GB1567157A

GB1567157A - Bases for beds devans and the like

Info

Publication number: GB1567157A
Application number: GB4869075A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Pullmaflex UK Ltd
Current assignee: Pullmaflex UK Ltd
Priority date: 1975-11-26
Filing date: 1975-11-26
Publication date: 1980-05-14

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BASES FOR BEDS, DIVANS AND THE LIKE (71) We, PULLMAFLEX U.K. LIMITBD, formerly PULLMAN FLEXOLATORS LIMITED, a British Company of Excel House, 42, Upper Berkeley Street, London W1H 7PL, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention concerns improvements in and relating to bases for divans, beds, seats or the like.

Divan bases of various types are well known, and the present invention relates particularly to the type which provides a substantially rigid and well-ventilated support for overlying padding or a mattress.

The invention is also applicable to bases for larger beds, and to seats, couches and the like.

The present invention provides a base for a divan, seat or the like, comprising a rigid frame having opposed side parts, opposed end parts, and one or more transverse parts extending between said side parts, and one or more flat structures each formed from parallel wires which extend between outer cross members and are connected to at least one intermediate cross member, each said outer cross member being secured to an end part of the frame and/or to a said transverse part and the or each said intermediate cross member overlying and being supported by a corresponding transverse part of said rigid frame.

Advantageously the or each said intermediate cross member comprises a web of flexible material penetrated by each of said parallel wires and preferably the arrangement is such that the web is penetrated by each of said wires at two spaced points, the portion of said web between said points lying between said wire and the said corresponding transverse part.

The said frame may be of wooden construction or formed from metal tubing or metal section.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a divan base with the overlying padding partly cut away to show the construction of the base, Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view corresponding to Figure 1, Figure 3 is a sectional elevation in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 2, Figure 3a is a view illustrating a modification of the base shown in Figure 1-3, Figure 4 is a plan view of a base for incorporation into a vehicle seat, Figure 5 is a section on the line X-X of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a section on the line Y-Y of Figure 4, and Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Figure 6 illustrating modifications to the base shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 - 3, a divan base is covered by conventional padding 1 which is not directly relevant to the invention and will not be described in any detail. As shown in the left-hand part of the drawing, the base structure comprises a wooden frame 2 having side parts 3, and end parts 4. A number of transverse slats 5 extend between the side parts 3. A flat structure 6 is mounted over the frame, and comprises a series of parallel wires 7 which are locked round end cords 8 and penetrate intermediate cords 9. The structure 6 comprises a pad of the kind sold under the Registered Trade Mark PULLMA FLEX and the cords 8 and 9 are formed of twisted paper, the end cords 8 being of the kind which are marketed under the Trade Mark FLEXCORD and which are wire-cored for added rigidity.

Webs 10 of polypropylene, or alterna tively hessian are arranged between the intermediate cords 9, the wires 7 penetrating the webs at two spaced points as shown in Figures 2 and 3, with the webs located between the wires 7 and the slats 5.

The wire-cored end cords 8 are secured, by means of staples, to the end parts 4 of the frame 2, and the webs 10 are also stapled to the transverse slats 5. The ends of the webs 10 are stapled to the side parts 3 of the frame 2. The ends of the cords 9 are also stapled to the side parts 3 of the frame 2.

In the drawing, the wires 7 extend continuously between the end parts 4 of the frame but, in an alternative construction, two PULLMAFLEX pads may be provided, the adjacent inner end cords 8 being stapled to two adjacent central transverse slats 5' (Figure 3a) which may be regarded as equivalent to the end parts 4.

If desired the intermediate cords 9 may be replaced by additional webs 10.

The base according to the invention provides a more-or-less rigid support for the padding 1 or for a spring mattress,. and it will be appreciated that there are relatively short distances between the end parts 4 and each of the transverse slats 5, which minimises sag. Also, the webs 10 reduce wear and noise as they lie over the points where the wires 7 cross the transverse slats 5, and help to stabilise the arrangement when stapled to the slats. In this form of straight platform, shock loads are absorbed by the padding or mattress whereas the platform carries mainly the static loads. It will also be appreciated that the platform support provides a very satisfactory degree of ventilation for the supported padding or mattress.

As shown in the drawings, the side parts 3 and end parts 4 extend above the level of the structure 6 to provide a recess for receiving the padding 1. However these parts may simply provide flat upper edges on which the structure 6 is secured.

The base described above is for use in a divan, but similar bases may also be used in larger beds or, alternatively, in couches or sofas. The invention is also applicable to smaller items such as chairs and, particularly in such a case, the frame 2 may be formed wholly or partly of tubular metal as shown in Figures 4 - 8.

