US3254350A

US3254350A - Mattress handles and stabilizers

Info

Publication number: US3254350A
Application number: US320264A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sr Edward L Bronstien
Original assignee: United States Bedding Co
Current assignee: SPUHL ANDERSON MACHINE COMPANY A CORP OF; United States Bedding Co
Priority date: 1963-10-31
Filing date: 1963-10-31
Publication date: 1966-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-07
Also published as: GB1132159A; FR1481744A

Description

J1me 1966 E. L. BRONSTIEN, SR 3,254,350

MATTRESS HANDLES AND STABILIZERS Filed 001?. 51, 1963 INVENTOR. Edward llflr'onsfzanflr United States Patent 3 254,350 MATTRESS HANDLES AND STABILIZERS Edward L. Bronstien, Sr., St. Paul, Minn., assignor to The United States Bedding Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Oct. 31, 1963, Ser. No. 320,264 Claims. (Cl. 5-345) This invention relates to mattress constructions and it is particularly directed to constructions including unique handle and stabilizer means.

The use of stabilizers for mattress constructions is wellknown. Such stabilizers usually comprise members formed of wire which are located in association with the side walls of mattresses. The stabilizers are disposed so that they will tend to spread apart whereby a constant spacing between the top and bottom of the mattress at the side edges can be achieved. The stabilizers thus assist the coil springs in the matress in preserving the mattress configuration. The stabilizers tend to maintain the lateral edges in a proper spaced apart relationship when the mattress is in use so that an individual will not tend to roll out of the bed. This tendency as well as a loss of satisfactory apperance will result where the side edges of a mattress become depressed.

It is also well-known that certain difiiculties arise in attempting to transport large mattresses from one location to another or in otherwise handling mattresses. Mattress constructions are known to be heavyand quite awkward and it is difiicult to grip the constructions without the provision of handles. In order to overcome these difficulties, handles have been formed in the side walls of most mattresses. A

Handle means now employed are characterized by certain difficulties. Where the handles are tied to the side wall of a mattress, the fabric comprising the cover is prone to tearing. In order to overcome this difiiculty, handles have been designed whereby they are tied directly to coil springs within the mattress. In many cases, however, this did not provide an adequate solution since the coil springs tended to be displaced, and since tearing of mattress fabrics could result. In addition to these dilficulties, problems have arisen with respect to the as sembly of mattress constructions since in many cases, handle designs have unduly complicated assembly operatrons.

It is one object of this invention to provide a stabilizer construction for mattresses which is highly suitable for maintaining the original configuration desired of a mattress construction and which is also of a relatively simple structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a stabilizer construction which can be employed in combination with a mattress handle.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a construction comprising a stabilizer and mattress handle assembly which is adapted to be easily installed in a mattress, and which is durable in character whereby the deficiencies of prior structures can be overcome.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a mattres construction utilizing the improvements of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view illustrating the handle and stabilizer improvements of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view taken about the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken about the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

3,254,350 Fatented June 7, 1966 ice FIGURE 5 is a detail elevational view taken about the line 5--5 of FIGURE 4; and,

FIGURE 6 is a schematic illustration of an alternative form for a stabilizer.

The mattress construction of this invention may comprise a construction of any conventional design such as the type employing a plurality of coil springs arranged in side-by-side relationship with the respective axes thereof being vertically disposed. Conventional elements comprising border wires for defining the external configuration of the mattress and tie wires which interconnect the coil springs and which serve to connect the outermost coils to the border wires can also be employed.

The conventional mattress constructions can be modified to include an assembly comprising a stabilizer and associated handle. The stabilizer comprises a wire member including horizontal upper and lower portions which are preferably tied to the border wires. Intermediate central portions are preferably formed to define V-shaped members and these members include resilient portions which urge the upper and lower horizontal portions away from each other. When the construction is associated with a side wall of a mattress, the side wall is held in the desired relationship by means of the resilient character of the stabilizer.

The handle means of this invention is preferably associated with the stabilizer by' securing the handle means through the use of the same fasteners'which hold the stabilizer in position along the side wall of the mattress. Specifically, the handle means may comprise openings'at either end through which a fastener may extend. The inwardly extending portions of the stabilizer preferably define spring turns which lend resilient character thereto. These spring turns define openings which are employed for receiving the same fasteners employed for holding the handle in place. This arrangement has the advantage of providing a means for securing the handle to other than the fabric of the side wall or the coil springs as such.

- Thus, the stabilizer in addition to its above described function will act to resist any tendency toward tearing of the fabric when the handle is in use.

FIGURE 1 of the drawing illustrates a mattress construction 10 defining a top wall 12, side walls 14 and bottom wall 16. On the exterior surface of the covering for the side wall 14, there is provided a handle 17. A stabilizer 18 is disposed on the interior surface of the side wall.

FIGURE 2 provides the best illustration of a stabilizer configuration characterized by the features of this invention. This stabilizer comprises two sections 20 with each

section comprising arms

22 and 24 defining respective upper and lower horizontal port-ions. Intermediate these arms, there is provided a central portion 26 comprising a V-shaped member. The central portion defines spring turns 28 which provide the stabilizing features of the construction. Specifically, any tendency of the

arms

22 and 24 to move toward each other will be resisted by the spring 28. Where such movement actually occurs, the spring 28 will provide for restoration to the normal position. It has been found that the design of the stabilizer illustrated is 'highly suitable for achieving the intended results.

the stabilizers in the construction.

In the illustrated construction, the stabilizers are formed of two sections and each of these sections is held in place by means of fastener 34 which extends through openings defined by the spring turns of the stabilizers. Since the central portions of the stabilizers are fixed, downward pressure on the mattress can result in sliding movement of the

arms

22 or 24 relative to the border wires 36. This sliding movementresults as the stabilizers take up the applied force. It will be understood, however, that the stabilizers may be formed of a single piece wherein the upper and lower horizontal portions will comprise a continuous wire. A stabilizer 31 taking this form is shown in FIGURE 6. In such case, the resilient character of the wire will provide for taking up of the force applied.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the manner in which the handle 17 is applied in the construction. This handle comprises a central gripping section 36, and as suggested in FIGURE 3, the material of the handle is preferably of a flexible character whereby the handle will bend outwardly for gripping purposes. Each end of the handle defines openings 38 through which the fastener 34 can extend; Grommets 40 provide an opening for the fastener into the interior of the construction. The openings defined by the spring turns of the stabilizer also receive the fastener and the whole assembly can then be secured in place through the use of nuts 42.

The assembly of the handle and stabilizer is com sidered to be an important contribution since the desirable characteristics of such members are incorporated in this assembly. Furthermore, the relatively simple design of these members and the ease with which they can be included in the construction is quite important from the practical standpoint. In many cases, however, it may be desirable to provide more stabilizers than handles. Accordingly, the stabilizers of this invention can be associated in the construction Without the provision of a handle. In such cases, fasteners of the type shown at 34 can be employed in combination with grommets without the intervention of the handle. It will be appreciated, however, that other fastening means could be utilized when employing structures embodying the features of this invention.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the above described elements which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a mattress construction wherein a plurality of coil springs are arranged in side-by-side relationship with their respective axes disposed vertically and wherein a covering is provided for the top, bottom and side Walls of said construction, the improvement comprising a combination handle and stabilizer assembly for use in association with at least one side Wall of said construction, said stabilizer comprising horizontal upper and lower portions and inwardly extending side portions, said side portions being connected to fasteners extending outwardly from the interior surface of said side wall, and wherein said handle is disposed on the exterior surface of said side wall and is connected at its ends to said side wall by means of said fasteners, said handle comprising a flexible member havng bores in its ends for receiving said fasteners, said fasteners comprising threaded members with the threaded ends extending into the interior of said construction, the inwardly extending side portions of said stabilizer defining openings at their inner extremities dimensioned to receive said threaded ends, and nut means threaded onto said threaded ends for holding said side portions and said handle in place.

2. In a mattress construction wherein a plurality of coil springs are arranged in side-by-side relationship with their respective axes disposed vertically, upper and lower border wires defining the external configuration of said construction, tie wires interconnecting said coil springs and connecting the outermost coil springs to said border wires, and wherein a covering is provided for the top, bottom and side walls of said construction, the improvement comprising a combination handle and stabilizer assembly adapted to be associated with at least one side wall of said construction, said stabilizer comprising horizontal upper and lower portions with said portions being tied to corresponding border wires, inwardly extending side portions for said stabilizers, said side portions including resilient means adapted to normally hold said horizontal portions in spaced apart relationship, fasteners extending outwardly from the interior surface of said side wall, and a handle disposed on the exterior surface of said side wall, said side portions of said stabilizer and said handle being secured in said construction by means of said fasteners, and wherein said side portions comprise members which extend inwardly toward each other and which define spring turns at their apices, and wherein said spring turns define openings for receiving said fasteners.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein said side portions comprise V-shaped members.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein said stabilizer is formed of one integral piece of wire.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein said stabilizer is formed in two sections each comprising said inwardly extending side portions and upper and lower arms forming said upper and lower horizontal portions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,322,995 6/1943 Allen 5--345 2,662,235 12/1953 Ferguson 5345 2,993,215 7/1961 Rymland 5-260 X FRANK B. SHERRY, Primazy Examiner.

A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A MATTRESS CONSTRUCTION WHEREIN A PLURALITY OF COIL SPRINGS ARE ARRANGED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE AXES DISPOSED VERTICALLY AND WHEREIN A COVERING IS PROVIDED FOR THE TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS OF SAID CONSTRUCTION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A COMBINATION HANDLE AND STABILIZER ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN ASSOCIATION WITH AT LEAST ONE SIDE WALL OF SAID CONSTRUCTION, AND STABILIZER COMPRISING HORIZONTAL UPPER AND LOWER PORTIONS AND INWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE PORTIONS, SAID SIDE PORTIONS BEING CONNECTED TO FASTENERS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID SIDE WALL, AND WHEREIN SAID HANDLE IS DISPOSED ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID SIDE WALL AND IS CONNECTED AT ITS ENDS TO SAID SIDE WALL BY MEANS OF FASTENERS, SAID HANDLE COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE MEMBER HAVING BORES IN ITS ENDS FOR RECEIVING SAID FASTENERS, SAID FASTENERS COMPRISING THREADED MEMBERS WITH THE THREADED ENDS EXTENDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID CONSTRUCTION, THE INWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE PORTIONS OF SAID STABILIZER DEFINING OPENINGS AT THEIR INNER EXTREMITIES DIMENSIONED TO RECEIVE SAID THREADED ENDS, AND NUT MEANS THREADED ONTO SAID THREADED ENDS FOR HOLDING SAID SIDE PORTIONS AND SAID HANDLE IN PLACE.