Pulsating mattress

April 18, 1961

2,980,108

D. J. SCOTT

PULSATING MATTRESS

Filed Dec. 23, 1957

Sheets-Sheet 1

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BY

ATTORNEYS

D. J. SCOTT

PULSATING MATTRESS

April 18, 1961

Filed Dec. 23, 1957

2,980,108

Sheets-Sheet 2

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ATTORNEYS

United States Patent Office _Patented

2,980,108

PULSATING MATTRESS

David J. Scott, St. Petersburg, Fla., assignor to Pulsnation Enterprises, Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla.

Filed Dec. 23, 1957, Ser. No. 704,502

Claims. (Cl. 128—33)

This invention relates to an improvement in therapeutic devices and, more particularly, to a novel pulsating mattress. This application is a continuation in part of of Serial Number 636,662, filed January 28, 1957, for “Pulsating Mattress” and now abandoned.

Mattresses having vibrating units combined therewith are known in the priort art, as shown for example by the Tompkins Patents 2,345,438 and 2,425,655. However, known prior therapeutic mattresses have been deficient in that the vibrations were not transmitted uniformly throughout the mattress and were not gentle enough to enable a person to relax while resting on the mattress.

An object of this invention is to provide a comfortable mattress upon which a person may recline, in combination with a motor-actuated, pulsation-producing unit and novel connecting means for transmitting gentle and equal strength pulsations to all parts of the mattress. In addition to the relaxing effects the mattress produces, it is also beneficial in treating patients suffering from arthritis, bursitis, hangover, rheumatism, and many other disorders of muscular and circulatory nature which respond to gentle massage therapy.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a pulsating mattress which will impart relaxing pulsations throughout substantially its entire surface by utilizing a novel arrangement for connecting coil springs by means of helical springs to each other and to a vibration-producing member.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a pulsating mattress that is simple in construction, easy to manufacture, and which is relatively inexpensive, thereby permitting wide use and distribution.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this pulsating mattress, a preferred embodiment of which is disclosed in the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the pulsating mattress of the present invention with parts thereof being broken away, and other parts shown in section for greater detail and clarity;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line 2—2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view showing the means for transmitting the pulsations to all the coil springs throughout the mattress.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 designates the pulsating mattress of the present invention.

The pulsating mattress 10 may be made of any suitable size and shape desired and is especially adapted for use as a substitute for conventional mattresses, which purpose it serves as when the pulsating means is not activated.

The pulsating mattress 10 includes upper and lower border wires 14 and 16 formed to a generally rectangular configuration and preferably having rounded comers as are indicated at 18 and 20. These border wires border the^: upper and lower edges of the coil spring assembly 12. A plurality of spring coils as indicated at 22 comprise the supporting portion of the mattress. The ends of the coils of the springs 22 have straight portions, as are indicated at 24, 26, and 28, 30. A plurality of relatively small helical spring connections 64 and 66 are engaged about the straight portions 24, 26, and 28, 30, respectively, of the springs 22 so as to hold the the springs together. The helical spring connections are continuous to the extent that they extend transversely across ’the width of the mattress and are substantially parallel to each other. Thus, the only means tying the coil springs to each other are these cross helicals, thereby providing a resilient connection between all of the coil springs. The coil springs adjacent the border wire may be connected to the border wire by wire connections ' such as 60 and 62.

The vibration-producing means comprises a motor 32 driving a shaft 34 having a weight eccentrically mounted thereon as at 36, and this unit is supported within the spring assembly by a suitable mounting bracket 38. The bracket may be attached to the first cross he’icals, as shown in Figure 3, or to the border wires; in any event, the entire supporting assembly is free to vibrate with its flexible supports, and is not attached to any rigid supports. This vibration-producing unit is completely surrounded by coil springs 22 in the coil spring assembly 12 and is inserted in the place of two coil springs in the second row as shown in Figure 1. Transfer rods 44 and 46 having eyes 40 and 42 secured to projections or pins 48 and 50 on the motor mounting brackets 38 are secured to each of the cross helicals 62 and 64 by suitable means, such as hoghose ties 65.

Electric conductors are provided to connect the motor 32 to a suitable source of electrical power utilizing a conductor cord 55. A timer 56 may be provided as desired for controlling the length of time of operation of the device. The timer 56 may serve as an off-on switch in addition. If desired, the timer may be coin controlled, and a variable resistance placed in the power supply to vary the speed of the motor and the amplitude and frequency of the vibrations.

Positioned over the spring assembly 12 is any suitable insulation as is indicated at 70 and 72 arranged in layers, it being noted that sisal is satisfactory for this purpose. Foam rubber layers 74 and 76 are positioned over the insulation and ticking 78 encases the entire mattress. A slide fastener 80 may be provided to close an access opening 82 adjacent the motor 32 so as to permit access thereto.

In operation, the motor 32 is rotated to drive the eccentric weight 36, thereby transmitting gyratory motion to the transfer rods 44 and 46 which in turn are connected to each of the cross helicals 64 and 66. Since the cross helicals 64 and 66 are also secured to each of the coil springs 22, motion will also be produced in each of these springs and will be thus transferred throughout the entire mattress in the form of gentle pulsations.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be utilized within the scope and spirit

8,080,108 at the intersection thereof, vibration producing means supported within said mattress, and a transfer rod mounted longitudinally of said mattress along one of said planes, means connecting said transfer rod to said 5 vibration producing means, said transfer rod being positioned at right angles to said cross helical coils and between adjacent coil springs and spaced therefrom, said transfer rod being of a length less than the full length of said mattress, and means connecting said transfer rod 10 to said cross helical coils remote from said coil springs whereby pulsations are transmitted from said vibration producing means first to said cross helical coils and then to said coil springs.

4. A pulsating mattress comprising a plurality of sup15 porting coil springs, said coil springs being positioned in spaced, parallel transverse rows, cross helical springs extending across said mattress between said spaced rows of coil springs along planes defined by the ends of said coil springs, means connecting said cross helical coils 20 and said coil springs at the intersection thereof, vibration producing means supported within said mattress, and a transfer rod positioned along each of said planes and connected to said vibration producing means, said transfer rods being at right angles to said cross helical coils and 25 said transverse rows of coil springs and lying between adjacent coil springs and spaced therefrom, said transfer rod being of a length less than the full length of said mattress, means connecting said transfer rod only to said cross helical coils whereby pulsations are transmitted from SO said vibration producing means first to said cross helical coils and then to said coil springs.

References Cited in the file of this patent

UNITED STATES PATENTS of the invention as defined by the appended claims wherein applicant is entitled to a reasonable range of equivalents.