EP0704182A1 - Bed - Google Patents

Abstract

A lying system is described with a commercially available support device (2) for a mattress (3) loosely placed on it, in which the hollow body elements (4) have a wall with little stretch and a longitudinal extension (HL) which is less than the length (LSL) of the Lying systems releasably placed on the support device (2) are at least below the lying area of the user's back, side by side in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction of the system, with no contact with one another in the area of their long sides. Insofar as it is necessary for a support height compensation, additional support elements (5, 6) in the form of plates made of elastic material are placed on areas of the support surface of the support device (2) which are not covered by hollow body elements (4). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a reclining system with a support device for a mattress placed loosely thereon, in which support elements in the form of fluid-containing hollow body elements, the wall of which is deformable, are arranged between the support device and the mattress at least in partial areas of the support surface of the support device, and in which Adjacent hollow body elements have a distance from one another.

The patent DE 34 34 641 C1 describes a support device for a mattress as compared to the patent DE 32 46 2212 C2 improved slatted frame, in which air tubes are used on the top parallel to some of the existing spring slats. The purpose of combining some of the spring slats of the slatted frame with air hoses is to improve the support of a person resting on the mattress - referred to as user in the following text - compared to using a slatted frame without additionally arranging air hoses and thereby dispensing with elaborate mechanical adjustment devices can.

The disadvantage of this known reclining system is that the use of the deformable hollow body elements filled with fluid, which in principle are suitable for significantly improving the body support of the user, is limited to specially designed slatted frames and cannot be used for reclining systems with normal inexpensive slatted frames or Support devices of other types. When supporting larger parts of the body, e.g. B. the back and buttocks or the entire body of the user, by means of air-filled hoses that are combined with individual spring slats, a considerable amount of provision must be accepted. However, there is still no possibility of fine-tuning of the body support by the user himself by means of simple measures in relation to individual wishes or requirements.

The published patent application DE 43 02 778 A1 describes a reclining system, which is referred to there as a reclining surface, in which the arrangement of a plurality of hoses filled with a variable amount of air, which are placed in the longitudinal direction of the reclining surface, is provided in a cavity formed by two slatted frames cover approximately 60% of the length of the bed surface in the middle. In the same cavity there is also an air reservoir in the foot area. Above the two slatted frames and a layer of elastic material, a hose filled with a variable amount of air is arranged transversely to the lying surface below the cervical vertebrae and the pelvic region of the user, on which a further layer of elastic material is placed, if necessary detachable from the lower area. With the help of the air reservoir, associated connecting lines and control valves, it is possible to measure the amount of air in the hoses in such a way that an adaptation to special requirements for the body support of a user can be sought. Because of The multi-layer substructure of the lying surface integrates an elaborate ventilation device in order to ensure sufficient air exchange in the system. With the combination of components described, the desired individually adapted body support for a user can only be achieved by accepting considerable procurement and operating effort, with the reuse of parts of an existing lying system being excluded.

The invention is therefore based on the object of lying systems with commercially available support devices, in particular in the form of a slatted frame, but also in the form of e.g. by means of steel springs manufactured under mattress, or reclining systems with elastic support plates inserted into the frame, if necessary also after their purchase, with the help of support elements in the form of deformable hollow body elements containing a fluid, to be supplemented with relatively little effort so that while maintaining the prerequisite for one vertical air exchange in the reclining system, the body of the user is approximately optimally supported and the user has the possibility, by means of simple measures, of being able to fine-tune his or her body support, in particular in the area of his lumbar vertebrae.

This object is achieved in that hollow body elements with a low-stretch wall and with a longitudinal extension which is less than the length of the lying system, are releasably placed on a commercially available support device at least below the lying area of the back of the user side by side in the system longitudinal direction and / or in the system transverse direction and that, as far as required for a support height compensation, on areas of the bearing surface which are not covered by hollow body elements Support device further support elements in the form of plates made of elastic material are placed.

