Lit

Abstract

A bed (100) comprising a bed base, that is to say, a substantially rectangular support structure intended to support a mattress, and four legs (4) for raising the bed base above the floor. The bed base is surrounded on its entire periphery by at least one barrier (22), said barrier (22) comprising four smooth surfaces inclined with respect to the horizontal when the legs (4) rest on a horizontal floor, each smooth surface connecting two adjacent bed legs (4), and the bed legs (4) extending outwards from above from said barrier (22). (See Figure 1 for more details.)

Description

Title of the invention: Bed

[0001] The content of this disclosure relates to a bed. technical field

[0002] This disclosure relates, on the one hand, to the field of furniture and, on the other hand, to the field of bed bug control. Previous technique

[0003] The bed bug is a crawling insect that is a parasite of humans. This insect is hematophagous, nocturnal, nocturnal, and gregarious. Thus, bed bugs do not jump or fly. They feed (exclusively) on human blood at night—or at least in the dark—while the infested person is in a deep sleep. Therefore, a bed bug found outside a bed can only reach its victim by climbing up the bed legs or a wall when the bed is in contact with that wall (much more rarely by dropping from a ceiling).

[0004] Bed bugs avoid light and live in groups. Thus, during the day, they hide away from the light while remaining close to a sleeping surface occupied by a sleeper.

[0005] Bed bugs feed regularly but can also remain in diapause for extended periods, up to 24 months. During this time, they remain hidden, waiting to feed again. This occurs when a dwelling remains unoccupied or when bed bugs feel threatened, for example, following chemical treatment (insecticides, essential oils, etc.) or if the ambient temperature drops below 14°C.

[0006] Various methods are known to be used to eliminate bed bugs: steam cleaning, cold treatment (for example, putting infested linen in the freezer), use of diatomaceous earth, etc.

[0007] It is also known to use chemical insecticides, but this method is not recommended because it has a repellent effect, thus contaminating all treated dwellings and neighboring dwellings, is harmful to humans, and causes bed bugs to enter diapause (dormancy), a phase in which they can remain for 24 months. Bed bugs remain in diapause as long as the chemical residue is active.

[0008] It is also known to place bed bug traps at each foot of a bed. These traps most often present an insurmountable obstacle, for example, a passage coated with glue or diatomaceous earth in an area where access to a sleeper is impossible, provided that the bed is away from all walls or other objects. forming a bridge with the bed. Fossilized algae skeletons or silica contained in diatomaceous earth are sharp and very drying. Insects die from dehydration after coming into contact with diatomaceous earth while passing through traps (mechanical trapping). This completely natural material is not considered dangerous by bed bugs (and is completely harmless to humans). It is sold without any hazard pictograms.

[0009] One drawback of the above solutions is that they do not provide complete treatment against bed bugs. For example, bed bugs can find a dark hiding place in the bed itself. It is also possible that bed bugs will find another way, bypassing the bed legs and therefore the traps set, to reach a sleeper in the bed. They can, for example, get into the bed on an infested garment left on it.

[0010] The present disclosure is based on the original, a priori entirely novel idea of ​​providing a bed that can effectively protect a sleeper from bedbugs. Summary

[0011] This disclosure thus improves the current situation regarding the fight against bed bugs.

[0012] A bed is proposed comprising a bed base, that is to say a substantially rectangular support structure intended to support a mattress, and four legs allowing the bed base to be raised above the ground.

[0013] According to this disclosure, the bed base is surrounded around its entire periphery by at least one barrier, said barrier comprising four smooth surfaces inclined with respect to the horizontal when the feet rest on a horizontal floor, each smooth surface connecting two adjacent bed feet, and the bed feet extending in top view outwards from said barrier.

[0014] Thanks to this structure, even if the bed is accidentally pushed, the bed frame (and the mattress it supports) cannot come into contact with a wall, and therefore bed bugs cannot climb up a wall to reach the bed frame and / or the mattress it supports. Bed bugs are thus almost forced to use the bed legs to reach a sleeper. It is then sufficient to provide a trap, for example, a diatomaceous earth net around each leg, to prevent bed bugs from climbing up the legs. If, despite this, bed bugs were to reach the bed frame, the barrier with its smooth, inclined (or vertical) surface would be impassable for a bed bug, and it would fall (slide) to the floor. Similarly, a bed bug trying to escape the light (bed bugs are photophobic) reaching the barrier would also slip and fall to the floor.

[0015] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0016] - each foot comprises a proximal part for connection to the supporting structure, a angled part and a distal part;

[0017] - at least one barrier comprises four sheets of substantially rectangular shape elongated, each sheet being folded along a longitudinal median line and the folded sheets being arranged to form a closed frame with the median fold lines being opposite the bed legs;

[0018] - the bed has several barriers arranged concentrically;

[0019] - the support structure comprises a perforated sheet metal or a rigid grid intended to support a mattress;

[0020] - the perforated sheet metal or grid is fixed to a bed frame comprising four sheets of metal of a substantially elongated rectangular shape, each sheet being folded along a longitudinal median line and the sheets being arranged so as to form a closed frame with the median fold lines being opposite the feet of the bed, and the perforated sheet or grid being fixed on the median fold lines;

[0021] - each foot is equipped with a crawling insect trap;

[0022] - the bed comprises a headboard, said headboard being fixed to the outside of said bed less a barrier and having at its base a folded sheet of inverted V section, the branches of the V being in a lower position and each having a smooth outer surface.

[0023] This disclosure proposes an original form of crawling insect trap. In one embodiment, this trap comprises a plate with a rib extending perpendicularly to the plate and having a closed shape, the interior space forming a housing for a tubular part, and an area of ​​the plate surrounding the rib being coated with glue. In a variant, the interior space of the rib is covered with diatomaceous earth. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent from reading the detailed description below and from analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0025] [Fig.1] shows a bed according to the present disclosure in perspective. Fig. 2

[0026] [Fig.2] shows in detail a component of a bed bug barrier for the bed of the [Fig.l]. Fig. 3

[0027] [Fig.3] shows in more detail, in perspective, an assembly of a headboard on the bed of the [Fig.l], Fig. 4

[0028] [Fig.4] shows in perspective a distal end of a bed leg equipped with a trap to crawling insects. Fig. 5

[0029] [Fig.5] shows the foot of the bed of [Fig.4] and its trap in elevation. Fig. 6

[0030] [Fig.6] shows the foot of the bed of [Fig.4] and its trap in an exploded perspective. Description of the implementation methods

[0031] Reference is now made to [Fig. 1]. This figure shows a bed 100 with a bed base 2, four legs 4, a headboard 6 and additional specific elements which will be described below.

[0032] Throughout the following description, it is assumed that the four legs 4 rest on a horizontal surface, which corresponds to the normal use of a bed. The orientations up / down and vertical / horizontal are therefore used throughout the description with reference to such a position, which appears entirely natural.

[0033] Typically, the bed base 2 serves to form a flat or substantially flat, generally horizontal surface (or one whose periphery is generally arranged in a horizontal plane) intended to support a mattress. A bed base generally offers flexibility for the comfort of its user(s).

[0034] In a known manner, the proposed embodiment of the bed base 2 comprises a bed base frame 8 over which a perforated sheet 10 is stretched. The sheet is of such thickness that it can support a mattress and preferably the weight of at least one sleeper while remaining flexible for better comfort.

[0035] Advantageously, the bed frame 8 is shaped as a barrier against crawling insects to prevent such creatures from accessing the perforated sheet metal 10 and thus a mattress placed on this perforated sheet metal 10. One embodiment of the frame consists of four elements, each hereafter referred to as a metal slat 12 ([Fig. 2]). In the present disclosure, a metal slat 12 is obtained by folding a sheet metal plate with smooth faces. Before folding, this sheet metal has an elongated rectangular shape: its width is, for example, between 10 and 15 cm, while its length corresponds approximately to the length or width of the perforated sheet metal 10 (possibly slightly shorter). The sheet metal then has a median longitudinal axis along which it is folded to present a V-shaped profile, the arms of the V having an acute angle with each other (for example, between 10 and 30°). Each slat is between 5 and 7.5 cm long. The perforated sheet metal 10 is then fixed at the fold, which is then in the raised position. Each edge of the perforated sheet metal 10 is then fitted with a metal slat 12, the four metal slats forming the bed frame 8. Such a frame contributes both to the rigidity of the bed frame and to the fight against bed bugs.

[0036] From each corner of the bed frame 8 extends a leg 4. Each leg 4 has a proximal end on the side of the bed frame 8 and a distal end on the side of the floor on which the bed 100 rests. The legs 4 are arranged so that, viewed from above, they extend outside the bed frame 8. The idea is that when the bed 100 is pushed against a wall, the bed frame 8 remains at a distance from said wall. Preferably, the bed frame 8 is then at least 20 cm from said wall, preferably at least 40 cm. Even more preferably, it is the distal end of a leg 4 that touches the wall when the bed is placed against said wall (assumed to be flat, or substantially flat with possibly a baseboard or similar).

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, each foot 4 comprises a horizontal proximal portion 14, an intermediate angled portion 16, and a vertical distal portion 18. Each of these three portions is, for example, tubular with a circular cross-section. Their outer surface is preferably smooth so as to prevent a bedbug from climbing it.

[0038] The horizontal proximal portion 14 is fixed to the bed frame 8, for example by welding and extends for example at 45° relative to the metal slats 12 of the bed frame 8.

[0039] The angled portion 16 is fitted or welded to the horizontal proximal portion 14 and forms an angle of 90° (or possibly greater than 90° so as to further separate the end of the foot from the bed frame 8).

[0040] The vertical distal portion 18 (or inclined portion if the bend is at an angle greater than 90°) is fitted or welded to the bent portion 16 at its proximal end. The distal end of the vertical distal portion 18 is on the ground side. It is equipped with a trap 20 for crawling insects (bed bugs). In the illustrated embodiment, each leg is equipped with an original trap, which is illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 and will be described later. The formulation assumes that the trap 20 is integrated into the leg 4. This is a preferred embodiment that provides traps at the four legs 4 of the bed. It is technically equivalent to place a trap between the ground and a leg or to integrate a trap into each leg of the bed.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end of each foot, i.e. the point of contact of the foot 4 with the ground, in top view, is outside the bed frame (in top view).

[0042] The bed frame 8 is surrounded by a barrier 22 extending all around the bed frame 8. This barrier has at least one smooth surface running around the bed frame and inclined (sharply) to the horizontal so as to form an impassable obstacle for a bed bug. In a preferred embodiment, the barrier 22 is formed of four metal slats 12 as described above and illustrated in [Fig. 2]. These are therefore profiled pieces with a V-shaped cross-section, the point of the V being in the upward position and the outer walls of the V being smooth, impassable for a bed bug. As indicated above, the angle between the arms of the V is, for example, between 10 and 25°, that is to say, the outer walls of the V are inclined from 77.5 to 85° to the horizontal. Because these exterior walls are smooth, bed bugs cannot cling to them and climb them.Furthermore, a bedbug that reached the fold line when leaving the bed would slide down an inclined surface and fall to the floor. The metal slats 12 are arranged and assembled to form a continuous rectangle (and therefore a continuous barrier) all around the bed frame 8.

[0043] The barrier 22 is preferably at least 1 cm away, even more preferably at least 2 cm away from the bed frame 8. In the illustrated embodiment, three barriers 22, spaced apart from each other, are formed around the bed frame 8. These barriers 22 advantageously rest each time on the horizontal proximal portions 14 of the feet 4.

[0044] Figure 3 illustrates the headboard 6 and its assembly. Preferably, the headboard 6 is also made with smooth outer surfaces to limit any risk of bed bugs climbing it. To "isolate" the headboard 6, it is proposed to mount it on a metal slat 12, such as the one illustrated in Figure 2, with the fold line in the raised position. This metal slat 12 is, for example, mounted at its ends on the horizontal proximal portions 14 of the two corresponding legs 4, beyond the rails 22. Here too, a spacing of at least 1 cm and advantageously about 2 cm or more is preferably provided between the outermost rail 22 and the metal slat 12 supporting the headboard 6.

