Patent Publication Number: US-2022218113-A1

Title: Piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on

Description:
The present invention relates to a piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on comprising a lying or sitting frame and base for a mattress or a seat cushion. 
     The typical setup of a bedroom furnishing system strongly varies according to regions. For example, in the Anglo-Saxon region the so-called box spring bed is very popular, while in the European region the conventional bed is favored which comprises a bedframe and a slatted frame upon which the mattress rests. However, in the case of box spring beds a spring-mounted base is used instead of a slatted frame, which base is very massive and high and takes up a lot of space since usually barrel pocket springs having a height of approx. 20 cm are mounted therein. However, with regard to comfortable sleep the box spring bed offers a considerably better sprung base as compared to beds having slatted frames. This explains the high sales volumes of box spring beds and the recent decline in sales of the slatted-frame beds 
     From EP 2 762 042 A1 a bed is known which comprises two barrel pocket spring mattresses between which a lying or sitting frame having one or a plurality of tension belts is arranged. The hardness and the height of the bed are adjusted by changing the tension of tension belt. 
     In US 2013/0000049 A1 a bed is described which comprise a mattress and a slatted frame having a height-adjustable plate. In the mattress a plurality of spring assemblies are mounted over the entire surface area, wherein each spring assembly comprises two spring elements concentrically arranged relative to each other. The outer spring element of the spring assembly is in contact with the height-adjustable plate of the slatted frame. When the plate of the slatted frame is raised, the spring element in contact therewith is more strongly pretensioned, whereby the hardness of the mattress can be changed. 
     From U.S. Pat. Nos. 71,933 and 93,632 lamellar mattress bases for a bed are known which are resiliently coupled with a bedframe with the aid of rubber bands. 
     It is an object of the present invention to minimize or even eliminate the drawbacks encountered in prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to improve the lying comfort of a conventional bed or the sitting comfort of conventional seating furniture and in particular to make them similar to those of box spring beds. 
     This object is achieved with the subject matter of the independent claim  1 . Optional and/or preferred features of the invention are stated in the subclaims  2  to  16 . 
     According to the invention, a piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on is provided which comprises a lying or sitting frame and a base for a mattress or a seat cushion, wherein the base spans a horizontal area and has a thickness extending in the vertical direction, and wherein the base is resiliently coupled with the lying or sitting frame. The invention is characterized in that a guide element is provided which ensures that an external force acting downward in a vertical direction on the base results in a guided downward movement of the base in the vertical direction relative to the lying or sitting frame. 
     Preferably, the guide element ensures a linearly guided movement. 
     More preferably, the guide element ensures that the guided downward movement in the vertical direction is performed over a predetermined length. 
     In addition, it is preferred that the resilient coupling has a spring pretension. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the resilient coupling is configured such that, when the external force acing upon the base is reduced, the base moves upward in the vertical direction, and wherein the guide element ensures that the movement is guided upward in the vertical direction and performed over a predetermined length. 
     It is advantageous when the guide element is a linear guide comprising a rail and a slide movably arranged in the rail, wherein the rail is fastened to the lying or sitting frame and the slide is fastened to the base, or vice versa. 
     Preferably, the guide element comprises an upper stopper and a lower stopper. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a spring strap is connected to the base on the one hand and to the lying or sitting frame on the other hand, wherein the spring strap effects the resilient coupling. 
     In addition, preferably the spring strap is pretensioned. 
     More preferably, the pretension of the spring strap is adjustable. 
     Particularly preferably, the base is divided into a plurality of sections spaced apart from each other and decoupled from each other, wherein at least part of the plurality of sections is resiliently coupled with the lying or sitting frame such that an external force directed downward in the vertical direction and acting upon each section of this part of the plurality of sections results in a guided downward movement of the section in the vertical direction relative to the lying or sitting frame. 
     Further, it is advantageous that part of the plurality of sections comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the resilient coupling of the lying or sitting frame with the first part has a first spring constant, and wherein the resilient coupling of the lying or sitting frame with the second part has a second spring constant, and wherein the first spring constant differs from the second spring constant. 
     Preferably, at least portions of the base have an inherent stiffness. 
     More preferably, the base comprises a first base element and a second base element, wherein only the first base element is resiliently coupled with the lying or sitting frame, and wherein the second base element is arranged on the first base element. 
     Particularly advantageously, the second base element comprises a plurality of coil springs which are arranged side by side over the entire surface area and whose spring force acts in the vertical direction. 
     Preferably, the piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on is a bed or a bed couch or a sofa or a chair. 
    
    
     
       The accompanying drawings exemplify a preferred embodiment of the invention. The elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily shown true to scale relative to each other. In the figures: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of a bed according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of a partial aspect of a bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of an alternative partial aspect of a bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic top view of a bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a detail of the bed illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of another detail of the bed illustrated in  FIG. 5  but without the mattress base  130 ; and 
         FIG. 8  shows a lower side of the bed illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     In the figures the same reference numerals designate the same elements, members or component, or elements, members or components having the same functions, unless specified otherwise. 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of a bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to beds in the narrower sense but is applicable to any type of furniture for sitting or lying down on. Here, a sofa and a bed couch are merely exemplified. 
     The bed  100  comprises a frame means  110  (bedframe), a support means  130  (first mattress base) and a frame springing means  120  serving as a resilient coupling between the frame means  110  and the support means  130 . Preferably, further a support springing means  200  (second mattress base) is provided. The support means  130  is configured for being coupled with the frame means  110 . The frame springing means  120  is configured for providing a first spring effect between the frame means  110  and the support means  130 . The support springing means  200  is configured for provided a second spring effect acting upon the support means  130 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram of a partial aspect of the bed illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows how the frame springing means  120  is fastened to an upper surface of the bottom plate of the frame means  110  on the one hand and to a lower surface of the floating support means  130  on the other hand. 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of an alternative partial aspect of the bed illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  shows how the frame springing means  130  is fastened to an inner surface (side wall or side beam) of the frame means  110  on the one hand and to a lower surface of the floating support means  130  on the other hand. This alternative type of fastening of the frame springing means  120  offers the advantage that the frame springing means  120  is not subjected to any friction and thereby the spring travel can be even longer (12 cm in the sprung base, for example). Furthermore, the overall area of the sprung base increases in the width of the lie-down area, which offers a comfort advantage. In this configuration, coil springs or gas pressure springs can be used instead of a spring strap  120 . 
     Mounting a rail at the frame and at the floating bottom plate ensures smooth sliding and is well suited for preventing vibrations. Furthermore, this rail can be provided with a stopper for causing or limiting a maximum elongation of the springs. In most cases approximately 7 cm are advantageous. 
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic top view of a bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  shows that for fastening the support means  130  to the frame means  110  two or more frame springing means  120  can be used on each side. Furthermore,  FIG. 4  illustrates rails  150  which allow for optimum sliding of the support means  130 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a support means  130  which is divided into a plurality—3 in the present case—support segments  130 - 1 ,  130 - 2 , . . .  130 - n . In the same manner, the frame springing means  120  comprises a plurality of frame segment springing systems  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 , . . . ,  120 - n . The support springing means  140  is also divided into a plurality of support springing segments  140 - 1 ,  140 - 2 , . . . ,  140 - n . Further, in  FIG. 4  a middle guiding strap is illustrated which, as in the case of a slatted frames, ensures additional stability. 
     When gas pressure or coil springs are used instead of the aforementioned spring straps, it is possible that two rails serve for guiding purposes and one spring per side suffices for an adequate springing. 
     In summary, the following can be stated: 
     A first feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  for a piece of furniture comprising (i) a frame means  110 ; (ii) a support means  130  which is configured for being coupled with the frame means  110 ; (iii) a frame springing means  120  which is configured for providing a first spring effect between the frame means  110  and the support means  130 ; and (iv) a support springing means  140  which is configured for providing a second spring effect acting upon the support means  130 . 
     A second feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according the first feature combination, wherein the support means  130  is adapted to be divided into a plurality of support segments  130 - 1 ,  130 - 2 , . . . ,  130 - n ; and wherein the frame springing means  120  comprises a plurality of frame segment springing systems  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 , . . . ,  120 - n ; and wherein each frame segment springing system  120 - n  is associated with a support segment  130 - n  and is configured for providing its own associated first segment spring effect for the respective support segment  130 - n.    
     A third feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to the first or the second feature combination, wherein the support springing means  140  is adapted to be divided into a plurality of support springing segments  140 - 1 , . . . ,  140 - 2 , . . . ,  140 - n ; and wherein the support springing means  140  comprises a plurality of segment springing systems; wherein each segment springing system is configured for providing its own second segment spring effect for the respective support springing segment  140 - n.    
     A fourth feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means  120  is configured for providing the first spring effect by a first elastic deformation in a first deformation direction; and wherein the support springing means  140  is configured for providing the second spring effect by a second elastic deformation in a second deformation direction; and wherein the first deformation direction and the second deformation direction are essentially oriented in the same direction relative to each other with an angular deviation of less than 20°, preferably less than 10°, or particularly preferably less than 5°. 
     A fifth feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means  120  is a sprung base configured as an expansion strap or as a fiber strap or as a warp knit fabric or as a spring strap or as a gas pressure spring or as a coil spring or as a spring. 
     A sixth feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means  120  has a spring stroke of up to 14 cm, or preferably of up to 8 cm, or particularly preferably of up to 6 cm. 
     A seventh feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the support springing means  140  has a spring stroke of up to 14 cm, or preferably of up to 8 cm, or particularly preferably of up to 6 cm. 
     An eighth feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means  120  and the support springing means  140  are configured for adapting the first spring effect and the second spring effect to each other. 
     A ninth feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the frame springing means  120  and the support springing means  140  are configured for adapting the spring stroke of the frame springing means  120  and the spring stroke of the support springing  140  to each other. 
     A tenth feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the support springing means  140  comprises a mattress springing; or a pocket springing; or a spring core; or at least a three-dimensional fabric; or at least a foam structure; or at least a wool structure; or at least an air cushion structure. 
     An eleventh feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the furniture device  100  is configured as a bed. 
     A twelfth feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the furniture device  100  is configured as a cushioned piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on. 
     A thirteenth feature combination relates to a control system for a furniture device, wherein the control system is configured for adjusting and adapting the first spring effect and/or the second spring effect, wherein preferably, the control system is configured for adjusting and adapting the first spring effect and/or the second spring effect of the respective support segment or the respective frame segment springing system or the respective support springing segment. 
     A fourteenth feature combination relates to a furniture device  100  for a piece of furniture, wherein the furniture device  100  comprises a frame means  110 ; a support means  130  which is configured for being coupled with the frame means  110 ; and a frame springing means  120  which is configured for providing a first spring effect between the frame means  110  and the support means  130 . 
     The setup of a bed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, merely schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , will hereunder be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 8 . 
     The setup of a bed  100  illustrated in  FIG. 5  corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment, the bed  100  comprises a bedframe  110  essentially having a rectangular shape. A wooden frame can be provided as a bedframe which is glued or screwed on and partially supported by steel sections for imparting an adequate stiffness to the bedframe  110 . The horizontal dimensions of the bedframe  110  can correspond to those dimensions usual in the market for conventional beds. The vertical height of the bedframe  110  preferably is 5-25 cm, more preferably 7-15 cm, and still more preferably merely 8 cm. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 5 , the bed  100  can also comprise legs or a pedestal for placing the bedframe  110  at a height for allowing the user to comfortably climb into and get out of the bed  100 . Likewise, a distance of the bedframe  110  to the floor beneath allows for ventilation of the entire bed  100  from below. 
     The bed  100  illustrated in  FIG. 5  additionally comprises a (first) mattress base  130  which can preferably be divided into a plurality of segments  130 - 1 ,  130 - 2 ,  130 - 3  and  130 - 4 . Here, the division is preferably realized vertically to the longitudinal direction of the bedframe  110 . Due to this division various zones for lying down on are created which can support different parts of the body of the user to different degrees. In the various segments  130 - 1  to  130 - 4  the mattress base  130  comprises ventilation slots  132 - 1  to  132 - 4  which ensure ventilation from below of the bed components located on the mattress base  130 . An example of such a bed component is the coil spring support  200  ( FIG. 1 ) which is considered another (second) portion of the mattress base  130  according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     At least portions of the mattress base  130  are resiliently coupled with the bedframe  110 , preferably with the aid of spring straps  120 . Thus, some of the segments  130 - 1  to  130 - 3  of the mattress base  130  are respectively resiliently coupled, independently of each other, with the bedframe  110  with the aid of spring straps  120 - 1  to  120 - 3 . Merely the segment  130 - 4  is preferably not resiliently coupled with the bedframe  110 . Depending on the size of the segments  130 - 1  to  130 - 4  of the mattress base  130  either one or two or even more spring straps  120  can be provided on opposite sides as seen in the width direction of the bedframe  110 . The spring straps  120 - 1  to  120 - 3  can have different spring constants. Depending on the lying position of the user (e.g. dorsal position, lateral position or abdominal position) and the desired lying comfort, the spring constants of the spring straps  120 - 1  to  120 - 3  can preferably vary in the various segments  130 - 1  to  130 - 3 . 
     A spring strap  120  within the meaning of the invention is considered to be any resilient holding element which, when loaded by the weight of the user, ensures downward movement of the mattress base  130  in the vertical direction. Likewise, the spring strap  120  is designed to produce an adequately strong restoring force for the mattress base  130  to return again into its original vertical position once loading by the weight of the user is reduced. These spring straps or belts  120  have a high carrying capacity and can have different spring strengths (spring constants). Preferably, the spring stroke of a spring strap is 5-15 cm, more preferably 5-10 cm, and particularly preferably 6-8 cm. Examples of spring straps are warp knit fabrics, fiber straps e.g. from elastic synthetic fibers, such as Mygroflex, for example, and rubber bands. 
     The mattress base  130  is coupled with the bedframe  110  such that a vertical downward, but preferably also upward movement of the mattress base  130  relative to the bedframe  110  is guided. Such guiding is preferably ensured by a linear guide  150  which is operatively connected to the bedframe  110  on the one hand and to the mattress base  130  on the other hand. An example of a linear guide  150  is a slide  154  shown in  FIG. 6  which is arranged for linear movement in a guide  152   a  (rail). Preferably, the linear guide  150  has an upper stopper and a lower stopper such that a length of the vertical upward and downward movement of the mattress base  130  relative to the bedframe  110  is limited. 
     As a safety measure, an anti-trap protection can be provided which covers any gaps between the mattress base  130  and the bedframe  110 . Especially in the loaded condition of the mattress base  130  a vertical gap can occur such that there is the risk that careless persons, e.g. children, put their fingers into the gap. But any gaps between the segments  130 - 1  to  130 - 4  of the mattress base  130  can also be covered by an anti-trap cover, for example an elastic band, e.g. by a textile or mattress drill, for thus making gaps inaccessible. Preferably, the anti-trap cover is placed on the lower side of the mattress base  130  such that any gaps between the segments  130 - 1  to  130 - 4  of the mattress base  130  are inaccessible or covered. 
     As can also be seen in  FIG. 6 , the spring straps  120  are preferably fastened, preferably screwed, to the inside of the vertical side beam of the bedframe  110  with the aid of a metal strap  122 . The opposite end of the spring strap  120  extends below the mattress base  130  and is fastened to the lower side of the latter. The same applies to the linear guide  150  whose slide  154  is fastened to the vertical side beam of the bedframe  110 , while the slide guide  152   a  extends through a recess in the mattress base  130 . 
     In  FIG. 7  it can be seen how an extension  152   b  protruding perpendicularly to the vertically extending slide guide  152   a  extends below the mattress base  130 . This extension  152   b  is preferably fastened to the lower surface of the mattress base  130  via a screw connection. 
     Alternatively, at least part of the spring straps  120  can be fastened to the linear guide  150 , preferably to the slide guide  152   a , instead of the side beam of the bedframe  110 . 
     In  FIG. 7  it is further shown how the spring strap  120  is configured as a tension belt. For this purpose, the spring strap  120  comprises a bar  124  through which a pin  125  passes that is adapted to engage in a snap-in device preferably comprising two parallel snap-in rails  126 ,  128 . 
     According to  FIG. 8 , the snap-in rails  126 ,  128  comprise recesses  126   a ,  128   a  arranged at regular intervals. Via these recesses  126   a ,  128   a  the pin  125  can be inserted into the hollow spaces  126   b ,  128   b  provided beneath and being open on one side, as shown in  FIG. 8 . These hollow spaces  126   b ,  128   b  have a cross-sectional area extending in parallel to the snap-in rails  126 ,  128  and being larger than the opening area of the recesses  126   a ,  128   a . Due to the tensile strength of the spring strap  120  the pin  125  moves into that portion of the hollow spaces  126   b ,  128   b  which is not exposed by the recesses  126   a ,  128   b . This portion is designated by the reference numeral  128   c  in  FIG. 8 . With the aid of these snap-in rails  126 ,  128  the pretension of the spring strap  120  can be variably adjusted. In this connection, other pretensioning mechanisms, either of the mechanical or the electrical type, are also conceivable. 
     The pretension of the spring strap  120  and the fact that the linear guide  150  comprises an upper stopper ensure that all segments  130 - 1  to  130 - 3  of the mattress base  130 , which are resiliently coupled with the bedframe  110 , in the unloaded condition, i.e. without any external load acting upon it, are at the same height, preferably at the height of that segment  130 - 4  of the mattress base  130  which is not resiliently coupled with the bedframe  110 . The lower stopper of the linear guide  150  ensures that the mattress base  130  cannot unlimitedly vertically move downward relative to the bedframe  110  due to the external force, but said movement is limited. This prevents any objects or even persons which/who are temporarily under the mattress base  130  from being harmed. 
     As indicated in  FIG. 1 , the mattress base  130  can preferably comprise two mattress base elements  130 ,  200 . In this case, on the mattress base  130  shown in  FIGS. 5 to 8 , which in this case is referred to as a first mattress base element  130  within the meaning of this description, a second mattress base element  200  is arranged which comprises a plurality of coil springs  220  arranged side by side over the entire surface area. Preferably, the second mattress base element  200  can loosely rest on the first mattress base element  130  or be coupled with the latter. Preferably, the coil springs  220  have a spring stroke of 2-10 cm, more preferably 2-7 cm, and particularly preferably 3-4 cm. Preferably, the second mattress base element  200  is a 5-zone barrel pocket spring core which preferably can additionally comprise a comfort foam of e.g. a thickness of 5 mm. The second mattress base element  200  can be enclosed by a flexible mattress drill, for example. Onto this second mattress base element  200  the actual mattress is placed on which the user lies down to sleep. In the case of a seating furniture the actual seat cushion, on which the user sits down, is placed on the second base element  200 . 
     A spring stroke of e.g. 6-8 cm of the spring straps  120 , which can however be limited by the lower stopper of the linear guide  150 , and a spring stroke of e.g. 3-4 cm of the coil springs  220  of the second mattress base element  200  can amount to a total spring stroke of e.g. up to 12 cm although the overall height of the bedframe  110  is merely 8 cm, for example. Likewise, by a corresponding selection of the spring constants of the spring straps  120  and the spring constants of the coil springs  220  as well as possibly by a variable pretension of the spring straps  120  nearly any desired response characteristic (characteristic line) of the spring system made up of two spring elements  120 ,  220  connected in series can be achieved when an external force, for example the weight force of the user, acts upon it. In addition, by a corresponding selection of the spring constants of the spring straps  120 - 1  to  120 - 3  various comfort zones  130 - 1  to  130 - 4  can be created in the mattress base  130 , which comfort zones support different body parts of the user, such as hip, loin and shoulder, for example, to a different degree and thus allow for these body parts to sink in to different depths in the actual mattress. 
     Furthermore, the deformation direction of the spring straps  120  and the deformation direction of the coil springs  220  are preferably oriented essentially in the same direction relative to each other with an angular deviation of less than 20°, preferably less than 10°, or particularly preferably less than 5°. 
     Although the present invention has been described above on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto but can be modified in various ways. In particular, the present invention can be altered or modified in various ways without deviating from the essence of the invention. The described configurations and further modifications can be combined in any manner desired. 
     In addition, it should be noted that “comprising” and “including” do not exclude any other elements or steps and that “one” does not exclude a plurality.