JP2020039485A - Air cell type mattress - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air cell type mattress having a novel structure, capable of achieving excellent feeling in bed by preventing bottoming or the like.SOLUTION: In an air cell type mattress 10 having such a structure that a plurality of bag-like air cells 30 each having an air chamber 32 inside are arranged side by side, a lower surface of the air cell 30 is supported partially by a substrate, the air cell 30 is tiltable to the substrate 16, and an auxiliary elastic body 56 is provided between adjacent air cells 30 and 30, so as to stride over the air cells 30 and 30 in a plane view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an air cell type mattress having a structure in which a plurality of air cells each having an air chamber therein are arranged.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air cell type mattress having a structure in which a plurality of bag-shaped air cells having an air chamber therein are arranged has been proposed for the purpose of improving sleeping comfort and preventing bedsores. A conventional air cell type mattress includes a plurality of air cells (3) into which air is injected, such as a mattress disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-144007 (Patent Document 1), and a cushion material (2). It has a structure disposed above.

  By the way, in the mattress described in Patent Literature 1, by supplying and discharging air to and from each air cell in accordance with an applied load, prevention of bed slippage due to dispersion of body pressure and the like is achieved.

  However, in the structure of Patent Document 1 in which the pressure is dispersed only by expansion and contraction of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped air cells, there is a problem that the sleeping comfort is deteriorated or uncomfortable due to a step (adjacent shape) between the adjacent air cells. There was a possibility that.

JP 2007-144007 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air cell type mattress having a novel structure that can realize good sleeping comfort.

  The present applicant has proposed an air cell type mattress having a structure in which air cells are arranged so as to be tiltable with respect to a base, for example, in JP-A-2017-80252. In this mattress, by tilting the air cell according to the input load, the surface in contact with the user constituted by the upper surfaces of the plurality of air cells can be made to follow the shape of the body surface of the user, Good sleeping comfort can be realized.

  However, according to experiments and studies conducted by the present inventor, in the above-mentioned mattress, since the air cells can tilt, for example, when a concentrated load acts between the air cells arranged adjacent to each other, the air cells are mutually displaced. It has become clear that the air cells may be excessively tilted away from each other to form a gap between the air cells.

  Hereinafter, aspects of the present invention made based on the knowledge newly obtained by the present inventors will be described. The components employed in each of the embodiments described below can be employed in any combination as possible.

  That is, the first aspect of the present invention is an air cell type mattress having a structure in which a plurality of bag-shaped air cells having an air chamber therein are arranged side by side, wherein the lower surface of the air cells is partially supported by a base. The air cell is tiltable with respect to the base, and between the adjacent air cells, an auxiliary elastic body is provided so as to straddle between the air cells in a plan view. Features.

  According to the air cell type mattress having the structure according to the first aspect, the air cell is partially supported by the base, thereby allowing the air cell to tilt with respect to the base. Thereby, on the upper surface of the air cell type mattress, irregularities along the shape of the body surface of the user can be formed to a high degree by expansion and contraction and tilting of the air cell, and dispersion of body pressure is advantageously achieved. Thus, prevention of bedsores and improvement of sleeping comfort are realized.

  In addition, when a intensive load is applied, such as when the user is placed between adjacent air cells, even if the user pushes and spreads between the air cells, the user may It is supported not only by the air cell but also by the auxiliary elastic body. Therefore, the user is supported by a large area, the body pressure is dispersed, and the user is prevented from getting into contact with the base by entering the space between the air cells. Improving sleeping comfort is achieved.

  In addition, for example, by arranging auxiliary elastic bodies not only between the air cells where concentrated loads act, but also on both outer sides of the air cells, the air cells can be moved away from each other. Can be suppressed, and the gap formed between the air cells can be reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air cell type mattress described in the first aspect, the plurality of air cells are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the mattress, and the auxiliary elastic body is arranged in the longitudinal direction. It is provided on at least one of between the adjacent air cells and between the horizontally adjacent air cells.

  According to the second aspect, by arranging a plurality of air cells in each of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the area of the upper surface of each air cell can be made relatively small, and a sense of floating due to deformation of the upper surface of the air cell can be obtained. It is possible to improve the sleeping comfort by making it difficult to give the user.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air cell type mattress described in the second aspect, the auxiliary elastic body is provided between the air cells adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of the mattress.

  According to the third aspect, for example, in a portion of the mattress that supports the buttocks of the user, the load concentrates on a narrow area in the vertical direction of the mattress, so that the load acts between the vertically adjacent air cells. By doing so, the air cells are easily displaced in a direction in which they are separated from each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, by providing the auxiliary elastic body between the air cells adjacent in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent the buttocks and the like of the user from entering between the air cells.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the air cell type mattress described in the third aspect, wherein the auxiliary elastic body has a longitudinal shape extending in a lateral direction.

  According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to prevent the user from falling between the air cells arranged in the vertical direction in a wide area in the horizontal direction.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air cell type mattress described in the third or fourth aspect, the plurality of air cells are arranged between a pair of side wall members extending in a vertical direction, and the auxiliary elastic member is provided. The body is located laterally inwardly away from the pair of side wall members.

  According to the fifth aspect, when the auxiliary elastic body is compressed in the vertical direction or the vertical direction of the mattress, the auxiliary elastic body is allowed to expand and deform in the horizontal direction, so that the auxiliary elastic body in the vertical direction is Deformation can be efficiently tolerated.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the air cell type mattress described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the air cell has a two-stage structure including a constricted portion at an intermediate portion in a height direction. In addition, an intermediate sheet is attached to the constricted portion of the plurality of air cells, and the plurality of air cells are mutually positioned by the intermediate sheet.

  According to the sixth aspect, since the relative displacement amount due to the tilting of the air cells and the like is limited by the intermediate sheet, the gap formed between the air cells is suppressed, and the user is less likely to enter between the air cells. Become. In addition, since the swinging of the head due to the deformation of the constricted portion of the air cell is allowed without being restrained by the intermediate sheet, the body pressure distribution due to the deformation of the upper surface of the mattress along the body surface shape of the user. Performance is sufficiently ensured.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the air cell type mattress described in the sixth aspect, the auxiliary elastic body is provided above the intermediate sheet.

  According to the seventh aspect, the swinging tilt of the upper part of the air cell due to the deformation of the constricted portion can be suppressed by the auxiliary elastic body. In addition, when a downward load is applied to the auxiliary elastic body due to, for example, a user resting thereon, the intermediate sheet is pushed downward by the auxiliary elastic body. Pulled to approach. As a result, the gap between the air cells is reduced at least at the upper end, so that the user can be prevented from entering between the air cells, and a large support area for the user can be secured.

  An eighth aspect of the present invention is the air cell type mattress according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the auxiliary elastic body is arranged in a direction in which the air cells arranged on both sides of the auxiliary elastic body are arranged. The width of the upper end is smaller than the width of the lower end.

  According to the eighth aspect, for example, when the auxiliary elastic body is supported on the lower surface, a large supporting surface of the auxiliary elastic body is ensured, so that stable support of the auxiliary elastic body can be realized.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the air cell type mattress according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the auxiliary elastic body is disposed adjacent to the intermediate portion in the height direction. A concave portion into which an air cell is inserted is provided.

  According to the ninth aspect, since the entire gap between the air cells provided side by side is covered with the auxiliary elastic body, the user is more effectively prevented from entering between the air cells. Further, the air cells provided side by side are inserted into the concave portions of the auxiliary elastic body, so that the positioning is performed to some extent. Further, the outer peripheral portions of the air cells provided side by side can be prevented from directly contacting each other.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the air cell type mattress according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, further comprising a supply / discharge mechanism for supplying / discharging air to / from the air chamber of the air cell. is there.

  According to the tenth aspect, by adjusting the internal pressure of the air chamber of each air cell by supplying and discharging air, it is possible to realize dispersion of body pressure, good sleeping comfort, and the like.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, since an air cell is made inclinable and the auxiliary elastic body is provided between adjacent air cells, it can prevent a bottoming-out etc. and implement | achieve favorable sleeping comfort.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an air cell type mattress as a first embodiment of the present invention. The top view of the air cell type mattress shown in FIG. III-III sectional drawing of FIG. The perspective view of the cell unit which comprises the air cell type mattress shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an air cell constituting the cell unit shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where three of the cell units shown in FIG. 4 are arranged side by side and an auxiliary elastic body is provided. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary elastic body shown in FIG. 6 in a single state. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the air cell type mattress as 2nd embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the air cell type mattress as 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 show an air cell type mattress 10 (hereinafter, mattress 10) as a first embodiment of the present invention. The mattress 10 has a structure in which a plurality of cell units 14 are attached to a base member 12. In the following description, in principle, the up-down direction is the up-down direction in FIG. 3 that is a vertical up-down direction when the mattress 10 is placed flat, and the vertical direction is the up-down direction of the user's body in FIG. The horizontal direction means the vertical direction in FIG. 2 which is the width direction of the body of the user.

  The base member 12 has a head support cushion 18 extending laterally at a head-side (left side in FIG. 2) end portion on a bottom plate member 16 as a base, and a foot side (see FIG. (Right side in the middle), and has a structure in which a pair of side wall members 20, 20 extending in the vertical direction are arranged. The base member 12 is made of, for example, a soft foamed synthetic resin so that a user does not easily feel pain even when touched, and is preferably formed of foamed polyurethane or foamed polyethylene.

  The bottom plate member 16 has a thin, substantially flat plate shape, and a head support cushion 18 disposed at one end in the vertical direction on the head side of the user is disposed above the bottom plate member 16. A pair of side wall members 20, 20 are arranged at both ends in the lateral direction. The head support cushion 18 has a rectangular block shape, and extends in the lateral direction over the entire length of the bottom plate member 16. The side wall member 20 has a quadrangular prism shape, and linearly extends from the lateral end of the head support cushion 18 toward the other longitudinal direction on the user's foot side. In short, the head support cushion 18 and the pair of side wall members 20 and 20 are arranged in a U-shape that is open toward the user's foot on the upper side of the bottom plate member 16. A cell arrangement region 22 surrounded by the pair of side wall members 20 and 20 is formed on the bottom plate member 16.

  In addition, the base member 12 of the present embodiment is configured such that the side wall member 20 is divided into three in the vertical direction, and a position corresponding to a divided portion of one of the head side and the other two of the foot side in the side wall member 20. , The bottom plate member 16 is divided into two parts, a head side and a foot side. As a result, the base member 12 can be bent around its upper end at one vertical position (the bent portion 24) where both the side wall member 20 and the bottom plate member 16 are divided, and the bed frame (not shown) is raised. It is possible to correspond to the mechanism. In the present embodiment, a flexible connection sheet 26 extending across the bent portion 24 is attached to the upper surfaces of the side wall members 20 and 20 so that the base member 12 does not separate into the head side and the foot side at the bent portion 24. ing. In short, the bent portion 24 has a hinge structure centered on the upper end by the provision of the connection sheet 26.

  Six cell units 14 are arranged in the cell arrangement area 22 of the base member 12 having such a structure. As shown in FIG. 4, the cell unit 14 has a structure in which a plurality of air cells 30 are attached to a bottom sheet 28 having a rectangular sheet shape.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the air cell 30 is formed in a hollow bag shape having an air chamber 32 therein. In the present embodiment, the air cell 30 has a constricted portion 34 having a reduced cross-sectional shape at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction. It has a two-stage structure. More specifically, the air cell 30 includes a lower cell 40 having a structure in which an upper sheet 36a and a lower sheet 38a formed of a synthetic resin or an elastomer film are fixed at an outer peripheral end thereof, respectively, and a synthetic resin or an elastomer film. And an upper cell 42 having a structure in which an upper sheet 36b and a lower sheet 38b formed by the above are fixed at an outer peripheral end portion. An inner space of the lower cell 40 and an inner space of the upper cell 42 are formed by through holes 44. The air chamber 32 is formed inside by communicating. In the air cell 30, the lower cell 40 and the upper cell 42 are vertically overlapped, and the upper sheet 36 a of the lower cell 40 and the lower sheet 38 b of the upper cell 42 are fixed to each other at the opening periphery of the through hole 44. It is formed by doing. The constricted portion 34 of the air cell 30 has a lower portion formed by the upper sheet 36a of the lower cell 40 and an upper portion formed by the lower sheet 38b of the upper cell 42. The upper sheets 36a and 36b and the lower sheets 38a and 38b are preferably formed of a urethane elastomer thin film.

  A tubular air supply / exhaust port 46 is provided at the lower end of the air cell 30. One end of the air supply / exhaust port 46 communicates with the air chamber 32 of the air cell 30, and the other end of the air supply / exhaust port 46 is It is connected to a pump device 48 (see FIG. 1). Thus, the supply and discharge of air by the pump device 48 to and from the air chamber 32 of the air cell 30 can be performed, whereby the air cell 30 can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, since the air cell 30 has a vertical two-stage structure, the expansion and contraction in the vertical direction is greater than that in the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction due to the supply and discharge of air to and from the air chamber 32. It has become. Note that the supply / discharge mechanism of the present embodiment includes a pump device 48, a supply / exhaust port 46, and a supply / discharge conduit 49 (see FIG. 1) connecting them.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the air cells 30 are attached to the bottom sheet 28 having a substantially rectangular sheet shape, and are arranged side by side vertically and horizontally to constitute the cell unit 14. The bottom sheet 28 is provided with 18 tube insertion holes 50, and the air supply / exhaust port 46 of the air cell 30 is inserted into each tube insertion hole 50 of the bottom sheet 28, so that the lower part of the air cell 30 is connected to the bottom sheet 28. ., 30 are provided in three vertical rows and six horizontal rows. .., 30 constituting one cell unit 14, the lower ends of the 18 air cells 30, 30,... It is permitted by the deformation of the sheet 28. The bottom sheet 28 is desirably formed of a material having a small elasticity in order to reduce the relative displacement between the air cells 30. However, the elasticity of the air cells 30 is increased by providing elasticity as necessary. The restraining force for positioning can also be adjusted.

  In the state where the air cells 30 shown in FIG. 4 are inflated, the adjacent air cells 30 may have their outer peripheral portions overlapped or separated from each other when viewed from above, but preferably have a large gap. It is preferable that they overlap each other or are close to each other with almost no gap so that no is formed.

  Further, an intermediate sheet 52 is attached to the 18 air cells 30, 30,..., 30 constituting the cell unit 14. The intermediate sheet 52 has a substantially rectangular sheet shape, and has 18 cell insertion holes 54. Then, the plurality of air cells 30 are inserted into the respective cell insertion holes 54 of the intermediate sheet 52, so that the intermediate sheet 52 is attached to the constricted portion 34 of the air cell 30. Thus, the eighteen air cells 30, 30,..., 30 constituting one cell unit 14 are mutually positioned by one intermediate sheet 52, and the neck of the upper cell 42 with respect to the lower cell 40. The swinging tilt is allowed without being restrained by the intermediate sheet 52. It is preferable that the intermediate sheet 52 is formed of a material having a small elasticity in order to suppress the relative displacement between the air cells 30. However, the intermediate sheet 52 is provided with elasticity as necessary to position the air cells 30. It is also possible to adjust the restraining force.

  The cell unit 14 is provided in a cell mounting area 22 of the base member 12. More specifically, six cell units 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14 are arranged in the vertical direction, and 108 air cells 30 are arranged in 18 columns and 6 rows in the vertical and horizontal directions. They are arranged side by side. In short, the upper surface of the mattress 10 of the present embodiment is arranged side by side between the upper surface of the head support cushion 18 and the upper surfaces of the pair of side wall members 20 and 20 and the pair of side wall members 20 and 20 arranged to face each other in the lateral direction. And the upper surfaces of the 108 air cells 30. The bottom sheet 28 of each cell unit 14 is attached to the bottom plate member 16 of the base member 12 at a plurality of locations, so that the cell units 14 are attached to the base member 12 and the plurality of air cells 30 serve as a base plate as a base. It is supported by the member 16.

  Thereby, each air cell 30 has a central portion of the bottom surface partially supported by the bottom plate member 16 and an outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface with respect to the bottom plate member 16 in a state where air enters the air chamber 32 and expands. The air cell 30 can be approached / separated, and the entire air cell 30 can be tilted with respect to the bottom plate member 16. Further, in the air cell 30 of the present embodiment, in the expanded state, the upper cell 42 can be tilted in a swinging manner by the deformation of the constricted portion 34 with respect to the lower cell 40, so that the upper surface of the air cell 30 ( The inclination of the upper surface in the upright position shown in FIG. 3) is permitted up to a larger angle.

  The three divided portions of the side wall member 20 of the base member 12 have the same length in the vertical direction as the length in the vertical direction of the two cell units 14 and 14, respectively. Thus, when the base member 12 is bent back at the bent portion 24, the two cell units 14, 14 on the head side are replaced with the four cell units 14, 14 on the foot side without bending the middle part of the cell unit 14. , 14, 14 to follow the deformation of the base member 12.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, an auxiliary elastic body 56 is provided between the four air cells 30, 30, 30, 30 arranged in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the auxiliary elastic body 56 has a substantially rectangular plate shape elongated in the lateral direction of the mattress 10, and is formed of a soft foamed synthetic resin or foamed rubber. Foamed polyurethane, foamed polyethylene, or the like is suitably used as a forming material.

  It is desirable that the auxiliary elastic body 56 has a vertical width dimension at the lower end equal to or larger than the vertical width dimension at the upper end. The auxiliary elastic body 56 of the present embodiment has a substantially constant rectangular cross section and Therefore, the vertical width at the lower end and the vertical width at the upper end are substantially the same.

  Further, as the auxiliary elastic body 56, two types of auxiliary elastic bodies 56a and auxiliary elastic bodies 56b having different cross-sectional shapes from each other are employed. The auxiliary elastic body 56a has a thickness in the vertical direction with respect to the auxiliary elastic body 56b. It has a flatter shape with a smaller dimension and a larger width dimension in the front-rear direction. In addition, the auxiliary elastic body 56a and the auxiliary elastic body 56b can differ not only in shape but also in forming material, foaming ratio, and the like, but in the present embodiment, only the shape is different.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the auxiliary elastic body 56a is inserted between the air cells 30, 30 which are located on both sides of the bent portion 24 and are adjacent in the vertical direction, and the foot is more than the auxiliary elastic body 56a. On the side (lower side in FIG. 2), an auxiliary elastic body 56b is inserted between the air cells 30, 30 adjacent in the vertical direction. In the arrangement state of the auxiliary elastic body 56, the auxiliary elastic body 56 is provided so as to straddle the air cells 30, 30 adjacent in the vertical direction in plan view, and overlaps with the air cells 30, 30 in the vertical direction. I have.

  The auxiliary elastic body 56 is provided above the intermediate sheet 52, and is disposed between the upper cells 42, 42 of the air cells 30, 30 vertically adjacent to each other. More specifically, the auxiliary elastic body 56 is inserted at a plurality of locations in the lateral direction between the upper half portions of the constricted portions 34, 34 of the air cells 30, 30, and when the air cells 30, 30 are inflated, the air cells 30 are expanded. The space between the upper cells 42, 42 and the intermediate sheet 52 at 30, 30 is vertically compressed. As a result, the portion of the auxiliary elastic body 56 inserted between the inflated air cells 30, 30 is deformed into a shape in which the width in the vertical direction decreases upward.

  In the present embodiment, each of the auxiliary elastic bodies 56a, 56b, and 56b has a substantially rectangular cross section, and the width of the lower end in the vertical direction is as large as the width of the upper end. A large contact area of the elastic bodies 56a, 56b, 56b with the intermediate sheet 52 is ensured, and the auxiliary elastic bodies 56a, 56b, 56b are stably held on the intermediate sheet 52.

  Note that the auxiliary elastic body 56a and the auxiliary elastic body 56b have different widths and heights in the vertical direction, so that the amount of compressive deformation in a state inserted between the air cells 30, 30 is different. You may. This makes it possible to set mutually different spring characteristics for the auxiliary elastic body 56a and the auxiliary elastic body 56b inserted between the air cells 30, 30.

  The auxiliary elastic body 56 has a lateral length substantially equal to the lateral width of the cell unit 14, and is separated from the pair of side wall members 20, 20 inward in the lateral direction. A gap 58 (see FIG. 2) is formed between the lateral end surfaces of the auxiliary elastic body 56 and the pair of side wall members 20, 20. In the present embodiment, in a state where the auxiliary elastic body 56 is compressed between the air cell 30 and the intermediate sheet 52 and expanded in the lateral direction, the auxiliary elastic body 56 and the pair of side wall members 20 are slightly separated from each other. A space 58 is formed between the auxiliary elastic body 56 and the pair of side wall members 20, 20.

  The mattress 10 having such a structure is, for example, laid on a bed frame (not shown) and covered with a flexible cover plate member (not shown) or a mattress cover (not shown) covering the upper surface. Used in the state. Then, while the user is lying on the upper surface, air is supplied to and exhausted from the air chamber 32 of each air cell 30 by the pump device 48, so that the air on the mattress 10 acts on the user's body by contact with the mattress 10. Dispersion of the contact force (body pressure) can be achieved, and discomfort and bedsores due to local compression can be prevented. Although not shown in the drawing, for example, a surface pressure distribution sensor that detects the distribution of pressure acting on each air cell 30 in the air cell disposition area 22 is provided, and based on the detection result of the surface pressure distribution sensor. By controlling the pump device 48 in this way, dispersion of body pressure due to expansion and contraction of the air cell 30 is efficiently realized.

  In particular, since the air cell 30 is partially supported at the center portion of the bottom surface, the entire air cell 30 can be tilted. Therefore, the upper surface of the air cell 30 is inclined according to the unevenness of the body surface of the user. By doing so, the dispersion of body pressure can be realized more efficiently. In addition, in the present embodiment, the air cell 30 has a two-stage structure having a constricted portion 34 in an upper and lower middle portion, and the upper cell 42 can be tilted in a swinging manner with respect to the lower cell 40. Therefore, the angle range of the tilt allowed on the upper surface of the air cell 30 is increased, and the followability to the shape of the body surface of the user is more excellent.

  Further, the plurality of air cells 30 constituting the cell unit 14 are held at the constricted portion 34 by the intermediate sheet 52 and are relatively positioned. Thereby, it is difficult to form a gap between the plurality of air cells 30, and it is difficult to form an unnatural dent or the like on the upper surface of the mattress 10, thereby improving the sleeping comfort.

  Further, the mattress 10 of the present embodiment can also be used in combination with a bed frame having a back raising function. That is, the bottom plate member 16 of the base member 12 and the pair of side wall members 20 are both vertically divided at a position 1/3 from the head side in the longitudinal direction, and the base (bent portion 24) The member 12 can be bent. Furthermore, since the different cell units 14 are arranged on both sides of the bent portion 24, the air cells 30 are not bent at the intermediate portion by the relative tilting of the cell units 14 and 14 without being bent at the intermediate portion. Can follow the bending of the base member 12. Thus, the mattress 10 can be bent in accordance with the back of the bed frame.

  In addition, between the bent portion 24 where a gap is easily formed when raising the back, and the air cells 30 adjacent vertically in the foot side of the bent portion 24 where the load from the user tends to act intensively when raising the back. Is provided with an auxiliary elastic body 56. Thus, even if the buttocks of the user enter between the vertically adjacent air cells 30, the user is supported by the auxiliary elastic body 56, so that the user can move between the air cells 30. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of bottoming contacting the air supply / exhaust port 46 and the bottom plate member 16 via the bottom sheet 28.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, since it is assumed that the load is intensively input to the portion that supports the user's buttocks when raising the back, the air cells 30 and 30 are separated from each other in the vertical direction by the buttocks. The auxiliary elastic body 56 is provided between the air cells 30 arranged in the vertical direction so that the auxiliary elastic body 56 can perform auxiliary support when displacing (tilting). Therefore, the user's hip can be prevented from entering between the air cells 30, which are lined up in the vertical direction in a state in which the load is likely to concentrate on the portion supporting the hip, and the bottoming can be prevented. Etc. can be realized.

  Further, the auxiliary elastic body 56 has a longitudinal shape extending continuously in the lateral direction. In the present embodiment, in particular, the lateral length of the auxiliary elastic body 56 is equal to the lateral width of the cell unit 14. Since the air cells 30 are substantially the same and are arranged across the plurality of air cells 30 arranged in the lateral direction of the cell unit 14, the load from the user acts at any position in the lateral direction of the cell unit 14. Also, the support of the user by the auxiliary elastic body 56 is stably realized. In addition, since the lateral ends of the auxiliary elastic body 56 are separated inward in the horizontal direction with respect to the pair of side wall members 20 and 20 of the base member 12, the lateral elastic deformation of the auxiliary elastic body 56 is reduced. Since the auxiliary elastic body 56 is allowed to be compressed without being restrained by the pair of side wall members 20, 20 in the vertical direction, the auxiliary elastic body 56 is likely to be generated.

  Further, the auxiliary elastic body 56 is disposed above the intermediate sheet 52, and when a downward load is applied to the auxiliary elastic body 56, the intermediate sheet 52 is pressed downward and bends. Are pulled by the intermediate sheet 52 and brought closer to each other. This makes it easier for the user to be supported not only by the auxiliary elastic body 56 but also by the air cells 30 on both sides of the auxiliary elastic body 56, so that the user is advantageously prevented from dropping between the air cells 30. In addition, the depression on the upper surface of the mattress 10 is promptly reduced.

  In particular, when the mattress 10 is deformed by raising the back, the auxiliary elastic body 56a disposed across the bent portion 24 is curved and deformed so as to be convex downward, so that the intermediate sheet 52 is formed by the auxiliary elastic body. The air cells 30, 30 on both sides of the auxiliary elastic body 56a are pressed by the intermediate sheet 52 toward each other by being pressed by the auxiliary elastic body 56a. Thereby, when raising the back, the air cells 30, 30 on both sides of the bent portion 24 are easily held at positions close to each other, and it becomes difficult for the user to enter between the air cells 30, 30 at the bent portion 24.

  In addition, since the auxiliary elastic body 56a is thinner in the vertical direction and has a larger width in the vertical direction than the auxiliary elastic body 56b, the auxiliary elastic body 56a is easily curved when the back is raised, and the auxiliary elastic body 56a is 56a is maintained in a state of overlapping with the air cells 30, 30 on both sides in the vertical direction, and the bottoming between the air cells 30, 30 is stably prevented by the auxiliary elastic body 56a.

  On the other hand, since the thickness of the auxiliary elastic body 56b is larger than that of the auxiliary elastic body 56a, it is easy to obtain a cushioning property in the up-down direction advantageously, and when the user comes into contact with the auxiliary elastic body 56b. The body pressure dispersion performance can be advantageously obtained. Therefore, even when the user enters between the air cells 30, for example, the thick auxiliary elastic body 56 b is arranged in a portion where a large load is likely to be input from the user's buttocks when raising the back. The user can be supported by the auxiliary elastic body 56b having excellent body pressure dispersion performance, and prevention of bottoming out and provision of good sleeping comfort can be realized.

  Further, when raising the back, the buttocks of the user are placed on the portion of the three auxiliary elastic bodies 56a, 56b, 56b where the central auxiliary elastic body 56b is provided, so that the load acts intensively on the abutting part. Although the air cells 30, 30 located on both sides of the central auxiliary elastic body 56b are not easily tilted in the direction in which they are separated from each other in the vertical direction due to the provision of the auxiliary elastic bodies 56a, 56b on both sides. ing. Therefore, even if a concentrated load acts between the air cells 30, a gap is hardly formed, and prevention of bottoming out is effectively realized.

  Furthermore, by employing the auxiliary elastic body 56 as described above, it is possible to further increase the degree of freedom of tilting of the air cell 30 itself. More specifically, the fixed region of the air cell with respect to the base is set to an area of 1/3 or less or 1/5 or less of the vertical projected area (bottom surface) of the air cell, and the area around the fixed region is 2/3 or more. By setting the area that can be separated, it is also possible to adjust the trouble caused by excessive tilting with the auxiliary elastic body 56 while securing the tilting freedom of the air cell 30.

  In the event that the air cell 30 is damaged and the air in the air chamber 32 is evacuated and the air cell 30 is inadvertently withered, the user may not be able to use the auxiliary elastic body 56 where the auxiliary elastic body 56 is provided. Since it is supported by 56, it is possible to prevent the user from contacting the relatively hard bottom plate member 16.

  Next, FIG. 8 shows a main part of an air cell type mattress 60 as a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a structure in which an auxiliary elastic body 64 is provided between air cells 62 arranged side by side.

  The auxiliary elastic body 64 has a stepped cross-sectional shape in which the width dimension of the upper part 66 in the vertical direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8) is smaller than the vertical width dimension of the lower part 68 in a single state before mounting. The vertical width at the lower end of the auxiliary elastic body 64 is larger than the vertical width at the upper end. Therefore, a large contact area of the auxiliary elastic body 64 with the bottom sheet 28 is ensured, the auxiliary elastic body 64 is stably supported, and the auxiliary elastic body 64 is inserted between the air cells 30. The amount of deformation is smaller than in the first embodiment including the auxiliary elastic body 56 having a rectangular cross section.

  Accordingly, in the operation of inserting the auxiliary elastic body 64 between the air cells 62, 62, the air cells 62, 62 are hardly caught and the workability is improved. In addition, the characteristics of the auxiliary elastic body 64 can be prevented from changing from a single state by being pressed against the air cells 62, 62, and the characteristics set in the single state can be effectively obtained.

  The air cell 62 of the present embodiment has a one-stage structure instead of a two-stage structure. As described above, the present invention is applicable not only to the air cell 30 having the two-stage structure shown in the first embodiment, but also to the air cell 62 having the one-stage structure shown in the present embodiment. In short, the present invention is applicable to an air cell type mattress provided with an air cell having a single-stage structure, and is also applicable to an air cell type mattress provided with an air cell having a multi-stage structure of two or more stages.

  FIG. 9 shows a main part of an air cell type mattress 70 as a third embodiment of the present invention. The air cell type mattress 70 has a structure in which an auxiliary elastic body 72 is provided between the air cells 30 arranged side by side.

  The auxiliary elastic body 72 has a horizontal H-shaped cross-sectional shape, and a concave portion that opens on both sides in the vertical direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 9) at an intermediate portion in the height direction (vertical direction in FIG. 9). 74, 74 are provided. The concave portion 74 of the present embodiment has a rectangular cross section and a groove shape that is continuous in the horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 9). It may be a spot-like concave shape that is not provided.

  The upper portion of the auxiliary elastic body 72 above the concave portion 74 is an upper wide portion 76 having a larger vertical width than the intermediate portion in the height direction in which the concave portion 74 is formed. Furthermore, in the auxiliary elastic body 72 of the present embodiment, the lower portion than the concave portion 74 is a lower wide portion 78 having substantially the same vertical width as the upper wide portion 76. The vertical width dimension of 78 may be different from the upper wide section 76, for example, larger than the upper wide section 76.

  The auxiliary elastic body 72 is disposed between the air cells 30, 30, and the outer peripheral portions of the air cells 30, 30 adjacent to the upper cells 42, 42 are formed on one side of the recesses 74, 74 of the auxiliary elastic body 72. Has been submitted to. In this way, the upper cells 42 of the air cells 30, 30 are inserted into the recesses 74 of the auxiliary elastic body 72, so that they are positioned to some extent, and the outer peripheral ends of the air cells 30, 30 are directly connected. Contact damage is avoided. Further, since the entire gap between the adjacent air cells 30 is covered by the upper wide portion 76 above the concave portions 74 of the auxiliary elastic body 72, a user enters between the air cells 30. Is prevented.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in full detail, this invention is not limited by the specific description. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which a plurality of independent air cells 30 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. However, the air cells are, for example, in the form of long gloves extending continuously in the horizontal direction. A plurality may be arranged side by side only in the vertical direction. In this case, an auxiliary elastic body is arranged between a plurality of air cells arranged in a vertical direction that is a tilting direction with respect to the base. In addition, it is also possible to arrange the glove-shaped air cells extending in the vertical direction in the horizontal direction, and in this case, the auxiliary elastic body is arranged between the air cells arranged in the horizontal direction that is the tilt direction with respect to the base.

  Further, when adopting a multi-stage air cell, the intermediate sheet 52 provided so as to connect intermediate portions of the plurality of air cells is not essential. On the other hand, when three or more air cells 30 having constricted portions provided at two or more locations in the height direction are employed, for example, a plurality of intermediate sheets 52 may be provided so as to be attached to each constricted portion 34. It is. However, the intermediate sheet 52 is not necessarily limited to the one attached to the constricted portion 34. For example, the intermediate sheet 52 can be provided in the air cell 30 having a single-stage structure.

  Further, as shown in the above-described embodiment, the air cell preferably has a structure capable of supplying and discharging air from the outside, but may be a sealed air cell which does not supply and discharge air from the outside, or only air can be replenished. It is not necessary to provide an air supply mechanism and a discharge mechanism. Note that the air cell need only be tiltable at least in a state where air is contained in the air chamber, and in a state where the air in the air chamber is withdrawn and the air cell is withered, the air cell does not necessarily need to be tiltable with respect to the base. . If an air supply / discharge mechanism is provided, the air amount in the air cell increases or decreases during use of the mattress, but when the mattress can be used, tilting of the air cell is allowed regardless of the air amount in the air chamber. Is desirable.

  In the above-described embodiment, the auxiliary elastic body 56 which is effective for the concentration of the load due to the raising of the back is described. However, the auxiliary elastic body 56 is used only to realize the prevention of the bottoming of the concentration of the load due to the raising of the back. For example, the present invention can be applied to an air cell type mattress having no bending structure corresponding to a bed raising mechanism. The specific shape and arrangement of the auxiliary elastic body 56 are not particularly limited. For example, the auxiliary elastic body 56 can be provided between the air cells 30 adjacent to each other in the lateral direction. It can also be placed on the part supporting the user's shoulder. When the auxiliary elastic body 56 is arranged between the air cells 30 arranged in the horizontal direction, the auxiliary elastic body 56 may have a longitudinal shape extending in the vertical direction. Further, when the air cells are arranged in directions other than the vertical and horizontal directions, the auxiliary elastic body may be disposed between the adjacent air cells. The auxiliary elastic body disposed between the adjacent air cells may be disposed between the air cells whose gap dimension changes due to the tilting of the air cells, and is disposed with a portion overlapping the air cells in a side view. Preferably, the auxiliary elastic body is disposed between the air cells with a portion located below the center of the tilting portion in the air cells. The tilting portion referred to here is a portion where the tilting of the air cell with respect to the base body is permitted. In a single-stage air cell, the tilting portion refers to the entire air cell and a plurality of sections divided by one or a plurality of constricted portions 34. In an air cell having a multi-stage structure having steps, each step is divided by a constricted portion 34. Specifically, for example, in the air cell 30 of the first embodiment, the upper cell 42 and the lower cell 40 are each a tilting part, and the auxiliary elastic body 56 is located at the center of the upper cell 42 as the tilting part. The intermediate cell 52 is disposed between the lower sheet 38b of the upper cell 42 and the intermediate sheet 52. Further, for example, in the second embodiment, the entirety of the air cell 62 is a single inclined portion, and the auxiliary elastic body 64 has a portion located below the center of the air cell 62 and is located between the air cells 62, 62. Be placed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the elongated auxiliary elastic body extending continuously in the horizontal direction is exemplified. However, the auxiliary elastic body 56 is not necessarily limited to the elongated shape. For example, the dimensions in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are substantially the same. The shape may be a block shape, a cone shape, a solid bell shape, or the like. In this case, a plurality of auxiliary elastic bodies may be arranged in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The cross-sectional shape of the elongated auxiliary elastic body is not particularly limited, and various cross-sections such as a trapezoid, a triangle, and a barrel may be employed.

  Although the auxiliary elastic body of the first embodiment extends in the lateral direction with a substantially constant cross-sectional shape, the cross-sectional shape of the auxiliary elastic body may be different in the length direction. Specifically, for example, by providing a fitting concave portion having a reduced cross-sectional shape substantially corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of each air cell 30 and fitting the air cell 30 at a position corresponding to each air cell 30, for example. It is also possible to assist the lateral tilting of the air cell 30 or to have the function of positioning the auxiliary elastic body with respect to the air cell 30. In addition, by partially varying the cross-sectional shape, cross-sectional area, material, and the like of the auxiliary elastic body in the lateral direction, it is possible to tune the user's support characteristics and the like by the air cell type mattress.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which three auxiliary elastic bodies 56a, 56b, and 56b are provided has been described. However, at least one auxiliary elastic body may be provided. Further, as shown in the first embodiment, a plurality of types of auxiliary elastic bodies having different shapes can be used in combination, but a plurality of auxiliary elastic bodies having a single structure can be provided.

  Further, the shape of the base member is not particularly limited. For example, a cushion constituting a part of the base member may be provided between the cell units. In short, the air cell 30 does not need to be arranged in the entire cell arrangement area 22 of the above-described embodiment, and may be partially constituted by a cushion body or the like having elasticity.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mattress for bedding has been described, but the present invention can be applied to, for example, a mattress for a chair laid on a seat surface of a chair.

10, 60, 70: air cell type mattress, 16: bottom plate member (base), 20: side wall member, 30, 62: air cell, 32: air chamber, 34: constricted portion, 46: supply / exhaust port (supply / exhaust mechanism), 48: pump device (supply / discharge mechanism), 49: supply / discharge conduit (supply / discharge mechanism), 52: intermediate sheet, 56, 64, 72: auxiliary elastic body, 74: concave portion

Claims (10)

In an air cell type mattress having a structure in which a plurality of bag-shaped air cells having an air chamber therein are arranged side by side,
The lower surface of the air cell is partially supported by the base, the air cell is tiltable with respect to the base, and an auxiliary elastic body is provided between the adjacent air cells in plan view. An air cell type mattress, which is provided so as to straddle between air cells.   A plurality of the air cells are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the mattress, and the auxiliary elastic body is provided in at least one of between the vertically adjacent air cells and between the horizontally adjacent air cells. The air cell type mattress according to claim 1, which is provided.   The air cell type mattress according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary elastic body is provided between the air cells adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of the mattress.   4. The air cell type mattress according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary elastic body has a longitudinal shape extending in a lateral direction of the mattress.   4. The plurality of air cells are disposed between a pair of side wall members extending in a vertical direction, and the auxiliary elastic body is positioned inward in a lateral direction with respect to the pair of side wall members. 5. 4. The air cell type mattress according to 4.   The air cell has a two-stage structure having a constricted portion at an intermediate portion in the height direction, and an intermediate sheet is attached to the constricted portion of the plurality of air cells, and the plurality of air cells are mutually connected by the intermediate sheet. The air cell type mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is positioned.   The air cell type mattress according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary elastic body is provided above the intermediate sheet.   The air cell type according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a width of a lower end of the auxiliary elastic body is equal to or larger than a width of an upper end thereof in a direction in which the air cells arranged on both sides of the auxiliary elastic body are arranged. mattress.   The air cell type mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a concave portion into which the air cells arranged adjacent to each other are inserted is provided in an intermediate portion in the height direction of the auxiliary elastic body.   The air cell type mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a supply / discharge mechanism for supplying / exhausting air to / from the air chamber of the air cell.

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