[0045] Figures 4 to 6 illustrate a distal end of a foot 4 and its trap 20 for crawling insects. [Fig. 6] is an exploded view showing in perspective the various components of the trap 20. From top to bottom, this figure shows a tubular part 24 of the vertical distal portion 18 of a foot 4, a bell 26, a central part 28 of the trap, and a plate 30.

[0046] The tubular part 24 forms the outer wall of the foot 4, in particular its vertical distal part 18. It therefore preferably has a smooth outer surface, for example painted.

[0047] The central part 28 has an upper portion separated from a lower portion by an outer ring 32. The upper portion is designed to cooperate with and fit within the tubular portion 24. The diameters of the tubular portion 24 and the upper portion of the central part 28 correspond to avoid any significant play when the two parts are fitted together. The upper portion may, for example, be tubular but closed, for example, by a base 34. The outer ring 32 acts as a stop for the bell 26, as explained below. Finally, the lower portion of the central part 28 is tubular and advantageously forms a single tubular piece with the upper portion. This lower portion has holes 36 formed in the wall of the central part.The illustrated embodiment provides for six holes regularly spaced angularly around the periphery of the central part, each hole 36 being longitudinally offset from the adjacent hole 36, the holes 36 being arranged in a staggered pattern. The holes 36 are, for example, holes with a diameter on the order of a few millimeters, for example between 5 and 15 mm. The lower part of the central part 28, i.e. below the outer ring 32, preferably has a smooth surface, for example painted.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 30 is in the form of a disc with two circular ribs projecting from its upper surface. A first circular rib 38 is designed to receive the lower part of the central portion 28. The diameter of this rib is adapted so that the space defined within it can serve as a housing for the lower end of the central portion 28. The second circular rib 40 surrounds the first circular rib 38, leaving a space between the two ribs. The bottom of the space inside the first circular rib 38 is designed to be covered with diatomaceous earth, while the bottom of the space between the two ribs is coated with an adhesive of the type used against crawling insects or pests such as rodents.Such glue can remain exposed to air without drying out for a long period of several months, sometimes up to twenty-four months.

[0049] Finally, the bell 26 is truncated conical in shape. It has a small-diameter upper opening and a large-diameter lower opening. The small-diameter upper opening is designed to receive the upper part of the central section 28 and to abut against the outer ring 32. The large-diameter lower opening has a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the second circular rib 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower outer edge of the bell 26 advantageously has a smaller diameter than the plate 30, such that when the foot 4 is pushed against a wall, only the plate 30 can touch the wall. Furthermore, the bell 26 does not touch the plate 30, and sufficient space must be left between the lower edge of the bell 26 and the plate 30. example 5 mm, to allow passage for bed bugs while preventing the bed bugs from climbing on the outer surface of the bell 26 which is preferably smooth, for example covered with paint. Industrial application

[0050] This bed can be used, in particular, for the prevention and treatment of bed bugs. For curative treatment, a bed according to this disclosure may be used for 21 days if no treatment has been carried out previously in the dwelling concerned. During this period, the bed bugs will try to reach the sleeper and will be trapped before they can. If, however, the dwelling has already been chemically treated, the bed bugs may be in diapause, and it is then advisable to use a bed according to this disclosure for 24 months.

[0051] In preventive treatment, for example in a collective dwelling, a seasonal rental, a boarding school, etc., a bed such as the one described above may be used permanently.

[0052] In an infested dwelling, after removing the infested bed and treating the dwelling (with a vacuum cleaner and / or steam cleaner), a bed as described above can be installed. Diatomaceous earth is then applied along each baseboard and around each point of contact between furniture and the floor. Care is taken to ensure that the bed is sufficiently far from any furniture (preferably at least 40 cm). By design, the bed, more specifically the bed frame, and therefore also the mattress it supports, remains away from the walls of the room or similar space in which the bed is located. The mattress is preferably encased in a bed bug-proof cover (a seamless cover made of a smooth synthetic material) into which diatomaceous earth has been sprinkled.

