Low peak pressure body support

Abstract

A body support such as a mattress is provided formed of a top layer, an intermediate layer and a base layer. Optional side supports are also provided. Each of these layers and optional side supports are formed of different polyurethane and/or latex foam compositions. Maximum and average peak pressures are minimized by having the intermediate layer of the mattress or other body support be formed of high resilience foam, such as foam with between forty-five and sixty-five percent resilience factor. This intermediate layer is also provided with a greater density than typical prior art body supports, with a density of between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds per cubic foot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 : A mattress comprising in combination:
 a top layer of polyurethane and/or latex foam;   an intermediate layer of polyurethane and/or latex foam bonded to an underside of said top layer;   a base layer of polyurethane and/or latex foam bonded to an underside of said intermediate layer; and   wherein said intermediate layer is formed of high resilience foam with a resilience factor of between about forty-five percent and sixty-five percent.   
     
     
         2 : The mattress of  claim 1  wherein said intermediate layer has a density of between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         3 : The mattress of  claim 1  wherein said layers have a thickness relationship of substantially about equal thickness for said top layer and said intermediate layer and said base layer having a thickness substantially about half of the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         4 : The mattress of  claim 3  wherein said base layer thickness has a tolerance of plus or minus 0.5 to 1 inches. 
     
     
         5 : The mattress of  claim 1  wherein said intermediate layer is formed of high resilience foam with a resilience factor of about fifty-five percent. 
     
     
         6 : The mattress of  claim 1  wherein said intermediate layer is formed of a foam having an indentation force deflection (IFD) of between twenty-five and thirty-five. 
     
     
         7 : The mattress of  claim 1  wherein said top layer is approximately three inches thick, said intermediate layer is approximately three inches thick and said bottom layer is approximately two inches thick. 
     
     
         8 : The mattress of  claim 1  wherein side supports bound lateral edges of said top layer, said intermediate layer and said base layer, said side supports formed of polyurethane and/or latex foam extending from a bottom surface of said base layer to a top surface of said top layer. 
     
     
         9 : The mattress of  claim 8  wherein said side supports are formed from a common foam with said base layer, and with said side supports bonded to each of said top layer, said intermediate layer and said base layer. 
     
     
         10 : A low peak pressure mattress, comprising in combination:
 a top layer of polyurethane and/or latex foam;   an intermediate layer of polyurethane and/or latex foam;   a base layer of polyurethane and/or latex foam; and   wherein said intermediate layer is formed of high resilience foam with a resilience factor of between forty-five percent and sixty-five percent.   
     
     
         11 : The low peak pressure mattress of  claim 10  wherein said intermediate layer has a resilience factor of about fifty-five percent. 
     
     
         12 : The low peak pressure mattress of  claim 11  wherein said intermediate layer has a density of between 2.5 pounds per cubic foot and 3.5 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         13 : The low peak pressure mattress of  claim 12  wherein said top layer, said intermediate layer and said base layer are each bonded together. 
     
     
         14 : The low peak pressure mattress of  claim 13  wherein said top layer is approximately three inches thick, said intermediate layer is approximately three inches thick and said bottom layer is approximately two inches thick. 
     
     
         15 : The low peak pressure mattress of  claim 14  wherein side supports bound lateral edges of said top layer, said intermediate layer and said base layer, said side supports formed of polyurethane and/or latex foam extending from a bottom surface of said base layer to a top surface of said top layer. 
     
     
         16 : The low peak pressure mattress of  claim 15  wherein said side supports are formed from a common foam with said base layer, and with said side supports bonded to each of said top layer, said intermediate layer and said base layer. 
     
     
         17 : The low peak pressure mattress of  claim 15  wherein said intermediate layer has an IFD of between about twenty-five and thirty-five.