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 positions 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 from a first substantially horizontal position to a
second substantially inclined position, and motion transmission
means operable in response to the operation of said pivotally moving
means and prior to movement of said back support from said first
substantially horizontal position for pivoting said head support
from a first substantially horizontal position toward a second substantially
inclined position whereby a person's head and back can be supported
substantially inclined and horizontal respectively.
2. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 including 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 second substantially inclined position.
3. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 including 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 second substantially inclined position, one of said cam
means and cam follower means is carried by one of said head support
and operated by said motion transmission means, and another of said
cam means and cam follower means is carried by the other of said
head support and operated by said motion transmission means.
4. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 including 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 second substantially inclined position, said cam follower
means is operated by said motion transmission means, and said cam
follower means is carried by said head support.
5. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 4 wherein said
cam follower means is drawn in a substantially downward direction
by said cam means during movement of said head support from said
first substantially horizontal position toward said second substantially
inclined position.
6. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
motion transmission means include linkage means operated by said
pivotally moving means for pivoting said back support from its first
substantially horizontal position to its second substantially inclined
position only after said head section has moved away from its first
substantially horizontal position.
7. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
motion transmission means include linkage means operated by said
pivotally moving means for pivoting said back support from its first
substantially horizontal position to its second substantially inclined
position only after said head section has moved away from its first
substantially horizontal position; and said cam means, cam follower
means and linkage means maintain said head section and back section
inclined relative to each other in the second substantially inclined
position of said back section.
8. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
motion transmission means includes first linkage means for respectively
moving said head section from said first substantially horizontal
position to said second substantially inclined position, and second
linkage means for moving said back section from said first substantially
horizontal position to said second substantially inclined position.
9. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
motion transmission means includes first linkage means for respectively
moving said head section from said first substantially horizontal
position to said second substantially inclined position, second
linkage means for moving said back section from said first substantially
horizontal position to said second substantially inclined position,
and said second linkage means is operatively associated between
said first linkage means and said pivotally moving means.
10. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
motion transmission means includes first linkage means for respectively
moving said head section from said first substantially horizontal
position to said second substantially inclined position, second
linkage means for moving said back section from said first substantially
horizontal position to said second substantially inclined position,
and said first linkage means is pivotally connected to said back
section.
11. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
motion transmission means includes first linkage means for respectively
moving said head section from said first substantially horizontal
position to said second substantially inclined position, second
linkage means for moving said back section from said first substantially
horizontal position to said second substantially inclined position,
a support frame, and said second linkage means is pivotally connected
to said support frame.
12. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
motion transmission means includes first linkage means for respectively
moving said head section from said first substantially horizontal
position to said second substantially inclined position, second
linkage means for moving said back section from said first substantially
horizontal position to said second substantially inclined position,
said second linkage means is operatively associated between said
first linkage means and said pivotally moving means, and said first
linkage means is pivotally connected to said back section.
13. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
motion transmission means includes first linkage means for respectively
moving said head section from said first substantially horizontal
position to said second substantially inclined position, second
linkage means for moving said back section from said first substantially
horizontal position to said second substantially inclined position,
said second linkage means is operatively associated between said
first linkage means and said pivotally moving means, a support frame,
and said second linkage means is pivotally connected to said support
frame.
14. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 1 wherein said
motion transmission means includes first linkage means for respectively
moving said head section from said first substantially horizontal
position to said second substantially inclined position, second
linkage means for moving said back section from said first substantially
horizontal position to said second substantially inclined position,
said second linkage means is operatively associated between said
first linkage means and said pivotally moving means, said first
linkage means is pivotally connected to said back section, a support
frame, and said second linkage means is pivotally connected to said
support frame.
15. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 2 wherein said
motion transmission means includes first linkage means for respectively
moving said head section from said first substantially horizontal
position to said second substantially inclined position, and second
linkage means for moving said back section from said first substantially
horizontal position to said second substantially inclined position.
16. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 15 wherein one
of said cam means and cam follower means are carried by one of said
first and second linkage means, and another of said cam and cam
follower means is operated by another of said first and second linkage
means.
17. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 15 wherein one
of said cam means and cam follower means are carried by one of said
first and second linkage means, another of said cam and cam follower
means is operated by another of said first and second linkage means,
and said second linkage means is operative associated between said
first linkage means and said pivotally moving means
18. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 15 wherein one
of said cam means and cam follower means are carried by one of said
first and second linkage means, another of said cam and cam follower
means is operated by another of said first and second linkage means,
and said first linkage means is pivotally connected to said back
section.
19. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 15 wherein one
of said cam means and cam follower means are carried by one of said
first and second linkage means, another of said cam and cam follower
means is operated by another of said first and second linkage means,
a support frame, and said second linkage means is pivotally connected
to said support frame.
20. 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 first linkage absent movement of said back support from
its first substantially horizontal position, and 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.
21. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 including
a support frame, and said second linkage pivot pivots said second
linkage mechanism relative to said support frame.
22. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first linkage pivot pivots said first linkage mechanism relative
to one of said head and back sections.
23. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first linkage pivot pivots said first linkage mechanism to said
back section.
24. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 including
cooperative cam and cam follower means for translating pivoting
movement of said first linkage mechanism into pivoting movement
of said head section.
25. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 including
cooperative cam and cam follower means for translating pivoting
movement of said first linkage mechanism into pivoting movement
of said head section, and said cam means includes a cam track along
which said cam follower rides.
26. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 including
cooperative cam and cam follower means for translating pivoting
movement of said first linkage mechanism into pivoting movement
of said head section, and said cam means includes a cam track carried
by said head section along which said cam follower rides.
27. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 including
cooperative cam and cam follower means for translating pivoting
movement of said first linkage mechanism into pivoting movement
of said head section, and said cam follower means is a follower
roller carried by said first linkage mechanism.
28. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
transmitting means includes a first portion of said second linkage
mechanism in bearing engagement with a first portion of said first
linkage mechanisms.
29. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
transmitting means includes a first portion of said second linkage
mechanism in sliding bearing engagement with a first portion of
said first linkage mechanisms.
30. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
transmitting means includes a first portion of said second linkage
mechanism in rolling bearing engagement with a first portion of
said first linkage mechanisms.
31. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
transmitting means includes a first portion of said second linkage
mechanism in camming bearing engagement with a first portion of
said first linkage mechanisms.
32. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first and second linkage mechanisms have respective first and second
arms, and said first arms of said first and second linkage mechanisms
are in bearing engagement with each other.
33. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first and second linkage mechanisms have respective first and second
arms, and said first arms of said first and second linkage mechanisms
are in sliding bearing engagement with each other.
34. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first and second linkage mechanisms have respective first and second
arms, and said first arms of said first and second linkage mechanisms
are in rolling bearing engagement with each other.
35. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first and second linkage mechanisms have respective first and second
arms, and said first arms of said first and second linkage mechanisms
are in camming bearing engagement with each other.
36. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first and second linkage mechanisms have respective first and second
arms, said first and second linkage pivots are located between said
first and second arms of said respective first and second linkage
mechanisms, and said first arms of said first and second linkage
mechanisms are in bearing engagement with each other.
37. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 32 wherein one
of said first arms includes a follower and another of said first
arms includes a follower surface along which said follower moves.
38. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first and second linkage mechanisms have respective first and second
arms, said first and second linkage pivots are located between said
first and second arms of said respective first and second linkage
mechanisms, and said first arms of said first and second linkage
mechanisms are in sliding bearing engagement with each other.
39. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first and second linkage mechanisms have respective first and second
arms, said first and second linkage pivots are located between said
first and second arms of said respective first and second linkage
mechanisms, and said first arms of said first and second linkage
mechanisms are in rolling bearing engagement with each other.
40. The adjustable bed section as defined in claim 20 wherein said
first and second linkage mechanisms have respective first and second
arms, said first and second linkage pivots are located between said
first and second arms of said respective first and second linkage
mechanisms, and said first arms of said first and second linkage
mechanisms are in camming bearing engagement with each other.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 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.
[0002] 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
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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).
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] Each second linkage mechanism 80 is defined by a first arm
81 which carries a cam means or cam roller 62 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
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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. |