CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION A claim is hereby made to the February 13, 2020 filing date ofU.S. Patent Application No. 62/976, 173, titled COMPOSITE MATTRESSES WI TH AIR

CHAMBERS (‘'the ^' 173 Provisional Application"). The entire disclosure of the ’ 173 Provisional Application is hereby incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL HELD This disclosure relates generally to mattresses with air chambers and, more specifically, to composite mattresses that include air chambers. Such composite mattresses may comprise modular matresses, in which a mattress base that includes air chambers may be used with any of a variety of modular tops. Cushioning methods and methods for personalizing a matress are also disclosed.

RELATED ART

A variety of airbed mattresses are currently available. An airbed mattress typically includes a plurality of air chambers supported, laterally surrounded by, and covered by layers of foam. Air pressure within the air chambers may be adjusted to provide the air matress or a portion (e.g, a side, a head section, a lumbar section, a foot section, etc.) thereof with a desired level of firmness or softness. While existing airbed mattresses enable an individual to choose the firmness or softness of foe mattress or various portions thereof, the cushioning options they provide to consumers are limited. SUMMARY

Various embodiments of mattresses are disclosed that combine the air chambers of a conventional airbed matress with premium cushioning elements.

A mattress according to this disclosure, which may comprise an airbed mattress, may also be referred to herein as a “composite mattress.” Such a mattress may include a pressurizabie layer with at least one air chamber, a top layer that comprises a cushioning dement over the pressurizabie layer, and a cover.

In a specific embodiment, from its base to its upper, supporting surface, a composite mattress according to this disclosure may include a base panel of a cover, or “base cover," a base layer, the pressurizabie layer, an intermediate layer, the top layer, and a top panel of the cover, or “top cover.” A foundation, or rail may laterally surround the pressurteable layer, at least a portion of the intermediate layer, and the top layer. A periphery of the cover, which may he referred to herein as a “cover periphery ” may laterally surround the foundation, and may extend between the base cover and the top cover. In some embodiments, such a mattress may also include a coiled spring layer, which may comprise an array of mattress springs. Such a coiled spring layer may be located beneath the air chamher(s) or between the top layer and the air chambers).

The base layer of such a mattress may comprise a relatively stiff, or firm, element or it may comprise a compressible, resilient cushioning element with a desired rale of return. The base layer may be substantially contiguous, or uninterrupted across its entirety. Alternatively, the base layer may comprise a plurality of resilientSy compressible walls that defines a plurality' of resilient!y buckling columns and a void within each column.

The pressurizable layer may comprise a single air chamber or a plurality of air chambers. In some embodiments, a single column of air chambers that extend substantially from one side of the mattress to the other (i.e., horizontally) may be arranged from substantially one end of the mattress (e.g., a head end of the mattress, etc.) to the other end of She mattress (e.g., a foot end of the mattress, etc.) (i.e., vertically). In other embodiments, a single row of air chambers that extend substantially from one end of the mattress (e.g., the head etui of the mattress, etc.) to the oilier end of the mattress

(e.g. the foot end of the mattress, etc.) (i.e., vertically) may be arranged substantially from one side of the mattress to the other side of the mattress (i.e., horizontally), in still other embodiments, an array of air chambers may be organized substantially across the mattress. In these contexts, the term “substantially” has been used to indicate the possible presence of lateral support members, or foundations, at one or more locations around the outer periphery of the composite mattress.

In embodiments where the mattress includes a plurality of air chambers, each air chamber of the plurality may be pressurized (e.g., inflated, deflated, etc. ) independently of every other air chamber of the plurality. The intermediate layer may comprise a cushioning element. The cushioning element may comprise any suitable material As an example, the intermediate layer may include a material that is compressible and has a desired resilience and rate of return. The intermediate may be substantially contiguous, or uninterrupted across its entirety. The base layer may comprise a plurality of resiliently compressible walls that defines a plurality of resiliently buckling columns and a void within each column.

The cushioning element of the fop layer may comprise a premium cushioning element, such as a cushioning element formed from an elastomeric gel. a cushioning material that flows non-resiliently under pressure ( i.e a cushioning material that has litle or no return), or any oilier suitable cushioning material, in some embodiments, the base layer may comprise a plurality of resiliently compressible wails that defines a plurality of resiliently buckling columns and a void within each column. In some embodiments, the top layer may be substantially contiguous, or uninterrupted across its entirety.

The top layer may also comprise one or more cushioning elements. In embodiments where the top layer includes a plurality of cushioning elements, the cushioning elements may be superimposed relative to one another, hr embodiments where two or more of the cushioning elements include a plurality of resiliently compressible walls that define an array of resiliently buckling columns and avoid wither each column, the resiliently compressible walls and the resiliently budding columns may be offset.

The top layer may be laterally surrounded and supported by an upper foundation, or an upper rail. The upper foundation may comprise any suitable material. As an example, the upper foundation may comprise a structured foam.

