Patent Publication Number: US-11382436-B1

Title: Bed frame of a canopy style construction typically found in a home setting integrating assistive components therein

Description:
This United States utility patent application claims priority on and the benefit of provisional application 62/684,926 filed Jun. 14, 2018, 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 bed frame of a canopy style construction typically found in a home setting integrating assistive components therein, exemplary assistive components optionally including one or more of a trapeze device, a balance pole and an assist rail, and also wherein there is an option that the assistive components to be selectably concealed. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There have been many advances in beds over the years. One area of improvement has been related to assist devices that can be used in conjunction with beds. 
     For example, balance poles exist that can be supported by the floor and ceiling of a room. Also, side assist rails exist having a base that can be slid under the mattress and above the mattress support surface. A further example is a triangular trapeze can be cantilevered over the head section of the bed. 
     A common theme amongst these types of devices are that they are not designed necessarily to be used with other devices. Another common theme is that the traditional devices are not designed to be integrated into the bed framework. A further common theme is that the traditional devices are not designed to be concealed when in a storage position. 
     Some beds do exist in a hospital setting having attachments for patient transport or other reasons. Yet, a hospital setting is vastly different than a home or even a hotel setting. There is a need in a hospital setting that the beds be as efficient as possible and easily cleaned. Concealability structures can inhibit efficiency and cleanability. 
     On the other hand, concealability of assistive components, when not in use, may be highly desirable in a home or hotel setting. 
     Thus, there exists a need for a bed frame of a canopy style construction typically found in a home setting integrating assistive components therein, exemplary assistive components optionally including one or more of a trapeze device, a balance pole and an assist rail, and also wherein there is an option that the assistive components to be selectably concealed that solves these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bed frame of a canopy style construction typically found in a home setting integrating assistive components therein, exemplary assistive components optionally including one or more of a trapeze device, a balance pole and an assist rail, and also wherein there is an option that the assistive components to be selectably concealed. The frame has four corner posts, two longitudinal rails and two lateral rails. A cross-brace and two longitudinal braces are provided for supporting a trapeze assembly. An integrated night stand having an integrated assist rail that moves from a storage position to a deployed position is provided. An integrated balance pole with a top piece and bottom piece, and a base, is provided. Structures can be provided for concealing the assistive components when they are not in use. 
     According to one advantage of the present invention, a canopy style overbed support assembly can be modified and used with the present invention to integrate assistive components thereto. The present invention can be used with both stationary and adjustable bed designs. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, the assistive components can be moveable between storage positions and deployed positions. In some or all embodiments, the storage positions can also be concealed positions. In this regard, the assistive components can be concealed from view (i.e. essentially hidden) when not in use. This is advantageous as it allows the bed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. 
     In a hotel environment, such an advantage can be significant as rooms equipped with the present invention can be dual use rooms (handicap and regular use) offering up additional flexibility in room bookings and guests stays. Handicap accessible rooms are often used as overflow rooms for non-handicapped guests and concealment of assistive components (when not needed) would enhance the appearance of the dual-use rooms therefore enhancing the guest experience and hotels offerings. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, a trapeze assembly can be provided and integrated into the overbed support assembly. The trapeze assembly is operable longitudinally within the head region of the bed. A user can use the trapeze assembly to position themselves within the bed and optionally to move themselves closer to other components. 
     The trapeze bar can be deployed for use or stored. In a storage position, the trapeze bar can be stored behind the head board in a pocket concealing it from view. The pocket can advantageously provide a space for the trapeze bar when it can be stored and prevent damage to an adjacent room wall. A box can also be provided at the head end lateral rail. The box can have slots that allow cuffs and straps to pass wherein they can be stored within the box when in the storage position. Covers can be advantageously provided to further conceal the components when in the storage position. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, assist rails can be integrated into a night stand used with the present invention. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the assist rails can be integrated into a frame post resulting in a very sturdy structure. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the assist rails can be moved between a storage position and a deployed position. In a fully deployed position, a movable section is inline with a stationary section a fixed distance from the mattress. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the movable section can be pivotally connected to the fixed section. The pivot can be offset from the centerline of the fixed section. This advantageously allows the movable section to be stored in position that is parallel to the fixed section to take up the least amount of space. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the movable section can be locked into intermediate positions, such as 45 degrees, to allow flexibility of use. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, concealers such as shrouds can be used around the night stand to conceal the movable section when it is not in use. One of the concealers can be selectably placed on either side of the fixed section to either expose or conceal side rails. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, a balance pole assembly is provided that can be integrated into the frame. The balance pole assembly is movable between storage and deployed positions. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the balance pole assembly can have a base and a balance pole. The base can be stored under the mattress when not in use. The balance pole can be stored along a longitudinal rail of the overbed support assembly when not in use. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the balance pole can be condensed in length, pivoted to be parallel with the longitudinal rail and slid laterally into close proximity with the longitudinal rail. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, a box can be provided adjacent the longitudinal rail to conceal the balance pole when it is in the storage position. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the base and balance pole can be removably joined together when the balance pole assembly is in the deployed position. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the base can have a structure that allows the base to only lay flat when on in the fully deployed position or the storage position. In this regard, the base, when in the deployed position, laterally locks the balance pole in a lateral position relative to the mattress for stability purposes. 
     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 perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing assistive components in a concealed position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the assistive components in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view showing an embodiment of a trapeze bar shown in a concealed or storage position. 
         FIG. 3A  is similar to  FIG. 3  but shows the trapeze bar in a position suitable for use. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the trapeze bar. 
         FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 4  but shows covers in place over box slots. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial overbed view of the trapeze bar. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an embodiment of an assist rail in a storage position. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the assist rail in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the assist rail. 
         FIG. 10  is a close-up cross-sectional view showing the stationary section of the assist rail integrated into the frame post. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional end view of the assist rail. 
         FIGS. 12-12C  show various locking positions of a hinge. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of an upper hinge piece connected to the fixed section. 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of an upper hinge piece connected to the movable section. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of a lower hinge piece connected to the fixed section. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of a lower hinge piece connected to the movable section. 
         FIG. 17  is an overbed view of an embodiment of a balance pole assembly in a concealed position. 
         FIG. 17A  is similar to  FIG. 17  but shows the balance pole in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the balance pole assembly with a hinged pole design shown in a concealed position. 
         FIG. 19  is a close-up section view taken along line  19 - 19  in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIGS. 20-22  show a sequence of moving the balance pole assembly of  FIG. 17  from a deployed position to a storage position. 
         FIGS. 23-25  show a sequence of moving an alternative embodiment of a balance pole assembly from a deployed position to a storage position. 
     
    
    
     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. 
     The present invention is illustrated in the attached  FIGS. 1-25 . A bed  5  is shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The bed  5  has a frame  10  with four corner posts  15 ,  20 ,  25  and  30 , respectively. A mattress support  40  is provided for supporting a mattress  45 . It is appreciated that the mattress support could be a traditional flat mattress or a movable/adjustable mattress without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. An overbed support assembly  50  is provided. The overbed support assembly  50  can be a canopy style bed. It can have two longitudinal rails  60  and  65 , which are parallel to each other and span the longitudinal length of the bed  5 . It can also have two lateral rails  70  and  75 , which are parallel to each other and can be at the respective head and foot ends of the bed  5 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , it is also seen that a cross-brace  80  can be provided along with two longitudinal braces  90  and  95 . The braces  90  and  95  are preferably parallel to each other. Braces  90  and  95  are preferably round pipes. 
     Returning now to  FIGS. 1-2 , and also looking at  FIGS. 3 and 6 , it is seen that a head board  100  is provided. The head board  100  has a front  101  and a back  102 . A pocket  103  is secured to the back  102  of the head board  100  for storing items behind the head board  100 . It is appreciated that while the pocket  103  is illustrated as being behind the head board  100 , that the pocket could also be on the front side  101  or even integrated into the interior of the head board  100  without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Looking at  FIGS. 3-6 , it is seen that a trapeze assembly  180  is provided. The trapeze assembly  180  has a bar  190 . The bar  190  is preferably an elongated bar with a length suitable to a given bed width (twin, double, queen, king, etc.). In one embodiment, the bar has a length of three feet, is rounded at the ends and has several risers. However, it is appreciated that other size and shapes, such as a triangle, could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. The bar  190  is supported by two straps  205  and  215 . The straps can be made of any suitable material. Strap  205  is connected to a cuff  200 . Cuff  200  surrounds brace  90  and is slideable thereon. Strap  215  is connected to a cuff  210 . Cuff  210  surrounds brace  95  and is slideable thereon. 
     The trapeze assembly  180  can be in a deployed position wherein it is movable within the head region of the bed. The trapeze assembly  180  can also be in a storage position wherein the cuffs  200  and  210  are adjacent lateral rail  70  and the bar  190  is behind the head board  100 . The bar  190  can be placed in the pocket  103  to conceal the bar  190 . 
     A box  120  is further provided for concealing the cuffs  200  and  210 . The box  120  has a front  121 , a back  122 , a top  123 , a bottom  124  and opposed ends  125  and  126 . Two slots  130  and  135  are provided, each formed in the front  121  and bottom  124 . Each brace  90  and  95  passes through a vertical component of the slots  130  and  135 , respectively. A cover  140  is provided for covering at least a portion of slot  130  when cuff  200  is received within the box  120 . A cover  145  is provided for covering at least a portion of slot  135  when cuff  210  is received within the box  120 . 
     The longitudinal rails  60  and  65  are taller than the longitudinal braces  90  and  95  are. In this regard, the braces  90  and  95  are naturally concealed by the rails  60  and  65 . 
     Hence, it is seen how the trapeze assembly can be concealed when it is in the storage position. 
     It is appreciated that an alternative shape trapeze, such as a triangle can be used either with a strap or fixed support without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7-16  it is seen that an integrated assist rail  240  is provided as a part of an optional night stand  230 . The night stand  230  has a top surface  235 . The assist rail  240  has a plate  250  that is secured to the post  15  of the frame  10 . The assist rail  240  also has a fixed section  260  and a movable section  270 . The fixed section  260  has bars  262  and a fixed outer post  263  that contacts the floor. The movable section  270  has an upright  271  and bars  272 . The movable section is movable between a storage position and a deployed position. In a preferred embodiment, the movement is via a pivot  280 . The pivot  280  preferably has an offset pivot axis allowing the movable section  270  to be deployed to a position in line with the fixed section  260  and stored in a position parallel to the fixed section  260 . 
     The pivot  280  has a top upper piece  290  with a hole  291 , a top lower piece  300  with a hole  301 , a bottom upper piece  310  with a hole  311  and a bottom lower piece  320  with a hole  321  and several perimeter holes  322  arranged in a circular pattern. The top upper piece  290  and bottom upper piece  310  are connected to the movable section  270 . The top lower piece  300  and the bottom lower piece  320  are connected to post  263  of the fixed section  260 . Holes  291 ,  301 ,  311  and  321  are aligned and a shaft  330  can pass through them allowing the movable section  270  to pivot relative to the fixed section  260 . 
     A spring loaded rod  340  can be provided and integrated in upright  271  so that an end can selectably project into one of the perimeter holes  322  of the bottom lower piece  320  to lock the movable section  270  in a position (deployed, storage or intermediate) relative to the fixed section  260 . 
     A concealer  350  is provided. The concealer  350  can be a shroud or curtain that can be selectable placed on either side of the bars  262  of the fixed section  260  for access or concealment purposes. 
     A concealer  355  is provided. The concealer  355  selectably conceals items within the stand  230 , such as the stored movable section  270 . The concealer can be supported on a rail on the underside of the night stand top  235 . In this regard, it is seen how the assist rail  240  can be concealed when it is in the storage position. 
     It is appreciated that the movable section could be moved relative to the fixed section in different methods without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. For example, the movable section could have rails in telescopic engagement with the rails of the fixed section. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 17-22 , it is seen that a balance pole assembly  370  is provided. The balance pole assembly  370  has a base  380  with a lateral arm  390  and a longitudinal arm  395 . A connector  400  can be at the distal end of the longitudinal arm. A structure can be provided allowing the base  380  to lay flat only at a fully retracted and fully deployed position. The base can be stored in a storage position under the mattress support  40 . 
     A balance pole  410  has a top piece  420  with a lateral arm  425  and an upper pole arm  430 . The lateral arm  425  and upper pole arm  430  are preferably at right angled to each other. The balance pole  410  has a bottom piece  440 . A connector  445  is at the bottom end of the bottom piece  440 . Connector  445  is removably securable to connector  400  of the base  380 . A slide collar  450  can be provided and fit over a hinge  455  to lock the upper and lower pieces in alignment. 
     To move from the deployed to the storage position, the connectors  445  and  400  are disconnected, the collar is moved, the bottom piece is swung 180 degrees relative to the upper piece, both of the upper piece and bottom piece are rotated 90 degrees about the lateral arm  425  of the top piece so that they are parallel to the longitudinal rail  60 , and the balance pole is laterally slid into close proximity to the longitudinal rail  60 . 
     A box  150  is provided on the longitudinal rail  60 . The box  150  has a front  151 , a back  152 , a top  153 , a bottom  154 , an end  155  and an end  156 . An opening  160  is through the front  151  and end  155  allowing the balance pole  410  to enter the box. A cover  170  can cover the opening. In this regard, the balance pole  410  can be concealed when it is in the storage position. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 23-25 , it is seen that an alternative balance pole assembly  470  is provided having a base  480  and a balance pole  510  with a top piece  520  and a bottom piece  540  that are in telescopic engagement. In this regard, the bottom piece  540  telescopes into the top piece  520  (as opposed to the pivotal relationship in the prior embodiment). 
     Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a bed frame of a canopy style construction typically found in a home setting integrating assistive components therein, exemplary assistive components optionally including one or more of a trapeze device, a balance pole and an assist rail, and also wherein there is an option that the assistive components to be selectably concealed 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.