EP0151218B1 - Lying surface for furniture to lie on, preferably beds - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/CH84/00146 Sec. 371 Date May 30, 1985 Sec. 102(e) Date May 30, 1985 PCT Filed Sep. 14, 1984 PCT Pub. No. WO85/01425 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 11, 1985.A bed includes a support structure having longitudinally extending bearing beams on which a spring member rests. The spring member includes a plurality of side-by-side modules, each having upper and lower resilient, flexible strips held apart by a plurality of spacers. The spacers are offset from the bearing members so that the upper strip of each module hold the modules together to allow limited independent movement. A pad and a removable fabric cover is provided.

Description

The invention is in the field of seating and reclining furniture, in particular beds, and relates to a resilient surface according to the preamble of claim 1.

The state of the art in this area is unsatisfactory in several respects today. The main criteria for the quality of a bed, for example, are hygiene, orthopedics, handiness and biology. The criteria for optimal execution and the state of the art are divided into these criteria below.

Hygiene:

A good bed must be breathable, i.e. H. the removal of moisture released by human skin during sleep (approx. 2 - 5 dl per night) must not be hindered by layers impermeable to moisture. This means that the lying surface is penetrated by the waste materials and bacteria released together with the moisture during use. Especially after illnesses in bed or in the hospital and hotel sector (where different people use the same bed), there is a need to clean the breathable parts of the bed. This is only possible to a limited extent in the lying surface constructions used today, since the mostly very extensive mattresses cannot be cleaned at all or can only be cleaned with great effort. This leads, for example, to the necessity of placing moisture-impermeable layers on the mattress in the hospital area in order to prevent the penetration of pathogens. Thus the breathability of the mattress is stopped and the bed users have to lie on the moisture that forms, which is known to lead to so-called "bedsores", which lead to patients. In normal households, the mattresses are usually not cleaned during the entire period of use of several decades. In the hotel industry there is the same problem with the addition that the beds are used by a wide variety of people. So it is imperative to design a mattress so that it can be cleaned by the user himself using simple means,

Orthopedics:

A good lying surface must be designed in such a way that the human body is optimally supported in its normal sleeping position (prone, side or back position) and can thus remain in a relaxed rest. The requirements for the design of this lying surface depend on the weight, size, sleeping position and any anatomical peculiarities (especially the spine) of the people using the bed, and therefore cannot be easily standardized. Furthermore, subjective wishes of the user (harder-softer) have to be considered. The lying surface should therefore be adaptable to the individual user. This is possible today to a limited extent if the person concerned is able to afford an expensive one-off production of a tailor-made lying surface. Constructions in the price range often offer individual adjustment options, but they do not meet the requirements outlined above by far. Incidentally, they are designed almost exclusively for side and back sleepers, so it is simply ignored that a high percentage of people belong to the belly sleepers, whose lying surface should be designed very differently. It is therefore imperative to make these possibilities affordable for ordinary people with simple means.

A further criterion is the fact that many of the lying surfaces offered lose their elasticity and spring force and thus their initial shape after only a few years of use and that a "repair", i.e. H. Restoring the initial elasticity, shape and spring force is not possible or only with great effort. It is therefore imperative to create a construction in which the user himself can solve this problem caused by material deformation and fatigue with simple means.

Handiness:

A relatively large weight is inherent in all existing lying surfaces, which have at least an average lying quality. Especially with French beds, it is often impossible for housewives and the elderly to move the lying surfaces. So it is imperative to create a construction that is as light and easy to use as possible.

Biology:

An ever-growing group of people is of the opinion that due to influences on the body, all metals and synthetic materials should be banished from bed during the rest period. To date, the state of the art knows no construction in which this possibility is 100% possible while maintaining the orthopedic quality of the lying surface. So it is imperative to find a solution for this.

From FR-A-492 431 a reclining bed is known which has longitudinal bars attached to the bed frame in a bed frame, on which longitudinal bars acting as support bars are arranged essentially at right angles to transverse elements which consist of a lower and an upper lamella with one or two spacers in between consist. These transverse elements are slidably attached at their ends in the longitudinal direction and secured against falling out with a strip running above the longitudinal spars. This gives a very specific spring effect, but does not meet all of the requirements mentioned at the beginning.

The purpose of the invention is to create these various requirements for a lying surface in a simple, inexpensive manner by means of a type construction.

• Fig. 1a: Den Querschnitt durch einen Federkörper bestehend aus Auflageholmen, Lamellen, Distanzkörpern und Tuch.
• Fig. 1b: Den Längsschnitt durch einen Federkörper gem. Fig. 1a.
• Fig. 2: Den Querschnitt durch einen Federkörper gem. Fig. 1a. jedoch mit runden Distanzkörpern sowie zusätzlich Auflage und Einfasstuch.
• Fig. 3: Den Querschnitt durch zwei kombinierte Federkörpern gem. Fig. 1a bei welchen die Auflage und das Einfasstuch durchlaufend sind. Weiter zeigt der linke der beiden Federkörper als Variante ein zweilagig geführtes Tuch.
• Fig. 4: Den Längsschnitt durch einen Federkörper gem. Fig. 1 mit zusätzlich zwei Beispielen von möglichen, auf die Auflageholmen aufgesetzten Körpern zur Veränderung der Oberflächenform des Federkörpers.

This aim is achieved with the invention according to the characterizing part of patent claim 1. The invention is explained in detail with the aid of the drawings shown below. Show it:

• Fig. 1a: The cross section through a spring body consisting of support beams, lamellae, spacers and cloth.
• 1b: The longitudinal section through a spring body acc. Fig. 1a.
• Fig. 2: The cross section through a spring body acc. Fig. 1a. however with round spacers as well as additional support and edging cloth.
• Fig. 3: The cross section through two combined spring bodies acc. Fig. 1a in which the edition and the border cloth are continuous. Furthermore, the left of the two spring bodies shows a two-layer cloth as a variant.
• Fig. 4: The longitudinal section through a spring body acc. Fig. 1 with two additional examples of possible bodies placed on the support beams for changing the surface shape of the spring body.

• - Lamellenbiegefestigkeit (dicker - härter) und
• - Abstand zwischen Auflageholmen und

1 and 1 b show the structure of the basic element of the invention, the so-called spring body. The purpose of this basic element is to generate the same, controllable spring tension on every point of its surface. The fact that the spacers (3) lying between the flexible slats (2, 4) are offset from the support spars (1), means that the surface of the upper slat (4) can be pressed downwards everywhere. The spring tension generated depends on the two factors:

• - slat bending strength (thicker - harder) and
• - Distance between support bars and

Spacers (shorter = harder).

If the lamellae (2, 4) were made from one piece (a plate) in the direction of the support spars (longitudinal direction), the resulting bending in the transverse direction would result in stiffening and thus prevention of flexibility in the longitudinal direction. Since the latter flexibility is of the utmost importance, especially in beds for the anatomically correct support of the body, the basic element according to the invention must be divided in the longitudinal direction into individual segments which are designed as transverse elements (Fig. 1 b). This applies to both the lamellae (2,4) and the spacers (3). Cross elements between 6 and 15 cm wide have proven to be the most economical and anatomically correct subdivision.

• - Massivholz (einige Arten)
• - verleimtes Schichtholz (aus Fournieren)
• - Fiberglas oder Fiberglasbeschichtung
• - Kunststoffe (PVC, Acril etc.)
• - Federstahl.

It is also important to choose the right material for the slats. These have to be flexible, ie they have to bend under load, but when the load is removed they should immediately return to their original shape. If possible, they must maintain this property over a long period of time. If desired, the material must also be organic. Suitable materials have therefore proven to be:

• - solid wood (some types)
• - glued plywood (from Fourniere)
• - Fiberglass or fiberglass coating
• - plastics (PVC, Acril etc.)
• - spring steel.

The edges must always be designed so that the cloth (5) is not damaged.

So that the spring effect can occur at all, the spacers (3) must not be firmly connected to the slats (2, 4), such as by gluing or nailing. On the other hand, the whole body has to be held together and the individual parts have to be positioned correctly. This task is solved by a cloth (5) which holds the slats and spacers together and connects them to each other.

The cloth (5) is worked in such a way that it surrounds the (relatively short) spacers (3), preferably 8-10 cm in length, in areas (5b) and thus positions them. The hoses must be made so that the spacers have some play so that the flexibility of this "backbone" of the basic element is not hindered. The length of the spacer is matched to the width of the slats so that a lower and an upper slat are positioned above each spacer.

• - Das Einführen in die Schläuche ist einfacher und kann nicht falsch gemacht werden.
• - Der Auflagepunkt auf den Lamellen wird praktisch gleich null.
• - Es wird weniger Stoff benötigt.
• - In Massivholz hergestellt können sie rationeller hergestellt werden.

The design of the spacer bodies (3) can be rectangular or square in cross section (FIGS. 1 a and 3) or also round (FIG. 2). The solution with the round spacers has the following advantages:

• - The insertion into the hoses is easier and cannot be done wrong.
• - The point of contact on the slats is practically zero.
• - Less fabric is needed.
• - Made in solid wood, they can be produced more efficiently.

For this reason, the round shape is usually preferred. The diameter is preferably 4-6 cm.

The front side of the spacer must be designed so that it functions properly so that when the spring body is bent in the longitudinal direction (as shown in FIG. 4), there is no change in length of the element measured in the central axis. This means that the spacers may only touch at a point or on a line in the middle between the upper and lower slats. Otherwise, the downward or upward bend creates an extension of the central axis.

For the generation of the spring action, it is irrelevant whether the spacers (3) consist of solid or compressible material. For the selection of the material to be used, economic and possibly biological criteria will be decisive.

Suitable materials come e.g. B. Plastic hollow body or solid wood in question.

Next, the cloth (5) is laterally equipped at the bottom and top with pockets (5a) that hold and position the slats (2,4). These bags are advantageously worked so that the slats can be inserted and removed by bending. For example, with a lying surface width of 90 cm, the ideal pocket depth is approx. 3 cm.

The whole element is now a stable body that can be placed freely on the two support spars (1). It is positioned using the usual bed frame (head and foot section as well as bed shutters). It also has the advantage that it can be disassembled and reassembled by the layperson at any time without tools.

As a variant of the economical solution shown in FIG. 1a, where the cloth (5c) is only guided in one layer, the same can also be carried out in two layers, as the left spring body in FIG. 3 shows (5d, 5e). This firstly stiffens the spring body and secondly creates an air cushion between the lamellae.

There are two options for double sleeper beds. Either the element is extended by a support spar and a row of spacers (Fig. 1a, dashed), or two spring bodies or cross elements are used next to each other (Fig. 3). The second solution has the advantage that neither of the sleepers feel anything when the person next to the bed moves.

Fig. 2 shows in cross section the design of a lying surface, which corresponds in function to the conventional mattresses including slatted frames. On the spring body, which is based on two or three rigid support beams 1 that run in one direction, at least ten 90 ° transverse lower blades 2 made of flexible material, each with a width of 6 - 15 cm, but laterally offset to the support rails, but in the same way Direction three or four rows with at least ten spacers 3 each made of any material with a height of 3 - 8 cm and a length of 6 - 15 cm and finally again at least ten upper slats 4 made of flexible material running 90 ° across the slats has placed, the lamellae 2, 4 and the spacer 3 are held together by a cloth 5 in such a way that the lamellae are removably inserted in pockets 5a arranged on the side, the spacer body 3 is surrounded by a tube 5b and the cloth surface 5c between the upper ones and lower slats 2, 4 are arranged, one or more layers of soft-warm and breathable material 6 are placed which have the task of keeping the body warm, absorbing or transporting the moisture emitted by the body and ensuring that the edges of the upper slats (4) are not felt. Suitable materials are foam, lattex, horsehair, coconut fiber, wool, synthetic fibers, etc., individually or mixed together.

In order to hold the spring body together with the support (6) and to give it a familiar appearance in comparison with conventional mattresses, it is advantageous to use a spring cloth (7) of the type known today to provide the spring body and support even with two spring bodies in double sleeper beds To provide fitted sheets. If the side edges (7a) of this edging cloth are reinforced by stitching, a clean, cubic appearance is achieved.

FIG. 4 shows the further important possibility that results from the invention, namely the change in the surface shape of the lying surface that can be generated with the simplest means. Arbitrarily shaped bodies (8) can be placed at any position on the flat support rails (1) in the basic version. For example, the upper edge of the support spars is provided with a standardized row hole and the body (8) with matching dowels. This means that practically any surface shape can be created based on a series basic construction (the maximum bending radius of the spring body must of course be taken into account).

With the construction of the lying surface according to the invention, the quality requirements initially demanded of one Lying area can be met in a simple, inexpensive way. In detail:

Hygiene:

Since the lying surface can be dismantled by laymen in the simplest way and the necessary breathable pads are much thinner than with conventional constructions, the lying surface can be cleaned by the user himself with little effort. This creates the prerequisites for practicable hygiene.

Orthopedics:

Since only thin layers are required, the support effect of the spring body is fully transferred to the human body. Full support is guaranteed in any lying position, even in problematic areas such as the hip. The spring force, i.e. softness or hardness of the lying surface, can be changed by the user himself at any time by replacing the slats with thicker or thinner ones at any time.

The surface of the lying surface can also be brought into any shape in the longitudinal direction by placing the user under any body (for example, according to the doctor). Belly sleepers have the option of relieving the spine by lifting the lying area in the middle area and avoiding foot damage by lifting the lower leg area and kinking the ankles

If the resilient elasticity of the slats diminishes during use (due to a change in shape), the user can put them back intact by simply turning them. This is generally done when cleaning the body of the bed.

This creates the prerequisites for permanent, orthopedically correct lying.

Handiness:

Due to the simple, light and dismantled construction, the prerequisite for easy handling is also available for housewives and older people.

Biology:

! The lying surface according to the invention, since no compressible parts are required, can be made from solid wood, natural fiber material, horsehair and sheep's wool. It therefore contains neither a metal part nor any synthetic materials or ingredients (as are essential in every "natural" rubber). It therefore corresponds fully to anthroposophical principles.

The invention essentially includes a resilient surface, which is achieved in that a plurality of transverse elements, consisting of a lower and an upper lamella (2, 4) made of resiliently elastic material, and at least substantially at right angles on two or more support spars (1) two spacer bodies (3) offset to the support spars are positioned and that these transverse elements are held together by a cloth-like material (5), the pockets (5a) in which the slats (2, 4) are inserted, hoses (5b) in which the spacer bodies ( 3) are guided and have surfaces (5c) between the upper and lower slats (2, 4). Furthermore, a support (6) made of breathable material can be placed on the support spars and the cross elements and this support can be enclosed together with the cross elements by a border cloth (7).

Claims (13)

1. A resilient surface having two or more supporting struts and a plurality of transverse elements (10) which are disposed substantially at right angles to the supporting struts and comprise a bottom and top strip (2, 4) having spacing members (3) therebetween, characterized in that the spacing members (3) are disposed in the transverse elements (10) so offset in relation to the supporting struts (1) that one supporting strut (1) is borne between two spacing members (3), the transverse elements (10) being held together by a cloth-like material (5) which has pockets (5a) into which the strips (2,4) are inserted, tubes (5b) in which the spacing members (3) extend, and surfaces (5c) between the top and bottom strips (2,4).

2. A resilient surface according to claim 1, characterized in that on a base formed by two or, three rigid supporting struts extending in one direction, the following are laid one upon the other: at least ten bottom strips (2) of flexible material each having a width of 6 - 15 cm and extending at an angle of 90° to the supporting struts (1); then three or four rows each comprising at least ten spacing members (3) of any material having a height of 3 - 8 cm and a length of 6 - 15 cm and extending laterally offset in relation to the supporting struts but in the same direction; and finally at least ten top strips (4) of flexible material again extending at an angle of 90° in relation to the supporting struts; the strips (2, 4) and the spacing members (3) being so held together by a cloth (5) that the strips are inserted removably in laterally disposed pockets (5a), the spacing members (3) are enclosed by a tube (5b), and the cloth surfaces (5c) are disposed between the top and bottom strips (2,4).

3. A resilient surface according to claim 2, characterized in that a soft, breathing overlay (6) comprising one or more layers is laid on the strips (2, 4), the spacing members (3) and the cloth (5), and the strips, spacing members, cloth and overlay are enclosed by a removable cloth (7).

4. A resilient surface according to claim 3, characterized in that the removable cloth (7) is reinforced at the lateral edges (7a).

5. A resilient surface according to claim 3, characterized in that two resilient surfaces are disposed one beside the other, but the overlay (6) and the removable cloth (7) are drawn in one piece over the two resilient surfaces.

6. A resilient surface according to claim 2, characterized in that the strips (2,4) have a width of 7.5 - 9 cm.

7. A resilient surface according to claim 2, characterized in that the spacing members have a length of 8 10 cm.

8. A resilient surface according to claim 2, characterized in that the spacing members (3) are made of an incompressible material.

9. A resilient surface according to claim 2, characterized in that the spacing members (3) are round and have a diameter of 4 - 6 cm.

10. A resilient surface according to claim 2, characterized in that the cloth (5) extends in two layers (5d, 5e).

11. A resilient surface according to claim 2, characterized in that two supporting struts (1) and three rows of spacing members (3) are used.

12. A resilient surface according to claim 2, characterized in that the shape of the top edge of the supporting struts (1) can be changed as required by removable members (8).

13. Use in a bed of the resilient surface according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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