Adjustable Firmness Mattress System

Abstract

Apparatuses, components, devices, methods, and systems for an adjustable firmness mattress are provided. An example rectangular shaped adjustable firmness mattress extends lengthwise from a head end to a foot end, widthwise from a first side to a second side, and depth-wise from a top side to a bottom side. The example mattress may include an adjustable firmness support layer disposed between the bottom side of the mattress and the top side of the mattress. The adjustable firmness support layer may include at least one rotatable assembly having an orientation-specific firmness, a bridge assembly disposed between the at least one rotatable assembly and the top side of the mattress; and a support assembly disposed between the at least one rotatable assembly and the bottom side of the mattress.

1 . An adjustable firmness support layer for a mattress comprising:
 a plurality of rotatable assemblies, wherein the plurality of rotatable assemblies includes a first rotatable assembly and a second rotatable assembly, the first rotatable assembly including a first plurality of compressible elements that are mounted on a first central axle and the second rotatable assembly including a second plurality of compressible elements that are mounted on a second central axle, the first plurality of compressible elements interleaved with the second plurality of compressible elements; and   a friction-reducing layer disposed between adjacent interleaved compressible elements, allowing the adjacent interleaved compressible elements to rotate relative to each other with reduced friction.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable firmness support layer of  claim 1  wherein the friction-reducing layer is coupled to surfaces of the compressible elements. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable firmness support layer of  claim 1  wherein the friction-reducing layer comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable firmness support layer of  claim 1  wherein the friction-reducing layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable firmness support layer of  claim 1  wherein the friction-reducing layer comprises flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable firmness support layer of  claim 1  wherein the friction-reducing layer comprises an enclosure that at least partially encloses a compressible element. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable firmness support layer of  claim 6  wherein the enclosure is formed from a low-friction fabric comprising one or more materials belonging to the group including nylon, elastane, polyester, silk, artificial silk, viscose fabric or films. 
     
     
         8 . A cylindrical compressible element for use in an adjustable firmness mattress having a plurality of rotatable assemblies each having a plurality of the compressible elements and wherein the compressible elements of adjacent rotatable assemblies are interleaved, comprising:
 a first portion;   a second portion; and   
       a low-friction layer of material coupled to surfaces of the first and second portions likely to contact surfaces of adjacent compressible elements; 
       wherein the first portion and the second portion have different compressible properties. 
     
     
         9 . The cylindrical compressible element of  claim 8  further comprising a coupling element disposed at a center of the compressible element, radially inward of the first and second portions and configured to receive an axle and translate torque applied to the axle to the first and second portions. 
     
     
         10 . The cylindrical compressible element of  claim 8  wherein the different compressible properties comprise different indentation load deflection values. 
     
     
         11 . The cylindrical compressible element of  claim 8  wherein the low-friction layer comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The cylindrical compressible element of  claim 8  wherein the low-friction layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         13 . The cylindrical compressible element of  claim 8  wherein the low-friction layer comprises flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
         14 . The cylindrical compressible element of  claim 8  wherein the low-friction layer comprises a coating. 
     
     
         15 . The cylindrical compressible element of  claim 8  wherein the low-friction layer comprises an enclosure at least partially enclosing at least the first and second portions. 
     
     
         16 . The cylindrical compressible element of  claim 9  wherein the coupling element has a non-cylindrical shape configured to mate with corresponding inner surfaces of the first and second portions. 
     
     
         17 . An adjustable firmness mattress using a plurality of interleaved, rotatable, compressible elements of a foam material that have orientation-specific firmness variations such that a desired firmness setting may be achieved by rotating the compressible elements; wherein rotation of the interleaved elements is aided by low-friction layers situated between adjacent compressible elements, thereby preventing the foam material of one compressible element from rubbing against foam material of an adjacent compressible element. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable firmness mattress of  claim 17  wherein the low-friction layers comprise enclosures at least partially surrounding the compressible elements. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable firmness mattress of  claim 17  wherein the low-friction layers comprise coatings applied to the compressible elements. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable firmness mattress of  claim 17  wherein the low-friction layers comprise sheets.