| WO2008119877A1 | 2008-10-09 |
| FI20080177U | ||||
| DE20001452U1 | 2000-05-18 |
| Claims 1. A frame mattress bed (10) comprising a self-supporting frame and, in connection with it, at least one spring assembly (15) below which there is a slat bottom (13), the frame mattress bed (10) comprising a tick (11) of the frame mattress bed, brought around the spring assembly (15) and the frame, and that a second slat (13bl, 13b2,...) is attached to the slat (13al, 13a2,...) of the slat bottom (13) by means of a sleeve member (14), whereby by changing the position of the sleeve member (14) in the slat the combined elasticity of the slats may be adjusted, characterised in that the frame mattress bed (10) comprises a strip (21), that is, a stiffening part (21) which is detachably attached to the top surface of the slats, whereby the strip (21) locks the slats to each other and adds to the stiffness of the slat bottom (13) at the spot in question. 2. A frame mattress bed (10) as claimed in claim 1, character- is e d in that the material (21a) of the strip (21) is fabric, plastic, cotton wool, or felt, and that the strip (21) is of inelastic material (21a) and that the strip (21) is inelas- tic and flexible. 3. A frame mattress bed (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, character- is e d in that as the top layer of the strip (21), there is a layer of adhesive glue (21b) which comes against the surface of the slats, and the thickness (d) of the strip (21) is in the region between 1 mm and 40 mm. 4. A frame mattress bed (10) as claimed in claim 3, character- is e d in that both top layers of the strip (21) are layers of adhesive glue (21b, 21c) whereby one layer stiffens the slats and the second top layer locks the mattress into a specific position on the slats. 5. A frame mattress bed (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is a mechanical fastener, such as a rivet (22) or screw (23), with which the strip (21) is fixed to a slat. 6. A frame mattress bed (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shape of the strip (21) such that a sleeper's surface pressure profile is as even as possible. 7. A stiffening part for the slat bottom (13), characterised in that the stiffening part consists of a strip (21) which is detachably attachable to the surface of the slats of the slat bottom (13). 8. A stiffening part as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the material (21a) of the strip (21) is fabric, felt, cotton wool, or plastic, the material (21a) being inelastic, and that the strip (21) is inelastic and flexible and that the thickness (d) of the strip (21) is advantageously in the region between 1 mm and 40 mm. 9. A stiffening part as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the strip (21) comprises at least one layer of adhesive glue (21b), which comes against the slats. 10. A stiffening part as claimed in any one of preceding claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the shape of the strip (21) is chosen according to a sleeper's surface pressure distribution or surface pressure chart sleeper-specifically so that the surface pressure against the mattress is as even as possible. 11. A method of forming a frame mattress bed, in which method: providing a self-supporting frame (12), a slat bottom (13) in connection with it, and at least one spring assembly (15) on top of the slat bottom, bringing a tick (11) over the spring assembly (15) and the sides of the frame (12), attaching a second slat (13bl, 13b2,...) to the slat (13al, 13a2,...) of the slat bottom (13) by means of a sleeve member (14), whereby by changing the position of the sleeve member (14) in the slat the combined elasticity of the slats may be adjusted, and attaching a strip (21) on top of the slats to lock the slats to each other and to add to the stiffness of the slat bottom (13) at the spot in question. 12. A method as claimed in claim 11 in which method a sleeper's surface pressure chart is measured and the shape of the strip (21) is determined on the basis of the measured surface pressure chart. |
Background of the invention
The invention relates to a frame mattress bed, stiffening part and method of forming the frame mattress bed.
Brief description of the invention
A frame mattress bed is formed of a self-supporting frame structure in which at least one spring assembly is placed. Advantageously a spring assembly is used, which consists of so-called module springing in which the springing may be selected/changed zone-by-zone along the length of the frame mattress bed. The self-supporting frame and spring assembly are surrounded by a tick which is brought over the mattress edges and advantageously fixed to under the frame and advantageously so that the legs to be fixed to the frame of the frame mattress bed attach the tick to the structure. The tick comprises an openable and closable struc- ture, advantageously opened/closed with a zip fastener or another fastener, whereby the spring assembly may be accessed by opening the fastener and the spring modules changed into ones that suit the sleeper. The tick advantageously surrounds the bed structure all over, which prevents the spring assembly/padding etc. from getting dusty. The tick may be so led in the structure that it is fixed to the lower edge of the frame.
This being the case, frame mattress beds do not currently provide adequate adjustment options for the springing to be adjusted when, for example, a sleeper's weight significantly varies as the years go by.
A frame mattress bed is equipped with an adjustable elastic bottom whose stiffness and consequently elasticity may advantageously be linearly adjusted according to the sleeper and the length of the frame mattress bed. The elastic bottom is advantageously formed of a slat bottom the elasticity of which may be adjusted.
At least one separate slat is used in connection with the actual bottom slat. The location of the connection points of the separate slat in relation to a second, so-called fixed slat, that is, the actual bottom slat, is adjustable and so the spring leaf type of elasticity of the set of slats may be adjusted. A slat therefore comprises a second slat in connection with it, the fastening position or connection position in relation to the actual bottom slat is adjustable. This adjustment takes place by means of a sleeve member, advantageously two sleeve members, which may be freely moved along the length of the slats, the sleeve member thus determining the combined elasticity of the interconnected slats.
The elasticity adjustment may be accessed by opening the closable tick, its zipper fastener or another fastener The slats are set to a suitable level of elas- ticity in relation to each other, and so a stiffer structure, for example, is accomplished at a particular location along the length of the frame mattress bed.
It is an aim of this application aims to further improve sleep comfort. For elasticity adjustment, the application discloses, in addition to the sleeve members, a covering, that is, a strip or stiffening part to be locked to the slats, which at the same time locks the slats within its scope to each other and further stiffens the structure and slat bottom for their part and at their location.
It is suggested that inelastic material be used as the strip or stiffening part, comprising on its surface an adhesive glue coating. The other side of the strip advantageously also comprises a layer of adhesive glue. The strip is pressed against a plurality of slats. In such a case, it locks the slats to each other and stiffens the spot in question in the area of the slats in question. The sleeves may be located under the strip. If there is a layer of glue on both sides of the strip, one layer of glue attaches the mattress to a desired position in relation to the slats, and the second one keeps the mattress in place. The strip is advantageously inelastic and flexible. When the strip is inelastic, it stiffens at its location the slat bottom, and when the strip is flexible, it may be fastened between different bottom portions of the slat bottom, where the direction of the slat changes.
The strip may be also be fixed to the slats mechanically, advantageously by rivets or screws.
The strip is advantageously of a nonwoven fabric, fabric, plastic, or cotton wool, and the thickness of the strip is advantageously from 1 mm to 40 mm.
The shape of the strip is chosen on the basis of a sleeper's pressure profile on the surface of the mattress, so according to a surface pressure chart. The sleeper's pressure profile is acquired by measuring it on a measuring mattress. Based on the measurement, a pressure chart is obtained for each sleeper. The greatest stiffness is placed in the spots where the lowest surface pressure from a person's body falls on the surface of the mattress.
The frame mattress bed, stiffener, and method according to the invention are characterised by what is disclosed in the independent claims. Brief description of the figures
In the following, the invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings without, however, exclusively restricting it to them.
Figure 1A shows a frame mattress bed.
Figure IB shows a slat bottom of a frame mattress bed, which comprises a strip and adjustable springing according to the invention.
Figure 1C shows a cross-section I-I of Figure 1A.
Figure 2A shows a fastening arrangement of two slats to an inner side surface of the body or the frame of the frame mattress bed. The view is from below the sets of slats.
Figure 2B shows the slat solution according to the invention, where the mutual support of the slats to each other may be adjusted by moving the sleeve members. The view is also from below, as in 2A.
Figure 2C is a principled view of two slats and the sleeve member.
Figure 3 shows the solution according to the invention in which a strip which locks and stiffens the slats has been placed in connection with the slats.
Figure 4A shows separately a preferred embodiment of the strip.
Figure 4B shows an embodiment of the strip, comprising two adhesive glue top layers.
Figure 5 shows an embodiment where the strip is fastened to the slats with rivets or screws.
Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show strips shaped according to pressure charts of different sleepers on the surface of the mattress. Detailed description of the invention
Figure 1A shows an end view of frame mattress bed 10.
Figure IB shows a frame 12 of a frame mattress bed and a slat bottom 13. The sleeves for adjusting stiffness are placed in an exemplary manner, only, at different positions along the length of a slat.
Figure 1C shows a cross-section I-I of Figure 1A.
The frame mattress bed 10 comprises a tick 11, a self-supporting body of the frame mattress bed, that is, a frame 12 which is a frame-like part comprising side frame parts 12al, 12a2, 12a3, 12a4 and a slat bottom 13 consisting of slats 13al, 13a2...13bl, 13b2 shown in Figure IB. Legs 01, 02, 03 and 04 connect to the frame and may be detachably screwed to it. As shown in Figures 1A, IB and 1C, a spring assembly 15 is at the top, formed with modular springs 15al, 15a2... placed in bags 16 and selectable zone- by-zone according to the weight/build of a sleeper. The replaceable spring assembly 15 is located within the foam plastic wall structure 17. The tick 11 surrounds the frame 12, spring assembly 15, and the foam plastic parts 17 all over. Also feasible is a frame mattress bed 10 where the tick 11 is only brought over the spring assembly 15 and over the sides of the frame 12, and folded against the lower surface of the side boards of the frame 12. The spring assembly 15 is advantageously a structure which consists of springs 15al, 15a2... in the bags 16 and which may be chosen zone-by-zone to suit the sleeper's build. Below the spring assembly is the slat bottom 13 the elasticity of which may be adjusted. Below the slat bottom 13 there is a free space D. The strip 21 according to the invention acts as a stiffener for the slat bottom, and it is detachably fixed to the slats in the slat bottom 13.
Figure 2A shows the fastening of the bottom part slats 13al, 13a2... of the frame mattress bed by a fastening structure 20, a so-called plastic sleeve part, to the inner surface 12' of the frame structure of the side frames 12al, 12a3 of the frame 12. The view is from below towards the slat bottom 13. The bottom 13 consists of slats 13al, 13a2..; 13bl, 13b2...
Figures 2B and 2C show a second slat 13bn on the surface of the slat 13an, and the sleeve part/sleeve parts 14 surrounding them. The sleeve part 14 forming the adjustment mechanism may be freely slid as shown by arrows SI to the desired position along the length of the slats 13an, 13bn, whereby the desired elasticity is achieved. The figure represents an example. When the sleeves 14 are on the side of the slat, in relation to its length, the stiffest bundle of slats 13an, 13bn is obtained. When the sleeves 14 are moved towards the centre, there will be more elasticity for the bundle of slats 13an, 13bn. There are advantageously two or more sleeve parts 14 used for fixing the slat 13bn to the slat 13an. There may be a sleeve part 14 and slat 13bn in connection with all the slats 13an or just some of them. This way, different variations are achieved for linearly adjusting the stiffness for the set of slats 13al, 13bl, 13a2, 13b2, 13a3, 13b3. 13an, 13an. The slats 13al, 13a2...; 13bl, 13b2 are advantageously of plywood. The sleeve part 14 advantageously comprises a locking tongue 14', which by its own spring force connects the sleeve 14 to a particular position along the length of the slats 13an, 13bn (arrows SI). The sleeve 14 may also be around the slats by a press-on fit, in which case the tongue 14' is not needed. The position of the sleeves 14 determines the combined spring factor, or elasticity, of the bundle of slats. The frame mattress bed 10 has an openable tick 11, whereby the fastening means, advantageously a zip fastener (J) or another fastener is located on the bottom side of the frame mattress bed 10 and may be opened, whereby slat adjustment may be accessed. The tick 11 is advantageously of fabric and in the most preferred embodiment it encloses all the other frame mattress bed parts than the legs. This way, the internal parts of the frame mattress bed are kept dust-free. A further task for the tick 11 is to fix the springs in an exact position in the frame mattress bed.
Figures 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C show the inventive solution to further stiffen a slat bottom of a frame mattress bed.
