Patent Grant
11103079
The present application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model Application CN 201820619891.2 filed Apr. 27, 2018. The disclosure of the application is incorporated herein for all purposes by reference in its entirety.
The present invention generally relates to beds and bed frames, and more particularly, to motorized beds and motorized bed frames.
Motorized beds become more and more popular because they do not require manual operation and are convenient to use. However, existing motorized beds have some issues that need to be addressed. For instance, some motorized beds are configured such that only a portion of the upper frame can be moved and repositioned, or different portions of the upper frame have to be moved and repositioned concurrently. As such, existing motorized beds may not be able to meet individual's needs since each individual generally has his/her own preference regarding the comfort.
Moreover, most existing motorized beds utilize gearing units to move the upper frames. At some point in time, these gearing units are likely to dislocate or deform due to the loads exerted upon them. The dislocated or deformed gearing units could generate vibration and destabilize the motorized beds. Further, the dislocated or deformed gearing units could cause unbalanced loads, e.g., having a large force or torque exerting on one or a few components. This could damage the component(s) and make the motorized beds unsafe to use.
Given the current state of the art, there remains a need for motorized beds and bed frames that address the abovementioned issues.
The information disclosed in this Background section is provided for an understanding of the general background of the invention and is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this information forms part of the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
The present invention provides motorized bed frames and beds having such motorized bed frames.
In various embodiments, a motorized bed frame includes a lower frame and an upper frame disposed above the lower frame. The lower frame includes a supporting frame extending from a first side of the motorized bed frame to a second side of the motorized bed frame. At each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame, the lower frame further includes a fixation bar fixedly connected with the supporting frame of the lower frame. At each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame, the motorized bed frame further includes an actuating unit, a gearing unit, and one or more linking pieces. The actuating unit is connected with the lower frame and includes an adjustable column. The gearing unit is connected with the upper frame and the adjustable column of the actuating unit. The one or more linking pieces are configured to connect the gearing unit with the fixation bar of the lower frame.
In some embodiments, the supporting frame of the lower frame includes a first longitudinal bar, a second longitudinal bar, a first lateral bar and a second lateral bar. The first and second longitudinal bars are substantially parallel to each other, and each of the first and second lateral bars has a first end connected to the first longitudinal bar and a second end connected to the second longitudinal bar.
In some embodiments, at each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame, the upper frame includes an upper sub-frame movable with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame. The upper sub-frame at the first side of the motorized bed frame is directly or indirectly connected with the upper sub-frame at the second side of the motorized bed frame.
In many embodiments, at each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame, the gearing unit includes a first gearing piece, one or more second gearing pieces, and one or more third gearing pieces. The first gearing piece has a first end rotatably connected with the first longitudinal bar and a second end rotatably connected with the second longitudinal bar of the lower frame. Each of the one or more second gearing pieces has a first end fixedly connected with the first gearing piece and a second end pivotally connected with the upper sub-frame of the upper frame. Each of the one or more third gearing pieces has a first end fixedly connected with the first gearing piece and a second end pivotally connected with the adjustable column of the actuating unit. When operated, the adjustable column pulls/pushes the one or more third gearing pieces which in turn rotate the first gearing piece with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame. The one or more second gearing pieces rotate along with the first gearing piece, thereby pulling/pushing the upper sub-frame and consequently positioning the upper sub-frame at different positions with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame
In an exemplary embodiment, at each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame, the fixation bar has a first end fixedly connected with the first longitudinal bar and a second end fixedly connected with the second longitudinal bar of the supporting frame of the lower frame. A respective linking piece in the one or more linking pieces is of an “U” shape with an open end portion and a closed end portion. The open end portion of the “U”-shaped linking piece is fixedly connected with the fixation bar of the lower frame; and crosswise, the first gearing piece of the gearing unit is disposed inside the “U”-shaped linking piece and adjacent the closed end portion of the “U”-shaped linking piece. The first gearing piece of the gearing unit is rotatable with respect to the “U”-shaped linking piece.
In a further embodiment, the motorized bed frame includes a spacer for the respective linking piece in the one or more linking pieces. Crosswise, the spacer is disposed inside the “U”-shaped linking piece between the fixation bar of the lower frame and the first gearing piece of the gearing unit to assist in stabilizing rotation of the first gearing piece of the gearing unit.
In another embodiment, the motorized bed frame includes a movable bar at the first or second side of the motorized bed frame. The movable bar has a first end pivotally connected with one of the first and second longitudinal bars and a second end pivotal connected with the upper sub-frame. The one longitudinal bar includes a longitudinal groove to accommodate at least a portion of the movable bar when the upper sub-frame is laid on the supporting frame of the lower frame.
In various embodiments, a motorized bed frame includes a lower frame and an upper frame disposed above the lower frame. The lower frame includes a supporting frame extending from a first side of the motorized bed frame to a second side of the motorized bed frame. The upper frame includes an upper sub-frame at one or each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame. The upper sub-frame is movable with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame. At the one or each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame, the motorized bed frame further includes an actuating unit and a gearing unit. The actuating unit is connected with the supporting frame of the lower frame and including an adjustable column. The gearing unit includes a first gearing piece, one or more second gearing pieces, and one or more third gearing pieces. The first gearing piece is rotatably connected with the supporting frame of the lower frame. Each of the one or more second gearing pieces has a first end fixedly connected with the first gearing piece and a second end pivotally connected with the upper sub-frame. Each of the one or more third gearing pieces has a first end fixedly connected with the first gearing piece and a second end pivotally connected with the adjustable column of the actuating unit. When operated, the adjustable column pulls/pushes the one or more third gearing pieces which in turn rotate the first gearing piece with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame. The one or more second gearing pieces rotate along with the first gearing piece, thereby pulling/pushing the upper sub-frame and consequently positioning the upper sub-frame at different positions with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame.
In some embodiments, the upper sub-frames at the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame are directly or indirectly connected with each other, and are independently movable with respect to the lower frame.
In an exemplary embodiment, the upper sub-frame at the first or second side of the motorized bed frame includes two or more sub-frames pivotally connected to each other.
In some embodiments, at the one or each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame, the lower frame further includes a fixation bar fixedly coupled with the supporting frame and the motorized bed frame further includes one or more linking pieces. Each of the one or more linking pieces has a first end fixedly connected with the fixation bar of the lower frame and a second end rotatably connected with the first gearing piece of the gearing unit.
In some embodiments, the supporting frame of the lower frame includes a first longitudinal bar and a second longitudinal bar substantially parallel to each other. In such embodiments, at the one or each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame, the first gearing piece of the gearing unit has a first end rotatably connected with the first longitudinal bar and a second end rotatably connected with the second longitudinal bar of the supporting frame of the lower frame.
In some embodiments, at the one or each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame, the lower frame further includes a fixation bar and the motorized bed frame further includes one or more linking pieces. The fixation bar has a first end fixedly connected with the first longitudinal bar and a second end fixedly connected with the second longitudinal bar of the supporting frame of the lower frame. Each of the one or more linking pieces has a first end fixedly connected with the fixation bar of the lower frame and a second end rotatably connected with the first gearing piece of the gearing unit.
In an exemplary embodiment, the fixation bar is positioned in an interior side of the supporting frame with respect to the first gearing piece of the gearing unit.
In a further embodiment, a respective linking piece in the one or more linking pieces is of an “U” shape with an open end portion and a closed end portion. The open end portion of the “U”-shaped linking piece is fixedly connected with the fixation bar of the lower frame, and wherein crosswise, the first gearing piece of the gearing unit is disposed inside the “U”-shaped linking piece and adjacent the closed end portion of the “U”-shaped linking piece. The first gearing piece of the gearing unit is rotatable with respect to the “U”-shaped linking piece.
In a still further embodiment, the motorized bed frame includes a spacer for the respective linking piece. The spacer is disposed inside the “U”-shaped linking piece between the fixation bar of the lower frame and the first gearing piece of the gearing unit to help guiding rotation of the first gearing piece of the gearing unit.
In an exemplary embodiment, the first gearing piece of the gearing unit has a circular cross-section, and the spacer facing the first gearing piece of the gearing unit has a matching concaved arc surface.
In some embodiments, the motorized bed frame includes one or more movable bars at the first or second side of the motorized bed frame. A respective movable bar in the one or more movable bars has a first end pivotally connected with a corresponding longitudinal bar in the first and second longitudinal bars, and a second end pivotal connected with the upper frame. The corresponding longitudinal bar includes a longitudinal groove to accommodate at least a portion of the respective movable bar when the upper frame is laid on the lower frame
In an exemplary embodiment, the supporting frame of the lower frame further includes one or more lateral bars, each having a first end connected to the first longitudinal bar and a second end connected to the second longitudinal bar.
In a further embodiment, the supporting frame of the lower frame further includes a plurality of legs disposed below and connected with the first or second longitudinal bar.
In a still further embodiment, a leg in the plurality of legs has an anti-slippery base at a lower end thereof.
The beds and bed frames of the present invention have other features and advantages that will be apparent from, or are set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the Detailed Description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of exemplary embodiments of the invention.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, the components illustrated in the figure described herein are combinable in any useful number and combination. The figure is intended to be illustrative in nature and are not limiting.
Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of exemplary embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the following detailed description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having benefit of this disclosure.
In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will be appreciated that, in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Many modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments set forth in this disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific exemplary embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only.
Embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of motorized beds and motorized bed frames. In general, a motorized bed includes one or more motorized bed frames. In many cases, a motorized bed frame of the present invention includes a lower frame and an upper frame disposed above the lower frame. When laid out or in use, the lower frame extends from a first side of the motorized bed frame to a second side of the motorized bed frame (e.g., head to foot, or foot to head). In some cases, the lower frame includes a supporting frame extending from the first side of the motorized bed frame to the second side of the motorized bed frame.
The upper frame includes one or more upper sub-frames each movable with respect to the lower frame. The motorized bed frame of the present invention also includes one or more actuating units and one or more gearing units for moving and positioning the one or more upper sub-frames. The one or more actuating units are disposed at (e.g., connected with) the lower frame in accordance with the one or more upper sub-frames. The one or more gearing units are connected with the one or more actuating units and with the one or more upper sub-frames. As such, via the one or more gearing units, the one or more upper sub-frames can be positioned (e.g., tilted, lifted, lowered) at any suitable positions to user's preferences by operating the one or more actuating units.
In some embodiments, the lower frame includes one or more fixation bars fixedly connected with the supporting frame, and the one or more gearing units are connected with the one or more fixation bars of the lower frame by linking pieces.
The motorized beds and bed frames of the present invention can be of various sizes including but not limited to twin, full, queen and king sizes, and of various shapes including but not limited to rectangles and squares. They can be made of various materials including but not limited to metals such as steel, plastics and woods.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the supporting frame of the lower frame further includes one or more lateral bars, such as lateral bar 13 illustrated in
In some embodiments, the supporting frame also include a plurality of legs such as legs 15 disposed below and connected with the first or second longitudinal bar. In an exemplary embodiment, leg 15 has an anti-slippery base such as anti-slippery base 151 at its lower end to help stabilizing the motorized bed frame.
In some embodiments, lower frame 1 further includes one or more fixation bars fixedly coupled with the supporting frame. For instance, by way of example,
Upper frame 2 includes one or more upper sub-frames that are movable with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame. In an exemplary embodiment, there is only one movable upper sub-frame. In another embodiment, there are two movable upper sub-frames, with one disposed at each of the first and second sides of the motorized bed frame. In yet another embodiment, there are more than two movable upper sub-frames. In embodiments where there are more than one movable upper sub-frames, any two movable upper sub-frames can be directly connected with each other (e.g., disposed adjacent each other) or indirectly connected with each other (e.g., via one or more intermediate sub-frames which can be stationary or movable). Each of the one or more upper sub-frames is movable with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame. In some cases, two or more upper sub-frames are independently movable from each other with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame. In some cases, two or more upper sub-frames are pivotally connected with each other.
By way of example,
Actuating unit 3 is disposed at the supporting frame of the lower frame to provide force or power for moving and positioning the one or more upper sub-frames. By way of example,
In some embodiments, actuating unit 3 includes an adjustable column, such as adjustable column 31, that can be extended and retracted. In some embodiments, actuating unit 3 also includes a driving component (e.g., motor), such as driving component 30, to drive the adjustable column. In an exemplary embodiment, the driving component is movably (e.g., pivotally) connected with the lower frame to allow the driving component to rotate during the operation.
Gearing unit 4 transfers the linear motion of the adjustable column to the one or more upper sub-frames. By way of example,
Gear unit 4 also includes one or more second gearing pieces, such as second gearing piece 43, each having a first end fixedly connected with the first gearing piece and a second end pivotally connected with the upper sub-frame at the corresponding first or second side of the motorized bed frame. Gear unit 4 further includes one or more third gearing pieces, such as third gearing piece 41, each having a first end fixedly connected with the first gearing piece and a second end pivotally connected with the adjustable column of the actuating unit at the corresponding first or second side of the motorized bed frame. In an exemplary embodiment such as that illustrated in
During an operation, adjustable column 31, driven by driving component 30, contracts or extends, thereby pulling or pushing third gearing pieces 41. Third gearing pieces 41 in turn rotate first gearing piece 42 with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame. Second gearing pieces 43 rotate along with first gearing piece 42, thereby pulling or pushing the corresponding upper sub-frame and consequently positioning the upper sub-frame at different positions (e.g., at different angles, elevated or folded) with respect to the supporting frame of the lower frame.
