US4411033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waveless waterbed
Assignee: HI-LIFE PRODUCTS Inc
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Filing: 1980-09-26
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Granted: 1983-10-25
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Expires: 2000-09-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a waterbed mattress having a slab of substantially open celled foam or cellulosic sponge substantially submerged in the liquid fill of the mattress. The waterbed mattress of the present invention retains the positive qualities of bouyant support and comfort of conventional waterbed mattresses, and reduces the undesired wave motion often created within the mattress. Other embodiments of the present invention include a waterbed mattress having a large number of substantially open celled foam or cellulosic sponge particles which are substantially submerged in, yet partially suspended at the upper surface of, the mattress's liquid fill, such particles being either enclosed in a gauze-like sack or unenclosed within the mattress. The present invention may be incorporated in waterbeds or other body supporting furniture such as chairs and couches in which a liquid fill medium is used.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:22
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C27/00; A47C27/08; A47C27/088; A47C27/085; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/233; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249986
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A body supporting container capable of being filled with a liquid, said container having a substantially open celled foam disposed therein, said foam extending substantially along the horizontal dimensions of said container and occupying 20 to 80 percent of the depth of the container when said container is filled, said foam having a material of low specific gravity disposed throughout its body, said material of low specific gravity causing the foam to float in the liquid, above the bottom wall of the container, close to the top wall of the container, whereby wave motion in said filled container is dampened while the desirable qualities of the liquid-filled body supporting container are retained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A body supporting container capable of being filled with a liquid, said container having a substantially open celled foam disposed therein, said foam extending substantially along the horizontal dimensions of said container and occupying 20 to 80 percent of the depth of the container when said container is filled, said foam having a material of low specific gravity disposed throughout its body, said material of low specific gravity causing the foam to float in the liquid, above the bottom wall of the container, close to the top wall of the container, whereby wave motion in said filled container is dampened while the desirable qualities of the liquid-filled body supporting container are retained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the thickness of said substantially open celled foam is 40 to 60 percent of the depth of said container when it is filled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said open celled foam has a specific gravity less than that of said liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said open celled foam has a specific gravity equal to that of said liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said open celled foam has a specific gravity greater than that of said liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said low specific gravity material is ground cork.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said low specific gravity material is comprised of glass beads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said low specific gravity material is comprised of phenolic beads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said low specific gravity material is comprised of expandable polystyrene beads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said liquid is water and said substantially open celled foam has a specific gravity in the range of about 0.85 to 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said substantially open celled foam is chiefly open celled vinyl foam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said substantially open celled foam is chiefly open celled polyurethane foam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container of claim 12 wherein said substantially open celled foam has an ILD number between about 8 and about 24.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said substantially open celled foam is chiefly open celled foam rubber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said substantially open celled foam is chiefly open celled neoprene foam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said substantially open celled foam is a single foam slab.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said substantially open celled foam disposed in said container is a plurality of foam particles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container of claim 17, wherein said plurality of foam particles is held in an inner enclosure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said substantially open celled foam disposed in said container is a plurality of foam pieces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The container of claim 19 wherein said plurality of foam pieces is held in a gauge-like inner enclosure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said substantially open celled foam is a single foam slab comprising a base with projections extending upwards therefrom.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said foam is a single foam slab of egg crate design.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The container of claim 22 wherein the teats of said slab of egg crate design extend upwards from said slab.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container of claim 23 wherein said teats comprise about 50% of the thickness of said slab.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said foam is in contact with the top wall of said container.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
111 words
A waterbed mattress having dampened wave motion characteristics, said mattress comprising a watertight container and a slab of substantially open celled foam having a material of low specific gravity disposed throughout its body, said material of low specific gravity causing the foam slab to float in the water, above the bottom wall of the mattress, close to the top wall of the mattress, said slab comprising a base with tapered projections extending vertically therefrom, said projections comprising at least 50 percent of the vertical height of the slab said slab extending substantially along the horizontal dimensions of the container and occupying 20 to 80 percent of the depth of the container.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
111 words
A waterbed mattress having dampened wave motion characteristics, said mattress comprising a watertight container and a slab of substantially open celled foam having a material of low specific gravity disposed throughout its body, said material of low specific gravity causing the foam slab to float in the water, above the bottom wall of the mattress, close to the top wall of the mattress, said slab comprising a base with tapered projections extending vertically therefrom, said projections comprising at least 50 percent of the vertical height of the slab said slab extending substantially along the horizontal dimensions of the container and occupying 20 to 80 percent of the depth of the container.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The water bed mattress of claim 26 wherein said projections extend upwards.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The waterbed mattress of claim 27, said slab of open celled foam having an egg crate design, the teats of said egg crate design being said projections.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
The waterbed mattress of claim 26 wherein said projections extend downwards.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
109 words
A body supporting container capable of being filled with a liquid, said container having a plurality of substantially open celled foam pieces disposed therein, said foam extending substantially along the horizontal dimensions of said container, said foam having low specific gravity material disposed therein so that the specific gravity of said substantially open celled foam is less than the specific gravity of said liquid, said plurality of foam pieces being held in an inner enclosure, said inner enclosure comprising a gauze-like material completely enclosing said plurality of foam pieces while permitting liquid transfer into and out of the inner enclosure, whereby wave motion in said filled container is dampened.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
109 words
A body supporting container capable of being filled with a liquid, said container having a plurality of substantially open celled foam pieces disposed therein, said foam extending substantially along the horizontal dimensions of said container, said foam having low specific gravity material disposed therein so that the specific gravity of said substantially open celled foam is less than the specific gravity of said liquid, said plurality of foam pieces being held in an inner enclosure, said inner enclosure comprising a gauze-like material completely enclosing said plurality of foam pieces while permitting liquid transfer into and out of the inner enclosure, whereby wave motion in said filled container is dampened.
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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) | 1986-10-24 | 1987-04-25 | 1987-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-24 | 1991-04-25 | 1991-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-24 | 1995-04-25 | 1995-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |