Adjustable bed

Abstract

The invention concerns an adjustable bed comprising a frame and at least one adjustable body support section including an adjustable backrest support section pivotally mounted for angular adjustment with respect to the frame. The frame comprises at least two sections including an upper body section on which the back rest is mounted and a separate lower body section. The upper and lower body sections are capable of being joined together to provide a full length adjustable bed. The invention provides an adjustable bed that can be stored and transported in two parts (plus mattress), which provides for ease of storage, display, delivery and installation.

Claims

1. A modular adjustable bed system, comprising: a frame; wherein the frame further comprises: at least two self-contained modular self-supporting sections; each of said self-contained modular self-supporting sections defining a shared respective flat continuous support plane relative to an external bed support surface; a first of said self-contained modular self-supporting sections including a head end sub-assembly configured as an upper body supporting section on which an adjustable backrest support section is movably mounted within said head end sub-assembly between a flat continuous support position positioned aligned with said flat continuous support plane and a backrest support position; said upper body support section further comprising an upper body fixed support section adjacent said backrest support section and fixably spanning respective sides of said first of said first of said self-contained modular self-supporting sections; said upper body fixed support section positioned along said flat continuous support plane; and a first upper body actuator means contained within said upper body supporting section providing an angular adjustment of said backrest support section during a use; a second of said self-contained modular self-supporting sections including a separate toe end sub-assembly configured as a lower body supporting section on which at least one lower body support section is movably mounted within said toe end sub-assembly between said flat continuous support position aligned with said flat continuous support plane and a lower body support position; said lower body supporting section further comprising a lower body fixed support section adjacent said lower body support section and fixably spanning respective sides of said second of said self-contained modular self-supporting sections; said lower body fixed support section positioned along said flat continuous support plane; a second lower body actuator means contained within said lower body supporting section providing an angular adjustment of said at least one lower body support section during said use; and wherein said head end sub-assembly and said toe end sub-assembly being attachably and detachably joinable together so that upon an attachment during said use said backrest support section, said upper body fixed support section, said lower body support section and said lower body fixed support section are aligned with said flat continuous support plane.

2. The modular adjustable bed system, according to claim 1, wherein: said backrest support section has a hinged end; and said upper body fixed support section adjacent said hinged end of said backrest support section.

3. The modular adjustable bed system, according to claim 1, wherein: said at least one lower body support section further comprising: an adjustable upper leg/thigh support section and an adjustable lower leg/calf and foot support section.

4. The modular adjustable bed support system, according to claim 3, wherein: said adjustable upper leg/thigh support section is pivotally connected to said adjustable lower leg/calf and foot support section.

5. The modular adjustable bed support system, according to claim 4, wherein: said adjustable lower leg/calf and foot support section is arranged to pivot apart from said adjustable upper leg/thigh support section during an angular adjustment of said adjustable upper leg/thigh support section; and said adjustable lower leg/calf support, further comprises: an abutment stop that prevents a further angular adjustment of said lower leg/calf and foot support section with respect to said adjustable upper leg/thigh support section at a predetermined angle of adjustment relative to said adjustable upper leg/thigh support section.

6. The modular adjustable bed support system, according to claim 3, wherein: said upper leg/thigh support section further comprises a hinged end; and said a lower body fixed support section adjacent said hinged end of said upper leg/thigh support section.

7. The modular adjustable bed support system, according to claim 1, further comprising: at least a first upper body bearing member on said upper body supporting section; said at least first upper body bearing member projecting downward from said upper body support section below said shared respective flat continuous support plane; said first upper body bearing member being supported by a first upper body bearing means arranged to run on a first upper body curved guide part thereof such that said adjustable backrest support section is pivotally mounted with respect to said frame about an upper body pivot axis defined by a center of curvature of said first upper body curved guide part; at least a first lower body bearing member on said lower body supporting section; said at least first lower body bearing member projecting downward from said lower body member below said shared respective flat continuous support plane; and said first lower body bearing member being supported by a first lower body bearing means arranged to run on a first lower body curved guide part thereof such that said one lower body support section is pivotably mounted with respect to said frame about a lower body pivot axis defined by center of curvature of said first lower body curved guide part.

8. The modular adjustable bed support system, according to claim 7, wherein: at least one of said first upper body bearing means and said first lower body bearing means is carried by a respective one of said upper body bearing member and said lower body bearing member; and at least one of said upper body curved guide and said lower body curved guide is proximate a slot in said frame.

9. The modular adjustable bed support system, according to claim 7, wherein: each of said first upper body bearing means and said first lower body bearing means carried by said frame; said upper body curved guide provided on said upper body bearing member; and said lower body curved guide provided on said lower body bearing member.

10. The modular adjustable bed support system, according to claim 7, wherein: each of said at least two self-contained modular self-supporting sections including at least a pair of side panels; and each one of said upper body curved guide and said lower body curved guide on said at least one of respective said pairs of side panels.

