GB2098474A

GB2098474A - Lath for slatted support bases

Info

Publication number: GB2098474A
Application number: GB8214056A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Dunlop Ltd
Current assignee: Dunlop Ltd
Priority date: 1981-05-19
Filing date: 1982-05-14
Publication date: 1982-11-24
Also published as: DE8114853U1

Abstract

The support surface (12) of a wooden or plastics lath (10) is provided with a number of recesses (14) extending transversely across the surface (12). Alternatively, the recesses may extend longitudinally along the surface (12). The provision of the recesses (14) ensures that condensation does not remain on the surface (12) and consequently that moisture absorption by the mattress or other covers placed on the lath does not take place. The recesses (14) may be provided with one or more openings (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the surface (12) to facilitate drainage of condensation. The recesses (14) may take the form of parallel grooves of substantially semi-circular cross- section. Preferably, the grooves are of equal width (30) and depth (32). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lath for slatted support bases This invention relates to a lath of wood or plastics material for slatted support bases, e.g. for use in connection with beds and couches.

For some time, slatted bases-particularly those comprising a plurality of wooden laths have been used in beds and couches as the support surface for a mattress, fabric padding, or the like. Generally speaking, these slatted bases are constructed in such a way that the ends of a number of resilient transverse laths are attached to a frame by means of connecting elements. The laths of known wooden slatted bases are normally made up of several layers of wood glued together and finally impregnated or coated with synthetic resin. A coat of paint ultimately forms the outermost layer. The surface of these laths is therefore continuous and smooth, as is that of laths made of a plastics material.

In the case of these known slatted bases, beads of condensation can form and remain on the surface of the laths, resulting in the formation of mildew stain on the base covers or mattress covers, or in other signs of rotting.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a lath of such construction that adequate ventilation is ensured at the contact surface between the mattress or cover and the laths, whereby collection of condensation on the laths (and therefore rotting of the cover) is avoided.

This aim is achieved according to the present invention by providing the support surface with a number of recesses, some of which can extend as far as at least one of the other lath surfaces.

In contrast to known slatted supports with flat, continuous surfaces, the support surface is adequately ventilated, as a result of which no condensation remains on the laths. This prevents the covers from absorbing condensed moisture and eventually starting to rot.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the recesses extend transversely across the support surface.

In a second preferred embodiment, the recesses extend longitudinally along the support surface.

It is particularly advantageous to form the recesses in such a way that the support surface is divided into a plurality of separate partial support surfaces. This can be advantageously achieved by having the recesses extending transversely across the support surface from one side to the other. Alternatively, the recesses may extend longitudinally along the support surface from one end to the other.

In an alternative embodiment, the support surface can comprise a portion in which the recesses extend transversely across the lath from one side to the other and a portion in which the recesses extend longitudinally along the lath from one end to the other. In this embodiment, individual recesses may be provided with openings extending through the lath perpendicular to the support surface.

Preferably, the recesses in the support surface may take the form of grooves. The grooves are suitably parallel to one another and extend either transversely across the lath or longitudinally along the lath. The grooves may have a substantially semi-circular or a V-shaped cross-section. It is practical for the grooves to be of uniform width and uniform depth. It is advantageous for the width of the grooves to be more or less the same as the areas of the support surface which lie between the grooves.

A further advantageous, practical embodiment of the invention is one in which the support surface comprises a plurality of raised members, said members serving to define the recesses between them.

Preferably, these raised members are in the form of ribs, which may have a substantially rounded (e.g. semi-circular) cross-section.

Preferably, the areas defined between adjacent ribs have substantially the same width as the ribs themselves.

A particularly advantageous embodiment from a structural point of view is one in which the raised members comprise wooden or plastics members which are either glued or clamped on to the lath.

Alternatively, the raised members can be formed on a profiled panel of wood or plastics material which is mounted on a base panel of the lath.

The recesses may run rectilinearly relative to the lath, or may have an S-shaped or zig-zag configuration.

The invention will be illustrated, merely by way of example, inthe following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of one type of lath according to the present invention, in which a number of parallel grooves extend over the support surface, transversely across the lath.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a second type of lath according to the present invention in which a number of parallel grooves extend over the support surface, in a longitudinal direction.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a third type of lath according to the present invention in which a number of parallel wooden or plastics members have been attached to the support surface, the members extending transversely across the lath, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a fourth type of lath according to the present invention in which a profiled panel having several parallel raised members extending transversely across the lath is attached to a base panel.

Referring now to Figure 1, a lath 10 has a plurality of recesses 14 in its support surface 12.

The recesses comprise parallel grooves and extend transversely across the lath from one side surface 16, to the opposite side surface 16'. The grooves have a constant width 30 and a constant depth 32 and divide support surface 12 into a number of partial support surfaces 22 of equal width.

Preferably, the width 30 of the grooves is between 2mm and 1 Omm and is essentially the same as width 31 of the partial support surfaces 22.

The preferred depth 32 of the grooves is between 2mm and 8mm. The grooves may also have intermittent openings (not illustrated) leading to surface 20 (which is opposite support surface 12).

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the groove-shaped recesses 14 extend from one end surface 18 to the opposite end surface 18'. The preferred dimensions of the grooves are similar to those mentioned in connection with the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The grooves divide support surface 12 into a number of partial support surfaces 22 of equal width and extending longitudinally along lath 10. Width 31 of these partial support surfaces 22 is more or less the same as width 30 of the grooves. In the same way, these grooves may also be provided with intermittent openings (not illustrated) leading to surface 20 (which is opposite support surface 12).

In Figure 3, there is shown a portion of a lath 10 where a number of wood or plastics members 24, extending parallel and transversely across the lath, are attached to support surface 12. These wooden or plastics members 24 have a constant width 31 and also an essentially semi-circular cross-section and are preferably glued or clamped on to the support surface.

The areas defined between adjacent sections 24 form recesses 14, by means of which ventilation is provided to the slatted base. These recesses 14 extend from one side surface 16, to the opposite side surface 16'. Preferably, sections 24 have the same width 30 as recesses 14.

Preferably, the depth of sections 24 is again between 2mm and 8mm and the width of recesses 14 is between 2mm and 1Omm.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lath according to the present invention, where a profiled panel 26 (in which the shape of support surface 12 corresponds to that of the embodiment shown in Figure 3) is mounted on a flat base panel 28 of lath 10. Preferably, this profiled panel 26 is glued onto base panel 28.

Profiled panel 26 is conveniently made in one piece and can be made either of wood or of a plastics material.

Claims

1. A lath of wood or plastics material for slatted support bases, said lath including a support surface, in which the support surface is provided with a plurality of recesses extending at least partially over said support surface.

2. A lath according to Claim 1, in which the recesses extend transversely across said support surface.

3. A lath according to Claim 1, in which the recesses extend longitudinally along said support surface.

4. A lath according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the depth of the recesses extends as far as that surface of the lath which is opposite said support surface.

5. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the recesses divide the support surface into separate partial support surfaces.

6. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which some of the recesses extend transversely across the support surface and the remainder of the recesses extend longitudinally along the support surface.

7. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which one or more of the recesses are provided with intermittent openings leading to that surface of the lath which is opposite said support surface.

8. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the recesses run rectilinearly relative to the lath.

9. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the recesses have a substantially Sshaped or zig-zag configuration.

10. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the recesses have a substantially uniform width and depth.

11. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, in which the recesses are parallel to one another.

12. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, in which the recesses are grooves.

13. A lath according to Claim 12, in which the grooves are of substantially semi-circular crosssection.

14. A lath according to Claim 12, in which the grooves are of substantially V-shaped crosssection.

15. A lath according to Claim 12, 13, or 14, in which the grooves have substantially the same width as the areas of the support surface which lie between adjacent grooves.

16. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, in which the support surface is provided with a plurality of raised members, said raised members comprising partial support surfaces which define the recesses between adjacent members.

1 7. A lath according to Claim 16, in which the raised members are in the form of ribs.

1 8. A lath according to Claim 17, in which the partial support surfaces of the ribs are flat.

19. A lath according to Claim 17, in which the partial support surfaces of the ribs are arcuate.

20. A lath according to Claim 17 or 19, in which the ribs have a substantially semi-circular cross-section.

21. A lath according to any one of Claims 1 6 to 20, in which the raised members are made of wood or a plastics material and are attached to the support surface of the lath.

22. A lath according to any one of Claims 16 to 20, in which the raised members are attached to a profiled panel which is mounted on the support surface of the lath.

23. A lath, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A lath, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.