Patent Publication Number: US-8973185-B2

Title: Support device which is adjustable by an electric motor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application no. PCT/EP2010/002062, filed Mar. 31, 2010, which claims the priority of German application no. 10 2009 017 895.3, filed Apr. 17, 2009, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a support device, which is adjustable by an electric motor, for cushioning of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or lying on. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Such support devices, for example in the form of slatted bed frames which are adjustable by an electric motor, are generally known, for example from EP 0 372 032 B1 and DE 199 62 541 C3. 
     A support device, which is adjustable by an electric motor, of the type in question for cushioning of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or lying on is known from DE 38 42 078 C2. The known support device has a first support part and a second support part which is pivotable about a pivot axis, between which a third support part is provided. In the known support device, the first support part is a stationary support part, while the second support part is a head support part, and the third support part provided between the first support part and the second support part is an upper body support part. The known support device has an electric motor drive which has an adjusting element that is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the second support part via an actuating element in order to pivot the second support part. In the known support device, the second support part is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotationally supported shaft which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a coupling lever. In the known support device, the adjusting element is a slide rod which is connected to a spindle nut of a spindle drive. When the known support device is operated, the slider pushes against the coupling lever, so that the shaft which is connected to the second support part is rotated. The second support part is pivoted in this manner. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a support device, which is adjustable by an electric motor, for cushioning of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or lying on, having a simplified and therefore more cost-effective configuration, and an overall height which is kept small. 
     This object is achieved by the invention as set forth herein. 
     The invention includes a support device, which is adjustable by an electric motor, for cushioning of an item of furniture for one of sitting and lying on, which includes: 
     a) a first support part, and a second support part which is pivotable about a pivot axis, between which a third support part is provided; 
     b) an electric motor drive which has an adjusting element that is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the second support part via an actuating element in order to pivot the second support part; 
     c) the actuating element having a rod-like configuration, by which the adjusting element is guided in a linearly displaceable manner in a guide formed in or on one of the first, second, and third support parts; and 
     d) the actuating element engaging with the second support part in order to pivot the second support part eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis. 
     According to the invention, the actuating element has a rod-like configuration, and by means of the adjusting element is guided in a linearly displaceable manner in a guide which is preferably formed in or on the third support part. According to the invention, the actuating element engages with the second support part in order to pivot the second support part eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis. According to the invention, the second support part may be pivoted, for example and in particular, in that the actuating element, which may be configured in the manner of a pusher, for example, pushes against the second support part eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis. In this manner, firstly a coupling lever to be connected to a pivot shaft is no longer necessary, so that a support device according to the invention has a simplified, more cost-effective configuration. Secondly, for a support device according to the invention, a rotationally fixed connection of the support part, which is to be pivoted, to a pivot shaft is no longer necessary. 
     Since the rod-like actuating element, for example and in particular, may be supported in a guide which is formed in the third support part, the components necessary for introducing an adjustment force into the second support part do not increase the overall height of the support device. Thus, the overall height is significantly reduced compared to known support devices. 
     On the whole, this results in a simple, cost-effective, and robust configuration having few components, and at the same time having a lower overall height. 
     The support device according to the invention may, for example, be a slatted frame which is used for supporting a bed mattress. However, the support device according to the invention may also be, for example, a recliner, in particular an outdoor lounge recliner, or any other given item of furniture for sitting and/or lying on. 
     One extremely advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides at least one further support part which is pivotable about a pivot axis, a further actuating element being associated with the further support part and being guided in a linearly displaceable manner in a guide formed in or on the support part adjacent to the further support part, the further actuating element engaging with the further support part in order to pivot the further support part eccentrically with respect to its pivot axis. This embodiment uses the basic principle according to the invention for simultaneously or successively pivoting multiple support parts. 
     One extremely advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that at least one support part at a distance from the guide of an actuating element guided on the support part has a contact surface, whereby in a first kinematic phase an active surface of the adjusting element or of an actuating element provided at an adjacent support part comes into contact with the actuating element and linearly displaces same, and in a second kinematic phase the active surface of the adjusting element or of the actuating element provided at the adjacent support part comes into contact with the contact surface of the support part, eccentrically with respect to its pivot axis, and pivots the support part about the pivot axis. In this embodiment, for example, a head support part and an upper body support part may be moved relative to a stationary support part by means of a particularly simple configuration. In the first kinematic phase the adjusting element, for example a slider of a spindle drive provided on the stationary support part, linearly displaces an actuating element which is guided on the upper body support part. The actuating element engages with the head support part, eccentrically with respect to the associated pivot axis, thus pivoting the head support part when the actuating element is linearly displaced. As soon as the slider comes into contact with the contact surface of the upper body support part, the actuating element is not further linearly displaced, so that the head support part is not further pivoted. Instead, in the second kinematic phase the slider pushes against the upper body support part, eccentrically with respect to the associated rotational axis, so that the upper body support part, together with the already pivoted head support part, is pivoted. The corresponding kinematics of the support parts are thus achieved using only a few components. 
     Another extremely advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the adjusting element acts on at least one actuating element, and/or at least one actuating element acts on an adjacent actuating element, and/or at least one actuating element acts on the associated support part, with play. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the force-transmitting components in the drive train of the support device are subjected to pressure during the pivoting of a support part or multiple support parts. However, if the force-transmitting components or at least one of these components is/are subjected to traction during the pivoting of a support part, the adjusting element may be fixedly connected to an actuating element, or an actuating element may be fixedly connected to an adjacent actuating element, or an actuating element may be fixedly connected to the associated support part. 
     Another advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that at least one actuating element is subjected to pressure during the pivoting of the associated support part. This results in a particularly simple configuration, since in particular the actuating element is able to act on the associated support part with play. 
     According to another advantageous further embodiment, at least one actuating element is configured in the manner of a pusher. 
     The adjusting element may be provided in any desired suitable manner, preferably by the drive element of a linear drive. In this regard, one advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the adjusting element is a spindle nut, or is connected to a spindle nut, which is provided on a rotationally drivable threaded spindle so as to be movable in a non-twisting manner in the axial direction. Such spindle drives are available as simple, robust standard components, and are suitable for transmitting large forces. 
     One advantageous further embodiment, in particular the embodiment in which at least one actuating element is subjected to pressure during the pivoting of the associated support part, provides that the adjusting element is configured as a slider. In combination with the previously described embodiment, the slider may be formed by the spindle nut or connected to the spindle nut. 
     Another extremely advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the lengths of the actuating elements, and in each case the distance of the active surface of an actuating element from the contact surface of the associated support part in an unadjusted position of the support parts, are dimensioned in such a way that the support parts pivot in succession. In this manner a particularly ergonomic adjustment is achievable in which, for example, first a head support part is pivoted, and subsequently an upper body support part of a slatted frame is pivoted. The number of support parts is selectable within a wide range in all embodiments of a support device according to the invention. 
     Another further embodiment of the invention provides that the lengths of the actuating elements, and in each case the distance of the active surface of an actuating element from the contact surface of the associated support part in the unadjusted position of the support parts, are dimensioned in such a way that the support parts pivot simultaneously or essentially simultaneously. 
     In the sense of a simple and cost-effective configuration, using the smallest possible number of different components, another advantageous further embodiment provides that the actuating elements are essentially the same length. 
     Another further embodiment of the invention provides that in an unadjusted position, the distance of the active surface of an actuating element from the contact surface of the associated support part decreases from the actuating element closest to the adjusting element to the actuating element farthest from the adjusting element. When the actuating elements have essentially the same length, in this embodiment kinematics result in which the support part which is farthest from the adjusting element, and thus from the drive, pivots first, and subsequently the support parts closer to the drive pivot in succession. 
     Another advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the support device is configured as a slatted frame in which the support parts have elastic slats for supporting a bed mattress. 
     Another further embodiment of the invention provides that the support device is configured as a recliner, in particular an outdoor lounge recliner. 