[0053] When using the bed, care should be taken to ensure that all bed linen (sheets, blanket, duvet, pillow, etc.) as well as clothing (pajamas and / or other items) worn on the bed are not infested. Furthermore, during treatment, care must be taken to ensure that the room temperature does not fall below 14°C to prevent bed bugs from entering diapause or semi-diapause.

[0054] The bed presented above is designed so that any bed bugs attempting to reach a sleeper are, on the one hand, trapped at the foot of the bed and, on the other hand, cannot reach the sleeper by climbing up the walls or by any other route not passing through the foot of the bed.

[0055] The bed foot traps are double traps, with glue and if the glue should ever become ineffective (too old), diatomaceous earth, which never expires, forms a second means to fight against bed bugs.

[0056] The bed base described is made of a perforated sheet metal, which could be replaced by a grid or similar material. It is necessary to maintain the flexibility of a bed base while preventing any movement of bed bugs. The bed base will therefore be as smooth as possible so that any bed bug that manages to reach it cannot move across the base and falls to the floor. Once on the floor, a bed bug would then have to pass through the bed legs and thus through the corresponding traps. The headboard is also mounted on a folded sheet metal (metal slat) so that a bed bug exposed to light, wishing to move away from the sleeper and / or the mattress, would pass through this metal slat and fall to the floor.

[0057] Thus, by taking rigorous measures to avoid any introduction of bed bugs into the bed by the sleeper (in particular ensuring that the linen is washed at at least 60°C and is placed directly on the bed, that the sleeper takes off his pajamas as soon as he puts one foot on the ground and leaves the pajamas on the bed or in an uninfested piece of furniture, etc.), it is possible, by using a bed according to this disclosure, to get rid of bed bugs in general after 3 weeks if no chemical treatment has been carried out beforehand.

[0058] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiment illustrated and described above, and to the variants mentioned only as examples, but encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may consider within the framework of the protection sought.

Claims

Demands

1. Bed (100) comprising a bed base, that is to say a substantially rectangular support structure intended to support a mattress, and four legs (4) for raising the bed base relative to a floor, characterized in that the bed base is surrounded on its entire periphery by at least one barrier (22), said barrier (22) comprising four smooth surfaces inclined relative to the horizontal when the legs (4) rest on a horizontal floor, each smooth surface connecting two adjacent bed legs (4), and in that the bed legs (4) extend in top view outwards from said barrier (22).

2. Bed according to claim 1, characterized in that each leg (4) comprises a proximal part (14) for connection to the support structure, an angled part (16) and a distal part (18).

3. Bed according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one barrier (22) comprises four sheets of substantially elongated rectangular shape, each sheet being folded along a longitudinal median line and the folded sheets being arranged so as to form a closed frame with the median lines of folding being opposite the feet of the bed.

4. Bed according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises several barriers (22) arranged concentrically.

5. Bed according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support structure comprises a perforated sheet (10) intended to support a mattress.

6. Bed according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the perforated sheet metal (8) is fixed to a bed frame (8) comprising four sheets of substantially elongated rectangular shape, each sheet being folded along a longitudinal median line and the sheets being arranged so as to form a closed frame with the median fold lines being opposite the feet of the bed, and in that the perforated sheet metal (10) is fixed on the median fold lines.

7. Bed according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each foot (4) is provided with a crawling insect trap (20).

8. Bed according to claim 7, characterized in that a trap (20) comprises a plate (30) provided with a rib (38) extending perpendicularly to the plate (30) and having a closed shape, the interior space forming a housing for a tubular part (28), and in that an area of ​​the plate (30) arranged all around the rib (38) is glued.

9. Bed according to claim 8, characterized in that the interior space of the rib (38) is covered with diatomaceous earth.

10. Bed according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a headboard (6), said headboard (6) being fixed to the outside of said at least one barrier (22) and having at its base a folded sheet of inverted V-shaped cross-section, the arms of the V being in a lower position and each having a smooth outer surface.

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