Pivoting Slat Holder for Easy Bed Slat Replacement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slatted frame holding devices complicate the process of exchanging slats, especially when the frame is already assembled and only accessible from above, as they often require difficult slat removal and lack efficient mechanisms for secure fixation and easy replacement.

Innovation Solution

A holding device with an adjustable closing bracket that can pivot between open and closed positions, allowing slat exchange transversely to the slat's longitudinal axis, and a clip or snap-in closure for secure fixation, enabling easy slat replacement and prevention of slat fall-out.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate securing component is provided to secure the clip connection, then the fixation of the slat end is improved, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation of slat endVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closing bracket integrates multiple functions: it closes the receiving shell opening, secures the slat end through its contour, and acts as a lever for operation. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate securing components while maintaining reliable fixation and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The closing bracket serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a closure element for the receiving shell, a securing element for the slat end through its specific contour design, and an operational lever. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the slat holding area is accessible only from above when the frame is assembled, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of slat fixation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslat exchange accessibilityVSAvoidslat fixation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring access from the side or below to secure the slat, the closing bracket is designed to be operated from above by pivoting it into a closed position. This inverts the conventional approach where securing requires lateral or downward access, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable fixation through the closed bracket position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If holding contours overlap the slat top to form a clip connection, then the fixation is improved, but the ease of operation for slat removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclip connection fixationVSAvoidslat removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closing bracket is designed as a dynamic element that can pivot between open and closed positions. When closed, it provides secure fixation through its contour overlapping the slat. For removal, the bracket can be pivoted to an open position, dynamically changing from a securing state to a release state, thereby maintaining reliable fixation during use while enabling easy removal when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates easy slat exchange and secure fixation, allowing for quick adjustments to the slatted frame without requiring slat removal parallel to the longitudinal axis, ensuring proper use and adaptability to different user physiognomies.

Implementation Method 1

a spring area (6), which resiliently connects the slat holding area (4) to the frame holding area (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3143906B1Slat retention of a slatted bed base
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 ROESSLE & WANNER
  • EP3143906B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3143906B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3143906B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a holding device (1) for holding at least one end (2) of a slat (3) on a frame of a slatted frame for a bed, with a slat holding area (4) for holding at least one such slat end (2), with a frame holding area (5) for fixing the holding device (1) to the frame, and with a spring area (6) which resiliently connects the slat holding area (4) to the frame holding area (5), the slat holding area (4) for the respective slat (3) having a receiving shell (7), which has a shell base (8) for placing the associated end of the slat (2) and two shell side walls (9, 10) for lateral positioning of the end of the slat (2), and wherein the respective receiving shell (7) corresponds to the shell base (8 ) has an opposite open side (11) through which the respective slat end (2) can be inserted into the receiving shell (7) transversely to the longitudinal direction (12) of the slat. A simplified change of slats is achieved if at least one locking clip (13) is arranged pivotably on the slat holding area (4) between a closed position (SS) in which it closes the open side (11) at least in such a receiving shell (7) and an open position (OS) can be adjusted in which it releases the respective open side (11) for inserting the end of the slat (2).