EP2387916B1

EP2387916B1 - Slatted bed

Info

Publication number: EP2387916B1
Application number: EP11158075A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Lobis
Original assignee: Thomas Lobis SNC
Current assignee: Thomas Lobis SNC
Priority date: 2010-05-20
Filing date: 2011-03-14
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-14
Also published as: IT1400189B1; EP2387916A1; ITVR20100107A1

Description

The present invention refers to a slatted bed, even built in more complex structures, such as, e.g., sofa beds, berths for sleeper trains and the like.
Slatted beds are of widespread use, also because generally having greater rigidity with respect to traditional sprung base beds, and therefore, in principle, more suitable to prevent disorders, pains and pathologies on the subject's spine. However, when a person lies down on a slatted bed, just said rigidity tends to cause a moving closer between some vertebrae, which in fact is potentially unhealthy and anyhow can cause a condition of discomfort to the subject. A bed structure is known from DE 3308292 . Therefore, the technical problem set and solved by the present invention is that of providing a slatted-type bed structure allowing to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks with reference to the known art.
Such a problem is solved by a bed structure according to claim 1.
Preferred features of the present invention are set forth in the dependent claims thereof.
In the present context, by "bed structure" it is meant any structure suitable to serve as bed, and in particular, e.g., a traditional single or double bed, a sofa bed, a part of a so-called "bunk bed", a so-called "berth" of a sleeper train, and so on.
The bed structure of the invention preserves substantially unchanged the advantages associated to the choice of a slatted bed, and in particular to the overall rigidity of the latter, however, in the meantime, providing a specific and predetermined adapting ability of the slats position to the subject's anatomy, thereby preventing discomfort conditions or damages linked to an excessive rigidity of the bed.
Other advantages, features and modes of use of the present invention will be made apparent in the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes. Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

■ Figures 1A and 1B show each a perspective view of a slatted bed structure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, respectively in an assembled condition and in an exploded condition;
■ Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of some details of Figure 1 B;
■ Figure 3 shows a side view of part of the bed structure of Figure 1A;
■ Figure 4 shows a side view of a component of the bed structure of Figure 1A, highlighting the development of guide paths thereof;
■ Figures 5A to 5C show each a further side view of the component of Figure 4, highlighting the successive positions assumed within the latter by ends of the slats of the bed structure of Figure 1A; and
■ Figure 6 shows a bottom side perspective view of the bed structure of Figure 1A in use.