     The number of support parts is selectable within a wide range, depending on the particular requirements. Depending on the particular requirements, for example, a support device having a single adjustable support part or also a support device having a plurality of mutually adjustable support parts may be implemented. 
     The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of a support device according to the invention. All features that are described, illustrated in the drawings, and set forth in the claims constitute the subject matter of the invention, taken alone or in any given combination, independently of their combination in the claims and their dependencies, and independently of their description or illustration in the drawings. 
     Relative terms, such as left, right, up, and down, are for convenience only and are not intended to be limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows, in a partially sectional side view, a first embodiment of a support device according to the invention in the form of a slatted frame, in a first adjustment position; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  show a schematic diagram for illustrating the basic principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows, in the same representation as in  FIG. 1 , the support device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a second adjustment position; 
         FIG. 4  shows, in the same representation as in  FIG. 1 , the support device according to  FIG. 1  in a third adjustment position; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a support device according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6G  show, in a partially sectional side view, the support device according to  FIG. 5  in various adjustment positions; and 
         FIGS. 7A-7E  show, in the same representation as in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a third embodiment of a support device according to the invention in various adjustment positions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Identical or corresponding components are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures of the drawing. 
     The embodiments of the support device according to the invention illustrated in the figures are configured as slatted frames; for the sake of clarity, in each case only the base body of the slatted frame, without slats, is illustrated. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates in a partially sectional side view one embodiment of a support device  2  according to the invention in the form of a slatted frame, having a first support part  4  which in the present embodiment is formed by a stationary support part. The support device  2  also has a second support part  6 , which in the present embodiment is formed by a head support part. In the longitudinal direction of the support device  2 , a third support part  8  is provided between the first support part  4  and the second support part  6 , and in the present embodiment is formed by an upper body support part. The figure illustrates only a portion of the support device  2  which is provided for supporting the upper body support part and head support part  8  and  6 , respectively. A portion of the support device  2  which is provided for supporting the calf and thigh region has a similar configuration, and therefore is not explained in further detail. 
     The second support part  6  is connected in an articulated manner to the third support part  8  so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis  10 , which in  FIG. 1  extends into the plane of the drawing, and which is connected to the first support part  4  in an articulated manner so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis  12 , which in  FIG. 1  extends into the plane of the drawing. An electric motor drive  14 , which is explained in greater detail below, is provided for pivoting the second support part  6  and the third support part  8  relative to one another and relative to the first support part  4 . 
     The electric motor drive  14  has an adjusting element, which in the present embodiment is configured as a slider  16  which is movable back and forth in the direction of a double arrow  18 . In the present embodiment, the slider  16  is connected in a nondisplaceable manner to a spindle nut  20  so as to be movable in the axial direction in a non-twisting (i.e., non-rotatable) manner on a threaded spindle  22  which is in rotary drive connection with an electric motor, not visible in  FIG. 1 , via a worm gear  24 . The spindle nut  20  and therefore the slider  16  moves to the right or to the left in  FIG. 1 , corresponding to the rotational direction of the output shaft of the electric motor, and thus of the threaded spindle  22 . 
     The slider  16  is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the second support part  6  via an actuating element  26  for pivoting the second support part. According to the invention, the actuating element  26  has a rod-like configuration, and by means of the slider  16 , which may be termed a pusher or pushing element  16  as will be readily understood, is guided in a linearly displaceable manner in a guide which is formed in the third support part  8 . In the illustrated embodiment, the slider  16  acts on the end of the rod-like actuating element facing away from the second support part  6 , with play, in the present embodiment the actuating element being designed in the manner of a pusher. To avoid lateral buckling of the actuating element  26  when acted on by pressure (e.g., by compression pressure, as will be readily understood from the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and the schematic diagrams of  FIGS. 2A-2C ) during pivoting of the second support part  6 , either the actuating element  26  is narrowly led in the guide along its entire length, or guide elements are provided at short intervals in the longitudinal direction of the actuating element  26 , the spacing between the guide elements being selected (i.e., configured) to be small enough that buckling of the actuating element  26  is avoided. The guide elements may have a web- or rib-like configuration, for example. 
