EP2735249A1 - Headboard with built-in adjustable backrest - Google Patents

Abstract

The headboard has a sliding movement connection unit (4) moved relative to a support structure (3) in a displacement direction. A swiveling connection unit (5) swivels relative to the support structure around an axis orthogonal to the displacement direction. An actuator (7) is placed between a backrest (2) and the support structure and extends with the sliding movement and swiveling connection units. The actuator allows passage of the backrest from a compact position to a large dimension position in parallel with passage of the backrest from a high position to a low position and vice-versa. An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting a position relative to a vertical part of a backrest of a headboard.

Description

The present invention relates to a headboard with integrated reclining back.

It relates more particularly to a headboard, of the type, in use configuration, in the form of a so-called vertical screen positionable at the end and transversely to the longitudinal axis of a bed, this screen comprising at least a backrest and a support structure of said at least one backrest, said or each backrest, arranged on the front of the screen and able to form a support surface of the back of a person while seated in the bed equipped with such headboard, being on the one hand, equipped with sliding connection means relative to the support structure in the direction of a movement up and down relative to said support structure, on the other hand, connecting means pivoting relative to the support structure for movement between a position of smaller dimensions in which the support surface of the backrest extends in a substantially vertical plane and a position of greater bulk in which the backrest is inclined with a high point close to the support structure and a low point spaced apart from the support structure.

Headboards incorporating a reclining and height-adjustable backrest are already known from the state of the art. They are intended to allow a person sitting in the bed equipped with such a headboard to occupy a semi-recumbent position, this position being more comfortable than the lying position for the practice of activities, such as watching the television or read in bed. All of these headboards have the advantage of being of simpler design than beds with a reclining bed frame.

In addition, they allow, in the case of a bed for two people, to have a single mattress while allowing independent tilt adjustment of each folder.

In the case of such headboards, so far, the settings in inclination and height of the folder are operated manually, independently. Generally, the operator, namely the person installed in the bed, manually for example, at first, the height adjustment of the backrest, then, in a second step, tilt adjustment of the backrest or vice versa.

The disadvantage of such a solution is that it forces the operator, who is in bed, to turn around to adjust or even get out of bed to achieve the various settings. Such a solution often requires the operator to make several attempts before getting the right setting.

There is also, in the state of the art, a solution in which the backrest of the headboard rests, by its lower edge, resting on the mattress regardless of the reclining position taken by the folder. This solution does not escape the disadvantages described above.

Thus, the documents GB-2,171,297 and FR-2841754 describe a headboard in which the backrest must be raised before being tilted and then down to move from a vertical position to an inclined position. Such kinematics exclude any use of a linear actuator, such as a jack common to the drive means to pivot and slide. The patent GB 2171297 it also specifies that a mechanism for assisting the handling of the file can be provided but does not describe this mechanism in any way.

Similarly in the document EP-1260161 , it is necessary on the one hand to tilt the folder to a lock in the inclined position using a first mechanism and move the folder in elevation with a second mechanism. Again, when returning the file to a vertical position, it is necessary to further incline the folder to unlock before returning it to its upright position and lowering the folder with the second mechanism. These solutions are complex to enforce.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a headboard whose design allows adjustment of the tilt position of each backrest of the headboard without having to get out of bed or to turn in his bed.

Another aim of the present invention is to propose a headboard whose design makes it possible to avoid, whatever the adjustment made with regard to the position of the backrest, the presence of a bar located at the back of the door. user in a location that generates back pain.

Another purpose of the presentation is to propose a headboard whose kinematics of the file is simple for the passage from one position to another.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a headboard, of the type which, in use configuration, is in the form of a vertical screen, positionable at the end, and transversely to the longitudinal axis of a bed, this screen comprising at least one folder and a support structure of said at least one folder, said or each folder, disposed on the front of the screen and adapted to form a bearing surface of the back of a person sitting in the bed equipped with such a headboard, being on the one hand, equipped with sliding connection means with respect to the support structure in the direction of a movement up and down with respect to said support structure, on the other hand, in the upper part, pivotally connecting means with respect to the support structure about an axis substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel upwards and downwards in the direction of a movement towards or away from the part lower folder p relative to the support structure, for the passage of a position of smaller footprint in which the lower part of the backrest is close to the support structure and the middle plane of the support surface of the backrest extends in a plane substantially vertical and a position of greater bulk in which the lower part of the backrest is separated from the support structure and the bearing surface the backrest is inclined, characterized in that the headboard comprises, arranged between the or each backrest and the support structure, at least one actuator, common to the sliding connection means and the pivot connection means, this actuator being suitable to allow the passage of the folder from the smaller position to the position of greater bulk in parallel with the passage of said folder from the high position to the low position and vice versa.

