Independent mattress units with transition zone

Abstract

A mattress includes a first spring unit having a first degree of firmness, a second spring unit having a second degree of firmness different from the first degree of firmness, and a transition zone that is disposed between the first and second spring units. A foam perimeter surrounds the first and second spring units and the transition zone. The transition zone has a first row of springs adjacent to the first spring unit and has a degree of firmness between the first and second degrees of firmness that is closer to the first degree of firmness than the second degree of firmness. The transition zone also has a second row of springs adjacent to the second spring unit and has a degree of firmness between the first and second degrees of firmness that is closer to the second degree of firmness than the first degree of firmness.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mattress comprising:
 a first spring unit having a first degree of firmness;   a second spring unit having a second degree of firmness different from the first degree of firmness;   a transition zone disposed between the first and second spring units;   a foam perimeter surrounding the first and second spring units and the transition zone;   the transition zone comprising:   a first row of springs adjacent to the first spring unit and having a degree of firmness between the first and second degrees of firmness and closer to the first degree of firmness than the second degree of firmness; and   a second row of springs adjacent to the second spring unit and having a degree of firmness between the first and second degrees of firmness, and closer to the second degree of firmness than the first degree of firmness.   
     
     
         2 . The mattress according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rows are each a string of pocketed springs. 
     
     
         3 . A bedding product, comprising:
 a first support unit having a first degree of firmness;   a second support unit have a second degree of firmness different from the first degree of firmness;   a transition zone disposed between the first and second support units;   a perimeter zone surrounding the first and second support units and the transition zone;   the transition zone comprising:   a first transition strip adjacent to the first support unit and having a degree of firmness between the first and second degrees of firmness and closer to the first degree of firmness than the second degree of firmness; and   a second transition strip adjacent to the second support unit and having a degree of firmness between the first and second degrees of firmness, and closer to the second degree of firmness than the first degree of firmness.   
     
     
         4 . The bedding product according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second support units is a spring unit comprised of springs. 
     
     
         5 . The bedding product according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the spring units is comprised of a string of pocketed springs. 
     
     
         6 . The bedding product according to  claim 5  wherein at least one of the first and second transition strips is comprised of a string of pocketed springs. 
     
     
         7 . The bedding product according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second transition strips is comprised of a string of pocketed springs. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a bedding product, comprising:
 selecting a first support unit having a first degree of firmness;   selecting a second support unit have a second degree of firmness different from the first degree of firmness;   making a transition zone by selecting a first transition strip having a degree of firmness between the first and second degrees of firmness and closer to the first degree of firmness than the second degree of firmness, by selecting a second transition strip having a degree of firmness between the first and second degrees of firmness, and closer to the second degree of firmness than the first degree of firmness, and by disposing the first and second transition strips adjacent to one another; and   disposing the transition zone between the first and second support units wherein the first transition strip is disposed adjacent to the first support unit and the second transition strip is disposed adjacent to the second support unit.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and second support units is a spring unit comprised of springs. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the spring units is comprised of a string of pocketed springs. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second transition strips is comprised of a string of pocketed springs. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and second transition strips is comprised of a string of pocketed springs.