"Device for adjusting the tensioning of a sheet"

[001] . The present invention relates to a seating element, such as a sunbed, a deckchair and the like, of the type with a sheet stretched out and held on a horizontal structure having two side members provided with support members or folding legs and on a back frame pivoted to said structure, and where the back has a variable inclination and is fully reclining backwards in addition to being folding forward on the horizontal structure, comprising a device for adjusting the tensioning of the sheet .

[002] . Systems for tensioning the sheet are known, for example illustrated in document BS2000A000099. [003] . However, this known system exhibits the disadvantage of not allowing an adjustment of the tensioning of the sheet .

[004] . The object of the present invention is to provide a seating element comprising an adjusting device which should allow an effective and adjustable tensioning of the sheet.

[005] . The object is achieved with a seating element according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe embodiment variations.

[006] . Moreover, the object is achieved with an adjusting device according to claim 24. The dependent claims describe embodiment variations.

[007] . The features and advantages of the seating element and of the adjusting device according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a preferred non-limiting embodiment, made with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein: [008] . - figure 1 shows a side view of a seating element according to the present invention;

[009] . - figure 2 shows a back view of the seating element of figure 1;

[0010] . - figure 3 shows a side view of an adjusting device associated to the seating element of figure 1;

[0011] . - figure 4 shows a section view along line IV-IV of figure 3;

[0012] . - figure 5 shows a three-dimensional back view of a portion of the device of figure 3 ; [0013]. - figure 6 shows a front view of the portion of figure 5;

[0014] . - figure 7 shows a three-dimensional view of a further portion of the device of figure 3;

[0015] . - figure 8 shows a cross section view of the

portion of figure 7;

[0016] . - figure 9 shows a longitudinal section view of the portion of figure 7;

[0017] . - figure 10 shows a three-dimensional view of a further portion of the device of figure 3;

[0018] . - figure 11 shows a longitudinal section view of the portion of figure 10;

[0019] . - figure 12 shows a cross view of a coupling portion of the seating element of figure 1; [0020] . - figure 13 shows a side view of the coupling portion of figure 12 ;

[0021] . - figure 14 shows a front view of the device of figure 3 in rest configuration; and

[0022] . - figure 15 shows a front view of the device of figure 3 in tensioning configuration.

[0023] . With reference to the annexed figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a seating element such as a sunbed, a deckchair and the like.

[0024] . According to a preferred embodiment, the seating element is of the type with a sheet 9 stretched out and held on a frame 6 or horizontal structure having side members 41 provided with support members 5 or folding legs, associated to said frame 6 and in particular to corresponding side members 41.

[0025] . Preferably, the seating element 1 exhibits at least one pair of side members 41.

[0026] . Favourably, each side member 41 exhibits longitudinal coupling grooves 8 adapted for coupling to corresponding coupling ribs 10 obtained longitudinally at the ends of said sheet 9, for holding sheet 9 itself to the side members 41.

[0027] . Moreover, frame 6 provides for side members 41 to preferably be parallel in twos and connected by a crosspiece 49 to one end thereof and supported by two support members 5 formed as a closed frame with rectangular or square shape.

[0028] . In fact, favourably, frame 6 takes a "U" shape, wherein the longer arms are represented by the side members 41 themselves.

[0029] . In other words, each support member 5 comprises two parallel legs 50 connected by ties 51 that are folding between a closed position and approach to side members 41 and an open position, facing downwards and inclined, or angled relative to side members 41.

[0030] . The open position of legs 50 is defined and made steady by locking means, as explained in detail hereinafter.

[0031] . Favourably, each support member 5 is pivoted to

the two side members 41 by a pin, as illustrated hereinafter.

[0032] . Moreover, sheet 9 is preferably stretched out and held between said side members 41 and also on a back frame 7 pivoted to said structure.

[0033] . Moreover, back 7 preferably has a variable inclination and is fully reclining backwards in addition to being folding forward on the horizontal structure.

