EP0900536A2 - Slatted bed bottom - Google Patents

Abstract

The bed base (2) comprises a frame (4) with a series of parallel main slats (3) and a reinforced zone with secondary slats (7) facing the main ones. It has one or more sprung vanes (9) between the secondary slats and the main slats, the ends of which are set in bearings (10) on the secondary slats. Each of the bearings is a flat bearing with a cage containing at least one roller, or two parallel rollers in cavities and guide flanges, set in a holder (12) which surrounds the sprung vane and secondary slat. The sprung vanes are of plywood, and each has a shock absorber (20) where it makes contact with the main slat.

Description

The present invention relates to a slatted base comprising a frame, at least a row of main slats arranged parallel to each other and mounted in the frame, this row forming a first damping means, at least one zone reinforced with at least one secondary slat arranged opposite and below a main batten, this secondary batten also being mounted in the frame, and at least one spring element associated with said secondary slat and with said main slat opposite forming a second damping means, said spring element comprising a leaf spring disposed between the secondary batten and the main batten in look and having a curved shape.

Slatted bed bases, in general have a first row of slats main intended to receive the mattress. These slats are mounted as part of the bed base by ball joints or any other connecting element intended to collect the movements of the ends of these slats. These box springs are usually reinforced in an area corresponding to the user's back area which represents the area where the weight is the highest. These reinforcements usually consist of slats side panels arranged below and opposite the corresponding main slats in said back region. These slats are also mounted as part of the box spring by ball joints or any other connecting element and are coupled to the main slats opposite by adjustable center distance sliders. These sliders allow you to adjust the bed base tension. The closer they are, the more the bed base is stretched and therefore offers greater resistance and vice versa. It is therefore necessary to adapt this tension to the weight of the user. This setting is usually made once for all at the time of the installation of the box spring. However, according to the evolution of the weight of the user and the fatigue of the bed base, this adjustment does not remain optimum in the time.

To overcome this drawback, some box springs are equipped with a automatic tension adjustment according to the weight applied. One of the systems in the form of spring blades wavy over their entire length and arranged below the main slats in said dorsal area in place of the slats secondary. However, this system is not efficient enough since the wavy spring leaves are mounted without a secondary leaf. This has the effect of not not guarantee sufficient tension for correct maintenance during use. A other automatic adjustment system has a curved leaf spring arranged between a secondary batten and the main batten opposite. This leaf spring is mounted on one of the slats by sliding at its ends, its top being close to the other slat. This system is particularly effective because it allows constitute several levels or stages of damping which come into action one after the other and accumulate according to the weight to be supported. Nevertheless, the ends of this leaf spring are mounted directly by sliding on one of the main slats or secondary, creating a wood-on-wood friction when the leaf spring thus generating noise and premature wear of the corresponding slat and said ends.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback by proposing a slatted base with automatic tension adjustment system function of the applied weight, which is very flexible, progressive, noise-free and wear-free, while remaining a simple and economical system.

This object is achieved by a slatted base as defined in the preamble and characterized by that the ends of the leaf spring are mounted by rolling means on said secondary batten or said main batten opposite.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rolling means comprise at least one planar rolling bearing provided between said secondary batten or said main slat facing and each end of the blade comes out and at least one retaining flange surrounding at least each end of the leaf spring. said bearing and said corresponding slat.

The rolling bearing advantageously comprises a cage and at least one roller mounted in free rotation in said cage and movable in translation in the direction of displacement of the end of the leaf spring.

Preferably, the bearing cage has two parallel internal grooves arranged to guide said roller in rotation and in translation.

In the preferred embodiment, the bearing has at least two rollers parallel mounted in free rotation in said cage and movable in translation.

The bearing cage can have a notch on its two opposite lateral sides, this notch having a width at least equal to that of the retaining flange.

The retaining flange may include a lug arranged to engage in a hole correspondent provided in said slat.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the rolling means comprise at least one guide flange and preferably two guide flanges, one of which lower flange arranged to be disposed between said slat and the retaining flange and an upper flange arranged to be disposed between said leaf spring and the flange of maintenance.

Each guide flange advantageously comprises a base substantially rectangular and a stud projecting from said base, this stud being intended to be housed in a corresponding hole provided respectively in said slat and in said blade spring.

Likewise, each guide flange advantageously has two flanges conical provided on two parallel edges of said base and projecting from the side opposite the tenon, these edges defining between them a groove intended to receive the retaining flange. One of the conical edges is advantageously higher than the other and is arranged to bear against the retaining flange on the inside of the bed base.

Preferably, the retaining flange defines an interior housing whose height is at more equal to that formed by said slat. said planar rolling bearing, said end of the leaf spring with or without said guide flanges, so as to produce a tight fitting, without operating clearance.

The rolling bearing and the rollers can be made of polyamide and the blade plywood spring.

