Device for moving a mattress, and storage furniture unit comprising such device

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a storage furniture unit comprising a device for moving (1) a relative mattress support, wherein the device has a frame element (10) and a base element (12), movable in relation each other, so that the mattress support can be converted between an inclined configuration and a working configuration. To this purpose, a distal articulation arm (14) and a proximal articulation arm (16) are provided, both acting on the frame element (10) and the base element (12), and a pair of elastic assemblies (18, 20) to facilitate the conversion between said configurations.
During the aforesaid conversion one of the elastic assembly (18) works on the proximal arm (16) to keep it substantially static.

Description

[0001] . The present invention relates to a device for moving a mattress support in relation to a frame, and a storage furniture unit comprising such device.

[0002] . Storage furniture of various kinds is known of in the art, comprising a frame and a base, movable in relation to the frame, which acts as a support or stand for a mattress or for a user.

[0003] . The known furniture units comprise devices for tipping the base in relation to the frame, so as to move the former between different configurations; in particular, a specific type of device envisages an open configuration of the container and a configuration with the base raised.

[0004] . Often conversion assistance means the are provided, acting on the device mechanisms to simplify achievement of the various configurations.

[0005] . The movement devices used in the prior art however present a number of drawbacks.

[0006] . In particular, in such devices, the mechanisms and relative assistance means are continuously subject to mechanical stresses, which may be significant, so that relatively premature wear of the device occurs with a foreseeably short life of the storage furniture unit.

[0007] . The present invention thus sets out to overcome the problems of the prior art and, in particular, those referred to above.

[0008] . Such objective is achieved by a movement device according to claim 1, and by a storage furniture unit according to claim 14. The dependent claims show preferred embodiment variations.

[0009] . The present invention will now be described in detail with the help of the attached figures, wherein:

• figures 1a and 1b show longitudinal cross-sections of a storage bed fitted with a movement device object of the present invention, according to the embodiment in figure 2, respectively in a rest configuration and a working configuration;
• figures, 2, 3 and 4 show the movement device of figure 1, without the furniture unit for greater clarity, in three different functioning configurations;
• figures 5, 6 and 7 show a movement device, according to a different variation of the proximal articulation arm, positioned in the three different functioning steps.

[0010] . With reference to the aforesaid drawings, reference numeral 6 globally denotes a storage furniture unit, preferably a storage bed or sofa-bed.

[0011] . The storage furniture unit 6 comprises a furniture frame 4 and a mattress support 2, joined to the furniture frame 4 and which presents a support surface 8 positioned in a base plane X.

[0012] . The mattress support 2 is therefore supported by the furniture frame 4 which in turn preferably rests on the ground.

[0013] . The storage furniture unit 6 further comprises at least one movement device 1, shown below, connected to the frame 4 and to the mattress support 2 to permit movements of the mattress support.

[0014] . Advantageously, a pair of devices is provided, positioned on the opposite sides of the frame and/or of the mattress support.

[0015] . According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the aforesaid pair of devices 1 is mechanically connected by at least one torsion bar 32, shown only in (box) cross-section in the attached drawings.

[0016] . Preferably, the furniture frame 4 defines a storage compartment 34 which houses the movement device 1 in at least one functioning configuration of the same, preferably in the configuration shown in figures 2 and 5.

[0017] . According to the embodiment shown in figure 1, the furniture frame defines upwards an access aperture 44 to the storage compartment, for example to put in or take out items from the container, on which the mattress support is suitable for being at least partially superposed. That way the mattress support, depending on the configuration, permits or prevents access to the storage compartment 34.

[0018] . The movement device 1 comprises a frame element 10 and a base element 12, respectively connected to the furniture frame 4 and to the mattress support 2 in a movable manner; this way, the base element can be moved between a rest configuration and an inclined configuration, wherein a first element end 2' is distanced further from the furniture frame 4 than an opposite element end 2", and furthermore between the inclined configuration and a working configuration, wherein the base plane X is raised and substantially parallel to the rest configuration.

[0019] . In other words, the frame element 10 and the base element 12 are the components of the device suitable to mechanically couple to the furniture frame and to the mattress support, so as to conduct the aforesaid movements.

[0020] . In fact, while the frame element 10 is firmly fixed to the furniture frame, the base element (and therefore the mattress support connected to it) is suitable for being moved between the rest configuration, for example shown in figures 2 and 5, and the inclined configuration, wherein the access aperture 44 is free from the mattress support by virtue of a raising of its distal end 8'. For example, such configuration is shown in figure 3 or 6, without the mattress support which in any case constitutes a virtual extension of the base element.

[0021] . For example, the frame element 10 comprises a plate, generally of a rectangular or square shape, which has a plurality of attachment points with the furniture frame 4, such as holes. According to a further variation, the base element 12 is a component with a generally L- or T-shaped cross section for coupling to the lower surface of the mattress support 2 or with a counter-frame.

[0022] . Preferably, when the base element 12 is positioned in the rest configuration, the mattress support 2 rests on a plurality of struts 46 connected to the frame, for example opposite to each other, so that the device is not subject to stress also in such configuration.

[0023] . Within this description, the term "proximal" is taken to mean the components facing or positioned towards a headboard 36 of the storage furniture unit; conversely, the term "distal" indicates the components facing or positioned towards a footboard 38 or lateral rim of such unit 6.

[0024] . In addition, the device 1 enables the base element to be converted from the inclined configuration to the working configuration, in which the base plane X is substantially translated parallel to the same plane in the rest configuration (figure 4 or 7). For the variants in which the storage furniture unit is a storage (sofa-) bed, the working configuration usually provides an extremely convenient position for the bed making-up.

[0025] . According to one advantageous embodiment, the conversion between the working configuration and the rest configuration takes place passing through the inclined configuration, so that to reach the rest configuration from the working configuration the same steps taken to open the compartment are performed in reverse order.

[0026] . The device further comprises a distal articulation arm 14, hinged to the frame element 10 and to the base element 1 to realise the conversion between the rest configuration and the inclined configuration.

[0027] . In fact, during such conversion, the distal arm 14 rotates in relation to the frame element 10 (around a first fulcrum Z) and the base element 12 (around a second fulcrum L) permitting the raising of the first element end 2'. As will be explained in further detail below, this conversion is advantageously accompanied by a distal shift of the base element 12.

[0028] . According to one embodiment, the distal articulation arm 14 extends in an wavy manner between the frame element 10 and the base element 12.

[0029] . The device 1 further comprises a proximal articulation arm 16 rotatable between the frame element 10 and the base element 12 for the conversion between the inclined configuration and the working configuration.

[0030] . In particular, the proximal arm 16 is hinged to the frame element 10 at a third fulcrum Y, while it is preferably connected in a rotatable manner to the base element 12 by means of a joint component 30 suitable for causing a distal shift of the base element 12, and in particular of its element end 2".

[0031] . In other words, the joint component is connected so as to rotate to the base element and to the proximal arm 16 so that a raising of the first element end 2' corresponds to an advancement of the opposite element end 2" in a distal direction. Such advancement, as may be seen from the comparison between the pairs of figures 2-3 and 5-6, is due mainly to the rotation of the joint component 30 in relation to the proximal articulation arm 16.

[0032] . Consequently, by virtue of the previous arrangement, it is possible to prevent the head portion of such mattress support 2 from accidentally hitting against the headboard 36 of the frame 4 which, in the rest configuration, is in a location extremely adjacent to the head portion 8".

[0033] . According to a preferred embodiment, the proximal articulation arm 16 and the joint component 30 interact in the absence of reciprocal blocks.

[0034] . The arrangement of the lever mechanisms described has in fact been designed so that the angle defined between the proximal arm 16 and the joint component 30 increases during the conversion between the inclined configuration and the working configuration, without however exceeding 180°, beyond which the movement towards the rest configuration would be made impossible.

[0035] . Advantageously, the torsion bar 32 connects the joint components 30 of a pair of devices 1 distanced along the mattress support 2 (and/or along the furniture frame 4) or, as shown in the drawings, joins the distal articulation arms 14.

[0036] . Preferably, the proximal 16 and the distal 14 articulation arms are both hinged to the frame element 10 at their head portions 14', 16'.

[0037] . According to an advantageous embodiment, the proximal articulation arm 16 comprises a pair of longitudinal sections 22, 24, staggered to each other and preferably parallel, joined by a connection loop 26.

[0038] . Consequently, the longitudinal sections 22, 24 of the proximal arm 16 are joined to each other by the loop 26, which substantially represents a sinuous section of the arm between two preferably rectilinear sections, and are staggered lengthwise so that a tail of the first longitudinal section 22 couples to the head of the second longitudinal section 24, by means of the loop.

[0039] . In addition, a first 18 and a second 20 elastic assembly are provided, respectively joined to the proximal 16 and distal articulation arm 14 to facilitate the conversion between the configurations described.

[0040] . Preferably, at least one of the first 18 and/or second 20 elastic assembly, advantageously both, comprises a gas spring.

[0041] . Advantageously, the first elastic assembly 18 acts on the proximal articulation arm 16 at the connection loop 26.

[0042] . A further variation envisages that the first elastic assembly 18, preferably at its end opposite the end connected to the proximal arm, is hinged to the frame element 10 at an axis M included between the fulcra Y, Z of the proximal 16 and of the distal 14 articulation arm.

[0043] . For example, with reference to figures 4 and 7, such axis M is transversally staggered, for example upwardly, in relation to the conjunction line between said fulcra Y, Z.

[0044] . Advantageously, in the rest configuration, the distal articulation arm 14 rests on a rotation pin directed along such axis M.

[0045] . Even more advantageously, the frame element 10 presents, for example at its lower end portion, a shelf 40 for supporting the proximal articulation arm 16 in the rest configuration.

[0046] . According to a convenient aspect of such variation, during the assembly of the device 1, the proximal articulation arm 16 abuts against the shelf 40 so that the first elastic assembly 18 can be precompressed, that is finds itself in a state of partial tension/compression.

[0047] . According to a further embodiment, at the frame element, the second elastic assembly 20, and in particular the gas spring, has a rotation axis Z in common with the distal articulation arm 14.

[0048] . In other words, on the frame element, the second elastic assembly and the distal arm are guided by the same rotation pin.

[0049] . Thereby, in the inclined configuration and in the working configuration the second elastic assembly 20 and the distal articulation arm 14 conserve the same reciprocal position.

[0050] . According to yet a further embodiment, one end of the second elastic assembly 20 (for example of the gas spring) is hinged to the base element 12 distally to the second fulcrum L of the distal arm 14, that is to say in a position N between the second fulcrum L and the footboard 38, when the device 1 is joined to the unit 6.

[0051] . Preferably, the proximal articulation arm 16 defines, in a zone of overlap with the frame element 10, an abutment surface 28 with a rotation pin of the first elastic assembly 18, which forms an end-stroke to the working configuration. For example, the surface 28 is recessed (for example see figure 6).

[0052] . In particular, the surface 28 is preferably suitable for housing the zone of the first elastic assembly 18 adjacent to the axis M, that is to say at least one portion of the aforesaid rotation pin which finds itself directed along such axis.

[0053] . Preferably, when positioned in the rest configuration, the first elastic assembly 18 is positioned above the proximal articulation arm 16, that is it lies in a position included between such proximal arm 16 and the base element 12.

[0054] . Consequently, in the light of the embodiments illustrated above, it may be appreciated how a plurality of components contribute to maintaining the working configuration: first of all, when the proximal articulation arm 16 reaches abutment with the rotation pin at the axis M, any further advancement of the arm is prevented. As mentioned earlier, the achievement of this position prevents the further rotation of the joint component 30 in relation to the proximal arm in the absence of blocks.

[0055] . Moreover, in the working configuration, the second elastic assembly 20 acts as a tie-rod between the base element and the frame element, in that it is in the configuration of maximum extension.

[0056] . Moreover, during conversion between the rest configuration and the inclined configuration, the first elastic assembly 18 works on the proximal arm 16 to keep it substantially static.

[0057] . In other words, when the base element is moved between the rest configuration and the inclined configuration, the proximal arm 16 remains passive inasmuch as kept in such position by the first elastic assembly 18.

[0058] . The device according to the invention thereby makes it possible to delay wear on its components given that for each raising and lowering only the mechanisms strictly necessary work, both during such movement and preferably also during the conversion between the inclined configuration and the working configuration.

[0059] . Preferably, in the rest configuration, the first elastic assembly 18 (or in the case in point the gas spring) is in an elongated conformation, for example pre-loaded in extension.

[0060] . According to a further embodiment, in the rest configuration, the second elastic assembly 20 (or the relative gas spring) is in a compressed conformation.

[0061] . Innovatively, the device and unit which the present invention relates to make it possible to prevent precocious wear of the components, in that the latter are divided into groups, each delegated to perform a single operation or movement. The present invention thereby provides a more reliable structure than the structures available in the prior art.

[0062] . Furthermore, the means used for raising or tipping the mattress support are suitable to position themselves in intermediate or final configurations in which the mechanical stresses are markedly reduced.

[0063] . Advantageously, the device according to the present invention is extremely compact, since only a small fraction of the storage compartment space is lost because occupied by the mechanisms delegated to move the mattress support.

[0064] . Advantageously, the device according to the present invention makes it possible, during closure of the compartment, to retrace the same steps as during the opening so as to provide an extremely safe functioning; in fact the present device does not run the risk of a sudden conversion from the working configuration to the rest configuration which could surprise, or worse injure, a user.

[0065] . Advantageously, the device according to the present invention is suitable for functioning in an extremely silent manner, especially by virtue of the assembly tolerances.

[0066] . Advantageously, the device according to the present invention can also be used with beds with high footboards or in any case higher than average, since the engagement and disengagement of the mattress support from the frame occurs always maintaining a safety gap, suitable for preventing contact between the components.

[0067] . Advantageously, when the device according to the present invention is in the working configuration, it is designed to withstand even considerable stresses on the free end of the mattress support.

[0068] . A person skilled in the art may make variations or replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent to the aforementioned embodiments of the device and unit so as to satisfy specific requirements.

[0069] . Such variations are also contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

[0070] . Moreover, each variation described as belong to one possible embodiment may be realised independently of the other variations described.

Claims

1. Device for moving (1) a mattress support (2) in relation to a furniture frame (4) associable to a storage furniture unit (6), said unit (6) comprising a furniture frame (4) and the mattress support (2), supported by said frame (4) and having a support surface (8), e.g. for a mattress (42), positioned on a base plane (X);
said device for moving (1) comprising:

a) a frame element (10) and a base element (12), respectively connectable to the furniture frame (4) and to the mattress support (2) in a movable manner, between a rest configuration and an inclined configuration, wherein a first element end (2') is distanced further from the furniture frame (4) than an opposite element end (2"), and between the inclined configuration and a working configuration, wherein the base plane (X) is raised and substantially parallel to the rest configuration;

b) a distal articulation arm (14), hinged to the frame element (10) and to the base element (12) to perform the conversion between the rest configuration and the inclined configuration; and

c) a proximal articulation arm (16) rotatable between the frame element (10) and the base element (12) for the conversion between the inclined configuration and the working configuration; and

d) a first (18) and a second (20) elastic assembly, respectively joined to the proximal (16) and distal (14) articulation arm to facilitate the conversion between said configurations;

wherein, during the conversion between the rest configuration and the inclined configuration, the first elastic assembly (18) works on the proximal arm (16) to keep it substantially static.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein, in the inclined configuration and in the working configuration, the second elastic assembly (20) and the distal articulation arm (14) conserve the same reciprocal position.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the conversion between the working configuration and the rest configuration takes place backwardly, passing through the inclined configuration.

4. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the proximal (16) and the distal (14) articulation arms are both hinged to the frame element (10) at their head portions (14', 16').

5. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first elastic assembly (18) is hinged to the frame element (10) at an axis (M) included between the fulcra (Y, Z) of the proximal (16) and of the distal (14) articulation arms.

6. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the proximal articulation arm (16) comprises a pair of longitudinal sections (22, 24), staggered from each other, joined by a connection loop (26).

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the first elastic assembly (18) acts on the proximal articulation arm (16) at the connection loop (26).

8. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the proximal articulation arm (16) defines, in a overlapping zone with the frame element (10), an abutment surface (28) for a rotation pin of the first elastic assembly (18), which forms an end stroke for the working configuration.

9. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the proximal articulation arm (16) is hinged to the base element (12) by means of a joint component (30) suitable for causing a distal shift of the base element (12), in particular of one of its element ends (2").

10. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least one of the first (18) and/or second (20) elastic assemblies comprise a gas spring.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the second elastic assembly (20) comprises the gas spring and wherein, on the frame element (10), said spring has a rotation axis (Z) in common with the distal articulation arm (14).

12. Device according to any of the previous claims, optionally when dependent on claim 10, wherein, in the rest configuration, the first elastic assembly (18) or the gas spring is an elongated conformation.

13. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein, in the rest configuration, the first elastic assembly (18) lies in a position included between the proximal articulation arm (16) and the base element (12).

14. Storage furniture unit (6), preferably a storage bed or sofa-bed, comprising:

- a furniture frame (4);

- a mattress support (2), joined to the furniture frame (4) and having a support surface (8) positioned on a base plane (X);

- at least one device for moving (1) according to any of the previous claims.

15. Storage furniture unit according to claim 14, wherein the furniture frame (4) defines a storage compartment (34) which, in the rest configuration, houses the device for moving (1).

Drawing