Extended-range versatilely-configurable user-assembled adjustable, and high-low adjustable, beds

Abstract

A high-low bed having a substantially rectangular upper surface is variably dynamically adjustable in elevation above a floor by action of a substantially planar substantially rectilinear upper frame presenting an upper surface to the bed, four stanchions of selectable length boltable at each of four opposing points under the upper frame, four swing arms hinge-connected at their first ends to the bottom of each of the four stanchions and at their second ends to wheels resting upon the floor. One or more motors move the swing arms about their hinged connection to the stanchions to variously elevate the upper surface of the bed above the floor. Nonetheless to its large height adjustment range, the entire bed breaks down to be shipped in two standard freight shipping boxes.

Claims

1. A high-low bed comprising: a rectangular frame including a head section including two longitudinal rails separated by a lateral member, and a foot section including two longitudinal rails separated by a lateral member, the two longitudinal rails of the head section and the two longitudinal rails of the foot section are selectively combinable so that the head section and the foot section can be separated for transport; wherein the rectangular frame is configurable in a low profile configuration and a high profile configuration, wherein in the high profile configuration, the rectangular frame further comprises: four stanchions in a first set of stanchions are each attachable to one of four positions under the frame to position the frame above a floor; a first axle extending crosswise between two stanchions on the head section and a second axle extending crosswise between the two stanchions on the foot section; a first lever arm connected to the first axle and an extension member is attached to the first lever arm and a second lever arm connected to the second axle and an extension member is attached to the second lever arm, wherein the first lever arm and the second lever arm are adjustable in lineal extent by a bolting of the extension member to the first lever arm and a bolting of an extension member to the second lever arm; a pair of pivoting arms each attached to the first axle wherein rotation of the first axle rotates the pair of pivoting arms to raise or lower one end of the frame with respect to a floor; and a pair of pivoting arms each attached to the second axle, wherein rotation of the second axle rotates the pair of pivoting arms to raise another end of the frame; a first motor combined to the frame at one end and the extension member at the other end, which extension member is combined to the first lever arm which is combined on the first axle, wherein movement of the extension member and the first lever arm by the first motor rotates the first axle to raise or lower the head section of the frame with respect to the floor; and a second motor combined to the frame at one end and combinable to the extension member at the other end, which extension member is combined to the second lever arm that is combined on the second axle, wherein movement of the extension member and the second lever arm by the second motor rotates the second axle to raise or lower the foot section of the frame with respect to the floor; and wherein in the low profile configuration, the four stanchions in a second set of stanchions replace the four stanchions in the first set of four stanchions and are each attachable to one of four positions under the frame to position the frame closer to the floor; and the first motor is attached directly to the first lever arm that is combined to the first axle to decrease a stroke of the first motor and the second motor is attached directly to the second lever arm that is combined to the second axle to decrease a stroke of the second motor.

2. The high-low bed of claim 1, wherein the four stanchions are one of a first stanchion set and a second stanchion set, wherein the four stanchions in the first stanchion set are longer than the four stanchions in the second stanchion set, and wherein the first axle and the second axle are each combinable to a pair of stanchions in one of the first stanchion set and the second stanchion set to change a height of the first axle and the second axle from the floor.

3. The high-low bed of claim 1, wherein the head section further comprises two sleeves each including a cavity with one of the two sleeves on each of the two longitudinal frame rails; wherein the foot section further comprises two sleeves each including a cavity with one of the two sleeves on each of the two longitudinal frame rails; and a floating inner tube with a nose for each of the two sleeves in one of the head section and the foot section and the floating inner tube is movable between a first position retracted in the cavity of the sleeve and a second position extending from the cavity of the sleeve with the nose of the floating inner tube guiding the floating inner tube into the sleeve, wherein the nose is a bull-nose shape and the floating inner tube is articulatable in a transverse and lateral manner within both the sleeve for the foot section and the sleeve for the head section to guide the floating inner tube into the corresponding sleeve to combine the foot section and the head section, and the floating inner tube is movable between a first position retracted in the cavity of the sleeve and a second position extending from the cavity of the sleeve.

