EP1221878A1

EP1221878A1 - Adjusting device for beds, mattresses, seats and the like, adjustable slatted bed-frames and adjustable seat or couch cushions

Info

Publication number: EP1221878A1
Application number: EP00972698A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rolf Farmont
Original assignee: Westmont Technik GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Westmont Technik GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1999-10-08
Filing date: 2000-10-07
Publication date: 2002-07-17
Also published as: CN1378429A; US6877816B1; AU1134201A; RU2002112223A; JP2003511131A; DE29917813U1; WO2001026509A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustable device (10) for beds, mattresses, seats and the like comprising several support elements (12) transverse to an adjustment direction (22a), which together form the support plane (12A) and at least one drive unit (18, 26, 36) for tilting said support elements (12) relative to each other in order to change the slope or angle of the support plane (12A). The inventive device requires the least possible space, whereby a) the support elements (12) each have at least one mounting element (12B) transverse to the support plane (12A), b) each mounting element (12B) has a hinged joint (14) at the first end (12B') thereof, c) spacers (12C) are provided to maintain the separation between adjacent mounting elements (12B) in the region (12B') of the hinged joint (14) and d) separation adjusters (18) are provided in order to adjust the separation of neighbouring mounting elements (12B) in the region (12B") of the second end of the mounting element (12B) opposite the hinged joint (14).

Description

Adjustment device for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like, adjustable slatted frame and adjustable seat or couch cushion

The invention relates to an adjusting device for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like with the features of the preamble of claim 1; it also relates to an adjustable slatted frame and an adjustable seat or lying cushion.

It is known to use two or three support elements and in particular known as slatted frames to adjust bedding solutions for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like by means of a drive motor relative to one another in order to change the inclination or course of the support level. The support elements, which generally run over the entire width of the upholstery to be supported, have a relatively large length in the longitudinal direction of the upholstery. Changes in the course are therefore only possible in a relatively rough manner. In particular, soft, round transitions are hardly feasible, unless these are practically achieved by the upholstery; then the course of the support elements and the upholstery in the buckling areas deviate from one another. In order to achieve a motor drive for changing the inclination or course of the support elements, relatively long lever arrangements are required. Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the problem of realizing an arrangement which takes up as little space as possible in generic adjusting devices. In addition, it is desirable to avoid sharp kinks in the support level when the inclination or course of the support level changes.

To achieve this object, an adjustment device with the feature of claim 1 is proposed. The invention is based on the basic idea that the support elements protrude from the support level, ie. H. to provide cross members extending to the support plane in such a way that the cross members are pivotally connected to one another in their first end regions while maintaining their original spacing, and distance-changing means change the spacings of adjacent cross members in the region of their levers opposite the pivot joints, i. H. reduce or enlarge. The web elements therefore represent one-sided levers, at one end of which the joints of the support elements are provided and at the other ends the actuating forces act, by means of which the support elements are pivoted relative to one another by shortening or increasing the spacing of the free ends of the web elements, by a parallel to their longitudinal direction pivot axis.

In order to increase the sitting or lying comfort, to make the distance change mechanism simple and to keep the change in course within predetermined fixed limits, pivoting handle limits are preferably provided between adjacent web elements and / or support elements. This limits the maximum change in inclination or course at least in one direction. Distance means can also be provided, which likewise limit the maximum change in the opposite direction. A space-saving and energy-saving adjusting device preferably has, as a change in distance, a drawstring that can be wound up and unwound, which is guided around deflection rollers in the sense of a force reduction, rigid or pivotable levers acting as deflection roller holders in the sense of an improved force reduction.

Adjustment devices according to the invention can be used in conjunction with slatted frames or the slat elements can be integrated into the support elements - or vice versa.

An adjustment device according to the invention is particularly suitable for motorized, in particular electrical, adjustment drives and also allows integration into a mattress or upholstery.

The aforementioned, as well as the claimed and described in the exemplary embodiments, components to be used according to the invention are not subject to any special exceptions with regard to their size, shape, material selection and technical conception, so that the selection criteria known in the respective application area can be used without restriction within the scope of the claims.

