EP0852124A2 - Means for fixing slats to a mattress base - Google Patents

Abstract

The fixing bracket consists of a U-shaped spring (3) with fastenings (8, 9) on its two ends, one for connecting to the end of a slat (4) and the other for joining to a lengthwise member (1) of the bed frame. The two ends of the springs are connected to the fastenings (8, 9) by sliders (12) which clip onto the spring ends, and the lower fastening (9) has a coating (14) of a synthetic material on its side facing towards the upper one (8).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for fixing slats to a box spring and the box spring incorporating such a device.

It relates more particularly to a device for fixing slats to a box spring, of the type comprising at minus a first member fixed to a longitudinal element of the frame of the box spring, a second member forming a bearing for the receiving at least one end of a slat extending transversely above the level of the box spring frame, a spring being disposed between the first and second organs and connecting said first and second organs between them.

Slatted bed base users have become more more demanding with regard to these box springs which must have optimal comfort characteristics. Today, the batten / batten attachment to the box spring must be made in such a way that when we vary the position of a constant force F the along the slat, the deflection of this slat remains almost constant. This therefore results in the need for a compromise between the stiffness of the batten and the stiffness of the chosen spring. At the same time, the slats are asked to optimally adapt to the anatomical shape of the body lying on the box spring without having to adjust separated from the stiffness of each slat. Finally, the device for fixing the slat to the bed base must be in such a way that it allows the slat to be brought in one predetermined fixed initial position with rapid return and nervous about this batten in the unloaded position without remanent deformation or hysteresis. This force of recall must be capable of being increased without affecting the flexibility of the slat fixing device.

Such a fastening device is also required slats to be designed in such a way that it can present good resistance over time without wear of the elements component. The problem of wear of the elements components of the batten fixing device is a problem that has already been addressed in the literature and attempted to be resolved. An example of a slatted base in which the slat support was designed to be reduced in wear is described in document EP-A-0.150.873. In this document there is described a slat fixing device to a box spring of the type comprising a spring substantially in V-shaped lying arranged between a slat and an element longitudinal of the box spring frame, this spring being fixed fixed way to the latter, the other end of the spring being integral with a tip for receiving the end of the latte. Such a particularly rigid set had aims to limit local deformations of the spring and consequently the wear of the latter. From this device, this resulted in a very significant stiffness of all. In addition, such a device required the manufacturer to use only non-extendable slats in length. Nowadays, to meet the requirements described above, it becomes almost imperative to use slats curved upwards to increase the stroke flexibility of the slat. This bending generates a deformation of the batten during compression of the entire slat fixing device. Of manufacturers have already imagined using such slats convex upwardly convex. An example is in particular described in patent FR-A-2,688,668. However, in this case, the slat is held in a room elastically deformable. This results in very wear fast of this bearing part which tends very quickly to no longer return to its original position without load. The deformation of the slats then becomes random depending from the initial position they occupy. Furthermore, such device cannot, due to its design, present a long travel travel of the slat (s) / support assembly of batten (s).

Furthermore, it has been proposed in particular in the patent EP-A-0.512.569 a device for fixing slats to a box spring comprising a spring, one end of which is sliding mounted directly on a slat. Such mounting again does not allow for a large stroke of travel of the batten (s) / batten support (s) assembly. Furthermore, such an arrangement cannot be transposed to an arched batten, the deformation of the batten taking place in a direction opposite to the direction of sliding spring. In addition, it is well known to manufacturers of bedding that any sliding contact between mattress and parts of the slat fixing device should be avoided because a such contact generates rapid wear of the mattress. He must also be noted that the fixing device such as described in this document inevitably generates noises harmful. Finally, the batten is likely to occupy in certain spring positions a position in which it is no longer held and can then move freely in a direction transverse to the longitudinal elements of the box frame. For all the above reasons, the sliding mounting of a spring directly on a latte should be avoided.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above by proposing a device for fixing curved slats to a box spring whose design allows a simple, comfortable set to be obtained wear limited in time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for fixing curved slats to a bed base which meets the above requirements and is designed to so that when you vary the position of a constant force along the batten, the deflection of this latte remains almost constant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for fixing curved slats to a box spring, the design allows the return to an initial position outside load of the slats perfectly defined by construction.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device for fixing curved slats to a bed base whose stroke travel and restoring force are important without however impair the flexibility of the whole.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for the fixing slats to a box spring, of the type comprising at minus a first member fixed to a longitudinal element of the frame of the box spring, a second member forming a bearing for the receiving at least one end of a slat extending transversely above the level of the box spring frame, a spring being disposed between the first and second organs and connecting said first and second organs between them, characterized in that each slat is a slat curved upwards and in that at least one of the ends of the spring is slidably mounted on one said first and second organs and is guided in displacement in a plane transverse to the element longitudinal of the frame of the bed base by guide means which, when switching from an unloaded position to a position in charge of the device, authorize a free sliding movement of at least one end of the spring towards the outside of the box spring frame and which, when switching from a loaded position to the unloaded position of the device, cooperate with means for limiting the spacing of the ends of the spring to prevent sliding movement in direction of the interior of the box spring frame at least one end of the spring beyond a position predetermined.

Thanks to this configuration, the device has a great travel, great flexibility and great nervousness with a perfect return to position initial off load.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring consists of at least two so-called branches upper and lower, the connection area between said branches of the spring being located inside the frame of the bedspring. Means for limiting the spacing of ends of the spring are in turn constituted by a stop fixed to the spring.

The invention also relates to a box spring type slats, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for fixing slats to a box spring such as described above.

la figure 1 représente une vue en coupe d'un dispositif de fixation de lattes à un sommier selon l'invention en position hors charge du dispositif,

la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe du dispositif de la figure 1 en position en charge du dispositif,

la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe transversale d'une variante d'un dispositif de fixation de lattes à un sommier selon l'invention en position hors charge du dispositif et

la figure 4 représente une vue en perspective du dispositif représenté à la figure 3.

The invention will be clearly understood on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a sectional view of a device for fixing slats to a bed base according to the invention in the unloaded position of the device,

FIG. 2 represents a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 in the loaded position of the device,

FIG. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of a variant of a device for fixing slats to a bed base according to the invention in the unloaded position of the device, and

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of the device represented in FIG. 3.

The device for fixing slats 4 to a box spring, object of the invention, allows the attachment of one or more slats 4 to a box spring, in particular to an element longitudinal 1 of the box spring frame.

Two exemplary embodiments are described below. The Figures 1 and 2 correspond to a first mode of embodiment and FIGS. 3 and 4 to a second embodiment of realization of the invention. To simplify the description the identical bodies have been represented by numbers identical and the organs having an identical function or a similar structure were represented by numbers identical supplemented by an apostrophe. Also for example, the spring 3 of Figures 1 and 2 is shown in 3 'to Figures 3 and 4.

The device for fixing slats comprises, in known manner, a first member 9 or 9 'fixed to the longitudinal element 1 of the box spring frame and a second member 8 or 8 'forming a bearing for receiving at least one end of batten 4, this batten 4 extending transversely above the level of the box spring frame. This device also comprises a spring 3 or 3 ', arranged between the first 9 or 9 'and second 8 or 8' organs and connecting said first 9 or 9 'and second 8 or 8' organs between them.

These first and second members are partly made of classic way. Thus, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first member 9 or 9 ', fixed to an element longitudinal 1 of the box spring frame, has a housing 2 or 2 ', blind or crossing, opening towards the longitudinal element 1 of the box spring frame when the fixing device is in position on said frame bedspring. A trunnion, or any other fixing member 5 or 5 'suitable, secures the element longitudinal 1 of the box spring frame and this first member 9 or 9 ', generally by force fitting said 5 or 5 'pin on the one hand in the 2 or 2' housing formed in the first organ, on the other hand in a bore blind 6 (not shown in Figures 3 and 4) formed in the longitudinal element 1 of the box spring frame.

The second member 8 or 8 'forming a landing for reception at least one end of batten 4, meanwhile affects the shape of a nozzle inside which is housed so fixes said slat. Indeed, this tip delimits a housing for receiving one end of a batten. This batten 4 is generally slidably introduced into the longitudinal direction inside said housing up to come into abutment against a shoulder arranged inside said accommodation.

This slat 4 is a slat curved upwards or, in other words, convex, upwardly convex to increase its flexibility stroke. This slat 4 can be made of any material. The comfort of a such an arched batten cannot be matched by a non-batten curved.

In addition to this perfectly classic design, the first and second organs include means for receiving ends of the spring 3 or 3 '. Indeed, at least one of ends of the spring 3 or 3 'is slidably mounted on one of said first 9, 9 'or second 8, 8' organs and is guided in movement by guide means 11 or 11 '. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is the end 3A of the spring 3 which is mounted to slide on the member 8 forming a bearing for receiving the slat 4. This solution is a preferred solution. Conversely, in the example shown in Figures 3 and 4 it is the end 3'B of the spring 3 'which is mounted free at sliding on the first member 9 'fixed to an element longitudinal 1 of the box spring frame.

Guide means 11 or 11 ′ are arranged to allow sliding movement of at least one end, in the occurrence end 3A in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the 3'B end in the example of Figures 3 and 4, the spring 3 or 3 'in a transverse plane to the longitudinal element 1 of the box spring frame on which the device is arranged. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 4, the guide means 11 or 11 ', of the sliding end 3A, 3'B of the spring 3, 3 'are constituted by a housing, preferably through, formed in the second member 8 for the end 3A and in the first member 9 'for the end 3', this housing extending transversely to the longitudinal element 1 of the frame and forming a guide path for the end of the spring inserted inside said housing. A analogous result could have been obtained by sparing said housing in the first member 9 in Figures 1 and 2 and in the second member 8 'in FIGS. 3 and 4 even if the solution shown in Figures 1 and 2 is preferred. These guide means 11 allow during the passage of a unloaded position (figure 1) at a loaded position (Figure 2) of the device a free movement of the sliding end 3A of the spring 3 in the direction of the outside of the box spring frame as shown by the arrow F. The same is true in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the means of guide 11 'as shown by arrow F'. Therefore, the batten 4 can deform later or in parallel by elongation without the spring acting antagonistic to this elongation.

Furthermore, these same guide means 11 cooperate, when switching from the loaded position (figure 2) to the unloaded position (figure 1) of the device, with means 10 for limiting the spacing of the ends 3A, Spring 3B to prevent sliding movement at least one of the ends of the spring 3 beyond a predetermined position. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is the end 3A of the spring 3 which is sliding mounted on the second member 8 while the other end 3B is fixedly mounted on the first member 9 of the device. These means 10 represented in 10 'to Figures 3 and 4 will be described below.

Generally, the spring 3 or 3 'consists of at least two branches called upper and lower, the area of connection between said branches of the spring being located at inside the box spring frame. In the examples shown, the spring 3 or 3 'has the shape of a V lying with the bonding area arranged inside of the box spring frame. In the example shown in the figures 1 and 2, the branch carrying the end 3A of the spring is sliding mounted on the device in particular on the member 8 forming a bearing while the other branch 3B of the spring is fixedly mounted on the device. This branch fixed mount on the device is introduced inside a housing, preferably through, formed in the first member 9, this housing extending transversely to the longitudinal element 1 of the box spring frame. This maintenance in position of the fixed end 3B of the spring is effected by positioning a clamp-type part on the end 3B of the spring, this part being applied on both sides of the spring and having on one of its branches a notch coming to be housed inside a drilling the spring, the two branches of said part being then introduced into the housing through the first organ 9. A stop allows the immobilization in position of this part with respect to the second member 9. The end of the spring 3 is then immobilized. This branch mounted fixed on the device may include several fixing points so as to allow adjustment of the restoring force exerted by the spring 3 during deformation of the entire device. It suits in this case to provide several holes in the end 3B fixed spring. This mounting of the branch 3B of the spring allows easy disassembly of the assembly.

In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the end 3'A of the upper branch of the spring has several lights 15 which constitute several fixing points of the spring on the second member 8 'forming a batten bearing so as to allow adjustment of the restoring force exerted by the spring during the deformation of the assembly of the device. This second member 8 'has on its face lower a projecting member 16 affecting the shape of a lug coming to be housed inside a light 15 of the upper branch of the spring. This branch ended with the end 3'A of the spring 3 'is thus kept fixed on the device, the other branch ending at the 3'B end being slidably mounted.

The upper branch carrying the 3A or 3'A end of the spring 3 or 3 'extends downwardly inclined to from its point of connection with the second member 8 or 8 'forming a bearing to prevent any contact of said branch with batten 4 so as to prevent any generation of noise harmful to the comfort of the user.

The spring 3 or 3 'is, for its part, a leaf spring, of preferably progressive stiffness. It should be noted that the connection zone between the upper branch terminated by the end 3A or 3'A and the lower branch terminated by the end 3B or 3'B of the spring 3 or 3 'can affect a large number of forms. It will preferably be curved, possibly in the form of one or more open loops. Therefore, the spring can, so equivalent, assign the shape of a V, a U, an S, etc. Generally, this spring 3 or 3 'has a stiffness of value less than the stiffness of the slat 4 so that allow, initially, during the passage of the unloaded position (figure 1) at loaded position (figure 2), the deformation of the spring then the deformation of the latte. Therefore, when returning to the off position load, the batten helps the spring to return to position initial and vice versa. There is real cooperation between batten and spring during their deformations respective.

In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first member 9 is also coated on its upper face with layer 14 of synthetic material so as to prevent the generation of harmful noise in the position in device charge. Indeed, during the passage of the unloaded position at the loaded position of the device, the ends 3A and 3B of the spring tend to approach one from the other, the 3A end sliding inside the guide path 11 formed in the second member 8, as shown in the passage between figure 1 and figure 2, up to a maximum deformation position in which the second member 8 comes to bear on the first member 9, in particular on the synthetic surface 14 covering this first organ 9. Conversely, during the change from the loaded position to the unloaded position, the end 3A of the spring tends to move slidingly in the opposite direction, i.e. in the direction of the arrow B in figure 1, to return to its position initial.

In order to obtain a fixed initial position always identical, regardless of the deformation performed, the device includes means 10 or 10 'for limiting the spacing of the ends 3A, 3B or 3'A, 3'B of the spring 3 or 3 'to prevent sliding movement of at least minus one of the ends of the spring 3 or 3 'beyond a predetermined position. These 10 or 10 'means of limitation the distance between the ends of the spring may affect a lot of shapes. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, these means 10 for limiting the spacing ends of the spring 3 somehow constitute an end stop of the spring 3 during its passage from the loaded position to the unloaded position. In this example, these means consist of a stop secured to the spring 3. This stop 10, secured to the spring 3, is formed on an added piece 12 forming slide. This slide is secured to spring 3 at by means of a lug 7 which is housed inside a drilling made at its free end 3A of the spring. This slide comprises a stop 10 constituted by a shoulder provided at its end. This facilitates mounting and disassembly of the spring and optionally allows change this spring easily. So when passing from the loaded position (Figure 2) to the off position load (Figure 1) of the device, this stop 10 comes in support against a face of the second member 8 and prevents displacement of the free end 3A of the spring beyond this predetermined position. Obviously, others embodiments of these means 10 for limiting the spacing of the ends 3A, 3B of the spring can be considered.

In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the means 10 'for limiting the distance between the ends 3'A, 3'B of the spring 3 'are constituted by a hollow structure inserted between first 9 'and second 8' organs and forming in cooperation with said first 9 'and second member 8' an elastically deformable ring. This structure is arranged in a plane parallel to the passing vertical plane by the longitudinal element 1 of the box spring frame on which the device is fixed. Therefore, when passing a unloaded position to a loaded position of device, the free end 3'B of the spring tends to slide in its guide path 11 ', the structure annular hollow tends to deform by flattening and the batten 4 lengthens. However, due to the mounting at sliding of one of the ends of the spring, this spring works in an adequate position and does not tend to pull the batten. During the passage of the loaded position to the unloaded position, the end free to slide 3'B slides in reverse direction thanks to the guide means 11 ', the slat 4 returns to its initial position and the spring is prevented from deforming by spacing its ends 3'A and 3'B thanks to the means 10 'for limiting this spacing. Indeed, the ring structure returns to its original position after deformation, position corresponding to Figures 3 and 4 in which the spacing between the ends 3'A and 3'B of the spring is perfectly defined. This results in a position initial of the device perfectly safe.

