Patent Publication Number: US-2013232689-A1

Title: Box spring assemblies employing foam cushioning grids, and related components, mattress assemblies, and methods

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/608,810 filed on Mar. 9, 2012 entitled “Foam Grid Foundation Cushion,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The technology of the disclosure relates generally to mattress cushions, assemblies, mattresses, and related methods for providing support. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Innerspring assemblies are a type of mattress core utilized for mattresses or seating structures and may be composed of spring coils attached together in a matrix or array. An example of such an innerspring assembly (“innerspring”) is illustrated by an innerspring  12  depicted in  FIG. 1  and provided as part of a mattress  10 . The innerspring  12  is comprised of conventional coils  14  arranged in an interconnected matrix to form a flexible core and support surfaces of the mattress  10 . Adjacent coils  14  are secured to one another by lower interconnection helical wires  16  and upper interconnection helical wires  18 . At a perimeter  20  of the innerspring  12 , innerspring coils  14  are also connected to one another by upper and lower border wires  22 ,  24 . Upper and lower border wires  22 ,  24  are attached to upper and lower end turns of the coils  14  to create a frame  26  for the innerspring  12 . The upper and lower border wires  22 ,  24  may provide firmness for edge support on the perimeter  20  of the innerspring  12  where an individual user may disproportionally place weight on the innerspring  12 , such as during mounting onto and dismounting from the mattress  10 . The mattress  10  may be disposed on top of a base  28  to provide base support. 
     With reference to the mattress  10  in  FIG. 1 , with regard to an edge  30  of the innerspring  12 , general considerations exist regarding construction and manufacture. In normal use, the edge  30  is subjected to greater weight in the form of compression forces than an interior  32  of the innerspring  12  due to the common practice of sitting on the edge  30  of the mattress  10 . The coils  14  located proximate to the edge  30  of the innerspring  12  are subjected to concentrated weight (loads) as opposed to coils  14  located in the interior  32 . To provide further perimeter structure and edge-support for the innerspring  12 , an edge-support member  34  may be disposed around the coils  14  proximate to the edge  30  of the innerspring  12  between the base  28  and the upper and the lower border wires  22 ,  24 . The edge-support member  34  may be extruded from polymer foam, for example. One or more padding material layer  36  may be disposed on top of the innerspring  12 , and then upholstery  38  (“ticking”) is placed around the padding material layer(s)  36 , innerspring  12 , the edge-support member  34 , and base  28  to form the mattress  10  in its fully assembled state. This mattress structure in  FIG. 1  may also be provided for other types of innersprings, including pocketed coils. 
     Mattresses, such as the mattress  10  in  FIG. 1 , are typically designed to be supported on box springs in a bedding frame to provide a complete bed. In this regard,  FIG. 2  illustrates an example of box springs  40  that can be used to support a mattress, including the mattress  10  in  FIG. 1 . The box springs  40  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is shown without an outer frame or upholstery so that the internal components of the box springs  40  can be seen. As shown therein, the box springs  40  is comprised of a wood base  42 . The wood base  42  is comprised of an outer frame  44  having elongated end support members  46 A,  46 B that span from a first side  48 A to a second side  48 B of the wood base  42 . Intermediate elongated support members  50  are provided that also span from the first side  48 A to the second side  48 B of the frame  44 . The elongated end support members  46 A,  46 B and intermediate elongated support members  50  provide a platform to support a wire support structure  52  comprised of wire springs  54  interconnected by a plurality of wire members  56  to form a wire grid  58  providing a planar-shaped support surface to support a mattress. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments disclosed herein include box spring assemblies employing foam cushioning grids, and related components, mattress assemblies, and methods. Foam cushioning grids are comprised of a plurality of foam grid members that are interconnected to form the foam cushioning grid. By interconnecting the foam grid members, a plurality of voids may be disposed between the interconnecting foam grid members as part of the foam cushioning grid. In this manner, as a non-limiting example, the foam cushioning grid can be disposed on a wire grid, such as in a box springs, to provide cushioning support for the wire grid, as one non-limiting example. A load placed on the wire grid will be cushioned by the foam cushioning grid disposed therebetween. Further, as a non-limiting example, voids in the foam cushioning grid allow air to easily flow between the interconnected foam grid members between the box springs and a mattress disposed on the box springs. This is opposed to a solid sheet of foam that does not contain voids in this example. Further, the foam grid members may be tenably formed from closed cell foam, because the voids allow air flow without requiring air to flow through the foam grid members themselves. Closed cell foam cushioning members, such as those comprised of Polyethylene closed foam material, will not absorb moisture or odor, and will not contribute to mold and/or mildew growth. 