By placing a fluid-containing hollow body elements, in which the fluid filling quantity is less than the maximum possible filling quantity, next to each other on the support device, at least below the back of the user, an approximately optimal support of his upper body including the area of his lumbar vertebrae can be achieved, because independently of the posture of the user, the fluid adjusts itself with regard to its distribution within the hollow body elements in addition to the elastic behavior of the support device and mattress to the respective contour of its body zones facing the mattress lying surface. The resulting sinking depths are therefore partially influenced for the user by the fluid distribution in the hollow body elements.

In particular, the concave lumbar region is supported approximately optimally by the fluid that accumulates there, regardless of the exact position of the user on the lying system, so that the muscles and back vertebrae associated with this region are braced with their intervertebral discs both in the back and in the lateral position of the User is largely prevented. Regeneration of the intervertebral discs during sleep is favored. This effect occurs regardless of whether the hollow body elements are placed in the system longitudinal direction or in the system transverse direction.

The hollow body elements are all designed and detachable, for. B. Velcro-like positioned on the support device that the space between them is reduced when loaded, but not completely disappears. A mutual, there is therefore no adverse influence on the change in the support height of adjacent hollow body elements, and in the region of the hollow body elements the prerequisite for a vertical air exchange, which is important for the creation of a healthy sleeping climate, is maintained.

Insofar as is necessary for a support height compensation, air-permeable plates made of elastic material are placed on areas of the support surface of the support device that are not covered by hollow body elements. The additional support of such panels is not necessary or is only necessary in partial areas of the lying system surface if hollow body elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the system have a small, e.g. have an average support height of only approx. 10 mm. The elastic, air-permeable material of the plates can, for. B. latex or foam or a latexed fiber composite, wherein the plate thickness is selected according to the support task assigned to them.

For the wall of the hollow body are available as a hose without a seam formed rubber films or z. B. at the edges welded or glued plastic films each with or without fiber reinforcement. To achieve the desired low elongation, an additional covering of the hollow body elements, for. B. with a low-stretch textile fabric into consideration if the fluid-tight wall of the elements themselves is not sufficiently low-stretch. The fluid in the hollow body elements can e.g. B. air, a liquid, e.g. B. water or oil, or a gel.

Particularly simple and thus advantageously inexpensive and permanently sealed hollow body elements are hoses filled with a liquid or a gel, which are glued flat and fluid-tight at their two ends, vulcanized and / or pressed together by means of a device are, e.g. B. filled with water or gel, simple rubber hoses with a diameter of z. B. about 60 to 125 mm and a filling amount in the range of about 25 to 75% of the maximum possible filling amount with flat closed hose ends.

For hoses placed in the longitudinal direction of the system, it has turned out to be advantageous, on the basis of comparative investigations with normal specifications of a user, to limit the hose diameter to approx. 60 to 90 mm and the degree of fluid filling below approx. 40% and to select a hose length which corresponds approximately to this Lying area of the back of a user of average size and shape. When such hoses are placed on a support device consisting of a slatted frame, the user has the possibility of adapting the active support length and fluid filling quantity of all or some selected hoses to individual requirements by the user moving the ends of the hoses downward in the area of a gap between two adjacent slats can sag or alternatively one end closed by vulcanization or gluing down under the hose.

The area of the support surface of the support device assigned to the legs can, if required, either be covered by one or more plates or by additional hoses of corresponding length. In addition, it is possible to use hoses with a length continuously from the shoulder area of the user to the foot end of the lying system, it then being expedient to limit the support height of the hoses in the lying area of the user's calves with the help of one attached to each of the hoses sliding bandage.

A particularly simple, yet advantageously effective and easily adaptable to the size of the upper body of the user of hoses arranged in the system longitudinal direction results when hoses with a length of approx. 500 mm and a fluid filling level of approx. 25% in the lying area of the back of the user Support device are placed, whereby the additional placement of plates can usually be dispensed with.

Hoses placed in the transverse direction of the system have a longitudinal extent in the generally used lying systems which corresponds to the width of the lying system. So you are often z. B. about 1.0 m long. Comparative studies have shown that a hose diameter in the range of approximately 90 to 125 mm and a fluid filling level of 60% have been advantageous.

