EP1601270B1 - Support for a human body, particularly a mattress - Google Patents

Abstract

The underlay for a human body, in particular, in the form of a mattress for beds, loungers, armchairs and the like comprises a core (10) with at least one layer (11, 12) of elastic tubes (13) oriented in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the underlay. An independent claim is also included for a mattress with at least two such underlays arranged side by side or on top of one another.

Description

The invention relates to a pad for the human body, in particular a mattress for beds, couches, seating and the like, which has at least two layers of elastic tubes with a longitudinal extent parallel to a plane defined by the base.

A pad of the type mentioned above is from the GB-A-590,700 known. It is disclosed therein a pneumatically resilient structure for seat cushions of chairs. The pillow consists of several superimposed layers of elastic tubes. The tubes are exposed and are not fixed to each other. As a result, the seating comfort of the known seat cushion is impaired.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple to produce pad with high lying or seating comfort.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. For this purpose, at least two layers of elastic tubes are provided in a pad for the human body, in particular a mattress for beds, loungers, seating and the like, wherein the elastic tubes are tubes with a longitudinal extent parallel to a plane defined by the pad , These at least two layers preferably form a core of the substrate. By embedding the elastic tubes advantageously results in a fixation of the overall structure. At the same time, a bridged and possibly flat surface can thus be achieved, so that the lying comfort is further improved.

The advantage of the invention is that a pad or a core with at least two layers of elastic tubes is particularly easy to produce, easy and therefore easy to transport and at the same time offers a high lying or sitting comfort.

When in the at least two layers of elastic tubes a plurality of such tubes are arranged in parallel alignment with each other and spaced from each other, an overall arrangement results which is extremely air permeable and flexible.

By the at least two layers of elastic tubes of the pad or the core, the elasticity of the pad is increased overall. If the orientation of the elastic tubes of the first layer is different from the orientation of the elastic tubes of the second layer, preferably the tubes of the different layers are crosswise to each other, there is the possibility of increasing the elasticity of the underlay in two directions, e.g. in the longitudinal and transverse directions when the elastic tubes of the first layer are arranged substantially perpendicular to the elastic tubes of the second layer to influence.

The crosswise arrangement of the tubes of different layers to one another leads to a point contact of the tubes of one layer to the tubes of the other layer. This leads to a particularly soft deflection of the core forming the pad. The spring characteristic of the core is also not linear, whereby an especially particularly soft initial base is created, which gives the person lying on the pad a particularly pleasant, especially soft, lying comfort that exceeds the comfort of luxuriauferer Federkemmatratzen. In addition, the contact points allow easy connection of the tubes of different layers with each other.

If the individual elastic tubes are filled or filled with a damping medium, in particular a gaseous or liquid damping medium, in particular air or water, there is a possibility of specifying the damping properties of the base. If the filled or fillable elastic tubes are connected to each other in particular in layers or segments, there is the possibility of a pressure equalization within the pad, so that the damping medium escapes from heavily loaded tubes and distributed to less heavily loaded tubes. Thus, when using the pad as a mattress a uniform support of the entire human body is possible by more serious body parts sink into the mattress so far until a balance is achieved with respect to an equivalent support of lighter body parts.

The dynamic behavior of such a base, in particular of such a mattress, can be advantageously influenced if the filled or fillable elastic tubes are connected to one another via pressure compensation means, in particular throttled pressure compensation means. Ideally adjustable throttles are provided, so that an easy adjustability of the dynamic behavior of the mattress is given with only one actuating medium. It is also conceivable that the tubes are wholly or partly covered by an elastic material, e.g. cut PU foam, surrounded or embedded in elastic material.

When the elastic tubes of the first layer have a diameter different from the diameter of the elastic tubes of the second layer, it is e.g. possible to provide on the outside of the pad a layer of elastic tubes with a smaller diameter and thus a larger total number of elastic tubes, so that an even better and more even pressure distribution is possible. The elastic tubes with a larger diameter inside the pad, on the other hand, provide a basic damping and / or a basic stability.

When the elastic tubes are filled in different layers with different damping media, e.g. Air as a damping medium in an outer layer and water as a damping medium of an inner layer, can be conveniently exploited the insulating property of air on the human body facing top of the pad and the incompressibility of water in the interior of the pad.

It is further contemplated to provide at least some elastic tubes with a fire retardant and / or fire protective agent. The tubes in question are wholly or partially filled with the fire-retardant or fire-protecting agent. This agent may at the same time be the damping medium. Preferably, only some, in particular all, elastic tubes of an upper layer are at least partially filled with the fire-retardant and / or fire-protecting agent. The fire retardant and / or fire retardant agent is an extinguishing agent, such as water or a fire extinguishing liquid. However, the agent can also be an additive that is mixed with a damping agent.

The elastic tubes are particularly advantageously formed by welding and optionally punching out two foils. Alternatively, the elastic tubes are tubes, especially flexible tubes.

Several documents of the type described above can be advantageously combined into a mattress if they are arranged side by side or one above the other. When the pressure of the damping medium in the elastic tubes of a first such pad is adjustable independently of the pressure of the damping medium in the elastic tubes of a second such pad, e.g. a head and / or foot area of such a mattress with respect to its damping properties different from a central part, a trunk area, the mattress adjustable. The specification of the damping properties of individual to a mattress combined documents can be advantageously achieved if each pad is filled or filled with different damping media.

The advantage of the invention and its embodiments is thus in particular that the pad is particularly suitable in areas where a lightweight solution with high comfort is required, especially in the field of so-called "mobile sleep". The base is characterized by a possibility of cost-effective production and high long-term stability. Furthermore, the height of mattresses formed from such bases can be increased by adding further layers of elastic tubes.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

zwei Lagen elastischer Röhren als insbesondere Kern einer Unterlage für den menschlichen Körper,

Fig. 2

ein Segment miteinander verbundener und mit einem Dämpfungsmedium befüllter oder befüllbarer elastischer Röhren,

Fig. 3

ein Segment miteinander über Druckausgleichsmittel verbundener mit einem Dämpfungsmedium befüllter oder befüllbarer elastischer Röhren,

Fig. 4

zwei Lagen elastischer Röhren, wobei jede Lage in ein elastisches Material, z.B. PU-Schaum, eingebettet ist,

Fig. 5

zwei Lagen elastischer Röhren, wobei jede Lage teilweise von einem elastischen Material, z.B. PU-Schaum, umgeben ist,

Fig. 6

zwei Lagen elastischer Röhren, wobei jede Lage durch ein elastisches Material, z.B. PU-Schaum, abgedeckt ist,

Fig. 7

einen Kern einer Unterlage mit mehr als zwei Lagen elastischer Röhren,

Fig. 8

ein Segment elastischer Röhren, das durch Verschweißen und Ausstanzen zweier Folien gebildet ist,

Fig. 9a

eine Matratze mit zwei Lagen elastischer Röhren, so dass sie Elastizität der Matratze in Längs- und Querrichtung unabhängig vorgebbar ist,

Fig. 9b

eine Matratze mit zwei Lagen elastischer Röhren, wobei eine Lage mehrere Segmente elastischer Röhren umfasst, so dass sie Elastizität der Matratze in Längs- und Querrichtung unabhängig und für jedes Segment individuell vorgebbar ist, und

Fig. 9c

eine Matratze mit zwei Lagen elastischer Röhren, wobei jede Lage mehrere Segmente elastischer Röhren umfasst, so dass sie Elastizität der Matratze in Längs- und Querrichtung unabhängig und für jedes Segment individuell vorgebbar ist.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Corresponding objects or elements are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals. Show:

Fig. 1

two layers of elastic tubes as in particular core of a support for the human body,

Fig. 2

a segment of interconnected and filled with a damping medium elastic or filled tubes,

Fig. 3

a segment of elastic tubes connected to one another via pressure compensation means and filled or filled with a damping medium,

Fig. 4

two layers of elastic tubes, each layer being embedded in an elastic material, eg PU foam,

Fig. 5

two layers of elastic tubes, each layer partially surrounded by an elastic material, eg PU foam,

Fig. 6

two layers of elastic tubes, each layer being covered by an elastic material, eg PU foam,

Fig. 7

a core of a pad with more than two layers of elastic tubes,

Fig. 8

a segment of elastic tubes formed by welding and punching two foils,

Fig. 9a

a mattress with two layers of elastic tubes, so that they can be specified independently of the elasticity of the mattress in the longitudinal and transverse directions,

Fig. 9b

a mattress with two layers of elastic tubes, wherein one layer comprises a plurality of segments of elastic tubes, so that they elasticity of the mattress in the longitudinal and transverse directions is independent and individually definable for each segment, and

Fig. 9c

a mattress with two layers of elastic tubes, each layer comprising a plurality of segments of elastic tubes, so that they elasticity of the mattress in the longitudinal and transverse directions is independent and for each segment individually predetermined.

Fig. 1 shows a core 10 for a human body, which is formed of two vertically superimposed layers 11,12 of elastic tubes 13.

The core 10 may be surrounded by an envelope, not shown. Alternatively, however, the entire base of the layers 11 and 12 may be formed.

The elastic tubes 13 preferably have a circular cross-section, although other cross-sections are suitable for realizing the invention. For example, these may be oval, elliptical or polygonal cross sections. The height of the core 10 of the pad is determined by the diameter of the individual elastic tubes 13 and the number of layers 11,12. The central axes of all the elastic tubes 13 of a layer 11, 12 of elastic tubes 13 each define a plane. The support of a core 10 comprehensive pad on a reclining or seating furniture (not shown) is carried out such that the core 10 is arranged with the above-mentioned level parallel to one or more bearing surfaces of the reclining or seating furniture. Each of the elastic tubes 13 has a longitudinal extent parallel to the plane defined by the base. The elastic tubes 13 of each layer 11,12 are arranged in parallel alignment with each other and spaced from each other, wherein the parallel central axes of all the tubes 13 of the one layer 11, the central axes of the tubes 13 of the other layer 12 cut preferably at 90 °. In Fig. 1 each sealed elastic tubes 13 are shown, which are isolated from each other.

The individual elastic tubes 13 are preferably filled or filled with a damping medium, not shown, in particular a gaseous or liquid damping medium, in particular air or water. Furthermore, the elastic tubes 13 may be filled with a fire-retardant and / or fire-extinguishing agent, also not shown, either completely or only partially. This agent can simultaneously form the damping medium, especially if it is the damping agent to water or other fire-retardant or fire-extinguishing properties having liquid, which then serves as an extinguishing agent. It is also conceivable, however, to mix the damping agent with additives which impart fire-retardant and / or fire-extinguishing properties to the damping agent, and if appropriate also to a gaseous damping agent.

Fig. 2 shows a section of a layer 11 of elastic tubes 13 which are interconnected. For connecting two elastic tubes 13 with each other, a connecting piece 14 is provided. Furthermore, a valve 15 is shown, via which the individual elastic tubes 13 are filled with a damping medium. With the valve 15, the pressure of the damping medium in the elastic tubes 13 can then be adjusted. Furthermore, it is also possible that the damping medium is changed depending on the design and application. Suitable damping media are in particular gaseous or liquid damping media, such as air, gas, water, gel, etc., into consideration. The connection 14 between the individual elastic tubes 13 is advantageously arranged at the respective outer ends of the individual elastic tubes 13. The thus connected elastic tubes 13 are thus fixed in position to each other. Through the connection 14 between the individual elastic tubes 13, a kind of "communicating suspension" results, because at a pressure on one or more of the elastic tubes 13 damping medium escapes in proportion to the pressure exerted on these elastic tubes 13 and on the connected elastic tubes 13 distributed.

In Fig. 3 is an embodiment of the embodiment according to Fig. 2 shown, in each of which a throttle 16 is arranged in all or selected connecting pieces 14. With such throttles 16, the dynamic behavior of a layer 11 of interconnected elastic tubes 13 can be influenced. The throttles 16 are adjustable or fixed throttles 16. Ideally, the throttles 16 are mechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically adjustable, so that a simple adjustability of the dynamic behavior of the layer 11 elastic tubes 13 is given with only one actuating medium.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the core 10 of the pad with two layers 11, 12 of elastic tubes 13, wherein each layer 11,12 is surrounded by an elastic material 17. The elastic material 17 is a plastic foam, in particular PU foam. For receiving the elastic tubes 13, the elastic material 17 on one side incisions 18, followed by the preferably corresponding to the diameter of the embedded elastic tubes 13 designed recesses.

Fig. 5 shows a variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 4 , In this variant, the layers 11, 12 of the elastic tubes 13 are only partially surrounded by the elastic material 17. By embedding the elastic tubes 13 in the elastic material 17th according to the embodiment according to Fig. 4 or Fig. 5 is advantageously achieved a fixation of the elastic tubes 13 in the overall structure.

Fig. 6 shows a further variant of a core of a pad with layers 11, 12 of crosswise superimposed elastic tubes 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the two outer layers 11 of the elastic tubes 13 are covered by an elastic material 17.

Fig. 7 shows a structure of a core 10 of a pad with more than two layers 11, 12. Shown are five layers 11, 12 each with crosswise superimposed elastic tubes 13. The diameter of the elastic tubes 13 in the illustrated construction decreases from inside to outside, so that a larger number of parallel tubes 13 is present on the outside both on the underside and on the top than in the middle or inner layers 11, 12. In this way, the contact surface of the overall structure increases. A lying or sitting human body is thus optimally supported. In a multi-layered construction, as in Fig. 7 represented is particularly advantageous combination of different damping media, such as a liquid damping medium, such as water, inside and gaseous damping medium, such as heat-insulating air, outside possible. For large heights of documents, a reduction in the use of material is achieved so that layers 11 are used with elastic tubes 13 of larger diameter inside the core.

Based on Fig. 8 a possibility of producing a layer of interconnected elastic tubes 13 is explained. To produce the illustrated tube element 19, two superimposed films 20, of which in Fig. 8 only one, namely the upper one is visible, welded and punched. The formation of the tubular element 19 takes place with an outer circumferential weld 21 and a plurality of inner welds 22. The punching is just outside the welds 21, 22. Alternatively, the tubes 13 may also be made of flexible tubes, in particular foil tubes, which are closed at the end are.

Based on Fig. 9a, 9b and 9c Now, the possibility of the elasticity of a mattress formed with documents of the type described described in the longitudinal and transverse directions differently explained. Fig. 9a schematically shows a mattress 23 in plan view. The mattress 23 comprises two layers 11, 12 of crosswise superimposed elastic tubes 13, so a pad of the type described above with two layers 11,12 elastic tubes or two documents, each with a layer 11,12 elastic tubes 13. The individual elastic tubes 13th are not shown but only indicated by the horizontal or vertical lines with a center arrow. A first layer 11 of elastic tubes extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mattress 23. A second layer 12 of elastic tubes extends transversely to the longitudinal direction (transverse direction) of the mattress 23. By influencing the elasticity of the elastic tubes 13 of the first layer 11, the elasticity of the mattress 23 are influenced in the longitudinal direction. By influencing the elasticity of the elastic tubes 13 of the second layer 12, the elasticity of the mattress 23 in the transverse direction can be influenced. The influence of the elasticity of the mattress 23 in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction is therefore possible independently. Fig. 9b shows a variant of the mattress 23 Fig. 9a , Again, a first layer 11 of elastic tubes 13 is provided which extend along the longitudinal extent of the mattress 23. The second layer 12 of elastic tubes 13 is formed by segments of elastic tubes, eg tube elements 19. In the example shown, the second layer 12 comprises three tube elements 19, ie a tube element 19 for a head region, a further tube element 19 for a foot region and finally a third tube element 19 for a trunk region of the mattress 23. In the illustrated mattress 23, its elasticity in the longitudinal direction be predetermined by influencing the elasticity of the elastic tubes 13 of the first layer 11. The elasticity of the elastic tubes 13 of the second layer 12 of the mattress 23 can be set differently for each tube element 19. That is, the elasticity in the head, torso and foot region of the mattress 23 can be set independently in the transverse direction. Fig. 9c shows a further variant of the embodiment of the mattress 23. Here, the mattress 23 is formed with three tube elements 19 in the second layer 12, as already in relation Fig. 9 described. In addition, now for the lower layer 11 is a division of the previously ( Fig. 9a, 9b ) over the entire longitudinal extent of the mattress 23 continuous elastic tubes 13 in individual segments of elastic tubes, such as tube elements 19, is provided. In this way, each mattress section 24, that is to say the head, torso and foot sections, can be adjusted individually with regard to its elasticity in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction. Each mattress section 24 can be considered as a support of the above described two layers 11, 12 of elastic tubes 13. The mattress 23 of the embodiment according to Fig. 9c thus includes juxtaposed documents.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

core

11

location

12

location

13

elastic tube

14

joint

15

Valve

16

throttle

17

elastic material

18

incision

19

tubular member

20

foil

21

Weld

22

Weld

23

mattress

24

mattress section

Claims (15)

1. A support for the human body, in particular a mattress, for beds, day beds, sitting furniture and the like, which has at least two layers (11, 12) of elastic tubes (13) with a longitudinal extension parallel to a plane defined by the support, characterized in that the elastic tubes (13) are embedded in an elastic material (17).
2. The support according to Claim 1, characterized in that the elastic material (17) is made of polyurethane foam.
3. The support according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the layers (11, 12) there are arranged a plurality of elastic tubes (13) in parallel alignment to one another and spaced apart from one another.
4. The support according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that the alignment of the elastic tubes (13) of the first layer (11) differs from the alignment of the elastic tubes (13) of the second layer (12).
5. The support according to Claim 4, characterized in that the elastic tubes (13) of the first layer (11) run crosswise to the elastic tubes (13) of the second layer (12), with the elastic tubes (13) of the first layer (11) being preferably arranged essentially perpendicular to the elastic tubes (13) of the second layer (12) and the elastic tubes (13) of the different layers (11, 12) making a point contact with each other at the crosspoints, in particular being connected to one another at the point contact positions.
6. The support according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that the individual elastic tubes (13) are filled or can be filled with a damping medium, in particular with a gaseous or liquid damping medium, in particular air or water.
7. The support according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that at least some elastic tubes (13), in particular a top layer (11), are provided at least in part with a fire-retardant and/or fire-extinguishing means.
8. The support according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that the filled or fillable elastic tubes (13) are connected to one another, in particular as a layer or segment, preferably by means of pressure equalization means such as flow control valves (16).
9. The support according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that the elastic tubes (13) have an essentially circular cross-section, if appropriate with the elastic tubes (13) of the first layer (11) having a diameter which deviates from the diameter of the elastic tubes (13) of the second layer (12).
10. The support according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that in addition to the first and second layer of elastic tubes (13), a further layer (11) or a plurality of further layers (12) of elastic tubes (13) are provided.
11. The support according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that the elastic tubes (13) in different layers (11, 12) are filled with different damping media.
12. The support according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that at least one layer (11, 12) of elastic tubes (13) is formed by the welding of two foils (20).
13. The support according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that at least some of the elastic tubes (13) are hose-like, in particular flexible tubes.
14. A mattress, characterized by at least two supports arranged adjacent to or on top of one another pursuant to one of the previous Claims.
15. The mattress according to Claim 14, characterized in that the pressure of the damping medium in the elastic tubes (13) of the first layer can be adjusted independently of the pressure of the damping medium in the elastic tubes (13) of the second layer and/or the tubes (13) of the first support are filled, or can be filled, with a damping medium that is different than the damping medium of the second support.

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