Abstrict A frame for an adjustable bed is disclosed and which comprises
a body supporting platform composed of a head panel, a center panel,
a leg panel, and a foot panel. A base supports the platform, and
the base includes a pair of upwardly inclined guide surfaces which
are in the form of an inverted V. A U-shaped lift arm is pivotally
connected to the head panel and slides along one of the guide surfaces
to raise and lower the head panel, and a second U-shaped lift arm
is pivotally connected to the leg panel and slides along the other
of the guide surfaces to raise and lower the leg panel. A pair of
electrical drive motors are provided for separately controlling
the sliding movement of each of the lift arms in both directions.
Claims That which is claimed is:
1. A frame for an adjustable bed or the like and comprising
a base comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart base members,
a pair of longitudinally spaced apart foot portions mounted to said
base members and adapted to engage the floor, and a pair of upwardly
inclined guide surfaces extending upwardly and longitudinally toward
each other from respective ones of the foot portions and configured
in the general form of an inverted V to define an elevated apex
portion, with each of said guide surfaces comprising a pair of laterally
spaced apart, coplanar, and upwardly open guide surface segments
positioned on respective ones of said base members,
a body supporting platform comprising a head panel, a center panel,
a leg panel, and a foot panel which are aligned in the longitudinal
direction, with said center panel being fixed to said elevated apex
portion of said base in a generally horizontal orientation,
first brace means pivotally connecting said head panel to said
base such that said head panel is on one longitudinal side of said
center panel and is pivotal between a lowered position which is
coplanar with said center panel, and a raised position which is
upwardly inclined from said center panel,
second brace means pivotally connecting said leg panel to said
base such that said leg panel is on the longitudinal side of said
center panel opposite said head panel and is pivotal between a lowered
position which is coplanar with said center panel, and a raised
position which is upwardly inclined from said center panel,
third brace means pivotally connecting said foot panel to said
leg panel and to said base such that said leg panel is positioned
on the longitudinal side of said leg panel opposite said center
panel and remains generally horizontal during pivotal movement of
said leg panel,
first lift means for selectively pivoting said head panel between
said lowered and said raised positions, and comprising a first lift
arm having one end pivotally connected to said head panel and an
opposite end slideably engaging one of said guide surfaces, and
first drive means for selectively sliding the opposite end of said
first lift arm along said one guide surface in either direction,
and with said first lift arm comprising a U-shaped bracket comprising
two parallel outer legs and a lateral cross leg interconnected therebetween
with said outer legs having outer ends which are pivotally connected
to said head panel, and with said cross leg having opposite ends
slideably engaging respective ones of said guide surface segments
of the associated guide surface,
second lift means for selectively pivoting said leg panel between
said lowered and said raised positions, and comprising a second
lift arm having one end pivotally connected to said leg panel and
an opposite end slideably engaging the other of said guide surfaces,
and second drive means for selectively sliding the opposite end
of said second lift arm along said other guide surface in either
direction, and with said second lift arm comprising a U-shaped bracket
comprising two parallel outer legs and a lateral cross leg interconnected
therebetween, with said outer legs having outer ends which are pivotally
connected to said leg panel, and with said cross leg having opposite
ends slideably engaging respective ones of said guide surface segments
of the associated guide surface, and wherein
said first drive means comprises a first drive motor having a first
output shaft operatively connected to said cross leg of said first
lift arm and extending in a direction generally parallel to the
inclined direction of the associated guide surface, and said second
drive means comprises a second drive motor having a second output
shaft operatively connected to said cross leg of said second lift
arm and extending in a direction generally parallel to the inclined
direction of the associated guide surface.
2. The frame as defined in claim 1 wherein a glide of low friction
plastic material is mounted to each of the ends of each of said
cross legs for facilitating the sliding movement thereof.
