WO2015071825A1

WO2015071825A1 - Sunbathing bed

Info

Publication number: WO2015071825A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/065953
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ennio ESPOSITO
Original assignee: Aurora Management Services Di Ennio Esposito
Priority date: 2013-11-12
Filing date: 2014-11-11
Publication date: 2015-05-21
Also published as: ITMI20131878A1

Abstract

The present invention describes a sunbathing bed (10) of the type comprising a bearing structure (12) which sustains a support plane (14), which is configured for supporting at least the waist and the lower limbs of a user, a backrest (16) which is foldable with respect to the bearing structure (12), configured to support at least the head and the chest of the user, and a sunshade roof (18), configured to provide a surface for protection against the ultraviolet rays for at least the face of the user. The sunshade roof (18) is operatively connected to the backrest (16) through one or more articulated arms (20), so as to be able to perform a rototranslation motion with respect to such a backrest (16).

Description

SUNBATHING BED

The present invention refers to a so-called sunbathing bed, which can typically be used at beach resorts but also in gardens, at pool sides and on ship decks .

One very widespread model of sunbathing bed normally consists of a bearing structure or frame which supports a canvas, which in turn forms a support plane that is generally horizontal for the body of a user. The bed further comprises a backrest that is mobile with respect to the frame, so as to be reclinable with respect to the support plane.

In addition to the components indicated above, a particular type of sunbathing bed also comprises a sunshade roof that is operatively connected to the backrest, so as to provide, when needed, a surface for protection against the ultraviolet rays for at least the face of the user. The user thus rests on the bed in a substantially lying down position, with his legs stretched out on the support plane, and he can adjust the inclination of the mobile backrest and/or of the sunshade roof so as to reach the desired level of comfort .

One example embodiment of a sunbathing bed provided with a sunshade roof is described in document US 6 102 479 A. Another example embodiment of a sunbathing bed provided with a sunshade roof is described in document EP 1 243 204 Al .

In the technical field of sunbathing beds there are no different known uses of sunshade roofs apart from those which make it possible to protect the user against the sun. The Applicant has however observed that by folding the sunshade roof until it is rested on the support plane of the bed, in a perpendicular position or an oblique position with respect to such a support plane, it is possible to use such a sunshade roof as a further backrest. In such a way, if the sunshade roof is arranged perpendicularly or in a manner that is slightly oblique with respect to the support plane, the bed can be used like a common seat, on which the user can sit, typically with his feet resting on the ground. If the sunshade roof is on the other hand arranged in a substantially oblique manner with respect to the support plane, the bed can be used as a deck chair, in which the user rests in a semi- lying position, always with his feet resting on the ground .

In both the configurations shown above, however, simply resting the sunshade roof on the support plane of the bed is not enough to ensure that the backrest formed by the sunshade roof itself is stable. Consequently, the user is forced to take up a position that is not comfortable and he is not capable of relaxing completely if he desires to use the bed in a sitting or semi-lying position instead of a completely lying down position.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore that of making a sunbathing bed that is capable of solving the drawbacks mentioned above of the prior art in an extremely simple, cost-effective and particularly functional manner.

In detail, one purpose of the present invention is that of making a sunbathing bed that is particularly versatile, that can be used both as an actual bed, and as a chair, and again as a deck chair.

Another purpose of the present invention is that of making a sunbathing bed that is particularly safe, so as to prevent the structure that forms such a bed from collapsing when it is being used.

A further purpose of the present invention is that of making a sunbathing bed that is particularly comfortable, capable of always providing a high level of comfort for the user in any configuration of use.

These purposes according to the present invention are achieved by making a sunbathing bed, that can be typically used at beach resorts but also in gardens, at pool sides and on ship decks, as outlined in claim 1.

Further characteristics of the invention are highlighted in the dependent claims, which are an integral part of the present description.

The characteristics and the advantages of a sunbathing bed according to the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which: figure 1 is a perspective view of a sunbathing bed made according to the prior art;

figure 2 is a side elevation detailed view of a first embodiment of the sunbathing bed according to the present invention;

figure 3 is a detail perspective view of a second embodiment of the sunbathing bed according to the present invention;

figure 4 is a side elevation detailed view of a first embodiment of an additional component of the sunbathing bed according to the present invention;

figure 5 is a side elevation detailed view of a second embodiment of an additional component of the sunbathing bed according to the present invention;

figure 6 shows a first configuration of use of the sunbathing bed according to the present invention; and figure 7 shows a second configuration of use of the sunbathing bed according to the present invention.

With reference in particular to figure 1, a sunbathing bed is shown made according to the prior art, wholly indicated with reference numeral 10. The bed 10 develops according to the longitudinal direction L and a transversal direction W and it is of the type comprising a bearing structure or a frame 12 that sustains a support plane 14.

The frame 12 comprises a pair of side elements 22 with longitudinal development, which are designed to be coupled with the support plane 14. The side elements 22 are thus joined to one another by at least one cross- member 24, so as to make the frame 12 rigid or, in other words, non-foldable .

The support plane 14, typically made up of a canvas, forms a substantially horizontal surface when the bed 10 is in its operating condition and it is configured for supporting at least the waist and the lower limbs of a user, which rests on the bed 10 along the longitudinal direction L. The frame 12 can be provided, at the bottom, with one or more resting feet 38, which may or may not be folded with respect to the frame 12 itself, and that are intended to come into contact with the ground.

The bed 10 further comprises a backrest 16 that is operatively connected to the frame 12 at a head end thereof. The backrest 16 is hinged to the frame 12, so as to be foldable with respect to the frame 12 itself, and it is configured for supporting at least the head and the chest of the user.

The bed 10 finally comprises a sunshade roof 18 that is operatively connected to the backrest 16 through one or more articulated arms 20. The sunshade roof 18 is thus capable of performing a rototranslation motion with respect to the backrest 16 and, consequently, with respect to the frame 12, so as to provide, when needed, a surface for protecting at least the face of the user against ultraviolet rays.

The frame 12 and the load bearing elements of the backrest 16 and of the sunshade roof 18, just like the articulated arms 20, are commonly manufactured in aluminium, which ensures long lifetime, limited maintenance, lightness and ease of movement both by the users, and by the staff of beach resorts. The aforementioned components of the bed 10 can however also be manufactured with other materials, like for example wood, while still maintaining the same structural design shown in the attached figures.

According to the invention, the bed 10 is, in one or more predefined operative positions, provided with means for locking the sunshade roof 18 with respect to the frame 12 and/or with respect to the backrest 16. The means for locking the sunshade roof 18 are operatively connected to the frame 12 and are configured for keeping the sunshade roof 18 resting on the side elements 22 of the frame 12 itself, so that such a sunshade roof 18 may operate as an additional backrest for the user in predetermined conditions of use of the bed 10, as shown for example in figures 6 and 7.

As shown in figure 2, the means for locking the sunshade roof 18 can consist of one or more shaped housings 26 that are obtained on each side element 22 of the frame 12. The shaped housings 26 are configured for holding the sunshade roof 18 in contact with the side elements 22 in one or more corresponding operative positions, i.e. the perpendicular position (figure 7) and one or more oblique positions (figure 6) with respect to the support plane 14, so that it is possible to use such a sunshade roof 18 as a further adjustable backrest .

The shaped housings 26 are preferably obtained on the upper surface of the respective side elements 22 and they are shaped in such a manner as to not have projecting portions and/or sharp edges, so as to not create an element of disturbance for the user of the bed 10. Such a solution thus satisfies the requisites of minimal impact for the user, strength and a long lifetime. The shaped housings 26 of each side element 22 preferably have overall dimensions in the order of some millimetres and are directed according to different angles so as to make it possible to obtain the various predefined positions for the sunshade roof 18.

In the case of beds 10 that are made of wood, which is a material that can per se deteriorate over time, the shaped housings 26 could be subjected to rapid wearing. In such a case it is possible to foresee a bar provided with shaped housings (not shown) , which are manufactured with a durable material (metal or plastic) and which can be fixed through screws or rivets to each side element 22 of the frame 12.

