Abstract:
A mattress lifter having a base member and tubular lifting elements pivotably supported thereby. Handles at opposite ends enable the homemaker to lift the mattress with ease and convenience.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lifting a corner or end of a mattress in the process of making a bed may prove difficult especially in the case of an elderly housewife. 
     Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a mattress lifter simple in its construction and operation and which can be manufactured at economic advantage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention and in fulfillment of the foregoing object, a mattress lifter is provided with a base member adapted to reside on and across a box spring adjacent one end of a bed and beneath an associated mattress. A mattress lifting element is pivotably mounted on the base member and has operative elevated mattress lifting and inoperative prone positions. 
     At least one and preferably two(2) handles exposed at the sides of the mattress and box spring are provided and are connected with the lifting element and adapted for manual manipulation; movement of the handles in one and opposite directions respectively raising and lowering the lifting element and lowering the mattress. 
     Preferably, the mattress lifter is of tubular construction with small brackets mounting an integral lifting element and handle assembly for pivotal movement relative to the base member. Further, two(2) lifting elements are preferred in a single or twin bed model, three(3) elements in a double bed model, and four(4) elements in a queen or king size model. A four(4) element model may also be provided with one-half freely rotatable relative to the other half. Such a unit may find use in a king size bed made up of two twin beds positioned in side-by-side relationship. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a twin size mattress lifter. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the lifter of FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1  lifter in position between a box spring and mattress with the mattress in a normal or flat attitude. 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  but with the lifter in an operative position elevating on end position of the mattress. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a three(3) lifting element double bed model of the lifter. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a four(4) lifting element model for queen or kind size beds, 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a kind size bed formed from side-by-side twin beds, the lifter having sections for ease in lifting one corner of the bed at a time. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a mattress lifter in accordance with the invention is shown in perspective at  10  with an elongated base member  12 . The member  12  is intended to be placed on and across a base spring  14 ,  FIG. 3 , beneath a mattress  16 . Coated metal, plastic or other suitable non-corrosive construction is acceptable. 
     Two (2) lifting elements  18 , 18  are provided on the lifter  10  and are spaced longitudinally along the base member  12 . 
     The lifting elements  18 , 18  are preferably of integral tubular construction again of a non-corrosive metal or plastic and, as shown, an entire lifting and handle assembly is formed integrally of bent metal or molded tubing. Small slip-cover members  20 , 20  are preferably mounted respectively on the lifting members, which take a generally u-shaped configuration. Handles  22 , 22  at each end of the lifter extend transversely and are manually manipulated by the user as in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The handles are of sufficient length relative to the lifting elements to provide a mechanical advantage as when the user may be an elderly homemaker. Pivoting action of the lifting elements is provided by brackets  21 , 21  which rotatably mount the tubing between the lifting elements  18 , 18  on the base member  12 . 
     As will be apparent in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lifting elements have operative lifting and inoperative prone positions as effected by rotation of the handles  22 , 22 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  respectively show lifters with three(3) and four(4) lifting elements for double and queen or king size beds.  FIG. 7  also shows a four(4) element model but the tubing is provided with a small collar  26 , which accommodates relative movement of each half of the lifter. This model may be particularly useful when lifting one corner of a heavy conventional king size mattress or one half of double twin king size mattress as illustrated. 
     As will be apparent from the foregoing, a simple device of inexpensive construction has been provided for assisting the homemaker in an everyday chore and hopefully rendering that chore less burdensome.