Abstract
A slatted grate for reclining or seating furniture, includes a frame for receiving at least two zone elements, in which at least one slat is arranged on the zone elements. The slatted grate further includes an elastic longitudinal bracing member, and the zone elements are connected to one another and/or to a transverse side of the frame by the longitudinal bracing member. A support member is fastened to the frame for mounting the at least two zone elements along a longitudinal extension of the frame, and at least one elastic transverse bracing element is provided. The zone elements are connected to a longitudinal side of the frame by a transverse bracing member.
Claims
1. A slatted frame for a reclining or seating furniture article, comprising: a frame for receiving at least two zone elements, wherein a slat is arranged on the at least two zone elements, an elastic longitudinal brace, wherein the at least two zone elements by way of the longitudinal brace are connected together and/or are connected to a transverse side of the frame, a carrier fixed to the frame for mounting the at least two zone elements along a longitudinal extent of the frame, and an elastic transverse brace, wherein the at least two zone elements are connected to a longitudinal side of the frame by a transverse brace.
2. The slatted frame according to claim 1, wherein the elastic longitudinal brace is a first one of at least two first elastic longitudinal braces arranged between each of the at least two zone elements, wherein the at least two zone elements connected together in that way are connected by at least two second longitudinal braces to the two opposite transverse sides of the frame.
3. The slatted frame according to claim 1, wherein the elastic longitudinal brace and the elastic transverse brace are formed by encased rubber cables and/or spring elements connected to the frame and/or a zone element by a fixing element.
4. The slatted frame according to claim 1, wherein each zone element is formed by at least two mutually opposite carrier elements, wherein the carrier elements are connected together by a bar.
5. The slatted frame according to claim 1, wherein each zone element has a mounting element for receiving the elastic transverse brace and/or the elastic longitudinal brace.
6. The slatted frame according to claim 5, wherein the mounting element is arranged at the bar.
7. The slatted frame according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two zone elements has an elastic connecting element for receiving the slat.
8. The slatted frame according to claim 1, wherein a transverse spacing and a longitudinal spacing are arranged between the at least two zone elements and the frame by bracing of the at least two zone elements in the frame, whereby indirect contact between the frame and the at least two zone elements is prevented.
9. The slatted frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame is formed by two longitudinal sides which extend in a parallel mutually opposite relationship along the longitudinal extent of the frame and are spaced from each other by two parallel mutually opposite transverse sides.
10. The slatted frame according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of frame rolling bodies for receiving the carrier arranged along at least one of the two longitudinal sides.
11. The slatted frame according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the at least two zone elements is arranged between two of the plurality of frame rolling bodies along one of the two longitudinal sides.
12. The slatted frame according to claim 11, wherein a respective one of the at least two zone elements is arranged between two of the plurality of frame rolling bodies along the one of the two longitudinal sides.
13. The slatted frame according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of support rolling bodies arranged along the one of the two longitudinal sides, wherein the plurality of support rolling bodies are arranged in a region below a carrier element of at least one of the at least two zone elements.
14. The slatted frame according to claim 1, further comprising an adjusting element on the frame for adjusting the tension of the carrier.
15. The slatted frame according to claim 1, wherein the elastic longitudinal brace and the elastic transverse brace have a resilient or elastic nature, and the carrier has a static configuration of a static cable without elastic properties.
16. A zone element for the slatted frame according to claim 1, the zone element including: at least two mutually opposite carrier elements oriented in mutually parallel relationship and having a longitudinal extent, and a bar by which the carrier elements are connected together transversely relative to the longitudinal extent, wherein at least two zone rolling bodies are arranged for mounting the zone element on a carrier along the longitudinal extent of each of the at least two carrier elements.
17. The zone element according to claim 16, wherein the at least two zone rolling bodies are arranged at a side of the at least two carrier elements remote from the bar.
18. The zone element according to claim 16, wherein the at least two zone rolling bodies are respectively mounted at their own rotary axis parallel to a transverse extent of a respective one of the at least two zone rolling bodies.
19. The zone element according to claim 18, wherein the a spacing between respective rotary axes of the at least two zone rolling bodies is at least 120 mm and at a maximum 180 mm.
20. The zone element according to claim 16, wherein the at least two zone rolling bodies substantially comprise plastic rollers, wood rollers, or metal rollers rotatably mounted at a ball bearing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Further details and advantages of the present invention are described more fully hereinafter by the specific description with reference to the drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a zone element,
(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of a slatted frame,
(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the slatted frame,
(5) FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the slatted frame, direction of view on the transverse side,
(6) FIG. 5 shows a detail from FIG. 2,
(7) FIG. 6 shows a detail from FIG. 3,
(8) FIGS. 7a-7c are diagrammatic views of the operating principle of the carrier means,
(9) FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the operating principle of the moveable zone element,
(10) FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the zone elements in the frame with spacings and adjusting element, and
(11) FIGS. 10a, 10b are detail views of a further embodiment of the slatted frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(12) FIG. 1 shows a zone element 10 comprising two mutually opposite carrier elements 13 which are arranged parallel to each other, spaced by at least one bar 15. The bar 15 has a mounting element 16 for mounting the at least one transverse bracing means (i.e., transverse brace) 3 (not visible in FIG. 1) and is fixed at the fixing portion 18 on the mounting element 16. The bar 15 also has fixing portions 18, to which the at least one longitudinal bracing means (i.e., longitudinal brace) 4 can be attached. The connecting elements 12 are disposed on the carrier element 13. They connect the slats 11 to the zone element 10. The connecting elements 12 can be made from an elastic material to be able to promote the flexibility of the slats 11 and to make the slats 11 moveable relative to the rest of the zone element 10. The rotary axis D of the zone rolling bodies 14 is disposed parallel to the transverse axis QE which extends transversely relative to the longitudinal axis LE. The zone rolling bodies 14 are spaced from each other at a spacing Z.
(13) FIG. 2 shows the slatted frame 1 with zone elements 10 arranged therein. The slatted frame 1 has a frame 2 comprising the longitudinal sides 2a and transverse sides 2b. It is also possible for additional reinforcing struts to be arranged between the opposite longitudinal sides 2a and the opposite transverse sides 2b. The zone elements 10 are connected together by way of the longitudinal bracing means 4. The first and also the last respective member in the chain of zone elements 10 is connected by way of further longitudinal bracing means 4 to the frame 2—more precisely to the transverse sides 2b of the frame 2. The carrier means (i.e., carrier) 5 extends parallel thereto on both sides. The transverse bracing means 3 are attached to the longitudinal sides 2a of the frame 2 and extend as far as the mounting elements 16 arranged at the zone elements 10. The detail X in FIG. 2 is described more fully in FIG. 5.
(14) FIG. 3 shows a section through the longitudinal extent LE of the slatted frame 1 as a side view. The carrier means 5 extends from the transverse side 2b to the oppositely disposed further transverse side 2b on the other side of the slatted frame 1. There it is connected to an adjusting element 6. The tension at the carrier means 5 can be adjusted by a fixed connection of the carrier means 5 at one transverse side 2b and a moveable fixing or an adjustable fixing at the opposite transverse side 2b. In that case the carrier means 5 contacts the zone rolling bodies 14 and also the frame rolling bodies 7. A zone element 10 with at least two zone rolling bodies 14 is respectively disposed between two frame rolling bodies 7. In that case the connecting elements 12 with the slats 11 are arranged on the top side of the carrier elements 13. The detail Y in FIG. 3 is described more fully in FIG. 6.
(15) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view looking on to the transverse side 2b. The zone elements are spaced at a spacing Sq from the longitudinal side 2a of the frame 2. That spacing is implemented by the use of transverse bracing means 3 which act towards both sides and which are operatively attached between the mounting element 16 and the longitudinal sides 2a. Disposed between the carrier element 13 and the longitudinal side 2a are the zone rolling bodies 14 and the frame rolling bodies 7 with the carrier means 5 which extends therebetween.
(16) FIG. 5 shows the detail X from FIG. 2. It can be seen in that respect that the longitudinal spacing SL produced by the bracing effect is maintained by the longitudinal bracing means 4. In addition the transverse spacing SQ is maintained by the transverse bracing means 3. The sole contact between the frame 2 and the individual zone elements 10 is made by way of the carrier means 5 and the longitudinal bracing means 4 and transverse bracing means 3. In this arrangement the longitudinal and transverse bracing means 3, 4 are fixed by way of fixing elements 8 to the mounting element 16 and/or the bar 15 of the zone elements 10. They are also braced by way of fixing elements 8 to the frame 2. In this embodiment each zone element 10 has two bars 15. The mounting elements 16 connects the two bars 15.
(17) FIG. 6 shows the detail Y from FIG. 3. The adjusting element 6, in this embodiment in the form of a cable clamp, is used for adjusting the tension at the carrier means 5. Therefore by pulling on the carrier means 5 it is possible to achieve a higher level of tension which remains maintained by the adjusting element 6. Instead of a cable clamp as illustrated it is also possible to use another adjusting element. For example rollers, threaded tensioners, linear motors, winches, cranks or also liquid-filled or gas-filled cylinders are suitable for that purpose. When pulling on the carrier means 5 the tension at the longitudinal bracing means 4 is also altered. They therefore generate a counteracting force against the tension of the carrier means 5 and prevent uncontrolled movements at the zone elements 10. Therefore the positioning of the individual zone elements 10 along the frame 2 or in the frame 2 is also maintained by the longitudinal and transverse bracing means 3, 4. In that arrangement however sufficient flexibility is afforded by the elastic transverse and longitudinal bracing means 3, 4 in order not to restrict the mobility of the zone elements 10 excessively. It would also be possible for example to use stronger or weaker transverse and longitudinal bracing means 3, 4 to be able to adapt the slatted frame 1 to heavier or lighter users. Accordingly it would also be advantageous if the transverse and longitudinal bracing means 3, 4 can be non-destructively replaced. It is thus possible also to implement a certain basic setting of the slatted frame 1 adapted to the bodyweight by way of the longitudinal and transverse bracing means 3, 4, with fine tuning being effected by way of the carrier means 5.
(18) FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c show the zone elements 10 at different heights relative to the longitudinal side 2a of the frame 2. It can be seen from FIG. 7a how the adjustment height HE of the zone elements 10 relative to a frame bottom edge 19 is higher than for example in FIG. 7b. Thus the tension at the carrier means 5 in FIG. 7a is selected to be higher than in FIG. 7b, which is reflected in the degree of freedom of the zone elements 10 and thus the flexibility and adaptability and softness of the slatted frame 1.
(19) FIG. 7c shows how the tension of the carrier means 5 was reduced so greatly that the zone elements 10 have moved absolutely as far as the frame bottom edge 19. An abutment bar 9 could possibly be provided there, which allows the zone elements 10 to rest thereon. Adaptability and flexibility of the slatted frame 1 would therefore be deactivated by the carrier means 5, because of the lack of tension, no longer having any influence on the zone elements 10, and by the zone elements 10 resting unyieldingly on the abutment bar 9. In that case the adjustment height HE is equal to zero. In that way it is possible to provide for example that the user can be better supported. It would be conceivable, for example by way of pushing a button or another command, to completely lower all zone elements 10 in order to cause them to rest thereon. The user can thus get out of bed more easily by virtue of the lack of yieldingness of the zone elements 10. That is possibly highly advantageous precisely for infirm or older people.
(20) In addition deactivation of adaptability is possibly to be viewed as being advantageous to acquire a reference value. The user can therefore feel for his desired adaptability of the slatted frame 1 in a stepwise procedure, starting from a zero value (no adaptability) to a maximum level of adaptability.
(21) FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows the degrees of freedom of the individual zone elements 10. In this case they are mounted moveably along the longitudinal and transverse extent of the slatted frame 1 and can move with a tilting motion about the transverse extent. Even slight inclined movements in relation thereto are made possible by way of the flexible longitudinal and transverse bracing means 3, 4 which are not shown in FIG. 8. It can thus be the case that the individual zone elements 10 can be positioned relative to each other not only parallel but also slightly inclinedly. That inclined positioning is effected by way of the fact that the zone elements 10 are mounted at both sides by way of the zone rolling bodies 14. All those degrees of freedom are influenced by the tension in the carrier means 5. In addition the degrees of freedom are influenced by the basic setting which is to be attributed to the strength of the selected elastic transverse and longitudinal bracing means 3, 4. By virtue of a zone element for example in the region of the buttocks sinking down lower the next zone element, for example at the hips, can move upwardly, which leads to uniform support for the body of the user. That is effected by the connection of the individual zone elements by way of the carrier means.
(22) FIG. 9 diagrammatically shows the structure of the slatted frame 1 with the transverse spacing Sq, the longitudinal spacing SI, the longitudinal extent LE and the transverse extent QE. In addition it is possible to see the longitudinal and transverse bracing means 3 and 4. This embodiment has an electrically operated adjusting element 6 which can be open-loop and closed-loop controlled by way of a control element 17. In that way for example the desired tension at the carrier means 5 and thus the flexibility and adaptability of the slatted frame 1 can be adjusted simply by pushing a button on the control element 17. It is also possible for sensors to be arranged on the slatted frame, for example at the adjusting element 6, at the bracing means 3, 4 or directly at the carrier means 5, which ascertain the weight of the user, whereupon the flexibility and adaptability of the slatted frame 1 is adjusted automatically by way of detection of the data from the sensors and transmission thereof to the control element 17. The control element 17 can also be controlled indirectly for example by way of a remote control. Instead of a remote control there can also be a connection, for example a Bluetooth connection, to a smartphone or the like, which for example has a program, by way of which the desired parameters can be passed to the control element 17. That use could be advantageous for example in a hotel or also a hospital where many different people use the slatted frame and want to adjust it to their personal preferences. Setting of the slatted frame 1 or a plurality of slatted frames 2 could also be effected in centralised fashion by way of a computer or the like after the data of the person has been input.
(23) FIGS. 10a and 10b show an embodiment of the invention which is equipped with support rolling bodies 20, whereby it is possible to achieve additional support for relevant parts of the body. In this case the support rolling bodies 20 are arranged beneath a respective zone element 10 between two zone rolling bodies 14. In the embodiment of FIG. 10a it will be seen that, in those regions of the slatted frame in which the head and loin regions are arranged, a respective support rolling body 20 is arranged under the carrier element 13 of the zone element 10. That additional support provides that when loaded the zone elements 10 above the support rolling bodies 20 move downwardly to a lesser degree, thereby affording a harder and more stable support for the user in those regions.
(24) FIG. 10b shows the detail A from FIG. 10a. It can be seen that a support rolling body 20 is provided in the region between two zone rolling bodies 14 under the carrier element 13. The support rolling bodies 20 are fixed to the longitudinal sides 2a of the frame. The carrier means 5 is guided above the support rolling body 20.
LIST OF REFERENCES
(25) 1 slatted frame 2 frame 2a longitudinal side 2b transverse side 3 transverse bracing means 4 longitudinal bracing means 5 carrier means 6 adjusting element 7 frame rolling body 8 fixing element 9 abutment bar 10 zone element 11 slat 12 connecting element 13 carrier element 14 zone rolling body 15 bar 16 mounting element 17 control element 18 fixing portion 19 frame bottom edge 20 support rolling body Sq transverse spacing SI longitudinal spacing D rotary axis Z axis spacing He adjustment height