     In this regard, in one embodiment, a box spring assembly for supporting a mattress is provided. The box spring assembly comprises a frame having a first elongated end and a second elongated end opposite the first elongated end. The box spring assembly also comprises a plurality of elongated support members extending from the first elongated end of the frame to the second elongated end of the frame. The box spring assembly also comprises a wire support structure. The wire support structure comprises a plurality of wire springs each having a first end supported by the plurality of elongated support members. The plurality of wire springs is configured to support a mattress. The wire support structure also comprises a planar-shaped wire grid interconnecting the plurality of wire springs on a second end of the plurality of wire springs opposite the first end of the plurality of wire springs. A foam cushioning grid is disposed on the planar-shaped wire grid to provide cushioning between the planar-shaped wire grid and a mattress disposed on top of the planar-shaped wire grid. 
     In another embodiment, a method of assembling a box spring assembly for supporting a mattress is provided. The method comprises providing a frame having a first elongated end and a second elongated end opposite the first elongated end. The method also comprises providing a plurality of elongated support members extending from the first end of the frame to the second end of the frame. The method also comprises providing a wire support structure on the frame, which comprises providing a plurality of wire springs each having a first end supported by the plurality of elongated support members. The plurality of wire springs is configured to support a mattress, and interconnects the plurality of wire springs on a second end of the plurality of wire springs opposite the first end of the plurality of wire springs to provide a planar-shaped wire grid. The method also comprises disposing a foam cushioning grid on the planar-shaped wire grid to provide cushioning between the planar-shaped wire grid and a mattress disposed on top of the planar-shaped wire grid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective partial cutaway view of a mattress including a foam side support member; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary box springs without surrounding upholstery that is configured to support a mattress; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective top view of a box springs having an exemplary foam cushioning grid disposed on top of the wire grid of the box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the exemplary foam cushioning grid in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up perspective view of the box springs in  FIG. 3  without the foam cushioning grid; 
         FIG. 6  is a close-up view of the box springs in  FIG. 5  with the foam cushioning grid disposed on the wire grid of the box springs; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs; 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs; and 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid configured to be disposed on a box springs to provide cushioning support on the wire grid of the box springs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference now to the drawing figures, several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein include box spring assemblies employing foam cushioning grids, and related components, mattress assemblies, and methods. Foam cushioning grids are comprised of a plurality of foam grid members that are interconnected to form the foam cushioning grid. By interconnecting the foam grid members, a plurality of voids may be disposed between the interconnecting foam grid members as part of the foam cushioning grid. In this manner, as a non-limiting example, the foam cushioning grid can be disposed on a wire grid, such as in a box springs, to provide cushioning support for the wire grid, as one non-limiting example. A load placed on the wire grid will be cushioned by the foam cushioning grid disposed therebetween. Further, as a non-limiting example, voids in the foam cushioning grid allow air to easily flow between the interconnected foam grid members between the box springs and a mattress disposed on the box springs. This is opposed to a solid sheet of foam that does not contain voids in this example. Further, the foam grid members may be formed from closed cell foam as one example, because the voids allow air flow without requiring air to flow through the foam grid members themselves. Closed cell foam cushioning members, such as those comprised of Polyethylene closed foam material, will not absorb moisture or odor, and will not contribute to mold and/or mildew growth. 
     In this regard,  FIG. 3  is a perspective top view of the box springs assembly  60  for supporting a mattress that includes an exemplary foam cushioning grid  62 . The foam cushioning grid  62  provides cushioning support for a wire grid of a box springs. In this example, the box springs assembly  60  includes the box springs  40  in  FIG. 2 . The foam cushioning grid  62  is disposed on or overlays the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  to provide cushioning support for the wire grid  58 . For example, the foam cushioning grid  62  may provide cushioning support for a mattress, such as mattress  10  in  FIG. 1  for example, disposed on the box springs assembly  60 . Otherwise, the mattress would be disposed directly on the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58 . A load placed on the wire grid  58  and wire springs  54  will be cushioned by the foam cushioning grid  62  disposed therebetween. The foam cushioning grid  62  may also protect a mattress disposed on the box springs  40  from being damaged by direct disposition on the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58 . Some box springs  40  provide a thin layer of material over the wire grid  58 . The wire members  56  of the wire grid  58  may be exposed from this thin layer of material over time or repeated loading and unloading of the box springs  40 . 
     A top view of foam cushioning grid  62  apart from the box springs  40  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The foam cushioning grid  62  is formed from a foam material to provide a cushioning structure for the box springs  40 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the foam cushioning grid  62  is formed from a plurality of interconnected foam grid members  64 . The interconnected foam grid members  64  are interconnected in parallel axes and orthogonal axes to the longitudinal axes A 1 , A 2  of the elongated end support members  46 A,  46 B of the box springs  40  in this example, to be disposed over portions of the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58  also disposed in the parallel and orthogonal to the elongated end support members  46 A,  46 B. The interconnected foam grid members  64  are not angled (i.e., not parallel or orthogonal) to the longitudinal axes A 1 , A 2  of the elongated end support members  46 A,  46 B of the box springs  40  in this embodiment. A plurality of voids  66  are disposed between the interconnected foam grid members  64  in the foam cushioning grid  62 . The voids  66  may be provided in the foam cushioning grid  62  to align with voids between the wire members  56  in the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40 . In this manner, as a non-limiting example, the voids  66  in the foam cushioning grid  62  allow air to easily flow or ventilate between the interconnected foam grid members  64  between the box springs  40  and a mattress disposed on the box springs  40 . This is opposed to a solid foam piece that completely overlays the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40 , where the voids between the wire members  56  in the wire grid  58  are all covered by solid foam piece. The interconnected foam grid members  64  in this example are not comprised of separate foam grid members, but rather are formed from a plurality of voids  66  that were disposed in a solid foam sheet of material to form the foam cushioning grid  62 . However, the foam grid members  64  could be comprised of separate members that are attached or connected together (e.g., cohesively or adhesively). 
     Further, as a non-limiting example with continuing reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , with the voids  66  provided to facilitate air flow, the foam cushioning grid  62  may be more tenably be formed from closed cell foam, because the voids  66  allow air flow without requiring air to flow through the foam grid members  64 . Closed cell foam cushioning members, such as those comprised of Polyethylene closed foam material as a non-limiting example, may not absorb moisture or odor, and will not contribute to mold and/or mildew growth. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a portion of the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  and the foam cushioning grid  62  being disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  in more detail.  FIG. 5  is a close-up perspective view of the box springs  40  in  FIG. 3  without the foam cushioning grid  62  being disposed on the wire grid  58 .  FIG. 6  is a close-up view of the box springs  40  in  FIG. 3  with the foam cushioning grid  62  disposed on a portion of wire members of the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  to provide cushioning of the wire grid  58 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , foam grid members  64  of the foam cushioning grid  62  are disposed over portions of the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58 . In this example, foam grid members  64  are each disposed on at least a portion of a wire member  56  in the wire grid  58 . The foam grid members  64  of the foam cushioning grid  62  could be disposed completely cover each of the plurality of wire members  56  of the wire grid  58 . Alternatively, one or more of the foam grid members  64  of the foam cushioning grid  62  could be disposed on the wire grid  58  such that the foam grid members  64  do not completely overlay each of the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58 . 
     The interconnected foam grid members  64  may be of any thickness desired. The thickness of the foam grid members  64  as well as the type of foamed material of the foam grid member  64  will determine the foam cushioning grids&#39;  62  cushioning characteristics. The cushioning characteristics will determine the internal load deflection (ILD) of the foam cushioning grid  62 . For example, the foam grid members  64  may be between 0.1 and 0.5 inches thick, as a non-limiting example. The foam grid members  64  may also be of any width desired (e.g, up to six (6) inches in width). The width of the foam grid members  64  may be designed to provide the desired coverage or overlay area of the foam grid members  64  on the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40 . For example, the foam grid members  64  in the foam cushioning grid  62  in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are of width W 1  for the foam grid members  64  disposed in a parallel axis to the longitudinal axes A 1 , A 2  of the elongated end support members  46 A,  46 B. As another example, the foam grid members  64  in the foam cushioning grid  62  in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are of width W 2  for the foam grid members  64  disposed in orthogonal axes to the longitudinal axes A 1 , A 2  of the elongated end support members  46 A,  46 B. The interconnected plurality of foam grid members  64  can be wider than a width of any portion of the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58  to cushion the wire members  56  of the wire grid  58 . 
     The foam cushioning grid  62  may be formed from any foamed material desired. These material examples include, but are not limited to, a polymer, a polymer foam, latex, viscoelastic, polystyrene, polyolefin, polyethylene, polybutane, polybutylene, polyurethane, polyester, ethylene acrylic copolymer, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymer, ionomer, polypropylene, copolymer of polypropylene, latex rubber, thermoset material, and the like, as non-limiting examples. Further, the foam cushioning grid  62  may be formed from a combination of thermoset and thermoplastic foamed material(s), to provide composite cushioning characteristics. For example, the foam cushioning grid  62  may be comprised of a composite foamed material as provided in U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,373, entitled “Unitary Composite/Hybrid Cushioning Structure(s) and Profile(s) Comprised of a Thermoplastic Foam(s) and a Thermoset Material(s),” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/026,979, entitled “Composite Cushioning Structure(s) With Spatially Variable Cushioning Properties and Related Materials, Cushioning Assemblies, and Methods for Producing Same,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Further, the foam cushioning grid  62  may include filler, including but not limited to, a ground foam reclaim material, a nano clay, a carbon nano tube, calcium carbonate, flyash, and corc dust, as examples. 
     Other foam cushioning grids having different sizes of foam grid members are also possible. In this regard,  FIGS. 7-16  described below illustrate other alternative, non-limiting, foam cushioning grids  62 ( 1 )- 62 ( 10 ) that may be provide in a box springs assembly, including the box springs assembly  60  described above. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of an alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 1 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. In the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 1 ) in  FIG. 7 , the width of the foam grid members  64 ( 1 ) are wider than the foam grid members  64  in the box springs assembly  60  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . It may be more desirable to provide wider foam grid members  64 ( 1 ) to overlay a greater portion of a foam grid of box springs to provide additional cushioning. The width of the foam grid members  64 ( 1 ) may also be sized to control the sizing of the voids  66 ( 1 ) disposed in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 1 ). The sizing of the voids  66 ( 1 ) may be designed to provide the desired air flow ventilation through the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 1 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 2 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. In the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 2 ) in  FIG. 8 , the width of certain foam grid members  64 ( 2 ) may be wider than the foam grid members  64  in the box springs assembly  60  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Some of the foam grid members  64 ( 2 )′,  64 ( 2 )″ may be angled along angled axes A 3 , A 4 , A 5  (i.e., non-parallel and non-orthogonal) to the longitudinal axes A 1 , A 2  to provide additional cushioning support. The design of the foam grid members  64 ( 2 ) may also be provide to control the sizing and location of the voids  66 ( 2 ) disposed in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 2 ). The sizing and location of the voids  66 ( 2 ) may be designed to provide the desired air flow ventilation through the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 2 ). 