CA2046779A1 - Bedspring - Google Patents

Abstract

BEDDING SUMMER Slatted base of the kind made up of a succession of modules (13) each comprising a slat (3) above carried by a lower support (5) mounted on a rigid central longitudinal beam (7), and fixed relative to the floor characterized in that the lower support (5) and the upper slat (3) are linked by a flexible connecting member (14) in order to allow the relative movements of the elements (3,5) between them, and in that the modules (13) are separated from each other so that their movements are independent. (figure 1)

Description

~ 6779 SUM ~ DF; I, IT ~ RIE
The present invention relates to a bed base.
A box spring is a flexible part of a bed, which rests in Ie caclre d ~ t or on feet ~ couches, sofas ~ i.ts, ~ ..) and on which the matte stretches: weary.
~ n knows the box springs, ~ orm ~ s of a box of wood with rigid cross bars fitted with springs and covered with fabrics; .the metal box springs ~ -star 0 ~ 1 stretched metal mesh. We still know.
slats; these include a series of flexible slats, generally made up of several thin strips of beech. The slats are fixed at their ends on a rigid frame, and they are often bent upwards to enhance the flexibi: Lite run.
Slatted bed bases have the advantage s ~ r box springs ~ springs for greater longevity:
springs become soft, while the slats keep their qua: Lity.
However slatted bed bases, like box springs metal have the disadvantage of presenting a more o ~
less stiffness when approaching the frame, where of the wooden case: the slats, as well as the treil.ll.s metal, are fi ~ ed on a wooden frame, metal Oll, and it is thanks to this fixing of their extremity ~ x ~ lr this

2 $ frame, i.mmobile, that said latt.es and led: it treilLis can acquire the desired elasticity. But this is the center of the battened surface or the star and not their edges which is elastic. This mechanical necessity therefore represents a drawback since the box spring is not ultimately flexible and pleasant only in the middle.
Bed bases were made: Slats whose ends are mounted on the chassis through resso.rts. of such box springs are described in particular in EP-A-1,050.87 ~, CH-A-399.712. However on the one hand the presence of a chassis to which are linked: I. the slats further limit the freedom of ,::

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2 ~ 779 movement of the slats, on the other hand the springs are in m ~ tal of t.ype with blade or equivalent which limits their long ~ 3vity.
We also made at US-A-2,349,839 a slatted base the ends of which can move vertically without be linked m ~ mechanically by a spring mounted ~ to a chassls.
It is made up of modules composed of a slat su ~ périeur horizontal rigidly mounted on an inner batten ci.ntrée. The modules are linked to each other lQ leaves by a lower central beam on which i.ls rest on the other hand by three upper slats horizons. However, the constitution of this box spring does not not allow to obtain satisfactory deformations dll made of the rigidity of the connections: the whole forms a practically non-deformable portion of cylinder which cannot osci.ller that very weakly around the po ~ ltre.
The object of the present invention is to resolve the aforementioned drawbacks, and relates to a slatted base of the kind consisting of a succession of modules each comprising a slat carried by a support lower mounted on a central longitudinal beam rigid, and fixed relative to the ground, characterized in that the lower support and the upper slat are linked by a flexible connecting member to allow movement relative elements between them, and in that the modules are separated from each other so that their movements are independent.
The bed base according to. The invention is still remarkable by.
following features:
- the module has several upper slats identical for an inferior support3r;
- the link or satellite device comprises a part rigid non-deformable, on which is mounted a tip or ball joint, of rubber, intended to receive and maintain , `3 20 ~ 77 ~

COII li.ssement the oll of the slats, and under the ~ uelle is screwed .I'extr ~ mid-t ~ of the support.
-. The span of the lower support is smaller than that of: the upper slat (s) and the end piece the connecting member is through in the form of a passer-by or equivalent, intended to receive and maintain: r the slat while allowing the relative displacement of the batten on the support.
- the lower support consists of two rigid arms ~ s n ind ~ formables swivel mounted on the beam around dlun horizontal axis, and each provided with a spring or equivalent who raises his arms up.
- the inEterior support consists of opposite arms ~ s qu extend laterally.
- the upper slat is a canvas or trellis metallic.
- the beam is of variable width, and the end of the arms outlines a straight edge so that the arms which extend on each of its sides have a length varia ~ le;
- the beam has two connected parallel elements rigidly to each other by the ego.
each carrying a plurality of arms extending from one outward side;
- the beam is mounted on a base defining a lift surface of the same order of magnitude as that box spring;
The bed base according to the invention thus comprises a succession slats or group of slats don t t the extremities, which are totally independent of each other, do not rest: Read and are no longer fixed on a rlgide frame, but are held by the end of the arm. ~ ar their flexibi.li.-té
these can flex so ~ s the weight of a person.

