Split support mattress configuration with hidden divider

Abstract

A split support mattress configuration with hidden divider is disclosed. The mattress has an accessible interior cavity that utilizes a divider to separate the interior cavity into lateral halves. Each of the lateral halves is operable to receive interchangeable auxiliary support members to provide a desired level of comfort for a user of each of the two halves of the mattress. The divider is coupled to the top portion of the mattress in a manner that provides for the exterior surface of the top portion to be free of visual indications of the coupling of the divider to the top portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mattress comprising: 
 an upper portion having an exterior surface;    a lower portion;    an interior cavity between said upper and lower portions;    a divider separating said interior cavity into at least two sections, said divider being coupled to said upper portion;    at least one support element removable disposed within said interior cavity;    wherein said exterior surface of said upper portion is free of visual indications of the coupling of said divider to said upper portion.    
     
     
         2 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein said divider is coupled to said lower portion.  
     
     
         3 . The mattress of  claim 2 , wherein said divider is sewn to said lower portion.  
     
     
         4 . The mattress of  claim 3 , wherein said divider is fused to said upper portion.  
     
     
         5 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein said divider comprises: 
 a first member that is substantially horizontally oriented, said first member being coupled to said upper portion; and    a second member that is substantially vertically oriented, said second member being coupled to said first member and being coupled to said lower portion.    
     
     
         6 . The mattress of  claim 5 , wherein said first member is fused to said upper portion, said second member is sewn to said first member and said second member is sewn to said lower portion.  
     
     
         7 . The mattress of  claim 1 , further comprising a core support member disposed in said lower portion.  
     
     
         8 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein said divider is fused to said upper portion.  
     
     
         9 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein said divider is sewn to said upper portion.  
     
     
         10 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein said interior cavity has a longitudinal length and a lateral width, and said divider extends longitudinally in said cavity.  
     
     
         11 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein said divider comprises a plurality of discontinuous segments that separate said interior cavity into said at least two sections.  
     
     
         12 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein said upper portion comprises a plurality of layers of padding.  
     
     
         13 . The mattress of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure mechanism operable to selectively provide access to said interior cavity to allow removal of said at least one support element.  
     
     
         14 . A split support configuration mattress comprising: 
 a body having a top portion with an exterior surface;    a core support member disposed in said body;    an interior volume within said body between said core support and said top portion of said body;    a divider separating said interior volume into a first lateral half and a second later half, said divider being coupled to said top portion;    at least one auxiliary support member removably disposed in each of said first and second lateral halves of said interior volume;    a closure mechanism coupled to said body adjacent said interior volume, said closure mechanism selectively providing access to said interior volume to allow removal of said auxiliary support elements;    wherein said exterior surface of said top portion is free of visual indications of the coupling of said divider to said top portion.    
     
     
         15 . The split support configuration mattress of  claim 14 , wherein said divider is comprised of a plurality of discontinuous segments.  
     
     
         16 . The split support configuration mattress of  claim 14 , wherein said divider is fused to said top portion.  
     
     
         17 . The split support configuration mattress of  claim 14 , further comprising an inner liner substantially defining a bottom of said interior cavity and wherein said divider is sewn to said inner liner.  
     
     
         18 . The split support configuration mattress of  claim 14 , wherein said divider comprises: 
 a first member that is substantially horizontally oriented and fused to said top portion; and    a second member that is substantially vertically oriented and sewn to said first member.    
     
     
         19 . A mattress comprising: 
 an upper portion having an exterior surface;    a lower portion;    a core support member disposed in said lower portion;    an intermediate portion disposed between said upper and lower portions;    a divider separating said intermediate portion into at least two sections, said divider being coupled to said upper portion;    at least one removable auxiliary support member disposed in each of said sections of said intermediate portion;    a closure mechanism adjacent said intermediate portion and operable to selectively allow access to said intermediate portion;    wherein said exterior surface of said upper portion is free of visual indications of the coupling of said divider to said upper portion.    
     
     
         20 . The mattress of  claim 19 , further comprising an inner liner that substantially defines a bottom of said interior cavity and wherein said divider is coupled to said inner liner.  
     
     
         21 . The mattress of  claim 20 , wherein said divider is fused to said upper portion and said divider is sewn to said bottom liner.  
     
     
         22 . The mattress of  claim 20 , wherein said divider includes a substantially horizontal component that is coupled to said upper portion and a substantially vertical component that is coupled to said horizontal component.  
     
     
         23 . The mattress of  claim 19 , wherein said divider is fused to said upper portion.