3. A frame for an adjustable bed or the like and comprising
a base comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart base members,
a pair of longitudinally spaced apart foot portions mounted to said
base members and adapted to engage the floor, and an upwardly inclined
guide surface extending upwardly and longitudinally from one of
the foot portions in a direction generally toward the other foot
portion and to an elevated apex portion, with said guide surface
comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart, coplanar, and upwardly
open guide surface segments positioned on respective ones of said
base members,
a body supporting platform comprising a head panel, and a center
panel which are aligned in the longitudinal direction, with said
center panel being fixed to said elevated apex portion of said base
in a generally horizontal orientation,
brace means pivotally connecting said head panel to said base such
that said head panel is on one longitudinal side of said center
panel and is pivotal between a lowered position which is coplanar
with said center panel, and a raised position which is upwardly
inclined from said center panel, and
lift means for selectively pivoting said head panel between said
lowered and said raised positions, and comprising a lift arm having
one end pivotally connected to said head panel and an opposite end
slideably engaging said guide surface, and drive means for selectively
sliding the opposite end of said lift arm along said guide surface
of said base in either direction, with said lift arm comprising
a U-shaped bracket comprising two parallel outer legs and a lateral
cross leg interconnected therebetween, with said outer legs having
outer ends which are pivotally connected to said head panel, and
with said cross leg having opposite ends slideably engaging respective
ones of said guide surface segments of said guide surface, and wherein
said drive means comprises a drive motor having an output shaft
operatively connected to said cross leg of said lift arm and extending
in a direction generally parallel to the inclined direction of said
guide surface.
4. The frame as defined in claim 3 wherein a glide of low friction
plastic material is mounted to each of the ends of said cross leg
for facilitating the sliding movement thereof.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a frame for an adjustable bed
of the type having provision for adjustment of the inclination of
either or both of the head portion and foot portion of the bed.
Adjustable beds of the described type have long been recognized
as being helpful in relieving muscle tension and fatigue. Also,
by permitting the separate adjustment of the inclination of the
head portion and the foot portion, the user is able to configure
the bed to best meet the individual comfort needs of his or her
body. A bed of this general type is illustrated for example in U.S.
Pat. No. 4381571 to Elliott.
In one known frame for a bed of the described type, an actuating
mechanism is provided wherein a drive motor acts to move a lever
arm, and the lever arm pivots at a pivot point to raise or lower
the head or foot portion of the bed. In another known design, a
scissors mechanism is employed for this purpose. While these prior
designs are satisfactory in many respects, they are typically unable
to reliably support and move the movable portion of the bed against
a large resistance, as would be present for example when the bed
is used by an overweight person, since the torque to raise or lower
the movable portion is transmitted directly through the drive motor.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable
bed frame which avoids the above noted limitations and disadvantages
of the existing designs.
It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide
an adjustable bed frame wherein the frame utilizes mechanical components
for supporting the weight of the user in the raised position of
the movable portions, and so that the force of this weight is not
transmitted through the drive motor.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lifting
mechanism for an adjustable bed which is smoothly and quietly operable,
and which provides assurance to the user of its safe and reliable
operation.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a lifting
mechanism for an adjustable bed of the described type and wherein
the mechanism self releases in the event of an interference or blockage
during its lowering movement, to thereby avoid the risk of serious
injury to the occupant or other person resulting from the entrapment
of a body member in the components of the mechanism.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide
a lifting mechanism for an adjustable bed frame which is of simple
and inexpensive construction, and which provides a pleasing aesthetic
appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention
are achieved in the embodiment illustrated herein by the provision
of a frame which comprises a base which is composed of a pair of
longitudinally spaced apart foot portions adapted to engage the
floor, and an upwardly inclined guide surface extending upwardly
and longitudinally from one of the foot portions in a direction
generally toward the other foot portion and to an elevated apex
portion. A body supporting platform is provided which comprises
a head panel, and a center panel which are aligned in the longitudinal
direction, and the center panel is fixed to the elevated apex portion
of the base in a generally horizontal orientation. Brace means pivotally
connects the head panel to the base such that the head panel is
on one longitudinal side of the center panel and is pivotal between
a lowered position which is coplanar with the center panel, and
a raised position which is upwardly inclined from the center panel,
and lift means is provided for selectively pivoting the head panel
between the lowered and the raised positions. The lift means comprises
a lift arm having one end pivotally connected to the head panel
and an opposite end slideably engaging the guide surface, and drive
means for selectively sliding the opposite end of the lift arm along
the guide surface of the base in either direction.
In the preferred embodiment, the base comprises a pair of upwardly
inclined guide surfaces extending upwardly and toward each other
from respective ones of the foot portions and with the guide surfaces
being configured in the general form of an inverted V to define
the elevated apex portion. Also, the body supporting platform additionally
comprises a leg panel and a foot panel which are aligned in the
longitudinal direction with the head panel and center panel. Further,
second brace means pivotally connects the leg panel to said base
such that the leg panel is on the longitudinal side of the center
panel opposite the head panel and is pivotal between a lowered position
which is coplanar with the center panel, and a raised position which
is upwardly inclined from the center panel, and third brace means
pivotally connects the foot panel to the leg panel and to the base
such that said leg panel is positioned on the longitudinal side
of the leg panel opposite the center panel and remains generally
horizontal during pivotal movement of the leg panel. Second lift
means is provided for selectively pivoting the leg panel between
the lowered and the raised positions, and comprises a second lift
arm having one end pivotally connected to the leg panel and an opposite
end slideably engaging the other of the guide surfaces, and second
drive means for selectively sliding the opposite end of the second
lift arm along the other guide surface in either direction.
