Abstract:
A bed frame for supporting a mattress includes at least first and second sections connectable to form a mattress supporting platform. The platform includes a latch to hold the first and second sections together. The latch includes engageable parts on the first and second sections that are engageable in response to relative sliding movement between the first and second sections toward each other when oriented horizontally.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a bed, for example, for use in home health care. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Adjustable beds are often used in home health care. A bariatric bed is one capable of supporting the weight of a larger patient, and thus is typically larger and heavier than a standard home health care bed. 
     Home health care beds typically include two vertically adjustable bed ends that support a mattress platform extending between them. The mattress platform is made in two pieces, i.e., a head end section and a foot end section. The head end section has an adjustable portion that can be raised up when the bed is assembled, to raise the patient&#39;s head. The foot end section has an adjustable portion that can be raised up when the bed is assembled, to raise the patient&#39;s knees. The adjustable portions are operated by one or more electric motors located underneath the platform. 
     The head end section and the foot end section of the platform are assembled by standing them on edge, at an angle to each other. They are then moved into engagement with each other and joined, still at an angle, with a pin and slot arrangement. The two sections are pivoted relative to each other, while still on edge, into an orientation aligned with each other, to form the platform. The assembled platform may then be laid flat on the floor and the bed ends connected with it. 
     This assembly process takes up a significant amount of space in the room in which the bed is to be used—specifically, significantly more room than the finished size of the bed. In addition, the two sections are quite heavy—in the range of from 75 pounds to over 100 pounds each—and as a result, the on-edge assembly process requires two persons. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bed frame for supporting a mattress that includes at least first and second sections connectable to form a mattress supporting platform. The platform includes a latch to hold the first and second sections together. The latch includes engageable parts on the first and second sections that are engageable in response to relative sliding movement between the first and second sections toward each other when oriented horizontally. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bed including a mattress platform in accordance with the present invention, with the mattress removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the bed of  FIG. 1  showing portions of the mattress platform adjusted to different positions; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the mattress platform of the bed of  FIG. 1 , shown in an assembled condition; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the mattress platform alone, shown in a disassembled condition; 
         FIG. 5  is a view showing engagement portions of the two sections of the mattress platform; 
         FIG. 6  is a close up view of a latching portion of one of the two sections of the mattress platform; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view showing a latching mechanism of the platform in an unlatched condition; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  showing the latching mechanism in an assembled condition; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view showing the latching mechanism in an unlatched condition; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9  showing the latching mechanism in a partially latched condition; 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  showing the latching mechanism in a fully latched condition; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the latching mechanism in an unlatched condition; 
         FIGS. 13-15  are views illustrating the use of temporary support legs on a mattress platform. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bed, for example, for use in home health care. In particular, the present invention relates to a bed having a mattress platform that is made from two pieces. As representative of the present invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates a mattress platform  10  that is one embodiment of the invention. The mattress platform  10  is illustrated as being part of a bed frame or bed  12  that is on a floor  13 . 
     The bed  12  includes also a head end  14  and a foot end  16 . The head end  14  of the bed  12  is preferably identical to, and interchangeable with, the foot end  16  of the bed. The bed ends  14  and  16  support the mattress platform  10  at a location off the floor  13 . The bed ends  14  and  16  are preferably adjustable, so as to provide for vertical movement of the mattress platform  10  relative to the floor  12 . 
     The mattress platform  10  includes a head end section  20  and a foot end section  22 . The head end section  20  and the foot end section  22  are engageable with each other, as described below, to form the completed mattress platform  10 . 
     The head end section  20  of the mattress platform  10  includes first and second side rails  30 . The side rails  30  in the illustrated embodiment are formed as U-shaped channels open inwards, but could have another configuration. A plurality of slats  34  extend across and interconnect the side rails  30 . The slats  34  have upper surfaces  36  that together form a supporting surface  38  for supporting a head end portion of a mattress (not shown). 
     The head end section  20  of the mattress platform  10  has an inner end portion  40  that includes first and second latching tongues  42  for engagement with the foot end section  22  of the mattress platform  10 . The first tongue  42  is fixed, for example by welding, on the first side rail  30  of the head end section  20  of the mattress platform  10 . The first tongue  42  may, alternatively, be formed as part of the side rail  30 , for example, as a continuation of the outer wall  44  of the side rail. The tongue  42  has a generally planar configuration extending generally vertically when the head end section  20  is laid flat on the floor  13 . The tongue  42  projects from the first side rail  30  and has beveled edges and a latching opening  44 . 
     The head end section  20  also includes one or more motors, motor tubes, etc. for mechanical movement of its slats, for example, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The head end section  20  further includes two motor guards  46  for helping to protect these the working mechanisms of the head end section, when the head end section  20  is laid flat on the floor  13 . The motor guards  46  in the illustrated embodiment are U-shaped tubes that support the side rails  30  and the working mechanisms off the floor  13 . 
     The foot end section  22  of the mattress platform  10  includes first and second side rails  50 . The side rails  50  in the illustrated embodiment are formed as U-shaped channels opening inward, but could have another configuration. The U-shaped configuration includes a side wall  54  and spaced top and bottom walls  56  and  58 . A plurality of slats  60  extend across and interconnect the side rails  50 . The slats  60  have upper surfaces  62  that together form a supporting surface  64  for supporting a foot end portion of a mattress (not shown). When the foot end section  22  of the mattress platform  10  is interlocked with the head end section  20  of the mattress platform  10  as described below, the supporting surface  64  on the foot end section  22  is aligned with the supporting surface  38  on the head end section  20  thereby to form a complete surface for supporting the mattress. 
     The foot end section  22  has an inner end portion  66  that includes first and second latching portions  70  for engagement with the tongues  42  of the head end section  20  of the mattress platform  10 . The first latching portion  70  is located on the outer end of the first side rail  50  and may be formed in varying manners within the scope of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching portion  70  includes an outer end portion  72  of the side wall  54  of the side rail  50 . The latching portion  70  also includes a plate  74  that is welded within the side rail  50 , at a location parallel to and spaced apart from the side wall  54 . The plate  74  and the side wall  54  define between them a latching chamber  76  in the latching portion  70  of the foot end section  22 . The outer end  78  of the plate  74  is flared inward, away from the side wall  54 , to form an enlarged opening  80  into the latching chamber  76 . 
     The first latching portion  70  also includes a latch pin  82 . The latch pin  82  is a movable member that is engageable in the latching opening  44  in the first tongue  42 , to interlock the pieces. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch pin  82  is supported on the side rail  50  and the plate  74 , for sliding movement in a direction normal to the side wall  54  and to the plate, that is, laterally inward and outward of the foot end section  22 . The latch pin  82  is movable through an opening  83  in the plate  74  into engagement with the side wall  54 . The latch pin  82  has a camming surface  85  that is presented toward the opening  80  of the chamber  76 . The first latching portion  70  also includes a biasing member in the form of a spring  83  for biasing the latch pin  82  into an engaged position in which it extends through the opening  83  in the plate  74  and engages the side wall  54 . 
     The foot end section  22  also includes one or more motors, motor tubes, etc. for mechanical movement of its slats, for example, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The foot end section  22  further includes two motor guards  46  for helping to protect these working mechanisms of the foot end section, when the head end section  20  is laid flat on the floor  13 . 
     The platform  10  can be assembled, as described below, by one person, or can be easier to assemble by two persons than the prior art bed platform described above. To assemble the platform  10 , the foot end section  22  of the mattress platform  10  is laid horizontal, or flat on the floor  13 —that is, in an orientation generally parallel to the floor. The foot end section  22  rests on its motor guards  46 , and need not be perfectly level, so long as it can hook up properly with the head end section  20 . 
     The head end section  20  of the mattress platform  10  is also laid horizontal, or flat on the floor  13 , adjacent to but spaced apart from the foot end section  22 . The head end section  20  rests on its motor guards  46 . In this condition, the two platform sections  20  and  22  are both horizontal and are generally parallel and co-planar. The latching tongues  42  on the head end section are close to but not engaged with the latching portions  70  on the foot end section  22 . The two platform sections  20  and  22 , together, take up only a little more room than they do when assembled. 
     The head end section  20  and the foot end section  22  are then moved horizontally into engagement with each other. One or the other or both of the platform sections  20  and  22  slide along the floor  13 , on their respective motor guards  46 , into engagement with each other. On each side of the platform  10 , a tongue  42  moves into a latching chamber  76  of a latching portion  70 , guided by the flared end portion  78  of the plate  74  and by the beveled edges of the tongue. As the tongue  42  moves farther into the chamber  76 , the tongue engages the camming surface  85  on the latch pin  82 . The tongue  42  cams the latch pin  82  inward, against the bias of the spring  83 , so that the tongue can move completely into the chamber  76 . 
     When the opening  44  in the tongue  42  moves into alignment with the latch pin  82 , the biasing force of the spring  83  moves the latch pin down into and through the opening in the tongue. The latch pin  82  is thus then engaged in the opening  83  in the plate  74 , as well as in the opening  44  in the tongue  42 . As a result, the latch pin  82  blocks movement of the tongue  42  out of the latching  76  of the latching portion  70 , so that the side rail  30  of the head end section  20  is locked to the side rail  50  of the foot end section  22 . 
     On the opposite side of the bed  12 , the second tongue  42  is also engaged with the second latching portion  70 . It may be desirable or necessary to engage one side of the bed  12  before the other, possibly canting the head end portion  20  a little to enable this sequential engagement. 
     Thus, the inner end portion  40  of the head end section  20  and the inner end portion  66  of the foot end section  22  are moved into engagement with each other while they are disposed flat on the floor  13 . This could entail moving the head end section  20  alone, or moving the foot end section  22  alone, or moving both sections. 
     After the platform  10  is thus assembled, the bed ends  14  and  16  are assembled to the platform  10 . The bed ends  14  and  16  are, preferably, first adjusted to their lowest level. The outer end portion of the head end section  20  of the platform  10  is lifted off the floor  13  enough to enable it to be hooked onto the head end  14 . The outer end portion of the foot end section  22  of the platform  10  is lifted off the floor  13  enough to enable it to be hooked onto the foot end  16 . Any necessary connections of motors, motor tubes, etc. may then be completed. 
     To disassemble the platform  10 , the latch pin  82  is removable from the opening in the tongue  42  by pulling on a cord or pin  90 . Once both latch pins  82  are removed, the two platform sections  20  and  22  can be slid apart from each other, along the floor  13 , to disengage them from each other. 
     The present invention is applicable to types of beds other than the type shown in the drawings and described above. Specifically, the invention is applicable to beds that do not have adjustable height bed ends; to non-motorized bed; and to non-bariatric bed, among others. 
     In addition, the platform  10  may be assembled, if desired, while on edge. That is, the head end section  20  and the foot end section  22  can be stood on edge and slid into engagement with each other, rather than being laid flat then slid into engagement with each other. 
       FIGS. 13-15  illustrate the use of temporary support legs  100  for holding the platform  10  off the floor  13  during assembly of the platform to the bed ends  14  and  16 . Two support legs  100  are located on the head end section  20 , and two on the foot end section  22 . The support legs  100  are pivotable between a raised position, shown in  FIG. 13 , and a lowered position, shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . When the support legs  100  are in the lowered position, they support the platform sections  20  and  22  off the floor  13  by a sufficient distance so that they do not have to be lifted when assembling the bed ends  14  and  16 . 
     This feature can help to make the bed assembly process easier for one person. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , when the legs  100  are folded down, the outer end portions of the platform  10  are high enough off the floor  13  so that the bed end  14  or  16  can be rotated into place and connected with the platform, without having to struggle with holding up the platform and simultaneously placing it on the hooks of the bed end. It should be noted that the support legs  100  are usable on beds other than that shown in the drawings, for example, on beds that do not have slidingly engageable first and second sections. 
     From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes, and modifications in the invention. Such improvements, changes, and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.