Abstract:
The invention provides a bed capable of providing postural support to a user, the bed comprising: a headrest ( 10 ) having an adjustable height; a backrest ( 12 ) having an adjustable angle (a)of inclination to incline the user&#39;s back; and a shoulder and arm rest ( 11 ) positioned between the headrest and the backrest; wherein the headrest ( 10 ), backrest ( 12 ) and the shoulder and arm rest ( 11 ) are configurable to form a channel ( 14 ) extending between and separating the headrest ( 10  and the backrest ( 12 ) when the headrest ( 10 ) and backrest ( 12 ) are adjusted in elevated positions, and configurable to form a substantially even sleeping surface of the backrest ( 12 ) and shoulder and arm rest ( 11 ) without forming the channel ( 14 ) when the backrest ( 12 ) is adjusted to a flat angle of inclination. The invention also provides an insert capable of being inserted into an outer bed frame in the construction of the bed, and a kit for construction of the bed.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to beds which are capable of providing postural support to a user, in particular to an improved bed in which the user&#39;s upper body may be inclined. The invention may be useful in the prevention or amelioration of sleep apnoea, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or any relevant medical or postural need for improved comfort, health or sleep quality of the user or their sleeping partner. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Oswald Abraham, in international patent publication WO2009/103109 (also granted as Australian patent 2009217220), disclosed an improved postural support pillow with a headrest and a backrest adapted to support the head and back (or rib cage) of a user, with a channel separating the head and back rests for accommodating the user&#39;s arm at least in part. The pillow has proved successful for many users for a number of conditions, including sleep apnoea, pain caused by irritation of the oesophagus by refluxing stomach acids in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and many other posturally sensitive conditions. The disclosures of WO2009/103109 are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0003]    Pillows are only adjustable for a user&#39;s changing preferences or needs, by adjusting the level of inflation in the case of an air filled pillow or by cumbersome removable inserts, and can be inconvenient to position and store. There is therefore a need to provide an improved apparatus which is easily adjustable and solves the convenience and storage problem. 
         [0004]    The current invention stems from the realisation that the simple geometrical structure of the Abraham pillow allows a convenient implementation in the form of adjustable bed, providing an elegant solution to the above-mentioned shortcomings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided a bed capable of providing postural support to a user, the bed comprising:
       a headrest having an adjustable height;   a backrest having an adjustable angle of inclination to incline the user&#39;s back; and   a shoulder and arm rest positioned between the headrest and the backrest;   wherein the headrest, backrest and the shoulder and arm rest are configurable to form a channel extending between and separating the headrest and the backrest when the headrest and backrest are adjusted in elevated positions, and configurable to form a substantially even sleeping surface of the backrest and shoulder and arm rest without forming the channel when the backrest is adjusted to a flat angle orientation.       
 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the backrest inclines from a middle region of the bed and in a lower region of the bed is disposed a lower body rest. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment the shoulder and arm rest does not have an adjustable height. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the headrest comprises a headrest cushion supported by a headrest base, the headrest base being connected to a headrest actuator to provide the adjustable height. The headrest actuator may comprise a headrest electric motor and a headrest actuator shaft connected to the headrest base from below. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the backrest comprises a backrest cushion supported by a backrest base, the backrest base being connected to a backrest actuator to provide the adjustable inclination. The backrest actuator may comprise a backrest electric motor and backrest actuator shaft connected to the backrest base from below. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, is adjustable to an elevation of at least 30 mm, preferably 60 mm and more preferably 90 mm from a lowermost position of the headrest, and the backrest is adjustable to an angle of inclination of at least 5° , preferably 10° and more preferably 15° from horizontal. The headrest and the backrest may be adjustable continuously between the lower most and uppermost positions. Alternatively, the headrest and the backrest may be adjustable to a number of positions. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the headrest and the backrest are independently adjustable. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a 2nd broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an insert capable of being inserted into an outer bed frame in the construction of the bed of the first broad aspect of the invention, the insert comprising:
       an insert frame;   a headrest base adapted to support a headrest cushion and connected through a headrest actuator to the insert frame to provide the adjustable height of the headrest;   a shoulder and arm rest base adapted to support a shoulder and arm rest cushion; and   a backrest base adapted to support a backrest cushion and connected through a backrest actuator to the insert frame to provide the adjustable inclination.       
 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the insert frame is constructed in two parts, an upper body part receiving the headrest base and backrest base, and a lower body part adapted to support a lower body cushion. The 2 parts may be detachable. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the headrest actuator is attached to the insert frame at a frame extension disposed beneath the headrest base. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the backrest actuator is attached to the insert frame at an extension arm extending beneath a pivot axis of the backrest base. 
