CN102014700A - Components for adapting to corrugated bearing surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly comprising an element (2) defining a lying surface support surface, for example a foam layer forming the core of a mattress, and means (3) associated with the element (2) to adapt to the shape of the undulated lying or support surface, wherein the means (2) comprise at least one body which can be selectively expanded and/or contracted. The body (3) is also embedded or arranged under a part of the element (2) lying below during use and has at least the majority of the thickness of the element (2) on the body. The body (3) acts on a wave-shaped portion of the element (2) so as to selectively produce a wave in the lying or support surface, which wave-shaped portion is connected to the other portions of the element (2) by means of a pivotable construction.

Description

Components for adapting to corrugated bearing surfaces

technical field

The present invention relates to an assembly consisting of an element for defining a lying surface or support surface, such as a foam layer of a mattress core, associated with the element to accommodate a corrugated lying surface or The bearing surface is shaped and includes at least one body that is optionally expandable and/or compressible.

Background technique

In existing mattresses, the lying surface is defined on the mattress. It is generally intended that the bearing surface is substantially horizontal or two-dimensional. Although no modification is made to the shape of the mattress here, as an exception, the pillow is provided only for the user's head.

However, a substantially completely flat support surface defined by a mattress is in many cases undesirable or can have adverse or even detrimental effects. For example, in the case of a user with a condition such as kyphosis, organ stenosis, hernia, etc., a flat lying or supporting surface can exacerbate symptoms or in any case cause inflammation, bedsores, etc., which are caused by caused by prolonged pressure loads on finite points.

It is known that custom made mattresses can be made from selected materials whereby these mattresses are given the ability to conform to the contours of the user. However, this is an ineffective adjustment since this does not provide a satisfactory solution for users with one of the above-mentioned conditions.

An assembly of the type specified above is known, for example, from WO 88.01158 with means for adjusting the lying or supporting surface, precisely for providing a more suitable solution to the problems described here. Such known assemblies include an inflatable plastic bag positioned over the mattress, the inflatable plastic bag having a thin, flexible cover or liner layer thereon.

This known construction has several disadvantages.

In the case of empty (non-inflated) plastic bags (cf. elongated balloons to be inflated), the plasticity of these bags depends solely on a part of the lying or supporting surface defined on the mattress. The moisture regulating action of the mattress core material (usually specified for this moisture regulating purpose) is impeded to such an extent that the surface of the mattress core is covered by an empty plastic bag. Consequently, the edges of an empty plastic bag can easily be recognized and felt by the thin, flexible covering layer in a disruptive and irritating manner, and this has a significant adverse effect on comfort.

Furthermore, the bags are (or at least have to be made) rigid and rigid to provide the desired degree of support in the case of the bags in the inflated state. Since these plastic bags are not sufficiently inflated, the user will easily sink into the lying or support surface beneath the bags, which is defined by a conventional mattress. The thin, flexible cover layer does not dampen or make the stiffness of the airbag less noticeable. Therefore, it is evident that these airbags are high in stiffness and low in comfort during use when a person is sitting or lying on the mattress. Furthermore, when a user lies on this known mattress and wishes to get out of the bed, in order to get out of the bed, he or she then needs to climb over a considerable obstacle formed by the hard air bag. These hard airbags are not produced since they are highly inflated to provide a certain degree of support while at the same time creating obstacles for getting off the mattress in a proper manner.

It should be noted that an assembly is known from EP-A-1.541.109 in which an inflatable element is placed under a thin mattress which may be referred to as a mattress. However, in order to be able to set the undulations with the inflatable bag under the mattress, and to be able to impart this undulation to the lying or support surface on top of the mattress, it would be necessary to give it a very thin form. Therefore, the comfort of this assembly with the device in the inflated or deflated state is not always satisfactory.

Contents of the invention

The present invention has the object of enabling active adjustment of generally flat support surfaces, especially in combination with mattresses.

The objects of the invention are achieved by means of the components defined in the independent claims of the appended claims. The hinge configuration generally allows the mattress core in particular and the mattress to self-adjust to the shape defined by the device or body, so that a mattress with a mattress core of greater thickness can be provided to continue to provide the desired comfort temperature and adequate humidity regulation, regardless of the presence or absence of additional devices associated with the disadvantages shown in the two above-mentioned disclosures.

In addition, such a configuration may also provide a solution to snoring noises generated by the user. If a user sleeps soundly with their back against the folded edge of the mattress, they are less likely to be lying on their back, a position known to contribute to snoring.

The device can expand and contract periodically or at regular intervals. Thus, the lying position of a person on the thus designed mattress with the device of the invention changes regularly in a forced manner, which can provide a very advantageous solution for bedsores. When the device is positioned along opposite edges of the elements, even a gentle or rapid mutual rocking motion can be achieved, thereby addressing even the potential for bedsores.

This does not exclude the fact that users whose symptoms have not yet manifested can also benefit from the assembly of the invention if the user receives this assembly in the form of a mattress. Even in a preventive manner, the invention can already have very advantageous effects.

According to the invention, the core layer of the mattress having a substantial thickness is located on or over a device with an inflatable body, which may take the form of an inflatable device. In contrast to existing constructions, thanks to the leveling effect of this core layer thus achieved, the assembly is not rendered inoperable due to low (too low) air pressure in the inflatable, and can also be air pressure lower than the maximum air pressure form the desired waveform. In addition, when the user exerts localized pressure on the mattress, for example with his/her back or thighs, the user may also more easily inflate the mattress due to more depressions created above the device that can be inflated to a greater or lesser extent. Get off the mattress.

By employing in the preferred embodiment a body having a substantially wedge-shaped cross-section, in use, adjustment to the support surface is achieved by an appropriate choice of wedge shape when the device is placed on or under the support surface. The wedge-shaped body can thus be placed under the mattress, or also on the mattress, preferably however, with suitable means such as Velcro fasteners for preventing displacement of the wedge-shaped body relative to the mattress, wherein , the fixing device can also be applied in situations where it is positioned in or under a mattress. Alternatively, the wedge-shaped body can also be arranged between the support surface and the mattress, or even be incorporated in the mattress.

Confidential trials have shown that it is not only people with medical conditions who can benefit from the device of the present invention. People with symptoms that do not have physical characteristics also realize that adjusting the support surface of eg a mattress can be used as a further improvement in comfort.

The invention has various preferred embodiments, several of which are defined in the claims dependent on the appended claims. Therefore, the body may be hollow. A hollow body has the advantage that less material needs to be used. In addition, the hollow body may be inflatable if a suitable device is attached to the hollow body for inflating or deflating the device.

The undulating portion of the element with the body in the expanded state preferably forms an angle in cross-section of between 5 and 45 degrees with the rest of the element. The included angle may depend on the inflation state or inflation pressure of the interior, in this case the hollow body. The included angle may also relate to the entire distance (or a certain distance from the edge) that the wedge-shaped body extends from, under or in the mattress edge. For example by varying the pressure in the hollow body, a desired or required angle of containment can be achieved, thereby providing comfort adjustment of a support surface such as a mattress.

For filling the body, air or liquid can be applied, and especially if in use the wedge-shaped body does not come into contact with the person lying on the mattress, there are even embodiments for filling with gel (however, there is no exclusivity). Here, the wedge-shaped body can even be subdivided into chambers or compartments which, individually or collectively, can be given the desired pressure or firmness for support purposes.

For example, if the base of the bed can be formed in waves transverse to the longitudinal direction of a series of body parts, it may also be advantageous to use such body parts to provide greater degrees of freedom, whereas in a single embodiment with a single body, bending would be induced therein without producing the desired waveform. In particular, in order to enable the greatest possible adjustability, these body parts are therefore individually expandable and/or compressible.

If the wedge-shaped body is inflatable, the device may also include a pump that may be selectively actuated to inflate the body. Such a pump can be controlled by a control device and thus can be operated by a user. For this purpose, the control device can be provided with an operating device, which can be, for example, hand-held and in wireless contact with the pump, or via an antenna or the like by means of a microcomputer or other similar elements. It can also be an infrared remote control device. Thus, the user may indicate that the device of the invention must be inflated to make the device stiffer, or conversely the device must be deflated (partially).

In a possible preferred embodiment, the pump may be substantially fixedly connected to the body. Thus, a high degree of reliability is obtained for the structural unit. However, it should be noted that the pump and the body can also be releasably connected to each other, and the pump can simply be reconnected, or reconnected after servicing, if a leak is found in the hollow body or the hollow body has to be deflated, This is included within the scope of the present invention. If the wedge-shaped body includes compartments or chambers, each compartment or chamber can be connected to a pump, so that in each chamber, the pressure can be adjusted individually or collectively to the pressure required temporarily, or when the initial Make pressure adjustments while in use. It may also be desirable to be able to selectively (partially) deflate the body. To this end, a controllable outlet valve can be connected to the body, which outlet valve can then be controlled by the user of the device.

Especially in an embodiment in which the bodies extend along eg an edge of a mattress so as to define a support surface, it may be desirable to also arrange (at least) one body on the other edge on the opposite side. Thus, a cavity can be defined between the upstanding edges of the mattress, even though the wedge-shaped body can thus also be positioned on or contained in the mattress, while these upright edges are still pressed upwards by the wedge-shaped body in this position. pressure. Thus, the body can be integrated with the mattress. Especially in embodiments where the bodies are interconnected, even the bodies may form a mattress. In the above case, a comfortable mattress can optionally be provided on the body of the device, thus defining as many discontinuities as possible for the user even in the lying surface (even in the case of curved waves), even for In all embodiments, this is far from necessary, especially when the connection between the interconnected bodies transitions obliquely or gradually into the wedge shape of the bodies. In embodiments with two selectable inflatable bodies, or at least hollow bodies, each of the two or more bodies may be connected to a pump or their own pump. A valve or similar device may then be provided to inflate or inflate one of the two bodies or both bodies together. The same is possible when the body is subdivided into chambers or compartments, wherein these chambers or compartments can be connected either alternatively or jointly to a single pump or to a common pump. It should be noted with regard to the outlet valve, which preferably enables individual deflation of each inflatable body or body's compartments in the device, even though it could also be done by the control device. The valve means for connecting the pump to the at least one body is preferably also placed in contact with and controlled by the control means, wherein the valve means again allow the user the option of final setting.

The assembly may include a sleeve or layer that may be placed around the assembly. At least the delimiting members are elastic, these delimiting members extending along the sides running downwards from the lying surface or support surface. Changes in shape caused when the body or device is inflated or expanded are thus accommodated.

In another alternative or adjacent embodiment, the assembly of the invention is characterized in that the body comprises folding means for giving the body a compact shape in its compressed state. The folded load preferably comprises tension cables, and these tension cables are elastic. Thus, these devices or bodies can be easily or compactly compressed or deflated without stimulating the development of material lumps that have a significant impact on comfort.

In a possible embodiment, the pivotable configuration of the element comprises at least one cutout extending upwards from the device to a position below the lying or supporting surface, and the element can be adapted locally in the device as defined by the device. shape. Alternatively or adjacently, the pivotable configuration of the element may comprise at least one cutout extending downwardly from the lying surface or support surface of the device, and the element may locally conform within the device to the shape defined by the device . In these embodiments, the mattress core, for example made of foam material, is preferably provided with the cutout in the manner described. Therefore, a hinge structure with a simple design can be realized.

Description of drawings

The invention will be further elucidated hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate the same and similar parts and features, and the drawings show an embodiment by way of example only. In the attached picture:

Figure 1 shows the application options of the device of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the position of use of an alternative embodiment of the invention relative to the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the assembly of the device and mattress of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows another assembly of the device and mattress of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a solid single embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment of the device in the assembly of the present invention, having elastic jacket or jacket;

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the assembly of the device and mattress of the invention, with folding means;

Figure 8 shows the assembly of the mattress and device of the present invention, wherein the device is embedded in the mattress;

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein at least one body or device is separated into separate body parts;

Figure 10 shows a side view of a possible application of the assembly of the invention shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows an additional expandable device; and

Figure 12 shows an assembly with another embodiment of the folding means.

Detailed ways

Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention. The device is used in combination with the mattress 2.

The device 1 comprises a body 3 having a triangular cross-section (in the direction transverse to the arrow E), and in this embodiment wedge-shaped and hollow in itself. The body 3 is inflatable, for which purpose the pump 4 can be optionally activated. The pump 4 is connected to the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 via a conduit 5 . The pump 4 can be selectively actuated by means of a microcomputer 6 as an example of a control device and equipped with an antenna 7 . The antenna 7 is wirelessly connected to a hand-held operating device 8 suitable for allowing the user to selectively actuate the pump 4 .

In another embodiment, a pressure gauge 9 can be used to measure the pressure in the hollow wedge body 3, thereby automatically and selectively actuating the pump 4 based on the measurement signal and by using the microcomputer 6, to increase the pressure in the hollow wedge body. The pressure inside the wedge body 3.

A shut-off valve, connection or outlet valve 11 is provided in the other conduit 10 . The outlet valve 11 can also be optionally actuated by the microcomputer 6 . The outlet valve 11 is used to reduce the internal pressure of the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 . An outlet valve 11 may also be provided in the conduit 5 between the pump 4 and the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 .

The hollow wedge-shaped body 3 can be arranged under the mattress 2 in the direction of the arrow A, preferably on the base 12 . The hollow wedge-shaped body 3 is then positioned between the base 12 and the mattress 2 .

Available and suitable locations around the mattress 2 are various locations where the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 can be placed above or below the mattress 2, as indicated by arrows B, C and D. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow wedge-shaped body 3 is arranged in any case at the long sides of the mattress as indicated by arrows A and C. This is the situation shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows an alternative to the wedge-shaped device 3 of Figure 1, wherein the device 3' is formed by a series of outwardly positioned bodies, in this embodiment three progressively thicker tubular hollow Bodies 27, 26 and 25.

In FIG. 3 (as shown in FIG. 2 ) there is also a frame 13 with a spring base 14 against which the mattress 2 rests. On opposite sides of the mattress 2, two hollow wedge-shaped bodies 3 are placed on the upper surface of the mattress.

Although the pump 4 is still preferably under the control of the microcomputer 6 here, the microcomputer 6 is omitted in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 .

The pump 4 is connected via a valve 16 to each of the two hollow wedge bodies 3 , each hollow wedge body being located on either side of the mattress 2 . The valve means can be used in conjunction with a control means, which can be a microcomputer 6 or otherwise, to select for the pump 4 which of the two hollow wedge bodies 3 has to be connected. Of course, the valve member 16 can also provide the option of connecting the pump 4 to each hollow wedge body connected to the two hollow wedge bodies 3 . FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment in which the wedge-shaped body is divided into individual compartments by means of membranes or partition walls 17 . Each compartment can be connected to the pump by means of a valve 18 in a similar manner to the body 3 of Figure 2, so that the stability, support or stiffness in each individual compartment can be adjusted both at the initial and later stages during use.

FIG. 3 shows the assembly 18 of the mattress 2 and the device 3 , 3 according to the invention with a hinged construction. The device comprises a wedge-shaped body 3 and a second wedge-shaped body 3 arranged along opposite edges of the mattress 2 . The device rests on a carrier such as a box spring 17 along the edge of the assembly 18 . In FIG. 4 box springs 17 are replaced by slatted frames 20 . The mattress 2 comprises cutouts 19 so that it is easier to bend so as to acquire the shape defined by the wedge body 3 and the second wedge body 3 and thus form the hinge configuration according to the invention. Located laterally on the outside of the cutouts 19 is a corrugated part 24 of the mattress 2, which can be fixedly connected to the mattress 2, for example by means of stitching, or connected to the mattress 2 by means of, for example, a Velcro connection (not shown). . The mattress 2 shown in Figure 3 is a mattress with a foam core, while Figure 4 shows a box spring mattress. It is obvious that the desired gap 21 can also be formed by the cutout 19 in the case of a box spring. Also shown in detail on the left hand side in FIG. 4 is that a groove 29 is provided in the top surface 28 in order to facilitate the bending of the hinge formation thereby formed.