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention result from further subclaims and the following description of the associated drawings, in which - by way of example - preferred embodiments are shown. Show in the drawings

1 shows a relaxation armchair with an integrated adjusting device in a perspective view;

2a shows an adjusting device in a first embodiment with a straight stretch in a side view (schematic); 2b shows the same adjusting device in an approximately maximally changed, diversely designed course;

3a shows the adjusting device according to FIG. 2a in perspective, in sections;

3b shows the adjusting device according to FIG. 2b in a perspective illustration, in sections;

4 shows an end view of a support element, in sections, of an adjusting device in a second embodiment;

5 shows a third embodiment of an adjustment device in side view;

6A shows a fourth embodiment of an adjustment device in a side view with the support plane stretched straight;

6B shows the same adjusting device in a partially already inclined course;

Fig. 7 of a fifth embodiment of an adjusting device

Front view of a support element with motor drive unit, partly in a vertical section - detail;

8 shows the adjustment device according to FIGS. 2a to 3b in vertical section -

Section along the line Vlll-Vlll according to Figure 3 - in a form integrated into a mattress. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of an adjusting device in side view - in sections;

10A shows a seventh embodiment of an adjustment device in side view with the support plane stretched straight out as well

10B shows the same adjustment device in the maximally adjusted position.

11A shows an eighth embodiment of an adjustment device in a broken side view;

11B shows the first half of a pair of chain links in a perspective view of the same adjusting device;

12A shows a ninth embodiment of an adjustment device in a broken side view (similar to that in FIG. 11A);

12B shows a perspective view of the first half of a pair of chain links from the same adjusting device;

12C shows a perspective view (in sections) of the adjusting device according to FIG. 12A;

12D to 12F show a movement sequence of the head part of the adjusting device according to the ninth embodiment;

12G to

12K shows a movement sequence of the foot part of the adjusting device according to the ninth embodiment; 13 shows a perspective enlarged view (in sections) of the adjusting device according to FIGS. 12A to 12K;

14 shows a slatted frame according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 12A to 13;

15 shows a bed or couch cushion according to the ninth embodiment according to FIGS. 12A to 14 in a perspective view;

16A to

16C of a tenth embodiment of an adjusting device in a broken side view the movement sequence of a foot part as well

17 shows an eleventh embodiment of an adjustment device in a broken side view - in perspective.

1 only shows the manner in which a relax armchair equipped with an adjustment device according to the invention can be adjusted in its backrest area and in its footrest area.

From Figs. 2a and 2b can be seen how a so-called slatted frame for beds can be varied in many ways by means of a single drive motor, it being evident from the approximately maximum curvature situation shown in FIG. 2b that the course of the curvature in the pivoting plane, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the slatted frame, changes greatly can, e.g. B. can be realized from straight parts, areas bent to different degrees and areas bent in different directions. While the details enabling such a change in inclination will be explained in connection with the following figures, it should be pointed out here that in areas of change points of the inclination curve, that is when the rotational kel of the inclination changes from clockwise to counterclockwise or vice versa, a tension / compression band serving as a distance changing means can change its position with respect to the web elements to be explained from top to bottom or vice versa; for this purpose, the tension band is guided through corresponding inclined channels in the web elements at a position near one end region to a position near the opposite end region of the web elements.

From Fig. 3a / b an adjustment device for a slatted frame without slats (also called bow) is shown. Such adjustment devices are provided on both sides and essentially parallel to one another, in particular in the end regions of the bow on both sides.

The adjusting device, designated overall by 10, has support elements 12 which consist of rigid bodies made of wood, metal, plastic or the like and which are provided and connected on both sides with swivel joints 14 running parallel to one another. The support elements 12 are characterized by the fact that they together span a support level 12A, they also serve as spacing means, because due to their rigidity they cause the length of the support level to be in the region of

Swivel joints 14 neither enlarged nor reduced. As can also be seen from FIGS. 2a to 3a / b, the support elements 12 can have a trapezoidal cross section. They generally have a not inconsiderable thickness at right angles to the support plane 12A and thus form a lever to be explained in terms of its function, which is referred to below as web element 12B. While in the drawing the spacing means and the web element are integrated in the support element 12, these components can also be separate from one another. B. in the third embodiment, according to FIG. 5, separate spacing means 12C. Furthermore, a flat guide channel 16 is provided in FIG. 3 in the upper (second) end region 12B ", which extends approximately parallel to the support plane 12A and a flat ribbon-shaped drawstring 18, z. B. a cord tape, or a tension / compression tape, e.g. B. made of spring steel, slidably receives.