Referring to Figures 4 - 6, like parts are indicated with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 - 3, and the detailed description thereof will not therefore be repeated. In addition to the fact that the members 3, 4 and 5 are formed of tubular metal, the base shown in Figures 4 - 6, which is intended for incorporation in a vehicle seat of "bench" type, also differs from that of Figures 1 - 3 in that the parts 5 are spaced from the cross members 10 and provide support for the latter by way of cushions 11 of foamed synthetic plastics material. It will be appreciated that such an arrangement may also be adopted for the frame of Figs. 1 - 3, if desired. The cross members 10 may be secured to the cushions 11. Also, the cross members 8 are not directly connected to the parts 4, but are linked thereto by metal links 12 engaging holes 13 in the metal tubing.Alternatively the members 8 may be held in lugs 14 welded to the frame (Figure 7) or may be attached to anchorages 15 by means of clips 16 (Figure 8).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A base for a divan, seat or the like, comprising a rigid frame having opposed side parts, opposed end parts, and one or more transverse parts extending between said side parts, and one or more flat structures each formed from parallel wires which extend between outer cross members and are connected to at least one intermediate cross member, each said outer cross member being secured to an end part of the frame and/or to a said transverse part, and the or each said intermediate cross member overlying and being supported by a corresponding transverse part of said rigid frame.

2. A base as claimed in Claim 1, in which the or each said intermediate cross member comprises a web of flexible material penertated by each of said parallel wires.

3. A base as claimed in Claim 2, in which the or each said intermediate cross member is penertated by each of said wires at two spaced points, the portion of said web between said points lying between said wire and the said corresponding transverse part.

4. A base as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, in which the said rigid frame is of wooden construction, and the or each said intermediate cross member is secured at its ends to the said side parts of the frame and intermediate its ends is spaced from the said corresponding transverse part of the frame by cushioning material.

5. A base as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, in which the said rigid frame is of metal, and the or each said intermediate cross member is secured at its ends to the said side parts of the frame and intermediate its ends is spaced from the said corresponding transverse part of the frame by cushioning material.

6. A base as claimed in any one of Claims 1 - 5, in which the said flat structure comprises further intermediate cross members arranged between the end and/or transverse parts of the said frame.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. tively hessian are arranged between the intermediate cords 9, the wires 7 penetrating the webs at two spaced points as shown in Figures 2 and 3, with the webs located between the wires 7 and the slats 5. The wire-cored end cords 8 are secured, by means of staples, to the end parts 4 of the frame 2, and the webs 10 are also stapled to the transverse slats 5. The ends of the webs 10 are stapled to the side parts 3 of the frame 2. The ends of the cords 9 are also stapled to the side parts 3 of the frame 2. In the drawing, the wires 7 extend continuously between the end parts 4 of the frame but, in an alternative construction, two PULLMAFLEX pads may be provided, the adjacent inner end cords 8 being stapled to two adjacent central transverse slats 5' (Figure 3a) which may be regarded as equivalent to the end parts 4. If desired the intermediate cords 9 may be replaced by additional webs 10. The base according to the invention provides a more-or-less rigid support for the padding 1 or for a spring mattress,. and it will be appreciated that there are relatively short distances between the end parts 4 and each of the transverse slats 5, which minimises sag. Also, the webs 10 reduce wear and noise as they lie over the points where the wires 7 cross the transverse slats 5, and help to stabilise the arrangement when stapled to the slats. In this form of straight platform, shock loads are absorbed by the padding or mattress whereas the platform carries mainly the static loads. It will also be appreciated that the platform support provides a very satisfactory degree of ventilation for the supported padding or mattress. As shown in the drawings, the side parts 3 and end parts 4 extend above the level of the structure 6 to provide a recess for receiving the padding 1. However these parts may simply provide flat upper edges on which the structure 6 is secured. The base described above is for use in a divan, but similar bases may also be used in larger beds or, alternatively, in couches or sofas. The invention is also applicable to smaller items such as chairs and, particularly in such a case, the frame 2 may be formed wholly or partly of tubular metal as shown in Figures 4 - 8. Referring to Figures 4 - 6, like parts are indicated with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 - 3, and the detailed description thereof will not therefore be repeated. In addition to the fact that the members 3, 4 and 5 are formed of tubular metal, the base shown in Figures 4 - 6, which is intended for incorporation in a vehicle seat of "bench" type, also differs from that of Figures 1 - 3 in that the parts 5 are spaced from the cross members 10 and provide support for the latter by way of cushions 11 of foamed synthetic plastics material. It will be appreciated that such an arrangement may also be adopted for the frame of Figs. 1 - 3, if desired. The cross members 10 may be secured to the cushions 11. Also, the cross members 8 are not directly connected to the parts 4, but are linked thereto by metal links 12 engaging holes 13 in the metal tubing.Alternatively the members 8 may be held in lugs 14 welded to the frame (Figure 7) or may be attached to anchorages 15 by means of clips 16 (Figure 8). WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A base for a divan, seat or the like, comprising a rigid frame having opposed side parts, opposed end parts, and one or more transverse parts extending between said side parts, and one or more flat structures each formed from parallel wires which extend between outer cross members and are connected to at least one intermediate cross member, each said outer cross member being secured to an end part of the frame and/or to a said transverse part, and the or each said intermediate cross member overlying and being supported by a corresponding transverse part of said rigid frame.

7. A base as claimed in Claim 6, in

which the said further cross members comprise twisted paper cords penetrated by said wires.

8. A base as claimed in Claim 6, in which the said further cross members comprise further webs of flexible material.

9. A divan base substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 3 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A seat base or the like substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 4 - 6, or Figures 4 - 6 as modified by Figure 7 or 8 of the accompanying drawings.