EP2647313B1 - Suspension device for a supporting element such as a slat or board of a bed frame or seat - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the general field of furniture. It relates more particularly to a suspension device for support element, like latte or tray, bed frame or seat.

The seating or sleeping surface of the seats or bed bases is generally made of a cushion or a mattress, resting on support elements, either slatted type or juxtaposed tray type.

In the first case, the parallel slats are secured at their ends to the side rails of a frame-shaped frame, by means of suspension devices also called tips or ball joints.

In the second case, whose structures are commonly referred to as box springs or multi-element seats (see for example FR-2,855,023 ), the trays are mounted next to each other on crosspieces forming an integral part of the support frame; and this assembly of the trays on the sleepers is also achieved by means of suspension devices.

These suspension devices are well known and their function is to damp and elastically control the vertical movements related to the bearing forces applied by the user on the slats or associated trays.

There are many models adapted for the suspension of one or more support elements.

Some known models of such suspension devices consist of a base provided with means for attachment to the bed frame or seat, and which supports two locations (or groups of locations) for receiving the support elements, this by elastic suspension means (see in particular the suspension devices described in the documents FR-2,670,101 , FR-2,885,020 or FR-2,945,195 ).

However, very generally, both individual and relative movements of the two locations of known structures of this type, are imperfectly controlled, which affects the optimization of sitting comfort or sleeping.

There is therefore a need for a structured suspension device to improve the control of the movements of the two locations (or groups of locations) during their solicitation by the associated support elements.

For this, the suspension device according to the invention is of the type comprising a base plane M , having a lower portion and an upper portion and provided with means for attachment to the frame of the bed or seat, which base supports two locations or groups of locations of longitudinal axis L , arranged on either side of said median plane M , which locations are each adapted for the reception of one of the support elements; said locations or groups of locations being each mounted on their own support, and said two supports being disposed on either side of said median plane M.

1. a/ d'une part sont portés par l'extrémité d'une poutre balancier dont la zone centrale est montée pivotante sur ladite partie supérieure de ladite embase, autour d'un axe d'articulation - parallèle auxdits axes longitudinaux L desdits emplacements, et - ménagé sur ledit plan médian M, les zones de liaison entre ladite poutre balancier et chacun desdits supports consistant en des pivots d'axe parallèle auxdits axes longitudinaux L, et
2. b/ d'autre part sont chacun reliés à ladite embase, sous ladite poutre balancier, par l'intermédiaire d'un bras inférieur, les zones de liaison desdits bras avec ladite embase et ledit support associé consistant en des pivots d'axe parallèle auxdits axes longitudinaux L ;

ladite poutre balancier assurant alors un auto-équilibrage des efforts supportés par les éléments supports associés auxdits deux emplacements ou groupes d'emplacements, et lesdits bras inférieurs étant adaptés en longueur et en position pour assurer le déplacement parallèle ou sensiblement parallèle à eux-mêmes desdits emplacements, lors de leurs mouvements par rapport à ladite embase.And this particular suspension device is characterized in that said two supports:

1. a / on the one hand are carried by the end of a rocker beam whose central zone is pivotally mounted on said upper part of said base, about an axis of articulation - parallel to said longitudinal axes L of said locations, and provided on said median plane M , the zones of connection between said rocker beam and each of said supports consisting of pivots of axis parallel to said longitudinal axes L , and
2. b / on the other hand are each connected to said base, under said rocker beam, via a lower arm, the connection zones of said arms with said base and said associated support consisting of pivots of axis parallel to said longitudinal axes L ;

said balance beam then ensuring self-balancing of the forces supported by the support elements associated with said two locations or groups of locations, and said lower arms being adapted in length and in position to ensure the parallel or substantially parallel displacement of said locations, during their movements relative to said base.

Preferably, this suspension device is made integrally molded plastic, with its hinge pins obtained by thinning material.

According to another particularly interesting characteristic, the central zone of the rocker beam comprises, above its axis of articulation, a deformation adjustment means, to allow a modification of the flexibility and the charge transfer of said balance beam and therefore of the suspension device.

This deformation adjustment means advantageously consists of a housing formed in the rocker beam, adapted to receive a removable insert of complementary shape.

Preferably, this housing passes through the rocker beam along an axis parallel to said longitudinal axes L. Still according to a preferred embodiment, this through housing has a constant section in the general shape of disc portion delimited by a rectilinear base and a portion of a circle.

Advantageously, the rectilinear base of the housing is oriented towards the base of the suspension device and extends perpendicular to the median plane M.

The present invention also relates to a bed base or a seat comprising support elements each mounted on at least two suspension devices as defined above.

• la figure 1 est une vue de face schématique d'un dispositif de suspension selon l'invention, comprenant deux emplacements en forme de logements adaptés pour la réception des extrémités de deux éléments supports du type lattes ;
• la figure 2 montre le dispositif de suspension de la figure 1 dans une configuration obtenue par l'appui vertical sur l'un des éléments supports ;
• la figure 3 illustre schématiquement une variante de réalisation du dispositif de suspension des figures 1 et 2, intégrant un moyen de réglage de déformation de sa poutre balancier ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de face d'une forme de réalisation possible du dispositif de suspension issu de la représentation schématique de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de suspension illustré sur la figure 4, avec son moyen de réglage de déformation représenté extrait.

The invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic front view of a suspension device according to the invention, comprising two housing-shaped locations adapted for receiving the ends of two slat type support members;
• the figure 2 shows the suspension device of the figure 1 in a configuration obtained by the vertical support on one of the support elements;
• the figure 3 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of the suspension device of Figures 1 and 2 incorporating deformation adjusting means of its rocker beam;
• the figure 4 is a front view of a possible embodiment of the suspension device from the schematic representation of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of the suspension device illustrated on the figure 4 , with its deformation adjustment means shown extracted.

The suspension device 1 schematically illustrated on the figure 1 is in the form of a ball or tip adapted for receiving the ends of two slats constituting a part of the support elements for a mattress or a cushion bed or seat.

This suspension device 1 comprises a base 3 which supports two slots 4, 4 ', in the form of housings, for receiving the ends of the slats 2, 2', by means of supports 5, 5 ', a balance beam 6 and two lower arms 7, 7 '.

The base 3 comprises means, not shown, for attachment to the frame of the bed or seat equipped. These fixing means, conventional, can be in the form of tenon / mortise type systems.

The base 3 further comprises a lower portion 8 and an upper portion 9, through which extends its median plane M.

This median plane M forms plane of symmetry and it separates the base 3 into two identical parts.

Once the suspension device 1 is fixed on its support frame, this median plane M extends vertically or substantially vertically (as shown in FIG. figure 1 ).

The upper part 9 of the base 3 is here in vertical section in the general shape of a point, oriented upwards.

The two housings 4, 4 'here have a rectangular vertical section, adapted to the section of the ends of the slats 2 intended to be associated with each delimited by a belt of side walls.

These housings 4, 4 'each extend along a longitudinal axis L which corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the associated slat 2; and they are formed on either side of the median plane M of the base 3, equidistant from the latter.

The lower face 10 of the housing 4, 4 'is carried by a support 5, 5' which extends downwards. The two supports 5, 5 'are arranged symmetrically with respect to the median plane M. They are each preferably made integral with the housing 4, 4 'associated rigidly and rigidly with the latter, without or virtually without the possibility of relative movement between the two.

The two supports 5, 5 'are secured by the rocker beam 6 via a hinge axis 11, 11' forming a pivot connection. And this rocker beam 6 is itself pivotally mounted on the upper part 9 of the base 3, at its central zone 12, about an articulation axis 13.

This balance beam 6 therefore has two arms situated in line of each other: one has 6 connecting the support 5 and the base 3, between the hinge pins 11 and 13, and the other 6 b , connecting the support 5 'and the base 3, between the hinge pins 11' and 13.

The hinge pins 11, 11 'which connect the ends of the rocker beam 6 to the associated supports 5, 5' extend parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axes L of the housings 4, 4 'and to the median plane. M ; they preferably consist of monobloc pivot links obtained by thinning material.

As can be seen on the figure 1 these articulation axes 11, 11 'are formed substantially at mid-length (or half-height) of the supports 5, 5'.

The hinge axis 13 of the rocker beam 6 on the upper part of the base 3 extends parallel to the longitudinal axes L and hinge axes 11, 11 'above; and it is further spared in the median plane M. This hinge pin 13 preferably consists of a one-piece pivot connection obtained by thinning material.

The lower arms 7, 7 'each connect the base 3 and one of the supports 5, 5', under the rocker beam 6.

More specifically, each of these lower arms 7, 7 'connects the base 3, via a hinge 14, 14', and the support 5, 5 'facing, via a hinge 15 , 15 '.

The hinge pins 14, 14 ', 15, 15' advantageously also consist of monobloc pivot connections obtained by thinning material; they extend parallel to each other, parallel to the longitudinal axes L , the hinge pins 11, 11 'of the rocker beam 6 on the supports 5, 5', and the median plane M.

The suspension device 1 is advantageously made in one piece by plastic injection-molding, for example of the thermoplastic elastomer type.

• pour le logement 4 : du support 5, de la partie 6a de la poutre balancier 6, de la partie supérieure de l'embase 3 et du bras inférieur 7, solidarisés par les axes d'articulation parallèles 11, 13, 14 et 15, et
• pour le logement 4' : du support 5', de la partie 6b de la poutre balancier 6, de la partie supérieure de l'embase 3 et du bras inférieur 7', solidarisés par les axes d'articulation parallèles 11', 13, 14' et 15'.

The housings 4 and 4 'are thus connected to the base 3, each symmetrically on each side of the median plane M , this via a deformable parallelogram, or substantially of a deformable parallelogram, consisting of:

• for housing 4: the support 5, the part 6a of the outrigger beam 6, the upper part of the base 3 and the lower arm 7, secured by the parallel hinge pins 11, 13, 14 and 15 , and
• for the housing 4 ': the support 5', the part 6b of the rocker beam 6, the upper part of the base 3 and the lower arm 7 ', secured by the parallel hinge pins 11', 13 , 14 'and 15'.

The lower arms 7, 7 'have a rigid or semi-rigid structure along their length. The rocker beam 6 also has a rigid or semi-rigid structure along its length; it may be able to deform by bending over the pivot 13, depending on the desired suspension characteristics.

Thanks to the rocker beam 6, pivoting on the central axis 13, it is understood that one thus obtains a self-balancing of the forces supported by the slat-shaped support elements 2, 2 'associated with the two housings 4, 4' . Indeed, as illustrated on the figure 2 , a vertical downward support on the batten 2 (orientation arrow 16) tends to raise the lath 2 'opposite (orientation arrow 17), this under the effect of the rocker beam 6 which pivots around axis 13.

On the other hand, the lower arms 7, 7 'in association with the aforementioned joints 11, 13, 14, 15 and 11', 13, 14 ', 15', allow to control the deformation and to obtain a vertical movement of the 4 and 4 'housing always parallel or substantially parallel to itself.

In this way, the top of the slats 2, 2 'is always parallel or substantially parallel to the bed or seat plane.

This self-balancing of the forces, combined with the deformation control makes it possible to ensure a good adaptation to the morphology of the user, and to have an excellent contact between the mattress or cushion and the slats (or trays) substantially parallel to the ground , and thus avoid the presence of uncomfortable highlights.

As illustrated on the figure 3 the central zone 12 of the rocker beam 6 situated above the hinge pin 13 may comprise a means 18 for adjusting its bending deformation.

This particular means 18 is here in the form of a housing 19 which passes through the rocker beam 6 and within which can be attached a removable insert 20 of complementary shape.

It is understood that in the absence of the insert 20 in the housing 19, the rocker beam 6 has a greater bending capacity than when said insert 20 is present.

This provides a very simple means to allow a change in the flexibility and load transfer of the balance beam 6, and therefore the suspension device 1.

The housing 19 is advantageously centered on the median plane M.
It has a constant section, here in the general shape of disk portion, which is delimited by a rectilinear base 21 and a portion of a circle 22 (but this shape may be provided different).

In this case, the rectilinear base 21 of the housing 19 is oriented towards the base 3 of the suspension device, and it extends perpendicular to the median plane M.

The axis 23 of the housing 19 is centered on the median plane M.

The complementary insert 20 may be solid or hollow. It can be provided a plurality, each having characteristics of flexibility or hardness different (because of the constituent material or due to the structure used), to provide the user with a multiple choice of deformation settings.

The Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a possible embodiment of the suspension device schematically illustrated on the figure 3 .

On these Figures 4 and 5 , there is the base 3 which carries the two housing 4, 4 'through the supports 5, 5', the rocker beam 6 and lower arms 7, 7 '.

Again, the assembly is obtained in one piece, and the parallel joints 11, 11 ', 13, 14, 14', 15 and 15 'consist of material thinning.

On the lateral sides of the base 3, we note the presence of two monoblock cylindrical members 24, whose axis 25 extends parallel to the median plane M and the aforementioned joints, which are adapted to receive tenons for fixing the suspension device 1 on the support frame of the bed base or seat.

Above the pivot axis 13, we note the presence of the housing 19, in the central zone of the rocker beam 6, for receiving the removable insert 20, constituting the means 18 for adjusting the deformation of said beam pendulum 6.
On the figure 4 , the insert 20 is in position in its housing 19, while on the figure 5 this insert 20 has been shown extracted from its housing 19.

The insert 20 in question here comprises a central through hole 26 which gives it a hollow structure.

In this embodiment illustrated on the Figures 4 and 5 it is noted that the lower arms 7 and 7 'have a curved shape to avoid any collision with the cylindrical members 24 during operation.
Similarly, the two arms 6a and 6b of the beam 6 also have a slightly curved shape in order to avoid collision with the lower arms 7 and 7 'during operation.

The two housings 4 and 4 'are also adapted for receiving the ends of two non-represented support slats.

The same principle of suspension can be used for the suspension of tray-shaped support elements mounted on the length of sleepers connecting two side rails of the frame of a bed base or a seat of the multi-element type. The base 3 of the suspension device will then be adapted to allow its attachment to the associated cross member; and the location at the upper end of the supports 5, 5 'will be adapted to allow the attachment of a support plate, each of these trays being supported by at least two suspension devices 1 located vis-à-vis .

Claims (8)

1. Suspension device for a supporting element (2, 2') such as a slat or board of a bed frame or seat, said suspension device (1) comprising a socket (3) with a median plane (M) having a lower part (8) and an upper part (9) and being provided with means (24) for fixing it on the frame of said bed frame or seat, said socket (3) supporting two locations or group of locations (4, 4') having a longitudinal axis (L) and being situated on either side of said median plane (M), each of said locations (4, 4') being arranged for receiving one of said supporting elements (2, 2'), each of said locations or group of locations (4, 4') being mounted on its own support (5, 5') and said two supports (5, 5') being situated on either side of the median plane (M), characterised in that said two supports (5, 5') :

   a) on the one hand, are supported by the end of a beam (6) whose central zone (12) is pivotally mounted on said upper part (9) of said socket (3), around a joint axis (13) which is parallel to the longitudinal axes of said locations (4, 4') and situated on said median plane (M), the linking zones between said beam (6) and each of the supports (5, 5') consisting of pivotal links (11, 11') with axes which are parallel to said longitudinal axes (L), and

   b) on the other hand, are - each - linked to said socket (3) underneath said beam (6) by means of a lower arm (7, 7'), the linking zones between said arms (7, 7') and said socket (3) and the associated support (5, 5') consisting of pivotal links (14, 14', 15, 15') having axes which are parallel to said longitudinal axes (L), said beam (6) providing self-balancing of the forces supported by said supporting elements (2, 2') which are associated to said locations or group of locations (4, 4'), and said lower arms (7, 7') being arranged as to their length and position such as to obtain a movement of the locations (4, 4') in a way that they move in parallel or substantially in parallel to each other when they move with respect to said socket (3).
2. Suspension device according to claim 1, characterised in that it is made as a single piece from moulded plastic material, wherein its joint axes (11, 11', 13, 14, 14', 15, 15') are obtained by reducing the material.
3. Suspension device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the central zone (12) of said beam (6) comprises, on top of its joint axis (13), means (18) for adjusting deformation in order to allow for modifying the suppleness and transfer of strain of said beam (6) and thus of the suspension device (1).
4. Suspension device according to claim 3, characterised in that said means (18) for adjusting deformation consist of a housing (19) provided in said beam (6) and arranged for lodging therein a removable insert (20) having a complementary form.
5. Suspension device according to claim 4, characterised in that said housing (19) is formed throughout said beam (6) along an axis (23) which is parallel to the longitudinal axes (L).
6. Suspension device according to claim 5, characterised in that said passing housing (19) has a constant cross-section with a general shape of a part of a disk surrounded by a straight base (21) and a part of a circle (22).
7. Suspension device according to claim 6, characterised in that the straight base (21) of the housing (19) is oriented towards the socket (3) and extends perpendicularly to the median plane (M).
8. Device for sitting or lying such as a seat or a bed frame, comprising supporting elements (2, 2') such as a slat or board, each of them being mounted on two suspension devices (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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