The foundation, which may also be referred to as a dower foundation,” may include one or more peripheral foundation members that define a foundation receptacle.

In some embodiments, the foundation may include four members that at least partially define a periphery of the mattress (e.g., a head member, a foot member, and two side members, etc.). The foundation receptacle receives the base layer, the pressurizab!e layer, arsd the intermediate layer.

The cover periphery laterally surrounds the foundation, the base layer, the pressurizabie layer, and the intermediate layer, as well as the top layer, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the cover periphery may extend (e.g., upwardly, etc.) from peripheral edges of the base panel of the cover, which may also be referred to as Site “cover base.” In some embodiments, a base portion of the cover periphery may be continuous with peripheral edges of a base panel of the cover, with, base portion of tire cover periphery and the base panel defining a base portion of the cover. Together, the base and the base portion of the cover periphery may also define a receptacle of the base portion of the cover, which may receive the foundation, any elements carried by the foundation receptacle, and, optionally, at least part of the intermediate layer of the composite matress,

A coupler or a portion of a coupler may enable the top portion of the co ver to be secured to the base portion of the cover. Such a coupler may be located at or adjacent to a top edge of the base portion of the cover. More specifically, one coupling element of the coupler may be located at or adjacent to a top edge of the base portion of the cover, while a another complementary coupling element of the coupler may be associated with tire top portion of the cover.

In some embodiments, the cover periphery may also include a top portion, which may extend iron· and even be continuous with peripheral edges of a top panel of the cover. In such embodiments, the top portion of the cover periphery and the top pastel may define a top portion of the cover, in such embodiments, the base coupler may be l ocated at or adjacent to a top edge of the base portion of the cover, while the top coupler may be located at or adjacent to a bottom edge of the top portion of the cover.

The base portion of the cover may cany the foundation, the base layer, the pressurizahie layer, the intermediate layer, and the base coupler. Together, these elements may define a base of the mattress, or a '‘mattress base,” Tire top portion of the cover may carry the top layer and other optional elements ⁽ e.g., an upper foundation, an upper frame, one or more additional layers, etc.) that may define a top of the mattress, or a “mattress top.”

The mattress base of this disclosure may be used with and coupled to any of a variety of mattress tops. Likewise, any of a variety of mattress bases of this disclosure may be used with and coupled to a particular mattress top. Thus, mattress bases and matress tops according to this disclosure may be modular, enabling an individual (or a couple) to select mattress base with particular characteristics (e.g, a configuration of air chambers; an arrangement of air chambers, coils, and/or other layers; etc.) and a mattress top with particular characteristics (e.g., thickness, cushioning properties, arrangement of top cushioning lay ers, etc.), in some embodiments, a single mattress base may have a configuration that enables it to receive two or more mattress tops. In other embodiments, two or more mattress bases may collectively receive a single mattress top.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, the modularity of various embodiments of a mattress according to tins disclosure may enable various methods for personalizing a mattress. In such a method, an individual (or a couple) may select a matress base or a plurality of mattress bases. The mattress base may comprise a modular mattress base with one or more desired features and/or characteristics. In some embodiments, the mattress base may include art air chamber or a plurality of air chambers in a desired arrangement. Optionally, the mattress base may include a layer of coil springs, or a “coiled spring layer,·" and, in some embodiments, other layers. A coiled spring layer may be located under and/or over the pressurizabie layer; in some embodiments, the coiled spring layer(s) may be located adjacent to the pressurizabie layer, with only compliant intervening layer located between each coiled spring layer and the pressurizabie layer.

The individual (or the couple) may also select a mattress top or a plurality of mattress tops that is/are compatible with a selected mattress base(s). The mattress top may include a top layer that includes a plurality of compressible walls defining an array of buckling columns and a void within each column.

Once the mattress base(s) and the mattress top(s) have been selected, the mattress top(s) may be positioned over the mattress base(s) and coupled to the matress base(s).

This disclosure also includes cushioning methods, A cushioning method according to this disclosure may include positioning at least part ^' of an individual's body on a cushioning layer that comprises a plurality of compressible wails defining an array of buckling columns to support at least that part of the individual's body. In addition, one or more air chambers beneath the cushioning layer may be individually pressurized (e.g, inflated, deflated, etc.) to define a contour of the cushioning layer. Individual pressurization of one or more of the air chambers may occur before positioning at leas; part of the individual’s body on the cushioning layer. Alternatively, one or more of the air chambers may be individually pressurized after the cushioning layer supports at least part of the individual. Pressurization of one or more of the air chambers may be adjusted while the cushioning layer and the air chambers support at least part of the individual’s body. In some embodiments, pressurization adjustments may occur automatically, in accordance with a program (e.g., based on one or more of a pressure profile of the individual over the cushioning layer, other sensed parameters (e.g., snoring, breathing patterns, etc.), timing (e.g., time of day, time during an individual's sleep cycle, etc.).

Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, should become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through the preceding disclosure, the images that follow, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a portion of a composite mattress that includes one or more air chambers, showing the pressurizable layer and various other internal elements of tire composite mattress, as well as a base portion of a cover of the composite matress;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional representation of a portion of an embodiment of the composite mattress shown in FIG. 1;

FIG, 3 is a cross-sectional representation of a portion of a variation of the embodiment of the composite mattress shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional representation of a portion of another variation of the embodiment of the composite mattress shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional representation of a portion of another embodiment of the composite mattress shown in FIG. 1, which includes a pressurizable layer with air chambers with a filter therein; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional representation of a portion of yet another embodiment of the composite mattress shown it) FIG. i , in which a top layer includes a plurality of sublayers;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional representation of a variation of the embodiment of composite mattress shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional representation of a portion of still another embodiment of the composite mattress shown in FIG. I . which includes a coiled spring layer, with the coiled spring layer being located beneath the pressurizable layer;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional representation of a variation of the embodiment of composite mattress shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional representation of another variation of the embodiment of composite mattress shown in FIG. 8, in which the coiled spring layer is located over the pressurizable layer;

FIG. 1 1 is a cross-sectional representation of yet another variation of the embodiment of composite mattress shown in FIG. 8, in which coiled spring layers are located over and beneath the pressurizable layer;

FIG. 12 schematically depicts the air bladder(s) of a composite mattress according to this disclosure in an uninflated state; and FIG. 13 schematically depicts the air bladders of a composite mattress according to the disclosure in an embodiment of an inflated state, in which various air bladders are inflated to different extents. DE TAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGs, 1 and 2, a portion of a composite mattress 10 accordi ng to this disclosure is depicted. The composite mattress 10 may include a base layer 20, a pressurizable layer 40, an intermediate layer 50, and a top layer 60 in superimposed relation. Optionally, the composite mattress 10 may Include a base cushion 25. A foundation 70 may extend around the optional base cushion 25, the pressurizable layer 40, the intermediate layer 50, and the top Saver 60. A cover 80 may enclose or envelop all of the other components of the composite mattress iO.

The base layer 20 of the composite mattress 10 may provide a barrier between the next adjacent element (e.g., the base cushion 25 in FIG, 1, the pressurizable layer 40 in FIG. 2, a coiled spring layer 430 in PIG. 8, etc,) and an exterior, base surface 13 (FIG. 2) of the composite mattress 10. The base layer 20 may also support the elements superimposed over it.

In some embodiments, the base layer 20 may comprise a relatively stiff but somewhat flexible element. As an example, such a base layer 20 may be formed from a layer of a “structured foam,” which may comprise a compressible foam material with an indentation load deflection (ILD) rating of about 40 or greater {e.g., 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, etc.), wh ich equates to an indentation force deflection (IFD) rating of about 178 or greater (e.g., 178, 200, 222, 245, 267, etc.). An ILL? rating is the amount of pressure, converted to weight in pounds, it takes to indent a circular area of 50 square inches (about 323 cm ² ) (i.e., lbs/50 in ² or lbs/323 cm ² )) over a four inch ( 10 cm) thick piece of a cushioning material (e.g., the structured foam) by 25% (i.e., one inch, or 2.5 cm); the amount of force is measured after the cushioning material has been indented 25% for 60 seconds. An IFF? rating is measured in the same way as an ILD rating, measures pressure in Newtons. In a specific embodiment, the base layer 20 may comprise a layer of polyurethane foam with a nominal density of about 2.0 lb/ft ³ (about 0.032 g/cm ³ ) and an ILD rating of 50-55 (an IFD rating of 222-245).

In other embodiments, the base layer 20 may comprise a cushioning element. For example, the base layer 20 may have art ILD rating of 20 or less (an IFD rating of 89 or less). Such a base layer may comprise a layer of a readily compressible foam material (e.g., a polyurethane foam, a foam rubber, etc.). Alternatively, such a base layer 20 may be a cushioning element that comprises a plurality of resilient!}' compressible walls defining an array of resiliently buckling columns and a void within each column, such as the cushioning elements disclosed by li.S. Patents 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein. Such a cushioning element may be formed from any of a variety of compressible, resilient: materials, including cushioning foams and elastomeric materials, such as the extended A-B-A triblock copolymers disclosed by U.S. Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein. An optional base cushion 25 may be positioned over the base layer 20, as illustrated by FIG. 1. The optional base cushion may be a cushioning element with a plurality of resi!ientiy compressible walls defining an array of resiliently buckling columns and a void within each column, such as the cushioning elements disclosed by U.S. Patents 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750, which may be formed from any suitable material including but not limited to an extended A-B-A trib!ock copolymer, such as those disclosed by U.S. Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664,

The pressurizable layer 40 may also be positioned over the base layer 20. Fite pressurizable layer 40 may comprise one or more air chambers 42 (air chambers 42a, 42b, etc,, are shown in FIG. 2). The air chambers) 42 of the pressurizable layer 40 may be selectively inflated and/or debated in any suitable manner known in the art, Each, air chamber 42 may conipri.se a material that wall enable the air chamber 42 to expand, or inflate, when the air pressure therein is increased; tints, each air chamber 42 may include one or more flexible walls. The material from which each air bladder 42 is formed may be impermeable to air (i,e, it may receive and substantially retain air for prolonged periods of time (e.g., months, years, etc,).

In some embodiments where the pressurizable layer 40 includes a plurality of air chambers 42, the air chambers 42 may be elongated and arranged parailel to one another; elongated air chambers 42 may be oriented across at least a portion of a width of the composite mattress 10. For example, elongated air chambers 42 may be extend across non-peripheral areas of the composite mattress 10. As another example, elongated air chambers 42 may extend across non-peripheral and non-midline areas of a side, or half, of the composite mattress 10. In other embodiments where tire pressurizable layer 40 includes a plurality of air chambers 42, the air chambers 42 may have regular polygonal shapes (e.g., square, hexagonal, etc.) and be arranged in an array. In some embodiments, the air chamberfs) 42 of the pressurizable layer 40 may be removed and replaced. Removal and replacement of the air chambers) 42 may be useful in situations where at; air chamber 42 fails, an upgraded air chamber 42 is desired, and the like. A pressurization system (not shown), including one or more air pumps, conduits, electronics, and programming, as known in the art, may be associated with the pressurizable layer 40.

The intermediate layer 50 of the composite mattress 10 may be positioned over the pressurizable layer 40. The intermediate layer 50 may comprise a cushioning element that transmits variations in pressure from the pressurizable layer 40 to the layers (e.g., the top layer 60, etc.) of the composite mattress 10 located over the intermediate layer. By way of example, the intermediate layer 50 may include one or more layers of a compressible, resilient foam (e.g., a foam rubber, a memory foam (e.g., a viscoelastic polyurethane foam, etc.), etc.). As another example, the intermediate layer 50 may comprise a cushioning element with a plurality of resi!iently compressible walls defining an array of resiiiently buckling columns and a void within each column, such as the cushioning elements disclosed by U.S. Patents 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750, which may be formed from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, an extended A-B-A triblock copolymer, such as those disclosed by U.S. Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664.

The top layer 60 of the composite mattress 10 may be positioned over the intermediate layer. The top layer 60 provides desired cushioning properties and a desired firmness (e.g., ILD rating, an 1FD rating, etc.) for an individual as he or she lies or; the composite mattress 10. Tire top layer 60 may have an ILD rating of about i 2 to i 6.5 (an IFD rating of 53 to 73) (super-plush), 16.5 to 22.5 (an IFD rating of 73 to 100) (plush), 22.5 to 26.5 (an IFD rating of 100 to 118) (soft), 26.5 to 30.5 (an IFD rating of 1 18 to 136) (medium), 30.5 to 34.5 (an IFD rating of 136 to 153) (firm), 34.5 to 38.5 (an IFD rating of 153 to 171) (extra-firm), or greater.

As shown in FIG. 2, the top layer 60 may comprise a cushioning element with a plurality of resiiiently compressible walls 62 defining an array of resiiiently buckling columns and a void 64 within each column. Embodiments of such cushioning elements are disclosed by U.S. Patents 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750. The resiiiently compressible walls 62 of the top layer 60 may be formed from any suitable material, induding, but not limited to, an extended A-B-A tribiock copolymer, such as those disclosed by U.S. Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664,

In other embodiments, tire top layer 60 may comprise a cushioning material that non-res silently flows under pressure. Such a cushioning element may include a pliable bladder that contains a plurality of cushioning elements (e.g., hoilow acrylic microspheres, etc.) within a ffowable (e.g., semisolid, liquid, etc.) lubricant (e.g., a silicone, etc.), similar to the cushioning dements disclosed by U.S. Patent 6, 197,099 of Pearce, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein.

