Abstrict An adjustable bed including a stationary frame is supported with
legs above a floor. An articulated deck comprising head, seat, leg
and foot deck boards hingedly joined together is spaced above the
frame with connectors. The connectors include generally inverted
U-shaped foot and seat tubes pivotally secured to the frame and
secured to the seat and foot deck boards. A motorized drive assembly
is operatively coupled to the head deck board and includes arms
with are pivotally secured to the frame. Activation of the motorized
drive assembly moves the deck boards.
Claims 1. An adjustable bed comprising: a stationary frame having a pair
of opposed side rails, a head end rail and a foot end rail; supports
extending downwardly from said frame; a pair of generally inverted
U-shaped foot tubes pivotally secured to said side rails of said
frame; a pair of generally inverted U-shaped seat tubes pivotally
secured to said side rails of said frame; a head deck board; a seat
deck board secured to said seat tubes and hingedly secured to said
head deck board; a leg deck board hingedly secured to said seat
deck board; a foot deck board hingedly secured to said leg deck
board and secured to said foot tubes, a motorized drive assembly
pivotally secured to said side rails of said frame and operatively
coupled to said head deck board, wherein activation of said motorized
drive assembly causes movement of said deck boards.
2. The adjustable bed of claim 1 wherein said supports are secured
to said end rails of said frame.
3. The adjustable bed of claim 1 wherein activation of said motorized
drive assembly moves said head deck board between an inclined position
and a horizontal flat position.
4. The adjustable bed of claim 3 wherein said seat deck board moves
between a forward position and a rear position upon movement of
said head deck board.
5. The adjustable bed of claim 1 further comprising clips secured
to said seat deck board and said foot deck board, said foot and
seat tubes being secured to said clips.
6. The adjustable bed of claim 1 wherein said motorized drive assembly
includes a pair of arms pivotally secured to said frame, a motor
and a drive tube extending between said arms, wherein-activation
of said motor causes rotation of said drive tube.
7. The adjustable bed of claim 6 wherein said motor is an electric
motor.
8. The adjustable bed of claim 1 wherein said seat deck board moves
towards said head end rail and lowers when said head deck board
is inclined.
9. The adjustable bed of claim 1 wherein said seat deck board,
said leg deck board and said foot deck board each move towards said
head end rail when said head deck board is inclined.
10. An adjustable bed comprising: a stationary frame; a pair of
generally inverted U-shaped foot tubes pivotally secured to said
frame; a pair of generally inverted U-shaped seat tubes pivotally
secured to said frame; a seat deck board secured to said seat tubes;
a foot deck board secured to said foot tubes, a leg deck board hingedly
secured to said seat deck board and said foot deck board therebetween;
a head deck board hingedly secured to said seat deck board; and
a motorized drive assembly operatively coupled to said head deck
board, wherein activation of said motorized drive assembly causes
said head deck board to move between an inclined position and a
flat position.
11. The adjustable bed of claim 10 wherein said seat deck board,
said leg deck board and said foot deck board each move when said
head deck board is inclined.
12. The adjustable bed of claim 10 wherein said motorized drive
assembly includes a pair of arms pivotally secured to said frame,
a motor secured to one of said arms and a drive tube extending between
said arms, wherein activation of said motor causes rotation of said
drive tube.
13. An adjustable bed comprising: a stationary frame having a pair
of opposed side rails, a head end rail and a foot end rail; an articulated
deck spaced above said stationary frame with connectors, said articulated
deck comprising a head deck board, a seat deck board, a leg deck
board and a foot deck board hingedly joined to each other, said
connectors being pivotally secured to said side rails of said frame
and secured to said seat deck board and said foot deck board; and
a motorized drive assembly operatively coupled to said head deck
board, wherein activation of said motorized drive assembly causes
said seat deck board to move vertically and horizontally.
14. The adjustable bed of claim 13 wherein said frame is supported
by legs secured to said frame.
15. The adjustable bed of claim 13 wherein said connectors are
inverted U-shaped tubes.
16. The adjustable bed of claim 13 wherein said motorized drive
assembly includes a pair of arms pivotally secured to said frame,
a motor secured to one of said arms and a drive tube extending between
said arms, wherein activation of said motor causes rotation of said
drive tube.
17. The adjustable bed of claim 13 wherein said motorized drive
assembly is remotely controlled.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to adjustable beds and,
more particularly, to a motorized adjustable bed having a single
motor drive assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A well known type of bedding product comprises a motorized
adjustable bed in which an articulated frame supports a mattress.
