One-piece mattress suspension device

Abstract

The invention relates to a one-piece suspension device for interposing between a mattress and a support structure. The device includes a platform defining a bearing plane for the mattress, a fastener point for fastening to the support structure, and a resilient section. The resilient section is more resilient than the platform in a direction perpendicular to the bearing plane and it is interposed between the platform and the fastener point in the direction perpendicular to the bearing plane to absorb compression forces. The one-piece suspension device is shaped such that any axis perpendicular to the bearing plane and passing through the one-piece suspension device intersects the one-piece suspension device along a single intersection segment. The resilient section has at least two elastic hinges with different flexibilities.

Claims

1. A one-piece suspension device for interposing between a mattress and a support structure, the device comprising: a platform defining a bearing plane for the mattress; a fastener point for fastening to the support structure; and a resilient section that is more resilient than the platform in a direction perpendicular to the bearing plane, being interposed between the platform and the fastener point in the direction perpendicular to the bearing plane in order to absorb compression forces, and including an angled element having a first arm and a second arm, a first elastic hinge at a first end of the first arm, and a second elastic hinge connecting a second end of the first arm to the second arm and forming a bend in such a manner that the first arm presents an angle relative to said bearing plane that is more pronounced than that presented by the second arm, the second elastic hinge being more flexible than the first elastic hinge; and the one-piece suspension device being shaped in such a manner that any axis perpendicular to said bearing plane and passing through the one-piece suspension device intersects the one-piece suspension device along a single intersection segment.

2. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the platform presents an opening facing the fastener point and the resilient section in the direction perpendicular to the bearing plane.

3. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm of the angled element slope in the same direction relative to the bearing plane.

4. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm of the angled element slope in opposite directions relative to the bearing plane.

5. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient section has at least two angled elements arranged symmetrically to each other about a plane of symmetry perpendicular to said bearing plane.

6. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, made of thermoplastic material.

7. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, made of elastomer material.

8. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, made of thermoplastic elastomer copolyester.

9. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, wherein a fastener orifice is situated at the fastener point.

10. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the platform presents ventilation orifices.

11. The one-piece suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the platform presents an outline that is rectangular.

12. A one-piece module comprising a one-piece suspension device for interposing between a mattress and a support structure, the one-piece suspension device comprising: a platform defining a bearing plane for the mattress; a fastener point for fastening to the support structure; and a resilient section that is more resilient than the platform in a direction perpendicular to the bearing plane, being interposed between the platform and the fastener point in the direction perpendicular to the bearing plane in order to absorb compression forces, and including an angled element having a first arm and a second arm, a first elastic hinge at a first end of the first arm, and a second elastic hinge connecting a second end of the first arm to the second arm and forming a bend in such a manner that the first arm presents an angle relative to said bearing plane that is more pronounced than that presented by the second arm, the second elastic hinge being more flexible than the first elastic hinge; and the one-piece suspension device being shaped in such a manner that any axis perpendicular to said bearing plane and passing through the one-piece suspension device intersects the one-piece suspension device along a single intersection segment.

13. A one-piece module comprising a plurality of one-piece suspension devices for interposing between a mattress and a support structure, each one-piece suspension device comprising: a platform defining a bearing plane for the mattress; a fastener point for fastening to the support structure; and a resilient section that is more resilient than the platform in a direction perpendicular to the bearing plane, being interposed between the platform and the fastener point in the direction perpendicular to the bearing plane in order to absorb compression forces, and including an angled element having a first arm and a second arm, a first elastic hinge at a first end of the first arm, and a second elastic hinge connecting a second end of the first arm to the second arm and forming a bend in such a manner that the first arm presents an angle relative to said bearing plane that is more pronounced than that presented by the second arm, the second elastic hinge being more flexible than the first elastic hinge; each one-piece suspension device being shaped in such a manner that any axis perpendicular to said bearing plane and passing through the one-piece suspension device intersects the one-piece suspension device along a single intersection segment; and said one-piece suspension devices are in alignment in a direction parallel to said bearing plane and are connected together by their respective platforms.

14. The one-piece module according to claim 13, wherein said one-piece suspension devices are identical.

15. An assembly comprising a support structure and a one-piece module fastened on the support structure, the one-piece module comprising a one-piece suspension device for interposing between a mattress and a support structure, the one-piece suspension device comprising: a platform defining a bearing plane for the mattress; a fastener point for fastening to the support structure; and a resilient section that is more resilient than the platform in a direction perpendicular to the bearing plane, being interposed between the platform and the fastener point in the direction perpendicular to the bearing plane in order to absorb compression forces, and including an angled element having a first arm and a second arm, a first elastic hinge at a first end of the first arm, and a second elastic hinge connecting a second end of the first arm to the second arm and forming a bend in such a manner that the first arm presents an angle relative to said bearing plane that is more pronounced than that presented by the second arm, the second elastic hinge being more flexible than the first elastic hinge, the one-piece suspension device being shaped in such a manner that any axis perpendicular to said bearing plane and passing through the one-piece suspension device intersects the one-piece suspension device along a single intersection segment.

16. The assembly according to claim 15, comprising a plurality of one-piece modules fastened on a single face of a single crossmember of the support structure.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of one-piece modules includes one-piece modules of different sizes.

18. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein said support structure comprises two side rails extending in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of crossmembers connecting the two side rails together transversely.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention can be well understood and its advantages appear better on reading the following detailed description of embodiments shown as a nonlimiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a one-piece module in a first embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2A is a view of the top of the FIG. 1 module;

(4) FIGS. 2B and 2C are section views of the FIG. 1 module on respective section planes IIB-IIB in FIG. 2A and IIC-IIC in FIG. 2B;

(5) FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the FIG. 1 module deformed by a force F;

(6) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a one-piece module in a second embodiment;

(7) FIG. 5 is a view of the side of the FIG. 4 module;

(8) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a one-piece module in a third embodiment;

(9) FIG. 7 is a view of the side of the FIG. 6 module;

(10) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an assembly comprising a support structure and a plurality of support modules of the first three embodiments;

(11) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a one-piece module in a fourth embodiment;

(12) FIG. 10A is a view of the side of the FIG. 9 module;

(13) FIG. 10B is a section view of the FIG. 9 module on plane XB-XB in FIG. 10A;

(14) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a one-piece module in a fifth embodiment;

(15) FIG. 12 is a view of the side of the one-piece module of FIG. 11;

(16) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a one-piece module in a sixth embodiment; and

(17) FIG. 14 is a view of the side of the one-piece module of FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(18) FIGS. 1 and 2A to 2C show a first embodiment of a one-piece module 1 comprising a single one-piece suspension device 2 for interposing between a mattress and a support structure in a bed or the seat of a piece of furniture such as a couch or a sofa. This one-piece suspension device 2 comprises a platform 3 defining a bearing plane A for the mattress, a base 4 having a fastener orifice 5 for fastening to a fastener point, and a resilient section 6 that is more resilient than the platform 3 in the direction perpendicular to the bearing plane A and that is interposed between the platform 3 and the base 4 in the direction perpendicular to the bearing plane A in order to absorb compression forces. In the embodiment shown, the one-piece module 1 may be made as a single piece of thermoplastic elastomer material, e.g. a thermoplastic elastomer copolyester, by a method such as injection molding. As shown in particular in FIG. 2A, the platform 3 may have a rectangular outline with rounded corners and a plurality of ventilation orifices 7, and also a central opening 8 facing the resilient section 6 and the base 4 in a direction perpendicular to the bearing plane A.

(19) As shown in particular in FIG. 2B, the resilient section 6 is made up of two angled elements 9 arranged symmetrically relative to each other about a plane of symmetry IIC-IIC perpendicular to said bearing plane A. Each of these angled elements 9 has a first arm 9a and a second arm 9b. In the embodiment shown, the first arm 9a has a first end connected to the platform 3 by a first elastic hinge 9c and extends towards the base 4 at an angle [ALPHA] that is a right angle or nearly a right angle relative to the bearing plane A. In particular, this angle [ALPHA] may lie in the range 80 to 90, for example.

(20) A second end of the first arm 9a is connected to the second arm 9b by a second elastic hinge 9d forming an angled bend, in such a manner that the second arm 9b extends towards the base 4 at an angle [BETA] that is substantially less than the angle [ALPHA] relative to the bearing plane A. In particular, in the embodiment shown, this angle [BETA] may lie in the range 0 to 60. A third elastic hinge 9e in turn connects the second arm 9b to the base 4.

(21) As shown in FIG. 2B, by means of this configuration, any axis Z.sub.1 or Z.sub.2 perpendicular to said bearing plane A passing through the one-piece suspension device 2 intersects the one-piece suspension device 2 along a single corresponding intersection segment S.sub.1, S.sub.2. The relationship between points of a projection of the one-piece suspension device 2 onto said bearing plane A, such as that shown in FIG. 2A, and intersection segments of axes perpendicular to the bearing plane A with the one-piece suspension device is thus bijective (one-to-one): to each point of the projection there corresponds a single intersection segment. The one-piece device thus does not have any undercuts. This presents several advantages: firstly, unmolding along an axis perpendicular to the bearing plane A is thus facilitated compared with unmolding a module presenting undercuts in this direction, and secondly, such modules are thus stackable, and therefore easier to store and transport in large quantities.

(22) In order to facilitate elastic deformation of the resilient section 6 in this configuration, and thus provide good suspension for the mattress supported by the platform 3, the first elastic hinge 9c is stiffer than the second and third elastic hinges 9d and 9e. When a force F is exerted between the platform 3 and the base 4 along an axis perpendicular to said bearing plane A, the angular deflection is thus greater at the second and third elastic hinges 9d, 9e than it is at the first elastic hinge 9c, thereby reducing the angle of the bend formed between the first arm 9a and the second arm 9b under this load, as shown in FIG. 3. When the force F ceases to act on the platform 3, the elastic hinges 9c to 9e will relax, thereby returning the resilient section 6 to its initial position. The viscoelastic nature of the elastomer forming the one-piece suspension device 2 provides this elastic return together with appropriate damping of the bending and relaxation movements of the angled elements 9 of the resilient section 6.

(23) Although in this first embodiment, the one-piece module 1 has only a single one-piece suspension device 2, it is also possible to include a plurality of said one-piece suspension devices in a single one-piece module. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a single one-piece module 1 has two identical one-piece suspension devices 2, 2. Each of the two one-piece suspension devices 2, 2 comprises the same elements as in the first embodiment, and consequently they are given the same reference numerals in the drawings. The two one-piece suspension devices 2, 2 are connected together via their platforms 3, so as to support the mattress in parallel. They are in alignment in a direction parallel to their common bearing plane A, so as to enable them to be fastened on the same crossmember. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a single one-piece module 1 even has three one-piece suspension devices 2, 2, 2, each likewise having the same elements as in the first embodiment, which elements thus receive the same reference numerals in the drawings. As in the above embodiment, the one-piece suspension devices 2, 2, 2 are connected together by their platforms 3, and they are in alignment in a direction parallel to their common bearing plane A, so as to enable them to be fastened on the same crossmember.