         [0024]    In accordance with a 3rd broad aspect of the invention, there is also provided a kit comprising the insert of the 2nd broad aspect of the invention, the headrest cushion, the shoulder and arm rest cushion and the backrest cushion. 
         [0025]    The kit may also comprise the lower body cushion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a bed constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in an elevated position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the bed of  FIG. 1  in a lowered position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an insert disposed inside the bed of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an upper body frame part of the insert of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the headrest base of the bed of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a frame extension part of the bed of  FIG. 1  adapted to receive the headrest base and headrest actuator; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the backrest base of the bed of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    An embodiment of the current invention will now be described. 
         [0034]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a side view is provided of a bed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, adjusted into an elevated position. The bed comprises an outer bed frame constructed of wood and comprising bed head  1 , bed side panels  2  and bed foot  3 , and is integral with headrest, shoulder and arm rest, and backrest. 
         [0035]    The bed sleeping surface is divided into separate cushions, typically constructed from or polyurethane foam of suitable density or latex foam material, including a headrest cushion  10  with an upper part  10   a  disposed above a lower part  10   b,  a shoulder and arm rest cushion  11 , a backrest cushion  12  pivoting from a middle region of the bed and a lower body cushion  13 . Upper part  10   a  of headrest cushion  10  has a thickness ranging from about 35 mm at the front 60 mm at the back thereof and extends slightly over channel  14  for sleeping comfort as described in the Abraham pillow prior art. As is described in WO2009/103109, the cushions may be composed of foam having different densities in different regions, to provide the most comfortable and ergonomically advantageous posture of the user to align the head, neck and spine. 
         [0036]    Headrest cushion  10  is supported by headrest base  20  which has an adjustable height stabilised in linear motion by headrest guide rails  22 . Headrest base  20  is attached to an actuator powered by an electric actuator motor  23 . The actuator is installed on a frame extension  21  of an insert frame (not visible). Backrest cushion  12  is supported by backrest base  30  which is adjustable through a backrest actuator, of which the gearbox  31  is visible, to provide different angles of inclination α. Typical dimensions of the bed and its components are labelled in the diagram. Height A of bed head  1  is about 1000 mm. The distance B between the sleeping headrest position shown the diagram and the lowermost position of the headrest base  20  is ideally about 150 mm. use for maximum elevations of the headrest range from 30 mm, which may be suitable for small children. The angle of inclination a between the typical sleeping position shown the diagram and the horizontal is ideally about 18.5°. Useful angles of maximum inclination range from 5° which may be suitable for small children. The distance F between the headrest guide rails  22  and the back of the bed head  1  is about 200 mm. The overall length of the bed E is about 2200 mm and the distance D from a pivoting axis of the backrest base  30  and the front of the bed end  3  is about 1300 mm. The height of the bed end C is about 650 mm. All these dimensions are exemplary only and can be varied depending on body size and need. 
         [0037]    When adjusted into an elevated position, a channel  14  extends laterally between the headrest  10  and the backrest  12 , a base of the channel  14  being formed by shoulder and arm rest  11  which extends between and separates headrest  10  and backrest  12 . This essentially enables provision of the sleeping position provided by the above-mentioned Abraham pillow of the prior art. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the bed of  FIG. 1  is shown with the headrest  10  and backrest  12  adjusted into the lowermost position, in line with shoulder and arm rest  11  and lower body cushion  13 , producing a mostly regular flat sleeping arrangement, being a substantially even sleeping surface of the backrest  12  and shoulder and arm rest  13  without forming a channel. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an insert of the  2 nd aspect of the invention is shown separated from its installation into the bed of  FIG. 1 . The insert is primarily constructed from wood and tubular steel where necessary, designed using finite element analysis to arrive at a strong, sufficiently lightweight and economical design. The particular compositions of this embodiment and proportions shown in the diagram have been optimised by utilisation of virtual reality techniques, but less technically advanced methods such as rule of thumb and trial and error are of course able to be used as are known in the art to arrive at workable designs. 
         [0040]    The insert comprises an insert frame in 2 parts, an upper body part  40  receiving the headrest base  20  and backrest base  30  and having wooden or stiff elastic slats such as  37  therebetween to provide a base for the shoulder and arm rest  11 , and also having a lower body part  50  with wooden or stiff elastic slats such as  51  supporting the stationary lower body cushion  13 . The insert essentially replaces the usual supporting base of wooden slats in a wooden frame bed and is installed over the interior shelves provided alongside panels  2 . Normally, upper body part  40  and lower body part  50  of the insert frame are attached together with metal locking plates (not shown). The provision of 2 parts enables manufacture of varying length insert frames to suit different lengths of beds. 
         [0041]    Headrest base  20  is connected to the insert frame at frame extension  21  which is bolted using a metal bracket or otherwise rigidly attached to upper body part  40 . Frame extension  21  houses actuator with actuator gearbox  23  and actuator shaft  24  with guide rails  22  assisting in stabilising the linear movement. Backrest base  30  is attached to a metal receiving part  41  in upper body part  40  at a pivot attachment point  33 . A backrest actuator (of which gearbox  31  is visible) is pivotally attached to backrest base  30  at an attachment part  32  at one end, and is attached through an actuator shaft to the upper body part  40  of the insert frame at the attachment point  43  on the end of an extension arm  42 , the extension arm  42  providing the requisite geometry to allow pivoting of the backrest base  30  from a lower most inclination in the flat position to an uppermost inclination of ideally at least about 18.5°. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , further details are visible. In relation to backrest base  30  and its operation, steel extension arm  42  is shown attached to steel cross beam  44  of upper body part  40 , and actuator motor  34  drives the actuator shaft through gearbox  31 . In relation to headrest base  20  and its operation, wooden frame extension  21  is attached to actuator gearbox  25  and actuator motor  23  is visible. Wooden cross beam  27  of frame extension  21  houses an upper end of actuator gearbox  25  through which emerges actuator shaft  24 . Cross beam  27  also houses nylon lined steel bushes  26  through which guide rails  22  slide. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 5A , further details of headrest base  20  are shown. The base  20  is bordered by tubular steel of circular cross-section, and a central tubular steel strut  60  of circular cross-section strengthens the centre. Flat wooden or stiff elastic slats  61  serve to close the base sufficiently to support for the headrest cushion  10 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 5B , frame extension  21  is shown in isolation, including metal attachment point  71  for attachment of actuator gearbox  25  and square aperture  70  in wooden cross beam  27  which houses the upper end of actuator gearbox  25 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , backrest base  30  is shown in isolation, including attachment point  32  for the pivotal attachment of actuator gearbox  31 . Like headrest base  20 , backrest base  30  is bordered by circular cross-section tubular steel, and also comprises a strengthening strut  76  also composed of circular cross-section tubular steel adjacent attachment point  32  for the actuator. Flat wooden or stiff elastic slats  77  serve to close the base sufficiently to support the backrest cushion  12 . Steel bracket pieces  75  provide attachment pivot point  33 . 
         [0046]    As will be appreciated, typically a hand-held wired or wireless control is provided to operate the adjustment to a desired position of the headrest  20  and backrest  30  between the operating extremes of the device. The hand-held control may comprise simple independent up-down controls for each motor, or alternatively or in addition may comprise several buttons corresponding to particular positions of each base. Further, the hand-held control can be programmed to operate both actuators synchronously in a programmed relationship to maintain the headrest and backrest in an ergonomically acceptable range. 
         [0047]    The invention is particularly useful in providing an adjustable bed for the amelioration of sleep apnoea, but is more generally useful in providing a comfortable inclined sleeping position for any purpose, which tends to align the head, neck and spine, and a regular substantially even flat sleeping surface if desired. 
         [0048]    Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention, which is determined from the broadest scope and claims. 
         [0049]    For example, while the embodiment above describes a motorised system, manually operated systems not relying on electricity are within the scope of the invention. Further, embodiments are contemplated where the backrest cushion and lower body cushion are connected or are provided by a single integral flexible cushion. Further still, headrest cushion  10  may not necessarily require an upper part  10   a  which sits proud of the bed surface in a lowermost flat position, in embodiments where the user supplements a conventional pillow, although the overhang provided by upper part  10   a  is optimal. The invention can be applied to double beds while remaining within the scope, with the adjustable head rest and backrest being provided on one side or on both sides, independently adjustable or adjustable together. Further still, embodiments are contemplated where the inclining backrest extends all the way to the foot of the bed and the lower body rest is omitted. Also, embodiments where the shoulder and arm rest is also adjustable in height are within the scope. 
         [0050]    In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Further, any method steps recited in the claims are not necessarily intended to be performed temporally in the sequence written, or to be performed without pause once started, unless the context requires it. 
         [0051]    It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.