Adjustable bed with folding mechanism

An adjustable bed includes: a head frame and a foot frame; a head lifting assembly including a head lifting bracket pivotally connected to the head frame, and a head lifting actuator pivotally connected between the head lifting bracket and the head frame for operably driving the head lifting bracket to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction; a foot lifting assembly including a foot lifting bracket pivotally connected to the foot frame, and a foot lifting actuator pivotally connected between the foot lifting bracket and the foot frame for operably driving the foot lifting bracket to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction; and a folding mechanism connecting the head frame and the foot frame such that the head frame and the foot frame are pivotably foldable to one another at the folding mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a bed, and more particular to an adjustable bed with folding mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adjustable beds are used more and more in healthcare, home improvement scenarios. Recently, electric motors have been applied to adjustable beds to facilitate movements through different positions. For a conventional adjustable bed, when an upper portion of an adjustable bed is lifted, it may be difficult to optimize the force on the motor. It may also be difficult and cumbersome to store the adjustable bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in one aspect, relates to a folding mechanism of an adjustable bed having a power operation system with a power head lifting operation system and a power foot lifting operation system.

According to one aspect of the invention, an adjustable bed includes a head frame and a foot frame; a head lifting assembly including a head lifting bracket pivotally connected to the head frame, and a head lifting actuator pivotally connected between the head lifting bracket and the head frame for operably driving the head lifting bracket to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction relative to the head frame; a foot lifting assembly including a foot lifting bracket pivotally connected to the foot frame, and a foot lifting actuator pivotally connected between the foot lifting bracket and the foot frame for operably driving the foot lifting bracket to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction relative to the foot frame; and a folding mechanism connecting the head frame and the foot frame such that the head frame and the foot frame are pivotably foldable to one another at the folding mechanism.

In one embodiment, the head frame includes an upper head frame rail, a lower head frame rail, and a pair of side head frame rails; wherein the upper head frame rail and the lower head frame rail are longitudinally spaced and transversely extended, and the pair of side head frame rails is transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to the upper head frame rail and the lower head frame rail, such that the upper head frame rail and the lower head frame rail and the pair of side head frame rails are co-planar in a rectangle form.

In one embodiment, the head lifting bracket includes a middle bar and a pair of swing arms, wherein the pair of swing arms is transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to ends of the transversely extending middle bar in an H-shaped form, and each of the pair of swing arms has a first end portion and an opposite, second end portion, wherein the first end portion of each swing arm or is pivotally mounted to a respective one of the side head frame rails of the head frame through a pivot; and the head lifting actuator includes a motor member, an outer tube extending from the motor member, an activation rod received in the outer tube, engaged with the motor member and configured to be telescopically movable relative to said outer tube according to a direction of motor rotation, wherein the motor member is pivotally connected to the upper head frame rail of the head frame through a first bracket, and the activation rod has a distal end portion pivotally connected to the middle bar of the head lifting bracket through a second bracket.

Furthermore, the swing arms are in an arc-shaped design.

Additionally, the second end portion of at least one of the swing arms is equipped with a first lifting wheel and a second lifting wheel.

In one embodiment, the foot frame includes an upper foot frame rail, a lower foot frame rail, and a pair of side foot frame rails, wherein the upper foot frame rail and the lower foot frame rail are longitudinally spaced and transversely extended, and the pair of side foot frame rails is transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to the upper foot frame rail and the lower foot frame rail, such that the upper foot frame rail and the lower foot frame rail and the pair of side foot frame rails are co-planar in a rectangle form.

In one embodiment, the foot lifting bracket includes a middle bar and a pair of swing arms, wherein the pair of swing arms is transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to ends of the transversely extending middle bar in an H-shaped form, and each of the pair of swing arms has a first end portion and an opposite, second end portion, wherein the first end portion of each swing arm or is pivotally mounted to a respective one of the side foot frame rails of the foot frame through a pivot; and the foot lifting actuator includes a motor member, an outer tube extending from the motor member, an activation rod received in the outer tube, engaged with the motor member and configured to be telescopically movable relative to said outer tube according to a direction of motor rotation, wherein the motor member is pivotally connected to the upper foot frame rail of the foot frame through a first bracket, and the activation rod has a distal end portion pivotally connected to the middle bar of the foot lifting bracket through a second bracket.

Additionally, the second end portion of at least one of the swing arms is equipped with a foot lifting wheel.

In one embodiment, the adjustable bed further includes a plurality of platforms disposed on the head frame, the head lifting assembly, the foot frame and the foot lifting assembly.

Furthermore, the plurality of platforms includes a head lifting platform and an upper seat platform mounted on the head frame and hinged with the head lifting platform through hinges; and a lower seat platform mounted on the foot frame, a thigh platform, and a leg platform, the lower seat platform hinged with the thigh platform through hinges, and the thigh platform hinged with the leg platform through hinges.

In one embodiment, the foot frame further includes a foot lifting support assembly including a sliding bracket groove, a sliding bracket, a foot lifting support tube, and a stop pin; wherein the sliding bracket groove is rigidly connected to the foot frame, the sliding bracket is received in the sliding bracket groove, the foot lifting support tube has one end connected to the sliding bracket and another end fixed to the leg platform, and the stop pin is coupled to the sliding bracket to operably restrict vertical movements of the sliding bracket.

In one embodiment, the adjustable bed further includes a controller configured to control operations of the head lifting actuator and the foot lifting actuator, respectively, so as to lift individually or cooperatively the head lifting platform, the thigh platform, and the leg platform in desired positions.

In one embodiment, the adjustable bed further includes at least one massage assembly6for providing massage effects to a user of the bed.

The at least one massage assembly includes a massage motor, an elastic belt, a massage motor cover, a velcro loop surface, a foam house, a velcro hook surface, and a plywood decking; wherein the velcro loop surface and the massage motor cover are connected, a side of the massage motor passes through an opening of the massage motor cover, the elastic belt passes through the side of the massage motor, the velcro hook surface is fixed onto the plywood decking, the foam house is placed inside a hole of the plywood decking, the massage motor is placed inside a hole of the foam house so that the velcro loop surface and the velcro hook surface are fit together, and the massage motor is fastened onto the plywood decking.

In one embodiment, the adjustable bed further includes a plurality of slat stabilizer brackets fixed on the pair of side head frame rails.

In one embodiment, the adjustable bed further includes a plurality of nonslip rubber pads disposed on the head frame assembly and/or the foot frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inFIGS. 1-9. In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to an adjustable bed with a folding mechanism.

Referring toFIGS. 1-9, the adjustable bed is shown according to one embodiment of the invention. The adjustable bed includes a head frame13, a foot frame17, a head lifting assembly, a head lifting actuator, a foot lifting assembly, a foot lifting actuator, and a folding mechanism16.

The head lifting assembly has a head lifting bracket14pivotally connected to the head frame13, and a head lifting actuator pivotally connected between the head lifting bracket14and the head frame13for operably driving the head lifting bracket14to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction relative to the head frame13. The foot lifting assembly has a foot lifting bracket19pivotally connected to the foot frame17, and a foot lifting actuator pivotally connected between the foot lifting bracket19and the foot frame17for operably driving the foot lifting bracket19to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction relative to the foot frame17. The folding mechanism16connects the head frame13and the foot frame17such that the head frame13and the foot frame17are pivotably foldable to one another at the folding mechanism16. Preferably, the folding mechanism16is a hinge bracket, as shown inFIGS. 1, 4 and 7-9. Other connecting means and other types of folding mechanism can also be utilized to practice the invention.