Referring initially to Figures 1A, 1B, 2 and 3, a slatted bed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is generally denoted by 1.
The bed 1 comprises first of all a plurality of slats, one of which denoted by way of example by 2 in Figure 1B, extending transversally so as to define a resting plane of the bed 1 itself.
Each slat, and in particular the slat 2 taken as example, comprises a central body 20 and two end side portions, respectively denoted by 21 and 22. As in slats known in the art, the central body 20 is depicted as provided with weight-lightening apertures, one of which denoted by way of example by 200.
As can be better seen in Figure 3, each end portion 21, 22 has a substantially tubular or hollow-pin configuration, in order to be able to engage suitable guide means, which is introduced hereinafter. In the present example, the side portions 21 and 22 have a substantially cylindrical geometry.
In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned guide means comprises a plurality of slots, one of which denoted by way of example by 3 in Figure 2, obtained on a pair of elongated side members, respectively 41 and 42, extending longitudinally each at a respective side edge of the bed 1.
Referring also to Figure 4, each slot has an elongated configuration and extends downward along a main direction of development thereof, denoted by D for said slot 3. Each slot defines a guide path for a respective end side portion of a respective slat. Pairs of corresponding slots on the two side members 41 and 42, i.e. facing slots, define mirror-like paths for the two end portions of a same slat.
As highlighted in Figure 4, slot-defined paths are mutually divergent with respect to the transverse center line M of the bed 1. In particular, slots symmetrically located with respect to such center line have opposing tilts. Moreover, in Figure 4 it may be appreciated how the extension of the slots along the respective main development directions be different, and therefore be different the length of the paths defined thereby, decreasing from said center line M to the side periphery of the bed 1. Referring to the figures introduced hereto, the guide means for the end side portions of the slats further comprises a pair of elongated elastic members, respectively 51 and 52, extending longitudinally each at a respective side edge of the bed 1, externally with respect to the corresponding slotted member 41 or 42. Each member 51, 52 has a loop-shaped configuration, one of which denoted by way of example by 50 in Figure 2. Each loop is adapted to receive in abutment a respective end side portion of a slat during the movement of the latter in the respective path. Also the loop depth can be modulated according to the extension and to the tilt of the slots.
The elastic members 51 and 52 are adapted to keep the slats in a raised position, i.e. with the end portions abutting on the top edge of the respective slots, in the absence of gravitational load on the bed 1.
The bed 1 further comprises end-of-stroke means for the movement of the end side portions of the slats in the respective paths, which in the present embodiment are obtained in the form of a further pair of elongated members, respectively 61 and 62, extending longitudinally each at a respective side edge of the bed 1, below the respective elastic members 51 and 52.
Also the end-of-stroke members 61 and 62 have a loop-shaped configuration corresponding to that of the respective elastic members 51 and 52. The loops obtained on the end-of-stroke members 61 and 62 have greater depth with respect to the configuration of the respective loops, in an undeformed condition, of the elastic members 51 and 52.
The bed 1 further comprises four closure edges, and in particular a headboard edge 8, a footboard edge 9 and a pair of side edges, respectively 71 and 72, placed externally to the slats, to the elastic members 51 and 52 and to the end-of-stroke members 61 and 62.
The modes of use of the bed 1, with specific reference to Figures 5A to 5B and 6, will be illustrated hereinafter.
As shown in Figure 5A, in the absence of a gravitational load on the bed 1 - and therefore on the slats thereof - the elastic members 51 and 52 support the slats themselves, keeping the side portions thereof abutted at the top edges of the respective slots.
Moreover, as shown in Figures 5B and 5C, when a subject gets on the bed 1 (Figure 5B) and lies completely thereon (Figure 5C), the resulting gravitational load causes the end portions of the slats, in particular the end portions 21 and 22 of the slat 2, to move downward in the respective slot 3, opposing the elastic force of the members 51 and 52 and elastically deforming them until bringing the related loops in abutment on the bottom of the respective loops of the end-of-stroke members 61 and 62. Such a condition generally corresponds to an abutment of the end portions of the slats on the bottom edge of the respective slot, i.e. to an end position in the respective path.
Thus, by virtue of the divergent orientation of the different paths, the slats spread apart with respect to each other.
Therefore, as shown in Figure 6 (wherein for greater clarity the side closure edge 72 was not depicted) the configuration of the slats follows the profile of the subject's spine, adjusting thereto.
Advantageously, in the above-described embodiment there are provided guide means in general, elastic means and bilateral end-of-stroke means, i.e. at both side edges of the bed. Variant embodiments may instead include an unilateral lay-out thereof.
Moreover, variant embodiments may provide opposing means different from the above-mentioned elastic members, and arranged differently with respect thereto.
The present invention has been hereto described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all falling within the concept of the same invention, as defined by the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

A bed structure (1), comprising:
- a plurality of slats (2), extending transversally so as to define a resting plane of the bed structure itself, wherein each slat (2) of said plurality has a central body (20) and two end side portions (21, 22); and

- guide means (3), defining a plurality of paths for respective end side portions (21, 22) of said slats (2), which paths are mutually divergent with respect to the transverse center line (M) of the bed structure,
the overall arrangement being such that, when on said slats (2) a gravitational load related to a subject's weight is applied, said end side portions (21, 22) move in said paths so as to spread apart the slats themselves with respect to each other.
The bed structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein said end side portions (21, 22) of said slats (2) are shaped to engage said paths of said guide means (3).
The bed structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said guide means (3) is provided bilaterally, at both end side portions (21, 22) of said slats (2).
The bed structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of slots (3), each adapted to receive a respective end side portion (21, 22) of a respective slat (2).
The bed structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein each of said slots (3) has an elongated configuration with a tilted development (D).
The bed structure (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said slots (3) have different extensions, decreasing from the transverse center line (M) of the bed structure (1) to the periphery.
The bed structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide means further comprises opposing means (51, 52), adapted to exert an action opposing the movement of said end side portions (21, 22) in said paths.
The bed structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said opposing means (51, 52) is arranged at said end side portions (21, 22) of said slats (2), preferably bilaterally.
The bed structure (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said opposing means comprises elastic means (51, 52).
The bed structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said opposing means comprises at least one elastic member (51, 52) arranged at said end side portions (21, 22) and having a loop-shaped configuration, each loop (50) being adapted to receive a respective end side portion (21) of said slats (2) during the movement of the latter in the respective path.
The bed structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising end-of-stroke means (61, 62) for the movement of said end side portions (21, 22) in said preferably bilateral paths.
The bed structure (1) according to claims 10 and 11, wherein said end-of-stroke means comprises at least one further loop-like member (61, 62) having a configuration corresponding to that of said elastic member (51, 52) and arranged below thereto.