Abstrict An adjustable bed includes at a minimum a head support and a back
support pivotally connected to each other, a mechanism for pivoting
the head support automatically from a first position horizontal
and coplanar to the back support to an inclined position, and the
latter mechanism being effective upon further operation to pivotally
move the back support from its horizontal position to any one of
a number of inclined positions without altering the inclination
of the head support relative to the back support.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable bed section comprising a head support and a back
support adapted to respectively support a person's head and back,
means for pivotally connecting said head and back supports for pivoting
movement relative to each other, means for pivotally moving said
back support, motion transmission means disposed between said head
and back supports and operable in response to the operation of said
pivotally moving means; said motion transmission means including:
first linkage means for moving said head section from a substantially
horizontal position to an inclined position whereby a person's head
and back can be supported at substantially inclined and horizontal
positions, respectively, and, second linkage means for moving said
back section from a substantially horizontal position to an inclined
position; cooperative cam means and cam follower means responsive
to the operation of said motion transmission means during the pivoting
of the head support toward its substantially inclined position,
one of said cam means and cam follower means being carried by one
of said first and second linkage means, and another of said cam
and cam follower means being carried by another of said first and
second linkage means.
2. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
second linkage means is operatively associated between said first
linkage means and said pivotally moving means.
3. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
first linkage means is pivotally connected to said back section.
4. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 including a
support frame, and said second linkage means is pivotally connected
to said support frame.
5. An adjustable bed section comprising a head support and a back
support adapted to respectively support a person's head and back,
means for pivotally connecting said head and back supports for pivoting
movement relative to each other, first and second linkage mechanisms,
first and second linkage pivots for pivoting said respective first
and second linkage mechanisms for movement between first positions
at which said head and back supports are in a first substantially
horizontal position and second positions at which said head and
back supports are in a second substantially inclined position relative
to a horizontal plane, means for imparting initial pivotal movement
to said second linkage absent movement of said back support from
its first substantially horizontal position, means for transmitting
the initial pivotal movement of said second linkage mechanism to
said first linkage mechanism for effecting pivoting of said head
section from its first substantially horizontal position to its
second substantially inclined position, and said transmitting means
includes a first portion of said second linkage mechanism in rolling
bearing engagement with a first portion of said first linkage mechanism.
6. An adjustable bed section comprising a head support and a back
support adapted to respectively support a person's head and back,
means for pivotally connecting said head and back supports for pivoting
movement relative to each other, first and second linkage mechanisms,
first and second linkage pivots for pivoting said respective first
and second linkage mechanisms for movement between first positions
at which said head and back supports are in a first substantially
horizontal position and second positions at which said head and
back supports are in a second substantially inclined position relative
to a horizontal plane, means for imparting initial pivotal movement
to said second linkage absent movement of said back support from
its first substantially horizontal position, means for transmitting
the initial pivotal movement of said second linkage mechanism to
said first linkage mechanism for effecting pivoting of said head
section from its first substantially horizontal position to its
second substantially inclined position, and said transmitting means
including a first portion of said second linkage mechanism in camming
bearing engagement with a first portion of said first linkage mechanism.
7. An adjustable bed section comprising a head support and a back
support adapted to respectively support a person's head and back,
means for pivotally connecting said head and back supports for pivoting
movement relative to each other, first and second linkage mechanisms,
first and second linkage pivots for pivoting said respective first
and second linkage mechanisms for movement between first positions
at which said head and back supports are in a first substantially
horizontal position and second positions at which said head and
back supports are in a second substantially inclined position relative
to a horizontal plane, means for imparting initial pivotal movement
to said second linkage absent movement of said back support from
its first substantially horizontal position, means for transmitting
the initial pivotal movement of said second linkage mechanism to
said first linkage mechanism for effecting pivoting of said head
section from its first substantially horizontal position to its
second substantially inclined position, and said first and second
linkage mechanisms each having first and second arms, and said first
arms of said first and second linkage mechanisms being in bearing
engagement with each other.
8. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 7 wherein one
of said first arms includes a follower and another of said first
arms includes a follower surface along which said follower moves.
9. An adjustable bed section comprising a head support and a back
support adapted to respectively support a person's head and back,
means for pivotally connecting said head and back supports for pivoting
movement relative to each other, first and second linkage mechanisms,
first and second linkage pivots for pivoting said respective first
and second linkage mechanisms for movement between first positions
at which said head and back supports are in a first substantially
horizontal position and second positions at which said head and
back supports are in a second substantially inclined position relative
to a horizontal plane, means for imparting initial pivotal movement
to said second linkage absent movement of said back support from
its first substantially horizontal position, means for transmitting
the initial pivotal movement of said second linkage mechanism to
said first linkage mechanism for effecting pivoting of said head
section from its first substantially horizontal position to its
second substantially inclined position, said first and second linkage
mechanisms each having first and second arms, and said first arms
of said first and second linkage mechanisms being in sliding bearing
engagement with each other.
10. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 9 wherein said
first and second linkage pivots are located between said first and
second arms of at least one of said first and second linkage mechanisms.
11. An adjustable bed section comprising a head support and a back
support adapted to respectively support a person's head and back,
means for pivotally connecting said head and back supports for pivoting
movement relative to each other, first and second linkage mechanisms,
first and second linkage pivots for pivoting said respective first
and second linkage mechanisms for movement between first positions
at which said head and back supports are in a first substantially
horizontal position and second positions at which said head and
back supports are in a second substantially inclined position relative
to a horizontal plane, means for imparting initial pivotal movement
to said second linkage absent movement of said back support from
its first substantially horizontal position, means for transmitting
the initial pivotal movement of said second linkage mechanism to
said first linkage mechanism for effecting pivoting of said head
section from its first substantially horizontal position to its
second substantially inclined position, said first and second linkage
mechanisms each having first and second arms, and said first arms
of said first and second linkage mechanisms being in rolling bearing
engagement with each other.
12. An adjustable bed section comprising a head support and a back
support adapted to respectively support a person's head and back,
means for pivotally connecting said head and back supports for pivoting
movement relative to each other, first and second linkage mechanisms,
first and second linkage pivots for pivoting said respective first
and second linkage mechanisms for movement between first positions
at which said head and back supports are in a first substantially
horizontal position and second positions at which said head and
back supports are in a second substantially inclined position relative
to a horizontal plane, means for imparting initial pivotal movement
to said second linkage absent movement of said back support from
its first substantially horizontal position, means for transmitting
the initial pivotal movement of said second linkage mechanism to
said first linkage mechanism for effecting pivoting of said head
section from its first substantially horizontal position to its
second substantially inclined position, said first and second linkage
mechanisms each having first and second arms, and said first arms
of said first and second linkage mechanisms being in camming bearing
engagement with each other.
13. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 12 wherein said
first and second linkage pivots are located between said first and
second arms of at least one of said first and second linkage mechanisms.
14. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 12 wherein said
first and second linkage pivots are located between said first and
second arms of at least one of said first and second linkage mechanisms.
15. An adjustable bed section comprising a head support and a back
support adapted to respectively support a person's head and back,
means for pivotally connecting said head and back supports for pivoting
movement relative to each other, first and second linkage mechanisms,
first and second linkage pivots for pivoting said respective first
and second linkage mechanisms for movement between first positions
at which said head and back supports are in a first substantially
horizontal position and second positions at which said head and
back supports are in a second substantially inclined position relative
to a horizontal plane, means for imparting initial pivotal movement
to said second linkage absent movement of said back support from
its first substantially horizontal position, means for transmitting
the initial pivotal movement of said second linkage mechanism to
said first linkage mechanism for effecting pivoting of said head
section from its first substantially horizontal position to its
second substantially inclined position, said first and second linkage
mechanisms each having first and second arms, said first and second
linkage pivots being located between said first and second arms
of at least one of said first and second linkage mechanisms, and
said first arms of said first and second linkage mechanisms being
in bearing engagement with each other.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to an adjustable bed of the type that
includes a plurality of relatively pivoted and adjustable supports,
such as leg, thigh, hip and back supports, but in addition thereto
a head support is pivotally attached to the back support and is
automatically inclined relative thereto when the back support is
moved from a planar horizontal position to an inclined position.
