IL167402A - Articulated elevatable bed - Google Patents

Description

Articulated elevatable bed Aminach Bedding & Furniture o>> tttl ο>ϋ>ηΐ n>¾»>n nj»ttj> Manufacturing Ltd., C. 159154 - 1 - 167402/3 ARTICULATED ELEVATABLE BED FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to beds having pivotally articulated sections for reclining one or more sections thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Articulated beds comprise one or more pivotable sections that allow a mattress associated with the bed to be folded typically into a dihedral angle, the vertex of which is transverse to the length of the bed.

Articulated beds are used, for example, to allow a person to sit up in bed, i.e. to read or eat in bed.

Various types of pivoting mechanisms are known for folding an articulated bed at a pivot section. For example, an articulated bed may be folded manually at a pivot section. In this case, the pivot section has a ratchet mechanism that allows the bed to be manually folded into a desired angle and that maintains the bed at the desired angle for as long as desired. When desired in order to unfold a bed, the ratchet mechanism is released. It is also known to use electric motors and hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms for folding and unfolding a bed at a pivot section, and for maintaining the bed at a desired dihedral angle.

An articulated bed comprises two or more pivots, dividing the bed into two or more sections. For example, a bed may comprise two pivoting sections, one pivoting section (the "hip pivot") is located in the bed so as to be beneath the hip, while a second pivoting section (the "knee pivot") is located beneath the 01591 544X39-01 - 2 - 167402/3 knees. In this particular case, the bed is divided into three sections namely, a trunk section, a thigh section and a calf and foot section. However, an articulated bed having only two pivoting sections is folded such that a first dihedral angle is formed at the hip pivot between the trunk and the thigh section while a second dihedral angle is formed at the knee pivot between the thigh and the calf and foot sections. This arrangement allows a person to sit up in bed with his legs and feet higher than his hips.

Mounted on the bed of either of the above configurations, there is a mattress, often formed with a flexible zone corresponding with the hip pivot and the knee pivot, so as to allow some flexibility of the mattress to thereby avoid excessive wear and damage to the mattress.

Also known in the art are beds fitted with a so-called "linen compartment" for storing linen and the like, said compartment being accessible by lifting the mattress or pivoting it.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bed fitted with linen compartment and a mattress formed with two or more pivotally articulated sections and wherein the lined compartment is accessible by elevating a rigid mattress support frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A bed comprising at least a first mattress having at least a first section and a second section pivotally articulated to one another by a first axis transverse to the length of the bed and located within an interior of the at least first mattress, said at least first mattress comprising at least one fixed section fixedly articulated to a rigid support frame which in turn is pivotally articulated to a bed base and is pivotable about a frame pivot axis parallel to said first axis. The bed base is formed with a base and side walls so as to form a confined space serving as a linen compartment accessible by pivotal displacement of the support frame.

According to a first embodiment of the invention the at least first mattress further comprises a third section and a corresponding second pivot, wherein the 01591544X39-01 - 3 - 167402/3 first section is a trunk and head section, the second section is a hip section and the third section is a leg section, wherein the fixed section is said hip section.

According to a modification of the first embodiment, the at least first mattress is further divided into segments and comprises four sections, wherein the leg section comprises a calf and foot section pivotally articulated to a thigh section via a corresponding third pivot.

According to another modification of the first embodiment, the first section is further divided and comprises a head section pivotally articulated to a trunk section via a corresponding fourth pivot.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided at least one actuator for pivotally displacing the at least first mattress sections with respect to one another, said actuator being one of a mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic mechanism, and wherein said actuator is received within the at least first mattress.

According to one particular design according to the present invention, the thigh and foot section is displaceable about a parallelogram mechanism articulated to the support frame, wherein said thigh and foot section is always parallel thereto.

According to a particular design, there is provided an elevating mechanism for aiding in displacement of the support frame. An elevating mechanism may be for example a hydraulic or pneumatic dampener, a spring biased lever, an electric motor, etc.

According to one particular design of the present invention, the support frame is a rigid frame of generally rectangular configuration comprising at least two rails parallely extending along the length of the bed, with one or more connecting transverse bars.

According to a specific design the support frame is pivotable between an open position allowing access to the linen compartment and a closed position, wherein at said closed position the support frame extends parallel to an upper 01591544\39-01 - 4 - 167402/3 edge of the bed base. According to still a particular design, at the closed position said support frame does not project from the upper edge of the bed base.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support frame is articulated to the bed base adjacent one end and wherein an opposite end of the support frame bears on support legs at a closed position thereof. Said support legs may be integrated with the support frame or with the bed base.