(24) The availability of modules of different sizes incorporating one or more one-piece suspension devices makes them easier to fit to support structures of different widths. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of an assembly comprising a support structure 10 and a plurality of one-piece modules 1, 1, 1 fastened on said support structure 10 by screws (not shown) passing through the fastener orifices 5 in the bases 4 of each of the one-piece suspension devices 2, 2, 2. The support structure 10 comprises a frame with two side rails 11 extending in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of crossmembers 12 connecting these side rails 11 together transversely. The one-piece modules 1, 1, 1 are fastened to the outside face of each crossmember 12, in alignment along the crossmembers 12 with a common bearing plane A for supporting the mattress. It is possible to combine modules 1, 1, 1 of different sizes incorporating one or more one-piece suspension devices in order to cover the support structure 10 over its entire width. The rectangular shape of the platform 3 makes it possible for the surface of the support structure 10 to be well filled in the bearing plane A. Although in the example shown the one-piece modules 1, 1 are oriented along the crossmembers 12 so that each one-piece module 1, 1 is fastened to a single crossmember 12, it is also possible to envisage giving these one-piece modules 1, 1 a different orientation, e.g. such as a longitudinal orientation orthogonal to the orientation of the crossmembers 12, so as to fasten each one-piece suspension device 2, 2, 2 of a one-piece module 1, 1 oriented in this way on a different crossmember 12.

(25) Although in each of the above embodiments, the first arm 9a and the second arm 9b of each angled element 9 slopes in the same direction relative to the bearing plane A, it is possible to envisage an alternative configuration in which they slope in opposite directions, in such a manner that the fastener element is raised relative to the bend-forming elastic hinge 9d. This is a configuration of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B, where elements that are equivalent to those of the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, this fourth embodiment, in which the one-piece module 1 has a plurality of one-piece suspension devices 2, 2, 2, also differs from the second and third embodiments in that the bending planes of the angled elements 9 are perpendicular to the direction in which the one-piece suspension devices 2, 2, 2 of the one-piece module 1 are in alignment.

(26) Although in each of the above embodiments the fastener element of each one-piece suspension device is formed on a distinct base of the resilient section, it may also be formed in the resilient section itself. Thus, in a fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, where elements that are equivalent to those of the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, the second arms 9b of the two symmetrical angled elements 9 are not connected to distinct bases by third elastic hinges, but are directly connected to each other, and the fastener orifice 5 is formed at their junction. As in the fourth embodiment, the first and second arms 9a and 9b of each angled element 9 slope in opposite directions relative to the bearing plane A, in such a manner that the fastener orifice 5 is raised relative to the second elastic hinges 9d. This embodiment also presents the advantage of enabling the resilient section 6 to be prestressed while it is being fastened on a flat surface, thereby straightening the bottom arms 9b and beginning to fold the second elastic hinges 9d.

(27) Although in each of the above embodiments, each one-piece suspension device has only one fastener point and only one resilient section, one-piece suspension devices each having a plurality of fastener points, with respective individual resilient sections interposed between each fastener point and the platform can also be envisaged. Thus, in a sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, each one-piece suspension device 2, 2, 2 of the one-piece module 1 has two bases 4, each having a fastener orifice 5 at a fastener point, and each connected to the platform 3 by a corresponding resilient section 6. The two bases 4 of each one-piece suspension device 2, 2, 2 are offset relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the one-piece suspension devices 2, 2, 2 of the one-piece module 1 are in alignment, such that the bases 4 of the one-piece module 1 are in staggered rows.

(28) The resilient sections 6 in this sixth embodiment also differ from those of the above embodiments in that their arrangement is inverted, with the first arm 9a connected to the corresponding base 4 by the first elastic hinge 9c and with the second arm 9b connected to the platform 3 by the third elastic hinge 9e. The angled elements 9 of each symmetrical pair are thus bent towards each other rather than towards the outside as in the above embodiments. Nevertheless, the operation of these resilient sections 6 is analogous, and all of the elements of the one-piece module in FIGS. 13 and 14 thus receive the same reference numerals as the equivalent elements in the above embodiments.

(29) Although the present invention is described with reference to specific embodiments, it is clear that various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without going beyond the general ambit of the invention as defined by the claims. Also, individual characteristics of the various embodiments mentioned may be combined in additional embodiments. For example, the angled elements in the first three embodiments could be inverted as in the sixth embodiment, but without simultaneously adopting the staggered row configuration of the sixth embodiment. Consequently, the description and the drawings should be considered in a sense that is illustrative rather than restrictive.