FR2839870A1 - FIRMITY ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR BALL JOINT - Google Patents

Abstract

The swivel joint comprises a base (1), a head (3) receiving the end of a lath (4) and a resilient connection (5) interposed between them. The resilient connection comprises rigid articulated arms (11) which act on springs (10) according to the displacement of the head. The amplitude of the arm is adjusted and controlled by a cam system (16).

Description

1 2839870

  The present invention relates to ball joints used in tent that suspensions

  for box springs, and in particular a system for adjusting the firmness of these ball joints.

  The ball joints commonly used for slatted bed bases or multi-element type bed bases as described for example in the document

EP-O 653 174.

  In the field of conventional slatted bed bases, or multi-element type box springs, it is interesting to be able to adapt the firmness of the element of

  suspension, that is to say of the ball joint, depending on its location on the bed base.

  In the document FR-2 793 125 for example, special arrangements are provided for varying the elasticity of the ball joint. This ball joint is in the form of a monobloc structure provided with deformable blades springing. The particular age changes made at the level of these springs allow, with the help of interchangeable inserts, to modify the deformation capacity of these leaf springs and / or to modify their elasticity by addition of elements

complementary springs.

  The present invention provides an original arrangement of the patella and means which allow to modify at will its deformation capacity as well as its firmness, and this patella presents as main advantage, to have in itself

  this possibility of modification of its characteristics in an intrinsic way.

  The ball joint according to the invention is suitable for bed bases of the slatted type or of the multi-element type; it consists of: - a base which is arranged to be fixed on the structure to said bed base, - a head which is arranged to receive and fix one or more slats or a plate, depending on the type of bed base, - an elastic connection between said base and said party, arranged to allow a displacement of this behind towards the base according to at least one component perpendicular to this base, and this ball joint comprises, on the one hand, at the level of said elastic connection, a first part consisting of rigid arms arranged in V, articulated on a plate which is integral either with said base or with said party, and a second part forming a spring, which extends between the free ends of said arms and said head or said base as the case may be, and on the other hand, means for adjusting and controlling the amplitude of the movement of said rigid arms, so as to modify at will the displacement capacity of said head relative to said em base and,

  consequently, the firmness of said ball joint.

  According to the invention, these means of adjusting and controlling the firmness of the ball joint integrated wind and give it somehow a universal character. Indeed,

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  this rotu le according to the invention can be installed in any place of the mattress and be

  reg lee in situ sel on the necess ites.

  Still according to the invention, the constituent elements of the ball joint, namely the base, the head and the elastic connection between the two, are in one-piece form made of thermoplastic material of the elastomer type. According to a preferred arrangement of the invention, the means for adjusting and controlling the opening of the rigid arms and in particular of the opening of the fifth form formed by the latter, made up of at at least one cam-shaped part, the position of which can be adjusted as required, in particular between said arms and a bearing surface forming a stop, arranged either at the level of the party, or at the level of the base according to the cast According to a first embodiment, the cam is in the form of a U, the branches of which are supplied with a corner or ramp profile, which cam is guided like a drawer and it is centered on the connecting member which is interposed between the bearing surface making a stop and the plate provided with the articulations of the

rigid arms.

  Still according to the invention, the internal fringes of the U-shaped cam comprise a sort of notch cooperating with the connecting member arranged between the abutting surface and the articulation plate of the arms, to establish at least two

  possibilities for adjusting the position of said cam.

  According to an alternative embodiment, the cam is in the form of a horseshoe, clip on the connecting member interposed between the bearing surface making a stop and the hinge plate of the arms, which connecting member is present in the form of a cylindrical pivot and the branches of said wind cam brought fa, con wedge or

  ramp, with symmetry about its axis of rotation.

  According to another alternative embodiment, the cam is in the form of a ring, interposed between the bearing surface making a stop and the articulation plate of the arms, the ring which is centered and actuated by means of an axis which is guided in an orifice formed in said bearing surface, which axis is part of a button-like member for driving said cam in rotation, which cam is arranged with profile in a corner or ramp manner, arranged symmetrically with respect to its axis of rotation. Still according to the invention, the bearing surface forming a stop and the articulation plate of the rigid arms, wind linked in one piece, by means of at least one

  offset connection wall thus forming a housing for the ring-shaped cam.

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  Still according to the invention, the rigid arms component, near their articulation on the plate, of the chin pieces intended to bear on the profiles

suitable for cams.

  According to another arrangement of the invention, the profiles of the cams, fa, corner cone or ramp, are supplied in the form of elastic strips, the face of which is located on the chin side, lies in the plane of the bearing surface of the latter. to bring them into permanent contact with said lamellae, which lamellae

  also as a return spring to keep the arms in the rest position.

  The invention will be further detailed with the aid of the following description and

  annexed drawings, given by way of indication, and in which: - Figure 1 represents in the form of a functional diagram, a ball joint according to the invention correspond to a first embodiment; - Figure 2 shows a ball joint, always in the form of functional diagram, correspond to a second embodiment; - Figure 3 represents concretely, a ball joint for slatted base, correspond to the ball joint shown in Figure 1, this ball joint is represented in the form of a section along 3-3 of Figure 1 8; - Figure 4 shows, in a more detailed manner and in section, the arrangement of the ball joint at the firmness adjustment cam; - Figure 5 concretely represents a ball joint which corresponds to the embodiment shown schematically in Figure 2; - Figures 6 to 15 illustrate the operation of the firmness adjustment system according to the invention, with a cam which is in the shape of a horseshoe; - Figure 16 shows, in perspective, the cam of the firmness adjustment system, in the shape of a horseshoe ;: - Figure 17 shows, in perspective, the ball joint of Figure 3, in perspective, showing the cam of the firmness adjustment system; - Figure 18 shows the ball joint of Figure 17 and Figure 3, in a section 18-18 of Figure 3; - Figure 19 shows an alternative embodiment of the cam of the firmness adjustment system, U-shaped; FIG. 20 shows another variant of the cam, in the form of a ring; - Figure 21 shows, in perspective, the mancouvre button of the cam shown in Figure 20;

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  - Figure 22 shows a ball joint comprising a firmness adjustment system consisting of a ring-shaped cam as shown in Figure 20, and an operating button as shown in Figure 21; - Figure 23 is a sectional view along a vertical median plane, of the ball joint shown in Figure 22. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ball joint comprises a base em emitted to be fixed to the structure of a box spring 2 , and a head 3 arranged to accommodate one or more slats 4 or a tray depending on the type of box spring

  that is to say a slatted bed base or a multi-element bed base.

  The base 1 and the head 3 wind connected by an elastic connection 5. This elastic connection 5 allows the head 3 to move relative to the base 1 according to at least

  a component perpendicular to this behind.

  In the case of FIG. 1, the firmness adjustment system 6 is located under the

  head 3, between the elastic connection 5 and this head 3.

  In the case of FIG. 2, the firmness adjustment system 6 is arranged between

  the base 1 and the elastic connection 5.

  The elastic connection 5 consists of spring elements 10 shown schematically in the form of flexible blades Figures 1 and 2. These elements 10 are, Figure 1, two in number, interposed between the base 1 and arms 11. They are presented in the form of a

portion of ellipse for example.

  The arms 11 constitute levers for deformation of the spring elements 10. They are interposed between these spring elements and the head 3, forming a sort of open Ve. The arms 11 are articulated on a plate 12 which is integral with the head 3. The

  joints 13 of the arms 11 on the plate 12 wind relatively close to each other.

  The free end 14 of these arms 11 is integral with the corresponding spring element 10.

  According to the embodiment of Figure 2, the plate 12 for the articulation of the arms 11, is secured to the base 1. The spring elements 10 interposed wind

  between the free ends 14 of the arms 11 and the head 3.

  The movement of the head 3 is accompanied by a movement of the arms 11, and in particular of a pivoting of these arms 11 around their axes of articulation 13

  respective and, at the same time, a deformation of the spring elements 10 is observed.

  The arms 11 form a sort of Ve and the angle a between these arms varies according to their movement.

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  The amplitude of the movement of the arms 11 relative to the head 3, FIG. 1, or relative to the base 1, FIG. 2, is adjusted and controlled by means of the adjustment system.

firmness 6.

  This firmness adjustment system 6 comprises means made up of at least one cam-shaped piece 16 interposed between the arms 11 and a bearing surface 17 acting as a stop, located under the party, FIG. 1, and on the base according to

embodiment of Figure 2.

  It can be seen that the displacement of the cams 16 under the head 3 or on the base 1 makes it possible to modify the movement capacity of the arms 11 and in particular [amplitude

  their angular movement around their respective joints 13.

  This control of the movement of the arms 11 influences the deformation capacity

  elastic elements 10 and makes it possible to control the firmness of the ball joint.

  Thus, this ball joint according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, can be installed everywhere on a box spring and, by a simple displacement of the cams 16, the adjustment of firmness can be carried out at will or directly during the making of the

  box spring, either by the user himself.

  Figure 3 shows in a more concrete way an embodiment of the

Figure 1.

  This ball joint represented in FIG. 3 is a ball joint for slatted base, of the trilateral type. This ball joint comprises a base 1 provided with orifices 21 to allow its fixing to the bed base by means of pins, for example not shown. This base can also be arranged as shown in the figure with a housing 22 to allow the embedding of the third batten 23 which is simply sketched. The upper part of the ball joint consists of the head 3 which comprises, laterally, housings or end pieces 24 to accommodate the ends of the slats

superior 4.

  Between the head 3 and the base 1 we find the elastic connection 5 consisting of

  arm 11 and spring elements 10.

  The arms 11 wind articulate on the plate 12 and the articulations 13 wind

  consisting of a simple thinning of matter.

  The ball joint shown in Figure 3 is in one piece, made of thermoplastic material of the elastomer type for its components

  namely the base 1, the head 3 and the elastic connection 5.

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  The element attached to the level of this ball joint is constituted by the firmness adjustment system 6 which comprises a cam-shaped part located 16 of a

  generally and which is detailed in the following figures.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 3, this cam is inserted between the head 3 and S the elastic connection 5, that is to say between the bearing surface 17 brought under said head

  and the plate 12 which carries the articulations of the arms 11.

  The arms 11 as shown in FIG. 3 are designed to transmit the movements of the head 3 to the spring elements 10. It is noted that the arms 11 and the spring elements 10 are in one piece. The part acting as an arm has a large section which gives it a certain rigidity while the part acting as a spring element 10 has a more falble and constant section, which section is found

  moreover at the level of the joints 13 in particular.

  Still in the case of FIG. 3, the spring element 10 is in fact fitted between the arms 11 and complementary arms 25 which extend up to the base 1 to

  which they wind connected by a joint 26 in the form of thinning.

  As detailed in FIG. 4, the cam 16 is interposed between the upper surface of the plate 12 and the lower surface 17 of the head 3; this surface 17 acts as

  bearing surface or stop for said cam 16.

  As detailed below, and according to the embodiments, the cam 16 is

  installed on the connecting member which is interposed between the plate 12 and the cross member 31 of the head 3. This connecting member is for example in the form of an axis or

cylindrical pivot 30.

  The arms 11 wind in contact with the cam by means of protuberances or

  32-shaped chin rests near the joints 13.

  The capacity of the arms 11 to pivot around their articulation 13 is controlled by the cam 16. It is in fact the variation of the angle oc and its amplitude which is regulated.

  by the cam 16 by the intermediary of the studs 32.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a concrete embodiment of a ball joint which corresponds

to the diagram in Figure 2.

  This ball joint has a base 1 fitted to be fixed on the bed base 2. The firmness adjustment system 6 is located between this base 1 and the elastic connection 5. This elastic connection 5 is substantially distinguished from that of the diagram represented in FIG. level of the spring element proper, which is made up of deformable ellipses 35. The 4-wind slats arranged in separate ends 24, which wind ends each associated with the spring element 35 in the shape of an ellipse. These spring elements in the form of wind ellipses linked together by a cross member 37 located

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  slightly above the long axis of these ellipses. We find the arms 11 articulated on the plate 12 by means of articulations 13 constituted as above of a thinning of material. These arms 11 in the form of rigid beams, extend towards each of the ellipses 35, respectively, and are associated with these behinds at their lower part S. The ends 14 of these arms are located substantially above the

  slat ends, on the minor axis of each ellipse 35.

  The operation of the firmness adjustment system 6 corresponds exactly to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The cam 16 is interposed between the bearing surface 17 making a stop, at the level of the sole 1 and the plate 12 of the articulations of the arms 11. The chins 32 fittings on the arms 11, near the

  articulations 13 of the latter, bear on the cam 16.

  As before, the cam 16 is centered on the pivot 30 in the form of an axis,

  which serves as a connection between the plate 12 and the sole 1.

  Figure 6 shows the area of the ball joint where the firmness adjustment system is located, without the means which allow this adjustment to be carried out, that is to say without the

cam 16.

  Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 4, without the cam 16. This cam 16 is

  represented in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 8, correspond to one of the embodiments which will be

details later.

  FIG. 7 shows the cam on the side of its surface which is in contact with the studs 32 and FIG. 8 shows the same cam on the side of its surface which is in contact with the bearing surface 17 fitted under the head 3 or, as the case may be, on the

  mix on 1 as for example in the cases shown in fig 2 and 5.

  Figure 9 is a view along 9-9 of Figure 6 showing the arms 11, the chin pieces 32 on each of these arms 11, the plate 12 to which the two arms 11 are blown by means of the joints 13 which appear in dotted lines . Still on this figure 9, appears, in section, the connecting member between the plate 12 and the head of the ball joint. This cylindrical connecting member constitutes the pivot 30 of the cam as

as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

  This cam 16 is in the form of a horseshoe with an open cylindrical central cavity 40, the inlet of which has a dimension substantially less than the diameter of said cylindrical central cavity to allow it to be clipped onto the

pivot 30.

  This cam 16 is positioned in FIGS. 10 to 15 on the pivot 30. FIG. 10 shows the cam 16 in a particular extreme position in which it is completely inactive. Figure 14 shows the cam 16 in an extreme position

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  also where it is fully active, that is to say, it has the effect of preventing any movement of the arms 11 relative to the head of the ball joint or to the base according to the cast. Between these two extreme cases, the cam 16 is represented in FIG. 12 in an intermediate position which gives a certain freedom to the arms 11 and a certain angular movement. The cam 16 has a finger 42 which allows the operator to manipulate and position it according to the desired firmness, in one of the positions detailed previously or in another intermediate position depending on the cast. The cam has a central part 43 forming a hub in the form of an open tube portion, which follows the pivot 30. Around this central part, there is the active part of the cam, that is to say of the profiles 44 arranged symmetrically

  relative to the axis of rotation 46 of this cam.

  These profiles 44 correspond to a corner or a ramp which extends from a leading edge 47 of thick thickness to a fictitious edge 48 where the thickness reached

The general thickness of the cam.

  The amplitude of the movement of the cam, around its axis 46, is of the order of; at 90 for example and, as shown in FIG. 8, the axis L is observed corresponding to the inactive position of the cam in which the studs 32 are located as shown in FIG. 10, in the free areas of the cam, that is to say say outside of the profile 44. Still in FIG. 8, we also observe the axis B which corresponds to the blocking of the arms as shown in FIG. 14 where we observe the studs positioned in areas of the cam where its thickness is maximum, this that is to say that its thickness corresponds to the space between the studs and the bearing surface 17 forming a stop fitted either on the head 3 or on the sole 1 according to the cast; These extreme positions, marked L and B. are located on either side of the finger

  42 which allows the operations of the cam 16.

  Figures 12 and 13, the cam 16 is in the intermediate position, that is to say that there is a possibility of angular movement of the arms 11. A space E exists between

  the minions 32 and each ramp of the profile 44 of the cam.

  Figure 16 shows the horseshoe-type cam 16 like the one shown

  Figures 7 to 15, with however a variant in the profile of the ramp.

  Indeed, the ramp can be in the form of an elastic strip 50 which is particularly detached from the hub 43. This strip 50 is in contact with the spur 32 correspond as soon as the cam is placed in the active position to adjust the amplitude movement of the arms 11; this strip 50 also provides an effect

  spring aimed at bringing the arms 11 back to the rest position.

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  The operation of this cam corresponds strictly to that which has been detailed previously in connection with FIGS. 6 to 15. The visible surface in FIG. 16 of this cam corresponds to the surface which is in contact with the bearing surface 17

  forming a stop either at the level of the head 3 or at the level of the sole 1.

  Note also that the strip 50 can be constantly in contact with its chin 32. Wile can also have a limited stroke by means of a stop 51 by

  example. This stop 51 extends radially from the hub 43.

  Figure 17 shows, in perspective, the ball joint correspond to Figure 3 and

  diagrammatically in FIG. 1, equipped with a cam 16 as detailed in FIG. 16.

  This cam 16 is integrated between the support plate of the arms 11 and the head 3 of the ball joint and in particular under the cross member 31 which extends between the two end pieces 24 or

house the ends of the slats 4.

  The cam 16 is represented in a position which corresponds to the intermediate position, that is to say that the arms 11 can pivot around their joints with a limited amplitude which is of the order of half the amplitude that the 'we can

  observe when the cam is in the inactive position for example.

  Figure 18 corresponds to a section of the ball joint shown in Figures 17 and 3 along a vertical median plane passing through the axis of the cam 16. This cam 16 is interposed between the plate 12 which comprises the articulations of the arms 11 and the surface

  support 17 forming a stop fitted under the head 3.

  Note Figure 17 and Figure 18, the housing 22 for installing a third slat, which housing is located at the sole 1 of the ball joint, between

  the holes 21 which allow the passage of the fixing studs.

  Figure 19 shows a variant of the cam. This cam 16 'is in the form of a U. Wile moves like a drawer relative to the ball joint,

  parallel to the alignment of the upper slats, for example if they are slats.

  The internal franks of the central part 43 ′ of the U component, turns inwards, a notch 52 which cooperates with the pivot 30 of the ball which acts as a guide, to fix several positions of this cam and several types of amplitude for the

arm movement 11.

  The external profiles 44 'forming a ramp or wedge, detached from the central part of the U to provide, as explained above in Figure 16, a certain elasticity at the level of the cam. These 44 'profiles also come in the form

  lamellae and wind applied by the jaws 32 feeds on the arms 11.

  Figure 20 shows another variant of the cam. This 16 "cam is in the form of a ring with a central part forming a hub 55 which 1 o 2839870 is provided with a non-circular orifice 56 of the square or rectangular kind. This orifice 56 cooperates with a drive square as shown in FIG. 21. This drive square 57 is part of a button or knurl 58 capable of being actuated by the operator in order to move the cam 16 "and adjust accordingly the amplitude of the movement of the arms 11. This cam 16 "has a profile in the form of a ramp or wedge, as previously shown in FIGS. 19 and 16, of elastic strips 60. When the cam is in the active position relative to the studs 32, these strips 60 can be in

  permanent contact with the chin rests.

  These ramps in the form of strips can have a variable thickness either in a constant manner as shown in FIG. 19, or by means of studs 61 which extend

  projecting from the coverslip as shown in figure 20.

  Figure 22 shows a ball joint of the type described in Figure 17 in particular; this ball joint is provided with a 16 "cam as shown in FIG. 20,

  mancuvree by means of button 58 as shown in figure 21.

  The cam 16 ", as shown in FIG. 23, is housed between the plate 12 provided with the articulations of the arms 11 and the bearing surface 17 forming a stop at the head 3 of the ball joint. The axis of the cam 16" is constituted by the maneuvering edge 57 feed on the button 58, which button is guide and center in a bore of the

upper cross of the holiday.

  This upper cross member 31 is connected to the plate 12 by means of a wall 63 which is offset from the side of the outside of the ball joint, between the housings 24 provided for

  accommodate the ends of the slats.

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Claims (10)

- CLAIMS   1.- Ball joint for slatted type or multi-element type base, consisting of - a base (1) which is arranged to be fixed on the structure to said base, - a head (3) which is arranged for accommodate and fix one or more slats or a tray, depending on the type of bed base, - an elastic connection (5) between said base and said party, arranged to allow movement of this behind towards the base according to at least one component perpendicular to this base, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, at the level of said elastic connection (5), a first part consisting of rigid arms (11) arranged in V, articulated on a plate (12) which is integral either with said base (1) or with said head (3), and a second part forming a spring, which extends between the free ends of said arms and said head or said base as the case may be, and, on the other hand , means for adjusting and controlling the amplitude of movement of said arms (11) so as to modify at will the ability to move said head (3) relative to said base (1) and, consequently, the firmness of said ball joint.   2.- ball joint according to claim 1, characterized in that its constituent elements namely the base (1), the head (3) and the elastic connection (5) interposed between the two, are in one piece form made in material thermoplastic of the elastomer type.   3.- ball joint according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that   that the means for adjusting and controlling the movement of the rigid arms (11) are made up of at least one cam-shaped part (16, 16 ′, 16 "), the position of which can be adjusted as required, in particular between said arms and a surface (17) acting as a stop, arranged either at the level of the head (3), or at the level of the base (1) according to the cast 4. Ball joint according to claim 3, characterized in that the cam (16 ') is in the form of a U whose wind branches are provided with a profile (44') fa, con corner or ramp, which cam is guided like a drawer, centered on the pivot-shaped connecting member (30) interposed between the surface (17) making a stop and the plate   (12) carry the articulation of the rigid arms (11).   5.- ball joint according to claim 4, characterized in that the internal franks of the branches of the U-shaped cam comprise a sort of notch (52) cooperating with the pivot-shaped connecting member (30) interposed between the surface (17) acting as a stop and the plate (12) of articulation of the arms (11), to establish at   at least two possibilities of adjusting the position of said cam (16 '. 1 2 2839870   6.- ball joint according to claim 3, characterized in that the cam (16) is in the form of a horseshoe, clipped onto the connecting member in the form of a pivot (30) interposed between the bearing surface ( 17) acting as a stop and the plate (12) carry the articulation of the arms (11), which cam has profies arrangements fa, con corner or ramp with a symmetry with respect to its axis of rotation (46).  7.- ball joint according to claim 3, characterized in that the cam (16 ") is in the form of a ring interposed between the bearing surface (17) of the head (3) and the plate (12) of articulation of the arms (11), which ring is center and mancouvre by means of an axis (57) which is guided in an orifice formed in said surface (17), which axis forming part of a button-like organ ( 58) feed to entrain said cam in rotation, which cam has corner or ramp profiles   arranged symmetrically with respect to its axis of rotation.   8.- ball joint according to claim 7, characterized in that the crosspiece (31) of the head (3), comprising the bearing surface (17) and the plate (12) for articulation of the rigid arms (11), wind linked in one piece by means of a connecting wall (63)   offset thus forming a housing for the ring-shaped cam (16 ").   9.- ball joint according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that   that the rigid arms (11) component, near their articulation on the plate (12), of the chin pieces (32) intended to bear on the profies of the cams (16, 16 ', 16 ") according to the cast   10.- ball joint according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that   that the profiles of the cams are supplied in the form of elastic strips (50, 44 ′, 60), the face of which is located on the side of the studs, lies in the plane of the end of the latter so as to keep them in direct contact with the said slats, which slats act as elastic arms return device, towards their position