Abstract:
Supporting spring systems for sleeping, reclining or sitting furniture must have spring characteristics that provide good sleeping, reclining and/or sitting comfort. In known supporting spring systems, this is achieved only by relatively high design expenditure. The invention aims to create a simple and flexible supporting spring system which nevertheless ensures high sleeping, reclining or sitting comfort. Support elements ( 13, 50, 60, 70, 80 ) for connecting two female connectors ( 10 ) of a pair of female connectors ( 11 ) are provided for this purpose. The support elements ( 13, 50, 60, 70, 80 ) exhibit spring arms ( 15, 72 ) that are guided from beneath the female connectors ( 10 ) of the pairs of female connectors ( 11 ) up around the outside of the pair of female connectors ( 11 ).

Description:
This patent application claims the benefit of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2012/004704 having an International Filing Date of 13 Nov. 2012, which claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2011 118 357.8 having a filing date of 14 Nov. 2011 and German Patent Application No. 10 2012 009 646.1 having a filing date of 15 May 2012. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The invention relates to a supporting spring system in particular for a mattress of an item of sleeping, sitting or reclining furniture having a plurality of pairs of female multipoint connectors, in each case exhibiting female multipoint connectors oriented parallel to one another, having support elements assigned to the longitudinal members oriented transversely to the female multipoint connectors for the purpose of supporting the female multipoint connectors or the pairs of female multipoint connectors, which support elements exhibit support plates for the mattress and spring arms for the resilient connection of the support plates to the female connectors and/or the pairs of female connectors. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The supporting spring system referred to here is an elastic and/or resilient support for mattresses or similar upholstery of beds, bunks, couches, chairs or the like. 
     Various supporting spring systems of the aforementioned kind are already known. The supporting spring systems differ significantly in respect of their spring characteristics. The spring characteristics have a decisive influence on the sleeping, reclining or sitting comfort of beds, couches, chairs or the like that are provided with such a supporting spring system. Known supporting spring systems support the mattress unevenly. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to make available, in particular for a mattress of an item of sleeping, sitting or reclining furniture, a supporting spring system which assures improved spring characteristics and more even support of the mattress. 
     A supporting spring system to accomplish this object a supporting spring system in particular for a mattress for an item of sleeping, sitting or reclining furniture, having a plurality of pairs of female multipoint connectors, in each case exhibiting female multipoint connectors oriented parallel to one another, having support elements assigned to the longitudinal members oriented transversely to the female multipoint connectors for the purpose of supporting the female multipoint connectors or the pairs of female multipoint connectors, which support elements exhibit support plates for the mattress and spring arms for the resilient connection of the support plates to the female connectors and/or the pairs of female connectors, characterized in that the spring arms are guided from beneath the female multipoint connectors of at least a number of pairs of female multipoint connectors and upwards around the outside of the pair of female multipoint connectors. According to this, provision is made for the spring arms to be guided upwards beneath and around the outside of the female multipoint connectors of at least a number of pairs of female multipoint connectors. Whereas it has previously been customary for the spring arms to be guided directly upwards for the purpose of accommodating the mattress, or for the spring arms to be guided between the individual female multipoint connectors of a pair of female multipoint connectors and upwards as far as a common spring plate, the present invention adopts a different approach in that the spring arms are first guided downwards between the female multipoint connectors of each pair of female multipoint connectors and then upwards around the outside of the female multipoint connectors of each pair of female multipoint connectors for the purpose of accommodating the mattress. It is possible in this way to provide relatively long spring arms, which possess a long travel together with largely constant spring characteristics over the travel. The supporting points of the support elements on the under side of the mattress move apart, furthermore, whereby the support for the mattress is distributed more evenly over its surface. 