Typical of the adjustable or articulated beds of the type to which
the present invention is directed are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4381571; 4385410; 4407030; 5537701; 5870784 and 6276011
B1. All such adjustable beds include a number of common support
structures, drive mechanisms and functions, such as pivots, brackets,
linkages, lost motion connections, drive motors, etc. for achieving
relative adjustment of the bed sections between numerous positions
of adjustment. However, no adjustable beds are provided with simple,
inexpensive and substantially foolproof mechanisms for tilting,
inclining or adjusting a head support relative to a back support
of an associated adjustable bed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In keeping with the foregoing, a primary object of the invention
is to provide an adjustable bed which includes a frame preferably
carrying one mechanism for selectively relatively adjusting thigh
and leg supports and another mechanism for relatively adjusting
a back support and automatically therewith adjusting a head support
relative to the back support. The back support is pivotally connected
to both a thigh support and a head support, and a pivoting mechanism
is operative through linkages for pivoting the back support and
the head support from a first coplanar horizontal position to a
second position at which the back support remains horizontal but
the head support is tilted or inclined upwardly and forwardly. The
latter position allows a person to lie in the bed substantially
prone or horizontal upon all body supports, except the head support.
This position is highly desirable for a number of purposes, such
as viewing television while lying prone and, from a medical standpoint,
effecting nasal drainage and maintaining airways open, particularly
with respect to persons suffering from sleep apnea. The back support
can be further selectively moved from a horizontal position to a
variety of different inclined positions at any one of which the
inclined angle between the head support and the back support remains
the same.
The mechanism for effecting the adjustment, tilting or inclination
of the head support relative to the back support is a motion transmission
mechanism operative in response to a back support pivoting mechanism
which includes cooperative cam and cam follower means. When both
the head support and the back support are in a common horizontal
plane, initial movement of the cam acts upon the cam follower to
tilt the head support forwardly and upwardly while the back support
remains motionless and horizontal. Thereafter, the cam and cam follower
remain relatively motionless as the back support is pivoted from
its horizontal position to any one of several inclined positions
of adjustment.
The motion transmission mechanism preferably includes two linkages.
A first linkage is pivotally connected to the back support and carries
the cam while the cam follower is connected to the head support.
A second linkage is pivotally connected to the frame and operates
through an arm of the first linkage to pivot the first linkage and
move the cam relative to the cam follower to effect movement of
the head support relative to the back support.
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 mattress supported
atop a main frame which simulates a box spring.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjustable bed of FIG. 1 with
the mattress removed, and illustrates a head support tilted relative
to remaining body supports which lie in a common horizontal plane.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable bed of FIGS. 1 and
2 and illustrates the back support inclined to the horizontal without
a change in the inclination of the head support relative thereto
as compared to the positions illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along
line 4--4 of FIG. 1 and illustrates head, back, hip, thigh and
leg supports in a common horizontal plane, and a motion transmission
mechanism in the form of two linkages and a cam and cam follower
operated thereby to effect relative pivoting and adjusting movement
between the head and back supports.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along
line 5--5 of FIG. 2 and illustrates a relative position of movement
of the two linkages and the cam and cam follower which effects initial
tilting of the head support absent movement of the back support
from its horizontal position.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along
line 6--6 of FIG. 3 and illustrates one of several other positions
of relative pivoting movement of the back support at each of which
the inclination of the head support to the back support remains
constant and corresponds to that of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally
along line 7--7 of FIG. 4 with parts broken away for clarity, and
illustrates further details of the cam and cam follower mechanisms.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the adjustable bed
head end, and illustrates the motion transmission mechanism, the
two linkages and the cam and cam followers for effecting tilting
or adjusting movement of the head support relative to the back support.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of one side of
the underside of the head and back supports, and illustrates the
cam follower connected to the head support, a first linkage carrying
a cam pivotally connected to the back support and a second linkage
carrying another cam pivotally connected to a main support frame
of the adjustable bed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A novel adjustable or articulated bed is illustrated in FIGS. 1
through 7 of the drawings and is generally designated by the reference
numeral 10.
The adjustable bed 10 includes a bed frame 20 which is constructed
in accordance with the disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/226337 filed on Aug. 23 2002 entitled "A Universal
Adjustable Bed" which is incorporated entirely hereat by reference.
A bed frame 20 of the adjustable bed 10 specifically includes opposite,
parallel transversely spaced side rails 21 22 of a generally C-shaped
cross section which open away from each other (FIGS. 7 and 9). The
side rails 21 22 are seated upon and are welded to upper surfaces
of tubular cross bars 23 24 (FIGS. 4 6) located adjacent head and
foot ends (unnumbered) of the adjustable bed 10. A pair of parallel
spaced brackets 25 25 and 26 26 are welded in side-by-side relationship
to the underside of the respective cross braces 23 24 as is best
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings. Pivot means 27 28
connect the respective brackets 25 25; 26 26 to respective drive
means 30 31. The drive means 30 31 are fully described in the
latter-identified patent application, and each includes a reversible
electric motor M (FIGS. 7 and 8) and relatively telescopic members
32 33; 34 35 respectively, which can be relatively extended and
retracted by the operation of the respective motors M in either
of two directions of rotation. Internal meshed nuts and screw threads
between the members 32 33; 34 35 effect the relative extension
and retraction in a conventional manner. The latter movement of
the drive means 30 31 achieves movement of a mattress support 40
from a substantially flat horizontal uniplanar position (FIGS. 1
and 4) to a number of different inclined positions (FIGS. 2 3 and
6) which similarly effects movement of a mattress Mt (FIG. 1) supported
thereupon. The mattress support 40 includes a leg support 41 a
thigh support 42 a hip support 43 a back support 44 and a head
support 45 with adjacent supports being pivotally connected by conventional
pivot means or hinges P1 P2 P3 and P4 (FIGS. 4 6 and 8).
As is best illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 9 of the drawings, motion
transmission means 60 are defined by duplicate constructions located
one at each of the side rails 21 22 which have been identically
numbered for ease of understanding. Each of the motion transmission
means or mechanism 60 includes first linkage means 61 cam means
62 and cam follower means 63 (FIG. 9). Each cam follower means 63
is in the form of a generally shallow Z-shaped bracket having opposite
substantially parallel legs 64 65 and an inclined center portion
66. Each of the legs 64 is secured by screws (unnumbered) to the
head support 45 adjacent the side rails 21 22.
The linkage means or mechanism 61 includes a first arm 67 which
is substantially L-shaped in transverse cross-section and includes
a horizontal flange 68 (FIG. 8). The linkage means 61 also includes
a second arm 70 and at a juncture (unnumbered) of the first and
second arms 67 70 respectively, the linkage means 61 is connected
by a substantially horizontal pivot 71 to a bracket 72 which is
in turn fastened to the back support 44 adjacent each of the side
rails 21 22. The cam means 62 is a cam roller which is connected
to the second arm 70 (FIG. 9) of the linkage mechanism 61 and rolls
along the leg 65 and the central inclined portion 66 of the cam
follower 63 in the manner to be described hereinafter.
The linkage means 61 is operated by a second linkage means or linkage
mechanism 80 which also defines means for effecting pivoting movement
of the back support 44. One such linkage mechanism 80 is located
adjacent each side rail 21 22 and is operative with respect to
its associated motion transmission means 60 and first linkage mechanism
61.
Each second linkage mechanism 80 is defined by a first arm 81 which
carries a cam means or cam roller 82 and offset therefrom is a second
arm 83 pivotally connected by a pivot pin 84 to a bracket 85 which
is in turn fixed one to each of the side rails 21 22. A tubular
connector 90 is welded to the second arms 83 of the second linkage
mechanisms 80 80 and centrally thereof are welded a pair of spaced
brackets 91 (FIGS. 7 and 8) which in turn are connected by a pivot
pin 92 to the end of each respective member 33 (FIGS. 6 and 8) of
the drive means 30.
