Bevel weight and method for assembling a bed base

Abstract

Corner mass (110) for bed base, comprising a central wedge (112) with at least two converging ramps (114), at least one lateral element (111; 111a, 111b) integral with or suitable for being fixed to a spar (101) or a cross member (102) of the bed base and a clamping device (130) for clamping each lateral element (111; 111a, 111b) against at least one of the at least two ramps (114) of the central wedge (112) in order to consolidate a connection of the spar (101) to the cross member (102) of the bed base through the corner mass (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of bedding, and more specifically to box springs. Prior art

[0002] A bed base typically comprises a quadrangular frame and slats suspended within the frame. The frame typically comprises at least two side members connected at their ends by cross members, the side members and cross members being oriented normally at right angles to each other.

[0003] In order to connect a side member to a cross member at each corner of the bed frame, and to maintain the angle between the side member and the cross member in a stable manner despite the various mechanical stresses to which the frame may be subjected, it is known to use a corner weight securely attached to the side member and the cross member. It is also well known to integrally attach or form bed legs or supports to the corner weights of the four corners of the quadrangular frame of a bed frame.

[0004] In order to facilitate logistics and limit the production cost of bed bases, it is also known to produce and distribute bed bases in kit form to be assembled on site by unskilled personnel, or even by the consumers themselves. For this purpose, corner weights and methods for facilitating this assembly have been proposed, for example in patents US 3,683,429 and US10,028,589 which disclose connection systems using a male member in the form of a wedge fitted into a complementary female receptacle. Documents WO 2015 / 179350, WO 2016 / 196731, WO 2017 / 019199, US 2019 / 0000236 and WO 2017 / 011630 use the same principle. An alternative solution, disclosed for example in documents EP 3 424 367 A1, EP 0 740 084 B1 and WO 2019 / 018624, consists of a central wedge inserted into aligned holes located in side pieces fixed, respectively, to the side member and the cross member.Further examples have been disclosed in KR 100 994 046 B1 and GB 253 718 A.

[0005] In either case, however, these connections are likely to come loose under certain mechanical constraints, which could be detrimental to the stability of the bed base and therefore to the safety of use. Statement of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure aims to remedy these drawbacks, by proposing a corner mass for a bed base allowing easy but particularly stable assembly of the bed base.

[0007] For this purpose, this corner mass may comprise a central wedge with at least two converging ramps, at least one lateral element and a clamping device. Each lateral element may be either integral with a side member or a cross member of the bed frame, or capable of being fixed to the side member or the cross member, while the clamping device is configured to clamp each lateral element against at least one of the at least two ramps of the central wedge in order to consolidate a connection of the side member to the cross member of the bed frame through the corner mass.

[0008] Thus, thanks to the tightening of the central wedge by the tightening device of this corner mass, the assembly of the bed base is not only facilitated, but its subsequent stability is also ensured.

[0009] According to the present invention, the at least one lateral element comprises a first lateral element and a second lateral element, and the clamping device is configured to clamp the first lateral element against a first ramp of the at least two converging ramps and the second lateral element against a second ramp of the at least two converging ramps. The first lateral element may be either integral with the side member or capable of being fixed thereto and the second lateral element may be either integral with the cross member or capable of being fixed thereto. Clamping the central wedge between the first and second lateral elements will thus bring them together by consolidating a stable connection of the side member to the cross member by the corner mass.In particular, in order to retain each of the side elements in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding ramp, while ensuring the guidance of the side elements in converging directions when tightening the central wedge, the ramps and the side elements may comprise mutually complementary undercuts.

[0010] According to a second alternative, the at least one lateral element is integral with or capable of being fixed to one of the side member and the cross member of the bed base and comprises a receptacle capable of receiving the central wedge, while the central wedge is integral with or capable of being fixed to the other of the side member and the cross member of the bed base, for example through a support orthogonal to a tightening direction of the central wedge in the receptacle. The central wedge has for this purpose a pyramid or truncated pyramid shape, with for example a quadrangular section perpendicular to the tightening direction of the central wedge in the receptacle.

[0011] To facilitate tightening, the tightening device may comprise a threaded rod and a corresponding threaded hole. One of the threaded rod and the threaded hole may be located in a tip of the central wedge, towards which the at least two ramps converge, such that tightening may be effected by screwing the threaded rod into the threaded hole. In particular, if one of the threaded rod and the threaded hole is located in the tip of the central wedge, the other of the threaded rod and the threaded hole may be secured to a bed leg, such that tightening may be effected by screwing the bed leg to the corner weight.

[0012] The present disclosure also relates to a bed base comprising at least one side member and one cross member connected by a corner mass as described above, and to a bed comprising such a bed base.

[0013] Furthermore, the present disclosure also relates to a method of assembling a bed base, comprising a step of tightening at least one lateral element of a corner mass in order to consolidate a connection of a side member to a cross member of the bed base through the corner mass. During this tightening, said at least one lateral element of the corner mass is secured to at least one of a side member or a cross member of the bed base, and is tightened, with a tightening device, against at least one ramp among two converging ramps of a central wedge of the corner mass.

[0014] According to a first alternative, the at least one lateral element comprises a first lateral element and a second lateral element. During tightening, the first lateral element can be secured to the bed frame side member and be tightened against a first ramp of the at least two converging ramps and the second lateral element can be secured to the bed frame cross member and be tightened against a second ramp of the at least two converging ramps.

[0015] Alternatively, however, the central wedge, when tightening, is secured to the other of the side member and the cross member of the bed, is received in a receptacle of the side element and for this reason has a pyramid or truncated pyramid shape.

[0016] Tightening may in particular be carried out by screwing a threaded rod of the clamping device into a corresponding threaded hole in the clamping device, one of the threaded rod and the threaded hole being located in a point of the central wedge, towards which the at least two ramps converge. In this case, the other of the threaded rod and the threaded hole may be secured to a bed base leg, tightening then being carried out by screwing the bed base leg to the corner weight.

[0017] In order for the at least one lateral element of the corner mass to be secured to at least one of a longitudinal member or a cross member of the bed base, the assembly method may comprise a step of fixing the at least one lateral element to the longitudinal member and / or to the cross member of the bed base before said tightening.

[0018] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments shown as non-limiting examples. The description refers to the appended drawings in which: Brief description of the drawings

[0019] [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bed base frame. Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a detail view of one corner of the frame of the figure 1 , with an angle mass according to a first embodiment. Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a sectional view of the corner mass of the figure 2 . [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the corner mass of the figure 2 . [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a detail view from another angle of the frame of the figure 1 , with an angle mass according to a second embodiment. Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a sectional view of the corner mass of the figure 5 . [ Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the corner mass of the figure 5 . Description of the embodiments

[0020] A 100 bed base frame is schematically illustrated in the fig. 1 . This frame 100, which may be quadrangular in shape, and more specifically rectangular, may comprise, as illustrated, two parallel side members 101, connected at their ends by two cross members 102 also parallel, at a substantially right angle to the side members 101. In the context of the present application, the terms “side member” and “cross member” must be understood as being essentially interchangeable, both designating elongate elements forming the frame 100 and being distinguished only by their relative length, the side members extending in the direction of the length of the frame 100 and the cross members in the direction of the width. The frame 100 may even be square, with side members and cross members of the same length, or even essentially identical.

[0021] The side members 101 and the cross members 102 may be mutually connected, at the corners of the frame 100, by corner masses 110 such as those illustrated in greater detail in the figures 2 à 4 . Each corner mass 110 may comprise at least one lateral element 111 and a central wedge 112. The lateral element 111 may be capable of being fixed to the spar 101 or to the cross member 102, for example with screws 120 received in through holes 103 in the lateral element 111. However, other fixing techniques, such as for example by gluing, may be used, and it is even conceivable to form the lateral element 111 integrally with the spar 101 or cross member 102, so that it is already integral therewith without the need for fixing. As in the illustrated embodiment, the central wedge 112 may be capable of being fixed to the other of the spar 101 and the cross member 102, in particular also by screws 120 received in through holes 103 in a lateral support 113 secured to the central wedge 112.Other fixing techniques, such as gluing, can however also be used, and it is also even possible to form the lateral support 113 and the central wedge 112 integrally with the side member 101 or cross member 102, so that it is already integral without the need for fixing.

[0022] The central wedge 112 comprises at least two converging ramps 114. As illustrated, in this embodiment the central wedge 112 may be in the shape of a pyramid or truncated pyramid, and the at least two converging ramps 114 may be formed by the lateral faces of this pyramid or truncated pyramid. Although a square-based pyramid shape is illustrated, other shapes, preferably non-axisymmetric, are conceivable. The lateral element 111 has a receptacle 115 with a shape complementary to the central wedge 112, and capable of receiving it.

[0023] As illustrated, the corner mass 110 also comprises a clamping device 130, which may in particular comprise a threaded rod 131 and a tapped orifice 132 complementary thereto, so as to allow clamping of the lateral element 111 against the converging ramps 114 of the central wedge 112. For this, as illustrated, the tapped orifice 132 may be located in a point 133 of the central wedge 112, towards which the converging ramps 114 converge, and the threaded rod 131 may be secured to a lug 134 of the bed base. As illustrated, a nut 135 integrated in the central wedge 112 may be crossed by this tapped orifice 132 to contribute its internal thread thereto. However, this arrangement can alternatively be reversed, so as to locate the threaded hole in the lug and the threaded rod on the tip of the central wedge.To allow the threaded rod 131 to pass through for insertion into the tapped hole 132 when the central wedge 112 is received in the receptacle 115 of the lateral element 111, the latter may have a through hole 136. The tab 134 and the lateral element 111 may have opposite surfaces 137, 138 configured to come into contact to tighten the lateral element 111 against the central wedge 112 when screwing the threaded rod 131 into the tapped hole 132.

[0024] To connect a side member 101 to a cross member 102 when assembling the frame 100, first the side member 111 can be attached to the side member 101 and the center wedge 112 to the cross member 102, or the side member 111 to the cross member 102 and the center wedge 112 to the side member 101, if they are not already attached. Then, the center wedge 112 can be inserted into the receptacle 115. Finally, the threaded rod 131 can be screwed into the tapped hole 132 so as to tighten the receptacle 115 against the center wedge 112, thereby consolidating the connection between the side member 101 and the cross member 102, while fixing the tab 134 to the frame 100.

[0025] 110 angle masses are illustrated on the figures 5 à 7. As illustrated, each corner mass 110 according to the invention comprises a first lateral element 111a, a second lateral element 111b, and a central wedge 112. The first and second lateral elements 111a, 111b may be capable of being fixed to the spar 101 and to the cross member 102, for example with screws 120 received in through holes 103 in the lateral elements 111a, 111b. However, other fixing techniques, such as for example by gluing, may be used, and it is even conceivable to form the first and / or the second lateral element 111a, 111b integrally with the spar 101 or cross member 102, so that it is already integral therewith without the need for fixing.

[0026] In this embodiment, the central wedge 112 may have two converging ramps 114 with undercuts capable of engaging complementary undercuts on the lateral elements 111a, 111b so as to guide the lateral elements 111a, 111b in converging directions while maintaining their relative orientation.

[0027] According to the present invention, the corner mass 110 also comprises a clamping device 130, which may in particular comprise a threaded rod 131 and a tapped orifice 132 complementary thereto, so as to allow clamping of the lateral elements 111a, 111b against the corresponding converging ramps 114 of the central wedge 112. For this, as illustrated, the tapped orifice 132 may be located in a point 133 of the central wedge 112, towards which the converging ramps 114 converge, and the threaded rod 131 may be secured to a lug 134 of the bed base. As illustrated, a nut 135 integrated in the central wedge 112 may be crossed by this tapped orifice 132 to contribute its internal thread. However, this arrangement can alternatively be reversed, so as to locate the threaded hole in the lug and the threaded rod on the tip of the central wedge.For its introduction into the threaded hole 132 when the central wedge 112 is received in the receptacle 115 of the lateral element 111, the threaded rod 131 can pass between the two lateral elements. Each lateral element 111a, 111b may have a surface 137 opposite a surface 138 of the tab 134. These surfaces 137, 138 may be configured so as to come into contact to tighten each lateral element 111a, 111b against the central wedge 112 when screwing the threaded rod 131 into the threaded hole 132.

[0028] To connect a side member 101 to a cross member 102 when assembling the frame 100, first the side members 111a, 111b can be attached to the side member 101 and the cross member 102, if they are not already secured thereto. Then, the side members 111a, 111b can be engaged to the corresponding ramps 114 of the central wedge 112. Finally, the threaded rod 131 can be screwed into the tapped hole 132 so as to tighten the side members 111a, 111b against the central wedge 112, thereby consolidating the connection between the side member 101 and the cross member 102, while fixing the tab 134 to the frame 100.