Figure 4 also shows how the gap 21 adapts the mattress 2 to the shape produced by the device 3, 3 when the device 3, 3 is placed in the direction of the arrow A below the mattress 2 with the cutout 19. To this end, the outwardly arranged wave parts 24 of the mattress 2 can be easily lifted in the direction of the arrow F to provide or create space for the body 3 . It should be noted that while in Figure 4 the gaps or cutouts 19 are provided substantially over the majority of the thickness of the mattress 2, these gaps or cutouts may also extend over the entire thickness.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 , a cover or cover 30 is provided around the mattress 2 and device 3 assembly. The jacket 30 is at least flexible, and preferably even elastic, so as to be able to accommodate a change in size (increase) of the side 31 in the direction of the arrow G.

FIG. 7 schematically shows a possible embodiment of an assembly according to the invention with a folding device based on tension cables 32 . The tensioning cables 32 run from about half the height of the sides 33 of the body 3 up to the hypotenuse 34 and are fixed thereto. From this fixed position, the cable or the other cable continues to the lowest point 35 of the wave part 24 of the mattress 2 . When the body is deflated and the air is released from the body, the tension cables 32 enable the covering layer of the hollow body 3 to be folded over it.

The upwardly oriented point 37 of the body 3 may be provided with a fixing 36 located on an adjacent point 38 of the wave member 24, thereby improving the operation of the folding device even further.

As a further addition or alternative, the tensioning cables 32 may be elastic and preferably fixed to the bottom point 39 of the fixing part 40 of the mattress 2 (or at least the mattress core of the mattress 2). In addition to allowing the body 3 to fold compactly, the inelastic or elastic cables 32 also keep the sides 33 of the body 3 from expanding too much. Excessive expansion is also prevented by the elasticity of the cover 30 over the entire side wall 31 of the mattress 2 and device or body 3 assembly.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment with additional or alternative features in which the body is embedded in the foam core 2 of the mattress 2 below the wave member 24 . Extending below the device or body 3 is a leg 41 made of the material of the mattress 2, which leg 41 has at its free outer end a locking protrusion 42 which, in the non-expanded state of the device or body 3, 42 enters a receiving recess 43 in the corrugated part of the core 2 of the mattress 2 .

Figures 9 and 10 show that, in yet another embodiment, the device comprises respective body parts 3,44,45,46. When each body part is individually expandable and compressible, for example by means of a single pump or multiple pumps respectively connected to each body part, or by means of individual valves in each body part, such that after all body parts have reached a fully inflated state, each body part passes through the Such as a single pump connected to each body part and each branch circuit, while being able to deflate separately in a controlled manner, can thus fine tune and adjust the waveform in the lying or supporting surface of the mattress 2 . Furthermore, the device is subdivided into individual body parts 3 , 44 , 45 , 46 , so that the base beneath the body parts can exhibit an additional waveform as shown in FIG. 10 , for example running in the longitudinal direction of the mattress 2 . In the case of having a single body 3, as shown for example in the embodiment of Fig. 1, this will cause a bend in the single body 3, rather than a progressive wave. The separate body parts also enable the lying or supporting surface to have a progressive undulation as shown in FIG. waveform.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment with another embodiment 47 of expandable and compressible means. The device 47 has a stack structure with inflatable parts 48 whose contour shape tapers in upward direction and whose outer edges are in each case aligned above and below the parts 48 . Since the configuration 47 of the device with the part 48 can be compressed in a compact and flat manner when the chamber in the part 48 is deflated, no folding means may be needed here.

Figure 12 shows an embodiment in which the corner edge 38 of the wave member 24 is chamfered to allow a smoother run of the outside of the assembly according to the invention where relatively sharp corners would otherwise result.

Referring to the embodiment in Figure 12, this embodiment also includes a simplified embodiment of the folding means. Here, the tension cables are not routed through the interior of the device, but only from the outer corners of the device 3 to the corner 35 on the corrugated part 24 between the device and the corrugated part.