The base preferably comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart
base members, and each of the guide surfaces comprises a pair of
laterally spaced apart and coplanar guide surface segments positioned
on respective ones of the base members. Also, both the first lift
arm and the second lift arm comprises a U-shaped bracket comprising
two parallel outer legs and a lateral cross leg interconnected therebetween.
The first and second drive means comprises a pair of drive motors
with each motor being operatively connected to the cross leg of
one of the first and second lift arms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some of the objects and advantages of the present invention having
been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an adjustable bed frame which
embodies the features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame looking upwardly from
a position below the frame;
FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevation view taken substantially along
the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along
the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring more particularly to the drawings, an adjustable bed
frame is illustrated and which comprises a base which is generally
indicated at 10 and which is composed of a pair of laterally spaced
apart base members 11 12. A cross brace 14 interconnects the two
base members 11 12 below the head end of the bed to define a floor
engaging foot portion, and a second cross brace 16 interconnects
the two base members 11 12 below the opposite end of the bed to
define a second floor engaging foot portion which is longitudinally
spaced from the foot portion defined by the brace 14. Also, a cross
beam 18 interconnects the two base members 11 12 below the center
of the bed.
The base 10 also defines a pair of upwardly inclined and upwardly
facing guide surfaces extending upwardly and toward each other from
respective ones of the foot portions, and with the guide surfaces
being configured in the general form of an inverted V to define
an elevated apex portion. A forward guide surface extends upwardly
from the brace 14 and is composed of a pair of laterally spaced
apart and coplanar guide surface segments 20a, 20b positioned on
respective ones of the base members 11 12 and a rear guide surface
extends upwardly from the brace 16 and is composed of a pair of
laterally spaced apart and coplanar guide surface segments 22a,
22b positioned on respective ones of the base members 11 12. Each
base member 11 12 further includes a vertical side plate 24 which
extends upwardly from the outside edge of the associated guide surface
segment, note FIG. 4.
The bed frame further includes a body supporting platform which
comprises a head panel 25 a center panel 26 a leg panel 27 and
a foot panel 28 which are aligned in the longitudinal direction.
As best seen in FIG. 3 the center panel 26 is fixed to the elevated
apex portion of the base 10 in a generally horizontal orientation.
First brace means is provided for pivotally connecting the head
panel 25 to the base 10 such that the head panel is on one longitudinal
side of the center panel 26 and is pivotal between a lowered position
as seen in dashed lines in FIG. 3 and which is coplanar with the
center panel, and a raised position as seen in solid lines in FIG.
3 and which is upwardly inclined from the center panel. The first
brace means comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart brackets
30 31 which underlie and are fixed to the head panel 25 and which
have one end pivotally attached to the base members at 30a, 31a
respectively.
Second brace means is provided for pivotally connecting the leg
panel 27 to the base 10 such that the leg panel 27 is on the longitudinal
side of the center panel 26 opposite the head panel 25 and is pivotal
between a lowered position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3 and which
is coplanar with the center panel 26 and a raised position shown
in solid lines in FIG. 3 and which is upwardly inclined from the
center panel. The second brace means comprises a pair of laterally
spaced apart brackets 33 34 which underlie and are fixed to the
leg panel 27 and which have one end pivotally attached to the base
members at 33a, 34a respectively.
Third brace means is provided for pivotally connecting the foot
panel 28 to the leg panel 27 and to the base 10 such that the foot
panel 28 is positioned on the longitudinal side of the leg panel
27 opposite the center panel 26 and remains generally horizontal
during pivotal movement of the leg panel. More particularly, the
foot panel 28 is raised from a lowered position which is coplanar
with the leg panel 27 as seen in dashed lines in FIG. 3 to a raised
but generally horizontal position as shown in solid lines in FIG.
3. The third brace means comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart
brackets 36 37 which underlie and are fixed to the foot panel 28
and which have one end pivotally attached to the ends the brackets
33 34 at 36a, 37a respectively. This permits the foot panel and
leg panel to relatively pivot about a lateral pivot axis which extends
therebetween. Also, there is provided cooperating brace members
39 40 each having an upper end pivotally connected to the bottom
of the foot panel at 39a, 40a respectively, and a lower end pivotally
attached to respective ones of the base members 11 12 at 39b, 40b
respectively.
