Cover assemblies for mattresses

Abstract

A cover assembly for a mattress is provided that includes a first cover and a second cover. The first cover includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and a continuous side panel collectively defining a cavity for enclosing the mattress. The second cover includes a top surface and a bottom surface, with the second cover being positioned over and dimensionally-sized to cover at least the top panel of the first cover. A fastener then connects the second cover to the first cover along the perimeter of the second cover. Methods for marking a mattress are also provided that include the step of marking an indicia indicative of a characteristic of a mattress on the top surface of the second cover of the cover assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An alignment system for a bed assembly, comprising:
 a mattress;   an alignment member having two curved ends and an elongated center segment, the elongated center segment positioned between the two curved ends and having a length sufficient to span a width of the mattress;   a first bracket for engaging a first of the two curved ends of the alignment member; and   a second bracket for engaging a second of the two curved ends of the alignment member.   
     
     
         2 . The alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated center segment defines a first opening adjacent to the first of the two curved ends and a second opening adjacent to the second of the two curved ends. 
     
     
         3 . The alignment system of  claim 2 , wherein the first bracket and the second bracket each include a protuberance positioned such that, upon each bracket engaging a particular curved end of the alignment member, the protuberance extends into the first opening or the second opening on the elongated center segment to secure each bracket to the alignment member. 
     
     
         4 . The alignment system of  claim 2 , wherein the first opening is in the form of an elongated channel extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the alignment member, and wherein the second opening is in the form of an elongated channel extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the alignment member. 
     
     
         5 . The alignment system of  claim 2 , wherein the first opening is in the form of a proximal elongated channel and a distal elongated channel arranged parallel to one another and spaced at a predetermined distance from one another, and wherein the second opening is in the form of a proximal elongated channel and a distal elongated channel arranged parallel to one another and spaced at a predetermined distance from one another. 
     
     
         6 . The alignment system of  claim 3 , wherein the protuberance of each bracket comprises a ridge configured to engage each elongated channel. 
     
     
         7 . The mattress assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a foundation, wherein each bracket is secured to the foundation.