REVOLVING SUNNING BED

Abstract: A revolving sunning bed comprises a stationary support base (1), a rotating platform (2) and means (3) for moving the platform (2) with respect to the support base (1), the movement means (3) comprising a plurality of wheels (3a), of which at least one is a driving wheel (3b) connected to a corresponding motorised device (5) able to provide it with the power necessary for its movement.

Description: REVOLVING SUNNING BED Description Technical field The present invention relates to a revolving sunning bed. The confusion and noise on beaches has resulted in an increasing number of tourists making use of the facilities provided by hotels and, consequently, hoteliers have equipped with their premises with every comfort so that guests are able to find all the services they require within the confines of the hotel itself. In beach resorts, for example, where sunbathing constitutes one of the main reasons for choosing this type of holiday, nearly all the hotels of a certain standing have an open-air swimming pool where their guests may sunbathe at their leisure. As on the beach, however, the main problem arises from the fact that, in order to achieve a proper suntan, the tourist frequently has to change position in order to follow the movement of the sun. Moreover, although remaining constantly in the position which is most exposed to the sun's rays, it is still not possible to achieve a uniform suntan and the risk of getting sunburnt increases. Background art There exists a sunning bed, forming the subject of Italian patent No. 1,286,768, which was granted on the basis of an application filed on 15.11.1996 and numerous extensions in various parts of the world, which is able to overcome this problem, being provided with a movement device which, actuated by a control system, causes rotation of an upper platform with respect to a stationary support base. An apparatus of this type is obviously suitable for numerous uses: certainly, as already mentioned, on the beach or in a hotel, but also, for example, in villas with a garden, on cruisers, or in health spas. The limitation of this invention, however, consists above all in the complexity of the movement device and its limited reliability, in addition to a certain lack of accompanying accessories. In fact, the rotation of the bed is performed by a motor with pulley which causes rotation of a platform, while a system of idle rollers situated along the edge of the support base ensures a reduction in the friction between the parts in relative movement . The method of construction is also somewhat complex since it requires the compliance with minimum tolerances and an accurate assembly. Disclosure of the invention The object of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above. The invention, as characterized by the claims, solves the problem of optimising the movement system of the revolving bed. One of the advantages obtained by means of the present invention consists essentially in the fact that the construction, assembly and maintenance are simplified compared to the past. Moreover, the materials used and the form of the invention provide it with an aesthetic appearance which is perfectly suited for use also in high-class environments. Finally, the moulds used for formation of the main components are designed to house and protect a very large number of accessories, which ensures the maximum comfort for the user. Brief description of the drawings Further advantages and characteristic features of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a non-limiting example of embodiment thereof, in which: - Figure 1 shows an overall perspective view; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the invention; - Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the invention, with some parts removed so that others may be seen more clearly; - Figure 4 illustrates details of the invention; - Figure 5 show an operating condition of the invention. Detailed description of the preferred embodiment (s) As can be seen from the figures, the invention relates to a revolving sunning bed, comprising a stationary support base (1), a rotating platform (2) and means (3) for moving the platform (2) with respect to the support base (1), the movement means (3) comprising a plurality of wheels (3a) - visible in Figures 3 and 4 - which are connected to the platform (2) and make contact with the support base (1) in the vicinity of its outer edge, so as to cause the platform (2) to follow a circular path with respect to the support base (1) . Among the wheels (3a) , there is at least one driving wheel (3b) , which is connected to a corresponding motorised device (5) designed to provide it with the power necessary for its movement. In the example shown in the figures, in particular, there is a pair of driving wheels (3b) which ensure that the rotating platform (2) performs a more balanced and regular movement. In this case, the driving wheels (3b) are located in opposite positions with respect to the centre of the platform (2) . A motorised device (5) may be associated with each driving wheel (3b) , as can be seen in Figure 4a, but a single motorised device (5) may also ensure the movement of several driving wheels (3b) , as shown in Figure 3 and in the details according to Figures 4b and 4c. In this case, the motorised device (5) comprises a motor reducer (5a) which causes rotation of a shaft (3f) connected to a pair of drive shafts (3d) by means of a pair of universal joints (3e) , which drive shafts (3d) are in turn connected, by means of another pair of universal joints (3e) , to shafts (3g) of the driving wheels (3b) . Assembly of the universal joints (3c) is performed so that the drive shafts (3d) rotate in opposite directions, thereby ensuring that the movement of the driving wheels (3b) is consistent. An operating and control device (51) starts, stops and regulates operation of the motorised device (5) for movement of the platform (2) : in a preferred embodiment, said device consists of a remote control device which allows solely a circular movement which is uniform, i.e. at a constant speed. The bed (20) also comprises a backrest (7), the inclination of which can be adjusted, and a sunshade (8) which can also be adjusted. The movements of the backrest (7) are controlled by an operating and control device (7a) which allows the inclination thereof to be adjusted, while another operating and control device (8a) regulates operation of the sunshade (8) . Between the backrest (7) and the platform (2) there is a hinged joint (16) which allows rotation of the entire backrest (7) with respect to the platform (2) . A mechanical device (9) favours raising of the zone underneath the knee: it comprises a transverse rod (9a), which is supported by a pair of vertically slidable telescopic supports (9b) , and a device (9c) for actuating and controlling sliding of the supports (9b) . Although not absolutely necessary, it is obvious that all these movements are advantageously controlled and effected with the aid of electric current: for this purpose, a device (12) for transferring electric power from the support base (1) to the rotating platform is provided, said device comprising a flat rotating commutator (13) . Said commutator comprises a stationary first portion (13a) , which is fixed to the support base (1) and provided with brushes (14) distributed over a horizontal surface, and a second movable portion (13b) which is fixed to the platform (2) and provided with tracks (15) able to interact with the brushes (14) so as to distribute, during the rotational movement, electric power to the motorised device (5) and to the other user appliances which require it. As can be seen from Figure 2, the platform (2) comprises two half-shells (21,22), which can be associated with each other, for example by means of injection of polyurethane, along their facing surfaces, the upper shell (21) of said shell having an upper surface (2a) which is anatomically shaped and the bottom half-shell (22) having a bottom surface (2b) able to house movement means (3) . From the same Figure 2 it can be seen that both the platform (2) and the backrest (7) are formed so to comprise one or more compartments (11) for storing objects: these same compartments may also be destined for other uses, such as, for example, for housing small fridge units, a local electronic control unit, a spraying device, etc. Finally, an alignment device (10) is connected underneath the support base (1) and fixed thereto, said device being able to compensate for any irregularities in the ground on which the bed (20) is resting. It comprises a rigid structure (10a) from which at least three perimetral feet (10b) and three central feet (10c) project downwards, all being vertically adjustable, so as to ensure that the bed (20) is positioned in a balanced manner independently of the surface on which it is resting.