These motorized adjustable beds have traditionally been used in
hospitals but more and more are being installed and used in residential
homes. Motorized articulated beds have conventionally had an upper
body support movable between an inclined position in which it supports
the patient in a sitting position and a prone position in which
the patient lies down in a generally horizontal position. In addition,
a leg support is movable between positions and may be adjusted to
a desired degree of inclination. An actuating mechanism, commonly
two or more electric motors, raises and lowers the head and leg
supports of the articulated bed frame. U.S. Pat. No. 5640730 discloses
such an articulated bed. Disadvantages of adjustable beds incorporating
two electric motors over adjustable beds having only one electric
motor include 1) the odds of at least one of the motors malfunctioning
increases and 2) increased manufacturing costs.
[0003] In order to reduce the manufacturing costs of an adjustable
bed, adjustable beds have been made with a single motor. U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4385410 and 4559655 discloses such adjustable beds powered
by a single motor. Known adjustable beds powered by a single motor
require a great deal of power to raise and lower the bed sections
to their desired positions due to the weight of the person lying
on the bed.
[0004] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6499162 and 6640365 disclose adjustable
beds comprising a plurality of bedplates pivotally secured together
for supporting a mattress. Connecting elements or links pivotally
connect a base to the bed plates. Activation of a power source such
as an electric motor causes movement of the bed plates. One disadvantage
with the adjustable beds is that the bedplate above the seat of
the user does not lower. Consequently, the weight of the person
using the bed is not used to move the bedplates.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an articulated bed powered
by a single motor which utilizes a person's weight to activate the
bed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention of this application comprises an adjustable
bed having an adjustable deck for supporting a mattress. The adjustable
bed is preferably powered by a motorized drive assembly including
an electric motor. However, any other drive assembly such as a solenoid
may be used in accordance with the present invention.
[0007] The adjustable bed comprises a base comprising a stationary
frame and supports extending downwardly from the frame to support
the frame a fixed distance above the floor or supporting surface.
Although legs are preferable, other types of supports may be used
in accordance with the present invention to raise the frame off
the supporting surface. The frame is generally rectangular having
a pair of side rails and a pair of opposed end rails including a
head rail and a foot rail at the head and foot ends of the adjustable
bed.
[0008] An articulated deck for supporting a mattress is spaced
above the frame with a plurality of connectors. The articulated
deck comprises a head deck board, a seat deck board, a leg deck
board and a foot deck board hingedly joined to each other.
[0009] The connectors are pivotally secured to the side rails of
the frame. More specifically, a pair of generally inverted U-shaped
seat tubes or connectors pivotally secured to the side rails of
the frame are secured to the seat deck board of the articulated
deck. Similarly, a pair of generally inverted U-shaped foot tubes
or connectors pivotally secured to the side rails of the frame are
secured to the foot deck board of the articulated deck.
[0010] A motorized drive assembly is operatively coupled to the
head deck board of the articulated deck. The motorized drive assembly
functions to move the articulated deck between a first horizontal
position in which all of the deck boards are co-planar in a horizontal
position and a second fully inclined position in which the head
deck board is inclined, the seat deck board generally horizontal,
the leg deck board inclined and the foot deck board slightly inclined.
[0011] The motorized drive assembly comprises a pair of lever arms
of a fixed length pivotally secured to the frame of the articulated
bed at one end and secured to support brackets at the other end,
the support brackets being secured to the head deck board. An electric
motor powered by a control unit is secured to one of the lever arms
but may be secured at another location. The motorized drive assembly
further comprises a drive tube rotated by the electric motor. Activation
of the electric motor rotates the drive tube which moves the head
deck board between its first horizontal position and its second
inclined position.
[0012] In operation, starting from the first position of the articulated
bed in which the articulated deck is generally horizontal, an operator
activates the motorized drive assembly and leans forwardly. The
electric motor rotates the drive tube which causes the lever arms
of the drive assembly to rotate or pivot about a horizontal axis
at the lower ends of the lever arms i.e. where the lever arms are
pivotally secured to the frame. Thus, the head deck board moves
from its first horizontal position to its second inclined position.
As the head deck board inclines, the seat deck board moves horizontally
towards the head end of the bed and also lowers due to the connectors
and more particularly, the seat tubes pivoting about horizontal
pivot axes. As the seat deck board moves downwardly and towards
the head end of the bed, the leg deck board moves from its first
horizontal position to its second inclined position. This movement
of the leg deck board causes the foot deck board to move towards
the head end of the bed as the connectors and in particular the
foot tubes are pivoted about horizontal pivot axes.
[0013] The configuration of the articulated bed of the present
invention allows a user to use his or her weight to move the articulated
bed between a first horizontal or prone position to a second inclined
position with the assistance of the motorized drive assembly of
the articulated bed.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will be more readily apparent from the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable bed made in
accordance with this invention in a fully inclined position supporting
a mattress shown in phantom;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the adjustable bed
of FIG. 1 without the mattress in a horizontal position;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the adjustable bed
of FIG. 1 without the mattress in a fully inclined position; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a disassembled perspective view of the adjustable
bed of FIG. 1 without the mattress.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 there
is illustrated an adjustable bed 10 including a mattress 12. The
present invention may be used to support any type of mattress including
an air mattress, a coil spring mattress or any other type of mattress.
The mattress 12 does not form a part of the present invention. The
adjustable bed 10 is movable between a first horizontal position
shown in FIG. 2 and a fully inclined position as shown in FIGS.
1 and 3. Typically, an operator or user sleeps with the adjustable
bed in its first horizontal position and reads or watches television
with the adjustable bed in its fully inclined position.
[0020] The adjustable bed 10 comprises a base 14 including a generally
rectangular stationary frame 16 and four legs 18 supporting the
frame 16 a fixed distance about a floor or supporting surface 20.
See FIG. 1. The stationary frame 16 comprises a pair of opposed
side rails 22 and a pair of opposed end rails 24 extending between
the side rails 22 at the ends thereof. The end rails 24 include
a head rail 26 and a foot rail 28. The legs 18 are preferably secured
to the end rails 24 but may be secured to the side rails 22 if desired.
[0021] An articulated deck 30 is spaced above the stationary frame
16 with a plurality of connectors 32. The articulated deck 30 comprises
a head deck board 34 a seat deck board 36 a leg deck board 38
and a foot deck board 40. Each of the deck boards is preferably
the same width but any two deck boards may be different widths,
if desired. Deck boards 34 36 38 and 40 have upper surfaces 35
37 39 and 41 respectively, and lower surfaces 43 45 47 and 49
respectively. See FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0022] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the head deck board
34 is hingedly secured to the seat deck board 36 with hinges 42
secured to the lower surfaces 43 45 of the head and seat deck boards
34 36 respectively. Similarly, seat deck board 36 is hingedly
secured to leg deck board 38 with hinges 44 secured to the lower
surfaces 45 47 of the seat and leg deck boards 36 38 respectively.
Leg deck board 38 is hingedly secured to foot deck board 40 with
hinges 46 secured to the lower surfaces 47 49 of the leg and foot
deck boards 38 40 respectively. Although, two hinges 42 are shown
in FIGS. 1 and 4 securing the head deck board 34 to the seat deck
board 36 any number of hinges may be used including one continuous
hinge. The same applies to hinges 44 and 46 connecting the other
deck boards.
[0023] The deck boards 34 36 38 and 40 are preferably made of
plywood, but may be made of plastic, oriented strand board or any
other material.
[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 the head deck board 34
has a rectangular hole 50 therein which may be used as a handle.
[0025] The adjustable bed 10 further comprises connectors 32 in
the form of inverted U-shaped foot tubes 52. As shown in FIG. 4
the adjustable bed 10 has two foot tubes 52 pivotally secured to
the side rails 22 of the stationary frame 16 with fasteners 53 so
that each pivots about a horizontal pivot axis 54. See FIGS. 2 and
3. Each foot tube 52 has a center portion 56 and a pair of leg portions
58 extending downwardly from opposed ends of the center portion
56. The center portion 56 of each of the foot tubes 52 is secured
to the foot deck board 40 with clips 60. As shown in FIG. 4 a pair
of clips 60 are secured to the lower surface 49 of the foot deck
board 40. Although each foot tube 52 is illustrated being secured
to two clips 60 any other means of securing the foot tubes 52 to
the foot deck board 40 may be used.
[0026] Similarly, two seat tubes or connectors 62 are pivotally
secured to the side rails 22 of the stationary frame 16 with fasteners
63 so that each pivots about a horizontal pivot axis 64. See FIGS.
2 and 3. Each seat tube 62 has a center portion 66 and a pair of
leg portions 68 extending downwardly from opposed ends of the center
portion 66. The center portion 66 of each of the foot tubes 62 is
secured to the seat deck board 36 with clips 70. As shown in FIGS.