4. The high-low bed of claim 2, wherein the second stanchion set is attachable to the frame with the extension member connected to the member of the first axle and the extension member connected to the member of the second axle to lower the rectangular frame closer to the floor and reposition the first motor and the second motor so that they do not hit the floor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a base portion of a preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention, the portion being without motors and wiring.

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the base portion of the preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention, previously seen in FIG. 1, now split into it head and foot sections that are each boxed and shipped separately, and later assembled together by a purchaser-user without use of tools.

(3) FIG. 3, consisting of FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, are detailed plan views showing the telescoping attachment mechanism of the heat and foot sections of the partial preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention, previously seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(4) FIG. 4a is a diagrammatic perspective view of an assembled frame of a second preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention, the frame being capable of being split into it head and foot sections that are each boxed and shipped separately, and that are later assembled together by a purchaser-user without use of tools.

(5) FIG. 4b is a detail view of area B of the frame of the second preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention previously shown in FIG. 4a.

(6) FIG. 4c is a detail view of area C of the frame of the second preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention previously shown in FIG. 4a.

(7) FIG. 4d is a detail view of area D of the frame of the second preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention previously shown in FIG. 4a.

(8) FIG. 4e is a detail view of area E of the frame of the second preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention previously shown in FIG. 4a.

(9) FIG. 4f is a detail view the lever arm of area F of the frame of the second preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention previously shown in FIG. 4a.

(10) FIG. 4G is a detailed view of area G in FIG. 4A.

(11) FIG. 4H is a diagrammatic perspective view of the modular adjustable bed shown in FIG. 4A with the frame in the upright position.

(12) FIG. 4I is a diagrammatic perspective view of the modular adjustable bed shown in FIG. 4A with the frame in the declined position and the longer set of stanchions of FIGS. 4A and 4H replaced with the shorter set of stanchions and the extension member removed from the member on each of the head section and the foot section.

(13) FIG. 4J is a diagrammatic perspective view of the modular adjustable bed shown in FIG. 4I in the inclined position.

(14) FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention in an inverted position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(15) A diagrammatic perspective view of base portion 1 of a preferred embodiment of a modular adjustable bed of the present invention, this base portion 1 being shown being without associated motors and wiring, is contained in FIG. 1. Another diagrammatic perspective view of this same portion 1, now split into a head section 11 and a foot section 12 (that are each boxed and shipped separately, and later assembled together by a purchaser-user without use of tools) is shown in FIG. 2. The portion 1 is substantially constructed of square cross section steel tube. Various attachment points are presented at which the pivoting bed surfaces, and the motors, of the adjustable bed may be conventionally attached.

(16) In accordance with the present invention, two bull-nosed inner tubes 121a, 121b (best seen in FIG. 2) extend from spaced-parallel foot frame section 12 towards corresponding cavities in the complimentary spaced-parallel frame rails 112a, 112b of the head frame section 11. The protruding inner tubes 121a, 121b slide longitudinally into the opposed cavities of the head frame section frame rails 112a, 112b, semi-permanently joining the two, head and foot, frame sections 11, 12. The fit is snug, and the connection strong, but the union may readily be accomplished under force of the hands and arms of an adult man.

(17) Detailed plan views showing the telescoping attachment mechanism of the head and foot sections 11, 12 of the partial preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. FIG. 3b is a cut-away cross sectional view taken along aspect line 1-1 of FIG. 3a.

(18) A plastic noseof which nose 121b of inner tube 121b is shownon each of the inner tubes 121a, 121b serves to guide each tube into the cavity of head section frame rail tubes 112a, 112b. A bolt, of which bolt 123b shown in FIG. 3b is exemplary, may be dropped into holes that become aligned upon sliding connection of the frame rails, therein to strongly hold the sections together. All bolts may be removed from dis-assembly.

(19) The head and foot sections 11, 12 of the base of the preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention are the largest sections of the bed. Other parts and sections, such as the planar sections that comprise the sleeping surface of the bed, the motors for the bed and their wiring harness, and the controls for the bed, are all smaller, and lighter, than are the head and foot sections 11, 12. Moreover, it is the interlocking between the head section 11 and the foot section 12 that, in particular, provides strength, stability, and durability to the adjustable bed. Accordingly, the gravamen of the present invention will be found within the quality affixation and union, achieved without tools, of the head and foot sections 11, 12, and it will be understood that beds and adjustable beds of standard design may readily be affixed to the illustrated modular base by practitioners of the design of mechanical beds.

(20) A diagrammatic perspective view of an assembled frame of a second preferred embodiment of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4a. The frame 41 is capable of being split into it's head section 411 and its foot section 412. Each section 411, 412 is, as before with the first preferred embodiment, boxed and shipped separately, and later assembled together by a purchaser-user without use of tools. The union is by tubes where one fits snug within another, as before with the first embodiment of the bed seen in FIGS. 1-3.

(21) Notable in the second embodiment of the frame 41, four stanchions 413a-413d are purchaser-user selectable from among at least two included groups of four stanchions each group having at least two different lengths. By this choice presented, one set of four stanchions 413 may be selected and bolted during assembly of the frame 41 to basically determine the height of the frame above the floor. The longer set of stanchions 413a-413d serve to elevate the upper surface of the bed higher above the floor, while the shorter set of stanchions serve to elevate the upper surface of the bed lower above the floor.

(22) Also notable in the second embodiment of the frame 41, a pivoting lift mechanism operating through one or two elevation mechanismsof which a single foot section elevation mechanism 414 is partially shown in FIG. 4aserves to respectively position the foot and the head of the frame, or the foot or the head of the frame, or neither the foot nor the head of the frame, relatively higher and lower in height above the floor and above the base elevation of the bed. This elevating motion is called a high-low bed. The pivoting arms 4141 of the (single) elevation mechanism 414 terminate in wheels 4142.

(23) A lift motor (not shown in FIG. 4a; shown in FIG. 5) operates to pivot the elevation mechanism 414 so as to respectively position the foot and the head of the frame, or the foot or the head of the frame, or neither the foot nor the head of the frame, relatively higher and lower in height above the floor and above the base elevation of the bed. If two elevation mechanism are included, each is the mirror of the other save for possibly differing lengths of pivot arms 4141 (illustrative), and is preferably independently controlled. If two elevation mechanism are included, each normally, and preferably uses the same type of motor, and motor control (not shown in FIG. 4a, shown in FIG. 5). Indeed, all selected parts to configure the variously high-low adjustable, contour-adjustable, beds having the second embodiment frame 41 are either identical, or are mirror images of each othersave only the stanchions 413 and the pivot arms 414) and even these parts are only of but differing lengths.

(24) The utility of this boltability, and selectability, is that different high-low beds may be easily assembled by bolting from a common inventory of piece parts.

(25) A detail view of area B of the frame of the second preferred embodiment frame 41 of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4b, a detail view of area C in FIG. 4c, a detail view of area D in FIG. 4d, a detail view of area D in FIG. 4d, a detail view of area E in FIG. 4e, a detail view of area F in FIG. 4f, and a detail view of area G in FIG. 4g. The basic showing of the detail views is that everything to assemble the second embodiment frame 41 connects by bolts, and by hand without any necessity of tools.

(26) A diagrammatic perspective view of the second preferred embodiment frame 41 of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention is again shown, now in an inverted position, in FIG. 5. Stanchions 413a-413d, the pivot arm assembly 414 including pivot arms 4141 and wheels 4142, all previously seen in FIG. 4a are again visible. Now shown is a motor 415 and a motor controller 416.

