Patent Application
20250169613
The invention relates to a motorized functional fitting for a base of a box spring bed or of a platform bed or for a slatted bed base with the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a head and back supporting unit for a box spring bed and to a box spring bed, a platform bed or a slatted bed base.
A box spring bed comprises a bed base with a bed frame comprising two frame side parts extending along the longitudinal axis of the bed and head and foot frame parts extending transversely between these at a head and foot end and a central plate extending in a reclining plane between or above the side parts.
At a head end of the central plate facing the head end of the bed base, a head plate is arranged to pivot about a head plate pivot axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bed. Furthermore, a foot plate is arranged to pivot about a foot plate pivot axis also extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bed. The plate-shaped central plate, the head plate and the foot plate together form a sleeping area for supporting a mattress. A platform bed is a bed which comprises several platforms that can be adjusted in their angular position in relation to each other and are intended to support at least one mattress element. The mattress support can be formed by one or more slatted bed bases. In the case of box spring beds, the platforms for supporting the mattress can each be designed as a plate.
A platform bed can comprise a bed base with a bed frame that has two frame side parts extending along the longitudinal axis of the bed and head and foot frame parts extending transversely between them. On a side facing the head end of the bed frame, a back support platform is provided which is arranged for pivoting about a pivot axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bed. Furthermore, a leg support platform is frequently provided which is arranged for pivoting about a pivot axis which also extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bed. The pivotable platforms together form a sleeping area for supporting a mattress. If necessary, they can be supplemented by an interposed central platform which cannot be pivoted.
A framed slatted bed base generally has a structure like the above-described bed base, however, is an independently usable unit with several adjustable platforms which can be supported with its rectangular frame on any bed base without requiring installations such as a motor drive unit at the bed base.
The frame of the bed base or of the slatted bed base is formed from two frame side parts which extend at a parallel distance from each other along the longitudinal axis of the bed and which are connected to each other via a head frame part at the head end and a foot frame part at the foot end to form a customary rectangular closed frame which is placed on a base, on feet or on similar means which raise the frame off the floor. A mattress can be placed on the reclining plane which is formed jointly by the movable and stationary platforms.
To the bed base or the slatted bed base frame a functional fitting is connected, in particular by a screw connection, so that the head platform and the foot platform can be raised and lowered by motor.
The functional fitting at least comprises a longitudinal beam, which extends along a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal beam and which is designed to be connected to the box spring bed, to the bed frame or the slatted bed base frame.
An erecting structure is hinged to the longitudinal beam at a pivot point. Finally, a linear drive extending and acting between the longitudinal beam and the erecting structure is provided, which linear drive converts a rotary motion of an electric motor into a translational movement of a lifting tube. The lifting tube is rotatably connected to the erecting structure in such a way that the erecting structure can be continuously moved from a rest position lowered to a reclining plane to an erected position.
The functional fitting is usually mounted with the bed frame of the box spring bed and serves to move the head plate and the foot plate from the lowered rest position, in which the head plate and the foot plate extend in one plane with the horizontal reclining plane, to an erected position raised from this reclining plane.
In the case of box spring beds, the bed frame is formed from two frame side parts, which extend parallel to and spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis of the bed and which are connected to each other at the head end and at the foot end via a head frame part and foot frame part to form a customary rectangular closed frame which is directly placed on the floor or on drawers or a base or feet or similar means which raise the frame off the floor. The mattress of the box spring bed can be placed on the reclining plane formed by the central plate, the head plate and the foot plate.
The functional fitting is connected to the bed frame, in particular by a screw connection, to move the head plate and the foot plate by motor.
The longitudinal beam extends from the head frame part to the foot frame part, i.e., is attached to the bed frame at the upper end and at the lower end of the bed frame. Furthermore, the longitudinal beam accommodates a dual drive in the center, whose linear elements, which are operated by an electric motor, actuate an erecting structure for pivoting the head part and an erecting structure for pivoting the foot part. In prior art, the linear drives are designed as dual drives, which are seated centrally on the longitudinal beam, and wherein the dual drives are attached to the longitudinal beam with a rear end and engage at, i.e., are articulated to, the head plate erecting structure and to the foot plate erecting structure with a respective linear element that can be longitudinally displaced in relation to a stationary outer tube. Accordingly, in prior art, the longitudinal beam extends substantially along the entire longitudinal axis of the bed, which means that it designed with a same length as the longitudinal axis of the bed frame and absorbs the main forces from the erecting structures and from the linear drives.
Consequently, the longitudinal beam must be sufficiently stable to absorb these forces. This is preferably achieved by designing the longitudinal beam as a rectangular or square profile that presents a particularly good equatorial moment of inertia against bending stresses.
A functional fitting for a box spring bed is known for example from DE 10 2016 116 256 A1. The longitudinal beam disclosed in this document is designed as a continuous profile rail extending from the head end to the foot end of the bed frame. The erecting structures, also referred to as erecting levers, are also rotatably linked with their rear end to the longitudinal beam and can be pivoted via the dual drive relative to the longitudinal beam from the lowered rest position, which extends in the horizontal, to the raised position, i.e., to a lift position, which forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal beam. It is common to adjust the lift position in a range between 0° and 45° with the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal beam.
A drawback of these functional fittings is that the length of the bed determines the length of the longitudinal beam and its profile rail. Accordingly, different profile rails or different functional fittings with different longitudinal beams must be kept available for every bed length and every bed variant. The number of variants is considerable, because there are currently no standards for box spring beds. This increases storage costs significantly.
The transportation of functional fittings is also problematic, because usually these are much longer than customary pallet sizes of 800×120 cm. In this respect, special dimensions must always be provided in storage rooms, which is costly.
Another functional fitting is known, for example, from DE 20 2020 107 053 U1. It comprises at least one longitudinal beam, which extends along the beam longitudinal axis and which is designed for connection with the bed frame. An erecting structure is rotatably hinged to the longitudinal beam at a pivot point. Finally, a linear drive extending and acting between the longitudinal beam and the erecting structure is provided, which converts a rotary motion of an electric motor into a translational movement of a lifting tube. The lifting tube is rotatably connected to the erecting structure in such a way that the erecting structure can be continuously moved from a rest position lowered to a reclining plane to an erected position. A disadvantage of using a bed equipped with such type of functional fitting is that in the erected position of the back support, during sedentary activities such as reading a book, for example, a neck roll or similar item is still required to support the head because during such activities the head must be tilted further forward than the course of the spine. In the functional fitting of the known design, there is no head portion which is adjustable separately from the back support.
The invention is therefore based on the object/technical problem of at least partially avoiding the drawbacks occurring in functional fittings of the type described above and of providing a particularly variable motorized functional fitting that is easy to transport and yet very sturdy.
In particular, the invention is based on the problem of providing a motorized functional fitting which enables an ergonomic head posture in the erected position of the back support and which is suitable for all possible box spring beds, platform beds or for framed slatted bed bases, in particular also for those which are equipped with several slatted bed base elements as mattress support.
This problem is already solved by a motorized functional fitting with the features of claim 1. Preferred but not mandatory features are stated in the subordinate dependent claims.
A basic idea of the invention is based on a longitudinal beam for every adjustable unit at the head or foot end, wherein the longitudinal beam can be mounted in the middle of the bed frame. In order to nevertheless achieve a broad support for the head, back, leg and food supports, a symmetrical V- or Y-shaped erecting structure is provided, which is hinged to the longitudinal beam with the narrow side and is divided outwards into two upper arms, which are spread outwards, on both sides. The connection or contact with the head, back and leg and food supports takes place via the upper arms. As a result of a functional fitting of mirror-symmetrical design starting from the center axis of the bed frame, no connections of the functional fitting near the side frame parts or directly with the same need to be made. This means that the same functional fitting can be used with bed bases of different widths.
Moreover, the particular advantage of the invention resides in the fact that, despite the arrangement of the functional fitting and drive concentrated on the middle of the bed frame, it is intended to provide a head support and a back support that can be erected in a defined sequence of movements using only one drive means. It is desirable that at the end of the erecting movement, the head support is inclined more towards the reclining plane than the back support.
For this purpose, two head support bearing elements are provided for the head support or the head support platform, each of which is connected to the two upper arms of the erecting structure via a respective steering lever. Concerning the control of the back support of the functional fitting for a box spring bed, the invention provides two advantageous embodiments.
In a first embodiment, which is provided both for a box spring bed as well as for a platform bed or a slatted bed base, a synchronous erecting movement is obtained in which not only the back support but also the head support is erected with the beginning erecting movement after the drive is switched on. The more the erecting angle of the back support increases, the more the erecting angle of the head support increases disproportionately. To achieve this movement, an additional steering lever in each case is articulated to the upper arms of the erecting structure, which steering lever is connected to the back support bearing element that is provided for fixing to the back support. The additional steering levers are attached to the erecting structure with their coupling joints approximately in the middle between the steering levers for the head support at the end of the upper arms and the crossbar.
According to a second embodiment, which is particularly suitable for a box spring bed, a head support leading movement is achieved in which initially only the head support is erected until the desired relative angular position between the head and the back support is set, before the back support is erected, with the relative angular position being maintained. Similar to the first embodiment, the end-side steering levers also serve to erect the head support. However, there is no forced coupling with the back support. To erect the back support, one or more castors are provided on the erecting structure, the diameter and position of which is chosen such that they contact the back of the back support only after the desired relative angular position between the head and the back support has been set. The erecting structure then pushes up the back support via the castors, maintaining the angle of the head support relative to the back support.
The longitudinal beam of the functional fitting preferably comprises an outer front end in the installation position, which is designed for attachment to the head frame part or to the foot frame part. Furthermore, the longitudinal beam preferably comprises an inner front end opposite the outer front end, which inner front end is installed in the bed frame in the installation position and is designed for attachment to a central plate or to a central platform. Furthermore, the drive can be arranged laterally next to the longitudinal beam, i.e., attached to it, and the erecting structure can be rotatably linked to the longitudinal beam at a lower fastening end in the installation position. This means that the erecting structure can be pivotably hinged to the longitudinal beam at its outermost possible end in order to achieve the largest possible lever arm. Finally, the relatively movable lifting tube of the linear drive can rotatably engage with the erecting structure at a pivot end spaced along an erecting structure longitudinal axis from this attachment end. This design results in a particularly efficient force development of the lifting tube on the erecting structure with a particularly long lever arm, so that linear drives with approximately ⅓ lower power can be used compared to existing functional fittings of this type.
According to the invention, the longitudinal beam can be designed so that the outer end facing the bed frame in the installed position at the head or foot end can be attached to the bed frame either directly or indirectly and an opposite end of the longitudinal beam can be designed for attachment to the central part or the central platform.
The linear motor, which is preferably articulated with its lower motor end to the outer front end in the installation position, and the erecting structure, which is rotatably aligned with its lower fastening end to the inner front end, preferably form an approximately isosceles triangle together with the longitudinal beam in the lifting position, although this is not essential for the effectiveness of the invention.
Preferably, the pivotable linkage takes place via clevis which are arranged in particular on the linear motor, at the rear motor end, and on the front lifting tube or via profiles which rotatably engage an axis arranged in the longitudinal beam.
According to the invention, the structure of the functional fitting can be such that the lower motor end of the linear drive in the installation position is aligned to the outer front end of the longitudinal beam and the lower fastening end of the erecting structure is aligned to the inner front end of the functional fitting in a pivotably hinged manner.
The lifting tube of the linear drive, which is preferably accommodated in the housing of the linear drive so that it can move relative to it, can be pivotably hinged as far as possible at the upper end of the erecting structure, so that a particularly efficient force development of the toggle lever formed in this way is realized, but at the same time the functional fitting is very flat in the lowered rest position.
In a bed with a separately relatively movable head and back support or head and back support platform or leg and foot support, a split longitudinal beam is provided which can be screwed to the bed frame with its front end facing the head end or foot end of the bed frame in the installed position on the outside and is attached to the central plate or central platform with the front end facing this central plate or central platform.
Preferably, this attachment to the central plate or the central platform is carried out by means of angle profiles attached to the side of the longitudinal beam, which angle profiles are attached to the side of the longitudinal beam with a vertical leg extending in the installation position and are bolted to the underside of the central plate or the central platform with a horizontal leg extending at right angles to this vertical leg. These angle profiles, which are preferably made of sheet steel, also have a stabilizing effect on the central plate or the central platform to prevent it from bending when a person sits up.
A particularly harmonious force development and thus a particularly low power of the electric motor of the linear drive is required if a rear motor end of the linear drive engages the outer end of the longitudinal beam and the attachment end of the erecting structure engages the inner end of the longitudinal beam, in particular, if it is rotatably mounted. The greatest power of the electric motor is required for lifting the erecting structure from the lowered rest position, because the vertical force for lifting is lowest here. Once these first 10 to 15 percent of the adjustment travel have been overcome, the electric motor is only subjected to a minor load.
To ensure that the linear drive provides as little power as possible, it is advantageous if the end of the linear drive with the housing and the electric motor is pivotably mounted as low as possible at the longitudinal beam.
For this reason, an additional retaining block can be provided on the inside of a head and foot side part extending vertically in the installation position, to which the rear end of the linear drive can be attached or is attached. This retaining block is sometimes also referred to as a fastening beam, fastening block, crossbeam or crosspiece that is arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bed, preferably on the inside of the head or foot frame part at its lower ends, extending between the frame side parts and terminating with the lower edge of the frame side part, and forms a support edge offset inwards from the bed frame, to which support edge the front ends of the functional fitting can be fastened.
Preferably, an angle profile is rotatably fixed to the rear end via a rear clevis, which angle profile can be attached and screwed to the fastening beam or fastening block.
Preferably, such fastening beams or fastening blocks are provided both on the head side part as well as on the foot side part in order to realize the lowest possible force application point of the rear fastening end of the linear drive, in particular the rear clevis. A further optimization of the force curve is achieved by the front end of the linear drive, in particular the front end of the relatively movable lifting tube, engaging as high up as possible at the erecting structure, i.e., at a point that is as far away as possible from the lower fastening end of the erecting structure on the longitudinal beam. This design of the functional fitting achieves the highest possible pitch of the linear drive even in the lowered rest position, so that less power is required from the electric motor of the linear drive compared to prior art.
In the particularly preferred embodiment, the front end of the linear drive, in particular the relatively movable lifting tube, engages a transverse crossbar that extends between two fork-like widening profile sections or profile supports of the erecting structure. This enables the pivot point of the rear end of the linear motor to be positioned particularly low and therefore a relatively flat bed or bed frame structure of approx. 7-11 mm, which means that drawers or substructures can still be arranged under the actual bed frame without noticeably increasing the construction of the overall system.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention, which claims protection per se, comprises an independent head and back support unit for a bed base of a box spring bed or for a bed base of a platform bed.
According to the invention, the longitudinal beam with the linear drive and the erecting linkage constitute a separate functional assembly which can be attached to a bed frame or a mounted bed base having a seat plate. This makes the functional fitting according to the invention significantly easier to transport, pack and handle for specialists and end users, compared to prior art.
In addition, however, the invention also comprises a piece of reclining furniture in the form of a box spring bed, at least comprising a bed frame with two frame side parts extending in a longitudinal axis of the bed and a head frame part and foot frame part extending transversely in a width of the bed at a head end and a foot end, a central plate extending in a reclining plane between the side parts, a back support pivotably connected thereto and a head support pivotably connected to the back support. According to the invention, this box spring bed has one of the two head and back support units described above, by means of which a controlled movement of the head support and back support is achieved during adjustment by only one linear motor.
Preferred embodiments provide that the bed base also comprises a leg and foot support unit which is divided into a thigh support and a foot and lower leg support which are connected to each other for pivoting about a further pivot axis. In order to achieve a relative movement of the thigh support and the foot and lower leg support relative to each other during adjustment, the erecting structure for the foot and leg support unit is preferably bolted to the foot and lower leg support by means of angle profiles.
Both for a box-spring bed and for a platform bed, it may be provided for the functional fitting for the head support or head support platform to have two head support bearing elements, each of which is connected to the arms of the erecting structure via a steering lever, so that the head support or the head support platform is more inclined with respect to the reclining plane than the back support at the end of the erecting movement.
With regard to the control of the back support or the back support platform and the head support or the head support platform, the functional fitting of the invention provides that a synchronous erecting movement of both supports is achieved by a common drive. When the erecting movement begins after the drive is switched on, not only the back support or the back support platform is erected, but also the head support or the head support platform. The more the erecting angle of the back support or the back support platform increases, the more the erecting angle of the head support or the head support platform increases disproportionately.
Two basic functional principles can be realized alternatively:
In a first embodiment, both the back support or the back support platform and the head support or the head support platform are each articulated via a pair of steering levers that are connected to the arms of the shared erecting structure. The desired movement can be controlled particularly finely by positioning the coupling joints of the steering levers on the arms and adjusting the lengths of the two pairs of steering levers. The back support or the back support platform and the head support or the head support platform are each supported directly on the erecting structure.
In a second embodiment, only the head support or the head support platform is articulated by the erecting structure via a pair of steering levers. The back support or the back support platform is coupled between a back support joint formed on the frame on the one hand and a head support joint formed between the back support or the back support platform and the head support or the head support platform on the other. Accordingly, there are no degrees of freedom, so that the back support or the back support platform follows the movement imposed on it by the articulation of the head support or the head support platform. In this embodiment, stronger tensile forces are exerted on the back support joint and the head support joint than in the first embodiment due to the lack of direct support on the erecting structure. Advantageously, the erecting structure can be positioned closer to the rear of the back support and head support/platforms in the rest position, as there is no second pair of levers. This embodiment is therefore particularly suitable for lighter mattresses and/or flatter units such as, in particular, slatted bed bases that are completely enclosed in a frame.
Particularly when used in a platform bed, the functional fitting can each have a longitudinal beam that can be mounted between a cross member in the middle of the frame and in the region of the head end. Seen from the side, it is positioned approximately in the middle between the frame side parts. In order to nevertheless achieve a broad support for the head, back, leg and foot supports, a symmetrical V- or Y-shaped erecting structure is provided, which is hinged to the longitudinal beam with the narrow side and is divided into two arms which are spread outwards. The arms provide the connection or contact to the head, back, leg and foot supports. Due to the functional fitting, which has a mirror-symmetrical design and starts from the central axis of the bed frame, it is not necessary to connect the functional fitting near the side frame parts or even directly to them. This means that the same functional fitting can be used with several bed bases of different widths.
The linear motor, which is preferably articulated with its lower motor end to the outer front end in the installation position, and the erecting structure, which is preferably rotatably aligned with its lower fastening end to the inner front end, thus form an approximately isosceles triangle together with the longitudinal beam in the lifting position, although this is not essential for the effectiveness of the invention.
Preferably, the articulation takes place via clevis joints, which are arranged in particular on the linear motor at the rear motor end and on front lifting tube or via profiles that rotatably engage at an axis arranged in the longitudinal beam.
According to the invention, the structure of the functional fitting can be such that the lower motor end of the linear drive in the installation position is aligned to the outer front end of the longitudinal beam and the lower fastening end of the erecting structure is aligned to the inner front end of the functional fitting in a rotatably articulated manner.
The lifting tube of the linear drive, which is preferably accommodated in the housing of the linear drive so that it can move relative to it, can be pivotably mounted as far as possible to the upper end of the erecting structure, so that a particularly efficient force development is realized, but at the same time the functional fitting is very flat in the lowered rest position.
Accordingly, in a bed with a separately relatively movable head and back support or head and back support platform or leg and foot support, the longitudinal beam is a split beam which is screwed to the bed frame with its outer front end in the installation position facing the head end or foot end of the bed frame and is attached to the central platform or the central plate with a front end facing this central platform or central plate.
Preferably, this attachment to the central platform or the central plate is carried out using angle profiles attached to the side of the longitudinal beam, which angle profiles are attached to the side of the longitudinal beam with a vertical leg extending in the installation position and are bolted to the underside of the central platform or the central plate with a horizontal leg extending at right angles to this vertical leg. These angle profiles, preferably made of sheet steel, also have a stabilizing effect on the central platform or the central plate to prevent it from bending when a person sits up.
A particularly harmonious force development and thus a particularly low power of the electric motor of the linear drive is required if a rear motor end of the linear drive engages the outer end of the longitudinal beam and the attachment end of the erecting structure engages the inner end of the longitudinal beam, in particular, if it is rotatably articulated. The greatest power of the electric motor is required for lifting the erecting structure from the lowered rest position, because the vertical force for lifting is lowest here. Once these first 10 to 15 percent of the adjustment travel have been overcome, the electric motor is only subjected to a minor load.
To ensure that the linear drive provides as little power as possible, it is advantageous if the end of the linear drive with the housing and the electric motor is pivotably supported as low as possible on the longitudinal beam.
An additional retaining block can therefore be provided on the inside of a head and foot side part extending vertically in the installation position, to which the rear end of the linear drive can be attached or is attached. This retaining block is sometimes also referred to as a fastening beam, fastening block, crossbeam or crosspiece which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bed, preferably on the inside of the head or foot frame part, terminating at the lower ends thereof, with the lower edge of the frame side part extending between the frame side parts, and forms a support edge offset inwards from the bed frame, to which support edge the front ends of the functional fitting can be fastened.
Preferably, an angle profile is rotatably fixed to the rear end via a rear clevis, which angle profile can be attached and screwed to the fastening beam or fastening block.
Preferably, such fastening beams or fastening blocks are provided both on the head side part as well as on the foot side part in order to realize the lowest possible force application point of the rear fastening end of the linear drive, in particular the rear clevis. A further optimization of the force curve is achieved by the front end of the linear drive, in particular the front end of the relatively movable lifting tube, engaging as high up as possible at the erecting structure, i.e., at a point that is as far away as possible from the lower fastening end of the erecting structure on the longitudinal beam. This design of the functional fitting achieves the highest possible pitch of the linear drive even in the lowered rest position, so that less power is required from the electric motor of the linear drive compared to prior art.
In the embodiment, which is particularly preferred, the front end of the linear drive, in particular the relatively movable lifting tube, engages a transverse crossbar extending between two fork-like widening profile segments or profile supports of the erecting structure. This allows the pivot point of the rear end of the linear motor to be set particularly low, resulting in a relatively flat construction of the bed or bed frame of approx. 7-11 mm, which means that drawers or substructures can still be arranged under the actual bed frame without noticeably increasing the construction of the overall system.
According to the invention, the longitudinal beam with the linear drive and the erecting linkage constitute a separate functional assembly that can be fixed to the base frame or the mounted bed base having a seat platform. Compared to prior art, the functional fitting according to the invention is thus significantly easier to transport, pack and handle for specialists and end users.
A functional head and back support unit which can be installed as a unit in a bed base of a platform bed with a frame can be created by supplementing the functional fitting with a back support platform which is to be connected to the frame in an articulated manner via a back support joint and to which a back support bearing element for the back support steering lever is attached, and a head support platform which is articulated to the back support platform via a head support joint and to which the head support bearing element for the head support steering lever is attached.
An advantageous embodiment of the head and back support unit provides that the head support platform comprises at least two parallel head support side frame elements and a head support bearer connecting them and having attached to it the head support bearing elements for the head support steering levers. The back support platform is composed of at least two parallel back support side frame elements and at least one back support bearer connecting the same and having arranged thereon the back support bearing elements for the back support steering levers on the back support bearer of the head support platform. The bearers are bracing cross members within the pivotable platforms. The springy slats of the slatted bed base provided for the mattress can thus be supported in a flexible or floating manner on the respective side frame elements, as they do not have to absorb lateral forces.
The greater inclination of the head support compared to the back support is achieved in the head and back support unit in particular by the head support steering lever being longer than the back support steering lever and by the distance xS, measured in the longitudinal direction, between the coupling joints on the head support platform and on the back support platform being smaller than the distance xA between the coupling joints on the upper arms of the erecting structure when the erecting structure is in the lowered rest position.
In addition, the invention also comprises a piece of reclining furniture in the form of a platform bed, at least comprising a bed frame with two parallel frame side parts extending in a longitudinal axis of the bed and a head frame part and foot frame part extending transversely in a width of the bed at a head end and a foot end. According to the invention, this platform bed has one of the two head and back support units described above, by means of which a controlled movement of the head support platform and the back support platform is achieved during an adjustment by only one linear motor.
Particularly preferably, an additional central platform is provided which extends in a reclining plane between the frame side parts, wherein the back support platform is connected to the central platform via a back support joint.
It is also possible that the frame at least comprises a cross beam, which extends between the frame side parts, and that the back support platform is connected to the cross beam via a back support joint.
A head and back support which are functional as a unit for a slatted bed base are created by supplementing the functional fitting with a back support platform to be articulated to the frame via a back support joint and with a head support platform articulated to the back support platform via a head support joint, to which head support platform the head support bearing elements for the head support steering levers are attached.
By the inclusion of such a head and back support unit and a frame which comprises two parallel frame side parts and head and foot frame parts connecting the same, a slatted bed base ready for connection can be provided, which only needs to be placed on a bed base.
The frame can also comprise a central platform which extends in a reclining plane between the frame side parts and which comprises slats stationary mounted to the frame, i.e., not pivotably mounted. The central platform forms a central support for a mattress placed on top, which is partially raised via the head and back support unit and a motorized leg and foot support unit, if available. In this case, the region of the central platform provides a buckling zone for the mattress.
In preferred embodiments, the bed base or the slatted bed base also comprise a leg or foot support unit which is subdivided into a thigh support platform and a foot and lower leg support platform, which are connected to each other so that they can pivot about a further pivot axis.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings showing preferred embodiments. Directional terms such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, etc. are used in relation to the orientation in the drawing figures described. As components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terms are for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting. It goes without saying that other embodiments can be used and structural or logical changes can be made without leaving the scope of protection of the present invention. The following detailed description is not to be understood in a limiting sense.
Identical or similar elements in the drawings are designated with identical or similar reference signs where appropriate. The illustrations in the figures are essentially to scale. However, in order to illustrate details, certain areas may be shown in an exaggerated size, as a person skilled in the art will recognize. Furthermore, the drawings may be simplified and do not necessarily contain every detail that may be present in the practical embodiment.
Unless otherwise stated, the indefinite article and the definite article do not only refer to a single component, but are to be understood as “at least one”. The terminology comprises the above-mentioned terms, variations thereof as well as equivalents. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the terms “about”, “substantially” and “similar” in connection with the dimensions and a property of a component of the invention do not describe the stated dimension and property as a strict limit and/or strict parameter and do not exclude minor deviations therefrom which are similar in function. At least parts of the description with numerical parameters also include variations of these parameters in accordance with the mathematical and manufacturing principles in prior art, for example rounding, deviations and other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.
Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, in the case of several identical components or elements, only one is provided with a reference sign.
All features of the exemplary embodiments described in the following are disclosed independently of each other and also generally within the scope of the invention. It is shown by:
The bed base 100 comprises two functional fittings 10, 70 arranged in alignment on a central longitudinal axis of a bed frame 50 which are mounted inside the bed frame 50. The bed frame 50 has two frame side parts 51, 52 extending parallel to each other and a head frame part 51 connecting the frame side parts 51, 52 at a head end and a foot frame part 53 at a foot end, whereby a circumferentially closed rectangular bed frame 50 is formed.
On the top of the bed frame 50, approximately in the center, a central plate 55 is fixed which extends transversely between the frame side parts 51, 52. The upper side of the central plate 55 defines a reclining plane of the bed base 100. A back support joint 31, via which a back support 32 of a head and back support unit 30 is connected to the central plate 55, is formed on the central plate 55 via two edge-side hinges arranged at a distance from each other.
On the other side of the central plate 55, facing towards the foot end, two spaced hinges form a leg support base joint 61, via which a foot and leg support unit 60 is pivotably mounted to the central plate 55. In the present and in the following Figures, the central plate 55, the head and back support unit 30 and the foot and leg support unit 60 are shown partly transparent, but in practice these units are designed as wooden plates on which, for example, a mattress part is supported.
The head and back support unit 30 and the foot and leg support unit 60 each comprise support plates which are each divided into two for even more comfortable adaptation to the human anatomy.
The head and back support unit 30 is subdivided into a back support 32, which is connected to the central plate 55 via the back support joint 31, and a shorter head support 34, which is arranged facing away from the central plate 55 and which is connected to the back support 32 via a head support joint 33.
The foot and leg support unit 60 is subdivided into a short thigh support plate 62, which faces the central plate 55 and which is connected to the central plate via the leg support base joint 61, and a longer foot and lower leg support 64, which is arranged facing away from the central plate 55. The thigh support 62 and the foot and lower leg support 64 are articulated to each other via a foot and lower leg support joint 63.
In
Each functional fitting 10, 70 comprises a longitudinal beam 11, 71, which is designed as a rectangular steel profile, is predominantly made of lacquered steel and extends centrally under the bed frame 50 along the longitudinal axis of the bed. The longitudinal beam 11 is connected to the head frame part 51 via a mounting bracket 11.1. The longitudinal beam 71 is attached to a cross beam which is located behind the foot frame part 53. Angle profiles 11.1, which extend transversely to the longitudinal axis, are attached to the respective front end of the longitudinal beams 11, 71 on both sides thereof, the inner legs of the angle profiles being fixed to the longitudinal beams 11, 71. They have horizontal mounting legs, which extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal beams 11, 71 and can be screwed to the underside of the central plate 55 in the installation position in order to connect the functional fittings 10, 70 to the bed frame 50 on the inside via an angle profile 11.2 and at the same time to secure the central plate 55 against bending in the middle, for which purpose the angle profiles 11.1 are preferably designed as steel profiles. For reasons of stability, the functional fittings 10, 70 are constructed from angled or drawn steel sections.
At the outer end of the functional fittings 10, 70 a motor base bearing 22 is arranged where the respective rear end of a linear drive 21, 75 is pivotably supported. The linear drives 21, 75 each comprise a lifting tube which is length-variable by means of an electromotive drive. The motor base bearing 22 is respectively arranged as close as possible to the outer and lower end of the longitudinal beam 20, so that the angle at which the linear drive engages at the erecting structure 12 is as large as possible and the power which is needed for the erecting movement of the head and back support unit 30 is reduced due to the extension of the effective lever arm.
Each erecting structure 12, 72 is formed by two interconnected arms which each have a lower fastening end for lateral pivoting to the respective longitudinal beam 11, 71, i.e., enclosing it on both sides with an axis arranged therebetween, and extend in the longitudinal direction from this lower fastening end parallel to one another on both sides of the longitudinal beam 11, 71, first passing in the longitudinal direction into a widened region, in which the distance to the profile angles widens, and again passing at their free upper end into end sections extending parallel to one another, which end sections are referred to as upper arms 13.
The design and function of the two functional fittings 10, 70 for the head and the foot side is mostly identical as regards the features described herein up to this point. Both functional fittings 10, 70 are designed to use only one motorized linear drive not only to raise the two separate and articulated support plates 32, 34, 62, 64, but also to bring them into a position in which the back support 32 and the head support 34 or the thigh support 62 and the foot and lower leg support 64 are aligned at a certain angle to each other and thus enable a comfortable posture for the person resting on the bed.
As the functional fittings 10, 70 are each mirror-symmetrical with regard to the longitudinal beams 11, 71 and as the forces on the supports 32, 34, 62, 64 can be well absorbed at the wide erecting structures 12, 72, a stable support is achieved, without parts of the functional fittings having to be arranged directly on the frame side parts 52, 54. On the contrary, sufficient free space is left between the erecting structures 12, 72 and the frame side parts 52, 54, so that bed frames which are narrower or wider can also be equipped with the same functional fittings. The bed frame 50 can be dismantled in the usual way for moving and transportation. The removed functional fitting 10, 70 with side rail 11, 71 then has small dimensions in width and length and a small depth and can be easily stowed away.
A difference exists in the configuration and function of the respective erecting structure 12, 72 between the head and back support unit 30 on the one side and the foot and leg support unit 60 on the other side. If the angle of erection of the back support 32 and the thigh support 62 towards the central plate 55 is respectively defined as positive and is related to the reclining plane defined by the central plate 55, then the head support 34 should assume a positive angle relative to the back support 32, i.e., the head support 3 should be more inclined than the back support, at least in the end position of the erected position. On the other hand, in the erected position of the foot and leg support unit 60, a negative angle, i.e., a lowered position, should be set between the thigh support 62 and the foot and lower leg support 64. This requires different designs of the functional fittings 10, 70.
The functional fitting 70 for the foot and leg support unit is of simple design. The erecting structure 72 is articulated to the longitudinal beam 71 on one side and connected to a mounting bracket on the underside of the foot and lower leg support unit 64 on the other side. Due to the linear drive 75, which is articulated to the erecting structure 70 with a crossbar on one side and to the longitudinal beam 71 on the other, the erecting structure 70 is increasingly pivoted upwards and raised in relation to the central plate 55 when the motorized linear drive 75 is actuated.
The joint 65 on the underside of the foot and lower leg support 64, seen in a lateral view, is moved along a path which is determined on the one hand by the constant length between the joints of the erecting structure 72 and the constant length between the joints 61, 63 and on the other hand by the variable position of the lifting tube on the linear drive 75. This forced guidance not only raises the foot and lower leg support 64, but also displaces it in the longitudinal direction of the bed base 100 towards the central plate 55. The thigh support 62 interposed between is moved quite quickly into a steep position, not least due to its short length, while the foot and lower leg support 64 remains in the rest position approximately parallel to the reclining plane during the movement into the erected position and is lowered slightly towards the foot frame part 53 at the end of the movement.
The erecting structure 12 on the head and back support unit 30 is constructed in a similar way to the erecting structure 72 for the foot section with regard to a V-shaped base element, also known as a “swingarm”, which comprises the two upper arms 13 and a cross-member 14 connecting them, to which the linear drive 21 is articulated.
For the head support 34, however, the aim is to ensure that in all phases of the movement of the head and back support unit 30 it does not under any circumstances assume a negative angle relative to the back support 32, i.e., that it does not tilt backwards. Rather, the head support 34 should be inclined more towards the center of the bed base 100 than the back support 32 to which it is connected, at least in the end position of the erected position of the back support 32.
For this purpose, the functional fitting 10 for the head and back support unit 30 is specially designed, as will be explained with reference to the enlarged illustration of the head area in
As already described, the erecting structure 12 is formed by two upper arms 13 connected to each other via a crossbar 14, which upper arms emerge from lower arms, each of which has a lower fastening end for lateral articulation to an erecting structure base joint 15 on the longitudinal beam 11. The lower arms initially extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction from the erecting structure base joint 15 and run close to the longitudinal beam 11 on both sides. Seen further in the longitudinal direction, they then initially pass into a widened area in which the distance to the longitudinal beam 11 increases, and at their respective free end they again pass into end sections extending parallel to each other, which end sections form the upper arms 13. The upper arms 13 have a clear distance to the side surfaces of the longitudinal beam 11. The widening of the upper arms 13 must lead to such a lateral offset in relation to the side surfaces of the longitudinal beam 11 that, in the rest position shown in
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of a functional fitting 10, an additional back support steering lever 16 is provided on both upper arms 13 respectively, which is articulated both to the upper arm 13 and to a back support bearing element 18 on the underside of the back support 32. The steering levers are fixed to coupling joints 16.1 arranged on the upper arms 13 approximately in the center between the traverse 14 attachment and the end near the head frame part 51.
Steering levers 17, which are connected to the coupling joint 17.2 on the upper arm 13 on one side and to a coupling joint 17.1 on a head support bearing element 19 on the other side, are provided on the outermost end of the upper arms 13.
