US4245362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flotation mattress
Assignee: WATERCOIL Inc
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Filing: 1978-09-01
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Granted: 1981-01-20
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Expires: 1998-09-01
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a flotation mattress comprising (a) a planar, flexible bag (10) adapted to hold water during use of the mattress, (b) a hollow, annular compartment (12) surrounding the bag (10) in the plane of the bag, the compartment (12) being collapsible in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the bag (10), (c) a plurality of springs (14, 42, 56) disposed in the compartment (12) with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of the bag (10), the springs (14, 42, 56) biasing the compartment (12) towards its uncollapsed position, and (d) means (20, 34, 36, 38) for maintaining the horizontal stability of the planar, flexible bag (10) while the mattress is in use. TECHNICAL FIELD
Inventors
- 👤 Leo F. Mueller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:16
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C27/00; A47C27/04; A47C27/06; A47C27/063; A47C27/064; A47C27/08; A47C27/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A waterbed mattress comprising: (a) a planar, flexible bag adapted to hold water during use thereof and having a generally vertical peripheral side wall; (b) a vertically resilient annular spring assembly disposed about and surrounding said peripheral side wall in the plane of said bag, said assembly having an inner wall juxtaposed in close proximity to said side wall; and (c) means operatively connected to said annular spring assembly, said means being adapted to prevent the lateral expansion of said bag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A waterbed mattress comprising: (a) a planar, flexible bag adapted to hold water during use thereof and having a generally vertical peripheral side wall; (b) a vertically resilient annular spring assembly disposed about and surrounding said peripheral side wall in the plane of said bag, said assembly having an inner wall juxtaposed in close proximity to said side wall; and (c) means operatively connected to said annular spring assembly, said means being adapted to prevent the lateral expansion of said bag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mattress of claim 1 wherein said spring assembly includes a plurality of closely spaced springs having their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of said bag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mattress of claim 2 wherein said means includes a plurality of border wires connected to at least some of said springs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
A waterbed mattress comprising: (a) a planar, flexible bag adapted to hold water during use of the mattress; (b) an annular compartment surrounding said bag in the plane of said bag, said annular compartment being collapsible in the direction perpendicular to the plane of said bag; (c) a plurality of springs disposed in said compartment with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of said bag, said springs biasing said compartment to its uncollapsed position; and (d) means in said annular compartment adapted to prevent the lateral expansion of said bag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
A waterbed mattress comprising: (a) a planar, flexible bag adapted to hold water during use of the mattress; (b) an annular compartment surrounding said bag in the plane of said bag, said annular compartment being collapsible in the direction perpendicular to the plane of said bag; (c) a plurality of springs disposed in said compartment with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of said bag, said springs biasing said compartment to its uncollapsed position; and (d) means in said annular compartment adapted to prevent the lateral expansion of said bag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mattress as recited in claim 4 wherein said compartment is rectangular in cross-section, two sides of the compartment being parallel to the plane of said bag.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A mattress as recited in claim 4 wherein said springs are arcuate springs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mattress as recited in claim 6 wherein said means comprise border wires connected to said arcuate springs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A mattress as recited in claim 6 and further comprising a flexible member overlying said springs to insure that the upper edges of the springs are not felt by the user of the mattress.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mattress as recited in claim 8 wherein grooves are provided in the underside of said flexible member to accept the upper edges of said springs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flotation unit comprising a mattress as recited in claim 4 disposed on a framework which maintains the mattress off the floor during use.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A mattress as recited in claim 4 and further comprising a protective liner which entirely surrounds said bag and said compartment and which is substantially inelastic, serving to prevent lateral expansion of the mattress when someone sits or lies on it.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mattress as recited in claim 4 and further comprising a flexible, pan-shaped member which underlies said bag, passes between said bag and said compartment, and overlies said compartment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mattress as recited in claim 4 and further comprising resilient padding overlying said bag.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A mattress as recited in claim 13 wherein said resilient padding surrounds said bag and said compartment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A mattress as recited in claim 4 and further comprising a plurality of springs disposed within said bag with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of said bag and biasing said bag towards its fully inflated position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A mattress as recited in claim 15 wherein said springs disposed within said bag are coil springs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mattress as recited in claims 15 or 16 wherein said springs disposed within said bag are anchored at at least one end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mattress as recited in claim 16 wherein said coil springs are anchored at at least one end to a planar mesh.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mattress as recited in claim 18 wherein said coil springs are anchored at at least one end to a planar mesh by means of helical fasteners.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mattress as recited in claims 18 or 19 wherein said coil springs are so anchored at both ends.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A mattress as recited in claim 4 wherein said means comprise border wires connected to said springs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
87 words
A waterbed mattress comprising: (a) a planar, flexible bag adapted to hold water during use of the mattress; (b) an annular compartment surrounding said bag in the plane of said bag, said annular compartment being collapsible in the direction perpendicular to the plane of said bag; (c) a plurality of springs disposed in said compartment with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of said bag, said springs biasing said compartment to its uncollapsed position; and (d) at least one border wire located in said compartment.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
87 words
A waterbed mattress comprising: (a) a planar, flexible bag adapted to hold water during use of the mattress; (b) an annular compartment surrounding said bag in the plane of said bag, said annular compartment being collapsible in the direction perpendicular to the plane of said bag; (c) a plurality of springs disposed in said compartment with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of said bag, said springs biasing said compartment to its uncollapsed position; and (d) at least one border wire located in said compartment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mattress as recited in claim 22 wherein said springs are connected to said border wire.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
77 words
A waterbed mattress comprising: (a) a planar, flexible bag adapted to hold water during use of the mattress; (b) a plurality of springs disposed peripherally about and surrounding said bag with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of said bag; (c) a plurality of border wires; and (d) connectors interconnecting said plurality of springs with said border wires in a fashion not to diminish substantially the resiliency of said springs along said axes of resiliency.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
77 words
A waterbed mattress comprising: (a) a planar, flexible bag adapted to hold water during use of the mattress; (b) a plurality of springs disposed peripherally about and surrounding said bag with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of said bag; (c) a plurality of border wires; and (d) connectors interconnecting said plurality of springs with said border wires in a fashion not to diminish substantially the resiliency of said springs along said axes of resiliency.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mattress of claim 24 wherein an inelastic flexible ticking envelops said bag and springs, wherein said ticking together with said springs and said border wires, gives a dimensional stability to said mattress.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mattress as recited in claim 24 where an annular rectangular compartment houses said springs and two sides of the compartment are parallel to the plane of said bag.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mattress as recited in claim 24 wherein said springs are arcuate springs carried by said border wires.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mattress as recited in claim 24 and further comprising a flexible member overlying said springs and said bag to insure that the springs are not felt by the user of the mattress.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mattress as recited in claim 28 wherein grooves are provided in the underside of said flexible member to accept the upper edges of said springs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-20 | 1984-07-21 | 1985-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-20 | 1988-07-21 | 1989-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-20 | 1992-07-21 | 1993-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |