Abstrict An adjustable bed which includes a first frame and a second slide
frame upon and relative to the first frame. The first frame includes
side guides along which roll rollers carried by slide rails of the
slide frame. The slide frame includes a backrest frame, a seat frame
and a thigh/leg frame. The backrest frame is defined by opposite
pairs of head arms and back arms transversely connected by crossbars
between the head arm and between the back arms. A pair of extendable/retractable
members are connected one to each of the crossbars. The extendable/retractable
members are relatively extended in a first position in which the
backrest frame, seat frame and thigh/leg frames are disposed in
a substantially horizontal plane and a second position in which
the backrest frame is raised and the seat frame is closer to a head
end of the frame. The thigh/leg frame is also defined in part by
a pair of legs which are moved between a first position in substantial
horizontal relationship and a second position angulated thereto.
Extendable and retractable members move the pair of legs between
the first and second positions by moving from a retracted position
and vice versa.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable bed frame comprising a first frame having substantially
remote frame head and frame foot ends, a slide frame mounted for
reciprocal sliding movement relative to said first frame, said slide
frame including opposite side slide rails each having opposite head
and foot ends, a backrest frame adjacent said first frame head end,
said backrest frame including at least one pair of head and back
arms, first pivot means for pivotally connecting first ends of said
head and back arms to each other, second pivot means for pivotally
connecting a second end of said head arm to said first frame head
end, third pivot means for pivotally connecting a second end of
said back arm to at least one of the side slide rail head ends,
a backrest frame and slide frame drive assembly for simultaneously
moving said backrest frame and slide frame from a first substantially
aligned horizontal first position to a second position at which
said slide frame is closer to said frame head end than when in said
first position and said backrest frame is at least partially raised,
and said drive assembly including drive means connected between
said head and back arms for pulling said head and back arms from
a substantially horizontal planar 180.degree. position relative
to each other in said first position to the second position at which
said head and back arms define a relatively acute angle therebetween
in said second position and reversing movement from said second
position to said first position by pushing said head and back arms
relative to each other.
2. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 1 including a thigh/leg
frame adjacent said first frame foot end, said thigh/leg frame including
a pair of thigh and leg arms, fourth pivot means for pivotally connecting
a first end of said thigh arm to said slide frame and fifth pivot
means for pivotally connecting a second end of said thigh arm to
a first end of said leg arm, a thigh/leg frame drive assembly for
moving said thigh/leg frame from a first position at which said
pair of thigh and leg arms are substantially horizontally aligned
and a second position at which said thigh and leg arms are at least
partially raised, and said thigh/leg drive assembly including drive
means connected between said slide frame and said thigh arm.
3. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 1 including a thigh/leg
frame adjacent said first frame foot end, said thigh/leg frame including
a pair of thigh and leg arms, fourth pivot means for pivotally connecting
a first end of said thigh arm to said slide frame and fifth pivot
means for pivotally connecting a second end of said thigh arm to
a first end of said leg arm, a thigh/leg frame drive assembly for
moving said thigh/leg frame from a first position at which said
pair of thigh and leg arms are substantially horizontally aligned
and a second position at which said thigh and leg arms are at least
partially raised, said thigh/leg drive assembly including drive
means connected between said slide frame and said thigh arm, said
thigh/leg drive assembly drive means being constructed and arranged
to push said thigh and leg arms from said first substantially horizontally
aligned position to said second position and pull said thigh and
leg arms from said second position to said first position.
4. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 1 including a second
pair of head and back arms, a crossbar between said head arms and
a crossbar between said back arms, and said backrest frame and slide
frame drive assembly drive means being connected between said crossbars.
5. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 1 including a second
pair of head and back arms, a crossbar between said head arms and
a crossbar between said back arms, said backrest frame and slide
frame drive assembly drive means being connected between said crossbars,
said backrest frame and slide frame drive assembly drive means including
a pair of relatively driven extendable and retractable members,
said extendable and retractable members having opposite remote ends,
and said remote ends being pivotally connected one to each of said
crossbars.
6. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 1 including a second
pair of head and back arms, a crossbar between said head arms and
a crossbar between said back arms, said backrest frame and slide
frame drive assembly drive means being connected between said crossbars,
said backrest frame and slide frame drive assembly drive means including
a pair of relatively driven extendable and retractable members,
said extendable and retractable members having opposite remote ends,
said remote ends being pivotally connected one to each of said crossbars,
and said extendable and retractable member being relatively extended
in said first position and retracted in said second position.
7. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 1 wherein said
backrest frame and slide frame drive assembly drive means includes
a pair of relatively driven extendable and retractable members,
and said extendable and retractable members are relatively extended
in said first position and retracted in said second position.
8. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 2 including a second
pair of head and back arms, a crossbar between said head arms and
a crossbar between said back arms, and said backrest frame and slide
frame drive assembly drive means being connected between said crossbars.
9. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 2 including a second
pair of head and back arms, a crossbar between said head arms and
a crossbar between said back arms, said backrest frame and slide
frame drive assembly drive means being connected between said crossbars,
said backrest frame and slide frame drive assembly drive means including
a pair of relatively driven extendable and retractable members,
said extendable and retractable members having opposite remote ends,
and said remote ends being pivotally connected one to each of said
crossbars.
10. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 2 including a
second pair of head and back arms, a crossbar between said head
arms and a crossbar between said back arms, said backrest frame
and slide frame drive assembly drive means being connected between
said crossbars, said backrest frame and slide frame drive assembly
drive means including a pair of relatively driven extendable and
retractable members, said extendable and retractable members having
opposite remote ends, said remote ends being pivotally connected
one to each of said crossbars, and said extendable and retractable
member being relatively extended in said first position and retracted
in said second position.
11. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 2 wherein said
backrest frame and slide frame drive assembly drive means includes
a pair of relatively driven extendable and retractable members,
and said extendable and retractable members are relatively extended
in said first position and retracted in said second position.
12. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 2 wherein said thigh/leg
drive assembly drive means includes a pair of relatively driven
extendable and retractable members, and said extendable and retractable
members are relatively extended in said second position of said
thigh/leg frame and retracted in said first position of said thigh/leg
frame.
13. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 3 wherein said thigh/leg
drive assembly drive means includes a pair of relatively driven
extendable and retractable members, and said extendable and retractable
members are relatively extended in said second position of said
thigh/leg frame and retracted in said first position of said thigh/leg
frame.
14. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 3 including a
second pair of head and back arms, a crossbar between said head
arms and a crossbar between said back arms, and said backrest frame
and slide frame drive assembly drive means being connected between
said crossbars.
15. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 12 including a
second pair of head and back arms, a crossbar between said head
arms and a crossbar between said back arms, and said backrest frame
and slide frame drive assembly drive means being connected between
said crossbars.
16. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 13 including a
second pair of head and back arms, a crossbar between said head
arms and a crossbar between said back arms, and said backrest frame
and slide frame drive assembly drive means being connected between
said crossbars.
17. An adjustable bed frame comprising a first frame having substantially
remote first frame head and frame foot ends and a pair of opposite
substantially parallel side guides therebetween, a slide frame mounted
for reciprocal sliding movement relative to said first frame, at
least a pair of rollers between each side guide and said slide frame,
each said pair of rollers including a head end roller and a foot
end roller carried by said slide frame, said side guides including
a rail having upper and lower flanges upon the latter of which said
rollers are adapted to roll to effect reciprocal sliding movement
of said slide frame relative to said first frame, and opening means
in each of said upper flanges through which said rollers pass to
assemble and/or disassemble said slide frame relative to said side
guides.
18. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 17 wherein said
opening means is an opening in each upper flange, and said openings
are in transversely aligned relationship.
19. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 17 wherein said
rails are each of a substantially C-shaped transverse cross-section
configuration with the flanges disposed in transversely opposing
relationship to each other.
20. The adjustable bed frame as defined in claim 17 wherein said
rollers are supported in rolling relationship upon said lower flanges.
21. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 17 wherein said slide
frame includes a pair of opposite substantially parallel side slide
rails with each slide rail being adjacent and substantially parallel
to a side guide, said slide rails and side guides each having a
head end and a foot end adjacent said respective first frame head
and frame foot ends, and said rollers being carried one at each
of said slide rail head and foot ends.
22. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 17 wherein said slide
frame includes a pair of opposite substantially parallel side slide
rails with each slide rail being adjacent and substantially parallel
to a side guide, said slide rails and side guides each having a
head end and a foot end adjacent said respective first frame head
and frame foot ends, said rollers being carried one at each of said
slide rail head and foot ends, a pair of foot support arms at each
slide rail foot end, a first of each pair of foot support arms being
fixed to an associated slide rail foot end, a second of each pair
of foot support arms being pivotally connected by pivot means to
one of said first foot support arm, and each said second foot support
arms being adapted for connection to a foot support.
23. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 17 wherein said slide
frame includes a pair of opposite substantially parallel side slide
rails with each slide rail being adjacent and substantially parallel
to a side guide, said slide rails and side guides each having a
head end and a foot end adjacent said respective first frame head
and frame foot ends, said rollers being carried one at each of said
slide rail head and foot ends, a pair of foot support arms at each
slide rail foot end, a first of each pair of foot support arms being
fixed to an associated slide rail foot end, a second of each pair
of foot support arms being pivotally connected by pivot means to
one of said first foot support arm, each said second foot support
arms being adapted for connection to a foot support, and a foot
support bridging and connected to said second foot support arms.
24. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 17 wherein said slide
frame includes a pair of opposite substantially parallel side slide
rails with each slide rail being adjacent and substantially parallel
to a side guide, said slide rails and side guides each having a
head end and a foot end adjacent said respective first frame head
and frame foot ends, said rollers being carried one at each of said
slide rail head and foot ends, a pair of foot support arms at each
slide rail foot end, a first of each pair of foot support arms being
fixed to an associated slide rail foot end, a second of each pair
of foot support arms being pivotally connected by pivot means to
one of said first foot support arm, each said second foot support
arms being adapted for connection to a foot support, a foot support
bridging and connected to said second foot support arms, a pair
of thigh support arms each pivoted to one of said slide rails between
the ends thereof, a thigh support bridging and connected to said
thigh support arms, means for pivotally connecting said thigh support
to said foot support, and means for pivoting said thigh support
arms between a first position substantially in parallel aligned
relationship with said slide rails and a second position angulated
relative thereto.
25. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 17 wherein said slide
frame includes a pair of opposite substantially parallel side slide
rails with each slide rail being adjacent and substantially parallel
to a side guide, said slide rails and side guides each having a
head end and a foot end adjacent said respective first frame head
and frame foot ends, said rollers being carried one at each of said
slide rail head and foot ends, a pair of foot support arms at each
slide rail foot end, a first of each pair of foot support arms being
fixed to an associated slide rail foot end, a second of each pair
of foot support arms being pivotally connected by pivot means to
one of said first foot support arm, each said second foot support
arms being adapted for connection to a foot support, a foot support
bridging and connected to said second foot support arms, a pair
of thigh support arms each pivoted to one of said slide rails between
the ends thereof, a thigh support bridging and connected to said
thigh support arms, means for pivotally connecting said thigh support
to said foot support, means for pivoting said thigh support arms
between a first position substantially in parallel aligned relationship
with said slide rails and a second position angulated relative thereto,
a first crossbar bridging and connected to said thigh support arms,
a second crossbar bridging and connected to said slide rails, and
said pivoting means including extendable and retractable members
disposed between and connected one to each of said cross bars.
26. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 17 wherein said slide
frame includes a pair of opposite substantially parallel side slide
rails with each slide rail being adjacent and substantially parallel
to a side guide, said slide rails and side guides each having a
head end and a foot end adjacent said respective first frame head
and frame foot ends, said rollers being carried one at each of said
slide rail head and foot ends, a pair of foot support arms at each
slide rail foot end, a first of each pair of foot support arms being
fixed to an associated slide rail foot end, a second of each pair
of foot support arms being pivotally connected by pivot means to
one of said first foot support arm, each said second foot support
arms being adapted for connection to a foot support, a foot support
bridging and connected to said second foot support arms, a pair
of thigh support arms each pivoted to one of said slide rails between
the ends thereof, a thigh support bridging and connected to said
thigh support arms, means for pivotally connecting said thigh support
to said foot support, means for pivoting said thigh support arms
between a first position substantially in parallel aligned relationship
with said slide rails and a second position angulated relative thereto,
a first crossbar bridging and connected to said thigh support arms,
a second crossbar bridging and connected to said slide rails, said
pivoting means including extendable and retractable members disposed
between and connected one to each of said cross bars, and said extendable
and retractable members are in retracted relationship in said thigh
support arms first position.
27. An adjustable bed frame comprising a first frame having substantially
remote frame head and frame foot ends and substantially parallel
transversely spaced side guides, a slide frame having substantially
parallel transversely spaced side slide rails disposed one adjacent
each side guide, roller means for effecting rolling support between
said slide rails and side guides, a backrest frame adjacent said
first frame head and a thigh/leg frame adjacent said frame foot
end, said backrest frame including a head arm and a back arm, first
pivot means for pivotally connecting first ends of said head and
back arms to each other, second pivot means for pivotally connecting
second ends of said head arm to said first frame head end, third
pivot means for pivotally connecting a second end of said back arm
to a head end of at least one of the slide rails, a backrest frame
and slide frame drive assembly for simultaneously moving said backrest
frame and slide frame from a substantially aligned horizontal first
position to a second position at which said slide frame is closer
to said first frame head end than when in said first position and
said backrest frame is at least partially raised, said drive assembly
including drive means connected between said head arm and said back
arm, said drive means including relatively extendable and retractable
members which are in substantially extended relationship in said
first position and in substantially retracted relationship in said
second position, said thigh/leg frame including a thigh arm and
a leg arm, fourth pivot means for pivotally connecting first ends
of said thigh arm and leg arm to each other, fifth pivot means for
pivotally connecting a second end of said thigh arm to a foot end
of at least one of said slide rails, a thigh/leg frame drive assembly
for simultaneously moving said thigh/leg frame from a substantially
aligned horizontal first position to a second position at which
said thigh/leg frame is at least partially raised, said thigh/leg
frame drive assembly including drive means connected between said
slide frame and said thigh arm, and said last-mentioned drive means
including relatively extendable and retractable members which are
in substantially retracted relationship in said thigh/leg frame
first position and in substantially extended relationship in said
thigh/leg frame second position.
28. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 27 wherein said head
arm and back arm are arranged in a pair associated with each slide
rail, a crossbar connected to and spanning said pair of head arms
and said pair of back arms, and said first-mentioned extendable
and retractable members are connected in spanning relationship to
and between said crossbars.
29. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 27 wherein said thigh
arm and leg arm are arranged in a pair associated with each slide
rail, a cross bar connected to and spanning said pair of thigh arms,
and said last-mentioned extendable and retractable members are connected
to and between said last-mentioned crossbar and said slide frame.
30. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 27 wherein said roller
means are a pair of rollers carried by each slide rail.
31. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 27 wherein said roller
means are a pair of rollers carried by each slide rail, and each
pair of rollers being substantially confined within an associated
side guide.
32. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 27 wherein said roller
means are a pair of rollers carried by each slide rail, each pair
of rollers being substantially confined within an associated side
guide, and opening means each side guide for introducing said rollers
into and removing said rollers from said side guides to effect respective
assembly and disassembly of said slide frame relative to said first
frame.
33. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 28 wherein said thigh
arm and leg arm are arranged in a pair associated with each slide
rail, a cross bar connected to and spanning said pair of thigh arms,
and said last-mentioned extendable and retractable members are connected
to and between said last-mentioned crossbar and said slide frame.
34. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 28 wherein said roller
means are a pair of rollers carried by each slide rail.
35. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 28 wherein said roller
means are a pair of rollers carried by each slide rail, and each
pair of rollers being substantially confined within an associated
side guide.
36. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 28 wherein said roller
means are a pair of rollers carried by each slide rail, each pair
of rollers being substantially confined within an associated side
guide, and opening means in each side guide for introducing said
rollers into and removing said rollers from said side guides to
effect respective assembly and disassembly of said slide frame relative
to said first frame.
37. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 33 wherein said roller
means are a pair of rollers carried by each slide rail.
38. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 33 wherein said roller
means are a pair of rollers carried by each slide rail, and each
pair of rollers being substantially confined within an associated
side guide.
39. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 33 wherein said roller
means are a pair of rollers carried by each slide rail, each pair
of rollers being substantially confined within an associated side
guide, and opening means in each side guide for introducing said
rollers into and removing said rollers from said side guides to
effect respective assembly and disassembly of said slide frame relative
to said first frame.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to an adjustable bed and specifically
an adjustable frame for the bed which is utilized in conjunction
with a mattress such that the bed can be adjusted from a substantially
horizontal planar position to one of several positions in which
a backrest and/or a leg rest or both are adjusted for comfort while
a person thereon sleeps, eats, might watch television or is required
to spend considerable lengths of time in bed for therapeutic purposes,
as might occur should such a person be injured or suffering from
physical or mental problems. Typical of such adjustable or articulated
beds are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4381571; 4385410;
4407030; 5537701 and 5870784. As is perhaps best illustrated
and disclosed in the latter patent, such articulated beds are extremely
complicated in both construction and operation, particularly because
of the multiplicity of brackets, linkages, lost motion connections,
etc. The complexity of such adjustable beds requires relatively
intelligent workers to manufacture, assemble and ship the same,
and if not shipped in an operative condition, end users must likewise
be relatively intelligent to assemble such adjustable beds from
individual unassembled components thereof. Obviously, the more complex
the construction of such beds, the greater the costs not only in
manufacturing, but also the greater the costs in shipping because
of added weight and bulk/size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In keeping with the foregoing, a primary object of this invention
is to provide an adjustable bed frame which is extremely economical
to manufacture due to the construction thereof from a multiplicity
of standard components, such as angle irons, channels, etc., which
can be readily assembled by unskilled labor in a readily simple
and straightforward manner which achieves a relatively lightweight,
yet strong construction of a relatively modest size readily accommodated
for low-cost shipping and subsequent simplicity in use. The adjustable
bed frame preferably includes a backrest frame and a thigh/leg frame,
each articulately connected to a seat frame, and all frames being
normally disposed in a substantially horizontal first position while
being selectively moved to "uptight" second positions
for supporting a patient or person upon a mattress in substantially
a seated position with the person's back adjustably angled to the
horizontal, as might be found necessary or desirable. The thigh/leg
frame can be selectively adjusted to, for example, elevate one's
legs which is particularly desirable in conjunction with treatment
of certain physiological problems particularly associated with the
circulatory system. However, persons and patients find laying in
a bed with legs elevated to be both comfortable and therapeutic.
A drive assembly is associated with the adjustable back frame and
the adjustable thigh/leg frame, and the drive assemblies are essentially
identical, as are associated connections and connecting links which
further simplifies manufacturing and assembly cost, as well as any
subsequent costs of repair. The backrest frame is also pivotally
connected to a seat frame such that the drive assembly for articulating
the backrest frame also automatically moves the seat frame such
that the position of a patient upon the mattress of the associated
bed is maintained essentially at the same relationship to bedside
facilities, such as tables, benches, chairs or the like, irrespective
of the position of the backrest frame or the seat frame. Furthermore,
the head portion or head edge of the mattress is basically maintained
at the same position relative to a vertical plane in the first and
all second positions which allows the bed to be positioned with
the head end thereof immediately adjacent a wall of a room and the
latter will not interfere with the operation of the bed or the bed
frame irrespective of any adjustments rendered thereto.
In further accordance with this invention, electric drive motors
are provided, one for moving the thigh/leg frame from a substantially
planar first position to an essentially upright second position
and a like electric drive mechanism is connected between head arms
and back arms of the backrest frame which are pivotally connected
to each other and one each to a head end of the frame and to the
seat frame. The latter drive mechanism includes relatively extendable
and retractable members which are preferably extended in the first
substantially horizontally planar position of the backrest and its
associated head and back arms whereupon energization and retraction
of one of the members relative to the other member effects smooth
pulling forces which are applied between the head and back arms
resulting in smooth non-jerking movement thereof from the first
to the second position with attendant smooth sliding movement of
the seat frame.
In further accordance with this invention, the seat frame is preferably
part of a slide frame having opposite slide rails carrying rollers
which are rollingly supported upon opposite side guides of a first
or main support frame of the bed. The side guides preferably include
slots or openings through which the rollers can be introduced into
or withdrawn from the side guides or guide rails to achieve rapid
assembly and disassembly of the slide frame relative to the first
or main frame.
The various linkages associated with the backrest frame and the
thigh/leg frame are also designed to reduce overall height of the
bed frame when in the first position, namely, the position at which
all frames of the bed frame, such as the backrest frame, the seat
frame, and the thigh/leg frame are in a substantially horizontal
position. This allows the bed to be constructed of a conventional
height which in turn permits storage thereunder of appropriate objects,
such as suitcases, shoes, slippers, etc. absent interference from
linkages, drive assemblies, drive motors, etc.
With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter
appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood
by reference to the following detailed description, the appended
claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a novel adjustable bed constructed
in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a first or main
frame and thereupon a mattress in a substantially horizontally position.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjustable bed, and illustrates
the mattress adjusted to one of many different positions of adjustment
by virtue of a sliding frame defined by a seat frame, a backrest
frame, and a thigh/leg frame.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable bed fame of the
invention, and illustrates various arms and crossbars of the backrest
frame and the thigh/leg frame pivotally connected to each other
and to portions of the slide or slide frame; rollers carried by
side slide rails of the slide frame associated with guide rails
of the first frame; and two extensible and retractable drive mechanisms
for selectively moving the backrest frame and the thigh/leg frame
between numerous positions of adjustment.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally along
line 4--4 of FIG. 1 and illustrates the backrest frame, the seat
frame and the thigh/leg frame disposed in a substantially horizontal
aligned position.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally along
line 5--5 of FIG. 2 and illustrates the backrest frame and the
thigh/leg frame each in a second of many different positions of
adjustment.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally
along line 6--6 of FIG. 3 and illustrates one of a pair of rollers
carried by a side slide rail of the side frame in rolling engagement
with a side guide of the first or main frame and a backrest arm
pivotally connected to the side slide rail.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view looking from right-to-left
in FIG. 6 and illustrates details of the slide rail and arm.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally
along line 8--8 of FIG. 3 and illustrates another roller carried
by the side slide rail in rolling contact with the stationary side
guide of the first frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A novel adjustable or articulate bed is illustrated in FIGS. 1
2 4 and 5 of the drawings and is generally designated by the reference
numeral 10. The adjustable bed 10 includes an adjustable bed frame
20 (FIG. 3) upon which rests a mattress M of a conventional construction,
including a backrest mattress portion Mb, a seat mattress portion
Ms, a thigh mattress portion Mt, and a leg mattress portion Ml.
The mattress M can be moved between the substantially horizontally
disposed, flat, uni-planar position of FIG. 1 and the adjusted
or articulated position of FIG. 2. Though FIG. 2 illustrates the
mattress M with both the backrest mattress portion Mb and the thigh
mattress portion Mt and the leg mattress portion Ml adjusted, it
is to be understood that in keeping with the invention, as will
be set forth fully hereinafter, the backrest mattress portion Mb
can be adjusted individually absent adjustment of the thigh mattress
portion Mt and the leg mattress portion Ml, the latter two of which
move jointly and are collectively referred to as the thigh/leg mattress
portion Mtl.
The adjustable bed frame 20 is best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the
drawings, and includes a first or main frame 21 and a second frame,
slide frame or slide 41.
The first or main frame 21 includes a first frame head end 22 including
a head end crossbar 23 of a tubular metallic construction and a
first frame foot end 24 which includes a foot end crossbar 25 of
a tubular metallic construction. The head end crossbar 23 is welded
to lower ends of vertical or upright angle iron corner bars 26
27 while the foot end cross bar 25 is likewise welded to lower ends
(unnumbered) of vertical or upright angle iron corner bars 28 29
(FIG. 3). Substantially tubular metallic side bars 31 32 are disposed
in substantially parallel relationship, and are welded in spanning
relationship to and between the respective corner bars 26 28 and
27 29. If desired, casters C (FIGS. 1 and 2), rollers, wheels or
the like can be conventionally mounted at each corner bar 26 through
29 to permit the first frame 21 to be relatively mobile.
The head end crossbar 23 includes two upstanding ears or lugs 33
34 (FIG. 3) which function in a manner to be described more fully
hereinafter. A generally C-shaded side guide, rail or track 35
36 is positioned above, spaced from and generally parallel to the
respective side bars 31 32. The side guide 35 is in spanning relationship
between and is welded to the corner bars 26 28 while the side guide
36 similarly spans between and is welded to the corner bars 27
29. Each of the side guide 35 36 includes an upper web or flange
37 a lower web or flange 38 substantially parallel thereto, and
a web or bight portion 39 therebetween. The flanges 37 38 are in
opposing substantially parallel relationship to each other. Each
of the upper flanges 37 is provided with means 40 in the form of
slots or openings through which guide rollers can be introduced
into and/or removed from the side guides 35 36 to a effect assembly
and disassembly of the slide frame or slide 41 relative to the first
frame 21 as will be described more fully hereinafter.
The slide or slide frame 41 includes a backrest frame 50 a seat
rest frame or seat frame 51 and a thigh/leg frame 52.
The seat frame 51 is defined by two substantially parallel tubular
metallic seat crossbars 53 54 each welded at opposite ends thereof
to vertical flanges or legs 55 of side slide rails 56 57 which
also include upper horizontally aligned oppositely directed horizontal
flanges 58. The ends (unnumbered) of the side slide rails 56 57
most adjacent the first frame head end 22 include a downwardly projecting
lug 60 of each vertical leg 55 (FIGS. 6 and 7) which has conventionally
rotatably secured thereto a head end guide roller 61 by a conventional
guide roller bolt 62. At the foot end (unnumbered) of each side
slide rail 56 57 a foot end guide roller 71 (FIG. 8) is rotatably
mounted by a guide roller bolt 72 to an arm 73 in part defining
the thigh/leg frame 52 as will be described more fully hereinafter.
The arm or leg arm 73 is welded to each of the vertical legs or
flanges 55 of each of the side slide rails 56 57. As is best illustrated
in FIGS. 3 through 5 of the drawings, the rollers 61 61 at the
head end, and the rollers 72 72 at the foot end of the slide rails
56 57 roll along the flanges 38 which effects reciprocal sliding
movement of the slide frame 41 between the positions shown in FIGS.
4 and 5 of the drawings. Furthermore, during assembly/disassembly
of the overall slide frame 41 and prior to the connection of drive
motors/lift motors thereto or the removal thereof therefrom, the
rollers 61 71 can be inserted into and removed from the opening
means or guide roller entrance and exit slots 40 (FIG. 3) in the
upper flanges or legs 37 of the side guides 57 58 to permit rapid
assembly and disassembly of the slide frame or slide 41 relative
to the first or main frame 21.
The backrest frame 50 includes two pair of identical arms, namely,
a head arm 81 and a backrest arm 82 the latter of which is a piece
of angle iron. First ends (unnumbered) of the head end arm or head
arm 81 and the backrest arm or back arm 82 are pivotally interconnected
by first pivot means 83 in the form of a conventional pivot pin.
Second pivot means 84 connect the head arms 81 to the lugs 33 34
of the crossbar 23 while third pivot means 85 (FIGS. 3 and 4) connect
each back arm 82 to the vertical leg 55 of the adjacent slide rail
56 57. A head arm crossbar 86 of tubular metallic material spans
and is welded to the head arms 81 81 and a backrest cross arm 87
of tubular metallic material spans and is welded to the back arms
82 82 of the backrest frame 50.
A backrest frame and slide frame drive assembly is generally designated
by the reference numeral 90 and includes a lift motor or drive motor
91 of a conventional construction. The drive motor or drive means
91 is electrically driven from a conventional source under the control
of conventional switches and includes relatively expandable and
contractible tubular members 92 93 the latter of which is telescopically
received in the former. The member 92 includes a flange 94 which
is connected by a pivot pin 95 to a pair of lugs 96 welded to the
head crossbar 86. The member 93 is pivoted by a pivot pin 97 to
a pair of links 98 99 which are in turn rigidly connected to each
other by a metallic web 101 welded therebetween. The arms or links
98 99 are received between brackets 102 103 each of which is
notched to define an abutment edge 104. Opposite ends of the brackets
102 103 are welded to the crossbar 87.
As is best illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the members 92
93 are in their fully extended position when the backrest frame
50 lies in a substantially horizontal plane and when the motor (unnumbered)
of the drive mechanism 91 is energized, the member 93 is pulled
into the member 92 which both pulls the entire slide frame 41 from
the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 3 while
simultaneously the arms 81 82 are pulled toward each other progressively
decreasing the angle from 180.degree. (FIG. 4) to any one of a variety
of different angles therebetween at which the backrest frame 50
is in a substantially upright position (FIG. 5). Inasmuch as the
drive motor 91 must pull the entire slide frame 41 from the position
shown in FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG. 5 and simultaneously draw
the arms 81 82 to an angular orientation therebetween, considerably
high torque is necessary to achieve the latter, and such is accommodated
by the pulling motion which effects the latter movements in a smooth
jerk-free manner.
The adjustable thigh/leg frame 52 includes a pair of opposite angle-iron
thigh arms 101 and opposite angle-iron leg arms 102 with the latter
arms being pivotally connected by pivot means or a pivot 103 in
a conventional manner. Each thigh arm 101 is also pivotally connected
by conventional pivot means or a pivot 104 (FIG. 5) to the adjacent
vertical leg 55 of the adjacent side slide rails 56 57. The arms
101 101 are also bridged by a tubular metallic thigh crossbar 105
appropriately welded thereto. Also welded to the thigh crossbar
105 are brackets 102', 103' corresponding to the brackets 102 103
earlier described with respect to the backrest frame and slide frame
drive assembly 90. In the instant description, the brackets 102',
103' are part of a thigh/leg frame drive assembly 90' which includes
a drive motor 91' and other components, including extensible and
retractable members 92', 93' which are identically numbered and
primed because of the identity thereof in structure and function
to the backrest frame and slide frame drive assembly 90 heretofore
described. A flange or bracket 94' is housed between lugs 96', 96'
and is pivotally connected thereto by a pivot pin 95'. The lugs
96', 96' are welded to the seat frame crossbar 53. The drive means
91' is, of course, an electrically driven drive mechanism which
includes the extendable and retractable members 92', 93' which in
the horizontal position (FIG. 4) of the various frames are retracted
relative to each other. However, upon energization of the electric
motor of the drive mechanism or lift mechanism 91', the member 93'
is pushed/extended outwardly from the member 92' which pivots the
thigh arms 101 about the pivot pins 104 and thereby moves the thigh
arms 101 and the leg arms 102 from the position shown in FIG. 4
to and through various adjusted positions, including the position
shown in FIG. 5. However, in addition to the thigh arms 101 and
the leg arms 102 the thigh/leg frame 52 includes the arms 73 heretofore
described which for purposes of description are considered leg arms
to which are each connected by conventional pivot means or pivot
pins 111 a leg arm 112 which in turn is each connected by a pivot
113 (FIGS. 4 and 5) to an angle bracket or terminal leg arm 115.
A leg support Ls (FIG. 5), such as a sheet of plywood, spans the
arms 102 115 transversely across the slide frame 41 and is appropriately
secured by screws or the like to the arms 102 102 115 and 115.
The leg support Ls is relatively thin but rigid material and functions
to support thereatop the mattress leg portion Ml. In a similar manner,
a relatively thin thigh support Ts, such as a sheet of plywood,
spans and is secured to the thigh arms 101 101; a seat support
Ss similarly spans and is secured to the seat cross bars 53 54
and a backrest support Bs spans and is secured to the backrest arms
82 82. The latter backrest, seat, thigh and leg supports Bs, Ss,
Ts and Ls, respectively, assure support of the mattress M and the
associated mattress portions in the manner evident from FIG. 5 of
the drawings.
As opposed to the drive mechanism 90 which is extended in FIGS.
1 and 4 the drive mechanism 91' is retracted in this same position,
namely, the position in which all of the frames 50 51 52 are substantially
in planar horizontal relationship. Thus, the drive mechanism 91'
is operated to extend the members 92', 93' relative to each other
under a pushing force during movement of the components from the
position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5. and vice
versa. The latter pushing force is adequate to achieve smooth non-jerking
motion of the thigh/leg frame 52 from the position shown in FIG.
4 to the position shown in FIG. 5 because a relatively lesser load
is placed thereupon as compared to the load placed upon the drive
mechanism/lift motor 90 when energized in the position shown in
FIG. 4 to both not only lift the backrest frame 50 but also draw
the entire slide frame 41 from right-to-left, as viewed in FIGS.
4 and 5 of the drawings. It is also to be noted in the latter figures,
that an uppermost edge E of the backrest mattress portion Mb lies
closely adjacent to a vertical plane VB, such as a wall, and this
permits a person essentially the same access to items to the left
or right of the bed 10 irrespective of the position of the slide
frame 41.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically
illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor
variations may be made in the apparatus without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention, as defined the appended claims. |