Patent Publication Number: US-10786086-B2

Title: Height-adjustable bed

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/054624, filed on Mar. 4, 2016 and claims priority to German Patent Application No. 20 2015 101 357.4, filed on Mar. 17, 2015. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The invention concerns a height-adjustable bed, in particular a hospital bed and/or nursing bed, comprising a bed frame and two bed end pieces, which accommodate the bed frame between them, and two telescopic lifting columns, each of which interacts with one of the two bed end pieces and is provided with a supporting segment and a moving segment, wherein the lifting columns are each arranged on their corresponding bed end piece on the outside of the bed by means of their respective supporting segments, and wherein the moving segment of a lifting column has a lifting column base to which a supporting roller is pivotally attached and able to rotate about its vertical axis. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     A height-adjustable bed of the kind described at the outset, that is, of the generic kind, is known from DE 20 2012 103 958 U1. 
     The known bed comprises a bed frame that serves to accommodate a support surface element, for example a slatted base, wherein the support surface element in turn is provided, according to its intended use, to support a mattress, a pillow element and/or such like. The bed frame extends between two bed end pieces that accommodate the bed frame between them. The bed end pieces typically comprise each an end board, which is screwed or otherwise fastened to the rails of the bed frame. 
     The known bed is devised to be height-adjustable. To this end two lifting columns are provided that are telescopic, each of which is provided with a supporting segment and a moving segment. Each of the lifting columns interacts with the respective bed end piece, wherein the one lifting column is arranged at the first bed end piece and the second lifting column is arranged at the second bed end piece. 
     According to the prior known design, each of the lifting columns is arranged on the respective bed end piece. In contrast to a height adjusting device that is located underneath the bed frame, this has the advantage of a relatively wide movement range. Moreover, the prior known design provides for a low bed entry height at the lowest bed level setting, which for the generic bed design is approximately 200 mm. 
     To facilitate moving the bed, the prior known bed is provided with supporting rollers. Said rollers are arranged on the lifting column base of each lifting column, wherein the lifting column base is supported by the moving segment of the lifting column. For better manoeuvrability each of the supporting rollers is able to rotate around its vertical axis. This provides for a relatively small turning circle, in particular when manoeuvring the bed, which is required for its intended use in the hospital and/or nursing sector. 
     Although the above-described design is tried and tested in everyday use, there is still room for improvement. In particular, it would be desirable to achieve an even lower bed entry height. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     Thus it is the object of the disclosure to further develop a bed of the kind described at the outset in such a way that, in comparison, it has an even lower bed entry height, that is, a bed entry height of less than 200 mm, whilst providing the same unrestricted functionality. 
     To meet this object, the disclosure proposes a bed of the kind described at the outset, which is characterised in that the distance between the pivot point of the supporting roller and the respective bed end piece exceeds the rotational radius described by the supporting roller around its vertical axis. 
     The design according to the disclosure is characterised by providing the distance between the pivot point of each supporting roller and the respective bed end piece. The distance between the pivot point and the bed end piece is at least that of the rotational radius describable by the supporting roller. 
     Through this design measure according to the invention it is ensured that each supporting roller is able to freely rotate around its vertical axis without colliding with the respective bed end piece when the supporting rollers rotate. As a result of this design it is therefore possible to lower the bed frame together with the thereto attached bed end pieces down to floor level. Due to the distance provided, the supporting rollers are freely rotatable around 360° and are not impeded by a bed frame that is perhaps lowered to floor level or by any bed end pieces that are attached thereto. 
     This constructive layout, moreover, ensures that, when lowering the bed frame, no collision is possible between the thereon arranged bed end pieces and a supporting roller that may still be underneath the bed frame. The distance provided according to the invention ensures that no supporting roller is able to turn in underneath the bed frame or under the bed end piece respectively attached thereto. Due to the distance provided according to the invention, the bed frame and the bed end pieces arranged thereto and the supporting rollers respectively are arranged to each other in their respective movement range so as to be collision-free. 
     The collision-free arrangement of bed frame and the bed end pieces attached thereto and the supporting rollers on the other hand permit the movement of the bed frame together with the bed end pieces attached thereto down to floor level. Depending on the height of the bed frame it is possible to achieve a bed entry height of less than 200 mm, preferably of less than 150 mm, even more preferred less than 100 mm. Thus the design according to the invention constitutes a significant improvement compared to the design known per se from DE 20 2012 103 958 U1. 
     According to a particularly preferred embodiment according to the invention, provision is made that the lifting column base is provided with a base rail and two support rails that are attached at the ends thereof, each of which retains a supporting roller, wherein each support rail is oriented away from the respective bed end piece by an angle ? [sic]. Thus, the support rails that retain the supporting rollers are each offset so that they are directed away from the respective head board. Said offset design of the support rails provides the distance provided according to the invention. Said supporting rollers are arranged preferably at the end of each support rail, wherein the length of each support rail and the offset angle are matched to each other in such a way that the end section of each support rail, which retains the supporting roller, is at such a distance from the corresponding bed end piece that, as described earlier, a collision-free rotational movement of the supporting roller or the travel movement respectively of the bed frame including the attached bed end pieces is permitted. 
     The support rails are not only offset in a direction pointing away from the bed end piece, they are also offset at an angle pointing upwards, starting from the base rail, which facilitates the maximum movement of the bed frame together with the attached bed end pieces in vertical direction downwards. 
     According to a further characteristic of the invention, each supporting roller is provided with a cap element that is disposed in vertical direction above the respective supporting roller. Said cap element serves as wall guard or edge protector respectively. The collision-free location of the supporting roller in accordance with the design according to the invention means that the supporting rollers protrude beyond the external boundaries of the bed frame or the bed end pieces disposed thereon respectively. During manoeuvring of the bed it can occur that the supporting rollers collide with walls, furniture and/or such like. To provide contact protection in this respect, the above-described cap element is proposed with the disclosure. Said cap element is disposed in vertical direction above the respective supporting roller and has a radius that is greater than the rotational radius of the respective supporting roller. This ensures that, in the instance of a collision, the cap element is impacted and not the supporting roller. Accordingly, the cap element is made from a preferably soft, elastic material that does not stain when exposed to friction. Moreover, it is preferable that the cap element is designed to be rotatable around its vertical axis so that, if contact is made, the cap element can roll off the contact object, for example the building wall and/or such like. 
     According to a further characteristic of the disclosure it is proposed that the supporting segment provides a hollow column, the lower edge of which in vertical direction is disposed above the lower edge of the respective bed end piece in vertical direction. Thus the lower edges of the supporting segment and of the bed end piece do not finish flush with each other. Rather, the bed end piece extends beyond the supporting segment in the lower section, which advantageously creates a free space between the lower edge of the supporting segment in vertical direction on the one hand and the lower edge of the bed end piece in vertical direction on the other hand. In a lowering movement downwards, said free space serves to provide a receiving space for the lower part of the moving segment of the lifting column as well as for the base rail of the lifting column base that is supported by the moving segment. In a lowering movement of the bed downwards, the base rail in particular can enter into said free space, which provides for a maximum movement range of the bed in downward direction. 
     The column is provided with a cover at its top edge, which finishes, preferably at least in sections, flush with the in vertical direction upper edge of the associated bed end piece. 
     According to a further characteristic of the disclosure, the support segment is provided on the outside with two vertically extending grooves that face each other. Said grooves are provided to accept functional elements, in particular sheet-like decorative elements. Said decorative elements may be inserted with their respective edges into the corresponding grooves which, when installation is complete, are then positively locked in the grooves. The grooves are also closed at the top end through the cover, which ensures the secure retention of the sheet-like decorative element on the supporting segment. 
