Patients residing in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities usually require beds that include moveable head end and foot end sections of the sleep surface. The head end section has an adjustable portion that can be raised up when the bed is assembled, to raise the patient's head. The foot end section has an adjustable portion that can be raised up when the bed is assembled, to raise the patient's knees. The sleep surface and related components are attached to a frame which provides a rigid supporting structure. Also attached to the frame are the components for elevating or tilting the bed frame relative to the support surface. These beds typically utilize multiple manual crank devices or electric actuators to provide separate elevating movement of the head end and foot end sections of the sleep surface and also to raise, lower or tilt the entire frame and sleep surface relative to the support surface.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present application describes an exemplary bed platform frame including first and second support frame assemblies, each including a pair of spaced apart rails, a cross member extending between the pair of spaced apart rails, and an actuator support member coupled to the cross member. The spaced apart rails of the first support frame assembly are connected to the spaced apart rails of the second support frame assembly when the first support frame assembly is assembled with the second support frame assembly. The actuator support member of the first support frame assembly is coupled to the cross member of the second support frame assembly when the first support frame assembly is assembled with the second support frame assembly. The actuator support member of the second support frame assembly is coupled to the cross member of the first support frame assembly when the first support frame assembly is assembled with the second support frame assembly.
The present application also describes exemplary embodiments of beds and bed platform frames including a first actuator for moving a first moveable mattress support between a substantially flat position and an elevated position, and a second actuator for moving a second moveable mattress support between a substantially flat position and an elevated position. In one such exemplary embodiment, the first and second actuators are electrically powered actuators. In another exemplary embodiment, the first actuator is an electrically powered actuator and the second actuator is a manually operated mechanical linking actuator. In still another exemplary embodiment, a bed or bed platform frame is configurable for independent actuation of first and second mattress supports when a powered actuator is coupled to the second movable mattress support, and configurable for linked actuation of the first and second mattress supports when a linking actuator is coupled to the first movable mattress support and to the second movable mattress support.
In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to provide examples of the principles of this invention.
This Detailed Description merely describes embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as claimed is broader than and unlimited by the preferred embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.
As described herein, when one or more components are described as being connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection may be direct as between the components or may be indirect such as through the use of one or more intermediary components. Also as described herein, reference to a “member,” “component,” or “portion” shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, or element but can include an assembly of components, members or elements.
The bed platform 12 can take a wide variety of different forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the bed platform 12 includes first and second platform sections that are assembled together, such as a head end platform section 20, and a foot end platform section 22. The head end platform section 20 and the foot end platform section 22 can take a wide variety of different forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the head end platform section 20 includes a head end support frame assembly 24, a head end moveable mattress support 26, and a head end actuator 28. The illustrated foot end platform section 22 includes a foot end support frame assembly 34, a foot end moveable mattress support 36, and a foot end actuator 38 (see
The head end and foot end support frame assemblies 24, 34 can take a wide variety of different forms. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the head end support frame assembly 24 includes a pair of spaced apart rails 40, first and second cross members 42, 44 extending between the pair of spaced apart rails 40, and an actuator support member 46 (see
The spaced apart rails 40 of the head end support frame assembly 24 are connected to the spaced apart rails 50 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 when the head end platform section 20 is assembled with the foot end platform section 22. The rails 40 of the head end support frame assembly 24 can be connected to the rails 50 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 in a wide variety of different ways. For example, the rails 40, 50 can be assembled with any type of fastening or connecting arrangement or the rails 40, 50 can telescopically engage one another. For example, referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator support member 46 of the head end support frame assembly 24 is coupled to the cross member 52 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 when the head end platform section 20 is assembled with the foot end platform section 22. In another embodiment, the actuator support member 46 of the head end support frame assembly 24 is coupled to a member other than the cross member 52 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 when the head end platform section 20 is assembled with the foot end platform section 22. In another embodiment, the actuator support member 46 of the head end support frame assembly 24 is not coupled to any member of the foot end support frame assembly 34 when the head end platform section 20 is assembled with the foot end platform section 22.
The actuator support member 46 of the head end support frame assembly 24 may be coupled to the cross member 52 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 in a wide variety of different ways. Examples of suitable coupling arrangements include, but are not limited to, fasteners, such as pins, nuts, bolts, etc., quick connect arrangements, and telescoping arrangements. The actuator support member 46 of the head end support frame assembly 24 may be directly coupled to the cross member 52 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 or indirectly coupled to the cross member 52 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 by one or more intermediate members.
