SE1251201A1

SE1251201A1 - Spjälhållaranordning

Info

Publication number: SE1251201A1
Application number: SE1251201A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Webjorn Jarnes
Original assignee: Ekornes Asa
Priority date: 2011-10-24
Filing date: 2012-10-24
Publication date: 2013-04-25
Also published as: SE537701C2; DK201270651A; NO20111439A1; FI20126097A; FI125738B; DE102012219402A1; DK178453B1; NO336611B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a slat holder array (1) forming part of the bed base of a bed. The array is particularly suited for adjustable beds, but may also find its application in ordinary beds. The slat holder array (1) includes a number of slat fasteners (5) adapted to hold at least an end part of a slat (9), the slat fasteners (5) being mounted on resilient spacers (2). The spacers include connection means (4) adapted to be connected to and slide in a track or slot (14) in a bed frame (11). The spacers (2) are joined by connection elements (3), the connection elements (3) including vertical and horizontal stiffening flanges (15, 16). The array is preferably moulded in a polymer material as one continuous piece.

Description

The present invention relates to slat holders for beds.

Since many hours are spent in bed, primarily for relaxing, it is important that thebed is as comfortable and ergonomic as possible. Many beds are provided with oneor more mattresses supported by slats. The slats may rest on sills mounted on theinside of the bed frame.

Adjustable beds are commonly provided with adjustable flaps that rise and lowerparts of the mattress. In such a bed, the slats may not be laid loosely on a sill.Other ways of supporting the slats must be devised. A common solution is to useslat holders, e.g. made in a plastic material, which are mounted onto the bed frameor the adjustable flaps, allowing the slaps to be fastened in a number of slat holdersdistributed along the length of the bed.

The primary object of the present slat holders is to hold at least one slat in itsposition under a mattress and possibly to give a springy mounting of the slat.However, it is a steady desire to improve the comfort of beds and thus it is anobject of the present invention to provide a slat holder that apart from holding anumber of slats in their correct position also contributes to increasing the comfort of a bed and in particular to increase the comfort in adjustable beds.

According to this object, a slat holder arrangement is disclosed including two slatholder arrays wherein the slat holder arrays include a number of slat holderelements. The slat holder elements include a slat fastening part for holding an endpart of a slat, a resilient spacer which will be located between the slat fasteningpart and the bed or bed frame, and connection elements between the slat holderelements. Then, movements in a slat holder element will influence adjacentelements. The slat holder elements may also be provided with connection meansfor connecting the element to a bed frame and in particular for achieving a slidingconnection to the bed frame.

In such a slat holder arrangement, the slat holders will not only hold the slats, butprovide a particular springy action previously unknown. The resilient spacers willprovide a particular springy effect to the slat holder arrays which will be explainedin detail below.

The slat holder arrangement is particularly advantageous as it may be utilized in both fixed (i.e. not adjustable) and adjustable beds and will provide a substantial 2improvement in spring properties to any bed and a substantially improved comfortfor the user.

The scope of the invention appears from the appended claims.

The s|at holder arrangement will now be described in detail in an embodiment thereof illustrated in the appended drawings, in which: Fig. 1-3 shows an the inventive s|at holder arrangement, Fig. 4 shows a detail of the s|at holder arrangement in Fig. 1-3, Fig. 5 shows the s|at holder arrangement when loaded, Fig. 6 is a principle sketch of an imagined spring situation, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the s|at holder arrangement of Fig. 1-3 seen frombelow and top, respectively, Fig. 8-10 are sectional views of a s|at holder arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 11-15 shows an adjustable bed with a s|at holder arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 16-18 shows a fixed bed with a s|at holder arrangement according to the invention.

A s|at holder arrangement according to the invention is designed as to s|at holderarrays wherein each s|at holder array includes a number of s|at holder elements. Inuse, each s|at holder element will hold the end parts of a number of parallel slats.Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of such an inventive s|at holder array 1 from below.Fig. 2 shows the s|at holder array 1 in side view, while Fig. 3 shows the s|at holder array in top view.

The s|at holder array 1 includes a number of s|at holder elements with resilientspacers 2 connected to each other with connecting elements 3. The resilient spacers are designed to hold the slats in a flexible distance above the bed frame and preferably also hold the slat holder elements in an elastic sideways distancefrom each other. The resilient spacers 2 are also provided with connection means 4suited for slidable connection with a bed frame or a frame element on a bed. These components may be seen more clearly from Fig. 4.

The connection means 4 are small, i.e. they protrude only slightly from the spacersthey are mounted upon, compared with the dimensions of the resilient spacers 2.This means that a user of the bed will not notice if the individual connection meansare lying upon the bed frame or slidable mounted therein, which means that somespacers of a slat holder array may be laying onto the frame, while others are mounted into the frame with the connection means.

Further, the resilient spacers are provided with slat fasteners 5. The slat fasteners 5may take at least one slat, in such a way that the slat will be lying flat in thesurface of a bed base or a bed. In the embodiment shown slats may be mounted inpairs in pockets 6 in the slat fasteners 5. These pockets have an internal shapecorresponding to the cross section of the slats to be held by the slat holder. Itshould be noted that the slats may lie in the slat fasteners 5 without being fastenedtherein. Thus, individual slats may easily be released from the slat holderarrangement. This may be useful if slats have to be replaced, e.g. in case they arebroken.

Fig. 5 shows an example of the movement pattern of a section of a slat holderarray when loaded. The figure illustrates in detail the effect of the cushioning andthe elastic properties of the slat holder array. In the illustrated example, the slatholder elements are designed in such a way that when the resilient spacer 2 isdepressed the spacer will be pushed outward and broadening. The connectionelements 3 of the depressed slat holder element will become pushed outward bythe spacer causing the adjacent slat holder elements to be pushed upward. If theadjacent slat holder elements are not allowed to be pushed upward, the movement will propagate along the slat holder array.

Fig. 6 is a principle view of how the slat holder elements with resilient spacers 2 aremeant to function as a springy buffer between the slat pairs 10, optional profiledflaps and the bed frame (not shown). The figure shows how a bed base is affectedby being loaded. The bed base consists of resilient slat holder arrays according tothe invention holding a number of slat pairs 10 in a distance above the bed frame and optionally also above profiled adjustable flaps 12. In Fig. 6 it is illustrated how 4 the slat holder array may be affected by loading. When a user lies down on themattress on a bed base wherein the slats are held in such a springy way, the bedbase will adapt its shape to the load points on the user's body 13. A more evendistribution of weight and a more even loading of the body is achieved.

The slat holder arrays may be produced in any resilient material, but it isadvantageous to produce them in a polymer material, in particular a polymer orplastic material suited for casting, e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene andpolystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate or polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK). The slatholder array in the illustrated embodiment is suited for manufacturing by injectionmoulding. A continuous array of resilient spacers connected by connection elementsmay be moulded and then divide desired lengths of slat holder arrays from theinjection moulded array of spacers. It should be noted that the illustratedembodiments have a random selection of spacers, which should be perceived as anillustration only of how such an array may appear. Obviously, the number ofspacers in an array may be increased or decreased to adapt the array to the size ofthe bed it is intended to be used for.

Fig. 8-10 show cross sections of the spacers in the illustrated embodiment in threedifferent positions. The connection means 4 is designed to be pushed into a track ina bed frame. In particular, the connection means may be pushed into a hollow bedframe provided with a track on one of the sides. The connection means 4 includes astem 7 with flanges 8. The stem 7 may slide in tracks in the bed frame while theflanges 8 will hold the spacer in the bed frame.

Fig. 11 shows a bed provided with a slat arrangement according to the invention, in side view, while Fig. 12 shows the bed in top view.

A number of slats 9 are arranged in pairs 10 and held by slat fasteners 5 onresilient spacers 2, the slats lying on the bed frame 11 of the bed. The spacers 2are connected to the bed frame 11 by means of connection means in the slat holderarray 1. At least some of the connection means slide in tracks or slots on the upperside of the bed frame, see Fig. 13 and 14. The frame may in one embodiment bemade from extruded aluminium profiles, wherein tracks or slots are extruded into the profile.

As mentioned above, the slat holders in such a slat holder arrangement will not only hold the slats, but will have an additional springy effect. The resilient spacers provide the slat holder arrays with a unique characteristic cushioning. If a slatholder element is depressed, the adjacent element or elements will rise. This is adouble effect from the cushioning - a spring travel may be created which is notinitially present. A larger degree of comfort may be achieved without increasing thespring travel of the construction or increasing the thickness of the mattress. Whenone or more slats are depressed, the associated slat holder elements will becompressed and accordingly exert forces sideways against adjacent slat holderelements which will then be pushed upward. If there is no room for pushing theseupward, the movement will propagate further along the array. In this way the slat holder system will give maximum support.