The trapezoidal surfaces of the support elements 12 can be used as lateral stop surfaces 20A, 20B. If the tension band 18 is fastened to a web element 12B in its upper end region 12B "in FIG. 3a, the tension band 18 acts in the direction of the path shown in such a way that the two support elements 12 perform a pivoting movement relative to one another until stop surfaces 20A, 20B of adjacent support elements 12 come into contact with one another, thus achieving the maximum swivel path and thus the maximum change in inclination, as can be seen from Fig. 2A, the maximum possible swivel angle of adjacent support elements 12 can be different Both a convex and a concave curvature of the support plane 12A can be achieved in the upper or lower end region of the web elements 12B. The position of adjacent stops determines the strength of the minimum possible radius of curvature of the support plane 12A.

The following exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 4 to 10 show possible variations in the implementation of the inventive concept.

As can be seen from Fig. 4, a slatted base for beds, mattresses, armchairs or the like can also be realized according to the invention in that the bow, or the slat 38, is integrated with the support elements 12 on their two ends to form a one-piece component.

In a third embodiment, according to FIG. 5, web elements 12B are provided, between which spacing means 12C, e.g. B. are articulated in the form of rods or plates. 5 shows these web elements 12B with a front and a rear swivel joint 14, but in principle, a swivel joint is also sufficient, which connects two spacing means 12C and the intermediate web element 12B in an articulated manner to one another. To partially bridge the length of the spacing means 12C, the web elements 12B are provided in their upper end regions 12B "with nose-shaped projections, which support stop surfaces 20A and 20B and serve to limit the maximum pivoting angle of adjacent support elements.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 6a and 6b shows the implementation of the invention with a printing tape, e.g. B. a sheet metal strip made of spring steel.

In order to achieve the same area curvature, the hinge side and the distance change side of the web elements 12B are exchanged in comparison with the preceding examples. As can be seen from FIG. 6b, other swivel limiters, such as bendable drawstrings 20C, can also be used instead of stop surfaces. The support level can be shifted towards the concave side of the adjusting device, whereas in other exemplary embodiments it is located on the convex side or more in the middle of the web elements. - The choice of the position of the support level 12A influences the compression or elongation that a mattress or a cushion uses when using the adjusting devices according to the invention in the event of a change in the course, i.e. a curvature.

7 shows an alternative embodiment to FIG. 4, in which a slatted frame is realized, the frame or slats 38 of which in turn occupy the entire width of the grate, but are made of a different material or in a different manufacturing process than the support elements with the web elements , In addition, this exemplary embodiment shows how a drive motor 28 and a winding drum 30 can be integrated into the adjusting device. In this exemplary embodiment, a winding drum 30 is installed in a support and web element 12, 12B in such a way that the winding drum bearings 30A, 30B are located within the support element 12. det. An electric motor with gear 28 is mounted on the side. While the right half of this picture shows this drive element in a side view, it is shown in the left half of the picture in a vertical section through the drive axis and this makes several winding layers of a drawstring 18 - schematically - visible.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 shows in vertical section a complete seat upholstery or mattress 32, which consists of upper and lower protective layers 32A, 32B and a core layer 32C, for. B. a foam. In the middle there is the adjustment device according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4. In order to avoid excess material in the core layer in the region of the spacing gaps between the web elements 12B in the compression zone, groove-shaped recesses 34 are provided in the core layer 32C. As can be seen, the guide channels 16 are expanded in a trumpet shape at their mouth ends to protect the tension band.

9 that a pulley-like arrangement 26 can be used to improve the force reduction, in which deflection rollers 26A, 26B are provided on adjacent web elements 12B, about which the tension band 18 is deflected accordingly. In this embodiment, a reduction of approximately 2.5: 1 can be achieved. In all exemplary embodiments with an electric motor drive, it is understood that by using suitable gear units, such as worm gear units, a further considerable reduction in force is made possible.

Another embodiment with two power reduction ratios (except for a possibly existing reduction gear on the drive) is shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Here, a block and tackle-like arrangement 26 is combined with an additional force reduction lever 36 realized as a tensioning lever. In this case, the deflection roller 26A is stationary on the associated web element

12B is fixed while the second deflection roller 26B is at one end of a curved tensioning lever (power reduction lever 36), which is arranged pivotably about a pivot bearing 36A provided on the second end region 12B "of the web element 12B. An abutment 36B is provided on the respectively adjacent web element 12B, which is provided here as a tension bearing and therefore has a bearing surface 36C (The power reduction lever 36 is engaged. By pivoting the power reduction lever 36, the spacing gap between the web elements 12B in the region of their second ends 12B "is changed. In this exemplary embodiment, the free end of the power reduction lever 36 is located near the swivel joints 14 attack the adjusting forces, e.g. the drawstring 18.

The force reduction ratio results from the ratio of the distances between the pivot bearing 36A and the abutment 36B or the deflection roller 26B. It is understood that this embodiment can also be used for the use of printing tapes or other drive means. It is also possible to couple the free ends of the force reduction levers 36 to one another by means of tension and pressure-resistant joint rods and thus to actively drive a change in the inclination or course of the slatted frame or the like in both adjustment directions. In contrast, in the other exemplary embodiments with a tension or compression band, this drive means is not coupled to the individual web elements, so that the active drive takes place in one direction of adjustment, while in the opposite direction of adjustment the gravitational force is used.

Another distance changing device, which is not specifically shown in the drawing, uses a so-called riser cable, i.e. a flexible but pressure and tensile adjusting means with a spiral surface, which by rotation about the longitudinal axis a nut or a similar component which is held in a rotationally fixed manner can move longitudinally. In such an embodiment, a guide channel correspondingly shaped on its inner surface could perform the function of a nut. By

Right and left hand threads can be used with the same direction of rotation the riser cable and adjacent web elements are pulled towards one another at their free ends 12B "or pushed away from one another.

While the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 9 and 10a / b the application of a tension band with force reduction in the manner of a pulley system, to apply tensile forces in order to pivot the second end regions of the web elements opposite the swivel joints toward one another, is shown in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 11A / B that a force-reducing drawstring arrangement can also serve to pivot the second web element ends away from one another. For this purpose, several, shown in perspective in FIG. 11B, each having a link 13, e.g. For example, web elements 12B punched out of flat metal form a "semi-rigid" chain shown in FIG. 11A, which - as exemplified in another exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 13 - can be formed by pairing the web elements 12B with the interposition of the distance changing means. Each web element 12B has bores 14A, 14B in mutually offset planes, which, in cooperation with respectively adjacent web elements, serve as a swivel joint 14. The bore forming the swivel joint part 14B is located at the coarser end of a force reduction lever 36, which is cranked on the web element 12B and is designed as a rigid one-sided lever and carries deflection rollers 26B on the outer lever end and in the middle lever region. These are assigned deflection rollers 26A, which are also rotatably arranged on the adjacent web element 12B overlapped by the force reduction lever 36 by cranking in the end region 12B "thereof, so that they form a plane with the deflection foils 28B. A flexible tension band

18 is wrapped around the deflection rollers 26A and 26B in such a way that a four-part pulley results. The arrangement of the rollers 26B at different lever lengths of the power reduction lever 36 and at different heights of the web element 12B causes the tension band 18 in an approximately tangential direction to the respective pivot circle 15A, 15B of the two

Deflection rollers 26B around the swivel joint 14 take effect. This is shown in Fig. 11A dash-dotted and marked with double arrows.

A horizontal electric motor 28 with a gearbox serves as the tension belt drive, which drives a tension belt winding drum 30 and is arranged at the right end of the adjusting device 10 in FIG. 11A. A tension exerted by the winding drum causes the tension band to first pivot the web element 12B of the adjusting device located at the opposite extreme end (left in FIG. 11A), because the least counterforce prevails there. The leftmost web element 12B is already shown in the completely pivoted position, in which stop surfaces 20A, 20B arranged in pairs on the web elements 12B and the adjacent force reduction lever 36 are effective. The web elements following the pivoted web element 12B on the right in the drawing are still non-pivoted. They rest against each other in the area of their crankings 13. Further pulling on the drawstring causes the web elements further to the right to be gradually pivoted. Due to the fact that the rightmost web element is connected to the one on the left only via a two-part pulley drive, a weaker reduction in force is achieved here, especially since only the deflection roller 26B arranged on the shorter lever arm is used. This ensures, regardless of the length of the adjusting device, that a pivoting operation does not begin at this point until the end of the pivoting movement of the adjusting device.

The following based on the fig. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A to 15 is particularly preferred. As can be seen from FIG. 12B, the web elements 12B forming a link chain - as in the previous exemplary embodiment - are again cranked and made of plastic in the present case. As shown in FIG. 12A, the essential differences from the previous exemplary embodiment are that the pulley blocks 26 are only designed in two ways, while the force reduction levers 36 (As already in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 10A / 10B) are pivotably connected at one end to a pivot bearing 36A with the web element 12B in its second end region 12B ". In contrast to FIGS. 10A 10B, the force reduction lever 36 is transmitted to the neighboring web element in the embodiment according to FIGS. 12A to 15, however, in the manner of a thrust bearing, so that a tension exerted on the tension band 18 is converted into a pressure which pushes the second end regions 12B "apart. As a contact surface 36C, this thrust bearing has an articulated bore in the central region of the power reduction lever 36. The thrust bearing 36B consists of a curved push rod, which is supported at one end on the contact surface 36C and at the other end on a bearing bore 36B 'in the end region 12B "on the adjacent web element 12B the action of the pulley 26 therefore requires a pivoting movement of the adjacent web element 12B

Swivel joint 14, wherein the abutment 36B is effective in the push and pull sense.

As can be seen from FIG. 12B, the guide arm 11, which in the example is segmented in the form of a segment of a circle and is attached to the web element 12B by cranking 13, only fulfills the task of achieving the linkage of adjacent web elements by the guide arm 11 providing the second swivel joint part 14B for the adjacent pivot element carries. In the present exemplary embodiment, a groove for limiting the swivel angle is also provided on the guide arm 11 as a stop surface 20A. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11A B, the guide arm 11 therefore has no function as a force reduction lever.

Otherwise, as usual, components with the same effect are shown with the same reference numerals as in the previous exemplary embodiments. The perspective view according to FIG. 12C of the work situation shown in FIG. 12A is only intended to illustrate the geometric relationships and the interlinking of the web elements.

Using the figures 12D to 12F or 12G to 12K is now used for the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 12A to 15 explains the adjustment of a slatted frame with a head part (FIGS. 12D to 12F) and a foot part (FIGS. 12G to 12K).

For the adjustment device for an upper body part or head part of a slatted frame of a bed or a couch according to FIGS. 14 and 15 are in the embodiment of FIGS. 12D to 12F requires seven chain links 50 to 56, the operation of which is described below:

The chain link 50 carries two electric motors with an associated winding drum, which form the drive 28 ^' for the head part and the drive 28 ^" for the foot part

(Fig. 14). Between the chain links 50, 51 and 51, 52 and 52, 53 act pivoting mechanisms of the same construction, as were explained in more detail above in connection with FIG. 12A. In contrast, the tension band 18 acts between the chain links 53 and 54, 54 and 55 as well as 55 and 56 in each case in the manner of the embodiment shown in FIG. without

Force reduction. This is easily possible because of the comparatively lower leverage acting between these chain links.

How the work sequence according to FIGS. 12E and 12F shows, when the tension band 18 is wound up, an inclination adjustment is first made on the outer chain links 53 to 56. As a result, the upper body of a user is relieved of strain on the spine. Subsequent placement of the head portion in the lumbar region brings the upper body into a semi-erect position as shown in Fig. 12F.

The in fig. The base part shown in FIGS. 12G to 12K consists of the chain link 50 and the further chain links 57 to 60. The chain link 50 thus represents the common drive base for the head part and foot part. The adjustment device of the foot part differs from that of the head part due to the different load conditions and inclination requirements. On the one hand, there is a slight, approximately evenly increasing inclination of the foot part, as shown in

12H, e.g. B. for vein relief, desirable. For this purpose, the free end of the last chain link 60 of the foot part has a pivotable end area support 39. This can be pivoted via a pulley 26 formed by the tension band 18 and a fixed roller 26A and two loose rollers 26B. The end section support 39 is a two-armed, pivotable lever about a pivot bearing 39A on the chain link 60, on one end of which the pulley 26 acts against the restoring force of a spring 41 in the pivoting direction. At the other end, the end region support 39 carries a sliding element 39B which, when the end region support 39 is pivoted, moves from the rest position shown in FIG. 12G to the position shown in FIGS. 12H to 12K shown support position on a, in Figs. 12H to 12K, dash-dot indicated padding or bed frame 61 slidably supports.

When the drawstring is further wound into the intermediate position shown in FIG. 12J, the adjustment mechanism between the chain links 50 and 57 first becomes active. This is constructed practically in the same way as the mechanism acting between the chain links 50, 51 or 51, 52 or 52, 53 on the head part, as was described in connection with FIG. 12A. The adjustment mechanism between the chain links 57 and 58, on the other hand, deviates in that the pivot drive for the power reduction lever 36 no longer takes place via a pulley block, but via a link 37. This is pivotally articulated at one end to the power reduction lever of the chain link 57 and at the other end to the power reduction lever of the chain link 58 and thus brings about a synchronization of the angular adjustment of the chain link pairing 50, 57 and 57, 58. In contrast, a simple, non-force-reduced swivel adjustment is effective between the chain links 58 and 59, as was described in principle in connection with FIG. 2, the tension band 18 being effective between a deflection point 62 on the chain link 58 and a deflection point 63 of the chain link 59 becomes. Between the last two chain links 59 and 60, pivoting is effected only towards the end of the adjustment movement. In the working position according to FIG. 12J, these chain links are still not pivoted to one another, that is to say they are aligned with one another in a straight line or stretched. It is only from FIG. 12K that a pivoting position is also achieved with this chain link pairing. Here, the tension band 18 acts on a comparatively short lever arm, namely between the swivel joint 14 of the chain link pair 59, 60 and a deflection roller 64 which is rotatably mounted on the chain link 59.

The separate motor drives 28 ^' and 28 ^" for the headboard and footboard have the

Advantage of smaller size due to lower load requirements as well as individual, i.e. independent adjustability of headboard and footboard.

In Figs. 13 to 15 are (i) one of the two adjustment chains (Fig. 13), (ii) the entire slatted frame (Fig. 14) and (iii) the padded bed or mattress

(FIG. 15) in the manner evident from the working positions according to FIG. 12F for the head part and according to FIG. 12K for the foot part. As can be seen from FIG. 14, for the mechanical stability of the overall adjustment device 10 cross members 65 can be provided on the inside between similar chain links on the head part and / or foot part lying opposite one another, e.g. B. be integrally connected to it. For the sake of clarity, traverses of this type, which are not necessarily provided between each pair of chain links, have been omitted from the foot part. 14 also shows hoops 38 which together form the support level 12A of a slatted frame. These bars or slats are between the neighboring ones

Swivel joint parts 14A, 14B provided, which improve the He- Belbelungen on bump-like projections 66 of the web elements 12B and the chain links 50 to 60 are provided. Such projections 66 are also provided where the distances between adjacent pivot joints 14 are greater. Therefore, all of the protrusions 66 are equidistant.

It can be seen from FIG. 15 that both padding 32 and the adjusting device 10 can be completely covered by protective layers 32A and 32B, respectively, in order to enable a uniform design, with the upper protective layer 32A and the lower protective layer 32B in the region of the overlap edge a Velcro or zipper 67 can be provided.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 16A to 16C shows a variant of an adjustment device for a foot part to the embodiment according to FIGS. 12G to 12K: the swivel adjustment between the chain links 50 and 57 corresponds to that from the embodiment according to FIGS. 12G to 12K. In the absence of an end region support, the entire foot part for the vein relief position shown in FIG. 16B must be reached by means of a pivoting mechanism consisting of two-part pulley 26 and power reduction lever 36. The pivoting movement between the chain links 57 and 58 is - in deviation - not synchronized. Rather, it should only become active when the drawstring is further wound up. For this purpose, the reduction ratio of the force reduction lever 36 on the chain link 58 is lower than the reduction ratio for the chain link pairing 50, 57. The tension band 18 already ends at the fastening point 18A provided on the chain link 58. In addition, synchronization means 19A and 37 are provided, by which the first pivoting of the chain link pairs 50, 57 is promoted.

16B, the chain links 58, 59 and 59, 60 are stretched toward one another, although the chain link 60 has no end region support. This

The stretched position is determined by a strong tension spring 40 articulated in the chain link 60 reached, which is coupled to the free end of a power reduction lever 36 pivotally attached to chain link 59 via a tension band 19B. The tension band 19B loads the power reduction lever 36 of the chain link 59 in a clockwise direction. An abutment 36B, as explained in connection with Fig. 12A, is pivotally attached at one end to the abutment surface 36C of the power reduction lever 36 and at the other end to a bearing bore 36B 'of the chain link 60 and therefore acts as a thrust bearing which links the chain links 59 and 60 in response to the tension spring force 40 holds in the stretched position. The force reduction lever 36 of the chain link 59 is via a synchronization link 37, as is shown in FIGS. 12G to 12K is known, with one closest

Chain link 58 pivotally connected auxiliary lever 21 and also the auxiliary lever 21 of the chain link 58 is pivotally connected to a stretching lever serving as an abutment 36B, which acts at the other end on a bearing bore 36B 'of the chain link 59. Since the auxiliary lever 21 is tensioned clockwise by means of the tension band 19B and the link 37, this holds on

Auxiliary lever 21 articulated abutment 36B upright in the extended position shown in FIG. 16B between chain links 58 and 59. Another tension band 19A, which connects the auxiliary lever 21 of the chain link 58 with the force reduction lever 36 of the chain link 58, has no particular effect in this position of the adjusting device shown in FIG. 16B. If in this position the chain link 60 is loaded from above by a person or an object that is too heavy, it can evade this pressure due to the tension spring 40 downward, without thereby loading the adjusting device between the chain links 50 and 57 or 57 and 58 , Only between the chain links 58 and 59 and 59 and 60 then there is a certain pivoting movement downwards due to the uprighting of the auxiliary lever 21. By this uprighting the tension band 19A becomes slack and does not transmit any forces to the adjustment mechanisms under load by the tension band 18 Chain links 50 and 57 and 57 and 58. The tensile forces of the tension bands 19A and 19B thus act in the opposite direction. If the tension band 18 is now further than shown in FIG. 16B, sets, wound, the power reduction lever 36 pivotally attached to the chain link 58 is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction. If this swiveling movement is continued, this force reduction lever 36 pulls the auxiliary lever 21 in a counterclockwise direction by means of the tension band 19A. This presupposes that that exerted by the drawstring 18 on the drawstring 19A

Tractive force is greater than the opposite acting tensile force emanating from the spring 40. Due to the forced pivoting of the auxiliary lever 21, the further winding of the tension band 18 between the chain links 58 and 59 on the one hand and 59 and 60 on the other hand causes a downward synchronized pivoting movement by the handlebar 37, so that finally the relax position assumed in FIG. 16C is taken up by the chain links 59 and 60.

In the further embodiment according to FIG. 17, cranked chain links 51, 52, 53, and 54 are in turn for an arrangement in pairs (similar to that in FIG.

13) provided. In this exemplary embodiment, components having the same function have the same reference numerals as in the previous exemplary embodiments. The embodiment according to FIG. 17 represents a variant of the embodiment according to FIGS. 12A to 16. In this exemplary embodiment too, each web element 12B is in the second end region 12B "

Power reduction lever 36 is pivotally articulated by means of a pivot bearing 36A. At its free end it carries the "loose" deflection roller 26B of a two-part block and tackle 26, the "fixed" roller 26A of which is rotatably fastened to the adjacent web element 12B in its second end region 12B. If a pulling movement is now carried out on the right end of the tension band 18 in the figure, the force reduction levers 36 are pivoted in sequence, ie starting on the left in the figure, counterclockwise into a position as shown in FIG. 17 for the left force reduction lever 36 , An approximately semicircular contact surface 36C provided on the force reduction lever 36 in pairs is supported during this pivoting movement on a roller serving as an abutment 36B. This is rotatable on the hard web member 12B attached. The thrust bearing thus created causes the pivoting movement of the force reduction lever 36 to be transmitted to the adjacent chain link / web element. The curve shape of the contact surface 36C determines the lever ratios and thus the reduction ratio between the pivoting movement of the power reduction lever 36 and the adjacent chain links concerned and the change in this reduction ratio during the pivoting movement of the power reduction lever 36.

It is understood that the assemblies shown in the preceding exemplary embodiments can also be interchanged and combined with one another in a variety of ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 adjusting device

11 guide arm

12 support elements

12A support level

12B web elements

12B 'first end regions

12B "second end regions

12C spacer

13 shortcut

14 swivel joints

14A swivel joint part

14B swivel joint part

15A swing circle

15B swing circle

16 guide channel

18 drawstring

18A end of drawstring

18 'print ribbon

19A drawstring

19B drawstring

20A stop surface

20B stop surface

20C drawstrings

21 auxiliary lever

21A pivot bearing

22A direction of adjustment

22B direction of adjustment

24 drive device

26 pulley A pulleys B pulleys

Electric motor / gearbox 'drive head section' drive foot section

winding drum

Upholstery A protective layer B protective layer C core layer

recess

Power reduction lever A swivel bearing B abutment B 'bearing hole C contact surface

handlebars

Spriegel / bar

End section support A Swivel link B Sliding element

mainspring

Chain link motor - 56 chain links head section - 60 chain links foot section

bed frame

turning point

idler pulley

trusses Protrusions Velcro or zipper

Claims

claims

1. Adjusting device for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like, consisting of a plurality of supporting elements (12) which extend transversely to an adjustment direction (22A; 22B) and together span a support plane (12A) and at least one drive device (24) for pivoting the supporting elements (12) relative to one another in order to change the inclination or course of the support plane (12A)

characterized in that

a) the support elements (12) are each provided with at least one web element (12B) extending transversely to the support plane (12A),

b) each web element (12B) is provided with a swivel joint (14) at its first end region (12B '),

c) spacing means (12C) are provided for holding the spacing of adjacent web elements (12B) from one another in the region (12B ') of the swivel joints (14) and

d) distance changing means (18, 18 ') for changing the distance between adjacent web elements (12B) are provided in the region (12B ") of their second ends of the web elements (12B) opposite the swivel joints (14).

2. Adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance changing means has a tension band (18).

3. Adjusting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the tension band (18) in the sense of a force reduction on the web elements (12B) is provided directly or indirectly provided deflection rollers (26A, 26B).

4. Adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance changing means has a pressure tape (18 ').

5. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the distance changing means can be wound up.

6. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a guide channel (16) in the second end region (12B ") of the web element (12B).

7. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the distance changing means has at least one force reduction lever (26) which is provided on at least one of the web elements (12B).

8. Adjusting device according to claim 3 and 7, characterized in that the force reduction lever (36) carries at least one of the deflection rollers (26B) for the tension band (18).

9. Adjusting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the

Power reduction lever (26) is rigidly connected to the web element (12B).

10. Adjusting device according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one deflection roller (26A) is arranged in the end region (12B ") on the web element (12B), and in that at least one deflection roller (26B) is arranged on the force reduction lever (36) in the region (12B ') of the adjacent web element.

11. Adjusting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the force reduction lever (36) is pivotally attached, in particular to the end region (12B ") of the associated web element (12B) opposite the swivel joint (14).

12. Adjusting device according to claim 11, characterized by a system surface (36C) provided on the force reduction lever (36) for an abutment (36B) of the adjacent web element (12B).

13. Adjusting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the abutment (36B) is rotatable.

14. Adjusting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the abutment (36B) is designed as a push rod.

15. Adjusting device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the power reduction lever (36) is a tensioning lever.

16. Adjusting device according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that at least two force reduction levers (36) of different web elements (12B) are drive-connected by at least one link (37).

17. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized by an extendable end region support (39).

18. Adjusting device according to one of claims 2 to 17, characterized in that the drive device comprises a winding drum (30) having.

19. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the distances between the stop surfaces (20A, 20B) of adjacent web elements (12B) along the support plane (12A) vary in accordance with the maximum desired change in inclination between undisguised and maximally adjusted tendency to use ,

20. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it is arranged within an upholstery (32).

21. Adjusting device according to claim 20, characterized in that the padding (32) has recesses (34) in the zones adjacent to the second end regions (12B ") of the web elements (12B).

22. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the distance changing means have a pitch cable rotatable about its longitudinal axis and the web elements have a pitch cable nut.

23. Adjusting device according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that between the support elements (12) at least one spring (40) is arranged which, when the tension band (18) is relieved, the support elements (12) shifted back into their starting position.

24. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that at least one web element (12B) is provided with means for limiting the swivel angle to the adjacent web element.

25. Adjusting device according to claim 24, characterized in that the Means for limiting the swivel angle consist of lateral stop surfaces (20A; 20B).

26. Adjusting device according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the means for limiting the swivel angle in the second end region

(12B ") of the web element (12B) is effective.

27. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the web elements (12B) are formed in pairs and the pairs form a chain in which the / the distance changing means (18, 18 ') is / are arranged between the pair halves.

28. Adjusting device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the web elements (12B) are designed cranked.