EP0270582B1 - Element for reclining or sitting - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP87/00260 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 20, 1988 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 20, 1988 PCT Filed May 16, 1987 PCT Pub. No. WO87/07125 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 3, 1987.A reclining member includes a carrier frame with longitudinal support parts (1,2) at the sides and a reclining surface which is at least partially yielding in a springy or elastic manner. Straps (3,4) extending consecutively are fastened at the side longitudinal support parts (1,2) of the carrier frames transversely to their longitudinal direction. The straps (3) are fabricated of non-extensible material at least in their longitudinal direction, while the straps (4) are elastically extensible in the same direction. The non-extensible straps (3) are constructed so as to be of differing lengths for adapting the reclining surface to the body portion of a reclining person, so that supports at different levels in the regions A to J of a reclining person are present (FIG. 2) which are required for an optimum reclining position.

Description

The invention relates to a reclining or seating element, consisting of a support frame and an at least partially resilient or resilient reclining or seating surface, with bands, belts, ropes or the like running on lateral longitudinal support parts of the support frame transversely to the longitudinal direction thereof. are attached sequentially.

Lying or seating elements are known, which, made of a wide variety of materials, appear extremely shapely in some cases and are very adaptable when used for trial purposes, but have inherent severe defects in the long run. For example, the flat, soft surface of couch elements is almost predestined to absorb the body softly in any position and thus to bring you to sleep or to rest in any position with a supposedly cozy feeling. Complaints from deformed or displaced intervertebral discs that press against the nerve tissue are a common cause of back problems. They occur particularly in older people, in whom the intervertebral disc tissue has lost the fluid content and thus the resistance due to daily stress. The high pressures that put pressure on the spine are usually poorly reduced.

If one analyzes the lying on one's back in the case of conventional lying elements on the body, one begins to realize from the feet that the fibula is particularly stressful on the calves, so that the blood circulation is disturbed. The thigh is also compressed on the lower side by its own weight. Since these two muscle parts are anatomically much deeper than the hollow of the knee, this will be relatively hollow, which in turn causes strain on the ligaments in the long run. The lumbar area is relatively well positioned, but the lumbar area is the easiest part of the human body. A healthy spine represents a slightly curved S in side view, whereby it turns out with conventional lying elements that the spine is more or less stored in the lumbar area or in the shoulder area depending on the weight. Since the lungs perform a kind of pumping process in the middle area of the spine (abdominal-chest area) during breathing, the main part of the resulting forces including the mass parts are transferred to the middle part of the intervertebral disc. After the lying elements used so far can be pushed through more or less easily at all points, the spine is pressed down a little with each pumping operation of the lungs until it finally forms a hump. The shoulder blade section is practically a resting part, but, since the shoulder blades are raised, is pushed upwards by the weight that is resting on it. This results in tension in the shoulder blade band. The cervical vertebrae are not supported on the known bed elements. The head is rarely centered on the trunk, so that there are curvatures of the cervical vertebra.

Lying in a side position on conventional reclining elements causes the spine to bend sideways due to the pumping process of the lungs. The armpit area or the shoulder blades tighten, which leads to a twisting of the spine. There is no support for the cervical vertebrae even in a lateral position. When lying on one side, the head can only be brought into a relative plane to the body by means of a pillow.

It is already known (US-A-27 88 531) on the side longitudinal support parts of the support frame of a mattress, bands, belts, ropes or the like extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the same. to attach successively. In this known embodiment, all straps are designed to be resilient, but a possibility has been created that not all straps can stretch to the same extent. This is accomplished in that the belts in the fastening area of the longitudinal parts are made of elastic material, whereas the belt sections arranged between these end parts are made of non-elastic material of different lengths. When the mattress is not under load, all straps are tensioned in the horizontal direction, with different lengths of travel being possible for individual straps. Each belt can still be extended elastically even when loaded.

The present invention has therefore set itself the task of creating a reclining or seating element which, with a simple and inexpensive construction, is convenient for storage and regeneration of the body over a long period of time, e.g. during the night's rest.

According to the invention this is achieved in that at least some of the straps, belts, ropes or the like. are made of at least in the longitudinal direction of non-stretchable material, the non-stretchable straps, belts, ropes or the like. to adapt to the body parts of a lying or seated person of different lengths or attached to the longitudinal support parts of the support frame at different heights or adjustable length on the longitudinal support parts.

By means of these measures according to the invention it is achieved that fixedly coordinated straps, belts, ropes or the like. are present, which are adapted to the anatomical shape of the human body. Since these tapes or the like. are firmly connected to the side longitudinal support parts, due to the round body of the fuselage, a lying or sitting on the lying or sitting element is forcibly set centrally of the longitudinal axis. The body is thus centered according to its mass parts in the middle of the element. So it is practically created a firm base that adapts accordingly to the successive parts of the body. It is So it is very important that an adaptation to the successive parts of the body takes place and not an adaptation to the weight of the user, as is the case with the known design.

As a result of the constant movement of the trunk through the pumping of the lungs, this construction prevents vertical bending of the spine, the pressure which is inevitably shifted now has an extremely favorable effect, namely in a natural stretching process on the spine.

It is created as a practical base that adapts to the successive parts of the body. A particular advantage is the fact that the measures according to the invention can be used regardless of the weight of the user, so that neither soft or hard lying or seating elements are important. Experiments have shown that the body becomes about 1 to 2 cm longer over a sleeping unit of about 6 to 7 hours, which results in better blood circulation.

Intervertebral discs absorb fluid again when they are relieved, namely by pulling the spine apart. Therefore, stretching and pulling devices to relieve the spine have already become known. However, these devices are very expensive and it is also necessary that the person to be treated is under the action of high tensile forces or is exactly in position, which is inconvenient for people stretched on these known conditions.

The construction according to the invention relieves the pressure on the intervertebral discs practically during normal lying.

Further features according to the invention and special advantages are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the drawing.

• Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf ein Liegeelement, teilweise aufgeschnitten dargestellt;
• Fig. 2 eine Seitenansicht einer Liege mit eingesetztem Liegeelement;
• Fig. 3 einen Schnitt nach der Linie 111-111 in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 und 5 Schnitte der gleichen Art wie Fig. 3, wobei jedoch das Liegeelement durch eine Person belastet ist;
• Fig. 6 und 7 zwei Ausführungsbeispiele für die Befestigung der Bänder, Gurte, Seile, od.dgl. an den seitlichen Längstragteilen;
• Fig. 8 eine Teilschrägsicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispieles eines Liegeelementes;
• Fig. 9 und 10 Schnitte nach der Linie X-X in Fig. 8 mit zwei verschiedenen Varianten zur Befestigung und zum Spannen der Bänder, Gurte, Seile od.dgl.;
• Fig. 11 eine Ausführungsform eines Liegeelementes in Schrägsicht mit besonderer Gestaltung der Längstragteile.

Show it:

• Figure 1 is a plan view of a lying element, shown partially cut away.
• 2 shows a side view of a bed with a bed element inserted;
• Fig. 3 is a section along the line 111-111 in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 and 5 sections of the same type as Figure 3, however, the bed element is loaded by a person.
• 6 and 7 two embodiments for fastening the tapes, belts, ropes, or the like. on the side longitudinal members;
• 8 shows a partial oblique view of a further exemplary embodiment of a lying element;
• Fig. 9 and 10 sections along the line XX in Fig. 8 with two different variants for fastening and for tensioning the straps, belts, ropes or the like .;
• Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a lying element in an oblique view with a special design of the longitudinal support parts.

The lying element shown essentially consists of a support frame which is formed from at least two lateral longitudinal support parts 1 and 2, and straps 3 and 4 running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the same. These straps 3, 4 are successively transverse to the longitudinal support parts 1 in the longitudinal direction of the lying element , 2 arranged running, at least some of these belts being made of at least in the longitudinal direction non-stretchable material. In the embodiment shown, the straps 3 provided with cross hatching are made of non-stretchable material and the straps 4 provided with longitudinal stripes are made of an elastically stretchable material. Instead of belts 3, 4, tapes of other types, ropes or the like can also be used within the scope of the invention. be used. It would also be conceivable to provide non-stretchable straps 3 and the elastically stretchable straps 4 by any longitudinal spring elements or other straps, ropes, or the like. to replace. The tapes, belts, ropes or the like. can be made of both biological material and synthetic material. When using biological materials, for example natural fibers, the straps, belts, ropes or the like also react. with the body or room climate. With small tolerances, biological materials are automatically adjusted to specific body shapes.

The elastically stretchable straps 4 bring about a certain springing of the lying element, whereas the non-stretchable straps 3 form a bearing which is matched to the shape of the body of the lying person. 2 can be seen in particular that the straps 3 are of different lengths to adapt to the body parts of a person lying down.

It is thus ensured that the fibula is not stressed, that the thigh is not compressed, and that proper support can be provided in the area of the hollow of the knee. The lumbar region of the patient is optimally supported and furthermore it is to be regarded as particularly important that good support of the spine is achieved, so that the intervertebral disc area is not additionally stressed during sleep or rest, but on the contrary, a natural stretching process takes place.

It has been shown that an approximate adaptation to different body sizes is already possible, since for the most part the body proportions of persons of different sizes are in similar proportions.

The body needs a certain amount of stress to be able to regenerate itself. With a corresponding lack of movement, there are the known intervertebral discs or other complaints. Many have a lack of concentrated exercise due to their job, a possible compensatory therapy is ignored or insufficiently carried out. All that remains is physical relaxation while sleeping, i.e. lying down. A straight spine can pass through a preferred moisturizing and blood circulation correct a lot in itself. Most people definitely want to lie soft and comfortable. The body is forced into all possible and impossible forms. It hardly matters that the head is somehow in a soft cushion. The neck is buckled by the pillow, the blood circulation is impaired and the very delicate cervical vertebrae remain unsupported. You can fall asleep anyway, but what happens after that doesn't interest most people. But sleep is of crucial importance for health, because it is not only the comfort of the bed that counts, but also the practicality of the bed element.

The proposed construction optimally supports a person lying down, the essential support points designated by the letters A to J in FIG. 2 being explained in more detail below. In area A, the heels can be optimally supported on an elastic belt. In area B the back of the foot is supported by a non-stretchable belt. The area C supports the lower leg between the sections B and D formed from non-stretchable bands, so that there is no significant load on the calves lying between them.

This can help prevent calf and foot cramps. In area D, the back of the knee is optimally supported by a non-stretchable belt. In the area E of the thigh there is also an optimal support and thus an optimal blood circulation through partially non-stretchable straps, whereby an adjustment of the length of the non-stretchable straps seems appropriate to adapt to the exact body shape. In area F of the loin an effective relief takes place through the spinal bridge in area G. In area H the shoulder blades are supported on several successive, elastically stretchable straps. As a result, there is no longer any tension in the muscles and this arrangement is also advantageous for holding the shoulders in a lateral position. Proper support and thus relaxation of the cervical vertebrae take place in area I (cervical spine bridge). The area J takes up the head of the person lying down, whereby the elastic, stretchable straps allow the head to be optimally positioned without an additional pillow.

In the supine position, a central lying in the median longitudinal plane of the lying element is possible. With a support mat on the bed element, e.g. consisting of a foam and at the same time sheep's wool cover, brings a comfortable lying feeling with it.

In the side position, the construction also has a positive effect, since the head can be constantly supported without a pillow. In this position, the spinal bridge in area G relaxes the lateral muscles.

If the patient lies prone, the spinal bridge in area G in turn provides soothing relaxation.

The four shortest, non-stretchable straps in areas B, D, G and I determine the position of the body in relation to the horizontal plane. The straps in between can be adapted to any body shape. Depending on the change in the height of the spine bridge in area G, the pressure or tension of the longitudinal axis to the spine also behaves. It is quite normal for the spine to be relaxed by about 3 to 4 cm (measured lying down) after a few weeks of using such a lying element. The cervical spine bridge in area I also works on this principle. The straps themselves strive, based on the hanging principle, to take up the body in the middle. This also straightens the spine during the stretching process.

From the sectional drawings of FIGS. 4 and 5 it can be seen how the individual straps 3 and 4 stretch when using the lying element, the non-stretchable straps 3 being tensioned accordingly and the elastically stretchable straps 4 in the manner of a suspension on the body of the Support lying people.

It is usually sufficient if alternately non-stretchable straps 3 and elastically stretchable straps 4 are provided in succession. In order to influence lying on the side just as favorably, e.g. two or more elastically stretchable straps 4 are arranged one behind the other at the level of the armpit of the person lying down, in which case a plurality of non-stretchable straps 3 are then successively provided in the region of the lying head, so that a horizontal line is formed from the head to the feet.

From the drawing it can also be seen that an elastically stretchable longitudinal belt 5 can be arranged between the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 and parallel to this. This longitudinal belt 5 is preferably connected to all belts 3, 4 running transversely thereto at the crossing points. This longitudinal belt is not only intended to trace the silhouette of the body, but is also intended to hold the transverse belts 3, 4 in their position.

The resilient effect of the resilient belts 4 is not of particular importance, because these elastically stretchable belts 4 are primarily intended to help keep a mattress or a cover in place when not in use. To form a complete bed, the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 together with the belts 3, 4 can be covered by a support mat 6. This ensures a practically stepless transition between the individual belts 3, 4, so that the lying element can be optimally adapted to the body parts of the lying person. An advantageous embodiment of this support mat 6 is present when it is tubular, so that the structure consisting of longitudinal support parts 1, 2 and the belts 3, 4 is enclosed on all sides by the support mat 6.

From the section according to Fig. 3 it can be seen that the whole lying element 7 appears as a flat body when not in use, e.g. the top of the mattress is also held in one plane by the longitudinal belt 5 and the elastically stretchable belts 4. The non-stretchable straps 3 sag more or less depending on their length when there is no load between the longitudinal side members 1 and 2.

From Fig. 6 it can be seen that the ends of the belts 3, 4 can be connected directly to the longitudinal support parts 1 and 2, respectively. The connection can be done in different ways, e.g. by rivets or the like. respectively.

As can be seen from FIG. 7, there is also another possibility of arranging the belts 3, 4. In this embodiment, the belts 3, 4 are designed as endless loops and encompass both longitudinal support parts 1, 2.

In the context of the invention, it would also be conceivable to provide adjustment options for the non-stretchable straps 3, so that under certain circumstances a subsequent adjustment to certain body proportions would be possible. Such an adjustment option is possible in various design variants, as can be seen, for example, from the explanations for FIGS. 8 to 10.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 to 10, the lying element 7 is also formed of two longitudinal support parts 1 and 2, which are plate-like, and the belts 3, 4. To form a support frame 1 and 2 cross support members 10 are used between the ends of the longitudinal support members. Running parallel to the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 and at a short distance from the inside thereof are strips 11, profiled rails or the like. firmly mounted, the ends of the straps 3, 4 being guided down between the inside of the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 and the strips 11 and firmly engaging a profile piece 12 with their free end. Such a construction makes it possible to make all the non-stretchable straps 3 of the same length, with this construction providing a possibility of tensioning depending on the required length of the straps 3.

The free ends of the straps 3 are expediently fastened to the profile pieces 12 in that the ends loop around the profile pieces 12 in an eyelet shape. A separate profile piece 12 is provided for each free end of the straps 3. This is because these straps 3 must be individually adjustable to their length. An advantageous embodiment lies in the fact that one end of the straps 3 is fixedly arranged on one support part 1 or 2 or on the corresponding bar 11 and the profile piece 12 is provided only at one end, in order thereby to be able to tension as required form.

The tensioning can take place by the application of force to the profile piece 12 provided at the free ends of the straps 3, there being several design variants for this purpose. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a wedge body 13 is inserted between the inside of a longitudinal support part and the profile piece 12 attached to the free end of a belt 3, which wedge is driven more or less far in the direction of arrow 14 as required. The profile piece 12 thereby moves in the direction of arrow 14, so that the belt 3 is tensioned more when the wedge body 13 is driven in further.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 10, a threaded spindle 15 acting on the respective profile piece 12 is provided for each profile piece 12 and thus for each belt 3, this threaded spindle 15 carrying, for example, a screw head 16 on the outside of the longitudinal support part 1. On the side of the profile piece 12 facing the threaded spindle 15, a support body 17 is provided, so that when the threaded spindle 15 is screwed in to a greater or lesser extent, the profile piece 12 and thus the corresponding end of the belt 3 is moved in the direction of the arrow 14. This in turn results in a more or less strong tensioning of each individual belt 3.

Another embodiment variant - not shown - is that at least one end of a belt 3 is placed on a profile piece 12 and can be wound further onto this profile piece 12 by rotating the profile piece. Tensioning or re-tensioning of the straps 3 is also possible in such a manner as required. However, such a variant is structurally more complex than the variant already shown on the basis of the sections in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In the construction according to FIGS. 8 to 10, the strip 11 or a corresponding profiled rail or the like is expediently. connected several times over its length to the longitudinal support parts 1, 2. This is necessary because otherwise the entire load from the straps 3, 4 would rest on the strips 11 when the lying element is used.

11, the longitudinal support parts 1, 2 of the support frame have at their upper or lower longitudinal edges 18 a contour corresponding to the successive body parts of a person lying down. As a result, straps 3 of the same length, which cannot be stretched, and also elastically stretchable straps 4 of equal length, can be fastened in succession over the length of the longitudinal support parts 1, 2. This already results from the arrangement of the straps 3, 4, the lying surface contour adapted to the body shape. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the longitudinal support part 2 shown is designed as a plate-shaped part. Within the scope of the invention, however, it would also be possible to design the longitudinal support parts as tubular or profile parts, as in the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 7, in which case they then have a curved course corresponding to the successive body parts of a person lying down. Such an arrangement would also be usable for the manufacture of seating furniture (pure seating furniture, TV seating and reclining chairs). It was in the front standing description always spoken of a couch element. Such a bed element can not only serve as a replacement for the known spring element mattresses and the upholstered mattresses lying thereon, but also, for example, for hospital beds and beds, for therapeutic seat and bed elements, for armchairs, vehicle seats, bed seats, etc.

By means of simple constructive measures, the present invention made it possible to create a mattress which enables the user to lie down optimally in a health-promoting manner.

Claims (16)

1. Element for reclining or sitting, consisting of a support frame and of a reclining- or sitting- surface (7) which is at least partially resilient and/ or elastically yielding, wherein on lateral longitudinal support parts (1, 2) of the support frame there are secured successively bands, belts, cords (3, 4) or the like, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction thereof, characterised in that at least some of the bands, belts, cords (3, 4), or the like, are made from material which is non-stretchable at least in their longitudinal direction, and wherein the non-stretchable bands, belts (3), cords or the like, for purposes of adaptation to the bodily parts of a reclining and/or sitting person, are constructed so as to be of different lengths, or are secured at different heights on the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) of the support frame, or are held in longitudinally adjustable manner on the longitudinal support parts (1, 2).

2. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claim 1, characterised in that there are provided. in alternating succession. non-stretchable bands, belts, cords (3) or the like, and elastically stretchable bands, belts, cords (4), or the like.

3. Element for reclining or sitting. according to claim 1, characterised in that in selected zones, in relation to the length of the element (7) for reclining or sitting, there are arranged, in direct succession, two or more non-stretchable bands. belts, cords (3) or the like, or elastically stretchable bands, belts, cords (4), or the like.

4. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) of the support frame have, on their upper and lower longitudinal edges (18), a contour which corresponds to the successive bodily parts of a reclining person, and in that over the length of the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) there are successively secured non-stretchable bands, belts (3), cords. or the like, which are equal in length, and elastically stretchable bands, belts (4), cords, or the like, which are equal in length.

5. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claim 4, characterised in that the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) are constructed as tubular or profiled parts whose course is curved correspondingly to the successive bodily parts of a reclining person.

6. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that parallel to, and spaced at a slight distance apart from, the inner side of the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) there is fixedly assembled, in each case, a strip (11), profiled rail, or the like, whereby the ends of the bands, belts (3, 4), cords, or the like, are introduced downwardly between the inner side of the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) and the associated strip (11), profiled rail, or the like, and engage with their free end securely on a profiled part (12).

7. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claim 6, characterised in that the free ends of the bands, belts (3, 4), cords, or the like, are wound around the profiled parts (12) in the form of a loop.

8. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the bands, belts (3, 4), cords, or the like are tensionable by applying force on the profiled part (12) which is arranged on the free ends of the bands, belts (3, 4), cords, or the like.

9. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claims 6 to 8, characterised in that a profiled part (12) engages only one end of the bands, belts (3, 4), cords, or the like, and in that the other end is secured on the longitudinal support part (1, 2) of the support frame and/or on the strip (11 profiled rail, or the like, which extends parallel thereto.

10. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claims 6 to 9, characterised in that between the inner side of the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) and the profiled part (12) which is inserted at the end of the bands, belts (3, 4), cords, or the like, a wedge member (13) can be inserted or driven in.

11. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claims 6 to 9, characterised in that for each profiled part (12), and therefore for each band, each belt, each cord, or the like, there is provided a screwthreaded spindle (15) which acts upon the particular profiled part (12) concerned.

12. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the ends of the bands, belts (3, 4), cords, or the like, are held on the profiled part (12) in such a manner that they can be wound up and unwound.

13. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claim 6, characterised in that the strips (11), profiled rails, or the like, have, over their length, multiple connections with the longitudinal support parts (1, 2).

14. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the bands, belts (3, 4), cords, or the like, are constructed in the form of endless loops, and grip around the two longitudinal support parts (1, 2).

15. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the longitudinal support parts (1, 2), together with the bands, belts (3, 4), cords, or the like, are covered by a mattress overlay (6).

16. Element for reclining or sitting, according to claim 15, characterised in that the mattress overlay (6) is of tubular construction, and the assembly consisting of the longitudinal support parts (1, 2) and the bands, belts (3,4), cords, or the like, is surrounded on all sides by the mattress overlay (6).

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