Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
  • A47C7/36—Supports for the head or the back
  • A47C7/40—Supports for the head or the back for the back
  • A47C7/46—Supports for the head or the back for the back with special, e.g. adjustable, lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S297/00—Chairs and seats
  • Y10S297/03—Pneumatic
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S5/00—Beds
  • Y10S5/91—Beds with suction means

Definitions

• the invention relates to support elements with controlled stiffness comprising an envelope subjected to a control pressure.
• the invention applies by way of nonlimiting examples to pieces of furniture such as seats, benches or sofas.
• the invention relates more particularly to a support element adaptable to the morphology of any user with the aim of obtaining support and support in an anatomically correct position which does not cause any phenomenon of fatigue or produce deformation of the spine likely to cause lordosis or kyphosis.
• the publication FR-A 2 096 133 describes a seat whose backrest is equipped with a cushion containing a compressible porous mass elastically placed in communication with a source of vacuum. This source adjusts the thickness of the cushion until its rigidity is sufficient to resist compression due to the load communicated by the seat user. It is noted, however, that such a design of the backrest is unsuitable for the needs of lateral support of the trunk and sacro-lumbar lordosis during changes in posture of the user of
• EP-A 0 113 613 describes a seat including a partitioned PVC envelope containing a layer of particles such as polystyrene beads.
• This envelope is joined by means of piping to a vacuum pump. When the suction is established, the walls of the envelope compress the polystyrene beads without appreciable variation in volume, creating a consistency between the beads which hardens the layer in the position required by the seat position of the seat user.
• the subject of the invention is a support element with controlled rigidity comprising an outer casing and an improved inner load with the aim of avoiding the drawbacks observed with ball loads.
• the load is constituted by a flexible laminated structure whose different layers are mounted in relative displacement under the effect of a non-uniform distribution of the compressive force of the load in the absence of any pressure d 'servo and whose envelope is subjected to a pressure variation to remove any relative movement between the different layers by giving them the necessary rigidity.
• the support element thus produced fulfills the stiffening function and finds its place, for example in the manufacture of trim linings in association with adjustment devices with inflatable air pockets.
• It may, in particular, have a substantially reduced constant thickness whatever the position of use and be easily obtained by automated cutting processes.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of the seat frame with a set of supports mounted on the backrest
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the support element constituted by a sealed external envelope surrounding a laminated internal load with superimposed sheets
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support element constituted by a sealed external envelope surrounding a laminated internal load with the incorporation of one or more compressible layers, and of grids allowing an embedding effect,
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the support element using mechanical means of immobilization by locking effect
• FIG. 5 is a representation of the variant embodiment according to FIG. 4 following a vacuuming of the envelope
• FIG. 6 relates to an alternative embodiment of the support element as shown in FIG. 4,
• FIGS. 7a, 7b - 8a, 8b describe alternative embodiments of the support element in which the mechanical immobilization means directly connect the outer layers through the middle layer (s),
• FIG. 9 describes another alternative embodiment of the support element in which the sealed envelope is located inside the support element
• FIG. 1 represents a back support area 3 disposed on the frame of the backrest 1 of a motor vehicle seat covered with padding 2.
• the back support zone 3 is extended to the right and to the left by two lateral support zones 4, 5.
• An adjustment system 10 actuated by means of operating members such as a manipulator assembly I s rests, on the one hand on the rigid frame 12 which defines the load surface of the backrest, and which is fixed as is known between the lateral uprights 13 of the backrest frame, and on the other hand on supports 1-4, 15 of the additional padding cushions respectively carried by the lateral uprights 13.
• the adjustment system 10 is covered by a lining of fibers 28 agglomerated by an appropriate binder, in order to give the seat permeability and desired ventilation and ensure better distribution of trunk pressures on the backrest.
• the adjustment system 10 and the fiber lining are covered by the padding 2 and thus constitute the assembly of the back supports 3 and side supports 4, 5.
• the adjustment system here consists of two superimposed support elements 16, 17, the size of which can be modified by varying their internal pressure.
• each of the elements 16, 17 is constituted by a hollow member whose walls are impermeable to gas.
• the unit 16 which rests on the frame 12 has a predetermined shape by the assembly of three compartmentalized airbags 18, 19, 20 whose general configuration is in correspondence with the different support zones 3, 4, 5 and which are integral with each other so as to define three inflatable capacities separately or simultaneously under the action of inflation pulses communicated by the manipulator assembly.
• the element 17 as shown in FIG. 2 consists of an outer casing 29 connected via the manipulator to a vacuum source forming part of a pneumatic servo-control device, an exemplary embodiment of which has been described by publication EP-A 0 113 613.
• a load 30 constituted by a set of flexible and flexible sheets 31 constituting a deformable layer under the effect of a non-uniform distribution of the compressive force.
• the material of the sheets can be paper, textile, plastic or metal capable of relative displacement under the effect of a deformation whose physical characteristics (texture - thickness - coefficients of friction) are adapted to the qualities of rigidity required for the element 17 when the casing 29 communicates with the vacuum source.
• the rigidity is obtained by blocking the sheets under pressure by friction forces or following an embedding or locking effect.
• the sheets 31 can have different characteristics and have a surface with buttons or pins that can be engaged in depressions or meshes of a grid.
• the sheets can also have perforations, be cut or have stiffening elements (plates, rings, etc.) in order to facilitate the depression of the envelope, increase the rigidity of the load, improve the cohesion between leaves or avoid wrinkling.
• the element of FIG. 3 thus comprises a load 30 constituted by at least one layer made in a plate 32 of compressible foam rubber disposed between two grids 33 in order to obtain penetration of the plate 32 in the meshes of the grid when the casing 29 is connected to the vacuum source.
• the thickness of the plate 32 is determined as a function of the desired rigidity.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 describes a load similar to that of FIG. 3 in which the middle layer consists of a grid such as 33 disposed between two plates 32a, 32b, themselves in contact with two grids 34.
• Each of the grids 34 carries pins 35 positioned perpendicular to the plates 32a, 32b and oriented through said plates towards the middle grid 33.
• the pins 35 of the grids 34 are embedded in the meshes of the grid 33 and improve the aforementioned mechanical connection by connecting the two grids 34 by a locking effect.
• the plates 32a, 32b whose thickness is slightly greater than the useful length of the pins 35, are compressed and the pins 35 become embedded in the grid 33.
• the envelope 29 communicates with atmospheric pressure
• the plates 32a, 32b return to their initial state and the pins 35 automatically detach from the grid 33 by an unlocking effect.
• the pins 35 become embedded in other meshes of the grid 33. The reversibility of the locking and unlocking allows the shape of the support element to be modified at will. .
• the middle layer is formed by two sets of pins 35 mounted in opposition and integral with two grids 34. It will, however, be possible to use in certain configurations of the element that a single grid such as 34 with which the pins 35 are secured and oriented in two opposite directions normal to said grid towards external grids 33 by crossing respectively two compressible plates 32a, 32b.
• the pins 35 are replaced by bars 38 for connecting the external grids 33 through the compressible central plate 32.
• the bars 38 may have a cylindrical body of larger diameter suitable for keeping a substantially constant spacing between the grids 33 as indicated in FIG. 7b, while pins 38a located at the end of said bars are engaged in the grid meshes 33.
• the bars 38 have a median bulge 38b and extend through a set of two compressible plates 32a, 32b.
• the bars 38 are integral with a stratum or middle grid 34. These devices are intended to obtain the correct centering of the bars in the laminate layer.
• the waterproof envelope 29 constituting the middle layer is inside the support element.
• the outer walls of the envelope 29 carry pins 35 integral with grids 34 and extend through compressible plates 32a, 32b.
• the envelope 29 contains a flexible compressible body 39 such as a cellular foam.
• the envelope 29 is connected to a source of vacuum or pressure in order to obtain a displacement of the pins perpendicular to the external walls of the envelope in the direction of two external grids 33.
• the exterior layers respectively constituted by a protective wall 37, by a covering cover 40 and by the exterior grids 33 remain at atmospheric pressure.
• the grids 33, the walls 37 and the cover 40 are held in position by a spacing device 50 in order to maintain the spacing of the grids 33 while allowing overall flexibility of the support element when the pins 35 are not positively engaged in the meshes of the grids 33.
• the operating mode of the support element depends on the initial spacing of the grids 34, 33 and on the length of the pins 35.
• the body 39 contracts, the pins 35 emerge from the grids 33 and the support element regains its flexibility.
• the grids 33 and 34 move parallel to each other during the shaping of the support element.
• the reestablishment of atmospheric pressure allows the envelope 29 to return to its normal size and the engagement of the pins 35 in other meshes of the grids 33 in order to stiffen the support element in its new form.
• the shape of the latter is maintained at atmospheric pressure and the vacuum source is only switched on for the time necessary for the shape modifications.
• the support element finds just as well an application in the manufacture of mattresses, gutters and splints usable in the medical field as in the manufacture of molds or industrial packaging.

Landscapes

• Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
• Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
• Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
• Press Drives And Press Lines (AREA)
• Details Of Garments (AREA)
• Buffer Packaging (AREA)
• Prostheses (AREA)
• Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
• Machine Tool Units (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=9377563

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Families Citing this family (15)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 1989
  • 1989-01-10 FR FR8900197A patent/FR2641493B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1990
  • 1990-01-02 JP JP2501761A patent/JP2656151B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-01-02 DK DK90901651.1T patent/DK0452386T3/da active
  • 1990-01-02 AT AT90901651T patent/ATE99138T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1990-01-02 WO PCT/FR1990/000001 patent/WO1990007890A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 1990-01-02 US US07/720,520 patent/US5159726A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1990-01-02 DE DE90901651T patent/DE69005616T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1990-01-02 EP EP90901651A patent/EP0452386B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-01-02 ES ES90901651T patent/ES2047911T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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