EP1986524B1

EP1986524B1 - Articulated framework for bed or seat

Info

Publication number: EP1986524B1
Application number: EP07705933A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benny Christiansen; Carsten Borup
Original assignee: Invacare International SARL
Current assignee: Invacare International SARL
Priority date: 2006-02-24
Filing date: 2007-02-22
Publication date: 2010-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-22
Also published as: DK1986524T3; NO20084046L; EP1825785A1; ATE455478T1; DE602007004449D1; NO330172B1; WO2007096828A1; EP1986524A1

Abstract

Slit tubular part (13) of the joint device (5) engages longitudinal member segment (6) belonging to upper leg section of the armature. Slit tubular member (14) engages similarly longitudinal member segment (8) belonging to lower leg section of the armature. The support structure (20) belonging to joint device (5) moves with tubular parts (13, 14) and joint axle (19) when the whole of the joint device is slidingly moved along the longitudinal member (6, 8). The support bars (21 and 22) then slide below intercalar transverse members (11) while supporting them at their ends.

Description

The present invention relates to the frameworks for beds or seats divided into several sections connected by joint devices.
Such known frameworks permit to adapt at will the inclinations of the different sections according to the wishes of comfort desired by the user. The different sections are usually of fixed lengths, but since there are still many people, as elderly people who are small compared to the average or people who need certain sections being of greater length, it has been proposed to provide such articulated frameworks with means for varying the length of some sections at will within certain limits. Such devices are described in WO 01/91689 , DE 10245978 and JP 11113973 . However the means proposed in said prior art documents are heavy and/or difficult to handle. In particular, they either need the use of tools or are combined with jacks.
The object of the present invention is therefore to remove these drawbacks and to create an improved articulated framework for bed or seat permitting to vary the relative lengths of some sections easily and rapidly.
With this end in view the subject matter of the present invention is defined as stated by the appended claims.
The framework as defined may be mounted on a base or on feet. A schematic example of such arrangement is given below however the mounting arrangement itself does not belong to the invention. Furthermore, mattress or sets of cushions of any kind may be provided for increasing the comfort of the users. Only the means permitting to vary in certain limits the relative lengths of a pair of successive sections is part of the invention.
A preferred embodiment of the invention and variant embodiments will be described now by way of example with reference to the enclosed drawings.
In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic view in side elevation of the proposed embodiment;
fig. 2 is a perspective view partially in section showing two successive sections of the framework according to a first embodiment of the invention, equipped with a joint device being represented separately, in a first limit position;
fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to fig. 2, with the joint device in the opposite limit position;
fig. 4 is a perspective view similar to fig. 3, with the joint device integrated to the framework sections and placed in the same limit position as in fig. 3;
fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to fig. 2 with the joint device being in a folded position;
fig. 6 is a perspective view similar to fig. 3 with the joint device being also in a folded position;
fig. 7, 8, and 9 are perspective views explaining the functioning of a second embodiment;
fig. 10 and 11 are perspective views explaining the functioning of a variant of the second embodiment;
fig. 12 is a perspective view showing two successive sections of a third embodiment of the framework of the present invention, the framework being articulated at a first joint position;
fig. 13 shows the same embodiment of fig. 12, the framework being articulated at a second joint position;
fig. 14 is a perspective exploded view showing the construction elements of joint arrangements of the framework of figs. 12 and 13;
fig. 15 is a perspective exploded view showing still further construction details of the joint arrangement of figs. 12 and 13;
fig. 16 is a perspective, partially assembled view of showing the joint arrangement of fig. 15;
figs 17 and 18 show the joint arrangement of the third embodiment in two turning positions, respectively, with the overall framework being straight/non-folded:

figs 19 and 20 show a fourth embodiment of the framework of the present invention, comprising a joint arrangement as shown in figs. 13 - 17 and further, individually turnable joint arrangements;
fig. 21 shows a perspective exploded view of the further, individually turnable joint arrangements of the aramture of figs. 19 and 20;
fig. 22 is a schematic view in elevation showing a base supporting the articulated framework.