Such hoses placed in the transverse direction of the system can, if desired, cover the entire surface of the support device and can be matched by the user in a very simple manner to individual requirements with regard to their fluid displacement taking place under load, that is to say with regard to their adaptation behavior when supporting the body parts assigned to them. This is done by hanging or underlaying z. B. about 20 mm thick supplementary plates z. B. made of elastic material or by attaching bandages in the area of the two rope end zones of a hose. This makes fluid displacement in the lying area more difficult and the sinking depth of the relevant part of the body is reduced. For such a measure come into consideration for. B. in the system transverse direction hoses below the lumbar region when the user has a pronounced, so-called hollow cross.

With the help of hoses of different diameters, it is also possible, if necessary, to take into account special requirements of a user. Combinations of e.g. B. tubes arranged in the system longitudinal direction under the lying area of the back and buttocks with tubes placed in the system transverse direction in the lying area of the shoulder and the legs of the user can be helpful and useful. Since the hoses are releasably placed on the support device, there is, if necessary, the possibility, regardless of the type of support device, to generally change the hose by exchanging the hose or by changing the degree of fluid filling and thus the relative support heights.

Fig. 1

die Umrißlinien eines Benutzers in Seitenlage;

Fig. 2

die Umrißlinien eines Benutzers gleicher Größe wie in Figur 1, jedoch in Rückenlage;

Fig. 3

einen vereinfacht dargestellten Längsschnitt durch ein Liegesystem entsprechend der Schnittlinie III-III in Figur 4 mit einem Beispiel für die Auflage von Stützelementen in Form von Fluid enthaltenden Schläuchen und in Form von Platten aus elastischem Material;

Fig. 4

die Draufsicht auf ein Liegesystem entsprechend der Schnittlinie IV-IV in Figur 3;

Fig. 5

die Draufsicht auf aufgelegte Schläuche und Platten entsprechend einem weiteren Anordnungsbeispiel;

Fig. 6

den Längsschnitt durch ein aus einem Schlauch hergestelltes Hohlkörperelement entsprechend der Schnittlinie VI-VI in Figur 7;

Fig. 7

den Querschnitt des Hohlkörperelementes entsprechend der Schnittlinie VII-VII in Figur 6;

Fig. 8

die Draufsicht auf ein aus einem Schlauch hergestelltes Hohlkörperelement.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

the outline of a user lying on his side;

Fig. 2

the outline of a user of the same size as in Figure 1, but supine;

Fig. 3

a simplified longitudinal section through a lying system according to the section line III-III in Figure 4 with an example of the support elements in the form of fluid-containing hoses and in the form of plates made of elastic material;

Fig. 4

the top view of a lying system according to the section line IV-IV in Figure 3;

Fig. 5

the top view of the hoses and plates placed according to a further arrangement example;

Fig. 6

the longitudinal section through a hollow body element made of a hose according to the section line VI-VI in Figure 7;

Fig. 7

the cross section of the hollow body element according to the section line VII-VII in Figure 6;

Fig. 8

the top view of a hollow body element made of a hose.

From Figure 1, the basic outline of the body contour of a user with the body length KL in the side position can be seen. The areas K for the head, H for the neck, S for the shoulder, R for the back, G for the buttocks and B for the legs are identified. The area L within the area R identifies the zone of the lumbar vertebrae. To illustrate the concave problem zone in the lumbar vertebra area L, the tangent T created at the bottom of the outline is used.

Figure 2 shows the basic outline of the body contour of a user of the same body length KL and figure, but in the supine position. The concave problem zone of the lumbar vertebra area L is again recognizable by the tangent T applied to the underside of the outline course. The area W is also identified for the zone of the calves.

FIG. 3 shows the longitudinal section of a lying system with the length LSL, the head end KE and the foot end FE. A frame 1 with a supporting device designed as a slatted frame can be seen 2 and the mattress 3 and above the support device 2 and below the mattress 3 the support elements 4d, 5 and 6 visible in the central longitudinal section of the lying system. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the support element 4d is the middle one of seven next to each other with the length HL in the system longitudinal direction placed, fluid-containing hoses in the example shown placed below the back of the user indicated in Figures 1 and 2. The support element 5 placed towards the head end KE is a plate made of elastic material, e.g. B. made of perforated latex. The rest of the area of the support surface of the support device 2 covering support element 6 is also a plate made of elastic material, for. B. from a latexed fiber composite, in the example shown with a lower support height than the support element 5 and with a recess 7, which takes into account the area of the calf W of the user.

FIG. 4 shows the top view of the support elements of the embodiment of a lying system with the width LSB shown in FIG. 3. The seven hoses 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f and 4g, which are placed next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the system and can be seen, as well as the support elements 5 and 6 with the recess 7 analogous to the illustration in FIG. 3, remain between adjacent hoses a gap s to ensure the vertical air exchange in the lying system. If a small amount of fluid is selected in the hoses, the hoses 4a and 4g and the plates 5 and / or 6 may be dispensed with.

FIG. 5 shows the top view of an alternative arrangement of support elements to that in FIG. 4, in which hoses 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d and 8e are placed in the transverse direction of the system from the shoulder area S to approximately the knees of the user shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tube 8c is assigned to the lumbar region L. and possibly contains a slightly larger amount of fluid than the other hoses shown, or in the region of its two lateral end zones, if necessary, supplementary plates 9 are enclosed for the purpose of fluid displacement or alternatively bandages 10 are attached. Such bandages can e.g. B. be made of a plastic and consist of two interconnectable parts. Towards the head end and foot end, the plates 11, 12, 13 and 14 made of elastic material, e.g. B. perforated latex. A space a is indicated between the plates 12 and 13, which takes into account the area of the calves W of the user.

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section of a hollow body element made of a tube and containing the fluid 15, the tube wall in the example shown being composed of the fluid-tight wall 16 and a low-stretch textile covering 17. The wall 16 is closed at one end by means of the device 18 and at the other end 19 by means of vulcanization or gluing. In addition to the hose end 19 closed by vulcanization, a bandage 10 is indicated.

FIG. 7 shows the cross section of a hollow body element made from a hose, again with the fluid-tight wall 16 and the textile covering 17 and the fluid 15 located inside the hollow body element. The circle 20 indicates the shape of the hose in a partial area with maximum fluid filling can take.

FIG. 8 shows the top view of a hollow body element made of a hose with the device 18. It can be seen that the width b1 of the hose ends is greater than the width b2, which is why there is a gap between two adjacent hollow body elements remains, which corresponds at least to the difference between the dimensions b1 and b2. In addition to the hose end 19, a bandage 10 is indicated analogously to the illustration in FIG. 6.

The positioning of the support elements can by means of direct, for. B. Velcro fastener-like fixation on the support device or with the interposition of an air-permeable, placed on the support device covering. In addition, there is alternatively the possibility of connecting the hoses lying parallel next to one another at their ends. It can also be arranged between the top of the support elements and the bottom of the mattress, an air-permeable intermediate layer z. B. made of latex, a latexed fiber composite or interconnected springs, whereby the air exchange in the lying system can be further promoted.

Claims (4)

Lying system with a support device (2) for a mattress loosely placed thereon, in which support elements in the form of fluid-containing hollow body elements are arranged between the support device (2) and the mattress (3) at least in partial areas of the support surface of the support device (2). whose wall is deformable, and in which adjacent hollow body elements are spaced apart, characterized in that hollow body elements (4 and 8) with a low-stretch wall (16) and with a longitudinal extension (HL) that is less than the length (LSL) of the lying system , releasably placed on a commercially available support device (2) at least below the lying area of the back (R) of the user side by side in the system longitudinal direction and / or system cross direction and that, as far as is necessary for a support height compensation, additional support elements on areas of the support surface of the support device not covered by hollow body elements ( 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14) are placed in the form of plates made of elastic material. Lying system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow body elements (4 and 8) are hoses, the low-stretch wall of which is closed in a fluid-tight manner in the region of both hose ends (18, 19), and that the fluid filling quantity (15) contained in them is approximately 25 to 75% of the maximum possible filling amount. Lying system according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that hoses (4) placed in the longitudinal direction of the system have a diameter of approximately 60 to 90 mm. Lying system according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that hoses (8) placed in the transverse direction of the system have a diameter of approximately 90 to 125 mm and, if necessary, supplementary plates (9) are placed in the area of their two lateral end zones or bandages (10) are attached , which reduce the possible support height of the hoses.

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