As shown in Fig. 4, the connection elements 3 are designed with bracing flanges 15,16 in the vertical and horizontal plane, respectively. This design with bracingflanges is important in order to let movements in the slat holder array propagate inthe correct way along the array, i.e. to let the slat holders slide along the track orslot in the bed frame. Otherwise, the slats may tend to warp and prevent the arrayfrom sliding properly along the bed frame.

In the embodiment shown, the resilient spacers acting as cushioning means areopen, i.e. they include an open core or opening and resilient sidewalls 15. To adjustthe stiffness of the resilient spacers, the open cores or openings may be filled withplastic foam or other suitable resilient materials, such as air cushions. By fillingsome of the spacers in this way, firmer areas in the bed or mattress may beobtained which may improve the experienced comfort. Such stiffening or bracing may also be used to provide a sitting area in the bed, e.g. at a foot of the bed.

The inventive slat holder arrangement is eminently suitable for use in adjustablebeds, wherein one or more flaps or profile frames 12 may be adjusted up or downin relation to the bed frame 11. On the upper side of each slate 9 there ispreferably a slit of Velcro®. A corresponding layer of Velcro® textile is fastened tothe underside of the mattress to be laid onto the slats. When the mattress is laidonto the slats, it will stick and be attached to the bed base. Movements occurring inthe mattress when the bed is adjusted will be absorbed by the slat holders sliding inrelation to the bed frame.

In Fig. 11 to 15 it may be seen how the slats 9 are supported by the resilientspacers 2 along the sides. When the profile frames 12 rise up to the slats 9, they will unload the resilient spacers 2 and in this way "disconnect" the cushioning.

With the bed in a flat position, the slats 9 will rest on the slat holder array 1/bedframe 11. The slats are resilient and held in a resilient slat holder arrangement andmay therefore provide the advantage of a thinner mattress without compromisingthe comfort. When the profile frames 12 rise and lift the slats 9 from the slatholders/bed frame 1, the bed base becomes stiffer as there is less distancebetween the points supporting the slats.

Fig. 11 shows how the profiled frames or flaps in this embodiment of the inventionlie at least partly over the bed frame 11. The slat holder array 1 includes resilientspacers 2 lifting the slats from the bed frame 11 and profile frames 12, the bedforming a flat surface when the profile frames 12 are lowered and the bed is notloaded. The mattress, which lying on the bed base consisting of pairs of slats 10,will also be level, as on any ordinary bed. When a user is lying on the bed, themattress will be loaded unevenly and depress the resilient spacers mainly wherethe profile frames 12 are not protruding above the frame, as shown in Fig. 16.When the profile frames rise from the lowered position, initially only some of theslats 9 will be lifted, but as the angle of the profile frames 12 over the bed base 11is increasing, most of the slats will be lifted correspondingly to the curvature of theprofile frames 12.

Dependent on the design of the bed frame in which the slat holder arrangement isused, it may be advantageous if only a part of the resilient spacers 2 are connectedwith the bed frame. The spacers lying above a profile frame 12 should rest on thebed frame 11 in such a way that they are unbound from the bed frame and may belifted when the profile frame 12 is lifted. When these unbound spacers 2 are liftedfrom the profile frame 12, the spacers that are connected with the bed frame willslide in a track so that the pairs of slats 10 will always maintain a mainly constant distance between them.

Fig. 12 shows the bed with a slat holder arrangement according to the invention, intop view. The slats 9 are combined in pairs lying with a mainly even distancebetween the slats along the length of the bed. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of thebed of Fig. 12 wherein the organizing of the slats 9 in pairs 10 may be better seen,and how the slat holders are arranged over a slot 14 in the bed frame 11.

The slat holder array 1 may be moulded of a polymer material in one piece.

Alternatively, the slat holder may be composed of two different polymer materials, 7 as there are different requirements to the polymer material in the resilient upperpart and the sliding lower part.

