This invention relates generally to bedding products and, more particularly, to a motorized adjustable bed base.
Conventional adjustable bed bases often have a stationary frame supported by leg assemblies. Such adjustable bed bases typically include a deck supported by the stationary frame. The deck supports a mattress. The deck usually comprises multiple deck members hinged together. One of the deck members, commonly a seat deck member, is commonly fixedly secured to the stationary frame. A head deck member is typically hinged to the seat deck member. A first motorized linear actuator inclines the front end of the head deck member so a user may sit up and read or watch television in an inclined position.
A leg deck member is commonly hinged to the stationary seat deck member and a foot deck member hinged to the leg deck member. A second motorized linear actuator serves to incline the leg and foot deck members around a person's knees for comfort.
One drawback to such common adjustable bed bases is that the head deck member articulated deck is either horizontal (when the deck members are aligned) or inclined. There is no mechanism to decline the head deck member. Similarly, the thigh deck member is either horizontal (when the deck members are aligned) or inclined. There is no mechanism to decline the thigh deck member.
Persons who sleep on their stomach may desire a curved sleeping surface such that the head and foot ends of the sleeping surface are below the middle portion of the sleeping surface. Other health conditions or situations may require that a person's head and/or feet is below his/her midsection.
In view of the above, there is a need for an adjustable bed base having head and foot platform sections which may be declined as well as inclined relative to a stationary middle platform second. There is further a need for an adjustable bed base which is capable of declining opposite ends of the articulated platform of the adjustable bed base when desired.
It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide an adjustable bed base having head and foot platform section which may be declined relative to a raised middle platform section.
It is further an objective of this invention to provide an adjustable bed base having an articulated platform comprising three pieces, a stationary middle piece being raised relative to a frame.
According to one aspect of the invention, an adjustable bed base comprises a generally rectangular stationary frame having opposed side rails, a head rail and a foot rail. Legs which may or may not be adjustable in height are secured to the stationary frame for supporting the stationary frame.
The adjustable bed base further comprises a riser secured to the stationary frame. In one embodiment, the riser comprises two cross members secured to the side rails of the stationary frame and extending between the side rails of the stationary frame. This version of riser further comprises stubs extending upwardly from the cross members of the riser and braces extending between the stubs. The braces extend parallel to the side rails of the stationary frame.
In another embodiment, the riser comprises two arched members secured to the side rails of the stationary frame.
The adjustable bed base further comprises an articulated platform comprising a head platform section, a seat platform section and a foot platform section hinged together. The seat platform section is secured to the riser such that the seat platform section is stationary above the stationary frame. In one embodiment, each of the platform sections is a solid member made of either wood or plastic. In other embodiments, each of the platform sections comprises linear segments of metal welded together.
The adjustable bed base further comprises a front pusher assembly for inclining the head platform section. The front pusher assembly comprises two arms. Each of the arms is pivotally secured to one of the side rails of the stationary frame. A wheel is attached to an end of each of the arms. The front pusher assembly further comprises a lower stabilizer extending between the arms and an upper stabilizer extending between the arms. The front pusher assembly further comprises a front linear actuator having a first end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the lower stabilizer of the front pusher assembly and a second end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the head rail of the stationary frame.
The adjustable bed base further comprises a rear pusher assembly for inclining the foot platform section. The rear pusher assembly comprises two links. Each of the links is pivotally secured to one of the side rails of the stationary frame. A wheel is attached to an end of each of the links. The rear pusher assembly further comprises a lower stabilizer extending between the links and an upper stabilizer extending between the links. The rear pusher assembly further comprises a rear linear actuator having a first end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the lower stabilizer of the rear pusher assembly and a second end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the rear rail of the stationary frame.
The linear actuators are preferably motorized. The articulated deck is generally U-shaped when the linear actuators are retracted. The maximum incline or tilt occurs when the linear actuator is fully extended.
Worded another way, the adjustable bed base comprises a stationary frame having opposed side rails, a head rail and a foot rail. Legs, which may or may not be adjustable in height, support the stationary frame.
