US20050144727A1

US20050144727A1 - Mattress with layer

Info

Publication number: US20050144727A1
Application number: US10/996,460
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephane Lage
Original assignee: Matra AG
Current assignee: Recticel Automobilsysteme GmbH
Priority date: 2004-01-05
Filing date: 2004-11-26
Publication date: 2005-07-07
Also published as: CA2488445A1; ES2271827T3; ATE336188T1; SG113029A1; DE502004001194D1; NO20050045D0; JP4116994B2; KR20050072068A; JP2005193023A; EP1550386B1; NO20050045L; CN1647727A; EP1550386A1

Abstract

In the case of a mattress provided with holding elements, a layer can be put on, which layer is provided with fixing means, the layer being removably attached to the mattress. The holding means comprise a long stretched-out, substantially longitudinally stable, flexible element, of which in each case two first regions are connected to the mattress, while second regions, situated in-between, are free. The respective spacing between two second regions is substantially constant; the fixing means are installed on the layer such that they each come to lie at a second region of the holding elements. The fixing means are connectible to the corresponding second regions of the holding elements. With this system, layers can be connected to the mattress in the simplest way.

Description

This invention relates to a mattress with layer for a piece of furniture on which to lie, in particular a bed frame with slatted base, which mattress is provided with holding elements, to which at least one layer, able to be put on the mattress and provided with fixing means, is removably attachable.
To adapt mattresses to the needs of the user as much as possible, these mattresses can be provided with layers having desired features. A mattress, which is constructed substantially of a core material and is provided with a covering, can thereby be specially designed through the selection of particular layers, which are put on this mattress.
To prevent these layers from sliding back and forth on the mattress and from possibly forming creases, which could have a negative effect on the well-being of the person lying on the mattress, it is necessary to fix these layers to the mattress. Known is to use zippers as fixing means, for example. One part of a completely separable zipper is hereby attached to the mattress, while the other part is attached to the layer. Thus the layer can be connected to the mattress via this zipper or a plurality of zippers.
With this type of attachment there is the drawback that the zipper parts have to be attached to the mattress, or respectively to the layer, in such a way that they coincide exactly. If another layer is supposed to be placed on the mattress and connected thereto, this layer must be provided with corresponding zipper elements. A fabrication of this kind is relatively complicated. In addition, the respective zipper element is present on both the mattress and the layer when the layer is removed, which can be disadvantageous, for example during cleaning. Moreover if both sides of the mattress are provided with zipper elements of this kind, these scratch on the support underneath, which is undesirable. Furthermore, this attachment possibility has the drawback that in particular in the case of mattresses which lie on a frame substructure, the head portion and foot portion of which are adjustable, the layer has creases in the bending region, or is excessively stretched in the stretched region of the mattress, which can have a negative effect on lying comfort.
Instead of zippers, hook and loop fasteners can also be used, in a known way. These have the drawback, however, of soiling, which diminishes adhesion. Moreover, the sound during separation of the adhesive elements is often found to be disturbing.
The object of the present invention is thus to create an attachment system for a mattress with a layer placeable thereon, which system makes it possible to fix the layer to the mattress in an optimal way, even when the mattress is buckled or bent. In addition, this attachment system should be flexible in application.
The object is achieved, according to the invention, in that each holding element is made up of a long stretched-out, substantially longitudinally stable, flexible element, of which in each case two first regions are connected to the mattress, while the second region, situated in-between, is free, which holding elements are fixed at the edge region of the top side and/or of the bottom side of the mattress at least over a portion of the periphery, and the respective spacing between two second regions is substantially constant, and the fixing means are installed on the edge region of the layer and are disposed such that they each come to lie substantially opposite a second region of the holding elements, and these fixing means are connectible to the corresponding second regions of the holding elements.
Achieved thereby is that the layer can be attached to the mattress in an optimal way, even when this layer has longitudinal changes on the surface owing to the adjustment possibility for head and foot portions.
Preferably, the respective mutual spacing of the fixing means corresponds to a whole number multiple of the spacing between two second regions of the holding elements. The fixing means can thus be provided where they are necessary, and are always installed in a suitable way in relation to the second regions of the holding elements.
Preferably, the long stretched-out element extends over at least a portion of the holding elements, a second free region alternately following a first region connected to the mattress. The attachment of the holding elements to the mattress can thereby be simplified.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the long stretched-out element is installed on a longitudinal edge region of a first strap, the other longitudinal edge region of which is connected, in particular sewn, to a covering with which the mattress is provided. The installation of the holding elements on the mattress is thereby simplified.
Preferably, the fixing means of the layer also comprise at least one further long stretched-out, substantially longitudinally stable, flexible element, which also has first regions, that are connected to the layer, and second, free regions, that are each situated between two first regions, and which second regions have a substantially constant spacing apart from one another, which spacing corresponds to the mutual spacing of the second regions of the holding elements. The fixing means of the layer and the holding elements of the mattress thus have the same basic element, simplifying manufacture and application.
In a preferred embodiment, the further long stretched-out element is likewise installed on a longitudinal edge region of a second strap, the other longitudinal edge region of which is connected, in particular sewn, to a covering with which the layer is provided. The attachment of the layer is also thereby simplified.
In a preferred embodiment, the fixing means further comprise connecting elements, which are held by their one end on the further long stretched-out element in each case in a second region, while the other end has the shape of a hook, which is hookable in the second region of the long stretched-out element of the holding elements. Thereby obtained in an advantageous way is a very simple and adaptable attachment possibility.
Preferably, at least the further long stretched-out element is provided as a cord with a predetermined thickness d. The one end portion of the connecting element, designed as further hook, whose end is provided with a protrusion with which the opening of the further hook is partially closed, can be clipped onto this cord. An unintentional unhooking of the connecting element is thereby prevented. However, the connecting elements can nevertheless be thereby removed in a simple way, both from the mattress and from the layer, e.g. for cleaning.
The connecting elements are preferably made of an elastic synthetic material, whereby an easy clipping on to the cord can be achieved, and a simple and cost effective manufacturing can be facilitated.
An embodiment of the invention will be explained more closely in the following, by way of example, with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 shows in a three-dimensional view the holding elements and the fixing means, which are each attached to a strap, and are connected to one another via connecting elements;
FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through a corner region of the mattress with placed-on layer and with the holding elements and the fixing means;
FIG. 3 shows a sectional view according to FIG. 2, in which a connecting element for connecting the holding elements to the fixing means is represented;
FIG. 4 shows in a three-dimensional view a mattress on which holding elements have been disposed;
FIG. 5 shows in an enlarged view a corner region of the mattress according to FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows in a three-dimensional view a layer on which the fixing means have been installed;
FIG. 7 shows in an enlarged view a corner region of the layer according to FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 shows in a three-dimensional view a mattress with layer, with adjustable head and foot portion.
Shown in FIG. 1 in a three-dimensional view are the holding elements 1 and the fixing means 2. The holding elements 1 are attached to a first strap 3, while the fixing means 2 are installed on a second strap 4. As will be shown later, the first strap 3 is connected to the mattress, while the second strap 4 is connected to a layer, as will also be shown later.
The holding elements 1 and the fixing means 2 comprise a long stretched-out, substantially longitudinally stable, flexible element 5 or respectively 6, each of which is formed, for example, by a cord with a predetermined thickness d (FIG. 2). Of course these long, stretched-out elements 5 or respectively 6 could also be of different design, for instance shaped as strips, ribbons, or bands. Each of these long, stretched-out elements 5 and 6 is connected in each case along first regions 7 or respectively 8 to the first strap 3 or respectively to the second strap 4, while there exist between these first regions 7 or respectively 8 second regions 9 or respectively 10 in which the long stretched-out element 5 or respectively 6 is free. The second regions 10 of the long stretched-out element 6 of the fixing means 2 come to lie in FIG. 1 on the lower side (not visible) of the second strap 4. The attachment of the long stretched-out element 5 to the first strap 3 and of the long stretched-out element 6 to the second strap 4 can take place by sewing on in the first regions 7 or respectively 8. If the first strap 3 and the second strap 4 are made of fabric, it is also conceivable for these long stretched-out elements 5 or respectively 6 to be each interwoven at a longitudinal edge area 11 of the first strap 3 or respectively of the second strap 4. The attachment of the long stretched-out elements 5 and 6 must be such that a longitudinal displacement is impossible.
The first regions 7 and the second regions 9 of the first strap 3 are disposed such that the respective spacing between two second regions is constant, and has a length a. The respective length of the first regions 7 and of the second regions 9 are of approximately equal size, and amount to about 1 to 2 cm in this embodiment example.
In a corresponding way, the further long stretched-out element 6 is disposed on the second strap 4 such that here, too, the second regions 10 have a constant spacing from one another, having a length b. The two spacings a and b are the same in this embodiment example; the first regions 8 and the second regions 10 of the fixing means 2 are likewise of about equal length. The length corresponds to the length of the first regions 7 and of the second regions 9 of the holding elements 1.
