DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TENSIONING A VALANCE ON A BED FRAME

Abstract

 A mattress carrier assembly (12), comprising side and end members (40, 42) that form a frame (30) with a periphery (36) along first and second directions (X, Y), and which are connected in corner regions (50). The carrier assembly is adapted to receive a valance (16), with a main valance sheet (18) extending along a first frame side (32), and that a fringing valance sheet (20) extending along the frame periphery. At least one corner region (50) comprises a biasing member (60) that protrudes from the corner region and predominantly in the third direction (Z) towards a second frame side (34). The biasing member is sufficiently stiff to hold the valance fringing sheet under outward tension in first and second directions when the valance is at rest, but is sufficiently elastic to temporarily and reversibly flex and allow the fringing sheet to deflect when subjected to an additional force (F) along one of the first and second directions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a carrier assembly for supporting a mattress, and to a bed including such a carrier assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional box spring foundations are typically made of a thick (e.g. wooden) frame that is adapted to support a mattress. These conventional box springs are large and heavy, which render them difficult to handle, move, and clean. They require considerable storage space and have a high cost for transporting them from the factory to the customer or mattress manufacturer. Another disadvantage of conventional box springs is the increased likelihood that moist and/or dust accumulates inside the frame, which in turn attracts unwanted occupants (e.g. fungi, dust mites, etc.).

[0003] To mitigate the disadvantages of conventional box springs, carrier assemblies have been designed that include a relatively thin metal bed frame, which is capable of being transported and assembled at a reasonably low cost, while providing a high quality end product with the robust appearance of a conventional box spring. Such a carrier assembly can be provided with a decorative fabric or cloth outer cover, which is to be suspended along the sides and downwards from the frame. Such an outer cover is commonly referred to as a 'bed skirt' or 'valance'. The purpose of the bed skirt is to present a stylish box spring-like appearance to the bed, by hiding the sides of the bed frame and largely obstructing the space between the floor and the underside of the bed frame. However, keeping this bed skirt in place for a long time has proven to be difficult.

[0004] Patent document US2015/0327684A1 describes a folding bed frame, which includes edge attachments of hard moulded plastic that are adapted to hold a bed skirt taut around the bed frame assembly. Such edge attachments may become damaged or cause injury when subjected to impact, e.g. by a vacuum cleaner, the user's extremities, etc.

[0005] It would be desirable to provide a carrier assembly with a frame for supporting a mattress, onto which a valance can be spanned in a user-friendly and reliable manner, and which can be held taut for a long time to provide a quality appearance of a conventional box spring, even after repeated use.

Summary of Invention

[0006] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a carrier assembly for supporting a mattress. The carrier assembly comprises side members and end members, which jointly form a frame that extends and defines an outer periphery along first and second directions. The side and end members are mutually connected in corner regions of the frame. The carrier assembly is adapted to receive a valance, such that a main sheet of the valance extends along a first side of the frame, and that a fringing sheet of the valance extends along the outer periphery of the frame. At least one of the corner regions of the frame comprises a biasing member, which protrudes from the corner region and predominantly in the third direction towards a second side of the frame. This biasing member is sufficiently stiff to hold the fringing sheet of the valance under outward tension in the first and second directions when the valance is at rest, but is sufficiently elastic to temporarily and reversibly flex and allow the fringing sheet to deflect as long as the fringing sheet is subjected to an additional force along at least one of the first and second directions.

[0007] The resulting carrier assembly is very well adapted to keep the fringing sheet of the valance continuously taut in a desired shape to provide a long-lasting quality appearance of a conventional box spring. However, the flexible properties of the biasing member(s) allow the member(s) and attached fringing sheet to temporarily and reversibly deflect from this desired shape when (part of) the fringing sheet and/or a biasing member is temporarily subjected to an external force, e.g. during cleaning, when moving objects underneath the bed frame, or in case of accidental impact by a human extremity. This flexibility renders the carrier assembly more user friendly. The stiffness and elasticity of the biasing member may for instance be described by a force of several Newtons to several tens of Newtons applied transversely to a free distal end thereof, which is needed to deflect the distal end over an angle of about 10° to 30° transversally away from a nominal axis associated with its equilibrium position. This distal end of the biasing member will flex back to its equilibrium position when the external force is removed.

[0008] Selected ones or all of the corner regions of the frame may comprise a corresponding biasing member that protrudes from the respective corner region and predominantly in the third direction towards the second side of the frame. The side members may extend mutually parallel along a first direction and may be mutually spaced along a second direction. Similarly, the end members may extend mutually parallel along the second direction and may be mutually spaced along the first direction. The outer periphery of the frame may have a substantially quadrilateral (for instance rectangular) outline, and the fringing sheet of the valance may have an inner periphery that is congruent to the outer periphery.

[0009] The frame may have a support surface on the first side of the frame. This support surface extends across the frame and is suspended along the side members and/or the end member. This support surface may be formed by an elastic mesh, for instance a woven net of elastic wires, or a plurality of interlocking undulated wire springs.

[0010] In an embodiment, the biasing member comprises an elastic portion that is elongated along a nominal axis and extends from the respective corner region predominantly in the third direction towards the second side of the frame when at rest. The elastic portion may have a bending stiffness for resisting deformations away from the nominal axis, the bending stiffness being substantially isotropic for deformations along both directions perpendicular to the nominal axis.

[0011] By providing an elastic portion with isotropic off-axis bending resistance, the temporarily flexing of the biasing member does not have a preferential direction. External forces exerted on the fringing valance sheet will therefore automatically result in a temporary deflection that is distributed optimally along the fringing sheet and between the biasing members, without experiencing unexpected bending resistances and stretching of the fringing sheet in unfavourable directions.

[0012] In further embodiments, the elongated elastic portion has substantial rotational symmetry about the nominal axis, and preferably has a substantially cylindrical outer shape.

[0013] In embodiments, the elastic portion is a cylindrical helical spring. Each turn of the spring coils around the nominal axis, and adjacent turns are consecutively arranged along the nominal axis. This allows manufacturing of a robust elongated symmetric biasing member at relatively low cost.

[0014] In embodiments, the biasing member protrudes from the corner region of the frame with a minor component in the first and second directions outwards relative to the outer periphery of the frame, so that the biasing member is tilted at a non-zero tilt angle relative to the third direction when the biasing member is at rest.

[0015] In embodiments that include an elongated elastic portion, the biasing member may further comprise a shield that is adapted to abut a corner portion of the fringing sheet of the valance, and which is connected to the elastic portion, to allow flexing of the shield relative to the respective corner region in the first and/or second directions.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the shield comprises a curved surface portion that extends along and curves around the nominal axis, so that a central axis of curvature of the curved surface portion is substantially parallel with the nominal axis of the elastic portion.

[0017] The curved surface portion preferably has smooth developable shape, so that the corner portion of the fringing valance sheet easily curves around the shield without wrinkling.

[0018] In yet a further embodiment, the shield includes a coupling for connecting the shield to the elastic portion in a fixed manner, to prevent positional adjustment of the shield relative to the elastic portion. In particular, translation of the shield along the axial direction of the elastic portion and/or rotation of the shield about the elongated the axial direction of the elastic portion may be prohibited, whereas the shield remains able to flex together with part of the elastic portion.

[0019] Alternatively, the shield may include a coupling for connecting the shield to the elastic portion in an adjustable manner, to allow positional adjustment of the shield relative to the elastic portion. In this case, the coupling may be adapted to establish a slidable connection between the shield and the elastic portion, to allow positional adjustment (e.g. translation) of the shield relative to the elastic portion in opposite directions along the nominal axis.

[0020] In embodiments, the biasing member comprises a connector at a distal end, and the valance comprises a complementary connector at a corner portion of the fringing sheet. This connector and complementary connector may be adapted to interlock and form a fixed but releasable connection between the biasing member and the valance.

[0021] In further embodiments, at least one of the connector and the complementary connector comprises an engagement area with a profiled surface pattern that regularly alternates along the nominal axis, for instance a corrugated, stepped, or grooved, surface pattern, wherein the surface pattern is adapted to allow relative positional adjustment of the connectors in stepped increments and/or decrements along the nominal axis.

[0022] Any or both the connectors may be provided with interlocking structures that allow complementary connector to be temporarily fixed to connector in a plurality of vertically adjacent but distinct positions. This allows optimization of the vertical position of the valance corner portion relative to the frame, and thus of the tensioning forces exerted by the biasing member on the valance that lead to a visually optimal result. Such adjustments may be made during initial tensioning of the valance on the frame assembly, but also when the valance has become stretched after a prolonged time of use. The interlocking structures may for instance each comprise a plurality of horizontal ridges with a saw tooth profile that is formfitting with the complementary profile on the other connector.

[0023] In embodiments, at least one of the corner regions of the fame includes a connector that faces towards the second side of the frame, and the biasing member includes a complementary connector. The connector and complementary connector are adapted to interlock and form a releasable connection between the biasing member and the frame.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the connector forms a blind hole or through hole in a corner member of the frame. The complementary connector may then be formed by a distal end of the elastic portion, this distal end having an outer periphery that is congruent (form fitting) with the blind hole or through hole.

[0025] In yet a further embodiment, the corner member is provided with at least one screw member on an inner surface that delineates the hole. A lead and pitch of the screw member may match an outer surface structure of the cylindrical helical spring.

[0026] The internal screw member may for instance be formed by a female screw thread or a set of inwards protruding flanges that extend in a helical pattern along the inner surface. The lead and pitch of the internal screw member match with the coil pattern of the spring, to fix the spring in place. The resulting tight screw connection of the biasing member into the connector hole allows a user to grip a biasing member and lift the frame assembly, e.g. during cleaning underneath the bed frame.

[0027] According to a second aspect, and in accordance with the advantages and effects described herein above, there is provided a bed comprising a carrier assembly with one or more biasing members according to the first aspect. The bed further comprises a valance and a mattress. The valance includes a main sheet extending along the first side of the frame, and a fringing sheet that extends along the outer periphery of the frame. The mattress is positioned on the main sheet of the valance and on the first side of the frame. The biasing member protrudes from the corner region and predominantly towards a second side of the frame. The one or more biasing members hold the fringing sheet of the valance under outward tension in the first and second directions when the valance is at rest, but are sufficiently elastic to temporarily and reversibly flex and allow the fringing sheet to deflect as long as the fringing sheet is subjected to an additional force along at least one of the first and second directions.

[0028] The term "surface" is used herein to generally refer to a two-dimensional parametric surface region, which may have either an entirely or piece-wise flat shape (e.g. a plane or polygonal surface), a curved shape (e.g. cylindrical, spherical, parabolic surface, etc.), a recessed shape (e.g. stepped or undulated surface), or a more complex shape. The term "plane" is used herein to refer to a flat surface defined by three non-coinciding points.

[0029] The term "substantially" is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, "substantially cylindrical" means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

[0030] The term "near" as a qualifier for the proximity of constructions elements of the carrier assembly refers herein to a distance of one to several tens of millimetres.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0031] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts. In the drawings, like numerals designate like elements. Multiple instances of an element may each include separate letters appended to the reference number. For example, two instances of a particular element "60" may be labelled as "60a" and "60b". The reference number may be used without an appended letter (e.g. "60") to generally refer to an unspecified instance or to all instances of that element, while the reference number will include an appended letter (e.g. "60a") to refer to a specific instance of the element.

Figure 1 a shows a perspective view of a bed with a mattress, a valance, and a carrier assembly according to an embodiment;

Figure 1b shows a perspective view of the carrier assembly and valance from figure 1a;

Figures 2a-2b show perspective views of part of the carrier assembly from figure 1b, and

Figures 3a-3b shows perspective views of the biasing member and corner portion of the valance according to an embodiment, and

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a biasing member and corner portion of a valance according to another embodiment.

[0032] The figures are meant for illustrative purposes only, and do not serve as restriction of the scope or the protection as laid down by the claims.