First lift means is provided for selectively pivoting the head
panel 25 between the lowered and raised positions, and which comprises
a first lift arm 42 which is in the form of a U-shaped bracket comprising
two parallel outer legs 43 44 and a lateral cross leg 45 interconnected
therebetween. The outer legs 43 44 have upper ends which are pivotally
connected to the brackets 30 31 of the head panel, and the cross
leg 45 has opposite ends which slidable engage respective ones of
the guide surface segments 20a, 20b of the forward guide surface.
To facilitate the sliding movement of the ends of the cross leg
along the guide surface segments, a glide 48 of low friction plastic
material is mounted to each of the ends of the cross leg 45 as best
seen in FIG. 4. The lower surfaces 49 of the glides 48 which contact
the guide surface segments 20a, 20b are arcuately curved as best
seen in FIG. 3 so as to permit a slight pivotal movement between
the lift arm 42 and the guide surface segments 20a, 20b. Also, the
glides 48 include a lateral edge surface 50 which is spaced a small
distance from the vertical side plate 24 of the base members 11
12 so as to limit lateral movement of the lift arm.
A first drive means is provided for selectively sliding the lateral
cross leg 45 of the arm 42 along the guide surface segments 20a,
20b in either direction. This drive means comprises a reversible
electrical drive motor 52 which is pivotally mounted to a bracket
53 which in turn is pivotally connected to the cross beam 18 which
extends laterally between the two base members adjacent the central
or upper apex portion thereof. The drive motor 52 includes a reduction
gear 54 which turns a lead screw 55 which in turn is threaded into
a sleeve 56 which is pivotally connected to the cross leg 45.
A second lift means is provided for selectively pivoting the leg
panel between its lowered and raised positions. The second lift
means comprises a second lift arm 60 in the form of a U-shaped bracket
comprising two parallel outer legs 61 62 and a lateral cross leg
63 interconnected therebetween. The outer legs 61 62 have upper
ends which are pivotally connected to the brackets 33 34 of the
leg panel, and the cross leg 63 has opposite ends which slidable
engage respective ones of the guide surface segments 22a, 22b of
the rear guide surface. A glide 48 of the structure described above
is mounted to each of the ends of the cross leg 63 for facilitating
the sliding movement. Also, there is provided a second reversible
electrical drive motor 65 for sliding the second arm 60 in either
direction, and the drive motor 63 is pivotally connected to the
bracket 53 which is connected to the cross beam 18 and it includes
a reduction gear 67 which is operatively connected to a lead screw
68 which is in turn threadedly received into the sleeve 69 which
is pivotally connected to the cross leg 63.
The frame further includes a pair of upright posts 71 72 which
are fixed to the cross brace 14 and which limit the downward pivotal
movement of the head panel 25. These posts thus support the weight
of the user in the lowered position of the head panel. Also, a second
pair of upright posts 73 74 are fixed to the cross brace 16 and
the posts 73 74 serve to limit the downward pivotal movement of
the foot panel in its lowered position and to also support some
of the weight of the user in the lowered position of the frame.
As is conventional, a mattress is positioned to rest upon the four
panels 25-28 of the frame, and the mattress may comprises a separate
foundation pad 76 and an upper pad 77 as illustrated. Further, the
frame may mount a vibration unit 78 in the head panel and the foot
panel, as is conventional, and the frame may also mount a head board
79 as is conventional.
In use, the user of the bed may operate a control unit (not shown)
to selectively operate either of the motors 52 65 in either direction.
As will be apparent, during such movement and during use of the
bed, the weight of the user is transferred from the head panel 25
through the lift arm 42 directly to the base members 11 12 and
none of the force is transmitted through the motor 52. Similarly,
the weight of the user is transferred from the leg panel 27 through
the lift arm 62 directly to the base members 11 12 and none of
this force is transmitted through the motor 65. Suitable limit switches
may be provided to control the maximum settings of these positions.
In the event an object, such as the limb of the occupant or other
person, should accidentally become entrapped in the components of
the frame during downward pivotal movement of either the head panel
or the leg panel, it will be apparent that the continued operation
of the motor will serve to pivot the lift arm 42 or 60 in a direction
so as to lift the arm away from the associated guide surface. Thus
the force of the motor would not bear against the entrapped object,
and the only force exerted would be a portion of the weight of the
bed and occupant. The risk of a serious injury is thereby effectively
avoided.
In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred
embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed,
they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purposes of limitation. |