Beds for children

A bed includes a base, an upper frame, and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the base to the upper frame. One of the frame members is a movable frame member that is movable relative to another of the frame members in order to adjust a height of a portion of the rim formed by the movable frame member relative to the base. The upper frame is configured such that the movable frame member is movable between first, second, and third predetermined positions relative to the base. The upper frame includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the movable frame member at the first and second predetermined positions. The upper frame is configured such that the position of the movable frame member is biased to move from the third predetermined position toward the first and second predetermined positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to beds for children and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with a bedside crib that improves the ease with which a child can be placed into the crib.

Parents of young children, e.g., infants, particularly those who are feeding or regularly checking on their child during the night, often put their child to sleep in a child's bed, e.g., a cot or crib, placed alongside the parent's bed. Beds for young children often include vertical walls extending around a perimeter of a mattress base of the bed, which enclose an interior space of the bed and prevent the child from falling out of the bed. However, in order to improve the ease with which the child can be placed into and brought out of the bed, a part of the wall of the bed may be removable. In particular, a part of the wall of the bed extending along a side of the mattress base that is arranged to abut the parent's bed may be removable. In this way, when a parent is on the parent's bed, the parent can to move the child toward them and out of the child's bed without lifting the child over the wall of the child's bed.

When a part of the wall of the child's bed has a height above the top of the mattress that is less than a predetermined height, for example, when the wall has been removed, it is desirable for the child's bed to be attached to the parent's bed. This may ensure that a gap cannot form between the child's bed and the parent's bed adjacent to the side of the child's bed adjacent to where the wall has been removed.

Accordingly, when the child's bed is not to be attached to the parent's bed, e.g., because the child's bed cannot fit into the available space adjacent to the parent's bed, it may be undesirable for the part of the wall of the child's bed to be removed. In such situations, it may be necessary for the child to be lifted over the wall of the child's bed to place the child into and move the child out of the child's bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a bed for a child, the bed including: a base forming a surface for the child to be laid on; an upper frame including two or more frame members at least partially forming a rim around an opening into an interior space of the bed, e.g., to receive the child; and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the base to the upper frame, the plurality of walls extending around the surface to partially enclose the interior space of the bed, wherein one of the frame members is a movable frame member, wherein the movable frame member is movable relative to another of the frame members in order to adjust a height of a portion of the rim formed by the movable frame member relative to the base, wherein the upper frame is configured such that the11.11movable frame member is movable between first, second, and third predetermined positions at which the height of the portion of the rim is at first, second, and third respective predetermined heights relative to the base, wherein the upper frame includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the movable frame member at the first and second predetermined positions, and wherein the upper frame is configured such that the position of the movable frame member is biased to move from the third predetermined position toward the first and second predetermined positions.

Because the movable frame member is biased to move from the third predetermined position toward the first and second predetermined positions, the movable frame member can be safely moved to the third predetermined position to improve the ease with which a child can be moved into or out of the bed, without the bed being attached to a parent's bed.

The opening may be in a horizontal plane, e.g., such that a child may be moved through the opening in a vertical direction.

The third predetermined height may be less than the first and second predetermined heights. The second predetermined height may be less than the first predetermined height. For example, the first predetermined height may be approximately 300 mm. The second predetermined height may be approximately 200 mm, and the third predetermined height may be less than 200 mm, such as approximately 120 mm.

The upper frame may be configured such that the movable frame member is biased to move from the third predetermined position past the second predetermined position to the first predetermined position, e.g., when allowed to move freely.

The upper frame may have a first mode of operation. In the first mode of operation of the upper frame, the locking mechanism may be configured to lock the position of the movable frame member at the second predetermined position, e.g., when the movable frame member is at the second predetermined position. In the first mode of operation, the locking mechanism may be configured to lock the position of the movable frame member at the first predetermined position when the movable frame member is at the first predetermined position.

The upper frame may have a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation of the upper frame, the locking mechanism may be configured such that the movable frame member does not become locked in the first or second predetermined positions.

The movable frame member may form a portion of the rim extending between a head end of the bed and a foot end of the bed.

The upper frame may include an actuator configured to selectively actuate the locking mechanism between a locking configuration, in which the locking mechanism may be to lock the position of the movable frame member at the first or second predetermined height, and an unlocked configuration, in which the movable frame member may not become locked in the first or second predetermined positions. The locking mechanism and/or the actuator may be biased into the locking configuration. For example, the locking mechanism and/or the actuator may include one or more biasing members, e.g., resilient members, such as coil springs, configured to bias the locking mechanism and/or the actuator into the locking configuration. The locking mechanism may be thereby configured to lock the position of the movable frame member at the first or second predetermined positions when the movable frame member is moved to the first or second predetermined positions.

The upper frame may further include a further actuator configured to selectively lock the actuator in the unlocked configuration. The further actuator may be thereby be configured to select the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation of the upper frame.

The locking mechanism may include a fixed portion, e.g., a first hinge component, coupled to a component of the upper frame other than the movable frame member, e.g., a fixed frame member, and a locking portion, e.g., a first locking component. The locking portion may be configured to move together with the movable frame member, e.g., in a first direction and optionally a second direction opposite to the first direction, as the movable frame member moves between the first, second, and third predetermined positions. The locking portion may be movable, e.g., in a third direction, between a locking configuration, in which the locking portion engages the fixed portion to prevent the movable member from moving relative to the other members of the upper frame, and an unlocked configuration, in which the locking portion does not engage the fixed portion. The locking portion may be movable under the action of the actuator.

The locking mechanism may further include a further locking portion, e.g., a second locking component. At least one of the locking portion and the further locking portion may include a ramp surface. The actuator may be configured to selectively move the further locking portion relative to the locking portion between a locking position and an unlocking position of the further locking portion. Movement of the further locking portion from the locking position toward the unlocking position may cause the further locking portion and the locking portion engage at the ramp surface to thereby urge the locking portion in the third direction.

The further locking portion may be movable in the first direction and optionally the second direction, e.g., relative to the locking portion.

The locking mechanism may include a biasing member configured to bias the locking portion and/or the further locking portion such that the locking portion may be moved toward the locking position of the locking portion.

The actuator may be mounted on the movable frame member. The upper frame may include a linkage, such as a pull cable, extending between the actuator and the locking mechanism. The linkage may extend inside a hollow interior of the movable frame member between the actuator and the locking mechanism.

The movable frame member may be pivotally coupled to a further frame member of the upper frame, e.g., the fixed frame member. The movable frame member may be movable between the first, second, and third positions by pivoting the movable frame member relative to the further member. For example, the movable frame member may be pivotable about a first axis of rotation. The first direction may include a clockwise direction about the first axis of rotation and optionally the second direction may include an anticlockwise direction about the first axis of rotation, or vice versa.

The locking mechanism may form a hinge between the movable frame member and the further member. The locking mechanism may include a first hinge member coupled to the further frame member and a second hinge member coupled to the movable frame member. The first hinge member may be pivotally coupled to the second hinge member. The first hinge member may include the fixed portion. The locking portion may be movably coupled to the second hinge member. The further locking portion may be movably, e.g., slidably, mounted on the second hinge member.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference toFIGS.1and2, a bed assembly1includes a bed2for a child and a stand3for supporting the bed2. The bed2includes first and second longitudinal ends2a,2b, which may be referred to as a head end2aand a foot end2bof the bed, and first and second lateral sides2c,2d.

The bed2includes a base4, a frame100including an upper frame110, and walls6extending between the base4and frame members112,114of the upper frame110. InFIG.2, the walls6have been omitted for clarity.

The base4forms a surface5for the child to be laid on. In one or more arrangements, the base4may include a mattress for supporting the child on the base. As depicted inFIGS.1and2, the frame members112,114of the upper frame110at least partially form a rim8around an opening10into an interior space12of the bed2within which the child is received.

As depicted inFIG.1, the walls6may extend upwardly from the base4. In particular, the walls6may extend between the base4and the frame members112,114of the upper frame110. As depicted, the walls6may extend around a perimeter of the surface5defined by the base4to partially enclose the interior space12. In other words, the walls6may extend along the first and second longitudinal ends2a,2band the first and second lateral sides2c,2d. The walls6may be formed from a flexible material, such as fabric. In some arrangements, at least a portion of the walls6may be made from a meshed material which allows a flow of air to pass into the interior space12of the bed2through the walls6.

As depicted inFIG.2, the frame100includes the upper frame110and one or more structural members120for coupling the upper frame110to the base4. In one or more arrangements, the upper frame110may be movably, e.g., pivotally, coupled to the structural member120to enable the upper frame to move relative to the base, e.g., in order to collapse the bed2. The frame100may include a structure locking mechanism130for locking the position of the upper frame110relative to the structural members120.

The frame100may further include one or more stand connectors140for selectively connecting the bed2to the stand3. As depicted, the stand connectors140may be provided on the structural members120. In other arrangements, the stand connectors140may be provided on another component of the frame100or bed2, such as on the base4. In some arrangements, the base4of the bed may be placed directly onto a surface, such as the floor, for supporting the bed. In other words, the stand3may be omitted.

The upper frame110includes a first frame member112, a second frame member114, and a hinge assembly210. The first and second frame members112,114may be pivotally coupled together at the hinge assembly210. As depicted inFIG.2, the hinge assembly210may be located at the head end2aof the bed2and may be located between the first and second lateral sides2c,2dof the bed, e.g., substantially centrally between the first and second lateral sides.

In some arrangements, the upper frame110may include a further hinge assembly210alocated at the foot end2bof the bed. The further hinge assembly210amay be located between the first and second lateral sides2c,2dof the bed, e.g., substantially centrally between the first and second lateral sides. The further hinge assembly may be similar to the hinge assembly210, for example, the further hinge assembly may be a mirror image of the hinge assembly. Hence, the features described in relation to the hinge assembly210may apply equally to the further hinge assembly210a.

As shown, the first frame member112may extend from a first end112aof the first frame member112at the head end2aof the bed to a second end112bof first frame member112at the foot end2bof the bed, e.g., along the first lateral side2c. The first frame member112may be coupled to the hinge assembly210at the first end112aof the first frame member112and may be coupled to the further hinge assembly210aat the second end112b. As shown inFIG.2the first frame member112may extend from the hinge assembly210along the head end2ato the first lateral side, along the first lateral side2cto the foot end2band along the foot end2bto the further hinge assembly210a.

The second frame member114may extend from a first end114aof the second frame member114at the head end2aof the bed to a second end114bof the second frame member at the foot end2bof the bed, e.g., along the second lateral side2d. The second frame member114may be coupled to the hinge assembly210at the first end114aof the second frame member and may be coupled to the further hinge assembly210aat the second end114bof the second frame member114. The second frame member114may extend from the hinge assembly210along the head end2ato the second lateral side2d, along the second lateral side2dto the foot end2band along the foot end2bto the further hinge assembly210.

The first frame member112and the second frame member114may thereby be arranged to extend about the opening10into the interior space12of the bed to together form the rim8around the opening10.

The hinge assembly210includes a first hinge component212and a second hinge component214. The first and second hinge components212,214are pivotally coupled together to support pivotal movements of the first and second hinge components relative to one another about a first axis A1, e.g., in opposing first and second, e.g., clockwise and anti-clockwise, directions D1, D2about the first axis A1. The first and second hinge components212,214may be coupled together such that the first and second hinge components are fixed relative to one another in a third direction D3parallel with the first axis. The first hinge component212is coupled to the first frame member112and a second hinge component214is coupled to the second frame member114. Each of the frame members112,114may be fixedly coupled to the respective hinge components212,214. The first and second frame members are thereby pivotally coupled together by the hinge assembly210.

As depicted inFIG.2, the frame100may be coupled to the structural member120via the first hinge component212. Hence, the first frame member112may be fixed relative to the base4, e.g., when the structure locking mechanism130is locked. The second frame member114may be movable, e.g., pivotable, relative to the base4by virtue of the hinge assembly210. In particular, the second frame member114may be movable in the first and second directions D1, D2, e.g., about the first axis A1. The first frame member112may therefore be referred to as a fixed frame member, and the second frame member114may be referred to as a movable frame member.

As shown inFIGS.2,3a, and3b, the bed2, e.g., the upper frame110of the bed may be configured such that the movable frame member114is movable between first, second, and third predetermined positions (illustrated inFIGS.2,3a, and3brespectively), at which a portion8aof the rim formed by the movable frame member114is at first, second, and third respective predetermined heights relative to the base4of the bed2. The first predetermined height may be a maximum height of the portion6aof the rim. For example, when the movable frame member114is in the first position, as depicted inFIG.3a, the height of the portion6aof the rim above the base4may be approximately 320 mm, e.g., between 300 mm and 340 mm.

The second predetermined height may be less than the first predetermined height. When the movable frame member114is in the second predetermined position, as depicted inFIG.3a, the height of the portion8aof the rim above the base4may be less than 320 mm. When the movable frame member114is in the second predetermined position, the height of the portion8aof the rim above the base2may be greater than or equal to 120 mm. For example, the second height may be approximately 200 mm, e.g., between 180 mm and 220 mm.

The third predetermined height may be less than the second predetermined height. The third predetermined height may be less than 200 mm. For example, the third predetermined height may be approximately 120 mm.

As shown inFIGS.4a,4b, and4c, due to the flexible nature of the material forming the walls6, when the movable frame member114is moved such that the height of the portion8aof the rim is reduced from the maximum height, the wall6extending between the base4and the portion8aof the rim may partially collapse such that the height of the wall6at the portion8aof the rim is reduced by a corresponding amount. A child may thereby be more easily be moved into or out of the bed2when the movable frame member114is in the second or third predetermined positions, compared to when the movable frame member114is in the first predetermined position.

The upper frame110further includes a locking mechanism200for selectively locking the position of the movable frame member114relative to the fixed frame member112. In the arrangements described herein, the locking mechanism200is configured to selectively lock the position of the movable frame member114in the first and second predetermined positions, e.g., such that the movable frame member114cannot be moved in the first and/or second directions from the second predetermined position. The locking mechanism200may be configured such that the position of the movable frame member114cannot be locked in the third predetermined position.

With reference toFIG.5, the upper frame110may further include an actuator assembly300for actuating the locking mechanism200, as disclosed herein, to selectively lock and unlock the locking mechanism200.

With reference toFIGS.6a,6b, and6cthe actuator assembly300may include an actuator housing310and an actuator320, such as a button, movably, e.g., slidably, mounted on the actuator housing310. In particular, the actuator320may be movable between a non-actuated position, depicted inFIG.6a, and an actuated position, depicted inFIGS.6band6c.

The actuator assembly300may further include one or more levers330pivotally mounted on the actuator housing. The actuator320may include an actuating portion322and, as depicted inFIG.6b, the actuator assembly may be configured such that moving the actuator320relative to the actuator housing310, e.g., depressing the actuator button, causes the actuating portion322of the actuator to act against the levers330to pivot the levers330relative to the actuator housing310.

One or more linkages340, such as pull cables, may be coupled to the levers330. In particular, first ends342of the linkages may be coupled to the levers330. Pivoting of the levers330, e.g., due to the action of the actuator320, may act to move, e.g., push or pull on the linkages340. The linkages340may be coupled to locking mechanism200and optionally the further locking mechanism, as described below, and moving the linages340may thereby control the operation of the locking mechanism200and optionally the further locking mechanism.

In the arrangements shown, one of the linkages340extends from a lever330of the actuator assembly to the locking mechanism200, and another of the linkages340extends from another lever330of the actuator assembly to the further locking mechanism200a. However, in other arrangements, e.g., in which the further locking mechanism200ais omitted, a single linkage340or single lever330may be provided.

In other arrangements, the actuator assembly300may include any other mechanism for converting movement of the actuator320to movement of the linkages340.

The actuator assembly300may further include one or more biasing members350, e.g., resilient elements, such as coil springs, configured to bias the actuator into the non-actuated position. In some arrangements, one or more further biasing members350may be provided for biasing the levers330into non-actuated positions of the levers330.

The actuator assembly300may further include a further actuator360movably, e.g., slidably, mounted on the actuator housing310. As depicted, the further actuator360may be movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the actuator320moves. The further actuator360may be movable between a first position, depicted inFIGS.6aand6b, in which movement of the actuator320is not restricted by the further actuator360, and a second position, depicted inFIG.6c, in which the further actuator360engages the actuator320to restrain the actuator320in the actuated position.

The further actuator360and/or the actuator320may include a ramped surface324,362arranged such that movement of the further actuator360from the first position toward the second position causes the further actuator to engage the actuator at the ramp surface or surfaces324,362and the actuator is urged to move toward the actuated position due to the engagement of the ramped surface or surfaces324,362.

With reference toFIGS.7and8, the locking mechanism200will now be described. As described above, the further locking mechanism200amay be a mirror image of the locking mechanism200and the features described in relation to the locking mechanism200may apply equally to the further locking mechanism200a.

The locking mechanism200may include the hinge assembly210. The locking assembly may further include a first locking component220and a second locking component230.

The first locking component220is coupled to the second hinge component214such that the first locking component220moves together with the second hinge component214when the second hinge component pivots relative to the first hinge component212, e.g., in the first and second direction D1, D2. In other words, the first locking component220is restricted from moving relative to the second hinge component214in the first direction. Additionally, the first locking component220is coupled to the second hinge component214such that the first locking component is movable relative to the second hinge component in the third direction D3. For example, the first locking component220may be slidably coupled to the second hinge component214such that the first locking component is slidable relative to the second hinge component214in the third direction D3. As described above, the third direction may include a component parallel to the first axis A1. The third direction may be perpendicular to the first and second directions.

The first locking component220further includes one or more engagement portions222. For example, as shown inFIG.8, the first locking component220may include first, second, and third engagement portions222a,222b,222c. The first hinge component212may include one or more complementary engagement portions213. For example, as shown inFIG.8, the first hinge component may include first, second, third, fourth, and fifth complementary engagement portions213a,213b,213c,213d, and213e. The locking mechanism200may be configured such that when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration, one or more of the engagement portions222engage one or more of the complementary engagement portions213respectively in order to lock the position of the first locking component220relative to the first hinge component212in the first and/or second directions. As described above, the first locking component220is fixed relative to the second hinge component214in the first and second directions, and hence, when the locking mechanism is in the locked configuration, the first hinge component may be locked relative to the second hinge component in the first and second directions D1, D2.

The second locking component230may be pivotally coupled to the second hinge component214such that the second locking component230is able to move in the first and second directions D1, D2relative to the second hinge component. For example, the second locking component230may be movable about the first axis A1in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions relative to the second hinge component. The linkage340, e.g., the second end344of the linkage, may be coupled to the second locking component230. The actuator assembly300, the locking mechanism200, and the linkage340may be configured such that moving, e.g., actuating, the actuator assembly300, e.g., between the actuated and non-actuated positions of the actuator320, moves the linkage340in order to move the second locking component230relative to the second hinge component in the first and/or second direction D1, D2.

