slick side is facing upwardly. The second cover  120  which includes a portion of the levitation device is attached to the underside of a mattress  28 . In a rotate mode of operation, the cover  22  is attached to the box spring  30  so that its rough side is in contact with the box spring  30  and its slick side is facing upwardly so that its slick side is in contact with the slick surfaces  121  and  124  of the cover  120 . In a normal mode of operation, the cover  22  is attached to the mattress  28  so that its rough side contacts the box spring  28  and its slick side contacts the slick surfaces  121  and  124  of the cover  120 , thereby reducing unintended movement of the mattress  28  relative to the box spring  30  or bed skirt  36  or platform. 
     A small air supply  127  is connected to the air intake nozzle  123  by way of a conduit  125 , as generally shown in  FIG. 3 . Since the force required to lift the mattress  28  is proportional to the pressure multiplied by the area of the mattress  28 , the area of the top cover  121  may be divided into the total weight of the mattress  28  the amount of pressure required by the air pump  160 . AS shown, the diameter of the top cover  121  may be selected to be slightly less than the width of the mattress  28 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 . 
     An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . In this embodiment, a conduit  125 ′ between the air intake nozzle  123  ( FIG. 3 ) and the air pump  127  may be partially incorporated into the mattress  28 .  FIG. 16  illustrates yet another alternate embodiment in which includes an embedded conduit  125 ″ the mattress  28  in that is in fluid communication with the interior of the expandable volume and is connected to the air supply pump  127  ( FIG. 3 ) external to the cover  120  by way of a connector  131 . 
       FIGS. 9-13  illustrate one application of the covers  120  and  22  in which a bed skirt  36  is draped over the box spring  30 , as generally shown in  FIG. 9 . Heretofore rotation of a mattress  28  with a bed skirt  36  draped over the box spring  30  was a relatively cumbersome task. The present invention greatly simplifies rotation of the mattress  28  in such an application. More specifically, in this application, the cover  120  is attached to the underside of the mattress  28  so that its non-slick side or non-slick side, i.e side not including the top cover  121 , is in contact with the mattress  28  and its slick side, i.e. side including the top cover  121 , is facing downward. The other cover  22  is attached to the box spring  30  over the bed skirt  36  so that its non-slick side is in contact with the bed skirt  36  and its slick side is facing upward, thereby placing the slick sides of the covers  120  and  22  in contact with each other, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The mattress  28  can then be rotated virtually effortlessly, as generally illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     After the mattress  28  is rotated to the desired position, the cover  22  is detached from the box spring  30  and attached to the mattress  28  over the cover  120 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . This places the non-slick side of the cover  22  in contact with the bed skirt  36  to reduce if not prevent unintended rotation of the mattress  28 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the bed skirt  36  is uncovered and undisturbed since the cover  22  holds the bed skirt  36  in place during the rotation of the mattress  28 . 
       FIGS. 11-13  are similar to  FIGS. 9 and 10  and illustrate another application in which the bed skirt  36  is used to hide the covers  120  and  22  in a normal configuration. Referring to  FIG. 11 , the bed skirt  36  is disposed around the mattress  28  so that its finished side is in contact with the mattress  28  and its unfinished side is facing outwardly. The cover  120  is attached to the mattress  28  over the bed skirt  36  so that its non-slick side is in contact with the bed skirt  36  and its slick side is facing downwardly. The other cover  22  is attached to the box spring  30  so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring  30  and its slick side is facing upwardly, thus placing the slick sides of the covers  120  and  22  in contact with each other. The mattress  30  can then be rotated in a horizontal plane virtually effortlessly by one person. Once the mattress  28  is in the desired position, the cover  120  is detached from the mattress  28  and attached to the box spring  30 , over the other cover  22 . This places the non-slick side of the cover  120  in contact with the mattress  28 , thereby reducing unintended rotation of the mattress  28 . Once the cover  120  is attached to the box spring  30 , the bed skirt  36  is folded down over the box spring  30 , thereby hiding both the first and second covers  20  and  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
       FIGS. 24 and 25  illustrate an embodiment in which the cover  120  is replaced with a protective cover  40 , such as a waterproof cover, that encapsulates the mattress  28 . The cover  40  is formed with a portion of the levitation device, as illustrated in  FIG. 24  and discussed above. The protective cover  40  is to size and shape of the mattress  28  to provide a relatively snug fit. An opening  42  is provided along one edge of the protective cover  40  to enable the mattress  28  to be placed inside the protective cover  40  so that the levitation device is facing downwardly. A conventional fastener, such as a zipper  44  may be used to close the opening  42 . In this embodiment, one surface  46  of the cover  40  is provided with a slick surface  46  as is the top cover  121 ′ of the levitation device. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5-8 , The mattress  28  and the cover  40  are configured so that the slick surface  46  faces the box spring  30 . The cover  22  is formed with a slick surface and a non-slick surface. The cover  22  is attached to the box spring  30  so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring  30  and its slick side is facing upwardly. The slick side  46  of the cover  40  cooperates with the slick side of the cover  22  to facilitate rotation of the covered mattress  28  in a rotate mode. The cover  22  is as described above with a slick surface and a non-slick surface. More particularly, in a rotate mode of operation, the cover  22  is attached to the box spring  30  so that its non-slick surface is in contact with the box spring  30  and the slick surface faces upwardly in order to contact the slick surface of the protective cover  40 . In this mode, the mattress  28  can be effortlessly rotated in a horizontal plane once the air pump  127  ( FIG. 3 ) is turned on to fill and continue to feed the expandable air column with air creating a levitation effect. Once the mattress  28  has been rotated to the desired position, the cover  22  is attached to the mattress  28  causing its non-slick side to be contact with the box spring  30 . 
     In addition to the embodiments discussed above which require two covers, alternate embodiments are discussed below in which one or both of the covers  120  and  22  are integrally formed in the mattress or box spring  30 , respectively. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 16-18 , one or both of the covers  120  and  22  may be eliminated and integrally formed in the mattress  28  or box spring  30 . For example, assume that the cover  120  is integrally formed on the underside of the mattress  28 . In this embodiment, the cover  22  is attached to the boxes spring  30  so that its non-slick surface is in contact with the box spring  30  and its slick surface faces upwardly in a rotate mode of operation. Once the mattress is rotated to the desired position, the cover  22  is attached to the mattress  28  so that its rough surface is in contact with the box spring  30  and its slick surface is in contact with the slick surfaces  121  and  124  of the cover  120  in a normal mode of operation. 
     Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 16-18 , both covers  120 ′ and  22 ′ can be integrally formed in the mattress  28  and box spring  30 , respectively with their respective slick surfaces in constant contact. In this embodiment, the slick surfaces  121 ′ and  124 ′ of the cover  120 ′ and the slick surface of the cover  22 ′ is attached to the underside of the mattress  28  such that the slick surface faces downwardly and the non-slick surface is in contact with the underside of the mattress  28 . In a rotate mode of operation, the slick surface of the cover  120 ′ is in contact with the slick surface integrally formed in the box spring  30 . 
     In order to prevent movement of the mattress  28  with respect to the box spring  30  in a normal mode of operation, fasteners, for example, Velcro fasteners, may be provided on the corners of both the mattress  28  and the box spring  30 . In particular, permanent fastener strips  54  are provided on the corners of the mattress  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 16, 17 and 19 . Similarly, permanent fastener strips  56  are provided on the corners of the box spring  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 19 , when the mattress  28  is correctly aligned with the box spring  30 , the permanent fastener strips  54  on the mattress  28  are aligned with the permanent fastener strips  56  on the box spring  30 . In order to secure the mattress  28  relative to the box spring  30 , removable cooperating fastener strips  58  are selectively attached to the permanent fastener strips  54  and  56  as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 20  defining a normal mode of operation. The removable fastener strips  58  are simply removed in order to rotate the mattress  28  and replaced once the mattress  28  has been rotated. 
     Two alternate embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 21-23 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , permanent fastener strips  60  and  62  are located around the peripheries of the mattress  28  and the box spring  30 , adjacent to the edges where the mattress  28  and the box spring  30  come together. As shown in  FIG. 22 , a cooperating removable fastener strip  64  is attached to the permanent fastener strips  60  and  62  on the mattress  28  and box spring  30 , respectively. In yet another alternate embodiment as shown in  FIG. 23 , the cooperating removable fastener strip  64  may be affixed to the inside of a bed skirt  66 . With such a configuration, not only are the mattress  28  and box spring  30  secured together, the configuration also allows a bed skirt  66  to be easily installed. 
       FIGS. 26 and 27  illustrate an application of the invention on a platform bed, generally identified with the reference numeral  70 . In this embodiment, the cover  120 ′ is incorporated on the underside of a mattress  28 , with the intake nozzle  123  terminated to one edge of the mattress  28 . In this embodiment, the mattress  28  sits directly on a platform  72 , which is formed with a slick surface  74  which cooperates with the slick surfaces  121 ′ and  124 ′ of the cover  120 ′. In a rotate mode of operation, air from an air supply (not shown) is applied to the intake nozzle  123  which causes the mattress  28  to levitate. A headboard  76  is removed from the platform  74  and the mattress  28  is rotated to its desired position. The air supply is then removed and the mattress returns to a rest position on the platform  72  and the headboard  76  is replaced in a normal mode. The mattress  28  is then secured to the platform  74  by 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 cover  120 . In this embodiment, the invention relies on the surface of the box spring  30  to cooperate with the levitation device. Also, the cover  22  can 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.