EP2028974B1 - Collapsible rest support - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable rest support including a frame has at least four sections articulated together about an axis to which is associated a bearing surface, two of the sections constituting the suspension arms. According to the disclosed embodiments, two other of the sections constituting the feet of the support, each foot having a truncated V shape, and the bearing surface links the sections constituting the suspension arms in order to at least partially cover at least one of the lateral faces of the foldable support.

Description

The present invention relates to a foldable rest support. In particular, an object of the present invention relates to a versatile rest support having functions as diverse as those of backrest, headrest, seat ...

Head restraints are known to allow users wishing to relax to lie on the floor, the head resting slightly above ground level on a stretched canvas supported by a frame.

However, the bearing surface thus formed, typically rectangular, is flat. Also, in case of drowsiness, the neck of the user may be constrained by the edge of the web, which can lead to pain in the neck.

Advanced head restraints have attempted to solve this problem by allowing the fabric to rotate about its longitudinal axis. However, the positioning of the head and neck is uncomfortable.

Moreover, in these devices, the height of support of the head is always fixed and not adaptable.

Folding beach chairs are also known having a frame to which is associated a rectangular fabric stretched between two suspension arms, as p. ex. US 2006/0071512 A1 .

These chairs, even folded, are bulky items that can not be easily transported in a beach bag, for example.

In addition, these headrests and chairs typically have feet having a large surface contact with the ground allowing an implementation on a substantially uniform and stable soil.

The inclination of these devices is very difficult or impossible because they are unstable and can slip under the weight of the user.

Similarly, for applications on unstable soils such as sandy soil, they are difficult to implement if the soil surface is irregular.

Finally, these devices of the prior art have only one function and are therefore specifically designed for a destination which is either the rest of the head or the seat, ...

It would therefore be advantageous to have a support that is versatile allowing the user to vary the function of the support according to his needs, which could come as an illustration for thoracic support, support of the back while sitting, .. .

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a foldable rest support, simple in design and in its operating mode, economic and robust, having a very large support surface when unfolded for a very large storage volume. low while allowing many implementations.

Another object of the present invention is a rest support allowing variation of the holding height of the head and inclination of the support even on unstable floors such as sand.

To this end, the invention relates to a foldable rest support comprising an armature comprising at least four sections hinged together about an axis with which is associated a bearing surface, two of said sections forming the suspension arms.

• deux autres de ces sections formant les pieds du support présentent chacune une forme de V tronqué, et
• la surface d'appui relie les sections formant les bras de suspension de sorte à au moins partiellement couvrir au moins une des faces latérales du support pliable.

According to the invention,

• two other of these sections forming the feet of the support each have a truncated V shape, and
• the bearing surface connects the sections forming the suspension arms so as to at least partially cover at least one of the lateral faces of the foldable support.

Here is meant by "a form of V truncated", the shape of a V whose top would have been cut to form a flat portion, rounded or curved at its end allowing the sections forming the feet of the support to have with this part flat, rounded or curved a reduced contact surface with the ground.

• lesdites sections formant les bras de suspension ont une forme sensiblement en U, chaque branche latérale du U étant reliée à la base de ce U par une section courbe présentant un rayon de courbure extérieur compris entre 15 et 45% de la plus grande largeur I de la section correspondante, On entend par "plus grande largeur de la section correspondante", la largeur hors tout de cette section.
• la surface d'appui étant une pièce de tissu ou une pièce non tissée en plastique souple,
• la surface d'appui étant une pièce de tissu, celle-ci comporte au moins une couche de protection disposée au moins partiellement sur la surface externe de la pièce, après impression d'un message publicitaire ou d'information pour protéger la ou les faces imprimées des agressions externes,
• il comporte une sangle reliant les extrémités des sections, cette sangle comportant deux portions aptes à être accouplées entre elles par un système de liaison de manière à maintenir l'écartement entre ces sections lorsque le support est déplié,
• au moins une desdites sections formant les pieds comporte un élément de fixation amovible, cet élément de fixation assurant la fixation d'une portion de sangle sur ladite section, cette portion de sangle étant reliée à une de ses extrémités à l'extrémité correspondante d'une des sections formant les bras de suspension et comportant à son autre extrémité un élément d'accouplement destiné à coopérer avec un élément d'accouplement d'une autre portion de sangle pour solidariser lesdites portions de sangle entre elles,
• cet élément de fixation est un patin amovible fixé à l'extrémité tronquée de ladite section formant un pied du support,
  De préférence, ce patin comporte une portion de sangle destinée à être reliée à l'extrémité correspondante d'une des sections formant les bras de suspension, la sangle ayant par ailleurs un élément d'accouplement destiné à coopérer avec un élément d'accouplement d'une autre portion de sangle pour solidariser ces sangles entre elles,
• cet élément de fixation comporte un maillon et une noix de blocage, Cet élément de fixation permet avantageusement de fixer la portion de sangle à distance de l'extrémité inférieure de la section formant un pied du support, cette extrémité inférieure étant celle destinée à être en contact avec le sol. On évite ainsi la salissure et l'usure de la sangle constatées avec les appuis-tête de l'état de l'art.
• les éléments d'accouplement forment un système de liaison par clipsage.

This reduced contact surface advantageously allows anchoring the sections forming the feet of the support in a loose or unstable soil such as sand, when pressure is exerted on the bearing surface. This gives a very good stability of the support in a wide range of inclination angle, for example -50 ° to + 50 ° relative to the vertical.
In different particular embodiments of this rest support, each having its particular advantages and susceptible to many possible technical combinations:

• said sections forming the suspension arms have a substantially U-shaped shape, each lateral branch of the U being connected to the base of this U by a curved section having an outside radius of curvature of between 15 and 45% of the greatest width I of the corresponding section, "Larger width of the corresponding section", means the overall width of this section.
• the bearing surface being a piece of fabric or a non-woven piece of flexible plastic,
• the support surface being a piece of fabric, it comprises at least one protective layer disposed at least partially on the outer surface of the part, after printing an advertisement or information to protect the face or faces printed external aggression,
• it comprises a strap connecting the ends of the sections, this strap having two portions capable of being coupled together by a connecting system so as to maintain the spacing between these sections when the support is unfolded,
• at least one of said sections forming the feet comprises a removable fastening element, this fixing element ensuring the attachment of a portion of strap on said section, this portion of strap being connected at one of its ends to the corresponding end of one of the sections forming the suspension arms and having at its other end a coupling element intended to cooperate with a coupling element of another strap portion for securing said strap portions together,
• this fixing element is a removable pad fixed at the truncated end of said section forming a foot of the support,
  Preferably, this pad comprises a webbing portion intended to be connected to the corresponding end of one of the sections forming the suspension arms, the webbing also having a coupling element designed to cooperate with a coupling element. another portion of strap to secure these straps together,
• this fastening element comprises a link and a locking nut, this fastening element advantageously makes it possible to fix the strap portion at a distance from the lower end of the foot-forming section of the support, this lower end being the one intended to be made of contact with the ground. This avoids soiling and wear of the strap found with the head restraints of the state of the art.
• the coupling elements form a clipping link system.

• la figure 1 est une représentation en perspective d'un support selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'une section formant un bras de suspension du support de la Figure 1;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique d'une section ayant une forme de V tronqué du support de la Figure 1;
• la figure 4 est une vue arrière (Fig. 4a)) et une vue de face (Fig. 4b)) du support de la Figure 1;
• la figure 5 est une représentation schématique de l'extrémité d'une section ayant une forme de V tronqué comprenant un patin selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 6 est une représentation schématique de l'extrémité d'une section ayant une forme de V tronqué comprenant un élément de fixation d'une sangle selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus d'un maillon (Fig. 7a)) et une vue de face (Fig. 7b)) de la noix de blocage de l'élément de blocage de la Figure 6;
• la figure 8 est une vue de face (Fig. 8a)) et une vue de profil (Fig. 8b)) d'un tube destiné à recevoir les extrémités des sections formant les pieds et les bras de suspension d'un support selon un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention;

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
wherein:

• the figure 1 is a perspective representation of a support according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a schematic representation of a section forming a suspension arm of the support of the Figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a schematic representation of a section having a truncated V-shape of the support of the Figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 is a rear view ( Fig. 4a )) and a front view ( Fig. 4b )) of the support of the Figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 is a schematic representation of the end of a section having a truncated V-shape comprising a pad according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 6 is a schematic representation of the end of a truncated V-shaped section comprising a strap attachment member according to a third embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 7 is a top view of a link ( Fig. 7a )) and a front view ( Fig. 7b )) of the locking nut of the locking element of the Figure 6 ;
• the figure 8 is a front view ( Fig. 8a )) and a profile view ( Fig. 8b )) a tube for receiving the ends of the sections forming the feet and the suspension arms of a support according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

The Figure 1 shows a foldable rest support according to a particular embodiment of the invention. This support comprises an armature comprising four articulated sections 1-4 between them about an axis 5 to which is associated a bearing surface 6.

Each of these sections 1-4 can be made from a single rod whose constituent material is selected from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, composite materials and a hard plastic such as the polyamide 6.6.

Two of these sections forming the feet 3, 4 of the support have a truncated V shape 22 ( Fig. 3 ). These sections 3, 4 thus have a reduced ground contact area.

For purely illustrative purposes, this section 3, 4 being obtained from a white galvanized steel rod with a diameter of about 6 mm, the length of the rod portion intended to form a contact surface on the ground is 12 mm + / - 10% The rod is bent at an angle of the order of 102 ° from this rod portion. The height of this section is about 200 mm.

Two other sections form the suspension arms 1, 2 ( Fig. 2 ). Preferably, each of these sections 1, 2 has a substantially U-shaped shape, each of the lateral branches 7 of the U being connected to the base 8 of the U by a curved section 9 having an outside radius of curvature of between 15 and 45% of the largest width l 10 of this section. In this particular embodiment and purely illustrative, the largest width of the section being 200 mm +/- 10%, the outer radius of curvature is 30 to 90 mm +/- 10%.

These sections 1-4 are articulated about an axis 5 defined by a tube 11 into which are inserted the ends 12, 13 of these sections. This tube 11 may be hollow or comprise housings for receiving said ends. The hollow tube is, for example, made of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum alloys or stainless steel. The tube comprising housings may be a one-piece molded plastic part or alternatively be made of composite material.

This tube 11 may further comprise a separation element 24 inserted in the tube to divide the internal volume thereof into two distinct compartments 25, 26 ( Figure 8 ). This separating element 24 is for example a plastic tongue of width substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tube 11. This separating element 24 advantageously prevents a possible crossing of the ends of the sections 1-4 forming the feet and the arms of the tube. suspension of the support.

The bearing surface 6 connects the sections forming the suspension arms 1, 2 so as to partially cover the lateral faces 14, 15 of the foldable support and its upper part 16 forming an extensible continuous surface. In this embodiment, the bearing surface 6 is a piece of fabric but the bearing surface 6 could also be made of an extensible plastic material.

The support of the invention can thus take two positions as a headrest, which offers two possible heights to the user. A first position is obtained with the support placed in a vertical position ( Fig. 1 ). The head of the user is then supported by the upper part 16 while the nape is advantageously supported by a lateral portion 14, 15 of the bearing surface. A second holding position is obtained by setting the support on the ground. The neck of the user then bears against the upper part 16 of the support while its head bears on a lateral face 14, 15 of the bearing surface 6.

The piece of fabric may be of cotton, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene or a woven structure having on its outer surface at least one layer of neoprene to have an outer surface soft to the touch.

The piece of fabric can still be made in a printable fabric for printing or screen printing on its surface a message or an advertising motif, or a message of information. The support of the invention can therefore serve as an advertising medium.

Advantageously, this piece of fabric comprises at least one protective layer disposed at least partially on the outer surface of this part, after printing an advertising message or information to protect the printed face or faces of external aggression.

This bearing surface 6 is further removable. It can be removable for washing or repair or change.

This support comprises a strap connecting the ends of said sections, this strap having two portions 17, 18 adapted to be coupled together by a connecting system 19 so as to maintain the spacing between the sections 1-4 when the support is unfolded, or in use position. This connecting system 19 is preferably a clipping link system made of polypropylene. This connection system is, for example, a range loop. The two strap portions 17, 18 may also be made of polypropylene or polyester or cotton.

The support may also comprise means for fixing a sun visor element (not shown). These fixing means may comprise a plastic support that fits or pinch one of the sections forming the suspension arms 1, 2 of the support.

This sun visor element comprises an articulated arm so that said sun visor element can be turned in all directions.

The Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the support of the invention. One or both sections forming the feet 3, 4 of this support comprises a removable shoe 23 fixed at its truncated end. This pad 23 comprises a strap portion 20 intended to be connected to the corresponding end of one of the sections forming the suspension arms 1, 2. This strap 20 comprises a coupling element (not shown) intended to cooperate with a coupling element of another portion of webbing to secure the straps together. Preferably, these coupling elements form a clipping link system.

This shoe 23 may be a molded part comprising two parts, each of these parts having a groove having the shape of at least a portion of the end of said section to fit the latter during its assembly. This piece can be made of plastic or metal.

The assembly of the two parts of the shoe 23 can be obtained by any known fastening means, in particular by clipping, screwing 21 or welding. In the case of fastening clipping, a first portion may comprise lugs for cooperating with corresponding holes made in the second part. These lugs are, for example, inserted by force into these orifices.

This pad 23 may also have in its lower part a non-slip surface (not shown) to strengthen the attachment of the feet of the support on the ground, including a hard floor.

This pad 23 also makes it possible to avoid the wear of the strap as can be observed with the devices of the prior art, in which the strap connected directly to the ends of the feet is in repeated contact with a floor. rough.

This pad also makes it possible not to sew the strap around the truncated end 22 of the sections forming the feet of the support 3, 4 which simplifies the manufacture of the support.

Finally, this pad 23 makes it possible to give a pointed shape to the foot of the support conferring on it better penetration into an unstable ground and thus a better stability to the support.

The Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the support of the invention. One or both of the sections forming the feet 3, 4 of this support comprise an attachment element of a strap portion 27 intended to be connected to the corresponding end of one of the sections forming the suspension arms 1. This strap portion 27 comprises as previously described, a coupling member (not shown) for cooperating with a coupling member of another strap portion.

This fastening element of the strap portion 27 on the foot section 3, 4 comprises a link 28 and a locking nut 29. These elements can be made of rigid plastic or metal.

Advantageously, and thanks to the V-shaped truncated 30 of each of the sections forming the feet 3, 4 of the support, the link 28 can slide along these sections to a given height where it abuts against them. This height relative to the ground is determined by the dimensions of the interior space 31 defined by the link 28 and the spacing of the arms of V.

The strap portion 27 is then introduced by the operator into the interior of the link 28 and is locked in position by the locking nut 29. For this purpose, the operator forces the locking nut 29 into the interior space 31 of the link 28.

The strap portion 27 is thus assembled to the foot section 3, 4 at a distance from the end of the foot section, intended to be in contact with the ground.

This fixing element 28, 29 thus makes it possible to avoid the wear of the strap portion 27 noted with the devices of the prior art. Indeed, in these devices, the strap being connected directly to the ends of the feet, it is in repeated contact with a rough ground.

Since the strap portion 27 is set back from the ground, it is also avoided to soil it. The maintenance of the support is thus facilitated.

Finally, the manufacture of the support is, in general, significantly simplified. With the devices of the prior art, the positioning of the seam of the strap at the end of the feet was crucial to maintain the symmetry of the support and prevent premature wear of this seam due to the forces exerted on it.

The sewing operation was therefore particularly delicate and painful for the operator.

In addition, and by comparison with the medium described in Figure 1 wherein the strap portion 17, 18 is sewn together at the lower end of the foot section 3, 4, the seam being highly mechanically stressed, since the tear-off member 28, 29 serves to strengthen the security of the support. Indeed, the efforts are mainly taken up by the link 28.

The rest support of the invention can advantageously be used as a backrest, the angle between the bust and the legs then being adjustable by inclination of the support, or as chair or headrest or lateral support of the body, thoracic , legs or feet.

Claims (13)

1. A collapsible rest support comprising a frame having at least four sections (1-4) articulated on one another about an axis (5) with which a support surface (6) is associated, two of said sections forming the suspension arms (1, 2), where

   - two others of said sections forming the legs (3, 4) of said support each having a truncated V shape (22),

   characterised in that

   - said support surface (6) connects said sections forming the suspension arms (1, 2) so as to at least partially cover at least one of the lateral faces (14, 15) of said collapsible support.
2. A support according to claim 1, characterised in that said sections forming the suspension arms (1, 2) have a shape substantially in a U, each of said lateral branches (7) of the U being connected to the base (8) of said U by a curved section (9) having an external radius of curvature of between 15 and 45% of the greatest width 1 (10) of said corresponding section.
3. A support according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said support surface (6) is a piece of fabric or a nonwoven piece made from flexible plastics material.
4. A support according to claim 3, characterised in that, said surface (6) being a piece of fabric, it comprises at least one protective layer disposed at least partially on the external surface of said piece, after the printing of an advertising message or information for protecting the printed face or faces from external attacks.
5. A support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said support surface (6) is removable.
6. A support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises a strap connecting the ends of said sections (1-4), said strap comprising two portions (17, 18) able to be coupled together by a connection system (19) so as to maintain the separation between said sections (1-4) when said support is unfolded.
7. A support according to claim 6, characterised in that said connection system (19) is a system for connection by clipping.
8. A support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least one of said sections forming the legs (3, 4) comprises a removable fixing element (23, 28, 29), said fixing element (23, 28, 29) fixing a strap portion (20, 27) to said section (3, 4), said strap portion (20, 27) being connected at one of its ends to the corresponding end of one of said sections forming the suspension arms (1, 2) and comprising at its other end a coupling element intended to cooperate with a coupling element of another strap portion in order to secure said strap portions together.
9. A support according to claim 8, characterised in that said fixing element is a removable shoe (23) fixed to the truncated end (22) of said section forming a leg (3, 4) of said support.
10. A support according to claim 9, characterised in that said shoe (23) has a surface for catching on the ground in order to prevent any sliding of said sections forming the legs (3, 4) on the ground.
11. A support according to claim 8, characterised in that said fixing element comprises a chain link (28) and a locking nut (29).
12. A support according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that said axis (5) is implemented by a tube (11) in which there are inserted the ends (12, 13) of said sections (1-4) of the frame, said sections (1-4) being articulated around this tube (11).
13. A support according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that it comprises means of fixing a sunshade element.

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