Bed with relatively movable parts

A bed includes a main frame unit which rests on a floor and a mattress/box spring elevator unit that is movably connected to the main frame unit by a plurality of links so the mattress/box spring elevator unit can be moved relative to the main frame unit. The mattress/box spring elevator unit includes a first subframe unit connected to the main frame unit by springs and by the links, and a second subframe unit connected to the first subframe unit by a turntable so the second subframe unit can be rotated with respect to the first subframe unit. A mattress and box spring can be mounted on the mattress/box spring elevator unit and moved up from the main frame unit and then rotated as needed to change bedding on the mattress and box spring without requiring movement of the main frame unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the general art of beds, and to the particular field of beds with relatively movable parts.

2. Description of the Related Art

Making a bed can be a difficult operation. The sheets and blankets must be removed and then replaced with new sheets and blankets. The old bedding must be pulled away from the box spring and mattress, and the new bedding must be inserted between the box spring and mattress.

This operation is difficult enough, but if the bed is in a hospital, and the operation must be carried out while a patient is in the bed, the difficulty of the operation is increased.

While some form fitting bedding makes placement easier than other bedding, the person making the bed is still required to move around the bed to secure the bedding to the bed. This can be difficult under any circumstances, but is exacerbated if the bed is located near a wall.

Therefore, there is a need for a bed which can be made and unmade in an efficient manner.

Still further, there is a need for a bed that can be easily made and unmade even if it is located in a difficult-to-reach location. This would be especially helpful if the person changing the bed is disabled.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is a main object of the present invention to provide a bed which can be made and unmade in an efficient manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bed that can be easily made and unmade even if it is located in a difficult-to-reach location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These, and other, objects are achieved by a bed which comprises a base frame unit; and a mattress/box spring elevator unit which is mounted on the base frame unit and which includes a plurality of links pivotally mounted on the base frame unit, a first subframe unit mounted on the links and movable between a first position located adjacent to a plane containing the base frame unit and a second position spaced apart from the plane containing the base frame unit, a second subframe unit, a turntable rotatably connecting the first subframe unit and the second subframe unit so the second subframe unit is rotatable with respect to the first subframe unit, and a plurality of springs connecting the first subframe unit and the base frame unit and biasing the first subframe unit towards the second position thereof.

Using the bed embodying the present invention permits a bed to be made in an efficient manner. The person making the bed is not required to move around the bed thereby making the bed easier to make up even if it is located in a difficult-to-reach location.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the Figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a bed10that achieves the above-stated objectives.

Bed10comprises a base frame unit12which has legs, such as leg14, two side frame elements16and18, two cross frame elements20and22, a longitudinal axis24which extends between the two cross frame elements20,22, and a transverse axis30which extends between the two side frame elements16,18. The side frame elements16,18and the cross frame elements20,22are all co-planar with each other.

A mattress/box spring elevator unit40is mounted on base frame unit12and includes a plurality of links, such as link42. Each link has a first end44, which is a proximal end when elevator unit40is in use, and a second end46, which is a distal end when elevator unit40is in use. Each link further includes a longitudinal axis48which extends between first end44and distal end46of each link. Each link further includes a proximal end pivot pin50which pivotally connects the proximal end44of each link42to a side frame element16,18of base frame unit12. Each link is movably mounted on base frame unit12to move between a stored position, indicated in dotted lines inFIG. 3, having longitudinal axis48extending in the direction of longitudinal axis24of base frame unit12and being located in the plane containing the side frame elements16,18and the cross frame elements20,22and a deployed position, shown inFIG. 1, having longitudinal axis48extending away from the plane containing the side frame elements16,18and the cross frame elements20,22with the distal end46of each link located spaced apart from the plane containing the side frame elements16,18and the cross frame elements20,22. Each link further includes a distal end pivot pin60.

A first subframe unit70is mounted on links42to be movable therewith as indicated by arrows72inFIG. 3. First subframe unit70includes two side frame elements74and76. Each side frame element74,76of the first subframe unit70is pivotally connected to the links by the distal end pivot pins60.

A plurality of cross frame elements, such as cross frame element78, are connected to the two side frame elements74,76of first subframe unit70. Side frame elements74and76and cross frame elements78of first subframe unit70are located in a common plane with each other.

As indicated by arrow80, first subframe unit70is movable between a stored location closely adjacent to the plane containing the side frame elements16,18and the cross frame elements20,22of base frame unit12and a deployed position shown inFIG. 3, spaced apart from the plane containing the side frame elements16,18and the cross frame elements20,22of base frame unit12.

A second subframe unit90includes two side frame elements92and94and a plurality of cross frame elements, such as cross frame element96. The side frame elements92,94and cross frame elements96of second subframe unit90are located in a common plane with each other.

A turntable element100rotatably connects first subframe unit70to second subframe unit90so that the first subframe unit70can rotate with respect to the second subframe unit90as indicated inFIG. 1by arrow102. Turntable element100can be a thrust bearing or like element.

Mattress/box spring elevator unit40further includes a plurality of springs, such as spring110. Each spring has a first end112attached to base frame unit12and a second end114attached to first subframe unit70. Each spring is biased to bias first subframe unit70towards the deployed position. A stop, such as stop116, can be located adjacent to each link to control movement of that link.

Use of bed10can be understood from the foregoing teaching, and thus will only be briefly discussed. A mattress M and a box spring S are supported on mattress/box spring elevator unit40as shown inFIG. 4. When bedding is to be changed, mattress/box spring elevator unit40is elevated in the direction indicated by arrows72inFIG. 3, and then second subframe unit90is rotated with respect to first subframe unit70as indicated by arrow102inFIG. 1to orient the mattress and box spring in a desired position and orientation. After the bedding is changed, the process is reversed to replace the mattress and box spring in position on base frame unit12.