The invention generally relates to a bed, and more particular to adjustable bed systems with a foldable connection mechanism.
Sleep is critical for people in every aspect of their lives. Beds are necessary furniture for people to sleep on. A conventional bed usually occupy a relatively large area of the living space for people, and also is not convenient to carry. Thus, it is beneficial and desirable for people to have a bed system that is foldable so as to reduce the space for storage and transportation. In addition, it is also beneficial and desirable that the bed system is capable of adjusting body positions based on user's sleep preference so that the user achieves maximum comfort during sleep.
In one aspect, the invention relates to an adjustable bed system. In one embodiment, the adjustable bed system includes a base frame structure, a back lifting assembly, a leg lifting assembly, and a foldable connection mechanism.
In one embodiment, the base frame structure has a first frame and a second frame.
The back lifting assembly includes a back lifting bracket pivotally connected to the first frame, and at least one back lifting actuator pivotally connected between the back lifting bracket and the first frame for operably driving the back lifting bracket to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction relative to the first frame.
The leg lifting assembly includes a leg lifting bracket pivotally connected to the second frame structure, and at least one leg lifting actuator pivotally connected between the leg lifting bracket and the second frame for operably driving the leg lifting bracket to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction relative to the second frame.
The foldable connection mechanism connects the first frame and the second frame such that the first frame and the second frame are pivotally foldable relative to one another at the foldable connection mechanism.
In one embodiment, each of the first and second frames includes a pair of side rails being transversely spaced and longitudinally extended and being parallel to each other, each side rail having a first end and an opposite, second end, and an upper rail and a lower rail being longitudinally spaced and transversely extended. Two ends of the upper rail are rigidly connected to the first ends of the pair of side rails, and two ends of the lower rail are rigidly connected to the second ends of the pair of side rails, such that the upper rail and the lower rail and the pair of side rails are co-planar in a rectangle form.
In one embodiment, the foldable connection mechanism comprises at least one connecting bracket comprising a top portion, and a first side portion and a second side portion vertically extended from two opposite sides of the top portion so as to define a notched receptacle between the top portion, the first side portion and the second side portion, wherein the first side portion has two through holes spatial-apart formed therein.
In one embodiment, as assembled, two connecting bracket are used, the second ends of the pair of side rails of the first frame are respectively received in the notched receptacles of the two connecting brackets and pivotally and respectively connected to the two connecting brackets through one of the two through holes of each connecting bracket, and the first ends of the pair of side rails of the second frame are respectively received in the notched receptacles of the two connecting bracket and pivotally and respectively connected to the two connecting brackets through the other of the two through holes of each connecting bracket.
In one embodiment, the connecting bracket further comprises a tab transversely extended from the second side so that the tab is parallel to the top portion, wherein the tab has a middle portion, a first flange and a second flange extended oppositely from two sides of the middle portion so that the first flange and the second flange are co-planar, and the middle potion is positioned between the first/second flange and the top portion of the connecting bracket.
In one embodiment, the middle portion of the tab has a mounting hole defined therein.
In one embodiment, the at least one back lifting actuator comprises a motor member, an outer tube extending from the motor member, and an activation rod having a first end portion received in the outer tube and an opposite, second end portion, wherein the activation rod is engaged with the motor member and configured to be telescopically movable relative to the outer tube according to a direction of motor rotation, wherein the motor member is pivotally connected to the first frame and the second end portion of the activation rod pivotally connected to the back lifting bracket, or wherein the motor member is pivotally connected to the back lifting bracket and the second end portion of the activation rod pivotally connected to the first frame.
In one embodiment, the at least one leg lifting actuator comprises the at least one back lifting actuator comprises a motor member, an outer tube extending from the motor member, and an activation rod having a first end portion received in the outer tube and an opposite, second end portion, wherein the activation rod is engaged with the motor member and configured to be telescopically movable relative to the outer tube according to a direction of motor rotation, wherein the motor member is pivotally connected to the second frame and the second end portion of the activation rod pivotally connected to the leg lifting bracket, or wherein the motor member is pivotally connected to the leg lifting bracket and the second end portion of the activation rod pivotally connected to the second frame.
In one embodiment, the adjustable bed system also includes a plurality of platforms disposed on the base frame structure and coupled with the back lifting assembly and the leg lifting assembly such that positions of at least one or more of the plurality of platforms are adjustable in accordance with operations of the back lifting assembly and the leg lifting assembly.
