Waterbed System

Abstract

A waterbed system for placement on a ground surface can comprise one or more of the following components: a waterbed mattress, a foam structure around the periphery of the mattress, a platform below the mattress and the foam periphery for supporting the waterbed mattress and the foam structure, a foundation coupled to and extending downwardly from the platform, preferably a single, fire resistant polyester fiber baffle disposed within the waterbed mattress, a cover over the top surface of the mattress and around the outer surface of the foam structure, a water proof liner below the bottom surface of the mattress, a water bed heater under the liner between the liner and the upper surface of the platform, a layer of fiberglass insulation attached to the lower surface of the platform, and an accessory storage container coupled to the foundation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A waterbed system comprising:
 a) a waterbed mattress;   b) a platform having a lower surface and an upper surface for supporting the waterbed mattress;   c) a foundation below the lower surface of the platform and supporting the platform;   d) a foam structure around the periphery of the mattress, the foam structure having an inwardly sloping inner surface and a bottom surface that meet at an inner corner;   e) a water vapor permeable cover for the foam structure, the cover having a flap extending from the inner corner formed by the inner and bottom surfaces of the foam structure, the flap having a length, a proximal edge proximate the inner corner of the foam structure and a distal portion; and   f) at least one retainer retaining the distal portion of the flap on the platform.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer is a slat extending the full length of the flap. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flap is isosceles trapezoid shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer is a slat coupled to the platform by a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the fasteners are bolts. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the water vapor permeable cover is made of flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
         7 . A waterbed system comprising:
 a) a waterbed mattress;   b) a platform having a lower surface and an upper surface for supporting the waterbed mattress;   c) a foundation below the lower surface of the platform and supporting the platform;   d) a foam structure around the periphery of the mattress, the foam structure having an inwardly sloping inner surface and a bottom surface that meet at an inner corner;   e) a water vapor permeable cover for the foam structure, the cover having a flap extending from the inner corner formed by the inner and bottom surfaces of the foam structure, the flap having a length, a proximal edge proximate the inner corner of the foam structure and a distal portion; and   f) at least one slat retaining the distal portion of the flap on the platform.   
     
     
         8 . A method of assembling the waterbed system of  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
 a) placing the foundation on a ground surface;   b) coupling the platform to the foundation;   c) placing the foam structure on the platform;   d) fastening the at least one retainer to the platform; and   e) placing the waterbed mattress on the platform, with the foam structure around the periphery of the mattress.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation spaces the platform from a ground surface. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a layer of fiberglass insulation attached to the lower surface of the platform. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a water proof liner for placement below a bottom surface of the mattress, around a periphery of the mattress, over the inner and upper surfaces of the foam structure, and around an outer surface of the foam structure.