ES2954367T3 - Folding frame for mattresses - Google Patents

Abstract

The folding mattress structure (100) comprises a support surface (200) and a support structure (300) having at least one hinge area (400) with the support surface (200) and configured to fit externally to a mattress (500). The support structure (300) may have a first dimension that is variable to adapt to the thickness of a mattress (500) and a second dimension that is variable to change the position of the hinge area (400). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Folding frame for mattresses

The present invention relates to a folding structure comprising a folding support surface and a support structure conveniently adapted to be removably arranged on a mattress.

Currently, bed sets are known that incorporate means for articulating a mattress in order to tilt at least a part of it and arrange it in a desired position. A conventional option for tilting at least part of a mattress is through a mechanism that is part of the base where the mattress rests, or through an internal mechanism with structures that articulate the mattress from the inside. However, these are mechanisms that are fixed to the structure of the mattress, making them not practical, especially in the case in which it is necessary to replace the mattress with another.

Document JP 2015204893 A describes a folding structure for a mattress according to the state of the art.

In order to try to solve this problem, a simple and very effective folding structure has been devised, which is intended to be placed on a conventional mattress so that it can be removed from it easily, comfortably and quickly at any time by the user. user. With the system described below, it is possible to modify the characteristics of a mattress, for example, expand its surface, or even close it to form a barrier in order to prevent a person from falling to the ground. This possibility is advantageously maintained even if the mattress has to be replaced by another, even if it has different characteristics than the previous one.

The proposed folding structure is adapted to be placed on a conventional mattress and comprises a support surface adapted to support a person's head, to support a person's feet or even to place objects on it, thus acting as a coffee table. evening. Other applications, such as lateral inclination of the user's body, are not ruled out, however. This particular application is very useful in cases of sick people who are lying on a mattress for a long time, since it allows the person's position on their sides to be varied, preventing them from always lying on their back uniformly.

For this purpose, the support surface may be formed by a substantially rigid plane or by a perimeter structure that surrounds an at least substantially flexible element, such as fabric, etc. The support surface comprises a mattress or cushion part, especially if it is intended to rest a person's head or to support a person's feet. The support surface may also be configured, for example, to receive a portion of a supplement mattress intended to be placed on a main mattress.

The present folding structure also comprises a support structure. This support structure has at least one articulation area with the support surface. The support structure is suitably configured to externally and detachably fit a mattress of any type.

In a preferred, although not limiting, example, the support surface is articulated in two support structures. In some cases it may be desirable to have several folding structures in a mattress, for example, to have two headboards, two footboards, two nightstands, etc. In this case, the articulation area of the support structure with the support surface It could be shared so that two adjacent support structures have a common articulation zone. Cases are not ruled out in which several fixed articulation zones are arranged in the same support structure in order to be able to articulate the support surface in the appropriate position as required or desired. Nor are cases ruled out in which a variable articulation area is available. This case will be described later.

In some cases it can be provided that the support structure has a first dimension that is variable so that the folding structure can be conveniently adapted to the thickness of a mattress. Said first dimension of the support structure could be, for example, a separation distance between two clamping elements adapted so that a mattress is inserted between them. By making the relative position of these two clamping elements variable so that the separation distance can be modified, it is made possible, on the one hand, for the support structure to advantageously adapt to any mattress on the market and, on the other hand, for The folding structure can be put on and taken off the mattress quickly, easily and comfortably by the user.

In this sense, a pressure element could be incorporated, for example, formed by the two clamping elements mentioned above, adapted to reduce the first dimension in order to adequately adjust the support structure to the thickness of the mattress so that the folding structure It is mounted well fixed on the mattress in the position of use.

As indicated above, it is foreseen in some cases that a variable articulation area is provided. Thus, the support structure could have a second dimension that is variable to modify the position of the articulation area of the support structure with the support surface. That is, the second dimension of the support structure could be a separation distance between the articulation area and an edge of the mattress. In this way, the articulation area could be arranged, for example, located close to an edge of the mattress or away from it by a distance as desired. This would allow in some cases the support surface to protrude from the contour of the mattress, if required. In any case, by making the relative position of the articulation area and the edge of the mattress variable, it becomes possible that the support structure can be folded into different positions on the plane of the mattress.

The support structure is made up of one or more L-shaped profiles adapted to fit the thickness of a mattress. The case is also foreseen in which the support structure has a lower part adapted to be inserted into a base of a bed base, canapé or similar. In this particular case, the support structure could be formed by at least one I-shaped profile with a lower part suitable for inserting into a base of a bed base, canapé or similar, as indicated.

In one example, the support structure comprises two of said profiles, which may be joined together by at least one cross member. It is envisaged that the profiles may be connected to each other by a surface such as, for example, a flat surface.

It is preferred that the support surface be capable of rotating a wide range of appropriate angles. In particular, it is preferred to use articulation zones that include articulation elements that allow the support surface or surfaces to be arranged in a multiplicity of angular positions, and preferably in at least one at least substantially horizontal position, to extend at least laterally. the surface of a mattress and/or in a position that is at least substantially vertical so that the support surface acts as a barrier or protective element, closing at least part of the perimeter of the mattress, preventing babies, children, the elderly, sick people, etc they can fall to the ground. Articulation zones can be used that include articulation elements that allow the support surface or surfaces to be arranged in a multiplicity of angular positions freely or in predefined angular positions.

In an example, motor means can be provided. These motor means may comprise an electric motor or a motor of any other type suitable for driving the support surface by rotating it in the articulation area with respect to the support surface. A control module associated with said motor means can also be provided. Through this control module, the user can control the motor means, activating them to rotate the support surface, be it the head, feet, sides, etc., around the articulation area with respect to the the support structure, and deactivating them when the support surface has reached a desired angle, for example, inclined, extended horizontally, extended vertically, etc. The control module may incorporate programmable means for actuating the support surface at a given time, for example, to return the head, feet or any other part of the user's body to a fully stretched body position after a period of time has passed. determined from an inclined position. With this feature, for example, the user can advantageously be prevented from falling asleep in an inappropriate position, such as with the head, feet, etc. excessively inclined. This control module can be arranged remotely, as appropriate, separate from the mattress and the folding structure, and could be operated remotely by the user. The remote operation to rotate the support surface with respect to the support structure could be carried out through an application on a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, etc. These options can be advantageous in medical, personal care, etc. settings.

With the folding structure that has been described, the characteristics of a mattress of any type, whether conventional, existing on the market, or another, can be modified in a very comfortable, easy and fast way, offering great comfort to the user. With the present folding structure, a mattress of any type can be converted into a mattress with at least one reclining surface (headboard, footboard, wing), whose useful surface can be extended. With the present folding structure, a mattress of any type can also be made to include a protective barrier that closes at least part of its perimeter in order to prevent a person from falling to the ground.

The folding structure that has been described is external to the mattress and its configuration allows a plane of the mattress to be articulated in any part of its perimeter, that is, both from the perimeter towards the interior and from the perimeter towards the exterior. This feature is possible regardless of where the mattress is placed.

The folding structure that has been described can be applied to any type of mattress on the market, regardless of the existence of an added mattress topper. As it is a compact, simple, removable and, consequently, portable and economical structure, it represents an extremely useful innovation in the concept of rest articulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A non-limiting example of a folding structure for mattresses according to the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a particular example of two folding structures applied to a mattress;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the folding structures of Figure 1, shown outside the mattress, for better understanding;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a folding structure according to Figure 1 and Figure 2, where the way in which the folding structure can be varied to adapt to the thickness of a mattress can be seen; and

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are schematic side elevation views of the example of the folding structure applied to a mattress illustrating the support surface in different angular positions and with the articulation area also shown in different positions.

DETAILED EXPOSITION OF AN IMPLEMENTATION

In the non-limiting example shown in Figures 1 to 6, one or more folding structures 100 are illustrated. The folding structures 100 illustrated are intended to be applied to a conventional mattress 500, shown in Figure 1 and Figures 4, 5 and 6, so that they can be disassembled from it.

The folding structures 100 shown by way of example consist of a support surface 200 that is intended to rest the head of a person (not shown). Other applications are also possible, such as to support a person's feet or to place various objects on said support surface 200, as if it were a removable nightstand.

The support surface 200 of the folding structure 100 is formed by a substantially rigid plane, in the non-limiting example shown in the figures. In said example, the support surface 200, which is intended to rest the head of a person, that is to say to function as a headboard, is formed by a substantially rigid plane intended to receive a part of a mattress topper (not shown). The support surface 200 could be formed, however, by a perimeter structure surrounding an at least substantially flexible element, such as fabric, etc.

The folding structure 100 shown also includes a support structure 300. The support structure 300 has the function of attaching the folding structure 100 to the mattress 500 in a detachable manner. The support structure 300 comprises two pairs of brackets. Each pair is formed by an upper bracket 305 and a lower bracket 310, which are described below.

Although not shown in the figures, the support structure 300 could incorporate one or multiple crossbars to join said brackets together and provide greater stability, especially if the separation between said brackets is large. It is envisaged that the profiles can be connected to each other even by a flat surface.

The upper bracket 305, in each pair of brackets, includes a substantially horizontal section in a section of which an articulation area 400 is formed with the support surface 200. The support surface 200 rotates about a geometric axis that passes through the articulation area 400 of each upper bracket 305. It is possible, in some particular cases, to incorporate several fixed articulation areas 400 in the same support structure 300 in order to be able to articulate the support surface 200 in a suitable position.

The substantially horizontal section of the upper bracket 305 is intended to rest on the upper surface of the mattress 500. The upper bracket 305, in each pair of brackets, also includes a substantially vertical section that forms an angle of approximately 90° with the substantially horizontal section.

In the example shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the articulation area 400 is in a fixed position. However, said position can be variable, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. That is, a dimension could be defined that was variable to modify the position of the articulation area 400 of the support structure 300 with the support surface 200. Said dimension of the support structure 300 could be a separation distance between the articulation area 400 and an edge 505 of the mattress 500. By way of example, the articulation area 400 It could be arranged close to the edge 505 of the mattress 500 or away from it by a distance as desired. This could allow the support surface 200 to protrude beyond the contour of the mattress 500, if necessary.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, it is especially worth highlighting the fact that, depending on the position of the articulation area 400, the folding structure 100 may or may not allow the extension of the mattress surface. 500. Thus, as shown in Figure 4, the articulation area 400 is located in a position away from the edge 505 of the mattress 500, towards the interior thereof, a distance equal to or substantially greater than one dimension of the surface of support 200. In this way, when the support surface 200 is completely folded onto the mattress 500, said support surface 200 does not protrude from it, that is, it does not reach the edge 505 of the mattress 500. However, as can be seen in the case 6, the articulation zone 400 is in a position outside the contour of the mattress 500, or even in a position close to the edge 505 of the mattress 500 but a distance substantially less than one dimension of the support surface 200. In this way, when the support surface 200 is completely folded onto the mattress 500, as shown in Figure 6, said support surface 200 protrudes from it, that is, it exceeds the edge 505 of the mattress 500 by a distance. determined. In this way the useful surface of the mattress 500 expands.

For its part, the lower bracket 310, in each pair of brackets, includes a substantially horizontal section intended to be below the lower surface of the mattress 500. This substantially horizontal section could be adapted to be inserted into a base of a bed base, couch or similar, if necessary. The lower square 310, in each pair of squares, also includes a substantially vertical section that forms an angle of approximately 90° with the substantially horizontal section.

With particular reference to Figure 3 of the drawings, in each pair of brackets, the substantially vertical section of the upper bracket 305 and the substantially vertical section of the lower bracket 310 are configured to be able to be joined together in different areas thereof. This feature allows a dimension, corresponding in this case to the separation between the substantially horizontal opposite sections of the same pair of brackets 305, 310, to be varied so that the folding structure 100 can conveniently adapt to the thickness of the mattress 500. Making it the relative position of each pair of brackets 305, 310 is variable so that the separation distance can be modified, it becomes possible, the support structure 100 can adapt to any type of mattress existing on the market and can be dismantled from the mattress 500. a fast, easy and comfortable way for the user. Although not shown, a pressure element could be included to reduce the separation between the substantially horizontal opposite sections of the same pair of brackets 305, 310. This pressure element would allow the support structure 300 to be adjusted in a controlled manner to the thickness of the mattress. 500 so that the folding structure 100 is mounted well fixed on the mattress 500 in the position of use.

The articulation area 400 of the support structure 300 allows the support surface 200 to be rotated an appropriate angle within a range of possible angles, such as those represented by way of example in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings. Thus, the support surface 200 can rotate slightly, as shown in Figure 4, to slightly tilt the user's head to rest normally in bed. Although in the illustrated example, the support surface 200 acts as a headrest, the invention is not limited to tilting the user's head, but could be used to additionally or alternatively tilt other parts of the body, such as the legs, side, etc The support surface 200 can rotate to a more vertical position, as shown in Figure 5, to further tilt the user's head to, for example, read or watch television in bed. However, the support surface 200 can rotate completely, as shown in Figure 5, to be completely horizontal in order to extend the surface of the mattress 500. In addition to the folding positions of the support surface 200 illustrated below By way of example in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, many other different angular positions of the support surface 200 are possible including an at least substantially vertical position for the support surface 200 to act as a barrier or protective element. closing at least part of the perimeter of the mattress 500. This prevents babies, children, the elderly, sick people, etc. from entering the mattress. accidentally fall to the ground.

In the example shown in Figure 1, two folding structures 100 are shown applied to the same mattress 500. Each folding structure 100 has its own support surface 200 articulated in two corresponding support structures 300, each formed by two pairs of brackets. With this configuration you obtain a 500 mattress that is equipped with two independent headboards. However, the application of this structure as a footboard, a nightstand, etc. is not ruled out. on the same mattress. The case in which two support surfaces 200 share a support structure 300 is also not ruled out, that is, the case in which three pairs of brackets are used for two adjacent support surfaces 200, the central pair of brackets being shared.

The non-limiting example shown in Figures 1-6 of the drawings allows having in the same mattress 500 a reclining surface 200, which can extend the effective surface of the mattress 500 if required, providing at least one inclined surface to tilt the head, feet or other part of the user's body, or even provide a protective barrier by closing at least part of the perimeter of the mattress 500 preventing a person falls to the ground. This is achieved with a structure 100 that is comfortable, easy and quick to use, with a very simple and effective configuration which can be removed from the mattress 500 easily, comfortably and quickly at any time by the user.

Although only one exemplary embodiment of a folding structure for mattresses has been described here, one skilled in the art will understand that other modifications of said folding structure are possible. The scope of the present description should not be limited, therefore, to the specific example that has been described, but should be determined solely by an appropriate reading of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. Folding structure (100) for mattresses, comprising the folding structure (100): - a support surface (200) with a mattress or cushion part adapted to support the head of a person, so that the support surface (200) is configured to receive a part of a supplement mattress intended to be placed on a mattress (500), and - a support structure (300) that has at least one articulation area (400) with the support surface (200), the support structure (300) being configured to be removably attached to a mattress (500) allowing articulate a plane of the mattress (500) anywhere on its perimeter, characterized by the fact that the support structure (300) comprises two pairs of brackets, each one formed by: - an upper square (305) that includes: - a substantially horizontal section intended to rest on the upper surface of the mattress (500) and that has the articulation area (400) so that the support surface (200) can rotate around an axis that passes through the area of joint (400); and - a substantially vertical section arranged to form an angle of approximately 90° with the substantially horizontal section, and - a lower square (310) that includes: - a substantially horizontal section intended to lie below a lower surface of the mattress (500); and - a substantially vertical section arranged at an angle of approximately 90° with the substantially horizontal section; wherein the articulation area (400) is arranged in a position away from an edge (505) of the mattress (500) towards the interior thereof a distance equal to or substantially greater than a dimension of the support surface (200). 2. Structure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support structure (300) has a first dimension that is variable to adapt to the thickness of a mattress (500). 3. Structure (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the support structure (300) has a second dimension that is variable to modify the position of the articulation area (400). 4. Structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support surface (200) is formed by a substantially rigid plane. 5. Structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support surface (200) is formed by a perimeter structure that surrounds an at least substantially flexible element. 6. Structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a pressure element intended to reduce said first dimension to adjust the support structure (300) to the thickness of the mattress (500). 7. Structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (300) comprises two profiles. 8. Structure (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said profiles of the support structure (300) are joined by at least one cross member. 9. Structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support surface (200) is adapted to be arranged in a substantially horizontal position to extend at least laterally the surface of a mattress (500). ). 10. Structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support surface (200) is adapted to be arranged in a substantially vertical position to act as a protective element. 11. Structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also includes motor means to drive the support surface (200) by rotating it in the articulation area (400) with respect to the surface. support (200).