With continued reference to FJGs. 1 and 2, the foundation 70 of the composite mattress 10 may extend around an optional base cushion 25 and the pressurizable layer 40. in some embodiments, the foundation 70 may also extend around the intermediate layer SO and/or the top layer 60, The foundation 70 may include a plurality of walls 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d arranged about the periphery of the base layer 20 at the head (wall 72a), foot (wail 72b), and sides (walls 72c and 72d) of the composite mattress 10. For the sake of simplicity, each of the walls 72a-d may also be referred to herein as a “wail 72” and two or more of the walls 72a-d may be referred to as “wails 72.” In some embodiments, such as that depicted by FIG. 1, the walls 72 may surround an outer periphery of the base layer 20, In other embodiments, such as that depicted by FIG. 2, the walls 72 may be positioned on peripheral portions 21 of the base layer 20. Together, the walls 72 and the base layer 20 may define a receptacle 74 for an optional base cushion 25, the pressurizable layer 40, and, optionally, the intermediate layer 50 and/or the top layer 60, as weii as other interior elements, or interior components, of the composite mattress 10, As can be seen from FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the wails 72 of the foundation 70 may include two or more layers. Tire walls 72 of the foundation 70 may comprise relatively stiff but somewhat flexible elements. As an example, the wails 72 may be formed from a layer of a structured foam. The walls 72 may be formed from the same structured foam as the base layer 20 or from a different (e g., less rigid, etc.) structured foam. An ILD rating of the foundation 70, or its walls 72, may exceed the ILD rating of the top layer 60, in a specific embodiment, the wails 72 of the foundation 70 may comprise polyurethane foam with a nominal density of about 2.0 ib/ff’ (about 0.032 g/cm ³ ) and an ILD rating of 35-55 (an IFD rating of 156 to 245). in other embodiments, the walls 72 of the foundation 70 may comprise a so-called “spacer fabric,” such as that disclosed by U.S. Patent 10,881,217, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein. The cover 80 of the composite mattress 10 may be placed over and contain all of the interior elements, or interior components, of the composite mattress 10. Without limitation, the cover 80 may he placed over and contain the base Saver 20, any base cushion 25, the pressurizable layer 40, the intermediate layer 50, the top layer 60, and the foundation 70. In some embodiments, the cover 80 may include a base portion 82, a top portion 84, and coupling elements 88a and 88b of a coupler 88 that secure the base portion 82 to the top portion 84,

The base portion 82 of the cover 80 may carry or even contain, or enclose or envelop, elements at the base 12 of the composite mattress, such as the base layer 20, the pressurizable layer 40, at least a base portion of the foundation 70, and, optionally, a portion of the intermediate layer 50, as depicted by FIG. 2. A first coupling dement 88a of the coupler 88 may be positioned adjacent to or on an upper periphery of the base portion 82 of the cover 88. The top portion 84 of the cover 80 may cany or even contain, or enclose or envelop, elements at the top 14 of the composite mattress 10, such as a portion of the intermediate layer 50 and the top layer 60, as shown in FIG·. 2. A second coupling dement 88b of the coupler 88 may be positioned adjacent to or on 3 lower periphery of the top portion 84 of the cover 88.

In embodiments where the base portion 82 and top portion 84 of the cover 80 contain their respective elements of the composite matress 10, the resulting base 12 and top 14 of the composite mattress 10 may be readily assembled with and disassembled from one another. In some embodiments, a single base portion: 82 and, thus, a single base 12 of a composite mattress 10 may have configurations that enable them to receive two or more tops portions 84 and, thus, two or more portions of a top 14 of the composite mattress 10, In other embodiments, two or more base portions 82 and. thus, portions of a base 12 of a composite mattress 10 may collectively receive a single top portion 84 of the cover 80 and, thus, a single top 14 of the composite mattress 10.

The separable base portion, 82 arid top portion 84 may impart a composite mattress with modularity. More specifically, a base portion 82 of the cover 80 may he used with a plurality of different bases 12 and/or the top portion 84 of tire cover 80 may he used with a plurality of different tops 14 to enable an individual or a couple to select and bases 12 and/or tops 14 with particular characteristics.

The cover 80 may comprise any suitable material. A top panel 85 of the top portion 84 of the cover 80 may comprise a fabric that carries aresiliently compressible web on a surface (e.g„ an underside, etc.) thereof. The resilientiy compressible web may deilne a structured array, or a grid, of regular polygonal openings (e.g., a hexagonal array, or a hexagonal grid, of openings, etc,). The resilienily compressible web may be formed from any suitable material, such as an elastomeric material (e.g., an extended A-B-A triblock copolymer, such as those disclosed by U.S. Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664, etc.). In some embodiments, the resiliently compressible web of such a top panel 85 may be located between a pair of superimposed layers of fabric .

The fabric of the top panel 85, as well as peripheral portions of the top portion 84 of the cover 80, peripheral portions of the base portion 82 of the cover 80, and, optionally, a base panel 83 of tire base portion 82 may comprise a stretchable material (e.g., a stretchable fabric, etc.). The stretchabil ity of the material of the top panel 85 and, optionally, of peripheral portions of the top portion 84 and base portion 82 of the cover 80 may enable an individual to experience the full cushioning effect of the cushioning elements of the composite mattress 10. Stated another way, the strdchabiliiy of the material of the top panel 85 and, optionally, of peripheral portions of the top portion 84 and base portion 82 of the cover 80 may not limit the extent to which the composite mattress 10 (e.g.. the top layer 60, etc., thereof} may cushion an individual sitting or lying on the composite mattress 10 or an object that has been placed on tire composite mattress 10. Additionally, the stretchability of the material of the top panel 85 and, optionally, of peripheral portions of the top portion 84 and base portion 82 of the cover 80 may enable complete or substantially complete (e.g.. due to a thickness of the top panel 85, etc. ) transmission of the effects of pressurization of the pressurizab!e layer 40 on an upper surface of the top layer 60 through the top panel 85, U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2017/0251825 Al, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein, provides examples of stretchable materials that may be used to form tire cover 80 or parts thereof.

In some embodiments where a base panel 83 of the base portion 82 of the cover 80 does not comprise the same material as a remainder of the cover 80, a non-stretchabie material may form the base panel 83. A fabric that is non-siretchabie may stretch due to a weave of the fabric, but lack stretchable fibers. Such a fabric may comprise a so-called ‘'non-skid’' fabric.

The coupler 88 and its coupling elements 88a and 88b may comprise any apparatus(es) that may enable the base 12 and top 14 of the composite mattress 10 to be secured to each other. Without limitation, the coupler 88 may comprise one or more zippers, with the first coupling element 88a comprising a first side, or ribbon, of the zipper and the second coupling element 88b comprising a second side, or ribbon, of the zipper, in addition, such, a coupling element 88 may include a zipper pull (not shown), the use of which (i.e., movement along the length of the zipper) causes the coupling elements 88a and 88b to selectively engage and/or disengage each other. Other embodiments of couplers 88 include other mutually engaging elements, such as buttons and buttonholes, snap-fit features, touch fasteners (e g., so-called “velcro” fasteners, etc,), and the like,

FIG, 2 depicts an embodiment of composite mattress 10 in which a base 12 of a composite mattress 10 includes a bottom portion 82 of a cover 80 that encloses or envelops a base layer 20, a foundation 70. a pressurization layer 40, and an intermediate base layer 52, The foundation 70 sits atop peripheral portions 21 of the base layer 20 and laterally surrounds the pressurization layer 40. The pressurization layer 40 includes a plurality of air chambers 42a, 42b, etc. The intermediate base layer 52 its atop the foundation 70 and the pressurization layer 40.

The top 14 of the composite mattress 10 shown, in FIG. 2 includes a top portion 84 of the cover 80 that encloses or envelops an intermediate top layer 84, a top layer 60, and an upper foundation 66. The upper foundation sits atop peripheral portions 55 of the intermediate top layer 54 and laterally surrounds the top layer 60, The upper foundation 66 may comprise a relatively stiff but somewhat flexible element. As an example, the upper foundation 66 may be formed from a foam or a structured foam. An ILD rating of the upper foundation 66 may exceed the ILD rating of the top layer 60. In a specific embodiment, the upper foundation. 66 may comprise polyurethane foam with a nominal density of about 2.0 lb/ft ⁵ (about 0.032 g/cnr ³ ) and an ILD rating of 25-55 (an !FD rating of 111 to 245), In oilier embodiments, the upper foundation 66 may comprise a spacer fabric of the type disclosed by U.S, Patent 10,881,217.

When the top 14 of the composite mattress 10 is positioned over the base 12 of the composite mattress, the intermediate base layer 52 and the intermediate top layer 54 may be positioned in proximity to each other. These layers, as well as portions of the base portion 82 and top portion 84 of the cover 80 between them, may comprise an intermediate layer 50 of the composite mattress 10. As depicted by FIG. 2, the intermediate base layer 52 and the intermediate top layer 54 may comprise a compressible, resilient foam (e g., a foam rubber, a memory foam, etc.).

Turning now to FIG. 3, a variation of composite mattress 10' is depicted in which the intermediate layer 50' includes an intermediate top layer 54' that comprises a compressible, resilient foam and an intermediate base layer 52' that indudes a plurality of resiiiently compressible wails 52w' defining an array of resiliently buckling columns and a void S2v’ within each column, such as the cushioning elements disclosed by U.S. Patents 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750. Such an intermediate base layer 52' may be formed from any suitable material, including, but trot limited to, an extended A-B-A triblock copolymer, such as those disclosed by U.S, Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664.

The pressurizable layer 40' of the composite mattress 10' shown in FIG. 3 also includes fewer and larger air chambers 42a', 42b', etc,, than the air chambers 42a, 42b, etc., of the pressurizable layer 40 of the composite mattress 10 shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates another variation of composite mattress 10" that includes even fewer (possibly one) and larger air chambers 42" than the air chambers 42a', 42b', etc, of the pressurizable layer 40' of the composite mattress 10' shown in FIG, 3. FIG. 4 also illustrates a composite mattress 10" that includes a base layer 20'' that comprises a plurality of resiliently compressible walls 22" defining an array of resiliently buckling columns and a void 24" within each column, such as the cushioning elements disclosed by U.S. Patents 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750. Such a base layer 20" may be formed from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, an extended A-B-A triblock copolymer, such as those disclosed by U.S. Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664.

With reference to FIG. 5, some embodiments of composite mattresses 110 according to this disclosure may include pressurizable layers 140 with one or more air chambers 142a, 142b, etc. Each air chamber 142a, 142b, etc., may aiso be referred to herein as an “air chamber 142” for the sake of simplicity. Each air chamber 142 includes a pressurizable bladder with a filler 144 therein. The filler 144 may enable the pressurizable bladder of each air chamber 142 to be- pressurized and depressurized while imparting each air chamber 142 with a minimum relaxed volume, winch is a minimum volume tire air chamber 142 will occupy when it is internally pressurized to an ambient air pressure (e.g, 760 mm Hg at sea level, etc.) and no external pressure (e.g., compressive force, etc.) is applied thereto. In some embodiments, the filler 144 may comprise a compressible, resilient foam (e.g., an open-ceiled foam into and/or through which air may flow, a closed-cell foam around which air may flow, etc.). The use of a compressible, resilient material may enable each air chamber 142 to readily compress when a force is applied thereto and readily expand when the force is released therefrom. In other embodiments, the filler 144 may comprise a stiffer or firmer material, such as a siructured foam (e.g, an open- celled structured foam, a closed-celt structured foam, etc.). The use of a siiffer material as the filler 144 may enable each air chamber 142 to resist compression when a force is applied thereto and, depending on the type of materia! employed, readily expand when the force is released (e.g., with an elastic material) or gradually expand when the force is released (e.g., with a viscoelastic material).

The embodiment of composite mattress 210 shown in FIG. 6 includes a top layer 260 with a plurality of sublayers 260B and 260T. The sublayers 26GB and 2601 ^’ may have the same thickness as each other or different thicknesses front one another. As depicted the base sublayer 260B may be thinner than the top sublayer 260T. The base sublayer 260B may include walls 262B that define an array of resilientiy budding columns and a void 264B extending along the height of each column. The top sublayer 260T may include walls 262T that define an array of resilientiy buckling columns and a void 264T extending along the height of each column. At leas! some of the walls 262T and voids 264T of the fop sublayer 2601 ^" may be respecti vely offset from the wails 262B and voids 264B of the bottom sublayer 260B. As depicted, the top layer 260 may include an interface wall 265 defining a solid boundary between the base sublayer 260B and the top sublayer 260T, as well as a top end of each void 264B of the base sublayer 260B and a base end of each void 264T of the top sublayer 260T. Alternatively, an interlace between the base sublayer 260B and the top sublayer 26GT of the top layer 260 may lack a wall; thus, overlapping or partially overlapping voids 264B and 264T may communicate with each other.

The top 212 of the composite matress 210 illustrated by FIG. 6 may lack an Intermediate top layer. In some such embodiments, the base sublayer 260B may replace tire intermediate top layer of other embodiments of composite matresses according to this disclosure (e.g., the intermediate top layer 54 shown in FIG. 1 ).

Turning now to FIG. 7, an embodiment of composite matress 310 in which an upper surface of the top layer 360 is recessed relative to an upper surface of the upper foundation 366 that laterally surrounds at least a portion of the top layer 360, defining a receptacle 368 over the top layer 360. The receptacle 368 has a depth that is the same as or substantially the same as a thickness of a web 390 received by the receptacle 368 and, thus, positioned over the top layer 360.

In some embodiments, the web 390 may be resilientiy compressible. The web 390 may be formed from any suitable material, such as an elastomeric material (e.g., an extended A-B-A triblock copolymer, such as those disclosed by U.S. Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664, etc.).

The web 390 may comprise a structured array 392, or a grid, that defines regular polygonal openings 394 (e.g, a hexagonal array, or a hexagonal grid, of openings, etc.). The structured array 392 may differ from a structured array defined by walls 362 of the top layer 360 in shape, wail width, and/or dimensions relative to corresponding cross-sectional dimensions of the voids 364 of the top layer 360, The structured array 392 of the web 390 may be at least partially offset from the structured array of the top layer 360. Alternatively, or in addition, the web 390 may carry one or more sensors 395.

Various iron-limiting examples of sensors 395 that may be carried by the web include pressure sensors, temperature sensors, sound sensors, heart rate sensors, and the like. The sensors 395 may enable monitoring of a variety of parameters associated with the quantity and/or quality of sleep achieved by one or more individuals as they use the composite mattress 410, including without limitation, the extent to and/or frequency with which they move, the sounds they make while sleeping (e.g., breathing, snoring, etc.), their respiratory rate, their heart rate, and the like.

