MATTRESS

Abstract

A mattress including a mattress core (1) having a plurality of elastically compressible core elements (5, 6) of which at least some are adjustable in respect of the hardness thereof. The core elements (6), which are adjustable in respect of the hardness thereof, have an upper support part (7) having an upper support surface (8), a lower support part (9) having a lower support surface (10) and at least one pretensioned spring (23, 24), by the pretension force of which the upper and the lower support parts (7, 9) are held at a distance from one another. The pretension force of the springs (23, 24) is adjustable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a mattress with a mattress core which has a plurality of elastically compressible core elements, of which at least some are adjustable in their hardness.

BACKGROUND

Various designs of mattresses are known. For example, spring core mattresses have with a mattress core which has a multiplicity of helical springs. There are cushioning layers, in particular made of foam, above and below the spring core. A mattress cover forms the outer enclosure of the mattress.

In order to satisfy different users' requirements, mattresses of different strength or hardness are provided. Approaches also already exist to form the hardness of a mattress in an adaptable manner.

US 2003/009830 A1 presents a mattress having a plurality of foam elements assigned to different body regions, wherein the hardness of a foam element can be changed by letting air into, or extracting air from, an enclosure surrounding the foam element in an air-tight manner. Among the disadvantages here is the fact that the height of the settable elements depends on the set hardness. If zones of different hardness are intended to be set, this leads to different heights of the foam elements. In addition, moisture accumulates on an air-impermeable layer.

US 2010/064443 A1 discloses a mattress with a plurality of transversely lying, air-filled tube elements, wherein the air pressure of the elements can be changed by a pump or electrically activatable valve in order to set the hardness of the mattress. However, the spring comfort of inflated tube elements is limited, and there is the risk of an accumulation of moisture.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,914 discloses a mattress which does not have any different zones, i.e. does not have a mattress core which has a plurality of elastically compressible core elements, of which at least some are adjustable in their hardness. The mattress shown there is adjustable overall in its hardness, wherein a plurality of springs are arranged on a lower support part, said springs being supported at their upper end on an elastic element, in particular a mesh wire, wherein the lower support part is designed to be raiseable and lowerable in order to vary the pretensioning of the springs.

SUMMARY

It is the object of the invention to provide an advantageous mattress of the type mentioned at the beginning, the hardness of which is adjustable in a simple manner and which can be formed with a high degree of stability. This is achieved by a mattress with one or more features disclosed below.

The mattress according to the invention has a mattress core with core elements which are adjustable in their hardness and each have an upper support part with an upper support surface and a lower support part with a lower support surface. In addition, the adjustable core elements each have at least one pretensioned spring, by the pretensioning force of which the upper and the lower support parts are held at a mutual distance. In order to adjust the hardness of the mattress in the region of the respective adjustable core element, the pretensioning force of the at least one spring of the respective adjustable core element is adjustable.

Simple mechanical adjustability of core elements of the mattress can thereby be made possible. In addition, advantageous spring properties of the core elements can be provided and the mattress can have a high degree of stability over the long term.

A cushioning layer which comprises an elastic material, for example a foam material and/or latex material, is advantageously provided above the upper support surface. This cushioning layer can be formed in a conventional manner.

In an analogous manner, a cushioning layer which comprises an elastic material, for example a foam and/or latex, is advantageously provided below the lower support surface. This cushioning layer can be formed in a conventional manner. The mattress can therefore also be used in a turned-over arrangement (such that the upper support part is located at the bottom and the lower support part is located at the top). The upper and lower cushioning layers can be formed with different properties, for example, in order to provide a summer side and a winter side of the mattress.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, there is at least one oblique rod- or plate-shaped connecting part which, at its upper end, is mounted pivotably on the upper support part and, at its lower end, is supported on a supporting surface, on which the lower end is mounted displaceably in a sliding or rolling manner, or which, at its lower end, is mounted pivotably on the lower support part and, at its upper end, is supported on a supporting surface, along which the upper end is mounted displaceably in a sliding or rolling manner. The spring acts on the connecting part or on a part connected thereto. If the upper support part is compressed in the direction of the lower support part, the connecting part is pivoted in relation to the support part on which it is pivotably mounted, for example in relation to the upper support part, with the inclination of said connecting part being increased, wherein that end of the connecting part which is remote from the pivot axis, for example the lower end, slides or rolls along the supporting surface. This pivoting of the connecting part takes place counter to the force of the spring pretensioning the connecting part.

