Folding plunger matrix mattress

A mattress assembly, comprising:

• a folding plunger matrix comprising a plurality of plunger matrix sections, each comprising a separate plunger matrix support platform suspending a plurality of foam padded plungers, and a plurality of flexible connectors connecting the plunger matrix sections in side-by-side relation;
• an edge frame around a perimeter of the plunger matrix defining a flange on an internal surface of the edge frame supporting the plunger matrix in a position allowing the plungers to move up and down within an internal space defined by the edge frame;
• a top pad positioned on top of the edge frame and the plunger matrix;
• a cover encapsulating the edge frame, the plunger matrix, and the top pad into a self-contained mattress unit;
• wherein the flexible connectors are configured to allow the foldable mattress to fold to adjust in shape corresponding to changes in shape of a mechanically adjustable frame supporting the foldable mattress;
• and
• wherein the plunger matrix sections define a support profile for a person lying on the mattress comprising plungers organized into a plurality of zones in which the plungers of each zone are similarly configured while the plungers of different zones are configured differently to define a varying firmness characteristic of the support profile across the zones.

A mattress assembly, comprising:

• a folding plunger matrix comprising a plurality of plunger matrix sections, each comprising a separate plunger matrix support platform suspending a plurality of foam padded plungers, and a plurality of flexible connectors connecting the plunger matrix sections in side-by-side relation;
• wherein the flexible connectors are configured to allow the foldable mattress to fold to adjust in shape corresponding to changes in shape of a mechanically adjustable frame supporting the foldable mattress;
• and
• wherein each plunger comprises:
• a pin guide removably captured within an aperture through the plunger support platform comprising a flange positioned above the plunger support platform, a guide body extending from the flange through the aperture,
• a pin slidably received within the pin guide comprising a flange located above the flange of the pin guide and a shaft extending from the flange through the guide body,
• a deformable head carried by the flange of the pin;
• a tension spring having a first end fixed to the guide body and a second end located below the guide body positioned to receive a bottom end of the pin shaft, wherein the spring is configured to resiliently stretch with downward motion of the pin with respect to the pin guide, and
• a dampening device captured around the shaft of the pin between the flange of the pin and the flange of the pin guide, wherein the dampening device is configured to resiliently deform with downward motion of the pin with respect to the pin guide.