WO1994001022A1

WO1994001022A1 - Bed consisting of a base with lifting backrest, and suitable mattress

Info

Publication number: WO1994001022A1
Application number: PCT/FR1992/000662
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Renault
Original assignee: Creations Andre Renault
Priority date: 1991-01-11
Filing date: 1992-07-09
Publication date: 1994-01-20
Also published as: FR2671468A1; FR2671468B1

Abstract

A bed comprises an extendable mattress and a base incorporating a backrest portion (3) which can move about a hinge line (7). As the backrest pivots about this line (7), the latter moves vertically in such a way that the movement of the backrest corresponds to that of the back of the user lying on the mattress. This specific movement is achieved by means of links (8) and a scissor arrangement (11) connecting the backrest (3) to the frame (1). The links are moved by means of levers (21) mounted on driven arms (12) which serve to raise the backrest (3).

Description

"Bedding consisting of a box spring with lifting backrest and adapted mattress"

The present invention relates to bedding consisting of a mattress and a box spring comprising one or more liftable parts and in particular a liftable backrest; it also concerns the adapted mattress

5. to this box spring.

Most often, when a box spring has a lifting backrest, the latter is articulated on the bed frame around a transverse axis. _Q pivoting towards the top of the backrest about said hinge axis causes a lifting of the mattress and the back of the person is lying. In this movement, the user tends to move on the mattress and to be compressed with it; such displacement is also encountered during the reverse movement of lowering the backrest.

In addition, the mattress also moves on the box spring.

The purpose of the structure of the mattress with a liftable backrest described in the document CH-A-482 426 is to adapt the movement of the liftable backrest to eliminate the relative movement 0 of the mattress with respect to the backrest during pivoting. However, the movement and the components are not adapted to avoid the movement of the user on the mattress and this affects comfort when raising or lowering the backrest. 5 The bedding systems convertible into seats, described in documents US-A-4,183,109 and US-A-4,731,888, both include a liftable backrest and, in its extension, a fixed horizontal portion.

The horizontal portion and the backrest are provided with independent cushions, the juxtaposition of which forms a mattress. 0 Simultaneously with the lifting movement, these devices provide for an upward movement of the pivot axis. However, this movement is simply adapted to avoid crushing the cushions against each other 5 when the backrest is raised; it only serves to compensate for the lowering of the back cushion, inherent in the pivoting of the latter upwards and it in no way responds to a concern for comfort for a user wishing to change position. In fact, during movement, the contacts between the user's back and the back cushion move from the lying position to the sitting position and vice versa.

The present invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks by means of a suitable mattress and an original movement of the backrest which clearly improve comfort.

The bedding according to the invention comprises an extensible mattress and a box spring provided with means which, simultaneously with the pivoting of the backrest, move its pivot axis adapted to match the movement of said backrest with that of the back of the user lying on the mattress, during its change of position.

This bed base has a fixed part which adjoins the liftable backrest and which is arranged at the level of the user's lumbar region. In addition, it comprises, between the axis of articulation of the backrest and the frame of the bed base, a movable connection by rods, which extends under said backrest and it comprises means for operating said rods to move said axis of articulation. from the back up, as it is pivoted.

Still according to the invention, the bedding comprises a box spring whose backrest lifting device consists of a compass comprising at least one motorized arm, articulated on the chassis, and a branch connecting the end of said arm to the backrest, in the central part of the latter.

According to another arrangement of the invention, the means for operating the link rods in the backrest consist of an elbow lever interposed between the motorized arm and the corresponding link rod; the articulation of the lever on the arm is located opposite that of the branch, with respect to the axis of articulation of said arm on the chassis.

Still according to the invention, the links, arms and branches have very precise lengths and positions relative to the backrest and the frame of the bed base to achieve the desired movement.

According to another arrangement of the invention, the backrest also includes an articulated headrest which pivots at as the file is raised, by means of a finger operated by a connecting rod connected to the lifting branch of said file.

The invention also relates to the mattress suitable for this type of box spring, and in particular a mattress consisting of a block of polyether foam comprising, in the articulation zones, V-shaped grooves, transverse. This mattress also has channels that extend transversely in the block at the shoulder area to provide better comfort. The coverings of the foam block as well as the nozzles allow the movement of the bed base to be monitored without hindrance.

The invention will be further illustrated with the aid of the following description of an embodiment, and of the appended drawings, given by way of indication and in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates, seen from the side, schematically, a bed base according to the invention proposing different positions of use;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the back of the box spring and in particular of its mechanism according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a side view of the backrest lifting mechanism;

- Figure 4 illustrates different stages of raising the backrest and the headrest, showing the movements of the mechanism;

- Figure 5 shows, partially, the mattress suitable for the bed base according to the invention; - Figures 6_a to 6_c show, schematically, three possible positions of a user on the bedding and the absence of relative movement between the bed base, the mattress and the user, regardless of the position taken.

Figure 1 shows a box spring made up of several articulated parts, on which rests a mattress shown in thin dashed lines. This box spring is disposed on a frame 1. It comprises a fixed part 2 disposed at the level of the lumbar region of the user. Departure and on the other side of this fixed area, there is the backrest 3 on which the user's back and head rest and, opposite this backrest, two parts 4 and 5 which correspond to the legs of the user. Note that the backrest 3 also includes a headrest 6 which allows the user's head to be properly supported and positioned.

The bed base may include flexible slats mounted on suitable ball joints, not shown.

The movement of the moving parts 3, 4, 5 and 6 is obtained manually or automatically thanks to an appropriate motorization. Generally, the record

3 is controlled independently of the movement of the parts

4 and 5 which perform the positioning of the legs. ' This motorization can be remotely controlled by the user by means of an appropriate housing.

We note, in this figure 1, that the backrest 3 has a pivoting movement and, in addition to this pivoting, a general upward movement adapted to follow the movement of the person's body which is lying on the associated mattress. FIG. 2 shows the mechanism for operating the backrest 3 and the headrest 6.

The backrest 3 consists of a rigid frame comprising longitudinal members 31 and crosspieces 32. This backrest 3 pivots about a transverse axis 7 located at the lower part of the backrest, that is to say in the lumbar region. This articulation axis 7 is movable relative to the frame 1 of the bed base. The backrest 3 is in fact connected to the chassis 1 by means of a movable link consisting of two links 8 arranged on each side of the backrest and interposed between the lumbar articulation axis 7 and an axis 9 located on the chassis 1, under the folder. Note, Figure 2, that the two side links 8 are interconnected by a stiffening crossbar 10 and that they are slightly inclined relative to the horizontal. The backrest lifting movement 3 is obtained by means of a system of the compass type 11 disposed laterally; each compass 11 comprises a motorized arm 12 and a branch 13 interposed between this arm and an axis hinge 14 arranged on the side members of said backrest.

The arms 12 are integral with a shaft 15 articulated around an axis 16 on the chassis 1. This shaft 15 comprises a yoke 17 which receives the end of the rod 18 of a jack

~ Control 19. This cylinder can be of the electric cylinder type. It performs the operation of the arms 12 and in particular their pivoting about the axis 16. The jack

19 is integral with the chassis 1.

There is also noted, between the two arms 12, a transverse rod 0 serving to reinforce and maintain the spacing between the arms 12.

When the arms 12 come into action to raise the backrest 3, the latter pivots about its articulation axis 7, at the end of the links 8. 5 Simultaneously with this pivoting, a movement of the links 8 takes place around their axis articulation 9 which is integral with the chassis 1. This combined movement is obtained by means of the levers 21 interposed between the arms 12 and the links 8. These levers 21 are bent and 0 they are articulated on the one hand, on the arm 12 opposite the articulation of the branches 13 relative to the shaft 15, and, on the other hand, on the link 8, near the axis 9.

Note also, in Figure 2, the headrest 6 forming 5 a frame articulated around an axis 22 on the backrest 3. The movement of this headrest is obtained by means of levers 23 bent and articulated around an axis 24 on a plate 25 reported under the backrest 3. These levers 23 are movable under the effect of connecting rods 26 connected to each branch 0, near their axis of articulation 14.