As shown inFIG. 2, the head frame13includes an upper head frame rail13a, a lower head frame rail13b, and a pair of side head frame rails13cand13d. The upper head frame rail13aand the lower head frame rail13bare longitudinally spaced and transversely extended, and the pair of side head frame rails13cand13dis transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to the upper head frame rail13aand the lower head frame rail13b, such that the upper head frame rail13aand the lower head frame rail13band the pair of side head frame rails13cand13dare co-planar in a rectangle form. Preferably, the connection of the pair of side head frame rails13cand13dto the upper and lower head frame rails13aand13bis by welding ends of the upper head frame rail13aonto end portions of the pair of side head frame rails13cand13d, and welding ends of the lower head frame rail13bonto opposite end portions of the pair of side head frame rails13cand13d. Other connecting means can also be utilized to practice the invention.

The head lifting bracket14includes a middle bar14aand a pair of swing arms14band14c. Each of the pair of swing arms14band14cis in an arc-shaped design. The pair of swing arms14band14cis transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to ends of the transversely extending middle bar14ain an H-shaped form. Each of the pair of swing arms14band14chas a first end portion and an opposite, second end portion. The first end portion of each swing arm14bor14cis pivotally mounted to a respective one of the side head frame rails13cand13dof the head frame13through a pivot15. The second end portion of at least one of the swing arms14band14cis equipped with a first lifting wheel25and a second lifting wheel24. The drawings ofFIGS. 2, 3 and 6-9show only the second end portion of the swing arms14bis equipped with a first lifting wheel25and a second lifting wheel24. Practically, the second end portion of the swing arms14cmay also be equipped with the first lifting wheel25and the second lifting wheel24. In addition, each of the pair of swing arms14band14cmay be reinforced by a pair of reinforcing pieces14d(FIGS. 6-7) rigidly connected to an end portion of the middle bar14aon either side.

The foot frame17includes an upper foot frame rail17a, a lower foot frame rail17b, and a pair of side foot frame rails17cand17d. The upper foot frame rail17aand the lower foot frame rail17bare longitudinally spaced and transversely extended, and the pair of side foot frame rails17cand17dis transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to the upper foot frame rail17aand the lower foot frame rail17b, such that the upper foot frame rail17aand the lower foot frame rail17band the pair of side foot frame rails17cand17dare co-planar in a rectangle form. Preferably, the connection of the pair of side foot frame rails17cand17dto the upper and lower foot frame rails17aand17bis by welding ends of the upper foot frame rail17aonto end portions of the pair of side foot frame rails17cand17d, and welding ends of the lower foot frame rail17bonto opposite end portions of the pair of side foot frame rails17cand17d. Other connecting means can also be utilized to practice the invention.

The foot lifting bracket19includes a middle bar19aand a pair of swing arms19band19c. The pair of swing arms19band19cis transversely spaced and longitudinally extended, and rigidly connected to ends of the transversely extending middle bar19ain an H-shaped form. Each of the pair of swing arms19band19chas a first end portion and an opposite, second end portion. The first end portion of each swing arm19bor19cis pivotally mounted to a respective one of the side foot frame rails17cand17dof the foot frame17through a pivot15a. The second end portion of at least one of the swing arms19band19cis equipped with a foot lifting wheel20. The drawings ofFIGS. 2 and 8-9show only the second end portion of the swing arms19cis equipped with the foot lifting wheel20. Practically, the second end portion of the swing arms19bmay also be equipped with the foot lifting wheel20. In addition, each of the pair of swing arms19band19cmay be reinforced by a reinforcing piece19d(FIGS. 8-9) rigidly connected to an end portion of the middle bar19aon the side not pivotally mounted through a pivot15a.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 6-9, the head lifting actuator includes a motor member26, an outer tube26aextending from the motor member26, and an activation rod26breceived in the outer tube26a, engaged with the motor member26and configured to be telescopically movable relative to said outer tube26aaccording to a direction of motor rotation. The motor member26is pivotally connected to the upper head frame rail13aof the head frame13through a first bracket26d. The activation rod26bhas a distal end portion pivotally connected to the middle bar14aof the head lifting bracket14through a second bracket26c.

The foot lifting actuator includes a motor member21, an outer tube21aextending from the motor member21, and an activation rod21breceived in the outer tube21a, engaged with the motor member21and configured to be telescopically movable relative to said outer tube21aaccording to a direction of motor rotation. The motor member21is pivotally connected to the upper foot frame rail17aof the foot frame17through a first bracket21d. The activation rod21bhas a distal end portion pivotally connected to the middle bar19aof the foot lifting bracket19through a second bracket21c.

The adjustable bed also includes middle leg brackets27. One of the middle leg brackets27is connected to an end portion of the lower head frame rail13bcloser to the side head frame rail13d. Another of the middle leg brackets27is connected to an end portion of the upper foot frame rail17acloser to the side foot frame rail17c.

The adjustable bed further includes a plurality of platforms disposed on the head frame13, the head lifting assembly, the foot frame17and the foot lifting assembly.

The plurality of platforms includes a head lifting platform1and an upper seat platform2mounted on the head frame13. The upper seat platform2is hinged with the head lifting platform1through hinges23. The plurality of platforms also includes a lower seat platform3mounted on the foot frame17, a thigh platform4, and a leg platform5. The lower seat platform3is hinged with the thigh platform4through hinges23, and the thigh platform4is hinged with the leg platform5through hinges23.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 7-9, the foot frame17further includes at least one foot lifting support assembly22having a sliding bracket groove30, a sliding bracket29, a foot lifting support tube28, and a stop pin40. In some embodiments, the foot lifting support assembly22is attached onto each of the side foot frame rails17cand17dof the foot frame17. The sliding bracket groove30is rigidly connected to the foot frame17. The sliding bracket29has an insert piece on the side of the sliding bracket29that is received in the sliding bracket groove30, the foot lifting support tube28has one end connected to the sliding bracket29and another end fixed to the leg platform5, and the stop pin40is coupled to the sliding bracket29to operably restrict vertical movements of the sliding bracket29. That is, the sliding bracket29has an insert hole on the side of the sliding bracket29, and the stop pin40is inserted into the insert hole to operably restrict vertical movements of the sliding bracket29. Under normal circumstances, a distance between the sliding bracket29and the foot frame17is 1 mm. When the foot lifting portion needs to be lifted open, the sliding bracket29is lifted up, for example, by 12 mm, at which time the stop pin40is blocked by the sliding bracket groove30. Preferably, the sliding bracket groove30is welded to the foot frame17, and the foot lifting support tube28is connected to the sliding bracket29by a bolt, but other connecting means can also be utilized.

The adjustable bed further includes a controller configured to control operations of the head lifting actuator and the foot lifting actuator, respectively, so as to lift individually or cooperatively the head lifting platform1, the thigh platform4, and the leg platform5in desired positions. A user lying on the adjustable bed can make adjustments as desired.

FIGS. 3A-3Cshow a sequence of the head lifting actuator operably driving the head lifting bracket14to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction relative to the head frame13. When the adjustable bed is flat, the head lifting platform1is in a horizontal state, the first lifting wheel25is in contact with the head lifting platform1, and the second lifting wheel24has a gap of 10 mm from the head lifting platform1(as shown inFIG. 3C). When the motor member26drives the head lifting bracket14in the upward rotating direction, the first lifting wheel25first pushes the head lifting platform1to move upward. When the head lifting platform1reaches an angle, for example, 14°, the second lifting wheel24and the first lifting wheel25are both in contact with the head lifting platform1(as shown inFIG. 3B). It should be noted that the angle of 14° is an example for illustration the invention only, and other angles can also be utilized. When the motor member26continues to drive the head lifting bracket14in the upward rotating direction, the first lifting wheel25is disengaged from the head lifting platform1and is replaced by the second lifting wheel24to continue pushing the head lifting platform1to move (as shown inFIG. 3A). The above description, in reverse, also applies to the motor member26driving the head lifting bracket14in the downward rotating direction.

