Apparatus and method for furniture with adjustable platform height and membrane sidewalls

Abstract

A method and corresponding apparatus that includes: a frame; one or more adjustable-height sidewalls connected to the frame, wherein the sidewalls are selectively raisable; a body support platform; and a membrane that is connected to the frame and extends from the frame over the sidewalls and is configured to support the body support platform within the one or more sidewalls at any selected one of a plurality of different heights.

Claims

1. A furniture apparatus with adjustable platform height and membrane sidewalls for holding an occupant, the apparatus comprising: a frame; one or more sidewalls connected to the frame, wherein the one or more sidewalls are adjustable-height sidewalls; a body-support platform that is at least partially surrounded by the one or more sidewalls; one or more membranes connected to the body-support platform, wherein the one or more membranes extend from the body-support platform over the one or more sidewalls to outside of the one or more sidewalls; a membrane-motion system operably coupled to the frame and configured to selectively move at least part of one or more of the one or more membranes relative to the one or more sidewalls, wherein the one or more membranes extend over the sidewalls, to support the body-support platform within the one or more sidewalls, and the membrane-motion system selectively moves the at least part of one or more of the one or more membranes in order to raise or lower the body-support platform to a selected one of a plurality of different heights; a controller; and one or more sidewall actuators operably coupled to the one or more adjustable-height sidewalls, wherein the controller is configured to control the one or more sidewall actuators to raise or lower the sidewalls in order to raise or lower the body support platform.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the furniture apparatus is a chair for holding a person.

3. The chair of claim 2, wherein the chair is configured to tilt the body-support platform by selective motion of at least one of: the one or more adjustable-height sidewalls; or the one or more membranes; or the sidewalls and at least one of the one or more membranes.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane includes a fabric.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller includes one or more sensors to monitor safety of the occupant of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a network-interface device, wherein the network-interface device is configured to elicit and receive software updates for the controller.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is provided with an alarm for alerting parents or caretakers of the occupant of the apparatus.

8. A furniture apparatus with adjustable platform height and membrane sidewalls for holding an occupant, the apparatus comprising: a frame; one or more sidewalls connected to the frame; a body-support platform that is at least partially surrounded by the one or more sidewalls; one or more membranes connected to the body-support platform, wherein the one or more membranes extend from the body-support platform over the one or more sidewalls to outside of the one or more sidewalls; a membrane-motion system operably coupled to the frame and configured to selectively move at least part of one or more of the one or more membranes relative to the one or more sidewalls, wherein the one or more membranes extend over the sidewalls, to support the body-support platform within the one or more sidewalls, and the membrane-motion system selectively moves the at least part of one or more of the one or more membranes in order to raise or lower the body-support platform to a selected one of a plurality of different heights; a controller; and one or more dispensing actuators operably coupled to the one or more membranes, wherein the controller is configured to control the dispensing actuators to collect or release the one or more membranes in order to raise or lower the body support platform.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the body-support platform has a circumference, and wherein an entirety of the circumference is connected to the one or more membranes.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more dispensing actuators operably coupled to the one or more membranes form a membrane-dispensing system operably coupled to the frame and configured to selectively collect or release at least part of one or more of the one or more membranes from the frame, wherein the one or more membranes are connected to the membrane-dispensing system and extend from the membrane-dispensing system over the sidewalls to support the body-support platform.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a height of the sidewalls is continuously adjustable.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more sidewalls are adjustable-height sidewalls, the apparatus further comprising: one or more sidewall actuators operably coupled to raise and lower the one or more adjustable-height sidewalls; and wherein the controller is configured to control the one or more sidewall actuators and the one or more dispensing actuators to collect or release the one or more membranes in order to raise or lower the body-support platform.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller includes one or more sensors to monitor safety of the occupant of the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller includes a network-interface device, wherein the network-interface device is configured to elicit and receive software updates for the controller.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller is provided with an alarm for alerting parents or caretakers of the occupant of the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the membrane includes a fabric.

17. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising one or more locking mechanisms that selectively prevent motion of the one or more membranes relative to the one or more sidewalls.

18. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the membrane includes a polymer sheet.

19. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the membrane includes an elastomeric sheet.

20. A method for adjusting a furniture piece that includes a body-support platform, a plurality of sidewalls, a frame, a membrane-motion system, and one or more membranes, the method comprising: suspending the body-support platform from the one or more membranes by extending the membranes over the sidewalls and affixing the one or more membranes to the membrane-motion system operably coupled to the frame; and raising or lowering the body support platform by selectively collecting or releasing material of the one or more membranes by the membrane-motion system; rotationally or laterally moving the body-support platform by selectively moving different portions of the one or more membranes by: selectively moving the sidewalls; or selectively dispensing or collecting various portions of the one or more membranes; or both selectively moving the sidewalls and selectively dispensing or collecting various portions of the one or more membranes, and further including automatically controlling powered actuators.