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated by
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated by
In the illustrated embodiments, the actuator support member 56 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 is coupled to the cross member 42 of the head end support frame assembly 24 when the head end platform section 20 is assembled with the foot end platform section 22. In another embodiment, the actuator support member 56 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 is coupled to a member other than the cross member 42 of the head end support frame assembly 24 when the head end platform section 20 is assembled with the foot end platform section 22. In another embodiment, the actuator support member 56 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 is not coupled to any member of the head end support frame assembly 24 when the head end platform section 20 is assembled with the foot end platform section 22.
The actuator support member 56 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 may be coupled to the cross member 42 of the head end support frame assembly 24 in a wide variety of different ways. Examples of suitable coupling arrangements include, but are not limited to, fasteners, such as pins, nuts, bolts, etc., quick connect arrangements, and telescoping arrangements. The actuator support member 56 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 may be directly coupled to the cross member 42 of the head end support frame assembly 24 or indirectly coupled to the cross member 42 of the head end support frame assembly 24 by one or more intermediate members (e.g., a coupling member 58, as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated by
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated by
The head end moveable mattress support 26 can take a wide variety of different forms. Any structure capable of supporting and positioning a head end of a mattress (not shown) can be used as the head end moveable mattress support 26. The head end moveable mattress support 26 can be coupled to the head end support frame assembly 24 in a wide variety of different ways. Any coupling that allows the head end moveable mattress support 26 to be moved between a neutral position (which may, but need not, be substantially flat, see
In the illustrated embodiment, the head end moveable mattress support 26 comprises a u-shaped outer frame 110 and mattress support slats 112 extending across the frame 110. A head end actuator mounting bracket 113 is mounted to the back side of the mattress support slats 112. End portions 114 of the frame 110 are pivotally connected to the head end support frame assembly 24 at pivot connections 116. As such, the head end moveable mattress support 26 can pivot between the elevated position shown by
The foot end moveable mattress support 36 can take a wide variety of different forms. Any structure capable of supporting and positioning a foot end of a mattress (not shown) can be used as the foot end moveable mattress support 36. The foot end moveable mattress support 36 can be coupled to the foot end support frame assembly 34 in a wide variety of different ways. Any coupling that allows the foot end moveable mattress support 36 to be moved between a neutral position (See
In the illustrated embodiment, the foot end moveable mattress support 36 includes two sections 120, 122 that are pivotally connected together. Referring to
The head end actuator 28 can take a wide variety of different forms. Any arrangement capable of moving the head end moveable mattress support 26 between the neutral position (see
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the head end actuator 28 is coupled to the actuator support member 46 of the head end support frame assembly 24 and to the head end moveable mattress support 26 for moving the head end moveable mattress support 26 between the neutral position (see
Referring to
The foot end actuator 38 can take a wide variety of different forms. Any arrangement capable of moving the foot end moveable mattress support 36 between the neutral position (see
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the foot end actuator 38 is coupled to the actuator support member 56 of the foot end support frame assembly 34 and to the foot end moveable mattress support 36 for moving the foot end moveable mattress support 36 between the neutral position (see
Referring to
The base 14 supports the bed platform 12 above the support surface 16. The base 14 can take a wide variety of different forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 14 is configured to raise and lower the bed platform 12 with respect to the support surface 16. The base 14 can be configured to raise and lower the bed platform 12 with respect to the support surface 16 in a wide variety of different ways. Any lift mechanism can be used.
In the illustrated embodiment, the base 14 includes a scissor lift mechanism 600. The scissor lift mechanism includes a bottom support frame 602, a first pair of support legs 604, a second pair of support legs 606, and an extendable and retractable actuator 608. The bottom support frame 602 is optionally supported on the support surface 16 by wheels 610, such as casters. The first pair of support legs 604 are pivotably connected to the second pair of support legs 606 at a pivot connection 620, such that the legs 604, 606 farm a crossed or “scissor” configuration. A lower end 630 of the first pair of legs 604 is pivotably connected to the bottom support frame 602 at a pivot connection 632. An upper end 634 is slidably coupled to a track 636 that is connected to the bed platform 12. An upper end 640 of the second pair of legs 606 is pivotably connected to the bed platform at a pivot connection 642. A lower end 644 is slidably coupled to a track 646 that is connected to the bottom support frame. The extendable and retractable actuator 608 is coupled between the bottom support frame 602 and the second pair of legs 606, such that when the actuator extends the bed platform 12 raises and when the actuator retracts the bed platform lowers. However, actuator can be configured in other manners. For example, the actuator 608 can be coupled between upper or lower portions of the legs 604, 606, such that extension lowers the bed platform 12 and retraction raises the bed platform.
An adjustable bed, as described herein, may include an adjustment control system operable to independently adjust head and foot end moveable mattress supports, for example, for separate tilting adjustment of the head and foot end sections of the mattress. As one example, an adjustable bed including separate head end and foot end actuators (e.g. hand crank actuators, electromechanical actuators, etc.) may include a controller having one or more controls (e.g., buttons, switches, hand cranks, etc.) for separately operating the head and foot end actuators for selective adjustment of the corresponding head and foot end sections of the mattress. Additionally or alternatively, an adjustable bed including separate head end and foot end actuators may include a controller having controls (e.g., buttons, switches, hand cranks, etc.) for simultaneously or synchronously operating the head and foot end actuators for simultaneous or synchronous adjustment of the corresponding head and foot end sections of the mattress. In one such example, an adjustable bed may be configured such that the head and foot end sections simultaneously or synchronously adjust in a predetermined relationship in response to user operation of a control component. For example, an angular adjustment of the head section of X degrees from a neutral (e.g., horizontal, flat, or low elevation/incline) position may be configured to correspond with an angular adjustment of the foot section of Y degrees from a neutral (e.g., horizontal, flat, or low elevation/incline) position. As one example, an adjustment control system may be configured to raise or incline the foot end section of the mattress when the head end section is raised, to prevent an occupant of the bed from sliding down the inclined head end section of the bed.
In an exemplary embodiment, an adjustment control system for synchronously operating adjustable head and foot end sections of a bed includes an electronic control circuit programmed to power electromechanical head and foot end actuators for a predetermined output (e.g., torque, duration, etc.) to position the head and foot end sections in desired angled positions in response to user operation of one or more controls. The adjustment control system may, for example, utilize one or more limit switches to terminate power to the electromechanical head and foot end actuators when the desired angled positions of the head and foot end sections have been reached. Additionally or alternatively, power to the electromechanical head and foot end actuators may be terminated by user operation of the one or more controls.
In another exemplary embodiment, a first end actuator (e.g., one of the head and foot end actuators) may comprise a powered actuator (e.g., control-driven electromechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic or hand crank mechanical actuator) that adjusts a corresponding first end section (e.g., the corresponding one of the head and foot end sections), and a second end actuator (e.g., the other of the head end and foot end actuators) may comprise a linking actuator (e.g., cable and pulley arrangement, pivotally connected bar linkage, gear driven arrangement) mechanically connected with the first end section for automatic operation of the second end section in response to movement of the first end section. The linking arrangement may be configured to adjust the second end section in a predetermined relationship with the adjustment of the first end section by the first end actuator.
While the first and second adjustable sections 420, 430 may be provided in many different configurations, in the illustrated example, the first end section 420 includes a single pivoting member (e.g., to provide an inclined head end section for and adjustable bed) and the second section 430 includes inner/proximal and outer/distal pivoting members 432, 434 pivotally connected to each other at pivot connection 436 to allow for a centrally elevated section (e.g., to accommodate the contours of raised legs with bent knees). In the illustrated embodiment, the linking actuator 450 is connected to the outer pivoting member 434 of the second section, such that movement of the first end section 420 transmits tension through the linking actuator 450 to pull the outer pivoting member 434 towards the first end section, forcing the second end section 430 to “fold” upward about the pivot connection 435, as shown in
The linking actuator may include many different mechanical linkage mechanisms. In an exemplary embodiment, the linking actuator includes a cable having a first end connected to the first end section and a second end connected to the second end section. One or more pulleys or other such cable directing members may be utilized to direct the cable linkage such that movement of the first end section from a first position to a second position applies tension to the cable to pull the second end section from a first position to a second position.
