PORTABLE PADDING DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to portable mattresses and more particularly pertains to a new portable mattress for comfortably supporting a user across seats in a cab of a vehicle.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to portable mattresses. Some disclosures relate to foldable pallets that provide padding when laid on a supportive surface such as a cot or the ground. Such assemblies are typically lightweight and easily portable. Other disclosures relate to frames or cots that can be placed within cabs of vehicles. Such assemblies typically include legs or arms that support the cots, for example legs on which the cots can stand next to vehicle seats or arms from which the cots can hang from the ceiling of the cab. However, the prior art lacks disclosure of a portable mattress assembly that includes a padded pallet and a rigid support surface on which a user can comfortably rest across the seats within the cab of a vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a mattress pad having a first section, a second section, and a third section. Each of the first and third sections are pivotably attached to the second section. The mattress pad has a flat configuration, wherein each of the first section and third section are pivoted away from the second section. The mattress pad also has a folded configuration, wherein each of the first section and third section are pivoted toward the second section. A locking mechanism is attached to the mattress pad. The locking mechanism releasably retains each of the first and third sections in the flat configuration with respect to the second section. The locking mechanism includes a first pin that secures the first section to the second section and a second pin that secures the third section to the second section.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter, and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of a portable padding device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a side in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a front in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 13 thereof, a new portable mattress embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 13, the portable padding device 10 generally comprises a mattress pad 12 having a first section 14, a second section 16, and a third section 18. The second section 16 is between the first 14 and third 18 sections. Each of the first 14 and third 18 sections is pivotably attached to the second section 16. Each of the first section 14, the second section 16, and the third section 18 comprise a top side 20 opposite a rigid bottom side 26 with a sidewall 28 extending between the top side 20 and the rigid bottom side 26. The top side 20 has a resiliently compressible padding 22 and an exterior covering 24 surrounding the resiliently compressible padding 22. In some embodiments, the exterior covering 24 comprises leather, fabric, or rubber. A handle 78 may be attached to the sidewall 28, for example being positioned on the second section 16. Some embodiments may include more than one handle 78.

The mattress pad 12 has a flat configuration 30, which is shown in FIG. 1, and a folded configuration 32, which is shown in FIG. 3. The flat configuration 30 is configured to support a user resting on the mattress pad 12. The folded configuration 32 facilitates storage of the mattress pad 12. Each of the first section 14 and the third section 18 pivot relative to the second section 16 to transition the mattress pad 12 between the flat configuration 30 and the folded configuration 32. Each of the first section 14 and the third section 18 pivot independently of each other relative to the second section 16. For example, the first section 14 may pivot away from the second section 16 while the third section 18 is pivoted toward the second section 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first section 14 pivots away from the second section 16 to form the flat configuration 30. The third section 18 also pivots away from the second section 16 to form the flat configuration 30. The first section 14, the second section 16, and the third section 18 form an elongated surface 34 when the mattress pad 12 is in the flat configuration 30. As depicted in FIGS. 10-12, the mattress pad 12 also includes other, partially-folded or partially-flat configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the first 14 and third 18 sections are pivoted away from the second section 16 without fully extending the mattress pad into the elongated surface 34. As shown in FIG. 12, the first section 14 may be partially pivoted away from the second section 16, while the third section 18 is fully pivoted away from the second section 16. These multiple configurations allow the user to rest comfortably on the mattress pad 12 in a variety of positions across the seats 80 in a cab of a truck or other vehicle.

A first pivot point 36 is between the first section 14 and the second section 16. The first pivot point 36 is positioned on the sidewall 28 along the rigid bottom side 26 between the first section 14 and the second section 16. The first section 14 pivots around the first pivot point 36 to transition between the flat configuration 30 and the folded configuration 32.

A first set of angles 38 is positioned at the first pivot point 36 when the mattress pad 12 is in the flat configuration 30. The first set of angles 38 includes a first acute angle 40 that is formed along the rigid bottom side 26 in the sidewall 28 of the first section 14. The first set of angles 38 also includes a first obtuse angle 42 that is formed along the rigid bottom side 26 in the sidewall 28 of the second section 16. As shown in FIG. 13, when the mattress pad 12 is in the flat configuration 30, embodiments of the first acute angle 40 and the first obtuse angle 42 may be supplementary angles.

A second pivot point 44 is between the third section 18 and the second section 16. The second pivot point 44 is positioned on the sidewall 28 along the rigid bottom side 26 between the third section 18 and the second section 16. The third section 18 pivots around the second pivot point 44 to transition between the flat configuration 30 and the folded configuration 32.

