The present invention concerns a novel bed construction, especially for a double bed, and more especially a continental bed. The construction comprises frames, mattresses and covers.

Background for the invention

There are a number of different types of mattresses on the marked, mainly divided into three different groups depending on the manner in which they are built. These groups are: reversible mattress, frame mattress and continental mattress, as defined below.

A "reversible mattress" is understood as a simple, loose mattress, which may be turned and bended in that it is made up of a bendable main body. The main body may consist of a foam material in its entirety, or of a core comprising a spring system such as LFK springs or similar, which are padded with a foam material. Reversible mattresses are normally used in bed trunk where they are dependent on being carried by lamellas in the bottom of the bed trunk.

A "frame mattress" is understood as a mattress consisting of a bendable mattress unit attached detachably or permanently to a frame, wherein the frame comprises stiff or flexible transverse lamellas, optionally the frame may contain a spring inlay. The frame may carry the mattress alone and may have legs or hoops fixed to the underside, or it may be mounted in a bed trunk which then have no need for carrying lamellas which a reversible mattress would require.

A "continental mattress" is a composition of several elements, such as the above, and often consists of a bedplate, a frame, a supporting mattress, a main mattress and possibly a top mattress. The elements are usually stacked on top of each other in the mentioned sequence and are exclusively used in double beds. The bedplate often

comprises the bottom part, wherein the frame rests on top of the bedplate, preferably slidingly prevented in the transverse direction by tracks or plugs with corresponding grooves or holes in the bedplate. The frame normally consists of two simple frames with lamellas, but may also be made of other materials such as for example steel, possibly covered by a fabric on the top side. The two frames are fastened together in one of the longitudinal edges. Conventionally, two traditional frame mattresses are often used as the bottom mattress, which thereby constitute both the frame and supporting mattress in one. On top of the supporting mattress, a main mattress is stacked, which preferably may be a reversible mattress. As the system is used for double beds, two and two similar single mattresses are preferably stacked side-by-side, optionally two adjacent mattresses may be replaced by one double mattress. Finally, one common (felles) double top mattress is placed on top of the main mattress (es) .

The background for optionally using two single frames is that they are less voluminous and thereby are easier to transport, and that the span over the width of the frame in any case is too large for normal lamellas alone, without support in the middle of the width. The frames are often fixed together by the help of fastening means, such as for example clips, in order to avoid the two frames in sliding away from each other.

The disadvantage with this solution is that it gives more loose components of very different size which must be delivered. This increases the possibility for incomplete delivery and demands a lot of packaging and possibly in between padding of the parts in order to avoid rubbing and wear for example between the frames during transport. The fastening means should be packaged together with the frames in order to avoid that they disappear during handling and transport to the sales point or the end user.

The disadvantage of possibly using two frames is that the fastening means in the frame, such as plugs, are difficult to hit when the mattresses are placed on the bedplate. Therefore, a fixing that hinders the frame mattresses in moving in the transverse direction, i.e. from each other, is prioritised, as this only requires extending plugs in- the bedplate of which the frame of the mattresses are placed within the inside. Further fixing such as in the longitudinal direction is difficult to achieve as it is especially difficult to couple frame mattresses together from the underside because of the weight. If the frame mattresses are coupled together when they are turned upside down, it will be difficult and heavy to turn the coupled mattresses all the way around.

The main part of the main mattress, which is a reversible mattress, is often covered with a thin cover or shell during production. The shell is often made of a cotton fabric and has the purpose of protecting the main part of the mattress and to keep the shape of the components together, for example during production, handling, storage and transport. The shell is not appropriate to protect the mattress during use, but it makes it easier to apply an outer, more durable cover in order to protect the mattress during use. From earlier it is known that especially reversible mattresses and frame mattresses may have a protective cover around the particular main part of the mattress, such as an elastic material with a protective outer padded layer.

Further, it is known that such covers may be detachable, so that the outer cover may be washed or rinsed or changed when worn or damaged.

It would be an advantage to be able to use an outer cover which may be fastened to the underside of the frame, such as in frame mattresses, in continental beds as well. The cover should be fastened to the frame by stapling, or be

detachable. The latter demands fastening means on the frame, such as on the underside of the frame. The frames of prior art, wherein the cover is fastened to the frame by- stapling, or wherein fastening means running continuously along the outside edge of the mattress construction, is inappropriate for continental beds as the frame is divided in two. A coupling of the frames by the help of a stapled cover or for example a zipper side along the perimeter of the frame, will not bear the treatment under transport and handling, as this is the only means holding the frames together. There is therefore a need for a frame for a continental bed wherein the cover, or fastening means for the cover, may be fastened to the frame without these tearing or loosening during transport and handling before assemblying the bed.

Another problem with the present continental beds is that the mattresses during use displace themselves horizontally in relation to each other, both in the longitudinal and sideways direction. Thereby, the stacks of mattresses, and possibly the frames, are displaced in relation to each other and internally in the stacks, so that the resting comfort is poor. Aesthetically, it also gives a very untidy and little appealing impression when the elements are not stacked exactly on top of and beside each other. In order to prevent displacement, some producers supply the two upper adjacent main mattresses either as one large double mattress or in one common large double cover, so that the main mattresses at least do not slide away from each other. This solution is also meant to hinder movement of the two lower mattresses, but these will still slide somewhat from each other, although not as quickly.

In order to make it possible to clean the bed in a thorough manner with dust and bacteria in mind, which may cause disease and allergies, there has been a development towards being able to open the covers of the mattresses as much as

possible in order to access the units, for example for vacuuming.

The problem with such large covers is that they are difficult to clean as they are voluminous and do not fit in ordinary washing machines. Further, both in terms of volume and time, it is laborious to remove all the mattresses in a continental mattress from the covers and to wash and dry that many large pieces in an ordinary household.

From the applicant's Norwegian patent NO 312991 it is known covers that may be removed completely from each other in order to be able to wash the cover itself in smaller parts so that they fit into an ordinary washing machine for domestic use. The cover elements have a fastening system enabling the parts to be used interchangeably, and may be adapted to both reversible mattresses and frame mattresses. However, this patent does not solve the problem with the number of covers that must be washed in a continental mattress.

From Norwegian patent NO 307641 it is further known a frame mattress comprising a cover that stretches around the mattress part and partly around the frame. This solution is however not possible to carry out in continental beds as one double frame mattress becomes too large and heavy to handle, and a division of the frame in addition hinders a continuous fastening system as mentioned above.

Another disadvantage with the present continental beds is that they become expensive to produce as they require large amounts of material for the covers, especially when all the part mattresses have individual covers, which normally correspond to four single mattress covers and one double cover for the top mattress. Due to all the singe covers, the production costs also become high in the form of labour, time and machines.

Thus, there is a need for a bed construction, especially for continental beds, which solve the above mentioned problems and which are not burdened with such disadvantages. At present, too may outer covers are used for the mattresses, the division of mattress units allow dirt and dust to enter between these, and it is difficult to hinder the frames and mattresses in displacing themselves from each other. At the same time, one should keep the possibility of access to the units for thorough cleaning.

Short description of the invention

The present invention thus concerns a bed construction, especially a continental bed, comprising:

A frame of at least two parallel rectangular par frames, at least one mattress layer, and one cover comprising at least one wraparound side and at least one plate side, characterised in that the two part frames are hinged together with at least one hinge in an adjacent length edge each, and in that the wraparound side of the cover covers the entire height of the bed construction and is detachable to the frame with fastening means.

The advantages of the present invention is that the construction comprises a hinged frame, which gives simple transport, a stable double bed basis, and the possibility for a continuous fastening means around the entire double bed in the bottom of the frame.

By a given embodiment of the frames, wherein the lamellas are placed on one surface side and the hinges on the opposite side, there is provided the possibility for a closed transport room, as a case.

Further, a cover is obtained, that envelops all the mattresses, which is being fastened to the hinged frame,

preferably with a zipper. The cover may be divisible in side and top, preferably with the help of zipper, in order to ease cleaning and replacement.

Drawings

The invention will now be described by reference to the drawings which are embodiment examples of the invention only.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a bed construction according to the invention, comprising a frame, support and main mattresses, cover and the optional top mattress.

Figure 2 shows the construction on page 1 wherein the cover has a detachable top plate.

Figure 3A shows a frame for the bed construction in an open state viewed from underneath.

Figure 3B shown the frame in figure 3 in a compressed position viewed from above.

Figure 4 shows the frame in figure 3 with a cover element in perspective in partly open state.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment according to the invention.

Figure 6A and B shows a third embodiment according to the invention in detail.

Figure 7A and B shows the embodiment in figure 6.

Detailed description

The main construction of the invention is shown in figure 1, in which a cover 100 envelopes all the inner mattresses

101, 111, 121, 131 of a conventional continental mattress and is coupled to the frame 200. In this manner the cover 100 retains all the components in place and hinder horizontal displacement of the inner mattresses in relation to each other. A top mattress 400 may also be placed on top of the cover 100.

The cover 100 may advantageously be of a height so that it also covers the frame 200 completely or partly and in this way holding all the mattress components 101, 111, 121, 131 attached to the frame 200. Preferably, the cover 100 is attached to the frame 200 itself by the help of fastening means, such as Velcro, press studs or zipper 150, preferably zipper. One of the zippers' sides 250 may be fastened to the frame by help of stapling or gluing, and the corresponding zipper side may be sewn, glued or welded to the side cover 100. One or more zipper sides 250 may be used on the frame, with the corresponding number on the cover, but a better esthetical result is achieved with only one zipper lock so that the fastening is as continuous as possible without skjøter.

The cover 100 may preferably be divided into a side cover 30 and a top cover 40 as shown in figure 2. The cover elements 30 and 40 may be hinged together with the help of fastening means, such as for example Velcro, press studs or zipper 160, 46, but preferably with zipper which is sewn, glued or welded to the cover elements, something that also concerns the lower zipper side 150 against the frame. The advantage with this solution is that the top cover 40, which is mostly exposed, may be removed for cleaning and that each cover element 30 and 40 is not larger than being able to be cleaned in a domestic washing machine. Additionally, the removable top cover 40 may be replaced if it is worn or ruined, and it is possible to change between a top cover with different properties, such as for example a summer cover in cotton and a winter cover of wool.

Similarly, this solution makes it easy to change side cover

which may have different designs or qualities, for example different colours.

In figure 3A, the frame 200 of the bed construction of the present invention is shown. The frame 200 comprises two part frames 2 and 3, which in this example is of the same rectangular form, size and thickness. Each part frame 2 and 3 has an inner adjacent length edge 4 and 5 which are hinged together on the underside with two hinges 20 and 21. Further, the part frame consists of outer longitudinal edges 6 and 7 and, correspondingly, two short ends each 8, 10 and 9, 11.

The topside of the part frame 2 and 3 is in this embodiment covered by lamellas 12 and 13 which may be stiff or springable and made of wood, metal, plastic or a suitable laminate or composite material.

As may be seen from figure 3B, the hinges 20 and 21 enable the part frames 2 and 3 to rotate towards each other. In this embodiment, the hinges 20 and 21 are fastened to the lower surface of the opposite inner opposite sides 4 and 5 of the part frames 2 and 3 so that the part frames may close towards each other as a shell. Thereby, the two part frames 2 and 3 delimit a protected cavity in a closed state which may be used during transport. The cavity may be used to store other parts which are sent together with the frame, such as parts to a bedplate or legs, as well as cover elements which must be used, and possibly a top mattress.

The part frames 2 and 3 may further each comprise a fabric 31 on the topside of the lamellas 12 or 13 as shown in figure 4. The fabric may for example be stapled to the frame and/or the lamellas. The fabric 31 provides friction against sliding of the mattresses that rest on the frame, and hinders dust being collected under the frame.