Claims: Claims 1. Revolving sunning bed, comprising a stationary support base (1), a rotating platform (2) and means (3) for moving the platform (2) with respect to the support base (1), characterized in that the movement means (3) comprise a plurality of wheels (3a) which are connected to the platform (2) and make contact with the support base (1), so as to cause the platform (2) to follow a circular path with respect to the support base (1) ; at least one of which wheels (3a) is a driving wheel (3b) , each of said driving wheel (3b) being connected to a corresponding motorised device (5) able to provide it with the power necessary for its movement. 2. Bed according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a pair of driving wheels (3b) so as to ensure a more balanced and regular movement of the platform (2) . 3. Bed according to Claim 2, characterized in that the driving wheels (3b) are located in opposite positions with respect to the centre of the platform (2) . 4. Bed according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a single motorised device (5) provides both the driving wheels (3b) with the power necessary for their movement. 5. Bed according to Claim 4, characterized in that the motorised device (5) comprises a motor reducer (5a) which causes rotation of a shaft (3f) connected to a pair of drive shafts (3d) by means of a pair of universal joints (3e) , which drive shafts (3d) are in turn connected, by means of another pair of universal joints (3e), to shafts (3g) of the driving wheels (3b) . 6. Bed according to Claim 5, characterized in that the drive shafts (3d) rotate in opposite directions, so as to ensure that the movement of the driving wheels (3b) is consistent. 7. Bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a backrest (7), the inclination of which can be adjusted. 8. Bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an adjustable sunshade (8) . 9. Bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (2) comprises two half-shells (21,22) which can be associated with each other along their facing surfaces, the upper half-shell (21) of which has an upper surface (2a) which is anatomically shaped and - li the bottom half-shell (22) of which has a bottom surface (2b) designed to house movement means (3) . 10. Bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one object-storage compartment (11) which is fixed to the platform (2) . 11. Bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one operating and control device (51) able to regulate the operation of the motorised device (5) for moving the platform (2) . 12. Bed according to Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises an operating and control device (7a) able to adjust the inclination of the backrest (7) . 13. Bed according to Claim 7, characterized in that said backrest (7) is entirely hollow so as to house at least one object-storage compartment (11) . 14. Bed according to Claim 8, characterized in that it comprises an operating and control device (8a) able to regulate operation of the sunshade (8) . 15. Bed according to Claim 12, characterized in that a hinged joint (16) is provided between the backrest (7) and the platform (2), said joint (16) being able to allow rotation of the entire backrest (7) with respect to the platform (2) • 16. Bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a mechanical device (9) for raising the zone underneath the knee . 17. Bed according to Claim 16, characterized in that said mechanical device (9) comprises a transverse rod (9a) , which is supported by a pair of vertically slidable telescopic supports (9b) , and a device (9c) for actuating and controlling sliding of the supports (9b) . 18. Bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an alignment device (10) which is fixed to the support base (1) and is able to compensate for any irregularities in the surface on which the bed is placed. 19. Bed according to Claim 18, characterized in that the alignment device (10) comprises a rigid structure (10a) which is connected to the bottom surface of the support base (1) and is provided with at least three perimetral feet (10b) and at least three central feet (10c) , which are all vertically adjustable, so as to compensate for the irregularities in the underlying ground. 20. Bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device (12) for transferring the electric power from the support base (1) to the rotating platform (2) . 21. Bed according to Claim 20, characterized in that transfer device (12) comprises a flat rotating commutator (13) . 22. Bed according to Claim 21, characterized in that the flat rotating commutator (13) comprises a stationary first portion (13a) , which is fixed to the support base (1) and is provided with brushes (14) distributed over a horizontal surface, and a second movable portion (13b), which is fixed to the platform (2) and is provided with tracks (15) able to interact with the brushes (14) so as to distribute, during the rotational movement, electric power to the motorised device (5) .

Inventors: CECCHINI ALFREDO, CECCHINI, ALFREDO
Applicants: BOBO S R L, CECCHINI ALFREDO, BOBO S.R.L., CECCHINI, ALFREDO
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A47C1
IPC codes: A47C1