Abstrict A high-low base including a lower frame member supported upon a
floor, an upper frame member, and an elevation assembly for variably
elevating the upper frame member in height above the lower frame
member, fits completely under, and within the pedestal base, of
a conventional contour bed. A motorized drive mechanism variably
controllably elevates the upper frame member in height above the
lower frame member, and the entire contour bed including its pedestal
base in height above the floor, in order to facilitate transfer
of a bed user to and from a wheelchair, or the provision of care
to the user supine within the bed. An upper surface of the contour
bed is adjustable to contour a mattress that rests upon this upper
surface mechanically and electrically independently of the adjustment
of the height of the bed. Various combinations of height-and-contour-adjustable,
height-adjustable, contour-adjustable, and non-adjustable bed units
may be harmoniously aesthetically and functionally combined, particularly
for use in the home.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A bed that is adjustable in both height above a floor upon which
the bed is supported and also in the contours of a mattress that
is supported upon the bed, the adjustable-height and adjustable-contour
bed comprising:
a high-low base having
a lower frame member supported upon a floor,
an upper frame member, and
elevation means for variably elevating the upper frame member in
height above the lower frame member and above the floor upon which
the lower frame member is supported,
wherein the lower frame member at least partially circumscribes
an area, the upper frame member at least partially circumscribes
an area, and when the upper frame member is elevated in height above
the lower frame member by action of the elevation means then the
two frame members define between them a volume, and
wherein the elevation means occupies less than the totality of
the volume defined by the elevated upper frame member and the floor-supported
lower frame member, a portion of the volume void and empty; and
a contour bed means, stably resting upon the upper frame member
of the high-low base and having an adjustable upper surface, for
supporting, and for variably adjusting the contours of, a mattress
that rests upon the upper surface, the contour bed means having
a peripheral frame,
a substantially planar bendable support member for supporting a
mattress upon its upper surface, and
motorized means, located within the peripheral frame and affixed
between this frame and the bendable support member, for variably
bending the support member in order that a variable contour may
be imparted to the mattress upon the support member's upper surface,
wherein the motorized means occupies less than the totality of
the volume enclosed by the peripheral frame, a portion of the volume
enclosed by the peripheral frame being void and empty;
wherein the contour bed need not mechanically affix the high-low
base, it being sufficient only that it should rest stably thereon
in order that any adjustment in height of the upper frame of the
high-low base should serve to commensurately adjust the height of
the contour bed means and of the mattress that is supported upon
the contour bed means;
wherein the volume defined by the peripheral frame of the contour
bed when the upper frame member of the high-low base is in its full
down position is substantially the same volume defined by the elevated
upper frame member and the floor-supported lower frame member of
the high-low base when the upper frame member is in its elevated
position;
wherein the elevation means of the high-low base fits substantially
completely within the void of the volume enclosed by the peripheral
contour bed frame upon such times as the elevation means places
the upper frame member in its full down position;
wherein the motorized means of the contour bed also fits substantially
completely within the void of the volume defined by the elevated
upper frame member and the floor-supported lower frame member upon
such times as the elevation means places the upper frame member
in its full down position; and
wherein the elevation means of the high-low bed, and the motorized
means of the contour bed, fit together in substantially the same
volume.
2. The adjustable-height and adjustable-contour bed according to
claim 1
wherein the upper frame member of the high-low base is adjustable
in height independently of the variable adjustment of the contours
of the mattress by the contour bed means.
3. The adjustable-height and adjustable-contour bed according to
claim 1 wherein the contour bed means further comprises:
a surround skirt of horizontal dimensions sufficient so as to fit
circumferentially about the high-low base, and of a vertical dimension
sufficient so as to essentially bridge a vertical gap between the
mattress and the floor when the high-low base is in its full down
position;
wherein the surround skirt of the contour bed, which is part of
the contour bed and thus variable in height above the floor in accordance
that the high-low base varies the height of the contour bed, serves
to surround the high-low base, and to enclose it from view, when
the high-low base is in its full down position.
4. A high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed comprising;
a contour bed frame substantially in the shape of the side walls
of a rectangular box having an open bottom and an open top,
a substantially planar bendable support member for supporting a
mattress upon its upper surface, and
motorized means, located within the contour bed frame and affixed
between this frame and the bendable support member, for variably
bending the support member in order that a variable contour may
be imparted to the mattress upon the support member's upper surface,
wherein the motorized means occupies less than the totality of
the volume enclosed by the contour bed frame substantially in the
shape of the topless and bottomless rectangular box, a portion of
the volume enclosed by the contour bed frame being void and empty,
and
a high-low base comprising:
a lower frame member supported upon a floor;
an upper frame member; and
elevation means for variably elevating the upper frame member in
height above the lower frame member and above the floor upon which
the lower frame member is supported;
wherein the upper frame member is of suitable complimentary size
and shape so as to engage the contour bed frame so that this frame,
and the entire contour bed, is variably elevated in height above
the floor in accordance that the upper frame member is so elevated;
and
wherein, nonetheless that the upper frame member engages the contour
bed frame, the entirety of the (i) lower frame member, (ii) upper
frame member, and (iii) elevation means fits substantially completely
within the void of the volume enclosed by the contour bed frame
upon such times as the elevation means places the upper frame member
in its full down position.
5. The high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed according to
claim 4 wherein the elevation means comprises:
a motorized drive mechanism connecting between the lower frame
member and the upper frame member in the volume between them for
variably elevating the upper frame member in height above the lower
frame member; and
an idler arm for maintaining the lower frame member and the upper
frame member in positional alignment.
6. The high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed according to
claim 4
frictional points of contact between the high-low base positioned
under the contour bed so as to lift the contour bed in height, and
the contour bed positioned above the high-low base so as to be lifted
in height, so that the contour base rests stably above the high-low
base solely by frictional contact and without fasteners or connectors;
wherein the high-low base may be added by retrofit without tools
to the contour bed in its position thereunder because it is not
connected thereto by fasteners nor connectors, with the contour
bed simply resting atop the high-low base under force of gravity.
7. A high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed comprising:
a contour bed frame substantially in the shape of the side walls
of a rectangular box having an open bottom and an open top,
a substantially planar bendable support member for supporting a
mattress upon its upper surface, and
motorized means, located within the contour bed frame and affixed
between this frame and the bendable support member, for variably
bending the support member in order that a variable contour may
be imparted to the mattress upon the support member's upper surface,
wherein the motorized means occupies less than the totality of
the volume enclosed by the contour bed frame substantially in the
shape of the topless and bottomless rectangular box, a portion of
the volume enclosed by the contour bed frame being void and empty,
the high-low base comprising:
a lower frame member supported upon a floor;
an upper frame member having and defining a plurality of tracks;
and
an elevation means for variably elevating the upper frame member
in height above the lower frame member and above the floor upon
which the lower frame member is supported, the elevation means comprising
a motorized drive mechanism connecting between the lower frame
member and the upper frame member in the volume between them for
variably elevating the upper frame member in height above the lower
frame member, the motorized drive mechanism comprising a plurality
of arms each rotationally affixed to the lower frame member at a
one end thereof and engaging the upper frame member at the other
end thereof by sliding in a one of the plurality of tracks of the
upper frame member, and a motor means for driving the plurality
of arms to various angles relative to each of the lower frame member
and the upper frame member, therein to force the lower frame member
and the upper frame member to a variable degree of separation one
from the other; and
an idler arm for maintaining the lower frame member and the upper
frame member in positional alignment;
wherein the upper frame member is of suitable complimentary size
and shape so as to engage the contour bed frame so that this frame,
and the entire contour bed, is variably elevated in height above
the floor in accordance that the upper frame member is so elevated;
and
wherein, nonetheless that the upper frame member engages the contour
bed frame, the entirety of the (i) lower frame member, (ii) upper
frame member, and (iii) elevation means fits substantially completely
within the void of the volume enclosed by the contour bed frame
upon such times as the elevation means places the upper frame member
in its full down position.
8. The high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed according to
claim 7
wherein pairs of the plurality of arms are opposed at opposite
side walls of the contour bed frame substantially in the shape of
a rectangular box; and wherein the motor means further comprises:
a shaft connecting one pair of opposed arms at the points of their
rotatable affixation to the lower frame member;
a lever arm connected at one of its ends to the shaft;
a screw follower affixed to the other end of the lever arm;
a screw threading the screw follower; and
an electric motor for rotating the screw so that the screw follower
and the one end of the lever arm affixed thereto may be forced to
rotate the shaft in order to turn the pair of arms connected to
the shaft so as to change the angle thereof relative to each of
the lower frame member and the upper frame member, therein to force
the lower frame member and the upper frame member to the variable
degree of separation one from the other.
9. A high-low base for use with, under and supporting a pre-existing
contour bed, the high-low base being vertically extendible in a
range from
a retracted first position supporting the contour bed at a predetermined
low height suitable for a level transfer of a patient from a wheelchair
to a bed, to
an intermediary second position supporting the contour bed at an
intermediary height, greater than the low height, suitable for a
gravity-assisted transfer of a patient from the bed to a wheelchair,
to
an extended third position supporting the contour bed at a high
height, greater than the intermediary height, suitable for care-giving
to a patient lying supine upon the bed, the high-low base comprising:
a lower frame member, supported upon a floor, of complimentary
size and rectangular shape so as to fit within a rectangular pedestal
base of a pre-existing contour bed;
an upper frame member also of complimentary size and rectangular
shape so as to fit within the rectangular pedestal base of the pre-existing
contour bed, therein to come into contact with such frame elements
of the adjustable bed as are within its pedestal base in a manner
that permits forcible level lifting of these frame elements and
of the pedestal base and of the entire contour bed of which the
pedestal base and its frame elements are a part, the upper frame
member having and defining a plurality of tracks;
elevation means, connecting between the lower frame member and
the upper frame member and located in the volume between them, for
variably elevating the upper frame member in height above the lower
frame member and above the floor upon which the lower frame member
is supported, the elevation means comprising
a motorized drive mechanism, connecting between the lower frame
member and the upper frame member and located in the volume between
them, for variably elevating the upper frame member in height above
the lower frame member, the motorized drive mechanism comprising
a plurality of arms each rotationally affixed to the lower frame
member at a one end thereof and sliding in a one of the plurality
of tracks of the upper frame member at the other end thereof, and
a motor means for driving the plurality of arms to various angles
relative to each of the lower frame member and the upper frame member,
therein to force the lower frame member and the upper frame member
to a variable degree of separation one from the other; and
an idler arm for maintaining the lower frame member and the upper
frame member in positional alignment.
