Patent ID: 12220059

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein provide a modular pneumatic actuation system for lumbar support and head tilt in an articulating bed which may be implemented in a compact vertical space to present a minimum vertical profile for modern bed designs. Referring to the drawings,FIGS.1A and1Billustrate an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable bed2incorporating a pneumatic actuation system (described in greater detail subsequently) with pneumatic adjustment modules3, employed as lumbar support modules4and head tilt actuators6, in an actuated position. As seen inFIG.1Ain the unarticulated position of an upper body support panel12andFIG.1Bin an articulated position of the upper body support, a frame10having side rails11a,11band end rails13a,13bcarries the upper body support panel12and a seat support section14. The upper body support panel12may be attached to the seat support section14with hinges15for rotation. A thigh support panel16may also be attached with hinges17to the seat support section and a lower leg support panel18attached with hinges19to the thigh support panel. The frame10may be supported by legs20. Structure and actuation of the adjustable bed2may be implemented in one example shown herein as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,932,583 entitled Electric Adjustable Bed. The contouring effect of the inflated pneumatic support modules on an overlying mattress8is represented inFIG.1C.

An example implementation of the pneumatic adjustment modules3, for use as lumbar support modules4and head tilt actuators6, is shown in detail inFIGS.2A-2C. Each pneumatic adjustment module has a base22to be received on a support panel of the bed, the upper body support panel12for the example shown. A tilt panel24is attached to the base22with a vertex hinge26. A bladder28positioned between the base and tilt panel has a plurality of expansion segments30. Each expansion segment provides an effectively triangular expanded cross section, in an inflated condition, having a vertex32proximate the vertex hinge26. The vertices of the segments may be adhesively joined or mechanically engaged by a spring clamp or similar device. Alternatively, the segments may be molded as a single element with joined seams at the vertices. In the example shown inFIGS.2A-2C, three expansion segments are employed (FIGS.2A and2Bare shown with transparent ends on the segments). Each expansion segment30is attached to a pneumatic inflation system (to be described in greater detail subsequently). Inflation of the expansion segments in the bladder28adjusts a tilt angle34between the base and tilt panel. Each expansion segment is pneumatically expandable over a range from a deflated condition in which the expansion segments are substantially flat and the tilt panel is substantially parallel to the base to an inflated condition placing the tilt panel at a desired tilt angle. Use of separate expansion segments30in the bladder28allows more precise angular control over a range of tilt angles from substantially 0° with the bladder uninflated to a maximum angle, between 20° and 30°. In certain implementations, the segments30may be individually and sequentially inflated to provide incremental predetermined tilt positions within the overall tilt range. Additionally, the substantially triangular shapes of the individual segments30and overall triangular shape created in the bladder28during inflation of the segments provides even pressure over the lower surface of the tilt panel24for more stable support of the overlying mattress through the range of tilt angle.

The tilt panel24may be flexible as opposed to a rigid structure to allow contouring between the module and the overlying mattress for greater comfort. Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) is employed in exemplary implementations. Additionally, the tilt panel24and base22may both be FRP and the vertex hinge26may be a “living hinge” of flexible FRP joining the tilt panel to the base. The bladder28may be adhesively bonded to the tilt panel and/or base or may be removably attached with hook and loop fasteners or comparable devices to allow for replacement or adjustment.

FIGS.3A and3Bdemonstrate and example inflation manifold40which is mounted on a bottom surface of the seat support section14. Inflation conduits42extend from each of the bladders28of the respective lumbar support modules4and head tilt actuators6through apertures43in the seat support section14to one of a plurality of regulating valves44in the inflation manifold. Alternatively, the apertures43may be placed in the upper body support panel12proximate the positions of the lumbar support modules4and head tilt actuators6. In example implementations, the inflation conduits are flexible to allow routing from the inflation manifold to the respective bladders28. A pneumatic pump46provides pressurized air to the regulating valves44. The regulating valves44are electronically controlled with a controller48, as shown inFIG.4, configured to provide inflation or deflation commands, responsive to user input on a remote49, to each regulator valve for flow of pressurized air from the pneumatic pump46to the bladder in the respective lumbar support or head tilt actuator to increase the tilt angle or relief of pressure from the bladder to reduce the tilt angle. The remote49may be wirelessly connected to the controller48with WiFi or Bluetooth®, or hardwired.

Each pneumatic adjustment module3is attached to a different regulating valve44in the example shown. This allows separate actuation/regulation of the two lumbar support modules4and/or the two head tilt actuators6on each side to provide separate positioning for the two separate users. The remote49and controller48may be configured to provide synchronized control of the two regulating valves for the lumbar support modules4or the two regulating valves for the head tilt actuators6to allow simultaneous tandem operation.

The structure of the pneumatic adjustment modules3allows attachment of the base22of the module to be positioned on the upper body support panel12as either a lumbar support module4or a head tilt actuator6. Further, as seen inFIG.3, the longitudinal position L1 and L2 (relative distance from the edge of the panel hinged at the seat support) of each of the lumbar support modules4or longitudinal position L3 and L4 of head tilt actuators6may be adjusted to match the height or torso length of an individual user for greatest comfort. In a dual configuration as shown inFIGS.1A,1B and3C, placement of each set of modules, a lumbar support module4and a head tilt actuator6, may be customized for the user on each side of the bed. In example implementations, the modules may be removable and adjustable through the use of an attachment mechanism such as hook and loop fasteners having lower moiety21amounted to the upper body support panel and upper moiety21bmounted to a lower surface23of the module base22as seen inFIG.5Aor conventional bolt fasteners27aextending from tabs25on the module base22through slots29in the upper body support panel12secured by adjustable nuts27bon a lower surface of the upper body support panel as seen inFIG.5B.

The segments30of the bladder28are shown in the inflated or expanded condition inFIG.6Aand in the deflated or contracted condition inFIG.6B.

The modular form of the pneumatic adjustment modules3additionally allows use of the modules to provide thigh support or elevation without the thigh support panel being rotatable from the seat support section14. A thigh elevation module7as represented inFIG.4elevates an overlying mattress providing the desired knee elevation without the necessity for rotatable hinges thigh support and foot panels. Additionally, in specific implementations, a pneumatic adjustment module3may be placed longitudinally aligned to provide elevation of the mattress to form a “side pillow” for comfort of side sleepers. The modular form of the pneumatic adjustment modules allows placement on a support panel for curved displacement of an overlying mattress at any desired position.

The individual segments in the plurality of segments30forming the bladder28may also include a plurality of lobes50interconnected for inflation of the segment as seen inFIGS.7A-7C. The lobes50may be interconnected by molded or bonded seams52. As in the initially described implementation, the vertices32of the segments may be adhesively joined or mechanically engaged by a spring clamp.

Alternatively, the segments may be molded as a single element with joined seams at the vertices. An example segment with the lobed configuration is shown in the inflated or expanded condition inFIG.8Aand in the deflated or contracted condition in8B.

Having now described various embodiments of the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims.