EP1808100B1 - Head or body support, pillow or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The head bed (1) has a bedtick (2) with a block-shaped foam body (3) including a cavity (4), and a set of spring units (5) arranged in the cavity. The spring units have stiffness for preventing sealing of the cavity for automatic interior ventilation of the head bed during compressive stress. The cavity has channels extending transverse to a couch direction, where the channels are opened at side walls and at the body.

Description

The invention relates to a head or body pad, in particular a pillow, a mattress or the like, according to the preamble of claim 1, see. US-A-6,170,808 ,

In known from the prior art cushions, which consist for example of a spring insert or a foam insert, it is considered disadvantageous that due to the head or body support the head or body pad or the pillow or mattress is compressed such that Sweat secretions in the support area are favored. This is because, in particular, the head or body pad or pad does not provide the ability to adequately guide the secretion of perspiration away from the body so that the pad or mattress is ultimately only able to absorb perspiration.

It follows from the object underlying the invention, a head or body pad, in particular a pillow, a mattress or the like, comprising an insert with a cover to further develop such that a certain breathability is provided to perspiration in Kopfauflage- or Body support area to prevent.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1.

Due to this design, a breathable head or body pad in the form of a breathable pad or mattress is provided, which preferably permits internal ventilation of the pad. Because of the rigidity of the insert in conjunction with the open cavities results in a ventilation system, in particular by sweat or heat can be removed from the head or body. This happens because during the movement of the head or the body on the cushion or mattress, the spring elements are loaded or unloaded, whereby the respective cavity is reduced / enlarged, which in particular causes an automatic ventilation of the insert. This design provides a breathable head or body pad capable of keeping heat away from the head area so as to inhibit perspiration.

The cavities kept open by the spring elements can also be used for other devices, wherein it is to be remembered to accommodate, for example, a radio, a heater, a vibrator or a ventilation in the cavities.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cavity or cavities are formed by channels which extend transversely to the lying direction. These channels are open to the side walls of the block-like foam body. Thus, a direct opening of the cushion or mattress core is given to the environment, so that heat can be dissipated directly to the environment, without it in the head or body support can come to a heat accumulation.

In a further development, in particular of the cover, it is proposed according to the invention that preferably air-permeable fabric be attached to the side regions of the block-like foam body, which in particular promotes air circulation through the cushion core. In particular, the lying surface is proposed that the top of the block-like foam body is formed wavy.

A further advantageous embodiment of the spring element used provides that the spring element arranged in the cavity is formed as a one-piece plastic element with at least one strip-shaped, concave spring shell and a strip-shaped, concave spring base, the spring shell and spring base facing each other at their free ends having a common connection region , The structural design described allows a particularly simple and cost-effective production.

The upper spring part and the lower spring part can be arranged laterally offset from each other, wherein the connecting portion is formed as a substantially U-shaped elbow. The free ends of the upper spring part may expediently have a fork-shaped region with two webs, wherein each web is connected to the free end of a laterally offset next to the spring upper part spring lower part. In this case, of course, the lower spring part can be designed in an equivalent manner so that it has a fork-shaped region with two webs. To improve the support properties for the head or body of the head or body pad using person, it is also appropriate that the width of the web-shaped spring top is measured greater than the width of the spring base.

In order to ensure sufficient spring properties of the spring elements within the cavities of the pillow or the mattress, it has also proven to be advantageous to make the spring elements so that in each case form three spring tops and four spring bases or a common spring element. The spring elements described are inventively coupled together by a connecting device.

According to the invention, the connecting device has at least one receptacle arranged on an outer spring upper part or spring lower part and a corresponding connecting tongue located on the opposite side facing away from the receptacle on an outer spring lower part or spring upper part. Receiving and connecting tongue engage in the assembly of multiple spring elements into one another, so that this can form spring element layers that correspond in length to the cavities or channels of the head or body support, so that they are completely filled. Of course, under appropriate conditions of use, only a partial filling of the cavities with spring elements is conceivable.

In order to additionally prevent separation of the coupled spring elements, the connecting tongue may have at least one latching lug.

To achieve a uniform spring action beyond an expedient development of the design variant of the spring elements provides that the width of the outer spring bases is dimensioned substantially half as large as the width of the remaining spring bases. By this measure, a total of the same width in the coupling region is achieved with a Aneinanderkoppelung several spring elements in the lower spring parts, as this is also present in the other spring bases.

In order to make the suspension properties of the head or body support different in different areas, it may also be advantageous if the channel-shaped cavities within the head or body underlay are designed differently in cross-section. The size of the cavities is matched to the size of the spring elements, so that with larger spring elements and depending on the plastic material used a harder spring action is achievable. Of course, this spring effect can also be influenced by the parameters of the spring top and spring bottom widths. In addition, the installation of different spring element sizes in the cavities is possible.

It has also proven to be advantageous that the introduction of the spring elements in the insert of the head or body support is facilitated by the fact that the foam body has a running from the bottom to the cavity separation section. Due to the separating cut, the head or body support can be unfolded from the underside so that the spring elements can be easily inserted into the cavity or cavities of the pillow or mattress. After inserting the spring elements then the opposite cut surfaces of the separating cut can be glued together. Alternatively, a separating cut for producing an insert upper part and insert lower part is also conceivable.

A further variant of the introduction of the spring elements into the cavities of the pad or the mattress provides that a plastic film is arranged between the spring element and the inner surface of the cavity in the foam body. This plastic film may for example be formed like a tube, and pulled over the latter before the introduction of the spring elements in the channel-like cavities on the outside. Due to the low friction between the smooth plastic film and the inner wall of the foam body then the strip-shaped composite spring elements can be easily inserted or retract into the cavity.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf eine nicht erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltungsvariante eines blockartigen Schaumstoffkörpers ohne Bezug:

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht des Schaumstoffkörpers gemäß der Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine teilweise geschnittene Ansicht des Schaumstoffkörpers gemäß Figur 1 ebenfalls in der Perspektive mit integrierten Federelementen;

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht gemäß der Schnittdarstellung der Figur 3;

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Ausgestaltungsvariante eines blockartigen Schaumstoffkörpers gemäß der Erfindung mit integrierten Federelementen;

Figur 6

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Federelemente gemäß Figur 5:

Figur 7

eine Aneinanderreihung von Federelementen gemäß Figur 6;

Figur 8

eine Draufsicht auf einen Teilbereich zweier benachbarter Federelemente:

Figur 9

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Körperunterlage in Form einer Matratze mit darin angeordneten Hohlräumen und

Figur 10

eine Teilschnittdarstellung der Körperunterlage gemäß Figur 9 mit in den Hohlräumen angeordneten Federelementen entsprechend der zweiten Ausgestaltungsvariante der Figuren 5 bis 8.

In the following, two embodiments of the subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1

a perspective top view of a non-inventive embodiment variant of a block-like foam body without reference:

FIG. 2

a side view of the foam body according to the FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

a partially sectioned view of the foam body according to FIG. 1 also in perspective with integrated spring elements;

FIG. 4

a plan view according to the sectional view of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5

a perspective view of an embodiment variant of a block-like foam body according to the invention with integrated spring elements;

FIG. 6

an enlarged view of the spring elements according to FIG. 5 :

FIG. 7

a juxtaposition of spring elements according to FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8

a plan view of a portion of two adjacent spring elements:

FIG. 9

a perspective view of a body pad according to the invention in the form of a mattress with cavities and disposed therein

FIG. 10

a partial sectional view of the body pad according to FIG. 9 with arranged in the cavities spring elements according to the second embodiment variant of FIGS. 5 to 8 ,

The FIG. 1 shows in perspective a head or body pad in the form of a pad 1, whose Inlett 2 consists of a block-like foam body 3, wherein the block-like foam body 3 is equipped with at least one cavity 4, in which one or more non-inventive spring elements 5 are arranged, which ensure a supporting spring-loaded support. The individual spring elements 5, shown in detail in the FIG. 2 . 3 and 4 , In this case, have a rigidity, which prevents a closing of the cavities or the cavity 4 for automatic ventilation of the head or body pad 1 due to the pressure pad of a head.

It goes without saying that if, as a result of the pressure load, the surface of the foam body 3 presses slightly, counteract the spring elements 5 so that the cavities 4 are kept open with a certain cross-section, so that a ventilation of the cushion core is made possible. This prevents heat build-up in the support area and reduces sweat formation in the head area. As a result of the moving head on the block-like foam body 3 results in changing cross-sectional conditions in the cavities or the cavity 4, so that when turning the head, for example, an air movement in the cavities or in the cavity 4 takes place, and there is an exchange of air , In addition, it ensures that a natural ventilation of the cushion core is thereby possible.

In a further development of the head or body pad, the cavity or cavities 4 are formed by channels which extend transversely to the lying direction. In this case, the respective channel is formed open to the side walls 6.1 and 6.2 of the block-like foam body 3. This ensures that a direct exchange of air and a moisture release between the pillow core and the environment can take place. As in particular in the Figures 3 and 4 can be seen, the one or more non-inventive spring elements 5 are strip-like design, wherein the single spring element 5 preferably consists of a head plate 7 with supporting spring arms 8, which form a base 9 for fixing to a bar 10 or the like. In this case, for example, the base 9 may be formed as a locking element, so that the spring element 5 can be separated from the bar 10, and correspondingly different stiff spring elements 5 can be connected to the bar 10.

In development of the invention, indicated in the FIG. 2 , the cover 11 may be formed such that it is preferably made of an air-permeable fabric 12 at the side portions of the block-like foam body 3, as in the example FIG. 2 is indicated in one area. As can be seen in particular from the figures, the upper side 13 of the block-like foam body 3 is formed wavy, wherein the single waveform can be additionally ribbed.

Alternatively to the design of a head pad according to the FIGS. 1 to 4 is in the FIG. 5 a head pad according to the invention shown in the form of a pillow, in which the design of the cavities and the spring elements arranged therein is solved differently.

Again FIG. 5 can be seen, the head pad according to the invention is also equipped with two cavities 14. The cavities 14 are configured as channels extending transversely to the reclining direction, in each of which a plurality of juxtaposed spring elements 15 are arranged. The design of the head pad according to the FIG. 5 otherwise corresponds to that of the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 4 ,

It should be noted that the cross section of the channel-like configured cavities 14 has been chosen differently, wherein the respectively arranged in the cavities 14 spring elements 15 have been adjusted in size accordingly. The different size of the spring elements 15 allows a different hardness setting of the respective cushion area, with usually the larger cross section brings a slightly harder spring property of the spring elements 15 with it. Of course, a different hardness design of the corresponding cushion areas is additionally given by the possibility that 15 different plastics are used for the selection of materials of the spring elements.

The special embodiment of the spring elements 15 according to the invention is in the FIG. 6 clarified. The spring element 15 consists of spring tops 16. which are designed as strip-shaped, concave elements. The free ends of the spring tops 16 are fork-shaped and have two webs 17 and 18, which are each connected to a likewise strip-shaped, concave spring base 19.

It should be noted that the lower spring parts 19 have fork-shaped end portions. The respective concave shaped spring tops 16 and spring bases 19 have, as shown in the FIG. 6 is shown, with their end regions to each other, so that when seen in cross-section, a corresponding cavity results. The outer dimensions of the upper spring parts 16 and the lower spring parts 19 correspond to the inner contour of the cavities 14, wherein it is clear that that the spring tops 16 and lower springs 19 due to their design of a force on the pillow due to a head lying on it provide a corresponding resistance, but at the same time can be pushed together within certain limits. The rigidity of the spring elements 15 is dimensioned such that the forces normally acting on a corresponding cushion preclude a complete compression of the spring elements 15.

Again FIG. 6 can also be seen, the spring tops 16 and the spring bases 19 are each coupled together by means of a common substantially U-shaped connection region. In contrast to the concave configuration of the spring upper parts 16 and lower spring parts 19, the connecting region 20 is configured substantially horizontally.

The width of the spring tops 16 is chosen to be wider according to an advantageous embodiment, as the spring lower parts 19, so that there is a corresponding wider support surface and thus improves the bearing feel for resting on the pillow head.

In the FIG. 6 In addition, it can be seen that the respective outer spring lower parts 19a are dimensioned in their width dimension about half as large as the inner spring lower parts 19. This embodiment is therefore chosen as the FIG. 6 can be seen in addition, on the outer spring parts 19 a each a connecting device 20 is arranged, which allows a coupling of a plurality of spring elements 15 to a spring element strand. The connecting device 20 consists essentially of two elements, which are arranged in the illustrated embodiment, in each case on the outer spring lower parts 19a.

These are on the one hand to a receptacle 21 which is formed in this embodiment substantially rectangular and is arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent of the lower spring part 19. The connecting device 20 further includes a connecting tongue 22, which is inserted into the cavity of the receptacle 21. The connecting tongue 22 is arranged on that spring lower part 19 a, which on the opposite side of the spring element 15th is located, so that in each case two adjacent spring elements 15 are coupled to each other.

The coupling is in detail also from the FIG. 8 can be seen, in which a pair of adjacent spring elements 15 are shown in a plan view in detail. From this figure it is also clear that due to the narrower design of the located at the ends of the spring elements 15 spring lower parts 19a in the assembled state of several spring elements, a total width of the spring bases 19 results, which substantially corresponds to that of the rest belonging to a spring element 15 spring bases 19 ,

Of the FIG. 8 In addition, it can be seen that the spring tops 16 and the spring bases 19 are each arranged laterally offset side by side. In order to equip cushions of different sizes with the described spring elements 15, it may be expedient to construct a spring element row of a plurality of individual spring elements 15, which can be coupled to one another by means of the described connection device 20.

In addition, according to the FIG. 7 Of course, given the opportunity to construct a corresponding spring element of a plurality of upper spring parts 16 and spring bases 19. To clarify the shows FIG. 7 Such a spring element, in which six spring tops 16 and seven spring lower parts 19 are used, in each case, as already described, the end located spring bases 19a are provided with a connecting tongues 22 and 21 receptacles connecting devices 20 to also these spring elements 16 to each other can.

Of course, the connecting devices 20 are conceivable not only on the lower spring parts 19a, but can also be arranged on the upper upper parts 16 with a corresponding design.

For installation of the spring elements 15 in the cavities 14 of in FIG. 5 illustrated pillow there are different possibilities.

On the one hand, it has proven to be expedient if the spring element row is embedded in a hose-like plastic film, with the help of which the frictional forces between the spring element and the inside of the spring member receiving cavity 14 is lowered. When mounting the spring elements within the cavities 14 thus the row of spring element is inserted into the plastic film and then pulled by means of suitable holding means through the channel-like cavity 14 through the usually protruding free ends of the plastic film tube, wherein the spring elements 15 are simultaneously retracted into the cavity.

Another possibility of introducing the spring elements 15 in the cavity 14 of the pad is to provide the foam body 3 with a running from the bottom of the foam body 3 to the respective cavity 15 separating cut 23. By running parallel to the longitudinal extent of the cavity 15 separating cut, the underside of the foam body 3 can be opened, which allows the insertion of the spring elements in the cavity 14 of the foam body 3. After inserting the spring elements 15, the opposite cut surfaces of the separating cut 23 can then be glued together.

Again FIG. 5 can be seen, the separating section may have a substantially parallel to the underside of the foam body 3 extending first portion 23a and a substantially perpendicular to the first portion extending further portion 23b.

The basis of the FIGS. 5 to 8 discussed inventive design of a head pad in the form of a pillow with corresponding cavities 14 and disposed therein spring elements 15 can of course be extended to body pads, such as mattresses.

To illustrate such an application, the Figures 9 and 10 provided, wherein in the FIG. 9 schematically a mattress 24 is shown in the transverse to the longitudinal direction of the mattress 24, a plurality of cavities 14 are introduced. As can be seen from the illustration, the respective cavities 14 have a different cross-sectional configuration, resulting in a different compliance of the mattress 24. Thus, depending on the application of the mattress, the user can achieve a softer or harder mattress layer simply by turning it. The introduction of the spring elements 15 takes place in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 10 in analogy to the manner discussed in detail with reference to the pillow design. The spring elements 15 are thereby assembled into spring element rows, which then according to the illustration of FIG. 10 be introduced into the respective cavities 14 of the mattress 24.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01:

Head or body pad

02:

tick

03:

foam body

04:

cavity

05:

spring element

06.1:

Side wall

06.2:

Side wall

07:

headstock

08:

spring arm

09:

Base

10:

strip

11:

reference

12:

tissue

13:

top

14:

cavity

15:

spring element

16:

Pen shell

17:

web

18:

web

19:

Spring base

20:

connecting device

21:

admission

22:

connecting tongue

23:

separating cut

23a:

First section

23b:

Further subarea

24:

mattress

25:

locking lug

Claims (20)

1. A head or body support, in particular a pillow or mattress, comprising an insert (2) having a cover, wherein the insert (2) is formed from a block-like foam body (3) having at least one cavity (4), in which a plurality of spring elements (5, 15) are arranged, which can be connected to one another by means of a connecting device (20) and which ensure a supporting spring-loaded head or body application, wherein the spring elements (5, 15) encompass a stiffness, which, due to the application of pressure, prevents a closing of the cavities or of the cavity (4), respectively, for the automatic internal ventilation of the head or body support,
   characterized in
   that the connecting device (20) encompasses at least one receptacle (21) arranged at an upper spring part (16) or lower spring part (19a) located on the outside and a corresponding connecting tongue (22) located at a lower spring part (19a) or upper spring part (16) at the opposite side facing away from the receptacle (21) located on the outside, so that receptacle (21) and connecting tongue (22) engage with one another in response to connected spring elements (14).
2. The head or body support according to claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the cavity or the cavities (4, 14) is/are formed from ducts, which preferably extend at right angles to the lying direction.
3. The head or body support according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the cover (11) of the head or body support consists of a fabric, which is pervious to air, in particular at the side areas of the block-like foam body (3).
4. The head or body support according to one or a plurality of the above-mentioned claims,
   characterized in
   that the upper side (13) of the block-like foam body (3) is embodied so as to be undulated.
5. The head or body support according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in
   that a plastic film is arranged between spring element (5, 15) and inner surface of the cavity (4, 14) in the foam body.
6. The head or body support according to claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the spring element (15) arranged in the cavity (4, 14) is embodied as a one-piece plastic element having at least one strip-shaped concave upper spring part (16) and at least one strip-shaped concave lower spring part (19), wherein upper spring part (16) and lower spring part (19) face one another at their free ends and encompass a common connection area.
7. The head or body support according to claim 6,
   characterized in
   that the upper spring part (16) and lower spring part (19) are arranged so as to be laterally offset to one another, wherein the connection area is embodied as a substantially U-shaped elbow.
8. The head or body support according to claim 6 or 7,
   characterized in
   that the free ends of the upper spring part (16) encompass a bifurcated area having two bars (17, 18), wherein each bar (17, 18) is connected to the free end of a laterally offset lower spring part (19), which is arranged next to the upper spring part (16).
9. The head or body support according to one of claims 6 to 8,
   characterized in
   that the connection area of lower spring part (19) and upper spring part (16) encompasses a horizontal partial area.
10. The head or body support according to one of claims 6 to 9,
    characterized in
    that the width of the bar-shaped upper spring part (16) is dimensioned so as to be greater than the width of the lower spring part (19).
11. The head or body support according to one of claims 6 to 10,
    characterized in
    that one spring element (15) encompasses three upper spring parts (16) and four lower spring parts (19).
12. The bead or body support according to one of claims 6 to 10,
    characterized in
    that one spring element (15) encompasses six upper spring parts (16) and seven lower spring parts (19).
13. The head or body support according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the connecting tongue (22) encompasses at least one lug (25), by means of which the connecting device (20) can be locked.
14. The head or body support according to one of claims 6 to 13,
    characterized in
    that the width of the lower spring parts (19a) located on the outside are dimensioned so as to substantially be half as large as the width of the remaining lower spring parts (19).
15. The head or body support according to one of claims 2 to 14,
    characterized in
    that at least two duct-shaped cavities (4, 14), which extend at right angles to the lying direction, are arranged within the head or body support next to one another in longitudinal direction, wherein the size of the cross section of the cavities (4, 14) varies.
16. The head or body support according to one of claims 1 to 15,
    characterized in
    that the foam body (3) encompasses at least one separating cut (23), which runs from the lower side to the cavity (4, 14).
17. The head or body support according to claim 16,
    characterized in
    that the intersections of the separating cut (23), which are located opposite from one another, are adhered to one another after insertion of the spring elements (4, 14).
18. The head or body support according to claim 16 or 17,
    characterized in
    that the separating cut (23) encompasses a first partial area (23a), which runs substantially parallel to the lower side of the foam body (3) and a further partial area (23b), which runs substantially perpendicular to the first partial area.
19. The head or body support according to one of claims 1 to 18,
    characterized in
    that a radio or a loudspeaker is arranged in at least one cavity (4) of the insert (2).
20. The head or body support according to one of claims 1 to 19,
    characterized in
    that spring elements (5, 15) of varying size are arranged in at least one cavity (4) of the insert (2).

Images