EP0378469A1 - Mattress support and process for producing the support - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a mattress support having fluidic suspension and the process for producing such a support. <??>The mattress support comprises a set of slats (3) whose ends are mounted in a fixed or removable way such that they bear on fluidic suspension means (2). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a bed base, in particular with a fluid suspension element and to the method of manufacturing such a bed base.

Water beds are known, the principle of which is to place a water mattress made of a material envelope on a rigid bed base, generally constituted by a frame whose bottom is closed by a wooden board. waterproof filled with water. This type of bed has the disadvantage of requiring a sufficient thickness of water to avoid pressing directly on the wooden support. Because of this thickness, this type of bed has a significant weight and also a significant thermal inertia.

To overcome this last drawback, a water heating system is sometimes added so as to avoid the user the inconvenience of a cold contact. In return, this bed has the advantage of distributing the pressure of the water evenly over the whole body. These beds are used for this benefit, especially in medicine.

Due to the direct contact of the waterproof envelope with the body of the user, there are also problems of condensation and lack of ventilation for the part of the user's body in contact with the waterproof envelope.

It is known from patent applications DE 3,232,123 and EP 0038155 a box spring comprising a set of slats, the ends of which are mounted to bear, in a fixed or removable manner, on fluid suspension means constituted on each longitudinal side of the frame the bed base of at least one flexible tank partially filled with a fluid, each tank being supported along a longitudinal side of the bed frame.

However, this kind of box spring also has the drawback of the oscillations caused by the movements of the sleeper, as in water beds.

A first object of the invention is to provide a bed base allowing a uniform distribution of the pressures exerted by the bed base on the body of the user while reducing the weight of the bed and improving the feelings of comfort (thermal and other ).

This first object is achieved by the fact that each longitudinal reservoir is divided into compartments and the compartments communicate with each other in series by a fluid flow orifice constituting a constriction to reduce the phenomena of oscillation.

According to another characteristic, the compartments are constituted by membranes arranged transversely to the axis of symmetry of the reservoir.

Another object of the invention is to propose a first embodiment of the bed frame with fluid suspension in which the slats are made integral with the shell of the tank.

This object is achieved by the fact that the tank has strips made integral with the shell of the tank by gluing or welding, these strips being intended to allow the mounting of the slats in a removable manner.

According to another characteristic, the trough intended to receive the tank consists of a U in sheet metal screwed on the side member of the frame.

Another object of the invention is to propose a second embodiment in which the slats rest on the fluid suspension.

This object is achieved by the fact that each slat has at each of its ends an element whose section is U-shaped and having a width between the branches of the U allowing to fit the chute.

A final object of the invention is to propose an embodiment of the bed base making it possible to easily obtain the parts by molding and thus to constitute a bed base whose manufacturing cost is low.

This object is achieved by the fact that each longitudinal side of the bed base frame is formed of a tube of molded material inside which the flexible tank is placed, said tube being provided with openings for passage of the support piston.

According to another characteristic, one of the longitudinal walls of the tube carries reinforcing means.

According to this embodiment, the piston consists of a flat face secured to a pusher element of rectangular section comprising at the end opposite the flat face, a head for fixing the slat elements.

According to this embodiment, the slat elements have on their upper face reinforcement grooves and on the lower face of latching lugs on the piston fixing head.

According to this embodiment, an elastic blade with folded edges to snap onto the piston head is placed under the plastic slat element to reinforce the latter.

• - la figure 1 représente une vue partielle en perspective d'une section d'un côté longitudinal du bâti constituant le cadre du sommier à lattes selon l'invention;
• - la figure 2 représente une vue de face en coupe transversale d'un sommier;
• - la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe selon l'axe de symétrie longitudinal d'un réservoir selon une variante de réalisation;
• - la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe transversale d'un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• - la figure 5 représente une vue de côté d'un élément de piston du deuxième mode de réalisation associé à un élément de latte.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description below made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 shows a partial perspective view of a section of a longitudinal side of the frame constituting the frame of the slatted base according to the invention;
• - Figure 2 shows a front view in cross section of a box spring;
• - Figure 3 shows a sectional view along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of a tank according to an alternative embodiment;
• - Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;
• - Figure 5 shows a side view of a piston element of the second embodiment associated with a slat element.

The bed base has a frame (for example made of wood) formed of two longitudinal members or longitudinal sides (1G, 1D) of which only the longitudinal member (1G) corresponding to the left side of the frame is shown in FIG. 1. Each end of these longitudinal members is integral transverse beams (4, 5) forming the head and respectively the foot of the box spring frame. On the spar (1G) is fixed a longitudinal part (10) with a cross-section in the form of a square so as to form with the spar a trough with a U-shaped section. In an alternative embodiment of the spar, the whole spar-part longitudinal (10) can be made in one piece. Another solution may also consist in using a U-shaped chute made of sheet metal and screwed by one of its sides to the spar (1G). In the chute of the left spar of the box spring frame is placed a tank (2) consisting of a longitudinal cylinder closed at its two ends. This cylinder is made of flexible material such as polyester canvas and may include two longitudinal folds (22, 23) facilitating the folding and storage of the reservoir. Each reservoir has a filling pipe (21) closed by a plug. Symmetrically with respect to the axis of symmetry (AB) of FIG. 1, there is a second straight spar (1D) forming a U-shaped trough and a second longitudinal tank on which the second ends of the slats (3). Each end of a slat (3) can be made integral with the upper face (24) of the tank by any suitable means. One embodiment of this joining can be constituted by strips (4) whose lateral tabs (40, 41) are made integral with the upper face (24) by welding or collage. These bands (4) can be made of the same flexible material as that of the reservoir or any other material allowing assembly with the latter. The material of the reservoir may advantageously consist of a polyester fabric or any other flexible, waterproof and non-elastic material.

Advantageously, the width of the strip (4) between the tongues (40, 41) is less than the width of the central part of the slat (3). In this way the slat (3) comes to bear by shoulders (30) against the sheath constituted by the strip (4), the tongues (40, 41) and the upper surface (24) of the tank. The end of the slats (3) obviously includes a part of reduced width corresponding to the width of the strip (4). The sheath thus formed on the surface (24) of the tank can be open at its ends or simply open at the end located opposite the inside of the frame of the bed base. The angled piece (10) comprises opposite locations where the slats and the strips for fixing the slats will be located on the reservoir of the notches (11). These notches (11) are provided on the vertical portion of the bracket (10) and can be, in an alternative embodiment, provided with a rubber or plastic lining (110) acting as a damping and protective element against wear. These linings make it easier to slide the slat (3) against the lateral edges of the notch while reducing the wear that the slat will thus undergo. At the same time, these linings reduce the friction and shock noises when the slat (3) comes to bear on the bottom of the notch or on the sides of the notch. The constitution of a bed is obtained by threading the end of each slat in the corresponding housings placed on each of the two tanks and then placing all the slats (3) and the two tanks (2) mounted at their ends in two chutes provided on either side of the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the bed. The bed can thus be delivered and the client can then fill, through the filling orifices (21), each of the two lateral tubes of the bed. The filling of the tanks being carried out partially, when the user lies down on the box spring provided with a mattress, the different parts of the body will cause more or less significant movements of the slats. These movements of the slats will cause a displacement of the mass of fluid so as to balance the pressures inside each tank. Thus the pressure inside the left tank will be identical everywhere, likewise the pressure inside the right tank will be identical. This makes it possible to maintain the body with a pressure evenly distributed at the location of the slats. It is therefore understandable that a bed base has thus been formed which has the advantages of water beds without having the disadvantage of the weight of the latter. Furthermore such a box spring, by the presence of slats allows better ventilation of the mattress and therefore of the body and also eliminates the thermal problems associated with water mattresses.

FIG. 2 shows two other possible alternative embodiments. In this Figure 2 there is shown the left spar (1G) and the right spar (1D) both constituted by a longitudinal piece with a cross section in the form of a square. The variant associated with the left side member consists of a slat (3), the end of which comprises a U-shaped element constituted by a central part (32) and two lateral branches (31, 30) spaced apart by a distance allowing the trunking formed by the beam (1G) to be fitted. The spar (1G) has at regular intervals corresponding to the distance separating two slats from the notches (12) in the vertical branch of the bracket. The tank (2) for its part rests on the chute (1G) in the form of a square. In this embodiment, the branch (30) allows both maintenance of the flexible tank during movement of the batten (3). The notches (12) allow the guidance of the slats in their movements. Optionally in this variant the spar (1G) could have a U-shaped section with notches arranged at the locations of the tongues (30) of the slats to allow them to slide.

The right part of FIG. 2, associated with the right spar (1D) represents another embodiment in which the U-shaped end of the batten comprises two branches (30, 31) spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the dimension of the horizontal branch of the square (1D). The bracket (1D) is provided at regular intervals with openings or notches (13) which allow the passage of the branches (31) of each of the ends of the slats. In this variant, the branches (30, 31) hold the reservoir (2) associated with the right longitudinal post (1D) of the bed in place.

In another variant corresponding to the left-hand side of FIG. 2, it is possible to delete the branch (31). In this case the slat (3) which is simply placed in support is guided in the notch (12) for its vertical displacements and the transverse displacements are prevented by the tongue (30) which comes to press on the end of the horizontal branch of the square (1G).

It is quite obvious that for each variant of embodiment shown respectively on the left amount and on the right amount, the associated opposite amount, respectively right and left, will include the same type of embodiment. Similarly in each of the variants of Figure 2 the slats (3) rest simply by their ends on the tanks (2).

FIG. 3 represents a preferred embodiment variant of the box spring in which a longitudinal upright (1) is shown in section longitudinal and has at its ends the transverse uprights (4) and (5) also shown in section and constituting respectively the head and the foot of the bed. In this variant, the reservoir associated with a longitudinal upright may consist of two or more elements. Thus in Figure 3 there is shown two elements (2A, 2B) forming two independent tanks associated with a longitudinal upright. In this case the opposite longitudinal upright also includes two independent tanks. As shown in this figure, each reservoir (2A, 2B) may consist of a set of compartments (26) connected together in series by throttles (25) making it possible to slow the flow of fluid from a compartment to a another so as to limit the effects of oscillation and fluctuation consecutive to sudden movements of the user. Furthermore, the use of several tanks along a longitudinal upright allows different fillings of each of the tanks to vary the pressure between two or more zones of the body of the user.

4 shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a tubular longitudinal element (10) consisting of a tube of rectangular section and of length corresponding to the length of the longitudinal sides of the bed base.

Along the external longitudinal face of this tubular element (10) are obtained in the same process of manufacturing reinforcing means constituted by hollow tubular elements (100, 101, 102) integral with the external longitudinal face (103) of the tube (10). These tubular elements (100, 101, 103) constitute in this embodiment the longitudinal upright of the frame of the bed base.

The internal longitudinal face (104) of the tube (10) comprises fixing means (105) which allow crosspieces (5) to constitute the transverse uprights of the frame of the bed base. The tube (10) has on its face upper facing the slats of the bed base one or more openings (106) of suitable shape allowing the passage of a piston (41) at one end of which is fixed the slat (3) and at the other end of which is fixed a surface d 'support (42) which presses on the reservoir (2) containing the suspension fluid.

A preferred embodiment of the piston and the batten is shown in FIG. 5.

The piston (41) consists of a tubular element of rectangular section and of length corresponding to the dimension of the opening (106). The side walls of the piston (41) are reinforced by diagonal crosspieces (411). At the end opposite to that secured to the face (42) for supporting the piston on the reservoir (2) grooves (410) are formed to constitute a fixing head for the slat element (3). The slat element (3) consists of a central blade (30), the upper face of which is reinforced by grooves (31) and the lower face includes lugs (32, 33) which snap into the grooves ( 410) of the piston head.