As shown inFIGS. 1-3, the adjustable bed further includes at least one massage assembly6for providing massage effects to a user of the bed.

As shown inFIGS. 3D-3E, the at least one massage assembly6includes a massage motor36, an elastic belt33, a massage motor cover34, a velcro loop surface35, a foam house37, a velcro hook surface38, and a plywood decking39. The velcro loop surface35and the massage motor cover34are connected. A side of the massage motor36passes through an opening of the massage motor cover34, and the elastic belt33passes through the side of the massage motor36(the side of the massage motor36has a small opening for the elastic belt to pass through) to connect the components as a whole. Further, the velcro hook surface38is fixed onto the plywood decking39(this may be done by a nail or any other connecting means not limited thereto). The foam house37is placed inside a hole of the plywood decking39, and the massage motor36as assembled above is placed inside a hole of the foam house37so that the velcro loop surface35and the velcro hook surface38are fit together. Finally, the massage motor36is fastened onto the plywood decking39(this may be done via a pair of screws31and a pair of washers32, but other connecting means may also be utilized). The massage motor can be easily replaced by simply removing the elastic belt33from the side of the massage motor36and separating the velcro surfaces.

As shown inFIG. 1, the adjustable bed further includes a first opening for motor9in the head lifting platform1to accommodate the motor member26; a second opening for motor10in the head lifting platform1to accommodate the motor member26; a third opening for motor7in the leg platform5to accommodate the motor member21; and a fourth opening for motor8in the thigh platform4to accommodate the motor member21. When the adjustable bed is fully laid flat, the first opening for motor9, the second opening for motor10, the third opening for motor7, and the fourth opening for motor8accommodate the motor member26and the motor member21, therefore avoiding collision, increasing motor thrust angle and reducing the overall height of the adjustable bed, making the bed thinner.

A folding sequence of the adjustable bed is shown in panels A-D ofFIG. 4according to the invention. In one embodiment, the side head frame rails13cand13dof the head frame13are two pieces of U-shaped steel brackets. Each U-shaped steel bracket has an opening of, for example, but not limited to, 1.77 in ×0.59 in (as shown in panel A ofFIG. 4). The same is true of the side foot frame rails17cand17dof the foot frame17. The distance between the two rotation centers of the folding hinge bracket16is, for example, but not limited to, 2.13 in, and an upper folding edge is, for example, but not limited to, 1.18 in (as shown in panel B ofFIG. 4).

When folding the adjustable bed, the head frame13rotates around the rotation center of the folding mechanism16. When the side of the head frame13touches the upper folding edge of the folding mechanism16(i.e., at a 90° position, as shown in panel B ofFIG. 4), the head frame13and the folding mechanism16continue to rotate around another rotation center (as shown in panel C ofFIG. 4) until they overlap the foot frame17. Alternatively, the foot frame17rotates around the rotation center of the folding mechanism16. When the side of the foot frame17touches the upper folding edge of the folding mechanism16, the foot frame17and the folding mechanism16continue to rotate around another rotation center until they overlap the head frame13. The upper folding edge of the folding mechanism16being, for example, but not limited to, 1.18 in, limits the position during the folding process. When the adjustable bed is completely folded, there is no gap between the head frame13and the foot frame17, which minimizes the folded thickness.

The adjustable bed further includes a plurality of slat stabilizer brackets11fixed on the pair of side head frame rails13cand13d.

The adjustable bed further includes a plurality of nonslip rubber pads12disposed on the head frame13and/or the foot frame17. The nonslip rubber pads12are not installed with feet, and when placed on the floor, prevent the bed from shifting. The nonslip rubber pads12are also effective in absorbing shock when the massage motor36is turned on.