Headboard comprising a sound system, and corresponding bed

Abstract

The invention relates to a padded headboard (2) comprising: - a main body (20) having a front face (21) and an opposite rear face, at least one part of the front face (21) of the main body (20) comprising a woven surface (33), the main body (20) comprising a support panel arranged between the front and rear faces, as well as a flexible lining forming a padding arranged between the support panel and the woven surface, at least one through-opening being formed in the support panel; - at least one sound-emitting device (10); characterised in that the headboard further comprises: - at least one grille fastened to the support panel in order to cover the at least one through-opening so as to prevent the lining from sinking into the at least one through-opening when pressure is applied to the lining.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Headboard comprising a sound system and corresponding bed technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to headboards and corresponding beds. Technological background

[0002] We are familiar with the state of the art for rigid headboards incorporating one or more speakers for sound diffusion. These speakers are generally placed around the periphery of the headboard to avoid any contact between a user and one of these speakers, which would limit their comfort.

[0003] For optimal sound diffusion, these speakers are typically housed in a cavity opening in the headboard wall. The speakers are therefore visible. This configuration is not very aesthetically pleasing and increases the risk of damage to the sound equipment.

[0004] Integrating speakers into the headboard is complex because the different materials used in the headboard interfere with sound diffusion. Furthermore, it's preferable for the speakers to be positioned as close as possible to the user for optimal sound distribution. This increases the risk of damage to the speaker and reduces user comfort if it's only covered by fabric at the head or back of the user.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a new headboard, in particular a padded headboard, and a corresponding bed to overcome all or part of the problems described above. Summary of the invention

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a padded headboard comprising: - a main body having a front face and an opposing rear face, at least a portion of the front face of the main body comprising a woven surface, the main body comprising a support panel disposed between the front and rear faces and a flexible padding arranged between the support panel and the woven surface, at least one opening a through-hole being formed in the support panel, - at least one sound-emitting device comprising at least one loudspeaker arranged to face said at least one through-opening in order to achieve sound diffusion towards the front face of the headboard through the upholstery, characterized in that the headboard further comprises: - at least one grille fixed to the support panel to cover said at least one through opening so as to prevent the trim from sagging in said at least one through opening by applying pressure to the trim.

[0007] The headboard's design maintains a comfortable, quilted configuration for the user, thanks to the layering of fabric, padding, and support, while also allowing for good sound diffusion through the opening in the support. Furthermore, the grid limits the amount of padding inserted into this opening, ensuring the user does not perceive any difference in comfort along the front of the headboard.

[0008] The support panel comprises a front face and a back face, the front face of the support panel facing the front face and the back face facing the rear face of the main body. The sound-emitting device is preferably positioned against the back face of the support panel.

[0009] The grille is preferably positioned on the front face of the support panel to further limit the sagging of the upholstery in the opening. Therefore, the grille is preferably placed in contact with the upholstery when the headboard is in use.

[0010] The sound emission device preferably includes a base on which the speaker(s) are mounted. This base is itself fixed to the support panel.

[0011] A sound-dampening device is preferably placed between the support panel and the sound-emitting device. This sound-dampening device is made of a material configured to dampen vibrations from the sound emission. Examples of such devices include a washer, a pad, or a seal. The sound-dampening material is, for example, an elastomer, such as rubber.

[0012] The sound damping device is positioned between the base of the sound-emitting device and the support panel.

[0013] The grid can be of any shape allowing the lining to be prevented from sagging in said at least one through opening by applying pressure to the lining.

[0014] A "grid" is defined as an openwork surface that allows sound waves to pass through it. The grid may, for example, comprise a plurality of elongated surface segments with a plurality of openings between these segments. Another example of a grid includes a first set of parallel wires and a second set of parallel wires extending perpendicularly to the wires of the first set. Openings are formed between the wires of the first and second sets.

[0015] Depending on one aspect of the headboard, the grid is made of one of the following materials: a metal and a plastic polymer.

[0016] Depending on one aspect of the headboard, the soft padding has a density greater than or equal to 30kg / m3, preferably less than or equal to 60kg / m3.

[0017] According to one aspect of the headboard, the sound-emitting device comprises at least one low-frequency speaker for emitting low-frequency sounds and at least one high-frequency speaker for emitting high-frequency sounds. The support panel includes at least two through-holes, each facing one of said at least one low-frequency and high-frequency speakers, and said at least one grille covering said at least two openings. This allows for sound diffusion with a broader acoustic spectrum to further improve sound distribution.

[0018] Preferably, the same sound-emitting device is arranged on the same base. Thus, the loudspeakers of the same sound-emitting device are fixed to the same base.

[0019] The headboard may include several sound-emitting devices. In this case, each sound-emitting device may include a base fixed to the support panel opposite one or more openings.

[0020] Said at least one sound-emitting device may be disposed at a central position of the main body along a horizontal axis.

[0021] At least one sound-emitting device may be positioned opposite a user's position on the bed, against the headboard. Thus, the sound-emitting device may be positioned at the center of the main body along a horizontal axis when the headboard is designed for a single-user mattress. Similarly, the headboard may include two sound-emitting devices, each positioned opposite a user's position, when the headboard is designed for a double-user mattress. In this case, each sound-emitting device may be positioned at a distance corresponding to one-quarter and three-quarters of the main body's dimensions along a horizontal axis.

[0022] According to one aspect of the headboard, it further includes a control unit for said at least one sound-emitting device configured to control the sound intensity and / or the source sound signal received by said at least one sound-emitting device.

[0023] The control unit is configured to communicate with the sound-emitting device(s), either wired or wirelessly. This communication is achieved, for example, by means of a control device.

[0024] Depending on the design of the headboard, the control unit is configured to receive an audio signal from an external source device, either wired and / or wirelessly. The control unit may include a connector, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or jack connector, and / or a wireless communication module, such as a Bluetooth® module. The headboard can thus be used as a speaker. An external source device, such as a phone, computer, or tablet, can be connected to the headboard via a wired connection.

[0025] Alternatively, or in combination, the control unit may include a storage memory forming an internal source device, allowing the headboard to play back an audio signal stored in the memory. This stored audio signal could be an alarm clock ringtone, an ambient sound evoking a specific situation (e.g., the sound of waves, wind, etc.), or a sound track uploaded by a user to the storage memory.

[0026] According to one aspect of the headboard, the control unit is configured to automatically activate at least one sound device. based on at least one trigger parameter. The headboard is thus configured to automatically start playing sound, for example at a wake-up time in the morning.

[0027] This at least one trigger parameter can be one or more of the following: a user presence parameter, a time parameter, and a light environment parameter. Thus, the headboard can include one or more of the following: a presence sensor, a light sensor, and a clock.

[0028] The user presence parameter can correspond to a specific trigger depending on the detection of a user, for example, who enters the room or who wakes up and whose movements are detected.

[0029] The time parameter can correspond to a specific trigger based on the day and / or time. A triggering scenario can thus be created according to the user's schedule.

[0030] The ambient light setting can correspond to a specific trigger depending on the ambient light intensity.

[0031] The ambient lighting parameter can also correspond to a combined control of a light-emitting device and a sound-emitting device. Thus, the control unit can be configured to play sound based on a specific lighting pattern or scenario. The control unit is also configured to control a light-emitting device based on the sound being played. Therefore, the intensity, frequency, and / or color of the emitted light can be controlled according to the sound emitted by at least one sound-emitting device.

[0032] The piloting unit can include two modes of operation: a continuous transmission mode (called "streaming") and a restricted transmission mode (called "airplane mode").

[0033] The continuous emission mode allows the sound-emitting device to be triggered by the user using an external source device. The headboard is therefore used as a speaker.

[0034] The restricted emission mode allows the control unit to disable sound emission from any source outside the bed headboard. Only sound signals previously stored in the memory can be played. emitted via the sound emission device. This restricted emission mode is particularly useful when waking up or during a period of quiet desired by the user to avoid unwanted sound emission.

[0035] Depending on the design of the headboard, the control unit includes a human-machine interface comprising at least one of the following: a digital interface accessible via a device external to the headboard and / or at least one button located on the main body. All or part of the control unit's functions can thus be operated directly by the user.

[0036] The control unit may also include an acoustic correction module. The acoustic correction module is configured to correct a sound signal to be played through a loudspeaker, either actively or passively.

[0037] Passive correction refers to the application of a predetermined acoustic correction scheme to any emitted sound signal. This acoustic correction scheme is defined beforehand based on one or more characteristics associated with the woven surface, soft lining, grid, backing panel, and sound emission device. These characteristics may include the material and dimensions.

[0038] "Active correction" refers to the fact that the headboard includes a microphone capable of acquiring a perceived sound signal and correcting the emitted sound signal in real time according to the sound signal received by the microphone.

[0039] According to one aspect of the headboard, it also includes a light-emitting device, preferably LEDs, the control unit being configured to also control the light-emitting device.

[0040] According to one aspect of the headboard, the woven surface includes at least one area, called the luminous fabric area, which includes optical fibers used as warp and / or weft yarns, the body of each optical fiber being configured to allow the passage through the thickness of the body of said optical fiber of at least some of the light which is emitted into the optical fiber by the light-emitting device.

[0041] Depending on one aspect of the headboard, the front face of the main body of the headboard comprises one or more panels, called sound panel(s), attached to a wall of the main body, each sound panel comprising: - a support panel in which at least one through opening is formed, - a woven surface, - a flexible lining placed between the support panel and the flexible lining, - a sound emission device comprising at least one loudspeaker positioned to face said at least one through-opening in order to achieve sound diffusion towards the front face of the headboard through the upholstery, - a grid fixed to the support panel to cover said at least one through opening so as to prevent the trim from sagging in said at least one through opening by applying pressure to the trim.

[0042] In this configuration of a separate sound panel, the sound emission function is removable from the main body. This makes maintenance of the sound emission device easier.

[0043] Preferably, the piloting unit is mounted on the main body. Thus, when a sound panel is removed, the control unit remains attached to the main body.

[0044] The invention also relates to a bed comprising a bed base including a frame with legs, the upper face of the bed base being suitable for receiving a mattress and a headboard as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0045] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. Regarding the accompanying figures:

[0046] [fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed including a headboard according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0047] [fig. 2] Figure 2 is an exploded and schematic front view of part of a headboard according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0048] [fig. 3] Figure 3 is an exploded and schematic rear view of part of a headboard according to an embodiment of the invention. Description of method(s) of implementation

[0049] The concept of the invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one embodiment of the concept of the invention is shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Similar numbers refer to similar elements in all the drawings. However, this concept of the invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are offered so as to make this description complete and to communicate the scope of the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0050] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0051] With reference to figures 1 to 3, a headboard 2, also called a backrest, is proposed which offers a sound function integrated into the headboard, and more particularly into the front face, also called the front, of the headboard, while maintaining the comfort of use of the headboard for a user, in particular for the head of the user likely to come into contact with the front face of the headboard.

[0052] This headboard offers, in addition to its integrated sound function, an optional integrated light function.

[0053] Main body of the headboard

[0054] The headboard 2 comprises a main body 20. The main body 20 includes a rigid frame (or structure). The frame may be made of wood. The frame may define a box or structure that may be hollow or solid.

[0055] The main body 20 has two opposite faces, preferably parallel to each other. These faces are called the rear face and the front face. The front face 21 is the face of the headboard on the side against which the bed base 4 extends, when a bed base 4 is combined with the headboard to form a bed as in the example illustrated in Figure 1.

[0056] The front face 21 and the rear face can be connected to each other by a peripheral face 22. The peripheral face can include a top face 22A and an opposite bottom face, and two side faces 22B which connect the top and bottom faces together.

[0057] As in the example illustrated in Figure 1, the side faces 22B can be substantially vertical and the top face substantially horizontal, in the position of use of the head of the bed, i.e. in the upright state of the head of the bed.

[0058] The main body can form a box with a height and width preferably greater than its depth.