Said actuator is therefore, on at least part of the travel of the backrest, active both on the pivot connection means and the sliding connection means and is able to request at the same time, in parallel, the means of sliding link and the pivot connection means to allow the passage of the backrest from the position of the small footprint to the position of the largest footprint in parallel with the passage of the backrest from the high position to the low position, and the passage of the backrest the position of the largest space at the position of the smallest space, in parallel with the passage of the backrest from the low position to the high position.

The simultaneous adjustment of the inclination and the up and down positioning makes it possible to maintain the bottom edge of the backrest at a substantially constant level relative to the ground, regardless of the height of the mattress and whatever the degree of inclination of the backrest, so as to avoid the creation, in the back of the user, a bar formed by the lower edge of the file located for example at the kidneys of the user and causing discomfort to the user.

Thanks to this combined movement in inclination and descent or uphill of the backrest, the user can remain supported on its backrest during the passage of said folder from the smaller position to the position of larger space or vice versa without, neither in the extreme positions nor in the intermediate positions, the occupied position is uncomfortable. As mentioned above, at least a portion of the pivot connection means is permanently mounted to move at least a portion of the sliding connection means in at least a portion of the movement path of the file. , to allow, in parallel with the passage of the file from the position of smaller footprint to the position of greater bulk, the passage of said folder from the high position to the low position.

Preferably, the actuator, disposed between the backrest and the support structure, is a linear actuator. This actuator is adapted to allow by simply adjusting its length by extension or retraction the passage from one position to another folder.

Preferably, said actuator, disposed between the backrest and the support structure, comprises at least one jack, having an extended position and a retracted position, one of the positions of the jack corresponding to the high position and of smaller overall dimensions of the backrest, the other position corresponding to the low position and larger file size.

The jack therefore comprises a rod and a body mounted movable relative to each other in the direction of increasing the length of the jack to a position of greater length of the cylinder, said extension position of the cylinder, and in the sense of reducing the length of the cylinder to a position of shorter length of the cylinder, said retracted position of the cylinder.

Preferably, the actuator, disposed between the backrest and support structure, is coupled to each of the elements between which it is interposed by a pivot connection.

In other words, the body and the rod of the cylinder are pivotally coupled to one to the support structure, the other to the folder.

The headboard generally comprises for each actuator a remote control, such as a control button casing in operation of said actuator. It is therefore enough for the person in the bed to act on said remote control to allow the movement of movement of the backrest up and down and tilt while maintaining the lower edge of the backrest at a level substantially constant height relative to the ground .

This remote control can optionally be coupled with the remote control capable of controlling a proclive inclination and / or declivity of the bed, when such an adjustment is present on the bed.

Preferably, the connection means for sliding and pivoting between the backrest and the support structure comprise on the one hand, at least one so-called vertical guide path equipping the support structure and at least one movable sliding connection piece along the path of the support structure. guide and pivotally coupled to the backrest for sliding and pivoting mounting of the backrest with respect to the guide path, the sliding and pivoting axes being orthogonal to each other, and at least one, preferably a pair of, link (s), said, or each rod, pivotally mounted about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the guide path, acting as a pusher tending to rotate the folder around its pivot connection to the connecting piece under the action of sliding movement of the folder along the guide path in the direction of a lowering of the folder.

Preferably, the guide path is formed of two parallel rails, and the actuator extends between said rails. This results in a reduced overall size of the assembly.

Generally, the screen has in front at least two juxtaposed folders.

Preferably, the or each backrest is equipped with a headrest, preferably removable, said headrest affecting the form of a retractable flap, said flap being adapted to move from a folded position against the support surface of the backrest to a retracted position in which it is at least partially hidden by the face of support of said folder seen from the front.

The invention also relates to a method of adjusting in position relative to the vertical of the back of a headboard according to that described above, characterized in that said method comprises at least one inclination control step the file during which the file, in parallel, lowers, or a step of recovery of the file relative to the vertical in which the file, in parallel, rises.

• Les figures 1A et 1 B représentent une vue en perspective d'une tête de lit conforme à l'invention dans laquelle les dossiers forment, à l'état juxtaposé, la totalité de la partie supérieure de la façade de l'écran, la tête de lit de la figure1 B étant doublée d'une tête de lit stationnaire traditionnelle ;
• La figure 2 représente une vue en perspective d'une tête de lit conforme à l'invention dans laquelle chaque dossier, en configuration de plus faible encombrement, s'insère à l'intérieur d'une fenêtre délimitée par la structure support ;
• Les figures 3 à 5 représentent des vues partielles en perspective d'une moitié de dossier équipant une tête de lit conforme aux figures 1 ou 1A, lors du passage du dossier d'une position dressée, dite verticale de plus faible encombrement, à une position inclinée de plus grand encombrement ;
• Les figures 6 à 8 représentent des vues en coupe des figures 3 à 5 ;
• La figure 9 représente une vue partielle en perspective d'une moitié d'un dossier de la tête de lit de la figure 2 dans laquelle le dossier a été enlevé pour faire apparaître les moyens de liaison à coulissement et à pivotement entre dossier et structure support, ces moyens de liaison étant représentés dans la configuration correspondant à la position haute et de plus faible encombrement du dossier ;
• La figure 10 représente une vue partielle en perspective d'une moitié d'un dossier de la tête de lit de la figure 2 dans laquelle le dossier a été enlevé pour faire apparaître les moyens de liaison à coulissement et à pivotement entre dossier et structure support, ces moyens de liaison étant représentés dans la configuration correspondant à la position basse et de plus grand encombrement du dossier ;
• La figure 11 représente une vue de côté d'un dossier de la tête de lit de la figure 2 en position abaissée de plus grand encombrement du dossier.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• The Figures 1A and 1B are a perspective view of a headboard according to the invention in which the folders form, in the juxtaposed state, the entire upper part of the front of the screen, the headboard of the figure1 B being lined with a traditional stationary headboard;
• The figure 2 represents a perspective view of a headboard according to the invention in which each folder, in a smaller configuration, fits within a window defined by the support structure;
• The Figures 3 to 5 represent partial perspective views of a half of the back equipping a headboard conforming to the Figures 1 or 1A during the passage of the file from an upright position, said vertical of smaller size, to an inclined position of greater size;
• The Figures 6 to 8 represent sectional views of Figures 3 to 5 ;
• The figure 9 represents a partial perspective view of a half of a backrest of the headboard of the figure 2 wherein the back has been removed to reveal the sliding connection means and pivot between the backrest and support structure, these connecting means being represented in the configuration corresponding to the high position and smaller footprint of the folder;
• The figure 10 represents a partial perspective view of a half of a backrest of the headboard of the figure 2 in which the folder has been removed to reveal the sliding connection means and pivoting between the backrest and support structure, these connection means being represented in the configuration corresponding to the low position and larger file size;
• The figure 11 represents a side view of a backrest of the headboard of the figure 2 in lowered position of larger file size.

As mentioned above, the bed head 1, object of the invention, is in the form of a screen which, in configuration of use of the headboard, extends in a vertical plane positionable at one end. and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bed 10.

This bed head 1 comprises a backrest 2 and a support structure 3 of the backrest 2. In the examples shown, the bedhead 1 comprises two juxtaposed folders 2 arranged on the front of the screen. The backrest structure 3 can affect a large number of shapes.

This support structure 3 can be self-supporting and stand alone in the erected state or be attached to the frame, in particular to the bed frame. This support structure 3 is generally formed of a box supporting the sliding connection means and pivoting which will be described below; In particular, said box is generally surmounted by an amount which bears the guide path of the sliding movement means.

This support structure 3 can rest on the ground or be removed from the ground when it is fixed to the bed. This support structure 3 can still be attached to a vertical wall to interpose between the vertical wall and the bed.

The or each backrest 2, disposed at least on the front of the screen and adapted to form a bearing surface of the back of a person while seated in the bed 10 equipped with said head 1 of bed, is, of a on the one hand, equipped with sliding connection means with respect to the support structure 3 in the direction of movement upwards and downwards with respect to said support structure, on the other hand, pivotally connecting means with respect to the support structure 3 around an axis substantially orthogonal to the upward and downward displacement direction for a displacement between a position of smaller dimensions in which the support surface of the backrest 2 is erected and extends in a substantially vertical plane parallel to the direction of travel up and down and a position of greater bulk in which the backrest 2 is inclined relative to the vertical plane in which the backrest extends in position of smaller bulk with the edge upper backrest close to the support structure 3 and the bottom edge of the backrest away from the structure 3 support. In a smaller position, the backrest surface or its mid-plane extend substantially in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of relative movement in the rise and fall of the support structure and the backrest. In a position of greater bulk, the support surface of the backrest or its mid-plane form an angle α with the vertical plane in which the backrest extends to a smaller position. This angle α is generally close to 23 °.

Said folder is, in the erected state of the headboard, pivotally mounted about an axis said horizontal and is tiltable from vertical to horizontal from a vertical position of smaller size to a position, inclined by ratio to the vertical, of greater bulkiness in which the file forms with the vertical plane or average plane of the screen formed by the backrest in a smaller position, an angle α of about 23 °.

During this pivotal movement of the backrest around a so-called horizontal axis from the smaller position to the position of greater congestion, the edge or lower part of the back tends to move away from said support structure 3.

Of course, we call the lower part of the file the opposite part to the upper part of the file. The upper part of the file, which corresponds to the upper half of the file, is the part arranged at the top of the file in configuration of use of the file. The upper part of the backrest comprises the connection means to pivot the backrest to the support structure. Indeed, in the upright position of the headboard, the connection means pivoting the backrest to the support structure are arranged in the upper part of the backrest, the passage from the position of smaller footprint to the position of larger footprint operating by moving the lower part of the folder in the direction of a distance from the support structure.

Conversely, during the pivoting movement of the backrest about a horizontal axis, the position of greater bulk to the position of smaller footprint, the lower edge of the folder tends to move closer to the support structure 3 to a position in which the backrest extends in a substantially vertical plane.

To enable such a drive movement of the backrest 2, the bed head 1 comprises, disposed between each backrest 2 and the support structure 3, an actuator 7 common to the sliding connection means and means 5 pivotally connecting said folder for allow the passage of said folder 2 from the position of smaller footprint to the position of greater bulk in parallel with the passage of said backrest 2 from the high position to the low position, and the passage of the backrest 2 from the position of greater congestion at the position of smaller footprint in parallel with the passage of said backrest 2 from the low position to the high position.

This linear actuator 7 is active both on the sliding connection means and on the connecting means 5 pivoting said backrest, and is able to urge, at the same time, the sliding connection means 4 and the means 5 pivotally connecting connection, in particular the moving parts of said connecting means, to allow the passage of the backrest 2 from the smaller position to the position of greater bulk in parallel with the passage of said backrest 2 from the high position to the position bass, and vice versa.

This kinematics of the backrest resulting from a combined movement of pivoting and translation makes it possible to maintain the lower edge of the backrest at a substantially constant level with respect to the ground during the entire travel of the backrest between its extreme positions, so that comfortable position is obtained permanently.

In the examples shown, the actuator 7, disposed between the backrest 2 and the support structure 3, is a jack 7 coupled to each of the elements between which it is interposed by a pivot connection. Thus, in the example shown, the body and the cylinder rod are pivotally coupled to the support structure, the other to the folder. Of course, a coupling of the rod to the support structure and the body to the record is equivalent. This jack 7 is of adjustable length between an extended position and a retracted position. One of the positions, in this case the extension position, of the cylinder corresponds to the high position and smaller size of the backrest 2, the other position, namely the retracted position, corresponding to the low position and larger file size 2.

This jack is controlled in operation with a remote control not shown. The user can therefore, from his bed, with his back resting on the backrest, adjust at will the inclination of the backrest without having to get up or turn around to adjust the setting.

In the examples shown, the sliding connection means 4 and pivoting 5 between backrest 2 and support structure 3 comprise, on the one hand, at least one vertical guide path 61 equipping the support structure 3 and at least one piece 62 of mobile link sliding along the guide path 61, said connecting piece 62 being pivotally coupled to the backrest 2, in particular to the upper part of the backrest, for sliding and pivoting mounting of the backrest 2 relative to the path 61 guidance. Equivalently, the or each vertical guide path 61 could have been made in one piece with the support structure 3. The or each guide path 61 is said to be vertical because it extends in a substantially vertical plane in the configuration of use of the headboard.

The figures shown illustrate two variants. The first variant is illustrated by the Figures 1, 1A and 3 to 8 , the Figures 6 to 8 corresponding to sectional views of Figures 3 to 5 . The second variant is illustrated by the figures 2 and 9 to 11 . The second variant is distinguished from the first variant only by the shape of the support structure whose part behind the back is partially visible to an observer placed in front of the folder. This is not the case in the first variant where the shape of the support structure is such that the portion of the support structure located behind the file is not visible to an observer placed in front of the folder. In both variants shown, the guide path 61 is formed by a rail. Generally, the connection means between a backrest and the support structure comprise two guide paths 61, two connecting pieces 62 each connecting a guide path to the backrest, a pair of rod 63 and an actuator 7. The guideways are parallel and the actuator 7 extends between said guide paths.

Each rail constituting a guide path that extends substantially vertically, in the configuration of use of the headboard, is provided with a connecting piece 62 is here in the form of an arm, slidably mounted by means of rolling or sliding along the rail associated.

Each arm is, at its upper end, equipped with a pivot connection 64 connecting the arm to the backrest 2 equipped for this purpose with a tab. The sliding axis of the connecting piece 62 is orthogonal to the pivot axis of the pivot connection 64 between the connecting piece 62 and backrest 2.

The connecting means further comprises a pair of rods 63 each pivotally coupled at one of their ends to the support structure and at their other end to the backrest, preferably via a leg equipping the backrest. The pivot axes of the rods extend substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the rails forming the guide path, and parallel to the pivot axis of the pivot connection between connecting piece 62 and backrest 2.

In a high configuration with a smaller footprint of the backrest, the jack 7 is in the extended position, as illustrated by FIG. figure 3 or the figure 9 . For the passage from the high position of smaller size to the lower position of larger size, the cylinder is retracted.

During the retraction of the rod in the cylinder body, each connecting piece 62 is slidably lowered along the rail with which it is associated. It drives during its displacement the pivot link 64 which connects to the folder. During this lowering of the backrest, the rods 63 also tend to lower by pivoting around their pivot connection to the support structure, as illustrated by the passages of the figure 3 to the figure 4 , or 6 to 7 or else 9 to 10. This pivoting causes the pivoting of the backrest around its pivot link 64 to the connecting piece 62. These movements continue as long as the retraction of the rod of the actuator is continued. For the back in a vertical plane of the file, the reverse movements are observed.

In the examples shown, the connection coupling the connecting piece to the folder is disposed at a level greater than the pivot connection connecting the rods to the folder.

As mentioned above, the screen has in front at least two folders 2 juxtaposed.

In the example shown in Figures 1A and 1B , the folders 2 form, in the juxtaposed state, the entire upper part of the screen facade.

In the example shown in figure 2 , the structure 3 supporting the backrest 2 defines, on the front of the screen, for the or each folder 2, a window inside which the folder 2 fits in a position of smaller footprint.

Regardless of the embodiment, the or each backrest 2 may be equipped with a headrest 8, preferably removable. This headrest 8 can thus be secured to the backrest 2 by means of self-gripping connection means, snaps or other.

This headrest 8 preferably affects the shape of a retractable flap. This flap made using a flexible fabric is adapted to move from a folded position against the support surface of the backrest 2, to a retracted position in which it releases at least partially the support surface of the backrest 2 In this retracted position, the constituent flap of the headrest is at least partially hidden by the bearing surface of the backrest 2 and is folded against the rear face of the support structure 3, the front face of the support structure being equipped with folders.

The user can thus, by pivoting movement of the headrest around its connection area to the backrest, allow the passage of said headrest from an inactive position to an active position and vice versa.

Claims (11)

Bed head (1), of the type in the configuration of use, in the form of a vertical screen, positionable at the end, and transversely to the longitudinal axis of a bed (10), this screen comprising at least one backrest (2) and a support structure (3) of said at least one backrest (2), said backrest or backrest (2), arranged on the front of the screen and able to form a support surface of the back of a person seated in the bed (10) equipped with such a head (1) bed, being on the one hand, equipped with means (4) sliding connection relative to the structure (3) support in the direction of a movement up and down with respect to said support structure (3), on the other hand, in the upper part, means (5) pivotally connecting relative to the support structure (3) around an axis substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel upwards and downwards in the direction of a movement towards or away from the lower part of the backrest (2) relative to the support structure (3), for a displacement between a position of smaller dimensions in which the lower part of the backrest (2) is brought closer to the support structure (3) and the middle plane of the support surface of the backrest (2) extends in a substantially vertical plane and a position of greater bulk in which the lower part of the backrest (2) is spaced from the support structure (3) and the bearing surface of the backrest (2) is inclined,
characterized in that the bed head (1) comprises, arranged between the or each backrest (2) and the support structure (3), at least one actuator (7) common to the sliding connection means (4) and means (5) pivotally connecting, this actuator (7) being adapted to allow the passage of the backrest (2) from the position of smaller bulk to the position of greater bulk in parallel with the passage of said folder (2) of the high position in the low position and vice versa. Head (1) of bed according to claim 1,
characterized in that the actuator (7), arranged between the backrest (2) and the support structure (3), is a linear actuator. Head (1) of bed according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said actuator (7) disposed between the backrest (2) and the support structure (3) comprises at least one jack (7) having at least one extension position and a retracted position, one of the positions the cylinder corresponding to the high position and smaller footprint of the backrest (2), the other position corresponding to the low position and greater bulk of the backrest (2). Head (1) of bed according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that the actuator (7), arranged between the backrest (2) and the support structure (3), is coupled to each of the elements between which it is interposed by a pivot connection (71, 72). Head (1) of bed according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it comprises, for each actuator (7), a control remote control in operation of said actuator (7). Head (1) of bed according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the sliding connection means (4) and pivoting means (5) between the backrest (2) and the support structure (3) comprise, on the one hand, at least one vertical guide path (61) fitted to the structure (3) support and at least one moving link piece (62) movable along the guide path (61) and pivotally coupled (64) to the backrest (2) for sliding and pivoting mounting of the backrest (2) ) with respect to the guide path (61), the sliding and pivoting axes being orthogonal to each other, and at least one, preferably a pair of, link (s) (63), said or each connecting rod ( 63), pivotally mounted about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the guide path (61), acting as a pusher tending to rotate the backrest (2) about its link (64) pivot to the connecting piece (62) under the action of sliding movement of the backrest (2) along the guide path (61) in the door s of a lowering of the file (2). Head (1) of bed according to claim 6,
characterized in that the sliding connection means (4) and pivoting means (5) between the backrest (2) and the support structure (3) comprise two parallel guide paths (61), and in that the actuator (7) extends between said guide paths (61). Head (1) bed according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen comprises in front at least two files (2) juxtaposed. Head (1) of bed according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure (3) supporting the backrest (2) delimits, on the front of the screen, for the or each backrest (2), a window inside which the backrest (2) fits in a position of smaller footprint. Head (1) bed according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the folders (2) form, in the juxtaposed state, the entire upper part of the front of the screen. Head (1) of bed according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each backrest (2) is equipped with a headrest (8), preferably removable, said headrest (8) affecting the form of a retractable flap, said flap being adapted to move from a folded position against the support surface of the backrest (2) to a retracted position in which it is at least partially hidden by the bearing surface of said backrest (2) front view.

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