As shown in figure 3, the means for locking the sunshade roof 18 could also be made up of one or more locking mechanisms 28 that are selectively connectable to the articulated arms 20 and are configured to prevent the rototranslation motion of the sunshade roof 18 with respect to the backrest 16, again by maintaining such a sunshade roof 18 resting on the side elements 22 of the frame 12 so that it may operate as an additional backrest for the user in predetermined conditions of use of the bed 10. The locking mechanisms 28 can be both of the removable type, i.e. detachable with respect to the bed 10, and integral with the bed 10 itself, though they can be moved between a position for blocking the aforementioned rototranslation motion and a position in which such a rototranslation motion is allowed.

As shown in figures 4 and 5, the bed 10 can be provided with a pair of side armrests 30 that are rotatably connected to the rotation pin 32, which in turn connects the sunshade roof 18 to the respective articulated arms 20. The armrests 30 can thus rotate between a rest position, in which such armrests 30 are advantageously arranged along the longitudinal perimeter edges of the sunshade roof 18 and therefore they do not constitute an encumbrance for the user, and one or more operative positions, in which such armrests 30 are arranged according to one or more predefined angles with respect to the longitudinal perimeter edges of the sunshade roof 18. For the sake of simplicity and of cost- effectiveness, the armrests 30 can be manufactured in a plastic material and can thus be formed as a single piece with the bushing in plastic material, which normally envelopes the rotation pin 32. The operative positions of the armrests 30 can be selected as a function of the operative positions that the locking means 26 or 28 make it possible for the sunshade roof 18 to take up, so as to provide a suitable level of comfort for the user according to the different angles of such a sunshade roof 18.

Each armrest 30 can thus be provided with a support and lock mechanism that is configured so as to prevent the rotation of the armrest 30 itself, and to define the operative position required by the user. For example, as shown in figure 4, such a support and lock mechanism can consist of a rod 34, which is rotatably connected to each armrest 30 at a first end thereof, whereas the second end of such a rod 34 is selectively coupled with a plurality of support bases 36 that are obtained along each longitudinal peripheral edge of the sunshade roof 18.

The rod 34, in the rest position of the relative armrest 30, is disengaged from the support bases 36 and can rotate so as to be arranged parallel with respect to such an armrest 30 and, therefore, with respect to the corresponding longitudinal peripheral edge of the sunshade roof 18. The second end of each rod 34 and the corresponding support bases 36 are shaped so as to ensure a stable position for the armrests 30. Such a result could be obtained, for example, by having each support base 36 shaped in the form of a small pin and by having the second end of each rod 34 shaped in the form of a fork or U-shaped, as shown in figure 5.

It has thus been seen that the improved sunbathing bed according to the present invention achieves the purposes previously highlighted.

The sunbathing bed of the present invention thus conceived can in any case undergo numerous modifications and variants, all covered by the same inventive concept; moreover, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. Like, for example :

- the sunshade roof 18 can have many different angles with respect to the support plane 14, as well as the angles of the armrests 30 with respect to the sunshade roof 18 itself, although it has been found that with four respective operative positions it is possible to offer a suitable number of alternatives for the user;

- for different angles of the sunshade roof 18 with respect to the support plane 14 there are shaped housings 26 with a different profile: the modelling of such shaped housings 26 must therefore be carried out "to fit" the contact of the sunshade roof 18 in that specific position, so as to be able to minimise the size of the projections;

- the embodiments so far described refer to a "standard" bed model 10: however, it is possible to add and/or modify different details, of the known type (paddings, accessories, materials, dimensions, etc.), to this model;

- the sunshade roof 18, which usually has an extension in the longitudinal direction L that is less than the extension in the transversal direction W (see figure 1), can be on the other hand manufactured with an extension that is greater in the longitudinal direction L, so as to offer a resting area that is larger for the back of the user when used as a backrest in the "deck chair" configuration (figure 6) ;

- the sunshade roof 18 can optionally be provided with a reclinable head rest.

In practice the materials used, as well as the shapes and sizes, can be any according to the technical requirements. The scope of protection of the invention is thus defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. Sunbathing bed (10) of the type comprising:

- a bearing structure (12) which sustains a support plane (14), said bearing structure (12) comprising a pair of side elements (22) with longitudinal development designed to be coupled with the support plane (14), said support plane (14) forming a substantially horizontal surface when the bed (10) is in its operating condition and being configured for supporting at least the waist and the lower limbs of a user;

- a backrest (16) operatively connected to the bearing structure (12) at a head end thereof, said backrest (16) being hinged to the bearing structure (12), so as to be foldable with respect to said bearing structure (12), and being configured for supporting at least the head and the chest of the user; and

- a sunshade roof (18) operatively connected to the backrest (16) through one or more articulated arms (20), said sunshade roof (18) being capable of performing a rototranslation motion with respect to the backrest (16) and, thus, with respect to the bearing structure (12) to provide a surface for protection against the ultraviolet rays for at least the face of the user,

the bed (10) being characterised in that it comprises means (26; 28) for locking, in one or more predefined operative positions, the sunshade roof (18) with respect to the bearing structure (12) and/or with respect to the backrest (16), said means for locking the sunshade roof (18) being operatively connected to the bearing structure (12) and being configured to keep the sunshade roof (18) resting on the side elements (22) of said bearing structure (12), so that said sunshade roof (18) may operate as an additional backrest for the user in predetermined conditions of use of the bed (10) .

2. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for locking the sunshade roof (18) consist of one or more shaped housings (26) obtained on each side element (22) of the bearing structure (12), said shaped housings (26) being configured for holding the sunshade roof (18) in contact with the side elements (22) in one or more corresponding operative positions with respect to the support plane (14), so that it is possible to use said sunshade roof (18) as a further adjustable backrest.

3. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the shaped housings (26) are obtained on the upper surface of the respective side elements (22) and they are shaped in such a manner not to provide for projecting portions and/or sharp edges, so as not to create an element of disturbance for the user of the bed (10) .

4. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the shaped housings (26) of each side element (22) are directed according to different angles so as to allow obtaining at least two predefined positions for the sunshade roof (18), i.e. a perpendicular position and one or more oblique positions with respect to the support plane (14) .

5. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for locking the sunshade roof (18) consist of a bar provided with shaped housings, which can be fixed through screws or rivets to each side element (22) of the bearing structure ( 12 ) .

6. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for locking the sunshade roof (18) consist of one or more locking mechanisms (28) selectively connectable to the articulated arms (20), said one or more locking mechanisms (28) being configured to prevent the rototranslation motion of the sunshade roof (18) with respect to the backrest (16) and to keep said sunshade roof (18) resting on the side elements (22) of the bearing structure (12) .

7. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 6, characterised in that the locking mechanisms (28) are of the removable type, i.e. detachable with respect to the bed (10) .

8. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 6, characterised in that the locking mechanisms (28) are integral with the bed (10), though they can be moved between a position for blocking the rototranslation motion of the sunshade roof (18) with respect to the backrest (16) and a position in which said rototranslation motion is allowed.

9. Sunbathing bed (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it comprises a pair of side armrests (30) rotatably connected to a rotation pin (32) which in turn connects the sunshade roof (18) to the respective articulated arms (20), said armrests (30) rotating between a rest position, in which said armrests (30) are arranged along the longitudinal perimeter edges of the sunshade roof (18) and thus they do not constitute an encumbrance for the user, and one or more operative positions, in which said armrests (30) are arranged according to one or more predefined angles with respect to the longitudinal perimeter edges of the sunshade roof (18) .

10. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that each armrest (30) is provided with a support and lock mechanism configured to prevent the rotation of said armrest (30) and define the operative position required by the user.

11. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that the support and lock mechanism consists of a rod (34) rotatably connected to each armrest (30) at a first end thereof, while the second end of said rod (34) is selectively coupled with a plurality of support bases (36) obtained along each longitudinal perimeter edge of the sunshade roof (18) .

12. Sunbathing bed (10) according to claim 11, characterised in that each support base (36) is shaped to form a pin, while the second end of each rod (34) is shaped to form a fork or a U-shape.