On the right is the erected foot and leg support unit 60. The linear drive 75 and the erecting structure 72 together with the segment of the longitudinal beam 71 between them form a triangle by which the vertical position of the foot and lower leg support 64 is defined. Their inclination is determined by the pivot chain that is formed by the connection of the foot and lower leg support 64 via the lower leg support hinges 63, the thigh support 62 and the leg support base hinges 61 together with the central plate 55.
On the left in
To incline the head support 34 in relation to the reclining plane L more strongly than the back support 32 during the erecting movement, the functional fitting 10 is designed in such a way that the head support 34 is raised synchronously with the back support 32. In addition, fixed stops still to be described ensure that the head support 34 does not tilt backwards in relation to the back support 32 under any circumstances.
In particular, a movement is achieved by the functional fitting 10 in which the head support 34 is also raised synchronously during the entire erecting movement and is additionally tilted relative to the back support 32 towards the middle of the bed.
The kinematics in the head and back support unit 30 according to the invention is achieved by the special characteristics of the functional fitting 10.
For explanation,
Since the head support 34 is therefore connected to the back support 32 via a total of five joints, there is an additional degree of freedom, as a result of which the position of the head support 34 relative to the back support 32 can be indeterminate. In order to achieve that the head support 34 moves relative to the back support 32 only in such a way that it tilts towards the middle of the bed, but does not drop backwards, the steering lever 17 is longer than the steering lever 16.
As an additional measure for tilting the head support 34 from the rest position in the intended direction, i.e., towards the central plate 55, and for preventing that it tilts down backwards, fixed stops are provided that are visible in the isometric detailed view in
Like the preceding
The lifting tube 24 of the linear drive 21 is now extended to the maximum. The motor crossbar bearing 23 is in contact with the rear of the back support 32 so that the maximum possible end position of the back support 32 is reached. The back support 32 is at an angle of approximately 60° to the reclining plane L. The head support 34 is even approximately perpendicular to the reclining plane L. The steering lever 16 is fixed by a stop element 16.3 and/or an axis of the coupling joint 16.1 and/or another fixed stop resting on the upper edge of the arm 13.
The position of the back support bearing elements 18 in the transverse direction of the bed frame 100 is such that they are arranged from the respective side edge of the back support 32 at approximately ¼ to ⅓ of the overall width. In addition, the arrangement of the hinges forming the back support joint 31 and the head support joint 33 is selected close to the side edge of the bed base 100 in each case.
The design of the bed frame 50 with head frame part 51, foot frame part 53, side frame parts 52, 54 and central plate 55, the back support 32 connected to the central plate 55 via a back support joint 31 and the head support 34 connected to the latter via a head support joint 33 are each identical to the first embodiment described. As in the first embodiment, both supports 32, 34 are of the same width. The back support 32 is again longer than the head support 34 by a factor of approximately 2 to 3.
Likewise, the leg and foot support unit 60 with the functional fitting 70 is identical in design and function to the first embodiment.
In
The design and function of the two functional fittings 10′, 70 for the head and foot sides are largely identical with regard to the features described up to this point. Both functional fittings 10′, 70 are designed to use only one motorized linear drive to not only raise the two separate and support plates articulated to one another, but to bring them into a position in which the back support 32 and the head support 34 or the thigh support 62 and the foot and lower leg support 64 are aligned at a certain angle to each other and thus enable a comfortable posture for the person resting on the bed.
The head and back support unit 30′ according to the second embodiment is based on the longitudinal beam 11, which is connected to the head frame part 51 and the central plate 55 via angle profiles 11.1, 11.2.
The erecting structure 12′ is V-shaped. It is formed by two arms connected to each other, each of which has a lower fastening end for lateral articulation to the respective longitudinal beam 11 and merge towards the end into upper arms 13′, which extend at a lateral distance from each other and from the longitudinal beam 11. They are connected via the crossbar 14, which extends across the longitudinal beam 11. The linear drive 21 is articulated on the one hand to a motor base bearing on the longitudinal beam 11 in the vicinity of the head frame part 51, and on the other hand to a motor crossbar bearing 23 on the crossbar 14′. The linear motor 21 is accommodated in the free space between the left upper arm 13′ and the side member 11.
The only difference, albeit an important one, in the head and back support unit 30′ compared to the first embodiment is the way in which the back support 32 is supported on the erecting structure 12′.
At the outermost end of the erecting structure 12′, a head support steering lever 17 is provided on each of the two upper arms 13′, which is connected on the one hand to a coupling joint 17.1 on the upper arm 13 and on the other hand to a coupling joint 17.2 on a head support bearing element 19. The head support 34 is supported above this.
A pair of castors 20′ is also provided on each of the two upper arms 13′, the axis of rotation of which runs just above the upper arms 13′. In the rest position with the head and back support unit 30′ lowered, the castors 20′ have no contact with the back support 32. The back support 32 is only held by the joint axles 31, 33.
The length of the steering lever 17 and the position of the castors 20′ are coordinated in such a way that at the beginning of the erecting movement of the head and back support unit 30′ a so-called leading movement of the head support 34 is possible, i.e., the head support 34 is already tilted before the castors 20′ contact the back support 32.
This becomes clear when comparing the rest position in
A characteristic feature of the second embodiment of the functional fitting 10′ for the head and back support unit 30′ is that this angle between the supports 32, 34 is maintained after the head support 34 has been leading, or, according to a particular embodiment, is essentially maintained and can vary in the range from 120° to 150° while the back support 32 is raised further.
In the illustration in
The functional fittings 210, 270 are mounted on the bed base 200 inside a bed frame 250. The bed frame 250 comprises two frame side parts 251 extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, of which only one is shown here, as well as a head frame part 253 connecting the frame side parts 251 at a head end and a foot frame part 254 at a foot end, whereby a circumferentially closed rectangular frame 250 of the bed base 200 is formed. Cross members 257, 258 extend between the frame side parts 251 in a central region of the length.
A bearing for a back support joint 240 is formed on each of the two frame side parts 251, via which a back support platform 232 of the head and back support unit 230 is connected to the frame 250. On the other side, facing the foot end, a leg support base joint 261 is formed, via which a foot and leg support unit 260 is pivotably attached to the frame 250.
Also in a central region of the length of the frame 250, a support for a center plane 255 can be seen. The center plane 255 comprises slats stationary supported on the frame 250, which are thus neither part of the head and back support unit 230 nor of the foot and leg support unit 260.
The head and back support unit 230 and the foot and leg support unit 260 each comprise two separately movable support platforms in order to enable comfortable adaptation to the human anatomy.
For this purpose, the head and back support unit 230 is divided into a back support platform 232, which is connected to the frame 250 via the back support joint 240, and a shorter head support platform 234, which is connected to the back support platform 232 via a head support joint 233.
The foot and leg support unit 260 is in turn subdivided into a short thigh support platform 262, which is connected to the bed frame 250 via the leg support base joint 261, and a longer foot and lower leg support platform 264. The thigh support platform 262 and the foot and lower leg support platform 264 are pivotally connected to each other via a foot and lower leg support joint 263.
In
Each functional fitting 210, 270 comprises a longitudinal beam 211, 271 formed as a rectangular steel section which is made predominantly of lacquered steel and which extends centrally below the bed frame 250 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bed. The longitudinal beam 211 is connected to the head frame part 253 via a mounting bracket 211.1 and to the cross beam 258 via a further end fitting. The longitudinal member 271 is attached to the cross beam 257 and to the base frame part 254.
A motor base bearing 222, 273, on which the respective rear end of a linear drive 221, 275 is pivotably mounted, is arranged at the respective end of the functional fittings 210, 270 facing the outside of the bed. The linear drives 221, 275 each comprise a lifting tube 224 which can be adjusted in length by an electric motor drive. The motor base bearing 222 for the head and back support unit 230 is arranged as close as possible to the outer and lower end of the longitudinal beam 211, so that the angle at which the linear drive engages the erecting structure 212 is as large as possible and the force required for the erecting movement of the head and back support unit 230 is reduced by extending the effective lever arm.
Each erecting structure 212, 272 is formed by two interconnected arms, each of which has a lower fastening end for lateral articulation to the respective longitudinal member 211, 271, i.e., encloses the latter on both sides with an axis 215, 275 arranged therebetween. They then merge into a widened, V-shaped area in which the distance between the arms widens. In the erecting structure 212 for the head and back support unit 230, the arms at their free upper end merge again into end sections extending parallel to one another, which are referred to as upper arms 213. The erecting structures 212, 272 are each supported by U-shaped bearing elements which are supported on the cross beams 257, 258.
The design and function of the two functional fittings 210, 270 for the head side and for the foot side are largely identical with regard to the features described up to this point. Both functional fittings 210, 270 are designed to use only one motorized linear drive not only to raise the two separate and articulated support platforms 232, 234, 262, 264, but also to bring them into a position in which the back support platform 232 and the head support platform 234 or the thigh support platform 262 and the foot and lower leg support platform 264 are aligned at a certain angle to each other and to the bed base 250 and thus enable a comfortable posture for the person resting on the bed.
The forces on or from the support platforms 232, 234, 262, 264 can be well absorbed on the wide erecting structures 212, 272, so that stable support is achieved without parts of the functional fittings 210, 270 having to be arranged directly on the frame side parts 251. Rather, there is still space between the erecting structures 212, 272 and the frame side parts 251, so that narrower or wider bed frames can also be equipped with the same functional fittings 210, 270 according to the invention. The bed frame 250 can be dismantled in a known manner for moving and transportation. The dismantled functional fitting 210, 270 with longitudinal members 211, 271 then has small dimensions in width and length and also a small depth and can therefore be easily stowed away.
The difference between the head and back support unit 230 on the one hand and the foot and leg support unit 260 on the other side is the design and function of the respective erecting structure 212, 272. If the erecting angle of the back support platform 232 and the thigh support platform 262 is defined as positive in each case towards the upper edge of the bed base 250 and is related to the reclining plane parallel to the upper edge of the bed base 250, then the head support platform 234 should assume a positive angle relative to the back support platform 232 at least in the end position of the erected position, that is, the head support platform 234 should be inclined more towards the bed frame 250 than the back support platform 232. On the other hand, in the erected position of the foot and leg support unit 260, there should be set a negative angle, i.e., a lowered position, between the thigh support platform 262 and the foot and lower leg support platform 264. This requires different designs of the functional fittings 210, 270.
The functional fitting 270 for the foot and leg support unit 260 has a simple design. The erecting structure 272 is articulated on one side to the longitudinal beam 271 and on the other side to a bearing element 279 on the underside of the foot and lower leg support platform 264. By the linear drive 275, which on the one hand is hinged to the longitudinal beam 271, the erecting structure 270 is increasingly pivoted upwards and raised in relation to the central platform 255 when the motorized linear drive 275 is actuated.
The joint 265 on the underside of the foot and lower leg support platform 264, seen in a lateral view, is moved along a path which is determined, on the one hand, by the constant length between the joints of the erecting structure 272 and the constant length between the joints 261, 263 and, on the other hand, by the variable length of the lifting tube on the linear drive 275. This forced guidance not only raises the foot and lower leg support platform 264, but also displaces it towards the center in the longitudinal direction of the bed base 200. The thigh support platform 262 coupled in between is moved quite quickly to a steep position, not least due to its short length, while the foot and lower leg support platform 264 remains in the rest position approximately parallel to the reclining plane during the movement into the erected position and is even lowered slightly towards the foot frame part 254 at the end of the movement.
The erecting structure 212 on the head and back support unit 230 is constructed similarly to the erecting structure 272 for the foot and leg support unit 260 with regard to a V-shaped base element, also referred to as a “swingarm”, which comprises the two upper arms 213 and a crossbar 14 connecting them, to which the linear drive 221 is articulated, in addition to the arms which are spread apart from one another.
However, in contrast to the foot and leg support unit 260, the head support platform 234 should never assume a negative angle relative to the back support platform 232 in all phases of the movement of the head and back support unit 230, i.e., it should not tilt backwards. Rather, at least in the end position of the erected position of the back support platform 232, the head support platform 234 should be inclined more towards the center of the bed base 200 than the back support platform 232 to which it is connected.
For this purpose, the functional fitting 210 for the head and back support unit 230 is specially designed, as explained with reference to the enlarged representation in the isometric view of the rear side in
As already described, the erecting structure 212 is formed by two upper arms 213 connected to one another via a crossbar 214, which upper arms emerge from arms that each have a lower fastening end for lateral articulation to an erecting structure base joint 215 on the longitudinal beam 211. The arms initially extend parallel to each other for a short distance from the erecting structure base joint 215 and run close to the longitudinal member 211 on both sides. They then transition diagonally to a widened area in which the distance to the longitudinal member 211 increases continuously, and at their respective free end they transition again to end sections extending parallel to each other, which form the upper arms 213. The upper arms 213 have a clear distance to the side surfaces of the longitudinal beam 211. The widening of the arms must lead to such a lateral offset relative to the side surfaces of the longitudinal beam 211 that the linear drive 221 can be completely accommodated in the free space between the longitudinal beam 211 and the left upper arm 213 of the erecting structure 212 in a rest position not shown with the head and back support unit 230 completely lowered.
On the functional fitting 210, an additional back support steering lever 216 is provided on each of the two upper arms 213, which is connected in an articulated manner both to the upper arm 213 and to a back support bearing element 218. The two back support bearing elements 218 are attached to the rear or underside of a back support bearer 238 on the back support platform 232. The back support steering levers 216 are attached to coupling joints 216.1, which are arranged on the upper arms 213 approximately halfway between the base of the crossbar 214 and the end of the upper arm.
A head support steering lever 217 is provided at the respective outermost end of the two upper arms 213, which is connected on the one hand to a coupling joint 217.2 on the upper arm 213 and on the other hand to a coupling joint 217.1 on a head support bearing element 219. The head support bearing elements 219 are attached to a head support bearer 236 of the head support platform 234.
In the embodiment shown in
The kinematics in the head and back support unit 230 according to the invention is achieved by the special properties of the functional fitting 210. By way of explanation,
Since the head support platform 234 is connected to the back support platform 232 via a total of five joints, an additional degree of freedom is provided, as a result of which the position of the head support platform 234 relative to the back support platform 232 can be indeterminate. In order to ensure that the head support platform 234 only moves relative to the back support platform 232 in such a way that it tilts towards the center of the bed but does not fall backwards, the head support steering lever 217 is longer than the back support steering lever 216.
