BED

Abstract: A bed comprising a second connecting member (9), and a second base bar (11) which swingably supports a bed frame body having a first panel (4) and a second panel (5) in a manner to make a height of the bed frame body from a floor surface adjustable. Pivots (11A, 11B) and sliding portions (4A, 5A) are connected to each other by means of first and second swing shafts (12, 13) so that, when the first panel (4) and the second panel (5) are made most upright, the bed frame body (1A) and the second base bar (11) are positioned with an upper surface of the second connecting member (9) above an upper surface of the second base bar (11).

Description: Technical Field The present invention relates to a bed, and more specifically, it relates to the structure of a bed which can be employed in response to uses of respective generations from an infant to an adult. Background Technique In general, beds include a great variety of ones from baby beds for infants to beds for adults. The beds for babies include such a one that the bed itself swings, and that for employing the interior of the bed as a playpen. On the other hand, the beds for adults include that employed as a chair in the daytime and employed as a bed in the nighttime, too. There is also such a one that reclining mechanisms are provided on both end portions of the bed. However, the aforementioned conventional various beds, the baby bed for an infant, for example, cannot be used when the child grows up. If an infant is laid down on a bed for an adult, comfortableness for the infant provided in the baby bed cannot be supplied to the infant. JP-A-5 124 444 discloses a bed comprising a bed part and a frame body enclosing the periphery of the bed part. This bed, primarily intended for infants, may be converted for adult use by displacement of one of the frame parts. Disclosure of the Invention The invention provides a bed as defined in claim 1. Particules embodiments are defined in claims 2 to 19. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a bed in an embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view along arrow of the line B - B in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a first diagram showing a first used state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 4 is a second diagram showing the first used state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 5 is a first model diagram showing a swing state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 6 is a second model diagram showing the swing state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 7 is a third model diagram showing the swing state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a second used state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a third used state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth used state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a fifth used state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a sixth used state of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the state shown in Fig. 12 corresponding to a section along arrow of the line B - B in Fig. 1. Fig. 14 is a first model diagram showing an inclining operation of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 15 is a second model diagram showing the inclining operation of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 16 is a third model diagram showing the inclining operation of the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a plate employed for the bed in the embodiment 1 based on the present invention. Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the structure of a bed in an embodiment 2 based on the present invention. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a first used state of the bed in the embodiment 2 based on the present invention. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a sectional structure of the bed in the embodiment 2 based on the present invention. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing a second used state of the bed in the embodiment 2 based on the present invention. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing a third used state of the bed in the embodiment 2 based on the present invention. Fig. 23 is a diagram showing a fourth used state of the bed in the embodiment 2 based on the present invention. Fig. 24 is a sectional view as viewed along arrow of the line X - X in Fig. 23. Fig. 25 is a general perspective view of an outer frame in an embodiment 3. Fig. 26 is a sectional view as viewed along arrow of the line Z - Z in Fig. 25. Fig. 27 is an enlarged view of a part as viewed along arrow A in Fig. 25. Fig. 28 is a general perspective view of a frame in the embodiment 3. Fig. 29 is an exploded end view as viewed along arrow of the line Y - Y in Fig. 28. Fig. 30 is a sectional view of a part as viewed along arrow of the line A - A in Fig. 28. Fig. 31 is a general perspective view of a frame in an embodiment 4. Fig. 32 is a sectional view of a part as viewed along arrow of the line B - B in Fig. 31. Fig. 33 is a sectional view showing a first state of mounting the frame in the embodiment 4 on a headboard. Fig. 34 is a sectional view showing a second state of mounting the frame in the embodiment 4 on the headboard. Fig. 35 is a general perspective view showing another used state of the frame in the embodiment 4. Fig. 36 is a plan view of a frame in an embodiment 5. Fig. 37 is a sectional view as viewed along arrow of the line C - C in Fig. 36. Fig. 38 is a sectional view as viewed along arrow of the line D - D in Fig. 36. Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention (Embodiment 1) An embodiment 1 of a bed based on the present invention is now described with reference to the drawings. First, Fig. 1 is a general perspective view showing the structure of a bed 1 of this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a sectional view along arrow of the line B - B in Fig. 1. First, with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, this bed 1 comprises a first coupling member 8 and a second coupling member 9 which are arranged in parallel with each other. On both end portions of the first coupling member 8 and the second coupling member 9, a first panel 4 and a second panel 5 which are mounted to be inclinable about axis parts 4B and 5B respectively are provided. As to adjustment of inclination angles of the first panel 4 and the second panel 5, lock bars 14C and 15C engage in a plurality of notched grooves 14A and 15A which are provided on prescribed circumferences on both end portions of the first coupling member 8 and the second coupling member 9 as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the inclination angles of the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 can be adjusted. On the lock bars 14C and 15C, springs 14D and 15D for supplying urging force for these lock bars 14C and 15C for engaging in the notched grooves 14A and 15A are mounted on fixed bars 14B and 15B. A bed frame body is formed by the aforementioned first coupling member 8, the second coupling member 9, the first panel 4 and the second panel 5. In such a state that the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 are most raised together, protective fences 2 and 3 can be mounted on both sides of the first panel 4 and the second panel 5, as shown in Fig. 1. On both sides of the first coupling member 8 and the second coupling member 9, a first base bar 10 and a second base bar 11 are arranged in parallel with respect to the first coupling member 8 and the second coupling member 9. Pivotal parts 11A and 11B are provided in the vicinity of both end portions of the first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11 respectively, so that a first swing shaft 12 and a second swing shaft 13 supported by sliding parts 4A and 5A whose both ends are pivotally supported by these pivotal parts 11A and 11B and whose central portions consist of U-shaped grooves provided on lower end portions of the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 are mounted. Due to this first shaft 12 and the second shaft 13, the aforementioned bed frame body is swingable with respect to the first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11. Between the first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11, base coupling bars 21 and 22 are mounted on prescribed positions. The first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11 are provided with a first leg part 6 and a second leg part 7 for controlling the heights of the first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11 from a floor face respectively. The first leg part 6 and the second leg part 7 are formed to be bent about a rotation axis 7C at central portions thereof, and lock shafts 7D and 7E which extend across the first leg part 6 and the second leg part 7 engage with fixed grooves 17A of fixed plates 17 provided on the first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11 and lock pins 18, thereby making the heights of the first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11 from the floor face adjustable. The lock shaft 7D is coupled to rotary plates 16 which are provided on the first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11 to be rotatable with respect to a fixed axis 11C, to take a structure of enabling adjustment in the height direction with no change of the right-left directional position of the rotation axis 7C of the first leg part 6 and the second leg part 7. Leg part coupling bars 19 and 20 are provided between the first leg part 6 and the second leg part 7 respectively. Next, used states in the bed 1 consisting of the above structure are described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 16. First, Fig. 3 is a diagram as viewed along arrow of the line A - A in Fig. 1. The first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11 are set by the first leg part 6 and the second leg part 7 in the highest positions from the floor face, and the lower ends of the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 are in states floating from the floor face by a prescribed distance. Both ends of the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 are coupled with each other by protective fences 2 and 3. Therefore, it comes to that the bed frame body 1A consisting of the first coupling bar 8, the second coupling bar 9, the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 swings about the pivotal parts 11A and 11B by the swing shafts 12 and 14. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing such a state that the bed frame body 1A moves to the left side. Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 typically illustrate states of swinging of the bed frame body 1A, and Fig. 5 shows the state shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 shows the state shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 shows such a state that the bed frame body 1A moves to the right side. As understood from Fig. 5 to Fig. 7, it is understood that, if the movement of only one point 9A of the second coupling member 9 is noted, it horizontally moves and also moves in the vertical direction at the same. When this bed is employed as a baby bed, therefore, it is possible to supply comfortableness to an infant. Next, the state shown in Fig. 8 is adapted to bring the lower end portions of the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 into contact with the floor face by adjusting the first leg part 6 and the second leg part 7. In this state, the bed frame body 1A cannot swing in the right-left direction. Therefore, it can be employed as a playpen for an infant. Alternatively, it can be employed as a chair for an adult too, by detaching one protective fence 3, as shown in Fig. 9. Next, a state shown in Fig. 10 is such a state that only the second panel 5 is most inclined, and the bed can be employed as a bed for a child. Further, a state shown in Fig. 11 shows a state of fixing the first panel 4 while inclining the same by about 45E, and the bed can be employed as a bed for a junior high-school student or a senior high-school student, or a bed for reading or sun-bathing in the outdoors. Next, Fig. 12 shows a state of bringing the first leg part 6 and the second leg part 7 into most open states while bringing the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 into most inclined states for employing the bed as a bed for an adult. Fig. 13 is a sectional view corresponding to a section along arrow of the line B - B in Fig. 1 in the state shown in Fig. 12. Referring to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the upper surface of the first coupling member 8 and the upper surface of the second coupling member 9, and the upper surface of the first base bar 10 and the upper surface of the second base bar 11 are substantially flush with each other in the state shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, while the upper surface of the first coupling member 8 and the upper surface of the second coupling member 9 are positioned upward beyond the upper surface of the first base bar 10 and the upper surface of the second base bar 11 in the state that the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 are most inclined in case of referring to Fig. 2, for example. Further, the lower surface of the first coupling member 8 and the lower surface of the second coupling member 9 are formed to come into contact with the upper surfaces of the base coupling bars 21 and 22 which extend between the first base bar 10 and the second base bar 11. Further, the lower surface of the first panel 4 and the lower surface of the second panel 5 are formed to come into contact with the upper surfaces of the leg part coupling bars 19 and 20 which extend between the first leg part 6 and the second leg part 7. Thus, rigidity for serving as a bed can be sufficiently maintained in the bed in the state shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 also when an adult employs the same as a bed. With reference to Fig. 14 to Fig. 16, such a state that the upper surface of the first coupling member 8 and the upper surface of the second coupling member 9 become flush with the upper surface of the first base bar 10 and the upper surface of the second base bar 11 by inclining the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 of the bed in this embodiment is described. First, the bed exhibits the state shown in Fig. 3 in the state shown in Fig. 14, and the second coupling member 9 is positioned upward beyond the second base bar 11. Next, with reference to Fig. 15, the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 are gradually inclined. At this time, the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 are coupled with each other by the second coupling member 9, whereby the axis parts 4B and 5B can move only downward, and the sliding parts 4A and 5A rotate about the pivotal parts 11A and 11B. When the first panel 4 and the second panel 5 are further inclined, the axis parts 4B and 5B gradually move downward as shown in Fig. 16, so that the upper surface of the second base bar 11 and the upper surface of the second coupling member 9 are substantially flush with each other. Thus, the upper surfaces of the bed entirely become substantially flush with each other in case of employing the bed in the state shown in Fig. 12, it is possible to readily employ the bed as a bed for an adult by laying a mattress or the like thereon. While the bed in the above embodiment has been illustrated without describing a mat or the like for convenience for illustrating its structure, it is possible to select two heights from the floor face by placing a plate 23 shown in Fig. 17 on a plane A defined by the upper surface of the first coupling member 8 and the upper surface of the second coupling member 9 or a plane B defined by the upper surfaces of the base coupling bars 21 and 22 and further laying a mattress or the like on this plate 23 in the state shown in Fig. 2, for example. (Embodiment 2) Next, a bed in an embodiment 2 based on the present invention is described with reference to Fig. 18 to Fig. 22. One of basic ideas with respect to a bed embodying the present invention resides in combination of the height of a bed floor and change of the form of the bed. Considering the growth process of a child, it is better that the size of the bed is smaller in the stage of an infant. In this stage, further, it is rather desirable that the height of the bed floor is higher, in order to make the mother readily look after the infant. When the child grows up and gets taller, it is preferable to increase the size of the bed. In the stage that the child gets taller, mother's care or the like becomes unnecessary. Further, it comes to that the child actively moves about on the bed, and hence the height of the bed floor is preferably lower also in view of safety. Therefore, the bed in this embodiment 2 provides a bed which makes it possible to maintain the height of the bed floor high when the size of the bed is small while lowering the height of the bed floor when the size of the bed is large. First, referring to Fig. 18, a bed 50 in this embodiment 2 has a bed part 52, frame bodies 51a to 51d enclosing this bed part 52, and a leg part 53 which can adjust the height of the bed part 52 from a floor face. The state in Fig. 18 shows such a state that the bed part 52 is in the highest position from the floor face, which is a position where a mother can readily look after an infant. In the frame bodies 51a to 51d, the frame body 51c is vertically slidable along slide grooves 51e (Figure 19) provided on the frame body 51a and the frame body 51b. When the mother or the like changes the diaper for the infant or holds it in her arms, therefore, the mother or the like can readily look after the infant by lowering the frame body 51c downward as shown in Fig. 19. Next, Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the sectional structure of the bed 50. The bed part 52 is mounted on a bed base 55 which is provided under the bed part 52, and the frame body 51a and the frame body 51b are mounted on the bed base 55. Further, support plates 56 for engaging with swing shafts 58 which are swingable with respect to a support base 54 provided on the leg part 53 are mounted on the bed base 55. Therefore, the bed part 52 is in a state swingable with respect to the leg part 53 in the direction of arrow shown by S in the figure along with the bed base 55. As to swinging of the bed part 52, it is also possible to stop its swinging by a stopper provided by a well-known technique or the like, although this is not shown in the figure. The leg part 53 has a first leg part 53a and a second leg part 53b which are bent in an inverted V shape about a pivotal point 53c provided at the central portion, and the height of the bed part 52 from the floor face is lowered by increasing an angle formed by the same. Further, it is possible to bring the bed part 52 to the lowest position as shown in Fig. 21 by making the first leg part 53a and the second leg part 53 extend substantially at 180 degrees to one another so as to lie along the floor face in a parallel manner. While illustration is made as to a state of detaching the frame body 51c in the state shown in Fig. 21, the bed can be employed as a playpen for an infant in the state mounting the frame body 51c. In the state detaching the frame body 51c as illustrated, the bed can also be employed as a sofa. In the bed 50 in this embodiment 2, further, the frame body 51d is rotatably mounted by a well-known technique with respect to the bed part 52, and it is possible to enlarge the area of the bed part by detaching the frame body 51c and the frame body 51d and raising an auxiliary leg 60 provided on the frame body 51b, as shown in Fig. 22. Also in the bed 50 in the above embodiment 2, therefore, it is possible to provide a bed for an infant which can change the length or the form of the bed part in response to the object in correspondence to growth of the infant and change of the living environment. When based on the aforementioned basic idea, the bed frame body may not necessarily be swingably provided. The change of the form of the bed frame body itself may be either the embodiment 1 or the embodiment 2. In the bed shown in Fig. 1, for example, the bed frame body is swingable and the area of a portion to be a bed floor changes by the fact that the form of the bed frame body changes, while the height of the bed frame body is adjustable. In order to implement such functions, the bed includes three portions as a basic structure. Namely, the bed comprises the bed frame body 4, 5, 8 and 9, the base bars 10 and 11 swingably supporting the bed frame body, and the leg parts 6 and 7 height-controllably supporting the base bars. If the combination of change of the form of the bed frame body and the height of the bed above the floor is to be adjustable, and the bed frame body is not required to swing relative to the base bars 10 and 11, the base bars and the bed frame body may be fixed. (Example 3) The applicant's idea on rearing for an infant is briefly mentioned here. According to "Ikuji No Genri: by Jushichiro Naito (published by Aprica Ikuji Kenkyukai)", it is described that not only the body or the form but all aspects such as the character and sociability are included in growth of a human, and "mother-child