(27) That the four stanchions 413a-413d are boltable at each of four opposing points under the upper frame to extend vertically downwards from (1) the bottom of the bed's substantially rectilinear upper frame, to (2) a hinged connection to a swing, or pivot, arm 414 is clearly shown. Likewise that two, of a possible four, swing, or pivot, arms 4141 are (1) hinge-connected at their first ends to the bottom of each of the four stanchions 413a, 413b, and are (2) connected at their second ends to two wheels 4142 (out of a possible four wheels if two pivot arm assemblies 414 are used one at each end of the bed) is clearly shown. The wheels 4142 of course rest upon the floor when the frame 41 is in its normal, use, position (inverted from the way it is shown in FIG. 5).

(28) In studying the construction of the second embodiment frame of FIG. 5 it should always be remembered that not only is maximum versatility of function realized by selection and assembly of common parts, but the entire extended-range versatilely-configurable user-assembled adjustable, and high-low adjustable, bed of the present invention breaks down to be shipped in but two standard shipping containers, and handledincluding for tool-free hand assemblyby but one single man.

(29) The frame 41 of the modular adjustable bed of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4H, 4I, and 4J. The modular adjustable bed of the present invention is provided with two stanchion sets 413(a-d) and 423(a-d) to adjust the height of the frame off of the floor to create a high profile configuration (FIGS. 4A and 4H) or a low profile configuration (FIGS. 4I and 4J). In the high profile configuration a boltable extension member 410 attaches to respective lever arms 408a, 408b (a close up view is shown in FIG. 4F) to increase their linear length.

(30) Turning first to the high profile configuration of FIGS. 4A and 4H, a longer set of stanchions 413a-d is combined to the bottom of the frame 41 to position the frame 41 higher off of the floor. An extension member 410 is added to each of lever 408a on the foot section 412 of the frame and to lever arm 408b on the head section 411 of the frame. Turning next to the low profile configuration of FIGS. 4I and 4J, a shorter set of stanchions 423a-b is combined to the bottom of the frame 41 to position the frame 41 closer to the floor. Extension member 410 is removed from each of lever arm 408a on the foot section 412 of the frame 41 and from lever arm 408b on the head section 411 of the frame 41.

(31) In each of the high profile configuration and the low profile configuration, the axle 406 of foot section 412 and axle 404 of the head section 411 are combined to the respective stanchions 413(a-d) and 423(a-d). This means that in the low profile configuration, the axle 406 of foot section 412 and axle 404 of the head section 411 is positioned closer to the bottom of the deck. This requires extension member 410 to be removed from each of lever arm 408a on the foot section 412 of the frame 41 and from lever arm 408b on the head section 411 of the frame 41, as shown in FIGS. 4I and 4J, to prevent the respective extension members 410 from hitting the bottom of the deck when frame 41 is raised and lowered.

(32) In operation, for the high profile configuration shown in FIGS. 4A and 4H, motor 417a and motor 417b are each attached to frame 41. Their respective piston 417a and piston 417b are attached to extension members 410 which are bolted to the respective lever arm 408a and 408b. Lever arm 408a is attached to axle 406 and lever arm 408b is attached to axle 404. Each axle 404 and axle 406 has attached a pair of pivoting arms 4141, so that rotation of axle 404 and axle 406 rotates the respective pair of pivoting arms 4141.

(33) In operation, for the low profile configuration shown in FIGS. 4I and 4J, motor 417a and motor 417b are each attached to frame 41. Their respective piston 417a and piston 417b are attached to respective lever arm 408a and 408b. Because shorter set of stanchions 423a-b are used in this configuration, the respective axle 404 and axle 406 are closer to the bottom of the deck (shown in FIG. 5). If extension members 410 are not removed from each of lever arm 408a and 408b to shorten its perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation defined by the respective axle 406 and axle 404, the extension members will collide with the bottom of the deck.

(34) According to these variations, and still others within the skill of a practitioner of the art of design of mechanical beds, and adjustable beds, and modular adjustable beds, the present invention should be considered in accordance with the following claims, only, and not solely in accordance with that particular embodiment within which the invention has been taught.