The web 390 may be carried by a bottom surface 386 of a top panel 385 of a top portion 384 of a cover 380 of the composite mattress 310. Alternatively, the web 390 may be located between a pair of superimposed layers of fabric that define the top panel 385 of the top portion 384 of the cover 380. As another alternative, the web 390 may be separate from, but held in place by, the top panel 385. i n FIG. 8, an embodiment of composite mattress 410 that includes a coiled spring layer 430 is depicted. The coil layer 430 may be positioned between the base layer 420 and the pressurizab!e layer 440 of the composite mattress 410 and, along with the base layer 420 and the pressurizable layer 440, at least partially laterally surrounded by the foundation 470.

The coiled spring layer 430 may include an array of coil springs 432. Each coil spring 432 may comprise a collapsible, resilient coil (e.g., a metal (e.g., steel, etc.) coll, etc.). The coil springs 432 comprise so-called “pocketed"’ coils, in which each coil Is contained within a bag, or a sock. In some embodiments, the coil springs 432 may comprise pocketed coils of the types described by U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2019/0150632 Ai, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein. FIG. 9 shows a variation of composite mattress 430' that includes a coiled spring layer 430' beneath its pressurizabie layer 440'. The intermediate base layer 452' of such an embodiment may comprise a plurality of resiliemly compressible walls 452w' defining an array of resihently buckling columns and a void 452v' within each column, such as the cushioning elements disclosed by U.S, Patents 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750. Such an, intermediate base layer 52' may be formed from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, an extended A-B-A triblock copolymer, such as those disclosed by U.S. Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664.

Other arrangements of coiled spring layers are also within tire scope of this disclosure. Tire composite mattress 410" of FIG. 10 includes a coiled spring layer 430" over its pressurizabie layer 440", while the composite mattress 410"' of FIG. 1 1 includes a coiled spring layer 430B'" beneath its pressurizabie layer 440"' and another colled spring layer 430T'" over its pressurizabie layer 440'".

An intervening layer -434 formed from a flexible material (e.g. _< a polymeric Hint, a fabric, etc.) may serve as a barrier (e g , a protective layer, etc.) between the pressurizabie layer 440, 440", 440"' from each adjacent coiled spring layer 430, 430", 4308'", 430T".

With reference now turned to FIGs. 12 and 13, use of the pressurizabie layer 449 of a composite mattress 410 according to this disclosure is depicted. As illustrated, the pressurizabie layer 440 may include a plurality of air chambers 442a, 442b, etc, each of which may also be referred to as an "air chamber 442” for the sake of simplicity. A pressure within each air chamber 442 of the pressurizabie layer 440 may be individually adjustable; i.e., each air chamber 442 may be individually inflated and/or deflated.

In FIG. 12, all of the air chambers 442 are inflated to a base state (e.g., they are deflated. Inflated to a minimal pressure, inflated to a predetermined base pressure, etc,). This arrangement may be referred to as an "base state” of the composite mattress 410. With all of the air chambers 442 inflated to the base state, they may have little or no effect on the contour of the composite mattress 440 or the manner in which it supports an individual lying or sitting thereon, other than that its top surface is substantially flat.

When an individual wants to tailor a contour of the composite mattress 410 and/or adjust a manner in which lie or she or another individual may be supported by the composite mattress 410, he or she may alter a state of the mattress from its base state to a "tailored state” by selectively changing the pressure within one or more of the air chambers 442. FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of such tailoring, in which one or more air chambers 442 may be inflated to a different pressure than its base state. In the specific embodlment of tailored state depicted by FIG, i 3, air chamber 442a is inflated to its base state, while air chambers 442b~g may be inflated (or deflated ) to any of a variety of other states.

As an alternative or in addition to an individual tailoring how tire pressurizable layer 440 is pressurized, pressurization of the pressurizable layer may be adjusted in response to one or more sensed conditions on tire composite mattress 410, such as one or more locations on a top surface of the composite mattress 410 to which pressure is applied, one or more conditions of an individual lying on the composite mattress 410 (e g, extent and/or frequency of movement, sound (e.g., breathing, snoring, etc,), respiratory rate, heart rate, etc.}, or the like. In this regard, a composite mattress according to this disclosure may also be equipped with one or more sensors that may be used to evaluate one or more characteristics of each individual resting or sleeping on the composite mattress. Without limitation, a composite mattress may include pressure sensors, temperature sensors, sound sensors, heart rate sensors, and the like. The data obtained with sensors of the composite mattress 410 may be useful for evaluating the length and quality of sleep achieved by each individual tying on the composite mattress 410 and for automatically adjusting the composite mattress 410 (e.g., the pressurizable layer 440 thereof, etc.) in a manner that will improve the quantity and/or quality of sleep achieved by each Individual who uses tire composite mattress 410. Although the preceding disclosure provides many specifies, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the claims that follow, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments of elements and features of the disclosed subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and of their dements and features, may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of any of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination.

Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.