Bed apparatus and method for driving a bedstead

A bedstead mounted on a bedframe is divided into a plurality of separation pieces. The separation pieces are set swingable on the bedframe. A drive shaft is provided on the bedframe. The drive shaft is rotationally; driven by a driver. The rotational motion of the drive shaft is converted by a power transmitting device to an up and down motion whereby the separation pieces are so driven as to be swingable over the bedframe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a bed apparatus utilized to maintain the 
body of a user to be in a good and healthy position and to a method for 
driving its bedstead. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Generally, a bed apparatus is utilized to lie on a mattress for sleep. In 
order to provide added value, various functions are imparted to the bed 
apparatus. 
Recently, various bed apparatuses have aroused the user's attention for 
slimming and healthy exercise and they are placed on the market. In order 
to maintain the user's body slim and healthy it is required that adequate 
exercise be given to him and her in a lying position on a mattress so as 
to eliminate any excess build-up of fat in the body. 
Adequate exercise ensures better blood circulation and excellent health. 
For the bed-ridden elderly and sick for instance it is possible to enjoy 
body exercise and thus to regain various functions of the body through the 
exercise. Further such bed apparatuses are utilized to, for example, 
induce sleep in the user by providing a comfortable rocking mode and to 
rouse the user from sleep with a strong, disturbing mode. 
The user, if being rocked on the mattress to the right and left, can be 
given a roll-over movement. For the sick and elderly bed-ridden for a long 
period of time it is possible to prevent bedsores by providing a roll-over 
motion on the mattress at an adequately slow speed. 
It is very convenient for the user to be given healthy and slimming 
exercise or body-function improving exercise on the mattress or to enjoy 
such exercise on the mattress of the present bed apparatus. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is accordingly the object of the present invention to provide a bed 
apparatus and a method for driving a bedstead which enable a user to 
simply sleep a comfortable sleep or to be given, or enjoy, slimming 
exercise for health and aesthetic purposes. 
In a preferred aspect of the present invention a bed apparatus is provided 
which comprises a bedframe; a bedstead divided into a plurality of 
separation pieces, the separation pieces being swingable or rockable; a 
drive shaft rotatably mounted on the bedframe; and power transmitting 
means for converting rotation motion of the drive shaft to an up and down 
motion and for swinging the separation pieces of the bedstead by the 
up/down motion. 
In the invention as claimed in claim 15, a bed apparatus is provided which 
comprises a bedframe, a bedstead divided into a plurality of separation 
pieces and swingably mounted on the bedframe in a given array, drive means 
for swingably driving the separation pieces for each of groups into which 
the separation pieces are grouped and control means for controlling the 
swinging drive of the separation pieces for each group. 
According to the bed apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the separation pieces 
constituting a bedstead are swingably driven to impart swinging motion to 
the user and can be controlled in their swing motion phase so that various 
extents and kinds of exercise can be given to the user. 
According to the bed apparatus as claimed in claim 15, the swinging or 
rocking of the separation pieces can be controlled for each group so that 
their swing motion pattern can be set for each group of the separation 
pieces. 
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the 
description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the 
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects 
and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of 
the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the 
appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with 
reference to the accompanying drawings. 
FIGS. 1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the present invention. A bed 
apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 includes a rectangular bedframe 1 having a 
pair of side plates 2 and a pair of end plates 3. A base member 4 is 
arranged inside the bedframe 1 and is formed of a small rectangular 
frame-like member. The base member 4 is coupled to the bedframe 1 by a 
pair of joint bars 5 arranged along a width direction of the bedframe. The 
joint bar 5 is comprised of a band-like member with each end portion 
upwardly bent and fixed to a corresponding rail 6, as shown in FIG. 3, 
provided on the inner surface of the side plate 2. The joint bar is 
coupled at its middle portion to the base member 4. 
Four support members 7 are uprightly arranged one at each corner area of 
the rectangular base member 4 along the width direction of the bedframe 1. 