[0034] . According to the present invention, sheet 9 has such size that its width, disregarding the portion that connects to grooves 8, is substantially equal to the distance between the side members 41, or to the distance between the coupling grooves 8, that is to say, about equal to the length of crosspiece 49. [0035] . As said, sheet 9 is stretched on frame 6 and to better stretch sheet 9, pushing means 27 are provided transversally, between said support member 5 and at least one of said side members 41.

[0036] . In particular, the pushing means 27 are provided associated to each leg 50 and arranged between each leg 50 and each corresponding side member 41.

[0037] . The pushing means 27 are adapted for carrying out a relative movement between said side member 41 and said support member 5, or said leg 50.

[0038] . In fact, the pushing means 27 are movable in adjustable manner for moving one of side members 41 away from the other of said pair of side members and allowing an adjustable tensioning of said sheet 9. [0039] . Preferably, the pushing means 27 are movable in adjustable manner for pushing the corresponding side member 41 and allowing the adjustable tensioning of sheet

9.

[0040] . Since sheet 9 has a width about equal to crosspiece 49, when the pushing means 27 open out side members 41, sheet 9 itself tensions.

[0041] . In other words, since the seating element 5 is pivoted to the side members, it is constrained to the side members themselves, as shown in figure 2, and therefore the movement of the pushing means 27 towards the side member 41 moves the pushing means 27 in abutment on frame 6, while the support element 5 remains still in its position. [0042] . In fact, the support element 5 is fixed as the pushing means 27 advance, that is, carry out an axial movement .

[0043] . Hence, since the pushing means 27 are associated to the support element 5, which in turn is constrained to the opposed side member, the movement of the pushing

means 27 is made possible and they can effectively push against each side member 41.

[0044] . Thanks to the thrust, or to the cross strength or pressure exerted by the pushing means 27, an outward bending or opening out of side members 41 is obtained, as illustrated for example in figure 14 and 15, where arrows

R and T are shown, respectively associated to a rest position and a tensioning position of sheet 9.

[0045] . This deformation or outward opening is enabled by the "U" shape of frame 6, as is shown also in figure 2, that is, by the fact that the side members are suitably extended relative to crosspiece 49 that connects them. [0046] . According to a preferred embodiment, each side member 41 is deformable relative to the rest position thereof, that is, not subject to thrust by the pushing means 27, in sensible manner, such as to allow a relative movement even by one or two centimetres between each side member 41 and the corresponding pushing means 27. [0047] . Preferably, moreover, frame 6 also bends thanks to the material it is made of, adapted for allowing an appreciable bending, for example a metal material such as steel or aluminium, a polymeric material, or a wooden core material, or wood.

[0048] . According to an embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the pushing means 27 comprise a pushing pin threaded and seated into said support member 5, as described in detail hereinafter. [0049] . According to a preferred embodiment, each support member 5 comprises coupling means 2 carrying a fixing seat 23 adapted for receiving an end portion 42 of said leg 50 or support member 5. [0050] . Favourably, the coupling means are fixable by first fixing means 47, such as rivets, screws and the like, or gluing means, or welding or the like. [0051] . Moreover, the coupling means 2 comprise a means substantially shaped as a parallelepiped at one first end of which the fixing seat 23 is obtained, and moreover they are provided with an adjustment hole 40 passing transversally relative to said parallelepiped and adapted for seating at least partly said pushing means 27. [0052] . Favourably, a second end of the coupling means is made with a rounded shape, so as to allow the rotation of leg 50 relative to side member 41 when the coupling means 2 and the coupling counter-means 3 are coupled. [0053] . According to an embodiment, the pushing means 27 exhibit a substantially cylindrical pattern. [0054] . Favourably, the pushing means 27 carry threaded

means 28 on the outer surface, adapted for coupling with respective threaded counter-means 33 seated in said adjustment hole 40.

[0055] . Favourably, the threaded means 28 develop along the axis of the cylindrical surface of the pushing means 27.

[0056] . Preferably, the threaded counter-means 33 comprise a cylindrical screwing bush inserted by pressure into said coupling means 2 and coaxially relative to said adjustment hole 40, wherein said pushing means 27 are screwed.

[0057] . Favourably, the bush is made of a malleable metal material, such as brass, for better coupling with the threading of the pushing means 27. [0058] . The provision of the coupling of pushing means 27 with leg 50 by threading ensures the axial retaining of the pushing pin in leg 50; in fact, when the pushing pin acts in pressure against side member 41 along the axial direction thereof, the constraint reaction of side member 41 tends to oppose the thrust movement of the pushing pin itself.

[0059] . This contrast action that occurs in the direction opposed to that of the abutment movement of the pushing means 27 is in turn opposed by the constraint of

leg 50 which is associated by threading to the pushing means 27 along the axial direction of the adjustment hole 40 thereof.

[0060] . Thus, leg 50 constrained in its position by pivoting to frame 6 and axially associated to the pushing means 27, balances the reaction of frame 6 and allows the effective thrust of the pushing pin on side members 41.

[0061] . Preferably, moreover, at least one of said side members 41 comprises coupling counter-means 3 adapted for coupling with said coupling means 2.

[0062] . In fact, the coupling means 2 are provided with a coupling surface 20 adapted for geometrically and turnably coupling to a corresponding coupling seat 24 of said coupling counter-means 3. [0063] . Favourably, the coupling surface 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape, thus delimiting a first open seat 25.

[0064] . The first seat 25 extends transversally from said parallelepiped and defines the coupling surface 20. [0065] . The first seat 25 is intended to seat at least partly a first pushing end 29 of said pushing means 27.

[0066] . Moreover, the coupling means 2 exhibit a second open seat 26, opposed to said first seat 25, intended to seat at least partly a second end 30 of said pushing

means 27 when they are screwed in said screwing bush.

[0067] . In fact, when the pushing means 27 exhibit a pushing surface 31 on the first end 29 adapted for abutting on a corresponding pushing counter-surface 21 of a pushing seat 22 obtained in the coupling counter-means 3, when the pushing means 27 push towards the side member 41.

[0068] . Favourably, the second end 30 of the pushing means 27 exhibits a manoeuvring head such as for example a polygonal bolt or nut system, manoeuvrable by a suitable tool for screwing said threaded means 28 and allowing said adjustable tensioning.

[0069] . The seating element 1 further comprises fixing means 13 adapted for cooperating with respective first fixing counter-means 14 of said side member 41 and with second fixing counter÷means 15 of said coupling counter- means 3, for fixing said coupling counter-means 3 to said side member 41.

[0070] . Favourably, the fixing means 13 comprise screw means, pins, rivets and the like.

[0071] . Moreover, the first fixing counter-means 14 comprise thorough holes obtained through each side member 41.

[0072] . Moreover, the second fixing counter-means 15

comprise further thorough holes obtained in said fixing counter-means 3 and . alignable with the thorough holes obtained in side members 41.

[0073] . Therefore, the coupling counter-means are fixed to side member 41 through the fixing means 13 that cooperate and pass through the thorough holes obtained on side member 41 and on a fixing plate or portion 52 of the fixing counter-means 3. [0074] . Favourably, the fixing plate 52 is adapted for resting in an adherent manner on the inner surface of side member 41, so that the coupling counter-means 3 are arranged inside the "U" shaped frame, or on the inner face of side members 41. [0075] . Moreover, the coupling counter-means 3 comprise a coupling step 11 obtained on the fixing plate 52.

[0076] . The coupling step 11 exhibits an undercut 12 adapted for moving in abutment on a corresponding portion 53 of said side member 41. [0077] . The seating element 1 further comprises rotation means 16 adapted for cooperating with respective first rotation counter-means 17 of said side member 41, with second rotation counter-means 18 of said coupling counter-means 3 and with a rotation hole 32 of said pushing means 27, for turnably pivoting the support

element 5 to each side member 41 and allowing a rotation of said support element 5 between an angular position wherein said support element 5 is substantially parallel to said side members 41 (closed position) and an angular position wherein said support element 5 is inclined relative to said side members 41 (open position) .

[0078] . Preferably, the rotation means 16 comprise a rotation pin having at the ends thereof first and second tightening means 43, 44 such as a nut, a bolt and the like for preventing the disconnection of the rotation pin from side member 41.

[0079] . Favourably, moreover, the first and second rotation means 17, 18 comprise a first and a second thorough hole alignable with one another and further alignable with the rotation hole 32 for allowing the introduction of the rotation pin and obtaining the pivoting of the support element 5 to the side member 41.

[0080] . In other words, the rotation pin is arranged coaxially to said pushing means 27 in said axial rotation hole 32.

[0081] . Favourably, the second end 30 is provided with an insertion seat 39, for example cylindrical, provided with an abutment surface 38 on which the first tightening means 43 abut.

[0082] . In this way, when the pushing means 27 move towards the side member and push it outwards, the rotation means 16 also move by the same amount of space, since one of their ends comprising the tightening means 43 is pulled in abutment by the abutment surface 38, while the tightening means 44 outwards are pushed by the side member 41 that opens out.

[0083] . According to a preferred aspect thereof, moreover, the coupling means 2 are provided with a holding tooth 35 arranged at a second end, opposed to said first end of said coupling means 2.

[0084] . The holding tooth 35 is adapted for coupling with a corresponding locking groove 34 obtained in the coupling counter-means 3, for example defined by two sided ribs.

[0085] . In this way, the holding tooth 35 is selectively connectable with the locking groove 34, in particular when the support element 5 is in the closed position, parallel to side members 41. [0086] . In fact, since the coupling means 2 and the coupling counter-means 3 are preferably made of plastic material, the holding tooth 35 is connectable with strength to groove 34 by a rotation of the support element 5 and disconnectable with a rotation in the

reverse direction.

[0087] . In this way, the lock of said support element 5 in said closed position is obtained, substantially parallel to said side members 41. [0088]. On the other hand, for locking the support element 5 in a position for supporting the side members 41, and therefore in inclined position relative to them, preferably each support element 5, and in particular each leg 50, carries a coupling tooth 37 intended for geometrically, or snap-wise coupling, with a corresponding coupling seat 19 or recess of said side member 41 for locking said support element 5 in an angular position inclined relative to said side member 41. [0089] . Preferably, moreover, each leg 50 carries a male coupling element 36 from which the coupling tooth 37 protrudes, intended for geometrically coupling with the corresponding coupling recess 19 obtained in a female coupling portion 45 of said coupling counter-means 3 for locking said support element 5 in said angular position inclined relative to said side member 41. [0090] . Favourably, the male coupling portion 36 exhibits a coupling plate 46 adapted for being applied adjacent to said leg 50 by second fixing means 48 such as

rivets, screws and the like.

[0091] . Thus, an adjusting device 4 associable to the frame of the seating element 1 adapted for tensioning a sheet 9 stretched out and held on frame 6 comprises pushing means 27 arrangeable in a movable manner between at least one support element 5 and frame 6.

[0092] . As widely illustrated, the pushing means 27 are adapted for exerting a cross thrust on frame 6, and in particular on side members 41, for obtaining its bending. [0093] . This bending allows a relative movement between the support element 5 and frame 6 for obtaining said tensioning of said sheet 9.

[0094], Device 4, moreover, preferably comprises the coupling means 2 associable to the support element 5. [0095] . Device 4 further comprises the coupling counter- means 3 integrally associable to frame 6, or to side members 41 and geometrically connectable to the coupling means 2.

[0096] . Preferably, in fact, the pushing means 27 are insertable in the coupling means 2 for exerting said thrust on said coupling counter-means 3; such thrust is then imparted to side members 41.

[0097] . Favourably, the coupling counter-means 3 are geometrically turnably connectable to said coupling means

2, for allowing the positioning of the support element 5 in open and closed position.

[0098] . As seen, the pushing means 27 of device 4 preferably comprise a threaded pushing pin seated in said support element 5.

[0099] . Moreover, the thrust of the pushing means 27 can be selectively modulated or adjusted, for example by more or less deep introduction or screwing of the pushing means 27 in leg 50, or inside the coupling means 2, for carrying out the adjustment of the tensioning of sheet 9. [00100] . In fact, when the pushing means 27 do not push on side members 41, the sheet is not bent, or wide apart, and the sheet is loosened, that is, device 4 is in rest position. [00101]. On the other hand, when the pushing means 27 exert a suitable pressure, that is, a bending strength on side members 41 in order to move them away from one another, the sheet is suitably tensioned and device 4 is in tensioning position. [00102] . The pressure exerted on side members 41 is adjustable by the more or less strong movement of the pushing means 27 towards the corresponding side members

41.

[00103] . According to a further advantageous aspect,

providing for the rotation pin that pivots the support element 5 to side member 41 to be coaxial to the pushing means 27 allows an effective rotation of the support element 5, since in this way the adjustment of the pushing means 27 and the rotation of legs 50 occurs relative to the same and coincident axis.

[00104] . In fact, if the axis about which the support element 5 rotates and the axis along which the distance between the side members 41 is adjusted, or the axis along which the pushing means 27 act, were different, for example parallel, the rotation of leg 50 would be made difficult by the fact that the pushing means 27 are in abutment on side member 41 for tensioning sheet 9 and by the coupling between the coupling means 2 and the coupling counter-means 3, which would cause harmful interferences to the rotation of the support element 5 or the need of not tensioning sheet 9 when legs 50 rotate.

[00105] . Advantageously, moreover, the seating element 1 provided with the tensioning adjustment device 4 allows easy removal of the sheet for replacement in the event of wear or breakage.

[00106] . in fact, advantageously, the pushing means 27 are moved inwards of frame 6, for example they are unscrewed so as not abut on side members 41; in this way,

frame 6 is not wide apart anymore and sheet 9 is loosened and can be removed from grooves 8 for replacement. [00107] . Advantageously, to introduce a new sheet 9, ribs 10 are inserted into grooves 8 and by device 4 it is possible to easily tension sheet 9 so that it effectively carries out the function of supporting an individual. [00108] . Advantageously, moreover, since sheet 9 can be made of a material such as an elastic-plastic polymeric material that tends to expand and deform for example when subject to an individual's weight and often, the deformation being not elastically recoverable, especially over time, by the pushing means 27 it s possible to effectively further tension sheet 9, without the need of removing the sheet itself, or removing pieces and/or parts of the seating element, but advantageously exerting a stronger pressure on the side members so as to bend them for recovering the deformation of sheet 9. [00109] . Advantageously, therefore, the operating life of sheet 9 is extended, which once loosened due to the wear and to the many stresses undergone, can be further tensioned and therefore returned to optimum operating conditions, thus avoiding too frequent replacements of sheet 9 itself, with evident advantages in terms of costs and times.

[00110] . According to an advantageous aspect, in fact, the seating element 1 exhibits two turnable support elements 5 substantially arranged at the respective ends of side members 41, or it exhibits four legs 50 connected by twos by ties 52.

[00111] . Advantageously, therefore, there are provided four pushing means 27, each arranged between a leg 50 and a corresponding side member 41, or four devices 4 for adjusting the tensioning of sheet 9 associated to the front and rear legs of the sunbed.

[00112] . Favourably, moreover, at least two fixing means 13 , which fix the coupling counter-means 3 to the respective side member 41, are also rotation pins that turnably connect each side member 41 to respective side members of back 7, for allowing the angular positioning of the back itself relative to frame 6.

[00113] . It is therefore clear that it is advantageously possible to obtain a desired adjustment, evenly along the entire length of sheet 9 or instead it is possible to tension sheet 9 in selectively variable manner to adapt it to various requirements.

[00114] . Therefore, an optimum tensioning of sheet 9 is obtained, adaptable to any user of the seating element 1 with further advantages connected to the more or less

desired stiffness of the sheet, according to the anatomical and morphological characteristics of the individual concerned, for example effectively avoiding the onset of pains to the back and to the back region due to long postures in unnatural positions.

[00115] . According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support element 5 is externally- associated to the pair of side members 41, or the portion 42 of leg 50 is coupled to the outer surface of side members 41; in this case, the pushing means 27 are adapted for pulling one of the side members 41, moving it close to device 4, that is, moving side member 41 away from the other side member of the pair to carry out the tensioning of sheet 9. [00116] . It is clear that a man skilled in the art may make several variations and changes to the seating element and to the adjusting device according to the present invention in order to meet specific and incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.