GB2055173A - Unitary resilient suspension device - Google Patents

Unitary resilient suspension device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2055173A
GB2055173A GB8019480A GB8019480A GB2055173A GB 2055173 A GB2055173 A GB 2055173A GB 8019480 A GB8019480 A GB 8019480A GB 8019480 A GB8019480 A GB 8019480A GB 2055173 A GB2055173 A GB 2055173A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
support members
upholstery
suspension device
present
convolute
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8019480A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dunlop Ltd
Original Assignee
Dunlop Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dunlop Ltd filed Critical Dunlop Ltd
Priority to GB8019480A priority Critical patent/GB2055173A/en
Publication of GB2055173A publication Critical patent/GB2055173A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C23/00—Spring mattresses with rigid frame or forming part of the bedstead, e.g. box springs; Divan bases; Slatted bed bases
    • A47C23/04—Spring mattresses with rigid frame or forming part of the bedstead, e.g. box springs; Divan bases; Slatted bed bases using springs in compression, e.g. coiled
    • A47C23/043—Spring mattresses with rigid frame or forming part of the bedstead, e.g. box springs; Divan bases; Slatted bed bases using springs in compression, e.g. coiled using wound springs
    • A47C23/0438—Spring mattresses with rigid frame or forming part of the bedstead, e.g. box springs; Divan bases; Slatted bed bases using springs in compression, e.g. coiled using wound springs of special shape
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C23/00—Spring mattresses with rigid frame or forming part of the bedstead, e.g. box springs; Divan bases; Slatted bed bases
    • A47C23/04—Spring mattresses with rigid frame or forming part of the bedstead, e.g. box springs; Divan bases; Slatted bed bases using springs in compression, e.g. coiled
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/36—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers
    • F16F1/42—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers characterised by the mode of stressing
    • F16F1/422—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers characterised by the mode of stressing the stressing resulting in flexion of the spring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F2236/00—Mode of stressing of basic spring or damper elements or devices incorporating such elements
    • F16F2236/02—Mode of stressing of basic spring or damper elements or devices incorporating such elements the stressing resulting in flexion of the spring

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)

Abstract

A unitary resilient suspension device comprises one or more pairs of support members (11 and 12; 13 and 14) and between each pair of support members there is provided a spring member (20, 21 and 22) integrally formed therewith. Each spring member is defined by a pair of convolute side portions (30A and 30B; 31A and 32B; 32A and 32B) and a substantially planar end portion (40, 41 and 42). The convolute side portions lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the support members and the end portions lie in a plane substantially parallel to that of the support members. The device may suitably be made of a plastics material, e.g. polystyrene pvc or an acrylic material and is conveniently formed by extrusion. Two or more such suspension devices can be used, in conjunction with layers of a cushioning material, to form an upholstery article such as a mattress. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Unitary resilient suspension device This invention relates to a unitary resilient suspension device and to upholstery articles containing one or more such devices.
Hitherto, spring systems for upholstery articles have been made exclusively of metal and have been of one of the following types: (a) Single- or double-tapered helical springs, adjacent springs being joined permanently together at top and bottom; (b) Pocketed springs, i.e. individual helical springs, each enclosed in a pocket of fabric or foam, adjacent pockets being loosely joined together.
Whilst such spring systems have hitherto proved satisfactory in use, a great deal of labourintensive assembly work is required before the spring system can be used in the production of upholstery articles.
We have now found that a unitary resilient suspension device, made of a plastics material and comprising one or more pairs of support members and one or more convoluted spring members, provides a degree of deflection which, when the device is incorporated in an upholstery article, is at least as acceptable as that achieved by the use of conventional metal spring systems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unitary resilient suspension device made of a plastics material, the device comprising one or more pairs of support members, the or each pair of support members having a spring member integrally formed therewith, each said spring member being defined by a pair of convolute side portions and a substantially planar end portion, the convolute side portions lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the support members and the end portion lying in a plane substantially parallel to that of the support members.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upholstery article containing one or more unitary resilient suspension devices, each said suspension device being as described in the immediately-preceding paragraph.
Unitary resilient suspension devices according to the present invention may suitably be made from polystyrene, pvc or acrylic materials. Such materials may conveniently be formed into unitary suspension devices by extrusion.
Preferably, the extruded material may be of a width which corresponds to the standard length of a matress (i.e. about 200 cm) so as to facilitate the production of suspension devices for mattresses of different widths.
One or more suspension devices can be used, in conjunction with cushioning materials such as foams, sheets or batts, to provide a resilient interior for mattresses, cushions and the like.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more slots (especially slots of substantially V-shaped transverse cross-section) may be provided across the shorter dimensions of the planar end portion and/or the shorter dimensions of the convolute side portions. The provision of such V-shaped slots enables the suspension devices of the present invention to function in a manner similar to the individual springs of conventional upholstery spring assemblies.
The present invention will be illustrated, merely by way of example, in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a suspension device according to the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view (with parts cut away) of an upholstery article containing two of the devices illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a further perspective view of a suspension device according to the first aspect of the present invention, showing the V-shaped slots referrred to hereinabove; and Figures 4A to 4C are schematic cross-sectional views of a suspension device, showing various configurations which may be utilised in making suspension devices according to the present invention.
Referring now to Figure 1, a suspension device according to the present invention is shown generally at 10. It comprises two pairs of support members 11, 12, 13 and 14, and between each adjacent pair of support members there is provided a spring member (shown generally at 20, 21 and 22). Each spring member is defined by a pair of convolute side portions 30A, 308; 31A, 31 B; and 32A, 32B and a substantially planar end portion 40, 41 and 42 respectively.
Referring to Figure 2, two suspension devices (shown generally at 1 OA and 1 OB) are used in conjunction with cushioning material layers 50A and 50B to form an upholstery article. The layers 50A and 50B are secured to each other so asto enclose the device 1 OA and 1 OB by means of the conventional upholstery-buttoning technique, shown schematically at 60, 61 and 62.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a plurality of substantially V-shaped slots (shown schematically at 70, 71 and 72) is provided across the shorter dimension of the spring members 20, 21 and 22 respectively.
Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show various configurations which are available for suspension devices according to the present invention: Figure 4A - uniform size of convolutions; uniform amplitude.
Figure 48 - non-uniform convolutions; uniform amplitude.
Figure 40 - non-uniform convolutions; nonuniform amplitude.
1. A unitary resilient suspension device, made of a plastics material, the device comprising one or more pairs of support members, the or each pair of support members having a spring member
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Unitary resilient suspension device This invention relates to a unitary resilient suspension device and to upholstery articles containing one or more such devices. Hitherto, spring systems for upholstery articles have been made exclusively of metal and have been of one of the following types: (a) Single- or double-tapered helical springs, adjacent springs being joined permanently together at top and bottom; (b) Pocketed springs, i.e. individual helical springs, each enclosed in a pocket of fabric or foam, adjacent pockets being loosely joined together. Whilst such spring systems have hitherto proved satisfactory in use, a great deal of labourintensive assembly work is required before the spring system can be used in the production of upholstery articles. We have now found that a unitary resilient suspension device, made of a plastics material and comprising one or more pairs of support members and one or more convoluted spring members, provides a degree of deflection which, when the device is incorporated in an upholstery article, is at least as acceptable as that achieved by the use of conventional metal spring systems. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unitary resilient suspension device made of a plastics material, the device comprising one or more pairs of support members, the or each pair of support members having a spring member integrally formed therewith, each said spring member being defined by a pair of convolute side portions and a substantially planar end portion, the convolute side portions lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the support members and the end portion lying in a plane substantially parallel to that of the support members. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upholstery article containing one or more unitary resilient suspension devices, each said suspension device being as described in the immediately-preceding paragraph. Unitary resilient suspension devices according to the present invention may suitably be made from polystyrene, pvc or acrylic materials. Such materials may conveniently be formed into unitary suspension devices by extrusion. Preferably, the extruded material may be of a width which corresponds to the standard length of a matress (i.e. about 200 cm) so as to facilitate the production of suspension devices for mattresses of different widths. One or more suspension devices can be used, in conjunction with cushioning materials such as foams, sheets or batts, to provide a resilient interior for mattresses, cushions and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more slots (especially slots of substantially V-shaped transverse cross-section) may be provided across the shorter dimensions of the planar end portion and/or the shorter dimensions of the convolute side portions. The provision of such V-shaped slots enables the suspension devices of the present invention to function in a manner similar to the individual springs of conventional upholstery spring assemblies. The present invention will be illustrated, merely by way of example, in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a suspension device according to the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view (with parts cut away) of an upholstery article containing two of the devices illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a further perspective view of a suspension device according to the first aspect of the present invention, showing the V-shaped slots referrred to hereinabove; and Figures 4A to 4C are schematic cross-sectional views of a suspension device, showing various configurations which may be utilised in making suspension devices according to the present invention. Referring now to Figure 1, a suspension device according to the present invention is shown generally at 10. It comprises two pairs of support members 11, 12, 13 and 14, and between each adjacent pair of support members there is provided a spring member (shown generally at 20, 21 and 22). Each spring member is defined by a pair of convolute side portions 30A, 308; 31A, 31 B; and 32A, 32B and a substantially planar end portion 40, 41 and 42 respectively. Referring to Figure 2, two suspension devices (shown generally at 1 OA and 1 OB) are used in conjunction with cushioning material layers 50A and 50B to form an upholstery article. The layers 50A and 50B are secured to each other so asto enclose the device 1 OA and 1 OB by means of the conventional upholstery-buttoning technique, shown schematically at 60, 61 and 62. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a plurality of substantially V-shaped slots (shown schematically at 70, 71 and 72) is provided across the shorter dimension of the spring members 20, 21 and 22 respectively. Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show various configurations which are available for suspension devices according to the present invention: Figure 4A - uniform size of convolutions; uniform amplitude. Figure 48 - non-uniform convolutions; uniform amplitude. Figure 40 - non-uniform convolutions; nonuniform amplitude. CLAIMS
1. A unitary resilient suspension device, made of a plastics material, the device comprising one or more pairs of support members, the or each pair of support members having a spring member integrally formed therewith, each said spring member being defined by a pair of convolute side portions and a substantially planar end portion, the convolute side portions lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the support members and the end portion lying in a plane substantially parallel to that of the support members.
2. A device according to Claim 1, in which the plastics material if polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or an acrylic material.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the plastics material is formed by extrusion.
4. A device according to Claim 3, in which the extruded material is of a width corresponding to the standard length of a mattress.
5. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which one or more slots are provided, each slot extending across the shorter dimension of the planar end portion and/or the shorter dimensions of the convolute side portions.
6. A device according to Claim 5, in which each slot is of substantially V-shaped transverse crosssection.
7. A unitary resilient suspension device, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
8. A unitary resilient suspension device, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
9. An upholstery article containing one or more unitary resilient suspension devices according to any one of the preceding claims.
10. An upholstery article, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
GB8019480A 1979-06-13 1980-06-13 Unitary resilient suspension device Withdrawn GB2055173A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8019480A GB2055173A (en) 1979-06-13 1980-06-13 Unitary resilient suspension device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7920660 1979-06-13
GB8019480A GB2055173A (en) 1979-06-13 1980-06-13 Unitary resilient suspension device

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GB2055173A true GB2055173A (en) 1981-02-25

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Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1985000207A1 (en) * 1983-06-20 1985-01-17 The Secretary Of State For Trade And Industry In H Springs for high specific energy storage
FR2607889A1 (en) * 1986-12-04 1988-06-10 Weber Milton SHOCK ABSORPTION SUPPORT RAIL
US5044027A (en) * 1990-04-09 1991-09-03 Moon Benny C Cushion construction
US5408714A (en) * 1993-08-25 1995-04-25 Lemke; Stuart H. Seat cushion
US6170808B1 (en) 1997-12-10 2001-01-09 Franz Kutschi Spring core for mattress or cushion
US6353953B1 (en) * 1998-10-28 2002-03-12 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Resin cushioning element
GB2368278A (en) * 2000-09-28 2002-05-01 Formway Furniture Ltd A lumbar cushion with spaced webs
WO2004049873A1 (en) * 2002-11-29 2004-06-17 BUTTENSCHØN, Per A resilient insert for upholstery
EP1843059A2 (en) * 2006-04-05 2007-10-10 Delahousse Et Fils Flexible plastic suspension element such as a spring, ball-and-socket joint or similar for bed base, mattress or chair
US7338039B2 (en) 2002-05-15 2008-03-04 Karl-Heinz Pfau Spring suspension mat
WO2011017640A1 (en) * 2009-08-06 2011-02-10 Dreamwell, Ltd. Systems and methods for cushion supports
US20120005836A1 (en) * 2010-07-07 2012-01-12 Jason Cik Corrugated foam mattress and method of making same
CN103352950A (en) * 2013-07-03 2013-10-16 喜临门家具股份有限公司 Air-pressure spring with mechanical reset function

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1985000207A1 (en) * 1983-06-20 1985-01-17 The Secretary Of State For Trade And Industry In H Springs for high specific energy storage
EP0132048A1 (en) * 1983-06-20 1985-01-23 Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in Her Britannic Majesty's Gov. of the U.K. of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Springs for high specific energy storage
GB2155144A (en) * 1983-06-20 1985-09-18 Trade And Industry Secretary O Springs for high specific energy storage
FR2607889A1 (en) * 1986-12-04 1988-06-10 Weber Milton SHOCK ABSORPTION SUPPORT RAIL
US5044027A (en) * 1990-04-09 1991-09-03 Moon Benny C Cushion construction
US5408714A (en) * 1993-08-25 1995-04-25 Lemke; Stuart H. Seat cushion
US6170808B1 (en) 1997-12-10 2001-01-09 Franz Kutschi Spring core for mattress or cushion
US6353953B1 (en) * 1998-10-28 2002-03-12 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Resin cushioning element
GB2368278A (en) * 2000-09-28 2002-05-01 Formway Furniture Ltd A lumbar cushion with spaced webs
GB2368278B (en) * 2000-09-28 2005-03-09 Formway Furniture Ltd Back portion for a chair
US7338039B2 (en) 2002-05-15 2008-03-04 Karl-Heinz Pfau Spring suspension mat
WO2004049873A1 (en) * 2002-11-29 2004-06-17 BUTTENSCHØN, Per A resilient insert for upholstery
FR2899662A1 (en) * 2006-04-05 2007-10-12 Delahousse Et Fils Sa ELASTIC SUSPENSION BODY OF PLASTIC TYPE OF SPRING TYPE, BALL OR SIMILAR FOR SOMMIER, MATTRESS OR SEAT
EP1843059A3 (en) * 2006-04-05 2007-10-17 Delahousse Et Fils Flexible plastic suspension element such as a spring, ball-and-socket joint or similar for bed base, mattress or chair
EP1843059A2 (en) * 2006-04-05 2007-10-10 Delahousse Et Fils Flexible plastic suspension element such as a spring, ball-and-socket joint or similar for bed base, mattress or chair
WO2011017640A1 (en) * 2009-08-06 2011-02-10 Dreamwell, Ltd. Systems and methods for cushion supports
CN102481056A (en) * 2009-08-06 2012-05-30 美梦有限公司 Systems And Methods For Cushion Supports
US8800979B2 (en) 2009-08-06 2014-08-12 Dreamwell, Ltd. Systems and methods for cushion supports
CN102481056B (en) * 2009-08-06 2015-01-07 美梦有限公司 Systems And Methods For Cushion Supports
US9657800B2 (en) 2009-08-06 2017-05-23 Dreamwell, Ltd. Systems and methods for cushion supports
US20120005836A1 (en) * 2010-07-07 2012-01-12 Jason Cik Corrugated foam mattress and method of making same
US8726438B2 (en) * 2010-07-07 2014-05-20 Bj2, Llc Corrugated foam mattress and method of making same
CN103352950A (en) * 2013-07-03 2013-10-16 喜临门家具股份有限公司 Air-pressure spring with mechanical reset function
CN103352950B (en) * 2013-07-03 2016-04-20 喜临门家具股份有限公司 A kind of gas spring with mechanical type reset function

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