Method to increase the surface area of a mattress with a cot and cot

Abstract

A method for enlarging the padded surface, such as a mattress, of a structure by placing a cot next to the structure, wherein the structure comprises a first mattress raised from the ground, and the cot comprises: a second mattress, a platform to support the second mattress and ground-support legs that can be deployed to lift the platform; with the steps of - extracting the cot from under the structure, - placing the cot next to the structure, - lifting the platform and the second mattress by deploying the legs, - bringing the second mattress flush with the first mattress by adjusting the length of the legs.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a cot for increasing the surface area of a mattress.

[0002] It's common to use cots, which carry a mattress and slide out from under a bed to create a second sleeping space. The cot is pulled out, placed next to the bed, and then raised to place its mattress next to the bed.

[0003] Since the legs of the beds have a fixed length but the mattresses often differ, the resulting composite mattress has a step in the center. The joining of the two mattresses is unsightly and uncomfortable while sleeping.

[0004] The main object of the invention is to improve this state of the art.

[0005] Another object is to solve or mitigate the above problem.

[0006] Another object is to propose a method and a cot to increase the surface area of a mattress eternal to the cot.

[0007] Another object is to improve the coplanarity of a sleeping surface.

[0008] These and other objects, which will appear better later, are achieved by an apparatus and method as defined in the attached claims, where the dependent claims define advantageous variants.

[0009] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for enlarging the padded surface, such as a mattress, of a structure by positioning a cot next to the structure, wherein the structure comprises a first mattress raised from the ground, and the cot comprises a second mattress, a platform to support the second mattress and ground-support legs that can be straightened in order to raise the platform; with the steps of extracting the cot from under the structure (in particular from under the first mattress), placing the cot next to the structure, lifting the platform and the second mattress by deploying the legs, bringing the second mattress flush with the first mattress by adjusting the length of the legs.

[0010] In a preferred variant of the method, there is the step of adjusting the length of the legs by setting the relative distance of two rigid segments that make up each leg (for operational simplicity).

[0011] In a preferred variant of the method there is the step of setting said relative distance by inserting a blocking means into collimating pass-through openings of the two rigid segments (for operational simplicity).

[0012] In a preferred variant of the method there is the step of deploying one or each leg by rotating it relative to the platform.

[0013] In a preferred variant of the method the structure is a bed or a sofa.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to a cot for carrying out the method, comprising: a platform, an (optional) mattress supported by the platform, ground-support legs that can be deployed to lift the second mattress, wherein the legs have adjustable length to adjust the height of the platform with respect to the ground.

[0015] In a preferred variation of the cot, the legs are foldable to lift the platform.

[0016] In a preferred variant of the cot, the legs are rotatable relative to the platform about an axis parallel to the plane of the platform to lift the platform.

[0017] In a preferred variant of the cot, the platform comprises a base or slats.

[0018] In a preferred variant of the cot, the cot, i.e. the platform, is provided with wheels (preferably four and arranged like the vertices of a rectangle) adapted to cause the cot, when in a horizontal position, to translate on a plane.

[0019] In a preferred variant of the cot, it comprises two foldable legs that can rotate around respective axes that are parallel to each other, parallel to the plane of the platform and spaced apart from each other, so that from coplanar the legs can tilt with respect to the platform to raise the platform - and therefore the mattress carried by the cot - with respect to a support plane or a floor.

[0020] In a preferred variant of the cot, it comprises extension means mounted on each leg to extend the length of the leg; in particular, the extension means are mounted between one of the axes and a part of the leg that rests on the ground.

[0021] In a preferred variant, said means comprise a pair of central leg segments that are slidable relative to each other to form an overall telescopically-extendable segment.

[0022] In a preferred variant the cot comprises blocking means for blocking the relative position of the central segments.

[0023] In a preferred variant, one or each leg comprises a pair of feet for resting on the ground, a pair of central segments that can be telescopically extended and blocked in a relative position selectable by blocking means, and a pair of hinges for rotatable coupling to the platform.

[0024] In a preferred variant, one or each foot is a tube or rod having one end free and the other end integral with the central segment. In particular, the tube or rod is curved in an L-shape or straight.

[0025] In particular, the blocking means comprise: a first row of pass-through holes aligned on one central segment, a second row of pass-through holes aligned on the other central segment, wherein the pitch and diameter of the pass-through holes is the same in the two central segments, and a member adapted to be inserted simultaneously into a hole of the first row and a hole of the second row, the two holes being aligned.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention relates to the assembly of said structure having padded surface and said cot, wherein the structure and / or the cot of the assembly may share one or each of the respective variants defined herein.

[0027] The advantages of the invention will be better clarified by the following description of exemplary embodiments of a cot associated with a bed, illustrated in the attached drawing where: Figs. 1-3 show a schematic front view of a bed and a cot that cooperates with the bed; Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the cot; Fig. 5 shows a side view of the cot; Fig. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of a leg of a cot.

[0028] In the figures, equal numbers indicate equal parts.

[0029] A bed 10 generally comprises a platform 12 which is raised from a floor T by legs 14 and supports a mattress 18. Between the floor T and the platform 12 there remains an empty space 20 in which a cot 30 can be hidden (fig. 1).