     Moreover, a lifting column with the above-described characteristics is proposed with the disclosure. A lifting column of this kind provides the also already described advantages. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
       Further characteristics and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the following description based upon the Figures. The figures illustrate: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective view of a bed according to the disclosure in a first position; 
         FIG. 2  shows the bed according to  FIG. 1  in front elevation; 
         FIG. 3  shows the bed according to  FIG. 1  in lateral elevation; 
         FIG. 4  shows the bed according to  FIG. 1  in top plan view; 
         FIG. 5  shows schematic perspective view of a bed according to the disclosure in a second position; 
         FIG. 6  shows the bed according to  FIG. 5  in front elevation; 
         FIG. 7  shows the bed according to  FIG. 5  in lateral elevation; 
         FIG. 8  shows the bed according to  FIG. 5  in top plan view; 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic perspective view of a bed according to the disclosure in a third position; 
         FIG. 10  shows the bed according to  FIG. 9  in front elevation; 
         FIG. 11  shows the bed according to  FIG. 9  in lateral elevation; 
         FIG. 12  shows the bed according to  FIG. 9  in top plan view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Each of the  FIGS. 1 to 12  depicts the bed  1  according to the disclosure, wherein the  FIGS. 1 to 4  show the bed  1  from various sides in a first position, the  FIGS. 5 to 8  show the bed  1  from various sides in a second position, and the  FIGS. 9 to 12  show the bed  1  from various sides in a third position. 
     An overview of the Figures makes it apparent that the bed  1  according to the disclosure comprises a bed frame  2 . Said bed frame  2  is disposed between two bed end pieces  5  and  6 , that is, between the head end  5  on the one hand and the foot end  6  on the other hand. When used as intended, the bed frame  2  serves to support a support surface element  7 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the support surface element  7  is provided in form of a slatted base and is comprised of a plurality of sections  10  that are pivotable relative to each other, which is depicted clearly in particular in an overview of  FIGS. 9 to 12 . 
     The bed frame  2  in the exemplary embodiment shown is comprised of two outer frame rails  3  as well as two inner frame rails  7 . They are attached, preferable screwed, at the end to the respective bed ends  5  and  6 . 
     Each bed end piece  5  and  6  respectively provides an end board  9 , which may, for example, be made from timber or plastic, or a compound material. 
     To provide support for a bed mattress on the support surface element  7  in an intended use application, the support surface element  7  is provided with spring elements  8 , wherein each slat of the support surface element  7  is provided with a plurality of spring elements  8  that are disposed at a certain distance from each other. A number of said spring elements  8  are shown in the Figures as an example. 
     The bed  1  is made to be height-adjustable. To facilitate this, the bed  1  is provided with lifting columns  11  and  12 . These are disposed on each of the bed end pieces, and provision is made so that the lifting columns  11  and  12  are located on the outside of the bed. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the foot end  6  supports the lifting column  11  and the head end  5  the lifting column  12 . 
     Both lifting columns  11  and  12  are telescopic and comprise a supporting segment  13 , a centre segment  14  and a moving segment  15 . The moving segment  15  is formed relative to the centre segment  14 , and the centre segment  14  is formed relative to the supporting segment  13 . 
     The  FIGS. 1 to 4  depict the bed  1  with extended lifting columns  11  and  12 . The lifting columns  11  and  12  are extended to their maximum in this position of bed  1 . 
     The moving segment  15  of each lifting column  11  and  12  respectively comprises a lifting column base  16 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, said lifting column base  16  is provided with a base rail  17 , and attached to its ends are the support rails  18  and  19 . As is apparent from  FIG. 2  in particular, said support rails  18  and  19  extend at an angle in upward direction  23 , starting from the base rail  17 . As is particularly apparent in the plan view according to  FIG. 4 , the support rails  18  and  19  are offset relative to the respective bed end piece at an angle ? [sic], in a direction opposite to the respective bed end piece  5  or  6  respectively. 
     Each of the support rails  18  and  19  supports the thereto attached supporting rollers  20 , wherein the supporting rollers  20  are rotatably attached to the associated support rail  18  and  19  respectively, pivoting around their vertical axis. The distance A between the pivot point  21  of a supporting roller  20  and the respective bed end piece  5  or  6  exceeds the rotational radius r that is described by the supporting roller  20  around its vertical axis  22 , which is particularly apparent from the depiction in  FIG. 4 . 
     Due to the offset arrangement of the support rails  18  and  19 , a collision-free movement of the bed frame together with the thereon attached bed end pieces  5  and  6  into a lower position is possible, as depicted in  FIGS. 5 to 8 . As shown in particular in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the bed frame  2  together with its bed end pieces  5  and  6  is able to move past the supporting rollers  20  of each lifting column  11  and  12  respectively collision-free, so that the bed frame  2  with its bed end pieces  5  and  6  disposed thereon is able to move downwards until it rests on the floor. The rollers, which are rotatable around their respective vertical axis  22 , do not reach underneath the bed frame  2 , nor under the bed end pieces  5  and  6  disposed thereon, and thus do not present an obstacle to a downwards movement. 
     As is particularly apparent from the depictions according to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lower edge  24  of the supporting segments  13  of the lifting columns  11  and  12  respectively finishes in vertical direction  23  above the lower edge  25  of the end board  9  of the respective bed end piece  5  or  6  respectively. 
     This creates a free space  26  between the lower edges  24  and  25  into which the respective lifting column base  16  with its base rail  17  can enter when the bed  1  is lowered. 
     The supporting segment  13  of each lifting column  11  and  12  respectively is provided on its side that faces away from the bed end piece with grooves  28  that extend in vertical direction  23  and are located on the edge of every supporting segment  13 . The grooves  28  are facing each other with their open side and serve, in the application as intended, the purpose of receiving the edge of a decorative element in form of decorative board that is supported by the supporting segment  13 . Said decorative board may be inserted in longitudinal direction of the grooves  28  and serves in particular to improve the aesthetic appearance of the supporting segment  13 . Nevertheless, other functional elements may also be inserted into the grooves  28  instead of the decorative board. 
     In the final assembled state the supporting segment  13  of each lifting column  11  and  12  respectively is covered at the top with a lid  27 . Said lid  27  also serves to close off the grooves  28  so that a functional element retained therein cannot accidently fall out or be removed from it. 
     According to a further characteristic of the disclosure, the bed frame  2  of bed  1  is provided with frame rails  3  and  4  that can be extended in longitudinal bed direction. To facilitate this, said frame rails  3  and  4  respectively may be made telescopic, or may in other ways be provided in two sections that are moveable relative to each other in longitudinal bed direction. Due to this design it is possible to extend bed  1  if necessary by pulling it out. In the retracted state of the frame rails, the bed end pieces have a standard distance of preferably 2 m. This allows for the placement of a standard mattress on the support surface element  7 . If required the bed  1  can be extended in longitudinal bed direction through pulling the frame rails  3  and  4  apart to an internal dimension between the bed end pieces  5  and  6  of 2.20 m. Thus the frame rails  3  and  4  enable an increase in distance between both end pieces  5  and  6  of 20 cm. 
     To ensure that, when extending the bed or returning the bed  1  to its standard dimension, the frame rails  3  and  4 , that is, their respective sections to each other, are not inadvertently twisted, a gear arrangement is provided according to a further aspect of the disclosure, by means of which the second sections of the frame rails  3  and  4  are coupled in their movement in longitudinal bed direction. Thus, due to the gear arrangement the extendable frame rails  3  and  4  are synchronised, which ensures that, independent from the force applied to the bed end pieces  5  and  6 , always the same travel movement of the frame rails  3  and  4  is ensured. The synchronisation through the gear arrangement thus ensures that the frame rails  3  and  4  are retracted or extended equally. The problem of a possible twisting is therefore completely eliminated. 
     The gear arrangement has a further advantage. It may be used to transmit a force into the bed frame  2  for extending or retracting the bed. In this respect it is not necessary for the user to grab and move the bed end pieces  5  and  6  in order to extend or retract it. Particularly preferred in this regard is to provide an electrical drive for the gear arrangement. This permits the user to extend or retract the bed as required by the push of a button. This increases the ease of operation significantly. In particular it is not necessary to have two persons available to extend or shorten the bed to the required length. Due to the gear arrangement only a single person is required to extend or shorten the bed. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.