Description of Embodiments

[0033] The following is a description of certain embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the figures. Cartesian coordinates will be used to describe spatial relations for exemplary embodiments of the bed and carrier assembly. Reference symbol X is used to indicate a longitudinal direction. Prepositions "front" and "rear" pertain to this longitudinal direction X. Reference symbol Y is used to indicate a transversal direction that is perpendicular to X. This transversal direction Y relates to the terms "left", "right", and "lateral". The longitudinal direction X and transversal direction Y span a plane that preferably is substantially parallel to the horizontal during use of the bed and carrier assembly. Reference symbol Z is used to indicate a vertical direction that is perpendicular to X and Y. Prepositions "above" and "below" pertain to the vertical direction Z.

[0034] It should be understood that the directional definitions and preferred orientations presented herein merely serve to elucidate geometrical relations for specific embodiments. The concepts of the invention discussed herein are not limited to these directional definitions and preferred orientations. Similarly, directional terms in the specification and claims are used herein solely to indicate relative directions and are not otherwise intended to limit the scope of the invention or claims.

[0035] Figure 1a schematically shows a perspective view of a bed 10, which includes a mattress 14, a valance 16, and an exemplary embodiment of a carrier assembly 12. The carrier assembly 12 is depicted in a deployed state, with the valance 16 applied on a top side 32 thereof, and ready to receive the mattress 14 on this top side 32 with the valance 16 (shown in exploded position in figure 1a for clarity).

[0036] Figure 1b illustrates this exemplary embodiment of the carrier assembly 12, and part of the valance 16 in more detail. The carrier assembly 12 includes a frame 30, a plurality of leg members 48a, 48d, a flexible support surface 46, and four biasing members 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d at the corners regions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d of the frame 30.

[0037] The frame 30 includes a pair of side frame members 40a, 40b, and a pair of end frame members 42a, 42b. The side frame members 40 are formed by elongated metal tubes/bars, which are laterally spaced apart in a transverse direction Y, and which extend mutually parallel along the length of the frame 30 in a longitudinal direction X. The end frame members 42 are also formed by elongated metal tubes/bars, which are laterally spaced apart in the longitudinal direction X, and extend mutually parallel at opposite ends and along the width of the frame 30 in the transverse direction Y.

[0038] The assembled side and end frame members 40, 42 are rigidly connected to each other at respective opposite distal ends, e.g. via weld connections, and jointly confer rigidity to the frame 30. The resulting outer peripheral shape 36 of the frame 30 is substantially rectangular.

[0039] In an operative position of the carrier assembly 12 and bed 10, the longitudinal and transverse directions X, Y extend substantially parallel with an external supporting surface 28 underneath the carrier assembly 12, and the vertical direction Z extends perpendicular to the supporting surface 28 and opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0040] The side members 40 have identical lengths, and the end members 42 also have identical lengths, which in this example are shorter than the side members 40. In the exemplary bed 10 of figure 1, the frame 30 in assembled state has a length ΔXf in a range of about 1900 millimetres to 2300 millimetres and a width ΔYf in a range of about 600 millimetres to 2000 millimetres. Typical frame dimensions for bed frames are 800×2000, 90×2000, 80×2000, 90×2100, etc.

[0041] The tubes/bars forming the side and end frame members 40, 42 each have cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to their nominal long body axes, with dimensions of about 50 millimetres × 50 millimetres. The resulting height ΔZf of this exemplary frame 30 thus equals about 50 millimetres. In this example, each of the side and end frame members 40, 42 has a rounded shape in a laterally outward direction, with a radius of curvature of about 10 centimetres.

[0042] The frame 30 further includes three cross members 44a, 44b, 44c, which extend along the transverse direction Y between the side members 40, and which are located at the lower side 34 of the frame 30. The cross members 44 are connected with distal ends to these side members 40 to increase the rigidity of the frame 30. The width of the cross members 44 along the transverse direction Y is about the same as the width of the end members 42 (i.e. only slightly smaller than the frame width ΔYf).

[0043] Four leg members 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d are provided in a rectangular arrangement on the lower side 34 of the frame 30. The leg members 48 are arranged in pairs, each in a regular distribution along a corresponding one of the two outermost cross members 44a, 44c. Each leg member 48 includes a leg socket and a leg (not indicated). Each leg is formed by a cylindrical rod of tubular steel with a foot at one end. Each leg socket includes a tube with a cylindrical inner hole having an inner diameter into which an opposite end of the corresponding leg can be accommodated in a form-fitting manner. The leg members 48 allow the carrier assembly 12 to be positioned at a non-zero height ΔZc above the underlying support surface 28. In this example, each leg member 48 has a height of about 350 millimetres. As a result, the carrier assembly 12 in deployed state has a height ΔZc of about 400 millimetres. It will be understood that the dimensions of the frame and the leg members can be chosen to have any other suitable value, or may even be adjustable in any one of several ways well known in the art.

[0044] The frame 30 further includes a support surface 46, which extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal and transverse directions X, Y along the side and end members 40, 42. In this example, the support surface 46 is formed by a flexible sheet member (e.g. a steel mesh infill) that is suspended in a biased (i.e. pre-tensioned) manner between the side members 40. This flexible sheet member 46 delimits the upper and lower sides 32, 34 of the frame 30 on opposite sides, and is adapted to support the mattress 14 on the upper side 32. Only part of the support surface 46 is shown in figure 1b for clarity.

[0045] In this example, the corner regions of the frame 30 are formed by corner connector members 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d. These corner members 50 are formed of a rigid material, which is sufficiently strong to support the weight of the frame 30, for instance when the frame is lifted directly at a corner member 50. Each corner member 50 is fixed to a respective distal end of an end frame member 42, e.g. via insertion of an end of the corner member 50 into a congruent receiving space formed inside the end frame member 42 at a respective distal end thereof. The corner members 50 are uniformly rounded along a 90° turn along the laterally outward periphery, to form rounded frame edges between the side and end frame members 40, 42.

[0046] The carrier assembly 12 is adapted to receive the valance 16, such that a main sheet portion 18 of the valance 16 extends along the support surface 46 on the upper side 32 of the frame 30, and a fringing sheet portion 20 of the valance 16 extends along the outer periphery 36 of the frame 30. The valance 16 is also only partially shown in figure 1b for clarity.

[0047] Figures 2a-2b show perspective views of a corner region of the carrier assembly 30 from figure 1b. The corner member 50 comprises a biasing member 60 that is fixed to the corner member 50. The corner member 50 has upper and lower surfaces, a curved outer corner surface, and a right-angled inner corner surface.

[0048] A cylindrical hole 52 is formed in a central region of the corner member 50, which extends entirely through the corner member 50 and between the upper and lower surfaces. The hole 52 extends at a non-zero tilt angle α outwards away from the vertical direction Z. The angle α may be in a range 10° ≤ α ≤ 30°, an in this example is about 20°. This hole 52 is adapted to receive a protruding distal end 63 of the biasing member 60 in a form-fitting manner. The biasing member 60 protrudes from this corner member 50 and extends predominantly downwards along the (negative) vertical direction Z towards the second side 34 of the frame 30 when at rest (i.e. not subjected to external forces), but with the slight tilt angle α laterally outwards along X and Y.

[0049] This biasing member 60 comprises an elongated elastic portion 62 and a shield 68. In this example, the elastic portion 62 is formed by a cylindrical helical wire spring, which extends along a nominal body axis A when at rest. Each wire turn of this spring 62 coils around the nominal axis A, and adjacent wire turns are consecutively arranged along the nominal axis A, so that the spring 62 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape that is elongated along and centred on the nominal axis A (at rest). The spring 62 has a bending stiffness K and corresponding bending resistance against deformations away from the nominal axis A, this bending stiffness being substantially isotropic for deformations along both directions perpendicular to the nominal axis A.

[0050] An internal surface of the corner member 50 along the periphery of the hole 52 is provided with a screw thread, having a lead and pitch that matches a lead and pitch of the radial outer surface pattern 66 of the (unbiased) coiled spring 62. This allows the distal end 63 of the spring 62 to be rotated into the hole 52, and to be fixed to the respective corner member 50 of the frame 30.

[0051] The spring 62 and shield 68 protrude from the corner member 50 of the frame 30 with a minor component in the first and second directions X, Y outwards relative to the outer periphery 36 of the frame 30. The spring 62, when at rest, is tilted with its nominal axis A under the non-zero tilt angle α outwards away from the vertical direction Z and relative to the outer periphery 36 of the frame. In this example, the spring 62 has a total length L along the axis A that is substantially equal to a height of the fringing portion 20 of valance 16, as it protrudes transversely downwards relative to the main sheet portion 18 of valance 16. The length L may be in a range of 15 to 25 centimetres, for instance about 20 centimetres.

[0052] The shield 68 is connected to the spring 62, to allow the shield 68 to temporarily flex relative to the corner member 50 along in the first and/or second directions X, Y away from the nominal axis A, when subjected to an external force, but to return back to an equilibrium position along the nominal axis A when the external force is removed.

[0053] The shield 68 is adapted to abut an inwards side of the corner portion 26 of the fringing sheet 20 of the valance 16, and comprises connecting means 74, 76 to fix the corner sheet portion 26 to the biasing member 60. The resulting biasing member 60 is sufficiently stiff to hold the fringing sheet 20 of the valance 16 under outward tension in the first and second directions X, Y when the valance 16 is at rest. For instance, a bending force of about 10 Newton applied to the shield 68 may bend and deflect the spring 62 with its free distal end 64 over about 10°-20°, for instance 14°, away from the nominal equilibrium axis A (for instance to yield a deflection towards the vertical direction Z as shown in figure 2b). However, the biasing member 60 is sufficiently elastic to temporarily and reversibly flex and allow the fringing sheet 20 to deflect inwards or outwards, as long as an external force F is exerted on the fringing sheet 20 along at least one of the first and second directions X, Y (see figure 2b).

[0054] Figures 3a-b show perspective views of the exemplary biasing member 60 from figures 1a-2b. The biasing member 60 comprises a connector 74, which is located at a distal end of the shield 68 and near the fee distal end 64 of the spring 62, and which faces laterally outwards and away from the spring 62. The valance 16 comprises a complementary connector 76, which is located at an inward surface of the corner portion 26 of the fringing sheet 20, and which faces laterally inwards away from the corner portion 26. The complementary connector 76 may for instance be formed as a moulded plastic patch that is permanently fixable to the valance 16 by stitching, gluing, or other known techniques. The connector 74 and complementary connector 76 are adapted to interlock and form a releasable connection between the biasing member 60 and the corner portion 26 of the valance 16. Any or both the connectors 74, 76 may be provided with interlocking structures that allow complementary connector 76 to be temporarily fixed to connector 74 in a plurality of vertically distinct but adjacent positions, to allow optimization of the vertical position of the valance corner portion 20 relative to the frame 30, and thus of the tensioning forces exerted by the biasing member 60 on the valance 16. The interlocking structures may for instance each comprise a plurality of horizontal ridges with a saw tooth profile that is formfitting with the complementary profile of the other connector.

[0055] As illustrated in figure 3b, the shield 68 comprises a single-curved surface portion 70, which extends along and curves around the nominal axis A, so that a central axis of curvature of the curved surface portion 70 is substantially parallel with the nominal axis A.

[0056] On a rear/inwards side, the shield 68 includes a coupling 72 for connecting the shield 68 to the elastic spring 62 in a tightly clamping manner, to prevent positional adjustment of the shield 68 relative to the spring 62 along the longitudinal direction under normal valance tensioning forces and use conditions. Due to the rigid threaded connection between the coil 62 and the corner member 50, and the tight clamping connection between the shield 68 and the coil 62, the user is allowed to grip the biasing member 60 and lift the bed 10 without releasing the tension exerted by the biasing member 60 on the valence 16.

[0057] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a biasing member 160 and a corner portion 126 of a valance 116. Features that have already been described above with reference to the first embodiment (and in particular figures 1a-3b) may also be present in the embodiment shown in figure 4, and will not all be discussed here again. For the discussion with reference to figure 4, like features are designated with similar reference numerals preceded by 100, to distinguish the embodiments.

[0058] Again, the biasing member 160 comprises a connector 174 at a distal end of the shield 168, and the valance 116 comprises a complementary connector 176 at an inward surface of the corner portion 126 of the fringing sheet 120. These connectors 174, 176 are also adapted to interlock and form a releasable connection between the biasing member 160 and the valance 116.

[0059] The shield 168 includes a coupling 172 for connecting the shield 168 to the elastic spring 162 via lateral clamping force, which is sufficient to keep the shield 68 fixed when subjected to normal valance tensioning forces, but which allows allow positional adjustment of the shield 168 along the longitudinal direction of the spring 162 when subjected to additional force along the axial direction. The coiled structure of the spring 162 yields an outer periphery with a regularly grooved surface pattern along the nominal axis A, which allows positional adjustment of the coupling 172 and shield 168 in stepped increments and/or decrements relative to the spring 162 and along the nominal axis A.

[0060] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

[0061] For instance, in the exemplary embodiments, a cylindrical through hole with internal screw thread was formed in the corner member. In alternative embodiments, the corner members may be provided with a cylindrical blind hole, which opens up only at the lower surface of the corner member, and is provided with an inner radius that matches the maximum outer radius of the protruding distal end of the biasing member.

List of Reference Symbols

[0062] 

10

bed

12

carrier assembly

14

mattress

16

valance

18

main sheet (of valance)

20

fringing sheet (of valance)

22

side sheet portion (of valance)

24

end sheet portion (of valance)

26

corner sheet portion (of valance)

28

external support surface (e.g. underlying floor)

30

frame

32

first frame side (e.g. upper side)

34

second frame side (e.g. lower side)

36

frame periphery

40

side member (e.g. longitudinal member)

42

end member (e.g. transverse member)

44

cross member

46

support surface (e.g. flexible sheet member)

48

leg member

50

corner member

52

connector

60

biasing member

62

elastic portion (e.g. rod)

63

first distal end

64

second distal end

66

complementary connector

68

shield

70

curved surface portion

72

coupling

74

valance connector

76

complementary valance connector

A

nominal axis

F

lateral force

K

bending stiffness

X

first direction (longitudinal direction)

Y

second direction (transversal direction)

Z

third direction (vertical direction)

ΔXf

frame length

ΔYf

frame width

ΔZf

frame height

ΔZc

carrier assembly height

L

biasing member length

α

tilt angle

Claims

1. A carrier assembly (12) for supporting a mattress (14), and comprising side members (40) and end members (42), which jointly form a frame (30) that extends and defines an outer periphery (36) along first and second directions (X, Y), and which are mutually connected in corner regions (50) of the frame;
wherein the carrier assembly is adapted to receive a valance (16), such that a main sheet (18) of the valance extends along a first side (32) of the frame, and that a fringing sheet (20) of the valance extends along the outer periphery of the frame;
characterized in that at least one of the corner regions (50) comprises a biasing member (60) that protrudes from the corner region and predominantly in the third direction (Z) towards a second side (34) of the frame, and in that the biasing member is sufficiently stiff to hold the fringing sheet of the valance under outward tension in the first and second directions (X, Y) when the valance is at rest, but is sufficiently elastic to temporarily and reversibly flex and allow the fringing sheet to deflect as long as the fringing sheet is subjected to an additional force (F) along at least one of the first and second directions (X, Y).

2. The carrier assembly (12) according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member (60) comprises an elastic portion (62) that is elongated along a nominal axis (A) and extends from the respective corner region (50) predominantly in the third direction (Z) towards the second side (34) of the frame (30) when at rest.

3. The carrier assembly (12) according to claim 2, wherein the elastic portion (62) has a bending stiffness (K) for resisting deformations away from the nominal axis (A), the bending stiffness being substantially isotropic for deformations along both directions perpendicular to the nominal axis.

4. The carrier assembly (12) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the elongated elastic portion (62) is substantially rotationally symmetric about the nominal axis (A), and preferably has a substantially cylindrical outer shape.

5. The carrier assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the elastic portion (62) is a cylindrical helical spring, wherein each turn coils around the nominal axis (A) and adjacent turns are consecutively arranged along the nominal axis.

6. The carrier assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the biasing member (60) protrudes from the corner region (50) of the frame (30) with a minor component in the first and second directions (X, Y) outwards relative to the outer periphery (36) of the frame, so that the biasing member is tilted at a non-zero tilt angle (α) relative to the third direction (Z) when the biasing member is at rest.

7. The carrier assembly (12) according to any one of claims 2-6, as far as dependent from claim 2, wherein the biasing member (60) further comprises a shield (68) that is adapted to abut a corner portion (26) of the fringing sheet (20) of the valance (16), and which is connected to the elastic portion (62) to allow flexing of the shield relative to the respective corner region (50) in the first and/or second directions (X, Y).

8. The carrier assembly (12) according to claim 7, wherein the shield (68) comprises a curved surface portion (70) that extends along and curves around the nominal axis (A), so that a central axis of curvature of the curved surface portion is substantially parallel with the nominal axis.

9. The carrier assembly (12) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the shield (68) includes a coupling (72) for connecting the shield to the elastic portion (62) in a fixed manner, to prevent positional adjustment of the shield relative to the elastic portion, for instance to prevent translation of the shield along the elastic portion and/or rotation of the shield about the elastic portion.

10. The carrier assembly (112) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the shield (168) includes a coupling (172) for connecting the shield to the elastic portion (162) in an adjustable manner, to allow positional adjustment of the shield relative to the elastic portion.

11. The carrier assembly (112) according to claim 10, wherein the coupling (172) is adapted to establish a slidable connection between the shield (168) and the elastic portion (162), to allow positional adjustment of the shield relative to the elastic portion (162) in directions along the nominal axis (A).

12. The carrier assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the biasing member comprises a connector (74) at a distal end, and wherein the valance (16) comprises a complementary connector (76) at a corner portion (26) of the fringing sheet (20), and wherein the connector and complementary connector are adapted to interlock and form a fixed but releasable connection between the biasing member and the valance.

13. The carrier assembly (12) according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the connector (74) and the complementary connector (76) comprises an engagement area with a profiled surface pattern that regularly alternates along the nominal axis (A), for instance a corrugated, stepped, or grooved, surface pattern, wherein the surface pattern is adapted to allow relative positional adjustment of the connectors (74, 76) in stepped increments and/or decrements along the nominal axis (A).

14. The carrier assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein at least one of the corner regions (50) of the fame (30) includes a connector (52) that faces towards the second side (34) of the frame, and wherein the biasing member (60) includes a complementary connector (66) and wherein the connector and complementary connector are adapted to interlock and form a releasable connection between the biasing member and the frame.

15. The carrier assembly (12) according to claim 14, wherein the connector (52) forms a blind hole or through hole (52) in a corner member (50), and wherein the complementary connector (66) is formed by a distal end (63) of the elastic portion (62), wherein the distal end has an outer periphery that is congruent with the blind hole or through hole.

16. The carrier assembly (12) according to claims 15 and 5, wherein the corner member (50) is provided with at least one internal screw member on an inner surface that delimits the hole (52), wherein a lead and pitch of the screw member match an outer surface structure of the cylindrical helical spring (62).

17. The carrier assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein the outer periphery (36) of the frame (30) has a substantially quadrilateral outline, and wherein the fringing sheet (20) of the valance (16) has an inner periphery that is congruent to the outer periphery.

18. The carrier assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein each of the corner regions (50) comprises a corresponding biasing member (60) that protrudes from the respective corner region and predominantly in the third direction (Z) towards the second side (34) of the frame (30).

19. The carrier assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein the support surface (46) is formed by an elastic mesh, for instance a woven net of elastic wires, or a plurality of interlocking undulated wire springs.

20. A bed (10), comprising:

- a carrier assembly (12) comprising a frame (30) with an outer periphery (36), a support surface (46), and at least one corner region (50) with a biasing member (60) according to any one of claims 1-19;

- a valance (16) comprising a main sheet (18) that extends along the first side (32) of the frame, and a fringing sheet (20) that extends along the outer periphery of the frame;

- a mattress (14), positioned on the main sheet of the valance and on the first side of the frame;

wherein the biasing member (60) protrudes from the corner region and predominantly towards a second side (34) of the frame, and wherein the biasing member holds the fringing sheet of the valance under outward tension in the first and second directions (X, Y) when the valance is at rest, but is sufficiently elastic to temporarily and reversibly flex and allow the fringing sheet to deflect as long as the fringing sheet is subjected to an additional force (F) along at least one of the first and second directions (X, Y).

Drawing