Abstrict A universal adjustable bed is provided to accommodate twin, twin
extra long, full extra long, queen, etc. adjustable beds through
a single adjustable bed mechanism which can be accommodated in beds
irrespective of the differences in sizes thereof. The adjustable
bed mechanism includes headboard and footboard adjusting linkage
mechanisms and drive mechanisms therefor with associated head, seat,
thigh and foot boards, all unitized in a single assembly which can
be "drop-in" assembled to an associated bed foundation.
Significantly, the support frame includes locating or connecting
points which correspond in transverse distances to like support
points of the bed foundation irrespective of the width of the specific
bed foundation. In this manner a single universal adjustable bed
mechanism can be dropped-in and connected to an appropriate bed
foundation to form a bed of virtually any conventional size.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable bed comprising a bed foundation and an adjustable
bed mechanism; said bed foundation including opposite sides and
opposite ends defining a substantially polygonal configuration and
a cavity substantially entirely housing said adjustable bed mechanism;
means within said bed foundation cavity for supporting said adjustable
bed mechanism therein; said adjustable bed mechanism including a
single unitized support frame supported by said supporting means,
headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms, headboard
drive means and footboard drive means for moving the respective
headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms between respective
first and second positions; head, seat, thigh and foot boards; means
for securing said seat board to said single unitized support frame;
first pivot means for pivotally connecting said headboard adjusting
linkage mechanism to said single unitized support frame; second
pivot means for pivotally connecting said footboard adjusting linkage
mechanism to said single unitized support frame; third pivot means
for pivotally connecting said headboard drive means to said single
unitized support frame and to said headboard adjusting linkage mechanism;
fourth pivot means for pivotally connecting said footboard drive
means to said single unitized support frame and to said footboard
adjusting mechanism whereby said adjustable bed mechanism is a single
unitized assembly which is bodily seated within said cavity with
said single unitized support frame supported by said adjustable
bed mechanism supporting means; means for securing said single unitized
support frame to said bed foundation, said single unitized support
frame including a pair of substantially parallel spaced longitudinally
extending side rails connected to a pair of substantially parallel
spaced transversely extending head and foot rails, at least one
of said pair of parallel rails being supported upon said adjustable
bed mechanism supporting means, and said seat board securing means
secures said seat board to one of another and said at least one
pairs of rails.
2. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said adjustable
bed mechanism supporting means including a pair of substantially
parallel spaced supports.
3. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said bed foundation
is a skeletal frame which includes said adjustable bed mechanism
supporting means in the form of a pair of substantially parallel
spaced supports.
4. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one
of said headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms includes
a pair of spaced substantially parallel lift arms connected to a
transverse lift member which is in turn connected to a longitudinal
lift member, one of said first and second pivot means pivotally
connect said lift arms to said single unitized support frame, and
one of said third and fourth pivot means pivotally connect said
longitudinal lift member to one of said drive means.
5. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one
of said headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms includes
a pair of spaced substantially parallel lift arms connected to a
transverse lift member which is in turn connected to a longitudinal
lift member, one of said first and second pivot means pivotally
connect said lift arms to said single unitized support frame, one
of said third and fourth pivot means pivotally connect said longitudinal
lift member to one of said drive means, and one of said third and
fourth pivot means to said single unitized support frame.
6. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one
of said headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms includes
a pair of spaced substantially parallel lift arms connected to a
transverse lift member which is in turn connected to a longitudinal
lift member, one of said first and second pivot means pivotally
connect said lift arms to said single unitized support frame, one
of said third and fourth pivot means pivotally connect said longitudinal
lift member to one of said drive means, and said longitudinal lift
member being positioned medially of said spaced substantially parallel
lift arms.
7. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one
of said headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms includes
a pair of spaced substantially parallel lift arms connected to a
transverse lift member which is in turn connected to a longitudinal
lift member, one of said first and second pivot means pivotally
connect said lift arms to said single unitized support frame, one
of said third and fourth pivot means pivotally connect said longitudinal
lift member to one of said drive means, one of said third and fourth
pivot means pivotally connect said one drive means to said single
unitized support frame, and said longitudinal lift member being
positioned medially of said spaced substantially parallel lift arms.
8. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said adjustable
bed mechanism supporting means include a pair of substantially parallel
spaced supports, and said single unitized support frame is supported
upon said pair or substantially parallel spaced supports.
9. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said bed foundation
is a skeletal frame which includes said adjustable bed mechanism
supporting means in the form of a pair of substantially parallel
spaced supports, and said single unitized support frame is supported
upon said pair of substantially parallel spaced supports.
10. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said adjustable
bed mechanism supporting means includes two pairs of transversely
spaced supports, and said single unitized support frame is supported
upon said two pairs of spaced supports.
11. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 including a pair of
substantially parallel spaced foot end links, and pivot means for
pivotally connecting said foot end links to said footboard and to
said single unitized support frame.
12. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
of said headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms includes
a pair of spaced substantially parallel lift arms connected to a
transverse lift member which is in turn connected to a longitudinal
lift member, one of said first and second pivot means pivotally
connect said lift arms to said single unitized support frame, and
one of said third and fourth pivot means pivotally connect said
longitudinal lift member to one of said drive means.
13. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
of said headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms includes
a pair of spaced substantially parallel lift arms connected to a
transverse lift member which is in turn connected to a longitudinal
lift member, one of said first and second pivot means pivotally
connect said lift arms to said single unitized support frame, one
of said third and fourth pivot means pivotally connect said longitudinal
lift member to one of said drive means, and one of said third and
fourth means pivotally connect said one drive means to said single
unitized support frame.
14. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
of said headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms includes
a pair of spaced substantially parallel lift arms connected to a
transverse lift member which is in turn connected to a longitudinal
lift member, one of said first and second pivot means pivotally
connect said lift arms to said single unitized support frame, one
of said third and fourth pivot means pivotally connect said longitudinal
lift member to one of said drive means, and said longitudinal lift
member being positioned medially of said spaced substantially parallel
lift arms.
15. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
of said headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms includes
a pair of spaced substantially parallel lift arms connected to a
transverse lift member which is in turn connected to a longitudinal
lift member, one of said first and second pivot means pivotally
connect said lift arms to said signle unitized support frame, one
of said third and fourth means pivotally connect said longitudinal
lift member to one of said drive means, one of said third and fourth
pivot means pivotally connect said one drive means to said single
unitized support frame, and said longitudinal lift member being
positioned medially of said spaced substantially parallel lift arms.
16. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said seat
board securing means secures said seat board to said pair of longitudinally
extending side rails.
17. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 16 wherein said pair
of longitudinally extending side rails are disposed above said transversely
extending head and foot rails.
18. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 16 wherein said single
unitized support frame securing means secures said transversely
extending head and foot rails to said bed foundation.
19. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 18 wherein said bed
foundation is a substantially polygonal skeletal frame structure
defined by a lower substantially polygonal frame and an upper substantially
polygonal frame, said polygonal frames being of substantially similar
configurations, means for maintaining said polygonal frames in spaced
relationship to each other, and said adjustable bed mechanism supporting
means including a plurality of parallel spaced support members spanning
said lower polygonal frame and supporting thereupon said at least
one pair of parallel rails of said single unitized support frame.
20. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 18 wherein said bed
foundation is a substantially polygonal skeletal frame structure
defined by a lower substantially polygonal frame and an upper substantially
polygonal frame, said polygonal frames being of substantially similar
configurations, means for maintaining said polygonal frames in spaced
relationship to each other, a plurality of substantially parallel
spaced transverse support members transversely spanning said lower
polygonal frame and said adjustable bed mechanism supporting means
including a plurality of parallel spaced longitudinal support members
longitudinally spanning said plurality of substantially parallel
spaced transverse support members of said lower polygonal frame
and supporting thereupon said at least one pair of parallel rails
of said single unitized support frame.
21. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 18 wherein said bed
foundation includes a peripheral exterior covering simulating an
exterior of a conventional box spring.
22. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 18 wherein said bed
foundation includes a peripheral wall having an uppermost surface;
said head, seat, thigh and foot boards being disposed in substantially
horizontal alignment in said first position; a mattress spanning
said head, seat, thigh and foot boards in said first position, and
a substantially horizontal plane through upper surfaces of said
head, seat, thigh and foot boards in said first position lying substantially
in said peripheral wall uppermost surface.
23. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 16 wherein said bed
foundation is a substantially polygonal skeletal frame structure
defined by a lower substantially polygonal frame and an upper substantially
polygonal frame, said polygonal frames being of substantially similar
configurations, means for maintaining said polygonal frames in spaced
relationship to each other, and said adjustable bed mechanism supporting
means including a plurality of parallel spaced support members spanning
said lower polygonal frame and supporting thereupon said at least
one pair of parallel rails of said single unitized support frame.
24. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 16 wherein said bed
foundation is a substantially polygonal skeletal frame structure
defined by a lower substantially polygonal frame and an upper substantially
polygonal frame, said polygonal frames being of substantially similar
configurations, means for maintaining said polygonal frames in spaced
relationship to each other, a plurality of substantially parallel
spaced transverse support members transversely spanning said lower
polygonal frame and said adjustable bed mechanism supporting means
including a plurality of parallel spaced longitudinal support members
longitudinally spanning said plurality of substantially parallel
spaced transverse support members of said lower polygonal frame
and supporting thereupon said at least one pair of parallel rails
of said single unitized support frame.
25. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 16 wherein said bed
foundation includes a peripheral exterior covering simulating an
exterior of a conventional box spring.
26. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 16 wherein said bed
foundation includes a peripheral wall having an uppermost surface;
said head, seat, thigh and foot boards being disposed in substantially
horizontal alignment in said first position; a mattress spanning
said head, seat, thigh and foot boards in said first position, and
a substantially horizontal plane through upper surfaces of said
head, seat, thigh and foot boards in said first position lying substantially
in said peripheral wall uppermost surface.
27. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said pair
of longitudinally extending side rails are disposed above said transversely
extending head and foot rails.
28. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said single
unitized support frame securing means secures said transversely
extending head and foot rails to said bed foundation.
29. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said bed foundation
is a substantially polygonal skeletal frame structure defined by
a lower substantially polygonal frame and an upper substantially
polygonal frame, said polygonal frames being of substantially similar
configurations, means for maintaining said polygonal frames in spaced
relationship to each other, and said adjustable bed mechanism supporting
means including a plurality of parallel spaced support members spanning
said lower polygonal frame and supporting thereupon said at least
one pair of parallel rails of said single unitized support frame.
30. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said bed foundation
is a substantially polygonal skeletal frame structure defined by
lower substantially polygonal frame and an upper substantially polygonal
frame, said polygonal frames being of substantially similar configurations,
means for maintaining said polygonal frames in spaced relationship
to each other, a plurality of substantially parallel spaced transverse
support members transversely spanning said lower polygonal frame
and said adjustable bed mechanism supporting means including a plurality
of parallel spaced longitudinal support members longitudinally spanning
said plurality of substantially parallel spaced transverse support
members of said lower polygonal frame and supporting thereupon said
at least one pair of parallel rails of said single unitized support
frame.
31. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said bed foundation
includes a peripheral exterior covering simulating an exterior of
a conventional box spring.
32. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said bed foundation
includes a peripheral wall having an uppermost surface; said head,
seat, thigh and foot boards being disposed in substantially horizontal
alignment in said first position; a mattress spanning said head,
seat, thigh and foot boards in said first position, and a substantially
horizontal plane through upper surfaces of said head, seat, thigh
and foot boards in said first position lying substantially in said
peripheral wall uppermost surface.
33. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said single
unitized support frame securing means secure opposite ends of one
of said at least one and another pairs of rails to said bed foundation.
34. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said single
unitized support frame securing means secure opposite ends of one
of said at least one and another pairs of rails to said bed foundation,
and each of said single unitized support frame securing means is
a bracket.
35. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said single
unitized support frame securing means secure opposite ends of one
of said at least one and another pairs of rails to said bed foundation,
and each of said single unitized support frame securing means is
a downwardly projecting bracket.
36. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said single
unitized support frame securing means secure opposite ends of one
of said at least one and another pairs of rails to said bed foundation,
and each of said single unitized support frame securing means is
a substantially L-shaped bracket.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to an adjustable bed such as the adjustable
or articulated beds disclosed in the following patents: U.S. Pat.
