EP0006840A1 - Flexible elastic support - Google Patents

Abstract

Bendable elastic support consisting of at least one band (1, 2) of elastic material which is essentially inextensible or non-compressible in the longitudinal direction and a tension element (3, 4) fastened to the band and arranged approximately parallel to the latter, with the tension at one end or at another point supported band is more or less curvable or resilient, one or more tension bands (3, 4) are provided and the broad sides facing or adjacent tension and support bands (1-4) by one or more over the band length is distributed or spacers (22-29) arranged at one or both ends are held together.

Description

The invention relates to a flexible elastic support, consisting of at least one band of elastic, in the longitudinal extension essentially inextensible or non-compressible material and attached to the band, approximately parallel to this arranged tension element, the tension of which at one end or at another The supported band is more or less curvable or resilient. Such a band made of metal or plastic, known from AT-PS 292.391, has a U-shaped cross-section and at the edges numerous incisions provided by punching as well as flaps punched out from the center of the band and bent at right angles, which have holes through which two pulling elements are guided in the form of ropes. As soon as these tension elements are tensioned by means of a tensioning device, there is a bending of the band, which either runs evenly over the length of the band or, due to the tension elements stuck to the edges of the holes, causes irregular arcuate sections at undesired locations.

In addition, the wear of the rope-like tension element in the area of the holes leads to their damage, so that the tension elements must be replaced.

The object of the invention is to design the support mentioned at the outset in such a way that specially designed and / or changeable and / or differently resilient curvatures can be formed at certain points in the band and, under certain circumstances, shifted. In addition, the manufacture of the support is to be simplified, i.e. Satisfaction can be found with just a few simple components. Finally, such a support should also enable the formation of a backrest frame, a shoe insert, a mat or a bridge construction, in which more or less large curvatures can be generated at any point without the need for additional tensioning devices.

The invention achieves the first-mentioned object in that one or more drawstrings are provided and that the drawstrings facing one another or lying next to one another or lying next to one another are distributed by one or more over the strip length or are held together at one or both ends of spacers. Therefore, if the spacers are arranged on the belts so that there is a greater distance in the longitudinal direction of the belts between two holders than between other spacers, and the tension band is actuated, then a greater curvature will be in the support band between the spacers with a greater distance than arise in other places, which can, however, be deliberately introduced at this point and in its extent.

Another advantage of the invention is that the tension and support straps in a simple manner from sheet steel or metal, wood, plastic or the like. punched or injection molded, etc. and can be assembled with spacers that are just as easy to manufacture, so that the support according to the invention can be produced with only a small amount of material and labor.

The invention also consists in that spacers are arranged displaceably on the belts, ie some or all of the spacers can be displaced and others are fixedly arranged on the belts, it being possible for the displaceable spacers to hold where the curvature and to what extent and in what shape it is to be formed.

According to the invention, it is also possible for two or more spacers to be connected to one another and to be displaceable together. This not only achieves a specially designed curvature in the support band, but also creates the possibility of moving this curvature from one point to another.

The invention also consists in that the spacers for displacement are provided with a handle or with a hydraulic, pneumatic, motor or other drive or a Bowden cable, a toggle lever, a scraper, a scissor lever or an eccentric. If the support according to the invention is already installed or assembled, the spacers covered thereby can nevertheless be handled by the handle mentioned or the like. easily adjusted from the outside and the curvature shifted.

According to the invention, the spacers can be simple brackets which encompass the bands transversely to their longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, it is also possible according to the invention that the spacers are projections on the support band or tension band which engage in recesses in the tension band or support band or penetrate or encompass them. With this proposal, it is possible to produce spacers and tapes from a common starting material, which makes it unnecessary to attach separate spacers.

In this context, however, the invention also consists in the fact that the recesses in the drawstring are slots and that the projections. the support band into the slots intervene with play. With such a game it is achieved that with increasing tensile force on the drawstring an increasing curvature occurs before and after the spacer in question. If the spacer lies against the slit end of the drawstring, then with a further increase in the tensile force on the drawstring, the curvature only increases in front of the spacer. Depending on the size and location of the game, it is of course possible to have a different load capacity before and after the slot or the entire support. By extending or shortening the recess, very different curvatures or load capacities can be achieved, and the curvatures can also be shifted.

A practical embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned projections are double rivets or screws etc. with a middle or more separate or uniform spacers, against which two or more bands abut. This makes it possible to use commercially available rivets, screws, sleeves and washers, nuts, etc., which further simplifies and reduces the cost of the support according to the invention.

An essential feature of the invention is that one or more spacers can be adjusted and adjusted in their effective length by screw thread, lever scissors, double-link adjuster or by means of an eccentric, hydraulics, pneumatics, a Bowden cable etc. The spacers themselves can therefore be fixed be arranged, the point at which the greatest curvature should be, can be selected by the means mentioned.

Another feature of the invention is characterized in that the play between the spacers of the support band and the slots of the tension band is different. In this case too, depending on the size of the game, a different load capacity of the support can be achieved, but also at different locations on the support bandes can be set as desired. Of course, a linear, progressive or degressive increase in the play size in the tension band can also be carried out in order to determine the load-bearing capacity of the support in a linear manner or otherwise.

According to a further proposal, the invention is that between the edge of the recess or the slot end and the projection or the spacer, a wedge, eccentric or toggle lever made of compressible or non-compressible or expandable material or a pneumatic, hydraulic or motor drive element with intervenes directly or remotely controlled handle, their set position, for example is fixable. This means that it is possible to initiate a displacement of the tension and support straps against each other at certain points using relatively simple means, which means that a separate tensioning device for the tension strap can be dispensed with. If, however, a tensioning device is used, its effect can be increased or decreased in its effect by the means mentioned at various points on the support band.

The invention also includes the essential feature that a set screw held on the drawstring, a wedge, eccentric or the like on the projection or spacer of the support band. attacks directly or via an additional control band located inside or outside. This additional control band therefore carries set screws, wedges or eccentrics and can be operated from one point, saving slots in the tension band, since the spacers work directly with the assigned screws, wedges, eccentrics and can be influenced via the control band.

An essential feature of the invention is that two or more parallel support straps are connected by several cross struts, a grille or by a foam or spring core body and thereby a backrest frame, a shoe insert, egg Form a mat (mattress, bed insert), a formwork support element or a spacious support for a bridge construction. With the support according to the invention, it is therefore possible to create mat-like structures of any width and length, in which a curvature can be generated at any point or any load-bearing capacity or elasticity.

The invention is further characterized in that a tensioning device acts on the one hand on one or more tension bands and on the other hand on the support bands. With such a tensioning device, a more or less large curvature can be produced within some or all of the tension and support straps, namely over the entire length or parts of the support. The tensioning device will be useful if large forces are required to tension the support or if an opposing, supplementary, pulsating or the like compared to the spacers and their control. Total or partial curvature or resilience, a vibration or the like. to be controlled.

Another feature of the invention is that the drawstrings or an additional drawstring e.g. or the like in about half the length of the support bands. attack on these or other parts. This allows "parts" of the support band to remain unaffected or to be influenced differently from the rest of the part, it being possible to shift the curvature or change the load capacity, the elasticity of the support or a support part by using one or more additional drawstrings.

According to the invention, it is also possible for one or more tensioning devices to engage one or more belts or belt groups. A support designed in this way can be curved in any variation and combination.

The invention also consists in that a bowden cable, toggle lever, wedge, eccentric, a threaded spindle or a compression or tension spring, a hydraulic, pneumatic or motor drive, an automatic control by air pressure, photocell, gravity as a tensioning device on the support or tension bands , Centrifugal force and other external influences. This means that simple, space-saving and cost-saving, but effective means can be used, while the other drive types can be used when high power is required, e.g. a substantial increase in comfort is achieved when remotely controlling supports installed in seat backrests.

The invention is also characterized in that spacers of the same length or of different lengths are used continuously between the immediately adjacent tension and support bands lying one above the other or one next to the other. Single or multiple curvatures can thus be fixed during the manufacture and completion of the support.

A special embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a hose surrounding the tension and support straps is provided as a spacer with a cavity expanded at one or more points, in which a section of the support strap can be deflected in the tensioned state. The use of a uniform tube instead of the individual spacers further simplifies the support, but a curvature can be caused at a certain point with the same effect. It is particularly advantageous according to the invention if the hose is displaceable in the longitudinal direction on the tension and support bands or is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, because this measure makes it easy and convenient to move the curvature from one location to another.

According to the invention it is also possible that a sliding material or rollers are arranged between the spacers and the belts. This embodiment of the invention will be used wherever it is necessary to be able to shift the curvature even under load.

Another essential feature of the invention is that the support straps and the cross struts form a lattice-shaped unit punched out of a piece of material or an entire plate or mat, and that the tension straps may either penetrate protrusions of the unit or are held on the unit by spacers. This results in a particularly simple type of manufacture for the supports according to the invention, which no longer have to be connected to one another separately.

The invention can also be seen in that the drawstrings only engage at one end or at other points of the lattice-shaped unit and are optionally connected to a tensioning device.

According to the invention, it is also possible for a middle tension band to be adjacent to two outer support bands, for the tension band and the support bands to be connected to one another, for example at one end, for the other end of the tension band to be connected to a tensioning device and for the other ends of the support bands in the region of the Tensioning device are supported and that the spacers are, for example, U-shaped brackets which are fastened to the support straps and which engage under the drawstring with their webs, the webs being provided with rollers and / or with sliders. This embodiment of the invention is particularly easy to implement, since it is only necessary to start from a common body, which contains tension and support straps and can be produced, for example, from plastic by injection molding. The associated components for the adjustment mechanism are just as simple. The invention also provides that the U-shaped bracket and the support bands form a structural unit that between the individual brackets are provided with transverse slots, which are, for example, narrower than the brackets and that, for example, brackets in the area of the tensioning device are higher than the brackets, which connect to the common end for tension and support straps, and that the tensioning device consists of an angle piece with an elongated slot for the passage of the drawstring and one transverse to the drawstring via a screw spindle or the like. There is adjustable slide, which rests on one side of the leg of the elbow with the long slot, that the support straps are supported on the other side of the leg and that pins rest against the wedge-shaped recesses of the slider on the end of the drawstring passing through the long slot of the leg, wherein the screw engages in a thread of the short right-angled leg of the contra-angle handpiece or can be actuated, for example, by an eccentric.

Another even simpler variant of the invention is characterized in that an approximately backrest-shaped body has one or more incisions running in its longitudinal direction, for example from bottom to top, that the incisions serve to accommodate tension bands which, for example, are attached to the backrest body at one end, fixed with their other ends to a tensioning device and supported over their entire length by spacers which are U-shaped and fastened, for example, to the back of the backrest body or are made in one piece with the backrest body or drawstring. On the other hand, it is possible according to the invention that the tensioning device consists of a slide with wedge-shaped recesses guided in the backrest body transversely to its longitudinal direction and, for example, a screw spindle passing through a thread of the backrest body, and that pins of the drawstrings rest on the wedge-shaped recesses. Finally, the invention can be carried out even more simply be and lie in the fact that an approximately backrest-shaped body has rollers arranged at a distance from one another on its rear side, for example traction cables on, for example, one of these rollers or on the body fixed around the rollers arranged one above the other in a zigzag fashion and expediently guided from a roller at the lower edge of the backrest body to a tensioning device. It can be seen from this that the least amount of material is required for this variant of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in more detail in the drawing with the aid of a few exemplary embodiments. 1 shows a support designed according to the invention in the diagram, FIG. 2 shows a corresponding side view, schematically, FIG. 3 shows a side view of a support according to the invention with spacers that carry rollers, FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 4A, 5A to C and 6A to E show various simple exemplary embodiments for a tensioning device acting on the support and tension belts, diagrammatically and schematically, and FIGS. 7 to 19 consistently show embodiments of a tensioning device which is fastened to tension and support belts, in plan and side views or sectional views. 20 to 24 show schematically and in side view further exemplary embodiments of a support according to the invention. 25 to 29 illustrate in perspective further variants of the support according to the invention in the form of backrests. 30 and 31 each illustrate a tensioning device which is supported by springs.

1 shows that the support designed according to the invention consists of two upper support straps 1, 2 and two tension straps 3, 4 underneath, which are connected at one end by one of a plurality of cross struts 5 to 9 and at their other ends with a lever shear clamping device 10 are held together, the support bands 1, 2 being fastened to the upper cross parts 11, 12 and the tension bands 3, 4 to the lower cross parts 13, 14. If the spindle 15 of this clamping device is rotated, for example, in the direction of rotation of the arrow 16 by means of a crank or a handle (not shown), then it is turned on a middle one, by the Spindle through threaded part 17 articulated scissors levers 18, 19, 20, 21 brought into their extended position, so that the transverse parts 11 to 14 articulated to them are pushed apart. As a result of this movement, a tensile force acts on the tension bands 3, 4, by means of which the support bands 1, 2 are bent into the position shown.

The tension and support bands 1 to 4 are held together by some bow-shaped spacers 22 to 29, the middle spacers 24 to 27 in a common e.g. plate 30 arranged below the drawstrings are anchored and allow a greater distance between the drawstrings and support bands 1, 3 or 2.4 than the other spacers 22, 23 and 28, 29. In addition, the spacers 24 to 27 are equipped with rollers, which rest on the support bands 1, 2.

A lever-like handle 31 engages on the plate 30, specifically with a bolt 33 passing through an elongated slot 32, the handle in the drawstring 3 having a pivot point 34 about which it can be pivoted. When the handle 31 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow 35, the plate 30 and thus all the spacers 24 to 27 are displaced upward, but when the handle 31 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow 36, the plate 30 is displaced downward.

Since the support bands 1, 2 and / or the tension bands 3, 4 are made of an elastic material that is essentially non-stretchable or non-compressible in the longitudinal direction, e.g. Are made of iron, sheet steel or plastic, the support bands 1, 2 will be at a tensile force acting on the tension bands 3, 4, i.e. Bend over its entire length. However, where the distance between the spacers is greatest in the longitudinal direction of the bands, the support bands can bend the most, so that in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the sections 37, 38 between the spacers 24 to 26 or 25 to 27 are most curved.

By pivoting the handle 31 and moving the spacers 24 to 27, the curved sections 37, 38 can also be moved up or down as desired.

The cross struts 6 to 9 are fastened to the support belts with bolts 39 to 46 so that they are at a distance from the belts 1, 2 and allow the rollers of the displaceable spacers 24 to 27 to pass through.

One can easily imagine that the support shown in Figure 1 or the like in a backrest of an armchair or a seat in a motor vehicle. is installed and the handle 31 protrudes laterally from the backrest, so that an adjustment of the backrest curvature to the back of the seated person can be made by simply adjusting the handle 31. The strength of the curvature can be easily adjusted by rotating a rotary handle that is also arranged laterally (not shown) on the spindle 15.

The arrangement of the rollers on the spacers 24 to 27 makes it possible to shift the curvature 37, 38 even when the drawstrings 3, 4 are tensioned by the device 10. In addition to the rollers shown, rollers can also be arranged on the plate 30 below the drawstrings, which ensure that the plate 30 slides on the drawstrings 3, 4 without causing excessive friction.

Instead of the rollers mentioned, sliders can also be arranged at the ends of the spacers 24 to 27 or between the tension bands 3, 4 and the plate 30.

The handle 31 can of course be replaced by a hydraulic, pneumatic or motor drive, and the actuating elements of such a drive can be arranged near the support or at a certain distance from it. It can but also an eccentric acting directly on the plate 30 or on the handle may be provided, the rotation of which causes the displacement of the plate 30.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 shows that the spacers 24 to 27 in the position set in FIG. 1 form a curvature 47 which is approximately half the height of the support 48. However, if the spacers 24 to 27 are moved downward by pivoting the handle 31 in the direction of the arrow 36 (FIG. 1), the curvature 47 'indicated by dash-dotted lines will result, which is thus laid in the lowest region of the support 48 is.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the plate 30 'is arranged between the tension bands 3, 4 and the support bands 1, 2 in such a way that the four spacers 49, 50, 51, 52 connected to it with rollers both on the support - Are supported on the drawstrings 1 to 4 and can slide on them when the plate 30 is moved. The roles are so small that they are not hindered in their movement on the support bands 1, 2 by the cross struts 7, 8, 9. A laterally protruding handle, not shown, can be fastened to this plate 30 'in a manner similar to that in FIG. 1, by means of which the aforementioned adjustment of the curvature can be carried out.

