EP1186261A2

EP1186261A2 - Slat holders for bed rests with high flexibility

Info

Publication number: EP1186261A2
Application number: EP01203315A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano Gandolfi; Manuele Caon; Giancarlo Pontoni
Original assignee: Esperides SRL
Current assignee: Esperides SRL
Priority date: 2000-09-11
Filing date: 2001-09-03
Publication date: 2002-03-13
Also published as: EP1479325A3; EP1479325A2; EP1186261A3

Abstract

A slat holder (20, 201, 202, 203) for bed rests with slats (21, 211), comprising a central bearing element (22), formed in a curved or substantially elliptic shape, which rests exclusively upon the containing element of a seat (38), suitable for containing a lower slat (29), installed to support a spacer for regulating the rigidity of the bed rest.

Description

The present invention refers to a slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility.

Currently, there exist bed rests with fixed-structure slats, with an outer perimetric frame and slats which are inserted directly into seats formed inside the perimetric frame, bed rests with an outer perimetric frame with a fixed structure and slats which are inserted in slat holders housed inside the perimetric frame, bed rests with a lower or inner bearing perimetric frame and slats which are inserted in slat holders housed outside of the perimetric frame, and bed rests with an outer perimetric frame and slats which are inserted in slat holders housed inside the perimetric frame and positioned above it.

Each of the technical solutions adopted, however, has some substantial drawbacks, such as the impossibility of adapting the slats to the shape of the body lying down, apart from the adaptation deriving from their intrinsic elasticity, the lack of adequate comfort, above all in correspondence with outer portions of the mattress, the high construction costs of structural solutions, particularly in fixed versions, which require a double frame and the complexity of production and assembly of the articulated types of frame.

Furthermore, in order to overcome such drawbacks, the use of perimetric frames comprising a series of slats, inserted in slat holders which are connected, through connector pins, to the inside of the frame, and realised so as to remain housed above the frame is known.

In this way, a bed rest with an articulated structure, whose realisation is simple and cost-effective and endowed with adequate comfort and ergonomics is obtained; moreover, a bed rest made in such a way does not require additional frames and does not involve production difficulties or complications nor does it worsen the costs, with respect to traditional techniques.

However, in bed rests of this type the problem persists of a possible trapping of the fingers or hands, if they should be placed between an outer part of the slat holder and the upper part of the outer perimetric frame.

Moreover, traditional slat holders normally have two or three seats, where the slats which constitute the bed rest are inserted; each of said seats is, moreover, supported by an eyelet-shaped structure which, flexing under the pressure of the body lying down, constitutes a double-thickness, which forms upon the squashing of the two semi-annular surfaces one on top of the other.

The eyelets are further fixed to respective seats which are connected together and used for fitting onto the connector pins to the frame of the bed rest.

Such types of slat holders, of the traditional type, have, however, a restricted flexibility and a low capacity to adapt to the body lying on the bed rest, precisely due to the fact that, in a working position, there is a squashing of the two semi-annular portions, with the result of obtaining a double bearing thickness for supporting each seat for the insertion of slats.

Moreover, also the capacity to obtain adequate vertical displacement is extremely restricted by the scant flexibility of the structure, influenced decisively by the extremely restricted maximum total squashing capability of each eyelet, which, deforming under the weight of the body lying down, in practice constitutes a double thickness.

This determines the consequent rigidity and discomfort for the user, due to the scant support and an insufficient ability of the structure to shape and react to the stresses of a body lying down, in function of the weight borne, in the most common positions for the user.

Within the scope of the previously mentioned requirements, a purpose of the present invention is, thus, to overcome the drawbacks noted above and, in particular, to realise a slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility which allows, with respect to the state of the art, an improvement in the capacity of adaptation of a bed rest to the stresses of a body lying down.

Another purpose of the present invention is to realise a slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility, which allows the optimisation of the reactivity to the stresses of a body lying down, the rigidity of the frame and the adaptability to the weight to be borne, with safety for the user.

A further purpose of the present invention is to disclose a slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility, which allows the frame to adapt perfectly to the shape of the spine of a body lying on the bed rest, in a way which is substantially independent from the weight of the body and from the rest positions taken up by the user.

The last but not least purpose of the present invention is to indicate a slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility which is easy and cost-effective to manufacture, without using complex technologies or particularly expensive components, by virtue of the resulting advantages.

These and other purposes are achieved, within the present invention, by realising a slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility, according to claim 1, to which we refer for the sake of brevity.

Advantageously, the slat holder according to the invention exhibits the provision of a single bearing element, in order to allow a greater sensitivity and a greater range of movements, with respect to elements for supporting bed rests of the traditional type, and, accordingly, a greater capacity to adapt to the body lying down.

Moreover, the proposed arrangement avoids the problem of trapping fingers or hands when they are placed outside the slat holder, between the outer portion and the upper part of the outer perimetric frame.

Furthermore, in a preferred but not limiting embodiment of the slat holder according to the present invention, the use of three slats is foreseen, each of which is inserted in the respective seat, in which the central slat is positioned, in its rest position, at a slightly higher level with respect to the slats placed at the ends (which, normally, are at the same level), so as to create a reduction, with respect to the state of the art, in the surface contact between mattress and slats.

This allows, in the rest position, the mattress to be held slightly raised with respect to the surface of the bed rest, promoting the circulation of air and reducing dead zones where moisture and mildew accumulate.

The provision of a single bearing element is, in reality, the ideal condition for allowing acute sensitivity and a wide range of possible movements of the slat holders, with respect to elements for supporting bed rests of the traditional type and, consequently, a greater capacity for it to adapt to the body lying down.

Finally, with the same encumbrance, the slat holder according to the invention has a greater capacity for vertical movement, due to the reduction in thickness, and greater flexibility thanks to which, in relation to an increase in the weight of the body lying down, a genuine self-regulation of the bed rest in relation to the body weight can be obtained.

Further characteristics and advantages of a slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility according to the invention will become clearer from the following description, give as an example and not with limiting purposes, referring to the attached drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a schematic side view of a bed rest with an articulated structure with an outer perimetric frame and slats inserted in slat holders, housed inside the frame and realised according to the present invention;
figure 2 is a schematic frontal view of a first embodiment of the slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility according to the present invention;
figure 3 is a schematic frontal view of a second embodiment of the slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility according to the present invention;
figure 4 is a schematic view of the slat holder of figure 2, according to the invention, where the bed rest is under stress in a vertical direction;
figure 5 is a schematic view of the slat holder of figure 3, according to the invention, where the bed rest is under stress in a vertical direction;
figure 6 is a schematic frontal view of a third embodiment of the slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility, according to the present invention;
figure 7 is a schematic frontal view of a fourth embodiment of the slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility, according to the present invention;
figure 8 is a schematic view of the slat holder of figure 7, according to the invention, where the bed rest is under stress in a vertical direction.

With particular reference to figure 1, with 10 is indicated the outer perimetric frame of an articulated bed rest structure, which comprises a series of highly flexible slats 21 inserted in slat holders 20, housed inside the frame 10.

The slat holders 20 are realised so as to remain housed above the frame itself 10, and are connected, through joining elements 251, in the outer part of an inner articulated frame, indicated with 30.

Moreover, connector pins 35, which are longer than the elements 251 and connect the inner articulated frame 30 with the outer perimetric frame 10, are used to house the slat holders 20 between the inner frame 30 and the outer frame 10.

As clearly highlighted in figure 1, the articulated frame 30 is suitably distanced from the perimetric frame 10, through connector pins 35, so as to avoid trapping fingers or hands, should they be placed between them, whilst moving the frame 30 in order to achieve the position desired by the user.

Moreover, the distance between the perimetric frame 10 and the articulated frame 30 is subject to the European safety guidelines.

However, one notes further to figure 1 that in a structure thus achieved, however, the problem persists of trapping fingers or hands when they are placed between the outer part of the slat holder 20 and the upper part of the outer perimetric frame 10; in order to avoid this, slat holders are used which exhibit an upward disconnection system on the chance that fingers or hands are placed in a position which could cause them to be trapped.

In examples of embodiments, not intended for limiting purposes, of the present invention, the slat holders, according to the present invention, are preferably constructed according to the representations in figures 2, 3, 6 and 7 and are indicated with 20, 201, 202 and 203 respectively.

With particular reference to figures 2-8, the

slat holder

20, 201, 202, 203, according to the invention, comprises a series of first seats, indicated with 28, suitable for the insertion of an equal number of

slats

21, 211, which form the bed rest.

Preferably, each

slat holder

20, 201, 202, 203, according to the invention, is used, respectively, for three (see figures 2, 4, 6) or for two (figures 3, 5, 7, 8)

slats

21, 211 to be inserted in the respective seats 28.

The structure of the

slat holder

20, 201, 202, 203 is, moreover, suitably formed, so as to be constituted of a single bearing element, indicated with 22 and composed of the

shaped portions

23, 25, which is connected with the elastic support elements 24, suitably formed to obtain the clear technical advantages of comfort for the user.

Below the elements 24, finally, are formed two further seats 26 for the fitting of the connector pins 251 to the inner frame 30 of the bed rest and a seat 38, suitable for containing the end of a lower slat 29, which is foreseen to be installed as a support for a spacer which can be used to control the rigidity of the bed rest.

Regarding this, one should remember that usually the control of the bed rest is obtained through two spacers made of rigid or semi-rigid material, which are positioned between the more flexible upper slats 21 and the less flexible lower slat 29; by sliding the two spacers towards the ends a greater rigidity of the bed rest is obtained, whereas by sliding them towards the centre greater elasticity and softness is obtained.

Summing up, each of the

slat holders

20, 201, 202, 203, according to the present invention, is structured so as to adapt with vertical and horizontal movements to the shape of the body lying down, obtaining a greater range of movements and greater sensitivity to the shape of the body, with respect to slat holders of the traditional type.

In the embodiments given as an example but not for limiting purposes relative to figures 2 and 6, a central slat 211 is placed in a slightly raised position with respect to the slats 21 placed at the ends; this allows, when one is not stretched out on the bed, the mattress to be held in a slightly raised position with respect to the surface of the bed rest, creating a substantial reduction in the contact surface between mattress and slats 21, so as to promote the circulation of air and consequently reduce dead zones where moisture and mildew accumulate.

In any case, the fact that it foresees a single bearing element 22 of the

slat holders

20, 201, 202, 203 allows a greater sensitivity of the slat holder itself and, consequently, a greater capacity for it to adapt to the body lying down to be obtained.

Moreover, with the same encumbrance, with respect to known slat holders, a greater capacity for vertical movement is obtained due to the reduction of thickness in dynamic operation, since each seat 28 is free to oscillate so long as it does not make contact with the elastic support element 24 which, moreover, is realised in a flexible material and is formed so as to flex to a less than proportional degree with respect to the weight borne, so that the lower side, corresponding to the element 23, is made to flex more with respect to the upper side, corresponding to the element 25, and, consequently, a genuine self-regulation of the bed rest relative to the body weight is obtained.

In such a case, the mathematical relationship existing between the flexibility of the bed rest and the body weight, linked by inverse proportionality, is of a hyperbolic type.

The figures 4, 5 and 8 represent the shape taken up by the

slat holders

20, 201 and 203 respectively, when weight forces are directly applied vertically with respect to the bed rest, which constitute the weight of a body lying down; in all three cases, it is possible to note that the slat holder according to the invention is structured so as to adapt with vertical and horizontal movements to the shape of the body lying down, obtaining a greater range of movements and greater sensitivity to the shape of the body, with respect to traditional slat holders.

Since the seats 28, where the

slats

21, 211 are inserted, are supported by a single bearing element 22, as opposed to that foreseen in the state of the art, greater sensitivity, capacity to adapt and shape to the body lying down and, in particular, a greater capacity to move vertically due to the reduction in thickness, in dynamic operation are obtained (regarding which, see figures 4, 5 and 8).

In particular, the preferred but not limiting embodiments of a slat holder, according to the invention, as shown in figures 6 and 7, bring further advantages with respect to that which was previously mentioned regarding the examples of figures 2 and 3.

More specifically, the slat holders 202, 203 (figures 6-8) comprise a central bearing element 22 which, as opposed to that which is foreseen in the

slat holders

20, 201, does not exhibit an arc form, but is substantially formed in the shape of an ellipse or at least according to a form resembling an ellipse.

Thus, the elliptic form of the element 22, which also incorporates the function of the element 23, furthermore, allows a greater flexibility of the structure and range of movement of the

slat holders

202, 203.

Moreover, the elliptic element 22 rests exclusively upon the seat 38 of the slat 29 and not (as shown in figures 4 and 5 regarding the slat holders 20, 201) on the seats 26 (through the element 23) used for fitting the connector pins 35 to the frame 10; consequently, in this case, pressure in a vertical direction on the bed rest (like that of a body lying down) will cause a rotation of the support elements 24 upon themselves and around the pins 35 for anchoring to the frame 10, until the situation shown in figure 8 is reached.

Such a rotational movement allows the

slat holders

202, 203 to have high sensitivity to weight, until the point where they come into contact with the support element 24; moreover, once in contact with the support element 24, the flexibility will be less than proportional with respect to the weight borne, since the rotational movement of the element 24 becomes wider as the weight increases and, consequently, the support (thrust) which the element 24 exerts on the

slats

21, 211 is greater.

Finally, the element 24 itself, due to the way it is formed, tends to flex less than proportionally to the weight borne, since its lower side 24A is forced to bend with a more restricted curve with respect to the upper side 24B, exerting a tension upon such an upper side which increases as the weight increases.

As previously noted, all the versions of the

slat holders

20, 201, 202, 203, according to the present invention, can be further structured in order to avoid serious injuries in the case of fingers or hands being trapped between elements during the regulation of the position of the articulated frame 30; regarding which, the use of an upward disconnection system for each

slat holder

20, 201, 202, 203 is foreseen for cases of fingers or hands being trapped between elements which could cause injury. Such a system breaks, for a determined portion, indicated with 27 in the figures 2, 3, 6 and 7, the lower portion of each juncture which defines every seat 26 for the insertion of the joining element 251.

In such a way, a possible pressure on the

slat holder

20, 201, 202, 203, caused by the interposition of an element between the upper part of the perimetric frame 10 and the lower and outer part of the

flexible slat holder

20, 201, 202, 203, causes the vertical disconnection (direction defined by the arrows F in the figures 2, 3, 6 and 7) of the slat holder itself 20, 201, 202, 203 from the frame 30.

From the description which has been made the characteristics of the slat holder for bed rests with high flexibility, which is object of the present invention, are clear just as the advantages are also clear.

In particular, they are represented by the following summary of the technical characteristics:

capacity for self-regulation of the bed rest based upon the weight of the body lying down;
adequate comfort for the user;
good air circulation;
reactivity, controllability and adaptability of the elastic structure of the slat holder to the weight applied;
high sensitivity to weight of the slat holder;
extreme flexibility and range of movement.

Claims

Slat holder (20, 201, 202, 203) for bed rests with high flexibility (21, 211), of the type comprising a plurality of first seats (28), wherein respective first slats (21, 211) of the bed rest are inserted, said first seats (28) being connected to shaped structures for supporting second seats (26), said shaped structures being connected together and being used for the fitting, through joining elements (251), of connector pins (35) to a perimetric frame (10) of the bed rest, characterised in that said first seats (28) are supported by a single central bearing element (22), positioned between said first (28) and said second seats (26), which allows said first slats (21, 211) to oscillate until they come into contact with at least one shaped elastic element (24) linked to a connection means of said joining elements (251).
Slat holder (20, 201, 202, 203) according to claim 1, characterised in that it is housed above said perimetric frame (10) and that it is connected, through said joining elements (251), to an outer portion of an articulated frame (30), situated internally with respect to said perimetric frame (10) and connected to it through said connector pins (35), which are of a greater length with respect to said joining elements (251), so as to allow the slat holders (20, 201, 202, 203) to be positioned between said articulated frame (30) and said perimetric frame (10).
Slat holder (20, 201, 202, 203) according to claim 1, characterised in that, between said first slats (21, 211), it is foreseen to position at least one (211) in a raised position with respect to the others, so as to keep the mattress raised with respect to the bed rest, in static conditions.
Slat holder (20, 201, 202, 203) according to claim 1 characterised in that said joining elements (251) are inserted inside of respective second seats (26) defined by said connection means.
Slat holder (20, 201, 202, 203) according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one portion of each connection means of the joining elements (251) is broken for at least one portion (27).
Slat holder (20, 201, 202, 203) according to claim 5, characterised in that, upon the application of a pressure on said slat holder (20, 201, 202, 203) which is caused by the interposition of at least one element between an upper portion of said perimetric frame (10) and a lower and outer portion of said slat holder (20, 201), a vertical disconnection (F) of the slat holder (20, 201) from said articulated frame (30) is caused.
Slat holder (20, 201, 202, 203) according to claim 1, characterised in that, below said first seats (28), at least one third seat (38) is foreseen, connected to said second seats (26) for the insertion of the joining elements (251), wherein is inserted a second slat (29) for supporting a spacer used to regulate the rigidity of said bed rest.
Slat holder (20, 201) according to claim 1, characterised in that said central bearing element (22) is formed in a curved shape.
Slat holder (202, 203) according to claim 7, characterised in that said central bearing element (22) is formed in an elliptic shape, so that, when vertical forces are applied on said bed rest, it rests upon said third seat (38) of said second slat (29) and such forces cause a rotation of said shaped elastic elements (24) on themselves and around said pins (35) for anchoring to the perimetric frame (10).
Slat holder (202, 203) according to claim 9, characterised in that said shaped elastic element (24) tends to flex less than proportionally to the force of weight applied to the bed rest, said elastic element (24) comprising a lower side (24A), which, under stress, is forced to bend with a tighter curve with respect to an upper side (24B) of the elastic element (24), exerting a pulling force on said upper side (24B) which is proportional to said force of weight applied.