With reference toFIG.9, the second locking component230and/or the first locking component220may include one or more ramp surfaces. For example, in the arrangement shown inFIG.9, the second locking component230includes one or more ramps surfaces232, and the first locking component220includes a corresponding number of complementary ramp surfaces224. The first and second locking components220,230are arranged such that movement of the second locking component230, e.g., under the action of the actuator, causes the ramp surface or surfaces to engage. In particular, in the arrangement shown inFIGS.7to9, movement of the second locking component230relative to the first locking component220in the first direction D1causes the ramp surfaces232of the second locking component230to engage and ride over the complementary ramp surfaces224on the first locking component220.

The second locking component230may be fixed relative to the first hinge component in the third direction D3. Hence, as shown inFIG.9, when one of the ramp surfaces232of the second locking component230engages and ride over one of the complementary ramp surfaces234on the first locking component220, the first locking component220may be urged in the third direction D3, e.g., away from the first hinge component. In particular, the first locking component may be moved in the third direction D3between a locking configuration of the locking assembly, in which the one or more of the engagement portions222are at least partially aligned with the or more of the complementary engagement portions213in the third direction D3, unlocked configuration, in which one or more of the engagement portions222do not align with one or more of the complementary engagement portions213in the third direction D3. The locking mechanism may include one or more biasing elements240configured to bias the first locking component220in the third direction D3toward a position in which the engagement portions222are at least partially aligned with the complementary engagement portions213in the third direction D3, e.g., the locked configuration of the locking mechanism.

FIG.8, illustrates a configuration of the locking mechanism200when the position of the movable frame member is in the first predetermined position. As shown inFIG.8, in this configuration, the first engagement portion222ais arranged to engage the first and second complementary engagement portions213a,213bin order to prevent movement of the first locking component220in the first and second directions. Additionally, the second engagement portion222bmay be arranged to engage the third complementary engagement portion212cand in order to prevent movement in the first direction. Additionally or alternatively, the third engagement portion222cmay be arranged to engage the fourth complementary engagement portion212din order to prevent movement in the first direction in a clockwise direction.

When the first locking component220is urged in the third direction D3, one or more of the engagement portions222of the first locking component may become unaligned with one or more of the complementary engagement portions213of the first hinge component in the third direction D3. In particular, in the arrangement described herein, the first engagement portion222amay no longer be aligned with the second complementary engagement portion213b, the second engagement portion222bmay no longer be aligned with the third complementary engagement portion212cand the third engagement portion222cmay no longer be aligned with the fourth complementary engagement portion212d. Consequently, the first locking component220may be able to move in the first direction relative to the first hinge component, thereby enabling the second hinge component to move relative to the second hinge component in the first direction.

The first and second locking portions may thereby be configured to selectively permit the first and second hinge components to move relative to one another in the first direction. In particular, the first and second hinge component may be moved relative to one another in order to move the movable frame member between the first, second and third predetermined positions.

FIGS.10aand10bdepict the locking mechanism200when the movable frame member114is in the second and third predetermined positions respectively. As depicted inFIG.10a, when the movable frame member114is in the second predetermined position, the first locking component may be arranged relative to the first hinge component such that the first engagement portion222acan engage the second complementary engagement portion213bof the first hinge component, such that the second locking component is prevented from moving in the second direction, e.g., toward the first predetermined position of the movable frame member, when the locking mechanism is in a locking configuration. Additionally, the second engagement portion222bof the first locking component may be engageable with the third complementary engagement portion213csuch that the second locking component can be prevented from moving in the second direction. Additionally or alternatively, the third engagement portion222cof the first locking component may be engaged with the fourth complementary engagement portion213dsuch that the first locking component is prevented from moving in the second direction.

