EP2613670A1

EP2613670A1 - Supporting device for a person, especially a mattress-type supporting device

Info

Publication number: EP2613670A1
Application number: EP11773061.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benjamin Lafoux; Benjamin Simon; Alexis Willis
Original assignee: Decathlon SE
Current assignee: Decathlon SE
Priority date: 2010-09-10
Filing date: 2011-09-09
Publication date: 2013-07-17
Also published as: FR2964545B1; FR2964545A1; WO2012032281A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting device, such as a mattress, for lying on a bearing surface S such as the floor and able to form a support for all or part of a person's body, for use in camping. Said device comprises an inclinable part (1) that can move from a first configuration to a second configuration that is inclined in relation to the first, and holding means (2, 3) that can assume an active position for holding the inclinable part in the second configuration, and an inactive position in the first configuration. The holding means can move automatically from the inactive position to the active position when the inclinable part moves from the first to the second configuration.

Description

SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A PERSON, PARTICULARLY OF A TYPE

MATTRESS

The present invention relates to a support device intended to rest on a support surface such as the ground, and adapted to constitute a support for all or part of the body of a person such as a mattress or similar structure on which a person can lengthen. The invention finds particular application in the field of mattresses for camping.

There are known conventional or similar mattresses, light and easy to transport, which however do not allow the user to take an inclined position, especially at the head.

Such an inclined position at the head is suitable for some people better than the fully extended position, without inclination. This inclined position is also more comfortable for a person who wants to read lying down.

It may also be desirable for some people to lie on the mattress by raising the feet, especially for better recovery after exercise.

Some mattresses, such as inflatable beach mattresses, have a thicker portion at the head, thus allowing the user to take an inclined position. Such a mattress is for example described in US 6 981 287.

However, with such mattresses, the user can not easily return to a position without inclination, and then easily return to the inclined position.

Complex devices are also known that allow at least one portion capable of passing from a first position not inclined to a second inclined position, by means of mechanical actuation means, possibly electrical.

This is for example the case of the devices described in the US documents

981 688, DE 101 18 611 and DE 92 06 236. In addition to the fact that these devices are more difficult to manufacture and maintain, they are based on a relatively complex structure mechanically. They are heavy and therefore difficult to transport, and their use is not easy. This makes use of these devices for outdoor recreation, such as camping, difficult, or impossible.

The invention therefore aims to solve the aforementioned problems, among other problems.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a support device, particularly of the mattress type, in particular allowing the passage of at least part of the device from an elongated position to an inclined position, in a simple and intuitive manner, without weigh down the device with complex mechanical elements.

The invention thus relates to a support device intended to rest on a support surface, and adapted to form a support for at least a part of the body of a person, including mattress type.

The device comprises at least one tilting portion capable of passing from a given first configuration to a second inclined configuration with respect to the first configuration.

The device also comprises holding means adapted to take an active position for maintaining the tilting portion in the second configuration and an inactive position in the first configuration.

The holding means are able to automatically move from the inactive position to the active position when the tilting portion passes from the first to the second configurations.

In a first variant, the holding means are able to automatically switch from the inactive position to the active holding position by gravity.

In a second variant, possibly in combination with the previous, the device comprises biasing means adapted to allow or facilitate the automatic passage of the holding means from the inactive position to the active position. These return means may comprise at least one elastic strap connected, at a first end, to a bearing end on the bearing surface of the holding means and, at an opposite end, to the tilting portion.

In another variant, possibly in combination with one or more of the previous ones, the holding means are arranged articulated by a first end on the tilting portion and are supported, in the active position, by a bearing end opposite the first end. , on the support surface.

In yet another variant, possibly in combination with any one or more of the preceding, the holding means comprise at least two lateral holding elements adapted to be folded under the tilting portion in the inactive position and deployed under said tilting portion in the position active so as to bear by a support end on the support surface.

In yet another variant, possibly in combination with any one or more of the preceding, the device comprises operating means adapted to allow the passage of the tilting portion of the second to the first configuration.

Preferably, the actuating means comprise at least one gripping element adapted to allow the passage of the holding means of the active position to the inactive position.

More preferably, the gripping element is connected, directly or indirectly, to the support end of the holding means.

The lateral holding elements may be interconnected, preferably by their respective bearing ends, by at least one strap. The gripping element can then be connected to this strap.

Alternatively, each holding member may be connected, preferably by its support end, by a strap at a fixed point of the device, the gripping element then being connected to each of the straps. In yet another variant, possibly in combination with any one or more of the preceding, the tilting portion is arranged articulated on at least one other portion of the device.

In yet another variant, possibly in combination with any one or more of the preceding, the tilting portion is intended to constitute a support for at least the head of a person.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly and completely on reading the following description of the preferred embodiments, which are given by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the following appended drawings:

FIGS. 1 to 4 show schematically an example of a device according to the invention, during the transition from the first to the second configuration,

FIGS. 5a and 5b show schematically the device corresponding to the example of FIGS. 1 to 4, in the second configuration and in more detail,

Figures 6 to 8 show schematically the passage of the device corresponding to an improvement of the example of Figures 1 to 4, the second to the first configuration.

The device of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4, in an exemplary embodiment.

These four figures illustrate the passage of the device from a first configuration in which at least a portion of the device is in a certain position, to a second configuration in which the portion in question is inclined with respect to its position in the first configuration. .

Thus, the device rests on a bearing surface S generally constituted by the ground S, and has a first portion 1, typically intended to serve as a support for the upper body of a person, or at least his head. This is a portion that could be called head rest or pillow. As indicated above, this first portion 1 could just as well serve as a support for another part of a person's body, such as the legs or the feet.

The other portion of the device, referenced 9, does not change position when passing from the first to the second configuration.

The portion 1 is arranged articulated on the portion 9, along a hinge line 10, so as to allow the portion 1 to adopt a position substantially parallel to the other portion 9 in the first configuration, and a position inclined relative to this other portion 9 in the second configuration.

Alternatively, the portion 1 and the portion 9 form a one-piece assembly, in a material such that the assembly can be folded, for example at a fold line or a torsion zone 10.

By grasping the edge la of the tilting portion 1, opposite to the other portion 9, the user drives the tilting portion 1 of the first configuration to the second inclined configuration relative to the first.

The beginning of this process is illustrated in FIG. 2. As this tilting portion 1 passes from the first to the second configuration, holding means 2, 3 are deployed.

These holding means 2, 3 have the function, once the tilting portion 1 in the second configuration, maintain this tilting portion 1 in this second configuration.

These holding means 2, 3 and pass from the first configuration in which they take an inactive position, that is to say, they do not maintain inclined inclination portion 1, the second configuration in which they take a position active inclined support of the tilting portion 1.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, these holding means take the form of two lateral panels 2, 3 solid substantially triangular. Any other structure, such as an arch structure, with or without material stretched inside the structure, or even simple amounts, could however be suitable.

In addition, these holding means are not necessarily lateral. In particular, a single, preferably central, means may also perform the function.

These holding means 2, 3 are articulated on the tilting portion 1, by one 2a, 3a of their ends. These ends 2a and 3a are shown only in Figures 4 and 5a, for the sake of clarity.

Their respective opposite ends 2b, 3b constitute, in the active position, bearing ends 2b, 3b on the ground S.

Thus, these holding means 2, 3 deploy from an inactive position, in the first configuration, in which they are folded under the tilting portion 1, to an active holding position, in the second configuration, in which they are deployed under this tilting portion 1 and are supported by their bearing ends 2b, 3b, on the ground S.

The deployment of these means for maintaining the inactive position at the active position can be done automatically, by gravity, when the user lifts the tilting portion 1 by its edge la.

May be provided for return means 7, 8 constrained in compressed or stretched position when the holding means 2, 3 are folded under the tiltable portion 1, and tending to resume their rest position, respectively stretching or retracting, when the tilting portion 1 is raised, then exerting their recall function.

By way of example, as represented in FIGS. 5a and 5b, these elastic return means 7, 8 may consist of elastic straps each connected, for example by a first end, to the tilting portion 1, and, for example by its opposite end, at the bearing end 2b, 3b of one of the holding elements 2, 3.

These elastic straps 7, 8 may also be connected to the holding members 2, 3 elsewhere than their respective bearing ends 2b, 3b. These elastic straps 7, 8 are in the unstretched state when the holding means 2, 3 are in the active position as represented for example in FIG. 5a, and in a stretched state when the holding means 2, 3 are in the inactive position or in an intermediate position as shown for example in Figures 7 and 8.

The stretching of these elastic straps 7, 8 is performed when the holding means 2, 3 are brought into the inactive position. These elastic straps 7, 8 are held constrained stretched, for example when the tilting portion 1 rests on the ground S. In this way, by lifting the tilting portion 1, the stress is released on the elastic straps 7, 8 which then tend to return to their unstretched rest position and recall the holding means 2, 3, bringing the latter into the active position.

One could also consider using recall means that works in compression.

It could for example be spring-type means or equivalent, connecting the holding means 2, 3 between them, or connecting these holding means to the tilting portion, so as to be compressed when the means 2, 3 of hold are inactive.

Thus, by lifting the tilting portion 1, the stress is released on these spring-type means, which then tend to resume their uncompressed rest position and exert a return on the holding means 2, 3, bringing the latter into the position active.

Such return means 7, 8, whether they operate stretching or by compression, or a combination of several of these return means, thus make it possible to automatically bring the holding means 2, 3 into the active position, or to facilitate this passage of the holding means 2, 3 in the active position, when the tilting portion 1 is raised, without this automatic deployment is based solely on gravity.

The device also comprises actuating means for the passage of the tilting portion 1 of the second configuration to the first configuration. These actuating means comprise a simple gripping element which allows the passage of the holding means 2, 3 from the active position to the inactive position.

In the example shown in Figures 2 to 4, and 5a and 5b, the gripping element 5, 6 of the actuating means itself comprises two straps 5, 6 connecting the two holding elements 2, 3.

Precisely, a first strap 5 connects the bearing end 2b of the holding means 2 to the holding means 3, and a second strap 6 connects the bearing end 3b of the holding means 3 to the holding means 2.

Thus, a traction on each of the straps 5, 6 makes it possible to obtain the folding of the holding means 2, 3 under the tilting portion 1, thus the passage of these holding means 2, 3 in the inactive position, and therefore the passage of the tilting portion 1 in the first configuration.

It is also possible that the straps 5, 6 do not connect the holding means 2 and 3 between them. The strap 5 can indeed connect the holding means 2 to a fixed point of the device, for example in the portion 9, and the strap 6 can connect the holding means to the same or to another fixed point of the device, for example by portion 9.

These straps may be non-elastic, of constant length such that they do not prevent the correct deployment of the holding means 2, 3 in the active position of maintaining the tilting portion 1 in inclined position.

These straps can optionally be elastic. In this case, their elasticities and lengths are such that they do not prevent the correct deployment of the holding means 2, 3 in the active position of maintaining the tilting portion 1 in an inclined position. In this case, one can also provide locking means preventing the holding means 2, 3 to expand beyond the active position of maintaining the tilting portion in the inclined configuration.

It is also possible to provide, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, a gripping means 4, constituted in this example by a strap 4, elastic or not, connected to the straps 5, 6, preferably at the crossing between these straps 5, 6.

Preferably, the strap 4 is connected to the straps 5, 6 by a ring allowing the sliding of the two straps 5 and 6, to allow the complete folding of the holding means 2, 3 under the device.

This strap 4 is a kind of remote gripping element, which allows to fold the holding means 2, 3, without having to slide the hand under the tilting portion 1.

The whole of the description above is given by way of example, and is therefore not limitative of the invention.

In particular, it will be recalled that the structure of the holding means 2, 3, as well as their number, are not limiting of the invention, provided that these holding means can move from the inactive position to the active position, and conversely, as described above, and can on the one hand ensure, in the active position, the inclined holding function of the tilting portion 1, and on the other hand not to interfere, in the inactive position, the return of the tilting portion in the first configuration, nor interfere, in the active position, the use of the device, and in particular of the inclined portion 1, as a support for all or part of the body of a person.

Thus, the holding means may consist of a portion of the device itself, in the extension of the tilting portion 1, connected articulated to the tilting portion 1 about a fold joint line, or at a torsion zone.

This portion forming a holding means then deploys in the active holding position by simple gravity when raising the tilting portion 1, or by other means of deployment, preferably automatic deployment means such as biasing means .

The invention, in its variant with a gripping element 4, 5, 6, is also not limited to a device in which this gripping element, forming part of the actuating means, would constitute two straps 5, 6 directly connected to the holding means 2, 3, possibly with a complementary strap 4 connected to the two straps 5, 6. Any other gripping element, able to allow the passage of the holding means 2, 3 from the active position to the inactive position, is suitable.

Similarly, the actuation of this gripping element is not necessarily obtained by exerting traction. It can for example also be obtained by exerting a thrust, provided that this gripping element has, at least in part, sufficient rigidity to transmit the thrust.

Claims

1. Support device intended to rest on a bearing surface (S) and able to constitute a support for at least a part of the body of a person, especially of mattress type, comprising at least one tilting portion

(1) able to pass from a given first configuration to a second inclined configuration with respect to said first configuration, said device also comprising holding means (2, 3) able to take an active position for maintaining the tilting portion ( 1) in the second configuration and an inactive position in the first configuration,

characterized in that said holding means (2, 3) are adapted to automatically switch from the inactive position to the active position when the tilting portion (1) passes from the first to the second configurations.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means (2, 3) are adapted to automatically move from the inactive position to the active position of gravity holding.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises return means (7, 8) adapted to allow or facilitate the automatic passage of the holding means (2, 3) of the inactive position at the active position.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastic return means (7, 8) comprise at least one elastic strap (7, 8) connected at one end to the holding means (2, 3), preferably at their respective bearing ends (2b, 3b) on the bearing surface (S), and connected at an opposite end to the tilting portion (1).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the holding means (2, 3) are arranged articulated by a first end (2a, 3a) on the tilting portion (1) and take support, in the active position, by a bearing end (2b, 3b) opposite said first end (2a, 3a), on the bearing surface (S).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding means (2, 3) comprise at least two lateral holding elements (2, 3) adapted to be folded under the tilting portion (1 ) in the inactive position and deployed under said tilting portion (1) in the active position so as to bear by a support end (2b, 3b) on the bearing surface (S).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises actuating means (4, 5, 6) adapted to allow the passage of the tilting portion (1) of the second to the first configuration.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuating means (4, 5, 6) comprise at least one gripping element (4, 5, 6) adapted to allow the passage of the holding means (2, 3) from the active position to the inactive position.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the gripping element (4, 5, 6) is connected, directly or indirectly, to the support end (2b, 3b) of the holding means (2, 3).

10. Device according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the lateral holding elements (2, 3) are interconnected, preferably by their respective bearing ends (2b, 3b), by at least one strap (5, 6), the gripping element (4) being connected to said strap (5, 6).

11. Device according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that each lateral holding element (2, 3) is connected, preferably by its support end, by at least one strap, at a fixed point of the device, the gripping element (4) being connected to said strap.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tilting portion (1) is arranged articulated on at least one other portion (9) of said device.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tilting portion (1) is intended to constitute a support for at least the head of a person.