In the support shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4, two pull and support straps engage at the ends; 1 to 4 a simple lever tensioning device 53 which consists of a cross belt 56 fastened to the support bands 1, 2 with rivets 54, 55 or the like and a cross band 56 with rivets 57, 58 or the like. on the tension bands 3, 4, there is a control band 59 fastened, which is aligned parallel to the cross band 56 and as it lies between the tension and support bands 3, 1 and 4, 2, respectively. The rivets 54, 55 pass through slots 60, 61 in the tension bands 3, 4 and the rivets 57, 58 pass through slots 62, -63 in the support bands 1, 2. The Cross belt 56 and the timing belt 59 are at their one En _- the hingedly connected to a hand lever 64th

The control band 59 comprises the rivets 57, 58 from one side with wedge-shaped recesses 65, 66 and is supported on its other side by rollers 67, 68 which are fastened in the support bands 1, 2 and, if appropriate, the tension bands 3, 4 in Long slots engaging pins can also enforce. Therefore, when the hand lever 64 is pivoted in the direction of arrow 69, the control band 59 urges the tension bands 3, 4 via the wedge-shaped recesses 65, 66 and the rivets 57, 58 in the direction of the arrows 70, 71, the rivets 57, 58 in the long slots 62, 63 of the support belts 1, 2 held by the cross belt 56 and the rivets 54, 55 in turn slide in the long slots 60, 61 of the moving tension belts 3, 4.

To facilitate this clamping process, the rivets 57, 58 can be rotatably fastened in the tension bands 3, 4 or can be provided with rotatable sleeves.

Instead of the tensioning device 53, the device shown in FIG. 6 can be provided, which consists of a base band 73, for example firmly connected to the support bands 1, 2 via the rollers 67, 68, and a control band 74 which can be displaced thereon and which can be designed as the control band 59 of the tensioning device 53 and acts in the same way on the tension belts 3, 4 when it is pulled in by turning a tension screw spindle 75, 76 in the direction of arrow 77, as indicated by arrow 78. At the end 79 of the spindle 75, 76, a rotary knob, not shown, can engage. However, a tensioning device 80, as shown in FIG. 5, is also conceivable. This device 80 consists of a control belt 81 which is arranged between the support and tension band 1 and 3 and is oriented transversely to the latter and which lies with wedge-shaped sections 82, 83 on a roller 84, 85 of the support and tension band 1, 3 and these two bands in the sense of arrows 86, 87 moves against each other as soon as a train on the control belt 81 in the direction of arrow 88 takes effect.

The roller 84 expediently passes through the tension band 3 in a slot 89, and keeps the tension band and support band 1.3 at a distance from one another. The support band 1 projects with its one end 90 beyond the control band 81, which is held at least temporarily in this way between the bands 1, 3.

In a similar way to the device according to FIG. 4, a double control belt 59 'can be arranged transversely to the tension band 3' comprising the latter according to FIG. 4A, although four guide rollers 57 ', 58', 57 ", 58 on a common base 73 ' "are arranged so that both the double control band 59 'and the tension band 3' is guided. The double control band 59 'can be connected to a tension screw spindle 75', 76 'similar to that in FIG. 6, which is anchored to the base 73' and, when its end 79 'is rotated in the direction of arrow 77', a displacement of the double control band 59 '. cause in the direction of arrow 78 '. The wedge-shaped recess 65 'displaces a pin 57 "' of the tension band 3 'in the direction of the arrow 70', so that a curvature in the associated support band, not shown, will result.

If a number of base bands 73 ', 73 "etc., as shown in FIG. 4A, are strung together and, as described earlier, connected to one or more tension bands 3', 1 'via spacers, these base bands 73', 73" can function from support bands in which the desired curvature can be caused.

According to FIG. 5A, an eccentric lever 81 'can be rotatably fastened on the tension band 3 "and bear against an end 2' of the support band 2" which is adapted to the eccentric 81 ", so that when the eccentric lever 81 'is pivoted in the direction of arrow 86' Tension band 3 "is moved in the direction of arrow 86", which slides with a pin 84 'in a slot 89' of the support band 2 ".

A similar shifting effect for the support band 2 "'in FIG. 5B results when a lever 81""passing through the tension band 3"' with its eccentric 81 "" in one or the other other direction of the arrows 86 ", 86"'is pivoted because the eccentric 81 "' then abuts either against one side or against the other side of a recess 65" in the support band 2 "'in an urgent manner.

According to FIG. 5 C, a swivel lever with a gear engages in a toothing of the tension band and, when it is rotated in one direction or the other, causes the tension band to shift relative to the support band, which in this case accommodates the bearing point of the swivel lever.

6A, a Bowden cable 64 'can be used as an alternative to the tension screw spindle of FIG. A scissor lever 53 'connected to the Bowden cable can optionally be supported by a spindle 79 "with a handle.

On the other hand, according to FIG. 6B, a worm drive 60 'with an eccentric disk 61' can rest against a tension band 1 ", which is displaced in the direction of arrow 77" 'when the worm drive is actuated, specifically in the direction of arrow 70 ". The tension band 1" is guided on a base 73 "via a pin engaging in a slot and will cause a curvature in the support band 4 ', to which it can be connected at the ends (not shown).

6 C, D and E illustrate schematically that there is a curvature extending over the length of the band in a central displacement position of the support and tension band and that with a further tension of the tension band in the support band, a second stronger curvature is formed between the support point and the spacer can.

Another tensioning device 91 can be seen in FIG. Two scissor lever joints 96 to 99 act on side-by-side and one above the other tension and support bands 92 to 95, which in turn act on their connecting joint locations 1CO, 101 with a screw spindle 102 and one this guided nut 103 are connected so that when the spindle knob 104 rotates in the direction of arrow 105, the articulation points 100, 101 move apart and, accordingly, the drawstrings 93, 95 are displaced in the direction of arrows 106, 107. In this way, however, the desired curvatures are formed in the support bands 92, 94, which not only can be precisely determined in their extent via the spindle rotation, but can also be fixed in the set position.

Instead of the spindle 102 shown in FIG. 7, a Bowden cable 108, 109 acting on the articulation points 100, 101 and shown in FIG. 9 can also be provided with a pawl lock 111, 112 attached to an adjustment lever 110 for fixing the setting position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a tensioning device 113, which is similar to that in FIG. 7 and also has four articulated levers 114 to 117, but with opposite threads of the spindle 120 engaging in the connection articulation points designed as nuts 118, 119, so that a rotary movement of the knob 121 in the direction of arrow 122 a movement of the nuts 118, 119 to one another and an opposing displacement movement of the tension and support straps 123, 124 and 125, 126, respectively.

Another simply constructed but particularly effective tensioning device 127 is illustrated in FIG. 10. The spindle 128 passes through an end body 129 of the one tension band 130 and engages in a nut 131 which is connected in an articulated manner to the support band 133 via a tab 132. A further joint bracket 134 is provided between the end body 129 and the bracket 132. When the knob 135 and the spindle 128 are rotated in the direction of the arrow 136, the nut 131 approaches the end body 129 of the drawstring 130, so that it. there will be a displacement movement of the support band 133 in the direction of arrow 137 because the link 132, due to its articulation on the link plate 134, transfers the movement of the nut 131 to the support band 133 in the form of a displacement in the direction 137 wearing. However, as with the other exemplary embodiments shown, the extent and the locking of the desired curvature in the support band 133 can be correctly determined.

If the spindle 128 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to another spindle 138, passes through an end body 139 of a further tension band 140 and engages in a nut 140 ', which in turn is connected in an articulated manner to a further support band 142 via a plate 141, here also between the plate 141 and the end body 139 engages a hinge plate 143, the same movement sequences result for the part of the device on the right in FIG. 10 as for the left part when the rotary knob 135 is set in rotation. When the rotary knob 135 is rotated, the desired curvature can be caused and fixed both in the support band 133 and in the support band 142.

Instead of a spindle 128, 138, a piston rod 144 of a piston 145 can be provided according to FIG. 11, which is acted upon from one side or the other in a hydraulic cylinder 146 and thereby the control movements of the support bands 133, 142 already described above in order to form curvatures evokes.

In the embodiment of a tensioning device 147 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an eccentric lever 148 is articulated on the one hand with a tension band 149 and on the other hand with a spindle 150 which is supported on an end piece 151 of an angle plate 152, one leg 153 of which is supported of the eccentric lever 148 is used. If the spindle 150 is rotated via its hand knob 154, the spindle bolt 156 engaging in a slot 155 also rotates the eccentric lever 148 in such a way that it moves the tension band 149 in the direction of arrow 157 relative to the support band 158 designed as a plate, so that in the support band 158 a curvature can be formed, which is also supported at one end on the leg 153 and at the other end with the Drawstring 149 (not shown) is connected. A flexible intermediate layer 159 ensures a distance between the bands 158, 149; a guide 160 surrounding the drawstring 149 may be present on the intermediate layer 159.

If, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the bands 149, 158 are surrounded by wide enveloping bodies 161 to 163 which have at least partially wedge-shaped abutting surfaces, the curvature in the support band 158 is built up as long as it moves in the direction of the arrow 164 can be until the enveloping bodies 161 to 163 lie together with their wedge-shaped abutting surfaces. Because of their design, it is therefore possible to determine the size and position of the curvature that is to be formed in the wide enveloping bodies 161 to 163. Where an enveloping body 163 has only right-angled abutting surfaces, the curvature will at least assume a more or less elongated course due to the large radius of curvature.

It is easily possible to make the wedge-shaped abutment surfaces variable, so that the degree of the desired curvature can also be determined in this regard.

In the tensioning device 165 shown in FIG. 16, two eccentric levers 167, 168 connected to one another by a tab 166 are supported on the leg 169 of a winding plate 170 and are articulated with two tension bands 171, 172 which pass through the leg 169 and are thereby guided. The underlying support band, forming a single plate 169 ', however, only bears against the leg 169 and, depending on the degree of pivoting of the eccentric lever 167, forms a more or less large curvature. Instead of the plate 169 ', strips can also be provided in which the desired curvature is generated.

The way the eccentric levers 167, 168 work together is Of course, an articulated connection of the eccentric levers of the devices of FIGS. 12 and 14 is also possible.

According to a further embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 17, a tensioning device 173 consists of an eccentric lever 174 with an eccentrically arranged slot 175, in which a pin 176 of the tension band 177 engages which, when the eccentric lever 174 is rotated in the direction of arrow 178 in the Arch slot 175 and also moves along the elongated slot 179 of the support band 180, so that a mutual displacement takes place between the tension and support bands 177 and 180 because the support band 180 is fixed in the pivot point 181 of the lever 174. This displacement of the tension band 177 also leads to a more or less large curvature in the support band 180, depending on how far the lever 174 is pivoted.

Another tensioning device 181 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 also has an eccentric lever 182 which engages with a circular disk 183 in a corresponding recess in the support band 184. A pin 185 is seated eccentrically on the disk 183 and in turn engages in a transverse slot 186 of the tension band 187. When the lever 182 pivots in the direction of the arrow 188, the pin 185 slides in the transverse slot 186 while at the same time entraining the tension band 187 in the direction of the arrow 189, so that the support band 184, which in this case is designed as a plate, will curve as much as the lever 182 is pivoted.

A curvature of a support according to the invention that is particularly easy to move can be seen in FIG. 20. Support and tension band 190, 191 are connected to one another at one end by a rivet 192 or the like. firmly connected. Two or more spacers 193, 194 can loosely or firmly enclose the bands 190, 191. Further spacers in the form of roller pairs 195, 196, 197, 198 held together are on the bands 190, 191 via an additional stiff one Control belt 199 slidable, which acts on both pairs of rollers 195 to 198 and can be guided between the support and tension band 190, 191. If, therefore, a tension in the direction of arrow 200 is exerted on the support via the tension band 191, a curve 201 is formed in the support band 190 between the pairs of rollers, which, however, depends on the movement of the control band 199 in one direction or the other ( Arrow 202) can be shifted. The most distant curvatures formed by displacement are illustrated with an unbroken line (201) and with a dashed line 203. The control band 199 can be connected to a handle, not shown, or can also be motor, hydraulic, electromagnetic, and the like. be driven. Since the pairs of rollers 195 to 198 have only a low rolling resistance when they are adjusted on the belts 190, 191, their adjustment is also possible if the curvature 201 in the support belt 190 is pronounced.

Another type of adjustment of such a curvature within the support band is illustrated in Fig. 21. Thereby, knee lever pairs 206, 207 are attached as spacers between the support and tension band 204 and 205 and are connected to one another by arms 208, 209 and 210 in such a way that with a pivotable handle 210 'engaging the arms 208, 209, the one knee lever is stretched and the other can be bowed.

In the position shown, the toggle lever 206 is stretched, so that the curvature 211 is formed on the left side of the support band 204 in FIG. 21 after a force in the direction of the arrow 212 was effective on the tension band 205.

By pivoting the handle 210 'in the direction of arrow 213, the toggle lever 206 is bent and the other toggle lever 207 is stretched, as indicated by broken lines. As a result, the curvature 211 is shifted to the right side of the support band 204 in FIG. 21, which is also expressed in a dashed line.

The spacer 214 located at the fixed end of the bands 204, 205 can be fixed immovably on this. The other spacer 215 is advantageously only firmly connected to the support band 204, while the tension band 205 can slide in the spacer 215.

One toggle lever 206 is fastened to the support band 204 with its tab 216. On the underside of the tension band 205, however, the toggle levers 206, 207 engage with rollers 217, 218, which create a movement compensation when the tension band and support band are shifted against one another.

A control band 219 which can be operated from the outside and which can be handled like the control band 199 in FIG. 20 can also act on the toggle lever 207.

The support and tension bands 222, 223 shown in FIG. 22, which are held together by spacers 220, 221, engage with their ends scissor levers 224, 225, which are articulated at 226. A bowden cable 228, the sleeve 229 of which is supported on the other lever 225, engages on the lever 224, which is fixed with a tab 227 on the support band 222. By actuation of the bowden cable 228, as can be seen from the dashed line that is in the support band 222 caused curvature 230 to be shifted to the right in FIG. 22 because the scissor levers 224, 225 are brought closer to one another on one side and moved from one another on the other side. Instead of the Bowden cable, a screw, an eccentric or the like can of course also be used. attack at the relevant lever ends.

A particularly simple embodiment of the invention results if, according to FIG. 23, a stiffness is achieved on the support belt between the tension and support belt 231, 232, which, as described above, are connected at one end and are held together by spacers 233, 234 231 engages control band 235, by the tension or pressure in one direction or the other 236, 237 one in the support band 231 through the tension band 232 witnessed curvature 238 can be shifted. The shift of the curvature to the right in FIG. 23 is indicated by dashed lines.

According to the embodiment according to FIG. 24, the pull and support band 239, 240 are firmly connected at their ends with a hinge 241, 242, the upper hinge parts being held together by an articulated arm 243. On one hinge 242, a screw spindle 244 engages with handle 245, the angle β ₁ between the hinge parts and thus the ends of the tension and support band 239, 240 being adjusted to a larger value, for example β ₂ , when rotating in one direction can. With such an adjustment, the angle α ₁ between the parts of the other hinge 241 also changes to a smaller value, namely α ₂ , so that the curvature 246 previously formed in the support band 240 is shifted to the other side of the support according to the invention, as indicated by dashed lines Lines 247 is indicated. It is clear that, depending on the rotation of the screw 244, any desired intermediate position and thus any position for the curvature between the two extreme positions shown can be achieved.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 25, a medium-wide tension band 248 is connected to the same material at the top end with two side support bands 249, 250, but at the bottom end, which passes through a slot 251 of an angle piece 252, is provided with pins 253, 254, which counteract Wedge-shaped recesses 255, 256 of a slide 257 abut, which is supported on the long leg of the angle piece 252 from below and engages with a screw 258 in a thread of the short leg of the angle piece 252. The free ends of the support bands 249, 250 are supported on the upper side of the long leg of the angle piece 252. U-shaped brackets 259 with rollers 260 or sliders 261 are provided on the rear thereof, against which the tension band 248 bears (FIG. 26).

When the spindle 258 is rotated and moved in the direction of arrow 262, the pins 253, 254 become in the direction arrows 263, so that the tension band 248 resting on the rollers 260 is also moved downward (arrow 264), whereby any curvature that may be present in the support bands 248 from the outset is reinforced (FIG. 26).

According to Fig. 27, the brackets 265 with the support bands 266, 267 can form a unit and with one another slots 268 which are so wide that they are tightened by the tension band 248 sliding on the brackets 265, i.e. when the greatest possible curvature of the support bands 266, 267 are closed. The webs of these brackets 265 are then supported against one another in the largest curvature position of the support.

The support according to the invention shown in FIG. 28 consists of a backrest-shaped body 269 made of plywood, metal, plastic or the like. and can be sprayed, drawn or punched. It has incisions 270, 271 directed from the bottom upwards, in which tension bands 272, 273 are accommodated, which are attached to the body 269 with their upper ends and have pins 274, 275 at their lower free ends, which, as in the case in FIG. 25 shown embodiment of the invention against wedge-shaped recesses 276, 277 of a slide 278, which is supported and guided in the lower parts of the body 269.