     As is apparent from  FIG. 1 , the rod-like actuating element  26  engages with the second support part  6 , eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  10 , in order to pivot the second support part  6 . 
     The underlying adjustment principle according to the invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 2A through 2C .  FIGS. 2A through 2C  are used solely for explaining the underlying adjustment principle; thus, the support parts  4 ,  6 ,  8  are shown in highly schematic form and are not illustrated to scale. 
       FIG. 2A  shows the support parts  4 ,  6 ,  8  in an adjustment position in which the support parts  4 ,  6 ,  8  together span an essentially horizontal support plane. This adjustment position corresponds to an unadjusted position of the support device  2 . 
     As indicated in  FIG. 2A , at the third support part  8  the actuating element  26  is led in a guide  28  which is formed by a continuous channel-like recess, and is displaceably guided in its longitudinal direction at the third support part  8 . At a distance from the guide  28 , in the present embodiment the third support part  8  has a contact surface  30  at its end face which faces the slider  16 , with which an active or working surface  32  of the slider  16  which faces the third support part  8  cooperates in a manner explained in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 2B and 2C . 
     In a first kinematic phase, the slider  16  pushes against the actuating element  26 , so that the actuating element is moved to the right in  FIG. 2A . Since the end of the actuating element  28  facing away from the slider  32  engages with the second support part  6  eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  10 , the second support part  6  is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates the end of the first kinematic phase, in which the second support part  6  is pivoted to the maximum extent in the counterclockwise direction relative to the third support part  8 . 
     In a second kinematic phase, the active surface  32  of the slider  16  comes into contact with the contact surface  30  of the third support part  8 . In the illustrated embodiment, for this purpose the cross section of the slider  16  at its free end, i.e., in the region of the active surface  32 , is larger than the inner diameter of the guide  28 , at least in one dimension. As a result of this configuration, in the second kinematic phase the actuating element  26  is not displaced further relative to the third support part  8 . Instead, in the second kinematic phase the slider  16  pushes against the third support part  8 , eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  12 , causing the third support part to pivot in the counterclockwise direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 2C . 
     In this manner, with the aid of the actuating element the second support part  6  is pivoted, namely, in the first kinematic phase, and the third support part  8  is pivoted, namely, in the second kinematic phase. 
     As is apparent from  FIGS. 2A through 2C , the slider  16  acts on the actuating element  26 , and the actuating element  26  acts on the second support part  6 , with play. 
     The support parts  6 ,  8  are returned to the starting position illustrated in  FIG. 2A , corresponding to an unadjusted position of the support device  2 , under the weight force of the support parts  6 ,  8 , but with the drive switched on, whereby the spindle nut  20  and the slider  16  move to the left in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the support device  2  according to  FIG. 1  in a fixed position corresponding to  FIG. 2B . 
       FIG. 4  shows the support device  2  according to  FIG. 1  in an adjustment position corresponding to  FIG. 2C , which corresponds to a maximum adjusted position of the support device  2 . 
     As is apparent from  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the support device  2  according to the invention allows adjustment of the support parts  6 ,  8  by means of a relatively simple configuration. In addition, the support device  2  according to the invention has a small overall height. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a support device  2  according to the invention, which differs from the embodiment according to  FIG. 1  in that a fourth support part  34 , a fifth support part  36 , a sixth support part  38 , and a seventh support part  40  are provided in addition to the first support part  4 , the second support part  6 , and the third support part  8 . In each case, adjacent support parts  4 - 8  and  34 - 40  are connected to one another in an articulated manner so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis  12 ,  10 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , or  48 , respectively. 
       FIG. 6A  shows the support device  2  according to  FIG. 5  in a partially sectional side view, it being apparent that a further actuating element  50 ,  52 ,  54 , or  56 , each configured in the manner of a pusher, is associated with the respective further support part  34 ,  36 ,  38 , or  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, with regard to their structure and the cooperation with the associated actuating element the support parts  6 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  have a configuration as described above with reference to the third support part  8 . Similarly, the actuating elements  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  have a configuration as described above with reference to the actuating element  26 . 