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The slats or group of slats constituting the bed base can then flex independently of each other, swivel on themselves by the flexibility of the ball joints and thus ensuring the flexible ~ sse of the box spring, not only 3 proximity to its axis of symmetry, but may also be e ~ lateral hoppers.
As we see the invention is not limited to box springs with wooden legs but also extends to box springs metal surfaces,: The slats being replaced by lattice of comparable width, and the lower slats by blades, rods or the like.
In order to better understand the invention, there is shown in appended drawing a nonlimiting example of embodiment of bed base according to the invention, on which:
- Ia Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view dw bedspring, - Figure 2 is a schematic view in perspective of a slat support module according to the invention, -- Figure 3 is a schematic view of transverse profi.l of the bed base according to the invention, - Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view: the cl`un.
satellite, - Figure 5 is a perspective view of an equipped module a balance torsion bar: librage, ~ 5 - Figure 6 is a schematic view of transverse profll of an alternative embodiment of a slatted base is: lon the invention, - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second variant embodiment of a bed base according to the invention, - Figure 8 is a schematic profile view of a third variant of the bed base according to the invention.

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- fi.gure 9 is a schematic view from above of Variant of beam from the top: 1st se.lon .Lnventlon.
- Figure l, 0 is a schematic view of pro ~ urle fourth-variant embodiment of the bed base according to the invention.
As seen in Figures 1 a ~ the box spring l is type with slats, ie with elements of on: Semi-eaces rigid, longitudinal, these el ~ .ments are desti.nes 3 receive a mattress and are generally key: Lsposes perpendicular to the main axis 2 of the bed. The box spring is based on so ~. by a staLle base and ri.gi.de constituting a fixed structure or organ on which the Lattes will come: ~ r in appul.
According to the invention,: The slats 3 are mounted floating:
1 ~ their ends 4 no longer rest on a frame or a traditional analog element that prohibits any movement at the ends located on the same side; the slats are mounted on supports: they are linked to the end 23 arms 5, flexible like them, which are mounted by their other end to the structure 6, fixed relative to the ground.
Slats 3 and support arms 5 being flexible, when a force is applied to the end 4 of a batten, the arm who supports it bends with it down from a height H, as shown in Figure 3, opposing a certain resistance to the force E imposed. When this one disappears the arm goes up and simultaneously raises the lat, te at its initial poæiti.on.
According to the invention the structure Oll fi.xe organ comprises at minus a beam 7 which extends g.Lobalemen-t parallel to the longitudi.nal axis 2 of the bed base and on approximately all its length between the two ends. The beam is permanently mounted on the base 8. In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the beam is one rigid and mounted on two end cross members 1.0 -. . , .. - ~ ~ .... .

2 ~ 6779 carrying the feet 11. I) arls the variant of: Figure 6 the beam has more ~ ie ~ rs parts rlgides 1 ~ arti ~ ulées around horizontal axes 20. One of the rigid parts 12 ' is mounted on a support 9 constituting the base.
The beam carries a plurality of lower supports or arms 5, flexible, which extend on either side of each of its sides. They preferably extend ~ substantially perpendicular to the axis 2 of the beam, but any other arrangement can be considered without depart from the scope of the invention.
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In the first variant (Figures 1 ~ 5) the arms 5 ~ have attached to the end 4 of the slats 3.
The bed base is made up of modules 13 juxtaposed, independent, each with ~
- at least one upper slat 3 (two in the example) and at least one lower slat S crossing the bed base on all its width.
- two connecting members or connecting satellites 14, one to each end 4 of slats, intended to assemble the or the lower slats to the upper slat (s).
The connection between the end of an arm 5 and the slat 3 is flexible: it is indeed necessary that this connection does not oppose the bringing together of the slat and the arm which is product lor ~ of a bending. For this purpose each satellite 14 consists of a rubber tip 15 or ball joint, designed for receive the end of the upper or lower slats or all the slats. However in order to maintain a some resistance to the connection we plan to climb without play no flexibility (by screwing or other) the end of the slats lower 5 on a solid part 16, the flexible ball joints being mounted, for example, on the upper side of said solid piece as shown in the figures, ~ S ball joints have two main functions:
first, to allow some element twist 20 ~ 6779 that it receives (I. reach or arm) around its axis longitudinal ~ al as illustrated: Figure 4-arrow: F, cel. ~ e second to authorize longitudinal relative movements of the ends of the elements, .lattes and brax, during the S bending: the slats slide relative to each other.
The semi rigi.cle mounting of the satellite with pl. ~ Ce soLi ~ I
intercal ~ e between the lower and upper slats also allows you to use ~ flexibility of the module twist, as indicated by Elèche F.
The modules 13 are preferably arranged on the beam appro ~ imatively in their m: ilieu and perpendicu: lairement: .la beam then forms the axis of symmetry of the bed base.
The modules 13 are preferably also regularly distributed along the beam, but it is possible to : L5 on the contrary provide for an irregular distribution, by example tighter at the levels supporting more efforts important. It is still possible to use modules of variable characteristics (surface of the slats, intervals, resistances, ...) with intervals constants between modules.
Ia lower batten 5 is mounted on the beam 7, from -te: lle so that the module is practically worn irremovable by the beam (except disassembly). The floor is rigid and without play: the porti.on of batten .17 applied SUI 'the beam is immobile whatever the applied forces on the upper slats, i.e. on the box spring.
This disposition is important because, without other dispositi.f complementary, it is that which provides general stability of the box spring when a force is applied ~ the end 4 one or more slats.
On the other hand, stability is ensured by the surface of lift of the base: the distance between the feet 11 will be preferably determined so that the area of lift corresponds to that of the box spring, especially darls the case of a single bed.

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2 ~ 46779 ~, As can be seen, the bed base se.l ~ n the invention is thus made up of a succession of 3 upper slats assembled two by two by independent modules 13, resting on a single beam 7, lower, than laquell.ei: ls are maintained. The upper slats are shown curved upwards but they can just as blen be straight, the flexibility of the connecting members allowing the movements of the ends of latkes in inward and outward. I. the modules are deformable by the flexibility of the upper slats and lower and this deformability ensures a clearance flexible vertical over the entire length of the module, i.e.
say y cornpris to ext.r ~ mités 4.
The box spring can have many variations of realization without departing from the scope of the invention. By example:
1- the module can include different numbers of both upper 3 and lower 5 slats, for example examples an upper slat; for a lower one, two for two, three for one or two, etc.
2- the upper slats include a device for stiffening consisting of a counter batten 18 disposed on their lower face, and held by two rings l9 sliding doors (figure 3). When the rings 19 are close to the center of the batten the contact of the counter batten on the batten extends over a small portion of surface: stiffness is low; when the hagues the contact of the counter batten is spread over: the batten extends over a large portion of surface: stiffening increases.

3- the variant of Figure 9 illustrates a device for stiffening of the support arms: the beam, which extends between : the two longitudinal ends 40,41 is of width 43 uneven; it is, for example in the form of a narrow diamond, consisting of four half-beams 44 assembled by welding Or other. The end 23 of the arms describes a straight edge .

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20 ~ 6779 45, parallel to axis 46 of: the polluter. The bra ~ have: then a .Longuellr bearing 47, and pa.r. ~ consequence a flexible ~ e var] ables, maxlmales at the point of the narrowest beam, minimum at the point of the widest beam. In example the flexibi.lité of the sommi.er decreases by the head 48 towards the center 49.

4- the lower support can consist of two arms separate rigid and indestructible 5 ', 5 ", pivotally mounted on the beam around a horizontal axis 50 (Figure 1 ~). A
spring 51 or any equivalent device is fitted between the beam 7 ~ or the base 8 ') and the arm for hold the arm against the slat and achieve flexibility of the assembly.

5- the beam can be composed of several parts rigid 12, 12 ′, articulated around axes hori ~ ontaux 2n (figure 6). One of the rigid parts is mounted on a support 9 constituting the base. This variant allows fold the bed, to make a convertible bed into a chair long,...

6- it is possible to plan on the la-t-te or the arms lower 5 a torsion bar 21, as shown in Figure 5. Indeed we have seen that according to the invention a force applied to the end of a module moves it to the bottom of a height H; simultaneously the opposite end moves slightly down a height h. He. East possible to force this opposite end to move of equivalent height H, to obtain a box spring constantly in horizontal balance by placing a bar 21 whose ends 22 are engaged with in the end pieces 16 of the connecting member; the bar is angled in a U shape, held but swivels freely on the beam in a sheath 32. When a satellite 14 is : moves down, the bar swivels and this twist transmits to the other end 4 which constrains lacli.-te end to move also down. On the figure the sheath is d.ispos ~ on the slat in: Lower, . ,, ~ 677 ~
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but it is planned to mount it on the beam which allows to have ~ longer levers.

7- is it possible to provide support arms or a lower slat 5 mo ~ ns long than the slat (s) 3. I) years this variant represented ~ la ~ l.yure

8 the ends 23 of. The lower batten rests on the lower surface 24 of: the lower slat. Said ends are mounted in a flexible tip 25, itself fixed on the upper batten, the flexibility of the end piece allowing the movements of the two slats during inflections. There are also plans to climb to the ends of the lower batten a ball joint, as previously, but the part receiving the slat (s) sup ~ rieure is made sliding by tOIlt means (stirrups, collars, etc.) on the upper slat (s). This variant also contributes to the control of the stiffening as long as the arms 5 can be long variable and therefore relatively flexible variable.
8- in the case of a double bed, it is consisting of two identical elementary bases, arranged in parallel in a known manner. Alternatively we still provides for the following provision: each includes a beam 7 but which can preferably be shifted towards ~ 5 the center of the bed relative to the axis of symmetry 2 of its respective box spring. In this case the arms 5 do not have the same dimension on either side of the pole. This arrangement allows to control the soup: Overall injury of the snmmier when two people are lying.

9- the invention also relates to box springs made not of slats 3 but of strips 26 of canvas or trellis as shown in Figure 7. In this variant the fixed structure comprises a rigid frame 27 resting on four feet 28 in the traditional way. ~ e box spring in this case has two beams 29, constituted by the two longitudinal ribs of the frame and connected by a pair of crosspieces 33. Each of the beams carries a :.:: ',:

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: 1 1 pluralit ~ of arms ~ 0 which extend from a single Cot ~ ?, the side outside. I, the arms 30 are flexible, they are rods, blades or the like. At their end ~ 3] we have hooks or equivalent on which the strips are mounted tense.
Of course these different variants are not restrictive and in particular can be omitted between them without departing from the scope of the invention.
Finally, the invention can be carried out with elements (k?
different surface with both slats and webs stretched, in particular by the employment-L ~ 'real elements ~ sés composite materials.

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Claims (9)

1- Slatted base of the kind made up of a succession of modules (13) each comprising a slat (3) carried by a lower support (5) mounted on a beam (7) longitudinal central rigid, and fixed relative to the soil characterized in that the lower support (5) and the upper slat (3) are linked by a connecting member (14) flexible to allow relative movements of elements (3,5) between them, and in that modules (13) are separated from each other so that their movements are independent. 2- bed base according to claim 1 characterized in that the module (13) has several upper slats (3) identical for a lower support (5). 3- bed base according to claim 2 characterized in that the link or satellite member (14) comprises a part rigid (16) undeformable, on which is mounted a tip (15) or ball joint, of rubber, intended to receive and slide the slat (s) (3), and under which is screwed the end (23) of the support (5). 4- bed base according to claim 3 characterized in that the span of the lower support (5) is smaller than that of the upper slat (s) (3) and the end piece the connecting member is through in the form of a passerby intended to receive and maintain the upper batten (3) while allowing the relative movement of the slat (3) on the support (5). 5- Box spring according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the lower support (5) is made up of opposite arms that extend laterally 6- Box spring according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the upper batten (3) is a canvas (26) or a wire mesh. 7- box spring according to claim 5 characterized in that the lower support consists of two rigid arms (5 ', 5 ") undeformable pivotally mounted on the beam around a horizontal axis (50), and each provided with a spring (51) or equivalent which raises the arms upwards. 8- bed base according to claim 5 characterized in that the beam (6) is of variable width (43), and the end (23) of the arms describes a straight edge so that the arms which extend on each of its sides have a variable length (47). 9- Box spring according to claim 5 characterized in that the beam (6) has two parallel elements (29) connected rigidly to each other by at least one crosspiece (33), each carrying a plurality of arms (5) extending from only side outward.