[0029] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it is obvious that various modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description and drawings are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A cornerpiece (110) for a bed base, comprising a central wedge (112) with at least two converging ramps (114), at least one side element (111; 111a, 111b) secured to or capable of being attached to a spar (101) or a crossmember (102) of the bed base, and a clamping device (130) for clamping each side element (111; 111a, 111b) against at least one of the at least two ramps (114) of the central wedge (112) in order to consolidate a connection of the spar (101) to the crossmember (102) of the bed base through the cornerpiece (110), characterized in that the at least one side element (111a, 111b) comprises a first side element (111a) secured to or adapted to be attached to the spar of the bed base and a second side element (111b) secured to or capable of being attached to the crossmember (102) of the bed base, and wherein the clamping device (130) is configured to clamp the first side element (111a) against a first ramp (114) of the at least two converging ramps (114) and the second side element (111b) against a second ramp (114) of the at least two converging ramps (114).

2. The cornerpiece (110) according to claim 1, wherein the ramps (114) and the side elements (111a, 111b) have mutually complementary undercuts.

3. A cornerpiece (110) for a bed base, comprising a central wedge (112) with at least two converging ramps (114), at least one side element (111; 111a, 111b) secured to or capable of being attached to a spar (101) or a crossmember (102) of the bed base, and a clamping device (130) for clamping each side element (111; 111a, 111b) against at least one of the at least two ramps (114) of the central wedge (112) in order to consolidate a connection of the spar (101) to the crossmember (102) of the bed base through the cornerpiece (110), wherein the at least one side element (111) is secured to or adapted to be attached to the spar (101) and the crossmember (102) of the bed base and comprises a receptacle (115) adapted to receive the central wedge (112), which is secured to or able to be attached to the other of the spar (101) and the crossmember (102) of the bed base, characterized in that the central wedge (112) takes the shape of a pyramid or truncated pyramid.

4. The cornerpiece (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping device (130) comprises a threaded stem (131) and a corresponding threaded orifice (132), one of the threaded stem (131) and the threaded orifice (132) being located in a point (133) of the central wedge (132), the at least two ramps (114) converging toward said point (133).

5. The cornerpiece (110) according to claim 4, wherein the other of the threaded stem (131) and the threaded orifice (132) is secured to a lug (134) of the bed base.

6. A bed base comprising at least one spar (101) and one crossmember (102) connected by a cornerpiece (110) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. A bed comprising a bed base according to claim 6.

8. A method of assembling a bed base, comprising at least clamping at least one side element (111; 111a, 111b) of a cornerpiece (110), with a clamping device (130), against at least one ramp (114) of a central wedge (112) of the cornerpiece (110), in order to consolidate a connection of a spar (101) to a crossmember (102) of the bed base through the cornerpiece (110), said central wedge (112) comprising at least two converging ramps (114), and said at least one side element (111; 111a, 111b) being secured to at least one of the spar (101) or the crossmember (102) of the bed base during clamping, characterized in that the at least one side element (111a, 111b) comprises a first and a second side element (111a, 111b), and wherein, during clamping, the first side element (111a) is secured with the spar (101) of the bed base and clamped against a first ramp (114) of the at least two converging ramps (114) and the second side element (111b) is secured to the crossmember (102) of the bed base and clamped against a second ramp (114) of the at least two converging ramps (114).

9. A method of assembling a bed base, comprising at least clamping at least one side element (111; 111a, 111b) of a cornerpiece (110), with a clamping device (130), against at least one ramp (114) of a central wedge (112) of the cornerpiece (110), in order to consolidate a connection of a spar (101) to a crossmember (102) of the bed base through the cornerpiece (110), said central wedge (112) comprising at least two converging ramps (114), and said at least one side element (111; 111a, 111b) being secured to at least one of the spar (101) or the crossmember (102) of the bed base during clamping, and characterized in that the central wedge (112) takes the shape of a pyramid or truncated pyramid and, during clamping, is secured to the other of the spar (101) and crossmember (102) of the bed base and received in a receptacle (115) of the side element.

10. The assembly method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the clamping is effected by screwing a threaded stem (131) of the clamping device (130) into a corresponding threaded orifice (132) of the clamping device (130), one of the threaded stem (131) and the threaded orifice (132) being located in a point of the central wedge (112), toward which the at least two ramps (114) converge.

11. The assembly method according to claim 10, wherein the other of the threaded stem (131) and the threaded orifice (132) is secured to a lug (134) of the bed base, the clamping being effected by screwing the base lug (134) to the cornerpiece (110).

12. The assembly method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising a step of attaching the at least one side element (111; 111a, 111b) to the spar (101) and / or to the crossmember (102) of the bed base before said clamping.

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