FOLDING STRUCTURE FOR MATTRESSES

Abstract

A folding structure for mattresses having a bearing surface and a support structure having at least one hinge area with the bearing surface and configured to fit externally to and removably from a mattress. The support structure may have a first dimension which is variable to fit the thickness of a mattress and a second dimension which is variable to change the position of the hinge area.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a folding structure having a folding bearing surface and a support structure suitably configured to be detachably arranged on a mattress.

Bed assemblies including a mechanism for hinging a mattress in order to tilt at least one portion thereof and arrange it in a desired position are currently known. A conventional option for tilting at least one portion of a mattress is through a mechanism that is part of the base where the mattress rests, or through an internal mechanism with structures hinging the mattress from the inside. However, these are mechanisms that are fixed to the mattress structure such that they are not practical, especially in the case where it is necessary to replace the mattress with another.

In order to try to solve this problem, a simple and very efficient folding structure has been devised, which is intended to be placed on a conventional mattress so that it can be easily, comfortably and quickly removed from the mattress at any time by the user. With the system that is described hereinbelow, it is possible to change the characteristics of a mattress, for example enlarging its surface, or even closing it so as to form a barrier in order to prevent a person from falling to the ground. This possibility is advantageously maintained even when the mattress has to be replaced by another one, although it has characteristics different from the previous one.

The folding structure provided herein is configured to be arranged on a conventional mattress and it has a support surface that is configured for supporting a person's head, supporting the person's feet or even for placing objects thereon, thus acting as a bedside table. Other applications, such as lateral tilting of the user's body are however not ruled out. This particular application is very useful in cases of sick people bedridden on a mattress for a long time, since the position of the person on her/his sides can be changed, avoiding always lying on the back uniformly.

For this purpose, the bearing surface may be formed of a substantially rigid plane or by a perimetric structure at least substantially surrounding a flexible element, such as fabric, etc. The bearing surface may be or include a mattress or cushion portion, especially when intended to rest a person's head or for supporting person's feet. The bearing surface may also be configured, for example, to receive a portion of a supplementary mattress intended to be placed on a main mattress.

The present folding structure further includes a support structure. This support structure has at least one hinge area to the support surface. The support structure is suitably configured to fit externally to and removably from a mattress of any type.

In a preferred, but not limiting, example, the bearing surface is hinged to two support structures. In some cases, it may be desirable to have a number of folding structures on a mattress, for example to have two headboards, two footboards, two bedside tables, etc. In this case, the hinge area of the support structure with the bearing surface could be shared so that two adjacent support structures have a common hinge area. Cases where a number of fixed hinge areas are provided in the same support structure to be able to hinge the bearing surface in a proper position as required or desired are not ruled out. Cases where variable hinge areas are provided are also not ruled out. This case will be described further below.

In some cases, it may be provided that the support structure has a first dimension which is variable so that the folding structure can suitably be adapted to the thickness of a mattress. Said first dimension of the support structure could, for example, be a separation distance between two clamping elements configured for inserting a mattress therebetween. By making the relative position of these two clamping elements variable so that the separation distance can be modified, it is possible, on the one hand, for the support structure to be advantageously adapted to any commercially available mattress and, on the other hand, for the folding structure to be capable of being applied to and removed from the mattress in a quick, easy and comfortable way by the user.

In this regard, a pressing element, for example formed by the two above mentioned clamping elements, configured for reducing the first dimension, may be provided in order to suitably adjust the support structure to the thickness of the mattress so that the folding structure is mounted securely attached to the mattress in a use position.

As mentioned above, in some cases a variable hinge area may be provided. Thus, the support structure may have a second dimension that is variable so as to change the position of the hinge area of the support structure with the bearing surface. That is, the second dimension of the support structure may be a separation distance between the hinge area and one edge of the mattress. Thus, the hinge area may, for example, be arranged proximate an edge of the mattress or remote therefrom a distance as desired. This would in some cases allow the bearing surface to extend beyond the contour of the mattress, if required. In any case, causing the relative position of the hinge area and the edge of the mattress to be variable, it is possible for the support structure to be folded in different positions on the plane of the mattress.

Although it is preferred that the support structure is formed by at least a C-shaped section member configured for fitting the thickness of a mattress, for example formed by two brackets, the support structure may have other configurations and it may be formed, for example, by one or more L-shaped section members configured for fitting the thickness of a mattress. It is also envisaged that the support structure has a lower portion configured for being inserted into a bed base, canapé or the like. In this particular case, the support structure may be formed by at least one I-shaped section member with a bottom portion suitable for being inserted into a bed base, canapé or the like, as stated above.

In one example, the support structure has two of said section members, which can be joined to each other by at least one cross member. It is envisaged that the section members may be joined together by a surface such as, for example, a flat surface.

It is preferred that the bearing surface is allowed to be rotated a wide range of appropriate angles. In particular, it is preferred to use hinge areas including hinge members which enable the bearing surface or surfaces to be arranged in a multiplicity of angular positions, and preferably at least in one or more substantially horizontal positions, so as to extend the surface of a mattress at least laterally and/or in an at least substantially vertical position so that the bearing surface acts as a barrier or protection element closing at least one portion of the perimeter of the mattress, preventing babies, children, elderly, sick persons, etc. from falling to the ground. Hinge areas can be used including hinge members enabling the bearing surface or surfaces to be arranged in a multiplicity of angular positions freely or in predefined angular positions.

In one example, a motor may be provided. These motor may be or include an electric motor or a motor of any other type suitable to drive the bearing surface causing it to be rotated in the hinge area relative to the bearing surface. A control module associated with said motor may also be provided. The motor can be controlled by the user through this control module, turning them on to rotate either the head, feet, side bearing surface, etc. around the hinge area with respect to the support structure, and turning them off when the support surface has reached a desired angle, for example tilted, horizontally extended, vertically extended, etc. The control module may be programmable for actuating the bearing surface at a particular time, for example for bringing the head, feet or any other part of the user's body back to a fully stretched body position after a determined amount of time has elapsed from a tilted position. With this feature, for example, a user is advantageously prevented from falling asleep in an inadequate position, such as with the head, feet, etc. excessively tilted. This control module can be arranged, as appropriate, at a distance away from the mattress and the folding structure, and it could be operated by the user remotely. Remote actuation for rotating the bearing surface relative to the support structure could be performed through an application by a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, etc. These options may be advantageous in medical, caregiving environments, etc.

With the folding structure that has been described herein, the characteristics of a mattress of any kind, whether it is conventional, existing on the market, or another, can be changed in a very comfortable, easy, and fast way, providing great comfort to the user. With the present folding structure, a mattress of any type can be converted into a mattress with at least one reclining surface (headboard, footboard, wing) the usable area of which can be extended. With the present folding structure, a mattress of any type can be also made to include a protective barrier closing at least one portion of the perimeter thereof in order to prevent a person from falling to the ground.

The folding structure that has been described herein is external to the mattress and its configuration allows for hinging a plane of the mattress at any location of the perimeter thereof, that is, both from the perimeter towards the interior and from the perimeter towards the outside. This feature is possible regardless of where the mattress is placed.

The folding structure that has been described above can be applied to any type of mattress available on the market, regardless of whether an additional topper mattress is provided. As it is a compact, simple, removable and therefore portable and cost effective structure, it represents an extremely useful innovation on a concept for rest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A non-limiting example of a folding structure for mattresses according to the present disclosure is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one particular example of two folding structures applied on a mattress;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the folding structures in FIG. 1, shown outside the mattress, for a better understanding,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a folding structure according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, where it can be seen how the folding structure can be varied to fit the thickness of a mattress; and

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are schematic side elevational views of the example of the folding structure applied on a mattress illustrating the bearing surface in different angular positions and with the hinge area also shown in different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the non-limiting example shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, one or several folding structures 100 are illustrated. The folding structures 100 shown are intended to be applied on a conventional mattress 500, shown in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, so that they can be removed therefrom.

The folding structures 100 shown by way of an example have a bearing surface 200 which is intended to place a person's head to rest (not shown). Other applications are also possible, such as for supporting person's feet or for placing several objects on said support surface 200, as if it were a removable bedside table.

The bearing surface 200 of the folding structure 100 is formed by a substantially rigid plane, in the non-limiting example shown in the figures. In said example, the bearing surface 200, which is intended to place a person's head to rest, i.e. to act as a headboard, is formed by a substantially rigid plane intended to receive a part of a topper mattress (not shown). The bearing surface 200 could, however, be formed by a perimetric structure surrounding an at least substantially flexible member, such as fabric, etc.

The folding structure 100 that is shown further includes a support structure 300. The support structure 300 serves the purpose of removably coupling the folding structure 100 to the mattress 500. In the example shown, the support structure 300 has two pairs of brackets. Each pair is formed by an upper bracket 305 and a lower bracket 310, which are described below.

Although not shown in the figures, the support structure 300 could include one or multiple brackets to join the brackets together and provide greater stability, especially if the spacing between said brackets is large. It is envisaged that the section members may be joined together even by a flat surface.

The upper bracket 305, in each pair of brackets, includes a substantially horizontal section in one portion of which a hinge zone 400 with the support surface 200 is formed. The bearing surface 200 may thus rotate about an axis passing through the hinge area 400 of each upper bracket 305. In some particular instances, it is possible to include several fixed hinge areas 400 in a same support structure 300 such that the bearing surface 200 is allowed to pivot in a suitable position.

The substantially horizontal portion of the upper bracket 305 is intended to be supported on the upper surface of the mattress 500. The upper bracket 305 in each pair of brackets further includes a substantially vertical section arranged to form an angle of approximately 90° to the substantially horizontal section.

The example shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the hinge area 400 is in a fixed position. However, such position may be variable, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. That is, a variable dimension could be defined so as to change the position of the hinge area 400 of the support structure 300 with the bearing surface 200. Said dimension of the support structure 300 could be a separation distance between the hinge area 400 and one edge 505 of the mattress 500. By way of an example, the hinge area 400 could be arranged proximate the edge 505 of the mattress 500 or at a distance away from it as desired. This could allow the bearing surface 200 to protrude from the contour of the mattress 500, if necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, it should be particularly emphasised that, depending on the position of the hinge area 400, the folding structure 100 may or may not allow the surface of the mattress 500 to be extended. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the hinge portion 400 is in a remote position away from the edge 505 of the mattress 500 towards the inside thereof at a distance equal to or substantially longer than one dimension of the bearing surface 200. Thus, by completely folding the bearing surface 200 on the mattress 500, said bearing surface 200 does not protrude therefrom, that is, it does not reach the edge 505 of the mattress 500. However, as it can be seen in the case of the example shown in FIG. 6, the hinge area 400 is in a position outside the contour of the mattress 500, or even in a position proximate the edge 505 of the mattress 500 but at a distance substantially less than one dimension of the bearing surface 200. Thus, by completely folding the bearing surface 200 on the mattress 500, as shown in FIG. 6, said bearing surface 200 protrudes therefrom, that is, it exceeds the edge 505 of the mattress 500 by a predetermined distance. In this way, the useful surface of the mattress 500 is expanded.

The lower bracket 310, in each pair of brackets, includes a substantially horizontal portion intended to be below the lower surface of the mattress 500. This substantially horizontal portion could be configured to be inserted into a bed base, canapé or the like, where necessary. The lower bracket 310, in each pair of brackets, further includes a substantially vertical section arranged forming an angle of approximately 90° to the substantially horizontal section.

With particular reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings, in each pair of brackets, the substantially vertical section of the upper bracket 305 and the substantially vertical section of the lower bracket 310 are configured such that they can be joined to each other at different portions thereof. This feature allows a dimension, corresponding in this case to the spacing between the substantially horizontal opposed sections of the same pair of brackets 305, 310, to be varied so that the folding structure 100 can conveniently be adapted to the thickness of the mattress 500. By making the relative position of each pair of brackets 305, 310 capable of being varied such that the separation distance can be modified, it is possible for the support structure 100 to be adapted to any type of mattress available on the market and can be removed from the mattress 500 in a quick, easy and comfortable way by the user. Although not shown, a pressure member could be included to reduce the spacing between the substantially horizontal opposed sections of the same pair of brackets 305, 310. This pressure member would enable the support structure 300 to be adjusted in a controlled manner to the thickness of the mattress 500 so that the folding structure 100 is mounted securely on the mattress 500 in the position of use.

The hinge area 400 of the support structure 300 allows the support surface 200 to be rotated at an appropriate angle within a range of possible angles, such as those represented by way of an example in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings. Thus, the bearing surface 200 may be slightly rotated, as shown in FIG. 4, to slightly tilt the user's head to rest normally in the bed. Although in the illustrated example, the bearing surface 200 acts as a headboard, the subject matter hereof is not limited to the inclination of the user's head but could be used to alternatively tilt other parts of the body such as the legs, the side, etc. The bearing surface 200 can be rotated to be arranged in a more vertical position, as shown in FIG. 5, to further tilt the user's head, e.g. for reading or watching TV on the bed. However, the bearing surface 200 is fully rotatable, as shown in FIG. 5, so as to be fully horizontal in order to extend the surface of the mattress 500. In addition to the folding positions of the bearing surface 200 shown by way of an example in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, many other different angular positions of the bearing surface 200 are possible including an at least substantially vertical position so that the bearing surface 200 acts as a barrier or protective element closing at least one portion of the perimeter of mattress 500. This allows prevention of babies, children, elderly, sick people, etc. from accidentally falling to the ground.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, two foldable structures 100 are shown applied to the same mattress 500. Each folding structure 100 has its own bearing surface 200 hinged to two corresponding support structures 300, each formed by two pairs of brackets. With such configuration, a mattress 500 that is provided with two independent headboards is obtained. However, the application of the present structure as a footboard, as a bedside table, etc. on the same mattress is not ruled out. The case where two bearing surfaces 200 share a support structure 300, i.e., the case where three pairs of brackets are used for two adjacent support surfaces 200, with the central pair of brackets being shared, is not ruled out.

The non-limiting example shown in FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings allows having a reclining surface 200 in a same mattress 500, which can extend the effective surface of the mattress 500 if required, to provide at least one tilted surface for tilting the head, the feet or other part of the user's body, or even to provide a protective barrier by closing at least one portion of the perimeter of the mattress 500 preventing a person from falling to the ground. This is achieved with a structure 100 which is comfortable, easy and quick to use, with a very simple and effective configuration which can be removed from the mattress 500 easily, conveniently and quickly at any time by the user.

Although only one example of a folding structure for mattresses has been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents of said folding structure are possible for those skilled in the art. The scope of the present disclosure should not be therefore limited by the particular example described herein, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A folding structure for mattresses, the folding structure comprising: a bearing surface anda support structure,the support structure comprising at least one hinge area with the bearing surface,the support structure being configured to fit externally to and removably from a mattress.

2. The structure according to claim 1, the support structure having a first dimension which is variable to fit the thickness of a mattress.

3. The structure according to claim 1, the support structure having a second dimension which is variable to change the position of the hinge area.

4. The structure according to claim 1, the bearing surface being formed by a substantially rigid plane.

5. The structure according to claim 1, the bearing surface being formed by a perimetric structure surrounding an at least substantially flexible element.

6. The structure according to claim 2, including a pressing member intended for reducing said first dimension to adjust the support structure to the thickness of the mattress.

7. The structure according to claim 1, the hinge area being located proximate an edge of the mattress.

8. The structure according to claim 1, the support structure being formed by at least one C-shaped section member configured for fitting the thickness of a mattress.

9. The structure according to claim 1, the support structure being formed by at least one L-shaped section member configured for fitting the thickness of a mattress.

10. The structure according to claim 8, the support structure comprising two section members.

11. The structure according to claim 10, said section members of the support structure being connected by at least one cross member.

12. The structure according to claim 1, the support structure having a lower portion configured to be inserted into a base of a bed base, canap{tilde over (e)} or the like.

13. The structure according to claim 1, the bearing surface being configured for resting a person's head and/or feet.

14. The structure according to claim 1, the bearing surface being configured for being arranged in a substantially horizontal position to at least laterally extend the surface of a mattress.

15. The structure according to claim 1, the bearing surface being configured for being arranged in a substantially vertical position to act as a protective element.

16. The structure according to claim 1, further including a motor for driving the bearing surface causing it to be rotated at the hinge zone with respect to the bearing surface.