wherein the lower frame member, the upper frame member and the
elevation means are collectively so low and squat in the retracted
first position of the elevation means that they all together fit
within the rectangular pedestal base of the preexisting contour
bed, while the contour bed is at the low height suitable for a level
transfer of a patient from a wheelchair to a bed;
wherein the upper frame member is vertically extendible in the
second position of the elevation means so as to lift the contour
bed to the intermediary height suitable for a gravity-assisted transfer
of a patient from the bed to a wheelchair;
wherein the upper frame member is further vertically extendible
in the third position of the elevation means so as to lift the contour
bed to the high height suitable for care-giving to a patient lying
supine upon the bed;
wherein the high-low base suffices to lift the contour bed over
a range of heights.
10. The high-low base according to claim 9
wherein pairs of the plurality of arms are opposed upon opposite
sides of both the rectangularly-shaped lower and upper frame members;
and wherein the motor means further comprises:
a shaft connecting one pair of opposed arms at the points of their
rotatable affixation to the lower frame member;
a lever arm connected at one of its ends to the shaft;
a screw follower affixed to the other end of the lever arm;
a screw threading the screw follower; and
an electric motor for rotating the screw so that the screw follower
and the one end of the lever arm affixed thereto may be forced to
rotate the shaft to turn the pair of arms connected to the shaft
to change the angle thereof relative to each of the lower frame
member and the upper frame member, therein to force the lower frame
member and the upper frame member to the variable degree of separation
one from the other.
11. The high-low base according to claim 9
frictional points of contact between the high-low base positioned
under the contour bed so as to lift the contour bed in height, and
the contour bed positioned above the high-low base so as to be lifted
in height, so that the contour base rests stably above the high-low
base solely by frictional contact and without fasteners or connectors;
wherein the high-low base may be added by retrofit without tools
to the contour bed in its position thereunder because it is not
connected thereto by fasteners nor connectors, with the contour
bed simply resting atop the high-low base under force of gravity.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally concerns adjustable beds. The present
invention particularly concerns beds that are (i) modular in construction,
(ii) adjustable in height above the floor, and (iii) adjustable
in the contours of a mattress that is supported upon the bed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The present invention will be seen to concern modular beds that
are adjustable in (i) height above the floor as well as in (ii)
the contours of a that is mattress supported upon the bed.
Hospital Beds
A true hospital bed is typically adjustable in both (i) height
and (ii) contour. However, a hospital bed is typically an integral
unit, i.e., non-modular, and is normally of considerable size and
weight. The considerable size and weight of a hospital bed is fully
satisfactory for hospital purposes, and, indeed, contributes to
the durability and stability of the bed. A hospital bed is normally
only but infrequently moved, and then solely within the confines
of a hospital. The normal use of the bed requires bringing a patient,
on a wheelchair or gurney if necessary, to the bed. When a hospital
bed is moved then it is normally transported by rolling on strong
casters over non-resilient hard floors, and by freight elevator
between the floors of a multi-story building.
A hospital bed is also very distinctive in appearance, and considerably
different from conventional household beds and bedroom furnishings.
The frame of a hospital bed is typically made entirely of metal
which is often polished or painted. The metal frame of the bed is
typically only but minimally shielded from view, and then typically
only by panels and side-boards of man-made material typically having
a hard, smooth and durable surface. The aesthetic appearance of
a hospital bed is secondary to its required functionality, including
a required easy access to its frame in order that it may be cleaned
and sanitized as necessary.
Because of all these characteristics a hospital bed is normally
sufficiently visually distinctive so that it may be unambiguously
and easily identified to so be a hospital bed even should it appear
in incongruous circumstances such as, for example, in a home bedroom.
Contour Beds
Meanwhile, a type of bed having some, or all, of the capabilities
of a hospital bed to adjust the contours of a mattress--but lacking
the capability of a hospital bed to raise and lower the mattress
in height above the floor--is called a contour bed. In the advanced
industrial countries including the U.S.A. contour beds are, circa
1994 routinely sold for home use.
Contour beds use normal household sheets, blankets and other bedding.
