Mattress spacer system and methods of using the same

Abstract

A passive mattress spacer pad provides an intermediate layer of material which sits between the bottom of the mattress and the underlying mattress support. In some embodiments, the spacer may have peripheral length and width dimensions that are roughly between about 1 and 18 inches smaller than the size of the mattress and have a thickness of between about ¼ inch and about 4 inches. In some embodiments, the spacer pad is independent, and in others, it is integrally formed with the support or the mattress. The spacer provides a measure of lift or elevation to the center of the mattress while leaving some space or “gap” around the peripheral edges where it is easier for the bed maker to slide their hands and the bed linens beneath the mattress edge without having to lift the mattress entirely.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrally formed mattress construction comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a peripheral side wall extending therebetween, and a peripheral gap extending inwardly into an interior of the mattress from said peripheral sidewall, said gap being substantially rectangular in configuration and have a thickness from about ¼ inch to about 3 includes and a depth of from about 1 inch to about 18 inches, said gap being configured and arranged to divide said mattress construction into a lower base portion and an upper mattress portion and being capable of receiving and retaining a peripheral outer edge of a conventional bed linen. 
     
     
         2 . The mattress construction of  claim 1  wherein the lower base portion is the thickness of a box spring. 
     
     
         3 . The mattress construction of  claim 1  wherein the upper mattress portion is the thickness of a mattress. 
     
     
         4 . The mattress construction of  claim 2  wherein the upper mattress portion is the thickness of a mattress. 
     
     
         5 . The mattress construction of  claim 1  wherein said gap includes a slot extending further inwardly into an interior of said mattress construction. 
     
     
         6 . The mattress construction of  claim 5  wherein the slot extends inwardly from an upper edge of the gap. 
     
     
         7 . The mattress construction of  claim 3  wherein said gap includes a slot extending further inwardly into an interior of said mattress construction. 
     
     
         8 . The mattress construction of  claim 7  wherein the slot extends inwardly from an upper edge of the gap. 
     
     
         9 . An integrally formed mattress construction comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a peripheral side wall extending therebetween, and a peripheral gap extending inwardly into an interior of the mattress from said peripheral sidewall, said gap having a thickness from about ¼ inch to about 3 includes and a depth of from about 1 inch to about 18 inches wherein said gap is angled from a bottom outer edge to an upper inner edge to form a ramped surface, said gap being configured and arranged to divide said mattress construction into a lower base portion and an upper mattress portion and being capable of receiving and retaining a peripheral outer edge of a conventional bed linen. 
     
     
         10 . The mattress construction of  claim 9  wherein the lower base portion is the thickness of a box spring. 
     
     
         11 . The mattress construction of  claim 9  wherein the upper mattress portion is the thickness of a mattress. 
     
     
         12 . The mattress construction of  claim 11  wherein the upper mattress portion is the thickness of a mattress. 
     
     
         13 . The mattress construction of  claim 9  wherein said gap includes a slot extending further inwardly into an interior of said mattress construction. 
     
     
         14 . The mattress construction of  claim 13  wherein the slot extends inwardly from an upper edge of the gap. 
     
     
         15 . The mattress construction of  claim 11  wherein said gap includes a slot extending further inwardly into an interior of said mattress construction. 
     
     
         16 . The mattress construction of  claim 15  wherein the slot extends inwardly from an upper edge of the gap. 
     
     
         17 . An integrally formed mattress support comprising a generally rectangular base portion having an upper surface with an outer peripheral edge, and further comprising a generally rectangular raised pad extending upwardly from said upper surface thereof, said raised pad having an outer peripheral edge with dimensions that are less than the peripheral edge dimensions of the base portion.