This leaf spring may also include, at its top, a shoe made in a noise-absorbing material.

To further promote the cushioning effect of the box spring, the main slats, the slat secondary and the leaf spring are produced in different thicknesses.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un lit équipé d'un sommier à lattes articulé,
• la figure 2 est une section transversale du lit de la figure 1 dans la zone dorsale,
• la figure 3 est une vue de détail en perspective du sommier selon l'invention,
• les figures 4A et 4B sont respectivement une vue en perspective et une vue en coupe du palier à roulement illustré dans la figure 3,
• les figures 5A et 5B sont respectivement une vue en perspective et une vue en coupe de la bride de maintien illustrée dans la figure 3,
• la figure 6 est une vue de détail en plan d'une variante de réalisation de l'invention, et
• la figure 7 est une vue éclatée de la variante illustrée dans la figure 6.

The present invention and its advantages will appear more clearly in the following description of two nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a bed equipped with an articulated slatted base,
• FIG. 2 is a cross section of the bed of FIG. 1 in the back region,
• FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the bed base according to the invention,
• FIGS. 4A and 4B are respectively a perspective view and a sectional view of the rolling bearing illustrated in FIG. 3,
• FIGS. 5A and 5B are respectively a perspective view and a sectional view of the retaining flange illustrated in FIG. 3,
• FIG. 6 is a detailed plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, and
• FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the variant illustrated in FIG. 6.

Figure 1 illustrates a bed 1 equipped with a slatted base 2 formed of several parts articulated to each other to match the body of the user, this box spring being provided a row of parallel main slats 3 forming a flat surface intended for receive a mattress (not shown), these slats being mounted in a frame 4 peripheral. This box spring 2 has a reinforced zone 5, as will be seen in reference to Figure 2, in the dorsal area corresponding to the lower back of the user where the weight is greatest. Of course, the box spring 2 of the invention is not necessarily articulated.

Referring to Figure 2, which shows a cross-sectional view of bed 1 of the Figure 1 in said dorsal area, the base 2 includes said main slats 3 mounted outside said frame 4 by ball joints 6 and at least one secondary slat 7 mounted inside the frame 4 also by two ball joints 8 and arranged below and opposite one of the main slats 3. The reinforced zone 5 can extend beyond a secondary slat 7 and include for example a row of eight slats parallel and successive secondary to cover the entire dorsal area and even beyond if necessary. This reinforced zone 5 comprises at least one spring element associated with said secondary batten 7 and said main batten 3 opposite.

In this exemplary embodiment, the spring element consists of a spring leaf 9, preferably made of plywood, curved, disposed between said slats 3, 7, its slightly curved ends 9a being mounted on the secondary batten 7 by rolling means 10 which will be described later. In this realization, the apex 9b of the leaf spring is directed towards the main batten 3. This apex 9b is also equipped with a pad 20 made of a noise-absorbing material for avoid any noise pollution when the main slat 3 comes into contact with the blade spring 9. This leaf spring 9 can also be mounted upside down, its ends 9a being mounted on the main batten 3 and its top 9b being directed towards the batten secondary 7. This leaf spring 9 is centered relative to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the base 2 so as to balance the distribution of the forces transmitted by the main batten 3.

The following figures 3, 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B illustrate in more detail the means of bearing 10 for mounting the ends 9a of the leaf spring 9 on the batten secondary 7, or on the main batten 3 depending on the mounting variant chosen. These rolling means 10 comprise for each end 9a a plane bearing at bearing 11 disposed between said end 9a of the leaf spring and said slat 7 thus a retaining flange 12 surrounding said end 9a of the leaf spring, the bearing 11 and the corresponding slat 7. The retaining flange 12 reduces the degrees of freedom of said end 9a at a single translation substantially parallel to said plane bearing at bearing 11.

The planar rolling bearing 11 comprises a substantially rectangular cage 13 receiving two rollers 14 mounted in free rotation and movable in translation in the direction of movement of the end 9a of said leaf spring represented by the arrows F. The thickness of the cage 13 is less than the diameter of the rollers 14 so that they can roll simultaneously on the secondary slat 7 and the end 9a of the blade spring. The bearing cage 13 has two parallel internal grooves 15 receiving the pins 14 'of the rollers 14 and arranged to guide them in rotation and in translation. The displacement in translation of the rollers 14 is limited by the length inside of this cage. This cage 13 also includes a recess 16 provided on its two opposite lateral sides and whose width L is at least equal to that of the retaining flange 12. The number of rollers 14 is not limited to two but can have at least one roller. The planar rolling bearing 11 and the rollers 14 are preferably made of polyamide to limit the coefficient of friction and noise.

The retaining flange 12 has a shape of section ring substantially rectangular defining an interior housing 17 to receive the end 9a of the leaf spring, the planar rolling bearing 11 and the corresponding slat 7. The height H of the interior housing 17 is at most equal to that formed by the addition of the slat secondary 7, of the planar rolling bearing 11 and of the end 9a of the leaf spring, so as to carry out a tight assembly. Thus, the retaining flange 12 adheres to the blade spring 9 in their contact area. The circumference of the interior housing 17 of the flange holding 12 comprises a chamfer 18 to facilitate its mounting. This bridle of retaining 12 comprises a lug 19 arranged to engage in a corresponding hole (not shown) provided in said secondary slat 7 so as to be blocked in a fixed position. It is made in one piece in an elastic material and preferably rubber, allowing it to be deformed and stretched at the time of its mounting around the leaf spring. of the landing and the batten. It could also be made of any other material, in two symmetrical parts and assembled by interlocking for example. This retaining flange 12 also plays a role shock absorber. Indeed, the transverse displacement of the end 9a of the leaf spring according to arrow F automatically causes the elastic deformation of the flange retaining 12 in the same direction, this retaining flange being fixed to its part lower in the secondary batten 7 by its tenon 19.

The assembly of the present invention is simple and relatively quick. Each blade spring 9 is positioned on the secondary batten 7 which must receive it by by means of two planar rolling bearings 11 arranged under its ends 9a slightly curved. The retaining flange 12 is threaded around these parts 7, 11, 9a after being stretched and then is housed in the lateral recesses 16 of the bearing 11 and is positioned relative to the secondary slat 7 by means of its pin 19. Then, the secondary slats 7 are mounted in the box spring 2 in a traditional manner by example by means of the ball joints 8 illustrated in FIG. 3.

In operation, when the weight applied to the main slats 3 exceeds the depreciation threshold of these slats which form a first level of depreciation, they flex more and come into contact with the spring blades 9 at their top 9b. Under the pressure of the main slats 3, the spring blades 9 are crushed towards the secondary slats 7 thus forming a second level depreciation. During this substantially vertical translation, the two ends 9a of each leaf spring resting on the planar rolling bearings 11 move in substantially horizontal translational movement F by deforming elastically the retaining flange 12 which collects and absorbs the forces due to this displacement while guiding transversely these ends. The planar bearings at bearing 11 thus favor this displacement since they are designed to avoid any floating wood on wood and therefore any wear and any generation of noise. When the spring leaves 9 reach their damping limit, the secondary slats 7 come into action thus forming a third level of depreciation.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the rolling means 30. There is a planar rolling bearing 31 identical to the rolling bearing 11 and disposed between the secondary slat 7 and the end 9a of the leaf spring 9. A flange of support 32 surrounds the assembly formed by the secondary slat 7, the plane bearing bearing 31 and the leaf spring 9 and to which are added two guide flanges 33a, 33b arranged on either side of said assembly. The lower flange 33a is housed between the secondary slat 7 and the retaining flange 32 and the upper flange 33b is housed between the leaf spring 9 and the retaining flange 32. These flanges 33a, 33b are identical and are more particularly represented by FIG. 7. They comprise a base 34 substantially rectangular from which project a stud 35 placed substantially in the center of said base and two conical edges 36a, 36b provided on two edges parallel to said base and projecting from the side opposite to stud 35. The defined space between the two conical flanges 36a, 36b delimits a groove 37 intended to receive the retaining flange 32. The lug 35 of the lower flange 33a is intended to be housed in a corresponding hole provided in the secondary batten 7 and the lug 35 of the flange upper 33b is intended to be housed in a corresponding hole 38 provided in the blade spring 9. On each flange 33a, 33b one of the conical flanges 36a is higher than the other 36b and is intended to rest on the retaining flange 32 on the inside of the box spring to provide greater contact surface when moving transverse of the end 9a of the leaf spring 9. These flanges 33a, 33b are produced preferably polyamide to limit the coefficient of friction and noise.

The assembly of this alternative embodiment is also simple and relatively fast. As in the previous example, each leaf spring 9 is positioned on the secondary slat 7 which must receive it via two flat bearings to bearing 31 arranged under its slightly curved ends 9a. The flanges 33a, 33b are set up and positioned respectively with respect to the slat secondary 7 and the leaf spring 9 so as to accommodate the pins 35 in the holes correspondents. The retaining flange 32 is threaded around these parts 33a, 7, 31, 9a and 33b after being stretched and then is housed in the grooves 37 of the flanges 33a, 33b as well as in the notches 16 of the rolling plane bearing 31 and is positioned by relative to the secondary batten 7 and spring leaf 9 by means of the pins 35. Then, the secondary slats 7 are mounted in the box spring 2 in a traditional manner by example by means of the ball joints 8 illustrated in FIG. 3.