     As is also apparent from  FIG. 6A , in the adjustment position illustrated in  FIG. 6A , in which the support parts  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  span an essentially horizontal support plane and correspond to an unadjusted position of the support device  2 , the end faces of the actuating elements  26 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  contact one another and the slider  16  and the support part  40 , with play. 
       FIGS. 6B through 6G  illustrate various kinematic phases during the adjustment of the support device  2 . For the sake of clarity, essentially only the reference numerals of the components being referenced are provided in  FIGS. 6B through 6F . To adjust the support parts of the support device  2 , the threaded spindle  22  is rotationally driven in such a way that the spindle nut  20 , and thus the slider  16 , moves to the right in  FIG. 6A . The slider  16  moves the actuating element  26  to the right in  FIG. 6A , so that the latter likewise moves the actuating elements  50 ,  52 ,  54  and  56  to the right in  FIG. 6A . Initially, the active surface of the actuating elements  26 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  and of the slider  16  in each case is still at a distance from the contact surface of the associated support part  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  (see  FIG. 2A ), so that the support parts  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  initially remain unpivoted with respect to one another, while the support part  40  is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction in the figure until reaching the pivot position illustrated in  FIG. 6B . 
     In the position of the actuating elements illustrated in  FIG. 6B , the active surface of the actuating element  54  comes into contact with the contact surface of the associated sixth support part  38 , eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  46 , so that the sixth support part  38  is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6B  about the pivot axis  46  relative to the fifth support part  36 . The active surfaces of the slider  16  and of the actuating elements  26 ,  50 ,  52  are initially still at a distance from the contact surfaces of the associated support parts, so that the support parts  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36  are not pivoted initially. 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates an adjustment position in which the active surface of the actuating element  52  comes into contact with the contact surface of the fifth support part  36 , eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  44 , so that the fifth support part  36  is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6C  upon further movement of the slider to the right in  FIG. 6C . 
     Upon further movement of the slider  16  to the right in  FIG. 6C , the active surface of the actuating element  50  comes into contact with the contact surface of the associated fourth support part  34 , eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  42 , so that the fourth support part  34  is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6D  about the pivot axis  42 . 
     Upon further movement of the slider  16  in  FIG. 6 , in the position illustrated in  FIG. 6E  the active surface of the actuating element  26  comes into contact with the contact surface of the associated second support part  6 , eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  10 , so that the second support part  6  is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6E  relative to the third support part  8 . 
     Upon further movement of the slider  16  to the right in  FIG. 6E , in the position illustrated in  FIG. 6F  the active surface of the slider  16  comes into contact with the contact surface of the associated third support part  8 , eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  12 , so that the third support part  8  is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6F  relative to the first support part  4 . 
       FIG. 6G  illustrates the end position of the adjustment motion, which corresponds to a maximum adjusted position of the support parts of the support device  2 . 
     It is apparent from the preceding description of  FIGS. 6A through 6G  that the support parts  40 ,  38 ,  36 ,  34 ,  6 ,  8  are pivoted in succession, starting with support part  40 . An actuating element, for example actuating element  54 , initially linearly moves the adjacent actuating element, for example actuating element  56 , until the active surface of the actuating element comes into contact with the contact surface of the associated support part, for example the sixth support part  38 . Upon further movement of the actuating element  54 , the sixth support part  38  is then pivoted. This also applies in the described manner for the further actuating elements  56 ,  52 ,  50 ,  26 , and the slider  16 . 
     As is apparent from  FIG. 6A , in the illustrated embodiment the actuating elements  26 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  have essentially the same length. As is further apparent from  FIG. 6A , in the unadjusted position of the support device  2  the distance of the active surface of an actuating element from the contact surface of the associated support part, for example the distance of the active surface of the actuating element  56  from the contact surface of the associated support part  40 , decreases from the actuating element which is closest to the slider  16 , i.e., actuating element  26 , to the actuating element which is farthest from the slider  16 , namely, actuating element  56 . The desired kinematics in each case are adjustable by an appropriate selection of the lengths of the actuating elements. 
     In a modification of the embodiment according to  FIG. 6  it is possible, for example, to simultaneously increase the length of the actuating element  52  and decrease the length of the actuating element  54  in such a way that the active surface of the actuating element  54  comes into contact with the contact surface of the sixth support part  38  at the same time that the active surface of the actuating element  52  comes into contact with the contact surface of the associated fifth support part  36 . In this case, the seventh support part  40  is pivoted relative to the sixth support part  38 , while the support parts  36 ,  38  are not pivoted relative to one another. In this manner the kinematics of the support parts may be adapted to the particular requirements. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a third embodiment of a support device  2  according to the invention, which for supporting a person resting on the support device  2  has four support parts  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36  in the region of the person&#39;s upper body and head, which, similarly to the second embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , are connected to one another and to a stationary support part  4  about horizontal and mutually parallel pivot axes  12 ,  10 ,  42 ,  44 . The embodiment according to  FIG. 7A  differs from the embodiment according to  FIG. 6  primarily in that the rod-like actuating elements associated with the support parts  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36  are connected to another in a traction- and pressure-resistant manner. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the actuating element associated with the second support part  6  is formed by two rod-like actuating elements  26 ′,  26 ″ which are connected to one another in an articulated manner so as to be pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis  58  which is parallel to an eccentric pivot axis  10 . The end of the actuating element  26 ′ facing away from the support part  6  is connected in an articulated manner to a further actuating element  62  about a pivot axis  60  which is parallel to the pivot axis  10 , the end of the further actuating element facing away from the actuating element  26 ′ being connected in an articulated manner to the slider  16  about a pivot axis  64  which is parallel to the pivot axis  10 . 
     The end of the actuating element  26 ′ facing away from the slider  16  is connected in an articulated manner to the actuating element  50 ′ about a pivot axis  66  which is parallel to the pivot axis  10 . Correspondingly, the actuating element  50 ″ is connected in an articulated manner to the actuating element  52 ′ about a pivot axis  68  which is parallel to the pivot axis  42 . The end of the actuating element  52 ′ facing away from the actuating element  52 ′ is connected in an articulated manner to the support part  36  about a pivot axis  70  which is parallel to the pivot axis  44 . 
     As is apparent from  FIG. 7A , the pivot axis  60 , for example, is provided eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  12  in such a way that for pivoting the support part  8 , the actuating element  62  engages with the support part  8 , eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  12 . Correspondingly, the pivot axis  66  is provided eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  10 , the pivot axis  68  is provided eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  42 , and the pivot axis  70  is provided eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis  44 . 
     For adjusting the support parts  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36  from the adjustment position illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the electric motor drives the threaded spindle  22  in such a way that the slider  16  is moved to the right in  FIG. 7A , thus subjecting the actuating elements  62 ,  26 ′,  26 ″,  50 ′,  50 ″,  52 ′, and  52 ″ to pressure. Due to the configuration of the pivot axes  60 ,  66 ,  68 , and  70  eccentrically with respect to the pivot axes  12 ,  10 ,  42 , and  44 , respectively, the support parts  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36  are pivoted in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 7B through 7E  until the end position of the pivot motion illustrated in  FIG. 7E  is reached. 
     The adjustment of a support section  72  used for supporting a person, resting on the support device  2 , in the calf/thigh region is carried out in a corresponding manner, and therefore is not explained in greater detail. A threaded spindle  22 ′ associated with the support section  72  may be rotationally drivable independently of the threaded spindle  22 , so that the support parts of the support section  72  are adjustable independently of the support parts  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36 . However, the threaded spindles  22  and  22 ′ may also be connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, so that the adjustment of the support parts of the support section  72  is coupled to the adjustment of the support parts  8 ,  6 ,  34 ,  36 . For example and in particular, one of the threaded spindles  22 ,  22 ′ may then have a left-handed thread, and the other may have a right-handed thread. 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention.