WO2012125042A1

WO2012125042A1 - Inclination device for furniture

Info

Publication number: WO2012125042A1
Application number: PCT/NO2012/050039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jon Olav Prösch
Original assignee: Proesch Jon Olav
Priority date: 2011-03-14
Filing date: 2012-03-14
Publication date: 2012-09-20
Also published as: EP2685870A1; NO334939B1; NO20110387A1; EP2685870A4

Abstract

Inclination device for furniture including a bottom part (2) and an upper part (1) connected through inclination means (3,4; 15) provided to incline the upper part in relation to the bottom part. The bottom part (2) includes two elongated base portions (7) at a distance from each other. The base portions are either freestanding, connected to each other with a bar, or connected to each other with a bar, or several bars, at a distance from the ground level when the upper part is inclined. The inclination means (3,4; 15) is adapted to lift a first side of the upper part and to move the opposite side in a horizontal direction towards the first side.

Description

Inclination device for furniture

The invention is related to a device for a furniture, more specific to a tilting/lifting mechanism according to patent claim 1, wherein a part of the device may be tilted, preferably to improve the access to the floor area beneath.

Background

Furniture, especially beds, box mattress, continental beds and the like, have so short legs that the distance from the underside of the furniture to the floor makes it physically exerting for a cleaner to clean by washing, mopping or vacuuming. While cleaning, the cleaner must stand bent or bend down on his/her knees to clean under the furniture. Traditional beds are mainly stationary, occupy large space and are without possibilities for moving, unless the iegs are provided with wheels. Even though the bed is provided with wheels, the interior design of a room does often not allow a bed to be moved, and especially not a double-bed.

Known solutions of beds with tiltable functions are especially hospital beds, where bedridden persons often get problems with the circulation system in some parts of the body where the weight presses against the bed bottom or against support arranged on the bed bottom, e.g. a mattress. This is particularly problematic for unconscious patients, patients who are in a coma or physically disabled persons, etc., and it often results in discomfort and bedsores. To prevent such problems, bedfast patients can be turned regularly, e.g. every hour such that the patient lies in different positions and avoids thus pressure from contact with the bed bottom. Such solutions are often motorized and more complicated than necessary to meet the object of the present invention. Norwegian patent 308768 and German patent DE 4039907 are examples of such beds. There are also known solutions wherein the bed has an upper part and a lower part, wherein the lower part is designed for storage. The upper part in these embodiments, are pivotally connected to the lower part, and the lower part is designed as a frame having four sidewa!ls supporting each other. Beds having these kinds of solutions will not ease the cleaning under or around the bed. US patent 5,020,173 and EP 1374741 show examples of such beds having storage under.

iP 10113255, US 3,745597 and MO 20084203 describe a bed wherein the upper part may be tilted in such a way that at the least parts of the floor may be cleaned. However, the upper part will upon tilting create an overhanging part and bump into the wall/furniture or others being close to the wail. Object

The main object of the invention is to provide a device for a furniture, preferably a bed, solving the problem of providing access to the floor area under the furniture in such a way that cleaning may be performed in an ergonomically way, without moving the furniture. Another object is to provide a device giving a convenient tilting to be used for different furniture, especially beds but also sofas, chairs/seats and tables/benches designed for private and public use, and in vehicles and vessels. Further, there is an object that the device should be designed in such a way that an overhang on the opposite side of the side being lifted during tilting is avoided. Yet another object is that the device should not require changes reducing the use of the furniture, and further the device should not be visible upon normal use of the furniture. Finally there is an object that it should be possible to install the device on existing furniture, preferably in that the device is integrated in a chassis replacing traditional or wheeled legs, mattress supports or base.

The invention

The object is fulfilled with a device according to the characterizing part of patent claim 1. Further features are stated in the independent claims.

The invention comprises a device for furniture having an upper part and a lower part being connected to each other with suitable means. These means are designed in such a way that the upper part may be tilted in relation to the lower part, and further in such a way that when one side of the upper part is lifted, the opposite side is moved horizontally. The opposite side may also be moved both horizontally and vertically, preferably in a combined movement. The movement is reflected by the construction of the means. The upper part and the lower part are preferably designed in such a way that the upper part are above all parts of the lower part independently of whether the upper part is tilted in relation to the lower part.

The lower part of the device is substantially different from correspondingly known solutions, and comprises two bases in distance from each other, where the bases preferably are long and free standing. In an alternative embodiment are the bases stiffened with one or more cross bars connected to both bases, and wherein the part of the cross bars being arranged between the bases, are underneath the upper part. In cases comprising one cross bar, this may rest upon the floor, but in embodiments comprising several cross bars, they should be designed in such a way that they do not rest upon the floor once the upper part is tilted.

In most embodiments the distance between the bases is adjusted corresponding to the upper part, in such a way that the bases are arranged at opposite ends of the upper part, and the bases are designed in such a way that their length is adjusted corresponding to the end whereby it is arranged. By "opposite ends or sides of the upper part" it is herein meant that the bases are either arranged ciose to both short ends or dose to both long ends of the upper part. The bases may be similar or different, as the design and size depends on the design of the whole furniture. In a preferred embodiment the bases are elongated and connected in parallel to the upper part by the means for tilting. In order to improve the access to the floor underneath the upper part, the bases may be provided with vertical legs in each end.

When the furniture is in the lowered position, the upper part is on top of the lower part, and the lower part must thus be performed to support the upper part. This may be performed in several ways, for instance by providing the upper and lower part with opposite contact members, or by designing the bases in such a way that at the least a part of each base is substantially horizontal and thus that the upper part may be supported by this horizontal part.

The upper part of the device comprises a supporting area, which supports the utility part of the furniture, such as a mattress. The upper part further comprises fastening devices for the means for tilting, and in a preferred embodiment, the upper part also comprises fastening devices for the utility part of the furniture. The supporting area of the upper part may be arranged on a frame, possibly with several cross bars and/or longitudinal elements or the similar, to support the furniture. In a preferred embodiment the upper part of the device comprises a supporting frame, possibly with stabilizing or stiffening elements to achieve extra support and torsion rigidity. A supporting frame comprises preferably at the least two longitudinal and two crossing frame elements, as the frame has a shape and size being convenient to the furniture to be placed on top. To offer extra support to the furniture, the upper part may also be designed as a solid plate, possibly is a solid plate placed on a frame. For some furniture, being solid and having high torsion rigidity, such as certain types of frame beds or box mattresses, a part of the furniture may completely or partly constitute the supporting upper part, as the means for tilting are fastened directly to the furniture in a suitable manner. A box mattress or similar furniture may also be placed on top of a frame or plate of the upper part of the device.

The bases of the lower part shall be in a distance from each other, both because it shall be access to the floor area underneath when the upper part is tilted, but also because the furniture should be stable. The bases should preferably be free-standing, but the lower part may also comprise one or more stabilizing stiffening elements between the bases, such as a bar, as mentioned above. In embodiments where the lower part comprises a cross bar, this may bear against the floor in parts or the whole of its extent. It is an advantage that such a cross bar is arranged close to the ends of the bases on the side being opposite to the side being tilted upwards, as such a placement of the cross bar not will limit the access to the floor. A cross bar may also be arranged above the floor, and for instance a part of the upper part may be designed corresponding to the cross bar in such a way that the cross bar supports the upper part when the device is lowered. In an alternative embodiment the cross bar is designed in such a way that it does not bear against the floor when the upper part is tilted in relation to the lower part. This may be achieved in many ways, for instance may such a bar be connected to both to the upper and lower part, in such a way that it is moved vertically when the upper part is tilted, and thus the area underneath the upper part is made available. In embodiments wherein such a cross bar is connected to both the upper and lower part, the cross bar may also contribute to the tilting.

The means for tilting are connected to the upper and lower part, and thus the bases must be designed to provide convenient fastening to the means. In an alternative embodiment the upper part of the bases, facing the upper part, is designed in such a way that the means for tilting may be inserted into them, preferably in that this part of the bases are provided with an aperture which may comprise the means when the furniture is not tilted, and that the means are fastened in the aperture. The means for tilting may also be fastened to the side of the bases, preferably to the inside in such a way that the means stay under the furniture, and are thus not visible to the surroundings. Means for tilting, and the fastening of these may be performed in many ways which will be obvious to a person skilled of the art.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for tilting comprise at the least one strut on each side, as the strut is pivotally connected to both the upper and lower part. The strut is preferably not connected to the centre of the bases, but closer to one side, and similar on both bases. Upon activation the user shall lift the opposite side, and once the side is lifted upwards the side close to the means will be pulled horizontally towards the side being lifted, or being both lifted and pulled towards the side. This depends on the design of the means and how they are connected to the lower and upper part.

In a more preferred embodiment, the means for tilting comprise two struts, preferably of different length, at each side of the lower part, i.e. two struts being connected to each base. These struts are preferably connected to the same half of the lower part and to the same half of the upper part, and in such a distance from each other that when the opposite side is tilted, the side where the struts are connected will be moved both horizontally and vertically and be pulled in over the bases.

In alternative embodiments the means for tilting may also comprise one or more actuators, preferably piston devices instead of, or in addition to, struts. In a preferred embodiment the means comprise an actuator in addition to the struts mentioned above, in such a way that the initiation of the tilting movement is not too hard. This actuator preferably comprises a piston device, more preferred a gas spring or mechanical spring device for instance of the type

"Mechanical Spring strut". An actuator may also comprise other mechanic or automatic sources, such as electrical engines or other suitable elements for transmission of power, and power influence on the upper part. The actuators may be connected to both the upper and lower part, and they may also be arranged in such a way that they influence the movement of the struts, they may for instance be arranged horizontaliy in the bases between the struts or the similar.

The means for tilting are designed and connected to the upper and lower side in such a way that the side being opposite to the side being lifted is moved horizontally and possibly vertically, in cases where the side should only move horizontally, the means may also comprise a sliding fastening element between the upper and lower part, on the side opposite the side being tilted. Such a sliding fastening element may also be a rotation hinge and the upper part will be pivoted at the same time as the side edge is pulled horizontally over the bases, when the opposite side of the upper part is tilted upwards. In this way it is avoided that the upper part is colliding with the wall or adjacent furniture. The outer part of the side being lifted, may in this context, be pulled inwards compared to when the upper part is in a horizontal position, which is an advantage as it offers better access to the floor under the device.

A sliding fastening element with rotation may for instance comprise a traditional hinge being arranged on a carriage running along a track fastened to the bases. An example of such a sliding fastening element without rotation is a linear guiding.

A device according to the present invention may also be supplied with a locking mechanism, in such a way that undesired tilting does not occur, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism is a part of the sliding fastening element with rotation. The locking may however, be performed in many ways which will be obvious to a person skilled of the art, and does not constitute any separate part of the invention.

Examples

The invention will in the following be described with reference to a device for furniture, as the device comprises a lower part and an upper part, wherein the upper part and the lower part are connected to each other by means in such a way that the upper part may be tilted in relation to the lower part. Different embodiments of the devices are shown in the enclosed Figures, where Figure 1 shows a device with a bed, seen from the side, where the upper part is tilted in relation to the lower part,

Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1, in perspective from above,

Figure 3 shows the device of Figures 1 and 2, without the bed,

Figure 4 shows another embodiment having different means for performing the tilting,

Figure 5 shows another embodiment having different means for performing the tilting, and Figure 8 shows an alternative lower part, shown without upper part and without means for tilting. The same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numbers in the Figures.

