Mattress shaping apparatus

Abstract

A mattress shaping device that is placed below a mattress to allow a sleeper to customize the shape of substantially the entire mattress. The mattress shaper having a plurality of individually inflatable cells that may correspond with integral inlets that are accessible while the shaping device is placed underneath the mattress.

1 . A mattress shaping device for placement under a mattress:
 a plurality of individually inflatable cells formed by bonding together a first and second impermeable membrane, the cells having a top and bottom surface and substantially the same shape; and   a plurality of inlets respectively corresponding and integrally connected to the plurality of individually inflatable cells allowing the cells to be individually inflated for the shaping of the mattress, the inlets being accessible while the device is located under the mattress.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inlets converge beyond the outer peripheries of the cells. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein channels are integrally disposed between the inlets and corresponding cells. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the channels have a brace for maintaining an open airway between the inlets and corresponding cells. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first membrane material is thicker than the second membrane material. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first membrane material is harder than the second membrane material. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one filler is located between the mattress and the device, the filler is selected from a group consisting of a pad having a periphery substantially corresponding to the periphery of the mattress, an elongated strip positioned between adjacent cells, an individually inflatable tube positioned between adjacent cells, a third impermeable membrane bonded to the peripheries of the first and second impermeable membranes and creating an additional individually inflatable cell. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device has a top surface and the top surface is substantially continuous. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outside surface of the device has enhanced frictional characteristics to prevent slippage. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the bottom surface of the cells have enhanced frictional characteristics that increases the friction between the device and box spring. 
   
   
       11 . A mattress shaping device for the shaping of substantially an entire mattress:
 a plurality of individually inflatable cells formed by bonding together a first and second impermeable membrane and the device having a periphery;   the periphery of the device substantially corresponding to the periphery of the mattress; and   a plurality of inlets respectively corresponding to the plurality of individually inflatable cells and allowing the cells to be individually inflated for shaping of the mattress.   
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inlets converge beyond the outer peripheries of the cells. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein channels are integrally disposed between the inlets and corresponding cells. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the channels have a brace for maintaining an open airway between the inlets and corresponding cells. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first membrane material is thicker than the second membrane material. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first membrane material is harder than the second membrane material. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one filler is located between the mattress and the device, the filler is selected from a group consisting of a pad having a periphery substantially corresponding to the periphery of the mattress, at least one elongated strip positioned between adjacent cells, at least one individually inflatable tube positioned between adjacent cells, a third impermeable membrane bonded to the peripheries of the first and second impermeable membranes and creating an additional individually inflatable cell. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device has a top surface and the top surface is substantially continuous. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the outside surface of the device has enhanced frictional characteristics to prevent slippage. 
   
   
       20 . A mattress shaping device for the shaping of substantially an entire mattress:
 a plurality of individually inflatable cells formed by bonding together a first and second impermeable membrane and the device having a periphery;   the periphery of the device substantially corresponding to the periphery of the mattress; and   the cells are permanently sealed after fluid is introduced within the cells.   
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the volume of fluid introduced within the cells is pre-determined. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the fluid is introduced within the cells via respectively corresponding inlets and the cells are sealed by the sealing of the inlets. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the inlets converge beyond the outer peripheries of the cells. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein channels are integrally disposed between the inlets and corresponding cells. 
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the channels have a brace for maintaining an open airway between the inlets and corresponding cells. 
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the first membrane material is thicker than the second membrane material. 
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the first membrane material is harder than the second membrane material. 
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein at least one filler is located between the mattress and the device, the filler is selected from a group consisting of a pad having a periphery substantially corresponding to the periphery of the mattress, at least one elongated strip positioned between adjacent cells, at least one individually inflatable tube positioned between adjacent cells, a third impermeable membrane bonded to the peripheries of the first and second impermeable membranes and creating an additional individually inflatable cell. 
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the device has a top surface and the top surface is substantially continuous. 
   
   
       30 . A method for shaping a mattress comprising the steps of:
 inserting a device underneath the mattress, the device comprising a first and second impermeable membrane bonded together to form a plurality of individually inflatable cells having substantially the same shape, wherein the periphery of the device substantially corresponds to the periphery of the mattress;   individually inflating at least one individual cell for shaping of the mattress.