OPERATION
The various components of the adjustable bed 10 are illustrated
in FIG. 4 of the drawings in a first position at which the leg,
thigh, hip, back and head supports 41 45 respectively, are disposed
in a common horizontal plane. Each cam 62 is positioned substantially
at the juncture of the leg 65 and the central inclined portion 66
of each of the cam follower means 63 (FIG. 4). The arm 67 of the
linkage mechanism 61 is inclined downwardly and defines an acute
angle with the back support 44. Each cam roller 82 rests against
an underside of the flange 68 of the first arm 67 of the first linkage
mechanism 61 and each second linkage mechanism 80 is inclined downwardly
and to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4. The members 32 33 of the
drive means 30 are in their fully extended positions.
When it is desired to tilt, incline or adjust the head support
45 relative to the back support 44 from the position shown in FIG.
4 to the position shown in FIG. 5 a switch (not shown) is closed
to energize the motor M of the drive means 30 in a direction to
progressively retract the member 33 into the member 32 which through
the pivot 92 the brackets 91 and the tube connector 90 simultaneously
pivot both second linkage mechanisms 80 80 clockwise from the position
shown in FIG. 4 about the pivots 84. During the clockwise pivoting
movement of the second linkage mechanisms 80 80 which is indicated
by the arrow A associated therewith in FIG. 4 each of the cam rollers
82 rise and move along the associated flange 68 of the associated
arm 67 of the first linkage mechanism 61 effecting pivoting thereof
about the respective pivots 71 which causes the second arm 70 of
each first linkage mechanism 61 to follow a downward arc, as is
indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 4 which progressively moves each
cam roller 62 along the leg 65 of each cam follower 63 resulting
in pivoting of the cam follower 63 progressively along the arc C
(FIG. 4) about the pivot means 71 and corresponding pivoting of
the head support 45 about the pivot P4 resulting in the progressive
upward tilting movement of the head support 45 from the position
shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5 along the arc D
of FIG. 4.
It is to be particularly noted that during the initial pivoting
movement of the second linkage means 80 from the position shown
in FIG. 4 the first arm 81 thereof moves from the position shown
in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5 about the arc A absent
any effect upon the back support 44. The latter lost motion connection
allows selective adjustment of the head support 45 to, from and
between the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 absent any movement
of the back support 44.
However, once each cam roller 82 reaches the position shown in
FIG. 5 the horizontal flanges 68 of the first arms 67 of the first
linkage mechanisms 61 contact the flat underside (unnumbered) of
the back support 44 which is the position illustrated in FIG. 5.
Once the latter position is reached and as the member 33 is further
retracted into the member 32 of the drive means 30 beyond the position
shown in FIG. 5 the continued pivoting movement of the second linkage
mechanism 80 along the arc A of FIG. 5 progressively pivots the
back support 44 about the pivot P3 to any one of a number of inclined
positions, such as shown in FIG. 6. Since the flange 68 of each
of the first arms 67 of each first linkage mechanism 61 is in contact
with the underside of the back support 44 in the position shown
in FIG. 5 any further pivoting movement along the arc A from the
position shown in FIG. 5 results in the immediate and progressive
upward pivoting movement of the back support 44 about the pivots
P3. It is to be particularly noted that the relative angle of inclination
between the head support 45 and the back support 44 in FIG. 6 corresponds
substantially identically to that shown in FIG. 5. In other words,
the relative inclination of the head support 45 relative to the
back support 44 established through the pivoting of the first linkage
mechanism 61 and the operation of the motion transmission means
60 including the cam rollers 62 and the cam follower 63 establish
a fixed relative angle of inclination which remains the same from
the position shown in FIG. 5 through any position of inclination
of the back support 44 effected thereafter, again as is reflected
in FIG. 6 of the drawings.
Obviously, the motor M of the drive means 30 is reversed to effect
the return of the adjustable bed 10 progressively from the relative
positions of the mechanisms shown in FIG. 6 to the positions thereof
illustrated in FIG. 4.
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 by the appended claims.
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