11. The modular adjustable bed support system, according to claim 7, wherein: said at least first upper body bearing member, further comprises: a second upper body curved guide part and a second upper body bearing means; said first and said second upper body curved guide parts on respective opposed lateral sides of said upper body supporting section; a first and said second upper body bearing means on respective opposed lateral sides of said frame; said first and said second upper body curved guide parts being arranged to run on respective said first and said second upper body bearing means to permit an angular adjustment about said upper body pivot axis during said use; and said at least first lower body bearing member, further comprises: a second lower body curved guide part and a second lower body bearing means; said first and said second lower body curved guide parts on respective opposed lateral sides of said lower body supporting section; a first and said second lower body bearing means on respective opposed lateral sides of said frame; and said first and said second lower body curved guide parts being arranged to run on respective said first and said second lower body bearing means to permit an angular adjustment about said lower body pivot axis during said use.

12. The modular adjustable bed support system, according to claim 1, wherein: said upper body support section and said lower body support section each contain a separate box type frame structure having a pair of lateral side panels enclosing a respective upper body support inner region and a lower body support inner region; each said box type frame structure including an end panel joining respective lateral side panels; said upper body fixed support section fixably joining respective said pair of said lateral side panels of said upper body support section; and said lower body fixed support section fixably joining respective said pair of said lateral side panels of said lower body support section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above and the front of an adjustable bed according to an embodiment of the invention, with the bed in a raised configuration.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the bed of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the side of the bed of FIGS. 1 and 2, with side panels removed for clarity.

(4) FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the bed of FIGS. 1 to 3, with side panels removed for clarity.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the bed of FIGS. 1 to 4, similar to that of FIG. 4, with the bed in a lowered configuration.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of the bed of FIGS. 1 to 5, similar to that of FIG. 1, with the bed in a lowered configuration.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the rear of an adjustable bed according to a second embodiment of the invention, with the bed in a raised configuration.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the side of the bed of FIG. 7, with side panels removed for clarity.

(9) FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the bed of FIGS. 7 and 8, with side panels removed for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. The word couple and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through intermediate elements or devices. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional (up/down, etc.) or motional (forward/back, etc.) terms may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner. It will also be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that the detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elements may be differently positioned, or otherwise noted as in the appended claims without requirements of the written description being required thereto.

(11) Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

(12) Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 6 schematically show the frame of an adjustable bed 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The bed 10 is in two halves, including a head end sub-assembly 11a and a toe end sub-assembly 11b. The two halves 11a, 11b are capable of being joined together at their respective adjacent ends to form an adjustable bed having an external appearance similar to that of known adjustable beds. It will be understood that in the drawings of FIGS. 1 to 6 the two halves are shown positioned end to end adjacent one another with a small gap separating the respective ends. The bed is shown with the two separate halves of the bed orientated for connection. The two halves 11a and 11b may be connected together with latches, clips or the like as the halves of a conventional divan bed base may be joined together.

(13) The head end sub-assembly 11a comprises an adjustable back/head support panel 12 and a fixed seat section panel 14a. The toe end sub-assembly 11b comprises a fixed seat section panel 14b, an adjustable upper leg (thigh) support panel 16 and an adjustable foot and lower leg (calf) support panel 18.

(14) The panels 12, 16 and 18 are each adjustably mounted on respective rectangular box type support frames 20a, 20b. The support frames 20a, 20b together constitute a floor standing base 20 of the bed 10. The fixed panels 14a, 14b are fixed to the respective support frames 20a, 20b at their respective adjacent ends so that the panels 14a, 14b are aligned adjacent to one another side by side when the two halves of the bed are joined together. The bed thus has the structure and appearance of a divan type bed having a typical box type mattress foundation which may be upholstered as is well known in the art.

(15) In FIGS. 1 to 4 the bed 10 is shown in an upright configuration with the panels 12, 16 and 18 inclined with respect to the base to support a user in a raised seated position. In the lowered position of FIGS. 5 and 6 the body support panels 12, 16 and 18 lie substantially flat at the top of the base and combine with the respective fixed seat panels 14a, 14b to provide a continuous flat horizontal mattress support platform. The plane of the lowered platform is positioned just below the top edge 19 of the base which creates a recess 21 within the region bounded by the side and end panels of the base as will be described in more detail below.

(16) The fixed and adjustable body support panels 12, 14a, 14b 16, and 18, may include or be provided with upholstered cushions/pads (not shown) or the like on their respective upward facing surfaces for supporting a mattress (also not shown) positioned on top of the cushions or pads. Alternatively a mattress may be positioned directly on top of the panels. The bed 10 is a single size bed but the present embodiment contemplates beds of many different widths including standard single size beds to much larger doubles.

(17) The base section support frames 20a, 20b each comprise a generally rectangular structural frame constructed from a board type material, for example an engineering plastic, wood, MDF or other suitable board material. Each base section support frame includes a pair of elongate parallel lateral side panels 22, 24 which are joined together at the respective ends by end panels 26, 28 to form a rectangular box type load bearing structural frame. The adjustable support section panels 12, 16 and 18 are mounted on the respective support frames 20a, 20b for adjustment of their relative angular positions relative to the base to alter the configuration of the bed. The mounting of the respective panels on the base is described in more detail below

(18) The base 20 constitutes the floor standing part of the bed 10 and in this respect the frames 20a, 20b may stand directly on the floor or be provided with castors, feet or the like at the corners of the rectangular frames, as is well known in the art.

(19) The left and right hand side panels 22 and 24 of each frame 20a, 20b are symmetrically identical such that the mounting arrangement on one side of the bed is the same as the other.

(20) As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the side panels 22 and 24 include bearings means on which the respective adjustable support section panels are mounted. A pair of roller bearings 46, 48 are mounted on respective bearing pins 46, 48 at circumferentially spaced locations on the respective side panels 22, 24. Bearing 46 and the associated pin 46 are positioned at the 6 o'clock position on both frames 20, 20b. Bearing and pin 48, 48 are positioned at a rearward position (e.g. 7 o'clock) on the rearward frame section 20a, and at a forward position (e.g. 5 o'clock) on the forward frame section 20b, thus the bearings 46, 48 are spaced approximately 30 to 45 degrees apart on a circumference centered above the base, typically at a centre corresponding to an anatomical hip pivot point of a person's body on the bed in the case of the frame section 20a, and at a centre corresponding to an anatomical knee pivot point of a person's body on the bed in the case of frame section 20b.

(21) The roller bearings 46, 48 are located on the inward facing side of the respective side panels 22, 24, that is to say the side of the side panels facing the interior of the underside of the bed. Bearing pins 46 and 48 are attached to the respective side panels by means of respective metal brackets 46, 48 which are arranged to receive the respective bearing pins 46, 48.

(22) The panels 22, 24 are joined together at their respective ends by end panels 26 and 28. End panels 26 have a depth dimension substantially the same as the depth of the side panels such that they combine with the side panels to define an upstanding edge 19 around the base of the bed. Adjacent end panels 28 have a depth dimension which is slightly less so that a continuous recess 21 is defined within the boundary of the peripheral side and end panels on the upward facing side of the base when the two half frame sections 20a, and 20b are joined together.

(23) The back support section panel 12 is pivotally mounted to the half frame section 20a by means of a pair of load bearing support members in the form of curved arcuate U-section guides or radial arms 42, 44 connected to and extending from the underside of the panel 12 on respective opposite lateral sides of the panel. The load bearing support members or curved guides 42, 44 are spaced apart and located at laterally spaced positions on the panel 12 close to the lateral side edges thereof so that they lie closely adjacent to the respective side panels 22, 24. The open sides of the U-section guide channels face the respective inward facing sides of the adjacent side panels 22, 24 and accommodate the respective roller bearings 46, 48. The curved guides have the same radius of curvature and lie on the same circumference as the respective bearings 46, 48 so that the bearings locate, and are held captive in, the respective open U-section channels of the curved guides and thereby provide a suitable rotational mounting for the back support section panel about a respective pivot axis defined by the centre of curvature of the respective curved guides 42, 44. This can best been seen in the drawing of FIG. 3 where the respective curved guides 42, 44 are shown with the right hand side panels 24 removed to reveal the roller bearings 46, 48 located in the open channels of the curved guides 44.

(24) The thigh section support panel 16 is similarly pivotally mounted to the half frame section 20b by means of a pair of load bearing support members in the form of curved arcuate U-section guides or radial arms 42, 44 connected to and extending from the underside of the panel 16 on respective opposite lateral sides thereof. The load bearing support members or curved guides 42, 44 are spaced apart and located at laterally spaced positions on the panel 16 close to the lateral side edges thereof so that they lie closely adjacent to the respective side panels 22, 24. The open sides of the U-section guide channels face the respective inward facing sides of the adjacent side panels 22, 24 and accommodate the respective roller bearings 46, 48. The curved guides have the same radius of curvature and lie on the same circumference as the respective bearings 46, 48 so that the bearings locate, and are held captive in, the respective open U-section channels of the curved guides and thereby provide a suitable rotational mounting for the thigh support section panel about a respective pivot axis defined by the centre of curvature of the respective curved guides 42, 44.

