Patent ID: 7930780

Claim:
An articulated bed assembly, comprising: a lower support structure having a head end and a foot end with a pair of lengthwise side rails; a carriage having a plurality of legs extending from a platform, said legs including rollers arranged to roll on said side rails for translational movement on the lower support structure; an upper support structure including a seat section, said seat mounted on the carriage so as to be movable therewith, an upper body support section having an edge pivotally connected to the seat section, a thigh support section pivotally connected to the carriage; a lower leg support section pivotally connected to the thigh support section; and retainer means for restraining the foot end of the upper support structure against translational movement toward the head end so that translational movement of the seat portion toward the head end causes the foot end of the bed flame to elevate: a support arm having a first end pivotally connected to the lower support structure and a second end pivotally connected to the upper body support section; an actuator connected to the lower support structure; and a lever arm having a first end pivotally connected to the actuator and a second end rigidly connected to the upper body support structure adjacent where the edge thereof is pivotally connected to the seat section, the actuator and lever arm being arranged such that application of force from the actuator to the first end of the lever arm provides a motive force for moving the carriage and the upper support structure on the lower support structure while also producing a first lifting moment on the upper body support section, the support arm being arranged such that movement of the carriage toward the head end of the lower support structure produces a second lifting moment on the upper body support section, the first and second lifting moments cooperating to pivot the upper body support section about its connection point to the seat.