The advantage in hinging the part frames 2 and 3 together is that all the parts making up the main frame, namely the two part frames and the fastening means which should hold them together, remain gathered, which is an important advantage during storage, handling and assembly. No parts are lost and, in addition, the part frames are partly locked in relation to each other, and completely locked against displacement and rubbing, and minimal damage on each other is obtained, especially during transport.

The advantages of this embodiment are in addition that the part frames are hinged on the underside edges of the frames. This make the part frames stable in relation to each other in an open state as the outer surfaces of the inner longitudinal edges 4 and 5 are located against each other and thereby limit the maximum angle between the part frame surfaces to 180°, as shown in figure 3A. This is also the case when the frame is strained with weight from the top side.

The above embodiments also make it possible to fasten a continuous fastening means 250 and/or a cover element 30 around the whole bottom of the frame, such as on the underside of the part frames 6, 8, 9, 7, 11 and 10, without the fastening means being destroyed during handling, as shown in figure 4. The fastening means may be Velcro or preferably zipper, which often give the best esthetical impression. Even by folding of the part frames as shown in figure 4, such a fastening means will not be strained, and a possible cover or parts of a cover which is fastened to the fastening means may be folded in a protective manner into the cavity and be protected during handling and transport of the frame. In use, the side cover 30 is pulled up over the outer edges of the frame 100 and may thereby cover the mattresses placed onto the frame 200.

The bed construction according to the invention allows the user to access the mattresses 101, 111, 121, 131 under the

cover 100 in a simple manner to clean or turn the mattresses in the construction, especially by using a detachable top cover 40. The mattresses may for example have different properties, especially when concerning the upper main mattresses 101 and 111, which may have side dependent properties such as a soft and a hard side.

In production, it is also a most cost-saving solution to use one top cover 40, as only the height of the side cover 30 must be changed in relation to the actual height of the mattress, which is decided by the build-up of the mattress. The top cover 40 may thus be used in other configurations, for example when only one height of mattresses is used on the frame 200.

The cover 100 also enables the use of a build up of continental mattresses in single beds which are narrower than double beds. This was previously not possible as the stack of mattresses became too unstable when the width of the mattresses became reduced, such as below 150 cm.

By the help of the cover 100, and especially the side cover 30, a single bed with a width of for example 90 cm or even 75 cm may for example be constructed, without the support mattress 121 and the main mattress 101 sliding in relation to each other or the frame.

The solution with the covers 30 and 40 will again give savings in the number of production lines, necessity of storage of different cover elements and reduced possibility for wrong delivery.

The top cover 40 may preferably be of the type described in the applicant's Norwegian patent 312991, wherein the fastening system may be used with other cover elements with identically arranged fastening system.

This system may also be used as the top and bottom fastening system of the side cover as well as on the frame. By using this system, the side cover will be characterized in that there is provided a fastening system on the top and bottom side consisting of at least one glider side and at least one box side of a zipper around the outer edges of the cover 30, such that the cover may be connected opposite at least one or more additional cover elements 40 and/or the frame 200 with identically arranged fastening system, where the starting points and the end points for the glider side on the frame is opposite the respective starting points and end points for the box sides on the cover element or frame and vice versa. Similarly, the frame will be characterized in that there is provided a fastening system on the frame consisting of at least one glider side and at least one box side of a zipper around the outer edges of the frame 100, such that the frame may be connected opposite a cover element with identically arranged fastening system, where the starting points and the end points for the glider side on the frame is opposite the respective starting points and end points for the box sides on the cover element and vice versa.

Further, the cover 100 gives important savings in material and production costs, such as production time.

A continental mattress contains, according to the present standard, for example four individual mattresses: two adjacent main mattresses 101, 111, as well as two adjacent supporting mattresses 121, 131, all with individual covers. In addition, the top mattress often has its own cover, which in sum gives five individual covers. By the aid of the present invention, this may be reduced to one cover, which in addition is without bottom in that it preferably is attached to the frame.

In a normal continental mattress with normal outer mattress measures of 200 cm x 200 cm, the present invention for example provides the following savings:

• more than 8 m ² of bolster; • more than 20 m trimming;

• more than 10 minutes sewing work;

• 1 layer of fiber padding;

• over 10 minutes work time for quilting;

• packaging.