Figure 3 shows a strip, that is, a stiffening part 21, fixed to a slat bottom of a frame mattress bed In Figure 4A, the strip 21 is shown separately. The strip 21 is advantageously of felt, plastic, fabric, nonwoven fabric, or cotton wool, or a combination thereof. Its thickness is advantageously in the region from 1 mm to 40 mm. The basic material layer of the strip 21 is denoted by 2 la, and the layer of glue on the strip is denoted by 21b. Advantageously the glue is adhesive glue. The layer 21 is pressed onto the surfaces of the slats. This way, the strip 21 locks adjacent slats to each other and stiffens the slat bottom 13 at the spot in question.
In the embodiment disclosed in this context, the bottom slats 13al, 13a2, 13a3,...in the structure are at the top side, and separate second slats 13b 1, 13b2, 13b3 attached to them are on the bottom side, and the strip 21 is on the top side of the bottom slats 13al, 13a2, 13a3,... and locks the desired adjacent bottom slats 13al, 13a2, 13a3,... to each other. An embodiment is also possible where the strip 21 is on the bottom side of separate second slats 13bl, 13b2, 13b3,... and thereby locks the desired adjacent separate slats 13b 1, 13b2, 13b3,... to each other. Likewise, such embodiments are possible where the bottom slats 13al, 13a2, 13a3,...in the slat structure are on the bottom side, and separate second slats 13b 1, 13b2, 13b3, ... attached to them are at the top side. The strip 21 may therefore by either on the top side of the separate slats 13bl, 13b2, 13b3,... or on the bottom side of the bottom slats 13al, 13a2, 13a3,...
An embodiment is also possible where the strip comprises a layer of adhesive glue 21c on its second surface, too, as shown in Figure 4B. In such a case, the surface layer in question fixes the mattress in the desired position in relation to the slats and keeps the mattress there. The layer 21b placed against the surface of the slats fixes the strip 21 to the slats, and the second top layer 21c fixes the mattress to the strip 21, whereby the mattress stays in the desired position in relation to the slats, as explained.
The adhesive glue substance is such that the locking may be released and then the locking may again be re-applied. In connection with adhesive glue, it is advantageous to use felt as the basic layer, because glue absorbs well into felt and feeds it to the surface for the entire time the strip 21 is in use.
Felt feeds glue well onto the surface of the basic layer. The strip 21 may thus be removed and re-attached to the slats in the desired position. The strip 21 is cut into form in accordance with the measured surface pressure profile of a sleeper. By means of the strip 21, surface pressures and surface pressure chart are evened out, and an even surface pressure distribution is achieved all over the sleeper's area.
As regards its basic material layer 21a, the strip 21 is inelastic material. Therefore the strip 21 is inelastic. The strip 21 is flexible. It may be attached to adjacent portions of a slat bottom where the direction of the strip 21 changes.
The strip 21 in Figures 4A and 4B is of nonwoven fabric, cotton wool, fabric, plastic or felt. The advantage of felt is that absorbs glue well, advantageously adhesive glue. The strip is advantageously attached to the slats with adhesive glue. The strip 21 in the embodiment of Figure 4B comprises layers of adhesive glue 21b and 21c on both its surfaces. An embodiment of Figure 5 is also possible, where the strip 21 is fixed to the slats with rivets 22 or screws 23.
Figure 6A illustrates the shaping of the strip 21. The strip 21 is cut according to the measured surface pressure chart of a sleeper, measured with a measuring mattress. The strip 21 fixes slats to each other in particular at those spots where the sleeper's surface pressure on the mattress is at its minimum. The shape of the strip 21 is cut to have the surface pressure profile of the sleeper's surface pressure chart as even as possible and the sleeper's spine straight when the sleeper is sleeping. The shape of the strip 21 is in the embodiment pointy and oval-shaped, determined on the basis of a specific sleeper. The mattress is thus made for this specific sleeper.
Figure 6B shows a second exemplary embodiment of the shaping of the strip. The strip 21 is pointy at its ends and circularly curved in the middle.
Figure 6C shows a third exemplary embodiment of the shaping of the strip, corresponding to the pressure chart of a specific sleeper. The strip has a mushroom-like shape. The stiffening part fits in the slat bottom and in particular in the slat bottom 13 of the frame mattress bed 10, as shown in the preferred embodiment. The Figures show shapes of the strip 21 by way of example, chosen according to the measured surface pressure chart of each sleeper.
A person skilled in the art will find it obvious that, as technology ad- vances, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above-described examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.