As a further measure to erect the head support platform 234 from the rest position and to prevent it from tilting backwards and downwards, fixed stops are preferably provided, which can be seen in the isometric detailed view in
In
The slatted bed base frame 250′ comprises two frame side parts 251′, 252′ extending parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction and, at a head end, a head frame part 253′ connecting the frame side parts 251′, 252′ and, at the foot end, a foot frame part 254′, whereby a circumferentially closed rectangular slatted bed base frame 250′ is formed. In a central region of the length, crossbars extend between the frame side parts 251′, 252′, of which only the crossbar 258′ associated with a head and back support unit 230′ is visible in
A back support joint 240′ is formed on the frame side parts 251′, 252′, via which a back support platform 232′ of the head and back support unit 230′ is pivotably connected to the slatted bed base frame 250′. On the other side, facing the foot end, a leg support base joint 261′ is formed, via which the foot and leg support unit 260′ is pivotably attached to the slatted bed base frame 250′.
A fixed central plane 255′ can also be seen in a central area of the slatted bed base frame 250′. The center plane 255′ comprises stationary slats supported on the bed frame, which are thus neither part of the head and back support unit 230′ nor of the foot and leg support unit 260′.
The head and back support unit 230′ and the foot and leg support unit 260′ each contain two separately movable support platforms in order to enable comfortable adaptation to the human anatomy. For this purpose, the head and back support unit 230′ is divided into the back support platform 232′, which is directly connected to the slatted bed base frame 250′ via the back support joint 240′, and a shorter head support platform 234′, which is connected to the back support platform 232′ via a head support joint 233′.
The foot and leg support unit 260′ is in turn subdivided into a short thigh support platform 262′, which is connected to the slatted bed base frame 250′ via the leg support base joint 261′, and a longer foot and lower leg support platform 264′. The thigh support platform 262′ and the foot and lower leg support platform 264′ are pivotably connected to each other via a foot and lower leg support joint 263′.
In
The functional fitting 210′ comprises a longitudinal beam 211′ formed as a rectangular steel profile, which is predominantly made of lacquered steel and which extends in the longitudinal direction inside the slatted bed base frame 250′.
A motor base bearing 222′, to which the respective rear end of a linear drive 221′ is pivotably mounted, is arranged at the end of the functional fitting 210′ facing the head frame part 253′. The linear drive 221′ comprises a lifting tube 224′ which can be adjusted in length by an electric motor drive and which is articulated to a motor crossbar bearing on a crossbar 214′ of the erecting structure 212′.
The erecting structure 212′ is formed by two arms, each of which has a lower fastening end for lateral articulation to the longitudinal beam 211′, i.e., they enclose it on both sides with an axis arranged between them, so that an erecting structure base joint 215′ is formed. They then transition into a widened, V-shaped portion in which the distance between the arms widens. In the erecting structure 212′ for the head and back support unit 230′, the arms transition at their free upper end into short end portions aligned parallel to each other. A head support steering lever 217′ is articulated to each of the two end portions, which steering lever is connected on the one hand to a coupling joint 217.2′ on the respective end portion of the arms and on the other hand to a head support bearing element 219′ via a coupling joint 217.1′. The head support bearing elements 219′ are attached directly to the underside of the lateral head support side frame elements 235′, so that the functional fitting 210′ can also be used if only loosely mounted and/or resilient slats extend between the head support side frame elements 235′, but no fixed bearer or other type of rigid cross member is provided.
The functional fittings 210′, 270′ for the head and back support unit 230′ and the foot and leg support unit 260′ are very similar in design and differ essentially in that no head support steering levers 217′ are provided in the functional fitting 270′ for the foot and leg support unit 260′. Otherwise, the functional fittings 210′, 270′ can be formed from several identical or similar parts, which results in cost savings.
Due to the V-shape of the erecting structures 212′, 272′, stable support is achieved in each case without parts of the functional fittings 210′, 270′ having to be arranged directly on the frame side parts 251′, 252′. Instead, sufficient free space remains between the erecting structures 212′, 272′ and the frame side parts 251′, 252′ for the motorized drives.
As already described above for the bed base 200, the head support plate 234′ of the framed slatted bed base 200′ should also be inclined more forwards than the back support plate form 232′, at least in the end position of the erected position. On the other hand, a negative angle should be set between the thigh support platform 262′ and the foot and lower leg support platform 264′ in the erected position of the foot and leg support unit 260′.
The functional fitting 270′ for the foot and leg support unit 260′ includes an erecting structure 272′, which is articulated on one side to the longitudinal beam 271′ and on the other side to a bearing element 279 on the underside of the foot and lower leg support platform 264′. By means of the linear drive 275′, which on the one hand is articulated to the longitudinal beam 271′ and on the other hand is articulated to the crossbar 274′, the erecting structure 272′ is increasingly pivoted upwards and raised in relation to the plane of the upper edge of the slatted bed base frame 250′ when the motorized linear drive 275′ is actuated.
The coupling joint 77′ on the underside of the foot and lower leg support platform 264′, seen in a lateral view, is moved along a path which is determined on the one hand by the constant length between the joints 276′, 278′ of the erecting structure 272′ and the constant length between the joints 261′, 263′ and on the other hand by the variable length of the lifting tube on the linear drive 275′. This forced guidance not only raises the foot and lower leg support platform 264′, but also moves it in the longitudinal direction of the slatted bed base 200′ towards its center. The thigh support platform 262′ coupled in between is, not least due to its short length, transferred quite quickly into a steep position, while the foot and lower leg support platform 264′ remains in the rest position approximately parallel to the reclining plane during the movement into the erected position and only lowers slightly towards the foot frame part 254′ at the end of the movement.
The head support platform 234′ should not tilt backwards and downwards in any phase of the movement. At least in the end position of the erected position, it should be inclined more towards the center of the slatted bed base 200′ than the back support platform 232′ to which it is connected. The erecting structure 212′ of the head and back support unit 230′ has a V-shaped base element, also known as a “swingarm”, which, in addition to the arms that are spread apart from each other, comprises a crossbar 214′ connecting them, to which the linear drive 221′ is articulated. The widening of the arms leads to such a lateral offset in relation to the side surfaces of the longitudinal beam 211′ that the linear drive 221′ can be completely accommodated in the free space between the longitudinal beam 211′ and the erecting structure 212′ in a lowered rest position of the head and back support unit 230′.
The longitudinal beam 211′ extends between an angle profile 211.1′, which is supported on the head frame part 253′, and a cross beam 258′, which is designed as a round tube and which extends in the region of the center plane 255′ between the frame side parts 251′, 252′.
The longitudinal member 271′ extends between an angle profile 271.1′, which is supported on the base frame part 254′, and a cross beam 257′, which is also designed as a round tube and which also extends in the region of the center plane 255′ between the frame side parts 251′, 252′.
As illustrated in the lateral view of the slatted bed base 200′ in the rest position shown in
The motor base bearing 273′ for driving the foot and leg support unit 260′ is also arranged below the profile cross-section of the associated longitudinal beam and projects downwards out of the enclosure provided by the frame 250′.
The erecting structures 212′, 272′ also each protrude partially downwards out of the enclosure by the frame 250′.
Further aspects of the invention:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2022 104 284.7 | Feb 2022 | DE | national |
| 10 2022 106 177.7 | Nov 2022 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2023/051672 | 2/2/2023 | WO |