No. 2956290 U.S. Pat. No. 3127649 U.S. Pat. No. 4381571 U.S.
Pat. No. 4385410 U.S. Pat. No. 4407030 U.S. Pat. No. 4463463
U.S. Pat. No. 4928332 U.S. Pat. No. 5425150 U.S. Pat. No. 5535701
U.S. Pat. No. 5829075 U.S. Pat. No. 5870784 U.S. Pat. No. 6061852
U.S. Pat. No. 6209157 B1 U.S. Pat. No. 6219863 B1 Great Britain
Patent No. 2205232 A
The latter patents disclose articulated beds which are either extremely
complicated in both construction and operation, particularly because
of the multiplicity of brackets, linkages, lost motion connections,
etc. associated therewith, or are so simplistic as to lack consumer
acceptance. Most importantly, virtually all of the adjustable beds
require components of different dimensions for each bed size which
in turn requires excessive inventory and corresponding increased
cost in the manufacture, assembly, and shipment thereof. If such
beds are not shipped in an operative condition, the end users must
be relatively sophisticated to assemble the beds from individual
unassembled components thereof. Obviously, the more complex the
construction of such beds, the greater the cost not only in the
manufacturing thereof but also in the shipping (because of added
weight and bulk/size and end-user assembly).
Another problem of adjustable beds is that they simply look adjustable
and from an appearance standpoint, they look nothing like a conventional
bed defined by a bed frame, a box spring and a mattress. Even in
the non-adjusted, closed or prone position, conventional adjustable
beds are not aesthetic and are relatively large and bulky looking.
The appearance alone of conventional adjustable beds tends to put-off
potential new purchasers in particular.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to an adjustable bed which does not appear
to be an adjustable bed but instead appears to be a conventional
or standard bed of any one of a different number of sizes. This
appearance is achieved to constructing a bed foundation which appears
to be a box spring, yet houses therein a universal adjustable bed
mechanism. The bed foundation has a depth corresponding to a conventional
box spring and is peripherally provided with a covering, upholstery
or quilting which corresponds to the same material used on box springs.
Therefore, when the latter bed foundation is placed upon a conventional
metal or wooden bed frame, with or without headboards and footboards,
and a mattress is placed thereupon, the overall appearance of the
adjustable bed is that of a conventional non-adjustable bed.
The adjustable bed is of a "universal" construction which
includes an adjustable bed mechanism that can be "drop-in"
assembled to any one of several bed foundations of different transverse
dimensions to construct up to six (6) different sizes of beds, such
as twin, twin extra long, full, full extra long, queen, split cal
king, etc., all of which appear to be "conventional" non-adjustable
beds. A narrower twin extra long bed (38".times.791/2")
requires a narrower twin bed foundation than a wider queen bed,
(591/2".times.791/2") for example, and its bed foundation.
However, irrespective of the specific size of the bed foundation,
the adjustable bed mechanism and its associated support frame are
so dimensioned as to fit any bed foundation. The latter is accomplished
by providing all bed foundations with supports for the adjustable
bed mechanism which are transversely spaced from each other substantially
the same distance irrespective of the transverse width of the particular
bed foundation for the bed which is to be manufactured. For example,
the preferred transverse spacing of the bed foundation supports
in keeping with the present invention is approximately 32.50 inches,
irrespective of the transverse dimension of the bed, and universal
bed-adjusting mechanism and its associated support frame includes
transverse locating/connecting points spaced approximately 32.50
inches from each other. Thus, no matter the size of the bed or the
bed foundation, the same universal bed-adjusting mechanism can be
dropped into the bed foundation to form a twin, queen or like beds
of differing transverse dimensions.
Preferably, the headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms,
the drive mechanisms therefor and the associated head, seat, thigh
and foot boards are all preassembled to form the unitized universal
adjustable bed mechanism so that the latter, when dropped into the
bed foundation, can be rapidly assembled (or disassembled) by utilizing
as few as four connecting bolts.
In further accordance with this invention, the universal adjustable
bed must necessarily include a specifically sized bed foundation
to accommodate mattresses and associated bedding of such a bed.
