Composite flexible frame mattress

Abstract

A mattress is disclosed comprising a flexible frame for bearing uniaxial compressive stress from a human body pressed onto the frame. The frame traverses the breadth and length of the mattress in evenly-spaced repeating patterns which defines hollow recesses filled with materials like silicone gel, memory foam, coils, and springs. The flexible frame in some embodiments, has a higher compressive strength than does the traditional material(s) filled the recesses defined by the frame. The indentation force deflection (IFD) rating varies slightly across small, repeating regions the surface of the mattress. These regions provide lumbar, thoracic, and pelvic support to a user. A user may move about on the mattress during the night to adjust the areas of the small regions pressing most firmly against the body, selectively adjusting both the position of the body and the pressure points of the mattress to maximize comfort.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composite mattress comprising:
 an integrated flexible frame defining a plurality of hollow cellular recesses of uniform size and volume having open top ends, the cellular recesses evenly spaced apart from one another across a breadth and a length of a top surface of the mattress, wherein the flexible frame is fabricated as a single integrated piece; and   memory foam filling the hollow cellular recesses of the flexible frame, the memory foam providing compressive strength to the surface of the mattress and lateral support to the flexible frame.   
     
     
         2 . The composite mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible frame further comprises a lateral urethane sidewall circumscribing a perimeter of the mattress. 
     
     
         3 . The composite mattress of  claim 1 , wherein an indentation force deflection (IFD) rating of the memory foam is less than an IFD rating of the flexible frame. 
     
     
         4 . The composite mattress of  claim 1 , wherein an indentation force deflection (IFD) rating of the memory foam is more than an IFD rating of the flexible frame. 
     
     
         5 . The composite mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible frame comprises silicone gel. 
     
     
         6 . The composite mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the mattress comprises a plurality of flexible frames. 
     
     
         7 . The composite mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible frame is fabricated from an impermeable and flexible material, and wherein the cellular recesses are isolated atmospherically from one another and ambient air, wherein the cellular recesses house one of:
 permeable, viscoelastic polyurethane foam,   permeable, silicone gel, and   bed springs.   
     
     
         8 . The composite mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible frame forms a regular, repeating pattern across the top surface of the mattress. 
     
     
         9 . The composite mattress of  claim 8 , wherein the regular repeating pattern is honeycomb. 
     
     
         10 . A composite mattress comprising:
 an integrated flexible frame defining a plurality of hollow cellular recesses of uniform size and volume having open top ends, the cellular recesses evenly spaced apart from one another across the breadth and the length of a top surface of the mattress, wherein the flexible frame is fabricated as a single piece.   
     
     
         11 . The composite mattress of  claim 10 , wherein the cellular recesses partially envelope one or more of viscoelastic polyurethane foam, silicone gel, water, bed springs, and inflatable pressurized bladders. 
     
     
         12 . The composite mattress of  claim 10 , wherein the cellular recesses house a plurality of cylindrical bladders positioned in an orthogonal orientation to the top surface of the mattress body for absorbing uniaxial weight of a user's body. 
     
     
         13 . The composite mattress of  claim 10 , wherein the volume of one or more of the cellular recesses defined by the flexible frame varies from a volume of one or more secondary cellular recesses defined by the flexible frame. 
     
     
         14 . The composite mattress of  claim 10 , further comprising a planar pad disposed across the top surface of the mattress comprising one of viscoelastic polyurethane foam, and silicone gel. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a composite mattress with a flexible frame, the steps of the method comprising:
 fabricating an integrated flexible frame as a single piece from one of silicone gel and memory foam, the flexible frame defining a plurality of hollow cellular recesses of uniform size and volume, the cellular recesses having open top ends, the cellular recesses evenly spaced apart from one another across the breadth and the length of a top surface of the mattress; and   filling the cellular recesses with one or more of silicone gel and memory foam.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein an indentation force deflection (IFD) rating of the memory foam is less than an IFD rating of the flexible frame. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein an indentation force deflection (IFD) rating of the memory foam is more than an IFD rating of the flexible frame.