[0059] The rear face of the main body may have an access opening to allow access to a control unit 8 and / or a sound emission device 10 and / or a light emission device 9 inside the main body, which are shown below.

[0060] At least a portion of the front face (facade) of the main body comprises a fabric. The fabric may be arranged to cover at least part of the front of the frame and / or may be attached to one or more panels mounted on a front wall of the main body. An embodiment of such panels is shown in Figure 2. Such panels are called sound panels. In the case of a combined sound and light emission function, these panels may be called sound and light panels.

[0061] The fabric, through its flexibility, provides comfort for the user at the front of the main body, both when the front of the main body includes a rigid plate covered directly by the fabric, and when a soft padding is positioned between the front and the fabric.

[0062] Sound system

[0063] With reference to figures 2 and 3, each sound panel 3 comprises: - a support panel 31, for example formed from a wood particle board, with at least one opening 42 (here two) being formed in the support panel 31, - a woven surface 33, which may include a luminous fabric area; and - a flexible lining 32, located between the support 31 and the woven surface 33 which is fixed to the support 31 - a grid 44 positioned against the support panel and covering said at least one opening 42, - to the sound emission device 10.

[0064] The sound system includes a sound-emitting device 10 comprising one or more loudspeakers. Here, the sound-emitting device 10 comprises two loudspeakers, a low-frequency loudspeaker and a high-frequency loudspeaker. Each loudspeaker is positioned opposite an opening 42 formed in a panel

[0065] The sound device 10 comprises a base 46 on which the loudspeakers are mounted. The base 46 forms additional openings 48 opposite the openings 42, preferably identical in position and size.

[0066] A sound-damping device 50 is preferably placed between the support panel and the sound-emitting device. This sound-damping device 50 is in this case an O-ring made of elastomeric material to dampen the vibrations generated by the loudspeakers.

[0067] Steering unit

[0068] The control unit 8 is presented for example in the form of a processor and a data memory in which computer instructions executable by said processor are stored, or in the form of a microcontroller.

[0069] In other words, the functions and steps described can be implemented as a computer program or via hardware components (e.g., programmable gate networks). In particular, the functions and steps performed by the control unit 8, especially for controlling the sound emission device 10 and possibly the light emission device 9, can be implemented using instruction sets or modules. Computer functions can be implemented in a processor or controller, or performed by dedicated electronic components, or by components such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). It is also possible to combine computer and electronic components.

[0070] The control unit 8 is thus an electronic and / or computer unit. When it is specified that said unit is configured to perform a given operation, this means that the unit includes computer instructions and the corresponding means of execution that allow said operation to be carried out and / or that the unit includes corresponding electronic components.

[0071] Lighting system

[0072] The headboard includes a lighting system (or lighting system) which includes a light-emitting device 9, preferably LEDs, to which optical fibers 332A are connected as explained below to allow the light supplied by the light-emitting device 9 to be diffused through the walls of the optical fibers.

[0073] A control unit 8 of the light-emitting device 9 allows control of the light intensity and / or color of the light emitted by (all or part) of the light-emitting device 9. The control unit 8 can be controlled by a local or remote control device.

[0074] When the light-emitting device 9 is switched on, the optical fibers 332A which receive light from the light-emitting device 9 form luminous elements because the wall of the optical fibers 332A is translucent and therefore allows the light to diffuse outwards from the front of the headboard, through the wall of the corresponding optical fiber.

[0075] The light-emitting device 9 can be an LED generator, comprising, for example, one or more LEDs, controllable by the control unit 8. The LED(s) can be of the RGB type, i.e., a module of one or more RGB type LEDs whose intensity and colour can be controlled by the control unit 8.

[0076] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the light-emitting device 9 can be designed to include several lighting modules, for example, one lighting module per group of optical fibers (i.e., per luminous fabric zone), in order to independently control the light emitted in each luminous fabric zone 332, 332', 332" shown below. Each lighting module includes, for example, one or more LEDs, preferably RGB (Red Green Blue) type, which can be controlled independently of the LEDs in the other modules.

[0077] A pre-programmed cycle may include variations in colour, for example variations in blue, such as light blue to deep blue, and in intensity over time, such as decreasing intensity, to promote sleep, or variations in orange tone, such as deep orange to cool white, and in intensity, such as increasing intensity, over time to promote wakefulness.

[0078] The control unit 8 can be configured to control the light-emitting device 9 in order to obtain a low ambient light to allow visibility in the room during the night without waking the spouse.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the control unit 8 can be controlled by -a computer application accessible via the internet (web application) and / or a mobile application, for example to control functions such as: - a light alarm clock - a programming of free sequences, customizable in intensity / colour / duration.

[0080] It can be anticipated that the duration can be divided into several regular time intervals, each of which can be configured.

[0081] The application can allow immediate or delayed start, or replay of a given program (replay).

[0082] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

[0083] Furthermore, the term "including" does not exclude other elements or steps. In addition, features or steps described with reference to one of the embodiments set out above may also be used in combination with other features or steps from other embodiments set out above.

Claims

Demands

1. Upholstered headboard (2) comprising: - a main body (20) having a front face (21) and an opposite rear face, at least a portion of the front face (21) of the main body (20) comprising a woven surface (33), the main body (20) comprising a support panel (31) disposed between the front and rear faces and a flexible lining (32) forming a padding disposed between the support panel and the woven surface, at least one through opening being formed in the support panel, - at least one sound-emitting device (10) comprising at least one loudspeaker arranged to face said at least one through opening (42) in order to achieve sound diffusion towards the front face (21) of the headboard through the upholstery, characterized in that the headboard further comprises: - at least one grid (44) fixed to the support panel to cover said at least one through opening (42) so as to prevent the lining from sagging in said at least one through opening by applying pressure to the lining.

2. Headboard according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (8) of said at least one sound-emitting device configured to control the sound intensity and / or the source sound signal received by said at least one sound-emitting device.

3. Headboard according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to receive a source sound signal from a source device external to the headboard in a wired and / or remote manner.

4. Headboard according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to automatically activate said at least one sound device according to at least one trigger parameter.

5. Headboard according to claim 4, wherein said at least one triggering parameter is one or more of: a user presence parameter, a time parameter and a light environment parameter.

6. Headboard according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control unit (8) comprises a human-machine interface including at least one of a digital interface accessible via a device external to the headboard and / or at least one button disposed on the main body.

7. Headboard according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a light-emitting device (9), preferably LEDs, the control unit being configured to further control the light-emitting device.

8. Headboard according to claim 7, wherein the woven surface (33) comprises at least one area (332, 332', 332"), referred to as the luminous fabric area, which includes optical fibers (332A) used as warp yarns and / or weft yarns, the body of each optical fiber (332A) being configured to permit the passage through the thickness of the body of said optical fiber (332A) of at least a portion of the light which is emitted into the optical fiber by the light-emitting device (9).

9. Headboard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sound-emitting device (10) comprises at least one low-frequency loudspeaker for emitting low-frequency sounds and at least one high-frequency loudspeaker for emitting high-frequency sounds, the support panel comprising at least two through-openings each facing one of said at least one low-frequency and high-frequency loudspeakers, said at least one grille covering said at least two openings.

10. Headboard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid (44) is made of one of the following materials: a metal and a plastic polymer.

11. Headboard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the soft padding (32) has a density greater than or equal to 30kg / m3, preferably less than or equal to 60kg / m3.

12. A headboard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front face (21) of the main body (20) of the headboard (2) comprises one or more panels (3), referred to as sound panel(s), attached to a wall of the main body (20), each panel (3) comprising: - a support panel in which at least one through opening is formed, - a woven surface (33), - a flexible lining arranged between the support panel and the flexible lining, - a sound emission device comprising at least one loudspeaker arranged to face said at least one through opening in order to achieve sound diffusion towards the front face (21) of the headboard through the upholstery, - a grid fixed to the support panel to cover said at least one through opening so as to prevent the trim from sagging in said at least one through opening by applying pressure to the trim.

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