For example, one would not place a twin regular mattress (38"
by 731/2") upon a queen bed foundation (60" by 79"),
but in keeping with the present invention, the identical bed-adjusting
mechanism is connected to either bed foundation and is completely
operative therewith and supports thereupon respective twin and queen
mattresses. Therefore, though bed lengths may vary, which necessitates
a variety of different sizes of bed foundations, the use of but
a single universal bed-adjusting mechanism for all bed sizes achieves
a tremendous economic advantage in the simplicity of components,
component inventory, cost of assembly, etc.
The universal adjustable bed and the corresponding bed-adjusting
mechanism are further simplified by providing the latter with a
simplified polygonal support frame formed by opposite side rails
and head and foot rails welded to each other and to which are connected
substantially identical headboard and footboard adjusting linkage
mechanisms and substantially identical headboard and footboard drive
mechanisms, respectively, therefor. Accordingly, the support frame
is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and the utilization of
substantially duplicate linkage mechanisms and drive mechanisms
further enhance the low cost approach to inventory control and downstream
wholesale and retail costs.
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.
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view of a novel universal
adjustable bed constructed in accordance with this invention, and
illustrates an exteriorly padded/quilted bed foundation, a bed-adjusting
mechanism within the bed foundation, a covering upon hidden head,
seat, thigh and footboards, and a mattress supported upon the covering.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the universal adjustable bed of
FIG. 1 and illustrates the covered head, seat, thigh and footboards
moved from the prone position of FIG. 1 to the adjusted position
of FIG. 2 with the mattress removed for clarity.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view taken through
the adjustable bed of FIG. 1 and illustrates the unitized adjustable
bed mechanism including its support frame, headboard and footboard
adjusting linkage mechanisms and drive mechanisms therefor housed
within a cavity of the bed foundation.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 3 and
illustrates the various components moved to an adjusted position
corresponding to that of the adjustable bed of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 5--5
of FIG. 3 and illustrates the manner in which one of a pair of
transverse rails is secured by brackets and bolts to a pair of substantially
parallel support members of the bed foundation.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view substantially identical to FIG.
5 and illustrates the manner in which the unitized universal adjustable
bed mechanism is "drop-in" assembled upon the support
members of the bed foundation.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the adjustable bed mechanism, and
illustrates the various linkages and drive mechanisms thereof.
FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the support frame of the adjustable
bed mechanism, and illustrates opposite parallel side rails joined
to opposite parallel foot and head rails, the two linkage mechanisms
and the two drive mechanism therefor.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable bed mechanism,
and illustrates the manner in which a seat board and a footboard
are assembled to side rails and foot links, respectively, of the
bed-adjusting mechanism to unitize the same prior to "drop-in"
assembly thereof relative to the bed foundation.
FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a skeletal bed frame of the
bed foundation of FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawings, and illustrates
details thereof including a relatively large width for accommodating
queen size or similar large mattresses.
FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of another bed foundation, and
illustrates details thereof including a relative narrower width
skeletal bed frame for accommodating narrower mattresses, such as
twin size, while utilizing the same adjustable bed mechanism associated
with the bed foundation of FIGS. 1-6.
FIG. 12 is transverse cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and
illustrates the universal adjustable bed foundation of FIG. 5 assembled
by brackets and bolts to support members of the narrower bed foundation
of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view substantially identical to FIG.
12 and illustrates the manner in which the unitized universal adjustable
bed mechanism is "drop-in" assembled upon the support
members of the bed foundation of FIGS. 11 and 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A novel universal adjustable bed constructed in accordance with
this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10 of the drawings
and is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
The adjustable bed 10 includes a bed foundation 11 and a universal
adjustable bed mechanism 12. The adjustable bed 10 of FIGS. 1 through
9 and the bed foundation 11 of FIG. 10 are, for the purposes of
this description, assumed to be substantially 60".times.79"
(queen size) but can as well be 521/2".times.731/2" (full
size), or the like.
Reference is first made to FIG. 10 of the drawings which illustrates
a skeletal frame structure 15 of the bed foundation 11. The skeletal
frame structure 15 is of a generally polygonal or rectangular configuration
which includes an upper polygonal or rectangular frame 16 and a
lower polygonal or rectangular frame 17. The upper and lower frames
16 17 respectively, are of substantially similar polygonal configurations
and are supported in vertically spaced relationship to each other
by a plurality of vertical posts 18. The upper frame 16 includes
opposite spaced substantially parallel longitudinal opposite side
members 21 22 and opposite substantially parallel transverse end
members 23 24. The lower frame 17 similarly includes opposite spaced
substantially parallel longitudinal side members 31 32 and substantially
parallel spaced opposite transverse end members 33 34. A plurality
of identical transverse support members 35 are in parallel relationship
to each other and to the transverse end members 33 34. All of the
members of the skeletal frame structure 15 thus far described are
preferably made of wood and are appropriately secured together by
fasteners and by a strong adhesive (not shown). A pair of parallel
transversely spaced longitudinally extending support members 40
40 also constructed of wood, span the members 33 34 and 35 and
are adhesively bonded thereto. In addition, ends (unnumbered) of
each of the support members 40 are seated in generally U-shaped
metal brackets 41 which open toward each other in opposing pairs
and include flanges (unnumbered) which are nailed or screwed to
the end members 33 34 (FIGS. 3 and 4) to afford additional rigidity
to the longitudinal support members 40 40. The skeletal frame structure
15 thereby defines a generally polygonal cavity 45 open from above
but closed in part from below by the transverse support members
35.
Cushioned, quilted and/or upholstered fabric 50 (FIGS. 1-4) borders
the exterior of the skeletal frame structure 15 between the upper
frame 16 and the lower frame 17 overlaps upper surfaces (unnumbered)
of the upper frame 16 (FIGS. 3 and 4), descends downwardly along
inner surfaces (unnumbered) of the vertical posts 18 and spans the
entirety of the cavity 45 in a plane of upper surfaces (unnumbered)
of the longitudinal supporting members 40 40. Thus, the overall
bed foundation 11 when viewed from the side (FIG. 1) has the appearance
of a box spring and when viewed from above, absent the adjustable
bed mechanism 12 being housed therein, the entire interior of the
skeletal frame structure 15 is covered by the fabric 50. Appropriate
openings (not shown) are provided in the fabric 50 for purposes
which will be described hereinafter.
An important aspect of the present invention is the location of
the longitudinal supporting members 40 40 spaced a predetermined
transverse distance D (FIGS. 5 6 and 10) from each other which
is preferably 32.50" between the innermost opposing surfaces
thereof. The 32.50" dimension is a fixed standard dimension
irrespective of whether the skeletal frame structure 50 is narrower
or wider for narrower or wider beds, and the same 32.50" dimension
is maintained in all bed foundations, no matter the specifics of
the details of the construction thereof, between twin regular size
(38".times.731/2"), queen size (60".times.79"),
etc. As will be more apparent hereinafter, this standardization
of the 32.50" dimension between the supporting members 40
40 and equivalent supporting means in other bed foundations allows
a single universal adjustable bed mechanism 12 to be "drop-in"
installed, connected to and utilized with beds ranging from twin
size to queen size or larger.
The adjustable bed mechanism 12 is a unitized structure and includes
a support 60 (FIGS. 3 through 8) defined by opposite substantially
parallel longitudinal side rails 61 62 and spaced substantially
parallel head and foot rails 63 64 respectively. The side rails
61 62 are generally of a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration
which open away from each other (FIG. 7) and include an upper flange
65 a lower flange 66 and a web 69 therebetween. The upper flanges
65 include a plurality of spaced openings 67 and the lower flanges
66 are welded to upper surfaces (unnumbered) of the head rail 63
and the foot rail 64 each of which are of a generally polygonal
cross-sectional tubular configuration (FIGS. 3 and 4). The respective
head and foot rails 63 64 are each approximately 34.50" in
length, and inboard from each end (unnumbered) thereof is a metal
angle bracket 70 (FIGS. 5-7) defined by an upper horizontal flange
71 and a depending vertical flange 72. The upper flanges 71 of the
angle brackets 70 are welded to the underside of the associated
head rail 63 and foot rail 64 at locations at which a distance d
(FIGS. 5 and 6) between oppositely facing surfaces 79 of the vertical
flanges 72 of the angle brackets 70 is approximately 32.50".
Thus, with the distances of D, d being substantially identical (32.50"),
the vertical flanges 72 of the angle brackets 70 can be brought
into snug engagement with the longitudinal support members 40 40
(FIGS. 5 and 6) during an assembly procedure of the adjustable bed
mechanism 12 which will be described more fully hereinafter.
The support 60 (FIGS. 7-9) of the adjustable bed mechanism 12 carries
as part of the unitized assembly a headboard adjusting linkage mechanism
80 a foot board adjusting linkage mechanism 90 a headboard drive
mechanism 100 and a footboard drive mechanism 110.
The headboard adjusting linkage mechanism 80 includes a lift tube
81 which is welded at opposite ends thereof to lift arms 82 82
each carrying at one end thereof a roller or follower 83 and being
connected at opposite ends thereof to the web 69 of the side rails
61 62 by pivot means 84 in the form of conventional bolts and nuts.
A pair of spaced parallel arms 85 85 are welded at one end substantially
centrally or medially of the lift tube 81 and have aligned apertures
at opposite ends thereof.
The footboard adjusting linkage mechanism 90 includes a lift tube
91 which is welded at opposite ends thereof to lift arms 9292
each carrying at one end thereof a roller or follower 93 and being
connected at opposite ends thereof to the web 69 of the side rails
61 62 by pivot means 94 in the form of conventional bolts and nuts.
A pair of spaced parallel arms 95 95 are welded at one end substantially
centrally or medially of the lift tube 91 and have aligned apertures
at opposite ends thereof.
The headboard drive mechanism or drive means 100 and the footboard
drive mechanism or drive means 110 are each identical and correspond
to the mechanisms disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6061852 which is
incorporated hereat by reference. Each of the drive mechanisms 100
110 includes a motor 101 111 respectively, which can be selectively
rotated in opposite directions through a conventional control means
115 suitably carried by the bed which rotates a respective screw
112 113 which in turn extends or retracts a respective lift rod
116 117. The lift rods 116 117 are connected by respective pivot
pins or pivot means 120 to the respective brackets 85 95. A generally
U-shaped bracket 122 123 (FIGS. 3 4 7 and 8) is welded to an
underside of the respective head rail 63 and foot rail 64 and opposite
ends of the brackets 122 123 are pivotally connected by pivots
129 a housing 139 149 of the respective drive mechanisms 100 110.
A pair of foot links 130 are connected by pivots 131 to brackets
132 which are welded to the foot rail 64 at one end thereof. Opposite
ends of the links 130 have pivotally connected thereto by pivot
means 133 brackets 134.
The adjustable bed mechanism 12 further includes a headboard 140
a seat board 141 a thigh board 142 and a footboard 143 all measuring
55.25" (dimension d1 of FIGS. 5 6 and 8) to substantially
match the interior transverse dimension of the cavity 45 of the
frame structure 15 of the queen bed 10 (60".times.79").
For a full bed 10 the transverse dimension of each board 140-143
would be 49.25", for an O-queen 66", etc. to similarly
match the interior transverse dimensions of the cavities 45 of the
frames 15 thereof. However in all such bed foundations, the distance
D (FIGS. 6 and 10) of 32.50" is a constant to permit the adjusting
bed mechanism 12 to be utilized in virtually all standard size beds,
large or small because of the corresponding distance d between the
surfaces 79 of the brackets 70. The headboard and seat board 141
are connected to each other by conventional pivot means 144. The
seat board 141 and the thigh board 142 are pivotally connected to
each other by conventional pivot means 145. The thigh board 142
and the footboard 143 are pivotally connected to each other by conventionally
pivot means 146.
Screws or similar fasteners connect the brackets 134 to the footboard
143 and like screws passing through the opening 67 of the side rails
61 62 fasten the side rails 61 62 to the seat board 141. Therefore,
the entire adjustable bed mechanism 12 is a unitized structure defined
by the support 60 the linkage mechanisms 80 90 carried thereby,
the drive means 100 110 carried thereby, and the boards 140-143
also carried thereby. Thus, the entire unitized adjustable bed mechanism
12 when preferably so assembled can then simply be "drop-in"
assembled with and to the bed foundation 11 by simply lowering the
adjustable bed mechanism 12 therein from the position shown in FIG.