A pair of coupling members 8 is provided at an upper end area of each 
support member 7 along a III--III direction of FIG. 1 and each comprised 
of an elastic member 8a (of FIG. 7), such as rubber, serving as a support 
member and a pair of bolts 8b having their head portions buried in the 
elastic member 8a and their threaded portions projected out of the 
corresponding ends of the elastic member 8a. One of the pair of bolts is 
fixed by nut 9 to the surface of the support member 7 and slender, 
rectangular, plate-like separation pieces 11, 11 are each fixed by another 
nut 9 and another bolt 8b of the coupling member 8 at an intermediate area 
of the length of the separation piece whereby the separation piece 11 is 
swingably mounted about its intermediate area. 
The separation piece 11 is coupled to the upper surface of the four support 
members 7. In this way, the two separation pieces 11 are arranged in two 
arrays in a longitudinal direction of the bed frame 1 and a bendable 
mattress 12 is disposed over the upper surface of the separation pieces 11 
as indicated by a dash-dot line in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, a bedstead 
13 over which the mattress 12 is disposed is comprised of the four 
separation pieces 11. 
As shown in FIG. 2, coupling members 14 similar in structure to the 
coupling members 8 have their one-end side fixed to the lower surfaces of 
the middle areas of mutually adjacent end portions of the separation 
pieces 11 as viewed in a width direction as shown in FIG. 2. The other-end 
side of the coupling member 14 is fixed to a single coupling tool 15. 
Those adjacent separation pieces 11, at each array, coupled by the coupling 
tool 15 are swingable about that area, while elastically deforming the 
coupling member 14, which is coupled to the support member 7 by the 
coupling member 8. 
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the coupling tool 15 is fixedly coupled by a 
corresponding bolt 17 to the upper end face of a corresponding movable arm 
16 constituting a power drive means. A mount hole 18 is provided at a 
lower-end side of the movable arm 16 and a circular disk 19 is rotatably 
mounted in the mount hole 18 through a dry bearing 21. An eccentric hole 
22 is provided in an eccentric relation to the rotation center of the disk 
19. 
A drive shaft 23 extends through those eccentric holes 22 of the disks 19 
of those paired movable arms 16 arranged along the width direction of the 
bedframe 1. The drive shaft 23 is divided into a drive shaft section 23a 
and driven shaft section 23b. The drive shaft section 23a and driven shaft 
section 23b are arranged in an aligned relation and rotatably journalled 
in associated bearings 24. 
An intermediate portion of the drive shaft section 23a passed through the 
eccentric hole 22 is nonrotatably coupled by a key 25 to one disk 19 and 
an intermediate portion of the driven shaft section 23b is coupled by a 
key 25 to the other disk 19. In order to prevent the disk 19 from being 
detached from the mount hole 18 a pair of pressing plates 26 larger in 
diameter than the mount hole 18 are fixed relative to the corresponding 
disk 19. 
The drive shaft section 23a of the drive shaft 23 is connected at one end 
to an output shaft 29 of a drive source 28 by a first coupling 27 and at 
the other end to a rotor side 31a of an electromagnetic clutch 31. One end 
of the driven shaft section 21b of the drive shaft 23 is coupled by a 
second coupling 30 to the armature side 31b of the electromagnetic clutch 
31. The rotor side 31a and armature side 31b are held in a field 31c 
corresponding to a stationary section. 
A disk-like slit plate 33 is mounted on one-end side of the drive shaft 
section 23a of the drive shaft 23 and has four through-holes 32 at 
intervals of 90.degree. in a circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 8. 
A light transmitting element 34, such as a light emitting diode, is 
disposed on one surface side and a light receiving element 35, such as a 
phototransistor, is disposed on the other surface side of the slit plate 
33 in an opposed relation to the element 34 as shown in FIG. 9. 
The light transmitting element 34 emits light upon receipt of a drive 
signal coming from a controller 36 disposed on the base member 4 and the 
light receiving element 35 delivers, to the controller 36, a detection 
signal involved upon receipt of light from the light transmitting element 
34 via the through-hole 32 in the slit plate 33. An operator-side 
operation section 37 is connected to the controller 36 and the 
electromagnetic clutch as set out above is electrically connected to the 
controller 31 so as to be controlled, as set out above, in accordance with 
a detection signal coming from the light receiving element 35. 
A power source switch 37a, operation switch 37b and speed control switch 
36c are provided in the operator-side operation section 37. With the power 
source switch 37a in an ON state, electric power is fed to the drive 
source 28, electromagnetic clutch 31 and light transmitting element 34. 
The operation of the drive source 28 leads to the rotational drive of the 
drive shaft 23. The rotation of the drive shaft 23 causes the eccentric 
rotation of the disk 19 eccentrically fitted over the drive and driven 
shaft sections 23a and 23b, resulting in an up and down movement of the 
paired movable arms 16 due to the eccentric rotation. 
The coupling tool 15 as set out above is provided on the upper end of the 
respective movable arm 16 and coupled by the coupling members 14 to the 
adjacent ends of the paired separation pieces 11 arranged in the 
longitudinal direction of the bedframe 1. The up/down movement of the 
movable arm 16 causes the adjacent end portions of the paired separation 
pieces 11 to be moved in the up and down direction or in push/pull motion 
and hence the paired separation pieces 11, while being bent to a varying 
extent, swingably moves the coupling member 8 which is mounted on the 
upper end of the support member 7. 
The swinging movement of the respective paired separation pieces 11 along 
the width direction of the bedframe 1, that is, the swinging movement of 
the separation pieces 11 in the one array and in the other can be 
subjected to phase control. In order to make such phase control, the 
operation switch 37b on the operator-side operation switch 37b is switched 
ON and the carrying of electric current into the electromagnetic clutch 31 
is interrupted by a signal from the light transmitting element 34 via the 
though-hole 32 in the slit plate 33 which is first detected by the light 
receiving element 35. In other words, the driven shaft section 23b of the 
drive shaft 23 is separated from the drive shaft section 23a whereby the 
drive shaft section 23a alone is rotated by the drive source 28. 
After being separated from the drive shaft section 23a the driven shaft 
section 23b is not rotated by an inertial force because a load is borne on 
the driven shaft section 23b. 
The rotational drive of the drive shaft section 23a alone swingably moves 
only one array of separation pieces 11 along the width direction of the 
bedframe 1. When the light receiving element 35 detects the next light 
from the light transmitting element 34, that is, when the slit plat 33 is 
rotated through an angle of 90.degree. and light receiving element 
receives that light via the next adjacent through-hole 32 corresponding to 
the 90.degree. rotation of the slit plate 33, electric power is supplied 
by a corresponding detected signal to the electromagnetic clutch 31 so 
that the drive and driven shaft sections 23a and 23b of the drive shaft 23 
are connected to each other. As a result, the separation pieces 11 in the 
other array restart swinging movement, along the width direction of the 
bedframe 1, in a 90.degree. phase delayed relation to the one-array side 
separation pieces 11. In other words, the separation pieces 11 on the one 
array side and those on the other array side can be swung, along the width 
direction of the bedframe 1, in a sequential 90.degree. phase shift 
relation by switching the operation switch 37b ON at a time. 
Put it in more detail, if the operation switch 27b is switched ON when the 
paired left and right separation pieces 11 are swung in the same phase, 
that is, in the same state, the phase with which the paired right and left 
separation pieces 11 are swung can be 90.degree. delayed. If in this state 
the operation switch 27b is again switched ON, then the phase as set out 
above can be delayed by another 90.degree. , that is, a 180.degree. phase 
shift is achieved from the initial state so that it is possible to reverse 
the upward and downward swinging movements of the paired right and left 
separation pieces 11. To be specific, the paired separation pieces 11 in 
the right and left arrays can be controlled in three phase steps of 
0.degree., 90.degree. and 180.degree. in swinging motion. 
When the speed control switch 37c of the operation section 37 is 
rotationally operated, then the rotation rate of the drive shaft 23 by the 
drive source 28 is steplessly controlled and it is possible to adjust the 
speed with which the paired separation pieces 11 are swung. 
According to the bed apparatus thus arranged, the user can operate the 
drive source 28 in a lying-on-the-back position so that the drive shaft 23 
is rotated by the drive source 28. If, by so doing, the paired right and 
left separation pieces 11 are swung, for example, with the same phase, 
then the mattress 12 is bent at a middle area along the longitudinal 
direction as shown in FIG. 5 so that the waist of the user's body can 
repeatedly be bent. It is thus possible to do slimming exercise for health 
so that any excess deposition of fat in the waist can be eliminated. 
In case where the phase with which the right and left separation pieces 11 
are swung is varied through an angle of 90.degree. for instance, the 
mattress 12 is bent not only at a middle area in the longitudinal 
direction but also at a middle area in the width direction in up/down 
motion, that is, in the right and left directions as shown in FIG. 6. To 
be specific, the mattress 12 is twisted in the width direction. The extent 
of the twist motion is adjusted in a phase shift range of 0.degree. to 
180.degree. where there is no twist for 0.degree. and a maximum twist for 
180.degree.. 
In other words, the swinging movement of the paired separation pieces 11 in 
the one array side as caused by the drive shaft section 23a follows that 
of the paired separation pieces 11 in the other array side as caused by 
the driven shaft section 23b. A twist is given to the mattress upon the 
alternation of the upward and downward swinging motions of the two paired 
arrays. 
In accordance with these motions the body of the user is given right/left 
twist motion when being bent at the waist area. It is possible to impart 
adequate exercise to the user with a greater effect than in the case where 
the paired right and left separation pieces 11 have the same swing phase 
position. 
If the rotation speed of the drive shaft 23 is delayed by the speed control 
switch 37c the body of the user, while swaying just as in a cradle, can be 
given adequate rest in a comfortable state. Further, the user can enjoy 
roll-over motion in a bed in right/left motion. For the user, such as the 
sick and elderly bed-ridden for a long period of time it is possible to 
experience the aforementioned roll-over motion on the mattress at a slow 
rate of speed and to prevent a possible bedsore. 
The swing phase of the paired right and left separation pieces 11, being 
shifted by another 90.degree., that is, being shifted to 180.degree., 
enables greater lateral twist motion (roll-over motion) to be imparted to 
the user than in the case of the phase being 90.degree.. It is, therefore, 
possible to give adequate exercise to the user effectively. 
To be specific, the user can select the kind, extent, etc., of exercise 
when occasion arises. 
The second to ninth embodiments of the present invention will now be 
explained below. In these embodiments the same reference numeral is 
employed to designate parts or elements corresponding to those shown in 
the first embodiment of the present invention. 
FIGS. 10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The 
second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the first 
embodiment except that a bedstead 13 is comprised of four separation 
pieces 11, but is different from the first embodiment in that it is 
possible to control a swing phase for a pair of separation pieces 11, 
right and left, on one-end side and pair of separation pieces 11, right 
and left, on the other-end side of a length of bedframe 1. 
To be specific, a first drive mechanism 41 is arranged on one-end side of 
the length of the bedframe 1 and a second drive mechanism 42 is arranged 
somewhat more to the other-end side than at a middle. The drive mechanisms 
41 and 42 each comprise a drive shaft 23 divided into a drive shaft 
section 23a and driven shaft section 23b disconnectable by an 
electromagnetic clutch 31 from each other and a pair of movable arms 16 
driven in an up and down motion by the rotation of the drive shaft 23. 
The drive shaft section 23a of the first drive mechanism 41 is connected to 
an output shaft 29 of a drive source 28. A drive pulley 43 is fitted over 
the output shaft 29 and a driven pulley 44 is fitted over one end portion 
of a drive shaft section 23a of the second drive mechanism 42. A belt 45 
is run between the pulleys 43 and 44. The first drive mechanism 41 is 
driven directly by the drive source 28 and the second drive mechanism 42 
is of such a type that drive power from a drive source 28 is transmitted 
by the belt 45. 
It is to be noted that the electromagnetic clutch 31 of the respective 
drive mechanisms 41 and 42 can be controlled through a controller 36 and 
operator-side operation section 37 as in the case of the first embodiment. 
According to the second embodiment thus arranged, the paired separation 
pieces 11 in the one array situated on one end side of the bedframe 1 as 
viewed in a width direction, that is, on the drive shaft section 23a side 
of the drive shaft 23 as shown in FIG. 11 can be swung with the same phase 
and the paired separation pieces 11 in the other array can have its swing 
phase controlled relative to the paired separation pieces 11 on the one 
array side. 
Further, the swinging movements of the paired separation pieces 11 in the 
two arrays are such that one adjacent end of one paired separation pieces 
is moved downward while, on the other hand, the adjacent end of the other 
paired separation pieces is moved upward as shown in FIG. 11. Even in this 
case, the user can enjoy different motion from that in the first 
embodiment. 
FIGS. 12 and 13 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this 
embodiment a rectangular bedframe 1 has a frame section 1a on one side and 
frame section 1b on the other side as viewed in a width direction of the 
bedframe 1. A plurality of support members are uprightly arranged at a 
predetermined interval on the respective frame sections 1a and 1b along 
the length of the bedframe and, each, are comprised of a gate-like support 
member formed of a bent band-like member. 
Separation pieces 11 constituting a bedstead 13 are provided on the 
respective support members 7. To be specific, 10 separation pieces 11 are 
arranged in two 5-successive units along the length of the bedframe, i.e., 
in two parallel arrays as viewed across the width of the bedframe. The 
respective separation pieces 11 are swingably coupled by coupling members 
8 to, and supported on, the upper surfaces of the respective support 
members 7. 
Of those 5 successive separation pieces 11, 4 successive separation pieces 
11 except one arranged on one side of the bedframe 1 are bendably coupled 
by hinges 49 at their mutual adjacent end portions to each other. 
The respective one-end portions of a corresponding coupling member 14 are 
coupled to the lower surfaces of the corresponding end portions of the 
separation piece 11 on the one-end side of the bedframe 1 and adjacent 
separation piece 11. The other end of the coupling member 14 is coupled to 
a coupling tool 15 mounted on the upper end of a movable arm 16. 
As in the first embodiment, one of a pair of movable arms 16 is driven in 
up/down motion through a disk 19 which is eccentrically rotated by a drive 
shaft section 23a of a drive shaft 23. The other movable arm 16 is mounted 
on a driven shaft section 23b. 
According to the bed apparatus thus arranged, if the user operates a drive 
source 28 in a lying-on-the-back position on a mattress 12 to cause the 
two serially-arranged separation piece groups, right and left, to be moved 
in the same swing phase, then the respective separation pieces in the 
right and left separation piece groups are bendable in a serpentine curve 
including a plurality of crests and troughs as shown in FIG. 13 so that 
the body of the user experience the bending movements on the mattress. 
Therefore, the user can do slimming exercise on the mattress for health so 
that any excess fat can be removed from his or her body. 
If the separation pieces 11 in the two serially-arranged separation piece 
groups, right and left, are moved by an electromagnetic clutch 31 with a 
swing phase of, for example, 90.degree., the right and left separation 
pieces 11 produce a bend phase shift in an up and down motion so that the 
user experiences right/left twisting motion on the mattress. The extent of 
twisting on the right and left separation pieces 11 is adjusted in a phase 
shift range of 0.degree. to 180.degree. where there is no twist for 
0.degree. and a maximum twist for 180.degree.. 
Since the right and left separation pieces 11 are bent in a phase shift 
fashion, the user experiences right/left twisting motions on the mattress 
while being bent at four places corresponding to the number of coupled 
areas of the separation pieces 11. The user can get more effective 
slimming exercise than in the case where there is only one bend area. 
FIGS. 14 and 16 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This 
embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, but is different from the 
latter embodiment in that a vibration generation device is provided in 
each of separation pieces. To put it more specifically, the respective 
separation piece 11 has a pair of rectangular openings 51 along its 
length. A rectangular vibration plate 52 is held in each opening 51 and is 
smaller than the opening 51. 
Frame members 51a and 52a are mounted on the inner wall surface of the 
opening 51 and outer peripheral surface of the vibration plate 52. A pair 
of hooks 50 are projected from the corresponding portions of the 
respective frame members 51a, 52a. A coil spring 53 is stretched between 
the hooks of the opposed frames 51a and 52a so that each vibration plate 
52 is so held as to be elastically displaceable in the opening 51. 
A vibrator 54 is mounted on the lower surface of each vibration plate 52 
and comprises a casing 55, motor 56 held within the casing 56 and weight 
57 eccentrically rotated by the motor. These members 55, 56 and 57, 
together with the vibration plate 52, constitute the vibration generation 
device as set out above. 
The weight 57, being eccentrically rotated by the motor 56, produces 
vibration and hence the vibration plate 52 is moved in an up/down 
direction as indicated by arrows in FIG. 15. With the vibration plate 52 
vibrated in the up and down direction, corresponding vibration is 
transmitted to the user's body through a mattress 11 on a bedstead 13, 
thus giving a massaging effect to the user. 
The user side's operation section 137 in the fourth embodiment includes a 
power source switch 137a, first operation switch 137b, second operation 
switch 137c and speed control switch 137d as shown in FIG. 16, noting that 
the first operation switch 137b is provided for controlling a current in 
an electromagnetic switch 31 and second operation switch 137c is provided 
for turning the vibrator ON and OFF. 
According to the bed apparatus thus arranged, paired separation pieces 11, 
right and left, in two arrays, upon being bent, impart motion to the user 
on the mattress as well as vibratory massage produced through the 
vibration of the vibration plate 52 by the vibrator 54. 
FIG. 17 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth 
embodiment is of such a type that, in the bed apparatus shown in the third 
embodiment, a pair of openings 51 are provided in a respective one of 
separation pieces 11 in a bedstead 13 as shown in the fourth embodiment 
with a vibration plate 52 elastically displaceably held in the 
corresponding opening 51 and a vibrator 52 is provided on the lower 
surface side of the vibration plate 52. 
FIGS. 18 and 19 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the 
sixth embodiment, a drive shaft section 23a and driven shaft section 23b 
of a drive shaft 23 are connected together by a coupling 63, not an 
electromagnetic clutch 31. The coupler 63 comprises a first coupling disk 
64 fixedly fitted over the end portion of the drive shaft section 23a and 
second coupling disk 65 fixedly fitted over the end portion of the driven 
section 23b. 
A threaded shaft 66 is fixed to the first coupling disk 64 and projected as 
shown in FIG. 18. The second coupling disk 65 has an elongated hole 67 
which is circumferentially provided therein to an extent of substantially 
180.degree.. The threaded shaft 66 is inserted through the elongated hole 
67 with a nut 68 fitted over the projecting end portion of the threaded 
shaft 66. Due to the coupling disks 64 and 65 coupled together, the driven 
shaft section 23b can be moved in interlock with the rotation of the drive 
shaft section 23a. 
The driven shaft section 23b is fixed to the drive shaft section 23a at a 
given rotation angle by making the second coupling disk 65 rotatable 
relative to the first coupling disk 64 with the nut 68 loosened, rotating 
the second coupling disk 65 to an extent that the elongated hole 67 allows 
the threaded shaft 66 to be slidably rotated therein and tightening the 
nut 68 to fix the first coupling disk 64 to the second coupling disk 65. 
Since, with the use of the coupler 63 as set out above, the rotation angle 
the driven shaft section 23b is made relative to the drive shaft section 
23a can be arbitrarily set in a rotation angle phase of 0.degree. to 
180.degree., it is possible to arbitrarily set the swing phases of the 
separation pieces 11 in the bedstead 13 swingably driven by the drive 
shaft section 23a and separation pieces 11 in the bedstead swingably 
driven by the driven shaft section 23b. 
FIGS. 20 and 21 show a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this 
embodiment, a plurality (12 in this embodiment) of separation pieces 11 
are arranged widthwise in two arrays along a length of a bedframe 1. The 
sixth separation pieces in each array are swingably mounted by a coupling 
member 8 on the upper end surface of a support member 7. 
The separation pieces 11 arranged in the two arrays as viewed in a width 
direction of the bedframe 1 are grouped into three groups G1, G2 and G3 in 
the longitudinal direction of the bedframe 1 as shown in FIG. 20 with two 
separation pieces 11 as each group. 
The separation pieces 11 in each group are swingably driven by a 
corresponding separate drive mechanism such that their adjacent ends are 
coupled to a coupling tool 15 through a coupling member 14. The coupling 
tool 15 is attached to the upper end surface of a movable arm 16. A disk 
19 is rotatably mounted on the movable arm 16 and eccentrically rotated by 
a drive shaft 23. 
The eccentric rotation of the disk 19 causes the movable arm 16 to be moved 
in up/down motion so that the paired separation pieces 11 in each group 
have their opposed ends moved in push/pull motion, e.g., in up/down motion 
due to the presence of the coupling tool 15. As a result, the paired 
separation pieces 11 are swingable, along the length of the bedframe 1, 
about an area connected to the upper surface of the support member 7 
through the coupling member 8. 
Three drive source sources 28 and electromagnetic clutches 31 in a drive 
mechanism for driving the separation pieces in each group are controlled 
by a controller 71. The arranged separation pieces 11 in the respective 
groups G1, G2 and G3 have their swing phase set under control of the 
electromagnetic clutch 31. The drive source 28 can be controlled by the 
controller 71 in a rotation speed of the drive shaft 23 and in a swing 
motion phase for each group of the separation pieces. 
Thus the user can enjoy varying slimming exercise because the swing motion 
phase and speed can be controlled for each group of the separation pieces 
11. 
FIGS. 22 to 25 show an eighth embodiment of the present invention. This 
embodiment can control a swing angle in the swing motion of the separation 
pieces 11. FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic arrangement of the eighth embodiment 
where reference numeral 81 shows a bedframe. At the middle of width of the 
bedframe 81 a twin-shaft motor 82 is so arranged that a pair of drive 
shafts 83 extend along the width of the bedframe 81, in a direction away 
from the motor. 
A pair of rotation shafts 84, 84 are connected at one end to the 
corresponding drive shafts 83 of the motor 82. The other end of the 
respective rotation shaft 84 is rotatably journalled in a corresponding 
bearing 84a. The end of the respective rotation shaft 84 which extends out 
of a corresponding bearing 84a is integrally coupled by a key 86 to the 
center area of a rotation disk 85 as shown in FIG. 24. An arcuate 
elongated hole 87 is provided in the rotation disk 85 as shown in FIGS. 23 
and 25 and extends from one end A to the other end B in a gradually 
increasing distance from the center axis O of the rotation shaft 84 as 
shown in FIG. 25, that is, a gradually increasing radius is defined from 
the end A to the end B of the elongated hole with the center axis O of the 
rotation shaft 84 as shown in FIG. 25. 
A bolt 88 is inserted from one side surface side of the rotation disk 85 
and extends out of the other end surface side of the rotation disk 85 as 
shown in FIG. 24. A stepped bush 89 is fitted over the portion of the bolt 
88 extending out of the other surface side of the rotation disk 85. An arm 
91 has a mount hole 92 as its lower end portion and is rotatably inserted 
over the bush 89 via the mount hole 92. A nut 93 is threaded, via a washer 
94, over the end portion of the bolt 88 extending out of the bush 89, 
thereby preventing the arm 91 from dropping off the bush 89. With the nut 
93 tightened the bolt 88 is fixed to the rotation disk 85 through the bush 
89. 
As in the first embodiment, a long coupling tool 15 of the bedframe 81 is 
mounted on the upper end surface of the arm 91 and a pair of coupling 
members 14 are provided on the upper surface of the arm in a 
longitudinally spaced-apart relation. As in the case of the coupling 
member 14 in the first embodiment, the coupling member 14 is made of an 
elastic material and the ends of separation pieces 11 are connected to the 
corresponding coupling members 91. 
According to the eighth embodiment thus arranged, with the rotation disk 85 
rotated, the arm 91 can be moved in up/down motion in accordance with an 
amount of eccentric movement corresponding to the fixed position of the 
bolt 88 in the arcuate elongated hole 87. With the arm 91 moved in the up 
and down direction the corresponding pair of separation pieces 11 have 
their end portions moved in up/down motion, i.e., in a push/pull motion, 
due to the separation pieces 11 coupled to the upper end surface of the 
arm 91 by the coupling member 14. It is, therefore, possible to swingably 
drive the ends of the separation pieces 11. 
The amount of eccentric movement of the arm 91 relative to the rotation 
disk 85 can be made variable by, with the nut 93 loosened, moving the bolt 
88 along the elongated hole 87 in the rotation disk 85 and tightening the 
nut 93 in a given position so as to fix the bush 89 in place. The amount 
of eccentric movement (an up and down motion stroke) of the arm 91, being 
varied, can vary the swing angle of the separation pieces 11 coupled to 
the arm 91, that is, it is possible to set the swinging movement of the 
separation pieces 11 to a given proper extent. 
The arm 91 is moved in an up and down motion due to the swinging movement 
of the rotation disk 85 and in rotation motion due to the aforementioned 
increasing radius extending relative to the center axis of the rotation 
disk 85 with the bolt 88 coupled thereto. However, the swinging movement 
is absorbed due to the bending of the coupling members 14 whereby the arm 
91 is coupled to the corresponding separation pieces 11, noting that the 
coupling member is made of elastic material. For this reason, no great 
stress is applied to the separation pieces 11 due to the rotation of the 
arm 91. 
FIG. 26 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention. This is a 
modified structure where a vibrator 54 as shown in the fourth embodiment 
of FIGS. 14 to 16 is provided at the separation piece 11. To be specific, 
with the ninth embodiment an elastic sheet 101 such as urethane foam is 
joined to the upper surface of the separation pieces 11. A vibration 
transmitting plate 102 made of thin, relatively hard wood or synthetic 
resin is joined to the upper surface of the elastic sheet 101 and covered 
with a cover 103. 
A receiving hole 104 is provided in the elastic sheet 101. The 
aforementioned vibrator 54 is mounted on the lower surface of the 
vibration transmitting plate 102 and dropped in the receiving hole 104. 
With the vibrator 54 operated the vibration transmitting plate 102 is 
vibrated while elastically deforming the elastic sheet 101. As a result, a 
massaging effect can be imparted to the user on the mattress 12. In this 
embodiment the user can enjoy slimming exercise over the covered elastic 
sheet without the use of a mattress 12. 
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled 
in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited 
to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrated examples 
shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made 
without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive 
concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.