     Provision is made, furthermore, for at least one spring arm to be guided upwards around the outside of each female multipoint connector of at least a number of pairs of female multipoint connectors. It is also conceivable, however, for a plurality, preferably two, of spring arms to be guided upwards around each female multipoint connector of at least a number of pairs of female multipoint connectors. The spring effect of the support elements is thus distributed more homogeneously over the entire surface of the mattress, and the spring effect of every individual support element is increased. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the supporting spring system according to the invention, provision is made for the support elements in each case to exhibit a suspension which extends between the female multipoint connectors of a pair of female multipoint connectors, preferably downwards, and for at least two spring arms to be assigned to the suspension in the region of the respective pair of female multipoint connectors. In this case, the suspension extends between the female multipoint connectors of a pair of female multipoint connectors preferably as far as a point beneath the female multipoint connectors. The spring arms then extend from a lower part of the suspension to the outside in the opposite direction transversely to the female multipoint connectors. With a single suspension, a plurality of spring arms can be connected concurrently to a single pair of female multipoint connectors. In addition, coupling of the spring arms to the respective suspension takes place via the suspension. 
     According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, provision is made for a plurality, preferably two, of support plates to be assigned to one outer end of the respective spring arm. For this purpose, provision can be made for these support plates that are assigned to the ends of the respective spring arm to serve as a support surface for the mattress. A particularly even support for the mattress by the support plates is assured by the assignment of a plurality of support plates to each spring arm. 
     Provision is also made according to the invention for the spring arms with the support plates to be connected in a vertically adjustable manner to the suspension of the support elements. As a result, the spring characteristics of the support elements can be varied individually. A selected area of the mattress can thus be raised, for example, by moving the support elements. The vertical adjustment of the support plates, which are fixed in relation to the spring arms, takes place by a repositioning of the spring arms on the suspension. The spring arms are connected to the suspension in such a way that the spring arms, and preferably all the spring arms of a suspension equally, can be connected in a plurality of positions to the suspension. These positions correspond to different heights of the support plates relative to the female multipoint connectors. 
     According to a further development of the supporting spring system, provision is made for the suspension of the support elements to exhibit at least two supports, which act on, in particular, are snapped on, the pair of female multipoint connectors from above for the purpose of securing the support elements to the female multipoint connectors. In this case, a support is assigned to each female multipoint connector of the pair of female multipoint connectors concerned. By being latched into position from above, the supports are pressed onto the female multipoint connectors as a load is applied to the support elements and are thus held securely on the same. By means of this latching of the supports into position on the female multipoint connectors, these supports and thus the support elements in their entirety are capable of being displaced along the female multipoint connectors. The supports can also lie freely on the female multipoint connectors, however. Because the supports rest on top of two adjacent female multipoint connectors of a pair of female multipoint connectors, the force which acts from the mattress onto the support plates and the spring arms is transferred onto the pair of female multipoint connectors. 
     A further embodiment of the invention provides for the connection between the spring arms and the suspension to be formed by a flexible connecting profile section. This connecting profile section is present between the at least two spring arms and the suspension. Because of the special nature of the connecting profile section, the force which acts on one spring arm is transferred in a special way to the other spring arm or to the suspension. Coupled movement of the spring arms can thus be achieved, for example, by the appropriate selection of the connecting profile section. This permits a flexible and individual arrangement of the support elements and thus the spring characteristics of the supporting spring system. 
     Provision is preferably made for the supports to be capable of being attached to female multipoint connectors exhibiting different flexural strengths in their cross section, whereby the female multipoint connectors are capable of twisting along their longitudinal axis in order to vary the spring characteristics of the support elements. The female multipoint connectors are able to exhibit differing moments of resistance, depending on their orientation (twisting about the longitudinal axis), because of their non-round cross-sectional form or because of a particular choice of material. The female multipoint connectors possess different flexural characteristics, depending on their position relative to the support elements or to the supports, with the result that the support elements differ in respect of their received spring characteristics. This permits further individualization of the deflection properties of the supporting spring system. 
     It is also proposed according to the invention for a ring, which is rotatably mounted in the suspension, to be assigned in each case to the female multipoint connectors with a non-round cross section. This ring provides a connection or a transition between the non-round cross section of the respective female multipoint connector and the suspension. As a result, twisting of the female multipoint connector together with the ring assigned thereto is made possible in relation to the suspensions. The flexural behavior of the female multipoint connector, and thus the spring effect of the support elements, varies depending on the degree of twisting. The ring in each case can be capable of either manual or motor-driven adjustment. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed according to the invention for the supporting spring system that the ring assigned to each female multipoint connector is capable of being twisted individually into at least two, and preferably four, positions exhibiting different spring effects. Similarly, the elasticity of all the support elements of the pair of female multipoint connectors can likewise be varied by twisting of the ring assigned to the female multipoint connectors of the respective pair of female multipoint connectors in equal measure. By the single, individual twisting of the ring assigned to only one female multipoint connector of a respective pair of female multipoint connectors, the spring characteristics of the support elements of this pair of female multipoint connectors may differ from one another. This permits the individual and person-specific optimization of the comfort of the supporting spring system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of the drawing. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective representation of a part of a supporting spring system with a support element; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the support element in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of the support element; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective representation of a part of a supporting spring system having a support element and a bearing body according to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective representation of a support element capable of vertical adjustment, and 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective representation of a support element having twistable female multipoint connectors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The supporting spring system that is shown only partially in the figures serves as a support for, for example, a mattress (not illustrated here) of a bed or a bunk or a couch. 
     The supporting spring system exhibits a plurality of preferably identically configured female multipoint connectors  10 . Two female multipoint connectors  10  in each case are grouped into a pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . The supporting spring system possesses a multiplicity of preferably identically configured pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 . The individual female multipoint connectors  10  and the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  run parallel at a distance from one another. In this case, the distance between two female multipoint connectors  10  of a pair of female multipoint connectors  11  is smaller than the distance between two pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 . The distance can also be the same, however. All the female multipoint connectors  10  and all the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  preferably lie in a common, horizontal plane, although in areas, for example in the head area, in the lumbar area or in the foot area, they may also lie in a different plane and/or be inclined in the longitudinal direction of the supporting spring system. 
     The female multipoint connectors  10  and the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  are mounted by their opposite ends on two parallel longitudinal members (not illustrated here). The longitudinal members extend in the longitudinal direction of the supporting spring system or the mattress positioned thereon. In contrast, the female multipoint connectors  10  or the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  run transversely to the longitudinal members. The longitudinal members are preferably connected to one another by transverse members (not illustrated here), so that the longitudinal members together with the transverse members form a rigid, rectangular frame, such as a bed frame. The female multipoint connectors  10  and the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  are connected at their opposite ends to the longitudinal members by bearing bodies  12  represented in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The bearing bodies  12  are conventionally used to connect the ends of the spring strips  10  or the pairs of spring strips to the longitudinal members in an elastic or articulated manner. The ends of the female multipoint connectors  10  or the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  can also be attached to the longitudinal members with bearing bodies of any other desired configuration. A rigid connection of the ends of the female multipoint connectors  10  or the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  to the longitudinal members is also conceivable, however, in the case of the supporting spring system according to the invention. 
     According to the invention, the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  are connected to one another in the area between the longitudinal members. This additional connection is effected by means of support elements  13 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80 .  FIGS. 1 to 6  show various illustrative embodiments of fully or partially elastic or semi-rigid support elements  13 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  that are also capable of returning automatically to their original shape after compression. The support elements  13 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  connect the female multipoint connectors  10  concerned of a pair of female multipoint connectors  11  together. As a result of this, the female multipoint connectors  10  or the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  act in the form of a spring surface extending continuously over the entire surface of the supporting spring system. Local deflections of the female multipoint connectors  10  or the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  and, induced thereby, a discontinuous path of the supporting spring system with locally limited depressions are avoided in this way. The support elements  13 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  lead to local deformations of individual female multipoint connectors  10  or pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 , in particular vertical deflection of the female multipoint connectors  10  or the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 , being transmitted to neighboring female multipoint connectors  10  or pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 . Neighboring female multipoint connectors  10  or neighboring pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  thus participate in the deflection of individual female multipoint connectors  10  or pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 , and preferably only partially. A steady, continuous transition to neighboring female multipoint connectors  10  or pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 , and thus an associated deformation of the support elements  13 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  and/or female multipoint connectors  10  that is uniformly distributed over the surface of the supporting spring system, occurs as a result of this including, in particular, in the event of vertical loadings of individual female multipoint connectors  10  or pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 . 
     The support element  13  represented in  FIG. 1  exhibits four support plates  14 , two spring arms  15 , one suspension  16  and two supports  17 . The support element  13  as a whole is executed in a single piece and consists of an elastic material, preferably plastic. However, it can also be made from any other flexible material. 
     Each pair of female multipoint connectors  11  exhibits a plurality of support elements  13 . The supporting spring system as a whole thus has a multiplicity of preferably identical support elements  13 . 
     The support elements  13  are attached to the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 , and preferably between the female multipoint connectors  10  of a pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . This attachment is effected in such a way that the support elements  13  are attached either fixed at certain points to the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11  or so as to be capable of sliding displacement on the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 . The two supports  17  of the support element  13  in this case are each brought into contact with the upper side  19  of the two female multipoint connectors  10  of a pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . The elongated curved shape of the supports  17  ensures that they are in positive engagement with the upper side  19  of the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . The supports  17  thus partially enclose the upper side  19  of the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . The attachment of the supports  17  to the upper side  19  is effected via either a latched connection, a clamped connection or similar connection mechanisms. 
     The two supports  17  are connected together via the suspension  16 , which extends between the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . The suspension  16  is capable in this case either of continuing the curved shape of the two supports  17 , in which the two supports  17  are joined together in a U-shape, or they can be configured as a web extending downwards between the two female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . The connection between the supports  17  and the suspension  16  is such that the two supports  17  are flexibly in connection with the suspension  16 , and preferably merge into one another. 
     The spring arms  15  are attached in addition to the suspension  16 . The two spring arms  15  extend starting from the suspension  16  and continuing the shape of the curved supports  17  between the two female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11  concerned in opposite directions and transversely to the female multipoint connectors  10  below and around the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11  to the outside; similar in form to the Greek letter Ω (omega). The two spring arms  15  in this case have a bent shape, whereby the spring arms  15  extend from beneath the pair of female multipoint connectors  11  in opposite directions outwards and then upwards, so that they reach beyond the upper sides  19  of the female multipoint connectors  10 . As a result of this, the spring arms  15  are guided from the under side of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11  in a mirror-image path externally around the two parallel female multipoint connectors  10 . The spring arms  15  are attached to the suspension  16  in such a way that they are capable of flexible movement up and down. In this case, the two spring arms  15  extending in opposite directions are capable of being moved independently of one another. The two spring arms  15  are also connected to one another via their common suspension  16 , however, in such a way that their spring movements are able to correspond, and in particular that the spring movements are partially transferred. 
     Each of the spring arms  15  is divided or is branched into two spring arm parts  18 , which in turn extend upwards inclined away from one another. Each spring arm part  18  is connected at its free end in a single piece to one of the support plates  14 . 
     The support plates  14  at each end of the four spring arm parts  18  constitute flat plates, which are aligned parallel to the plane formed by the female multipoint connectors  10  or the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  and are situated at a distance above this plane. The four support plates  14  are identical in shape, although they may also differ in their nature. The support plates  14  exhibit holes  20  for material and weight reduction. The spring arm parts  18  are attached on one longitudinal side  21  of the support plates  14 . The free longitudinal side situated opposite the longitudinal side  21  faces towards the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . However, the support plates  14  may adopt any other orientation. 
     The surfaces  22  of the individual support plates  14  are constructed in such a way that they are able to accommodate the mattress. The under side of the mattress in this case enters into contact with the surfaces  22  of the support plates  14 . As a result, the weight force of the mattress is transferred to the surface  22  and thus to the support plates  14  or to the entire support element  13 . The weight force of the mattress acting on the individual support plates  14  is reduced by virtue of the fact that, in the present illustrative embodiment, four support plates  14  are assigned to the support element. The weight force of the mattress acting on the surface  22  of the support plates  14  is transferred evenly onto the spring arms  15  of the support elements  13 . The spring arms  15  act against the weight force of the mattress in a resilient manner. The spring arms  15  move up and down depending on the weight of the mattress, or after imposing the load on the mattress and after removing the load from the mattress. If no force acts on the support plates  14 , the support elements move back to their starting position. The support element  13  can absorb or counteract local loadings on the mattress by virtue of the fact that the present illustrative embodiment of the support element  13  exhibits four support plates  14 , each having a spring arm  18 . The spring force transferred to the spring arms  15  by the weight force of the mattress is transferred further to the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . This results in light cushioning of the entire supporting spring system, extending across all areas, which leads to increased sleeping comfort. The support elements  13  can be displaced freely on the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11  in accordance with the user&#39;s personal wishes and requirements. 
     A side view of the support element  13  is represented in  FIG. 2 . The support element  13  can be attached in fixed positions in order to ensure that the support elements  13  can be secured to the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11  and do not slide unintentionally along the female multipoint connectors  10 . Latching means  23 , which are present on the under sides  24  of the two supports  17 , are used for these attachments. The latching means  23  are configured as hooks, which extend parallel to the female multipoint connectors  10  along the support  17 . The latching means  23  are brought into connection with their counterparts (not illustrated here) on the female multipoint connectors  10  for the purpose of attaching the supports  17  to the female multipoint connectors  10 . This connection can be constructed in such a way that the support elements  13  are assigned to a fixed location on the female multipoint connectors  10  or remain capable of being displaced along the female multipoint connectors  10 . The latching means  23  prevent not only easy slipping along the female multipoint connectors, but also twisting of the support elements  13  about the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . 
     In order further to strengthen the connection of the spring arms  15  to the suspension  16 , the illustrative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2  exhibits an additional web  37  in each case between each spring arm  15  and the U-shaped lower part  36  of the suspension  16 . The spring force acting on the spring arms  15  is transferred additionally by the webs  37  onto the U-shaped lower part  36  of the suspension  16 . The two spring arms  15  are able to communicate with one another through the U-shaped lower part  36  of the suspension and through the webs  37 , that is to say the spring effect of one of the spring arms  15  is transferred to the other spring arm  15 . 
     Represented in  FIG. 3  is a side view of a further illustrative embodiment of a support element  50 , which has been slightly modified compared to the support element  13  represented in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . For reasons of simplicity, equivalent components to those in the embodiment in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  are provided with identical reference numbers in this case. 
     The support element  50  represented in  FIG. 3  exhibits a connecting profile section  25 , which connects the spring arms  15  to the suspension  16 , and imparts special spring characteristics to the support element  13  as a result. The connecting profile section  25  is integral with the lower part  36  of the suspension  16  on the one hand, and is connected to the two spring arms  15  that are joined together. In this case, the spring arms  15  and the suspension  16  together form a shape, which resembles that of the inverted upper-case letter “T”. The connecting profile section  25  acquires special spring characteristics through a tunnel-shaped oval  38 . The spring arms  15  act together in a resilient manner as a result of this special embodiment of the connecting profile section  25 . In the event of the one-sided loading of the support element  50  by a single spring arm  15 , this loading acts via the connecting profile section  25  on the other spring arm  15 . The spring effects of the two spring arms  15  are thus coupled together through this connecting profile section  25 . Embodiments of the connecting profile section  25  are also conceivable, however, which counteract the coupling of the two spring arms  15 . The spring effect of the entire support member  50  can thus be preset by the appropriate choice of the connecting profile section  25 . It is conceivable, for example, for the support elements  50  to exhibit different connecting profile sections  25  in the head area, the foot area or the lumbar area, since these areas are subjected to a different loading. 
     Represented in  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a support element  60  according to a further illustrative embodiment. The support element  60  is also attached to a pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . For reasons of simplicity, equivalent components to those in the embodiment in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3  are provided with identical reference numbers in this case. 
     A suspension  61  represented in  FIG. 4  is of web-shaped configuration and extends downwards between the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . The two spring arms  15  emerge in a single piece from a lower part  62  of the suspension  61 . A support  63  is attached integrally to the end opposite the lower part  62  of the suspension  61 . This support  63  is of planar configuration transversely to the female multipoint connectors  10  and extends over the two female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . The supports  63  are connected to the female multipoint connectors  10  via latching means  23  as described for the support element  13 . The spring arms  15  are secured centrally beneath the support plates  14  in the illustrative embodiment of a support element  60  represented in  FIG. 4 . 
     The pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  are connected at their opposite ends (only one end is depicted here) to a bearing body  12  in the illustrative embodiment of a support element  60  represented in  FIG. 4 . The bearing body  12  represented in  FIG. 4  is likewise configured as a spring and is capable of absorbing spring forces acting on the female multipoint connectors  10 . The bearing body  12  is attached via its connecting means  26  to a member (not illustrated here) of a sitting or sleeping arrangement or the like. The supporting spring system as a whole exhibits a plurality of such bearing bodies  12  interacting with the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 . The bearing bodies can adopt any other desired form in addition to the illustrative embodiment of the bearing body  12  represented here. However, the female multipoint connectors  10  or the pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  can also be connected directly to the members, preferably the longitudinal members. 
     Represented in  FIG. 5  is a further illustrative embodiment of a support element  70 , which is connected to the female multipoint connectors  10  of a pair of relevant female multipoint connectors  11 . For reasons of simplicity, equivalent components to those in the embodiment in  FIGS. 1 to 4  are provided with identical reference numbers in this case. 
     The illustrative embodiment of a support element  70  represented here is adjustable in respect of its height relative to the plane formed by the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 . The two spring arms  15  with the support plates  14  are moved up or down relative to the support  63  for this purpose. The suspension  71  that is connected integrally to the support  63  possesses a number of special features for this vertical adjustment. The suspension  71  represented in  FIG. 5  exhibits three oval recesses  27 , which extend through the suspension  71  one above the other parallel to the female multipoint connectors  10 . It is also conceivable, however, to provide more than three or fewer than three recesses  27 . In turn, the illustrative embodiment of the spring arms  72  represented in  FIG. 5  exhibits a T-piece  28 , which is connected in a single piece to the spring arms  72 . This T-piece  28  consists of a web  29 , at the upper end of which there is arranged an oval head part  30  corresponding to the recesses  27  in the suspension  71 . The head part  30  of the T-piece  28  is constructed in such a way that it fits precisely into one of the three identical recesses  27  in the suspension  71 . The two spring arms are thus connected securely to the suspension  71  via the web  29 . 
     In order to vary the relative height between the spring arms  72  and the supports  63 , the spring arms  72  are capable of displacement parallel to the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 , so that the head part  30  of the T-piece  28  moves out of the recess  27  and, depending on the corresponding desired height, can be reintroduced into one of the other recesses  27 . The support element  70  is thus capable of vertical adjustment into three discrete positions. The special requirements and wishes of the user of the mattress can thus be met by this individual vertical adjustment of each support element  70 . 
     The illustrative embodiment of a support element  80  represented in  FIG. 6  is similar in construction to the support elements in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 . For reasons of simplicity, equivalent components to those in the embodiment in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5  are provided with identical reference numbers in this case. 
     The illustrative embodiment of a support element  80  represented in  FIG. 6  exhibits only three support plates  81 . It is not intended, however, that the illustrative embodiment represented here should be restricted to this. 
     In order to vary the spring effect of the supporting spring system, the spring characteristics of the individual female multipoint connectors  10  can be changed. For this purpose, the female multipoint connectors  10  exhibit different materials with different flexural characteristics, for example in the longitudinal direction. In the illustrative embodiment represented here, the female multipoint connectors  10  possess a non-round cross section  33 . This non-round cross section is elliptical with a long axis  82  and a short axis  83  in the depicted illustrative embodiment. Its flexural strength can be varied by twisting about its longitudinal axis  34  as a result of this non-round cross section  33  of the female multipoint connectors  10 . The female multipoint connectors  10  exhibit a soft or hard flexural behavior depending on how the female multipoint connectors  10  are twisted about their longitudinal axis  34 . 
     If the non-round female multipoint connectors  10  are twisted along their longitudinal axis  34  in such a way that the long axis  82  of the female multipoint connectors  10  is oriented perpendicular to the plane formed by the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 , the female multipoint connectors  10  will exhibit high flexural strength under loading. If, on the other hand, the non-round female multipoint connectors  10  are twisted along their longitudinal axis  34  in such a way that the short axis  83  of the female multipoint connectors  10  is oriented perpendicular to the plane formed by the pair of female multipoint connectors  11 , the female multipoint connectors  10  will oscillate relatively softly under loading. 
     In order for the non-round female multipoint connectors  10  or pairs of female multipoint connectors  11  exhibiting a non-round cross section  33  to be capable of being twisted relative to the support element  80 , a ring  31  is assigned to each female multipoint connector  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11  in the region of each support element  80 . The rings  31  each exhibit a non-round seat  35 , with which the non-round female multipoint connectors  10  can be received with positive engagement. In addition, the rings  31  each exhibit a round connecting part (not illustrated here), which are supported rotatably about the longitudinal axis  34  with positive engagement in recesses in the support  84  for the support element  80 . The support  84  is configured in such a way that it encloses the round connecting parts of the rings  31 . 
     The non-round female multipoint connectors  10  are thus in a rotatable connection with the support element  80  via the rings  31 . 
     Indicated in  FIG. 6  are four positions  32 , into which the female multipoint connectors  10  of the pair of female multipoint connectors  11  can be rotated. These four positions  34  correspond to various spring characteristics of the female multipoint connectors  10 . 
     The rotation of the two rings  31  of the support elements  80  can take place jointly or separately, manually or automatically via a motor drive. The spring effect can be set in a manner specific to a particular area by the individual setting of the flexural strength of the individual female multipoint connectors  10 . Various spring effects can thus be set for the head, lumbar and/or foot area by rotating the female multipoint connectors  10  of only certain pairs of female multipoint connectors  11 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS 
     
         
           10  female multipoint connector 
           11  pair of female multipoint connectors 
           12  bearing body 
           13  support element 
           14  support plate 
           15  spring arm 
           16  suspension 
           17  support 
           18  spring arm part 
           19  upper side 
           20  hole 
           21  longitudinal side 
           22  surface 
           23  latching means 
           24  under side 
           25  connecting profile section 
           26  connecting means 
           27  recess 
           28  T-piece 
           29  web 
           30  head part 
           31  ring 
           32  position 
           33  cross section 
           34  longitudinal axis 
           35  seat 
           36  lower part 
           37  web 
           38  oval 
           50  support element 
           60  support element 
           61  suspension 
           62  lower part 
           63  support 
           70  support element 
           71  suspension 
           72  spring arm 
           80  support element 
           81  support plate 
           82  long axis 
           83  short axis 
           84  support