The present invention relates to a piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on comprising a lying or sitting frame and base for a mattress or a seat cushion.
The typical setup of a bedroom furnishing system strongly varies according to regions. For example, in the Anglo-Saxon region the so-called box spring bed is very popular, while in the European region the conventional bed is favored which comprises a bedframe and a slatted frame upon which the mattress rests. However, in the case of box spring beds a spring-mounted base is used instead of a slatted frame, which base is very massive and high and takes up a lot of space since usually barrel pocket springs having a height of approx. 20 cm are mounted therein. However, with regard to comfortable sleep the box spring bed offers a considerably better sprung base as compared to beds having slatted frames. This explains the high sales volumes of box spring beds and the recent decline in sales of the slatted-frame beds
From EP 2 762 042 A1 a bed is known which comprises two barrel pocket spring mattresses between which a lying or sitting frame having one or a plurality of tension belts is arranged. The hardness and the height of the bed are adjusted by changing the tension of tension belt.
In US 2013/0000049 A1 a bed is described which comprise a mattress and a slatted frame having a height-adjustable plate. In the mattress a plurality of spring assemblies are mounted over the entire surface area, wherein each spring assembly comprises two spring elements concentrically arranged relative to each other. The outer spring element of the spring assembly is in contact with the height-adjustable plate of the slatted frame. When the plate of the slatted frame is raised, the spring element in contact therewith is more strongly pretensioned, whereby the hardness of the mattress can be changed.
From U.S. Pat. Nos. 71,933 and 93,632 lamellar mattress bases for a bed are known which are resiliently coupled with a bedframe with the aid of rubber bands.
It is an object of the present invention to minimize or even eliminate the drawbacks encountered in prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to improve the lying comfort of a conventional bed or the sitting comfort of conventional seating furniture and in particular to make them similar to those of box spring beds.
This object is achieved with the subject matter of the independent claim 1. Optional and/or preferred features of the invention are stated in the subclaims 2 to 16.
According to the invention, a piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on is provided which comprises a lying or sitting frame and a base for a mattress or a seat cushion, wherein the base spans a horizontal area and has a thickness extending in the vertical direction, and wherein the base is resiliently coupled with the lying or sitting frame. The invention is characterized in that a guide element is provided which ensures that an external force acting downward in a vertical direction on the base results in a guided downward movement of the base in the vertical direction relative to the lying or sitting frame.
Preferably, the guide element ensures a linearly guided movement.
More preferably, the guide element ensures that the guided downward movement in the vertical direction is performed over a predetermined length.
In addition, it is preferred that the resilient coupling has a spring pretension.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the resilient coupling is configured such that, when the external force acing upon the base is reduced, the base moves upward in the vertical direction, and wherein the guide element ensures that the movement is guided upward in the vertical direction and performed over a predetermined length.
It is advantageous when the guide element is a linear guide comprising a rail and a slide movably arranged in the rail, wherein the rail is fastened to the lying or sitting frame and the slide is fastened to the base, or vice versa.
Preferably, the guide element comprises an upper stopper and a lower stopper.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a spring strap is connected to the base on the one hand and to the lying or sitting frame on the other hand, wherein the spring strap effects the resilient coupling.
In addition, preferably the spring strap is pretensioned.
More preferably, the pretension of the spring strap is adjustable.
Particularly preferably, the base is divided into a plurality of sections spaced apart from each other and decoupled from each other, wherein at least part of the plurality of sections is resiliently coupled with the lying or sitting frame such that an external force directed downward in the vertical direction and acting upon each section of this part of the plurality of sections results in a guided downward movement of the section in the vertical direction relative to the lying or sitting frame.
Further, it is advantageous that part of the plurality of sections comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the resilient coupling of the lying or sitting frame with the first part has a first spring constant, and wherein the resilient coupling of the lying or sitting frame with the second part has a second spring constant, and wherein the first spring constant differs from the second spring constant.
Preferably, at least portions of the base have an inherent stiffness.
More preferably, the base comprises a first base element and a second base element, wherein only the first base element is resiliently coupled with the lying or sitting frame, and wherein the second base element is arranged on the first base element.
Particularly advantageously, the second base element comprises a plurality of coil springs which are arranged side by side over the entire surface area and whose spring force acts in the vertical direction.
Preferably, the piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on is a bed or a bed couch or a sofa or a chair.
The accompanying drawings exemplify a preferred embodiment of the invention. The elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily shown true to scale relative to each other. In the figures:
In the figures the same reference numerals designate the same elements, members or component, or elements, members or components having the same functions, unless specified otherwise.
The bed 100 comprises a frame means 110 (bedframe), a support means 130 (first mattress base) and a frame springing means 120 serving as a resilient coupling between the frame means 110 and the support means 130. Preferably, further a support springing means 200 (second mattress base) is provided. The support means 130 is configured for being coupled with the frame means 110. The frame springing means 120 is configured for providing a first spring effect between the frame means 110 and the support means 130. The support springing means 200 is configured for provided a second spring effect acting upon the support means 130.
Mounting a rail at the frame and at the floating bottom plate ensures smooth sliding and is well suited for preventing vibrations. Furthermore, this rail can be provided with a stopper for causing or limiting a maximum elongation of the springs. In most cases approximately 7 cm are advantageous.
When gas pressure or coil springs are used instead of the aforementioned spring straps, it is possible that two rails serve for guiding purposes and one spring per side suffices for an adequate springing.
In summary, the following can be stated:
A first feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 for a piece of furniture comprising (i) a frame means 110; (ii) a support means 130 which is configured for being coupled with the frame means 110; (iii) a frame springing means 120 which is configured for providing a first spring effect between the frame means 110 and the support means 130; and (iv) a support springing means 140 which is configured for providing a second spring effect acting upon the support means 130.
A second feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according the first feature combination, wherein the support means 130 is adapted to be divided into a plurality of support segments 130-1, 130-2, . . . , 130-n; and wherein the frame springing means 120 comprises a plurality of frame segment springing systems 120-1, 120-2, . . . , 120-n; and wherein each frame segment springing system 120-n is associated with a support segment 130-n and is configured for providing its own associated first segment spring effect for the respective support segment 130-n.
A third feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to the first or the second feature combination, wherein the support springing means 140 is adapted to be divided into a plurality of support springing segments 140-1, . . . , 140-2, . . . , 140-n; and wherein the support springing means 140 comprises a plurality of segment springing systems; wherein each segment springing system is configured for providing its own second segment spring effect for the respective support springing segment 140-n.
A fourth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means 120 is configured for providing the first spring effect by a first elastic deformation in a first deformation direction; and wherein the support springing means 140 is configured for providing the second spring effect by a second elastic deformation in a second deformation direction; and wherein the first deformation direction and the second deformation direction are essentially oriented in the same direction relative to each other with an angular deviation of less than 20°, preferably less than 10°, or particularly preferably less than 5°.
A fifth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means 120 is a sprung base configured as an expansion strap or as a fiber strap or as a warp knit fabric or as a spring strap or as a gas pressure spring or as a coil spring or as a spring.
A sixth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means 120 has a spring stroke of up to 14 cm, or preferably of up to 8 cm, or particularly preferably of up to 6 cm.
A seventh feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the support springing means 140 has a spring stroke of up to 14 cm, or preferably of up to 8 cm, or particularly preferably of up to 6 cm.
An eighth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means 120 and the support springing means 140 are configured for adapting the first spring effect and the second spring effect to each other.
A ninth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means 120 and the support springing means 140 are configured for adapting the spring stroke of the frame springing means 120 and the spring stroke of the support springing 140 to each other.
A tenth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the support springing means 140 comprises a mattress springing; or a pocket springing; or a spring core; or at least a three-dimensional fabric; or at least a foam structure; or at least a wool structure; or at least an air cushion structure.
An eleventh feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the furniture device 100 is configured as a bed.
A twelfth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the furniture device 100 is configured as a cushioned piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on.
A thirteenth feature combination relates to a control system for a furniture device, wherein the control system is configured for adjusting and adapting the first spring effect and/or the second spring effect, wherein preferably, the control system is configured for adjusting and adapting the first spring effect and/or the second spring effect of the respective support segment or the respective frame segment springing system or the respective support springing segment.
A fourteenth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 for a piece of furniture, wherein the furniture device 100 comprises a frame means 110; a support means 130 which is configured for being coupled with the frame means 110; and a frame springing means 120 which is configured for providing a first spring effect between the frame means 110 and the support means 130.
The setup of a bed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, merely schematically illustrated in
The setup of a bed 100 illustrated in
Although not shown in
The bed 100 illustrated in
At least portions of the mattress base 130 are resiliently coupled with the bedframe 110, preferably with the aid of spring straps 120. Thus, some of the segments 130-1 to 130-3 of the mattress base 130 are respectively resiliently coupled, independently of each other, with the bedframe 110 with the aid of spring straps 120-1 to 120-3. Merely the segment 130-4 is preferably not resiliently coupled with the bedframe 110. Depending on the size of the segments 130-1 to 130-4 of the mattress base 130 either one or two or even more spring straps 120 can be provided on opposite sides as seen in the width direction of the bedframe 110. The spring straps 120-1 to 120-3 can have different spring constants. Depending on the lying position of the user (e.g. dorsal position, lateral position or abdominal position) and the desired lying comfort, the spring constants of the spring straps 120-1 to 120-3 can preferably vary in the various segments 130-1 to 130-3.
A spring strap 120 within the meaning of the invention is considered to be any resilient holding element which, when loaded by the weight of the user, ensures downward movement of the mattress base 130 in the vertical direction. Likewise, the spring strap 120 is designed to produce an adequately strong restoring force for the mattress base 130 to return again into its original vertical position once loading by the weight of the user is reduced. These spring straps or belts 120 have a high carrying capacity and can have different spring strengths (spring constants). Preferably, the spring stroke of a spring strap is 5-15 cm, more preferably 5-10 cm, and particularly preferably 6-8 cm. Examples of spring straps are warp knit fabrics, fiber straps e.g. from elastic synthetic fibers, such as Mygroflex, for example, and rubber bands.
The mattress base 130 is coupled with the bedframe 110 such that a vertical downward, but preferably also upward movement of the mattress base 130 relative to the bedframe 110 is guided. Such guiding is preferably ensured by a linear guide 150 which is operatively connected to the bedframe 110 on the one hand and to the mattress base 130 on the other hand. An example of a linear guide 150 is a slide 154 shown in
As a safety measure, an anti-trap protection can be provided which covers any gaps between the mattress base 130 and the bedframe 110. Especially in the loaded condition of the mattress base 130 a vertical gap can occur such that there is the risk that careless persons, e.g. children, put their fingers into the gap. But any gaps between the segments 130-1 to 130-4 of the mattress base 130 can also be covered by an anti-trap cover, for example an elastic band, e.g. by a textile or mattress drill, for thus making gaps inaccessible. Preferably, the anti-trap cover is placed on the lower side of the mattress base 130 such that any gaps between the segments 130-1 to 130-4 of the mattress base 130 are inaccessible or covered.
As can also be seen in
In
Alternatively, at least part of the spring straps 120 can be fastened to the linear guide 150, preferably to the slide guide 152a, instead of the side beam of the bedframe 110.
In
According to
The pretension of the spring strap 120 and the fact that the linear guide 150 comprises an upper stopper ensure that all segments 130-1 to 130-3 of the mattress base 130, which are resiliently coupled with the bedframe 110, in the unloaded condition, i.e. without any external load acting upon it, are at the same height, preferably at the height of that segment 130-4 of the mattress base 130 which is not resiliently coupled with the bedframe 110. The lower stopper of the linear guide 150 ensures that the mattress base 130 cannot unlimitedly vertically move downward relative to the bedframe 110 due to the external force, but said movement is limited. This prevents any objects or even persons which/who are temporarily under the mattress base 130 from being harmed.
As indicated in
A spring stroke of e.g. 6-8 cm of the spring straps 120, which can however be limited by the lower stopper of the linear guide 150, and a spring stroke of e.g. 3-4 cm of the coil springs 220 of the second mattress base element 200 can amount to a total spring stroke of e.g. up to 12 cm although the overall height of the bedframe 110 is merely 8 cm, for example. Likewise, by a corresponding selection of the spring constants of the spring straps 120 and the spring constants of the coil springs 220 as well as possibly by a variable pretension of the spring straps 120 nearly any desired response characteristic (characteristic line) of the spring system made up of two spring elements 120, 220 connected in series can be achieved when an external force, for example the weight force of the user, acts upon it. In addition, by a corresponding selection of the spring constants of the spring straps 120-1 to 120-3 various comfort zones 130-1 to 130-4 can be created in the mattress base 130, which comfort zones support different body parts of the user, such as hip, loin and shoulder, for example, to a different degree and thus allow for these body parts to sink in to different depths in the actual mattress.
Furthermore, the deformation direction of the spring straps 120 and the deformation direction of the coil springs 220 are preferably oriented essentially in the same direction relative to each other with an angular deviation of less than 20°, preferably less than 10°, or particularly preferably less than 5°.
Although the present invention has been described above on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto but can be modified in various ways. In particular, the present invention can be altered or modified in various ways without deviating from the essence of the invention. The described configurations and further modifications can be combined in any manner desired.
In addition, it should be noted that “comprising” and “including” do not exclude any other elements or steps and that “one” does not exclude a plurality.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2019/063130 | May 2019 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2019/085787 | 12/17/2019 | WO | 00 |