Figures 1 and 2 show a device according to the invention, seen from the side and perspective above, respectively, as the device comprises an upper part 1 and a lower part 2 being connected to each other by means for tilting. The upper part 1 comprises in the shown embodiment a supporting frame 5, supporting a box mattress 6. The lower part 2 of the shown embodiment comprises two free standing, parallel bases 7, having vertical legs 8 at each end. The bases are placed close to opposite ends of the upper part, in the shown embodiment at each short end, but in an alternative embodiment they may be placed at the long ends. The supporting frame 5 of the upper part preferably has elements 9 being arranged directly above the bases in the lower part, and running in the same direction as these. The means for tilting are pivotally connected to the elements 9 and the bases 7, and the upper part 1 is tilted in relation to the lower part 2, by lifting one of the long sides.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and 2 the means for tilting comprise two struts shown as lifting arms 3, and an actuator, shown as a gas spring 4, on each side, as the means are connected to the bases in the part being farthest from the long side being lifted upwards during tilting. The means are connected similar to each base, and is designed and fastened in such a way that upon a lift the side wherefrom the lift is initiated will be lifted mainly vertically, while the opposite side is moved simultaneously horizontally and vertically. The vertical movement will be substantially larger at the side being lifted. With this lifting and sliding movement of the upper part 1, an overhang is prevented, which would be the result if the point of rotation between the upper and lower part was immovable.

The dimension and shape of the struts, and the type of actuators and connection to for instance the upper 1 and lower part 2, may vary. This will influence both the angel between the upper part 1 and the horizontal plane when lifted, and the force necessary to start the movement. The struts or arms may for instance be straight or curved, and/or they can have different length. There are many types of actuators which may be mounted in different angles to the upper and lower part. The actuators may also be mounted in such a way that they influence the struts and thus the movement, for instance inside the bases or between the struts. Figure 1 and 2 represent thus just one of many possible alternatives, which will be obvious to a person skilled of the art.

In a specially preferred embodiment of the upper part, the corners of the frame 5 are provided with supporting elements 10 constituting contact points between the upper part and

corresponding elements (not shown) in the lower part when the bed is not tilted. These supporting elements 10 should stabilize the upper part 1 towards the lower part 2 when the device is lowered into horizontal position, and the weight of the upper part 1 will bear against the supporting elements.

In the shown embodiment of Figure 2, the bases are provided with a longitudinal aperture 11 on the upper side. The means for tilting are designed and connected to the device in such a way that when lowering the upper part 1, the means 3, 4 will be lowered into the aperture 11, until the upper part 1 is plane and the supporting elements 10 are bearing against the elements in the bases 7. In order to avoid undesired tilting/tipping of the bed, if it is exposed to heavy load on one side, it is an advantage that the means for tilting are released by a release mechanism, and further that the length of the device corresponds to the length of the adjacent part of the furniture. In Figure 3 the device is shown without mattress, and the frame 5 can be seen clearly. In the preferred embodiment the frame 5 comprises four frame-elements, wherein two and two are parallel in such a way that a right-angled rectangular is made. A frame in the upper part 1 is preferred and will among other things, provide a device having higher torsion rigidity. The means 3, 4 for tilting are fastened directly to the frame.

When furniture or a mattress 6 should be placed on the device, there might be cases where the frame must comprise a plate or the similar to support the whole furniture. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the frame is provided with four supporting/fastening elements 12, one in each corner, which provides fastening or support for such a plate or which the furniture/ mattress to be placed onto the device may be directly fastened to.

