EP0572895A1

EP0572895A1 - Support device for limiting the flexibility of bedsprings and mattresses

Info

Publication number: EP0572895A1
Application number: EP93108362A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francesco Simone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-06-02
Filing date: 1993-05-24
Publication date: 1993-12-08
Also published as: IT226654Z2; ITMI920563V0; ITMI920563U1

Abstract

Support device (1) for limiting the flexibility of bedsprings and mattresses comprising a pair of substantially parallel stringers (2,3) mutually spaced by elastically flexible plate-like elements (4) interposed between the pair of stringers. The support device furthermore comprises tension elements (5) which are transversely associable with the stringers by means of their longitudinal ends and can be tightened to reduce the distance between the stringers and cause the flexing of the plate-like elements. The support device can be placed between a bedspring and a mattress so that the stringers are orientated parallel to the longitudinal extension of the bed and so that the plate-like elements flex upwards so as to limit the sagging of the bedspring and of the mattress during use.

Description

The present invention relates to a support device for limiting the flexibility of bedsprings and mattresses.
In recent years the use of orthopedic bedsprings and mattresses has become increasingly widespread; by virtue of their reduced flexibility, they are more comfortable and ensure a correct position of the spinal column during sleep.
However, during stays in hotels or apartments for vacation or work, it may be unavoidable to use mattresses and/or bedsprings having a high deformability, which is unwanted and hardly acceptable for those who are used to sleeping on much more rigid mattresses and bedsprings. On the other hand, transport or purchase of orthopedic bedsprings and mattresses for a vacation or a work trip is unfeasible.
A principal object of the present invention is to solve the above described problem by providing a support device which can limit the flexibility of bedsprings and mattresses, making comfortable even excessively deformable bedsprings and mattresses.
Within the scope of this object, another object of the present invention is to provide a support which can occupy a modest space so that it can be carried easily.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a support having low manufacturing costs.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a support which can be used with any type of bedspring or mattress.
With these and other objects in view, there is provided, according to the present invention, a support device for limiting the flexibility of bedsprings and mattresses, characterized in that it comprises a pair of substantially parallel stringers mutually spaced by elastically flexible plate-like elements interposed between said pair of stringers, tension elements being provided which are transversely associable with said stringers by means of their longitudinal ends and can be tightened to reduce the distance between said stringers, causing the flexing of said plate-like elements, said support device being interposable between a bedspring and a mattress so that said stringers are arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension of the bed and so that said plate-like elements flex upwards so as to limit the sagging of the bedspring and of the mattress during use.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of the support device according to the present invention;
figure 2 is a front elevation view of said support device;
figure 3 is a front elevation view of the support device during an intermediate assembly step;
figure 4 is a schematic view of the use of the support device according to the present invention;
figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a stringer of the support device according to the present invention.

With reference to the above figures, the support device according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a pair of mutually parallel stringers 2 and 3 spaced by elastically flexible plate-like elements 4 which are interposed between the stringers 2 and 3 and engage in seats appropriately formed on the facing sides of the stringers 2 and 3.
The support according to the present invention furthermore comprises tension elements 5 the longitudinal ends whereof engage the stringers 2 and 3; said tension elements can be tightened so as to reduce the distance between the stringers 2 and 3, causing the flexing of the plate-like elements 4.
More particularly, each stringer 2 or 3 is advantageously constituted by at least two parts 6 and 7 which are mutually aligned and detachably associated. The parts 6 and 7 are advantageously constituted by profiled elements the transverse cross-section whereof is substantially C-shaped; their open side is directed toward the other stringer and engages one side of the plate-like elements 4. The two parts 6 and 7, which compose each stringer 2 or 3, are mutually associated by means of an intermediate connecting element 8 which can be simply constituted by a cylindrical segment accommodatable in a longitudinal seat 11 formed in the part 6 and partially in the part 7 at least at the ends of the parts 6 and 7 facing one another when the two parts 6 and 7 are mutually aligned so as to join said two parts 6 and 7.
Plugs 12 and 13 are fitted on the longitudinal ends of the parts 6 and 7; the plugs 12 are located at the mutually facing ends of the parts 6 and 7 and are open to allow the insertion of a plate-like element 4, whereas the plugs 13 are located at the other end of the parts 6 and 7 and are closed.
Each tension element 5 is composed of two parts having an end which is substantially hook-shaped, so as to engage within holes 14 formed in the stringers 2 and 3; the other end 5a is threaded and engages a tension sleeve 9 which is rotatable to reduce the useful length of the tension element 5.
The plate-like elements 4 are preferably made of synthetic material, for example panels of alveolate extruded polycarbonate.
The use of the support device according to present the invention is as follows.
When the support according to the present invention is not used, it can be divided into the various elements which compose it by loosening the tension elements 5 and disengaging them from the stringers 2 and 3. In this manner, the stringers 2 and 3 can be disengaged from the plate-like elements 4 and divided into the parts 6, 7 and 8 which compose them, in order to be easily stored, together with the plate-like elements 4 and the tension elements 5, in a small space or in a bag to carry them.
When one wishes to use the support according to the present invention, it is constructed by assembling the stringers 2 and 3 and by inserting the ends of the plate-like elements 4 in said stringers. After the assembly of the stringers 2 and 3 and of the plate-like elements 4, the tension elements 5 are assembled and tensioned by turning the sleeves 9. The tightening of the tension elements 5 reduces the distance between the stringers 2 and 3, flexing the plate-like elements 4 upwards. The flexing of the plate-like elements 4 can be controlled by means of the tightening of the tension elements 5 and can be increased or decreased according to the user's requirements.
The support device thus assembled can be placed between the mattress and the bedspring of a bed 10, arranging the stringers 2 and 3 parallel to the longitudinal extension of the bed so that the plate-like elements 4 are flexed above the bedspring, so as to contrast the sagging of the bedspring and of the mattress under the user's weight.
With the support device according to the present invention, any type of bed, even the softest, has a rigidity comparable to that of a bed provided with an orthopedic bedspring.
In practice it has been observed that the support according to the present invention fully achieves the intended objects since, by limiting the flexibility of bedsprings and mattresses, it makes excessively deformable beds comfortable.
A further advantage of the support according to the present invention is that it can be easily carried.
In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

Support device (1) for limiting the flexibility of bedsprings and mattresses (10), characterized in that it comprises a pair of substantially parallel stringers (2,3) mutually spaced by elastically flexible plate-like elements (4) interposed between said pair of stringers, tension elements (5) being provided which are transversely associable with said stringers by means of their longitudinal ends and which can be tightened to reduce the distance between said stringers, causing the flexing of said plate-like elements, said support being interposable between a bedspring and a mattress so that said stringers are arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension of the bed and so that said plate-like elements flex upwards so as to limit the sagging of the bedspring and of the mattress during use.
Support device according to claim 1, characterized in that each one of said stringers is constituted by at least two mutually aligned and detachably associated parts (6,7).
Support device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said stringers are constituted by profiled elements (6,7) having a substantially C-shaped cross-section in which the open side is directed toward the other stringer and accommodates an end of said plate-like elements (4).
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two opposite ends of said tension elements (5) are hook-shaped and can detachably engage said stringers.
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plate-like elements (4) are made of synthetic material.
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said stringers is formed of at least two mutually aligned parts (6,7) detachably joined by an intermediate connecting element constituted by a cylindrical segment (8) which can be accommodated in a longitudinal seat (11) formed in said two parts of the stringer at least at their mutually facing longitudinal ends.
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that plugs (12,13) are fitted on the longitudinal ends of the two parts of said stringers.