U.S. patent application number 15/807290 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-10 for mattress.
The applicant listed for this patent is de Werth Group AG. Invention is credited to Eckhart DEWERT, Johannes SCHNEIDER.
Application Number | 20180125250 15/807290 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62002928 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180125250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DEWERT; Eckhart ; et
al. |
May 10, 2018 |
MATTRESS
Abstract
Mattress has a casing and a foam body accommodated in the
casing. A support apparatus adjustable by electric motor is
provided, having a base body with two support parts which are
adjustable relative to one another and bear spring elements.
Situated on support apparatus is an electric motor-driven
adjustment apparatus for adjusting support parts relative to one
another, and which has an electric motor in operative connection
with the support parts to adjust them. An electrical line
arrangement has power supply lines for supplying power, and/or
control lines for controlling the adjustment apparatus. A recess is
in the foam body, and dimensioned to accommodate the support
apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus in the recess.
Support apparatus together with adjustment apparatus are
accommodated in the recess, and the line arrangement is led out of
the casing of the mattress through an opening in the casing.
Inventors: |
DEWERT; Eckhart; (Goldingen,
CH) ; SCHNEIDER; Johannes; (Wurzburg, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
de Werth Group AG |
Zurich |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
62002928 |
Appl. No.: |
15/807290 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62424929 |
Nov 21, 2016 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/16 20130101;
A47C 23/061 20130101; A47C 27/148 20130101; A47C 27/144 20130101;
A47C 23/00 20130101; A47C 17/16 20130101; A47C 27/15 20130101; A47C
20/041 20130101; A47C 20/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 17/16 20060101
A47C017/16; A47C 27/16 20060101 A47C027/16; A47C 27/15 20060101
A47C027/15; A47C 23/00 20060101 A47C023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 9, 2016 |
DE |
10 2016 121 463.9 |
Nov 10, 2016 |
DE |
10 2016 121 568.6 |
Claims
1. A mattress, comprising: a) a casing; b) a foam body accommodated
in the casing; c) a support apparatus, which is adjustable by an
electric motor, for supporting a person lying on the mattress, the
support apparatus having a base body with at least two support
parts which are adjustable relative to one another and bear spring
elements; d) at least one electric motor driven adjustment
apparatus which is situated on the support apparatus for adjusting
the at least two support parts relative to one another, and which
has at least one electric motor that is in operative connection
with the at least two support parts in order to adjust same; e) an
electrical line arrangement that has power supply lines for
supplying power, and/or control lines for controlling the
adjustment apparatus; f) a recess is formed in the foam body and is
dimensioned in such a way that the slatted frame together with the
adjustment apparatus is accommodatable in the recess; g) the
support apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus is
accommodated in the recess; and h) the line arrangement is led out
of the casing of the mattress through an opening in the casing.
2. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the foam body has
multiple horizontal foam layers in succession in a vertical
direction.
3. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the recess is
formed in the foam body at the top in a vertical direction in such
a way that the support apparatus is situated on the top side of the
foam body.
4. The mattress according to claim 2, wherein: a) the support
apparatus in the vertical direction is situated between two foam
layers.
5. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the opening in
the casing is closable by a zipper.
6. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) a control
apparatus for controlling the adjustment apparatus is situated on
the slatted frame within the casing, and is in data transmission
connection with a hand control apparatus wirelessly, in particular
via radio.
7. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the support
apparatus is connected to the electric motor driven adjustment
apparatus to form a unit.
8. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the support
apparatus is a slatted frame.
9. A method for equipping or retrofitting a mattress with a support
apparatus which is adjustable by electric motor, wherein: a) the
mattress has a closable casing and a foam body that is accommodated
in the casing; b) the casing is opened; c) a support apparatus
which is adjustable by electric motor is used, the support
apparatus having a base body with at least two support parts which
bear spring elements and are adjustable relative to one another, at
least one electric motor driven adjustment apparatus being situated
on the support apparatus for adjusting the support parts relative
to one another, and having at least one electric motor that is in
operative connection with the support parts in order to adjust
same; d) the support apparatus together with the adjustment
apparatus situated thereon is inserted into a recess that is formed
in the foam body; e) an electrical line arrangement that has power
supply lines for supplying power and/or control lines for
controlling the adjustment apparatus is led out through a recess
that is formed in the casing; and f) the casing is once again
closed.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: a) the support
apparatus together with the electric motor-driven adjustment
apparatus is inserted into a recess that is formed on the foam body
at the top in the vertical direction in such a way that the support
apparatus is situated on the top side of the foam body.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein: a) the foam body has
at least two horizontal foam layers in succession in the vertical
direction, and wherein the support apparatus together with the
electric motor driven adjustment apparatus is inserted between two
foam layers of the foam body.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein: a) the foam body is
subsequently processed by introducing into the foam body a recess
that is dimensioned for accommodating the support apparatus
together with the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus.
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein: a) a slatted frame is
used as the support apparatus.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/424,929, filed Nov. 21, 2016, and this
application claims the benefit of German Application No. 10 2016
121 463.9, filed Nov. 9, 2016, and this application claims the
priority of German Application No. 10 2016 121 568.6, filed Nov.
10, 2016, and each of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a mattress.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A mattress is known from WO 2015/64222 A1, having a casing
and a foam body that is accommodated in the casing. The foam body
has a first and a second horizontal foam layer situated one on top
of the other, the first horizontal foam layer being made of latex
or a latex-like foam, and the second foam layer being made of a
shape memory foam.
[0004] Such a mattress provides a high level of lying comfort, and
is suited for various sleeping habits.
[0005] The object of the invention is to further increase the
comfort of such a mattress.
[0006] This object is achieved by the invention set forth in claim
1.
[0007] According to the invention, the comfort of the mattress is
further increased by providing the mattress with the functionality
of a support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor, for
example and in particular, a slatted frame that is adjustable by
electric motor.
[0008] Within this meaning, the invention provides a support
apparatus, which is adjustable by electric motor, having a base
body with at least two support parts which are adjustable relative
to one another and bear spring elements, and at least one electric
motor-driven adjustment apparatus which is situated on the support
apparatus for adjusting the support parts relative to one another,
and which has at least one electric motor that is in operative
connection with the support parts in order to adjust same.
According to the invention, a recess is formed in the foam body,
and is dimensioned in such a way that the support apparatus
together with the adjustment apparatus is accommodatable in the
recess, the support apparatus together with the adjustment
apparatus being accommodated in the recess. An electrical line
arrangement that has power supply lines for supplying power, and/or
control lines for controlling the adjustment apparatus is led out
of the casing of the mattress through an opening in the casing.
[0009] In this way the mattress is adjustable by electric motor,
thus increasing the functionality and the comfort. The support
apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor together with the
adjustment apparatus may already be introduced into the mattress
casing during manufacture of the mattress. However, according to
the invention it is possible to retrofit an existing mattress.
[0010] In contrast to the approach known from EP 1 239 753 B1, in
which a mattress together with a slatted frame that is adjustable
by electric motor is accommodated in a shared casing, according to
the invention the support apparatus that is adjustable by electric
motor is accommodated in the casing of the mattress itself. A
separate casing is thus unnecessary.
[0011] The invention thus provides, in a surprisingly simple
manner, a mattress which has improved functionality and increased
comfort, and which at the same time is easily and economically
manufacturable.
[0012] According to the invention, the foam body of the mattress
may have a single foam layer that forms the cushioning of the
mattress. However, one advantageous further embodiment of the
invention provides that the foam body has multiple horizontal foam
layers in succession in the vertical direction. In this way, the
cushioning and suspension properties of the mattress are adjustable
within wide limits. In this embodiment the foam layers may be
joined together, for example foamed onto one another. However, it
is also possible for the foam layers to be formed by separate foam
elements that are accommodated inside the casing of the mattress
and are combined and held together by same.
[0013] Another further embodiment of the invention provides that
the recess is formed in the foam body at the top in the vertical
direction in such a way that the support apparatus is situated on
the top side of the foam body. In this embodiment, the mattress has
layering made up of the support apparatus on top and foam
element(s) on the bottom. It has surprisingly been shown that, even
when the support apparatus is situated above the foam body, i.e.,
resting directly beneath the casing of the mattress, this does not
result in appreciable loss of comfort for a user of the mattress,
in particular when the support apparatus is covered by a cover
layer, which may have a relatively thin design, situated on the
support apparatus.
[0014] According to the invention, it is also possible for the
support apparatus to be situated between two foam layers in the
vertical direction. In this embodiment the support apparatus may be
accommodated, for example, between two foam layers in a
sandwich-like manner.
[0015] The casing of the mattress may, for example and in
particular, be made of a textile material.
[0016] One advantageous further embodiment of the invention
provides that the opening in the casing is closable by means of a
zipper. In this way the electrical line arrangement may be led out
of the casing is a particularly simple manner. In principle,
however, it is also possible to lead the line arrangement out
through a separate opening in the casing.
[0017] Another extremely advantageous further embodiment of the
invention provides that a control apparatus for controlling the
adjustment apparatus is situated on the support apparatus within
the casing, and is in data transmission connection with a hand
control apparatus wirelessly, in particular via radio. In this
embodiment, it is only necessary for power supply lines for
supplying power to the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus
to be led out of the casing. Since control lines are superfluous
due to wireless operation of the control apparatus by means of a
hand control apparatus, it is not necessary to lead such control
lines out of the casing of the mattress.
[0018] According to the invention, it is possible in principle to
provide the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus loosely on
the support apparatus. However, one advantageous further embodiment
of the invention provides that the support apparatus is connected
to the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus to form a unit.
This simplifies installation of the support apparatus together with
the adjustment apparatus on the mattress or in the casing of the
mattress.
[0019] The support apparatus may have any given design in order to
carry out the desired support and suspension functions. One
advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the
support apparatus is designed as a slatted frame.
[0020] A method according to the invention for equipping or
retrofitting a mattress with a support apparatus that is adjustable
by electric motor is set forth in claim 9.
[0021] The method according to the invention proceeds from a
mattress having a closable casing and a foam body that is
accommodated in the casing. Within the scope of the method
according to the invention, the casing is opened, which may take
place, for example and in particular, via a zipper provided on the
casing. In the method according to the invention, a support
apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor is used, the support
apparatus having a base body with at least two support parts which
are adjustable relative to one another and bear spring elements, at
least one electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus for adjusting
the support parts relative to one another being situated on the
support apparatus, and having at least one electric motor that is
in operative connection with the support parts in order to adjust
same.
[0022] In the method according to the invention, the support
apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus situated thereon
is inserted into a recess that is formed in the foam body, wherein
an electrical line arrangement that has power supply lines for
supplying power, and/or control lines for controlling the
adjustment apparatus, is led out through a recess that is formed in
the casing, and the casing is once again closed.
[0023] The method according to the invention allows a mattress to
be equipped or retrofitted with a support apparatus that is
adjustable by electric motor, in a simple and economical manner in
order to increase the comfort and the functionality of the
mattress.
[0024] This correspondingly results in the same advantages as for a
mattress according to the invention.
[0025] One further embodiment of the method according to the
invention provides that the support apparatus together with the
electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus is inserted into a
recess that is formed on the foam body at the top in the vertical
direction in such a way that the support apparatus is situated on
the top side of the foam body.
[0026] Another further embodiment of the method according to the
invention provides that the foam body has at least two horizontal
foam layers in succession in the vertical direction, and wherein
the support apparatus together with the electric motor-driven
adjustment apparatus is inserted between two foam layers of the
foam body. In this embodiment, the support apparatus is
accommodated between two foam layers in a sandwich-like manner.
[0027] According to the invention, the foam body may already be
formed during manufacture of the mattress, for example by providing
a corresponding recess in such a way that the support apparatus may
be inserted into the recess, wherein the support apparatus together
with the adjustment apparatus is already inserted into the recess
during manufacture of the mattress. However, according to the
invention it is also possible to retrofit existing mattresses not
having a recess in the foam body. For this purpose, one
advantageous further embodiment provides that the foam body is
subsequently processed by introducing into the foam body a recess
that is dimensioned for accommodating the support apparatus.
[0028] In the method according to the invention, a slatted frame is
advantageously used as the support apparatus.
[0029] Such a slatted frame together with the electric motor-driven
adjustment apparatus may be any suitable slatted frame on which an
electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus is or becomes mounted,
optionally also subsequently, before the slatted frame together
with the adjustment apparatus is introduced into the casing of the
mattress. However, the slatted frame may in particular be a slatted
frame having a completely or partially integrated electric
motor-driven adjustment apparatus, as known, for example, from EP 1
239 755 B1 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,754,922 B1), EP 1 633
219 B1 (corresponding to US 2007/0220677 A1), and in particular EP
2 418 984 B1 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 8,973,185 B1). The
disclosed content of the publications cited above is hereby
incorporated in full into the disclosed content of the present
patent application by reference.
[0030] The invention is explained in greater detail below based on
one further embodiment, with reference to the appended schematic
drawings. All features described in the description, illustrated in
the drawings, and claimed in the patent claims, alone or in any
combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention,
independently of their recapitulation in the patent claims or their
back-references.
THE DRAWINGS SHOW THE FOLLOWING
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a slightly perspective side view of one further
embodiment of a mattress according to the invention,
[0032] FIGS. 1-11 show the mattress according to FIG. 1 in the same
illustration as FIG. 1 during successive method steps when
retrofitting the mattress with a slatted frame that is adjustable
by electric motor, and
[0033] FIG. 12 shows the mattress, retrofitted with a slatted frame
that is adjustable by electric motor, according to FIG. 1 in a
maximally adjusted position.
[0034] Reference is made below to FIGS. 1 through 12 for explaining
one further embodiment of a mattress according to the invention,
and a method according to the invention for equipping or
retrofitting a mattress with a support apparatus that is adjustable
by electric motor.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates one further embodiment of a mattress 2
according to the invention, having a casing 4 made of a textile
material.
[0036] It is apparent from FIG. 2 that a foam body 6 which forms
the cushioning element of the mattress 2 is accommodated in the
casing 4.
[0037] One further embodiment of a method according to the
invention for equipping or retrofitting a mattress with a support
apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor is explained below
with reference to FIGS. 2 through 11. FIGS. 2 through 11 illustrate
method steps that follow one another chronologically.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 2, initially the casing 4 is opened,
and in the illustrated further embodiment, in particular by means
of a zipper which is provided on the casing 4, and which in the
illustrated further embodiment extends around the entire periphery
of the mattress 2. After the zipper is completely opened, a top
part 8 of the casing 4 may be removed.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows the mattress 2 with the top part 8 of the
casing 4 removed. After the top part 8 of the casing 4 is removed,
its bottom part 10 may be removed.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows the mattress 2 just before the complete removal
of the bottom part 10 of the casing 4.
[0041] FIG. 5 shows the mattress 2 with the casing 4 completely
removed, the mattress being rotated by 180.degree. with respect to
FIG. 4, so that the surface of the mattress 2 facing downwardly in
FIG. 4 faces upwardly in FIG. 5. In the illustrated further
embodiment, the foam body 6 has multiple successive horizontal foam
layers in the vertical direction.
[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates how a first foam layer 12 that functions
as a cover layer is rolled to the side.
[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates how a second foam layer 14 situated
beneath the first foam layer 12 is removed, so that a recess 16 is
exposed in the foam body, the recess being provided for
accommodating according to the invention a support apparatus that
is adjustable by electric motor, in the form of a 18 that is
adjustable by electric motor (see FIG. 8) together with the
adjustment apparatus.
[0044] FIG. 7 shows the mattress 2 with the recess 16 fully
exposed. The recess 16 is designed for accommodating the slatted
frame 18, which is adjustable by electric motor, in an essentially
form-fit manner (see FIG. 8).
[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates how a slatted frame 18 that is adjustable
by electric motor is inserted into the recess 16. In the
illustrated further embodiment, the slatted frame 18 is a slatted
frame having an integrated electric motor-driven adjustment
apparatus as known from EP 2 418 984 B1, for example.
[0046] The slatted frame 18 has an electric motor-driven adjustment
apparatus, integrated into the slatted frame 18, by means of which
the support parts are adjustable relative to one another. In the
illustrated further embodiment, an upper body support part 20 is
adjustable relative to a stationary center support part 22. In
other respects, the slatted frame 18 is designed as described in EP
2 418 984 B1. The slatted frame 18 may have even further adjustment
functionalities if desired. For example, a leg support part that is
adjustable relative to the center support part 22 may be provided.
The number and design of the support parts as well as the
adjustability of the support parts relative to one another are
selectable within wide limits, depending on the particular
requirements.
[0047] FIG. 9 shows the mattress 2 with the slatted frame 18
accommodated essentially in a form-fit manner in the recess 16. In
this position of the slatted frame 18, the cover layer 12 is rolled
back into its starting position.
[0048] It is apparent from FIG. 10 that the cover layer 12 in its
starting position covers the slatted frame 18. The foam body 4
together with the slatted frame 18, adjustable by electric motor,
accommodated therein may be subsequently re-introduced into the
casing 4 of the mattress.
[0049] FIG. 11 shows how the casing 4 is subsequently closed.
[0050] In this way, the mattress 2 is retrofitted with a slatted
frame 18 that is adjustable by electric motor, thus increasing
comfort and functionality of the mattress 2.
[0051] FIG. 12 shows the mattress 2 in a position, adjusted by
means of the slatted frame 18 that is adjustable by electric motor,
in which the upper body support part 20 is pivotably adjusted
relative to the stationary center support part 22.
[0052] The position illustrated in FIG. 12 is a maximum end
position of the adjustment movement in which the upper body support
part 20 of the slatted frame 18 is maximally adjusted relative to
the stationary center support part 22, as is known for slatted
frames by themselves.
[0053] An electrical line arrangement 24, which in this further
embodiment has power supply lines for supplying power to the
electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus, is led out through a
recess in the casing 4 and connected to a power supply.
[0054] For example and in particular, a radio remote controller may
be provided for controlling the electric motor-driven adjustment
apparatus. A control apparatus for controlling the adjustment
apparatus is then situated on the slatted frame 18 within the
casing 4, and is in data transmission connection with a hand
control apparatus via radio. Such radio remote controllers for
slatted frames that are adjustable by electric motor are generally
known, and therefore are not explained here in greater detail.
[0055] The invention thus allows a mattress to be retrofitted with
a slatted frame that is adjustable by electric motor, in a simple
and economical manner. Due to the integrated slatted frame that is
adjustable by electric motor, the resulting mattress according to
the invention has high levels of functionality and comfort.
[0056] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further
modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and
following in general the principle of the invention and including
such departures from the present disclosure as come within the
known or customary practice in the art to which the invention
pertains, and as may be applied to the central features
hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *