EP0270582A1

EP0270582A1 - Element for reclining or sitting.

Info

Publication number: EP0270582A1
Application number: EP87903306A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hermann Huemer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: HUEMER Hermann
Priority date: 1986-05-22
Filing date: 1987-05-16
Publication date: 1988-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-16
Also published as: ATA137286A; US4837878A; AT385647B; ATE52174T1; WO1987007125A1; JPS63503287A; EP0270582B1

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP87/00260 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 20, 1988 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 20, 1988 PCT Filed May 16, 1987 PCT Pub. No. WO87/07125 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 3, 1987.A reclining member includes a carrier frame with longitudinal support parts (1,2) at the sides and a reclining surface which is at least partially yielding in a springy or elastic manner. Straps (3,4) extending consecutively are fastened at the side longitudinal support parts (1,2) of the carrier frames transversely to their longitudinal direction. The straps (3) are fabricated of non-extensible material at least in their longitudinal direction, while the straps (4) are elastically extensible in the same direction. The non-extensible straps (3) are constructed so as to be of differing lengths for adapting the reclining surface to the body portion of a reclining person, so that supports at different levels in the regions A to J of a reclining person are present (FIG. 2) which are required for an optimum reclining position.

Description

_* • Lying or sitting element

The invention relates to a reclining or seating element, consisting of a support frame and an at least partially resilient or elastically resilient reclining or seating surface, bands, 5 belts, ropes or the like running on lateral longitudinal support parts of the support frame transversely to the longitudinal direction thereof. are attached sequentially.

Lying or sitting elements are known, which, made of a wide variety of materials, appear extremely shapely in some cases and are very adaptable when used for trial purposes, but which in the long term have severe defects. For example, the flat, soft surface of

10 predestined to absorb the body softly in any position and thus to make you fall asleep or rest in any position with a supposedly comforting feeling. Complaints from deformed or displaced intervertebral discs that press on the nerve tissue are a common cause of back problems. They occur mostly in older people

15, in which the intervertebral disc tissue has lost the fluid content and thus the resistance due to daily stress. The high pressures that put pressure on the spine are usually poorly reduced.

If one analyzes the lying on one's back in the case of conventional lying elements on the body, one comes to the knowledge, starting with the feet, that the calf leg is particularly stressful on the calves so that the blood circulation is disturbed. The thigh is also compressed on the lower side by its own weight. Since anatomically the two muscles are much deeper than the hollow of the knee, these relatively r ^"* 25 will be hollow, which causes in the long run again a loading of the bands. Is mounted relatively well the lumbar region, but just the loin of the smoothest part A healthy spine shows a slightly curved S in side view, whereby it turns out with conventional lying elements that Depending on the weight, the spine is more or less stored in the lumbar region or in the shoulder region. Since the lungs perform a kind of pumping process in the middle area of the spine (abdominal-chest area) during breathing, the main part of the resulting forces including the mass parts are transferred to the middle part of the intervertebral disc. After the reclining elements used so far can be pushed through more or less easily at all points, the spine is pressed down a little with each pumping operation of the lungs until it ultimately forms a hump. The shoulder blade part is practically a resting part, but, since the shoulder blades are raised, is pushed upwards by the weight that rests on it. This results in tension in the shoulder blade band. The cervical vertebrae are not supported on the known bed elements. The head is rarely centered on the trunk, so that there are curvatures of the cervical vertebra.

Lying in a side position on conventional reclining elements requires the spine to bend sideways due to the pumping process of the lungs. The armpit area or the shoulder blades tighten, which leads to a twisting of the spine. There is no support for the cervical vertebrae even in a lateral position. With a side position, the head can only be brought into a relative plane to the body by means of a pillow.

It is already known (US-A-27 88 531) on lateral longitudinal support parts of the support frame of a mattress extending transversely to the longitudinal direction thereof

Bands, belts, ropes or the like. to attach successively. In this known embodiment, all straps are designed to be resilient, but a possibility has been created that not all straps can stretch to the same extent. This is accomplished in that the belts in the fastening area of the longitudinal parts are made of elastic material, whereas the belt sections arranged between these end parts are made of non-elastic material and have different lengths. When the mattress is not under load, all the straps are tensioned in the horizontal direction, with a different length of spring travel being possible under load for individual straps. Each belt can still be extended elastically even when loaded. The present invention has therefore set itself the task of creating a reclining or seating element that allows for easy storage and regeneration of the body over a long period of time, for example during the night, with simple and inexpensive for construction.

5 According to the invention this is achieved in that at least some of the straps, belts, ropes or the like. are made of at least in the longitudinal direction of non-stretchable material, the non-stretchable straps, belts, ropes or the like. To adapt to the body parts of a person lying or sitting, they are of different lengths or are attached to the longitudinal supporting parts of the supporting frame at different heights or are held on the longitudinal supporting parts in an adjustable manner.

By means of these measures according to the invention it is achieved that permanently coordinated straps, belts, ropes or the like. are present, which are adapted to the anatomical shape of the human body. Since these tapes or the like. With

15 are firmly connected to the side longitudinal support parts, due to the round body of the fuselage, a lying or sitting on the lying or sitting element is forcibly set centrally of the longitudinal axis. The body is thus centered in the middle of the element according to its mass parts. So practically a firm base is created,

20 which adapts accordingly to the successive parts of the body. It is therefore very important that an adaptation to the successive parts of the body takes place and not an adaptation to the weight of the user, as is the case with the known embodiment.

As a result of the constant movement of the trunk by pumping the lungs 25, this construction prevents vertical bending of the spine, the pressure which is inevitably shifted now has an extremely favorable effect, namely in a natural stretching process on the spine.

It is practically created as a firm base that adapts to the successive parts of the body. A particular advantage is that the measures according to the invention can be used regardless of the weight of the user, that is, neither value on soft or hard lying or seating elements. Experiments have shown that the body becomes about 1 to 2 cm longer over a sleeping unit of about 6 to 7 hours, which results in better blood circulation.

Intervertebral discs absorb fluid again when they are relieved, namely by pulling the spine apart. Therefore, stretching and pulling devices to relieve the spine have already become known. However, these devices are very complex and, in addition, it is necessary that the person to be treated is belted under the action of high tensile forces or that his position is maintained exactly, which is uncomfortable for people stretched on these known conditions.

The construction according to the invention relieves the pressure on the intervertebral discs practically during normal lying.

Further features according to the invention and special advantages are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a lying element, shown partially cut away. Figure 2 is a side view of a couch with inserted couch element. 3 shows a section along the line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 and 5 sections of the same type as Figure 3, but with the bed element is loaded by a person. 6 and 7 two Ausführungsbei ^' games for the attachment of the tapes,

Belts, ropes, or the like. on the side longitudinal members; 8 shows a partial oblique view of a further exemplary embodiment of a lying element;

Fig. 9 and 10 sections along the line X-X in Fig. 8 with two different variants for fastening and for tensioning the straps, straps, ropes or the like .; Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a lying element in an oblique view with a special design of the longitudinal support parts.

The lying element shown essentially consists of a support frame which consists of at least two lateral longitudinal support parts 1 and 2 is formed, as well as transversely to the longitudinal direction of the same extending straps 3 and 4. These straps 3, 4 are successively arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lying element extending transversely to the longitudinal support parts 1, 2, at least some of these straps not comprising at least in their longitudinal direction stretchable material are made. In the embodiment shown, the straps 3 provided with cross hatching are made of non-stretchable material and the straps 4 provided with longitudinal stripes are made of an elastically stretchable material. Instead of straps 3, 4, tapes of other types, ropes or the like can also be used within the scope of the invention. be used. It would also be conceivable not to stretch

To provide straps 3 and the elastically stretchable straps 4 by any longitudinal spring elements or other straps, ropes, or the like. to replace. The straps, belts, ropes or the like. can be made from both biological material and synthetic material. When using biological materials, for example natural fibers, the straps, belts, ropes or the like also react. with the body or room climate. With small tolerances, biological materials are automatically adjusted to specific body shapes.

The elastically stretchable straps 4 bring about a certain degree of suspension of the lying element, whereas the non-stretchable straps 3 form a bearing which is matched to the shape of the body of the lying person. It can be seen in particular from FIG. 2 that the straps 3 are of different lengths to adapt to the body parts of a person lying down.

It is thus ensured that the fibula is not stressed, that the thigh is not compressed, and that it can be properly supported in the area of the hollow of the knee. The lumbar region of the patient is also optimally supported and, furthermore, it is to be regarded as particularly essential that good support of the spine is achieved, so that the intervertebral disc region is not additionally stressed during sleep or a rest, but on the contrary, a natural stretching process takes place .

It has been shown that an approximate adaptation to different body sizes is already possible, since the body proportions are largely in the case of people of different sizes each have similar relationships.

The body needs a certain amount of stress to be able to regenerate itself. With a corresponding lack of movement, there are the known intervertebral discs or other complaints. For professional reasons, many have a lack of concentrated movement, a possible compensatory therapy is ignored or insufficiently carried out. All that remains is physical relaxation while sleeping, i.e. lying down. A straight spine can correct a great deal of itself through preferred moisturizing and blood circulation. Most people definitely want to lie soft and comfortable. The body is forced into all possible and impossible forms. It hardly matters that the head is somehow in a soft cushion. The neck is buckled by the pillow, the blood circulation is impaired and the very delicate cervical vertebrae remain unsupported. You can fall asleep anyway, but what happens afterwards is of little interest to most people. But sleep is of crucial importance for health, because it is not only the comfort of the bed that counts, but also the practicality of the bed.

The proposed construction optimally supports a person lying down, the essential support points, designated by the letters A to 3 in FIG. 2, being explained in more detail below. In area A, the heels can be optimally supported on an elastic belt. In area B the throat is supported by an inextensible belt. The area C supports the lower leg between the sections B and D formed from non-stretchable bands, so that there is no significant load on the calves lying between them. This can help prevent calf and foot cramps. In area D, the back of the knee is optimally supported by a non-stretchable belt. In the region E of the thigh there is also an optimal support and thus an optimal blood circulation through partially non-stretchable straps, whereby an adjustment of the length of the non-stretchable straps appears appropriate to adapt to the exact body shape. In area F of the loin there is an effective relief through the vertebral column bridge in area G. In area H, the shoulder blades are supported on several successive, elastically stretchable belts. There is no longer any tension in the muscles, and this arrangement is also advantageous for holding the shoulders in a lateral position. Proper support and thus relaxation of the cervical vertebrae take place in area I (cervical spine bridge). The area J takes up the head of the person lying down, whereby the elastic, stretchable straps make it possible to optimally position the head without an additional pillow.

In the supine position, a central lying in the median longitudinal plane of the lying element is possible. Through a support mat on the bed element, e.g. consisting of a foam and at the same time sheep's wool cover, brings a comfortable lying feeling with it.

In the lateral position, the construction also has a positive effect, since the head can also be constantly supported without a pillow. The spinal bridge in area G relaxes the lateral muscles in this position.

If the patient lies prone, the spine bridge in area B in turn provides soothing relaxation.

The four shortest ^' , non-stretchable straps in areas B, D, G and I determine the position of the body in relation to the horizontal plane. The straps in between can be adapted to any body shape. Depending on the change in the height of the spine bridge in area G, the pressure or tension of the longitudinal axis to the spine also behaves. It is quite normal for the spine to be relaxed by about 3 to 4 cm (measured lying down) after a few weeks of using such a lying element. The cervical spine bridge in area I also works on this principle. The straps themselves, based on the hanging principle, aim to hold the body in the middle. As a result, the spine is also straightened during the stretching process. From the sectional drawings of FIGS. 4 and 5 it can be seen how the individual straps 3 and 4 extend when using the lying element, the non-stretchable straps 3 being tensioned accordingly and the elastically stretchable straps 4 in the manner of a suspension on the body of the Support lying people.

It is usually sufficient if alternately successively non-stretchable straps 3 and elastically stretchable straps 4 are provided. In order to influence lying on the side just as favorably, e.g. two or more elastically stretchable straps 4 are arranged one behind the other at the level of the armpit of the person lying down, in which case a number of non-stretchable straps 3 may then be provided in succession in the region of the lying head, so that a horizontal line is formed from the head to the feet.

It can also be seen from the drawing that an elastically stretchable longitudinal belt 5 can be arranged between the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 and parallel to the latter. This longitudinal belt 5 is preferably connected to all the belts 3, 4 running transversely thereto at the crossing points. This longitudinal belt should not only trace the silhouette of the body, but should hold the belts 3, 4 running transversely to it in their position.

The resilient effect of the resilient belts 4 is not of particular importance, since these elastically stretchable belts 4 are primarily intended to contribute to keeping a mattress or a cover in place when not in use. To form a complete bed, the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 together with the belts 3, 4 can be covered by a support mat 6. This ensures a practically stepless transition between the individual belts 3, 4, so that the lying element can be optimally adapted to the body parts of the lying person. An advantageous embodiment of this support mat is present if it is tubular, so that the structure consisting of longitudinal support parts 1, 2 and the belts 3, 4 is enclosed on all sides by the support mat 6. From the section according to FIG. 3 it can be seen that the entire lying element 7 appears as a flat body when not in use, the upper side of the mattress also being held in one plane, for example by the longitudinal belt 5 and the elastically stretchable belts 4. The non-stretchable straps 3 sag more or less depending on their length when there is no load between the longitudinal side members 1 and 2.

From Fig. 6 it can be seen that the ends of the belts 3, 4 can be connected directly to the longitudinal support parts 1 and 2, respectively. The connection can be done in different ways, e.g. by rivets or the like.

As can be seen from FIG. 7, there is also another possibility of arranging the belts 3, 4. In this version, the straps 3,

4 designed as endless loops and encompass both longitudinal support parts 1, - 2.

Within the scope of the invention it would also be conceivable to provide adjustment options for the non-stretchable straps 3, so that under certain circumstances a subsequent adjustment to certain body proportions would be possible. Such an adjustment option is possible in various design variants, as can be seen, for example, from the explanations relating to FIGS. 8 to 10.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 to 10, the lying element 7 is also formed by two longitudinal support parts 1 and 2, which are plate-like, and the belts 3, 4. To form a support frame, 1 and 2 are between the ends of the longitudinal support parts Cross support parts 10 inserted. Running parallel to the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 and at a short distance from the inside thereof are strips 11, profiled rails or the like. firmly mounted, the ends of the straps 3, 4 being guided downward between the inside of the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 and the strips 11 and firmly engaging a profile piece 12 with their free end. Such a construction makes it possible to make all the non-stretchable straps 3 of the same length, with this construction providing a possibility of tensioning depending on the required length of the straps 3. The free ends of the belts 3 are expediently fastened to the profile pieces 12 in that the ends loop around the profile pieces 12 in an eyelet shape. A separate profile piece 12 is provided for each free end of the straps 3. This is because these straps 3 must be individually adjustable in length. An advantageous embodiment is that the one end of the straps 3 is fixedly arranged on the one support part 1 or 2 or else on the corresponding bar 11 and the profile piece 12 is provided only at one end, in order thereby to make it possible to tension it to form as needed.

The tensioning can take place by the application of force to the profile piece 12 provided at the free ends of the straps 3, there being several design variants for this purpose. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a wedge body 13 is inserted between the inside of a longitudinal support part and the profile piece 12 attached to the free end of a belt 3, which wedge is driven more or less far in the direction of arrow 14 as required. The profile piece 12 thereby moves in the direction of arrow 14, so that the belt 3 is tensioned more when the wedge body 13 is driven in further.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 10, a threaded spindle 15 acting on the respective profile piece 12 is provided for each profile piece 12 and thus for each belt 3, this threaded spindle 15 carrying, for example, a screw head 16 on the outside of the longitudinal support part 1. A support body 17 is provided on the side of the profile piece 12 facing the threaded spindle 15, so that when the threaded spindle 15 is screwed in more or less far, the profile piece 12 and thus the corresponding end of the belt 3 is moved in the direction of the arrow 14. This in turn results in a more or less strong tensioning of each individual belt 3.

Another embodiment variant - not shown - is that at least one end of a belt 3 is placed on a profile piece 12 and can be wound further onto this profile piece 12 by turning the profile piece. Tensioning or re-tensioning of the belts 3 is also possible in such a manner as required. Such However, variant is structurally more complex than the variant already shown on the basis of the sections of FIGS. 9 and 10.

In the construction according to FIGS. 8 to 10, the strip 11 or a corresponding profile rail or the like is expediently. connected several times over its length to the longitudinal support parts 1, 2. This is necessary because otherwise the entire load from the straps 3, 4 would rest on the strips 11 when the lying element was used.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 11, the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 of the support frame have at their upper or lower longitudinal edges 18 a contour corresponding to the successive body parts of a person lying down. As a result, straps 3 of the same length, which cannot be stretched, and also elastically stretchable straps 4 of equal length, can be fastened in succession over the length of the longitudinal support parts 1, 2. The arrangement of the straps 3, 4 already results in the lying surface contour adapted to the body shape. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the longitudinal support part 2 shown is designed as a plate-shaped part. Within the scope of the invention, however, it would also be possible to design the longitudinal support parts as tubular or profile parts, as in the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 7, these then having a curve corresponding to the successive body parts of a person lying down. Such an arrangement would also be usable for the manufacture of seating furniture (pure seating furniture, TV seating and reclining armchairs). In the above description, there was always talk of a bed element. Such a lying element can not only serve as a replacement for the known spring element mattresses and the upholstered mattresses, but also e.g. for hospital beds and couches, for therapeutic seating and reclining elements, for armchairs, vehicle seats, reclining seats etc.

By means of simple constructive measures, the present invention created a mattress which enables the user to lie down optimally in a health-promoting manner.

Claims

Patent claims

1. reclining or seating element, consisting of a support frame and an at least partially resilient or elastically resilient reclining or seating surface, tapes, belts, ropes or the like running on lateral longitudinal support parts of the support frame transversely to the longitudinal direction thereof. Ropes are attached sequentially, characterized in that wenig¬ least a part of the bands, ^'belts (3,4), or the like. are made of at least in the longitudinal direction of non-stretchable material, the non-stretchable bands, straps (3), ropes or the like. To adapt to the body parts of a person lying or sitting, they are of different lengths or are attached at different heights to the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) of the support frame or are adjustable on the longitudinal support parts (1, 2).

2. lying or seating element according to claim 1, characterized in that alternately successively non-stretchable straps, belts, ropes or the like. and elastically stretchable straps, belts, ropes or the like. are provided.

3. lying or seating element according to claim 1, characterized in that in selected zones based on the length of the lying or Sitzεlementes (7) two or more non-stretchable straps, belts, ropes or the like. or elastically stretchable straps, belts, ropes or the like. are arranged immediately following one another.

4. Lying or seating element according to claims 1 to 3, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) of the support frame at their upper and lower longitudinal edges (18) have a contour corresponding to the successive body parts of a lying person and over the length of the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) of the same length, non-stretchable straps, belts (3), ropes or the like. and elastic straps, belts (4), ropes or the like of the same length. are attached sequentially.

5. lying or seating element according to claim 4, characterized in that the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) are designed as tubular or profile parts with the consecutive body parts of a lying person according to the curved course.

6. lying or seating element according to claims 1 to 3, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that a bar (11), rail or the like in each case parallel and with a small distance to the inside of the longitudinal support members (1, 2). is firmly mounted, the ends of the straps, straps (3, 4), ropes or the like. between the inside of the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) and the associated strip (11), profile rail or the like. led downwards and firmly engage with its free end on a profile piece (12).

7. lying or seating element according to claim 6, characterized in that the free ends of the straps, belts (3, 4), ropes or the like. loop the profile pieces (12) in an eyelet shape.

8. lying or seat element according to claims 6 and 7, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the straps, belts (3,4), ropes or the like. by force acting on the free ends of the straps, belts (3, 4), ropes or the like. arranged profile piece (12) can be tensioned.

9. lying or seating element according to claims 6 to 8, characterized in that only at one end of the straps, straps (3,4), ropes or the like. a profile piece (12) engages and the other end on the longitudinal support part (1, 2) of the support frame or on the strip (11), profile rail or the like running parallel thereto. is attached.

10. lying or seat element according to claims 6 to 9, characterized in that between the inside of the longitudinal support members (1, 2) and the like at the end of the straps, belts (3,4), ropes or the like. used profile piece (12) a wedge body (13) can be inserted or knocked in.

11. lying or seating element according to claims 6 to 9, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that for each profile piece (12) and thus for each band, each belt, each rope or the like. one on the respective profile piece (12) acting threaded spindle (15) is provided.

12. lying or seating element according to claims 6 to 9, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the ends of the straps, straps (3, 4), ropes or the like. are held on the profile piece (12) and unwound.

13. lying or seating element according to claim 6, characterized in that the strips (11), rails or the like. are connected several times over their length to the longitudinal support parts (1, 2).

14. lying or seating element according to claims 1 to 3, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the straps, belts (3, 4), ropes or the like. are designed as endless loops and include the two longitudinal support parts (1, 2).

15. lying or seating element according to claims 1 to 13, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the longitudinal support members (1, 2) or the like together with the bands, belts (3,4), ropes. are covered by a support mat (6).

16. lying or sitting element according to claim 15, characterized in that the support mat (6) is tubular and made of longitudinal support parts (1, 2) and bands, belts (3, 4), ropes or the like. existing structure is enclosed on all sides by the support mat (6).