According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the support frame is articulated to the bed base by a tilt mechanism such that at the closed position a rear edge of the support frame extends adjacent a corresponding rear edge of the bed base; and at an open position of the support frame the rear edge of the support frame displaces inwards and upwards with respect to said corresponding rear edge of the bed base.

The arrangement according to the present invention is such that at any respective position of the at least first mattress, there are essentially no components that interfere or project into the confined space within the bed base.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the bed comprises a second mattress, disposed parallely adjacent to the length of the first mattress. The second mattress may comprise any of the features described above with regards to the first mattress and is similarly articulated to the rigid support frame. In this case both the first and second mattresses are engaged with the rigid support frame in such a manner that the support frame must be elevated to an open position in order to allow access to the linen compartment. However, it should be noted that the second mattress is maneuverable independent of the first mattress with the exception of the portions that are articulated to the support frame. The independent maneuverability is facilitated by the addition of separate pivot and actuating mechanisms.

A bed comprising at least a first mattress formed with at least two sections pivotally articulated to one another about a mattress axis transverse to the length of the bed and where a pivot and actuating mechanism of the first mattress sections are confined within the first mattress; at least one section being fixedly 01591544Y39-01 - 5 - 167402/3 articulated to a support frame, where said support frame is pivotally articulated to a bed base about a pivot axis parallel to said mattress axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, an embodiment will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a top and side isometric view of a bed in accordance with the present invention with the first mattress in a so-called relaxing position; Fig. 2 illustrates the bed of the present invention with the first mattress in the same position as in Fig. 1 though with the support frame elevated so as to avail access to the linen compartments; Fig. 3 illustrates the bed with the first mattress in a substantially flat position; Fig. 4 illustrates the bed with a trunk and head section thereof in an elevated position with the hip and legs position in an essentially flat position; Fig. 5 illustrates the bed in accordance with the present invention with the head and trunk and hip position in a flat position, with a side section in an inclined position and a foot and ankle position in an elevated horizontal position; Fig. 6 is a front view of the bed in the position of Fig. 3, exposing the linen compartment thereof; Fig. 7 illustrates a bed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention with a first mattress and a second mattress with the support frame elevated so as to avail access to the linen compartments; and Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the bed shown in Fig. 7 with the first mattress in the so-called relaxing position and the second mattress in a substantially flat position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a bed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention generally designated 10, 01591544\39-01 - 6 - 167402/3 comprising a first mattress generally referred to as 12, a support frame generally referred to as 14, and a bed base generally referred to as 16, serving as a linen compartment. The first mattress 12 comprises in the particular embodiment illustrated in the Figs, four sections namely, a head and trunk section 20, a hip section 22, and a leg section 23 constituted of a thigh section 24 and a calf and ankle section 26.

The sections 20 to 26 are each integrally formed with a corresponding frame section received within the mattress frame (not seen in the Figs, as it is covered by the mattress) and articulated to a neighboring mattress section such that articulation between neighboring sections takes place within a confined space of the first mattress.

The hip section 22 is fixedly attached to the support frame 14 and the calf and ankle section 26 is articulated to the support frame 14 by a parallelogram mechanism generally designated 29 (Fig. 2) comprising two parallely extending arms 30 and 32 wherein a lower end of each arm is pivotally secured at 30A and 32 A respectively to the support frame 14 and an upper end of each of the arms 30 and 32 respectively is pivotally articulated to the calf and ankle section 26 of the first mattress 12 at 30B and 32B respectively, whereby the calf and ankle mattress section 26 retains, at all respective positions of the first mattress 12, a position parallel to the support frame 14.

Pivotal displacement of the head and trunk section 20 and of the leg section 23 (constituted together of the thigh section 24 and the calf and ankle section 26) are pivotally displaced by means of an electric motor 40 extending below the thigh section 22 of the first mattress 12, said motor 40 being controlled by a control unit 42 whereby an individual may independently adjust the inclination of the head and trunk section 20 and of the thigh section 24. However, owing to the parallelogram mechanism 29 the calf and ankle section 26 changes its elevation with respect to the support frame 14 though retains a parallel state.