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 3 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. In the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 3 ) in  FIG. 9 , the width of certain foam grid members  64 ( 3 )′ may be wider than the foam grid members  64 ( 1 ) in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 1 ) in  FIG. 7 . The width of the foam grid members  64 ( 3 ),  64 ( 3 )′ may also be sized to control the sizing of the voids  66 ( 3 ) disposed in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 3 ). The sizing of the voids  66 ( 3 ) may be designed to provide the desired air flow ventilation through the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 3 ). 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 4 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. The foam cushioning grid  62 ( 4 ) in  FIG. 10  is similar to the design of the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 3 ) in  FIG. 9 , except that certain foam grid members  64 ( 4 )″ are included in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 4 ) that are angled in addition to the foam grid members  64 ( 4 ),  64 ( 4 )′. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 5 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. The foam cushioning grid  62 ( 5 ) includes foam grid members  64 ( 5 ) that form voids  66 ( 5 ) and other certain foam grid members  64 ( 5 )′ that form non-rectangular-shaped voids  66 ( 5 )′ included in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 5 ). 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 6 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. The foam cushioning grid  62 ( 6 ) includes foam grid members  64 ( 4 ) that form voids  66 ( 6 ) and that are all non-rectangular-shaped. 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 7 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. The foam cushioning grid  62 ( 7 ) in  FIG. 13  is similar to the design of the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 3 ) in  FIG. 9 , except that certain foam grid members  64 ( 7 )′ are included in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 7 ) that are angled in addition to the foam grid members  64 ( 7 ) to form alternative pattern of voids  66 ( 7 ) in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 7 ). 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 8 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. The foam cushioning grid  62 ( 8 ) in  FIG. 14  is similar to the design of the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 3 ) in  FIG. 9 , except that certain foam grid members  64 ( 8 )&#39; are included in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 8 ) that are angled in addition to the foam grid members  64 ( 8 ) to form non-rectangular, polygonal-shaped voids  66 ( 8 )′ and rectangular-shaped voids  66 ( 8 ), respectively, in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 8 ). Other foam grid members  64 ( 8 )″ are arc-shaped to form arc-shaped voids  66 ( 8 )″ in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 8 ). 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 9 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. The foam cushioning grid  62 ( 9 ) in  FIG. 15  is similar to the design of the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 3 ) in  FIG. 9 , except that certain foam grid members  64 ( 9 )′ are included in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 9 ) that are angled in addition to the foam grid members  64 ( 9 ) to form non-rectangular, polygonal-shaped voids  66 ( 9 )′ and rectangular-shaped voids  66 ( 9 ), respectively, in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 9 ). 
       FIG. 16  is a top view of another alternative foam cushioning grid  62 ( 10 ) configured to be disposed on the wire grid  58  of the box springs  40  described above to form a box springs assembly. The foam cushioning grid  62 ( 10 ) in  FIG. 16  is similar to the design of the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 3 ) in  FIG. 9 , except that certain foam grid members  64 ( 10 )′ are included in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 10 ) that are angled in addition to the foam grid members  64 ( 10 ) to form non-rectangular, polygonal-shaped voids  66 ( 10 )′ and rectangular-shaped voids  66 ( 10 ), respectively, in the foam cushioning grid  62 ( 9 ). 
     The foam cushioning grid can be provided of any size or shape for different sizes of box springs (e.g., king, queen, full, twin, single, etc.). The aforementioned foam cushioning grid can be compatible with and provide cushioning to other structures other than box springs, including various mattress cores including, but not limited to, innersprings, including coil and pocketed-coil innersprings, and other partial or all foam mattress cores. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments disclosed herein. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. 
     Attachment members can be provided in the elastic foam edge-support band, but are optional and not required. If included, the number of attachment members can be varied as desired. The materials or compositions of the aforementioned components can be varied as well, including but not limited to whether exclusively thermoset or thermoplastic materials, or a composite of both. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.