21. The method of claim 20, further including raising or lowering the body-support platform by raising or lowering the one or more sidewalls under the one or more membranes.

22. The method of claim 20, further including monitoring an occupant of the furniture piece and adjusting the furniture piece according to a condition or orientation of the occupant.

23. The method of claim 20, further including monitoring safety and wellness of an occupant and raising an alarm upon detecting a safety hazard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a section view of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a plan view of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4A is a section view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention with body support platform fully raised.

(5) FIG. 4B is a section view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention with body support platform fully lowered.

(6) FIG. 5A is a section view of a variation of the invention having a fixed-height sidewall with the body support platform fully raised.

(7) FIG. 5B is a section view of a variation of the invention having a fixed-height sidewall with the body support platform fully lowered.

(8) FIG. 6A is a section view of a variation of the invention having a membrane with a fixed outer edge with the body support platform fully raised.

(9) FIG. 6B is a section view of a variation of the invention having a membrane with a fixed outer edge with the body support platform fully lowered.

(10) FIG. 7 is a detail section view of an illustrative implementation of a body support platform comprising a thickening and structuring of the membrane.

(11) FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation 800 of a computing device for a machine in the example electronic form of a computer system, according to an example embodiment, suitable for the control system present in some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Specific examples are used to illustrate particular embodiments; however, the invention described in the claims is not intended to be limited to only these examples, but rather includes the full scope of the attached claims. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon the claimed invention. Further, in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The embodiments shown in the Figures and described here may include features that are not included in all specific embodiments. A particular embodiment may include only a subset of all of the features described, or a particular embodiment may include all of the features described.

(13) The leading digit(s) of reference numbers appearing in the Figures generally corresponds to the Figure number in which that component is first introduced, such that the same reference number is used throughout to refer to an identical component which appears in multiple Figures. Signals and connections may be referred to by the same reference number or label, and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in the context of the description.

(14) FIG. 1 is a section view of an illustrative system 100 of the present invention. The body support platform 101 is suspended from a continuous membrane 102, which on the other end is rigidly affixed to the frame 104. The membrane passes over a low-friction curved surface 107 on top of the internal sidewall structure 103, which is operatively coupled to leadscrews 105 driven by a rotary motor 106 under control of a controller not shown.

(15) FIG. 2 is a plan view of the system 100 shown FIG. 1. The rim of the sidewall 108 is shown.

(16) FIG. 3 is an elevation view of system 100 described above FIG. 1.

(17) FIG. 4A is a section view of system 400, which is another illustrative embodiment of the invention with body support platform fully raised. In some embodiments, system 400 includes frame 401 holds a motorized roller 408 and a movable sidewall assembly 404. The movable sidewall assembly 404 includes a leadscrew 406 operatively coupled to the internal sidewall structure 405, and a motorized mount 407. The membrane 402 extends from the body support platform 403, up and over a low-friction bushing 409 mounted on the top edge of the sidewall mounted on the top edge of the sidewall 404, and down to a motorized roller 408 to which it is attached. The motorized roller 408 collects and dispenses membrane material in order to raise and lower the body-support platform 403. Raising and lowering the sidewall 405 additionally raises and lowers the body support platform 403 with respect to the sidewall 405.

(18) FIG. 4B is a section view of system 400 described above FIG. 4A, with the body support platform 403 fully lowered.

(19) FIG. 5A is a section view of a system 500 having a fixed-height sidewall 501 with the body support platform 403 fully raised. A motorized roller 408 and fixed internal sidewall structure 501 are attached to the frame 401. The membrane 402 extends from the body support platform 403, up and over a low-friction bushing 409 mounted on the top edge of the internal sidewall structure 501, and down on the outside of the sidewall structure 501 to the motorized roller 408 to which it is attached. The motorized roller 408 collects and dispenses membrane material in order to raise and lower the body support platform 403.

(20) FIG. 5B is a section view of system 500, with the body support platform fully lowered.

(21) FIG. 6A is a section view of a system 600 according to some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, system 600 is substantially equivalent to system 100 described above, having a membrane with an outer edge affixed to frame 401, shown here with the body support platform 403 fully raised. In some embodiments, the frame 401 is attached to the movable sidewall assembly 404. The movable sidewall assembly 404 includes a leadscrew 406, operably coupled to the internal sidewall structure 405, and a motorized mount 407. The membrane 402 extends from the body support platform 403, up and over a low-friction bushing 409 mounted on the top edge of the sidewall assembly 404, and down to a rigid attachment 601 on the frame 401. Raising and lowering the sidewall structure 405 additionally raises and lowers the body support platform 403 with respect to the sidewall structure 405.