2 and 3 a pair of clips 70 are secured to the lower surface 45
of the seat deck board 36. Although each seat tube 62 is illustrated
being secured to two clips 70 any other means of securing the seat
tubes 62 to the seat deck board 36 may be used.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 4 a pair of stops 72 are secured
to the inside surfaces of the side rails 22 of the frame 16 to prevent
the seat tubes 62 from moving too far forward i.e. towards the head
end of the bed. Similarly, a pair of stops 74 are secured to the
inside surfaces of the side rails 22 of the frame 16 to prevent
the foot tubes 52 from moving too far rearward i.e. towards the
foot end of the bed.
[0028] The articulated deck 30 is moved by a motorized drive assembly
76 between a first position shown in FIG. 2 in which the deck boards
34 36 38 and 40 are generally co-planar in a horizontal position
or orientation and a second position shown in FIG. 3. In the second
position, the head deck board 34 is inclined, the seat deck board
36 is substantially horizontal, the leg deck board 36 inclined and
the foot deck board 40 slightly inclined.
[0029] When the articulated deck 30 is in its first horizontal
position shown in FIG. 2 a pair of braces 8 secured to the head
rail 26 of the frame 18 and extending upwardly therefrom support
the head deck board 34 of the articulated deck 30. See FIG. 2.
[0030] The motorized drive assembly 76 shown assembled in FIG.
1 and disassembled in FIG. 4 comprises a pair of lever arms 78
pivotally secured at their lower ends 80 to the side rails 22 of
the frame 16 such that each of the lever arms 78 pivots about a
horizontal pivot axis 79. See FIGS. 2 and 3. The lever arms 78 are
of a fixed length. The upper ends 82 of the lever arms 78 are secured
to brackets 84 which are secured to the lower surface 43 of the
head deck board 34. An electric motor 86 is secured to one of the
lever arms 78 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. However, the electric motor
86 may be secured to the head deck board 34 or any other suitable
location.
[0031] Although any electric motor may be used in accordance with
the present invention, one which has proven suitable is manufactured
by a German manufacturer Hettich-Franke GmbH under the model number
Mosys Classic 1.61.03.
[0032] The output of the electric motor 86 drives or rotates a
drive tube 88 which extends between the upper ends 82 of the lever
arms 78.
[0033] The electric motor 86 may be remotely controlled via a remote
90 coupled to a control unit 92 with a line 94. The control unit
92 is powered by a power supply 96 coupled to the control unit 92
via line 98. Cord or line 100 having a plug at the end thereof connects
the power supply 96 to a wall outlet (not shown).
[0034] In operation, starting from the first position of the articulated
bed 10 shown in FIG. 2 in which the articulated deck 30 is generally
horizontal, an operator (not shown) activates the motorized drive
assembly 76 with the remote 90. Activation of the electric motor
86 rotates the drive tube 88 which causes the lever arms 78 of the
drive assembly 76 to rotate or pivot about horizontal axis 79 at
the lower ends 80 of the lever arms 78 i.e. where the lever arms
78 are pivotally secured to the side rails 22 of the frame 18. Thus,
the head deck board 34 moves from its first horizontal position
shown in FIG. 2 to its second inclined position shown in FIG. 3
in which the head edge 102 of the head deck board 34 is above the
rear edge 104 of the head deck board 34.
[0035] As the head deck board 30 inclines, the person using the
bed leans forward causing the rear edge 104 of the head deck board
30 to move towards the head end of the bed, causing or pulling the
seat deck board 36 horizontally towards the head end of the bed.
The seat deck board 36 also lowers due to the connectors 32 and
more particularly, the seat tubes 62 pivoting about horizontal pivot
axes 64 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIGS. 2 and
3. As the seat deck board 36 moves downwardly and towards the head
end of the bed, the leg deck board 38 moves or is pulled from its
first horizontal position shown in FIG. 2 to its second inclined
position shown in FIG. 3. In this inclined position, the front edge
106 of the leg deck board 38 is lower than the rear edge 108 of
the leg deck board 38. This movement of the leg deck board 38 causes
or pulls the foot deck board 40 towards the head end of the bed
as the connectors 32 and in particular the foot tubes 52 are pivoted
about horizontal pivot axes 54 in a counterclockwise direction as
viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3. In its inclined position shown in FIG.
3 the front edge 110 of the foot deck board 40 is higher than the
rear edge 112 of the foot deck board 40.
[0036] As desired, the articulated bed 10 may be moved from its
fully inclined position shown in FIG. 3 (in which the front edge
102 of the head deck board 34 is above the rear edge 104 of the
head deck board 34) back to its horizontal position shown in FIG.
2 via use of the motorized drive assembly 76 along with the operator
shifting his or her weight backwardly.
[0037] Although I have described one preferred embodiment of the
invention, I do not intend to be limited except by the scope of
the following claims.
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