The operation of this alternative embodiment is the same as in the example previous and we find the three levels of depreciation. When the leaf springs 9 are stressed during crushing, the ends 9a of each blade resting on the planar rolling bearings 31 move transversely along arrow F in driving with them the holding flanges 32. Under the effect of this effort. the flange of support 32 deforms elastically to follow the movement of the end 9a of the leaf spring 9 while it remains in its lower part fixed in the slat secondary 7. This retaining flange 32 functions as the retaining flange 12 of the previous example. that is to say it collects and absorbs transverse displacement ends 9a of the leaf spring. The presence of the guide flanges 33a, 33b a the advantage of effectively distributing the forces due to this displacement and which are shear forces, thereby ensuring good mechanical strength of all of the rolling means 30.

It is clear from this description that the invention achieves the goals set. Moreover, the main slats, secondary slats and spring blades are produced in different thicknesses with different stiffnesses to further improve the damping performance obtained by this invention.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art. In particular, rollers can be replaced with rows of balls or integrated directly in the ends 9a of the spring blades 9. The planar rolling bearing 11, 31, the guide flanges 33a, 33b and the retaining flange 12, 32 could also have different shapes and dimensions and be made of other materials.

Claims (18)

Slatted base (2) comprising a frame (4), at least one row of slats main (3) arranged parallel to each other and mounted in said frame and forming a first damping means, at least one reinforced zone (5) comprising at least one secondary slat (7) arranged opposite and below a main batten (3), this secondary batten (7) also being mounted in said frame, and at least one leaf spring (9) disposed between the secondary batten (7) and the batten main (3) facing and having a curved shape forming a second means damping, characterized in that the ends (9a) of this leaf spring are mounted by rolling means (10, 30) on said secondary batten (7) or said main batten (3) opposite. Bed base according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling means (10, 30) comprise at least one planar rolling bearing (11, 31) provided between said secondary batten (7) or said main batten (3) facing each other and each end (9a) of the leaf spring and at least one retaining flange (12, 32) surrounding at least each end of the leaf spring, said bearing and said corresponding slat. Bed base according to claim 2, characterized in that the planar rolling bearing (11, 31) comprises a cage (13) and at least one roller (14) mounted in free rotation in said cage and movable in translation in the direction of movement (F) of the end of the leaf spring. Bed base according to claim 3, characterized in that the cage (13) of the plane bearing bearing has two parallel internal grooves (15) arranged to guide said roller (14) in rotation and in translation. Bed base according to claim 3, characterized in that the planar rolling bearing (11, 31) comprises at least two parallel rollers (14) mounted in free rotation in said cage and mobile in translation. Bed base according to claim 3, characterized in that the cage (13) of the plane bearing bearing has a notch (16) on its two opposite lateral sides, this notch having a width (L) at least equal to that of the retaining flange (12, 32). Bed base according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining flange (12) has at least one stud (19) arranged to engage in a corresponding hole provided in said slat (7, 3). Bed base according to claim 2, characterized in that the rolling means (30) have at least one guide flange (33a, 33b) arranged to be arranged between said slat (7, 3) and the retaining flange (32) or between said leaf spring (9) and the retaining flange (32). Bed base according to claim 8, characterized in that the rolling means (30) have two guide flanges, one of which is a lower flange (33a) to be disposed between said slat (7, 3) and the retaining flange (32) and a flange upper (33b) arranged to be disposed between said leaf spring (9) and the flange holding (32). Bed base according to claim 9, characterized in that each guide flange (33a, 33b) has a substantially rectangular base (34) and a lug (35) is projecting from said base (34), this stud being intended to be housed in a hole corresponding provided respectively in said slat (7, 3) and in said leaf spring (9). Bed base according to claim 10, characterized in that each flange of guide (33a, 33b) has two conical edges (36a, 36b) provided on two edges parallel to said base (34) on the side opposite to the tenon (35), these edges defining between them a groove (37) intended to receive the retaining flange (32). Bed base according to claim 11, characterized in that one of the conical edges (36a) is higher than the other (36b) and is arranged to bear against the flange of holding (32) on the inside of the bed base. Bed base according to claim 8, characterized in that the retaining flange (12, 32) defines an interior housing (17) whose height (H) is at most equal to that formed by said slat (7, 3), said plane rolling bearing (11, 31), said end (9a) of the leaf spring with or without the guide flanges (33a, 33b), so that perform a tight assembly, without operating clearance. Bed base according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining flange (12, 32) is made in one piece from an elastic material. Bed base according to claim 8, characterized in that the planar rolling bearing (11, 31), the rollers (14) and the guide flanges (33a, 33b) are made of polyamide. Bed base according to claim 1, characterized in that the leaf spring (9) is made of plywood. Bed base according to claim 2, characterized in that the leaf spring (9) has at its top (9b) a shoe (20) made of a material damping the noise. Bed base according to claim 1, characterized in that the main slats (3), the secondary slat (7) and the spring blade (9) are produced in thicknesses different.

Images