Support cushions including a pocketed coil layer with a plurality of fabric types for directing air flow, and methods for controlling surface temperature of same

A mattress assembly, comprising:

• a body supporting layer comprised of visco-elastic foam and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the body supporting layer defining a plurality of channels extending from the second surface to the first surface;
• a pocketed coil layer adjacent the second surface of the body supporting layer comprising a first group of pocketed coils defining a perimeter of the pocketed coil layer and a second group of pocketed coils,
• wherein the first group of pocketed coils includes a first fabric, wherein the first fabric is substantially air impermeable,
• wherein the second group of pocketed coils includes a second fabric, wherein the second fabric is substantially air permeable;
• an impermeable base layer positioned adjacent the pocketed coil layer;
• a fan operably connected to an inlet hole of the base layer, the fan for providing air flow into the inlet hole of the base layer,
• wherein the air flow is directed from the inlet hole of the base layer into the pocketed coil layer, through the second fabric of the second group of pocketed coils, and into and through the body supporting layer;
• and
• wherein the first group of pocketed coils prevents air flowing out of the pocketed coil layer except through the body supporting layer.

A method of controlling air flow through a support cushion, comprising the steps of:

• providing a support cushion having
• a body supporting layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface,
• a pocketed coil layer adjacent the second surface of the body supporting layer comprising a first group of pocketed coils defining a perimeter of the pocketed coil layer and a second group of pocketed coils, wherein the first group of pocketed coils includes a first fabric and the second group of pocketed coils includes a second fabric,
• a base layer positioned adjacent the pocketed coil layer, and
• a fan operably connected to an inlet hole of the base layer, the fan for providing air flow into the inlet hole of the base layer;
• supplying an electrical current to the fan such that the fan pushes a volume of air at a preselected velocity into the inlet hole of the base layer;
• and
• moving the volume of air from the inlet hole of the base layer through the second group of pocketed coils of the pocketed coil layer and out of the first surface of the body supporting layer,
• wherein the first fabric of the first group of pocketed coils is substantially air impermeable and the second fabric of the second group of pocketed coils is substantially air permeable, such that the first group of pocketed coils prevents air flowing out of the pocketed coil layer except through the body supporting layer.