6 to the position shown in FIG. 5 until the head rail 63 and foot
rail 64 each rest upon the longitudinal rails 40 40 of the bed
foundation 11 with the surfaces 79 of the vertical flanges 72 of
the four angle brackets 70 being in snug engagement with the inside
surfaces (unnumbered) of the longitudinal support members 40 40.
Suitable bolts 149 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are passed through openings (unnumbered)
in the vertical flange 72 of the brackets 70 and like openings (unnumbered)
in the support members 40 40 and are united to the support members
40 40 in a conventional manner thereby completing the unification
or assembly of the adjustable bed mechanism 12 to the bed foundation
11. Access holes (unnumbered) are provided in the spanning portions
of the fabric 50 to facilitate access therethrough of the brackets
70 and the lift mechanisms 100 110.
The headboard, seat board, thigh board and footboard 140-143 respectively,
are covered with a quilted covering 160 having an upper surface
(unnumbered) which lies substantially in a horizontal plane HP (FIGS.
3 and 5) taken through the upper surface (unnumbered) of the bed
foundation 11 which, as is best illustrated in FIG. 1 imparts to
the bed foundation the appearance of a "standard" or conventional
box spring. Thus, upon placing a conventional adjustable inner spring
mattress M (FIG. 1) or an alternative latex or urethane mattress
thereupon and supporting the same on a conventional metal or wood
frame F (FIG. 1), the adjustable bed 10 has the appearance of a
conventional nonadjustable box spring and mattress, yet can be adjusted
in a conventional manner, as is readily evident from FIG. 2 in which
the mattress M has been removed for purposes of clarity.
Another adjustable bed constructed in accordance with this invention
is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 of the drawings and is generally
designated by the reference character 10'. The adjustable bed 10'
is narrower than the adjustable bed 10 and may be, for example,
a twin regular bed (38".times.731/2") or twin extra long
bed (38".times.791/2"). Thus, a universal adjustable bed
mechanism 12' associated with the adjustable bed 10' is substantially
identical in construction, operation and size to the adjustable
bed mechanism 12 and only two differences distinguish the two beds
10 10' are (a) a different bed foundation 111 of FIG. 11 and (b)
a lesser length (33.50") of the head, seat, thigh and footboards.
The bed foundation 111 (FIG. 11) includes a skeletal frame structure
115 of a generally polygonal or rectangular configuration defined
by a polygonal or rectangular upper frame 116 and a lower polygonal
or rectangular frame 117. The upper and lower frames 116 117 respectively
are of substantially similar polygonal configurations and are supported
in vertically spaced relationships to each other by a plurality
of vertical posts 118. The upper frame 116 includes opposite spaced
substantially parallel longitudinal opposite side members 121 122
and opposite substantially parallel transverse end members 123
124. The lower frame 117 similarly includes opposite spaced substantially
parallel longitudinal side members 131 132 and opposite substantially
parallel spaced transverse end members 133 134. Three pairs of
parallel transversely spaced support means or support members 140
140 140 are adhesively bonded to the vertical posts 118.
As in the case of the skeletal frame structure 15 and the distance
D between the opposing surfaces of the supporting members 40 40
thereof, a distance D' between the supporting members 140 corresponds
to the same transverse distance D of FIGS. 5 6 and 10 namely,
preferably 32.50" between the innermost opposing surfaces thereof.
Therefore, the 32.50" dimension D' readily accommodates the
"drop-in" assembly of the adjustable bed mechanism 12'
having brackets 70' spaced from each other the distance d in the
manner readily apparent from FIGS. 12 and 13 of the drawings.
Therefore, the same adjustable bed mechanism 12 or 12' can be inserted
into bed foundations of different widths to construct a variety
of different bed sizes absent excessive inventory which correspondingly
reduces manufacturing cost and lowers cost to wholesalers and/or
the purchasing public. Just as importantly and perhaps more importantly
is the fact that when the adjustable beds 10 10', etc. are placed
upon a conventional bed frame (FIGS. 1 and 2) and are associated
with a mattress M, the appearance and aesthetics of the adjustable
beds 10 10' correspond substantially identically to non-adjustable
conventional beds.
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. |