In the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, the covering layer can be arranged to surround at least the wedge-shaped body 3 . Such a covering may take the form of a removable cover 23 . In particular, a cover 23, for example made of a smooth or at least airtight plastic material, can be fixedly arranged on the device 3, and can be removed or releasable, so that the cover can be cleaned, for example, in a washing line of a hospital or in a laundry room. 23 for separate cleaning.

After examining the above, it will appear to the skilled person that many additional and alternative embodiments should be considered as embodiments of the present invention unless they depart from the scope of the appended claims, especially the single independent ones. letter or spirit as defined by the claims. As an alternative to the embodiments specifically shown in those figures, various possibilities have been described above. It may also be noted that when using shorter hollow or solid or filled wedge-shaped bodies at the head or foot end of the mattress, the user's feet can be moved upwards and/or the pillow can be reduced or even omitted. needs. Although repeated reference has been made above to inflating the body with air, other fluids may also be used, such as water or the like. The body 3 does not necessarily need to be hollow (let alone inflatable), but could be solid and filled with a gel or other substance, or made of foam or the like. Figure 5 shows an embodiment which is or may be somewhat or substantially shorter than the length of the bed and which may be used on the short sides as well as on the long sides of the bed. The body 3 can also be formed as a conventional bed or even as an integral part of a water bed, for example in the form of a part of a bed that rests on top of a usual lying surface. It is also possible to use the device of the invention other than just in combination with a mattress, for example in combination with a cushion such as a chair.

Claims (17)

1. assembly comprises:

-element, described element limits couch face or bearing-surface, for example forms the froth bed of the core of mattress, and

-device, described device is associated with described element, the shape when becoming waveform to adapt to described couch face or bearing-surface,

Wherein:

-described device comprises at least one inflatable selectively and/or contractile body,

-described body is embedded in or is arranged under the part of the described element that is positioned at the below that couches in the use, and has most of at least thickness of described element above described body,

-described body acts on the waveform portion of described element, thereby produces waveform selectively in described couch face or bearing-surface, and described waveform portion is connected in the other parts of described element by pivotable structure.

2. assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described body has the cross section of basic wedge shape in the use location.

3. assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that, at the swelling state of described body, the described waveform portion of described element on the cross section, and the described other parts of described element form angle between 5 to 45 degree.

4. as claim 1,2 or 3 described assemblies, it is characterized in that described body is inflatable.

5. at least one described assembly in the claim as described above is characterized in that described body comprises at least two indivedual body parts along the edge of described element.

6. assembly as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, described body part can also expand independently and shrinks in optional mode.

7. at least one described assembly in the claim as described above is characterized in that described assembly also comprises pump, and described pump is connected in maybe can be connected in described body, and can be controlled by control device, and described control device comprises the operating means that is activated by the user.

8. assembly as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that described operating means can be handed, and in use contacts with described pump is wireless.

9. as claim 7 or 8 described assemblies, it is characterized in that described pump is connected in described body substantially fixedly.

10. assembly as claimed in claim 4 at least is characterized in that the outlet valve that can control selectively is connected in described body.

11. at least one described assembly in the claim is characterized in that described assembly also comprises at least one second body as described above, described second body is along another edge of described element.

12. at least one the described assembly in the claim is characterized in that as described above, cover or jacket layer be around described assembly setting, and extending along the side in described at least cover or the jacket layer, the part of advancing downwards from described couch face or bearing-surface are flexible.

13. at least one the described assembly in the claim is characterized in that described body comprises folding device as described above, described folding device be used at described body contraction state, make described body present compact shape.

14. assembly as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described folding device comprises the stretch-draw cable.

15. assembly as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, described stretch-draw cable is flexible.

16. at least one the described assembly in the claim as described above, it is characterized in that, the described structure that pivots of described element comprises at least one otch, described otch extends up to position below described couch face or bearing-surface from described device, and described element can adapt to the shape that is limited by described device partly in described device.

17. at least one the described assembly in the claim as described above, it is characterized in that, the described structure that pivots of described element comprises at least one otch, described otch extends downwards from described face or the bearing-surface of couching, and described element can adapt to the shape that is limited by described device partly in described device.

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