For connection to one another, the holding elements 1 and the fixing means 2 are aligned parallel to one another, as will be seen later, a first region 8 of the fixing means 2 being opposite a first region 7 of the holding elements 1 in each case, and consequently a second region 10 of the fixing means 2 being opposite a second region 9 of the holding element 1. Inserted in the further long stretched-out element 6 of the fixing means 2 is a connecting element 12, which will be described later, by the one end portion 13, while the other end portion 14 can be hung in the long stretched-out element 5 of the holding elements 1 in a second free region 9.
As follows from FIG. 1, the connecting elements 12 can thus be installed at any place on the further long, stretched-out element 6 in a free region 10 of the fixing means 2, and can be hung in the long stretched-out element 5 in the facing second region 9 of the holding element 1. As many connecting elements can be used as are necessary, and they can be used where necessary. The use of the connecting elements can thus be very flexibly designed.
Shown in FIG. 2 is a corner region of a mattress 15 and of a layer 16. The core material of the mattress 15 is provided with a covering 17 having a first part 18 which extends over the edge region of the mattress 15 and comprises in each case a further part 19, that covers the top side or respectively the bottom side of the mattress 15. Sewn in the connecting seam between first part 18 and further part 19 of the covering is the other longitudinal edge region 20 of the first strap 3. The long stretched-out element 5 thus lies free on the mattress 15, outside the covering 17.
The layer 16 is also provided with a covering 21, in the connecting seam of which the other longitudinal edge region 22 of the second strap 4 is sewn in a corresponding way as with the mattress 15. Here, too, the long, stretched-out element 6 lies free on the surface of the layer 16.
Seen in FIG. 3 is a connecting element 12, which serves to connect the long, stretched-out element 5 to the long, stretched-out element 6. This connecting element 12 has an end region 13 which is designed as a further hook 23. This hook 23 is provided at its end with a protrusion 24 with which the opening of the further hook 23 is partially closed. This further hook 23 is clipped over the long stretched-out element 6 of the fixing means 2 disposed on the layer 16; the connecting element is held on the long-stretched out element 6 by means of the protrusion 24.
The other end region 14 has the shape of a hook 25, which can be hung in a conventional way in the long stretched-out element 5 of the holding elements 1, which are fixed to the mattress. By means of this design of the connecting element, this element normally remains held on the fixing means 2 of the layer. To release the connection between mattress 15 and layer 16, the hook 25 is normally disengaged from the long stretched-out element 5. To clean the layer 16, the connecting element 12 can be removed from the fixing means 2, however. Since the connecting elements are made out of an elastic synthetic material, the hook 23 can be bent in order to be taken out of the long stretched-out element 6, so that the long stretched-out element 6 can slide through under the protrusion 24.
Of course the connecting element 12 can also be installed in reversed position, i.e. the further hook 23 is clipped on over the long stretched-out element 5 of the holding elements 1, while the hook 25 is hung on the long stretched-out element 6 of the fixing means 2.
Seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 is the mattress 15. In this embodiment, the holding element 1 is run over the entire periphery of the mattress 15. The bottom side of the mattress 15, which is not visible, can also be provided with holding elements 1 in a corresponding way. Of course it would be conceivable not to run the holding elements 1 over the entire periphery of the mattress 15, but instead these means could also be installed strip-wise at the corresponding place on the mattress.
The layer 16 is provided with fixing means 2 in a corresponding way, as can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7. Here, too, the fixing means 2 could be installed on the top side and on the bottom side of the layer 16; this is normally not necessary, however.
FIG. 8 shows a mattress 15 in which head portion and foot portion are raised. With the attachment system described in the foregoing, an optimal connection between the layer 16 and the mattress 15 can be maintained even in this kind of position of the mattress 15. On the one hand, through the design of the connecting elements, it is possible for a certain longitudinal displacement to take place of the holding elements with respect to the fixing means and thus of the layer 16 with respect to the mattress 15. On the other hand, in a configuration of this kind, the connecting elements can be inserted in the holding elements, or respectively fixing means, at the appropriate place in each case.
With this system, an intermediate layer can still be placed between layer and mattress, which intermediate layer can have particular features. In this way a mattress can be provided with layers in practically any desired fashion, which layers can have practically any desired features. By means of corresponding selection, the needs of a person lying on the mattress can be fulfilled in practically any way desired.
In particular, the holding elements on the mattress can also be used for other purposes. For instance, fitted sheets or mattress protection covers can be hung with hooks in these holding elements, these layers being held on the mattress in an optimal way. It is also possible, for example in the case of a double bed, to connect two mattresses to each other through the use of additional connecting elements which are provided with hooks at their ends. It is also conceivable for several layers to be put on a mattress and to be able to be fixed thereto; the layers could be connected to one another if the fixing means are provided in each case on the top and bottom side of these layers.

