Abstract:
The present invention relates to a split bed with improved characteristics, and in particular to a split bed with joinable sections including a connector used to join two pieces of a drive assembly, that has tab and slots to accommodate accessory devices and that is easily movable by one person. In one embodiment, the bed has a deck with several slotted tabs for receiving accessory devices. Two joinable sections are provided. The sections can be joined with six points of contact. A two part drive assembly is also provided. A pivotal connector is provided for joining the two parts of the drive assembly. The drive assembly moves cross members relative, and preferably within, longitudinal support members. In this regard, movement of the cross members causes the bed to selectably raise or lower. The bed is compactable to a very low height for shipping.

Description:
This United States utility patent application claims priority on and the benefit of provisional application 61/713,285 filed Oct. 12, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a split bed with improved characteristics, and in particular to a split bed with joinable sections including a connector used to join two pieces of a drive assembly, that has tab and slots to accommodate accessory devices and that is easily movable by one person. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many beds exist for many purposes. Some examples include: U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,394 to Bartley is titled Hospital Bed with Rack and Pinion Stabilizer. This patent shows a hospital bed including a base adapted to roll over the floor, a litter disposed on the base upon which the patient rests, a lift assembly designed to selectively position the litter a selected vertical distance above the base and at least one stabilizer unit between the litter and the base. Each stabilizer unit includes a pair of rack-and-pinion assemblies that extend between the base and the litter. The pinions of the rack-and-pinion assembly are connected together to rotate in unison. Owing to the interconnection of the pinions, the rack-and-pinion assemblies are prevented from moving vertically in directions opposite to each other. This lock-out of the rack-and-pinion movement prevents the litter from moving side-to-side. The stabilizer unit thus prevents the undesirable side-to-side rocking movement of the litter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,347 to Urness is titled Package for a Bed Section and a Method Packaging the Bed Section. This patent shows a package for bed sections and a method of packaging the bed sections includes the head and foot ends which are structured and dimensioned to fit together within a single package so as to form a single parcel and a head section and a foot section, each structured and dimensioned to fit within separate packages so as to form separate parcels. The head and foot ends as well as the head and foot sections each have a length and a girth the sum of which is in the order of 127 inches. A package is provided for containing the head and foot ends, the head section, and the foot section. The package comprises a paperboard box having a length and a girth sum of which does not exceed 130 inches. Neither the head nor foot ends, nor the head section, nor the foot section, and its paperboard box, have a combined weight exceeding 150 pounds. A formula is provided for determining a range of dimensions for the head and foot ends, and the head section, and the foot section. The sum of the length and girth of the paperboard box are known. The paperboard box is fabricated from a paperboard material having a known thickness. The thickness of the paperboard material is factored into the formula used to determine the range of dimensions for the head and foot ends and the head section and the foot section. This permits the head and foot ends and the head section and the foot section to be structured and dimensioned to fit within a paperboard box of limited dimensions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,210 to Clenet is titled Articulating Bed System. The patent shows a mechanism for activation of an articulating bed incorporates at least one mattress support plate and a pair of side rails. A rack is attached to each side rail and a torque tube extends between the side rails with a pinion gear at each end engaging a respective one of the racks. An actuator imparts translational motion to the torque tube perpendicular to its axis. Elevation bars connected to the torque tube and the support plate are angularly displaced by translation of the torque tube. 
     While each of these patents may work well for their intended purposes, none solve the unique problems that are solved by the present invention. Thus there exists a need for an improved bed that solves these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a split bed with improved characteristics, and in particular to a split bed with joinable sections including a connector used to join two pieces of a drive assembly, that has tab and slots to accommodate accessory devices and that is easily movable by one person. In one embodiment, the bed has a deck with several slotted tabs for receiving accessory devices. Two joinable sections are provided. The sections can be joined with six points of contact. A two part drive assembly is also provided. A pivotal connector is provided for joining the two parts of the drive assembly. The drive assembly moves cross members relative, and preferably within, longitudinal support members. In this regard, movement of the cross members causes the bed to selectably raise or lower. The bed is compactable to a very low height for shipping. 
     According to one advantage of the present invention, the bed is formed in two sections, a head section and a foot section. This allows for easy transport and assembly. Advantageously, the sections can be joined together and can have six contact points to form a strong and stable connection. The contact points remain in secure engagement under a vertical loading condition, as the heavier the load, the more the contact points are forced against each other. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, the drive assembly has two parts that can be joined together with a pivoting connector. In this regard, the pivoting connector can connect the shafts of the drive assembly when the head and foot sections of the bed are joined. Likewise, the drive assembly can be disconnected for decreased shipping size (compact to a low shipping position of seven inches in height). 
     In an alternative embodiment, the two parts of the drive assembly can be selectably joined and disconnected via a sliding or telescopic connector as well. A sliding connector can save space and require less clearance relative adjacent components. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, the bed is collapsible to a very low shipping height. This advantageously allows for more density in shipping. This also allows for fewer containers or boxed to be required when packaging the present invention. 
     According to a still further advantage of the present invention, a screw drive is provided for causing both the head and foot section of the bed to raise and lower. The drive has cross members with translators that maintain stability of the bed. In one embodiment, the translators can be pinions that are operable relative racks within longitudinal supports. The racks in the preferred embodiment can be on the top of the longitudinal supports. 
     According to a still further advantage of the present invention, the deck has a plurality of tabs connected to the perimeter rail. The tabs each have slots therein. The tabs are interior of the perpendicular rail so that the spacing of the slots is appropriate for accessory devices. 
     According to a still further advantage of the present invention, a second pin can be provided to provide vertical support (prevent sagging) when the two sections are joined. The second pin can be swung into a corresponding slot as the head and foot sections are pivotally rotated relative each other. 
     According to a still further advantage of the present invention, in an alternative embodiment, actuators can be used to control raising and lowering of the bed. In this preferred embodiment, a pin or similar device can be used to control the lowest position of the bed during use. The pin can be removed to allow the bed to be placed in an even lower position for storage or shipping. 
     Related, and in a preferred embodiment, the pin can be part of an automatically extending pin. In this regard, the bed can be shipped with the pin retracted allowing for a ship position. Yet, when the bed is raised from the shipping position for the first time, the pins can extend and create a new stop for the low running position. This also advantageously relieves pressure from the actuators when the bed is reduced to the low position and the weight of the bed (and anything supported by the bed) is supported by the pins instead of the actuator. 
     Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention and studying the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the bed of the present invention shown in the shipping position. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the bed of the present invention shown in a low position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the bed of the present invention shown in an intermediate position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the bed of the present invention shown in a high position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the head and foot sections pivoted wherein the sections do not have six points of contact. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view showing the head and foot sections connected together. 
         FIG. 7  is a close up bottom view showing the connection between the head and foot sections of the bed. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view showing the drive assembly unconnected. 
         FIG. 9  is similar to  FIG. 8 , but shows the drive assembly connected. 
         FIG. 10  is a lower perspective view showing that the head and foot sections of the bed can be connected while the drive assembly is unconnected. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the drive assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a close-up view of a preferred translator of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a preferred deck embodiment showing several tabs with slots therein. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in a low position. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional side view of the view illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 16A  is close up of a portion of the bed illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 16B  is a close up of a portion of the bed illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 15  but shown in a shipping position having a lower height than a normal low position. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional side view of the view illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 18A  is close up of a portion of the bed illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 18B  is a close up of a portion of the bed illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 19  is an isolated side view of the drive assembly joined with a shaft at the end of the bed to prevent the bed from entering a shipping low position. 
         FIG. 20  is an isolated side view of the drive assembly at the end of the bed disjoined from the shaft at end of the bed to allow the bed to be placed in a shipping low position. 
         FIG. 21  is an isolated top view of the drive assembly joined with a shaft at the end of the bed to prevent the bed from entering a shipping low position. 
         FIG. 22  is an isolated side view of the drive assembly at the end of the bed disjoined from the shaft end of the bed to allow the bed to be placed in a shipping low position. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing an alternative additional connecting pin of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23A  is similar to  FIG. 23  but shows the bed sections rotated to a combined orientation. 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom view showing an alternative embodiment of a drive assembly connection illustrated in a connected manner. 
         FIG. 25  is similar to  FIG. 24 , but shows the two shafts of the drive assembly in a disconnected manner. 
         FIG. 26  is a side view showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention with actuators shown in a low position. 
         FIG. 27  is similar to  FIG. 26 , but shows the bed in a high position. 
         FIG. 28  is a close up perspective view of a spring clip in the undeployed position. 
         FIG. 29  is similar to  FIG. 28 , but shows the spring clip in the deployed position. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view showing a limiting the vertical travel of the foot end of the bed. 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view showing a limiting the vertical travel of the head end of the bed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     One preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-14 . Yet, it is appreciated that many alternatives are possible without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A bed  10  is provided having a top  11 , a bottom  12 , ends  13  and  14  and sides  15  and  16 . The bed  10  can be selectably raised and lowered as described below. 
     The bed  10  has a deck  20 . The deck  20  has a perimeter rail  21 . The rail  21  can be formed of rectangular tube material. The deck can have a plurality of laterally extending members between the side rails to support a mattress. A plurality of tabs  22  is provided. In the preferred embodiment, four tabs  22  are provided on each side of the deck. It is appreciated that more or fewer tabs could be provided without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. The tabs  22  have a top surface that is preferably flush with the top of the deck. Each tab  22  has a slot  23  with an interior end  24 . The interior end  24  of the slot  23  is preferably located interior of the rail  21 . Tabs are preferably located opposite each other whereby two slots are alignable to accommodate accessory components such as rail tubes. The tabs and slots are best seen in  FIG. 13 . 
     A head section  30  is provided. The head section  30  has side rail  31  and side rail  33 . Side rail  31  has an end  32 . Side rail  33  has an end  34 . A member  35  is also provided at the interior end of the head section  30 . The member laterally spans between the side rails. Two longitudinal supports  40  and  50  are provided. Support  40  has an end with two spaced apart plates  41  and  44 . Plate  41  has a slot  42  and an upwardly extending ear  43 . Plate  44  has a slot  45  and an upwardly extending ear  46 . Support  50  has an end with two spaced apart plates  51  and  54 . Plate  51  has a slot  52  and an upwardly extending ear  53 . Plate  54  has a slot  55  and an upwardly extending ear  56 . 
     A foot section  60  is also provided. The foot section  60  has side rail  61  and side rail  63 . Side rail  61  has an end  62 . Side rail  63  has an end  64 . A member  65  is also provided at the interior end of the foot section  60 . The member laterally spans between the side rails. Two longitudinal supports  70  and  80  are provided. Support  70  has an end with a carriage  71  that supports a rod  72 . The rod  72  preferably extends on both sides of the carriage  71  in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support. Support  80  has an end with a carriage  81  that supports a rod  82 . The rod  82  preferably extends on both sides of the carriage  81  in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support. Rods  72  and  82  are preferably parallel to each other and collinear with each other. 
     Longitudinal support  70  further has side walls, a top and a bottom that define an interior  75 . The inside side wall  73  is preferably slotted with a slot  74 . A rack  76  can be housed within the interior  75 . The rack  75  preferably is on the top of the longitudinal support above the slot  74 . The rack is best illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     It is preferred that each support  40 ,  50 ,  70  and  80  have a rack  75 . Yet, it is understood that alternative structures could be provided without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The head and foot sections are joined together as best seen in  FIGS. 5-7 . The connection is a pivotal connection. In this regard, the rod  72  is received within slot  42  of plate  41  and slot  45  of plate  44 . Rod  82  is received with slot  52  of plate  51  and slot  85  of plate  84 . 
     Further, six points of contact are provided (as noted by I-VI in  FIG. 5 ) when the sections are fully connected. The points are specifically end  32  against end  62 . End  34  against end  64 . Ears  43  and  46  against member  65 . Ears  53  and  56  also act against member  65 . It is appreciated that under a vertical load condition, the head and foot sections  30  and  60  respectively will compress onto each other at these six contact points about the pivotal connection described above. It is further appreciated that more or fewer contact points can be provided without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 8-11 and 14 , it is seen that a preferred embodiment of a drive assembly  90  is provided. The drive assembly  90  is used to raise and lower the bed. The drive assembly has a first shaft  100  and a second shaft  130 . The shafts are connectable as described below. 
     Shaft  100  has ends  101  and  102 . Two holes are provided. Hole  103  is preferably interior of end  102  a selected amount. Hole  104  is preferably at the end  102 . A screw section  110  is provided having threads around the outside of the shaft  100 . A slip nut  115  is provided that is translatable relative the shaft as the shaft rotates. The slip nut  115  is connected to a cross member  120 . The cross member  120  has ends  121  and  125 . End  121  can have a translator  122  fixed thereon. The translator  122  is a pinion  123  in a preferred embodiment that can mate with a rack and move relative thereto. Yet, it is appreciated that other translators such as glides, slides or wheels (or other structures) could be used to move within the interior  75  of the support  70  without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. The end translator preferably is housed within the interior of the longitudinal support. It is further understood that while in a preferred embodiment the cross member ends move within the longitudinal support that alternative arrangements may be made without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. End  125  is preferably similar to end  121  and is also rotationally fixed relative end  121 . In this regard, the ends rotate at the same rate so that the sides of the bed  10  raise and lower at the same rate. 
     Shaft  130  has ends  131  and  132 . Shaft  130  has one hole  103  preferably interior of end  132  a selected amount. A screw section  140  is provided having threads around the outside of the shaft  130 . A slip nut  145  is provided that is translatable relative the shaft as the shaft rotates. The slip nut  145  is connected to a cross member  150 . The cross member  150  has ends  151  and  155 . The ends each have translators thereon for movement within or relative to their respective longitudinal members. End  155  is preferably rotationally fixed relative end  151 . In this regard, the ends rotate at the same rate so that the sides of the bed  10  raise and lower at the same rate. 
     Shafts  110  and  130  are preferably removably connected with a connector  160 . Connector  160  has an end  161  with a vertical connecting hole  162  there through and an end  163  with a vertical connecting hole  164  there through. A central pivot hole  165  is also provided. The connector  160  can be pivotally connected to the end  102  of shaft  100  with a pivot to hole  104 . The connector is pivotal about this connection. The sections of the bed  30  and  60  can be pivotally connected when the connector is unfastened from the second shaft  130 . The connector can form a general “T” shape with shaft  100  when fully pivoted. The connector can be pivoted and fixe in alignment with using a both or other connector through holes  162  and  103 . The second end can be connected to shaft  130  by use of a connector through holes  164  and  133 . In this regard, when the connector  160  is in the connection position, it connects the shafts  100  and  130  so that they act as a singular drive assembly rotatable in unison about a drive assembly longitudinal axis. The connector, as seen in  FIG. 10 , is shaped to receive two shafts (from opposite sides). In this regard, the connector preferably has opposed C shaped channels. It can be formed form a square tube with opposite sides removed. The middle of the connector can have both sides removed so that it can freely pivot about pivot hole  165 . 
     It is appreciated that while shaft  130  is shown at the head section  30  and shaft  100  is shown at the foot section  60 , that the orientation could be switched without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Legs  170  and  190  are provided for supporting the deck. While legs  170  and  190  are described herein, it is understood that other structures or leg assemblies could be provided without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. In this regard, the terms leg are intended to be broadly construed as encompassing single members and assemblies that are either indirectly or directly connected to the deck or 
     Leg  170  has a first end  171  having a tab  172  for being connected to cross member  120 . In this regard, the end  171  is pivotally and movably connected relative the deck. The second end  173  is connected to a foot  174 . A brace  180  is provided and is pivotally connected to both the deck  20  and the leg  170  to provide support therefor. 
     Leg  190  has a first end  191  having a tab  192  for being connected to cross member  150 . In this regard, the end  191  is pivotally and movably connected relative the deck. The second end  193  is connected to a foot  194 . A brace  200  is provided and is pivotally connected to both the deck  20  and the leg  190  to provide support therefor. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the bed is illustrated in various positions. In  FIG. 1 , the bed is shown in a shipping (non-operational) position. In this regard, the drive assembly is disconnected and the height of the section is minimized. 
     The bed  10  is shown in the low, an intermediate and the high positions in  FIGS. 2-4 , respectively. The drive assembly is functional and connected when the bed is in these positions. It is understood that the drive assembly  90  causes both the ends to raise and lower at the same time as the ends of the legs pivot and translate relative the deck. The translators of the respective cross members maintain proper alignment of the sides relative the longitudinal members. 
     Also in  FIG. 11 , it is seen that a crank  91  is provided for turning the drive assembly. Turning the crank in a first rotational direction causes the shafts to turn in one direction causing the cross bars and hence legs to pivot and move in one longitudinal direction and rotation in the opposite rotational direction causes the legs to pivot and move in the opposite directions, respectively. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 15-22 , it is seen that an alternative embodiment of a bed  210  with a top  211  and a bottom  212  is illustrated. 
     Bed  210  further has an end  213 . A bar  214  with a hole  215  there through is provided at end  213 . The bar  214  is preferably centrally located at the end of the bed. An end  216  is opposite of end  213 . A bar  217  with a hole  218  is centrally located at the end  216  of the bed  210 . Bars  214  and  217  are rotatably housed relative (and preferably concealed within) the respective sections of the bed ends. A crank can be connected to one of the bars to rotate a drive assembly. 
     The bed  210  further has a deck  220 . Deck  220  has a head section  230  and a foot section  240 . Head section  230  has a slot  231  with ends  232  and  233  formed therein. Foot section  240  also has a slot  241  with ends  242  and  243 . 
     A drive assembly  250  having a longitudinal axis  251  is further provided. The drive assembly has a first shaft  260  and a second shaft  270 . First shaft  260  has an end  261  with a hole  262  shaped to receive a pin  263 . Second shaft  270  has an end  271  with a hole  272  shaped to receive a pin  273 . 
     The shafts  260  and  270  can be selectably connected and disconnected from each other. When connected, end  261  of shaft  260  is coupled with shaft  214  wherein holes  215  and  262  are aligned. Pin  263  passes through holes  215  and  262  to fasten the first shaft  260  to the shaft  214 . Further, when connected, end  271  of shaft  270  is coupled with shaft  217  wherein holes  218  and  272  are aligned. Pin  273  passes through holes  218  and  272  to fasten the first shaft  270  to the shaft  217 . 
     When the pins  263  and  273  lock the respective shafts together, the bed is able to be moved from a low position to a high position. This is accomplished by providing a crank to cause the drive assembly to rotate. Rotation of the drive assembly causes leg assemblies to pivot and move longitudinally relative the deck, thereby causing the deck to raise and lower. 
     This is accomplished at the head section  230  as an upper end  281  of leg  280  is slidably and pivotally received within slot  231 . It is understood that while a leg  280  is described, the leg can have the form of an assembly or multi-piece unit that can effectively directly or indirectly act linearly and rotationally relative the deck. When in the high position, the end  281  is at end  232  of the slot. When in the low operational position, the end  281  is at an intermediate position between ends  232  and  233  that is closer to end  233  but not at end  233 . Only when the first and second drive shafts are disconnected from each other and end  261  of shaft  260  is disconnected from bar  214 , can the end  281  of leg translate or move within the slot  231  all the way to end  233 . This further movement and rotation of leg  281  occurs as the first shaft  260  moves inward along the longitudinal axis  251  of the drive assembly  250 . This, in turn, causes the overall height of the bed to decrease an additional amount to a low shipping or storage height. In the preferred embodiment, this height is 7 inches, which is 3 inches lower that the overall height when in the low operational position. 
     The end  261  of shaft  260  is shown telescopically engaged and fastened with bar  214  in  FIGS. 19 and 21 , and is shown unfastened and longitudinally separated in  FIGS. 20 and 22 . 
     The foot section  240  as an upper end  286  of leg  285  is slidably and pivotally received within slot  241 . In this regard, when in the high position, the end  286  is at end  242  of the slot. When in the low operational position, the end  286  is at an intermediate position between ends  242  and  243  that is closer to end  243  but not at end  243 . Only when the first and second drive shafts are disconnected from each other and end  271  of shaft  270  is disconnected from bar  217 , can the end  286  of leg translate or move within the slot  241  all the way to tend  243 . This further movement and rotation of leg  286  occurs as the second shaft  270  moves inward along the longitudinal axis  251  of the drive assembly  250 . This, in turn, causes the overall height of the bed to decrease an additional amount to a low shipping or storage height. In the preferred embodiment, this height is 7 inches, which is 3 inches lower that the overall height when in the low operational position. 
     It is appreciated that the respective outer ends of shaft  260  and  270  operate similarly relative the respective ends  213  and  216  of the bed  210 . 
     Further,  FIGS. 16A and 16B  illustrate the position of the leg assembly relative the slots  231  and  241  receptively in the low position wherein the legs are connected at portions near but not at the ends of the slots.  FIGS. 18A and 18B  illustrate the position of the leg assembly relative the slots  231  and  241  receptively in the shipping position wherein the legs are at the end of the slots. It is appreciated that braces, which are pivotally connected to the legs and to the side rails at fixed locations, cause the legs to rotate as their respective upper ends move relative the side rails. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 23 and 23A , it is seen that an additional alternative embodiment is illustrated. In particular a bed  310  is provided. The bed  310  has a head section  330  with a side rail  331  with an end  332 . A longitudinal support  340  is further provided having a plate  341  with a slot  342  and an ear  343 . A second plate  344  is provided also having a slot and an ear. A pin  344  is removably provided and is received through holes in plates  341  and  344 . It is understood that in a preferred embodiment, that the pin  345  can be received through plates  341  and  345  after internal components are placed within the side rail  331 . An additional longitudinal support  340  is further provided having a plate  351  with a slot and an ear  353 . A second plate  354  also with a slot and an ear is also provided. A pin  355  is received through plates  351  and  354 . 
     The bed  310  also has a foot sections with a side rail  361  having an end  362 . A first longitudinal support  370  is provided. Support  370  has a carriage  371  with a rod  372 . Slits  373  are formed in two side walls of the carriage  371 . The slits define an axis that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rod  372 . A second longitudinal support  380  is also provided. The support  380  has a carriage  381  with a rod passing between the side walls of the carriage. Slits  383  are formed in the side walls of the carriage. While the openings are described as slits, any type of recess, opening or gap is considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     Support  340  mates with support  370  to join the head and foot sections of the bed. This is accomplished by first placing rod  372  within slot  342 . Then, the head and foot sections  330  and  360 , respectively, are rotated towards each other about the axis defined by the rod. The sections continue to rotate until pin  341  is received within slits  373 . When pin  341  is received within slits  373 , it is seen that pin  345  provides vertical support while pin  372  provides longitudinal support. It is appreciated that while two slits are described, that one slit or slotted structure could alternatively be provided to receive a pin without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Support  350  mates with support  380  to join the head and foot sections of the bed in the same manner and simultaneously as when support  340  and  370  mate. In this regard, when joined, pin  345  provides vertical support and pin  382  provides longitudinal support. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 24-25 , it is seen that yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A bed  410  is shown having a deck  420  with a head section  430  and a foot section  440 . A drive assembly  450  is provided having a first shaft  460  that is removably joinable with a second shaft  480 . 
     Shaft  460  has an extension  470  having ends  471  and  472 . The extension  470  is preferably telescopically slidable relative the shaft. The extension  470  has a hole there through at end  471 . The extension  470  further has a slot spanning longitudinally through the extension sidewall. A post  475  is fixed to the shaft  460  and acts as a guide to limit the travel of the extension relative the shaft via the ends of the slot. 
     Shaft  480  has an end  481  with a hole  482  there through. 
     Extension  470  can be connected telescopically to shaft  480 . When in such a position, a pin  483  can pass through holes  473  and  482 , respectively, to join the first shaft to the second shaft. The shafts can be disconnected by removing the pin  483  from the holes and retracting the extension. The first shaft  460  and second shaft  480  are shown connected in  FIG. 24  and shown disconnected in  FIG. 25 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 26-31 , it is seen that a still further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Bed  510  is illustrated having a top  511 , a bottom  512  and opposed ends  514  and  514 . A deck  520  is provided. The bed has a head section  530  with a side rail  531  and a foot section  540  with a side rail  541 . 
     A leg  550  is at the head section  530  and is pivotally and slidably connected to the side rail  531 . The leg  550  has a first end  551  and a second end  552 . A foot  553  is at the second end  553 . A brace  560  is pivotally connected to both the side rail  531  and the leg  550 . A hole  561  passes through the brace  560 . A spring clip  562  having a spring  563  or spring element and a pin  564  is provided. The spring  563  can bias the pin  564  to pass through and extend out of hole  561  in the brace. 
     While a spring clip  562  is illustrated, other types of mechanical limitation devices may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A leg  570  is at the foot section  540  and is pivotally and slidably connected relative to the side rail  541 . The leg  570  has a first end  571  and a second end  572 . A foot  573  is at the second end  572 . A brace  580  is pivotally connected to both the deck  520  and the leg  570 . A hole  581  passes through the brace  580 . A spring clip  582  having a spring  583  or spring element and a pin  584  is provided. The spring  583  can bias the pin  584  to pass through and extend out of hole  581  in the brace. 
     An actuator  590  is provided to selectably raise and lower the head section  530 . An actuator  591  is provided to selectably raise and lower the foot section. 
     In a shipping position, the pin  564  is prevented from extending through the hole  561  as end of pin is contacted by the deck rails. Once the bed is raised a sufficient amount from the shipping position and the deck rails no longer prevent the pin from extending through the hole, the spring  563  forces the pin  564  out form the hole  561 . In this regard, the pin  564  provides a stop to prevent the bed from going any lower than when the side rails of the deck engage the pin. Thus, the pin prevents the bed from going to the low shipping position unless the user intentionally retracts the pin  564  into the hole. 
     In a shipping position, the pin  584  is prevented from extending through the hole  581  as end of pin is contacted by the deck rails. Once the bed is raised a sufficient amount from the shipping position and the deck rails no longer prevent the pin from extending through the hole, the spring  583  forces the pin  584  out form the hole  581 . In this regard, the pin  584  provides a stop to prevent the bed from going any lower than when the side rails of the deck engage the pin. Thus, the pin prevents the bed from going to the low shipping position unless the user intentionally retracts the pin  584  into the hole. 
     It is understood that a leg need not be directly connected to a deck or side rail in order to be considered to be movably and pivotally connected thereto. In this regard, it is appreciated that indirect connections are within the scope of the present invention. 
     Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, an improved bed that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.