GB2447343A

GB2447343A - Sprung divan base with perimeter wall

Info

Publication number: GB2447343A
Application number: GB0804084A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Fenn
Original assignee: HEALTHBEDS Ltd
Current assignee: HEALTHBEDS Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-07
Filing date: 2008-03-05
Publication date: 2008-09-10
Also published as: GB0704332D0; GB0804084D0

Abstract

A sprung base 1A for a divan set comprises a generally rectangular rigid framework having a support surface 5 for supporting a spring unit 6, the spring unit having a depth (D, Fig. 1) defined between upper and lower surfaces. A perimeter wall 11 projects upwardly from the support surface by a height H corresponding generally to the depth of the spring unit, to define an open topped, rectangular cavity. The spring unit is inset into the cavity and constrained by the perimeter wall, such that the upper surface of the spring unit is substantially flush with upper edges 13 of the perimeter wall. The perimeter wall may be a continuous structure (Fig. 2) or may be an open work structure (Fig. 3), and may extend around three or four walls of the base. The framework may be formed of timber or plastics, and may comprise a peg board base for ventilation. The spring unit may comprise open springs or pocketed springs, and may further comprise a resilient plastics layer. Also disclosed is a divan set comprising such a sprung divan base, on top of which is located a mattress 14.

Description

Intellectual D Prnperty O e Fo Cr tvly errd Anovt,on Application No.

GB0804084.2 RTM Date:17 June 2008 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: "Dunlopil to" UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of The Patent Office * 2447343

I

Title of the Invention Divan

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a sprung base for a divan set, the latter consisting of a base on top of which is placed a mattress, and also to a divan set incorporating such a sprung base.

Background of the Invention

A sprung divan base, for either a single or double divan set, conventionally comprises a rectangular framework, usually with rounded corners, constructed of timber, to lower surface(s) of which are secured legs or castors, and to an upper surface(s) of which is secured a spring unit.

The spring unit is of rectangular profile corresponding to that of the divan base and can be provided by several alternative "sprung' means -such as an array of open coil springs, an array of pocketed coil springs, a relatively thick sheet of resilient synthetic plastics such as DunlopilIoTM, or combinations of these.

Irrespective of the precise content and nature of the spring unit, its perimeter edges are inevitably compressible by the weight of person sifting or lying on the mattress, which in many instances is disadvantageous.

Object of the Invention A basic object of the invention is the provision of an improved sprung base for a divan set, and to a divan set incorporating such a base.

Summary of a First Aspect of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sprung base for a divan set comprising a rigid framework of generally rectangular profile in plan, the framework having a support surface for supporting a spring unit, which unit has a depth defined between an upper surface and a lower surface, characterised in that a perimeter wall structure projects upwardly from the support surface by a height corresponding generally to the depth of the spring unit, to define an open topped, rectangular cavity, and the spring unit is inset into the cavity and constrained by the perimeter wall structure, such that the upper surface of the spring unit is flush, or substantially flush, with upper edges of the perimeter wall structure.

Summary of a Second Aspect of the Invention

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a divan set comprising a sprung divan base in accordance with the first aspect, on top of which is located a mattress.

Advantages of the Invention The provision of a perimeter wall structure around the sprung base in accordance with the first aspect, defines, together with the support surface, a rectangular recess or tray into which the corresponding rectangular spring unit is set or dropped and results in a rigid perimeter around the spring unit which ensures that around the perimeter edges only of the sprung base, no compression is possible as a result of a person sitting or lying in that area, whilst unaffecting the resilience provided by the remainder of the sprung base.

The result is that, when a person sits on an edge of the divan set, only the mattress compresses, thus providing a firmer perimeter, whilst considering a prone or sleeping person on the mattress, the non-deformable perimeter of the sprung base, in resisting the formation of a compressive convex curve on the mattress, assists in retaining a person on the mattress.

Preferred or Optional Features of the Invention The perimeter wall structure is a continuous, uninterrupted structure.

The perimeter wall structure is an open work structure comprising upright spaced-apart columns supporting horizontal bars.

The framework is wholly or partially of timber.

The framework is wholly or partially of synthetic plastics.

The perimeter wall extends around three sides of the rectangular divan base.

The perimeter wall extends around all four sides of the rectangular divan base.

The framework is provided, at its underside, with a plurality of legs, feet, or castors.

The framework is provided with a peg board base for ventilation.

The spring unit comprises a plurality of open coil springs.

The spring unit comprises a plurality of pocketed springs.

The spring unit comprises a resilient layer of synthetic plastics such as DunlopilloTM.

The spring unit comprises elongate metal stringers to at least some, which springs are directly or indirectly attached.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the accompanying diagrammatic drawings:-Figure 1 is a view on one end of a prior art sprung base construction; Figure 2 is a similar view of a first embodiment of sprung base construction in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of spring base construction in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a prior art sprung base 1 for a divan set, comprising a framework which is rectangular in plan constructed of timber 2 to a lower portion 3 of which are secured castors 4 and onto support surface 5 of which is located a correspondingly rectangular spring unit 6 having peripheral edges 7 and incorporating springs 8, the spring unit 6 having a depth D defined between an upper surface 9 and a lower surface 10.

It will be appreciated that when a person sits or lies on a portion of a mattress (not shown) above an edge 7, the springs 8 in the vicinity of that edge become wholly or partially compressed as they are locally overloaded. A basic object of the invention is to provide a sprung base for a divan set, and also a divan set incorporating such a sprung base, that does not exhibit this characteristic.

A first embodiment of sprung base IA in accordance with the invention is shown diagrammatically in Figure 2 and like reference numerals are used for like components. Again the spring base 1A is of generally rectangular profile in plan, being constructed from timber 2, the base IA again providing a lower portion 3 to which are attached castors 4 and a support surface 5 to receive a spring unit 6. In accordance with the invention a perimeter wall structure 11, consisting for example of plywood strips, projects upwardly from the support surface 5 by a height H approximately to the depth D of the spring unit 6 to define an open topped, rectangular cavity into which the spring unit 6 is inset, as indicated in Figure 2, whereby the spring unit 6 is constrained by the perimeter wall structure II with an upper surface 12 of the spring unit 6 being flush with upper edges 13 of the perimeter wall structure 11.

On to the upper surface 12 of the spring unit 6 is placed a mattress 14 to form a divan set, whilst the presence of the perimeter wall structure 11 ensures that around the perimeter edges of the sprung base 6 no, or minimal, compression of the springs 8 is possible as a result of a person sitting or laying over a perimeter edge 7.

A second embodiment of spring base 1 B is illustrated in Figure 3, like reference numerals are employed for like components. However, in contrast to the Figure 2 embodiment where the perimeter wall structure II is constituted by a solid panel, in Figure 3 the perimeter wall structure 11 B is defined by a plurality of spaced upright timber columns 15 supporting horizontal timber bars 16 which, together with the perforated or "peg board" support surface 5, define an open topped, rectangular cavity, for receipt of the spring unit 6.

Claims

Claims 1. A sprung base for a divan set comprising a rigid framework of

generally rectangular profile in plan, the framework having a support surface for supporting a spring unit, which unit has a depth defined between an upper surface and a lower surface, characterised in that a perimeter wall structure projects upwardly from the support surface by a height corresponding generally to the depth of the spring unit, to define an open topped, rectangular cavity, and the spring unit is inset into the cavity and constrained by the perimeter wall structure, such that the upper surface of the spring unit is flush, or substantially flush, with upper edges of the perimeter wall structure.
2. A sprung base, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the perimeter wall structure is a continuous, uninterrupted structure.
3. A sprung base, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the perimeter wall structure is an open work structure comprising upright spaced-apart columns supporting horizontal bars.
4. A sprung base, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the framework is wholly or partially of timber.
5. A sprung base, as claimed in any one of Claims I to 3, wherein the framework is wholly or partially of synthetic plastics.
6. A sprung base, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the perimeter wall extends around three sides of the rectangular divan base.
7. A sprung base, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the perimeter wall extends around all four sides of the rectangular divan base.
8. A sprung base, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the framework is provided, at its underside, with a plurality of legs, feet, or castors.
9. A sprung base, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the framework is provided with a peg board base for ventilation.
10. A sprung base, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spring unit comprises a plurality of open coil springs.
11. A sprung base, as claimed in any one of Claims I to 9, wherein the spring unit comprises a plurality of pocketed springs.
12. A sprung base, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the spring unit comprises a resilient layer of synthetic plastics such as DunlopilloTM.
13. A sprung base, as claimed in any one of Claims I to 9, wherein the spring unit comprises elongate metal stringers to at least some, which springs are directly or indirectly attached.
14. A sprung base substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
15. A divan set comprising a sprung divan base in accordance with any preceding claim, on top of which is located a mattress.