(22) FIG. 6B is a section view of a system 600, having a membrane with an outer edge affixed to frame 401, shown here with the body support platform 403 fully lowered.

(23) FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of membrane-and-body-support system 700. In some embodiments, membrane-and-body-support system 700 includes body-support platform 704 formed by a thickening 702 and structuring 703 of a central portion of the membrane 701. In some embodiments, membrane-and-body-support system 700 replaces membrane 102 and body-support platform 101 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. In some embodiments, membrane-and-body-support system 700 replaces membrane 402 and body-support platform 403 of FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B.

(24) FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a computing device 800 for a machine. In this example, it is an electronic form of a computer system 2000, according to an example embodiment. In various example embodiments, the machine operates as a stand-alone device or can be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines (such as in network 2026 in the cloud that hosts cloud services). In a networked deployment, the machine can operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system 2000 can be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a portable music player (e.g., a portable hard-drive audio device such as a Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player, a web appliance, a network router, a switch, a bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term machine shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. In some embodiments, the computer is an enterprise-class computer.

(25) In some embodiments, the present invention includes a crib comprising: a frame; one or more adjustable-height sidewalls connected to the frame, wherein the sidewalls are selectively raise-able to impart motion of the sidewalls relative to the membrane; a body support platform; one or more membranes connected to the body support platform, wherein one or more of the membranes extend over the sidewalls; a membrane dispensing system operably coupled to the frame and configured to selectively collect or release a membrane from the frame, wherein the membrane is connected to the membrane dispensing system and extends from the membrane dispensing system over the sidewalls and is configured to support the mattress within the one or more sidewalls, wherein the membrane dispensing system selectively collects or releases the membrane in order to raise or lower the mattress within the sidewalls to a selected one of a plurality of different heights.

(26) In some embodiments, one or more edges of one or more of the membranes are non-movably affixed to the base.

(27) In some embodiments, the height of the sidewalls is not adjustable.

(28) In some embodiments, the invention further provides one or more actuators operably coupled to the one or more adjustable-height sidewalls and configured to raise or lower the sidewalls.

(29) In some embodiments, the invention further provides one or more actuators operably coupled to the membrane, and configured to collect or release material.

(30) In some embodiments, the invention further provides a controller operably coupled to the movable portions of the crib, configured to effect motion of those portions.

(31) In some embodiments, the controller further comprises sensors to monitor the safety, condition, and disposition of the occupant. In some embodiments, sensors included in the controller include one or more of: visual-light cameras; infrared cameras; infrared switches; magnetic switches, contact switches; vibration sensors; olfactory sensors; motor electric current sensors; strain sensors; and pressure sensors.

(32) In some embodiments, the controller is provided with a network interface device.

(33) In some embodiments, the controller is provided with an alarm for alerting parents or caretakers.

(34) In some embodiments, wherein the membrane includes one or more of: a fabric; a polymer sheet; and an elastomeric sheet.

(35) In some embodiments, the invention further provides locking mechanisms that selectively prevent relative motion of the membrane, frame, and sidewalls.

(36) In some embodiments, the invention includes a chair comprising: a frame; one or more adjustable-height sidewalls connected to the frame, wherein the sidewalls are selectively raise-able to impart motion of the sidewalls relative to the membrane; a body support platform; one or more membranes connected to the body support platform, wherein one or more of the membranes extend over the sidewalls; a means by which the outer edge of the membrane can be collected or released to impart a motion relative to the sidewalls.

(37) In some embodiments, the body support platform is configured to be tilted by selective motion of one or both of the sidewalls and the membrane.

(38) In some embodiments, the invention provides a method for providing adjustability to furniture, consisting of: providing a body support platform; providing one or more adjustable-height sidewalls; providing a frame; suspending the body support platform from one or more membranes by extending the membranes over the sidewalls and affixing them to the frame; effecting a raising or lowering of the body support platform by imparting motion to the membrane by raising and lowering the sidewalls; and effecting a raising or lowering of the body support platform by imparting motion to the membrane by collecting and dispensing membrane material from the frame.

(39) In some embodiments, the invention further provides a method of imparting rotational and lateral motion to the body support platform by selectively imparting motion to different portions of the membrane or different membranes by: selective motion of the sidewalls; or selectively dispensing or collecting different portions of the membrane or different membranes; or a combination thereof.

(40) In some embodiments, the invention further provides a method wherein adjusting the furniture comprises moving the adjustable elements by means of powered actuators.

(41) In some embodiments, the invention further provides a method of automatically controlling the powered actuators by providing a control system.

(42) In some embodiments, the invention further provides a method of monitoring the occupant and adjusting the furniture according to the occupant's condition and disposition.

(43) In some embodiments, the invention further provides a method of monitoring the safety and wellness of the occupant and raising an alarm upon detecting a hazard.

(44) In some embodiments the present invention includes a crib for holding an occupant, wherein the crib includes: a frame; one or more adjustable-height sidewalls connected to the frame, wherein the sidewalls are selectively raisable or lowerable to impart motion of the sidewalls relative to the frame; a body support platform; one or more membranes connected to the body support platform, wherein the one or more membranes extend from the body support platform over the sidewalls to outside of the sidewalls; and a membrane dispensing system operably coupled to the frame and configured to selectively collect or release the one or more membranes from the frame, wherein the one or more membranes are connected to the membrane dispensing system and extend from the membrane dispensing system over the sidewalls, to support the body support platform within the one or more sidewalls, and the membrane dispensing system selectively collects or releases the membrane in order to raise or lower the body support platform within the sidewalls to a selected one of a plurality of different heights.

(45) In some embodiments, one or more edges of the one or more membranes are non-movably affixed to the frame.

(46) In some embodiments, the height of the sidewalls is continuously adjustable.

(47) Some embodiments further include a controller and one or more sidewall actuators operably coupled to the one or more adjustable-height sidewalls, wherein the controller is configured to control the one or more sidewall actuators to raise or lower the sidewalls in order to raise or lower the body support platform.

(48) Some embodiments further include a controller and one or more dispensing actuators operably coupled to the one or more membranes, wherein the controller is configured to control the dispensing actuators to collect or release the one or more membranes in order to raise or lower the body support platform.

(49) Some embodiments further include: a controller; one or more sidewall actuators operably coupled to raise and lower the one or more adjustable-height sidewalls one or more dispensing actuators operably coupled to the one or more membranes, wherein the controller is configured to control the one or more sidewall actuators and the one or more dispensing actuators to collect or release the one or more membranes in order to raise or lower the body support platform.

(50) In some embodiments the controller includes sensors to monitor safety of the occupant.

(51) In some embodiments, the sensors include one or more of: visual-light cameras, infrared cameras, infrared switches, magnetic switches, contact switches, vibration sensors, olfactory sensors, motor electric current sensors, strain sensors, and pressure sensors.

(52) In some embodiments, the controller includes a network interface device configured to elicit and receive software updates for the controller.

(53) In some embodiments the controller includes an alarm for alerting parents or caretakers.

(54) In some embodiments, the membrane includes one or more of: a fabric, a polymer sheet, and an elastomeric sheet.

(55) Some embodiments further include locking mechanisms that selectively prevent relative motion of the membrane, frame, and sidewalls.

(56) In some embodiments, the present invention provides a chair, the chair including: a frame; one or more adjustable-height sidewalls connected to the frame, wherein the sidewalls are selectively raisable to impart motion of the sidewalls relative to the membrane; a body support platform; one or more membranes connected to the body support platform, wherein one or more of the membranes extend over the sidewalls; and a means by which the outer edge of the membrane can be collected or released to impart a motion of the body support platform relative to the frame.

(57) In some embodiments, the body support platform is configured to be tilted by selective motion of: at least one of the sidewalls; or at least one of the one or more membranes; or at least one of the sidewalls and at least one of the one or more membranes.

(58) In some embodiments the present invention provides a method for providing adjustability to furniture. This method includes providing a body support platform; providing one or more adjustable-height sidewalls; providing a frame; providing a membrane dispensing system providing one or more membranes operably coupled to the membrane dispensing system suspending the body support platform from the one or more membranes by extending the membranes over the sidewalls and affixing the one or more membranes to the membrane dispensing system operably coupled to the frame; raising or lowering the body support platform by selectively collecting or releasing material of the one or more membranes from the membrane dispensing system.

(59) Some embodiments further include raising or lowering the body support platform by raising or lowering the one or more sidewalls under the one or more membranes.

(60) Some embodiments further include rotationally or laterally moving to the body support platform by selectively moving different portions of the one or more membrane by: selectively moving the sidewalls; or selectively dispensing or collecting various portions of the one or more membranes; or both selectively moving the sidewalls and selectively dispensing or collecting various portions of the one or more membranes.

(61) Some embodiments further include further automatically controlling powered actuators.

(62) Some embodiments further include monitoring an occupant of the furniture and adjusting the furniture according to a condition or orientation of the occupant.

(63) Some embodiments further include monitoring safety and wellness of an occupant and raising an alarm upon detecting a safety hazard.

(64) It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments as described herein have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, many other embodiments and changes to details will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should be, therefore, determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms including and in which are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms comprising and wherein, respectively. Moreover, the terms first, second, and third, etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.