It should also be noted that in Figures 1 and 2, the second member 8, which takes the form of a nozzle the interior of which is fixedly housed said slat 4, further comprises at its base a notch 13 providing on both sides two blades susceptible to deformation elastic to allow, when passing from the position unloaded at the loaded position of the device, a pivoting of the end piece 8 cooperating in a setting the horizontal of the slat 4.

The slatted type bed base comprising at least one device for fixing slats to a box spring of the type above is thus made particularly efficient.

Claims (12)

Device for fixing slats (4) to a bed base, of the type comprising at least a first member (9; 9 ') fixed to a longitudinal element (1) of the bed frame, a second member (8; 8') forming bearing for receiving at least one end of a slat (4) extending transversely above the level of the box spring frame, a spring (3; 3 ') being arranged between the first (9; 9') and second (8; 8 ') members and connecting said first (9; 9') and second (8; 8 ') members together,
characterized in that each batten (4) is an upwardly curved batten and in that at least one (3A; 3'B) of the ends of the spring (3; 3 ') is slidably mounted on one of said first (9; 9 ') and second (8; 8') organs and is guided in displacement in a plane transverse to the longitudinal element (1) of the frame of the box spring by guide means (11; 11 ') which, when switching from an unloaded position to a loaded position of the device, allow a free sliding movement of at least one (3A; 3'B) of the ends of the spring (3; 3 ') in the direction of outside the frame of the bed base and which, when passing from a loaded position to the unloaded position of the device, cooperate with means (10 or 10 ′) for limiting the spacing of the ends (3A, 3B) (3'A, 3'B) of the spring to prevent sliding movement towards the inside of the box spring frame of at least one (3A; 3'B) of the ends of the spring (3; 3 ' ) above the no predetermined position. Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the guide means (11; 11 ') of the sliding end (3A; 3'B) of the spring (3; 3') consist of a housing, preferably through, formed in the first (9 ; 9 ') and / or the second (8; 8') members, this housing extending transversely to the longitudinal element (1) of the frame and forming a guide path for the end (3A; 3'B) of the spring (3; 3 ') introduced inside said housing. Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2,
characterized in that the means (10) for limiting the spacing of the ends (3A, 3B) of the spring (3) consist of a stop (10) integral with the spring (3). Device according to claim 3,
characterized in that the stop (10) integral with the spring (3) is formed on an insert (12) forming a slide. Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2,
characterized in that the means (10 ') for limiting the spacing of the ends (3'A;3'B) of the spring (3') consist of a hollow structure interposed between first (9 ') and second (8 ') members and forming in cooperation with said first (9') and second (8 ') members an elastically deformable ring, this structure being arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of the longitudinal element (1) of the frame of the bed base on which the device is fixed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the spring (3; 3 ') consists of at least two so-called upper and lower branches, the connection zone between said branches of the spring (3,3') being located inside the frame of the bed base . Device according to claim 6,
characterized in that one of the branches of the spring (3; 3 ') is slidably mounted on the device while the other branch of the spring (3; 3') is mounted fixed on the device, the branch mounted fixed on the device comprising several fixing points so as to allow adjustment of the restoring force exerted by said spring (3; 3 ') during the deformation of the entire device. Device according to one of claims 6 and 7,
characterized in that the upper branch of the spring (3; 3 ') extends inclined downwards from its point of connection with the second member (8; 8') forming a bearing to prevent any contact of said branch with the slat (4). Device according to one of claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that the spring (3; 3 ') is a leaf spring, preferably of progressive stiffness. Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the first member (9) comprises, on its face facing the second member (8), a layer (14) of synthetic material. Device according to one of claims 1 and 10,
characterized in that the second member (8) takes the form of a nozzle inside which is housed, in a fixed manner, said slat (4), this nozzle (8) comprising at its base a notch (13) delimiting two blades capable of elastic deformation to allow, when passing from the unloaded position to the loaded position of the device, pivoting of the end piece (8) cooperating in bringing the slat (4) horizontally. Slatted type bed base,
characterized in that it comprises at least one device for fixing slats to a bed base according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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