interactions" are extremely important particularly for a baby in its infancy. In these "mother-child interactions", there are (1) "interaction by the sense of touch" based on physical contact between the mother (father) and the baby, (2) "interaction by the sense of sight" based on eye contact between the mother (father) and the baby, (3) "interaction by the sense of hearing" of verbal talking from the mother (father) to the baby and a cry from the baby to the mother (father), (4) "interaction by the sense of smell" based on the body odor of the mother and milky smell of the baby, and (5) "interaction by the sense of taste" based on mother's milk. These "mother-child interactions" are not independently carried out respectively, but naturally performed through the gentle and stable mother's skin in the ordinary child rearing of carrying the baby in her arms or on her back, breast-feeding it or taking a walk with it. Thus, it is assumed that fertile human relations result between the parents and the child by making bonds between the mother and the child and the bonds between the father and the child from the infanthood, and if child rearing is made while keeping them, the child forms fertile humanity such as love, friendship and confidence, and further can firmly make up "fundamental confidence" forming the nucleus of human relations in the future life. However, the aforementioned love from the parents to the child and the bonds between the parents and the child are intangible. Therefore, the parents insert the child's photograph in a photo stand and display the same, form a photo album as a record of the child's growth, or make a message card, in order to transform the parents' deep emotion at the birth of the child, intangible love such as the affection from the parents to the child and bonds into a tangible. Also in the daily life, there are things into which the love from the parents to the child etc. is transformed. Into a bed for an infant, for example, the parents' love to the child and the bonds are naturally transformed. However, this bed for an infant falls into disuse as the child grows up. Even in the bed for an infant into which the love and the bonds are specially transformed, therefore, the child cannot sometimes take a look at it to touch the parents' love given to him in his infanthood and the bonds with the parents when the child grows up. In this bed for an infant, therefore, it can be employed for long from a newborn baby to an adult if the same is designed from the first while keeping it in mind that the bed can be used also when a child grows up into an adult. Further, it is conceivable that the child can grow while always feeling the parents' love and the bonds with the parents by placing the aforementioned photograph or message card near this bed for an infant. In particular, it is extremely important to grow up while feeling the parents' love and the bonds with the parents in the periods of zero years old to three years old and zero to six years old for forming the basis of the personality, before seeing the sensitive period of 10 years old to 15 years old. However, the photo album is not always looked at but generally put on a bookshelf or the like, and hence the parents' love and the bonds with the parents cannot be felt daily. If the photograph is inserted in a photo frame or the like to be brought into a regularly visible state, the same becomes so familiar that the child feels nothing to the contrary in fact, and its effect becomes a relatively thin one. In this embodiment 3, therefore, a bed from which the parents' love, the bonds with the parents and the like can be properly perceived in the child's growth period is described. A bed 50 for an infant in the embodiment 3 based on the present invention is hereafter described with reference to Fig. 23 to Fig. 30. First, an outline of the structure of this bed 50 for an infant is described with reference to Fig. 23. This bed 50 for an infant comprises a bed part 52 on which an infant sleeps, and frame bodies 51a to 51d enclosing the bed part 52. A rectangular opening 3a is provided on the frame body 51b, and a vertically rotatably provided frame 100 is mounted on this opening 3a in a rotation direction shown at arrow A in the figure. This bed 50 for an infant has a variable mechanism capable of changing the length of the bed part 52 by employing a well-known technique following growth of the infant into an adult, as shown in Fig. 22 of the embodiment 2. While the frame 100 is shown in a state mounted on the frame body 51b, the same may be mounted on any one of the frame bodies 51a to 51d. With reference to Fig. 24 to Fig. 30, the detailed structure of the frame 100 is described. First, Fig. 24 is a diagram showing the sectional structure of the frame 100 in accordance with a section as viewed along arrow of the line X - X in Fig. 23, and this frame 100 is vertically rotatably mounted on an outer frame 101 which is provided to cover the inner peripheral surface of the opening 3a of the frame body 51b. The frame 100 has two transparent plates 103 and 104 for holding a photograph or a message card in the interior. A pair of rotation axes 101i of cylindrical forms are provided on the central portion of an upper side and the central portion of a lower side of the outer frame 101, and these rotation axes 101i are inserted in/pivotally supported by a pair of bearing parts 102i provided on the central portion of an upper side and the central portion of a lower side of the frame 100, whereby the frame 100 becomes vertically rotatable with respect to the outer frame 101. Next, the structure of the outer frame 101 is described with reference to Fig. 25 to Fig. 27. Fig. 25 is a general perspective view of the outer frame 101, Fig. 26 is a sectional view as viewed along arrow of the line Z - Z in Fig. 25, and Fig. 27 is a sectional view of a part as viewed along arrow A in Fig. 25. The outer frame 101 has a first outer frame 101a and a second outer frame 101b divided into two to hold the opening 3a of the frame body 51b from both sides. Both of this first outer frame 101a and the second outer frame 101b have the same shapes. Both of the first outer frame 101a and the second outer frame 101b have guide frame parts 101m and 101n along the inner peripheral surface of the opening 3a, and further have flange parts 101k and 101j extending in directions outwardly intersecting with respect to the guide frame parts 101m and 101n from first end sides of the guide frame parts 101m and 101n. As shown in Fig. 27, further, the respective ones of the first outer frame 101a and the second outer frame 101b have a semicylindrical pair of projection forming members 101h and 101g on opposite sides of the flange parts 101k and 101j on the central portions of the upper sides and the central portions of the lower sides, and further have engaging holes 101e and 101c and engaging pawls 101d and 101f in the guide frame parts 101m and 101n, to hold these projection forming members 101h and 101g. In a state of mounting the first outer frame 101a and the second outer frame 101b on the opening of the frame body 51b, therefore, it comes to that a peripheral edge portion of the opening is held by the flange parts 101k and 101j which are provided on the respective ones of the first outer frame 101a and the second outer frame 101b, and the outer frame 101a, 101b itself is fixed to the peripheral edge portion of the opening 3a. Further, the semicylindrical projection forming members 101h and 101g are overlapped with each other as shown in Fig. 25, to form a rotation axis 101i. Further, the engaging holes 101c and 101e of the first outer frame 101a and the second outer frame 101b and the engaging pawls 101d and 101f engage with each other respectively as shown in Fig. 26, whereby the first outer frame 101a and the second outer frame 101b are coupled with each other. Next, the structure of the frame 100 is described with reference to Fig. 28 to Fig. 30. Fig. 28 is a general perspective view of the frame 100, Fig. 29 is an end view as viewed along arrow of the line Y - Y in Fig. 28, and Fig. 30 is a sectional view of a part as viewed along arrow of the line A - A in Fig. 28. The frame 100 has two transparent plates 103 and 104 consisting of substantially rectangular acrylic plates or the like holding a photograph or a message card therebetween, as shown in Fig. 28. In these two transparent plates 103 and 104, peripheral edge portions thereof are held by a first inner frame 102a and a second inner frame 102b. On a position of the first inner frame 102a holding the peripheral edge portions of the transparent plates 103 and 104, a notched part 102h storing the peripheral edge parts of the transparent plates 103 and 104 is provided on the overall periphery, as shown in Fig. 29. On a peripheral edge portion of the second inner frame 102b, on the other hand, a contact surface 102f coming into contact with the peripheral edge portions of the transparent plates 103 and 104 stored in the first inner frame 102a is provided in order to hold the transparent plates 103 and 104 along with the first inner frame 102a. As shown in Fig. 28, semicolumnar groove holes 102e and 102g for structuring a bearing 102i formed in the central portion of the upper side and the central portion of the lower side of the frame 100 when the first inner frame 102a and the second inner frame 102b are overlapped with each other is provided. Further, screw holes 102c for overlapping and coupling the first inner frame 102a and the second inner frame 102b with each other are provided on four corners of the first inner frame 102a and the second inner frame 102b, and coupled by screws 102d, as shown in Fig. 30. In the frame 100 consisting of the aforementioned structure, a character cartoon or the like is inserted in a surface on the infant side and a message card showing the parents' affection for the child or a photograph taken when the child was born is inserted in the surface of the opposite side, for example, whereby the child always sees the character cartoon or the like in the daily life, whereby pleasant feeling can be given to the child. Further, the child can perceive the parents' love for him by rotating the frame 100 sometimes. Particularly in the sensitive period of 10 years old to 15 years old, it is possible to effectively remind the child's heart of the parents' love and the bonds with the parents and to grow docile heart, by perceiving the parents' love sometimes in such a manner. While the frame 100 is rendered vertically rotatable with respect to the outer frames 101a, 101b, transverse rotation may alternatively be employed. As shown in Fig. 28, it is possible to detach the inner frames from the bed and make them self-sustained on a desk or the like also when the bed cannot be used, by providing widths (L 2 ) of lower sides longer than widths (L 1 ) of upper sides of the inner frames. Also by this, attachment to the bed used from the infanthood or the like is transformed into the inner frames, while it is possible to reconfirm the parents' love and the bonds with the parents and build up fertile humanity at the same time. (Embodiment 4) A fourth embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to Fig. 31 to Fig. 35. While the structure of inserting the frame in the opening 3a provided in the frame body 51b and vertically rotating the frame has been employed in the bed for an infant in the aforementioned embodiment 3, a frame is inserted in and mounted in a concavity, or groove 7 provided in the frame body, or headboard 51b in this embodiment 4. First, the structure of a frame 200 in this embodiment 4 is described with reference to Fig. 31 and Fig. 32. Fig. 31 is a general perspective view of the frame 200, and Fig. 32 is a sectional view along an arrow of the line B - B in Fig. 31. This frame 200 has two transparent plates 203 and 204 consisting of acrylic plates or the like holding a photograph or the like therebetween, and has an inner frame 201 enclosing peripheral edge portions of these two transparent plates 203 and 204 and supporting an outer peripheral portion of the transparent plate 204, as shown in Fig. 31. On the transparent plate 203 side of the inner frame 201, elastic members 205 for urging the two transparent plates 203 and 204 toward the transparent plate 204 and fixing the transparent plates 203 and 204 are provided in plural, as shown in Fig. 32. Further, a mounting hole 202 for fixation to a headboard 51b is provided on a side portion of the inner frame 201. The frame 200 consisting of the above structure is engaged in a frame mounting groove 7' provided on the headboard 51b as shown in Fig. 33, and fixed to the headboard 51b by employing a mounting screw 206. While the transparent plate 203 side is mounted in a regularly visible state in Fig. 33, the transparent plate 204 side may alternatively be mounted to be regularly visible as shown in Fig. 34. Also in the frame 200 consisting of the above structure, a character cartoon or the like is inserted in a regularly visible surface side, for example, similarly to the embodiment 3, while a plate showing affection to a child or a photograph taken when the child was born is inserted in the opposite side. By making the frame like this, the child sees the plate or the photograph when the frame 200 is sometimes detached from the headboard 51b, whereby it is possible to attain an effect similar to the embodiment 3. Also when the bed cannot be used, it is possible to make the frame 200 self-sustained by mounting an auxiliary plate 207 on the lower side of the frame 200 as shown in Fig. 35, and an effect similar to the embodiment 3 can be attained also in this case. (Embodiment 5) A fifth embodiment the present invention is hereafter described with reference to Fig. 36 to Fig. 38. While the structure of inserting the frame in the frame mounting groove provided in the headboard in the aforementioned embodiment 4, a frame 300 mounted on the surfaces of the frame bodies 51 with screws or the like as shown in Fig. 18 is described in this embodiment 5. Fig. 36 is a front elevational view of the frame 300, Fig. 37 is a sectional view along arrow of the line C - C in Fig. 36 in a state of mounting the frame 300 on a headboard, and Fig. 38 is a sectional view along arrow of the line D - D in Fig. 36 in the same state of mounting the frame 300 on the headboard. The frame 300 in this embodiment 5 has a substantially oval frame 301, and a contact surface 302 for fixing two transparent plates 303 and 304 holding a photograph or the like therebetween and consisting of acrylic plates to the headboard 3 side is provided in the interior of the periphery of this frame 301. This frame 300 is fixed to the headboard 3 by a screw 306, through a mounting hole 305 provided in the frame 301. Also in the frame 300 consisting of the above structure, action/effect similar to the aforementioned embodiment 2 can be attained. In the above each embodiment, the bed may be sold in a state detaching the frame, so that it is mounted after a message card is inserted at each home. Therefore, a structure suitable for mounting of the frame may be previously prepared on the headboard. The embodiments disclosed this time must be considered as being illustrative in all points and not restrictive. Therefore, the shape of the frame is not restricted to a rectangular or oval one either but it is possible to apply various shapes. While the structure of providing the outer frames 101a, 101b is employed in the frame 100 shown in the embodiment 3, a structure of directly forming the rotation axis 101i on the opening 3a is also employable. Therefore, it is intended that the scope of the present invention is shown not by the aforementioned description but by the scope of claim for patent, and all changes in the equivalent meaning and range as the scope of claim for patent are included. Industrial Applicability The present invention is advantageously applicable to a bed which can be used throughout life from an infant to an adult in response to growth stages.

Claims: A bed (1;50) comprising a bed part (52), a frame body (4, 5, 8, 9; 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) enclosing the periphery of said bed part and having a changeable configuration thereby rendering a surface area of said bed part changeable in size from a minimum size suitable for an infant's use of said bed to a maximum size suitable for an adult's use of said bed, and height adjustable support means for height adjustably supporting said bed part (52) relative to a floor surface, wherein said height adjustable support means comprises two leg parts (6, 7; 53) that each include two leg members pivotally joined together at a substantially central portion of the respective leg part in a substantially inverted V-shaped configuration and arranged for adjusting the height of said bed part (52) from the floor surface by pivotal movement about said substantially central portion. A bed as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame body comprises a plurality of frame members (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) and a slide mechanism (51e) slidably holding and allowing at least one of said frame members to slidably move in a vertical direction with respect to said bed part. A bed as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a swing shaft (12, 13; 58) connected with said height adjustable support means and swingably supporting said bed part with respect to said height adjustable means. A bed as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a picture frame (100; 200; 300) for storing graphical indicia or a visual image, said picture frame being detachably mounted on said frame body. A bed as claimed in claim 4, wherein said picture frame has a stand base making said picture frame self-supporting when said picture frame is detached from said frame body. A bed as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said frame body (51b) has an opening (3a) therein for detachably receiving said picture frame. A bed as claimed in claim 6, wherein said picture frame (100) is rotatably mounted on an axis in said opening. A bed as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an outer frame (101) having a projection part (101i) disposed on a central portion of an upper side of said outer frame and a projection part (101i) disposed on a central portion of a lower side of said outer frame, said projection parts defining said axis, and wherein said picture frame (100) has respective concave parts (102i) for receiving said projection parts, said concave parts being disposed in a central portion of an upper side and a central portion of a lower side of said picture frame (100). A bed as claimed in claim 8, wherein said outer frame comprises a first outer frame member (101a) and a second outer frame member (101b) respectively adapted to be inserted into said opening (3a) from opposite sides thereof so as to engage said frame body (51b). A bed as claimed in claim 8 or 9, where said picture frame (100) comprises two transparent plates (103, 104) for holding said graphical indicia or said visual image therebetween, a first inner frame (102a) having a recess (102h) for receiving peripheral edge portions of said two transparent plates on an inner surface side of said first inner frame, and a second inner frame (102b) adapted to be joined with said first inner frame for holding said two transparent plates between said first and second inner frames, and wherein said concave parts (102i) are cooperably defined by surfaces of said first inner frame and said second inner frame. A bed as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 when dependent on claim 5, wherein a lower side of said picture frame has a greater width than does an upper side of said picture frame. A bed as claimed in claim 6, wherein said opening comprises a recess (7'). A bed as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 12, wherein said picture frame (200) comprises two transparent plates (203, 204) for holding said graphical indicia or visual image therebetween, a frame (201) enclosing peripheral edge portions of said two transparent plates and supporting first surface sides of said peripheral edge portions, and at least one elastic member (205) provided on said frame for urging second surface sides of said peripheral edge portions opposite said first surface sides toward said first surface sides. A bed as claimed in claim 5 or 13, wherein said picture frame has in a lower side thereof a hole adapted for mounting an auxiliary stand member (207). A bed as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said height adjustable support means is so configured and adapted as to be capable of adjusting the height of said bed part to a first height that is suitable as a baby bed employed for a baby, and a second height lower than said first height and that is suitable as an extended bed for a person more grown-up than a baby, wherein said surface area of said bed part is expanded by changing the configuration of said frame body when the height of said bed part is adjusted to said lower second height. The bed in accordance with claim 15, wherein said frame body comprises four panels (4, 5, 8, 9; 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) which surround said bed part, and the configuration of said frame body is changeable to expand said surface area of said bed part by reclining one of said panels (5; 51b) which is located at a foot end of said bed part. A bed as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said height adjustable support means (53) is so configured and adapted as to be capable of adjusting the height of said bed part to a first height that is suitable as a baby bed employed for a baby, and a third height that is lower than said first height and that is suitable as a sofa, wherein the configuration of said frame body is changed so that said bed can be used as a sofa when the height of said bed part is adjusted to said third height. A bed as claimed in claim 17, wherein said frame body comprises three panels (51a, 51b, 51d) surrounding said bed part on a head end, a foot end and one side thereof and not at another side thereof when the configuration of said frame body is changed to adapt the bed to be used as a sofa. A bed as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said frame body comprises four panels (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) surrounding said bed part on all sides, wherein a first one (51c) of said panels positioned at a lengthwise extending side of said bed part is removable such that the configuration of said frame body can be changed to make said bed usable as a sofa, wherein a second one of said panels (51b) positioned at a foot end of said bed part is pivotally reclinable such that the configuration of said frame body can be changed by reclining said second panel thereby expanding the surface area of said bed part in a direction toward said foot end and thus forming an extended bed, and wherein said height adjustable support means (53) is so configured and adapted to be able to adjust the height of said bed part to any one of a first height that is suitable for serving as a baby bed, a second height that is suitable for serving as said sofa, and a third height that is suitable for serving as said extended bed.

Inventors: KASSAI KENZOU, ONISHI ICHIRO, KASSAI, KENZOU, ONISHI, ICHIRO
Applicants: APRICA KASSAI KK, APRICA KASSAI KABUSHIKIKAISHA
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A47C19
IPC codes: A47G1, A47C9, A47D11, A47D7, A47C19, A47D9