Advantageously, an elastic blade (6) can be placed inside the pins (32, 33), the folded edges (62, 63) snap into the groove (410). These folded edges (62, 63) also contribute to improving the rigidity and the flexural strength of the elastic blade (6) which thus contributes to the rigidity of the batten by being fixed by each of its ends to the piston heads arranged at on both sides on the left lateral upright and on the right lateral upright of the bed base.

The elements described in FIGS. 4 and 5 have shapes which are particularly suitable for allowing manufacture by molding or extrusion from plastic material such as for example PVC. It is thus understood that this embodiment makes it possible to constitute in a way inexpensive a bed operating according to the principle of the invention and used with tanks with or without oscillation reduction compartments.

Other modifications within the reach of the skilled person are also part of the spirit of the invention.

Claims (17)

1) Bed base comprising a set of slats (3) characterized in that the ends of the slats are mounted to bear in a fixed or removable manner on fluid suspension means (2). 2) Box spring according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid suspension means consist of each longitudinal side of the bed frame, at least one flexible tank (2) partially filled with a fluid, this tank being supported along a longitudinal side (1G, 1D) of the bed base frame. 3) Bed base according to claim 2 characterized in that each longitudinal side (1G, 1D) of the bed base has notches (11, 12) perpendicular to the location of each slat (3). 4) Bed base according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the longitudinal side of the frame has the shape of a chute. 5) Bed base according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each slat (3) has at each of its ends an element (30, 31, 32) whose section is U-shaped and having a width between the branches U to fit the chute (1G, 1D) or the tank (2). 6) Bed base according to claim 2, characterized in that each longitudinal tank is divided into compartments (26). 7) Bed base according to claim 6, characterized in that the compartments communicate with each other by a flow orifice (25) of the fluid constituting a constriction to reduce the phenomena of oscillation. 8) Bed base according to claim 7, characterized in that the flow orifices are arranged in membranes placed transversely to the axis of symmetry of the tank. 9) Bed base according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the tank comprises strips (4) made integral with the envelope (2) by gluing or welding, and intended to removably mount the slats (3). 10) Bed base according to claim 4, characterized in that the chute (1G or 1D) intended to accommodate the tank (2) consists of a sheet metal U screwed on the spar (1G, 1D) of the frame. 11) Bed base according to claim 2, characterized in that each longitudinal side of the bed base frame is formed by a tube (10) of molded or extruded material inside which is placed the flexible tank (2), said tube being provided with openings (106) for passage of the support piston (41, 42). 12) Bed base according to claim 11, characterized in that one of the longitudinal walls of the tube comprises reinforcing means (100, 101,102). 13) Bed base according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the piston consists of a flat face (42) secured to a pusher element of rectangular section comprising at the opposite end of the flat face a fixing head ( 40) slat elements. 14) Bed base according to claim 13, characterized in that the longitudinal sides, the pistons and the slat elements are made of plastic material. 15) Bed base according to claim 14 characterized in that the slat elements (3) have on their upper face grooves (31) for reinforcement and on the lower face of the lugs (32, 33) of snap-fastening on the fixing head piston. 16) Bed base according to claim 15 characterized in that an elastic blade (6) with edges folded down (62, 63) to snap onto the head is placed under the plastic slat element (3) to reinforce the latter. 17) Method for manufacturing a slatted bed base with fluid suspension, characterized in that it consists of:
- To manufacture a bed frame provided on each longitudinal side with means intended to receive a fluid reservoir and means intended to allow the vertical displacement of the slats;
- to manufacture two independent fluid reservoirs;
- To support the slats on each of the fluid reservoirs arranged on each side in the means intended to accommodate these reservoirs, the slats being disposed at the locations corresponding to the means intended to allow their vertical displacement.

Images