(25) The seat section support panels 14, 14b are fixed with respect to the side panels 22, 24 and end panel 28 of the respective frame sections by means of suitable brackets of the like. The seat section support panels 14, 14b are disposed immediately between the back and thigh support panels 12 and 16 in the assembled configuration of the base 20. The lower leg section support panel 18 is pivotally connected to the thigh support panel 16 along the respective adjoining edges of the panels by hinges 50. A pair of so called knee-break angled brackets 52 are attached to the underside of the panel 16 at the edge adjacent to the lower leg/foot rest panel 18 so that the panel 18 has a maximum degree of angular adjustment with respect to the panel 16 when the panel 16 is raised. The angled face 53 of the bracket 52 acts as an abutment stop when it comes into engagement with the underside of the panel 18 when panel 16 is raised to a position where engagement occurs. Thus, further raising of the panel 16 causes the panel 18 to lift completely above the frame 20 and remain at a pre-determined angle relative to the panel 16.

(26) As can best be seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 captivating means 54 are provided at the location of each curved guide 42, 44 for maintaining engagement of the curved guide on the respective roller bearings 46, 48. The captivating means 54 comprises a roller bearing 56 mounted on a bracket 58 that is fixed to the respective side panel 22, 24. The roller bearing 56 bears against the inward facing surface of the respective guide 42, 44 to maintain the curved guide in the plane of the bearings 46, 48 and thereby prevent sideways lateral movement of the curved guide with respect to the adjacent side panel 22, 24. Each bearing 56 is mounted between the bearings 46, 48 at each respective location. In particular the bearing 56 is positioned midway between the respective bearings 46, 48 so that a substantially equal force is applied to the curved guide at the location of the bearings 46, 48. This is beneficial in terms of preventing distortion of the curved guide in use due to uneven loading or weight distribution on the respective movable panels 12, 16 and 18. Each bearing 56 is mounted in a plane that is perpendicular and tangential to the respective guide so that the bearing runs freely along the radial face of the curved guide facing the interior of the frame on the underside of the bed.

(27) Movement of the panels 12, 16 and 18 is effected by linear electrical actuators 60, 62 mounted on the underside of the bed within the space envelope of the respective frame sections 20a, 20b. Linear actuator 60 has a first end secured to bracket 70 depending from a cross-member 64 on the underside of the panel 12, substantially at a mid-point along the length of the panel 12, and a second end secured to a bracket 66 depending from the underside of the panel 14a. Similarly, linear actuator 62 has a first end also secured to a bracket 70 depending from or in the region of a cross-member 64 on the underside of the panel 16, substantially at a mid-point along the length of the panel 16, and a second end secured to a bracket 68 depending from the underside of the panel 14b. Thus panel 12 is raised and lowered by respective extension and retraction of actuator 60 and panel 16, with attached panel 18, is raised and lowered by respective extension and retraction of actuator 62. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 when the actuators are fully retracted they lie substantially horizontally within the interior region of the base with the respective adjustable panels 12, 16 and 18 lying flat and horizontal in the plane of the fixed panels 14a, 14b. It will be understood that the actuators 60 and 62 may be operated selectively, either in unison or independently to re-configure the bed according to a desired configuration. In addition, it will be understood that two single size beds of the same or similar construction may be arranged side by side, and possibly connected together, to provide a double size bed with each side having independent movement.

(28) A modified embodiment (second embodiment) of an adjustable bed is shown in the drawings of FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the modified bed similar to the view of FIG. 2, that is to say a three quarter view from the rear. FIG. 8 is a similar view to that of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is similar to the view of FIG. 4. The same reference numbers designate like parts throughout.

(29) The embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9 differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 previously described in that the curved guide radial arms 42, 44 are rigidly connected together not only by the respective panels 12, 16 but also by means of an elongate transversely extending connecting member 80 in the form of a box section tube. Each tube 80 is connected to the inward facing flat surface of the radial arms 42, 44, nearer the end of the radial arms connected to the respective panel 12,16. Each tube 80 is provided with a mounting bracket 82 midway along its length for pivotal connection to an actuator mounting bracket 84 connected to a moving block 86 of a respective actuator 60,62. Actuators 60, 62 are Betadrive actuators manufactured by Dewert Okin and are each pivotally connected to a respective box section mounting tube 88 extending between the respective lateral side panels 22, 24. The end of each actuator 60, 62 containing the electric motor is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket 92 fixedly secured to the mounting tube 86 midway along the length of the tube. Each tube 88 is fixedly secured to respective side panels 22, 24 by means of respective mounting brackets 90. This modified arrangement provides a stiff structural support arrangement which resists twisting and bending and replaces, in the previous embodiment, the captivating means 54 comprising the bearing 56 bracket 58 associated with each curved guide radial arm 42, 44.

(30) It is to be understood that the adjustable bed shown in the illustrated embodiments is a domestic adjustable bed, that is to say an adjustable bed for the home setting.

(31) Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skills that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various modifications and variations can be made in the presently disclosed system without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.