Abstrict Disclosed herein is an adjustable support frame for an adjustable
bed or the like comprising an articulable load-bearing portion having
a head element articulably connected to said base, a middle element
articulably connected to said head element, and a foot element articulably
connected to said middle element. Adjustable support means communicate
between said base and each of said middle and foot elements for
both supporting said elements over said base as well as for adjusting
the position of said elements relative to each other and to said
base without affecting the position of said head element relative
to said base.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. In an adjustable bed or the like having a base, an articulable
load-bearing portion disposed over said base, said load-bearing
portion comprising a head element articulably connected to said
base, a middle element articulably connected at one end thereof
to the adjacent end of said head element, and a foot element articulably
connected at one end thereof to the adjacent opposite end of said
middle element, the improvement which comprises adjustable support
means communicating between said base and each of said middle and
foot elements for supporting said elements over said base and for
adjusting the position of said elements relative to each other and
said base without affecting the position of said head element relative
to said base, the connection between said adjustable support means
and said middle and foot elements permitting adjustment of said
head element without movement of said adjustable support means.
2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adjustable support
means is controllably adjustable from a first predetermined position
wherein said middle and foot elements are supported in substantially
longitudinal alignment relative to each other and substantially
spaced-parallel alignment relative to said base, to a second predetermined
position wherein said foot element is supported in substantially
spaced-parallel alignment relative to said base and at a greater
distance therefrom.
3. A device as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said adjustable
support means comprises a first member articulably connected at
one end thereof to said base and abutted at the opposite end thereof
against one of said middle and foot elements for relative movement
along said one element, and a second member articulably connected
to said first member, said second member being abutted at one end
thereof against said base, and at the opposite end thereof against
the other of said middle and foot elements, for relative movement
along said base and the other of said elements.
4. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said adjustable support
means further comprises a motor connected to said base and one of
said first and second members.
5. A device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means connected
to said base and said head element for adjusting the position of
said head element relative to said base.
6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said head element adjusting
means comprises a motor.
7. In an adjustable bed or the like having a base, an articulable
load-bearing portion disposed over said base, said load-bearing
portion comprising a head element articulably connected to said
base, a middle element articulably connected at one end thereof
to the adjacent end of said head element, and a foot element articulably
connected at one end thereof to the adjacent opposite end of said
middle element, the improvement which comprises adjustable support
means communicating between said base and each of said middle and
foot elements for supporting said elements over said base and for
adjusting the position of said elements relative to each other and
said base without affecting the position of said head element relative
to said base, said adjustable support means including a first member
articulably connected at one end thereof to said base and abutted
at the opposite end thereof against one of said middle and foot
elements for relative movement along said one element, and a second
member articulably connected to said first member, said second member
being abutted at one end thereof against said base, and at the opposite
end thereof against the other of said middle and foot elements,
for relative movement along said base and the other of said elements.
8. A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said adjustable support
means is controllably adjustable from a first predetermined position
wherein said middle and foot elements are supported in substantially
longitudinal alignment relative to each other and substantially
spaced-parallel alignment relative to said base, to a second predetermined
position wherein said foot element is supported in substantially
spaced-parallel alignment relative to said base and at a greater
distance therefrom.
9. A device as set forth in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said adjustable
support means further comprises a motor connected to said base and
one of said first and second members.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to adjustable beds or the like, and in
particular to adjustable support frames therefor of the kind having
a base upon which are surmounted a plurality of hinged-together,
load-bearing sections forming, respectively, back, thigh, and foot
rests.
Adjustable support frames of the foregoing kind are well-known
to the art and each employ various types of mechanisms for adjusting
the position of the load-bearing sections. An exemplary embodiment
of such a frame is disclosed in Peterson, U.S. Pat. No. 3230554.
Briefly, that patent discloses a supprt frame comprising a base
having a back rest section hinged thereto. A thigh rest section
is hinged at one end to the adjacent end of the back rest section,
and a foot rest section is hinged at one end to the adjacent opposite
end of the thigh rest section. A plurality of linking members are
connected at one end to the base and at the opposite end to the
thigh and foot rest sections to provide support therefor.
The elevating mechanism for adjusting the position of the load-bearing
sections comprises a motor, connected to the base, having a threaded
axle projecting therefrom which is threadably received by a collar
connected to the back rest section.
Because the thigh and foot rest sections are connected to each
other and to the back rest section, it is, of course, necessary
that the linking members supporting the thigh and foot rest sections
be movable in order to allow pivoting movement of the back rest
section. Movement of the linking members is provided by hinging
each of said members at one end to the base and at the opposite
end to the load-bearing section supported by the member.
The primary drawback to frames of the kind just described resides
in the fact that their primary degree of adjustability is with respect
to the head rest section and only secondarily with respect to the
remaining sections as the linking members shift to accommodate head
rest section movement. No mechanism is provided for enabling the
separate adjustment of the thigh and foot rest sections.
The prior art response to the foregoing drawback has been to incorporate
a stationary load-bearing section intermediate the back and thigh
rest sections, and then adding a second motor or the like to separately
control adjustment of the thigh and foot rest sections. Such a support
frame is disclosed in Draper, U.S. Pat. No. 2996732.
Insofar as the inventors herein are aware, the prior art has been
unsuccessful to date in adapting the general concept disclosed in
Draper to support frames of the kind disclosed in Peterson and to
which this invention relates.
In view of the foregoing, it is a general object of this invention
to provide a new and useful adjustable support frame having means
therein for adjusting the position of the back rest section, as
well as means for adjusting the position of the thigh and foot rest
sections without affecting the positioning of the back rest section.
Still further, it is an object of this invention to provide a device
of simplified construction which accomplishes the foregoing general
object, thereby producing a device of reduced cost and increased
mechanical reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the foregoing and other objects of this invention
are obtained by the addition of adjustable support means communicating
between said base and each of said thigh and foot rest sections.
More specifically, said means in its preferred form comprises a
scissor-like mechanism having a first member hinged at one end to
said base and abutted at its opposite end against one of said thigh
and foot rest sections. Connected by a hinge to said first member
is a second member which is abutted at its opposite ends, respectively,
against said base and the other of said thigh and foot rest sections.
Connected to said base and one of said first and second members
is a motor or the like for controllably raising or lowering the
thigh and foot rest sections supported by said members.
A characterizing feature of said adjustable support means is that
the various junctures of abuttment are movable and, therefore, said
thigh and foot rest sections may be controllably moved to various
positions of adjustment without affecting the positioning of the
back rest section. Similarly, because the junctures of abutment
are movable, the back rest section may be freely adjusted to various
positions within its limits of travel without either binding of
the various rest sections or having to move the adjustable support
means in order to accommodate shifting movement of the thigh and
foot rest sections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that this invention is more clearly understood, reference is
now made to the several accompanying drawings wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 2 is a side-view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view taken in the direction
of line 3--3 as shown in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a partial, cross-sectional view taken in the direction
of line 4--4 as shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1 therein is illustrated a perspective view
of the preferred embodiment for an adjustable support frame 10 constructed
in accordance with the practice of this invention. Omitted from
FIG. 1 is the mattress and mattress supporting structure combination
which is to be supported upon frame 10 it being understood that
said combination may take many various forms and is, therefore,
not considered as limiting of this invention.
More specifically, frame 10 as shown to comprise a substantially
rectangular base 11 having a plurality of members welded or otherwise
fixedly connected to each other to form endrails 12 and 13 and
siderails 14 and 15. Fixedly secured to siderails 14 and 15 are
an opposed pair of brackets 16 which project upwardly therefrom.
Surmounted over base 11 is an adjustable load-bearing portion comprising
a plurality of hinged-together load-bearing sections 20 30 and
40 which form, respectively, back, thigh, and foot rests. Stated
in greater detail, load-bearing section 20 which forms said back
rest, comprises a spaced-apart pair of head elements 21 pivotally
connected intermediate the lengths thereof to brackets 16 by hinges
22. A cross-member 23 is fixedly connected to each of elements 21
and thereby imparts structural rigidity to the back rest section
defined by section 20. As best shown by also referring to FIG. 2
projecting downwardly from cross-member 23 towards base 11 are a
spaced-apart pair of brackets 24 only one of which is shown, having
a threaded collar 25 of conventional design disposed therebetween
and secured to each bracket 24 by hinge 26. The articulation of
section 20 about the pivot axis defined by hinge 22 is provided
by a motor 27 connected by hinge 28 to a spaced-apart pair of brackets
29 fixedly secured to endrail 12. A threaded axle 27a projects rearwardly
from motor 27 and is threadably received along the free end thereof
by collar 25. Optionally, various additional cross-members, such
as cross-members 23a connected to brackets 24 and head elements
21 can be added whereby to further rigidize section 20.
Load-bearing section 30 which forms a thigh rest, comprises a
spaced-apart pair of middle elements 31 each articulably connected
at one end to the adjacent end of head elements 21. As shown in
FIG. 1 said articulable connection is obtained by providing upwardly
projecting flange members 21a and 32 upon the adjacent ends of head
elements 21 and middle elements 31 respectively, and then connecting
said flange members in overlapping abuttment by hinges 33.
Load-bearing section 40 forming a foot rest, similarly comprises
a spaced-apart pair of foot elements 41 each articulably connected
at one end thereof to the adjacent opposite end of middle elements
31. Said articulable connection is obtained by providing upwardly
projecting flange members 34 and 42 upon the adjacent ends of middle
elements 31 and foot elements 41 respectively, and then connecting
said flange members in overlapping abuttment by hinges 43.
In the preferred embodiment each of middle elements 31 has a substantially
C-shaped transverse configuration and each of head elements 21 and
foot elements 41 has a substantially L-shaped transverse configuration,
the purpose therefor which will be more clearly understood from
the discussion which follows.
The support of load-bearing sections 30 and 40 over base 11 is
provided by adjustable support means 50 communicating therebetween.
Means 50 comprises a spaced-apart pair of first members 51 connected
at one end thereof by hinges 52 to brackets 53 projecting upwardly
from siderails 14 and 15. A cross-member 54 is included to connect
said first members and thereby rigidize same.
The connection of the opposite ends of first members 51 to foot
elements 41 is best shown by reference to FIG. 3. More specifically,
foot elements 41 are shown as having a substantially horizontal
lower surface 44 which is supported upon roller 55 carried upon
the distal end of an axle 56 transversely projecting from said first
element and secured thereto by any suitable fastening means, such
as nuts 57 or the like.
Referring back to FIG. 1 means 50 further comprises a spaced-apart
pair of second members 58 connected intermediate the lengths thereof
to said first members by hinges 59. Cross members 60 and 61 are
included to connect said members and thereby rigidize same.
The interconnection of second members 58 to middle elements 31
and base 11 is best understood by simultaneous reference to FIGS.
1 and 4. More specifically, middle elements 31 are shown to have
a substantially C-shaped transverse configuration defining a slot
or channel 35 which extends along a major portion of the longitudinal
dimension of said middle elements. Substantially identical slotted
elements 62 are also fixedly secured, such as by welding or otherwise,
in opposed relationship to siderails 14 and 15 and in longitudinal
alignment therewith. Transversely projecting from each end of said
second members is an axle 63 which is secured thereto by any suitable
fastening means, such as nuts 64 or the like, said axle carrying
upon the distal end thereof a roller 65 adapted for slideable accommodation
within said slot or channel formed by elements 31 and 62.
Projecting forwardly from cross-member 60 are a spaced-apart pair
of brackets 66 having an internally threaded tubular member 67 disposed
therebetween and secured to said brackets by hinge 68. Articulation
of said first and second members of means 50 is provided by a motor
69 connected by hinge 70 to a spaced-apart pair of brackets 71 projecting
rearwardly from cross-member 72 secured to siderails 14 and 15.
A threaded axle 73 projects rearwardly from motor 69 and is threadably
received along the free end thereof by tubular member 67.
Based upon the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment,
and now referring to FIG. 2 it will be appreciated that adjustable
support frame 10 achieves the hereinbefore stated general object
of this invention in the following manner. Preliminarily, the dimensions
of brackets 16 elements 21 31 and 41 and members 51 and 58 are
each selected so that when members 51 and 58 are maintained in a
first predetermined position, as shown by the solid line representation
thereof in FIG. 2 elements 21 31 and 41 respectively, are each
supported in substantially longitudinal alignment with respect to
each other and above base 11 in substantially spaced-parallel alignment
therewith. As a consequence of the moveable manner by which members
51 and 58 support, respectively, elements 41 and 31 head element
21 may be adjustably upraised to a predetermined position of adjustment,
such as indicated by the dashed line representation thereof, without
elements 31 and 41 binding upon members 51 and 58.
Separately, and quite independently from element 21 elements 31
and 41 may be adjusted from said first predetermined position to
a second position of adjustment, as shown by the dashed lines representative
thereof, whereby element 41 is elevated and supported in substantially
spaced-parallel alignment above base 11. Because elements 31 and
41 are connected to members 51 and 58 by movable abuttment connections
adapted for relative movement along the longitudinal axis of said
elements, elements 31 and 41 may be adjusted to any position between
said first and second predetermined positions without affecting
the position of adjustment of element 21.
Of course, it will be understood that rollers 55 and 65 are not
limiting of this invention and that numerous alternate structures
may be substituted therefor without affecting the adjustability
of frame 10 as long as said alternate structures are adapted for
slideable relative movement along the longitudinal axes of middle
elements 31 foot elements 41 and slotted elements 62
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described
herein, it is to be appreciated that various modifications can be
made thereto without departing from the scope and essence of the
invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended
that the present specification and disclosure not be interpreted
in a limiting sence and that obvious variants thereof are comprehended
to be within the essence and scope of the invention. |