A second set of angles 46 is positioned at the second pivot point 44 when the mattress pad 12 is in the flat configuration 30. The second set of angles 46 includes a second acute angle 48 that is formed along the rigid bottom side 26 in the sidewall 28 of the third section 18. The second set of angles 46 also includes a second obtuse angle 50 that is formed along the rigid bottom side 26 in the sidewall 28 of the second section 16. As shown in FIG. 13, when the mattress pad 12 is in the flat configuration 30, embodiments of the second acute angle 48 and the second obtuse angle 50 may be supplementary angles.

Each of the first 14 and third 18 sections pivot toward the second section 16 into the folded configuration 32. For example, the first section 14 may pivot upwardly toward the second section 16 such that the top side 20 of the first section 14 contacts the top side 20 of the second section 16 when the first section 14 and the second section 16 are in the folded configuration 32. The third section 18 may pivot downwardly toward the second section 16 such that the rigid bottom side 26 of the third section 18 contacts the rigid bottom side 26 of the third section 18 when the second section 16 and the third section 18 are in the folded configuration 32.

A locking mechanism 52 is attached to the mattress pad 12. The locking mechanism 52 is configured to releasably retain each of the first section 14 and the third section 18 in the flat configuration 30 with respect to the second section 16. FIGS. 4, 8, and 9 depict exemplary embodiments of the locking mechanism 52.

The locking mechanism 52 comprises a first pin 54 that is coupled to the first section 14 proximate to the second section 16. The second section 16 has a first pin chamber 56 extending therein. The first pin chamber 56 is positioned proximate to the first section 14. The first pin chamber 56 is configured to receive the first pin 54. The first pin chamber 56 is alignable with the first pin 54 when the mattress pad 12 is in the flat configuration 30. The first pin 54 secures the first section 14 and the second section 16 in the flat configuration 30 when the first pin 54 is inserted into the first pin chamber 56.

The first pin 54 comprises a first pin head 58 extending outwardly from the first section 14. A first shaft 60 is coupled to the first pin head 58. The first pin chamber 56 is configured to receive the first shaft 60. A first flange 62 extends outwardly from the first shaft 60. The first flange 62 has a width that is larger than a diameter of the first pin chamber 56, so that the first flange 62 is configured to remain outside of the first pin chamber 56 when the first pin 54 is inserted into the first pin chamber 56. A first spring 64 is positioned around the first shaft 60 and bears against the first flange 62. The first spring 64 is positioned between the first pin head 58 and the first flange 62. The first spring 64 biases the first shaft 60 into the first pin chamber 56 thereby inhibiting the first section 14 from pivoting around the second section 16.

A second pin 66 is coupled to the third section 18 proximate to the second section 16. The second section 16 has a second pin chamber 68 extending therein. The second pin chamber 68 is positioned proximate to the third section 18. The second pin chamber 68 is configured to receive the second pin 66. The second pin chamber 68 is alignable with the second pin 66 when the mattress pad 12 is in the flat configuration 30. The second pin 66 secures the third section 18 and the second section 16 in the flat configuration 30 when the second pin 66 is inserted into the second pin chamber 68.

The second pin 66 comprises a second pin head 70 extending outwardly from the second section 16. A second shaft 72 is coupled to the second pin head 70. The second pin chamber 68 is configured to receive the second shaft 72. A second flange 74 extends outwardly from the second shaft 72. The second flange 74 has a width that is larger than a diameter of the second pin chamber 68. The second flange 74 is configured to remain outside of the second pin chamber 68 when the second pin 66 is inserted into the second pin chamber 68. A second spring 76 is positioned around the second shaft 72 and bears against the second flange 74. The second spring 76 is positioned between the second pin head 70 and the second flange 74. The second spring 76 biases the second shaft 72 into the second pin chamber 68 thereby inhibiting the third section 18 from pivoting around the second section 16.

In use, the user can completely unfold the mattress pad 12 into the flat configuration 30, for example to lay the mattress pad 12 across the front seats 80 of a vehicle. The first pin 54 will be biased into the first pin chamber 56 by the first spring 64, thereby stabilizing the first section 14 relative to the second section 16. The second pin 66 will be biased into the second pin chamber 68 by the second spring 76, thereby stabilizing the third section 18 relative to the second section 16. When the user wants to store the mattress pad 12, the user can pull outwardly on the first 58 and second 70 pin heads to release the first 54 and second 66 pins from the respective first 56 and second 68 pin chambers. The user can then pivot the first section 14 and third section 18 inwardly toward the second section 16 such that the mattress pad 12 is in the folded configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The mattress pad 12 is lightweight and easily carried and stored while in the folded configuration 32. Using the handle 78, the user can easily carry the mattress pad between vehicles or other locations.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.