Figure 4 shows a device having alternative means for performing the tilting. The device corresponds with the device shown in Figure 1, as an upper part 1 having a supporting frame 5 is tiltably connected to a lower part 2, and wherein the lower part comprises two parallel, free standing bases 7. The bases 7 are performed with a longitudinal aperture 11, and the means for tilting are fastened in the aperture 11. The upper part shown in Figure 4 comprises a number of cross elements 13 being connected to the supporting frame 5 and constitutes a supporting area where furniture of arbitrary shape and size may be placed. The frame is reinforced with a longitudinal element 14 to further support the cross elements 13 and the furniture resting thereon, and to strengthen/stiffening the device.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the means for tilting comprise two actuators 15 shown as gas springs, being pivotally connected to both the elements 9 of the supporting frame 5, and to the bases 7. The means for tilting further comprise sliding fastening means with rotation in each corner, in such a way that the upper part may be pivoted in a point at the same time as that point is moved horizontally in relation to the lower part 2. The sliding fastening element with rotation comprises in the shown embodiment, a carriage 16 sliding along a track 17 in each base 7, as the carriage is pivotally connected to the upper part. This may however, be solved in many ways which will be obvious to a person skilled of the art. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, both sides of the upper part may be tilted, and thus the device is provided with sliding fastening elements in each corner. In this embodiment the sliding fastening element 12 will hold the same functions as achieved with the supporting elements 10 shown in Figures 1-3.

When one side of the upper part of the device shown in Figure 4 is tilted, the opposite side will be moved horizontally along the tracks 17 in the bases 7. Thus it is avoided that the upper part is colliding adjacent wall or furniture. The horizontal movement may be achieved by different actuators/ push assemblies in the bases, for instance gas springs, mechanical compression springs, or the similar which pushes or pulls with a strength which preferably follows the linear movement of the carriage 16. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the carriage 16 will be pulled along the track 17 by the gas springs 15 which tilts the upper part. The gas springs 15 are, in the shown embodiment, fastened centred on the upper- and lower part, in distance from each other at the lower part, and closer together or in one common point to the upper part. When one side of the device is lifted, this fastening of the gas springs will give a horizontal movement of the carriage 16, which thereby slides along the track 17 and ensures that the upper part is pulled horizontally over the bases.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the lower part comprises a cross bar 18 between the bases 7, to further stiffen the device. The upper part may be tilted from both sides, and the cross bar 18 is thus shown centred on the lower part. The cross bar 18 is raised from the floor and designed corresponding to the element 14 in the upper part, in such a way that the cross bar 18 encloses the element 14 when the upper part is lowered and bears against the lower part.

In a preferred embodiment, the device is performed with a locking system in such a way that it may be tiled from only one side at the time. The device may also be performed in such a way that tilting may be performed from one side only. This may be solved in many ways which will be obvious to a person skilled of the art.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a device shown in Figures 1- 4, as an upper part 1 is tiltably connected to a lower part 2, and the lower part comprises two parallel bases 7.

However, in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the bases 7 are parts of gables or sidewalls, and the upper part will not be above the whole lower part, as the bed cheek will rise above on the sides of the upper part. The upper part is connected to the bases by two actuators 15 on each side, for instance gas springs, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 4. in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the upper part slides along one side, horizontally along a guiding unit 19, when the tilting of the upper part is initiated from the opposite side. The guiding unit 19 may for instance comprise a sliding track/linear guidance, and a side of the upper part may be connected to the track at the same way as described for Figure 4. in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the lower part further comprises a cross bar 20, protruding between the bases 7. The cross bar 20 is underneath the upper part, and connected to this in such a way that the bar is moved vertically when the upper part is tilted, in the shown embodiment this is performed in that both ends of the cross bar 20 is connected to an inter- mediate piece 23, as one end of each intermediate piece is pivotally connected to the adjacent base 7, and the opposite end is slidingly connected to the upper part. The sliding connection between the intermediate piece 23 and the upper part may for instance comprise a sliding track arranged at a suitable place on the upper part. In an alternative, not shown embodiment, the intermediate pieces of the cross bar are pivotally connected to suitable places both at the upper part and to the base, as the intermediate pieces are telescopic, and arranged in such a way that tilting of the upper part and lifting of the cross bar may be performed. In such a case the intermediate pieces may be performed as actuators, and contribute to the tilting of the upper part.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a lower part 2 of a device according to the invention. The lower part comprises two parallel bases 7 with legs 8, as the bases 7 have longitudinal apertures 11 on the upper side, as shown in Figures 1-4. The bases are stiffened from each other with a cross bar 21, and by two further stabilizing diagonal bars 22. in this embodiment the cross bar 21 is arranged by the end of the bases 7, for instance opposite the side where the tilting is initiated, and further they are raised from the floor. Such a placing will be especially favourable when cleaning, as most of the floor underneath the furniture will be unlimited by the bar, and further raised from the floor in such a way that it is possible to clean underneath.

Modifications

The tilting of the device may be regulated with locking mechanism, which may be performed in many ways. Such mechanisms may also be arranged on any suitable place in order to lock the upper part to the lower part.

Since design of furniture varies a lot, the different elements of the device according to the invention will vary correspondingly. The bases may, for instance, be adjusted to furniture having gables, as shown in Figure 5. With such a device, the upper part may be tilted independently of the gable(s). In a corresponding way, cheeks on any furniture for sitting, such as chairs/benches and sofas may be connected to the lower part, and constitute arm rest(s) and/or back on the furniture. The upper part, which in this case will represent the seat of the furniture, can be tilted independent of the armrests and/or back, in order to achieve better availability to the floor underneath the furniture, or with the purpose to change the angle of the seat and possibly height. The device according to the present invention may be adjusted to be used for tables/work tops and benches. Such a regulating mechanism will for instance be desirable when the table surface should be adjusted to the operator at that table, In this relation, simple devices for locking the table surface/the upper part at a desired angle and height should be mounted. Such a tilting mechanism may in certain cases also be desirable and preferred when considering the objects placed on the table surface.

Supporting legs/elements may also be arranged under the device at suitable places, when necessary, in order to release the pressure if the upper part is exposed to great weight. These elements should, however, be designed in such a way that they are raised when the upper part is tilted, so that the floor underneath is unlimited,

Tilting and locking mechanism according to the invention may be modified to be used both at mounted and free standing furniture, including devices being mounted to the floor, wall and/or ceiling.

Claims

1. Device for furniture comprising a iower part (2) and an upper part (1) connected to each other by means (3,4; 15) arranged to tilt the upper part in relation to the Iower part, as the means (3,4; 15) are designed in such a way that one side of the upper part is lifted and the opposite side is moved horizontally towards the side being lifted, and wherein the upper part comprises a supporting area to support a furniture, characterized in that the Iower part (2) comprises two longitudinal bases (7) in distance from each other, as the bases are

i) free standing,

ii) stiffened with one cross bar (18; 20; 21) or

iii) stiffened with one or more crossbars (18; 20; 21) which is (are) in a distance from the floor once the upper part is tilted,

and in that the means (3, 4; 15) for tilting are connected to the bases (7) and to the upper part (1).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (3, 4) are designed in such a way that the side, being opposite to the side being lifted during tilting, is moved both horizontally and vertically during tilting.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bases (7) are arranged at opposite sides of the upper part,

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterlied in that each of the bases (7) is performed with a longitudinal aperture (11) enclosing the means (3,4; 15; 15, 16, 17) for tilting.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the means for tilting comprise struts (3), preferably two struts on each base.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means comprise one or more actuators (4; 15).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means comprise a sliding fastening device (16, 17) with a rotating hinge, as the fastening device is arranged between adjacent sides of the upper part and Iower part, in such a way that the fastening device is moved horizontally when the upper part is tilted.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening device with rotating hinge comprises a carriage (16) sliding along a track (17), as the track (17) preferably is located by a base (7)· 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part comprises a supporting frame (5), which preferably comprises at the least two longitudinal frame elements and at the least two crossing frame elements.

10, Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross bar (20) is connected to the upper part, in such a way that the cross bar is moved vertically when the upper part is tilted.