The adjustable bed base further comprises a riser secured to the stationary frame.
The adjustable bed base further comprises an articulated platform comprising a stationary seat platform section secured to the riser, a head platform section hinged to one side of the stationary seat platform section and a foot platform section hinged to the other side of the stationary seat platform section. In one embodiment, each of the platform sections is a solid member made of either wood or plastic. In other embodiments, each of the platform sections comprises linear segments of metal welded together.
The adjustable bed base further comprises a front pusher assembly for inclining the head platform section. The front pusher assembly comprises two arms. A wheel is attached to a first end of each of the arms. A second end of each of the arms is pivotally secured to one of the side rails of the stationary frame. The front pusher assembly further comprises a lower stabilizer extending between the arms and an upper stabilizer extending between the arms. The front pusher assembly further comprises a front linear actuator having a first end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the lower stabilizer of the front pusher assembly and a second end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the head rail of the stationary frame.
The adjustable bed base further comprises a rear pusher assembly for inclining the foot platform section. The rear pusher assembly comprises two links. Each of the links has a first end to which a wheel is attached and a second end pivotally secured to one of the side rails of the stationary frame. The rear pusher assembly further comprises a lower stabilizer extending between the links and an upper stabilizer extending between the links. The rear pusher assembly further comprises a rear linear actuator having a first end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the lower stabilizer of the rear pusher assembly and a second end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the rear rail of the stationary frame.
Worded yet another way, the adjustable bed base comprises a stationary frame having opposed side rails, a head rail and a foot rail. Legs, which may or may not be adjustable in height, support the stationary frame.
The adjustable bed base further comprises a riser secured to the side rails of the stationary frame. The adjustable bed base further comprises a stationary seat platform section secured to the riser, a head platform section hinged to one side of the stationary seat platform section and a foot platform section hinged to the other side of the stationary seat platform section. In one embodiment, each of the platform sections is a solid member made of either wood or plastic. In other embodiments, each of the platform sections comprises linear segments of metal welded together.
The adjustable bed base further comprises a front pusher assembly for inclining the head platform section. The front pusher assembly comprises two arms. A wheel is attached to a first end of each of the arms. A second end of each of the arms is pivotally secured to one of the side rails of the stationary frame. The front pusher assembly further comprises a lower stabilizer extending between the arms. The front pusher assembly further comprises a front linear actuator having a first end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the lower stabilizer of the front pusher assembly and a second end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the head rail of the stationary frame.
The adjustable bed base further comprises a rear pusher assembly for inclining the foot platform section. The rear pusher assembly comprises two links. Each of the links has a first end to which a wheel is attached and a second end pivotally secured to one of the side rails of the stationary frame. The rear pusher assembly further comprises a lower stabilizer extending between the links. The rear pusher assembly further comprises a rear linear actuator having a first end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the lower stabilizer of the rear pusher assembly and a second end pivotally secured to a mounting bracket secured to the rear rail of the stationary frame.
The head and foot platform sections are declined when the front and rear linear actuators are fully retracted or in their home positions.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the summary of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the drawings given below, explain the principles of the present invention.
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The stationary frame 18 further comprises two cross rails 28 secured to the side rails 26 of the stationary frame 18, each cross rail 28 extending between the side rails 26 of the stationary frame 18. Although the drawings show each of the cross rails 28 having a hollow interior and being a certain size and/or shape, the drawings are not intended to be limiting. Although the stationary frame 18 is typically made of metal, it may be made of any known material.
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Although two hinges are shown securing adjacent platform sections, any other number of hinges may be used. The seat platform section 42 has a front edge 43 closest to the head platform section 48 and a rear edge 45 closest to the foot platform section 48.
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The adjustable bed base 12a has a stationary frame 12a similar to stationary frame 12 described above. One principal difference in the stationary frame 12a compared to the stationary frame 12 is that the cross rails 28a are larger than cross rails 28.