While the cable 320′ and cable directing members 224′, 226′ may be positioned proximate either side of the bed 10′, in the illustrated embodiment, the cable 320′ and cable directing members 224′, 226′ are positioned along a central portion of the bed under the head and foot sections of the bed. The first end 321′ of the exemplary cable 320′ extends from the head end actuator mounting bracket 113′ under the second pulley 226′ (or below an axis defined by the pivot points of the first and second pulleys 224′, 226′) to engage an under side of the pulley 226′, such that raising the head end mattress support 26′ applies a pulling force on the cable 320′. The portion of the cable between the second pulley 226′ and the foot end cable mounting bracket 115′ extends over the first pulley 224′ (or above an axis defined by the pivot points of the first and second pulleys 224′, 226′) to engage an upper side of the pulley 224′, such that when the head end mattress support 26′ applies a pulling force on the cable 320′, the second end 322′ of the cable pulls the foot end cable mounting bracket 115′ and the first section 120′ of the foot end mattress support 36′ to pivot the first and second sections 120′, 122′ of the foot end mattress support 36′ about the pivot connections 146′, 148′.
To move the exemplary adjustable bed 10′ from the neutral or flat position (as shown in
To move the exemplary adjustable bed 10′ from the elevated or inclined position to the neutral or flat position, for example, by user operation of a controller (shown schematically at 90′ in
In another embodiment (not shown), an adjustable bed may include a powered foot end actuator and a mechanical linking head end actuator (e.g., a cable or other such arrangement), connected with a foot end mattress support and with a head end mattress support. In an exemplary embodiment, a linking actuator includes a cable and one or more pulleys or other such cable directing components utilized to direct the cable linkage such that movement of the first end section from a first position to a second position causes the cable linkage to pull the second end section from a first position to a second position.
According to another aspect of the present application, an adjustable bed having first and second adjustable end sections may be configured to facilitate modification between a first, single powered actuator configuration (e.g., the exemplary configurations of
Many different types of adjustable bed assemblies may be arranged to provide for the first and second configurations described above. In one embodiment, an adjustable bed with a linking actuator connecting first and second end sections may include additional structure (e.g., brackets or other attachment points) configured to accommodate one or more additional actuator configurations, including for example, additional powered actuator mounts configured to accommodate a second powered actuator that may supplement or replace an initially installed linking actuator.
Referring back to
The exemplary adjustable bed 10′ of
To reconfigure the adjustable bed 10′ of
Conversely, to reconfigure an adjustable bed 10′ with a dual powered actuator adjustment arrangement to utilize a single powered head end actuator 28′, the powered foot end actuator 38′ is disconnected from the power source and/or is detached from the first and/or second powered foot end actuator mounts 57′, 124′, to disable independent powered actuation of the foot end mattress support 36′. One of the cable ends 321′, 322′ is connected to the head actuator mounting bracket 113′, the cable 320 is guided through the bed assembly (e.g., engaging first and second pulleys 224′, 226′), and the other of the cable ends 321′, 322′ is connected to the foot end cable mounting bracket 115′. Subsequent actuation of the powered actuator 28′ pivots the head end mattress support 26′, which drives the foot end mattress support 36′, as described above.
In another exemplary embodiment (not shown), an adjustable bed may additionally or alternatively include a head end section with both powered actuator attachment structure and mechanical linkage attachment structure, to allow modification between a dual power actuator end section adjustment arrangement and a single foot end powered actuator arrangement. In one such example, an adjustable bed includes an actuator support member having a first powered head end actuator mount (e.g., a mounting hole or other interface) for attachment with a first end (e.g., an electric motor) of a powered head end actuator and a head end actuator mounting bracket having a second powered head end actuator mount (e.g., a mounting hole or other interface) for attachment with the second end (e.g., the shaft) of the powered head end actuator. The exemplary adjustable bed further includes a first cable end mount disposed on a foot end actuator mounting bracket and a second cable end mount disposed on a head end cable mounting bracket. One or more pulleys or other such cable directing components may be utilized to direct a cable linkage such that movement of the foot end section from a neutral position to an elevated position causes the cable linkage to pull the head end section from a neutral position to an elevated position.
While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, hardware, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or foiming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, the specific locations of the component connections and interplacements can be modified. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures can be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/542,255, entitled “MODULAR ADJUSTABLE BED” and filed Oct. 2, 2011, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/640,180, entitled “ADJUSTABLE BED” and filed Apr. 30, 2012, the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference, to the extent that they are not conflicting with the present application.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/US12/58414 | 10/2/2012 | WO | 00 | 4/25/2014 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61542255 | Oct 2011 | US | |
61640180 | Apr 2012 | US |