Claims

1. A mattress with layer for a piece of furniture on which to lie, in particular a bed frame with slatted base, which mattress is provided with holding elements, to which at least one layer, able to be put on the mattress and provided with fixing means, is removably attachable, wherein each holding element is made up of a long stretched-out, substantially longitudinally stable, flexible element, of which in each case two first regions are firmly connected to the mattress, while the second region, situated in-between, is free, which holding elements are fixed at the edge region of the top side and/or of the bottom side of the mattress at least over a portion of the periphery, and the respective spacing between two second regions is substantially constant, and wherein the fixing means are installed on the edge region of the layer and are disposed such that they each come to lie substantially opposite a second region of the holding element, and these fixing means are connectible to the corresponding second regions of the holding element.

2. The mattress with layer according to claim 1, wherein the respective mutual spacing of the fixing means corresponds to a whole number multiple of the spacing between two second regions of the holding elements.

3. The mattress with layer according to claim 1, wherein the long stretched-out element extends over at least a portion of the holding element, and a second free region alternately follows a first region connected to the mattress.

4. The mattress with layer according to claim 3, wherein the long stretched-out element is installed on a longitudinal edge region of a first strap, the other longitudinal edge region of which is connected, in particular sewn, to a covering with which the mattress is provided.

5. The mattress with layer according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means of the layer comprise at least one further long stretched-out, substantially longitudinally stable, flexible element, which has first regions, that are connected to the layer, and second, free regions, that are each situated between two first regions, and which second regions have a substantially constant spacing apart from one another, which spacing corresponds to the mutual spacing of the second regions of the holding elements.

6. The mattress with layer according to claim 5, wherein the further long stretched-out element is installed on a longitudinal edge region of a second strap, the other longitudinal edge region of which is connected, in particular sewn, to a covering with which the layer is provided.

7. The mattress with layer according to claim 5, wherein the fixing means further comprise connecting elements, which are held by their one end on the further long stretched-out element in each case in a second region, while the other end has the shape of a hook, which is hookable in the second region of the long stretched-out element of the holding elements.

8. The mattress with layer according to claim 5, wherein at least the further long stretched-out element is provided as a cord with a predetermined thickness.

9. The mattress with layer according to claim 8, wherein the one end region of the connecting element is designed as a further hook, the end of which is provided with a protrusion with which the opening of the further hook is partially closed.

10. The mattress with layer according to claim 7, wherein the connecting elements are made of an elastic synthetic material.