On the back of the body 269 brackets 279 are provided, which serve to support the drawstrings 272, 273. Therefore, if the screw spindle 280 connected to the slide 278, which engages in a thread of the body 269, is rotated and moved in the direction of the arrow 281, the pins 274, 275 and the recesses 276, 277 of the slide 278 move of the drawstrings 272, 273 in the direction of the arrows 232, so that these drawstrings 272, 273 supported by the brackets 279 are tensioned. Their tension causes a further deflection of the body 269, which may already have a curvature from the outset.

An even simpler embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 29. A support 283, which is already curved from the outset, has rollers 284 to 291 arranged on its rear side in one or more vertical rows, around which tension bands 292, 293 are guided such that their one ends are fastened to the rollers 286 and 290 and above the others Rolls 285, 286, 284 and 287 or 289, 290, 288 and 291 e.g. laid in a zigzag shape and then guided away approximately horizontally in the lower region of the support 283 to a tensioning device, not shown.

If a pulling force is exerted in the direction of the arrows 294 on the lower ends of the drawstrings 292, 293, the wrapping of the above-mentioned rollers lying above one another brings them closer together and thus leads to a further curvature of the support 283, which of course corresponds to the desired one Extent of curvature can be set and fixed exactly.

By means of the rollers or sliding elements on the spacers mentioned in the description of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 2, 3, 20, 23 and 29 or by e.g. Mutually acting toggle levers, scissors, joints or the like (Fig. 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28), but also by additional tension or pressure elements (Fig. 23) can be used with a small additional "secondary force" even under partial or full load of the support, the curvature at any time within the support according to the invention and therefore also within a seat, a bridge, a concrete formwork or a supporting structure in which the support is installed.

All or individual supports can also have one or more "intrinsic curvatures" into which the support, from the outset, in its entirety or only through individual or all support, pressure or tension elements, spacers, tensioning or control mechanisms or through additional springs or spring elements want to return by itself as soon as the influence exerted by a tensioning device ceases to exist. This can change and / or relocate one or more Curvatures caused by "easing" instead of by tension, tensile or compressive force or changed by external influences (e.g. leaning), so that only a "fixing" of the respective curvature, for example by clamping, gagging or by slightly turning or easing the control or clamping device has to take place. All of the features of the invention cited can be combined with one another or with any other structural or structural elements (directly or via damping or other aids) or exchanged as desired.

30 shows a tensioning device 295 which essentially corresponds to that in FIG. 1 except for the leaf springs 296, 297, which have a degressive characteristic. The springs 296, 297 namely have an inward curvature (dashed line), into which they can never return due to stops or external hindrance. The starting position for the longitudinal load is a slight opposite curvature. With further pressure loading in their longitudinal direction, the springs can only buckle against their inherent curvature (dash-dotted line). According to the buckling formulas, this results in a wrong spring characteristic. If the springs 296, 297 abut on the tabs of the tensioning device 295 via their connecting members 298, 299, the effect of this is supported. The same effect is achieved with the S-shaped spring 300 acting on the individual parts of the tensioning device 295.

According to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 31, a corresponding S-shaped spring 301 acts on the toggle levers of a similar tensioning device 302 and supports this in its effect, which support can of course take place in one direction or the other.

Claims (31)

1. Bendable elastic support, consisting of at least one band of elastic, in the longitudinal extension essentially inextensible or non-compressible material and attached to the band, approximately parallel to this arranged tension element, the tension of which is supported at one end or at another point Band is more or less curvable or resilient, characterized in that one or more tension bands (3, 4) are provided and that the wide and facing side or side-by-side tension and support bands (1 to 4) by one or more over the length of the band distributed or at one or both ends arranged spacers (22 to 29) are held together (Fig.1,2). 2. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that spacers (24 to 27) on the bands (1 to 4) are arranged displaceably, (Fig.1,2). 3. Support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that two or more spacers are interconnected and displaceable together (Fig.1,2). 4. Support according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spacers (24 to 27) for displacement with a handle (31) or with a hydraulic, pneumatic or motor drive or a Bowden cable, a toggle lever, an adjusting screw, one Scissor lever or an eccentric provided sini (Fig.1). 5. Support according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spacers are brackets (22 to 29) which embrace the bands (1 to 4) transversely to their longitudinal direction (Fig.1). 6. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacing projections (54, 55, 57, 58) on the support band (1, 2) or tension band (3, 4) are in recesses (60, 61, 62, 63) of the drawstring (3, 4) or support strap (1, 2) or penetrate or grasp it (Fig. 4). 7. Support according to claim 6, characterized in that the recesses of the tension band (3,4) are slots (60, 61) and that the projections (54, 55) of the support band (1,2) engage in the slots with play ( Fig. 4). 8. Support according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the projections double rivets or screws, sleeves, washers and the like. are with an average or more separate or uniform spacers against which two or more bands abut (Fig. 4). 9. Support according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that one or more spacers are adjustable and adjustable in their effective length by screw thread, lever scissors, double-link adjuster or by means of an eccentric, a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, a Bowden cable. 10. Support according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the play between the spacers of the support band and the slots of the tension band is different. 11. Support according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that between the edge of the recess or the slot end (62, 63) and the projection or the spacer (57, 58) a wedge (65, 66), eccentric or toggle lever made of compressible or non-compressible or stretchable material or a pneumatic, hydraulic or motor drive element with direct or remote-controlled handle (64, 72) engages or engages, the set position of which can be controlled or fixed either directly or indirectly (by external means) , (Fig. 4,6). 12. Support according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that on the projection or spacer (57, 58) of the tension band (3,4) a set screw held on the support band (1,2), a wedge (65, 66 ). Eccentric or the like. attacks directly or via an additional internal or external control band (59) (Fig. 4). 13. Support according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that two or more parallel support straps (1,3 and 2,4) arranged by a plurality of cross struts (5 to 9), a grid or by a foam or Spring body are connected and thereby form a backrest frame, a shoe insert, a mat (mattress, bed insert), a formwork support element or a spacious support for a bridge construction (Fig. 1). 14. Support according to claim 13, characterized in that a tensioning device (10) engages on the one hand on one or more tension bands (3, 4) and on the other hand on the support bands (1, 2) (FIG. 1). 15. Support according to claim 14, characterized in that the drawstrings or an additional drawstring (235) about half the length of the support strips (231) on these or on the drawstring (232), the spacers (233 or 234) or on one the surrounding upholstery or a filling material lying in the support (Fig. 23). 16. Support according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that one or more tensioning devices (91, 113, 127) engage on one or more bands or band groups (Fig. 7, 8, 10). 17. Support according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that a Bowden cable (Fig. 9), toggle lever as the tensioning device on the support or tension bands. (Fig.8), wedge, eccentric (Fig.12 to 19), a threaded spindle (Fig.7) or a compression or tension spring, a hy draulic (Fig. 11), pneumatic or notorious drive, automatic control by air pressure, by a photocell, by centrifugal force, gravity, buoyancy, electrical, magnetic waves or rays, sound, liquid, gaseous or solid chemicals or substances. 18. Support according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that spacers of the same length or of different lengths are inserted continuously between the immediately adjacent one above the other or side by side tension and support bands (Fig. 2, 3). 19. A support according to claim 1, characterized in that a hose surrounding the tension and support bands is provided as a spacer with a cavity expanded at one or more points, in which a section of the support band engages in the tensioned state. 20. Support according to claim 19, characterized in that the hose is arranged on the tension and support bands in the longitudinal direction or rotatable about its longitudinal axis. 21. Support according to one of claims 1 to 5, 19 or 20, characterized in that a sliding material or rollers (24 to 27) are arranged between the spacers and the bands (Fig. 1). 22. Support according to claim 13, characterized in that the support strips and the cross struts form a lattice-shaped, punched out of a piece of material unit or a plate or mat and that the drawstrings either push through protrusions of the unit or are held by spacers on the unit. 23. Support according to claim 22, characterized in that the drawstrings only at one end or at a point or projection, or a recess of the attack the grid-shaped unit and are connected either with a clamping device or a mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic clamping mechanism. 24. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that a middle tension band (248) is adjacent to two outer support bands (249, 250), that the tension band (248) and the support bands (249, 250) e.g. are connected at one end, that the other end of the tension band (248) is connected to a tensioning device (252 to 258) and the other ends of the support bands (249, 250) are supported in the area of the tensioning device and that the spacers e.g. U-shaped brackets (259) fastened to the support belts (249, 250) and under the webs with the webs, the webs being provided with rollers (260) and / or with sliding pieces (261) (Fig. 25, 26). 25. Support according to claim 24, characterized in that the U-shaped bracket (265) and the support bands (266, 267) form a structural unit in that transverse slots (268) are provided between the individual brackets, the narrower, wider, longer , shorter than or the same width as the stirrups and that stirrups in the area of the tensioning device are higher, lower or the same height as the stirrups, which connect to the common end for tension and support straps (Fig. 27). 26. Support according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the tensioning device from an angle piece (252) with an elongated slot (251) for the passage of the tension band (248) and one transversely to the tension band via a screw spindle (258) or the like. adjustable slide (257), which rests on one side of the long slot leg of the angle piece (252), that on the 'other side of the leg the support bands (249, 250) are supported and that pins (253, 254) the end of the drawstring (248) passing through the long slot of the leg rests against wedge-shaped recesses (255, 256) of the slide (257), wherein the screw spindle (258) engages in a bundle of the short right-angled leg of the angle piece (252) or can be actuated by an eccentric (FIG. 25). 27. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that an approximately backrest-shaped body (269) one or more in its longitudinal direction e.g. Incisions (270, 271) running from the bottom upwards have that the incisions serve to receive tension bands (272, 273) which e.g. fixed at one end to the backrest body, with its other ends fixed to a tensioning device (274 to 277) and supported by spacers (279) which are U-shaped, trapezoidal, rectangular, circular or closed or open, hollow and hollow the front or back or in the plane of the backrest body are attached or guided or made in one piece with the backrest body or drawstring (Fig. 28). 28. Support according to claim 27, characterized in that the tensioning device consists of a slide (278) guided in the backrest body (269) transversely to its longitudinal direction with wedge-shaped recesses (276, 277) of one or more screw spindle (280) penetrating the backrest body and that on the wedge-shaped recesses (276, 277) pins (274, 275) of the drawstrings (272, 273) rest (Fig. 28). 29. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that an approximately backrest-shaped body (283) on its rear side at a distance from each other has rollers (284 to 291), that pull cables (292, 293) or pull straps - each on one of these rollers (286 , 290) or fixed to the body in order to place the rollers (285, 286, 234, 237, 289, 290, 288, 291) arranged one above the other in a zigzag fashion and expediently from a roller (287, 291) at the lower edge of the backrest body are guided by a tensioning device (Fig. 29). 30. Support according to claim 21, characterized in that a rope, a chain or a similar tension element rests on the rollers of the spacer instead of a band or is guided through the rollers. 31. Support according to one of claims 1, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29, characterized in that pulling inside or outside the tensioning devices or drive or control elements , Compression springs, torsion springs or other springs, attack the shock absorber, whereby a sine spring (300) or a leaf spring (296, 297), coil spring, torsion spring, gas spring, a hydraulic, pneumatic system directly or via aids on the toggle levers of the tensioning device or the Tensioning, drive or control element attacks (Fig. 30, 31).

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