Thus, an individual may use the bed in any of a plurality of positions. For example, the bed may be in a sleeping position as in Fig. 3 wherein the first 01591544\39-01 - 7 - 167402/3 mattress 12 is substantially horizontally flat extending over the bed base 16 or for example in the position of Fig. 4 wherein only the head and trunk section 20 is inclined upwardly in a position suited for example for reading, watching television, eating etc., whilst the hip section 22, the thigh section 24 and the calf and ankle section 26 are horizontal flat extending over the bed base 16. However, in the position of Fig. 5, the head and trunk section 20 and the hip section 22 are flat and flat over the support frame 14 and the bed base 16 whilst the thigh section 24 is inclined and the calf and ankle section 26 is elevated above the support frame 14.

As can further be seen in particular in Fig. 2, the support frame 14 is pivotally articulated to the bed base 16 by means of an elevating mechanism 50 comprising a rear arm 52 and a front arm 54, disposed at each side of the bed. The arrangement is such that at the closed position of the support frame 14, i.e. when it is horizontal and extends flush within the bed base as in the position of Figs. 1 and 5, a rear edge 58 of the support frame 14 (Figs. 1 and 2 ) extends adjacent a corresponding rear edge 60 of the bed base 16, whilst at an open position of the support frame 14, namely at a position allowing full access to the linen compartment 76 of the bed base 16 (as in the position of Figs. 2 and 6) the support frame 14 displaces slightly inwards and upwards with respect to the corresponding rear edge 60 of the bed base 16. This arrangement is intended so as to prevent a rear edge 64 (Fig. 2) to encounter a wall (not shown) when tilting the support frame 14 into its open position. It can further be seen in Figs. 2 and 6, the bed base 16 comprises adjacent its front end 68, at each side of the bed base, a support member 72 for supporting the support frame 14 in its closed position (i.e. in the position where it extends flush within the bed base 16, e.g. in Figs. 1 and 5. Thus, when the support frame is at a closed position it extends substantially horizontally and in parallel relation to the bed base 16. Alternatively, the one or more support members may extend from the support frame 14 for engagement with a base portion of the bed box 16. 01591544X39-01 - 8 - 167402/3 It is noticed that the support frame 14 (together with the mattress 12 articulated thereto) may be pivoted into the open position regardless of the position of the mattress, as seen for example in Fig. 2.

It is further apparent from Fig. 6, that practically the entire space of the linen compartment 76 of the bed base 16 is available for storage, as substantially no articulating components of the first mattress 12 project downwardly into the linen compartment.

It is also apparent, for example from Figs. 1 and 5, that the closed position of the support frame 14, a top edge thereof 80 extends substantially flush with a top edge 82 of the bed base 16 whereby flat sections of the first mattress 12 rest over the top edge 82 of the bed base.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figs. 7 and 8, there is a bed, generally designated 90, comprising a first mattress 92 and a second mattress 94. Both the first mattress 92 and the second mattress 94 may be fixedly articulated to a rigid elongated support frame 96. The elongated support frame 96 is pivotally articulated to a elongated bed base 98. The elongated bed base 98 comprises a linen compartment 118 formed therein.

The support frame 96 may comprise of an outermost rectangular frame 97, a plurality of rigid transverse support members 114 disposed transverse to the length of each mattress and a H-shaped internal structure 116 connecting the first mattress 92 and the second mattress with the outermost sections of the support frame 96 and the rigid support members 114. The support structure further serves to support the pivot and actuating mechanisms generally designated 100.

Both the first mattress 92 and the second mattress 94 comprises, in the particular embodiment illustrated in the above stated figures, four sections namely, a head and trunk section 102, a hip section 104, and a leg section generally designated 106 constituted of a thigh section 108 and a calf and ankle section 110. Apart from the noted differences the construction, capabilities, operation and advantages of each mattress in the second embodiment may be the same as those described regarding the first mattress 12 of the first embodiment. 01591544\39-01 - 9 - 167402/3 It should be appreciated that whilst the first mattress 92 and the second mattress 94 can be simultaneously elevated by pivoting the rigid elongated support frame 96, for example, to access the linen compartment, each have separate pivot and actuating mechanisms 100 enabling independent maneuverability as demonstrated in Fig. 8. Said maneuvering of the first mattress 92 and second mattress 94 may be facilitated by at least a single control unit 112, or two control units each being dedicated to a chosen mattress.

Whilst embodiments have been shown and described with reference to the drawings, it is to be understood that it is not intended thereby to limit the disclosure, but rather it is intended to cover all embodiments, modifications and arrangements falling within the spirit and the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims, mutatis mutandis.

For example, the first mattress may comprise a different number of sections e.g. 3 sections, one of which being fixedly attached to the support frame. Alternatively, there may be provided more sections, e.g., a head portion pivotally displaced with respect to a trunk section. Furthermore, different inclination arrangements maybe provided for independently inclining each section with respect to neighboring sections, using various displacing mechanisms, e.g. an hydraulic or pneumatic, a mechanical ratchet arrangement etc. 01591544\39-01

Claims (23)

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1. A bed comprising at least a first mattress having at least a first section and a second section pivotally articulated to one another by a first axis transverse to the length of the bed and located within an interior of the first mattress, said first mattress comprising at least one fixed section fixedly articulated to a rigid support frame which in turn is pivotally articulated to a bed base and is pivotable about a frame pivot axis parallel to said first axis and where the bed base is formed with a base and side walls so as to form a confined space serving as a linen compartment accessible by pivotal displacement of the support frame.

2. A bed according to claim 1, wherein the first mattress further comprises a third section and a corresponding second axis, wherein the first section is a trunk and head section, the second section is a hip section and the third section is a leg section, wherein the fixed section is said hip section.

3. A bed according to claim 2, wherein the first mattress comprises four sections, wherein the leg section comprises a calf and ankle section pivotally articulated to a thigh section via a corresponding third axis, said third axis extending within the first mattress.

4. A bed according to claim 2, wherein the first section is further divided and comprises a head section pivotally articulated to a trunk section via a corresponding fourth axis said fourth axis extending within the first mattress.

5. A bed according to claim 1, wherein there is provided at least one actuator for pivotally displacing the first mattress sections with respect to one another, said actuator being one of a mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic mechanism.

6. A bed according to claim 5, wherein said actuator is received within the first mattress.

7. A bed according to claim 5, wherein the actuator extends below the hip section of the first mattress. 01591544\39-01 - 11 - 167402/3

8. A bed according to claim 3, wherein the calf and ankle section is displaceable about a parallelogram mechanism articulated to the support frame, wherein said calf and ankle section is always parallel to said support frame.

9. A bed according to claim 1, wherein there is provided an elevating mechanism for aiding in displacement of the support frame.

10. A bed according to claim 9, wherein the elevating mechanism may be for example a hydraulic or pneumatic dampener, a spring biased lever, an electric motor, etc.

11. A bed according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is a rigid frame of generally rectangular configuration comprising at least two rails parallely extending substantially the length of the bed, with one or more connecting transverse bars.

12. A bed according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is pivotable between an open position allowing access to a linen compartment of the bed base, and a closed position, wherein at said closed position the support frame extends parallel with an upper edge of the bed base.

13. A bed according to claim 12, wherein at the closed position the support frame does not project from the upper edge of the bed base.

14. A bed according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is articulated to the bed base adjacent one end and wherein an opposite end of the support frame bears on supports members at a closed position thereof.

15. A bed according to claim 14, wherein the support legs are integrated with the support frame.

16. A bed according to claim 14, wherein the support legs are integrated with the bed base.

17. A bed according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is articulated to the bed base by a tilt mechanism such that at a closed position a rear edge of the support frame extends adjacent a corresponding rear edge of the bed base; and at an open position of the support frame the rear edge of the support frame 01591544\39-01 - 12 - 167402/3 displaces inwards and upwards with respect to said corresponding rear edge of the bed base.

18. A bed according to claim 1, wherein at any respective position of the first mattress, there are essentially no -components that interfere or project into a confined space within the bed base.

19. A bed according to claim 1, wherein each mattress section comprises a an integral frame construction pivotally articulated with a pivot axis to a frame construction of a neighboring mattress section, said frame and pivot axis are confined within the mattress section.

20. A bed according to any of the previous claims, further comprising a second mattress, articulated to the rigid support frame, disposed parallely adjacent to the length of the first mattress, having any or all of the features of said first mattress and being maneuverable independent of the first mattress with the exception of the portions thereof that are articulated to the support frame.

21. A bed comprising at least a first mattress formed with at least two sections pivotally articulated to one another about a mattress axis transverse to the length of the bed and where a pivot axis is confined within the first mattress; at least one section being fixedly articulated to a support frame, where said support frame is pivotally articulated to a bed base about a pivot axis parallel to said mattress axis and where the bed base is formed with a base and side walls so as to form a confined space serving as a linen compartment accessible by pivotal displacement of the support frame.

22. A bed substantially as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

23. A bed as hereinbefore described in the specification and drawings. 01591544X39-01