[0030] The cot 30 comprises a horizontal frame or platform 34 (e.g. with a bedspring or slats) that supports a mattress 32 and is equipped with wheels 36 (preferably four and arranged like the vertices of a rectangle). The wheels 36 are mounted on the frame 34 so that the cot 30 can be drawn on the floor T without scraping.

[0031] To the frame 34 are hinged two foldable legs 38 that can rotate about respective axes X1, X2 which are parallel to each other, parallel to the plane of the frame 34 and spaced apart from each other. From coplanar (fig. 4) the legs 38 can tilt with respect to the frame 34 (fig. 5) to lift the frame 34 - and therefore the mattress 32 - from the floor T.

[0032] The length of the legs 38, and therefore the distance between the axes X1 X2 and the floor T when the foldable legs 38 are unfolded, can be adjusted by acting on extension means 50 mounted on each leg 38, preferably mounted between one of the axes X1, X2 and the part of the leg 38 that rests on the floor T.

[0033] Operatively, one can extract the cot 30 from the empty space 20 and place it next to the bed 10 (fig. 2 ).

[0034] To bring the two mattresses 18, 32 close together, the legs 38 are deployed, thus raising the mattress 32 (fig. 3). Before, during, or after this transformation, the length of the legs 38 can be adjusted so that the mattresses 18, 32 are positioned flush with each other and form a composite mattress without steps.

[0035] Since the mattress 18 and the mattress 32 are not necessarily equal, one can understand the usefulness of the extension means 50 in the cot 30 to equalize the surfaces of the two mattresses 18, 32.

[0036] What has been described works equally well if the bed 10 is a sofa or another padded furniture item.

[0037] Fig. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the extension means 50.

[0038] The leg 38 comprises symmetrically: a pair of feet 52 for resting on the floor T, as means 50 a pair of telescopically extendable central segments 70, and a pair of hinges 90 for the rotatable coupling to the frame 34.

[0039] Each foot 52 is preferably a tube or rod, which may be curved in an L-shape or even straight, having one end free and the other end integral with the central segment 70. It is also possible that the foot 50 is a single C- or U-shaped rod connecting the two central segments 70 of a leg 36.

[0040] The central segment 70 comprises a first member 72 and a second member 74 which are insertable or slidable on / into each other and blockable in a selectable relative position, so as to form an overall telescopically-extendable segment.

[0041] The first member 72 is fixed, for example welded or screwed, to the foot 50, and comprises a longitudinal row of aligned pass-through holes 78. In particular, the holes 78 are made on a plate 76, for example with a C-shaped cross-section, which constitutes or is comprised in the first member 72.

[0042] The second member 74 is rectilinear, e.g. a bar, and is in turn provided longitudinally with a row of aligned pass-through holes 80. In particular, the second member 74 is inserted into the cavity of the C of the plate 76.

[0043] The pitch and diameter of the pass-through holes 78 is the same as that of the pass-through holes 80, and the members 72, 74 can be coupled onto each other so that the rows of pass-through holes 78, 80 are aligned.

[0044] Each hinge 90 of a leg 36 comprises e.g. two parallel and spaced fins 92 and a fixing base 94. One end of the second member 74 is mounted between the fins 92 and pivoted there with a pin 96 to rotate about one of the axes X1, X2, respectively.

[0045] To adjust the length of the legs 36, one acts on the central segment 70 adjusting the relative position of the members 72, 74. When they reach the desired position, they are fixed to each other by means of one or more fastening means (e.g. bolts or rivets 100) inserted into aligned pass-through holes 78, 80.

Claims

1. Method for enlarging the padded surface, such as a mattress, of a structure by placing a cot next to the structure, wherein the structure comprises a first mattress raised from the ground, and the cot comprises a second mattress, a platform to support the second mattress and ground-support legs that can be deployed to lift the platform; with the steps of - extracting the cot from under the structure, - placing the cot next to the structure, - lifting the platform and the second mattress by deploying the legs, - bringing the second mattress flush with the first mattress by adjusting the length of the legs.

2. Method according to claim 1, with the step of adjusting the length of the legs by setting the relative distance of two rigid segments that make up each leg.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, with the step of setting said relative distance by inserting a blocking means into collimating pass-through openings of the two rigid segments.

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, with the step of deploying one or each leg by rotating it relative to the platform.

5. Cot comprising: a platform for supporting a mattress, ground-support legs that are deployable to raise the second mattress, wherein the legs have an adjustable length to adjust the height of the platform relative to the ground.

6. Cot according to claim 5, wherein the legs are rotatable relative to the platform about an axis parallel to the plane of the platform to lift the platform.

7. Cot according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the platform is provided with wheels adapted to translate the cot, when being horizontal, on a plane.

8. Cot according to claim 5 or 6 or 7, comprising extension means mounted on each leg for extending the length of the leg.

9. Cot according to claim 8, wherein the extension means comprises a pair of central leg segments that are slidable relative to each other to form an overall telescopically extendable segment.

10. Cot according to claim 9, comprising blocking means for blocking the relative position of the central segments.

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