When an adjustable bed with a slat arrangement according to the invention is to beadjusted, from an initially flat position, the profile frames 12 will be pushed againstthe underside of the slats 9 and lift them. This movement is gradual, the liftingnormally starting at the head end. Then, the profile frame 12 will lift the mattresson the slats 9 around the lumbar area of the user, before the movementpropagates to the whole back area. The back and foot parts may be adjusted individually, but the movement may also be connected.

At the head end of the bed some of the spacers 2 may bring with them a part of thebed frame using the connection means, as far as this part is hinged to the rest ofthe bed frame. At the foot end where this movement is smaller, the spacers 2 maybe stretched and partly lifted from the bed frame. When the flaps or profile frames12 rise, the mattress will be felt to become harder, both due to the spacers 2 withslat fasteners 5 being lifted from the support, and due to the flaps or profile frames12 now supporting the slats more towards the middle of the slats.

Velcro® textiles have some elasticity, and this elasticity provides for each slat tocushion individually. On an adjustable bed, the slat system should preferably slidefreely along the bed frame, possibly by means of a track or slot in the frame and inthis way allow the bed to adapt to the user.

It should be noted that the slat holder arrangement according to the invention iswell suited also for normal fixed beds. It is particularly advantageous to use such aslat holder arrangement on such beds, as the bed will obtain large spring traveleven when the overall height is small. On a fixed bed, a progressive pressure reliefand the possibility of providing comfort zones by mounting softer or hardermaterials in one or more of the resilient spacers may be achieved, as explained above.

Fig. 16-18 shows an example of a fixed bed frame 11 with slat holder array 1 andslats 9. In the illustrated example, the bed frame is produced from hollow profiles,at least in the longitudinal direction, the profiles being provided with a track or slotfor the slat holder array 1. One or more of the connection means 4 in the slatholder array 1 is pushed into the track. In a fixed bed frame, all connection meansshould preferably be pushed into the track of the frame profile. In this way the slat 8 holder array will achieve support sideways by the connection means along theedges of the track, while the slat holder may also be pushed sideways in case ofexternal influence. A cushioning characteristic is obtained corresponding to thatdescribed above. Fig. 18 shows how the slats 9 will lie with a distance above thebed frame 11, the slats not being hampered in their spring travel by the upper edgeof the bed frame.

The mattress positioned on the bed with a slat arrangement as described above andwith the inventive two-way resilient slat system, will provide an optimal support ofthe user's body.

It is also beneficial if the mattress in a bed with the inventive slat arrangement iscovered with a textile in a movable stretch material. The textile surface may thenfollow the movements of the bed avoiding wrinkles and creases in the surface of the mattress.

The resilient spacers in the inventive slat holder array will have progressivepressure relieving properties. Further, the slim design of the spacers allows them tobe stretched into double height, which means that the possibility of fracturing islow. The hardness of the spacers may also be adjusted with addition of foam,springs, air bags or the like, meaning that the slat holder arrangement may beadapted to beds of different hardness or softness, also in beds without adjustableflaps.

As in adjustable beds, it is also possible with fixed beds with a bed frame whereinat least the longitudinal sides are hollow and provided with tracks or slots whereinthe connection means of the slat holder elements may be accepted. However, theelements may also be employed on bed frames without such tracks by the slatholder arrays sliding on the bed frame without being connected into it. When usedin this way, it will be optional to provide the slat holder elements with connection means situated between the resilient spacers and the bed frame.

Claims

1. A slat holder array (1) including a number of slat fasteners (5) adapted to hold at least an end part of a slat (9), the slat fasteners (5) being mountedon resilient spacers (2), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the spacers includes connection means(4) adapted to be connected to and slide in a track or slot (14) in a bedframe (11). . A slat holder array (1) according to claim 1, wherein each connection means (4) includes a stem (7) provided with flanges (8) matching said track or slot(14). . A slat holder array (1) according to claim 2, wherein the spacers (2) are joined by connection elements (3), the connection elements (3) includingvertical and horizontal stiffening flanges (15, 16). . A slat holder array (1) according to claim 3, wherein the array is moulded in a polymer material as one continuous piece. . A slat holder array (1) according to claim 4, wherein the array is moulded in polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate orpolyether-ether-ketone or a combination thereof. . A slat holder array (1) according to claim 5, wherein the connection elements and the other parts of the array are moulded in different polymermaterials.