There is shown, Figure 3, the entire mechanism ensuring the movement of the backrest 3 and the headrest 6. We first notice the hinge axis 7 of the backrest 3. The backrest 3 pivots around this axis 7 by means of the compass 11 consisting of the driving arm 12 and of the branch 13. The driving arm 12 is articulated around the axis 16 which is fixed relative to the chassis 1. The arm 12 is driven by means of the yoke 17 which receives the end of the rod 18 of the jack 19. The branch 13 interposed between the axis 27 located at the end of the arm 12 and the axis 14 of the backrest 3 has a length substantially equal to that of the arm 12. It is noted that the axis 16 is positioned at about 1/3 of the length of the backrest 3 with respect to the articulation axis 7 of this backrest 3. The arm 12 and the branch 13 have a length which corresponds substantially to half the length of the backrest 3.

The file 3 is connected to the chassis 1 by means of the link 8 interposed between the articulation axis 7 and an axis 9 secured to the chassis 1, located under said file 3. This link 8 has a length which corresponds substantially to 2 / 3 of the length of the backrest 3. It is noted that the axis 14 of the branch 13, disposed on the backrest 3, is situated slightly above the level of the hinge pin 7 of said backrest 3.

The movement of the arm 12 causes movement of the link 8 thanks to a bent lever 21 interposed between the two. This lever is bent to pass under the shaft 15 centered on the axis 16. This lever is articulated on the extension 12 ′ of the arm 12, around an axis of articulation 28 and around an axis of articulation 29 located on the link 8 near its fixed axis 9. Thus, when the arm 12 pivots around the axis 16, at first, the link 8 remains practically stationary given the small variation in distance between the axes 28 and 29 then, as the backrest 3 is raised, the link 8 pivots about the axis 9, pushed by the lever 21 and thus raises the articulation axis 7 of the backrest 3.

The headrest 6 is articulated around an axis 22 on the backrest 3. This headrest is movable under the effect of a bent lever 23 which has a finger 30 at its end, under said headrest 6, to pivot this last around its articulation axis 22. The bent lever 23 is articulated around an axis 24 located under the backrest 3, at the end of a plate 25 secured to said backrest. A connecting rod 26 is interposed between the bent lever 23 and the branch 13 for maneuvering the backrest, articulated around an axis 33 arranged near the axis

14 of said branch 13. The connecting rod 26 is articulated about an axis 34 located in the bend of the lever 23. When the branch 13 pivots around the axis 14 of the backrest 3, the connecting rod 26 exerts traction on the bent lever 23 and, by its finger 30, the latter pivots the headrest 6 around its axis 22.

FIG. 4 shows a series of positions taken by the backrest and the headrest as the arm 12 pivots about its hinge pin 16 located on the chassis 1. This illustration is essentially theoretical. In reality, we note that the hinge axis 7 of the backrest 3 remains fixed at the start of the pivoting movement.

Similarly, the headrest 6 has a movement which is only noticeable from the position at around 45 ° to the backrest 3. It can be seen in this FIG. 4 that the compass 11 develops around 90 °; in its starting position, the angle a _^ formed by the arm 12 and the branch 13 is of the order of 30 °; in the maximum position of the backrest 3, this angle _a is of the order of 120 °.

Note, still in FIG. 4, that the articulation axis 7 of the backrest 3 moves over a portion of an arc of a circle, the center of which corresponds to the axis 9 located at the end of the rod 8, this axis 9 being integral with the chassis 1.

The headrest 6 is raised by the bent lever 23 which is pulled by the connecting rod 26 as the movement of the branch 13. There is shown, Figure 5, partially, the mattress adapted to the box spring according to the invention. This mattress mainly consists of a block of foam 40. This block of foam comprises, on each face, so as to be reversible, transverse grooves 41 with V-shaped cross section and the depth of which corresponds substantially to a quarter of the thickness of the block 40. These transverse grooves 41 are arranged in groups of two, for example at the level of the folding zones of the mattress, that is to say at the level of the articulation zones of the bed base. Both sides of block 40 have a coating

42 suitable that is to say a coating which has the distinction of being able to lie down to follow the movements of the bed base and avoid compression of the mattress and in particular compression of the face on which the user rests. The coating used on the surface is for example a stretch, that is to say a fabric or knitted fabric which allows a certain extension. Seams and stitching

43 are made transversely on the covering 42 to allow the lengthwise extension of this covering.

We also note, in the foam block 40, at the shoulder area of the mattress, orifices 44 which provide better comfort for the user. These cutouts have a section whose dimension corresponds substantially to one third of the thickness of the block and they are spaced by a distance which corresponds substantially to half the thickness of the block. Three orifices 44 have been shown which extend transversely and which are arranged substantially in the center of the area of the mattress which is placed on the backrest 3.

This mattress is particularly suitable for use in combination with all types of articulated bed base and in particular with the bed base described above, but it is obvious that its applications are not limited to this type of bed base.

The particular structure of this new bedding practically avoids the relative movements of the mattress on the box spring. In addition, as shown in Figures 6a_ to 6_ç, the backrest-mattress assembly is adapted to faithfully reproduce the movement of the user's torso, thus maintaining permanent contacts from the lying position to the position seated and vice versa. It is indeed noted that the points A, B and C of contact between the user and the back part of the mattress do not change, whatever the position of the bedding.

The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims have the sole purpose of facilitating the understanding of the latter and in no way limit their scope.

Claims

- CLAIMS -

1.- Bedding consisting of a mattress and a box spring disposed on a frame (1), of the type provided with at least a portion which can be lifted relative to said frame and in particular a movable backrest (3) by pivoting around an axis (7) located in the lumbar area of the user, so as to allow a modification of its position, characterized in that it comprises an extensible mattress _n and a box spring provided with means which realize, simultaneously with the pivoting of the backrest (3), a displacement of its axis

(7) pivoting, adapted to match the movement of said backrest to the movement of the back of the user lying on the mattress, during his position modification.

2.- Bedding according to claim 1, characterized in that the bed base has a fixed part (2) adjoining the backrest (3), disposed at the lumbar region of one user.

„„ 3.- Bedding according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the bed base comprises, between the articulation axis (7) of the backrest (3) and the frame (1), a movable connection by links (8), which extends under said backrest, and in that it comprises means

„, For operating said rods (8) to move said articulation axis (7) upwards as the backrest pivots.

4. Bedding according to claim 3, characterized in that the bed base comprises a device for lifting the backrest (3) which pivots the latter.

30 around the articulation axis (7) and which consists of a compass system (11) comprising at least one motorized arm (12) articulated around an axis (16) on the chassis (1) , and a branch (13) connecting the end of said arm (12) to the backrest (3), in its central part.

35

5. Bedding according to claim 4, characterized in that the bed base comprises means for operating the links (8) consisting of at least one lever (21) interposed between the arm (13) and the corresponding link (8), the articulation of said lever on said arm (13) being located opposite that of the branch

(13) relative to the articulation axis (16) of the arm on the chassis (1).

6.- Bedding according to any one of claims - ¹ 3 to 5, characterized in that the box spring comprises links (8) whose length corresponds substantially to 2/3 of the length of the backrest (3), and which are slightly inclined, with respect to the horizontal.

7.- Bedding according to claim 4, characterized 0 in that the length of the arm (12) and of the branch (13) correspond substantially to half the length of the backrest (3).

8.- Bedding according to claim 7, characterized in that the axis (16) of articulation of the arm (12) is located substantially one third of the length of the backrest (3) from its axis of articulation ( 7) below the level of the axis (9) of the rods (8) and in that the articulation

(14) of the branch (13) on the backrest (3) is located above the articulation axis (7) of the connecting rod 0 (8) on said backrest (3).

9.- Bedding according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the bed base includes a headrest (6) articulated on the backrest (3) around an axis (22), and movable under the effect of 'A lever (23) actuated 5 by a connecting rod (26) connected to the arms (13) of the compass (11).

10.- Mattress for bedding provided with a box spring disposed on a frame, of the type comprising at least a portion which can be raised relative to said frame and in particular a movable backrest by pivoting about an axis located in the lumbar region of the user so as to allow a modification of his position, characterized in that it consists of a block of foam (40), which comprises a covering (42) consisting of an elastic fabric provided with seams or stitches (43 ) arranged in the transverse direction to allow an extension of said covering, accompanying the movement of the bed base.