In one embodiment, said at least one or more of the plurality of platforms have a plurality of openings.
In one embodiment, the plurality of platforms comprises at least one seat platform and mounted on the two side rails of the base frame structure, a back platform coupled to the back lifting assembly, such that the back platform is operably rotatable around its lower edge in a back platform downward rotating direction or a back platform upward rotating direction, and a thigh platform and a leg platform coupled to the led lifting assembly, such that the thigh platform is rotatable around its upper edge in a thigh platform downward rotating direction or a thigh platform upward rotating direction, and the leg platform is rotatable around its upper edge in a leg platform downward rotating direction or a led platform upward rotating direction.
In one embodiment, the adjustable bed system further includes at least one leg support member having one end pivotally connected to at least one of the pair of side rails of the second frame through a pivot, and the other end coupled to the leg platform.
In one embodiment, the adjustable bed system also includes a controller configured to control operations of the at least one back lifting actuator and the at least one leg lifting actuator, respectively, so as to lift individually or cooperatively the back platform, the thigh platform, and the leg platform in desired positions.
These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.
The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment.
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting and/or capital letters has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term are the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted and/or in capital letters. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting,” etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on,” “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” to another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on the “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of lower and upper, depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprise(s)” and/or “comprising,” or “include(s)” and/or “including” or “has (have)” and/or “having” or “contain(s)” and/or “containing” when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
As used herein, “around,” “about,” “substantially” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the terms “around,” “about,” “substantially” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.
As used in this specification, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical OR. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The description below is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention includes particular examples, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the invention.
The description will be made as to the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
Referring to
In this exemplary embodiment shown
The first frame 110 includes a pair of side rails 111 and 112 being transversely spaced and longitudinally extended and being parallel to each other, and an upper rail 113 and a lower rail 114 being longitudinally spaced and transversely extended. Each side rail 111/112 has a first end and an opposite, second end. Two ends of the upper rail 113 are rigidly connected to the first ends of the pair of side rails 111 and 112, respectively, and two ends of the lower rail 114 are rigidly connected to the second ends of the pair of side rails 111 and 112, respectively. As such the upper rail 113 and the lower rail 114 and the pair of side rails 111 and 112 are co-planar in a rectangle form. In addition, the first frame 110 may optionally include a middle rail 115 locating between the upper rail 113 and the lower rail 114, and having two ends being rigidly connected to the pair of side rails 111 and 112. Optionally, the first frame 110 may also have a plurality of frame reinforcement bars 116a, 116b, 116c and 116d being rigidly connected to the lower rail 114 and the middle rail 115, as shown in
The second frame 120 includes a pair of side rails 121 and 122 being transversely spaced and longitudinally extended and being parallel to each other, and an upper rail 123 and a lower rail 124 being longitudinally spaced and transversely extended. Each side rail 121/112 has a first end and an opposite, second end. Two ends of the upper rail 123 are rigidly connected to the first ends of the pair of side rails 121 and 122, respectively, and two ends of the lower rail 124 are rigidly connected to the second ends of the pair of side rails 121 and 122, respectively. As such, the upper rail 123 and the lower rail 124 and the pair of side rails 121 and 122 are co-planar in a rectangle form.
The back lifting assembly 103 includes a back lifting bracket 130 pivotally connected to the first frame 110, and at least one back lifting actuator 140 pivotally connected between the back lifting bracket 130 and the first frame 110 for operably driving the back lifting bracket 130 to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction relative to the first frame 110.
In this exemplary embodiment shown
In some embodiments, the back lifting bracket may be designed in other forms. For example, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/729,700, filed Dec. 30, 2019, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, the back lifting bracket has a middle bar and a pair of swing arms. The pair of swing arms is transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to ends of the transversely extending middle bar in an H-shaped form. Each of the pair of swing arms has a first end portion and an opposite, second end portion, where the first end portions of the pair of swing arms are pivotally connected to the two side rails of the first frame, respectively.
In this exemplary embodiment shown
The leg lifting assembly 105 includes a leg lifting bracket 150 pivotally connected to the second frame structure 120, and at least one leg lifting actuator 160 pivotally connected between the leg lifting bracket 150 and the second frame 120 for operably driving the leg lifting bracket 150 to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction relative to the second frame 120.
In this exemplary embodiment shown
The second lifting bracket 155 has two arms 156a and 156b and a reinforcement bar 157 being transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, an upper bar 158a and a lower bar 158b being longitudinally spaced and transversely extended. The first ends of the two arms 156a and 156b are pivotally connected to the second ends of the two arms 152a and 152b of the first lifting bracket 151, respectively. The second ends of the two arms 156a and 156b are rigidly connected to the lower bar 158b. The upper bar 158a is rigidly connected to the two arms 156a and 156b at positions proximal to the first ends of the two arms 156a and 156b, and the reinforcement bar 157 is rigidly connected to the middles of the upper bar 158a and the lower bar 158b.
In some embodiments, the leg lifting bracket may be designed in other forms. For example, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/729,700, filed Dec. 30, 2019, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, the back lifting bracket has a middle bar and a pair of swing arms. The pair of swing arms is transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to ends of the transversely extending middle bar in an H-shaped form. Each of the pair of swing arms has a first end portion and an opposite, second end portion, where the first end portions of the pair of swing arms are pivotally connected to the two side rails of the first frame, respectively.
In this exemplary embodiment shown
In some embodiments, the motor member 161 may be pivotally connected to the leg lifting bracket 130 and the second end portion of the activation rod 163 pivotally connected to the second frame 120.
In this exemplary embodiment shown
As shown
In addition, the connecting bracket 170 further comprises a tab 176 transversely extended from the second side 175 so that the tab 176 is parallel to the top portion 174. The tab 176 has a middle portion 176a, a first flange 177 and a second flange 178 extended oppositely from two sides of the middle portion 176a so that the first flange 177 and the second flange 178 are co-planar, and the middle potion 176a is positioned between the first/second flange 177/178 and the top portion 174 of the connecting bracket 170. The middle portion 176a of the tab 176 may a mounting hole 179 defined therein.
As shown in
As shown in
Such design of the connecting bracket 170 also allows the first and second frames 110 and 120 to be pivotally foldable relative to one another at the pivots 171 and 172, respectively, so as to reduce the space for storage and transportation.
In addition, as shown in
The plurality of platforms 180 includes two seat platform 182 and 183 mounted on the two side rails of the first frame 110 and/or the second frame 120 of the base frame structure 101.
The plurality of platforms 180 also includes a back platform 181 coupled to the back lifting assembly 103, such that the back platform 181 is operably rotatable around its lower edge in a back platform downward rotating direction or a back platform upward rotating direction.
The plurality of platforms 180 further includes a thigh platform 184 and a leg platform 185 coupled to the led lifting assembly 105. Specifically, the thigh platform 184 and the leg platform 185 are respectively coupled to the first leg lifting bracket 151 and the second leg lifting bracket 155, such that the thigh platform 184 is rotatable around its upper edge in a thigh platform downward rotating direction or a thigh platform upward rotating direction, and the leg platform 185 is rotatable around its upper edge in a leg platform downward rotating direction or a led platform upward rotating direction.
In one embodiment, the adjustable bed system further at least one leg support member 195 having one end pivotally connected to at least one of the pair of side rails of the second frame 120 through a pivot 196, and the other end coupled to the leg platform 185. Operably, there are a pair of leg support members 195 supporting the leg platform 185 when the leg platform 185 is lifted after the thigh platform 184 is lifted.
Furthermore, the adjustable bed system also includes a controller (not shown) configured to control operations of the at least one back lifting actuator 140 and the at least one leg lifting actuator 160, respectively, so as to lift individually or cooperatively the back platform 181, the thigh platform 184, and the leg platform 185 in desired positions, as shown in
In sum, the invention provides a bed system that is capable of adjusting body positions based on user's sleep preference so that the user achieves maximum comfort during sleep, and also is foldable so as to reduce the space for storage and transportation.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/796,154, and 62/796,172, both filed Jan. 24, 2019, which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference. This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/729,700, filed Dec. 30, 2019, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/789,062 filed Jan. 7, 2019, 62/789,047 filed Jan. 7, 2019, and 62/790,583 filed Jan. 10, 2019, which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200214462 A1 | Jul 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16729700 | Dec 2019 | US |
Child | 16747704 | US |