Adjustable box for a bed, and a combination of such a box and a mattress base

Abstract

 The invention relates to an adjustable box for a bed, comprising a base (1) having at least two base parts (3-6) which are rotatable with respect to one another, internal parts and a cover covering the internal parts and attached to the base (1). At their mutually facing edges (15), the base parts (3-6) are each provided with a flange (12-13) which extends into the internal parts in such a way that the internal parts of the box are readily supported. The flanges (12,13) may be connected to one another at their edges (15) which are turned away from the base parts (3-6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an adjustable box for a bed, comprising a base having at least two base parts which are rotatable with respect to one another, internal parts consisting of springs supported by the base parts and a cover covering the internal parts and attached to the base.

[0002] Such a box is known and is used in combination with a mattress base. A mattress can be placed on this combination in order to support an individual. The unit comprising the box with mattress base and mattress is also referred to as a box mattress. In many cases, the box mattress is designed in such a manner that the head end and the foot end can be adjusted. As a result thereof, the box mattress can be adjusted between a flat position for supporting an individual in a lying down position and an upright position in which the upper body and/or the legs of the individual are supported, for example in a seated position. The portion of the box mattress which is situated at the location of the pelvis of the supported individual is usually fixed.

[0003] The combination of mattress base and box has a certain thickness dimension which results in compression of the box when part of the box mattress is folded up. The base can indeed be bent as a result of the rotatably connected base parts, but the internal parts and the cover are compressed. Due to the fact that a mattress is situated on the box as well, the mattress is compressed still further. In addition, undesirable displacement of the mattress with respect to the box occurs. These effects are disadvantageous with regard to the comfort of the individual who is supported on the bed.

[0004] In practice, attempts have been made to overcome this drawback by separating the base parts of the box from one another. When the box is folded up, the base parts can then move apart, as a result of which the internal parts and the cover are compressed to a lesser degree. Incidentally, in order to achieve this effect, which is advantageous per se, it is also known to use a mattress base with mattress base parts which can move apart and on which the respective base parts of the box rest.

[0005] However, the separation in the base which thus results in turn leads to other problems. Firstly, this separation in the base leads to a reduction in the support of the internal parts of the box. Since the internal parts are comprised of a spring assembly, this assembly also has to be distributed. The springs may bulge out at the spot where the base is separated. As soon as the box is moved back to the flat position, such springs become entangled with one another. This may also cause undesirable noise to be produced.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a box of the abovementioned type which can readily be adjusted and which does not have the negative effects of the known box. This object is achieved by the fact that, at their mutually facing edges, the base parts are each provided with a flange which extends into the internal parts, and by the fact that the springs are freely supported by the base parts without any connection between the springs and the base parts. If the springs are accommodated in sleeves or so-called pockets, the sleeves themselves are also freely supported by the base parts. In other words, the sleeves are not attached to the base parts either, so that the springs are also freely supported by the base in that sense. Even if the springs are supported on the base parts by means of any other element, such as an end piece attached to the springs, the springs remain freely supported with respect to the base parts, albeit that said support of the springs by the base is then effected indirectly via such an element which is itself not connected to the base parts either. There is no direct or indirect connection present between the springs and the base parts; the springs are only kept in the correct position by the flanges extending into the internal parts.

[0007] The flanges which extend into the box have a four-fold purpose. Firstly, these flanges offer sufficient support to the adjacent parts of the spring assembly or other kind of suspension which forms part of the internal parts. As a result thereof, the desired supporting function is maintained. Secondly, the flanges ensure that the parts of the spring assembly on either side of the divide in the internal parts always remain separate, even after the box has been returned to the flat position. This has the effect that it is no longer possible for the springs to become entangled with one another or to touch one another, so that undesirable noises during the spring movements of the box are avoided. Thirdly, it is therefore not necessary to attach the springs to the base and relatively expensive connecting techniques, such as fixing the springs by means of clamps or staples, can be omitted. If the springs are accommodated in the abovementioned sleeves or pockets, no connection is made between these sleeves and the base parts either, likewise resulting in said cost saving. Fourthly, the flanges also screen off the internal parts visually, so that the internal parts of the box are not visible, even when it is in the folded-up position. This results in an improved appearance.

[0008] In order to ensure that the flanges continue to have the desired effect for a relatively long period of time, it has to be ensured that they always extend into the interior of the box. This can be achieved, for example, by fixing the flanges with respect to the neighbouring parts of the spring assemblies. However, a variant in which the flanges are connected to one another at their edges which are turned away from the base parts is preferred. In this case, the flanges are supported with respect to one another, which results in a reliable separation between the parts of the spring assembly, even after frequent adjustment of the box.

[0009] A reliable embodiment with a relatively low cost price is achieved if the base is formed as a single part and a base part and an associated flange are in each case connected by a pivot line, such as a score line. This results in advantages with respect to handling and joining the base to the other parts of the box, in particular to the internal parts. In particular, the flanges may be connected by means of a pivot line, such as a score line.

[0010] Preferably, the internal parts comprise helical springs, the centre axes of which are directed transverse with respect to the base. Such helical springs are often combined to form an assembly, which assembly is interrupted at the location of in each case two adjacent flanges. The connection between the springs may consist of resilient elements which hold the assembly together. At the location of the flanges, the connecting elements which are situated near the base are interrupted. However, the relationship between the parts of the assembly is ensured if the connecting elements which extend above the flanges at a greater distance from the base are left intact.

[0011] In order to increase the adjustability of the box further, and if the cover comprises a top plane and longitudinal planes and transverse planes extending between the top plane and the base, the longitudinal planes may be interrupted at the location of two adjacent flanges and/or have a relatively great flexibility. The cover may for example comprise a foam material which extends on all sides. Furthermore, the cover may comprise a textile material which forms the outer layer of the box

[0012] The invention furthermore relates to the combination of a box as described above and a mattress base provided with a support surface on which the base of the box rests, which mattress base comprises at least two adjustable mattress base parts which correspond to the adjustable base parts of the box. In particular, such mattress base parts may be connected to one another by means of a hinge, the pivot axis of which is situated at a distance above the support surface of the mattress base. The flanges in the base are in this case situated on either side of the pivot axis. In this embodiment, the mattress base parts can move apart when they are being folded up, at the same time as the base of the box moves apart.

[0013] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a first step during the manufacture of a box according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a second step;

Fig. 3 shows a detail along line III from Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a side view of a combination comprising a box and a mattress base.

[0014] In the phase of producing a box according to the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, a base 1 is shown onto which some of the internal parts are fitted, namely the foam edge 2. The base is made up of base part 3 which is intended to be fixedly attached to a mattress base with support 21, as will be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 4. Base 1 furthermore comprises the displaceable base parts 4 and 5, which are connected to the fixed base part 3. Finally, there is the displaceable base part 6, which is displaceable with respect to the base part 5 which is also displaceable as such.

[0015] The displaceable base parts 4 and 5 are each connected to the fixed base part 3 by means of the flange constructions 11, each of which consists of the flanges 12, 13 which are each connected to the mutually opposite edges 14 of the base parts 3, 4 and 3, 5, respectively, via a score line 9 or another pivot line. At their upper edge 15, the flanges 12, 13 themselves are also attached to one another by means of a score line 10 or another pivot line. The base parts 5, 6 are also connected by such a flange construction 11. The base parts 3-6 and flanges 12, 13 thus form one single continuous unit which may, for example, be made from felt or another known material.

[0016] The internal parts of the box are completed by a spring assembly 30 consisting of springs 7 whose axes are directed vertically. The springs 7 are connected to one another at the top in a known manner by means of spring elements 16 extending in the longitudinal direction and spring elements 18 extending in the transverse direction. At the bottom, near the base 1, the spring elements extending in the longitudinal direction are split into the spring element parts 17', 17", etc at the location of the flanges; spring elements 18 extending in the transverse direction are also provided there. The spring assembly is thus divided into spring assembly parts 30', 30", etc. The internal parts 29 comprising the foam edge 2 and the spring assembly 30 are finally covered by a cover 8 which is attached to the base 1 and indicated in Fig. 2 by means of dashed lines.

[0017] The box 19 which is constructed in this manner is placed on a mattress base 20 as illustrated in Fig. 4, which in turn rests on the support 21 placed on a floor. In accordance with the box 19, the mattress base is divided into a fixed mattress base part 22 and the displaceable mattress base parts 23-25. In the illustrated embodiment, the displaceable mattress base part 23 is furthermore provided with a further displaceable mattress base part 23'. The mattress base parts 23, 24 are displaceable by means of actuators 26. The connection between the mattress base parts 23, 24 and 22 is designed as a hinge 27, the axis of which is at a distance above the support surface 28 defined by the mattress base 20. As a result thereof, the mattress base parts 22, 23 and 24, 22 can move slightly apart during folding up, and conversely move towards one another during folding out. Due to the division of its base, the box 19 can readily follow such a mutual displacement. Even if the base parts 3, 4 and 5 of the box 19 have moved apart, the spring assembly parts 30', 30", etc. are still readily supported as a result of the flanges 12, 13.

List of reference numerals

[0018] 

1

Base

2

Foam edge

3

Fixed base part

4-6

Displaceable base parts

7

Helical spring

8

Cover

9

Score line between base part and flange

10

Score line between flanges

11

Flange construction

12, 13

Flange

14

Base part edge

15

Flange edge

16

Spring element top in the longitudinal direction

17', 17"

Spring element bottom in the longitudinal direction

18

Spring element top and bottom in the transverse direction

19

Box

20

Mattress base

21

Support

22

Fixed mattress base part

23-25

Displaceable mattress base part

26

Actuator

27

Mattress base part hinge

28

Mattress base support surface

29

Internal parts of the box

30

Spring assembly

30', 30"

Spring assembly part

31

Cover top face

32

Cover longitudinal face

33

Cover transverse face

34

Cover opening

Claims

1. Adjustable box (19) for a bed, comprising a base (1) having at least two base parts (3-6) which are rotatable with respect to one another, internal parts (29) consisting of springs supported by the base parts and a cover (8) covering the internal parts (29) and attached to the base (1), characterized in that, at their mutually facing edges (14), the base parts (3-5) are each provided with a flange (12, 13) which extends into the internal parts (29), and in that the springs are freely supported by the base parts (3-6) without any connection between the springs and the base parts.

2. Box according to Claim 1, in which the flanges (12, 13) are connected to one another at their edges (15) which are turned away from the base parts.

3. Box according to one of the preceding claims, in which the base (3) is formed as a single part and in each case a base part (3-5) and an associated flange (12, 13) are in each case connected by a pivot line, such as a score line (9).

4. Box according to Claim 2 or 3, in which the flanges (12, 13) are connected by a pivot line, such as a score line (10).

5. Box according to one of the preceding claims, in which the internal parts (29) comprise helical springs (7), the centre axes of which are directed transverse with respect to the base (1).

6. Box according to Claim 5, in which the helical springs (7) are combined to form an assembly, which assembly is interrupted at the location of in each case two adjacent flanges (12, 13).

7. Box according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (8) comprises a top plane (31) and longitudinal planes (32) and transverse planes (33) extending between the top plane and the base (1), and the longitudinal planes (32) are interrupted (34) at the location of two adjacent flanges (12, 13) and/or have a relatively great flexibility.

8. Box according to one of the preceding claims, in which the internal parts (29) comprise a foam material (2).

9. Box according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (8) comprises a textile material.

10. In combination, a box (19) according to one of the preceding claims, as well as a mattress base (20) provided with a support surface (28) on which the base (1) of the box (19) is supported, which mattress base (20) comprises at least two adjustable mattress base parts (23, 24, 24') which correspond to the adjustable base parts (4-6) of the box (19).

11. Combination according to Claim 10, in which the mattress base parts (22-24) are connected to one another by means of a hinge (27), the pivot axis of which is situated at a distance above the support surface (28) of the mattress base (20) and the flanges (12, 13) which are situated on the mutually facing edges (14) of the base parts (3-6) of the box (19) are situated on either side of the pivot axis.

Drawing