The cover 100 also provides the user with a better comfort in that the mattresses do not slide apart in the construction and leading to unfavourable resting positions, and securing that the construction provides optimal resting comfort. Further, the solution gives better hygiene in that the entire construction is closed, and reduces the collection of dust between the mattresses. It is further possible to wash and dry the outer covers 30 and 40 in domestic washing machines during one day, something which is virtually impossible with the amount of covers in the prior solutions.

The solution according to the invention provides in addition a particularly better esthetical result in that none of the mattresses of the construction extends in any of the sides.

Alternative embodiments

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the cover 100 may in addition to covering the above-mentioned mattresses (support mattress and main mattress) , also cover the top mattress, as shown in figure 5. By also covering the top mattress 400, the entire construction, except for the bedplate/legs on the bed construction, is covered by one single cover. This solution thereby gives additional reduction in the use of materials, in the order of 20% and

production time, and, in addition, it hinders the top mattress in sliding in relation to the lower components. The challenge with this solution is finding fixture for a bed sheet that may cover the top side of the bed 5 construction.

It is, of course, possible to use a large bed sheet that may be pulled all the way down under the bottom of the frame portion of the construction, but this results in a particularly large bed sheet which occupies a large space io and easily creases during use and which is difficult to make lie nicely along the sides of the bed. Further, the bed sheet will easily be pulled out of shape when someone walks past the bed and comes in contact with the side, something that the side cover 30 resists. A coloured and i5 more quality oriented embodiment of the side cover 30 will neither be visible if a bed sheet is stretched all the way beneath the frame. An inventive solution is therefore provided by providing the top edge of the side cover 30 with one additional zipper side 161, in parallel with the

2o zipper side 160, on the outside of this as shown in figure 6A. The former inner zipper side 160 is used as above to fasten the top cover 40, whilst the outer zipper side 161 is used to fasten a bed sheet 500 provided with a corresponding zipper side 561, over the top plate 40, as

25 shown in detail in figure 6B. In this manner, a "top bed sheet" 500 as shown in figure 7A, may be drawn over the top plate 40, which in principle is the only surface the user has any actual contact with and which should be protected. A very stable bed sheet is obtained in this manner as shown

30 in figure 7B, which always is stretched firmly and neatly over the top side of the bed, and which does not occupy unnecessary space during storage and washing. In addition, the outside of the side cover 30 becomes visible, something that may be favourable aesthetically an in relationship to

35 wear. Alternatively, the top plate 40 may of course be provided with one additional zipper in order to achieve the same effect (not shown) , but the inconvenience with this

solution is that the bed sheet then does not cover the zipper sides 160, 46 between the side cover 30 and the top cover 40.

If it should be desirable to cover the sides of the bed construction, the bed sheet may also be provided with one additional zipper side 571 along the end edges, preferably on the topside of the zipper side 561, so that the inner zipper side 561 is used to fasten the bed sheet to the side cover 30, while the outer zipper side 571 is used to fasten a cape or similar to the bed sheet so that the cape may hang down along the side of the bed construction. Alternatively, this cape fastening may be placed on the side cover 30 or the top plate 40, but will then make visible the other fastening means.

In an alternative embodiment, the two part frames 2 and 3 may be hinged with one or more hinges, such as for example one long "piano hinge" or several smaller hinges. The hinge (s) may be fastened to the part frame in any manner, i.e. by screws on wooden frames or welded or by pop rivets in steel frames. Possibly the hinge(s) may be integrated in the part frames.

The fastening means for the cover elements of the two part frames 2 and 3 may alternatively be corresponding fastening means such as corresponding parts of Velcro, press studs or a box side and a glider side of a zipper. In this manner the fastening means may lock the two part frames 2 and 3 together in folded state during transport.

The main frame 100 may also be comprised of more than two part frames, such as for example three or four part frames which are all hinged together. This may be relevant for especially wide beds, so that the folded main frame has shorter lengths and thereby is easier to transport, i.e. through doors in a house.