A TUFTING TIE ANCHOR FOR TUFTED MATTRESSES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tufting tie anchor, a tufted mattress, a method of adjusting the tension of tufted ties in a tufted mattresses, and a tufting tie.

[0002] There are many instances in which it is desirable to fasten a tuft to upholstery. For example, tufts are used in the manufacture of mattresses and cushions. Traditionally, the fibre filling of a mattress was maintained in position by passing a tie though the mattress with each end of the tie being fastened off by attaching the end to a respective tuft. With modern mattresses, which use coiled compression springs with a reduced amount of fibre filling or which replace fibre filling entirely with memory foam filling, the use of tufts and ties is not so important as the filling is less likely to move within the mattress. However, tufts and ties are still used even with modern mattresses, partly to ensure that the filling that is present in the mattress is retained in position and also partly because of the aesthetic value and perceived quality of a tufted mattress.

[0003] A conventional method of fastening tufts to mattresses involves placing the mattress in vertical orientation and compressing the mattress heavily from one side to the other by means of a clamp. A tufting tie is a length of flexible material such as a string, cord or tape. A first tuft is fixed to one end of the tie and the other end is left free. The free end of the tie is pulled through the mattress from one side to the other using a needle which draws the first tuft up to surface of the mattress. A second tuft is then fixed to the free end of the tie. This is repeated for typically twenty to forty tufts, all uniformly spaced and arranged over the surface of the mattress. When all of the second tufts have been fitted to their respective ties, the compressive force on the mattress is released. This allows the mattress to expand, thereby taking up any slack in the ties and pulling the second tufts tight against the mattress.

[0004] Traditionally, a tufting tie comprises a flexible tether which inherently has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The flexible tether may be in the form of a string or a cord or a tape. A tufting tie in the form of a string or a cord has a loop at each end for fixing the ends of the ties to the tufts. Such ties are often referred to in the art as "pre-tied loop ties" and are usually of nylon. In these cases, the tufts are typically "rosette" tufts which are hand-made from yarn which is looped back on itself repeatedly with opposite ends of the individual loops radiating from a common centre to keep the loops in position.

[0005] An alternative to rosette tufts and loop ties is to use a tufting tape, known in the art as a "long, long tape". Such a tape typically comprises a ribbon, usually of nylon, at each end of which are end bars, usually of plastics material. The end bars take the place of the tufts described above with the ribbon part taking the place of the string or cord tie. Such tapes are readily inserted into the mattress simply by being punched through using a suitable needle. However, the bars at the end of the tape are of course visible in the assembled mattress and are unsightly. Appearance can be improved by mounting an end bar through a central hole in a felt washer so that the washer sits between the end bar and the mattress. Alternatively, the end bar can be attached to a tuft, such as a rosette tuft (see below) or a boufette tuft. Further details of the known tufting methods discussed above are provided in GB2349332A (published on 1 November 2000).

[0006] GB2349332A also discloses a development of the rosette tuft comprising an attachment device, usually a loop or hook, for allowing a tie to be attached to the rosette tuft to facilitate fixing the rosette tuft to a mattress. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment is a link washer through which the end bar of a tufting tape is passed to secure the tuft to the tape.

[0007] WO03/008327A1 discloses a tufting tie anchor similar to the tufting tie anchor of the present invention.

[0008] A mattress is compressed when a compression force is applied to it, e.g. when a person sleeps on the mattress. When that force is removed (e.g. when the person gets out of bed), the springs or memory foam inside the mattress, being resilient, enable the mattress to return to its original form. However, over time, the resilience of the springs or memory foam may become reduced, resulting in the mattress becoming thinner and less firm. The tufting ties become loose and no longer function to keep the filling in place. In addition, the tufts may hang out of position on the mattress, often becoming unsightly and uncomfortable to lie on. In addition, the firmness of a mattress is currently determined at the time of its manufacture. Once manufactured, the firmness or softness of a mattress cannot be adjusted to suit the specific requirements of the person sleeping on it.

[0009] It is an objective of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to address these problems.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tufting tie anchor as defined in claim 1.

[0011] The Inventor has determined that it is important that the anchor be fastened securely to the tufting tie in order to prevent the tie from becoming detached from the anchor and then becoming lost within the body of the mattress. This is because ties lost in the mattress can only be replaced by returning the mattress to the manufacturer or by engaging the services of a specialist upholsterer. However, both options are very inconvenient, costly and time consuming. The purpose of the fastening means is therefore to hold securely or "fasten" the anchor to the tufting tie.

[0012] A "tufting tie" is a length of flexible material, such as string, cord, tape or ribbon. As such, tufting ties may be said to comprise a flexible tether. The tie may have a loop at each end for attachment to a respective tuft, or an end bar at each end which can by itself act as the tuft.

[0013] A tufting tie "anchor" is a device that may be attached to the end of a tufting tie to anchor the tie in position, thereby preventing the tie from getting lost in the body of a mattress. In this way, the anchor acts as a tuft. The anchor may itself be attached to a more decorative tuft, such as a rosette tuft, a bouffette tuft or a daisy tuft.

[0014] The anchor has a planar body which is generally at least sufficiently rigid to prevent the anchor from being deformed and pulled into the body of the mattress due to the force of the compression springs or memory foam pushing against the surfaces of the mattress. The planar body may have any suitable shape although generally H-shaped or disk-shaped is preferred.

[0015] The two side portions (or "wings") of the body are connected to each other by a central portion. The anchor is typically symmetrical with each side portion being a mirror image of the other although asymmetrical anchors are contemplated.

[0016] A "through slot" is an elongate aperture that extends from one face of the anchor to the other. Each through slot extends radially from the central portion and is open ended, that is to say the slot starts near the centre of the anchor and extends to the rim where it ends in an open mouth. The through slots may each be defined by a pair of parallel walls although, in preferred embodiments, the through slots taper (or "narrow") towards the outer edge of the anchor to restrict passage of the tufting tape out of the slot. The mouth of the slot may be flared to help guide the passage of the tufting tape into the slot.

[0017] A "fastening means" is any suitable device or mechanism which holds securely (e.g. locks or traps) the end of a tufting tie, thereby preventing the anchor from being removed easily from the tufting tie. Typically, the fastening means is adapted to trap the end of the tufting tie. The end of the tufting tie may be trapped loosely, for example where the loop of a pre-tied loop tie is held using a closed hook or where the end bar of a tufting tie is held in an open cavity within the anchor, the entrance to which being smaller than the end bar. Alternatively, the end of the tufting tie may be trapped tightly, for example where the fastening means is adapted to hold the end of the tie by means of an interference fit, or where the end of the tie is fixedly mounted to the central portion of the tufting tie anchor, for example by being mounted directly on to the end of the tether.

[0018] In some preferred embodiments, the fastening means is adapted to hold the end bar of the tufting tie by means of an "interference fit". Such a means of fastening between two parts is achieved by friction after the parts are pushed together. An interference fit is also known as a "press fit" or "friction fit".

[0019] In such embodiments, the fastening means may comprise an elongate open cavity in the central portion of the planar body dimensioned to receive the end bar of the tufting tie, and one or more barbs located to hold the end bar within the cavity. In such embodiments, the elongate open cavity is typically dimensioned to hold the end bar of the tufting tie tightly.

[0020] The elongate open cavity usually faces out from the planar body.

[0021] The or, where there is more than one, each barb is preferably orientated to inhibit removal of the end bar of the tufting tie from the anchor in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the planar body. In such embodiments, there is at least one pair of opposed barbs, e.g. two pairs of opposed barbs located to hold opposite ends of the end bar of the tufting tie within the cavity.

[0022] Alternatively, the or, where there is more than one, each barb may be orientated to inhibit removal of the end bar of the tufting tie from the anchor in a direction parallel to the plane of the planar body. In such embodiments, the elongate open cavity may be partially closed by a pair of opposed flanges, each flange extending from a respective side portion, thereby forming a pair of opposed sockets for receiving the ends of the end bar of the tufting tie. At least one barb may be located in each socket.

[0023] The barbs may be rigid in which case the central portion of the anchor is usually resiliently deformable. Alternatively, the barbs are resiliently deformable. In preferred embodiments, both the barbs and the central portion of the anchor are resiliently deformable.

[0024] In other preferred embodiments, the fastening means comprises an elongate open cavity in the central portion of the planar body, dimensioned to receive the end bar of the tufting tie, the elongate open cavity facing out from the planar body and being partially closed at each end by one or more flanges extending from a respective side portion thereby forming an effective opening to the cavity that is shorter than the length of the end bar of the tufting tie to be received in the cavity. In such embodiments, the elongate open cavity is typically dimensioned to hold the end bar of the tufting tie loosely. The cavity may be referred to as "over-dimensioned" in this context.

[0025] The length of the effective opening of the cavity is usually no more than 90% of the length of the end bar of the tufting tie to be received in the cavity. This is because, if the length of the effective opening is more than 90% of the length of the end bar of the tufting tie, then the risk that the end bar may be pulled out of the anchor increases unacceptably.

[0026] The length of the effective opening of the cavity is at least the width of the tufting tie. This is so that the tie can be wound neatly and effectively around the central portion of the anchor.

[0027] Preferably, the length of the effective opening of the cavity is from 30% to 80% of the length of the end bar of the tufting tie to be received in the cavity.

[0028] These embodiments of the tufting tie anchor usually comprising at least one through hole in the cavity wall opposite one end of the effective opening to enable an end of the end bar of the tufting tie to extend temporarily through the planar body of the anchor and allow the other end of the end bar of the tufting tie to be inserted into the cavity through the effective opening. Preferably, there are two such through holes, one though hole provided towards each end of the elongate open cavity.

[0029] In other embodiments, the fastening means comprises a closable hook. In these embodiments, the loop at the end of a pre-tied loop tie would be looped over the hook and the hook then closed to trap the tie. The hook may be self-closing as a result of being made from a resiliently deformable material. Additionally or alternatively, the hook may be closed with a clasp. The hook may be barbed.

[0030] The central portion of the anchor may comprise an aperture extending in a perpendicular direction through the plane of the planar body of the anchor. The aperture would be defined by at least one side wall. The closable hook may be mounted on the side wall within the aperture and may close against the side wall. Alternatively, the anchor may have a barb opposite the end of the hook, the barb and the hook end thereby forming a pair of "jaws".

[0031] Each through slot is preferably tapered towards its respective open end. This is so that passage of the tie through the open end of the through slot is restricted, thereby making it more difficult for the tie to be removed accidentally from the anchor.

[0032] It may be desirable to have a central through slot in the planar body of the anchor dimensioned to receive the tufting tie. In this way, the tie could be threaded through the planar body of the anchor from the face opposite the elongate open cavity before the end of the tie is inserted into and held in position by the fastening means. This is also to make it more difficult form the tie to be removed accidentally from the anchor.

[0033] The tufting tie anchor is preferably made from a resiliently deformable material, such as a thermoplastic material. In preferred embodiments, the anchor is a moulded unit. Thus, in such embodiments, the central portion is integral with the side portions to form a single solid unit.

[0034] The choice of thermoplastic material would usually depend on a number of factors including rigidity, suitability for injection moulding and perceived comfort for the user (including texture). Suitable plastics materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane and nylon although elastomeric materials such as rubber may able be used, if suitably rigid.

[0035] The Inventor has identified that the tension of tufting ties may be readily adjusted if the tufting ties are secured in position using tufting tie anchors according to the present invention. In this way, the slack in loose ties may be taken up to improve the appearance of the mattress and/or comfort for the user of the mattress, and/or the firmness of at least a portion of the mattress may be readily adjusted. The anchors would be installed during manufacture of the mattress in the usual way as described above.

[0036] Thus, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tufted mattress comprising a plurality of tufting ties extending through body of the mattress, at least a portion of the tufting ties being anchored in position on at least one side of the mattress with tufting tie anchors according to the first aspect.

[0037] In addition, the tension in the ties could then be adjusted by simply rotating the anchors to wind or unwind the tie around the central portion of the body of the anchor as required, thereby adjusting the effective length of the tie.

[0038] Thus, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of adjusting the tension of the ties in a tufted mattress according to the second aspect, said method comprising rotating the tufting tie anchors to either wind or unwind the tufting tie around the central portion of the anchor as required.

[0039] The tufting tie may be pre-wound around the anchor following manufacture but before sale. In this way, the firmness of a mattress could be adjusted by the end user to be more firm or less firm as required. However, the tie would not usually be pre-wound, thereby only allowing the firmness to be increased, or to take up the slack on one or more loose ties following settlement of the mattress after use.

[0040] According to an aspect which is not part of the present invention, there is provided a tufting tie comprising a flexible tether, and a tufting tie anchor at one end of the flexible tether, the tufting tie anchor comprising a planar body having two side portions connected by a central portion, the side portions and central portion defining a pair of opposed through slots, each through slot extending radially from the central portion and being open ended, wherein the central portion is fixedly mounted to one end of the flexible tether.

[0041] As described above, the tufting tie anchor is preferably made from a resiliently deformable material, such as a thermoplastic material. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the anchor may be a moulded unit in which the central portion is not only integral with the side portions to form a single solid unit, but is also moulded on to the end of the flexible tether. In such embodiments, the tether may be attached to the anchor when the anchor is formed by injection moulding.

[0042] In preferred embodiments, all of the tufts would be adjustable. However, the Inventor concedes that it may be desirable that only some of the tufts would be adjustable, e.g. on only one half of the mattress, so that the firmness could only be adjusted over part of the mattress.

[0043] The invention will now be described with reference to the (non-limiting) examples depicted in the drawings in which:

Figure 1A depicts a first embodiment of the anchor according to the present invention in which the fastening means includes barbs orientated to inhibit removal of the end bar of the tufting tie from the anchor in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the planar body;

Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view of the anchor of Figure 1A taken through line A-A;

Figure 2A depicts a second embodiment of the anchor of the present invention in which the fastening means includes barbs orientated to inhibit removal of the end bar of the tufting tie from the anchor in a direction parallel to the plane of the planar body;

Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of the anchor of Figure 2A taken through line A-A;

Figure 3A depicts a third embodiment of the anchor of the present invention in which the effective opening of the elongate open cavity is shorter than the end bar of the tufting tie;

Figure 3B is a view of the underside of the anchor of Figure 3A;

Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view of the anchor of Figure 3C taken through line A-A;

Figure 4A depicts a fourth embodiment of the anchor of the present invention for use with a pre-tied loop tie;

Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the anchor of Figure 4A taken through line A-A;

Figure 4C is a cross-sectional view of the anchor of Figure 4A taken through line B-B;

Figure 5A depicts a tufting tie being inserted into the anchor of Figures 1A & 1B;

Figure 5B depicts then anchor of Figure 5A with the end bar of a tufting tape held in position by the barbs within the elongate open cavity; and

Figure 5C depicts the anchor of Figure 5B in which some of the tie is wound around the central portion of the planar body.

[0044] In Figures 1A & 1B, there is depicted a tufting tie anchor 2 according to the present invention. The anchor 2 has a planar body 4 that is substantially in the form of a disc. The body 4 has two side portions 6, 8 (or "wings") and a central portion 10 which connects the two side portions 6, 8.

[0045] As can be seen from Figure 1A, the two side portions 6, 8 and the central portion 10 define a pair of opposed through slots 12, 14, each of which extends radially from the central portion 10 and is open ended. Each through slot 12, 14 tapers (or narrows) generally from the central portion 10 towards the open end to restrict passage of the tie (not shown) through the slot. Each through slot 12, 14 has a respective mouth 16, 18 at the open end, which are flared to guide the tie into the slot.

[0046] The central portion has an elongate open cavity 20 dimensioned to receive the end bar of a tufting tape (not shown). A first pair of opposed barbs 22, 24 are located at one end of the cavity 20 with a second pair of opposed barbs 26, 28 located at the other end of the cavity 20. The barbs 22, 24, 26, 28 are orientated to prevent movement of the end bar of the tufting tape (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the planar body 4.

[0047] In use, the end bar of a tufting tape is pressed into the cavity 20 and pushed passed the barbs 22, 24, 26, 28 which "lock" the end bar in position and inhibit removal of the anchor from the tufting tape.

[0048] Figures 2A & 2B depict another type of tufting tie anchor 30 according to the present invention. For convenience, the same numerals have been used in Figures 2A & 2B to denote the features that are equivalent to the features of the anchor 2 in Figures 1A & 1B. The following is a discussion of the features of the anchor 30 in Figures 2A & 2B that are different from that depicted in Figures 1A &1B.

[0049] Elongate open cavity 20 of the anchor 30 of Figures 2A & 2B is wider that the cavity 20 of the anchor 2 of Figures 1A & 1B. In addition, cavity 20 of anchor 30 is partially closed by a pair of opposed flanges 32, 34. In this regard, flange 32 extends from side portion 6 to form a first socket 36. Flange 34 extends from side portion 8 forming a second socket (not shown) opposite the first socket 36.

[0050] First socket 36 has a barb 38 located on the underside of the flange 32. There is another barb (not shown) located in second socket on the underside of flange 34. The barbs are orientated to prevent movement of the end bar of the tufting tape (not shown) in a direction parallel to the plane of the planar body 4.

[0051] In use, the end bar of a tufting tape is placed into the cavity 20 and pushed under flanges 32, 34 passed the barbs which "lock" the end bar in position in the sockets and inhibit removal of the anchor from the tufting tape.

[0052] Figures 3A to 3C depict another type of tufting tie anchor 40 according to the present invention. For convenience, the same numerals have been used in Figures 3A to 3C to denote the features that are equivalent to the features of the anchor 2 in Figures 1A & 1B and of the anchor 30 in Figures 2A & 2B. The following is a discussion of the features in of the anchor 40 in Figures 3A to 3C that are different from those anchors depicted in Figures 1A &1B and 2A & 2B.

[0053] The dimensions of the interior of elongate open cavity 20 of the anchor 40 of Figures 3A to 3C are larger than those of the end bar of a tufting tape. Thus, the end bar may be received within the cavity with room to spare. However, the cavity 20 is partially closed at each end by a respective pair of opposed flanges 42, 44 and 46, 48. These flanges define an effective opening that is shorter in length than the end bar of the tufting tape.

[0054] The anchor 40 has two through holes 50, 52 through the opposite face of the anchor 40 leading to the cavity 20.

[0055] In use, one end of an end bar of a tufting tape is inserted through the effective opening into the cavity 20 and extends temporarily through one of the through holes 50, 52. At this point, the opposite end of the end bar is inserted through the effective opening into the cavity 20. The end bar is then repositioned so that entire end bar is located within the cavity 20. Since the length of the effective opening is less than the length of the end bar of the tufting tape, the end bar is trapped within the cavity and thereby the anchor is secured to the tufting tape.

[0056] The anchor 54 of Figures 4A to 4C is intended for use with a pre-tied loop tie. For convenience, the same numerals have been used in Figures 4A to 4C to denote the features that are equivalent to the features of the anchor 2 in Figures 1A & 1B and of the anchor 30 in Figures 2A & 2B. The following is a discussion of the features in of the anchor 54 in Figures 4A to 4C that are different from those anchors depicted in Figures 1A &1B and 2A & 2B.

[0057] The central portion 10 of anchor 54 has an aperture (or through hole) 56 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the planar body 4. Extending from one side of the interior wall defining the aperture 56 is a closable hook 58, the open end of which is closed by an opposed barb 60 mounted on the same side of the interior wall as the hook 58. The end of the hook 58 and the opposed barb 60 form a pair of "jaws" that prevent the looped end of a pre-tied loop from being removed from the anchor 54.

[0058] In use, the looped end of a pre-tied loop tie is passed though the aperture 56 from the underside as depicted in Figure 4A. A section of the loop is forced through the pair of jaws formed by the end of the hook and the opposed barb 60. The looped end of the pre-tied loop tie is thereby fastened loosely to the anchor 54 by the hook 58.

[0059] The anchors 2, 30, 40 and 55 can be used to change the tension in the tufting ties. This use is exemplified with respect to anchor 2 of Figures 1A & in Figures 5A to 5C.

[0060] Referring to Figures 5A to 5C, tufting tape 62 has a first end bar 64 at one end of a ribbon 66 and a second end bar (not shown) as the other end (not shown) of the ribbon 66. During installation in a mattress (not shown), the ribbon 66 is passed through the mouth 16 into the through slot 12 of the anchor 2 (see Figure 5A).

[0061] The end bar 64 of the tufting tape 62 is then pressed into the elongate cavity 20 in the central portion 10 of the anchor 2 until it locks into position under the two pairs of opposed barbs (see Figure 5B). Immediately after installation, the tufting tape 62 has an effective length, ℓ_a.

[0062] The tufting tape 62 may become loose over time due to the mattress becoming thinner, and loose tufting tapes are often unsightly and uncomfortable. In this case, the anchor 2 can be rotated around the axis defined by the central portion 10 of the anchor 2 to wind part of the ribbon 66 of the tufting tape 62 around the central portion 10, to take up the slack in the tufting tape 62. This reduces the effective length of the tufting tape from ℓ_a, to ℓ_b.

[0063] Alternatively, the same winding action could be used should the end user of the mattress wish to increase the firmness of the mattress.

[0064] Whilst the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0065] In this specification, unless expressly otherwise indicated, the word 'or' is used in the sense of an operator that returns a true value when either or both of the stated conditions is met, as opposed to the operator 'exclusive or' which requires that only one of the conditions is met. The word 'comprising' is used in the sense of 'including' rather than in to mean 'consisting of'. No acknowledgement of any prior published document herein should be taken to be an admission or representation that the teaching thereof was common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere at the date hereof.

Claims

1. A tufting tie anchor comprising a planar body (4) having two side portions (6,8) connected by a central portion (10), the side portions and central portion defining a pair of opposed through slots, each through slot extending radially from the central portion and being open ended, wherein the central portion has fastening means to hold an end of a tufting tie;
wherein the fastening means comprises an elongate open cavity (20) in the central portion of the planar body dimensioned to receive an end bar of the tufting tie, and one or more barbs (22,24) located to hold the end bar within the cavity; or
wherein the fastening means comprises an elongate open cavity (20) in the central portion of the planar body, dimensioned to receive an end bar of the tufting tie, the elongate open cavity facing out from the planar body and being partially closed at each end by one or more flanges (32,34) extending from a respective side portion thereby forming an effective opening to the cavity that is shorter than the length of the end bar of the tufting tie to be received in the cavity; or
wherein the fastening means comprises a closeable hook (58).

2. A tufting tie anchor according to Claim 1, wherein the or each barb is orientated to inhibit removal of the end bar of the tufting tie from the anchor in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the planar body.

3. A tufting tie anchor according to Claim 2, comprising two pairs of opposed barbs located to hold opposite ends of the end bar of the tufting tie within the cavity.

4. A tufting tie anchor according to Claim 3, wherein the or each barb is orientated to inhibit removal of the end bar of the tufting tie from the anchor in a direction parallel to the plane of the planar body.

5. A tufting tie anchor according to Claim 1, wherein the elongate open cavity is partially closed at each end by one or more flanges, wherein the tufting tie anchor comprises at least one through hole in the cavity wall opposite one end of the effective opening to enable an end of the end bar of the tufting tie to extend temporarily through the planar body of the anchor and allow the other end of the end bar of the tufting tie to be inserted into the cavity through the effective opening.

6. A tufting tie anchor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the central portion is moulded on to the end of a flexible tether to form a tufting tie.

7. A tufted mattress comprising a plurality of tufting ties extending through body of the mattress, at least a portion of the tufting ties being anchored in position on at least one side of the mattress with tufting tie anchors according to any of Claims 1 to 6.

8. A method of adjusting the tension of the tufting ties in a tufted mattress according to Claim 7, said method comprising rotating the tufting tie anchors to either wind or unwind the tufting tie around the central portion of the anchor as required.

Ansprüche

1. Abstepp-Zugbandanker, umfassend einen ebenen Körper (4) mit zwei Seitenabschnitten (6, 8), die durch einen Mittelabschnitt (10) verbunden sind, wobei die Seitenabschnitte und der Mittelabschnitt ein Paar gegenüberliegender Durchgangsschlitze definieren, wobei sich jeder Durchgangsschlitz radial von dem Mittelabschnitt aus erstreckt und ein offenes Ende hat, wobei der Mittelabschnitt Befestigungsmittel aufweist, um ein Ende eines Abstepp-Zugbands zu halten;
wobei das Befestigungsmittel in dem Mittelabschnitt des ebenen Körpers einen länglichen offenen Hohlraum (20), der so bemessen ist, dass er einen Endstab des Abstepp-Zugbandes aufnimmt, und einen oder mehrere Widerhaken (22, 24), die so angeordnet sind, dass sie den Endstab innerhalb des Hohlraums halten, umfasst; oder
wobei das Befestigungsmittel in dem Mittelabschnitt des ebenen Körpers einen länglichen offenen Hohlraum (20) umfasst, der so bemessen ist, dass er einen Endstab des Abstepp-Zugbandes aufnimmt, wobei der längliche offene Hohlraum von dem ebenen Körper nach außen weist und an jedem Ende durch einen oder mehrere Flansche (32, 34), die sich von einem jeweiligen Seitenabschnitt aus erstrecken, teilweise geschlossen ist, wodurch eine wirksame Öffnung zu dem Hohlraum gebildet wird, die kürzer ist als die Länge des in dem Hohlraum aufzunehmenden Endstabes des Abstepp-Zugbandes; oder
wobei das Befestigungsmittel einen verschließbaren Haken (58) umfasst.

2. Abstepp-Zugbandanker nach Anspruch 1, wobei der oder jeder Widerhaken so ausgerichtet ist, dass er das Entfernen des Endstabes des Abstepp-Zugbandes von dem Anker in einer Richtung senkrecht zur Ebene des ebenen Körpers verhindert.

3. Abstepp-Zugbandanker nach Anspruch 2, umfassend zwei Paare von gegenüberliegenden Widerhaken, die so angeordnet sind, dass sie die gegenüberliegenden Enden des Endstabes des Abstepp-Zugbandes innerhalb des Hohlraums halten.

4. Abstepp-Zugbandanker nach Anspruch 3, wobei der oder jeder Widerhaken so ausgerichtet ist, dass er das Entfernen des Endstabes des Abstepp-Zugbandes von dem Anker in einer Richtung parallel zur Ebene des ebenen Körpers verhindert.

5. Abstepp-Zugbandanker nach Anspruch 1, wobei der längliche offene Hohlraum an jedem Ende durch einen oder mehrere Flansche teilweise geschlossen ist, wobei der Abstepp-Zugbandanker mindestens ein Durchgangsloch in der Hohlraumwand gegenüber einem Ende der wirksamen Öffnung umfasst, um zu ermöglichen, dass sich ein Ende des Endstabes des Abstepp-Zugbandes vorübergehend durch den ebenen Körper des Ankers erstrecken kann und zu ermöglichen, dass das anderen Ende des Endstabes des Abstepp-Zugbandes durch die wirksame Öffnung in den Hohlraum eingeführt werden kann.

6. Abstepp-Zugbandanker nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Mittelabschnitt an das Ende eines flexiblen Bandes angeformt ist, um ein Abstepp-Zugband zu bilden.

7. Abgesteppte Matratze, die eine Vielzahl von Abstepp-Zugbändern umfasst, die sich durch den Körper der Matratze erstrecken, wobei mindestens ein Teil der Abstepp-Zugbänder auf mindestens einer Seite der Matratze mit Abstepp-Zugbandankern nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6 in Position verankert ist.

8. Verfahren zum Einstellen der Spannung der Abstepp-Zugbänder in einer abgesteppten Matratze nach Anspruch 7, wobei das Verfahren das Drehen der Abstepp-Zugbandanker umfasst, um das Abstepp-Zugband je nach Bedarf entweder um den Mittelabschnitt des Ankers herum aufzuwickeln oder abzuwickeln.

Revendications

1. Ancre d'agrafe de capitonnage comprenant un corps plan (4) muni de deux parties latérales (6, 8) reliées par une partie centrale (10), les parties latérales et la partie centrale définissant une paire de fentes traversantes opposées, chaque fente traversante s'étendant radialement à partir de la partie centrale et ayant des extrémités ouvertes, dans laquelle la partie centrale est munie de moyens de fixation pour maintenir une extrémité d'une agrafe de capitonnage ;
dans laquelle le moyen de fixation comprend une cavité ouverte allongée (20) dans la partie centrale du corps plan dimensionnée pour recevoir un barreau d'extrémité de l'agrafe de capitonnage, et une ou plusieurs barbes (22, 24) situées pour maintenir le barreau d'extrémité à l'intérieur de la cavité ; ou
dans laquelle le moyen de fixation comprend une cavité ouverte allongée (20) dans la partie centrale du corps plan, dimensionnée pour recevoir un barreau d'extrémité de l'agrafe de capitonnage, la cavité ouverte allongée étant tournée vers l'extérieur depuis le corps plan et étant partiellement fermée à chaque extrémité par une ou plusieurs brides (32,34) s'étendant depuis une partie latérale respective formant ainsi une ouverture effective dans la cavité qui est plus courte que la longueur du barreau d'extrémité de l'agrafe de capitonnage devant être reçu dans la cavité ; ou
dans laquelle le moyen de fixation comprend un crochet pouvant être fermé (38).

2. Ancre d'agrafe de capitonnage selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la ou chaque barbe est orientée pour empêcher que le barreau d'extrémité de l'agrafe de capitonnage soit retiré de l'ancre dans une direction perpendiculaire au plan du corps plan.

3. Ancre d'agrafe de capitonnage selon la revendication 2, comprenant deux paires de barbes opposées situées pour maintenir les extrémités opposées du barreau d'extrémité de l'agrafe de capitonnage à l'intérieur de la cavité.

4. Ancre d'agrafe de capitonnage selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle la ou chaque barbe est orientée pour empêcher que le barreau d'extrémité de l'agrafe de capitonnage soit retiré de l'ancre dans une direction parallèle au plan du corps plan.

5. Ancre d'agrafe de capitonnage selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la cavité ouverte allongée est partiellement fermée à chaque extrémité par une ou plusieurs brides, dans laquelle l'ancre d'agrafe de capitonnage comprend au moins un trou traversant dans la paroi de cavité opposé à une extrémité de l'ouverture effective pour permettre à une extrémité du barreau d'extrémité de l'agrafe de capitonnage de s'étendre temporairement à travers le corps plan de l'ancre et permettre à l'autre extrémité du barreau d'extrémité de l'agrafe de capitonnage d'être insérée dans la cavité à travers l'ouverture effective.

6. Ancre d'agrafe de capitonnage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la partie centrale est moulée sur l'extrémité d'une attache flexible pour former une agrafe de capitonnage.

7. Matelas capitonné comprenant une pluralité d'agrafes de capitonnage s'étendant à travers le corps du matelas, au moins une partie des agrafes de capitonnage étant ancrée en position sur au moins un côté du matelas avec des ancres d'agrafe de capitonnage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6.

8. Procédé de réglage de la tension des agrafes de capitonnage dans un matelas capitonné selon la revendication 7, ledit procédé comprenant la rotation des ancres d'agrafe de capitonnage pour enrouler ou dérouler l'agrafe de capitonnage autour de la partie centrale de l'ancre, au besoin.

Drawing