In the unloaded state of the mattress, the connecting part is advantageously pulled by the spring against a stop (which therefore delimits the supporting surface). The minimum inclination of the connecting part and therefore the maximum distance between the upper support part and the lower support part are thereby limited. Other devices for limiting the maximum distance between the upper support part and the lower support part can be provided, for example cords running between the upper support part and the lower support part.

There can be a motorized adjustment element, for example an electric motor or an electric cylinder, for adjusting the pretensioning of the spring. For example, the electric motor can drive a cable drum, by which a traction cable connected to one end of the spring can be wound up to a greater or lesser extent. Tensioning of the spring to a greater or lesser extent, in particular via a traction cable, can also take place by a helical gearing driven by the electric motor or directly with the electric cylinder which has already been mentioned.

Instead, there could also be a manually actuable adjustment element in order to adjust the pretensioning of the spring. A threaded spindle, to which a traction cable acting on the spring is attached, could be rotated by a handwheel or a hand crank in order to bring about an axial adjustment in relation to a spindle nut.

The core elements which are adjustable in their hardness preferably run in the transverse direction of the mattress, particularly preferably over at least substantially the entire width of the mattress (optionally apart from a projecting region of the cushioning and of the mattress cover). These core elements could therefore also be referred to as “beam elements”. There are a plurality of such core elements in the longitudinal direction of the mattress.

In addition to core elements which are adjustable in their hardness, the mattress core can also have non-adjustable elastically compressible core elements. The latter can be arranged at locations which are less critical for comfort when sleeping, for example in the region of the head end and/or foot end of the mattress. There can also be non-adjustable core elements between adjustable core elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained below with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section through an exemplary embodiment of a mattress according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the mattress core;

FIG. 3 shows a view of an adjustable core element (viewing direction A in FIG. 2);

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the electric adjustment motor with the cable drum;

FIG. 5 shows an adjustable core element according to a second embodiment of the invention in an illustration analogous to FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows an adjustable core element according to a third embodiment of the invention in an illustration analogous to FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 shows an adjustable core element according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in an illustration analogous to FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 shows an adjustable core element according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an illustration analogous to FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the lower portions of the connecting parts with the traction cable;

FIG. 10 shows an adjustable core element according to a sixth embodiment of the invention in an illustration analogous to FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a mattress according to the invention in longitudinal section. The section therefore runs parallel to the viewing direction A shown in FIG. 2. However, the core elements 5, 6 are merely illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 in the form of rectangles (in the manner of black boxes).

The mattress has a mattress core 1 which is formed by the core elements 5, 6. A continuous upper cushioning layer 2 is situated above the core elements 5, 6 and a continuous lower cushioning layer 3 is situated below the core elements 5, 6.

The mattress core 1 and the cushioning layer 2, 3 are enclosed by a mattress cover 4 which forms the outer side of the mattress.

When, within the scope of this document, “top” and “bottom” are mentioned, this relates to a possible use position of the mattress, specifically in particular to the use position illustrated in the figures. However, in the exemplary embodiment, the mattress may also be used in the turned-around use position, in which case “top” and “bottom” are swapped.

FIG. 2 illustrates the mattress core 1 in top view. It is apparent that the core elements 5, 6 which form the mattress core 1 all extend over the entire width of the mattress core 1. However, a plurality or all of the core elements 5 and/or 6 could extend only over part of the width of the mattress, and therefore two or more core elements 5 and/or 6 are arranged next to one another with respect to the width of the mattress.

In the exemplary embodiment, the mattress core 1 has core elements 5, the hardness of which is not adjustable, and core elements 6, the hardness of which is adjustable. However, there could also only be adjustable core elements 6.

The design of the adjustable core elements 6 is revealed more precisely in FIGS. 3 and 4. The adjustable core elements 6 each have an inherently rigid upper support part 7 with an upper support surface 8, and an inherently rigid lower support part 9 with a lower support surface 10. The support surfaces 8, 10 which are directed away from each other are formed flat and have rectangular shapes which are congruent, as seen in top view.

The upper support surfaces 8 of the upper support parts 7 of all of the core elements 5, 6 of the mattress core 1 lie in a common plane. Similarly, the lower support surfaces 10 of the lower support parts 9 of all of the core elements 5, 6 lie in a common plane.

A first and a second connecting part 11, 12 are mounted pivotably on the upper support part 7. The pivot axes 13, 14 lie parallel to the longitudinal extent of the mattress (i.e. parallel to the viewing direction A). The connecting parts 11, 12 can be of rod-shaped or plate-shaped design (with width extents in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the mattress).

At their lower ends, the connecting parts 11, 12 have rollers 15, 16 with which they rest on a respective supporting surface 17, 18.

Instead of rollers, sliding parts with which the connecting parts 11, 12 rest on the supporting surfaces 17, 18, which then form sliding surfaces, would basically also be conceivable and possible, but less preferred.

In the exemplary embodiment, the supporting surfaces 17, 18 are formed by separate supporting parts 9b, 9c which are attached to a plate-shaped base part 9a of the lower supporting part 9.

It would also be conceivable and possible for separate supporting parts to be dispensed with and for the supporting surfaces 17, 18 to be formed directly by the surface of the base part 9a that faces the upper support part 7.

The connecting parts 11, 12 are positioned obliquely, i.e. are inclined in relation to the vertical, specifically in opposite directions. The connecting parts 11, 12 have the smallest inclinations in the unloaded state of the mattress, in which the upper and lower support part 7, 9 are at the greatest possible distance from each other. When the upper support part 7 is compressed in the direction of the lower support part 9, the inclination of the connecting parts 11, 12 is increased by pivoting about their respective pivot axes 13, 14 and by the respective rollers 15, 16 rolling along the respective supporting surfaces 17, 18.

In the unloaded state of the mattress, the connecting parts 11, 12 are preferably inclined in relation to the vertical by a respective angle 19, 20 lying within the range of between 10° and 40°.

In the unloaded state of the mattress, the lower ends of the connecting parts 11, 12, i.e. the rollers 15, 16 in the exemplary embodiment, rest on the stops 21, 22 which delimit the supporting surfaces 17, 18. The connecting parts 11, 12 are pulled at their lower ends against the stops 21, 22 by springs 23, 24.

The springs 23, 24 are therefore connected at one of their ends to the respective connecting part 11, 12 (at a distance from the respective pivot axis 13, 14) and at their other end to an adjustment element 25, for example, as illustrated, to an adjustment element 25 common to both of the connecting parts 11, 12 via traction cables 27, 28.

In the exemplary embodiment, the adjustment element is an electric motor, in particular stepper motor. A cable drum 26 can be rotated by said electric motor in order to wind the traction cables 27, 28 to a greater or lesser extent onto the cable drum 26 or to unwind them therefrom.

In order to clarify the different pretensioning of the springs 23, 24, a more greatly pretensioned state of the springs 23, 24 is indicated in FIG. 3 above the springs 23, 24 by dotted lines.

For the sake of simplicity, a control system for activating the motorized adjustment element 25 is not illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The activation of the adjustment element 25 can take place in a wired or wireless manner.

However, the activation of the adjustment element 25 can also take place fully automatically by the use of sensors.

The stops 21, 22 are located at the mutually facing ends of the supporting surfaces 17, 18. At the mutually averted ends of the supporting surfaces 17, 18 there are further stops 31, 32 which limit the maximum oblique position of the connecting parts 11, 12 and therefore the maximum compressing of the upper support part 7 in the direction of the lower support part 9.

In the exemplary embodiment, the two connecting parts 11, 12 are inclined in opposite directions in such a manner that their upper ends lie more closely together than their lower ends. However, oppositely directed inclinations the other way around, such that their upper ends therefore lie further apart than their lower ends (also see FIG. 5) are likewise possible.

In the region of the two side edges of the core elements 6, 8, compression springs 29, 30 are furthermore arranged between the upper and the lower support parts 7, 8. Additional stability of the arrangement, for example against lateral tilting, is achieved by said compression springs. However, the spring constants of the compression springs 29, 30 are relatively soft in order not to substantially impair the possibilities of adjusting the core element 6.

In addition to adjustable core elements 6 the mattress core 1 in the exemplary embodiment, as already mentioned, also has non-adjustable core elements 5. For example, the latter can be designed in such a manner that they have an upper and a lower plate-shaped support part and compression springs arranged in between.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the non-adjustable core elements 5 have greater widths than the adjustable core elements 6. Instead, the non-adjustable core elements 5 could also have the same widths or smaller widths than the adjustable core elements 6.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustable core elements 6 all have the same width; likewise the non-adjustable core elements 5 also all have the same width. Instead, the adjustable core elements 6 and/or the non-adjustable core elements 5 could also have different widths.

The stops 21, 22 could also be dispensed with and the maximum distance between the upper support part 7 and lower support part 9 could be limited in another manner, for example by cords connecting the upper support part 7 to the lower support part 9.

The adjustment element 25 designed in particular as an electric motor could also be arranged on the upper support part 7.

If the mattress is arranged in the reverse position in comparison to FIG. 3, the upper support part 7 therefore becomes the lower support part and the lower support part 9 becomes the upper support part. The connecting parts 11, 12 are then mounted pivotably at their free ends on the lower support part and are supported at their upper ends on a supporting surface 17, 18, along which the upper end is mounted displaceably in a sliding or rolling manner.

In the further exemplary embodiments described below, such swapping of “bottom” and “top” is also conceivable and possible.

A second exemplary embodiment of an adjustable core element is illustrated in FIG. 5. Apart from the differences described below, the design corresponds to that of the first exemplary embodiment and the description for the first exemplary embodiment is usable analogously to this extent.

In this exemplary embodiment, the oppositely directed inclination of the two connecting parts 11, 12 is realized in such a manner that their upper ends are further away from each other than their lower ends. In a corresponding manner, the stops 21, 22 are located at the mutually averted ends of the supporting surfaces 17, 18. The supporting surfaces are formed here by the surface of an individual supporting part 9b that faces the upper support part 7. A stop piece 9b which forms the stops 31, 32 for limiting the maximum inclination of the connecting parts 11, 12 is located in the central region.

However, the inclination of the connecting parts 11, 12 could also be designed in a manner corresponding to that of the first exemplary embodiment.

The lower ends of the connecting parts 11, 12 are pulled in turn against the stops 21, 22 by the springs 23, 24. The other ends of the springs are in turn connected to an adjustment element 25. The latter is formed here by an electric cylinder (=electric lifting cylinder). A yoke 34 to which the end of the spring 24 is directly fastened is attached to the lifting rod of said electric cylinder. The other spring 23 is connected at its end remote from the connecting part 11 to the yoke 34 via a traction cable 27 which is guided via a deflecting pulley 35 (or deflecting drum).

Adjustment of the electric cylinder enables the pretensioning of the springs 23, 24 to be adjusted, as a result of which the hardness of the core element 6 can be adjusted.

A third exemplary embodiment of an adjustable core element is illustrated in FIG. 6. Apart from the differences described below, the design corresponds to that of the first exemplary embodiment and the description for the first exemplary embodiment is usable analogously to this extent.

In this exemplary embodiment, those ends of the springs 23, 24 which are remote from the connecting parts 11, 12 are connected via a traction cable 27 which acts on the two springs 23, 24 and is guided via deflecting pulleys 36, 37. An electric cylinder is arranged as an adjustment element 25 between the deflecting pulleys, the lifting rod of which electric cylinder is adjustable at right angles to the rectilinear connection between the two springs 23, 24 and the traction cable 27 is guided via the end of said lifting rod. Adjustment of the electric cylinder makes it possible in turn for the pretensioning of the springs 23, 24 to be changed.

A fourth exemplary embodiment of an adjustable core element is illustrated in FIG. 7. Apart from the differences described below, the design corresponds to that of the first exemplary embodiment and the description for the first exemplary embodiment is usable analogously to this extent.

In the fourth exemplary embodiment, an electric motor is again provided as the adjustment element 25, but said electric motor acts here on the springs 23, 24 via a helical gearing (=spindle lifting gearing). The spindle 38 which is driven by the electric motor has a portion 38a having a right-hand thread and a portion 38b having a left-hand thread. Nuts 39, 40 are arranged on the threaded portions of the spindle, said nuts being secured against rotation, for example by having a bore through which a guide bar 41 passes. Those ends of the springs 23, 24 which are remote from the connecting parts 11, 12 are attached to the nuts 39, 40.

Rotation of the spindle with the adjustment element 25 enables the pretensioning of the springs 23, 24 to be changed.

In this exemplary embodiment, a handwheel can be provided in a simple manner as the adjustment element 25 instead of the electric motor, for adjusting the hardness of the core element 6 manually.

A fifth exemplary embodiment of an adjustable core element is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Apart from the differences described below, the design corresponds to that of the first exemplary embodiment and the description for the first exemplary embodiment is usable analogously to this extent.

In this exemplary embodiment, the two connecting parts 11, 12 run in a crossed manner, as seen in the view of FIG. 8, but at the mutual distance from each other, cf. FIG. 9.

The lower support part 9 is formed integrally here (only by the base part 9a of the preceding exemplary embodiments) and the inner surface of the lower support part 9 here directly forms the supporting surfaces 17, 18 for the connecting parts 11, 12.

In the unloaded state of the core element 6, the rollers 15, 16 are pulled against the stops 21, 22 by an individual spring 23. For this purpose, a traction cable 27 is attached to the first connecting part 11 and runs over a deflecting drum 42 (or deflecting pulley) which is attached to the other connecting part 12. The other end of the traction cable 27 is connected to the one end of the spring 23, the other end of which is connected to the adjustment element 25 which, for example, is again formed by an electric cylinder.

A sixth exemplary embodiment of an adjustable core element is illustrated in FIG. 10. Apart from the differences described below, the design corresponds to that of the first exemplary embodiment and the description for the first exemplary embodiment is usable analogously to this extent.

In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connecting parts 11, 12 are dispensed with. Instead, a support part 43 is arranged at a distance from the lower support part 9, wherein the distance of the support part 43 from the lower support part 9 can be changed as described below.

The springs 23, 24 interacting with the connecting parts 11, 12 in the previously described exemplary embodiments are likewise dispensed with. Instead, the compression springs 29, 30, which are configured with a suitable hardness, are supported at one end on the upper support part 7 and at the other end on the support part 43.

The maximum distance between the upper and the lower support parts 7, 9 is limited by connecting element, for example cords 44, 45 (or, for example, telescopic elements) running between the upper and the lower support parts 7, 9.

An increase or reduction in the distance between the support part 43 and the lower support part 9 causes an increase or decrease in the pretensioning of the compression springs 29, 30.

In order to change the distance between the support part 43 and the lower support part 9, use is made here of wedge elements 46, 47 which are arranged on the lower side of the support part 43 and interact with transversely displaceable mating wedge elements 48, 49. The transverse displacement of the mating wedge elements can take place, for example as illustrated, by the use of a helical gearing, wherein a spindle which is connected to the mating wedge elements 48, 49 is adjustable in the transverse direction by rotation of same in relation to a fixed nut 50. The spindle can be rotated, for example, by manual rotation of an adjustment element 25 designed in the form of a handwheel. A motorized drive could also be provided.

Instead, the rotatable spindle could be fixed in the transverse direction and the nut which is connected to the mating wedge elements could be adjusted by rotation of the spindle.

Instead of a helical gearing, it would also be possible, for example, for an electric cylinder to be used as the adjustment element.

The invention provides a reasonably priced, effective and uncomplicated possibility of setting the rigidity of a mattress or a mattress core. The functionality is ensured over a long period of time with different settings and loadings.

Key to the Reference Numbers:
1   Mattress core
2   Cushioning layer
3   Cushioning layer
4   Mattress cover
5   Core element, non-adjustable
6   Core element, adjustable
7   Upper support part
8   Upper support surface
9   Lower support part
9a  Base part
9b  Supporting part
9c  Supporting part
9d  Stop piece
10  Lower support surface
11  First connecting part
12  Second connecting part
13  Pivot axis
14  Pivot axis
15  Roller
16  Roller
17  Supporting surface
18  Supporting surface
19  Angle
20  Angle
21  Stop
22  Stop
23  Spring
24  Spring
25  Adjustment element
26  Cable drum
27  Traction cable
28  Traction cable
29  Compression spring
30  Compression spring
31  Stop
32  Stop
34  Yoke
35  Deflecting pulley
36  Deflecting pulley
37  Deflecting pulley
38  Spindle
38a Portion
38b Portion
39  Nut
40  Nut
41  Guide bar
42  Deflecting drum
43  Support part
44  Cord
45  Cord
46  Wedge element
47  Wedge element
48  Mating wedge element
49  Mating wedge element
50  Nut

Claims

1. A mattress, comprising:

a mattress core which has a plurality of elastically compressible core elements

at least some of the elastically compressible core elements are adjustable in their hardness,

the core elements which are adjustable in their hardness have an upper support part with an upper support surface, a lower support part with a lower support surface and at least one pretensioned spring,

wherein the at least one pretensioned spring generates a pretensioning force by which the upper and lower support parts are held at a mutual distance, and

the pretensioning force of the at least one pretensioned spring is adjustable.

2. The mattress as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one device that limits a maximum distance between the upper support part and the lower support part.

3. The mattress as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one oblique rod- or plate-shaped connecting part which, at an upper end thereof, is mounted pivotably on the upper support part and, at a lower end thereof, is supported on a supporting surface, on which the lower end is mounted displaceably in a sliding or rolling manner, or which, at the lower end, is mounted pivotably on the lower support part and, at the upper end, is supported on a supporting surface, along which the upper end is mounted displaceably in a sliding or rolling manner, and the spring acts on the connecting part or on a part connected thereto.

4. The mattress as claimed in claim 3, wherein in an unloaded state of the mattress, the spring pulls the connecting part against a stop delimiting the supporting surface.

5. The mattress as claimed in claim 4, wherein in the unloaded state, the connecting part encloses an angle within a range of between 10° and 40° with vertical.

6. The mattress as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one oblique rod- or plate-shaped connecting part comprises first and second rod- or plate-shaped connecting parts which are inclined in opposite directions and are acted upon by the at least one pretensioned spring and which are each mounted pivotably at the upper ends thereof on the upper support part and are supported at the lower ends thereof on a respective supporting surface, on which the respective lower end is mounted displaceably in a sliding or rolling manner, or which are each mounted pivotably at the lower ends thereof on the lower support part and are supported at the upper ends thereof on a respective supporting surface, along which the respective upper end is mounted displaceably in a sliding or rolling manner.

7. The mattress as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a motorized adjustment element for adjusting the pretensioning of the at least one spring.

8. The mattress as claimed in claim 7 wherein, the adjustment element comprises an electric motor or an electric cylinder which is connected to one end of the at least one spring.

9. The mattress as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a manually actuable adjustment element for adjusting the pretensioning of the at least one spring.

10. The mattress as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower support surfaces of the upper and lower support parts of a respective one of the adjustable core elements extends over an entire width of the mattress core.

11. The mattress as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper and the lower supporting parts are rigid.