The articulated framework forming the preferred embodiment of the claimed invention consists, as shown in fig. 1, of four successive sections 1, 2, 3, 4, with a back section 1, a seat section 2 and two leg sections 3 and 4: an upper leg section 3 and a lower leg section 4. Means (not shown) permit of varying and fixing at will the positions of one or several of the sections. They are arranged in such a manner that they do not impair the functioning of the joint devices (not shown in fig. 1) provided between each pair of successive sections.
Figs 2 to 6 explain the arrangement and the functioning of one of the joint devices provided with the framework. Since the design of the framework is symmetrical through its longitudinal axis a, only one half of the framework is illustrated on the drawings of figs 2 to 6. From fig. 1, it follows that, for example, between sections 3 and 4, two joint devices acting on a same transversal articulation axis will be provided. Figs 2 to 6 show a longitudinal view with one half of sections 3 and 4 and with one of the mentioned joint devices, denoted with reference numeral 5. On fig. 2, device 5 is represented outwardly of and parallel to its functioning position. Sections 3 and 4 lie in flat positions in the same plane, a second joint device (not represented on the drawings) symmetrical to device 5 being provided at the second half of the framework sections 3 and 4.
Section 3 comprises, as shown, a longitudinal member segment 6 of rectilinear shape formed of a metallic or plastic tubular part, to which are secured a number of transverse members 7 in form of flat metal or plastic bars welded at their ends in the longitudinal member 6 or fixed to the longitudinal member in any suitable manner. Section 4 similarly comprises a longitudinal member segment 8 and a number of flat metal or plastic bars 9 forming a set of transverse members, fixed at their ends into the tubular segment 8 of longitudinal member of any known suitable manner. Section 4 being an end section of the framework and forming the lower leg section, both parallel segments of longitudinal member 8 are rigidly connected to one another through a transverse segment 10 of the framework integral with the longitudinal member segments 8. The tubular parts constituting the longitudinal member 6 can of course be replaced by any other suitable part, not necessarily of tubular shape.
It follows from fig. 2 that framework sections 3 and 4 are normally maintained with a gap of a definite amplitude between them. Between the last transverse member 7 and the first transverse member 9, a set of intercalar transverse elements 11 are provided in form of flat bars narrower than the members 7 and 9, parallelly disposed and connected by a pair of bonds 12, here made of flexible strips, for example of fabric or plastic. Bonds 12 extend from the last transverse member 7 to the first transverse member 9 and so they determine the amplitude of the gap between the framework sections 3 and 4.
The relative dimensions and positions of joint device 5 appear from figs 2 to 6. The device 5 comprises two tubular parts 13 and 14, each provided with a longitudinal slit 15, 16 extending onto a major portion of the length of the part. One end of parts 13, 14 is open, whereas the other end is closed by a cylindrical stopper 17, 18, which for example may be drawn within the end portion of part 13 or 14. It appears from figs 2, 3, 4, and more clearly also from figs 5 and 6, that the stoppers 17, 18 are worked in such a manner that their end parts are divided along their medium longitudinal plan and a half of such end part is cut off, so that the half remaining hemi-cylinder part of the stopper 17 cooperates with the half remaining hemi-cylinder part of the other stopper 18. These hemi-cylinder parts extend for each stopper from a free end of the stopper towards its other end, the latter being of cylindrical shape and engaging the full tubular portion of part 13 or 14 to which the stopper is secured. A spindle part 19 engages each of the hemi-cylindrical remaining parts of the stoppers 17 and 18, thus forming an articulation axle diametrically traversing both tubular parts of the joint device 5.
According to a variant, not represented on the drawings, the stopper 17 has a central diametral slit arranged for receiving a central diametral projection protruding from stoppers 18. In this variant, the spindle part 19 engages the slit and projection parts of stoppers 17 and 18 thus forming the articulation axle diametrically traversing both tubular parts of the joint device 5.
Joint device 5 finally still comprises a.support structure 20 comprising two straight bars 21, 22, each rigidly secured by straps 23 to one of the tubular parts 13 or 14. The support bars 21 and 22 extend parallel to the tubular parts 13, 14 at a height immediately below the height of the lower edge of the slits 15, 16. The bars 21 and 22 are of the same length. Their ends located towards the articulation axis of joint 5 are positioned a short distance from one another in direct proximity of the axis of spindle 19. One notices that with the parts 13, 14 in the positions shown in fig. 2, the axis of the articulation determined by joint 5 coincides with the axis of spindle 19 and, if prolonged, extends exactly along the front edge of the first intercalar element 11 towards framework section 4.
Figs 3 to 6 explain the functioning of the framework described. The same parts as described in relation to fig. 2 are shown again in these figures. They are denoted with the same reference numerals.
Fig. 3 shows the parts exactly as they appeared in fig. 2, with the only difference that the joint device 5 is shown parallelly displaced towards framework section 3, in such a manner that the articulation axis determined by the axis of spindle 19 now extends along the rear edge of the first intercalar member 11. This displacement does not change the total length of the framework, only the location of the articulation axis has changed.
Assembling the joint device with the framework constituent parts gives the result shown in fig. 4, issued from the positions shown in fig. 3. The tubular parts 13 and 14 engage the longitudinal segments 6 and 8 respectively. The connections between transverse segments 7 and longitudinal segment 6, as well as between segments 9 and segment 8, are situated within the slits 15 and 16 respectively. The position of articulation axis of the joint device 5 is coincident with the rear edge of the rearmost intercalar element 11 and all the intercalar elements 11 lie with their ends on support bar 22. Obviously, with the flat arrangement of sections 3 and 4 shown in fig. 3 and 4, the joint device 5 could be slidably displaced towards the right on fig. 4, which would change nothing to the arrangement of the framework. The bar 21 would come to lie under the intercalar elements 11 and the bar 22 would slide under the rearmost one of segments 9, the latter being now located against the end of slit 16.
Figs. 5 and 6 now show both end positions of joint device 5 with respect to framework sections 3 and 4 when upper 3 and lower 4 leg sections of the framework are placed as shown in fig. 1. Obviously, the length of upper leg section 3 will be greater than that of lower leg section 4 when the positions are those of fig. 5. For modifying the relative lengths of sections 3 and 4, it suffices to place both framework sections in a same plane, as shown in fig. 4, for example, to slide the joint devices simultaneously in the desired direction and then to give to the sections 3 and 4 the desired inclination again. Fig. 6 shows the other extreme possible relative position. Although the joint device can be positioned at any place between its two above-defined limit positions, said position should preferably be chosen so that the axis of the spindle is situated in an interval between two intercalar members 11.
Same joint devices 5 can of course also be provided at any other articulations of the framework.
As described above, all elements of the framework can be metallic, for example in aluminium, but a part or all of these elements can also be in wood or plastic.
Fig. 7, 8 and 9 refer to a second embodiment wherein the joint arrangements between the different sections of the framework differ from what has been described in reference toFig. 2 to 6. Instead of a displaceable joint device (5 in fig. 2), a plurality of joints 40, situated one after the other along the longitudinal member, the later formed by a plurality of longitudinal short members 24, are provided so as to form, altogether, a joint arrangement 5 according to the present invention. In other words, the joint arrangement 5 of the embodiment of figs 7-9, as well as the one of the embodiments 10-21, is not longer separated, as an individual piece, from the longitudinal members (6, 8in fig. 2) but is integrated in the latter. The parts of the joint arrangement having joints in a locked position, that is, the non-articulated parts, become part of a respective section.
Fig. 7 and 8 show the constitution of an individual joint formed by interconnected means 24, 26, 27, which, when assembled with other such means into a set of identical means (24-26-27-24), forms a joint arrangement as shown in Fig. 9. This arrangement permits to modify the position of an axis of articulation between two adjacent sections of the framework. Two short longitudinal member segments 24 formed of tubular metal or plastic elements are provided each at one end with a cylindrical stopper 26, 27, split diametrically to determine two complementary hemi-cylindrical finger parts.as already explained with reference to Fig. 2. A central transversal bore 28 receives a bolt or spindle (not shown) which forms an axle of articulation between the pair of short members 24. In addition thereto, auxiliary bores 29, 30 are drilled in parallel directions to bore 28 on each side thereof thus permitting a U-shaped locking wire part 31 to be inserted in such a manner that when this locking member is inserted in bores 29, 30 the interconnected means 24 are rigidly held in a straight position whereas, when the locking member is removed, the articulation defined by the axle bolt or spindle in bore 28 is free to rotate.
Fig. 9 shows a folded position of the framework in the same manner as Fig. 5 or 6. Two framework sections 32, 33 are connected together by a joint arrangement here formed of a set of interconnected pairs of means 24 one of which has been unlocked by removing U-shaped wire part 31. A transverse member 34 of the framework is secured to each one of the longitudinal short members 24 and the main longitudinal members 35, 36 of sections 32 and 33 also support transverse members 34, these members being similar throughout the framework.
Figs 10 and 11 show a joint 40 as part of a joint arrangement similar to that shown in figs. 7 and 8, comprising two cylindrical stoppers 26, 27 pivotally connected to each other by a bolt or spindle received in a central bore 28, said bore extending through the two complementary hemi-cylindrical finger parts of said stoppers 26, 27. As a variation from the second embodiment of figs. 7 and 8, locking of the joint 40 is achieved by a sleeve 41 instead of a locking wire part 31. For locking and unlocking the joint 40, said sleeve is simply fitted over or removed from the articulation, as shown in figs 10 and 11, respectively.
Figs 12 and 13 show a third embodiment of the framework of the present invention, comprising a joint arrangement 5 with two joints 45, 46, wherein the locking of one joint entails the unlocking of the other and vice versa. In fig. 12, a first joint 45, defining a first position of articulation is locked, and the second joint 46, defining a second position of articulation, being articulated.
Fig. 12 only shows an extract of the overall framework of fig. 1, namely the joint arrangement 5 between sections 3 and 4. Therefore, with the second joint 46 being articulated, it is clear that the lower leg section 3 of the framework is adjusted to its shortest possible length. Instead, the upper leg section 4 is not adjusted to its shortest possible length.
Fig. 13 shows the same extract as fig. 12, but with the first joint 45 being unlocked and articulated and the second joint 46 being locked automatically, due to the mechanical construction of this joint arrangement. With the second articulation at the second joint 5 being locked, the lower leg section of the framework shown in fig. 12 is at its maximum lengths, with the upper leg section being reduced in length according to the distance between the first and second joints 45, 46. As with all previous embodiments, the overall length of the framework of which sections 4 and 3 are shown in figs. 12 and 13 is not changed when the length of the lower and/or upper leg section is modified.
Figs 12 and 13 also show that, as a further variation of the embodiment shown in figs. 2-6, there is a transverse member 47, which is attached to the joint arrangement 5 and is therefore situated between the first and second joints 45, 46, respectively. This transverse member 47 may thus be part of either of the two adjacent sections, here the lower and upper leg section 3 and 4, respectively, depending on which of the two joints 45 and 46 is unlocked and locked, respectively.
While in the third embodiment shown in figs. 12 and 13 there is only a single transverse member 47 located between to neighboring joints, it is of course possible to provide two, three, four or even more transverse members situated between said first and second joints.
A schematic exploded view of the joint arrangement 5 of figs. 12 and 13 is provided in fig. 14. A intermediate part 50 serves as support for attachment of the transverse member 47, namely by means of a partial hollow cylinder 48, fixably attached at each distal end of the transverse member 47, said partial hollow cylinder 48 being adapted to grip around a central section 49 of the intermediate part 50. In fig. 14, the partial hollow cylinder 48 forms a clip-mechanism for attachment to the intermediate part 50, which could easily be removed if desired.
The intermediate part 50 further serves as support for a first and a second cylindrical element 26' and 27', with which it forms the first and second joints 45 and 46, respectively, indicated in figs. 12 and 13. The two pivot axis 53 and 54 of said joints are offset by 90°. This is achieved through the construction of the intermediate part 50, which comprises, at opposed distal ends, two flat areas 51 and 52, which are offset by the same angle of 90°. The flat areas 51 and 52 are designed to come together with flat areas of said cylindrical elements 26' and 27', the latter having a hemi-cylindrical part as described above with respect to the cylindrical stoppers 26 and 27. Transversal bores 55 and 56, going through the cylindrical elements and the corresponding distal ends of the intermediate part 26'/51 and 27'/52, respectively, define the pivoting axis 53 and 54, of the first and second joint 45 and 46, respectively. The axis 53 and 54 defined by each bore 55, 56 is perpendicular to the respective flat surface 51 and 52, so as to permit pivoting movement between the intermediate part 50 and the cylindrical elements 26', 27', respectively, once assembeled. It goes without saying that the planes of pivoting between the intermediate part 50 on the one hand and the first and second cylindrical elements 26' and 27' on the other hand are offset by 90°. As is apparent from viewing figs 13 and 14, only one joint of joints 45 and 46 having its pivoting axis 53 or 54 in horizontal orientation can be articulated, because the respective other joint, having its pivoting axis oriented vertically cannot pivot, due to the strains exerted by the longitudinal member in conjunction with the respective joint's cylindrical element 26' or 27'. In other words, a pivoting movement and, hence, articulation between sections is only possible if the flat area 51 or 52 of a hemicylindrical part of the intermediate part 50 and the hemicylindrical part of an element 26' or 27', respectively, of a joint 45 or 56 is oriented vertically. In figs 13 and 14, this is the case with the first joint 45, visible on the right side of fig. 14.
As is better apparent in fig. 15, cylindrical elements 26' and 27' are turnably lodged and attached at the distal end of the longitudinal members 8 and 6, respectively, where two sections of the overall aramture are connected to each other. When assembled, the intermediate part 50 is turnable, too, due to the turnable anchoring of said cylindrical elements 26' and 27'. By turning the intermediate part 50, the angles of the axis 53 and 54 of the joints (see fig. 14) are modified simultaneously until one of them is in a horizontal position. The axis being horizontally aligned (in fig. 15: axis 53) is the one which can pivot in a vertical plane and thus result in articulation of the overall joint arrangement.
Fig. 15 shows further details, namely the way the cylindrical elements 26' and 27' are turnably lodged in the longitudinal members 8, 6 of the upper and lower leg sections, respectively. Accordingly, each cylindrical element 26', 27' comprises an anchoring part 58, 59, respectively, which fits in the lumen of the tubes of the longitudinal members 8 and 6, respectively. The latter have the shape of hollow cylinders, wherein said anchoring parts 58, 59 are arranged so as to fit into the lumen of said hollow cylinders. Small screws 60, 61 are guided through said longitudinal members 8 and 6, respectively, and retain the cylindrical elements 26', 27' at their anchoring parts 58, 59 respectively, in the longitudinal member. Fig. 15 further shows bolts 62 and 63 for tightening the intermediate part 50 to the cylindrical elements 26', 27' at the flat surfaces 51, 52. The partially assembled joint arrangement 5 of figs 14 and 15 is shown in fig. 16.
Figs. 17 and 18 show the joint arrangement 5 when assembled in the framework of the third embodiment of the present invention. Longitudinal members 6, 8 of the adjacent sections of the framework are exactly aligned and not articulated. These figures illustrate the turning movement of the joint arrangement 5 from a first position, where a first position of articulation, at joint 45, is unlocked and a second position of articulation is locked (fig. 17), to a second position of the joint arrangement 5, where a second position of articulation, at joint 46, is unlocked and the first position of articulation is locked (fig. 18). Figs. 17 and 18 thus further illustrate that the joint arrangement 5 can be turned only when longitudinal members 8, 6, connected at and by the joint arrangement are aligned.
Figs. 19 and 20 show a further embodiment of the articulated framework of the present invention, where a plurality of turnable joints 70 are arranged one after the other over the entire length of the framework. In principle, this embodiment is similar to the one shown in fig. 9, but differs in that the joint is locked / unlocked by turning instead of using U-shaped wire parts, and also in that the joint arrangements extends over the whole framework and is not restricted to a "joint-arrangement"-area. Since all joints are individually un-lockable, this means of course that the number of sections is not determined, as in the previous embodiments. With the framework of figs. 19 and 20, the user can create as many sections separated by articulations as she/he desires, simply by unlocking an according number of joints 70. According to this embodiment, the entire framework is a joint arrangement, wherein transversal members are mounted to short longitudinal member segments 24, the latter separating successive joints 70.
In other words, the fourth embodiment shown in figs 19 and 20 consists of a succession of turnable joints and short longitudinal member segments 24 (-70-24-70-24-), optionally over the entire length of the framework and also across the successive sections. While not clearly visible in figs. 19 and 20, the transversal members 47 may be attached to the short longitudinal member segments 24 in the same way as the traversal member 47 is attached to the intermediate part of the joint arrangement 5 shown in fig. 14.
Fig. 21 shows the construction details of the turnable joints 70 used in figs. 19 and 20 and it can be seen that the construction is the same as the one of the embodiment of fig. 15, with the only differences being that an intermediate part 5 is absent so that cylindrical elements 26', 27' are attached directly to each other and that said elements 26', 27' are turnably anchored in the short longitudinal member segments 24 instead of the longitudinal members 6, 8. From the details of fig. 21 it can immediately be understood that when assembled, each joint 70, forming part of and being integrated in an overall longitudinal frame of the artmature is individually turnable so that the pivot axis 53 can be horizontally aligned, thus unlocking the joint and enabling articulation in the vertical plane going through the longitudinal segments. In figs 19 and 20, onl yone joint 70' is unlocked so that articulation at this joint is enabled.
Finally, Fig. 22 shows an example of a support base 37 able to receive a framework such as the one shown in Fig 1. Each of the sections 1, 2, 3 or 4 may lie on a single or a pair of adjustable supports 38 comprising each a rigid arm of definite length pivoting in a control device and provided at its upper end with a transverse bar. The longitudinal members of the sections are supported at the ends of the transverse bars. They can slide on the transverse bars or they could also be locked. Fig. 10 shows how the arrangement of sections 3 and 4 can be modified without changing the positions of supports 38 by merely displacing the articulation axis between these sections.

Claims

Articulated framework for bed or seat, comprising a plurality of sections (3, 4) with longitudinal members (6, 8), transverse members (7, 9) secured to the longitudinal members and joint arrangements (5) between said sections, defining axis of articulation of the framework, perpendicular to the longitudinal members, characterized in that each joint arrangement (5) comprises a set of interconnected means mounted between two longitudinal members belonging to two successive sections (3, 4), and is able to be operated by hand for displacing the said axis of articulation parallely to itself thus modifying the respective length of the "said two successive" sections in such a manner that the total length of the framework remains unchanged.
Articulated framework according to claim 1, characterized in that each joint arrangement consists of joint devices (5) slidingly arranged along two segments (6, 8) of a longitudinal member for displacing the articulation axis parallelly to itself on a given distance, and a set of intercalar transverse members (11) are disposed between the said segments of longitudinal members (6, 8), these intercalar members being connected to transverse members (7, 9) belonging to both successive sections (3, 4) of the framework and being supported by a support structure (20) belonging to the joint device (5).
Articulated framework according to claim 2, characterized in that said joint device (5) comprises two tubular parts (13, 14) connected to one another by a joint axle (19), each tubular part (13, 14) slidably engaging one of said segments (6, 8) of longitudinal members, each of said tubular parts (13, 14) being further provided with a support part (21, 22) belonging to the support structure (20).
Framework according to claim 3, characterized in that said set of intercalar transverse members (11) are connected by deformable means (12) to transverse members (7, 9) belonging to both said framework sections (3, 4) and said deformable means are arranged in such a manner that progressive sliding of said tubular parts (13, 14) on both said longitudinal members segments (6, 8) connected by the joint device (5) permits to adjust the position of said articulation axis by modifying the number of intercalar transverse members (11) located on each side of said articulation axis respectively, the ends of said intercalar members (11) lying on said support parts (21, 22).
Framework according to claim 3, characterized in that said transverse members (7, 9) are rigidly connected through their ends to inner side portions of said longitudinal members segments (6, 8), said tubular parts of each said joint device (13, 14) having longitudinal slits (15, 16) allowing free sliding of that parts (13, 14) without striking against the transverse members (7, 9).
Framework according to claim 3, characterized in that each said support part (21, 22) of said support structure (20) is a bar section rigidly secured lengthwise along the corresponding tubular part (13, 14) of the joint device (5) at a height situated beneath the slit (15 or 16) of that tubular part.
Framework according to claim 1, characterized in that each joint arrangement comprises a plurality of short longitudinal member segments (24) having protruding finger parts (26, 27) at their ends, and articulation bolts traversing interconnected finger parts of each pair of adjacent short member segments.
Framework according to claim 7, further comprising removable U-shaped locking wire parts transversally engaging the finger parts (31) traversed by a bolt in each pair of interconnected adjacent short segments, for rigidly securing said pair of adjacent short segments in straight positions, one of said U-shaped wire being removed for localizing an articulation axis of said framework.
Framework according to claim 7, wherein interconnected protruding finger parts form a joint, said joint comprising a blocking mechanism, said mechanism comprising a sleeve (41) susceptible of being fitted on said joint thus blocking pivoting movement of said joint.
Framework according to claim 1, wherein a joint arrangement (5) comprises at least two joints (45, 46), arranged at distal ends of a short longitudinal intermediate pater (50).
Framework according to claim 10, wherein a transverse member is attached at said intermediate part (50).
Framework according to claim 10 or 11, wherein each joint comprises at least one cylindrical part (26', 27') comprising a hemicylindrical finger part engaging a hemicylindrical part of the intermediate part (50).
Framework according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein each pivoting movement of a first joint of the two joints (45, 46) is enabled by rotating the joint arrangement, whereby pivotment of a second joint of the two joints is blocked, and vice versa.
Framework according to claim 7, wherein interconnected protruding finger parts are rotatably lodged in short longitudinal member segments (24) and/or longitudinal members (3, 4), and wherein each joint formed by interconnected protruding finger parts is susceptible of being blocked by rotation of said joint.
Framework of any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein joints are integrated in the longitudinal members of the framework, the longitudinal members thus being formed by a succesion of short longitudinal member segments (24) and joints (40, 45, 46, 70).