As shown inFIG.10a, and described above, when the movable frame member114is in the second predetermined position, the locking mechanism may be able to prevent the movable frame member114from moving toward the first predetermined position, e.g., when the locking mechanism is in the locking configuration. However, the locking mechanism may not be configured to prevent movement of the movable frame member114toward the third predetermined position, e.g., when the locking mechanism is in the locking configuration or otherwise. In other arrangements, the locking mechanism may be configured to prevent movement of the movable frame member114toward the third predetermined position, e.g., when the locking mechanism is in the locking configuration. For example, one or the complementary engagement portions213may be arranged to be engaged one of the engagement portion222in order to prevent movement of the first locking component220(and hence, the second hinge component214) in the first direction D1, e.g., when the locking mechanism is in the locking configuration.

As depicted inFIG.10b, when the movable frame member114is in the third predetermined position, the first locking component220may be arranged relative to the first hinge component212such that the fourth engagement portion222dof the first locking component may engage with the fifth complementary engagement portion213eof the first hinge component such that the first locking component can be prevented from moving the first direction D1relative to the first hinge component. The movable frame member114may thereby be prevented from moving such that the height of the portion8aof the rim is reduced to a height less than the third predetermined height.

In the arrangement described herein, the fifth complementary engagement portion213eof the first hinge component212has a height in the third direction that is sufficiently large such that the fourth engagement portion222dis at least partially aligned with the fifth complementary engagement portion in the third direction D3when the locking mechanism200is in the locked and unlocked configuration. Hence, the fourth engagement portion222dis not able to move past the fifth complementary engagement portion213ewhen the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked. In this way, the movable frame member114is prevented from moving past the third predetermined position to reduce the height of the portion8aof the rim to a height less than the third predetermined height when the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked.

The locking mechanism may further include a hinge biasing element250, e.g., a resilient element, such as a coil spring, configured to bias the second hinge component to move in the second direction relative to the first hinge component, e.g., such that the movable frame member moves from the third predetermined position toward the second and first predetermined positions. In other words, the biasing element may be configured to bias the movable frame member to move such that the height of the portion8aof the rim increases. As depicted, the hinge biasing element250may be arranged to act between bias element engaging portions226,212aformed on the first locking component220and the first hinge component212respectively. In other arrangements, the hinge biasing element250may be configured to act between other components of the hinge assembly210or locking mechanism200that move relative to one another as the movable frame member moves between the first, second, and third predetermined positions.

In some arrangements, the upper frame110may include a further locking mechanism200a. For example, the further hinge assembly210amay be provided as part of the further locking mechanism. The further locking mechanism may be similar to the locking mechanism described above. For example, the further locking mechanism may be a mirror image of the locking mechanism. The further locking mechanism may be configured to selectively lock the position of the movable frame member114at the second end114bof the movable frame member, e.g., at the foot end of the bed.

The locking mechanism200and the actuator assembly300described herein may be configured such that the upper frame110is able to operating in a first operating mode or a second operating mode. The operating mode may be selected based on the position of the further actuator360. In particular, when the further actuator360is in the first position, the upper frame may be operating in the first operating mode in which the movable frame member may be movable between the first, second, and third predetermined positions, e.g., by moving the actuator to unlock the locking mechanism. When the actuator is released, the locking mechanism may lock e.g., automatically lock, in the first and second predetermined positions, when the movable frame member is positioned at the first and second predetermined positions. When the upper frame is operating in the first mode, releasing the movable frame member when the movable frame member is at the third predetermined position or between the second and third predetermined positions may cause the movable frame member to return to the second predetermined position, e.g., under the action of the hinge biasing element250, and become locked at the second predetermined position, such that the movable frame member is prevented from returning to the first predetermined position unless the locking mechanism is moved to the unlocked configuration, e.g., by the actuator.

When the further actuator360is in the second position, the upper frame110may be operating in the second operating mode in which, the further actuator360may maintain the actuator320in the depressed position, such that the locking mechanism200is maintained in the unlocked configuration. Accordingly, when the upper frame110is operating in the second mode, the movable frame member may be movable between the first, second and third predetermined positions. Releasing the movable frame member at a position between the first and third predetermined positions may cause the movable frame member to move to the first predetermined position, e.g., under the action of the hinge biasing element250.