In some embodiments, corresponding to a gearing unit, the motorized bed frame further includes one or more linking pieces, such as linking piece 45, configured to connect the gearing unit with the fixation bar of the lower frame. The fixation bar of the lower frame can be positioned in an interior or exterior side of the supporting frame with respect to the first gearing piece of the gearing unit. As an example,
In some embodiments, the linking piece has a first end fixedly connected with the fixation bar of the lower frame and a second end rotatably connected with the first gearing piece of the gearing unit. The linking piece and the fixation bar of the lower frame help to stabilize the first gearing piece of the gearing unit and disperse the load (e.g., force or torque) across different components. As a result, they help to reduce or eliminate the vibration of the first gearing piece of the gearing unit, and reduce friction wearing at the first and second longitudinal bars and reducing vibration. Consequently, they make the motorized bed frame more stable and more durable.
In some embodiments, the linking piece is configured with an open end portion such as open end portion 451 and a closed end portion such as closed end portion 452. The open end portion is fixedly connected with the fixation bar of the lower frame, and the closed end portion is rotatably connected with the first gearing piece of the gearing unit. For instance, in an exemplary embodiment, the linking piece is of an “U” shape. The open end portion of the “U”-shaped linking piece is fixedly connected with the fixation bar of the lower frame. Crosswise, the first gearing piece of the gearing unit is disposed inside the “U”-shaped linking piece and adjacent the closed end portion of the “U”-shaped linking piece. The first gearing piece of the gearing unit and the “U”-shaped linking piece are configured such that the first gearing piece is rotatable with respect to the “U”-shaped linking piece.
The linking piece can be made of any suitable materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the linking piece is made of a metal or a metallic material.
In some embodiments, corresponding to a linking piece, the motorized bed frame further includes a spacer, such as spacer 14. Crosswise, the spacer is disposed inside the “U”-shaped linking piece between the fixation bar of the lower frame and the first gearing piece of the gearing unit. In an exemplary embodiment, the first gearing piece of the gearing unit has a circular cross-section (e.g., the first gearing piece is a tubular bar), and the spacer facing the first gearing piece of the gearing unit has a matching concaved arc surface.
The spacer defines a portion of the boundary for the first gearing piece of the gearing unit. It serves as a stopper to help preventing potential deformation/vibration of the first gearing piece of the gearing unit. Together with the linking piece and/or other components, the spacer makes the rotation of the first gearing piece of the gearing unit more smooth with less or no deformation/vibration, thereby reducing/eliminating any adverse effects due to deformation/vibration of the first gearing piece of the gearing unit. This reduces the vibration of the motorized bed frame (in some cases drastically), and thus prolongs the lifetime of the motorized bed frame.
The spacer can be made of any suitable materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the spacer is made of a plastic material.
In some embodiments, the motorized bed frame includes some other additional, optional or alternative components. For instance, the motorized bed frame can include one or more movable bars to further disperse the load and/or to further assist in stabilizing the bed frame. The one or more movable bars can be disposed at the first and/or second sides and connected with the lower and upper frames. By way of example,
Movable bar 6 reduces the load exerted on the gearing unit, in particular, on first gearing piece 42 and second gearing piece 43 of the gearing unit. As such, movable bar 6 helps to reduce/eliminate the deformation/vibration of the first gearing piece of the gearing unit and accordingly reduce/eliminate the vibration of the motorized bed frame. In addition, in embodiments where the upper sub-frame itself includes two or more sub-frames such as those illustrated in
The present invention has several advantages. For instance, the motorized beds and bed frames of the present invention allow independent positioning of different upper sub-frames to meet individual's preference and satisfy individual's needs. Also, the motorized beds and bed frames of the present invention include fixation bar(s), linking piece(s), spacer(s), movable bar(s), or any combination thereof, to help dispersing the load (e.g., force or torque) across the bed frames, thereby reducing/eliminating deformation/vibration of the gearing unit and adverse effects due to the deformation/vibration of the gearing unit. Operation of the motorized beds and bed frames of the present invention is smoother with less vibration. As a result, the motorized beds and bed frames of the present invention are more stable and more durable.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, 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 the terms “lower” or “upper”, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first side could be termed a second side, and, similarly, a second side could be termed a first side, without changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first side” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second side” are renamed consistently.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201820619891.2 | Apr 2018 | CN | national |
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