STRUCTURE FOR FURNISHING COMPONENTS

Abstract

 The present invention concerns a structure (10) for furnishing components (11), which comprises a containing compartment (16) formed by a substantially horizontal bottom wall (14) and by a plurality of perimeter walls (15), wherein the structure (10) also comprises a support element (12), mobile between a raised position and a lowered position and disposed in such a way as to close the containing compartment (16) at the top when it is in said lowered position, and at least one lifting member (17) comprising an electric linear actuator connected to said support element (12) in order to move it between said raised position and said lowered position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a structure for furnishing components, in particular beds equipped with a containing compartment.

[0002] The present invention also concerns the furnishing component comprising this structure, in particular a bed, or a sofa bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Beds equipped with containing compartments are known, possibly divided into several compartments, which can be accessed by lifting an upper side. This upper side substantially corresponds to the plane in which the bases that support the mattresses lies. The bases and mattresses can be of any size whatsoever and normally the bases have one side hinged to at least one wall of the containing compartment, typically to the head wall or headboard, or to portions of the lateral walls in proximity to this.

[0004] This hinging can be obtained by means of hinging units that allow to lift the bases and mattresses, in order to allow access to the containing compartment.

[0005] One example of bed structures of this type is described in patent document EP3190925.

[0006] In other cases of a known type, the hinging units allow the bases to be raised with an articulated parallelogram movement, which brings the bases into a raised and parallel position with respect to the structure.

[0007] The possibility of lifting the bases, which in practice close the containing compartment at the top, allows both access to the latter and also greater practicality in reordering the covers after use, that is, in other words, it makes it easier to remake the bed.

[0008] These types of structures comprise a flat panel, which forms the bottom, and perimeter walls, which rise from the flat panel or bottom.

[0009] Both the bottom and also the perimeter walls have surfaces on which the hinging devices that allow the movement of the bases are fixed.

[0010] Additional plates are also fixed on the internal faces of the perimeter walls and have the function of supporting the bottom of the containing compartment, in a raised position with respect to the floor.

[0011] Other plates or uprights can be fixed to the internal faces of the perimeter walls, to allow the bases to rest and be supported in their normal horizontal position of use.

[0012] The known systems of opening and closing the containing compartment of the bed by rotating the base on which the mattress is positioned provide to use pneumatic linear actuators, for example of the gas spring type.

[0013] One disadvantage in the use of pneumatic linear actuators is that a limited lifting tolerance is obtained, typically equal to about ± 5 kg, compared to the total nominal weight to be lifted of the base-mattress unit.

[0014] Therefore, if the mattress and/or the bases had to be replaced with one weighing more than the lifting tolerance as described above, or if any accessories had to be added above the mattress, such as a topper, it becomes necessary to replace the pneumatic linear actuators as well.

[0015] Another disadvantage of structures for furnishing components, in particular beds, which use pneumatic linear actuators is that the user has to apply great forces to obtain the opening and closing movement of the containing compartment, considerably stressing the bed structure from a mechanical point of view, and entailing considerable physical effort for the user him/herself.

[0016] Furthermore, if too great a force is applied during the closing of the containing compartment, the base-mattress unit can abruptly impact against the bed frame with consequent problems in terms of safety for the user and possible stresses, or breakages, which are detrimental.

[0017] To at least partly solve these problems, some known structures employ a combination of pneumatic linear actuators and electric linear actuators.

[0018] Also known in the state of the art are structures provided with electric linear actuators for lifting/lowering them, as described for example by GB 2474630.

[0019] However, these solutions adopt complex articulated systems and entail complicated, time-consuming and expensive assembly operations. Furthermore, when the containing compartment is closed, the useful internal space is limited by the bulk of the complex opening and closing mechanisms.

[0020] There is therefore a need to perfect a structure for furnishing components, in particular beds, which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0021] One purpose of the present invention is to provide a structure for furnishing components, in particular beds, with an opening and closing mechanism of the containing compartment that is simple in construction, economical and of limited bulk, maximizing the useful capacity of the containing compartment.

[0022] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a structure which has an aesthetic configuration that is pleasing to the eye.

[0023] It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a structure that can be driven with a minimum physical effort by the user and that guarantees high safety standards during the operations of opening and closing the containing compartment.

[0024] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a structure which offers a great versatility of use to the designer, who can use the same structure for any desired size of the bed, for example for single, double, queen size beds, extralarge size, like the so-called "king-size" beds, and also of other sizes, also supporting considerable variations in the weight of the base-mattress unit.

[0025] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0027] In accordance with the above purposes, the embodiments described here concern a structure for furnishing components which comprises a containing compartment formed by a substantially horizontal bottom wall and by a plurality of perimeter walls.

[0028] According to one aspect of the present invention, the structure for furnishing components also comprises a support element that is mobile between a raised position and a lowered position and is disposed so as to close the containing compartment at the top when it is in the lowered position.

[0029] According to one aspect of the present invention, the structure for furnishing components comprises at least one lifting member that comprises an electric linear actuator connected to the support element in order to move it between the raised position and the lowered position.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, the structure for furnishing components comprises at least a first attachment element, fixed to at least one of the perimeter walls, and at least one articulation element which is fixed to the support element in order to rigidly connect the lifting member to the first attachment element.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first attachment element defines a single rotation fulcrum for the movement of the support element between the lowered position and the raised position; the single rotation fulcrum is disposed above an upper edge of the perimeter walls.

[0032] This configuration of the structure for furnishing components is advantageous because it allows to raise the support element in a reliable manner by using an electric linear actuator.

[0033] Advantageously, the conformation of the articulation element, together with the positioning of the first attachment element, result in a lever arm long enough that the electric linear actuator has a reduced power.

[0034] According to one variant, there can be provided a reduction unit associated with the electric linear actuator in order to further reduce the nominal power required from the actuator.

[0035] Another advantage of this configuration is that it does not require additional actuators, such as for example a pneumatic actuator of the gas spring type.

[0036] Another advantage of the structure for furnishing components is that it provides the presence of a single articulation element, and therefore does not require the presence of complex articulated systems, bulky and more subject to malfunctions.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, the articulation element comprises a first segment, disposed substantially parallel to the bottom wall when the support element is in the lowered position, and a second segment, substantially vertical, parallel to the perimeter walls.

[0038] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first and second segments are made in a single piece. By "single piece" we mean that they are kept joined together by the initial mechanical working through which the articulation element is made, without any mechanical joint or joint of any other nature, such as for example a welding seam, which joins them.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first and second segments are disposed at right angles to each other, so as to give the articulation element an "L" shape.

[0040] This conformation of the articulation element is advantageous because it is a simple shape that efficiently allows to ensure that the single rotation fulcrum is disposed above the upper edge of the perimeter walls.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present invention, the articulation element comprises a first hole and the first attachment element comprises a connection hole, aligned with the first hole so that together they receive a hinging pin, so as to define the single rotation fulcrum.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present invention, the structure for furnishing components comprises at least a second attachment element fixed to the same perimeter wall to which the first attachment element is fixed, and to which the lifting member is rotatably fixed.

[0043] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one lifting member is able to be driven between the lowered position and the raised position, both manually and automatically, by means of at least one control and command unit.

[0044] According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one lifting member comprises a force limiter, capable of interrupting the rotation of the support element between the raised position and the lowered position when its movement encounters an obstacle.

[0045] According to another aspect of the present invention, the structure for furnishing components comprises at least one end-of-travel sensor configured both to stop and also to drive the lifting member automatically, in order to take the support element respectively into the lowered position and into the raised position.

[0046] According to another aspect of the present invention, the structure for furnishing components comprises at least one drive button configured to command the control and command unit so as to automatically drive the lifting member.

[0047] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control and command unit is configured to stop the movement of the support element, by pressing the drive button, in any intermediate position whatsoever between the lowered position and the raised position.

[0048] In this way, a structure for furnishing components, in particular beds, is obtained, which overcomes the limits of the state of the art and eliminates the defects present therein.

[0049] In particular, a simple, economical structure for furnishing components, in particular beds, is obtained, which can be applied in a versatile way to any size of mattress and corresponding accessories, and which facilitates access to the entire volume of the containing compartment in total safety for the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

• fig. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of an example of a bed, comprising a structure for furnishing components according to the present invention, shown in an open condition in which a containing compartment integrated therein is visible;
• fig. 2 is an interrupted, schematic and partly sectioned lateral view of the bed of fig. 1 in a closed condition;
• fig. 3 is an interrupted, schematic and partly sectioned lateral view of the bed of fig. 1 in an open condition.

[0051] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0052] We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings, by way of a non-limiting illustration. The phraseology and terminology used here is also for the purposes of providing non-limiting examples.

[0053] The embodiments described here using the attached drawings concern a structure 10 for furnishing components 11, such as for example beds, sofas, armchairs, sofa beds, or suchlike.

[0054] According to some embodiments, the furnishing component 11 can be a bed of any size or type whatsoever, by way of example, in the most common cases, a single, double or queen-size bed.

[0055] Fig. 1 exemplifies a double bed, which has a structure 10 that comprises a support element 12, for example configured as a known type of base, configured to sustain a mattress 13 and any accessories.

[0056] The support element 12 is mobile between a lowered position (fig. 2), in which the bed is in the closed condition, and a raised position (figs. 1 and 3), in which the bed is in an open condition.

[0057] The structure 10 comprises a containing compartment 16 formed by a substantially horizontal bottom wall 14 which constitutes its base, and by a plurality of substantially vertical perimeter walls 15 which delimit the containing compartment 16 laterally. The containing compartment 16 is closed at the top by the support element 12, when this is in the lowered position. Therefore, in order to access the containing compartment 16, the bed must be in the open condition, and therefore the support element 12 in the raised position of figs. 1 and 3.

[0058] The structure 10 comprises at least one lifting member 17 connected to a perimeter wall 15, in order to move the support element 12 between the lowered position and the raised position.

[0059] According to the present invention, the structure 10 comprises at least a first attachment element 18, at least a second attachment element 19 and at least one articulation element 20.

[0060] In the example shown, the first attachment element 18 and the second attachment element 19 are fixed to the same perimeter wall 15.

[0061] In the example provided here, there are provided a first attachment element 18 and a second attachment element 19 which are fixed to the right lateral wall of the bed, and respective first and second attachment elements 18, 19 fixed to the left lateral wall of the bed.

[0062] In other embodiments, not shown, the second attachment element 19 can be fixed to the bottom wall 14.

[0063] The first attachment element 18 defines a single rotation fulcrum 21 for the movement of the support element 12 between the lowered position and the raised position.

[0064] The single rotation fulcrum 21 is disposed within the area, seen in plan, of the containing compartment 16.

[0065] The first attachment element 18 and the single rotation fulcrum 21 are disposed in proximity to, or in correspondence with, a junction edge between two adjacent perimeter walls 15, in particular on the headboard side of the bed.

[0066] The second attachment element 19 is disposed at an intermediate vertical height between the bottom wall 14 and the upper edge 30, and in an intermediate horizontal position between the headboard side and the footboard side.

[0067] The articulation element 20 is fixed to the support element 12 by means of fixing elements of a known type and not shown, being in particular disposed immediately below it, in order to rigidly connect the lifting member 17 to the first attachment element 18. In particular, while a first end of the lifting member 17 is rotatably fixed to the articulation element 20, a second end of the lifting member 17, opposite to the first end, is rotatably fixed to the second attachment element 19.

[0068] These rotational type couplings can be created in any known way, for example by using pins, possibly welded, screws, nuts, washers, snap rings, split pins or suchlike.

[0069] The articulation element 20 comprises a first hole 21A and the first attachment element 18 comprises a connection hole 21B, which is aligned with the first hole 21A in order to receive a hinging pin 22 so as to define the single rotation fulcrum 21.

[0070] The articulation element 20 also comprises a third hole 21C in correspondence with which the first end of the lifting member 17 is rotatably fixed to the articulation element 20 by means of a pin 23.

[0071] The articulation element 20 comprises a first segment 28 disposed substantially parallel to the bottom wall 14 when the support element 12 is in the lowered position, and a second segment 29 substantially parallel to the perimeter walls 15. The first and second segments 28, 29 are disposed at right angles to each other so as to give the articulation element 20 an "L" shape.

[0072] The length of the second segment 29 and the positioning of the first attachment element 18 are such as to ensure that the single rotation fulcrum 21 is disposed at a minimum distance D1, measured vertically, from the upper edge 30, equal to a value comprised between 2 and 10 centimeters, preferably approximately equal to 5 centimeters.

[0073] The single rotation fulcrum 21 is disposed at a distance D2 from the middle longitudinal axis of the first segment 28, passing through the axis of the second hole 21C, said distance D2 being comprised between 10 and 20 centimeters, preferably approximately equal to 15 centimeters, measured parallel to the perimeter walls 15.

[0074] According to some embodiments, in the case of a structure for beds, the axis of the rotational type coupling of the second attachment element 19 is preferably disposed, with respect to the axis of the single rotation fulcrum 21, at a horizontal distance comprised between 25 and 85 centimeters.

[0075] The inclination, with respect to a horizontal plane, of the at least one lifting member 17, measured when the bed is in the closed condition, is preferably comprised between 4° and 10°, more preferably between 5° and 9°.

[0076] A structure 10 is thus obtained that has a single rotation fulcrum 21 for the rotation of the support element 12.

[0077] According to the present invention, the at least one lifting member 17 is an electric linear actuator.

[0078] By way of a non-limiting example, such electric linear actuator can comprise a lead nut-worm screw coupling driven by an electric motor.

[0079] The structure 10 also comprises a control and command unit 24 configured to automatically drive the at least one lifting member 17.

[0080] Furthermore, the control and command unit 24 is configured to connect to an electric power supply system such as, for example, a public power supply network, an electric generator, an uninterrupted power supply unit, one or more batteries (of the rechargeable or non-rechargeable type) or suchlike, and to drive the at least one lifting member 17.

[0081] The lifting member 17 is configured to drive the opening and closing of the containing compartment 16, through the rotation of the support element 12 between the lowered and raised positions.

[0082] The at least one lifting member 17 can be driven both automatically, by means of the control and command unit 24, and also manually by a user, for example in the event of an interruption in the supply of electrical energy.

[0083] According to a preferential embodiment, the at least one lifting member 17 comprises a force limiter.

[0084] This solution has the advantage of interrupting the process of opening and closing the containing compartment 16, that is, the rotation of the support element 12, when its movement encounters an obstacle.

[0085] According to some embodiments, the structure 10 comprises at least one end-of-travel sensor 25 electrically/electronically connected to the control and command unit 24.

[0086] The end-of-travel sensor 25 can be selected from the group of electromechanical, inductive, magnetic sensors or suchlike.

[0087] The end-of-travel sensor 25 is configured both to stop the operation of the at least one lifting member 17 in the closed condition (for example, perfectly horizontal), in which the support element 12 is in the lowered position, and also to automatically drive the at least one lifting member 17 to raise the support element 12 into the raised position, in which the containing compartment 16 is completely accessible.

[0088] According to some embodiments, in order to start the automatic raising of the support element 12 it is sufficient to manually raise its end that is disposed in correspondence with the footboard side, for example by a few millimeters, until the end-of-travel sensor 25 is released, and then let it continue autonomously.

[0089] In the case of automatic operation, the structure 10 also comprises at least one drive button 26 electrically/electronically connected to the control and command unit 24.

[0090] The drive button 26, once pressed, is configured to automatically drive the at least one lifting member 17, by means of the control and command unit 24, in order to take the support element 12 into the lowered position.

[0091] According to another embodiment, the control and command unit 24 can be configured to stop the rotation of the support element 12, by pressing the drive button 26, in any intermediate position whatsoever between the raised position and the lowered position.

[0092] According to some embodiments, the structure 10 comprises at least one bracket 27 configured to support the at least one drive button 26.

[0093] The bracket 27 can be fixed in correspondence with the corner formed by the internal faces of the perimeter walls 15, preferably on the footboard side of a bed, also performing a function of stiffening the structure 10.

[0094] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the structure 10 for furnishing components 11, in particular beds, as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[0095] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) comprising a containing compartment (16) formed by a substantially horizontal bottom wall (14) and by a plurality of perimeter walls (15), wherein said structure (10) also comprises a support element (12) that is mobile between a raised position and a lowered position and is disposed in such a way as to close said containing compartment (16) at the top when it is in said lowered position, and at least one lifting member (17) comprising an electric linear actuator connected to said support element (12) in order to move it between said raised position and said lowered position, wherein said structure (10) is characterized in that it comprises at least a first attachment element (18) fixed to at least one of said perimeter walls (15) and at least one articulation element (20) which is fixed to said support element (12) in order to rigidly connect said lifting member (17) to said first attachment element (18), wherein said first attachment element (18) defines a single rotation fulcrum (21) for the movement of said support element (12) between said lowered position and said raised position, said single rotation fulcrum (21) being disposed above an upper edge (30) of said perimeter walls (15).

2. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in claim 1, characterized in that said articulation element (20) comprises a first segment (28) disposed substantially parallel to said bottom wall (14) when said support element (12) is in said lowered position, and a second segment (29) substantially parallel to said perimeter walls (15).

3. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in claim 2, characterized in that said first and second segments (28, 29) are disposed at right angles to each other, so as to give said articulation element (20) an "L" shape.

4. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the length of said second segment (29) and the positioning of said first attachment element (18) are such that said single rotation fulcrum (21) is disposed at a minimum distance (D1), measured vertically, from said upper edge (30) equal to a value comprised between 2 and 10 centimeters, preferably equal to about 5 centimeters.

5. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said articulation element (20) comprises a first hole (21A) and said first attachment element (18) comprises a connection hole (21B), which is aligned with said first hole (21A) so that together they receive a hinging pin so as to define said single rotation fulcrum (21).

6. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least a second attachment element (19) fixed to the same perimeter wall (15) to which said first attachment element (18) is fixed, and in that said at least one lifting member (17) is rotatably fixed to said second attachment element (19).

7. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said single rotation fulcrum (21) is disposed within the area, seen in plan, of said containing compartment (16).

8. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first attachment element (18) and said single rotation fulcrum (21) are disposed in proximity to, or in correspondence with, a junction edge between two adjacent of said perimeter walls (15).

9. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said at least one lifting member (17) is able to be driven between said lowered position and said raised position, either manually or automatically by means of at least one control and command unit (24).

10. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said at least one lifting member (17) comprises a force limiter, capable of interrupting the rotation of said support element (12) between said raised position and said lowered position when its movement encounters an obstacle.

11. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least one end-of-travel sensor (25) configured both to stop and also to drive said at least one lifting member (17) automatically, in order to take said support element (12) respectively into said lowered position and into said raised position.

12. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least one drive button (26) configured to command said control and command unit (24) so as to automatically drive said at least one lifting member (17).

13. Structure (10) for furnishing components (11) as in claim 12, characterized in that said control and command unit (24) is configured to stop the movement of said support element (12), by pressing said drive button (26), in any intermediate position whatsoever between said lowered position and said raised position.

14. Furnishing component (11), in particular a bed, comprising a structure (10) as in any claim hereinbefore.

Drawing