Abstract:
A motorized foldable bed frame assembly configured to fold from an open co-planar assembly to a closed parallel assembly. An embodiment of the present disclosure is a dual-actuating adjustable bed frame that is collapsible and foldable for ease of shipping, and may be configured for use by extending pivoting frame sections and engaging collapsible support legs. A motorized foldable bed frame assembly may include a head adjustable frame, or a head and foot adjustable frame.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of bed frames, in particular, a motorized foldable bed frame assembly configured to fold from an open co-planar assembly to a closed or folded parallel assembly. 
     SUMMARY 
     Numerous solutions for motorized bed frames exist in the prior art. However, no solutions exist for a motorized bed frame assembly that can be folded directly in half such that opposing frame portions do not interfere with each other; can be easily extended by a user without the use of tools; and can be packaged and shipped according to major shipping service providers (e.g., United Parcel Service, Federal Express, and United States Postal Service) size and weight regulations. For example, according to June 2013 guidelines, United Parcel Service restricts packages to 150 lbs (70 kg); up to 165 inches (419 cm) in length and girth combined; and, up to 108 inches (270 cm) in length. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a light-weight (under 150 lbs) motorized bed frame assembly that is easily configured by the user (e.g., extendable and collapsible without the use of tools), and can be folded directly in half to ensure compliance and reduced cost with major shipping service providers and reduces storage volume requirements as compared to other prior art solutions. 
     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a bed frame comprising: an outer assembly comprising: an outer torso section and an outer leg section, said outer torso and outer leg sections each having a frame defining an outer perimeter; at least one structural support bar coupled to each of said outer torso and outer leg sections and positioned within the outer perimeter; and at least one support leg pivotally coupled to each of said outer torso and outer leg sections; a central leg assembly having at least one support leg, the outer torso and outer leg sections pivotally coupled together by the central leg assembly; an inner assembly comprising: an inner torso section, the inner torso section having a frame defining an inner perimeter; and at least one structural support bar coupled to said inner torso section and positioned within the inner perimeter; wherein the inner torso section is positioned within the outer perimeter of the outer torso section and pivotally coupled thereto; and a first actuating assembly comprising: a first actuator coupled to a first movable jack extending therefrom, the first actuator pivotally coupled to the at least one structural support bar of the outer torso section; and a first bracket comprising a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally coupled to the at least one structural support bar of the inner torso section and said second end pivotally coupled to a distal end of the first movable jack; wherein the first movable jack is fully extended when the inner torso section and the outer torso section are substantially co-planar and the first movable jack is less than fully extended when the inner torso section is raised from the outer torso section. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bed frame comprising: an outer assembly comprising: an outer torso section and an outer leg section, said outer torso and outer leg sections each having a frame defining an outer perimeter; at least one structural support bar coupled to each of said outer torso and outer leg sections and positioned within the outer perimeter; and at least one support leg pivotally coupled to each of said outer torso and outer leg sections; a central leg assembly having at least one support leg, the outer torso and outer leg sections pivotally coupled together by the central leg assembly; an inner assembly comprising: an inner torso section, the inner torso section having a frame defining an inner perimeter; and at least one structural support bar coupled to said inner torso section and positioned within the inner perimeter; wherein the inner torso section is positioned within the outer perimeter of the outer torso section and pivotally coupled thereto; and a first actuating assembly comprising: a first actuator coupled to a first movable jack extending therefrom; and a first bracket comprising a first end and a second end; wherein one of the first actuator and first movable jack is pivotally coupled to the at least one structural support bar of the outer torso section, the other one of the first actuator and first movable jack is pivotally coupled to the first bracket first end, and the first bracket second end is pivotally coupled to the at least one structural support bar of the inner torso section. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bed frame comprising: a support assembly comprising: a torso section and a leg section; at least one structural support bar coupled to each of said torso and leg sections; and at least one support leg coupled to each of said torso and leg sections; at least one adjustable assembly comprising: a frame, the frame having at least one structural support bar coupled thereto; wherein the at least one adjustable assembly is positioned on the support assembly and pivotally coupled thereto; and at least one actuating assembly comprising a first end and a second end; and at least one bracket comprising a first end and a second end, the at least one bracket first end pivotally coupled to the at least one actuating assembly second end; wherein one of the at least one actuating assembly first end and the at least one bracket second end is pivotally coupled to the support assembly, and the other one of the at least one actuating assembly first end and the at least one bracket second end is pivotally coupled to the at least one adjustable assembly. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a bed frame of the present invention in an open and elevated or raised configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bed frame of  FIG. 1  in an open and flat configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bed frame of  FIG. 1  in a partially folded and flat configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a bed frame of the present invention in an open and elevated or raised configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bed frame of  FIG. 4  in a partially folded and flat configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view and a side view of the bed frame of  FIG. 4  in a folded and flat configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the bed frames of the first and second embodiments ( FIGS. 1-6 ) showing a torso section of the bed frame in an open and raised configuration; 
         FIG. 8  is an alternate perspective view of the torso section shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of the bed frame of the first embodiment ( FIGS. 1-3 ) showing a leg section of the bed frame in an open and raised configuration; and 
         FIG. 10  is an alternate side perspective view of the leg section shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments are described herein to provide a detailed description of the present disclosure. Variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Moreover, certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. For example, the words “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner” and “outer” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The word “a” is defined to mean “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a motorized foldable bed frame assembly  10   a  of the present invention in an open and elevated configuration. The foldable bed frame  10   a  is comprised generally of an outer torso assembly  11 , an outer leg assembly  15 , and a central leg assembly  13 . In exemplary embodiments, the bed frame  10   a  in the open configuration may have overall dimensions of 75″×39″ (Twin); 80″×38″ (Twin XL); or 80″×30″. Other sizes are anticipated, such as an 80″×60″ (Queen) bed frame, and an 80″×76″ (King) bed frame. It is anticipated that the preferred embodiment has 14″ of clearance between the floor and outer assemblies  11  and  15 . In an exemplary embodiment, the bed frame  10   a  is constructed from powder-coated steel, although numerous alternative construction materials are anticipated. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the outer torso assembly  11  includes an outer torso section  12  and the outer leg assembly  15  includes an outer leg section  14 , each defining a substantially rectangular outer perimeter. The outer torso section  12  may be supported by structural support bars  26 , which may be fixed to the outer torso section  12  within the outer perimeter. In this embodiment, the outer torso section  12  includes a seat portion  21  formed by structural support bars  26 . One or more support legs  38  may be pivotally coupled to distal ends of the outer torso section  12  by frame leg coupling members  37 . The frame leg coupling members  37  may be any hinge or pin configured to enable the support legs  38  to pivot in a substantially 90 degree path in relation to the outer torso section  12  between an engaged position and a folded position. A leg support bar  36  may be fixedly coupled between opposing support legs  38  to provide structural stability to the support legs  38  and the outer torso section  12 . A support arm  46  may be coupled to the outer torso section  12  to maintain the support legs  38  in the engaged position as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the outer leg section  14  may be supported by structural support bars  28 , which may be fixed to the outer leg section  14  within the outer perimeter. Support legs  38  may be pivotally coupled to distal ends of the outer leg section  14  by frame leg coupling members  37 . The frame leg coupling members  37  may be any hinge, pin, bolt, or the like, configured to enable the support legs  38  to pivot in a substantially 90 degree path in relation to outer leg section  14  between an engaged position and a folded position. A leg support bar  40  may be fixedly coupled between opposing support legs  38  to provide structural stability to the support legs  38  and outer leg section  14 . The support legs  38  may be selectively fixed in an extended position by one or more coupling support arms  46  to the outer leg frame  14  to maintain the support legs  38  in the engaged position as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the support arm  46  is coupled to the outer leg section  14  by engaging a support bolt  47  with an aperture positioned on the outer leg section  14 . The support bolt  47  is secured by a wing nut to enable mechanical torque by manual manipulation without the use of a tool, such as a screw driver or hex key. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bed frame  10   a  may further comprise an inner torso assembly  17  and an inner leg assembly  19 . When in use, a mattress may be removably coupled to the inner torso assembly  17  and the inner leg assembly  19 . The inner torso assembly  17  and the inner leg assembly  19  may be comprised generally of an inner torso section  16  and an inner leg section  18 , respectively, each defining a substantially rectangular inner perimeter. Structural support bars  22 ,  24  may be fixedly coupled to the inner torso and leg sections  16 ,  18  to increase structural integrity and load tolerance. Mattress support bars  20  may be coupled to the inner torso section  16  and inner leg section  18  to provide support points for a mattress. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inner leg section  18  includes a thigh portion  32  and a calf portion  33 . Support bars  24  may be fixedly coupled to each of the thigh and calf portions  32 ,  33  to increase structural integrity and load tolerance. A mattress retainer  48  may be rotatably coupled to a distal end of the inner leg section  18  such that it may be folded flat in a closed position ( FIG. 3 ) or engaged to retain a mattress in an extended position ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The calf portion  33  may be pivotally coupled to the thigh portion  32  by an inner leg frame coupling member  42 . The inner leg frame coupling member  42  should be configured to allow for movement between the thigh and calf portions  32 ,  33 . The inner leg section  18  may be pivotally coupled to the outer leg section  14  by a leg frame arm  34 . The leg frame arm  34  may provide stability for the inner leg assembly  19  when moving between an engaged or raised configuration ( FIG. 1 ) and a flat configuration ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , in an embodiment, the inner torso assembly  17  and the inner leg assembly  19  are pivotally connected to the outer torso assembly  11  and the outer leg assembly  15 , respectively, by assembly coupling members  44 . Assembly coupling members  44  may be a hinge, bolt, pin, or the like, configured to enable the inner torso assembly  17  and inner leg assembly  19  to pivot in response to engagement with an actuating assembly, which is described in detail below. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , in a preferred embodiment, the outer torso assembly  11  and the outer leg assembly  15  are pivotally coupled to the central leg assembly  13  by frame coupling members  30 . The central leg assembly  13  may be comprised of support legs  38  and a center frame bar  31 . The frame coupling members  30  may be a hinge, bolt, pin, or the like, configured to enable the outer torso assembly  11  and the outer leg assembly  15  to pivot in a substantially 90 degree path in relation to the central leg assembly  13  between the open position ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and the folded position ( FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the motorized foldable bed frame assembly of  FIG. 1  in a substantially closed or folded position. In a preferred embodiment, the foldable bed frame  10   a  has a torso actuator  50  and a leg actuator  52 . In the preferred embodiment, the torso actuator  50  and leg actuator  52  are 12V electric linear actuating motors, although other commercially equivalent actuating motors are anticipated. The torso actuator  50  may be fixedly coupled to a structural support bar  26  and operably engaged with a jack  54 . The jack  54  may be pivotally coupled to the inner torso section  16  such that when the torso actuator  50  is engaged, the jack  54  extends and retracts to elevate or recline the inner torso section  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  7  and  8 , the bed frame  10   a  includes a bracket  60  having a first end  62 , a second end  64  and an intermediate portion  66  between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 . The first end  62  is pivotally coupled to a structural support bar  22  of the inner torso section  16 . The second end  64  is pivotally coupled to a distal end of the jack  54 . The intermediate portion  66  is pivotally coupled to the inner torso section  16  and the seat portion  21  of the outer torso section  12  by one or more extensions extending therefrom. The second end  64  also includes a slot  68  which provides for the jack  54  to slide therein. Thus, the actuator  50 , jack  54  and bracket  60  form a first actuating assembly for raising and lowering the inner torso section  16  between a flat configuration ( FIG. 1 ) to a raised configuration ( FIG. 2 ). In the preferred embodiment, the jack  54  is fully extended and overlapped with the bracket  60  when the inner torso section  16  is in a flat configuration ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ), and the jack  54  is retracted and the bracket  60  is positioned at an angle from the outer torso section  12  when the inner torso section  16  is in a raised configuration ( FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  8 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  9  and  10 , the leg actuator  52  may be fixedly coupled to a structural support bar  28  of the outer leg section  14  and operably engaged with a jack  56 . The jack  56  may be pivotally coupled to the inner leg section  18  such that when the leg actuator  52  is engaged, the jack  56  extends and retracts to elevate or recline the inner leg section  18 . More specifically, the bed frame  10   a  includes a bracket  60  having a first end  62 , a second end  64  and an intermediate portion  66  between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 . The first end  62  is pivotally coupled to a structural support bar  24  of the inner leg section  18 . The second end  64  is pivotally coupled to a distal end of the jack  56 . The intermediate portion  66  is pivotally coupled to the inner leg section  18  by one or more extensions extending therefrom. Thus, the actuator  52 , jack  56  and bracket  60  form a second actuating assembly for raising and lowering the inner leg section  18  between a flat configuration ( FIG. 1 ) to a raised configuration ( FIG. 2 ). In the preferred embodiment, the jack  56  is fully extended and overlapped with the bracket  60  when the inner leg section  18  is in a flat configuration ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ), and the jack  56  is retracted and the bracket  60  is positioned at an angle from the outer leg section  14  when the inner leg section  18  is in a raised configuration ( FIGS. 1 ,  9  and  10 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the foldable bed frame  10   a  may have an actuator controller  58  configured to selectively engage the torso actuator  50  and the leg actuator  52  to elevate or recline the inner torso section  16  and the inner leg section  18 , respectively. The actuator controller  58  may be any wireline or wireless electronic control module capable of communicating an electronic input to the actuators  50 ,  52 . In an embodiment, the actuator controller  58  contains an adapter configured to control the torso actuator  50  and the leg actuator  52  simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, the torso actuator  50  and the leg actuator  52  are coupled to structural support bars  22  and  28  of the outer torso and leg sections  12  and  14  in a mirrored configuration relative to each other, such that when the bed frame  10   a  is configured in a folded configuration (see, e.g.  FIGS. 3 and 6 ), the actuators  50  and  52  are free from interference in relation to each other. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , a second embodiment of the foldable bed frame  10   b  of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the bed frame  10   b  is of substantially the same form as that of dual actuating foldable bed frame  10   a  without the inner leg assembly  19  and the second actuating assembly for the inner leg section  18  (i.e., leg actuator  52 , jack  56  and corresponding bracket  60 ). That is, only the user&#39;s torso is articulated as described above and the user&#39;s legs are statically supported by the outer leg assembly  15  without articulation. Therefore, the description above with respect to the first embodiment  10   a  is incorporated by reference in the description for the second embodiment  10   b  and like elements are shown in the figures. 
     In the preferred embodiments, the single actuating foldable bed frame  10   b  and dual actuating foldable bed frame  10   a  fold substantially flat in a folded configuration as shown for example in  FIG. 6  such that the outer torso section  12  and the outer leg section  14  are parallel in relation to each other. When collapsed in the folded configuration, the single actuating foldable bed frame  10   b  and dual actuating foldable bed frame  10   a  may have an overall height of between about three inches and about eight inches. Configuring the single actuating foldable bed frame  10   b  and the dual actuating foldable bed frame  10   a  in a folded configuration may reduce packaging and shipping costs of the motorized bed frame and may reduce set-up time for a user. 
     The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its exemplary forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.