Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Application for Patent, Ser. No. 62/177,958, filed 30 Mar. 2015, by the present inventor, and whose contents are incorporated by referenced herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to beds, mattresses and mattress toppers and, more specifically, to a device and method for correcting a sagging mattress. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Traditional mattresses that use coil springs and/or foam padding to provide support and comfort suffer from a phenomenon called compressive stress relaxation. Compressive stress relaxation causes a mattress to sag over time, and form regions in the mattress that are often referred to as body-shaped divots (“divot” or “body divots”). Every part of the mattress, from the fluffy top layer (where applicable, not present on all mattresses) to the internal springs, compresses under the weight of the user, and as a consequence relaxes into a new shape. This divot often takes the shape of a person&#39;s torso, and generally reaches from the shoulders to the hips. The presence of a divot can cause discomfort to the mattress&#39; user and thus make sleeping through the night difficult. Depending upon the type of mattress chosen, replacing a mattress can become expensive. Certain types of mattresses that have less of a problem with sagging, such as air filled mattresses or mattresses manufactured with memory foam, can be even more expensive than the common coil spring mattress and may not always be deemed comfortable. Many mattress manufacturers include recommendations that the user turn over and/or rotate the mattress periodically, in order to reduce the likelihood of sagging. The suggestion to rotate or flip the mattress are not always followed. 
         [0005]    Current solutions to fixing an existing divot involve placing a pad that is the full size of the mattress on top of the mattress to restore some of the mattress&#39; original support. These traditional pads follow the contour of the underlying mattress which still has the divot. Further, after a period of use, because these pads follow the contour of the underlying mattress with the divot. these pads may also develop their own divot, often making the bed even more uncomfortable. 
         [0006]    Other devices have aimed to push up the mattress from underneath, and they include, but are not limited to, devices having large foam blocks, solid planks, or an air bladder. These solutions have serious drawbacks, such as requiring the user to position the device under the mattress, which can be difficult for many people to do. Furthermore, many of these devices are non-adjustable, or in the case of the air bladders, are prone to mechanical failure resulting in leaks. 
         [0007]    Of the few device designs that propose to fix the problem from on top of the mattress, they are also complex, either in their manufacture such as with the use of parabolic inserts, their adjustment, or how to secure the device to the bed. A problem associated with parabolic inserts (i.e., those that have a parabolic cross section), is that when stacked, they build up excessive loft in the center while the edges are left relatively thin. This phenomenon makes adjustment with multiple parabolic inserts impractical. What is desirable as a solution is a product that can fix the divot in an existing traditional mattress that is simple to use and adjust, and is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, of which embodiments are described in the following sections. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention include a device comprising two or more resilient pads of progressive size that approximate the length and width of a human torso from above the shoulders to below the hips. An embodiment comprises two or more flat pads. In embodiments, the two or more pads are progressively sized, a smaller pad being applied to the mattress top surface first, followed by a larger sized pad. As the progressively sized pads are placed on top of a sagging mattress, they fill in the area where the divot has developed. By stacking the flat pads on top of each other the parabolic shape of a typical mattress sag will be approximated, thereby leaving the top surface of the mattress flat and even with the rest of the bed. The pads can be used individually or in combination with one another to fit the size, shape, and depth of various mattress divots, and for mattresses of most sizes. The surface and material of the individual pads can be selected from materials such that the pads resist sliding against each other or against the mattress. The pads can be provided with a cover that will hold them together and that can be secured to the bed itself. The different pads can be made of different materials and density, and used together in combinations to both fill the sag and provide a soft top layer without the mattress topper assembly having too much loft. 
         [0009]    In embodiments, the pads may range from about ⅜ inch to about 2 inches in thickness. In other embodiments, the pads may range from about ½ inch to about 1.5 inches in thickness. In other embodiments, the pads may range from about 0.75 to a bout 1.25 inches in thickness. In another embodiment, the pads are about 1 inch in thickness. In embodiments, the pads have an oval shape. 
         [0010]    A method of filling a divot of a sagging mattress comprises a series of steps, and these assume that one is working with a bare mattress, that is, one with no sheet on it. The upper surface and sides of the mattress may or may not be covered with a mattress pad prior to one performing the method. After determining the location of a divot on the mattress, a pad is selected from the group of pads, and the selected pad is placed within the divot so that the pad fits within the divot, and does not extend beyond the divot. A second pad, generally larger than the first pad, is selected from the group of pads, and the second pad is placed within the divot so that the second pad fits atop the first pad, the second pad fits within the divot, and does not extend beyond the divot. A third pad is selected from the group of pads, the third pad being generally larger than the first and the second pad, and the third pad is placed within the divot so that the pad fits within the divot, fills the divot, and extend beyond the divot and becomes generally even with the upper surface of the mattress. 
         [0011]    Embodiments of the present invention are a device for filling a divot in a mattress, the device comprising a plurality of generally flat pads progressively sized with respect to each other. Some pads are sized and shaped to fit within the divot without extending beyond the divot; a final pad completes the repair and may extend onto the mattress upper surface to provide a smooth surface. Pads are made from a flexible material, and may comprise an outer surface that includes a non-slip material such as rubber, hook-and-loop fastener, or adhesive, enabling the pads to adhere to each other or the mattress. The pads can have a flat or beveled edge, and can be manufactured from identical or dissimilar materials. A pad can be manufactured from different materials, thereby providing two different surfaces. In embodiments, the pads are oval. A cover is included to receive the pads while being used on a mattress, or for storage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a typical bed (box spring and mattress) showing a mattress that has a divot. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2 a    is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising 3 pads. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2 b    is a cross-sectional view of a pad shown in  FIG. 2 a    taken along line  2   b - 2   b.    
           [0015]      FIG. 2 c    is an inverted view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a.    
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 a    when placed in a divot of a mattress. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a mattress showing the placement of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 a    relative to where a person would lay. The two lower pad layers and the person are shown in phantom. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5 a    is a perspective view of pad embodiments contained in a cover. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5 b    is a perspective view of pad embodiments contained in a cover that includes a means of attaching the pad to a mattress. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6 a    is a perspective view of one pad having a beveled edge. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6 b    is a cross-sectional view of the pad shown in  FIG. 6   a.    
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a top view of an alternate pad embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Embodiments of the present invention include a device and method to correct a sagging bed mattress. The mattress can be of any size, for example, child-size, twin, double, queen, king or the like, and includes mattresses used for beds, sofabeds, hideaway beds, recliner chairs and the like. 
         [0024]    Conventional mattresses sag and develop a depression or divot (or “body divot”) over time where the user lays on it.  FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional bed that comprises a box spring  10  and a mattress  11  placed atop the box spring  10 . The box spring  10  is generally supported by a frame  30  (shown in phantom) having legs  32 . The mattress  11  shown in  FIG. 1  has a divot  12  and may potentially have multiple divots if it is shared by two people as might be the case with a double, queen or king sized mattress. The divot  12  is a depression in a portion of the upper surface  42  of the mattress  11 . 
         [0025]    A device embodiment  100  of the present invention comprises one or more layers of pads ( FIGS. 2 a  and 2 c   ).  FIG. 2 a    is a side view of this embodiment, which comprises several pads of progressive sizes, a large pad  140 , a medium pad  150  and a small pad  160 . The size of the pads, whether small, medium or large is based on their grouping with each other for a specific mattress. For example, the pads of a device  100  used on a twin-sized mattress, while small to large with respect to each other, may all be considered as “very small” when compared to the pads of a device used for a king-sized bed. 
         [0026]    In use, the device  100  is positioned atop the mattress  11  ( FIG. 3 ). The pads are selected so that the small pad  160  will fit within the cavity of the divot  12 , a larger pad  150  will be positioned atop the small pad  160  and fit within the cavity of the divot, followed by the larger pad  140  to fill the remaining space in the cavity, with the top surface  142  of the large pad  140  being approximately even with, or slightly above, the upper surface  42  of mattress  11 . As seen in the drawing, the pads of the device fill in the divot  12  and create an even sleep surface across the mattress  11 . The pads are intended to be used under a sheet (not shown) that covers the mattress, and can be placed on top of or under any existing mattress topper that might already cover the full surface of a bed. 
         [0027]    In embodiments, the pads may range from about ⅜ inch to about 2 inches in thickness. In other embodiments, the pads may range from about ½ inch to about 1.5 inches in thickness. In other embodiments, the pads may range from about 0.75 inches to about 1.25 inches in thickness. In another embodiment, the pads are about 1 inch in thickness. 
         [0028]    In embodiments, the two or more pads are progressively sized, a smaller pad being applied to the mattress top surface first, followed by a larger sized pad. As the progressively sized pads are placed on top of a sagging mattress, the cavity of the divot is filled in. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates placement of the device  100  beneath a user  24  (shown in phantom). If the mattress  11  contains, for example, two divots, resulting from use by multiple users, or someone alternating sides of the mattress being slept on, then two devices  100  would be used, one device to fill each divot. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the device  100  should be long enough to reach from a person&#39;s shoulders to their hips, or, in one embodiment approximately 36″ long and 22″ wide for the large pad  140 . In this embodiment, the medium sized pad  150  is approximately 30″ long and 18″ wide, and the smallest pad  160  is approximately 24″ long and 14″ wide. The shape of the pads when viewed from the top should be non-rectangular (oval, for example, see  FIG. 2 c   ). The use of a non-rectangular shaped pad is an improvement over rectangular shaped pads because it avoids having corners that would lie outside the divot cavity area and protrude upwards. In the embodiment shown ( FIGS. 2 c    and  4 ), the pads are oval. Pads  300  having a taper towards their center, comparable to an hour glass but not so constricted at the center, could also be utilized in alternate embodiments ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0031]    When seen in a cross section ( FIG. 2 b   ), the pads are generally flat, allowing the pads to be stacked upon each other. The flat surface enables the pads to be put into a variety of positional relationships to each other for maximum versatility of use. Provided that the pads are manufactured from a material that does not have a slippery surface, the pads, when stacked, should not slide with respect to each other. A flat surface configuration represents an efficient configuration for manufacturing the device because most resilient materials of which the pads would be made from are manufactured in flat sheets. The flat shape also avoids the need for molding or the complex contouring needed to achieve a parabolic cross section, which would increase both the difficulty and cost to manufacture the device of the present invention.  FIG. 3  shows how the pads  140 ,  150  and  160  can be stacked to fill a divot  12  of a sagging mattress. It can be seen that by having multiple thin layers of flat material created in progressive sizes, they approximate the curved cross section of the divot and restore an even sleep surface. The flat pads can be further contoured by being provided with a beveled edge  250  on one side as shown in  FIGS. 6 a   - b.    
         [0032]    In use, pads having a beveled edge can be positioned as shown in  FIG. 6 , with the beveled edge facing upwards, or the pads can be utilized with the beveled edge facing downward, which may aid in forming a smoother surface as the divot is filled. Embodiments of the present invention can comprises a mixture of pads, some with flat edges, others with beveled edges or a combination thereof. 
         [0033]    The pads can be provided with a component to secure them in place on the mattress and to prevent them from moving during use. An example of such a component is a cover  170  made from a non-slip fabric. Cover  170  has an opening  180  through which the pads are placed ( FIG. 5 a   ). The cover  170  includes a pair of flaps  182  and  184 , which overlap each other and secure the pads inside the cover  170  after closure of the opening  180 . A means for securing  190  the opening comprising a single strip, or multiple pieces of a fastener  190 , such as a hook and loop fastener, could be positioned inside the flaps  182  and  184  or attached elsewhere on the surface of the cover ( FIG. 5 b   ), to engage a mating component (not shown) on second flap  184 . Alternatively, one or more of other types of fasteners, such as a zipper, a button, a snap, a hook, a hook and eye, an elastic band, a drawstring or the like could also be used to close the cover.  FIG. 5 b    also shows the cover  170  with a strip of a non-slip material  200  that is designed to grip a surface such as a mattress, the underside of a full size mattress pad or the underside of a cover. The strips  200  can be constructed of a tacky rubber, hook and loop fasteners or contain a pressure-sensitive adhesive such as that used for self-adhesive and removable note material. In an alternate embodiment, the pads to fill a particular size divot can be selected and stacked atop each other, and then placed within the cover  170 , and the combination of the pads and cover positioned within the divot to fill in the divot. The cover  170  can be sized to fit a particular set of pads, or can be sized larger, not only to hold the pads, but to act as a mattress topper for whatever size bed the device is being used on. 
         [0034]    An alternate embodiment of the cover (not shown) can be sized to cover the full size of a mattress, whether twin, double, queen or the like, and that includes a material on its mattress facing side that is gripped by hook and loop fastener strips. Such a configuration allows the pad and pad cover assembly to be placed anywhere on the mattress and have the full sized cover hold it in place. 
         [0035]    The pads can be made of any resilient material known to those skilled in the art. One such material is fiber batting, selected because of its non-slip properties and low cost. Other materials can be selected from urethane foam, memory foam, or quilted pads. Pad embodiments can include a strip of non-slip material  220 , on the top ( FIG. 6 ), bottom, or top and bottom surfaces of each pad, which would serve to keep individual pads in-place if a cover is not used. Quilted pads can be made from either a natural or a synthetic material, or a combination thereof, with cotton being a non-limiting example of a natural material, and polyester being a non-limiting example of a synthetic material used for quilted pads. Memory foam is a type of visco-elastic foam that was originally developed by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”) for use in conjunction with the U.S. space program, and in recent decades has been placed into the public domain. Memory foam is now a component of certain brands of mattresses, and often used in pillows, head rests and other devices. 
         [0036]    A set of pads for a particular device embodiment can comprise pads of identical composition, or may comprise pads of different compositions, or combinations of one or more of these materials. Such combinations would allow a first layer to fill in the divot and another layer to match the feel of the mattress itself. In one such configuration , for example only, the top layer is made of memory foam in order to match the feel of a mattress with a memory foam top layer, while the lower layers could be a urethane foam to add firmness and support. 
         [0037]    A method of filling a divot of a sagging mattress comprises a series of steps, and these assume that one is working with a bare mattress, that is, one with no sheet on it. The upper surface and sides of the mattress may or may not be covered with a mattress pad prior to one performing the method. After determining the location of a divot on the mattress, a pad is selected from the group of pads, and the selected pad is placed within the divot so that the pad fits within the divot, and does not extend beyond the divot. A second pad, generally larger than the first pad, is selected from the group of pads, and the second pad is placed within the divot so that the second pad fits atop the first pad, the second pad fits within the divot, and does not extend beyond the divot. A third pad is selected from the group of pads, the third pad being generally larger than the first and the second pad, and the third pad is placed within the divot so that the pad fits within the divot, fills the divot, and extend beyond the divot and becomes generally even with the upper surface of the mattress. In an alternate embodiment, after the pads are stacked atop each other, the pads are placed into a cover, and the combination of the pads and the cover placed in the divot to fill in the divot. 
         [0038]    Although embodiments of this invention have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by the way of illustration, and that numerous changes in construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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