The adjustable bed base 12a has two risers 30a, each being an arcuate or curved member(s) secured to one of the side rails 26 of stationary frame 12a. Each riser 30a may be made of any number of pieces joined together in any known manner including welding.
The adjustable bed base 12a has a front pusher assembly 54a similar to the front pusher assembly 54 described above. The principal difference between the front pusher assembly 54a compared to the front pusher assembly 54 is that the wheels 60 of front pusher assembly 54a are outside, rather than inside of the arms 56. The motorized front linear actuator 74 and associated mounting brackets 78, 76 are the same.
The adjustable bed base 12a has a rear pusher assembly 80a similar to the rear pusher assembly 80 described above. The principal difference between the rear pusher assembly 80a compared to the rear pusher assembly 80 is that the wheels 68 of rear pusher assembly 80a are outside, rather than inside of the links 82. The motorized rear linear actuator 100 and associated mounting brackets 102, 104 are the same.
The adjustable bed base 12a further comprises an articulating platform 40a comprising a seat platform section 42a secured to the risers 30a and does not move when the platform 40a is articulated. See
The head platform section 44a has two ramps 118 on which the wheels 60 of the front pusher assembly 54a ride to move the head platform section 44a relative to the stationary seat platform section 42a. Similarly, the foot platform section 48a has two ramps 120 on which the wheels 68 of the rear pusher assembly 80a ride to move the foot platform section 48a relative to the stationary seat platform section 42a.
The head platform section 44a is not a solid member but rather a plurality of metal segments or pieces welded or otherwise joined together with gaps 122 therebetween. The segments include outer perimeter segment 124, inner perimeter segment 126 and side perimeter segments 128 which together define the size of the head platform section 44a. The hinges 46a are secured to the inner perimeter segment 126 of the head platform section 44a and to the head perimeter segment 136 of the seat platform section 42a described below. The ramps 118 are parallel to the side perimeter segments 128 and extend between an intermediate segment 130 and the inner perimeter segment 126. A ramp segment 119 extends between the ramps 118. Additional segments 132 extend between one of the ramps 118 and one of the side perimeter segments 128. Secondary segments 134 extend between the outer perimeter segment 124 and the intermediate segment 130.
The seat platform section 42a is not a solid member but rather a plurality of metal segments or pieces welded or otherwise joined together with gaps 122 therebetween. The segments include a head perimeter segment 136, a foot perimeter segment 138 and side perimeter segments 140 which together define the size of the seat platform section 42a. The hinges 46a are secured to the head perimeter segment 136. The seat platform section 42a further comprises interior segments 142 arranged in one pattern but not intended to be limited to the pattern shown.
The foot platform section 48a is not a solid member but rather a plurality of metal segments or pieces welded or otherwise joined together with gaps 122 therebetween. The segments include outer perimeter segment 224, inner perimeter segment 226 and side perimeter segments 228 which together define the size of the foot platform section 48a. The hinges 50a are secured to the inner perimeter segment 226 of the foot platform section 48a and to the foot perimeter segment 138 of the seat platform section 42a described above. The ramps 120 are parallel to the side perimeter segments 228 and extend between an intermediate segment 230 and the inner perimeter segment 226. A ramp segment 121 extends between ramps 120. Additional segments 232 extend between one of the ramps 120 and one of the side perimeter segments 228. Secondary segments 234 extend between the outer perimeter segment 224 and the intermediate segment 230.
Any of the platform segment patterns shown are not intended to be limiting for any of the platform segments, as long as the weight of the platform segments is reduced while still maintaining the requisite strength of the platform segment.
The various embodiments of the invention shown and described are merely for illustrative purposes only, as the drawings and the description are not intended to restrict or limit in any way the scope of the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate various changes, modifications, and improvements which can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and representative apparatus and methods shown and described. Departures may therefore be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept. The invention resides in each individual feature described herein, alone, and in all combinations of any and all of those features. Accordingly, the scope of the invention shall be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.