They are, in accordance with their intended environment of use,
quite normally appearing relative to non-contour household beds.
They may, for example, have platform bases that are surfaced in
wood, vinyl padding, or other materials suitably incorporated in
the decor of a home bedroom.
Contour beds may have double, or split, mattresses with each side
of the bed being independently adjustable under separate control
of the occupant of that side. Sometimes one contour bed, typically
of twin size, is placed side-by-side with an identically externally-appearing
bed that, while having a same or similar mattress, rests upon a
base that is without the capability of contour adjustment. In this
manner a sole occupant, or a couple only one of whom desires contour
adjustment, may save the cost of having the entire surface of the
bed to be adjustable while preserving the form factor of a double
twin, or king size, bed.
Home Requirements For Certain Features of a Hospital Bed In Combination
With Certain Features of a Contour Bed
It is desirable to combine the capability of a hospital bed to
be adjustable in height above the floor with the suitable appearance
of a contour bed for location in the bedroom of a private home.
The capability of the contour bed to adjust the contours of a mattress
that it supports must be preserved.
The fundamental reasons why it is useful to have a bed that is
adjustable in height in a home setting are the same as it is in
a hospital setting: to facilitate (i) transfers into the bed, (ii)
transfers out of the bed, and/or (iii) the rendering of care by
a person standing or sitting alongside the bed to a person, normally
supine, located on the bed.
An individual may most easily transfer from a wheel chair to a
bed, and vice versa--whether with assistance or unassisted--when
the bed surface is twenty inches (20") in height, or less,
above the floor upon which both the bed and the wheelchair rest.
Transfers into the bed from a wheelchair are normally conducted
level, or sometimes with the bed slightly lower in order that gravity
may assist the transfer. Likewise, an individual normally transfers
most easily from a bed to a wheel chair--whether with assistance
or unassisted--when the bed surface is at approximately the same
height as the wheelchair seat above the floor upon which both the
bed and the wheelchair rest. Transfers from the bed into a wheelchair
are normally conducted with the bed slightly higher in order that
gravity may assist the transfer. The rendering of care to a person
located on the bed is normally conducted when the bed surface is
elevated considerably higher, typically thirty-two inches (32")
high or higher, than is the same surface during occupant transfers.
An individual within the bed is normally accorded discretionary
control of the bed's height for purposes of better and more satisfactory
interaction with the environment from the viewing of television
and window scenes to the conduct of reading or conversation.
Some existing contour beds will, if not elevated on pedestals and
when their mattress contours are set level, have a total height
of 20" or less, and thus be roughly suitable for transfers
to and from wheelchairs. Unfortunately, while a hospital bed will
raise its occupant to the height convenient to any of (i) a caretaker,
(ii) bedside furniture, (iii) bedside conversation, and/or (iv)
the viewing of television after being entered by the occupant at
a low height, a contour bed set low upon the floor has no such capability.
Moreover, there are special reasons, not present in a hospital,
why within a home setting (i) a contour bed should be adjustable
in height, or, alternatively and conversely, (ii) a height-adjustable
bed should also be adjustable in contour. These reasons have to
do with (i) interaction between a couple sharing a bed, and (ii)
aesthetics of the bed during its occupancy by two, one or zero persons.
When one, physically-impaired, member of a couple sharing a bed
has a requirement for access to the bed at some non-standard height
(which height may be abnormally low or high) above the floor, there
are good reasons why this portion of the bed should be adjustable
in both height and contour. Adjustment in height is clearly desirable
not only so that a portion of the bed that is so adjustable may
be conveniently entered (or exited), but also so that this portion
may be brought level with the remaining, height-unadjustable, portion
of the bed for reasons of improved affinity, including conjugal
relations, between occupants of the bed. It is extremely awkward
and undesirable that one bed portion should be permanently superior
or inferior in elevation to the other bed portion.
It is somewhat more subtle, but also true, that the portion of
a home bed that is adjustable in height should also be adjustable
in contour. It is desirable that a height-adjustable bed portion
should also be contour-adjustable for the same reasons that couples
often order dual-adjustable contour beds--both desire to individually
and collectively enjoy the comforts of an adjustable mattress.
A dual-occupant, double size or larger, home bed is normally unoccupied
by at least one occupant, and typically by both occupants, for substantial
portions of the day. The unoccupied entirety, or part, of the bed
may be made up, and covered by a bedspread, during this period for
optimal aesthetic appearance. It is typically desirable, if only
from the point of view of a sole occupant, that the unoccupied side
portion of a double bed should not look incongruous all day long,
such as by towering above or hovering below the occupied side portion.
It is likewise desirable that, when the bed is vacated, both side
portions should be made to be as visually identically appearing
as is possible. These requirements are obviously satisfied when
the portion of the bed that is adjustable in height and in contour
is so adjustable to assume the height, and the contour, of the remaining,
height-unadjustable, portion.
One, brute-force, solution to realizing the full (i) height and
(ii) contour adjustment capabilities of a hospital bed in a home
environment would be to adopt a hospital bed, as best as was possible,
to the aesthetic, space and weight requirements of a home. Perhaps
a hospital bed having no capability of adjustment in height, but
preserving its capability to adjust the contour of the mattress,
could be produced at reduced cost as a type of contour bed. Generally,
however, a hospital bed is a large, integrated and very expensive
structure that is neither well, nor easily, adapted to the home.
The present invention will be seen to take an alternative approach,
and to attempt to enlarge the capabilities of existing contour bed--which
contour beds are well-accepted in home use and which capabilities
are well-proven--to encompass the height adjustability of a hospital
bed while fully preserving the (i) aesthetics, (ii) substantial
economies, and (iii) proven performance of the contour bed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates a modular high-low-adjustable
contour-adjustable bed including (i) a high-low base portion that
is adjustable in height above a floor, and, resting upon the high-low
base portion, (ii) a contour bed portion suitable to adjust the
contours of a mattress that it supports.
The present invention further contemplates a high-low base useable
with, retrofittable to, and fitted under an existing contour bed.
The high-low base is adjustable in height so as to vary the elevation
of the contour bed above the floor.
1. An Embodiment of the Present Invention as a High-Low Adjustable
Contour-Adjustable Bed
The present invention is embodied in a modular high-low-adjustable
contour-adjustable bed.
A high-low base portion of the high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable
bed includes a lower frame member supported upon a floor, an upper
frame member, and an elevation assembly for variably elevating the
upper frame member in height above the lower frame member and above
the floor upon which the lower frame member is supported.
The elevation assembly typically includes a motorized drive mechanism
connecting between the lower frame member and the upper frame member
and located in the volume between them. The motorized drive mechanism
serves to variably controllably elevate the upper frame member in
height above the lower frame member. An idler arm maintains the
lower frame member and the upper frame member in positional alignment.
The upper frame member commonly has and defines several, normally
two (2), tracks while the motorized drive mechanism includes several,
normally four (4), arms. The arms are each rotationally affixed
to the lower frame member at one end, with the other end engaging
and sliding within a corresponding one of the tracks of the upper
frame member. A motor serves to drive the arms to various angles
relative to each of the lower frame member and the upper frame member.
The lower frame member and the upper frame member are thereby forced
to a variable degree of separation one from the other.
In greater detail, two pairs of two arms each are preferably opposed
upon opposite sides of both of a rectangularly-shaped lower, and
an upper, frame member. The motorized drive mechanism includes a
shaft connecting one pair of opposed arms at the points of the arms'
rotatable affixation to the lower frame member, a lever arm connected
at one of its two ends to the shaft, a screw follower affixed to
the other end of the lever arm, a screw threading the screw follower,
and an electric motor for rotating the screw. Rotation of the screw
causes the screw follower and the one end of the lever arm affixed
thereto to forcibly rotate the shaft, turning the pair of arms connected
to the shaft and changing the angle thereof relative to each of
the lower frame member and the upper frame member. As this angle
changes the lower frame member and the upper frame member are forced
to a variable degree of separation one from the other.
A contour bed portion of high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable
bed stably rests upon the upper frame member of the high-low base
portion. The contour bed portion has and presents an adjustable
upper surface that serves to support, and for variably adjust the
contours of, a mattress that rests upon this upper surface.
The contour bed portion commonly, and preferably, includes a surround
skirt having horizontal dimensions that fit circumferentially about
the high-low base portion, and a vertical dimension that serves
to essentially completely bridge a vertical gap between the mattress
and the floor when the high-low base portion is in its full down
position. By this construction the surround skirt of the contour
bed portion--nonetheless to being part of the contour bed portion
and thus being variable in height above the floor in accordance
that the high-low base portion varies the height of this contour
bed portion--serves to surround the high-low base portion, and to
enclose it from external view, when the high-low base portion is
in its full down position. The surround skirt, being a part of the
contour bed portion, is raised into the air above the floor when
the upper frame member of the high-low base is elevated in height,
making it appear, as is in fact the actual case, that the entire
contour bed portion is being lifted off the floor.
Notably, the contour bed portion need not, and preferably does
not, mechanically affix the high-low base portion. Instead, it is
sufficient only that the contour bed portion should rest stably
on the high-low base portion. In this position any adjustment in
height of the upper frame member of the high-low base portion serves
to commensurately adjust the height of the contour bed portion,
and of the mattress that is supported upon the contour bed portion.
The upper frame member of the high-low base portion is adjustable
in height independently that the contour bed portion serves to variably
adjust the contours of the mattress that rests upon its upper surface.
The high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed of the present invention
may be beneficially used in combination with an expansion bed that
is located alongside. A preferred expansion bed includes a frame
for supporting a mattress at a same height as is the mattress supported
upon the high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed when the high-low
base portion of the bed is in its full down position, and a surround
skirt to the frame that substantially externally visually matches
the surround skirt to the high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable
bed. By this construction the high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable
bed and the expansion bed are visually identically appearing when
the high-low base portion of the high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable
bed is in its full down position then. This visual identity is the
case regardless that the expansion bed is not necessarily adjustable
in either of (i) height or (ii) contour. Normally, however, the
expansion bed is adjustable in contour (only) .
2. An Embodiment of the Present Invention as a High-Low Base For
Use With a Contour Bed
The present invention is also embodied in a high-low base for use
with a pre-existing conventional contour bed.
The base of a conventional contour bed is in the shape of a rectangular
parallelipiped body. The parallelipiped body is defined by a box
frame substantially in the shape of the four side walls of a rectangular
box having an open bottom and an open top, and, as a top, a substantially
planar bendable mattress support member for supporting a mattress
upon its upper surface. The bottom of the parallelepiped body, and
box frame, is open. A motor is located within the box frame, and
is affixed between the box frame and the bendable mattress support
member for variably bending this member in order that a variable
contour may be imparted to the mattress that rests upon its upper
surface. The motor normally occupies less than the totality of the
parallelepiped volume enclosed by the box frame--making that a portion
of the volume enclosed by the box frame is void.
A high-low base in accordance with the present invention for use
with the conventional contour bed having this form of a box frame
makes use of this void. The high-low base of the present invention
includes a lower frame member supported upon a floor, an upper frame
member, and an elevation assembly for variably elevating the upper
frame member in height above the lower frame member and above the
floor upon which the lower frame member is supported. The upper
frame member is of suitably complimentary size and shape so as to
engage the box frame of the contour bed--but at points inside of
this box frame at a level that is above the frame's lowest points.
This engagement permits the entire contour bed, including its entire
frame, to be variably elevated in height above the floor as the
upper frame member of the high-low base is elevated above the upper
frame member of the high-low base.
Importantly, and nonetheless that the upper frame member of the
high-low base engages the frame of the existing contour bed, substantially
the entirety of the high-low base--its (i) lower frame member, (ii)
upper frame member, and (iii) elevation assembly--fits completely
within the void of the volume enclosed by the contour bed box frame
when high-low base is in its full down position. To restate, the
high-low adjustable base of the present invention fits almost completely
inside the box frame of a preexisting, conventional, contour bed.
The sole exception is intentional, consisting of head and foot support
rails that are located on the exterior of the lower frame member
of the high-low base. These two rails serve to engage the bottom
side edges of a corresponding two sides of the box frame to the
contour bed. These two rails serve to make that the high-low adjustable
base--hidden to the ninety-ninth percent (99%) as it is within the
box frame of the existing contour bed--is always between the contour
bed and the floor by at least the slight thickness, approximately
one-eighth inch (1/8"), of the head and foot support rails.
These rails permanently underlying the contour bed--even when the
high-low base is not elevated so as to raise the contour bed--has
a simple purpose. Castors on the bottom of (only) the high-low adjustable
base will always suffice to support for rolling both the high-low
adjustable base and the contour bed that rest upon the high-low
adjustable base. In accordance with the present invention, the substantial
appearance and the complete functionality of an existing contour
bed is preserved while a wholly new capability of adjusting the
contour bed in height above the floor is added by retrofitting a
high-low adjustable base in accordance with the present invention
under the contour base. In this retrofit no mechanical nor any electrical
connections are required, and no tools need be used.
3. An Embodiment of the Present Invention as an Apparatus and Method
for Adjusting the Height of a Contour Bed Over a Useful Range
A high-low base in accordance with the present invention for use
with, under, and supporting a pre-existing contour bed is preferably
greatly vertically extendible in height. The high-low adjustable
base is so extended in height over a range from (i) a retracted
first position supporting the contour bed at a low height suitable
for a level transfer of a patient from a wheelchair to the bed,
to (ii) an intermediary second position supporting the contour bed
at an intermediary height suitable for a gravity-assisted transfer
of a patient from the bed to a wheelchair, to (iii) an extended
third position supporting the contour bed at a high height suitable
for care-giving to a patient lying supine upon the bed.
The preferred high-low base that is adjustable over such a range
includes a lower frame member, supported upon a floor, that is of
complimentary size and rectangular shape so as to fit almost completely
within a rectangular pedestal base of a pre-existing contour bed.
An upper frame member--also of complimentary size and rectangular
shape so as to fit completely within the rectangular pedestal base
of the pre-existing contour bed--comes into contact with frame elements
of the contour bed that are within its pedestal base. This contact
permits forcible level lifting of these frame elements, the pedestal
base, and the entire contour bed of which the base elements and
pedestal base are a part. Finally, an elevation assembly connects,
and is located in the volume, between the lower frame member and
the upper frame member. The elevation assembly serves to variably
elevate the upper frame member in height above the lower frame member
and above the floor upon which the lower frame member is supported.
By this construction and operation, the lower frame member, the
upper frame member and the elevation assembly of the high-low base
are collectively so low and squat in a retracted first position
that they all fit compactly within the rectangular pedestal base
of the pre-existing contour bed. At this position the contour bed
is at the low height suitable for the level transfer of the patient
from the wheelchair to the bed. At a second position of the elevation
assembly the upper frame member is vertically extended so as to
lift the contour bed to the intermediary height suitable for the
gravity-assisted transfer of the patient from the bed to the wheelchair.
Finally, the third position of the elevation assembly vertically
extends the upper frame member so as to lift the contour bed to
the high height suitable for care-giving to the patient who typically
lies supine upon the contour bed adjusted flat.
In summary, the high-low base of the present invention suffices
to lift a pre-existing contour bed over a useful range of heights
while retracting so low, and so compactly, so as to fit substantially
completely within the dimensions of a pedestal base to the contour
bed.
These and other aspects and attributes of the present invention
will become increasingly clear upon reference to the following drawings
and accompanying specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view showing the
preferred embodiment of a modular high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable
bed in accordance with the present invention, the high-low-adjustable
contour-adjustable bed including an uppermost contour bed and a
lowermost high-low base.
FIG. 2 is a detail view of the high-low base particularly showing
the preferred motor, screw and screw and screw follower assembly
that adjusts the height of the modular high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable
bed in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the preferred embodiment
of a modular high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed 1 in accordance
with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The high-low-adjustable
contour-adjustable bed includes a contour bed 11 and a high-low
base 12.
The contour base 11 is of various standard constructions. A typical
contour bed includes a perimeter frame 111 within which is located
one or more motors 112 electrically connected to a control panel
1121 and then, by a power cord 1122 to a source of (typically)
a.c. power. The motor 112 operates to move the lever arms of rotating
elements 113 so as to selectively displace the upper portion mattress
support member 114 and the lower portion mattress support member
115 to various angles and elevations. These various angles impart
a contour to a detachable mattress 13 that is positioned atop the
support members 114115.
In accordance with the present invention, a high-low base 12 is
added by retrofit as a new assembly to an existing contour bed 11
or is furnished along with a new contour bed 11 in order to realize
a complete modular high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed in
accordance with the present invention.
The high-low base 12 includes a rectangular lower frame member
121 an rectangular upper frame member 122 and a motorized elevation
assembly 123 for variably elevating the upper frame member 122 in
height above the lower frame 121. An idler arm 124--rotationally
connected to the lower frame member 121 by the hinge joint 1241
and to the upper frame member 122 by hinge joint 1242--serves to
maintain the lower frame member 121 and the upper frame member 122
in positional alignment.
The lower frame member 121 rests upon a floor (not shown), either
directly or upon typically on four castors 1211 that are disposed
at the underside of the four corners of the rectangular lower frame
member 121. The rectangular lower frame member 121 has and two relatively
shorter, foot and head, end sides 1212 1213.
The rectangular upper frame member 122 has and presents to its
exterior at each of its two relatively shorter, foot and head, end
sides 1223 1224 a typically continuous, typically full-length,
shelf 12231 12241. The shelves 12231 12241 form a shallow "U"
channel with an upward-directed opening to the "U". The
purpose of the shelves 12131 and 12141 is to engage the corresponding
sides 1111 1112 of the platform-base frame 111 to the contour bed
1.
The upper frame member 122 has and defines two (2) typically (but
not necessarily) continuous, typically (but not necessarily) full-length,
channels, or tracks, 12211 12221 at the interior of its two long
sides 1221 and 1222. Each channel, or track, 12211 and 12221 serves
to engage, and to restrain for rolling motion, a corresponding pair
of the roller assemblies 123211 123221 and 123311 123321 of the
arms 12321 12322 and 12331 12332
Both the lower frame member 121 and the upper frame member 122
are commonly made from steel angle iron, typically 12 gauge alloy
steel.
The motorized elevation assembly 123 is in the form of a motorized
drive mechanism connecting between the lower frame member 121 and
the upper frame member 122 and is located in the volume between
these frame members 121 122. The motorized elevation assembly 123
serves to variably controllably elevate the upper frame member 122
in height above the lower frame member 121.
As is best seen in FIG. 2 the motorized elevation assembly 123
includes an electrical motor drive assembly 1231 that itself includes,
as electrical components, a bi-directional electric motor 12311
an electrical junction box 12312 a power cord 12313 and a hand-held
control 12314. The hand-held control 12314 serves under the momentary
manual switch activation by a user (not shown) of the contour bed
to gate electrical power from a wall outlet (not shown) to which
power cord 12312 is connected, through the electrical junction box
12312 and to the electric motor 12311 causing the electric motor
12311 to turn the screw 12315 in a selected rotational direction.
The screw 12315 that is affixed at its one end to the motor 12311
threads at its other end a screw follower 123151. The screw follower
123151 is at one end of a lever arm 12316 that is affixed at its
other end to a shaft 1232. Rotation of the screw 12315 by the motor
12311 causes the screw 12315 the screw follower 123151 and the
lever arm 12316 affixed thereto to forcibly rotate the shaft 1232.
Rotation of the shaft 1232 in opposite directions raises and lowers
the upper frame 122 and the contour bed 11 (shown in FIG. 1) that
rests thereon.
The function of the motor 12311 and its associated drive components
to rotate the shaft 1232 so that the upper frame 122 and the contour
bed 11 (shown in FIG. 1), become raised in elevation is aided by
a strong spring 12317 that is attached between a short end 1211
of the lower frame 121 and, preferably, the same end of the lever
arm 12316 to which the screw follower is attached. The spring 12317
is normally in extension, and serves to pull against the end of
the lever arm 12316.
In certain versions of the high-low base 12 of the high-low-adjustable
contour-adjustable bed 1 of which the base 12 is a part, the extension,
and force, of the spring 12317 may be adjustably preset by a simple
take-up mechanism (not shown). In this manner the force exerted
by the motor 12311 both to raise, and to lower, the upper frame
122 and the contour bed 11 may be roughly balanced in anticipation
of the weight of both (i) the actual contour bed 11 in use, and,
optionally additionally, (ii) the rough expected weight of the occupant
of the contour bed 11. The spring 12317 will thus be recognized
as a common mechanism by which the strain on, and necessary forces
exerted by, the motor 12311 may be reduced, and may optimally be
minimized.
Meanwhile, the motorized elevation assembly 123 further includes
arm pairs 1233 and 1234 each respectively consisting of two arms
12331 12332 and 12341 12342. The arm pairs 1233 and 1234 are opposed
upon opposite long sides 1214 1215 of the rectangularly-shaped
lower frame member 121 and also upon opposite long sides 1222
1221 of the rectangularly-shaped upper frame member 122. Each of
the arms 12331 12332 and 12341 12342 of the respective arm pairs
1233 and 1234 is respectively rotationally affixed to the long sides
1214 1215 of lower frame member 121 normally by a pin or bearing
(not shown), or by such other means as are common for the creation
of hinge joints. Each of the arms 12331 12332 and 12341 12342
of the respective arm pairs 1233 and 1234 is respectively affixed
for rotating and sliding relative to the channels 12211 12221 of
the long sides 1221 1222 of upper frame member 122 normally by
sliding wheel bearing (not shown), or by such other means as are
common for the creation of low-friction sliding joints.
An optional linkage 12333 connects the arms 12331 12332 of the
arm pair 1233 and an optional linkage 12343 connects the arms 12341
12342 of the arm pair 1234 in order to impart extra stability and
strength. The shaft 1232 is immovably affixed to the ends of one
arm of each of the opposed arm pairs 1233 1234 namely to arms
12331 and 12341 at the points of the rotatable affixation of these
arms 1233112341 to the long sides 1214 1215 of the lower frame
member 121.
By these fixed, rotating and sliding connections, rotation of the
screw 12315 by the motor 12311 causes the screw follower 123151
and the lever arm 12316 affixed thereto to forcibly rotate the shaft
1232 turning the arms 12331 12341 connected to the shaft 1232
and changing the angle thereof relative to each of the lower frame
member 121 and the upper frame member 122. As this angle changes
the lower frame member 121 and the upper frame member 122 are forced
to a variable degree of separation one from the other.
The motorized elevation assembly 123 includes as it largest non-peripherally-located
components the motor 12311 the shaft 1232 and the idler arm 124.
These components may suitably occupy complementary voids in the
parallelepiped volume enclosed by the frame 111 of the contour bed
11. The frame 111 is substantially in the shape of the four-sided,
topless and bottomless, rectangular box. As is illustrated, a portion
of the volume enclosed by this frame 111 is void, or empty. The
motor 12311 and the remaining associated elements of the motorized
elevation assembly fit within this void when the high-low base 12
is fully retracted.
In accordance with the preceding explanation, variations and adaptations
of the modular high-low-adjustable contour-adjustable bed in accordance
with the present invention will suggest themselves to a practitioner
of the mechanical design arts. The sides of the high-low base upon
which the arm pairs 1233 1234 are disposed could have been the
short, as opposed to the long, sides. The high-low base could even
be of other than rectangular geometry, and may in particular be
round. Height adjustment of the high-low base could have been by
hydraulic or pneumatic, as opposed to electrical and mechanical,
means. The high-low base could be bolted, or otherwise affixed,
at the underside of the contour bed--in which case the shelves 12231
and 12421 are unnecessary and the castors 1211 could alternatively
be affixed to the base of the contour bed frame 111 as opposed to
the high-low base 12. (In this case, the castors 1211 would lift
along with the frame 111 of the contour bed 11.)
In accordance with these and other possible variations and adaptations
of the present invention, the scope of the invention should be determined
in accordance with the following claims, only, and not solely in
accordance with that embodiment within which the invention has been
taught. |